SusannahTravels

A photographer's paradise, a cafe-lovers paradise, and thermal spa heaven. There are no boring bits in Budapest - everywhere you walk there's something interesting to look at or do; or something completley unexpected, like an art exhibition floating in the river in the city park. It's a bit like the best bits of Manchester, Paris, and Moscow all mixed together but is unlike anywhere else I've been. Budapest has unusual buildings (mostly baroque and art deco), each one unique and beautiful. There's a zoo, a permanent circus, the Danube river, vintage clothes shops, a layrinth under the castle, fantastic places to eat and drink, lots of thermal spas... I love Budapest and could easily spend a lot longer here, a great city to end on! Lots more to do, but during my short stay I managed ... read more

The past two weeks have been a happy fortnight of sunbathing and swimming in the crystal clear Adriatic at Dubrovnik, Brac Island, Hvar island, Split, and Zadar. Croatia is a fantastic country and perfect for a bit of relaxation after lots of sight-seeing! If you're in your seventies and have just got off a cruise ship you'll love Dubrovnik. I lasted 45 mins in the old city which is full of expensive cafes, tourist shops, and people following their tour group flag. The guide books call Dubrovnik the crowning glory of Croatia, but I thought it was awful and was very pleased with the little beach 100m from the old town. As promised, it does have shiny white marble streets and buildings, but you can see these everywhere else in Croatia too. After two days in ... read more

I had a good feeling about Sarajevo on the drive in, and as anticipated it's a fantastic place and easily my favourite Balkan city so far. Once again its a small city centre, interesting to walk round with lots to see and do, and even more East-meets-West than Istanbul - due to Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian rule at various times in it's history, the city has lots of buildings from both periods. We were staying round the corner from the spot where Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914 and a few minutes from Sniper Alley, which was the most dangerous street during the siege years. On Sunday we did a free walking tour with Neno, a student at Sarajevo university, who has lived in Sarajevo his whole life (email walkingsarajevo@gmail.com if you are ever in Sarajevo). This ... read more

Another small city that's nice to walk around but felt like I could've been in any other European city - a cathedral, a river, trams, shops, cafes, parks... There's a fortress where you can get good views over the city and the Sava and Danube rivers. Spent Sunday afternoon cafe hopping in the rain with a Finnish girl and then back to the train station for the night train to Bar.... read more

Last truck drive to Istanbul, a final meal, and lots of sad farewells over the next few days as we all go our own ways. For me, it was back to Asia for a much appreciated stay with Julia and Julian in Kadikoy, a boat and a bus ride away from the touristy side of Istanbul. A double bed and room of my own was a complete luxury after Galipolli and Eceabat beach and it was good to catch up on sleep and laundry, and to briefly return to normal life! I watched the Royal Wedding on Friday accompanied by Pimms, afternoon tea, and strawberries in abundance. Although a bit touristed-out, I did manage to see Topkapi Palace, the Grand Baazar, the Spice Bazaar, the Basicalla Cisterns, and many mosques. (I did however manage to miss ... read more