It’s been over a year since I went to the White Isle, but it was one of the most fun weekends of my life and it definitely should be on your list for a girls trip or a holiday with your other half as it offers so much.

Ibiza has a reputation of being a bit of a party island, and although there are some of the world’s best super clubs housed across the place, it has so much more to offer and is definitely a destination that should be on your list to visit.

Today I’ve rounded up some of my reasons why Ibiza should be your go-to holiday destination.

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1. It Doesn’t Take Long To Get To

The great thing about Ibiza is that you can get to it from most UK airports and the flight time is somewhere in the region of 2h 30 minutes which gives you enough time to get a glass of fizz and relax.

When we flew there last year, the flight times were pretty good as well: we flew on a Friday evening and came back on a Monday evening so had three full days there, which was the perfect amount of time if you were after a weekend girls trip or a longer holiday.

2. Beach Clubs

What could be better than lying on a sunbed having sangria delivered to you? In my eyes, absolutely nothing.

The beaches in Ibiza are some of the most stunning I have ever seen so that in itself should be a reason to visit, but the fact that you can listen to great music, eat amazing food and get suitably tipsy as well is just even more of a bonus!

There are loads of beach clubs across the island ranging from slightly pricier options to ones for those on a budget. As we went slightly off-season, a lot of the bigger beach clubs weren’t open, but we did find Malibu Beach Club on Ses Salines beach, which was gorgeous and had such attentive staff: I’d highly recommend giving it a go.

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3. The Nightlife

If the party-style nightlife does appeal to you, Ibiza has some of the best clubs in the world. From Pacha to Amnesia and everything in between, there is definitely something for everyone.

We stayed in the old town, which was more bars and restaurants, but there are good transport links all over the island, as well as organised trips to other areas which you can organise before you arrive. The taxi service is also really good and reasonably priced so that’s another option too.

4. The Weather

Ibiza is notoriously known for its gorgeous weather, and it’s easy to see why. We visited in late April and it was around 23-25 degrees and sunny the whole time we were there.

There are loads of lovely squares and outside areas to soak up some rays and dabble in a bit of al-fresco dining and of course the glorious beaches. The water also is quite warm compared to other Spanish islands I’ve been to, and is so gorgeous and turquoise that you’ll want to dive straight in.

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5. Food

We actually had our best food recommendation from a local, who was in the lift with me and my friend Sophie at the time, and he was not wrong when he said it was the best pinchos in Spain – the restaurant was full of locals, eating and drinking to their heart’s content, and had a real Spanish feel about it, including the way you picked what you wanted off the counter and indulged in some delicious tapas.

We didn’t have a bad meal during our stay there, and there is definitely an abundance of restaurants, ranging from gorgeous, quaint tapas ones, to beautiful sushi and Thai places. There is a huge range of different cuisines, for all different price tags.

6. Old Town

The Old Town of Ibiza is such a beautiful and quaint little place, and if you don’t stay around there, it is definitely worth a visit. Take a walk up all of the winding roads to the castle and marvel at how stunning the views are.

There are also traditional Spanish shops in this area and it’s where you’ll find some of the best restaurants too. Definitely, one to visit if you like to see the traditional side of a destination.

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7. Not as expensive as you may think

One of the things I was worried about when I found out we were going to Ibiza was the cost of it. I’d heard previously that everything was super expensive over there, but from someone who has visited, I can assure you that it is really not that bad. Obviously, there are places which cost more than others, but you just have to have a look online or go to a few different places in order to get a fairly priced meal.

My advice would be to go off the beaten track and away from the tourists as this is usually where you’ll find the cheaper options and best deals and have a look online before you go to see if there are places you can book. If you are staying in an apartment too, I’d suggest getting some food in for breakfast and lunch so you don’t have to spend as much money out in the day and can save it for the evenings.

8. Excursions

On our first day there, was took a ferry out to the island of Formentera which took just under an hour. The island was absolutely stunning – think crystal blue waters, national parks and beautiful coves – and it was a lot less busy than mainland Ibiza. We took a taxi to a beach on the other side of the island and spent the afternoon in the sunshine, eating paella and drinking wine.

As Ibiza is an island, there are loads of different boat tours you can do, including hiring your own and going to secluded beaches, and what better way to spend a day than that?

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I hope you’ve enjoyed this post about all the different reasons to visit this diverse island!

Have you been to Ibiza? What did you think?

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you’ve all had a lovely weekend enjoying the sunshine and the long summer evenings. I’ve had such a lovely week which started in Italy, and towards the end, it was a bit emotional as I said goodbye to my job of the last year to start a completely new chapter, but more about that in the next few weeks.

Here is everything I was loving last week!

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Sardinia

I started the week with three days in Cagliari in Sardinia, and I had such a lovely time. Italy is definitely one of my favourite countries, and it was really nice to spend time in Sardinia, which is such a stunning island. I can’t wait to write up all of my recommendations.

Boat Trip

I wanted to mention the boat trip that we went on in Sardinia because it was such a fun day and something that I’ll definitely be doing again somewhere else. We were taken to crystal clear waters and different beaches, all of which were absolutely stunning – such a fun way to spend a day.

World Cup

I came back on Wednesday to England’s last football match in the World Cup, and although it wasn’t the result we were all hoping for, it was really great to see the team going so far and all of the country coming together and supporting the same cause. Although I’ve watched more football in the last month than ever before, I’m really going to miss it!

Leaving Drinks

As I mentioned, Friday was my last day in work, so we had some leaving drinks and lunch in Alderley Edge with some of my closest colleagues. It was quite a surreal day and I’m going to miss everyone so much, but it’s time for the next challenge and I’m really looking forward to it.

Disco Classical

On Friday evening, Hannah invited me to Victoria Warehouse to see Disco Classical with Sister Sledge, and we had such a good night. There was an orchestra, different bands playing and Sister Sledge were amazing too. It’s something I wouldn’t usually go to, but it was something I would definitely recommend if you get the chance.

Amazon Order

This week I decided to treat myself to a few different books on Amazon as it’s been a while since I bought any new ones. I might start doing book reviews on here, so let me know if that would be something you’d like to see, and I will make it happen!

Cricket

On Saturday, a group of us went to a T20 match, which was Lancashire VS. Derbyshire at Emirates Old Trafford. I was really lucky to be invited to have a look round the media centre beforehand too, which was really interesting. I’ve never been to see the cricket before, but I had such a good time and it’s definitely something I’ll be going to again!

Food Shop

I know this makes me sound like a right loser, but there is nothing I love more than a fridge full of food! As I’ll be working from home now, I wanted to make sure I had enough food in for the week so I don’t head to the supermarket at any opportunity. It’s my aim too to start eating a bit healthier after quite an indulgent few weeks.

Chilled Sunday

As I’ll be starting my new job today, I wanted to have a really chilled Sunday getting my office set up properly and making sure the house was a little bit tidier so it’s a nicer environment to work in.

Coffee Scrub

I was contacted on Instagram a couple of weeks ago by natural skincare brand, Optiat, and was offered to try one of their products. I went for the mandarin coffee scrub and I love it. It makes my skin feel so soft and it smells amazing too. If you’re into sustainable products, then definitely have a read.

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How was your week?

Today officially marks 9 months to go until our wedding day, and how fast has this time gone? Every day that goes past makes me more excited for the big day and without wishing the year away too much, I just can’t wait!

When it comes to the planning though, I feel as though I’m in a bit of a lull as I can’t decide on anything else at the moment, but I also want to get as ahead as possible so I’m a bit in limbo – it’s what happened with being so productive at the start!

Instead of starting yet another Pinterest board, I thought it would be a lot more useful to round up my tips for planning your big day. Let me know if you have any other tips too!

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Don’t be afraid of DIY

All of the weddings I’ve been to in the past couple of years have had different levels of what has been done by the couple themselves, and what they have paid a company to do.

When we first got engaged, I thought that I would hire a room-dressing company to come in and do everything for us, but after doing my research and picking up bits and bobs along the way, you can save a lot of money if you don’t shy away from DIY.

Whether it’s an old mirror you’ve upscaled to have your order of service on or centrepieces that you’ve done yourself, the little DIY touches will make your whole wedding feel a lot more personal.

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Consider Your Options

A friend of mine got engaged the other day and was talking about the price of wedding venues, which unfortunately is one of the most expensive parts especially if you want to get married on a Saturday in summer.

One of the ways that you can bring the price down is by getting married during the week, and in a month that is out of season (usually January – March, November, December) and even though this might not have been your first go to option, it will massively bring the cost down.

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Take Advantage Of Your Creative Friends

Obviously, don’t take the biscuit when it comes to your wedding plans, but if you have someone in your family or a friend who have a creative edge, maybe ask if they would be happy to help you out in exchange for a discounted rate.

One of my close friends is a graphic designer and helped me to design our invitations and another is a baker and has offered to do our cake for much cheaper than we would have had to pay otherwise. The people closest to you will want to help you make the day as seamless as possible.

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Shop For Your Suppliers

The great thing about getting married is everyone else who wants to talk about their weddings and give you advice on how to make your big day as special as possible. One of the things I found really helpful was having lots of different recommendations of suppliers especially when it came to photographers and caterers – what can I say, the food and pictures are the most important thing to me!

Websites such as Confetti, have everything at your fingertips from florists to hair and beauty and anything else you can think of. You can visit website.

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Don’t Worry About The Little Things

The truth is, you spend a year, two years, planning your perfect day and you want everything to go as smoothly as possible, but when did life ever go to plan?

As much as you want the whole service and ceremony to go without any little glitches, the chances are that something will go wrong, but believe me when I say that you are the only one that will realise this.

No one knows that their centrepieces are skew-whiff, or your hair has fallen out on one side or the food is 20 minutes late – they’re all too wrapped up in having a good time, and you should be doing the same.

Don’t worry about the little things that may be out of control, and enjoy your day. It will be one of the most special of your life, and there is no point worrying about the little things.

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And there you have my 5 tips for planning a wedding. I hope that you’ve been able to take something away from this if you are newly engaged or further along the planning stages.

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Have you got any tips for planning a wedding?

When did we suddenly get so busy? What a deep way to start a blog… but really, when did it happen? It’s hard to pin down your friends, you’re constantly trying to balance all the areas of your life and blogging on the side is turning into a part-time job. 

And then there’s work… There always seems to be a whole load going on at work whether you work for a company or are self-employed. We never seem to be able to get a break no matter our professional situation and it’s hard to strike a good balance. 

Many parents have to juggle their childcare with their job and, by the time they have managed to factor in their own social life, it seems like they have no more spare time in their diaries. Even if you don’t have a family yet, you might still find that there is hardly any chance to catch a breather in the evenings or at the weekends.

There’s just too much on everyone’s to-do list, myself included.

Do you dream of being able to take a few minutes to yourself and catching a breather? Well, if so, it sounds like you could do with a longer break. How about a holiday, in fact? An actual holiday? Not just a city break or a few days away – a time to really switch off.

If you have been thinking of planning a holiday soon, you might want to consider some of the following destinations that I’ve rounded. Each of these is renowned for being a great destination for some chill-out time – just what you deserve.

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Ibiza

When you think of Ibiza, you might instantly think of one of the best-known party destinations in the world. It’s true that this little island in the Balearics is a renowned hot spot for hedonists, but that’s not everything that this island has to offer. In fact, if you stay away from the party area on the island, you will find that there is some really beautiful scenery and quiet locations where you can chill out throughout your break.

In fact, there are quite a few popular family-friendly resorts once you start to get away from all the clubs and all-night parties! One great day out is the Hippy Market at Es Cana. You’ll be able to while away a few hours wandering around the stalls and picking up some bargains as you go. After a day of shopping, why not relax on one of the great beaches, such as Cala Llonga?

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Bali

Bali has been on my holiday bucket list for as long as I can remember, and with the number of bloggers going there in the past couple of years and capturing such beautiful images, the wanderlust is real.

If you love getting in touch with your spiritual side and think that doing so will help you shake off some of your current stresses, then book a flight to this tropical paradise. This Indonesian island is known for its many temples, most of which date back to the ancient times. One of the most famous temples on the island, Tanah Lot is located on a rock formation just off the coast: You can’t enter the temple itself, but you’ll be able to get close enough for some fantastic shots. There’s also a beautiful beach just near the temple so that you can take in the inspiring views of the sunsets into the ocean.

Sounds pretty perfect right?

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Japan

Another one that’s been on my hitlist for a while is the intriguing country of Japan. If you want even more zen in your life, or to try a completely different culture then this might be the place for you.

Even though the cities of Tokyo and Kyoto might seem anything other than relaxing, there are still lots of rural spots and places of perfect tranquility around the country. Take the country’s many parks; they are so large and expansive, that you could very easily forget the hustle and bustle of the cities!

There are also some really cool destinations for day trips just outside Tokyo: The Takao-San mountain is just an hour outside the capital and lots of guided tours head there each day. You’ll be able to trek up the mountain and take in some breathtaking views of Tokyo. The sights will be so spectacular that you might even forget all of the stresses of things back at home!

If you go in the spring months too, the cherry blossoms will be out in all of their glory.

 

Denmark

Did you know that people who live in Scandinavia are thought to be a lot happier and more relaxed than those from elsewhere in the world? It’s true, there is actually quite a lot of research that backs up this claim. People think it might be because of the region’s relaxed lifestyle. So, why not go and see for yourself with a visit to Denmark?

This could be the perfect country to visit if you have been thinking or organising a winter trip this year. And that is all because of hygge – the Danish concept of comfort and cosiness. But it is a lot more than just being cosy; in fact, the Danes take this very seriously indeed!

It is more of a way of life for them and something that they try to achieve as much as possible, especially in the winter when it is very chilly outside. During your trip to Denmark, you’ll come across lots of quaint cafes and restaurants where you can experience this hygge for yourself!

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Singapore

You might not instantly think about Singapore as a very relaxing country, but it has to be said that there is a lot going for it. I’m sure you will certainly be able to recharge your batteries with a stay in this beautiful place. In fact, you’ll be able to easily find a reasonably priced studio apartment for rent in Singapore long term, so it could be a good option if you want to go on a longer break for a month or more.

Singapore is quite a busy place and is perfect for those of you who would rather relax by immersing themselves into a cosmopolitan lifestyle rather than heading out to the countryside. You can chill out in the evenings at Marina Bay and go for a leisurely stroll around Clarke Quay. If you love anything adrenaline-packed, you can always check out the thrilling Universal Studios Singapore.

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The Alps

The Alps cover eight countries, so there are a few destinations you might want to choose if you fancy recharging your batteries in these famous mountains. There are also lots of different activities that you can take part in, depending on which season you travel in.

Go in the winter, and you’ll be able to ski and snowboard until your heart’s content. In the summer, there are hundreds of hiking routes. No matter where you travel to in the Alps, though, you can be sure of enjoying some hearty delicacies. Dairy is a big deal here, and you’ll be able to enjoy a lot of fondue and raclette – perfect!

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The UK

If you are one of the many people who find travelling to be very stressful, you might just want to relax on a staycation. At least that way, you don’t have to get stressed out in an airport before you have even got to your destination!

It’s a good idea to give London a miss as it is an extremely busy city, and you won’t be able to truly relax – ideally, head out to the British countryside. The Lake District and Peak District have plenty of beautiful spots dotted around, and you will find that there are so many walking routes that you can enjoy.

The country’s coastline is equally beautiful and you’ll be able to soak up this current heatwave on one of the many beaches. Even if the weather isn’t that great by the time you head away on your staycation, you will still be able to enjoy everything that the traditional British seaside has to offer.

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So, next time you feel like you take a breather and escape from your busy life, it could be a good idea to consider one of the destinations above. Let me know if you do visit one of them – I’d love to know how you enjoyed your time away!

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Have you been to any of the above? What did you think?

This will be the final instalment of my Botanist posts, and I really hope you’ve enjoyed them and I’ve inspired you to check out all the amazing food on their menu. Find my review of the full menu here and the Sunday lunch menu here.

The Botanist recently launched their whole vegan menu which has some great and delicious choices on. I wasn’t invited down to solely try this menu, but I’d seen a couple of other blogging friends has made some tasty choices from it so I challenged myself to go completely vegan for the night (apart from one of my cocktails had egg white in which I only realised afterwards – I’m sorry, I’m sorry!)

As it was the third time I was working with The Botanist, they invited me to their restaurant on Deansgate. I went with my lovely friend Jacinta, but before she arrived (I was painfully early as usual) I took some photos of the gorgeous decor as I’d never been into this one before and I was blown away with how beautiful it was.

I took a seat in the dining room and ordered myself their signature cocktail, ‘The Botanist’ as it felt quite fitting. It was made with vodka, run and elderflower liqueur and was delicious – I’m a big fan of anything with elderflower in. Once Jacinta arrived, we had a read of the menu and made our choices.

For the starter, I went for the tempura-fried cauliflower, tender-stem broccoli and kale Manchurian with a sweet and sour sesame dipping sauce. When it arrived, I was impressed with how much you actually got as I know sometimes with veggie and vegan choices, the portions can be quite stingy.

Sometimes when I’ve had tempura battered things in the past, they can be quite soggy, but this was lovely and crisp and the sauce was a welcome accompaniment.

For the main, I went for the harissa aubergine steak with saffron and almond Israeli couscous, grilled baby gem lettuce and tahini dressing. I’m a big fan of aubergine, and even before going veggie, if it was on the menu, I would usually go for it, and this time it did not disappoint. I find it quite hard to get aubergine right when I cook it at home, but this one was so full of flavour and incredibly juicy – I would 100% order this again.

For the main, Jacinta and I shared the homemade banana doughnuts with salted caramel sauce and a peanut milkshake, and it was the perfect sweet treat to finish the meal off. I’m not usually a huge fan of doughnuts, but because this was the only vegan choice they had, I decided to give it a go. I think because the doughnuts were made with banana, it took the overly-sweet edge off them and it was almost like a sugary banana bread, which is right up my street!

I hope you’ve all enjoyed reading my reviews of The Botanist’s different menus and various locations – it’s been an absolute pleasure to work with them on this project, and I hope I’ve inspired you to give them a go.

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My meal at The Botanist was complimentary in exchange for an honest review.