Things We Learnt In:

The Slovakian capital city of Bratislava is a medieval marvel, surrounded by soviet architecture, nestled between the Danube River and incredible mountain ranges. The fact that it attracts around 4.6million visitors a year seems to suggest that this gem has remained largely hidden. With so much to offer, it seems unfair that Bratislava is not higher up every body's list. If you were considering Bratislava as a weekend retreat, then I can happily recommend a few things to keep you busy! Old Town Any visit to Bratislava would not be complete with a meandering walk through the maze of alleys and boulevards of the Old Town. Filled to the brim with Churches and restaurants, overlooked by the imposing Bratislava Castle on the Hill, the preserved Medieval centre of the Old Town is a fantastic place to while away a few hours. St Michaels Tower  In the Old Town centre itself is St Michaels Tower, standing proudly as the only preserved city gate. Built in approximately 1300 the...

Clinging to the cliff top on the confluence of the Danube river and the Morava river, Devin Castle is one hugely impressive historical marker of the country lines between Slovakia and Austria. Devin Castle has seen a huge swathe of human history, holding its commanding position as a settlement since Neolithic times, fortified throughout the ages and eventually ruined on the orders of Napolean 1809. The monumental ruins now make for a superb day out for all, as long as you don't mind hills! Getting to Devin Castle It is easy to use public transport to reach Devin Castle, given it is situated only 12km outside of Bratislava. The most direct route is Bus 29, running twice an hour, which can be boarded underneath the "UFO Bridge". The journey takes around 25 minutes and tickets can be purchased from the machines for the bargain price of 90cents per adult. The bus then takes you out of Bratislava through the surprisingly green and vibrant suburbs until you reach...

Jutting proudly into the skyline a short distance from Edinburgh Old Town is the monolithic set of hills crowned by Arthur's Seat. A hugely popular hill walking destination this extinct volcano offers breath taking panoramic views of Edinburgh and beyond. The hike is easily accessible and possible for anyone with a moderate level of fitness, but what else do you need to know? How to get to Arthur's Seat  If you are starting in the Old Town of Edinburgh, Arthur's Seat is at the end of the Royal Mile very close to Holyrood and approximately a mile away from Edinburgh Castle. You can catch a bus to Arthur's Seat but we chose to walk from Edinburgh Castle straight down the Royal Mile and then, when we reached Holyrood, turn right and find the hulking hills directly in front of us. What should I pack for climbing Arthur's Seat? The trick for this hill walk is to be prepared for the British weather which can be largely undecided about what it wants to do...

Originally a medieval city balanced precariously on a rock and overlooked by an inactive volcano, Edinburgh is now the incredibly diverse capital of Scotland. Grey, imposing and thoroughly beautiful, it has so much to offer even if your time in the city is limited. In order to make the most of your time, especially if you are time poor, then we've put together our favourite things from Edinburgh. Edinburgh Castle At the very top of the Royal Mile is possibly one of the most iconic buildings on Edinburgh's skyline- Edinburgh Castle. Originally built in 1130 Edinburgh Castle is a World Heritage Site and encompasses over 800 years of Edinburgh's history, following the lives of numerous royal residents and the social and economic growth of Edinburgh itself. Within the Castle walls are different buildings to explore, memorials to those lost at war, museums of the multiple uses of the Castle and the Crown Jewels. Some might argue that the real jewel in the crown thou...

Perched on a semicircle of fjords, Oslo is the picturesque and vibrant capital of Norway. Oslo is known for its Viking history, modern architecture and outdoor activities it is hardly surprising that Oslo was consistently voted one of the highest ranked large European cities for quality of life of its residents. If you're planning a trip to Oslo, then the following tips will make sure it is especially memorable for you. Akershus fortress and castle  With a commanding position on a cliff in the harbour, the Akershus castle has stood in place since the 1300's, later becoming fortified in 1592. Open between 6am and 9pm each day, entrance is free to the fortress to walk around the grounds and admire the views. If you are so inclined you can sit with your legs over the edge of the fortress and admire the view across the fjords. My Travelling Buddy was happy to do this but my cowardice for heights is well documented (among our other travel fails! ) so I chose to stick to t...

Riga is the cosmopolitan capital of Latvia, a tiny Baltic state with less than 2 million residents. What Latvia may lack in size it makes up in beautiful architecture, incredible landscapes and a compact capital city which feels like it was made for budget friendly long weekend city breaks. We travelled to Latvia in December for the added bonus of Christmas markets and mulled black balsam to help keep out the chill! In order to cram as much into a limited time span as possible, we recommend this three day itinerary. Day One When you arrive in Riga the chances are you will jump on one of the shuttle buses from the airport and trundle into Riga. If you get off of the shuttle in the Old Town then you have the perfect start to your weekend. St Peters Church For 9 Euros per adult you can access the Church itself which holds exhibitions (a fabulous photography exhibition was on while we visited) and to the 72m tall tower. The viewing platform around the tower provide...