I love to travel. I always have and always will.
Right from my first holiday abroad to Belgium when I was two or three, to many 32 hour coach journeys to the sunny Spanish Costas, to flying for 9 hours to St Lucia, I have loved them all.
St Lucia April 2015
When I was little, I wanted to become a coach courier; someone who accompanied the travellers on their way to the sun.
Then of course, package holidays with flights became cheaper and more affordable for the common man and the employment options became thin on the ground.
Also, I met and married the hubby and travelling around Europe on coaches became a pipe dream.
High in the Sky
Since then I am lucky to have been able to go to a fair few Countries. Mostly Europe, but a family holiday to DisneyWorld was pretty spectacular too.
Unfortunately family circumstances changed after Florida and we started having UK breaks instead of going further afield.
We loved our Centreparcs holidays and had great adventures and a lot of fun. Cycling, Swimming, Tree Climbing and Archery to name a few. As the twins got older it turned more to cocktails and spa sessions.
Ziplining in St Lucia
In the past four or so years, I have been really fortunate to find a travelling partner in my Blogging wifey, Boo from ‘Does my blog make me look fat?’
Our first City break was actually a shopping mission to Warsaw to go and visit Ewa Michalak and try on some larger sized bras than what we can get in the UK.
Ewa Michalak Photoshoot
That was back in November 2015 and since then we have journeyed to Budapest (twice), Prague, Paris, Disneyland Paris (twice), Ljubljana, Lake Bled, Vienna and Bratislava.
Budapest by Night September 2016
I had also had a solo adventure to Stuttgart in Germany to visit the wonderful Dr Rhina Duque Thüs and her lovely husband, Holger. It was the first time I had gone abroad on my own and it was the best adventure ever.
Cannstatter Wasen Stuttgart 2018
Now the travel bug was upon us again.
So, where else could we be thinking of trying out? Well, we had a few places that we have discussed in the past and were still on the list of places to go, including Romania, Croatia, Estonia and Portugal.
Disneyland Paris Finale June 2017
Boo and I were chatting on WhatsApp when the discussion of a possible holiday was mentioned.
Prague Christmas 2016
I was up for whatever we could find so Boo went on the search to see what she could find.
Budapest December 2018
Personally I am always happy to try new Countries and a long as the price is right, will consider most.
I was surprised however when Boo asked how I thought about Lithuania as it hadn’t really been on our hit list.
Notre Dame October 2017
However I was really excited to look at it further as there is a family connection with the capital, Vilnius.
During the Second World War Vilnius was called Vilna and was in Northern Poland. Prior to World War I, both Poland and Lithuania tried to claim ownership.
Blue – Done! Red – all booked.
My Mother was born during the time when the allies liberated the City from the German Forces and so was called Vilna in honour of this.
After the War, again the land was divided up again and this time Vilna was sectioned into Lithuania and renamed Vilnius. It was somewhere I knew about because of my Mum’s name, but I had never had a chance to go.
Austria February 2018
Now was my opportunity.
We looked at dates at the end of September/October and Boo soon found a stunning Hotel in the City; The Amberton Cathedral Square. Set right in the heart of Vilnius, in the old town.
Ljubljana December 2017
The hotel has all the modern amenities including a Spa and for 6 days, bed and breakfast with flights and a 20kg case (plus hand luggage) for £230.
Bratislava February 2018
Bargain. 5 minutes later it was confirmed!
Literally a couple of days later Boo came back with another trip idea. Lisbon in December.
Lake Bled, Slovenia December 2017
Again another place I had wanted to visit and we went for a date at the beginning of the month.
Partying in Stuttgart September 2018
Boo suggested a stunning hotel, The Hotel Real Palacio. Part of a grand 17th Century residence, the hotel was right in the area we wanted to be in.
Five Days from the 7th December came in at just around £200. Was I interested.
Well, of course I was.
Bathing in Budapest December 2018
Before you could say ‘Passport’ it was all confirmed.
So now, all I need to do is save up my spending money!
Till next time
SPSG xx