40s Wanderlust Travel Blog

Category: Europe

  • The Meteora Monasteries, Greece

    The Meteora Monasteries, Greece

    The Meteora Monasteries are the ‘miracle of Greece’. The Greek word Meteora means “suspended in the air” and brilliantly describes the way these Greek Orthodox Monasteries seem to balance on the cliff edges. When visiting this bucket-list Unesco World Heritage site, most visitors base themselves at the nearest town, Kalabaka.

    We visited these impressive rock formations of Meteora when holidaying in nearby Thessaloniki and Halkidiki, combining the beach holiday with a dose of mountain air away from the bright lights of the big city. 

    1. Getting to the Meteora Monasteries

    The closest international airport is Thessaloniki. It is possible to get a bus or train from Thessaloniki to Meteora however we hired a car for the duration of our trip. We would recommend this too if you are traveling independently as it comes in handy when visiting the vast site that unfolds before you. 

    Driving from Thessaloniki to Meteora is easy, it took us around 3 hours but we chose a scenic route to see more of the countryside. A satnav is necessary if you are going off-highway as the country roads aren’t well signposted. 

    2. Where we stayed

    Hotel Meteora, in Kalampáka, was the perfect mid-range bed and breakfast for us just off the center of town. For our 2-night stay we booked the Superior Double Room which included a private bathroom. balcony and terrace, and air conditioning. 

    Hotel Breakfast
    Hotel Breakfast

    Breakfast was a hearty affair, served to individual tables rather than buffet style, with fresh eggs cooked to order. 

    The owner was extremely helpful in advising us which Meteora Monasteries to visit on the days we were in town (they open/close on different days of the week) and marking on a map the best spots to capture epic views. 

    He also recommended a tavern down the road for dinner as they have traditional live music playing each night. We loved the food and tavern so much that we went on both evenings of our two-night stay! 

    View of the Meteora Monasteries, Greece
    View of the Meteora Monasteries, Greece

    3. Catching The Best Sunset

    As you can imagine the sunsets in Meteora are epic! There are several viewing points along one of the main roads, but they do get very busy so it’s best to go early to get a good spot. We went in low season, so I can’t imagine what it would be like in high season. 

    Whilst we were waiting patiently for the sun to set we watched a couple in wedding outfits having a photo shoot. It was unclear whether it was for their actual wedding or whether it was a fashion shoot, either way, they would have had amazing images I’m sure! 

    Sunset in Meteroa
    Sunset in Meteora

     

    The photos we took did no justice at all to the sight we saw before our eyes. It truly is a magical experience and one we will not be forgetting quickly. You really must go and see for yourself! 

    4. What We Ate

    We very much enjoyed all the food we ate in Greece, but especially the evening meals we had at the To Paramithi – Tavern. Daryroush really enjoyed their lamb ribs and red wine, whilst I ordered a selection of hot and cold mezze plates. They have both outdoor and indoor tables, but we opted for inside as we really liked the decor and being able to watch the two guitarists strumming away and singing. 

    Lunches were at the Yamas Taverna which is a large restaurant catering to tourist coach parties on the high street. The food was good, the staff attentive, and it was great for people-watching. I enjoyed the best beetroot salad and grilled aubergines after several meat-heavy meals in previous days. 

    Things To Consider Before Going The Meteora Monasteries

    • Make sure you book ahead for accommodation, especially in the high season, when it gets very busy and the prices will reflect demand. 
    • Hire a car to get around, unless you seriously love hiking up steep mountains. We did see people explore on mountain bikes too, but we found the steep steps up to the Monasteries was as much as our thighs could handle! 
    • Drones are banned from flying in this Unesco World Heritage Site. However, it isn’t very obvious as we didn’t spot any signage and we did fly our drone on the first day until we looked it up and realised our mistake. A few people did fly drones, so I think it is a common mistake to make when you are traveling independently and do not have a guide to advise you. 
    • Ladies need to be covered from the waist down when entering the Monasteries. I thought I’d be fine wearing ankle-length trousers but I still had to buy a shawl to wrap around myself. They are available at the entrances for the larger sights. To avoid the added expense, bring one with you. 

    Hopefully, we’ve given you a good idea of what it’s like to visit the Meteora Monasteries and you add it to your bucket list if you haven’t already done so. And if do go, let us know what your favourite part was – we’d love to hear back from you!

  • Accommodation in Halkidiki, Greece – A Review

    Accommodation in Halkidiki, Greece – A Review

    Looking for couples hotel accommodation in Halkidiki? Who doesn’t enjoy waking up to the sound of the sea and a leisurely hotel buffet breakfast? We booked a last-minute break to Northern and Central Greece to get the last bit of Autumn sun before bunkering down for the long European winter.

    Halkidiki is a region in northern Greece known for its jutting peninsulas, featuring Mediterranean forests lining pristine sandy beaches in sheltered bays. Kassandra, the westernmost peninsula, is the most developed of the three peninsulas, offering modern resorts and nightlife. It is also the closest Peninsula to the Thessaloniki International Airport where you are most likely to fly into. 

    When looking for an early October beach break that offered more than endless beaches and overpriced tourist food, we stumbled upon some well-priced last-minute flights for Thessaloniki. 

    Being flexible on holiday is very important for us, so we generally book the first hotel to have somewhere decent to arrive at and then book onward accommodation once we know where we want to go next. This strategy has its pros and cons. It can be stressful for people who like to know exactly where they are staying, but we enjoy the flexibility of ‘going with the flow’! But as we know, it’s a risk and as you will soon find out, we don’t always win the game…

    1. Sea Level Hotel, Polychrono, Kassandra

    Our best accommodation in Halkidiki at the Beach Front Balcony at Sea Level Hotel
    Beach Front Balcony View at Sea Level Hotel

    The first two nights we stayed at the Sea Level Hotel, an adults-only hotel on Polychrono Beach in Kassandra. This hotel was exactly what we needed to unwind, relax, and enjoy crystal-clear sea views! We had a beachfront balcony and the hotel was spotless. 

    It was also nice and quiet, there were only a few other tables of guests during breakfast so there was no queue at the toaster, and the hospitality team was on hand to help if needed. 

    We very much enjoyed our stay there and tried to book the hotel again the following week but it had closed for the end of the season. We were lucky to be amongst the last guests to stay that week. 

    A few words of caution: The restaurant and beach loungers can be used by families so it’s not a totally child-free zone! A family with a toddler rented loungers in front of us and totally ruined our afternoon of relaxation. Ha!

    We did have an evening meal at the hotel restaurant. The seafood was very fresh but be aware that it’s tourist prices! 

    Location: 9/10

    Cleanliness: 10/10

    Service: 9/10

    Value: 9/10 (We paid 145 Euro for 2 nights Bed and Breakfast in a seafront room with a balcony) 

    2. Lagomandra Beach Hotel, Elia Nikitis, Sithonia

    Spoiler alert!!! It was oh, so grim! We were truly spoilt by our first hotel and should never have left! We went from a child-free hotel to one described as ‘an ideal family-friendly hotel’ and that’s where alarm bells should have rung… What was I even thinking?

    Whilst looking for alternative hotel accommodation in Halkidiki, it was my bright idea to try out another hotel on a different peninsula so we were closer to more secluded, less touristy, areas. We hired a car so were super mobile, but it turned out that we could have just stayed put and driven further out. 

    We booked a ‘Junior Suite’ but I’m not convinced that is what we got. I don’t even have photos of the room to share as it was grim and I didn’t want to keep the memory. Let’s just say the bathroom smelt rotten, the decor was well past needing a refresh, the elderly male guest next door sunbathed bollock-naked on the balcony, and the restaurants during meal times were chaos! 

    It was an all-inclusive hotel which I thought may have been easier as there were very few local restaurants open due to the season coming to an end. But this hotel was packed so I don’t know if it was the school holidays at the time. The hotel food was passable and filled a hole. I ate a lot of the salads and fish. 

    The best thing about the hotel was the beach which was a 10-minute walk away from the room. 

    Location: 8/10

    Cleanliness: 2/10

    Service: 5/10

    Value: 5/10 (We paid 206 Euro for 2 nights Half Board in a Junior Suite with a balcony that overlooked the side of the family pool) 

    3. Studios Aigialos, Perea, Kassandra

    Chosen for its proximity to the airport, we spent the last 2 nights in a small studio flat overlooking the beach and the city center. Studios Aigialos is a recently renovated aparthotel set in Perea, a few steps from Perea Beach. We found them on the Booking.com app and they don’t seem to have a website. 

    Check-in was easy, we rang the son of the owner on arrival and he showed us to the room. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes to eat at on the beach, and with its proximity to the city center, it was still very busy with local tourists.  

    The room was comfortable, if a little cramped, the kitchenette had the basics, and the bed Wifi was strong. the only hiccup we had was that the shower drain was blocked and the bathroom began to overflow. So we had to put a load of towels on the floor to stop the water from spilling out into the room. This happened on the last night of our stay so we just reported it on check-out in the morning and they were very apologetic. Despite this, we would recommend this accommodation in Halkidiki when wanting to stay close to the city and airport.

    Location: 8/10

    Cleanliness: 7/10 (It was all fine until the bathroom flooded!)

    Service: 8/10

    Value: 7/10 (We paid 145 Euro for 2 nights, self-catering, in a beachfront studio with a balcony) 

    Things To Consider When Choosing Your Accommodation in Halkidiki

    • Booking accommodation in Halkidiki in advance is essential! I know I started this post by saying we don’t like to do this, but I learned a massive lesson on this trip. When you go to very touristy places, accommodation needs to be booked in advance, especially amid the high season or in our case when a lot of the good hotels have closed for the winter! 
    • Hire a car, it’s not expensive and it makes getting around so much easier. When you have a car you can drive to the city and have access to a multitude of restaurants with so much choice! Thessaloniki is a thriving, modern, city and has a lot to offer. The roads are very safe and well maintained too. 
    • Go self-catering, you’ll save a fortune by going to the local supermarket and stocking up on your beach snacks and bottled water. We made our picnics for the beach and traveled to the furthest out beaches where there were no shops open and very few people. 

    Everyone has very different tastes and budgets when it comes to accommodation, so this is from our viewpoint. We aim for mid-range but do like to splash out when we think it’s worth it. No matter what the hotel was like, we don’t tend to spend a huge amount of time in them, so even if one isn’t that great, we never let it ruin the holiday! Halkidiki is beautiful and we highly recommend going. 

  • 4 Days in Prague

    4 Days in Prague

    Looking for things to do in Prague when traveling with older people? Prague is a stunningly beautiful city and well worth visiting if you are looking for an affordable European city break. With stunning architecture such as Prague Castle and the famous Astronomical Clock, the number of visitors is ever-growing earning the city a good reputation as an affordable travel destination and a thriving food scene.  

    Prague is a small city full of cobble-stoned streets, a very walkable city, but this may be a little challenging for seniors who have difficulty walking long distances. Prague has an excellent public transportation system with trams and subways so this makes getting further out of the city center a lot easier. We took a short trip to Prague in early summer with my parents for a relaxing city break and this is everything we got up to!

    Charles Bridge, Prague
    Charles Bridge, Prague

    1. Where we stayed

    We opted for the Pytloun Boutique Hotel Prague – a hotel and bar right in the center of the Old Town of Prague, on Wenceslas Square. It was ideally located as it is close within walking distance to many tourist attractions, and shopping areas and had good restaurant options nearby. The closest metro station was a short 10-15 minute, slow, walk away to get to attractions further afield. 

    We arrived at the hotel after midnight due to a stressful journey of delayed flight and lost luggage. But the staff were on hand to check us in and show us to the room. In the haze of the moment, I forgot to take photos of the room but we were in a family suite with two double rooms and a shared bathroom, and we opted for breakfast to be included in the room rate. 

    The rooms are modern and clean, and there was a balcony off one of the rooms which had a small table and chairs to sit out on. But the view was only of the opposite building as we were at the back of the hotel, not on the Wenceslas Square side.

    The breakfast is a standard European-style buffet, there is an egg station but it’s very slow and they avoid eye contact as much as possible! I made use of the fruit juicer and enjoyed fresh grapefruit juice every day. The food on offer was the same each day so we were pretty bored of the food by day 3. 

    Staying in the Old Town is a bit pricier but it offers direct access to amenities on your doorstep and is ideal for older people who may struggle with walking long distances during city breaks. 

    Location: 9/10 (we could easily go back to the hotel for mid-day breaks and everything necessary was within easy reach)

    Cleanliness: 8/10 (The hotel was clean but we had an issue with the shower door screen which caused the bathroom to flood.)

    Service: 7/10 (the breakfast hospitality team was great but there weren’t enough table spaces for the number of hotel guests)

    Value: 7/10 (The bathroom issue wasn’t resolved during the stay so they gave us a 50 Euro refund as a gesture of goodwill, but the price of the room was still on the higher end for the city)

    2. Our Activity Highlights

    Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock

    Prague’s Old Town Square is probably one of the most visited highlights of the city. On the southern side of the Old Town Hall, you can find the famous astronomical clock. Every hour on the hour (between 9 AM and 11 PM), the 12 apostles start moving around. There was quite a crowd forming in anticipation for the hourly show, but in our opinion, it didn’t live up to the hype! 

    Prague Castle (Pražský hard) and Gardens

    One of the 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Czech Republic, we took the 30-minute tram ride to wander around the gardens and the grounds.  My parents now struggle with walking long distances so we opted out of going inside the palace, instead most of the time in the gardens and admiring the building’s architecture and the views. It’s free to walk around the grounds, payment is required for entrance into the building only. 

    Wenceslas Square

    Our hotel base, and somewhere we would go back to and spend a lot of our downtime. In the Old Town area of Prague, the architecture is beautiful so the street is an attraction in itself. Walking down the street you can find many shops, hotels, restaurants, and street performances at weekends. It was a lovely place to sit in the early evening and people-watch whilst enjoying the sun and soaking in the city vibes. 

    Charles Bridge

    Connecting the Old Town with Lesser Town, this popular pedestrian bridge is filled with musicians, painters, vendors, and tourists. The bridge is decorated by a continuous alley of 30 statues, which are all unique so it is interesting to stop and look at all the details. 

    Illusion Art Museum Prague

    We had an hour of fun in this small museum whilst my parents took an afternoon nap. Great for photo opportunities and the staff were very helpful. 

    3. What we ate

    We must admit that we weren’t totally in love with traditional Czech food. We tried a restaurant that was highly regarded for their traditional food and we found it wasn’t to our taste as the food was very heavy. This is by no means a reflection of the food on offer! However since Prague is a cosmopolitan city, there was plenty of international cuisine on offer and great bakeries to have light lunches at too. 

    Prague Meal
    Prague Meal

    Other meals we enjoyed on our 4-day stay included a Middle Eastern family-run restaurant named ‘Jaffa’, a 10-minute walk from the hotel, and a beautiful belly dancer for entertainment throughout the meal.

    We also enjoyed a modern Vietnamese meal in one of Prague’s many Vietnamese-run eateries. Fun fact: Vietnamese are the third-largest minority of foreigners in Prague, just after Ukrainians and Slovakians. the Vietnamese came to former communist Czechoslovakia for work and studies. With the fall of communism in 1989, the majority of them decided to stay and made the Czech Republic their permanent home.

    Things To Consider When Travelling with Seniors

    • There are a lot of cobbled roads, so may be difficult walking terrine for people who are more unsteady on their feet. 
    • Old Town is the best location for accommodation if walking a long distance is an issue.
    • There are a lot of seating areas around for rest time and to watch the world go by. 
    • Public transport is free for those over 65! ID is required and you still need to ‘purchase’ a ticket.

    Hopefully, we’ve given you an idea of what it’s like to spend a few days in Prague on a city break with older people. If you do decide to go we’d love to hear what you thought of the city and your favourite places to visit and eat! 

    40s Wanderlust

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  • Cartmel in Cumbria: Top Things To Do, See, And Eat!

    Cartmel in Cumbria: Top Things To Do, See, And Eat!

    Planning a weekend getaway to Cartmel Village in Cumbria? This is my guide to the top things to do, where to stay, and where to eat in Cartmel. 

    The Medieval village of Cartmel has a rich heritage, activities for visitors, and a thriving food scene to enjoy. Whether you’re planning a weekend or overnight stay, I share my best finds and practical tips for a memorable trip! 

    40th Birthday Celebrations!

    This overnight break in Cumbria, just outside the Lake District National Park, was a surprise trip for my big birthday! My amazing cousin organised and planned the whole weekend, and managed to keep it all a huge secret right until the morning we set off.  A few weeks before, I received a cryptic invitation card in the post telling me to ‘pack for all weather and something smart/casual for dinner’. So if that doesn’t ignite your curiosity, whatever will?!!  

    I absolutely loved the whole weekend so the list below is in no way a ranking, but a personal list of highlights and treasured memories…

    1. Where we stayed

    L’Enclume – famous for its three Michelin-starred restaurants also has lovely bed and breakfast accommodation in Cartmel Village within short walking distance of their restaurant. They have the option of double rooms or suites, which breakfast at their one Michelin-starred neighbourhood restaurant Rogan & Co. in the morning, and you are guaranteed a table at L’Enclume in the evening. They also have the option for a ‘stay and dine’ at Rogan & Co.

    The room was beautifully decorated, understated, and classic. Special attention was paid to preserving original features and spotlighting local crafts from the woodwork to the furniture and the toiletries. 

    Breakfast at Rogan & Co
    Breakfast at Rogan & Co

    2. L’Enclume

    We dined at the three Michelin-starred restaurant headed by Simon Rogan, and what an experience it was! I don’t regularly dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, but if I could more often then I would. I am totally here for the experience and to savor every bite. 

    I’m going to write another post specifically for L’Enclume so I won’t say too much here. But what I do want to share with you is that it is worth it! For me, it was a special birthday treat and truly a memorable experience that I will talk about with fellow foodies for years to come. In the meantime here are the desserts described on the menu as ‘Marigold, sack, verbena, mint stones’.

    Desserts at l'Enclume
    Desserts at L’Enclume

    3. Cartmel Village and The Priory

    Cartmel village is very easily walkable and there is a variety of activities and places to spend time depending on what floats your boat. 

    We arrived mid-morning so stopped into a cute tea room to get a brunch of homemade scones and tea. There are several cafes and pubs in the village to choose from, each with their unique menus showcasing British classic foods.  

    Our post-brunch wander around the village took us to the cute Cartmel Village Hall where a craft market was taking place. The stalls were a mixture of handmade cards from upcycling old materials to traditional wooden children’s games and hand-thrown pottery. I picked up a deck of playing cards in the theme of the Fungi Kingdom (I’m obsessed!) and then it was time for check-in! 

    Cartmel Village Cumbria
    Cartmel Village, Cumbria

    Another highlight on our village walks that weekend included a gander around the famous Cartmel Priory.

    People from all around the world make pilgrimages to the Priory for prayer and worship. Unfortunately, the church had closed to the public when we were there so we couldn’t go inside but we did have to look at all the old tombstones in the surrounding cemetery and try to find the oldest one. A place of legends, myths, and stories, the Priory has a history and heritage dating back 680 AD and is a fine example of stunning architecture with renovations taking place over the centuries. 

    Cartmel Priory
    Cartmel Priory

    4. Massage

    After checking in to our accommodation, we headed to Park Lane Cartmel, a day spa and beauty salon, for a relaxing massage. The therapists were so friendly and professional and gave wonderful massages tailored to our little niggles and knots. No photos to share but I would highly recommend visiting the salon if you are looking for a way to wind down in an instant! 

    5. Segway Tour 

    Lakeland Segway

    Lakeland Segway 

     

    There is a choice of outdoor activities in Cartmel, from easy walking trails along the river to Segway with Lakeland Segway. I cannot tell you how much fun this was as I’d never tried this before. The company is based at the village car park where there is a practice area so you can learn the basic maneuvers and build your confidence before your group goes off into the surrounding fields and woodlands to enjoy the village sites in tandem. 

    Full training is given by the experienced group leaders and is very suited to beginners of a nervous disposition! This was a totally new experience for me but within minutes I was going backward at pace (they tell you not to do that!)

    6. L’Enclume Farm 

    We almost missed out on this experience, so make sure you don’t! A visit to L’Enclume’s Farm. Our Farm, located 1 mile away from the village and is a real highlight of this Cartmel weekend. It’s an option for anyone who dines in the restaurant and you get a farm tour with the passionate Farm Manager, John, who works cosley with Simon Rogan to plan the growing seasons with the restaurant in mind. As someone that has worked on an urban farm and is passionate about growing, I cannot tell you how special this experience was for me. 

    Our Farm’s concept is to “strengthen the link between our food, its development and the environment, and to further develop the relationship between cooking and growing”. Exactly the ethos behind the community food-growing projects we find across the UK. 

    Their year-round growing methods allow them the flexibility and productivity needed to ensure that their restaurant kitchens have locally produced and easily accessible produce that the chefs also take part in farming themselves. John explained to us that by growing everything themselves, they have better more control over the ingredients they use and are less vulnerable to any supply chain issue. 

    For anyone interested in growing food, this is a must-do activity. I also left with a little piece of the farm to take home when I plucked up the courage to ask John for some of their homegrown Japanese mint to grow in my garden! A souvenir that money can’t buy and one enjoyed for many years to come…

    Our Farm Manager John
    Our Farm Manager John packing Japanese Mint for me to take home

    7. Where to Park

    Parking was easy and very close to the center of the village. Parking in the village can be found by several bays directly outside the Priory, and by a large serviced pay and display car park on the edge of the Racecourse. 

    Finals words

    If quaint English villages with good food and fun activities are your thing, go to Cartmel! Combine it with a longer visit to the neighbouring Lake District National Park or for a short break. There is still plenty more to explore that I haven’t written about in this post but that just means you need to go and see it for yourself. Last tip I’m going to leave you with, don’t forget to pick up a sticky toffee pudding from the village shop before you leave. You’re welcome! 

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