Exploring Komodo by boat was absolutely the highlight of our Indonesia trip. We spent our time aboard Sukha Sail 1, travelling between islands, visiting some incredible beaches, snorkelling in clear waters and looking out for the wildlife that makes this part of Indonesia so special. Chasing dragons, floating with mantas and relaxing on rosy beaches, this is why we loved travelling through Komodo National Park with Phinisi Trip Indonesia.
Read more
Disclaimer
A Look Around The Boat – Sukha Sail 1
Labuan Bajo is not short of a phinisi boat or two. the large wooden boats that serve the Komodo islands. However, they are not all created equal. From the cheap and cheerful variety stuffed to the gills with backpackers, to the rather luxury, all-suite vessels, with hot tub and private chefs, there is a boat to suit every traveller. We used Phinisi Trip Indonesia to scan through our ideal dates, and check out the options. So where does the Sukha Sail 1 sit?
Taking its facilities, catering and price into consideration, I’m going to say that it is distinctly midrange, with a higher end slant if you opt for for one of the premium rooms. The boat has …. Rooms and can fit up to …. passengers but we only had eight. We were actually due to have none but one unfortunate guest misunderstood and was in Lombok, our final destination. Let this be a reminder to double check which direction the itinerary you have booked is travelling.
Top Decks
Starting from the top; there is a rooftop for relaxing, stargazing, tanning or getting some sea air. It is carpeted with astroturf (which can be very hot underfoot).
First rule of the boat: shoes off.
Up here you’ll find a few sun beds, apicnic table where we enjoyed a few rounds of cards, and lots of clotheslines. At first glance these might make you think it looks a bit messy but after you’ve hopped in and out of the water a few times, you’ll be stringing up your swimming gear too.
The deck below is mostly made up of the two fancy rooms. These have balconies that look out of the aft of the boat, with a lovely view of the wake.
In front of these is the wheelhouse/bridge, where you’ll find some comfy beanbag chairs. Our group popped a couple of these up on that top deck so we had some more social lounging space.
Main Deck
On the main deck there were a couple of lovely lounging spots with tables. I made the mistake of hopping on one of these lovely cream cushions after our walk on Komodo island, smudging the island’s sandy soil on one end. Sorry! it was rather nice to having drinks out here on one evening. The crew even brought us a battery powered candle to make it extra cozy.
Inside is a dining room where each meal is served. There are two big tables and as a group, we fit perfectly around the larger of the two. It was rather pleasant that we could all share all our meals together.
There were two ways off the boat on this level as well. The first was at the back, were our littl3 tender would pick us up and drop us off. The second, by the sofa on the port side, was a jumping ledge for those that like a bit of daredeviltry, and stairs for wimps like me.
Lower Deck
The lower deck just housed the two budget bedrooms, with portholes for windows, and they both occupied, so I didn’t venture down there.
It is worth noting that the boat is not accessible, and the stairs to the upper decks are steep so those with mobility issues would definitely struggle.
Our Room – Kanawa
I struggle to sleep in dorm rooms, well in general to be honest, but adding in extra people only worstens the situation so we had to make sure we had a private room. We couldn’t stretch to one of those fancy balcony rooms but a nice middle ground was the Kanawa room. Sleeping between two and four passengers, it room would be perfect for a family or close friends. There is a low double bed and then two high bunks. The nicest thing about the layout is that there is an area under one of the bunks that is great to getting luggage out of the way. This is especially good when you are running through soggy from the beach.
The room has an air conditioning unit, which is fantastic, but it takes up one of the only two plugs, which isn’t Luckily, we had an extension cord with us so we could charge everything we needed.
Arriving in India is an experience in itself. Amritsar is vibrant, busy, and full of energy, from the constant movement of tuk-tuks to the buzz around the Golden Temple. It’s a place that feels alive at every moment, which makes finding somewhere calm to retreat to all the more important. That’s exactly where Taj Swarna Amritsar comes in. Set slightly away from the busiest parts of the city, this five-star property promises a more refined, relaxed take on Amritsar, without losing the warmth and hospitality the region is known for. We checked in for a stay in one of their Executive Suites, curious to see whether it could deliver both on luxury and location. Join us for our Taj Swarna review.
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
Location
Set in one of Amritsar’s most exclusive neighbourhoods, Taj Swarna offers a peaceful escape from the energy of the city while still being just a 25 minute drive from the iconic Golden Temple. We used Uber to get to the spots we needed for the day, and nothing was too far away by car, including the airport. The hotel is also conveniently located next to the popular VR Ambarsar mall, making it easy to enjoy shopping, cafés, and entertainment during your stay. It might not be the most central option, but that slight distance is part of the appeal. After a day in the city, coming back to somewhere quiet, cool, and beautifully put together feels like a luxury in itself.
The Golden Temple is the biggest draw to Amritsar, with between 150,000 and 350,000 visitors a day!
A Look Around Property
From the second we stepped inside the beautiful AC of the lobby, we knew we were a world away from the city outside. The air was full of the scent of lilies, and no wonder, the huge flower arrangement in the centre of the lobby was a burst of sunshiny yellow blooms. It hit us every time we walked through, and by the end of our stay, that scent had become completely tied to the hotel in our minds. The lobby itself felt incredibly calm and elegant. Marble floors gleamed under the warm lighting, staff glided around effortlessly, and there was this instant sense that everything was being taken care of before we even had to ask. It had that classic Taj feeling of luxury without ever feeling stuffy or intimidating. The shops that dotted the edges burst with fine textiles and glittery things that i knew wouldn’t fit in my hand luggage backpack…so I had to avoid the boutiques at all cost!
When we arrived to check in, we went over to the reception desks, and the friendly staff asked us to take a seat instead while everything was prepared for us. They brought over the paperwork and officially greeted us with a bindi and basil wood necklace, which immediately made the arrival feel really personal and thoughtful rather than transactional. Then, another gentleman appeared with glasses of traditional Amritsari salted lassi, cold, creamy, and refreshing after travelling in the heat…I am definitely a sweet lassi girl, though. We genuinely felt like total VIPs from the very first moment.
I couldn’t even find the angle I wanted for this piece but it was so impressive in real lifeThey bring the shade down when the sun is too intenseI couldn’t get enough of these lilies
Our Room – Executive Suite
Walking into the Executive Suite, the first thing that struck us was the sense of space. The suite is laid out with a separate living area and bedroom, which immediately makes it feel more like an apartment than a standard hotel room, and it is perfect if you’re staying for more than just one night. In fact, it was 624 ft²/58 m², which is bigger than my London flat!
Such an airy but cosy roomExcuse mr Fluskey’s jumper…I definiately felt a little out-classed when i realised I didn’t know what all the parts of the stand ion the left were for
The living room was bright and inviting, with soft neutral tones, plenty of seating, and subtle nods to Indian design woven throughout. It’s the kind of space you actually want to spend time in, whether that’s catching up on work, enjoying room service, or just taking a break from the heat outside. Large windows let in plenty of natural light and have a lovely view over the pool. There is a TV in here (as well as in the bedroom) so on the first night, when I was super jetlagged, Mr Fluskey could stay in this room with the connecting door shut and let me get to sleep while he waited for his sleepiness to creep over him.
There is a dining area, set for four. On the side was the “drinks station”. A mini bar was provided with some soft drinks, beer and wine. We never remembered to ask if it was included, and so we never touched it. I did make use of the coffee maker, however, with nothing more fabulous than a caffeine pick me up before I have even got dressed in the morning. There was also tea facilities but I have never been much of a tea girl. I would never turn down a nice spice chai though!
Moving through to the bedroom it was amazing to see the size of everything. The bed is exactly what you’d expect from a Taj property: large, incredibly comfortable, and dressed in crisp linens that make it very hard to get up in the morning (thank goodness for that coffee). The mattress was firm, just as I like it and, as a ful king, had plenty of room for two to sleep without disturbing each other.
On each side of the bed was a bedside table with a phone, notepaper, an international plug socket and a water glass…so far, so normal. However, on these tables was a panel to control the lights throughout the room. It was somewhere between mid-century modern and truly futuristic. Thoughtful details like this are what really elevated the space. From the welcome amenities to the layout itself, everything felt considered rather than excessive. There was plenty of storage, a well-positioned workspace, and a chaise lounge to luxuriate upon. It strikes a nice balance between luxury and practicality, which isn’t always easy to achieve.
One of my favourite luxuries in the suite was the walk-in wardrobe. It gave us somewhere to properly unpack rather than living out of a little backpack for a few days, which instantly makes a hotel stay feel calmer. There was plenty of hanging space, shelving, drawers, and more room than we could ever need. We found two cosy robes, slippers and more helpful amenities in here, including an iron and ironing board. Little details like good lighting, full-length mirrors, and having enough space for two people to get ready at once made a bigger difference than you might expect.
Our Bathroom
The bathroom felt every bit as luxurious as the rest of the suite. Finished in marble with warm lighting and a spacious layout, it had that polished feel you hope for from a luxury hotel without feeling overly flashy. There was both a deep soaking bathtub and a large walk-in rainfall shower, so whether you wanted to cool off quickly after being out in the Amritsar heat or properly relax in the evening, you had both options. I was really looking forward to relaxing in the bath with the lovely bath salts and oils provided but somehow, never found the time. I guess that after dinner, and drinks, I was just ready to climb into that lovely big bed.
The large mirrors made the whole space feel lovely and large but if we got in eachothers way, there was a second, smaller toilet near the entrance to the room. Taj’s signature toiletries were provided in both bathrooms, which covered anything and everything you might have forgotten at home. They even had a mini Listerine, the flavour that Mr Fluskey uses at home. They were all presented in the cutest little wooden drawers. I thoroughly enjoyed rummaging to see what we had. Yes, the small toothpastes and body lotion may have come home with me.
If you’re deciding whether to book this category, the Executive Suite feels like a worthwhile upgrade, especially if you value space, separation, and a slightly more elevated experience. For couples, or anyone looking to make their stay in Amritsar feel that bit more special, it’s a really strong choice.
The Club Luonge
Our suite gave us access to the Club Lounge, which added another layer to the stay and gave the experience a slightly more exclusive feel. The lounge itself was calm and elegant, with comfortable seating, attentive staff, and a quieter atmosphere than the main hotel spaces. It became a really lovely spot to reset for a little while between activities. There was a computer set up for those who still like a business centre but we used it exclusively for down time.
Throughout the day, refreshments and light bites were available, including a nice selection of ice cold soft drinks alongside canapés and small dishes, and the staff were always incredibly attentive without hovering. If we had really wanted, we could have snacked our way to an all-inclusive vacation. We popped up for a sparkling wine tasting and expected a teeny sip but the kind host filled us almost to the brim! We even saw a table setr for dinner, with a reserved sign, which means you can even have a quieter, almost private dinner service in there.
What we appreciated most was that the lounge never felt overcrowded. It stayed relaxed and peaceful every time we visited, which made it feel like a genuine perk of staying in the Executive Suite rather than just an added extra on paper. If you enjoy having a quieter space to retreat to during a hotel stay, it definitely adds value to the overall experience.
The Pool
Our arrival at the Taj Swarna came at the end of a long travel day. We flew overnight from London to Delhi, and then straight up from there. That meant a couple of sleepy Flying Fluskeys. We decided to relax by the pool for a little while because it looked so lovely and refreshing. We grabbed our swimming gear and made our way to the right floor.
We found a couple of sunbeds that were under the shade of the trees and laid the provided pool towels down. The shimmering blue water was so incredibly inviting, and I couldn’t resist hopping in. With a water depth of 1.2m, it was was just right for me to bob along nicely and there was also a shallow shelf that ran along one side, perfect for a little lounging. The pool wasn’t heated, but as the Indian summer was closing in, and it was around 40°C, the temperature was cooling rather than chilly. Mr Fluskey, meanwhile, napped in the shade, and I joined him for one of those strange outside not-quite-asleep snoozes.
The J Wellness Circle Spa and Fitness Area
Now, I hadn’t even considered bringing gym gear to India, but I did regret that somewhat. The gym was small but not too small for the size of the hotel. It was well-maintained, and the AC was pumping out the good stuff! I could very happily have worked out here, with everything I needed.
I also regret that I never used the spa. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted to. In fact, I fully planned to, but we were never in the hotel for quite long enough over the last two days to indulge. They had some really lovely packages that I would have picked including invigorating facials and relaxing massages. I think we just underestimated how long our sightseeing would take in the heat so we had alot les time at the Taj than planned. Believe me, if we come back, booking in will be at the top of my to-do list!
Dining
The Grand Trunk – Breakfast
Breakfast at The Grand Trunk offered an impressive spread of both Indian and international dishes, with everything from fresh pastries to authentic Punjabi favourites prepared each morning beautifully. We grabbed a table before doing that old buffet classic of immediately standing up again to go and get some food. The buffet was more than enough options for everyone, no matter how fussy. Of course, Mr Fluskey went straight fr the cereal towers. It is his breakfast buffet routine to begin with a starter of cereal. Meanwhile, i was exploring the length of the restaurant and everything there was on offer:
A selection of Chinese and Western hot dishes like scrambled eggs, noodles, sausages, baked beans(!), herby mashed potato and sauteed veggies.
A choice of hot Indian dishes including paneer bhurji, deep-fried green chilli (what a wake up), onion and tamarind-based dishes.
Chilled dairy goodies including yougurts and yakult, which I loved having.
Fresh fruit and vegetables, gotta get that fibre!
A small selection of meats and cheeses, but I do mean small. If you love a continental breakfast, you are going to be a little dissapointed.
Lots of yummy carbs including bread to toasting, cakes, doughnuts, pastries and delicious condiments to po on top like fresh honey straight from the comb.
There were also live cooking stations offering a variety of fresh-cooked options, including appam, dosa, eggs and pancakes.
Dispensers full of interesting fresh juices, Amritsar tea and a killer cold coffee.
Room Service Breakfast
On our thirdmorning, we decided to slow things down and order breakfast to the suite instead of heading downstairs, and honestly, it ended up being one of my favourite moments of the stay. There is something undeniably opulant about opening the door in your dressing gown to find a beautifully laid-out breakfast trolley waiting outside.
We set everything up in the bedroom for the ultimate lazy brekkie. The cold coffee was absolutely essential, and thankfully it arrived large and strong enough to bring me to life. We ordered far too much. We had spoken to the chef the day before and talked through what sounded good. I accidentally ordered everything! We had a mix of pastries, fruit, eggs, and some Indian breakfast dishes so we could try a bit of everything, and everything arrived beautifully presented and still perfectly warm. The idli were plump and bouncy, the dosa crisp and buttery, and Mr Fluskey was delighted with the hash browns. What made it feel so special wasn’t just the food itself, but the pace of it all. No rushing downstairs, no getting ready first, no timetable beyond deciding when we wanted to move on to the next delicious dish.
The Grand Trunk – Dinner
Dinner at The Grand Trunk was a highlight of our stay, combining elegant surroundings with rich flavours inspired by the culinary heritage of the region. The Grand Trunk offers a buffet in the evening as well as for breakfast, but we decided to opt for a non-veg Amritsar Thali. We added in a murgh malai starter to make it a full feast (because nice hotels do murgh malai SO well). It was also a great chance to have some meat in a reliably safe spot. The meal strted with a sweet lassi, flavoured with rose and cardamom. Mr Fluskey loved it so much that I donated half of mine to him. Then we got to play the “work-out-which-dish-is-which” game with the thali. The Amritsari Macchi (the battered fish in the middle of the main plate) was so light and delightfully spiced. I could have had a basket full!. The butter chicken was so rich and moreish, a firm favourite of mine. I still don’t really know what the lamb dish was but it was scrumptious. We also loved the chance to try the famous Amritsari Kulcha. This thick flatbread is stuffed with spiced potato, carb on carb with tonnes of flavour, there’s no world in which that isn’t delicious.
We arrived at 19:30, after visiting the Wagar Border, and we were one of only two tables. However, an hour later, everyone started flooding in so if you like a quiet dinner, go early. If you like it buzzy, take a later booking.
The Peg – Drinks
After dinner, drinks at The Peg provided the perfect end to the evening, with its expertly made cocktails, and sophisticated lounge feel making it an ideal spot to unwind. In fact, we ended up in The Peg every day we were at the Taj Swarna. The bartenders were so friendly, and they shared our excitement to try the unique cocktails on offer, featuring local ingredients. On the first night, we sat outside in the garden but made use of the air con the next day, once the novelty of the heat started to wear off. We loved the Swarna Spiced with its infusion of spices mixed with rum and the apple-ilcious Ghah Ki Kaddi. We also enjoyed the nibbles provided with the drinks so much (nachos, dip and nuts) that we feasted on them on our second night and completely skipped dinner.
Final Thoughts on this Taj Swarn Review
For us, Taj Swarna strikes a really strong balance between comfort, service, and location. It gives you a calm, polished base to return to after exploring Amritsar, without feeling disconnected from the experience of the city itself. The Executive Suite, in particular, adds an extra layer of space and ease that makes a noticeable difference, especially if you’re staying for more than a night or want somewhere you can properly unwind. Combined with the consistently warm service and thoughtful touches throughout the hotel, it feels like a stay that’s been designed to be as effortless as possible. If you’re looking for one of the best high-end stays in Amritsar, especially as a first-time visitor or for a more relaxed trip, Taj Swarna is a very easy recommendation.
The mighty city of Venice was a major trading power within Europe, dominating until the slave trade shifted power and wealth to the Atlantic. Their reaction was to step away from the waves and secure their foothold on the land that surrounded them. As such, they began to build and expand fortresses and sea fortifications across Northern Italy and down the Istrian and Dalmatian coasts. In 2017, UNESCO recognised six of these fortifications and their combined importance, adding them to its list under the name “Venetian Works of Defence between the 16th and 17th centuries: Stato da Terra – Western Stato da Mar”. Snappy name! Visiting these fortifications gives you an excellent excuse to explore places you might not think of travelling to and an inbuilt itinerary. Journey through Lombardy, Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia to discover the Venetian fortresses of Northern Italy.
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
Bergamo – A Take of Two Cities: Città Alta and Città Bassa
Bergamo is one city made up of two distinct areas. The original city, Città Alta, sits atop a hill, protected by thick Venetian walls. Its narrow, winding streets follow medieval paths and are lined with charming, tourist-friendly shops and restaurants. Below, the newer Città Bassa offers a complete contrast, with wide boulevards, modern shopping districts, bustling cafés and the grand civic buildings of the city. Together, they create a destination that feels like two cities in one.
Start at Funicolare Bergamo Alta
The first thing you’ll need to do in Bergamo is head to the upper city. You could take a bus (pretty cheap) or walk (even cheaper), but the very best way is by funicular. The journey, which takes you up 85m, takes about 2 minutes at gradients as steep as 52%. It affords you marvellous views across the lower city and Po Valley, as well as giving you quite an appreciation for the thickness of the Venetian fortress walls. You can purchase an all-day ticket for €3.50, which means you can go up and down as many times as you like, although you may end up feeling like a slow-motion yo-yo.
Head Up to Parco della Pace
Start your walk up at the Parco della Pace, this excellent viewpoint not only gives you a wonderful look at the old fortifications but an amazing view out across the valley. Standing next to the WWII gun (a Semovente da 75/18 for those that are into ordnance), you can see the 12th century Monastero di Astino below, tucked into a swath of green. When the Venetians were building their huge defensive walls, they demolished plenty of buildings along the way, but the monastery was spared, leaving it sitting just beyond the walls. Right beside you, you’ll also find the Museo delle Mura di Bergamo, a small but really interesting museum that helps bring the story of the Venetian walls to life. It’s not huge, but it’s worth a quick wander.
In the other direction, you will see right across the old town, including the three towers that still stand. The city used to be full of them, as warring families used them for defence, but most were subsequently torn down. From here, you can stroll along the walls themselves and take in the sweeping views over the countryside. It’s a 3 mile (5km) walk and frequented by joggers, dog-walkers and tourists alike. At a stroll, it’ll be a 1.5 hour walk.
Explore the Città Alta
From here, make your way through the narrow, winding streets to Piazza Duomo. Alongside Piazza Vecchia, these two squares form the heart of medieval Bergamo, connected by the striking Palazzo della Ragione and surrounded by some of the city’s most beautiful buildings. Take your time here, this is the kind of place where getting a little lost is part of the experience. Wander down side streets, peek into tiny shops, and stop for a coffee or gelato as you go. Along the ay, keep your eyes out for the Visconti fountain. This interesting structure was the main source of water for the medieval residents from 1342 – 1892.
Climb the Campanone
One of the three towers you will have seen from the fortress wall is the Civic Tower or Campanone. This tower stands at nearly 53 metres and has sweeping views from its upper terraces. Don’t worry, there is a lift to whisk you up to the top. Just a word of warning, the bell (the largest in Lombardy) still tolls, so if you are there on the hour, prepare for a jump scare. If you are still in town at 10 pm, listen out for it as it chimes 100 times. This tradition harks back to a time when this indicated the closing of the city gates.
Marvel at the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
The church of Santa Maria looks quite plain from the outside, so you’re just not quite prepared for the baroque showstopper that awaits you. It’s one of those interiors that will stop even the most jaded travellers in their tracks. Take some time to properly look around, there so much to take in. The walls are draped in enormous Flemish tapestries, many dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, depicting biblical scenes in incredible detail. One of the real highlights is the beautifully carved wooden choir stalls, featuring detailed inlays designed by Lorenzo Lotto, each panel telling its own story if you look closely enough. It’s also worth seeking out the tomb of composer Gaetano Donizetti, a proud Bergamo native. The ceiling is unbelievably ornate, but don’t forget to look down as well as up. The marble floors are just as intricate as the ceilings above. This isn’t somewhere to rush; take a moment, find a quiet spot, and just let the sheer scale and detail of it all sink in.
Pop into Capella Colleoni
Capella Colleoni is the final resting place of one of Bergamo’s most important men, Bartolommeo Colleoni (1400 – 1475). In fact, he was such a big deal that you can spy a fresco of in the church next door. He was rich enough to commission it himself. The front of his mausoleum is wonderfully elaborate with marble inlays and a rose window that illuminates the face of Colleoni’s statue inside. The statue is the newest thing in here, having been in 1501. Keep an eye out for the Corlleoni crest featuring three pictures that are exactly what they look like. This is backed up by the battle cry beneath, “Balls! Balls! Balls!”
Get Your Culture Vulture on at the Museums
The Accademi Carrara
The Accademi Carrara started as a fine art school in the 1700s. It is still operating as an academy, but we are here to enjoy the art, not create it. The museum’s permanent collection is curated carefully to not only share the same time period room to room, but also the same geographical area. It makes the whole collection much more immersive. There are pieces from Italian masters here that even I have heard of, including Raphael and Botticelli. Don’t forget to spend a little time studying the wallpaper on the way in. It was commissioned specially for the stairway and features little details from the masterpieces in the galleries. Expansion in 2024 means there is a lovely new garden that is open to the public for free and you will find changing temporary exhibitions in the new section of the museum.
GAMeC
The Modern and Contemporary Art Gallery of Bergamo (GAMeC) seems altogether more eclectic than its more traditional counterpart. However,, there’s still a strong local influence, with many of the artists either Italian or invited to create pieces inspired by the region. Inside, you’ll find works by big names like Giacomo Balla and Giorgio Morandi, alongside rotating exhibitions that often lean into contemporary themes. The gallery is known for pushing boundaries a little more, so expect everything from abstract paintings to immersive installations. One of the more unique touches is the weekly discussion group, where serious art fans gather to analyse a single piece from the collection. It must be a fascinating conversation to sit in on, although you’ll need to speak Italian to eavesdrop and fully appreciate it.
Feeling Foodie in Bergamo
Bergamo is full of wonderful food spots (I mean, it is Italy, so that is to be expected), but a few really stand out.
Il Fornaio
Light focaccia bases, topped with heavy balls of fresh burrata, a slice of pizza at Il Fornaio is an indulgent thing! Mind you, you might want to skip the burrata if you are on a budget, as the pizza here is charged by weight. Grab a ticket when you enter and wait for your number to be called. You can then choose your preferred pizza and request it to be warmed or not. Pick up your drink over at the bar and tuck in.
La Marianna
Not only does this cafe serve delightful pastries and artisan chocolate, but it is also the home of stracciatella ice cream. For the uninitiated, stracciatella is super creamy vanilla fior di latte gelato, topped with lashings of melted dark chocolate. It is then stirred through, dispersing shards of the bitter, rich chocolate throughout. You can try the ice cream by itself or with a shot of espresso over the top, called the Cafe Mariana. They also have a sister cafe called Babilonia, where the ice cream and coffee are just as good.
Ol Giopi e La Margi
Taking the simple, traditional recipes of the Bergamo region, Ol Giopi e La Margi, brings them up to date. Their simple but delicious dishes are presented as nouvelle cuisine and are disarmingly delicious. Particularly noteworthy are the polenta with anchovies, saffron risotto with sausage and black truffle, and scarpinocc de Parre (incredibly traditional pasta stuffed with bread, herbs, spinach and cheese). There are tripe, horse, venison and rabbit dishes for those feeling particularly adventurous. Make sure you leave room for afters as they have both a cheese trolley and a dessert trolley. The joy in everyone’s eyes as these beauties are wheeled towards the table cannot be underestimated.
Nonna Alda
If you like to cook as well as eat, then make sure you sign up for a pasta lesson at Nonna Alda. This relaxed and enjoyable cookery lesson will teach you how to make casoncelli, the meat-stuffed pasta that originated in the villages around Bergamo, dating back hundreds of years. Take it from a pretty bad cook, this class was really fun, and it is incredible to learn how easy it is to make pasta from scratch! Plus, you don’t have to clean up the kitchen at a cookery class, so its great place to try mixing flour on a flat surface for the first time. You can take your pasta away to cook at your accommodation (so make sure you book a place with a kitchen if this is your plan). Alternatively, you can book a meal at Nonna Alda and have casoncelli made by an expert alongside loads of other absolutely delightful local dishes.
Peschiera del Garda – Where History Meets the Lake
Laidback lakeside living gives Peschiera del Garda its modern pace, but it was not always this chilled out. Once a strategic fortress town, its star-shaped Venetian walls still wrap around the historic centre, a reminder of its military past. Today, those same canals and ramparts are framed by cafés, bike paths and sparkling views across Lake Garda, making it one of the most relaxed gateways to the lake.
Join a Walking Tour
The tourist information shop at Piazzale Betteloni is the best place to start in the town. They run both hosted walking tours and audio tours for more independent travellers. This is the best way to see the city and learn the history behind the walls. From here, you can follow the Venetian fortifications as they curve around the water’s edge, with sections of the ramparts opening up to great views across Lake Garda. As you walk, the town’s history begins to unfold.
Just beyond the walls, you’ll find the remains of the Roman settlement, the Abitato Romano di Arilica, where foundations and mosaics from homes built over 2,000 years ago are free to peek at from the street above. Next door, the Parish Church of San Martino Vescovo is worth a quick stop, even if the interior is relatively simple, thanks to a beautifully restored fresco above the altar.
Across the Ponte dei Voltoni, you will come across the old soldiers’ barracks, the Caserma d’artiglieria di Porta Verona. Don’t miss the moving memorial dedicated to the police who lost their lives in service, as well as the elegant pavilion nearby, home to elegant shops and cute cafes.
Relax at The Pavilion’s Cafes
Speaking of those cafes, this is the perfect place to sit down and enjoy a coffee or an aperitivo. The Pavilion’s waterside edge is lined with cafes, bars and restaurants, all with high tables that overlook the dazzling blue water. Take a stroll along and pick the one with the menu that takes your fancy (or has a spare seat). Floreali is both a florist and the most Instagrammable cafe of the bunch…pun intended. Inside is obviously full of floral delights, but they even have cute flowers on their outdoor tables. Dispensa Ufficiali is a tapas bar with a delectable house bellini with cognac, peach and raspberry. Our other favourite is La Bottega, a deli with incredible charcuterie boards to linger over. Of course, they all do a mean spritz, so if that’s what you are after, you can take your pick.
Take to the Water
Peschiera del Garda is surrounded by water and as such, they do a good line in boat rides. A 30 minute trip around the fortress walls offers a different perspective, as well as a lovely excuse to relax. As you bob along, be sure to keep an eye out for the underwater foundations of the ancient Ponte Belgioioso, which, before 1550, connected the Scaligero castle to the mainland. The Venetians redesigned the area into a fortress and destroyed the bridge. Don’t worry, they built a couple of nice gates to make up for it, the most magnificent of which is the Porta Verona with its winged lion, also visible from the canals.
Visit a Vineyard for Some Wonderful Wine
Peschiera del Garda is a fantastic base for exploring the area’s vineyards. You’ll be surrounded by the Lugana wine region, famous for its fragrant white wines, while the Bardolino area, just a short trip away, is celebrated for its easy-drinking reds and rosés. To try some of these delicious drinks, head to Domenico Fraccaroli Winery. Here you can enjoy a wine tasting or opt for a meal in Sapori, their agriturismo restaurant, which comes with a wine pairing.
They also offer cellar tours, guiding guests through the story of the winery and some interesting details of the grapes and region. It also includes an intriguing look at their bottling plant too. It may not be as picturesque as the ageing barrels, but it’s a side of the winemaking process that isn’t usually included on these kinds of tours. Of course, you will exit through the gift shop, but when that means stocking up on a few bottles of crisp white wine, it is totally acceptable.
Palmanova – Italy’s Ideal Star-shaped City
No, Palmanova is not just another small Italian town. Its perfectly symmetrical star-shaped design makes it one of the most unique places in the country, best appreciated from above, where the geometry really comes into its own. Compared to the organic sprawl of most historic towns, everything here feels perfectly precise. I wonder how difficult it is to furnish the properties in the city as the buildings are all at slightly odd angles to fit the architectural brief. It was once referred to as the “ideal city” thanks to its perfect planning and, perhaps surprisingly, the fact that it was never actually conquered, later coming under Napoleonic control and being expanded rather than destroyed. The military only left in 1995, which brought the population down to around 5,000 and left behind a remarkably quiet atmosphere for visitors today.
Walk the Walls
There is a trail that runs the whole way around walls of Palmanova, and it is a popular place to take a walk or go for a run. With the imposing walls on one side and grassy hillocks on the other, it’s a pleasant view and a real contrast from the streets inside. It takes around an hour to walk the whole path, with a little added time to enter the tunnels and ramparts that are available to explore. Don’t miss the three mighty main gates, which all date back to the early 1600s. Especially cool is Porta Udine which houses two giant wooden wheels that were used to raise and lower a drawbridge. Pack a little picnic and stop at one of the benches along the way, or lay out a blanket on the grass, for a foodie break along the way. There are a few small, artisan shops in town to pick up the most delectable nibbles.
Go Below in the Countermine Galleries
Running beneath the outer walls of Palmanova is a network of countermines, a series of tunnels designed for one very specific purpose, to stop an invading army before they could breach the town’s inner walls. These passages were originally lined with explosives so that if an enemy managed to cross the grassy embankments, they would be met with a controlled underground blast beneath their feet. Be sure to pick up a leaflet at the entrance, as the audio guide is genuinely excellent and really brings the tunnels to life with stories and context that you’d otherwise miss. Most of the wider tunnel system is closed off for safety reasons, there may be remaining explosives, so stick to the official museum route and avoid any temptation to explore beyond the barriers at other entrances.
Piazza Grande
Piazza Grande is the hexagonal area at the centre of the city (can you say it’s a hexagonal square?). Once used for military parades and drills, it is now a quiet space surrounded by coloured facades and the odd cute cafe. The centre is gravel which doesn’t feel super welcoming, but it was used for musters and other military parades, and the city decided to keep it to remember the bygone years. Today, it plays host to festivals and concerts organised by the city. In the south west is the Loggia dei Mercanti, the Merchants’ Lodge or Grand Guard’s Lodge. It dates back to the 1620s and has some beautiful details, including amazing carved wooden doors and wrought iron decorative gates. It’s open and free, plus, there’s a handy map in here too.
stu.dio/Shutterstock.com
If you are looking for somewhere to stay, Hotel Ai Dogi has two locations right on the edge of Piazza Grande. It’s perfect for sightseeing.
Duomo del Santissimo Redentore
In a city full of buildings designed not to peek above the ramparts, the church overlooking Piazza Grande seems quite imposing. The grand facade is adorned with columns and three statues depicting (from left to right) St John, Christ the Redeemer and St Justina of Padua. St Justina is the patron saint of Palmanova as well as Padua and Venice. Above them is a the bronze lion of St Mark, another strong Venetian connection as you’ll find the original atop a column in St Marks Square, Venice.
At first glance, the interior might seem a little plain but there are some lovely details. Bold and bright stained glass splashes colour across the pews, in contrast to the more muted paintings around the walls. Behind the altar is a fresco of Jesus in the ascendance that dates from the 17th century when the church was built. Finally, in the side entrance, you’ll see a modern mosaic which depict Palmanova and you can spot the bronze lion here too.
Take a Trip in the Virtualift
Hidden in a courtyard at the back of the tourism office is a new immersive screen experience called the Virtualift. Short of flying a drone, or growing wings yourself, this is the best way to see the city from above. You can choose from two different programs. The first is shorter at about five minutes, and just shows the city from above, but the longer one also includes some interesting shots of the historical re-enactments that happen here annually. The lift is open at the weekends and during special events.
Il Melograno Naturalmente Buono – Palmanova
With restaurants in Udine, Trieste and Palmanova, Il Melograno focuses on local, fresh ingredients. They have a pizza oven but this isn’t their strongest option. Instead, go for a few starters and desserts. You can pick up things to take home. Il Melograno is an excellent spot if you are vegetarian as they have plenty of options that you won’t find elsewhere. Oh, and of course you need to have a glass of the tart and syrupy pomegranate juice to go with your meal!
Caffeteria Torinese
Right on the main square, is a café bar that is popular with both passing tourists in need of a quick caffeine fix and Palmanova residents enjoying a slow lunch date. With a glass of something stronger. This is an ideal spot to try frico, a Moorish combination of potatoes, onions, and the local Montasio cheese, a little reminiscent of emmental. Alternatively, they do excellent sandwiches I’m delicious pastries. From tiramisu complete with pipettes full of espresso to chocolate cookies and lemon tarts, they do a great selection of sweets. Just look at this adorable little fruit tart!
…and Venice?
Well, I couldn’t go all the way to Friuli-Venezia Giulia and not pop down to the spot that started it all. I can only advise that you do the same. Venice is an incredible city, a unique water-based world with glamour, history and art that will take your breath away. The architecture contrasts bright white marble churches with crumbling building in beautiful faded colours. Youwill feel like you are in a gorgeous film set the entire time you are there. Grab a spritz, stroll the streets and grab some chiccheti for lunch. Perfection. (There is a reason Ive been back time and time again. Check out my blog post about Venice for a wonderful way to see the city in a day. There’s a food tour and a nearby hostel review too.
Final Thoughts on Exploring the Venetian Fortresses of Northern Italy
From mighty hilltop strongholds to perfectly designed star cities, these Venetian fortresses reveal a different side of Italy. Exploring them isn’t just about history, it’s about discovering quiet corners, incredible landscapes, and regional flavours in an Italy you’ve never thought of visiting. This adventure is very easy to do by car, with drives no longer than two and a half hours. However, if driving isn’t your thing (whether you can’t drive, want to relax, or want to enjoy a vino or two), you can do it using Italy’s excellent trains.
Once you’ve traced Venice’s legacy across the mainland, the next question is, “Are we heading to the Dalmatian coast to finish the list?”
Our first new country of 2026 had been on our bucket list for a good few years. As such, I was a little worried that Zanzibar wouldn’t live up to the hype (and there has been A LOT of hype recently). Happily, we had a blast, and if you pick even just a few of these suggestions, we think you will too. From blinding white sand to tropical turquoise waves and the carved doors and winding alleys of Stone Town, Zanzibar is an amazing trip for any adventurous soul. Read on for 10 awesome things to do in Zanzibar.
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
1.) Take a Stone Town Walking Tour
The UNESCO World Heritage streets of Stone Town may smell more of suncream than spice these days, but somehow, they haven’t lost their magic. With each twist and turn, you can imagine the time gone by when they were full of traders, stores, and stories. In fact, at the Darajani Market fish, vegetables, spices and home goods are still sold to locals. For the most dramatic shopping, be sure to seek out the fish auctions where sea life galore is sold to the highest bidder. Most people opt for a walking tour, and it’s a great option with local guides bringing the lanes to life.
As you wander the lanes, keep an eye out for the doors of Stone Town. This tradition, slowly being brought back to life, was introduced by the traders who moved between the Indian sub-continent and Africa. The carvings often included symbols that indicated the homeowner’s business, their status and heritage. The brass knobs are small replicas of their ancestors in india. Found on the huge doors of forts, they were designed to stop war elephants from smashing their way in.
Don’t miss the slavery museum and the former slave market location. A visit here can be harrowing, but the story is too important to the island to miss. Slavery was a huge business in Zanzibar, with hundreds of thousands of enslaved people passing through in the 300 years that it served as a major hub for the East-African slave trade. The information here is dense and is presented in two rooms of text boards. You can also find a memorial to the enslaved people, the rooms they were kept in and the Anglican Cathedral built by the British.
2.) Visit Prison Island
Prison Island (Changuu Island) is just off the coast of Stone Town. Despite its name, it was never really used as a prison, it was first used for “unruly enslaved people” by the Arab traders of the town. It was then converted by the British in 1894, with many of the structures rebuilt to serve as a quarantine hospital, protecting the city from infectious diseases brought by travellers. These days, on the island, you have the chance to explore a small gem museum, a slightly overpriced bar, some of the old ruined buildings and a museum showcasing the history and has a great selection of photos. Then, of course, you can meet many giant Aldabra tortoises. Bear in mind that despite the fines not being imposed for touching them, we don’t think you should touch or step over these lovely old guys.
To reach Prison Island you need to hire a boat. Walk down to the beach from Forodhani Gardens and you’ll be approached by a middleman. US$20-US$30 is the norm. We managed to get it for $20 but it wasn’t my best haggling to be honest. Many boats will combine Prison Island with a nearby sandbank, and this will bump up the price. When you reach Prison Island, you’ll need to pay the conservation fee as well as the ticket at a reception hut around to the left. It’s not a cheap day trip but if you have more than one day in town then its a great side adventure.
If you only take one day trip into the crystal clear water of the Indian Ocean, make it a great one. Safari Blue is an all-day tour which takes in some of the most beautiful watery sights in Menai Bay Conservation area, which lies in the Southwest of the island. Most operators follow the same route, so it is more important that you look for a provider with the level of comfort or exclusivity that you are after. If you want any spots to yourself, you’ll need to take a private tour and ask them to go in a different order. In general, you will visit:
A Reef – Your first snorkel spot will most likely be a pretty little reef full of different fish. They can feel quite busy but swimming just a minute or two away will give you your own space. There are a couple more snoarkelling spots normally throughout the day.
Kwale Sandbank – This is a huge sandbank with picture-perfect sand. You can sunbathe, swim in the beautiful blue water or go rockpooling to spot starfish.
Kwale Island – This is where you will stop for lunch. Each company seems to have their own spot where they serve their guests a buffet lunch. A market sets up every day on the island where you can buy souvenirs, clothes or an alcoholic drink. Each group is taken to see a huge 500-year-old baobab tree which toppled over a couple of centuries ago and then continued to grow skywards.
Mangrove Lagoon – Most people’s last stop is the mangrove lagoon located on the other side of Kwale Island. This bath-warm water is gorgeous, and although there isn’t much to see in the water the surroundings, including a small rock arch, are beautiful.
Don’t forget your sun cream, a towel (as you’ll be hopping in and out of the water a lot) and something you can wear on the island/for lunch. Many tour operators set up temporary shelters on the sand bank, but not all of them so bring something to protect yourself from the sun. You will probably be given snorkelling gear but if you want to take your own, be sure to keep an eye on it so it doesn’t accidentally get mixed up with the company’s. To protect your feet from the sea urchins that you are likely to come across, bring decent water shoes. Finally, if you have any food allergies, you might want to bring some snacks just in case they cannot cater for your needs at your buffet lunch.
Sitting pretty in the turquoise waters around Zanzibar are pristine, “disappearing islands”. These sandbanks are washed clean by the waves at high tide, and at low tide, the beautiful sand is left exposed, turning into a little slice of paradise. There are several popular ones that you can visit either by themselves, or bundled with other popular nearby sights. Kwale sandbank is included in the Safari Blue trip, Mnemba Atoll Sandbank is usually visited with a dolphin spotting tour and Nakupenda Sandbank is close enough to Prison Island to make it a day trip. Bring a dry bag, your camera, sun cream and plenty of water.
5.) Visit Monkeys in Jozani Forest
Standing in Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, surrounded by monkeys minding their own business, Jozani Forest should be on everyone’s bucket list. A visit here includes a guide who will take you for a walk through the forest, pointing out the species of plants and anything you spot along the way. Then, you will cross the road (see if you can spot the monkey bridge) to find one of the groups of monkeys that live here.The red Colobus and blue Syke’s monkeys that live in and around the forest are surprisingly chilled out about having human visitors. That means you can get some wonderful pictures, or just enjoy watching them as they play, eat, and relax. The final stop is a short walk through (or is that over) an area of mangroves where you can spot frogs, crabs, and fish.
6.) Get Your Gram on at The Rock
The most iconic Instagram spot on Zanzibar has to be a restaurant called The Rock. This is a bar/restaurant which is built on a small outcrop…or…a rock. During the low tide, you can walk across the sand to the rock but as the tide rises, this becomes more and more precarious. No one wants to eat dinner with a soggy undercarriage, so take care and wear something you can hitch up. When the tide reaches its peak, there is a boat to take you across and back. When we visited, the sea reached most of the way up my thighs, but I am only five foot tall (152cm).
I have seen reviews which say the food is less than stellar for the price, but we think it depends on what you order. Everything we had was fresh and delicious, starting with an octopus starter, moving onto a lobster dish which was actually bigger than we were expecting and finishing with a decent dessert. Honestly, the cocktails do leave a little to be desired, but they were just too tempting to skip them. Maybe choosing a can of beer known to you or a soft drink is a safer option.
Yes, you are here for the gram but sometimes it just has to be done!
7.) Meet Turtles in Nungwe
Get up close to the creatures that are equal parts cute and cantankerous. You can meet sea turtles at the Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation Pond, feeding them from big buckets of seaweed. You can do this from the side, ankle deep in the water on a platform, or fully in the water. This is tide-dependent so avoid the high tide if you want to swim with them. The seaweed smells distinctly coastal so if you struggle with that then maybe just watch everyone else. The guide will teach you how to feed the turtles and how to avoid getting mobbed or nibbled. Heed their advice. They also say that you can touch the turtles, but we strongly advise against it. The turtles feel everything on their shells, and they are not just there for your photos. There are other turtle experiences around the island but the Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation Pond is the closest to an ethical turtle sanctuary. They actually release the turtles when they’re old enough to reproduce safely, but it has a long way to go when it comes to the interactions.
8.) Hit the Beach
The sand that lines Zanzibar’s shores is divine. White, powder soft and gently sloping, it is the perfect place to relax. The sea tends to be warm, calm and beautifully blue. Some resorts and beachside restaurants/bars have their own demarcated areas but you can lay a beach mat anywhere else if you aren’t staying/eating in these spots. Local traders, curious beach cats and Masai will approach you but a polite no will usually suffice. Nobody is too pushy (and you know the cats will ignore you the second you show any interest).
Nungwi is the most popular spot for beachgoers on Zanzibar. You’ll find plenty of bars, restaurants and watersports.
Kiwengwe is famous for stronger winds and more extreme tides, so it suits kitesurfers.
Paje is also on the east coast so is similarly great forkitesurfing but it is a little busier, with more restaurants.
Matemwe is long, pristine and empty.
Pingwe is a beautiful beach which is mostly quiet apart from the stretch opposite The Rock.
9.) Try Some Local Cuisine at Forodhani Gardens Night Market
Once the sun goes down, the Forodhani Gardens front transforms into a lively food market. It can feel a little poverwhelming, with vendors calling to you or trying to coax you over to their stalls. Get stuck in but do heed our warnings just a little. There are stalls selling seafood on sticks (amongst other be-sticked goodies). Everyone will insist that these are fresh but often they aren’t and many travellers have left with an unhappy tummy from picking a stick. Our advice is to avoid these spots and instead look for anywhere that is really popular with locals. We tried:
Zanzibar Pizza – A crepe/flatbread parcel fried in ghee and stuffed with delicious fillings. If you are ordering a savoury one you will get choices like cheese, beef mince, veggies and eggs. For a sweet one its more like nutella, banana, mango and peanut butter.
Potato Spiral – Not at all traditional but crispy, hot and very hard to get sock from.
Chicken Schwarma – A tried and tested street food favourite, we trust them here thanks to the Omani heritage.
Crepes – Nutella, mango, peanut butter and bananas pair with chocolate bars and other sickly treats here. Karl opted for Nutella and Kinder Bueno…I couldn’t have more than a bite.
Other great options to keep an eye out for include freshly squeezed sugar cane juice, fluffy coconut bread, the spicy and zingy Indian-inspired urojo soup/Zanzibar mix and chipsi mayai, a comforting blend of chips, eggs and veggies which makes for a very cheap and filling dinner. Don’t forget to check the price before you order and you can always try to haggle it down if you feel like its fair.
10.) Take an ATV Tour
If you are feeling the need for speed, you have to arrange an ATV tour. Known locally as “quads”, these four-wheeled, petrol-driven vehicles are so much fun. If you are feeling the need for speed, you have to arrange an ATV tour. Known locally as “quads”, these four-wheeled, petrol-driven vehicles are so much fun. After a short lesson at your quad base, tours take you out into the heart of the island, far beyond the beach resorts and into a side of Zanzibar that many visitors don’t get to see.
Bouncing along dusty tracks, weaving through palm-lined paths and occasionally opening up the throttle on long smooth stretches, it’s equal parts adrenaline and exploration. Depending on who you tour with, you could pass through farmland, pockets of forest, quiet coastal stretches or local villages, with guides leading the way and keeping the pace comfortable for everyone.
Most tours include stops along the way, and ours took us into two local villages that work with tourism initiatives. It’s a quick glimpse into everyday life on the island. Kids waving as you pass, women chatting outside their homes, and small stalls selling handmade goods and spices. It can feel like a bit of a whirlwind, but it adds a layer of depth to the experience that you just don’t get from the coastline alone. If you’d like to give something back, you can bring small items like school supplies, or support the community by buying locally made crafts. Just be mindful and respectful, remembering that this is people’s everyday life.
Expect to get dusty, a little windswept, and a little sweaty by the end of it.
Final Thoughts on These 10 Things to Do in Zanzibar
Zanzibar is the kind of place that lingers with you long after you leave. It’s equal parts adventure and slow island living, wrapped up in the warmest ocean breeze. Honestly, it’s somewhere we’re already dreaming about going back to. It’s not perfect, no place is, but its charm lies in that balance of beauty, history and real life ticking along in the background. What we loved most is how varied it is. You can fill your days with snorkelling trips, forest walks and quad biking adventures, or do absolutely nothing but lie on dazzling sand and watch the world drift by. Somehow, both feel equally right.
If you think cruises are all boring buffets, basic bingo and blaring announcements, Virgin Voyages is here to change your mind. From the moment you step aboard, it’s clear that things here are a little different. Virgin Voyages is adults-only, delightfully stylish and just a little bit cheeky. I’m hooked and here are 10 things I adore, and that I think you will love about Virgin Voyages.
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
1.) You Can’t Beat All the Included Dining
Virgin Voyages is a foodies dream. It has some of the best pizza at sea, delicious gelato and breakfast tacos….and none of those even come from the speciality spots.
The food is a la carte throughout the ship. There is no traditional buffet so your dinner is always fresh and tasty. Instead of the buffet, there is a food court style space called The Galley. In here you’ll find eight different counters, including Noodle Around with surprisingly great ramen noodles, Diner and Dash serving all day (and all night) breakfast, and Bento Baby’s grab and devour sushi.
Elsewhere, you are going to find some extra eateries (as they are known on Virgin Voyages). Highlights include the utterly divine octopus and prawns at The Dock & Dockhouse, the tasty buffalo chicken wings at The Social Club and easily overlooked bao buns and poke bowls at the Sun Club Cafe.
Finally, you have the six “speciality” spots. Unlike on nearly every other crucial one in the world, every restaurant is included in your fare, and they are all chefs kiss!
Pink Agave – Described as elevated Mexican, this is not your standard Tex-Mex fare. There’s duck, prawns, steak (famously slathered in mole and cheese) and street corn that people go crazy for.
The Wake – A classic steak and seafood restaurant. Start with the creamy clam chowder, presented with flair and then have a perfectly cooked steak or salt baked dorade served table side.
Extra Virgin – The Italian onboard is full of flavour bombs. The charcuterie board gets better and better and the chicken parfait is light as air. Then you can pick from plenty of pasta, another delicious steak and finish it all up with the iconic affogato cart.
Test Kitchen – Using unusual ingredients or unusual cooking methods, the food here is interesting and delicious. The tasting menu doesn’t give much away but the staff will guide you through as you go. Some may find the dishes challenging, but as it’s included, it’s worth a go!
Razzle Dazzle – When first launched, Razzle Dazzle was a vegetarian forward spot with utterly instagrammable dishes. They have added more and more meat as time has passed, so now you can get a delicious chicken burger, chicken wings and their stupidly delicious candied bacon with a bit of spice.
Gunbae – Korean food is the star of Gunbae. After an exciting selection of started and medium dishes, the BBQZ is fired up and loaded with protein. Seating is shared and the ice is broken with a fun drinking game.
2.) There Are No Kiddos
Now, don’t get me wrong, I like kids, but not everywhere, all the time. Personally, I don’t have children, so going on an adults-only cruise is an easy decision, but hear me out. There are three main reasons I think it is a brilliant way to cruise
It’s nice that Virgin devotes all its effort to entertaining us grown-ups. Without kids’ clubs or family-friendly shows, every consideration is taken for the adults’ amusement. It weirdly gives the more mature amongst us the chance to play and act a little childlike. When was the last time you got to colour in a picture or get on swings and a seesaw?
Everyone is old enough to be a little naughty. Whether that’s a swear or three in a show, or a drink or three at the bar, everyone can relax knowing that we are all allowed.
The only people throwing crying fits are grown ups, and they tend to do it a little less frequently. This really adds to the relaxation and general noise level.
Virgin Voyages doesn’t have standard drink packages. Instead, they offer the chance to prepay for a bar tab, which they will sometimes add a little bonus to. This means nobody is counting drinks to ensure they get the most out of the package, people tend to be slightly more mindful about day drinking, and the drinks served onboard aren’t terribly sweet and watered down. Rather, they are nicely crafted cocktails or generous pours of wine.
Paying per drink rather than per day means if we want a boozy day, we can have one. If we want a dry day, we haven’t “wasted” anything. Plus, water, fizzy drinks, tea and coffee are all included in the fare so you can stay hydrated without a pesky drinks package.
4.) There’s a Running Track in the Sky
The running/walking tracks on the Virgin Voyages’ ships are right up at the top of the ship. On many other ships, you will find them on the promenade deck, littered with sunbeds, benches and loungers. Deck 17’s track has no obstacles (besides the odd annoying Instagrammer taking this photo…yes, I know I am part of the problem). Everyone goes anticlockwise whether they are running, jogging or strolling to top up to those magical 10,000 steps. It just takes away the low-level irritation of sharing the deck with people who aren’t on the move.
5.) The Delicious Double Entendres
When Virgin Voyages first launched, they gained a reputation for being a little risqué. There was definitely an adult vibe, but it was always based on humour, and they have definitely pulled back since those early days. The jokes on board are just a touch naughty. I’m not talking super dirty, just a healthy level of Carry On tongue in cheek. For example, the ice cream spot is called “Like Me Til Ice Cream”. If that makes you smil,e then Virgin may just be for you.
6.) You Don’t Have to Carry a Purse
By this, I mean a British purse. In American English it would be a wallet, billfold or coin purse. Tips are either included in your cruise fare. prepaid, or paid onboard directly to Sailor Services, so you don’t have to stress about getting cash out for every drink and every meal.
It is well known that Virgin Voyages pays its staff well and so tipping for service during your sailing isn’t required. Instead, it’s great to name excellent staff in the daily surveys you receive at the end of the day. When they get mentioned, they gain perks.
7.) Virgin Voyages Make You WANT to Exercise
Wellness is a big deal on Virgin Voyages. You are going to find a lot of the ships real estate dedicated to working out. There is a large gym with two sides, one dedicated to weights and yoga, the other all about cardio. There’s even a studio space upstairs with boxing facilities!
I have spent a little time on the running machines but you can do that anywhere and that’s not what makes Virgin special. It is the unusual classes on offer. Guided yoga, bungee classes (so much fun) and HIIT are all available to book. Better than that, they are all included. As spots are limited, you will be charged if you miss the class but turn up and it won’t cost you a penny. In particular, the boy band dance classes and VHS workout make me grin like an idiot whilst I work up a sweat. They are presented by the talented Happrnings Cast and are all about enjoying yourself.
8.) There’s No Stuffy Formal Night
Long gowns and tuxedos are purely optional on Virgin Voyages’ special evening. The only dress code requirement (and even that is optional) is that you wear a hint of red. For some that means a nice red hat, for some a waistcoat of red sparkles and for some, a full on crimson costume.
After hearing the tale of Scarlet Night m, and the song that will be in your head all jgiht, everyone breaks out to explore the pop ups through the ship. We have sung karaoke, parties to a DJ, learned a pirate shanty, found circus performances and jammed to some great guitar. Then, sailors come back together for an epic party around (and sometimes in) the pool. Dancing, secrets and a big ol’ pool party all in a splash of scarlet. What’s not to love?
9.) Each Bar Has its Own Personality
Every bar on the ship has a different vibe and more than that, a different drinks menu so you can find ”your local” or try new things throughout the cruise. For example, Mr Fluskey is a rum fiend. Imagine his delight when he discovered the speciality rums at The Loose Cannon. For high end bubbles, make a beeline for Sip Lounge. Speaking of bees, the Bees Knees at the Dock is a real winner, as are their sangrias. The Red Bar in Razzle Dazzle and Gunbae’s menu both have novelty drinks which still pack a yummy punch. The pool bars have your frozen drinks and Pink Agave is STACKED with tequilas and mezcals. Whatever your tipple, there is a place for you. I’ve also heard that the bartenders at On the Rocks and Draft House love to create new cocktails for sailors based on their preferences so have fun!
10.) Virgin Voyages Likes a Late Sleeper
If you are not an early riser, you will love Virgin Voyages. From day one of your cruise, you don’t need to set a horrible alarm. Boarding times are later, starting at 13:30 (1:30pm) so you can enjoy your hotel’s full check out time.
Boarding later also means disembarking on your last day is later too. They don’t turf you off at 06:00 with nothing to do until anything opens or your flight leaves. Instead, you can wait right up until 10:00 to get off.
Breakfast is served in the Galley until 11:00 and there is brunch at The Wake and Razzle Dazzle until even later. If you are really sleeping in, but need a breakfast fox, Diner and Dash does cooked breakfast all day! You are allowed to take the grab and go boxes from the fridges around the shop and put them in your fridge room too, so you wouldn’t even have to go upstairs to get brekkie.
Final Thoughts on the Things You’ll Love About Virgin Voyages
From the food to the fun, there are definitely more than just these 10 things you’ll love about Virgin Voyages. We have taken three cruises with Virgin and I know we will be back onboard again soon. Just like us, once you experience the Virgin way to sail, you’ll never look at cruising the same way again.
Canada is vast, evidenced by the fact it takes five days to go from one side of the country to the other on a train (and that’s the slimmest bit). To embark on this epic adventure, which we took in 2025, you need to board The Canadian. Four glistening silver trains which have been plying the route since the 1950s make up the fleet that operates the route and it was our turn to see why people completely fall in love with the journey. Join us for our full VIA Rail Canadian from Vancouver to Toronto review.
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
Traversing Canada from one side to the other seems so very easy in 2025. Hop on a plane and you can do it in 4.5 hours, hop on the train and its 5 days. Google thinks that you could make the journey by walking solidly for 28 days, but that just isnt practical! In the 1800s, you didn’t really have a good way to travel from coast to coast. Well, when British Columbia joined the Confederation, they wanted to ensure a rail connection to the rest of the country. It took years, but in 1885, the Canadian Pacific Railway was completed.
Passenger trains were launched and these were rather swish. Think plush sleeper cars, big-windowed dome coaches, and full-on dining cars serving proper meals on white tablecloths. Cars began to dominate the travel scene and by the 1960s, plane travel became accessible to the masses. The trains just didn’t hold the same appeal with fewer and fewer tickets selling. The government took over in 1977, and VIA Rail was formed. They reduced the train network but The Canadian was kept in place with its fabulous 1950s rolling stock in place. It is now mostly a tourist train, although that does include a decent number of domestic tourists, keen to relax and see some of their own country from eye level. With slow travel and climate concerns gaining popularity in the travel sector, it seems that it will continue to sell out for years to come.
Our Trip
After deciding I fancied starting our holiday in Vancouver, and ending in Niagara Falls we needed to look at logistics. There are those that board the VIA Rail Canadian and don’t disembark four four nights, travelling the whole 4,466km (2,775 mile) journey in one go. I thought about doing this but decided, this would be a perfect reason to stop off in a more unusual destination. After some research, I settled on the city of Winnipeg, about halfway along. So we split the trip into two halves: two nights from Vancouver to Winnipeg, and then another two from there to Toronto. Honestly, I would have liked to stop off in Jasper too but as the train only comes every few days, it extended the trip too much for our annual leave allowance. Plus, I figured we would have the chance to return to Jasper on a future adventure.
Departing Pacific Central Station
We arrived rather early for our train adventure. Call me paranoid but I love contingency time and it gae us time to look around. The Pacific Central Station is a rather grand building that dates back to 1917. It retains many of its original features, including long wooden benches which, although asthetically pleasing, are murder on your bottom! The vintage clock hanging from the ceiling, roman numersals and all, told us that we were two hours early. We were just keen to get into the lounge and grab a coffee. Lounge access is only granted once you are checked in, but there was nobody at the desk as the inbound train was running late.
Check In
Happily, they allowed us to drop our luggage off so at least we weren’t weighed down by our backpacks. Everyone is encouraged to check in their larger bags, only bringing a small hand luggage into their carriage in an effort to ensure everyone has enough room. We had decanted two days of things into tote bags.
After poppng across the road for some pictures, we decided to line up, ready to check in. We were directed to the Sleeper Class queue and waited for about thirty minutes. They called forward the Prestige passengers and the n it was our turn. The check in was fast, with the staff clearly a little rushed. They couldn’t begin the check in until the train had arrived and so they were struggling to get it turned around in the shortest possible time.
We showed our passport and tickets before being shown to a seocnd desk where we could request a dining time. Our train had just one dining car for the Sleeper Class passengers (in summer there are two), and so there were three times to choose from. The middle slot, the classic dinner time had all been snapped up so we decided to go for the latest sitting.
The Lounge
Honestly, the lounge feels slightly misnamed. There were a few seats inside in what was essentially a corridor. We found a station with tea, coffee, chocolate and biscuits so I grabbed a coffee. Most of the seating was outside. It was in the shade so it was a bit chilly. Mr Fluskey popped back in and got a hot chocolate, mostly to keep his hands warm. We sat and waited, chatting to two fellow passengers that strangely, we never saw on board. They made an announcement to apologise for a further delay and put on the patio heaters.
All Aboard
The iconic call of “All Aboard” (“Tous à Bord”), rang out across the station and we excitedly scrambled up to join the throng. Everyone surged forward and began the walk along the platform. There were buggies to help those that would struggle with the walk which was nice as it is a long train!
We found our carriage and were greeted by our room attendant who advised us to head to our room and wait for her. It was so exciting and we began poking around, exploring the nooks and crannies of our cabin for two. She popped her head around the door and then came in to show us the details of the cabin and explain how she would convert the beds using a special key.
Roll Away Party
After the briefing, we made a mad dash for the back of the train and the fancy Park car. I had read somewhere that this was the main hangout for the Prestige passengers. In the summer, we wouldn’t be allowed in here until 16:00 on day two, so we thought we would make the most of being here for this departure. There were canapes being handed out and little glasses of bubbly for everyone. It was less than five minutes after we arrived that the station platforms began to slide away and the train was off. The most was jubilant and the conversation pleasingly social.
I popped down the bar and asked if we were allowed a second glass of sparkling wine and they said of course! I don’t know if anyone else knew this because I didn’t see anyone else take advantage. What rookies. The grey suburbs of Vancouver morphed into industrial areas running alongside the tracks. Crossing a long bridge and rounding a bend, we left the urban world behind, ready to roll our way towards The Rockies.
A Look Around the VIA Rail Canadian
Our Room – A Cabin for Two
There are several options for travelling on the VIA Rail Canadian. Economy offers reclining seats, the berths are seats by day and bunkbeds by night, cabins for one are teeny tiny single rooms with a sink and toilet, and Prestige rooms have double beds and ensuite bathrooms. We opted for a very happy medium., the cabin for two.
The Room
By day, the cabin has two seats. These can be moved around but not super easily. There is a nice picture window, ideal for watching the world slip past by day and for a touch of stargazing at night. We could ask for the lower bunk to be left down if we fancied a nap or just wanted to stretch out but we liked having the extra space during the day.
I have heard people say that these rooms are tiny but honestly, when compared to Amtrak’s roomettes or the Caledonian Sleeper’s classic room, they are bigger by at least a foot in each direction and that doesnt include the attached toilet. There was plenty of room during the day, but with the beds down and the ladder out, it was tight.
The Bed
The beds were prepared nightly by the room attendants, using a special key. The bottom bunk was from the wall, Murphy bed style, and the top came down from the ceiling. The alcove that it came from gave the top bunkbed a good amount of headroom. Mr Fluskey could sit up easily. The bedding consisted of a proper duvet cover and a reasonably plump pillow. I like a high pillow shelf, so I popped a thin blow-up pillow underneath, but it was enough for Mr Fluskey. It was a nice, comfortable sleep, especially decent for a train bed.
The Bathroom
Within the room is a sink which is really handy. It does let noise into the room from the pipes but putting the plug down really helps and putting a towel over that is even better. As well as the tap for washing your hands etc, there is a drinking water tap. This is amazing and saves so many trips down to other cars to get a midnight glug. We got soap and moisturiser provided. On both of our trains, these were different brnds so it is a fun lucky dip to see what you end up with.
The cabin for two has a teeny en suite, delightfully named “The Annex”. This really is small but it is so nice to have your own toilet. This, combined with the sink in the room, mean you can get ready for bed without queueing for the bathroom, or go for a midnight wee without running into anyone else. It works like a cruise toilet, vacuuming the waste away after a worrying long thinking period. Apparently, the pipes can freeze in the dead of winter but we had no issues and it was really rather cold outside. I bought a room freshener packet to hang in the toilet, keeping it smelling fresher during the trip.
The Shower
Each sleeper carriage has a shower located between the sleeper cabins and the berths. There is a changing area before you hop into the shower itself with enough room for most people to get dry comfortably. Mr Fluskey tried the shower and said it was warm and had a medium flow. Apparently, a few years ago, someone left the shower running and flooded the carriage so now they all have timer buttons (like the local swimming pool). This can get tedious, but it is better than having a room full of shower water. They provide a shower kit with a towel, soap and shampoo.
Storage
Storage is limited within the cabin, hence having to leave the bigger bags to go in the luggage car. There is a large shelf up above the toilet which easily fit our two hand luggage sized backpacks. Above the sink is a small cubby for washbags. We couldn’t fit both of ours here but mine has a hanging hook so I could pop it elsewhere.
A thin hanging space by the door. is for your coats and boots (or whatever it is you need in summer). Above that is a mini locker for any bits and bobs you need handy, but don’t want cluttering the room the whole time. Some people use this for snacks, and it’s worth remembering that this should only be shelf-stable goodies, as there is no fridge available. Mind you, you will be very well fed, so you shouldn’t need any to be honest.
Exploring the VIA Rail Canadian
We didn’t spend loads of time in our cabin during the day opting, instead, to make the most of the other cars.
Skyline Cars (Upstairs)
Our train had two Skyline Cars with domed glass roofs designed for maximum views. The first of the Skyline cars was based in the economy section of the train and was reserved exclusively for those passengers. Ours was a hub of activities. The Skyline Car has the most divine 1950s styling and I fell utterly in love with its retro charm. I spent the whole of the first morning upstairs, drinking in the gorgeous Canadian Rockies and sipping the included coffee. It was the perfect place to spot Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Rockies. The mist lifted and the sky cleared at exactly the right time. We were lucky.
From the Rockies to the flat prairies of Manitoba and the lakes of Ontario, each region unveiled a new facet of the Canadian landscape and these cars are the best place to let it all roll by.
Skyline Cars (Downstairs)
Downstairs in the Skyline Car was the activities room and a little lounge. This is a handy place to charge your phone or other devices, or indulge is a more traditional form of entertainment. There is a stack of board games and jigsaw puzzles for everyone to use. It was great fun passing through every so often and seeing the progress someone was making on a puzzle. Other activities on offer were:
Wine Tasting – We did two during our trip. The first was a straightforward tasting with some info about Canada’s different wine regions. The next was more of a game where we had to pair the wines blindly to their descriptions, which was great fun…even if we were rather bad at it.
Beer Tasting – If you know us, you know beer isn’t our thing so we skipped this one.
Talks – With each new province, the train activities co-ordinator would give a short talk about the region. It was really nice to have some context for those gorgeous views.
Bingo – Have you ever played bingo with cards before? Turns out, it is such a lot of fun…if highly competitive. I won a postcard of the Canadian when I got my winning board.
Films – They have a small TV in the room where they sometimes do film night, or show documentaries. Obviously, being blind, this wasn’t great for me but actually, I didn’t feel the absense of telly for a few days.
The Park Car
Right at the back of the train (the caboose) is the Park Car. This also has a dome roof but it is of a slightly higher calibre. It is attached to some of the Prestige cabins so this is where those passengers tend to hang out. In fact, on a busy train, regular sleeper car passengers have to wait until later in the day to join them. Being a little off-season, we had full access aside from the first six rows of the viewing car, which were reserved. Down in the lounge are some lovely, comfortable seats, perfect for enjoying a drink and chatting with others sitting opposite. I think the 1950s styling in here is especially obvious and I adored it. Note the drink holders in the tables, a nod to the most popular activity in this car. A couple of steps down from the lounge is the onboard bar. Drinks are included for Prestige folks, but we paid as we went. Sometimes the card machines here didn’t get signal. It was a heart-stopping five minutes watching our drink, already poured, just out of reach as we hoped the signal would return.
The Dining Car
At busier times, there can be two dining cars on the train (A & B), but on our journey, there was just the one. They say that B must be fancier if you do have two, as this is where the Prestige passengers dine, but we cannot confirm or deny.
Dining on the VIA Rail Canadian
If there is one thing you cannot fault, it is the food. Every meal was served with care, cooked to perfection and delicious. You are going to be fed well on the Canadian.
Breakfast
I’m not a big breakfast person, but on the Canadian, I couldn’t resist. The hash browns that came with many of the breakfasts were thinly sliced potatoes, fried to crispy perfection. Happily for me, there was no onion in it, so I could stuff myself full of it. A common theme of the menus onboard the VIA Rail Canadian is that they come and go. This is even true with breakfast. You will find the Transcontinental every day, but everything else will change. I think the options with eggs (the Transcontinental and omelettes) were the best as they seemed super fresh and didn’t fill you up with carbs when lunch was only a few hours away.
For those who don’t want a formal breakfast, or are up too early, there is a continental breakfast available to grab in the Skyline/activities car. This includes muffins, pastries, jams, fruits, juices and hot drinks. On our first morning, jet lag and excitement to spot Mount Robson had me up before the sun. I grabbed some coffee in my thermos and a muffin to take with me up the stairs to the dome seats.
Lunch & Dinner
If you were thinking of having a light lunch, think again. At both lunch and dinner, you are going to get a multicourse feast. The meals celebrate local ingredients from across Canada served in both traditionally Canadian dishes and some fun ones from further afield. Yes, there’s beef from Alberta, and it is delicious.
At lunch, you can choose from a soup or fruit juice to start, then there is a main meal (or entree) and a light dessert….(Is light dessert an oxymoron?) Similarly, dinner begins with either a soup or salad. The salads were all interesting and delicious so we tended to opt for those. Then we could choose from four different main courses. I was very impressed with the selection and the quality of cookery. The galley is tiny, and it is astonishing that the chefs produce such great food. Perfectly pink meat, tasty sauces and veggies that still have a little bite, this isn’t canteen food. We have had the same standard on some other luxury trains around the world, and I feel like the food on The Canadian is underrated.
A word of warning, at dinner, you need to leave room for dessert. The cakes are large, rich and utterly impossible to resist. The carrot cake cheesecake was served twice, and I couldn’t finish it on either occasion, which I am still kicking myself about. It was spiced and sweet with just the right level of sour from the cream cheese….I am genuinely sad I don’t have someone coming to serve me a slice tonight. The chocolate cake was the last cake I had, and it was truly decadent. Seriously, if you are taking the VIA Rail Canadian, do not skip your sweet course!
Drinks
As mentioned, there is a bar in the Park Car. The prices really aren’t bad, especially considering you are a captive audience. We had a couple of simple mixed drinks during one evening and a glass of Canadian ice wine during a chilled-out afternoon.
You can order drinks from the dinner table, and so we discovered, there is no bar service in the Park car during dinner times. We stood at the bar for slightly too long before we figured that out. If you want a drink at dinner, wait until you are seated, and they will take your order at the table. There are wines and beers from Canada and further afield, and enough spirits/liquor to satisfy most palates.
You can also have in-room drinks. Just bring your favourite beverage and you can enjoy it in the cabin. We bought a couple of sodas/pops/fizzy drinks and chucked in a shot or two of rum before dinner. It was rather pleasant as a pre-dinner tipple.
The Staff
A quick word on the staff aboard VIA Rail Canadian. They were all a perfect mix of no nonsense and fantastically fun. I am not sure how they have struck this balance, but they have nailed it. Sadly, I am terrible with names (and far too blind to read name badges) but let’s be real, I am sure that even the staff we didn’t have the pleasure of meeting were just as nice, so I am comfortable making such sweeping generalisations. They must have had something special, as I felt the distinct teacher’s pet urge to please and be liked by all of them.
The Stops
Jasper
Our first longer stop was in the famous town of Jasper. This is really popular with tourists all year round thanks to its proximity to gorgeous lakes and mountains, and its homely charm. Just looking around, the snow-capped Rockies gave every angle a gorgeous background. There was a huge fire in Jasper in 2024, but signs throughout the town celebrate the community coming together to rebuild. We had 45 minutes to explore and mostly sent it popping in and out of food spots. You wouldn’t think we were eating up to 9 courses a day in the dining coach. We grabbed a Bear Paw (a cinnamon pastry) and a Beaver Tail, a deep-fried pastry topped in our case, with apple and yet more cinnamon.
Winnipeg
We broke our journey in Winnipeg, the logic being that Winnipeg is a lesser-visited destination and less accessible to us in the future. We might pop back to Jasper as part of a Canadian lakes type trip, but Winnipeg is pretty far from….everything. Honestly, most people were just confused when we said we wanted three days in the city but it was great fun and definitely worth checking out. During our three day stop (between our train arriving and the next one) we:
Ate in some wonderful restaurants, including Gather Craft Kitchen & Bar, James Avenue Pumphouse, Tabula Rasa and Clementine. Seriously, who knew there was a great food scene there?
Tried amazing cocktails at Darling Bar, Sous Sol, Solera and the iconic railway hotel, The Fort Garry.
Got thoroughly absorbed in the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
Explored a snowy wilderness and played on a toboggan onto a frozen lake at Fort Whyte Alive,
Saw how coins are made for Canada and many other countries in their Royal Mint.
Took a trip to a Scandinavian-style spa called Thermea. Dashing between hot pools and saunas in below-freezing temps was such fun.
Explored The Leaf, a botanical garden that was the perfect spot to warm up.
Fresh Air
Along the route, the train had some stops which were between 10-20 minutes. We were given some notice to get laid up and then the staff popped out extra stairs so we could all disembark. We did laps of the platforms to get our steps in, and the smokers amongst the travellers could have a quick smoke break too. It was good to have some walking time in a space that was wide and not swaying and we tried to make the most of it every time.
Arriving into Union Station
We woke up on our final morning into a landscape full of frozen water. Ontario is a huge province and it is defined by its water. Pools, lakes, streams and other watery ways are dotted throughout. With an almost total covering of snow, we could just see some melt in smaller ponds as the March weather rose just above freezing. We watched white land fill with dwellings, roads and other urban delights until we were fully in the outskirts of Toronto. Then, we turned a corner and right in front of us was the iconic CN Tower, the most recognisable spot in Toronto. Somehow, despite having been five hours behind schedule when we went to bed on the last night, we actually arrived two hours early. We spilled into the large, echoing main hall of Union Station and decided that, with the extra time, we should grab a drink. Much like the Fort Garry in Winnipeg, the Royal York sits opposite the matching station. It is now a Fairmont so the drinks are rather more pricy than the Fort Garry, but ending our journey with an amazing bevvie felt appropriate. The backpacks we were carrying and the scruffy hair we had did not…but hey ho.
After five days, five provinces, two trains, and one unforgettable experience, our epic transcontinental rail adventure came to an end in the heart of Toronto.
Final Thoughts on Our VIA Rail Canadian from Vancouver to Toronto Review
Travelling across Canada aboard the VIA Rail Canadian truly put the scale of Canada into perspective. Splitting the journey in Winnipeg added a chance to get our land legs back and to explore a lesser-known city, but I would have loved the journey even if we had done it all as one. We were genuinely surprised by how comfortable, social, and charming the whole experience was. Yes, there were delays, but they somehow felt like a novel part of the journey. Knowing that we were in for a slow pace helped us relax and just enjoy the views.
For anyone looking for gentle adventure, with an appreciation for slow travel, and who loves retro charm, The Canadian is an experience not to be missed. We would love to head back to Canada one day and finish our journey up the east coast. After taking the commuter trains, we would hop on The Ocean and end up in Halifax…but that’s an adventure for another time.
Vancouver is a city that cares. They love nature, celebrate diversity and are always looking for what they can for the wider population. It is no wonder, then, that they are the perfect destination for a Mont-for-profit hotel, operated by the YWCA. Staying here, a portion of your room rate goes straight towards helping support women and children in the local community in need of help. However, this hotel isn’t just an exercise in doing good, it is also a fantastic place to stay during your trip to Vancouver. Read on for our full YWCA Hotel Vancouver review.
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
The YWCA Hotel Vancouver
The Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) has been around for over 150 years. It is an international network that focuses on empowering women and girls by promoting women’s rights, education and leadership development. This runs alongside their work helping to provide housing and community services for the women in their area. The YWCA Hotel Vancouver supports women and children in the Vancouver metro area. To learn more about their initiatives, check out the website.
Location
BC Place is a big stadium which hosts sports events, concerts and other high profile events. YWCA Hotel is the very best accommodation for people attending something, as it is right opposite, just steps away. You are also just ten minutes from the historical district of Gastown and the Waterfront. The nearest Underground (Stadium-Chinatown) is less than five minutes away, and Union Pacific is about twenty.
Checking In
On my first night in Vancouver, I was travelling solo and so bedded down in the cheapest dorm I could find. However, unforgiving jet lag woke me up at 03:30 am, and by 07:00, I was itching to get out and to my private room. I walked in the drizzle across town and to the YWCA Hotel. I thought I’d only be able to drop my bag, which so could have done thanks to the luggage storage room, but the extremely friendly front desk clerk offered me a room straight away. It was bliss to dump my backpack and freshen up properly before hitting the streets for some soggy sightseeing. Even better, I could grab a coffee on the way out…but more about that later.
A Look Around YWCA Hotel Vancouver
Our Room
On entering the large room, the first thing you see is a large storage unit with some hangers for coats and other winter gear. There’s plenty of raised space for luggage as well. Here you’ll find a rather large fridge for leftovers and pop, and even an iron for fancy threads.
We had a Superior Queen Room with two queen beds (one each?). By the beds, there was a nightstand with two USB-A plugs and two standard north American plugs for charging all of our gear. Each bed had a nightlight too. The beds were large and very comfortable. The mattresses were bouncy, and the pillows plump. I slept like a baby, even with a heavy dose of jet lag. With a TV on the opposite wall, we thought about watching a film in bed but ended up falling asleep straight away.
Bathroom
The bathroom was a little compact, but was perfectly clean and had everything we needed. There was soap for the sink but I used the shower gel instead. Under the sink there were towels and a handy hairdryer (it rains an awful lot in Vancouver). The walk in shower was really large, hot, strong and we had some lovely products on the wall.
The Other Rooms
We had one of the largest rooms available, but if you are on a tighter budget, there are smaller rooms on offer, and even cheaper ones with shared bathrooms. This makes it an excellent option for all kinds of budget.
Food & Drink
There isn’t a lot to discuss when it comes to dining at the YWCA Hotel, but they do have a couple of handy vending machines in a little annexe of the lobby. These have tasty snacks in and are available 24/7. Next to those, every morning, you are going to find a coffee station. The hot drinks here are included so you can grab a coffee or tea to take with you as you head out into Vancouver for the day.
There are kitchens available on three of the floors. However, unlike like a hostel kitchen, there isn’t really any communal equipment so you can’t properly cook a meal in them. Lockers in the kitchen are for residential guests.
A Few Extras
Looking around the YWCA Hotel, you are going to discover some nice additions to the property.
There are a few laundry rooms where you can use the machines for a very reasonable price.
A small fitness room is open all day for everyone. No need to skip arm day!
There is a luggage room behind the lobby so if you need to drop your luggage off early, or pick it up late, you can do so for free.
They have limited car parking for $30 a day, and bike storage for free.
Finally, there is a small roof terrace open throughout summer. Although the sky was blue, it was still definitely cold during our March visit so it wasn’t accessible.
Final Thoughts on our YWCA Hotel Vancouver Review
Sure the YWCA Hotel Vancouver is a great place to stay, but it is also an inspiring spot committed to community support. Its prime location near BC Place and thoughtful amenities make it a fantastic choice for travellers on any budget. All guests are welcome, men, women and children and you don’t have to be a member of YWCA or YMCA to stay. We will definitely be keeping this gem in mind for our future Vancouver trips and you should to.
Taking VIA Rail’s Canadian from coast to coast is a true travel adventure, and should be on everybody’s bucket list. Mind you, the thought of travelling across Canada over four nights of train travel could seem a little daunting. That is why we have put together our VIA Rail Canadian tips to make your journey smoother and more enjoyable.
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
Tips for Planning
1.) Decide When to Travel on the Canadian
As a rule, summer is the busiest time to take The Canadian. You’ll find longer trains, higher prices and views full of glistening lakes, yellow prairies and blazing sunshine. Stepping out for your fresh air breaks is a pleasure, with the suns rays toasting you nicely. It is also the best time for spotting wildlife as everything is awake.
Autumn/fall offers the chance to see the beautiful changing of the leaves. The crowd dwindles and prices fall.
Winter is the cheapest time to take the train. You’ll find longer will stay warm as you watch the snowy vistas roll by. Fresh air breaks are brisk!
Spring is short in much of Canada but if you catch it just right, the cherry blossoms will wave you off in one city and hello in the other. Wildlife starts to wake up and emerge and the ice melt gives everything a lush green.
2.) Choose Which Direction to Travel on the Canadian
Train 1 – Toronto to Vancouver Wed & Sun
If you are coming from Europe or somewhere else that lies east of Canada, doing it this way round will lessen your jetlag woes by reducing the time zone difference on the the first couple of days..
Train 2 -Vancouver to Toronto Mon & Fri
For the best views of Mount Robson, opt to travel from Vancouver. Typically, the train will approach Jasper sometime on the first morning. Admittedly, because this is many peoples highlight, it does mean the views afterwards could be a letdown..
3.) Weigh Up Which Accommodation to Book on the Canadian
There are five options to choose from aboard The Canadian:
Economy – Seated accommodation with no food included
Berths – Seats in an open carriage that covert into bunk beds. Food and soft drinks included.
Single Sleeper – Single bed private rooms with toilet and sink. Food and soft drinks included.
Double Sleeper – Bunk bed private rooms with toilet and sink. Food and soft drinks included.
Prestige – Double bed private rooms with private bathroom including shoer. All food and drink included. Lots of included extras.
When considering which to choose you need to consider your budget, desired level of comfort and privacy requirements.
4.) True Budget – A Few Economy Tips
Economy on the Canadian consists of two seats on ither side of the aisle. they do recline by 40 degrees, and there is very good legroom but you are not able to lie flat. You will find power at each seat for charging devices and a fold down table for meals, laptops etc etc
Economy Class doesn’t come with any food included but there is a full menu to order from and of course, you can bring food and drink with you. That only applies to soft drinks however, as you cannot drink your own alccohol on board.
All bathroom facilities are shared but they are kept in great condition. Economy also has its own Skyline Car with a lounge and domed glass roof sp you are not stuck in the same seat the whole time.
Most of the tips included in the rest of this article are for those in Sleeper Class plus as we have never travelled in economy and honestly, unless you are just doing a shorter day time trip, we don’t think four nights in economy is the best plan.
5.) The Cheapest Bed – A Few Berth Tips
The berths are the cheapest option in Sleeper Plus. By day, the seats are in sets of two, facing each other. They are nice and wide, sitting either side of the windows but it is worth remembering that they are in an open corridor. If you know your berth companion then you can spread out and relax but facing a stranger for five days might be a little awkward. Mind you, I suppose they wouldn’t stay a stranger for long! By night, the bottom bunk is converted into a bed, and a second bed pulls down from the ceiling. There are thick curtains that fasten with magnets to keep them private. if you are travelling solo and are concerned about safety then spend the extra for a Cabin for One for peace of mind.
When booking, remember that the top bunks are cheaper as you have to climb up there and there is no window. If you are looking for the very cheapest way book Sleeper Plus Class, book early for opposite ones and you’ll have seats across the aisle in the day. On the flip side, bear in mind that the lower berths are actually the second biggest beds after Prestige. If you need a lot of room, these will give you more room that the Cabin for one beds.
In a berth, you are going to be sharing a communal bathroom for both the shower facilities and the toilet. You are also going to sharing electrical outlets and these are not near the Berths. Instead, they are in the activity car so heavy device usage is not reommended if you are sitting in here.
6.) The Perfect Balance – A Few Sleeper Class Tips
We think that is definitely worth choosing Sleeper Class Plus if your budget allows. The extra splurge gives you a lovely level of privacy as well as:
Access to a lounge before embarking in Toronto or Vancouver.
Access to little snacks throughout the day in the activity car.
Priority boarding after Prestige Class.
Three delicious multicourse meals a day.
Cabin for One
The Cabin for one (Roomette) is a dinky room that is not much bigger than your single bed. In the day, you have a seat and then the Murphy bed is brought down from the wall. You get a nice big window so it is rather lovely to be in bed, lying alongside the view. You get your own sink and toilet but do bear in mind that the bed covers the toilet when it is lowered.
Cabin for Two
During the day, you have two folding chairs (which can be moved). Then, at night, one Murphy bed is brought down from the wall, and the top bunk bed comes down from the ceiling. These lie perpendicular to the window. You have a sink in the room and a small toilet behind a door. When booking a room, remember:
Rooms B D F face forwards.
Rooms A C E face backwards.
Room F is a little bigger. These sell out first.
Call reservations and ask for a specific room if you have a strong preference.
7.) Splashing Out – Prestige Sleeper Tips
If budget is no problem, or you are celebrating something big, than get yourself a Prestige Class room. As with the rest of the cabins, you have a private room, food and soft drinks, priority boarding and snacks all day. However your room will be decked out in slightly fancier decor and it is 50% bigger than the Sleeper Cabin for Two. You also have a private bathroom but here, it includes a shower! By day you have a sectional couch/sofa which wraps in a L by the window. By night a large double bed descends from the ceiling, allowing you to snuggle with your travel buddy in comfort or starfish to your heart’s content. You also have a TV with plenty of pre-loaded films and a cooler cabinet that can be stocked with your preference of drinks in the room.
In Prestige Class, you are provided with some fun extras:
All of your alcoholic beverages.
Reserved seating in front rows of the Park Car.
Exclusive access to the Park Car for the first part of the journey on busy journeys.
Concierge service.
Priority seating for dining, allowing you to choose your seating time first.
8.) To Stop or Not to Stop
A perfect journey on The Canadian takes five days, four nights or around 100 hour. You might want to do the whole adventure as one long trip, going from end to end and taking the entire time to relax. Alternatively, you are able to stop off and stay in one of the towns it visits, catching the next train, three or four days later. If seeing Canada is your aim, then a stop is worthwhile but if you are here just for the train, maybe not. The two most popular stops are Jasper and Winnipeg.
Jasper – A picture-perfect mountain town, Jasper is surrounded by peaks and pretty lakes. it is great for hiking in summer or snowy activities in winter.
Winnipeg – A big city that lies at the heart of Canada. With an up-and-coming culinary scene, some marvellous museums like the Human Rights Museum and nearby nature, it’s an underrated gem.
Once you have decided when you want to travel on the Canadian, which way you want to go and in which class, it is time to book.
Tips for Booking
9.) Book Early
Get thee to the VIA Rail website ASAP to start your booking journey. If you have specific dates, or want to travel in the busier summer months then a year to 11 months in advance is advisable. Get it booked and worry about securing your annual leave afterwards.
10.) Bag a Discount
To save a few pennies, look at booking off season. Prices plummet in winter so you can bag a real bargain. No matter when you are planning to travel, make sure you sign up for the VIA Rail newsletter. Every Tuesday, they offer discount,s and you don’t want to miss out.
If you are able to wait, VIA Rail has had some incredible Black Friday discounts in the past. Of course., we can never guarantee this will remain the case but if it isn’t too far off for you, then it might be worth the gamble.
11.) Keep an Eye on The Discount
Once you have booked, don’t leave it there. You always try to call and rebook if good discount pops up (Black Friday for example), we have heard of at least one couple doing this. Just be sure to physically rather doing it online to ensure you don’t lose your cabin or berths.
12.) Join the Loyalty Program
The VIA Preference Program is free to join and so you might as well. You are going to get a crazy amount of points travelling all the way across the country and you never know when you’ll be back in Canada to use them. This is especially useful if you actually live in Canada.
Tips for Packing
13.) Know the Baggage Rules
There isn’t an awful lot of room to store bags in the cabins and even less in the berths and economy carriages. You will have to check any bigger bags at your point of origin and they won’t be returned to you until you disembark. Checked bags are free. Bring a hand luggage sized bag with all your essentials to have on board.
14.) What to Pack for the Canadian
A multiplug and extension cord – There are only two plugs in the private rooms and they are by the sink. There are no plugs in the berths or economy, you will need to use the outlets in the Park Car or Skyline Car, having a multiplug that you can share with fellow passengers will make you many friends.
A power bank – If you don’t have plugs in your sleeping area, this is a must-have. You might also want it when you are up in domes, draining batteries, filming all of the beautiful landscapes.
Shoes for the bathroom – If you are using the communal bathrooms (toilets and showers) you might want waterproof shoes that are easy to rinse off, or even to wear into the shower itself. KI use jellies and Mr Fluskey uses flip-flops. It is also nice to use these to slip on quickly for dinner etc. Hefting winter boots on and off is a real pain.
Air freshener – A little something to hang or prop in your private toilet keeps everything just a little fresher and more pleasant as they don’t have a window.
Outdoor clothes – in winter, you will need warmer layers for the “fresh air stops”. Plus, the dome cars can be quite cold due to the glass over your head. It helps to have a hat and scarf.
Sun gear – On the flipside, in summer, the sun blazes through the dome car roof so a sun hat and sunglasses will make it much more comfortable. Don’t forget the sun cream too.
Hot water bottle – I took a mini version to have with me in the dome car and at night. You can fill it at the coffee stations.
A refillable cup or flask – Free tea and coffee are available in sleeper class and it is always a good plan to use a refillable cup to prevent unnecessary waste. You will also be able yto keep coffee warm for use on the train and on chilly platforms.
Binoculars – If you are travelling at the right time of year, you might want to try and do some wildife spotting.
Headphones – Podcasts, music and audiobooks really help to pass the time with a little entertainment. You may also want to use headphones to block out the rail noise at night.
Cash – Don’t forget to bring some actual money if you are planning to tip the staff onboard. You will also find that paying by card on the PDQ machines can be a little temperamental in remote areas. It would be a shame to have a drin poured for you that you can’t have!
Bedding – This is only relevant if you are in Economy Class. In all of the Sleeper Class options will have bedding provided. If you want a cover, sleeping bag or pillow in economy, you need to bring it with you.
15.) What VIA Rail Will Provide
In Prestige and Sleeper Class, you will be provided with:
Earplugs.
Hand soap.
A towel.
A face cloth/flannel,
Shampoo and soap.
This means that you don’t have to pack any of these but if you have really good ear plugs or you love a specific shampoo and conditioner combo, then squeeze them in.
Tips for Getting On Board
16.) Ace Your Departure Day
Try to arrive at least 90 minutes before your train. When you get to the station, you will be directed to three desks. The first is the luggage drop. You just need to show your tickets, and they will tag up your bags to your destination before whisking them away to the baggage car. Arrive with your bags ready to go to prevent the repacking on the station floor debacle. Second is the check-in desk, where they will scan your tickets and may also check your government-issued ID, so have both handy. The final desk is where you will choose dining time for the first day. Arriving earlier gives you a better choice of dining times.
You can then head into the lounge if you are in Prestige or Sleeper class. Bear in mind that there is not a full buffet or anything in the lounge. Instead, you will just find some biscuits, but tea, coffee, hot chocolate and water are provided. Toronto is all inside, but the majority of the seating at Union Pacific in Vancouver is outside, so a jacket and a hot chocolate are both nice to have.
17.) Boarding
After the iconic “All Aboard” has sounded, it is time to join the train. Friendly staff will point you to the correct car if you get confused. The platform is long but there is a buggy for those with reduced mobility. You will be directed to your spot on board and then the lovely attendants will come and introduce themselves, explaining the particular quirks of your sleeping area.
Once you’re settled in, head for a dome carriage for the “Roll Away Party” where champagne/sparkling wine and nibbles/hors d’oeuvres are served. If it is a summer or busy then, stick to the Skyline car, but if you are travelling in off-season, go all the way to the back for the Park Car. You will get a lovely view as you view and share the experience with the fancy Prestige guests who get a nice talk along the way. We found that asking for a second drink garnered one, so don’t be afraid to enquire. We also had a wine reception leaving Jasper that they allowed us a sip at as well so it isn’t just for the terminus stations.
Tips for Onboard Life on the VIA Rail Canadian
18.) Find Your Train Legs
The bumping, swerving and rolling of the train carriages can make walking a little tricky. It can take some getting used to so don’t rush. Take your time when walking through the carriages and keep one hand running along the wall in case of a sudden jolt. Remember, even the professionals struggle sometimes.
19.) Make Use of the Different Carriages
Take time to explore the train (it’s the only walking you’re going to do onboard).
Sleeping Accommodations – In most carriages, you will find a few sleeper cabins for one, followed by sleeper cabins for two and finally three sets of berths.
Park Car – If you are in Prestige, this is yours all day, every day. If you are in Sleeper Class, travelling in peak season, you are going to have access to it after 4pm. During off-season, it’ll be most of the time but do check the signage and follow the instructions. You will find the bar here and at the very back, a gorgeous V-shaped lounge. Upstairs is a dome section with plusher seats than the Skyline car.
Skyline Cars – This is where you will find the domes. Upstairs, sit at the back for views both ways or sit at the front for panoramic views. Downstairs is a small lounge with tables and plugs. There are separate Skyline cars for economy passengers. Then, further along the carriage is the activities area with the snacks for Sleeper Class passengers.
Dining Car – A carriage lined with tables that turns into a hive of activity at every meal time.
20.) Enjoy Disconnecting
As the train trundles through five large Canadian provinces, you will find that your phone signal will dwindle and disappear. This is one of the reasons they don’t have any wifi onboard. In theory, the business lounge has wifi, but it didn’t work when we visited. Don’t stress about it and enjoy the chance to actually disconnect from the digital world. Read a book, appreciate the scenery and relish using your phone for photography purposes only.
21.) Join In With the Activities
You might not have the internet, but that doesn’t mean there is nothing to do. During the trip, remember to check the whiteboard for activities as they do put on a few. We saw:
Wine tasting – Extra booze? You know we joined in. We tried two different kinds of tasting and that covered six different types of wine.
Beer tasting – Even the fact that the beer was free didn’t tempt us into the tasting.
Board games – Jigsaws and board games aplenty are on offer all day. It is cool to pass through every so often and check on other people’s progress as well as grabbing something to play with yourself.
Talks – Train staff give some lovely little talks with some fun facts about each new province that you cross into.
Trivia – We missed this entirely but heard it was a good laugh.
Film night – The people onboard got to vote for which film to screen and Shrek won (despite my attempt to swing it the other way).
Bingo – We played with a reusable board and cards, which was an unusual set-up but really fun
22.) Take in the Views
Obviously, you get great views from the dome cars, but don’t forget, you can also get a lovely view from your room. During the day, keep the door open, it’ll let in lots of light and double the views as you’ll be able to see the window across the corridor too.
23.) Protect your Valuables
The private rooms have locks, BUT you are unable to lock door behind you when you leave. They only lock from the inside. If you are worried about your belongings, then you have two options. You could bring a day bag for moving around the train in which you can keep your valuables. Alternatively, you can padlock a locked bag to something in the room. There is no door on the berths so you can’t lock anything up at any point.
24.) Reduce Your Room Noise
Trust me on this. Close your sink cover and put the plug down in the sink to make it quieter. Even better, pop a towel over the top as well. You’d be amazed at how much noise comes up from the rails through that pipe.
25.) Tipping the Crew
Tipping is entirely optional when you travel on the VIA Rail Canadian but it seems that most people do leave a tip in some form for the dining room staff and the room attendants.
In the dining carriage, some people leave a smaller tip at the end of each meal, whereas some people tip twice along the way. The crew changes in Winnipeg so it’s once before Winnipeg and once at the end of the journey (assuming you are going all the way through).
In terms of room attendants, we did see a recommendation that $5 per day is ok, but we went with $10 a day as they went above and beyond for us.
26.) Keep an Eye on the Sky
The great expanse of the prairies can produce some incredible sunsets. Sadly, our days were a bit grey but you just never know, so don’t forget to keep track of when sunset is due.
After dark, head to the Skyline Dome and if nobody else is around, you can ask for the lights to be turned down for a bit of stargazing. Mind you, we did some lovely stargazing just lying in bed so anywhere with a window will do.
27.) Expect Delays
VIA Rail owns the train that you are travelling on, but they do not own the rails in runs upon. As such, they need to give way to the mighty freight trains that haul goods across the country. The train will stop often to let an astronomically long freighter pass, stacked two shipping containers high. There is no point fretting about this. Sometimes they make the time up, sometimes they don’t, but either way, you’ll get there eventually.
28.) Check the Time
As you traverse the width of Canada, you are going to pass through four different time zones. The train manager will announce the new time over the tannoy so make sure you listen out for the announcements. Oddly, Saskatchewan doesn’t use daylight saving time so don’t let that one catch you out in the summer months.
29.) Get the Best Views of Mount Robson
There are plenty of beautiful views along the way as you travel onboard the VIA Rail Canadian but most people agree that spotting the mighty Mount Robson is a highlight. This is the tallest mountain in the Canadian Rockies at 3,954 m above sea level. For the best views up in the dome car grab a seat early, and in the right spot.
Train 1 (Heading West) – Sit on the right after Jasper
Train 2 (Heading East) – Sit on the left before Jasper
Tips for Dining and Drinking
30.) Make Friends
Dinner and lunch are both served in two or three sittings and as the tables are for four people, it is most likely you will be sharing with strangers. The staff seat couples sitting beside each other and facing the newbies. Take this chance to have a chat and turn those strangers into friends. It will be an awfully awkward meal otherwise..Have you ever tried to ignore someone sitting right in front of you?
31.) Dinner Seating
As mentioned, seating is done so that couples sit next to each other. This ensures that one person in each couple has a window seat.
If you get travel sick, arrive a minute or two early and ask to sit facing forwards in the dining car.
When the train is at its busiest, there will be two dining cars attached. Rumour has it, dining car B might be better as the Prestige passengers use it but we cannot confirm or deny this as we only had one.
32.) The Menu
The whole menu for lunch and dinner changes every day so if you want to try something, grab it when you see it. It might not be back! Breakfast has some of the same dishes, like the delicious Transcontinental breakfast but other options do change day to day.
33.) Dinner Times
Some people like to dine in the daylight whilst others to stay in the dome cars until it gets dark and then enjoy dinner. Consider your preferred dining time but do remember that Prestige passengers get priority so you might not get your first choice.
Lunch and dinner are both multicourse meals, so you could consider dining later to ensure you have room for dessert.
34.) Make Use of Your Included Drinks
During dinner, your soft drinks (fizzy pop, soda) are included, but during the rest of the time it’s only tea, coffee and hot chocolate. If you have a Diet Coke addiction, make sure you get enough during those meals! You are welcome to bring your own cups to use with the hot drinks provided, so filling a thermos full of coffee to take up to the dome car is perfectly acceptable.
35.) Don’t Skip Breakfast
There are set times for lunch and dinner but not breakfast. You can pop in at any time during the breakfast hours and the staff will do a last call if you are having a lie-in. If jet lag has ruined you and you wake up way ahead of that time, there is a self-serve continental brekkie up for grabs (mostly muffins and fruit) put out for real early birds.
36.) Enjoy Some Snacks
There are lots of little snacks that are included in the sleeper and prestige classes. They can be found in the Skyline and Park cars so there isn’t any need to pack any snacks yourself. The Prestige rooms have a “cooling cupboard” but it’s not actually a fridge. Nobody else has a way to keep anything cool, so bear that in mind before you bring your favourite chilled snacks.
37.) Time for a “Drink Drink”
If you love an adult beverage, here are the ways you can enjoy them during the trip.
It feels naughty, but you are allowed to bring your own alcohol to drink in your cabin or berth. We bought some rum with us and purchased a couple of cans of pop onboard to mix with it for a pre-dinner beverage.
You can buy alcoholic beverages from the bar in the Park car for most of the day, but during dinner service, there might not be anyone here. Make sure you get your drinks sorted ahead of dinner. Alternatively, you can order drinks during dinner from your dining table. These will be added to a tab that you can pay at the end of your journey.
You could try to make friends with Prestige in hopes that they will share their alcohol inclusions…but that is probably easier said than done, and to be honest, the drinks are pretty good value so it isn’t really worth the hassle.
They may run a couple of wine or beer tastings during your journey. The pours are rather small but it is a nice way to get a cheeky extra drink whilst you learn about some cool local producers.
Miscellaneous Tips
38.) Don’t Make Plans for Your Arrival Day
As I mentioned, delays are not only possible but common. The arrival time listed on your booking is more of a suggestion than anything. It would be a real shame to miss an onward connection or bucketlist attraction visit due to a late train. Best thing to do is to plan anything important for the following day and then have some fun extras in the back of your mind for if you arrive on time or early. We actually rolled into Toronto two hours early (having been five hours delayed the day before) and so we popped across the road to the gorgeous Fairmont Royal York to fill that extra time!
39.) Fun Journeys to Add On
If you are travelling on The Canadian, consider adding one of these journeys on to extend your trip
The Skeena – Rolling from Jasper to Prince Rupert, The Skeena takes visitors through the wilds of northern BC where the train is the only connection for many communities.
The Polar Bear Train – Although this is not its official name, it is widely known as such for the polar bear sighting opportunities at the end of the line in Churchill. This train carves a line two days north from Winnipeg to Churchill.
The Ocean – If you fancy another night on a train then hop on one of the many commuter trains from Toronto to Montreal and then climb onboard The Ocean. This trip is around 24 hours and travels up the coast from Mntreal to Halifax.
The Maple Leaf – Extending down to the south-east from Toronto, this two hour trip takes you down to iconic Niagara Falls.
40.) Smoking/Vaping
There is no smoking or vaping allowed onboard. You will have to make use of the “fresh air” time at station stops to indulge. Check with your room attendant to confirm where and when this is ok. If you are a heavy smoker or vaper, then bring some alternative options (nicotine gum, patches) if you don’t think you can make it. Breaking the rules can lead to fines or even prosecution.
Final Thoughts on These VIA Rail Canadian Tips
We hope you are as excited to take your train adventure as we were, and feel a little more prepared now too. Have the best time and if we missed any important VIA Rail Canadian tips, let us know!
When I first came across James Asquith on social media, he was necking a champagne slammer and sticking it to the man. Well, as the years have passed, his disruptive spirit has shifted into the business side of travel, and now he is the owner of both Holiday Swap and new British airline, Global Airlines. Their first commercial flight took off from Glasgow on 15th May 2025, and we were lucky enough to join this inaugural flight to JFK. Read on for our full review of Global Airlines A380 economy service.
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
A Little Bit About Global Airlines
If you haven’t heard of Global Airlines, you are not alone. Global is an airline, founded in 2021, which has currently run just two return flights to JFK, one from Glasgow and one from Manchester. The plan of CEO James Asquith is to purchase a whole load of Airbus A380 aircraft and use them to recreate the golden age of air travel, I’m not entirely convinced a high capacity plane is capable of feeling swish (in economy at least) but they are going to give it a darn good go!
Currently, in May 2025, Global owns two planes and is still in process of attaining (we think) an Air Operator’s Certificate and UK Foreign Carrier Permit. To run these tester flights(?), they have enlisted the Maltese arm of Hi Fly, a Portuguese charter airline. The livery and crew uniforms are Global but the staff are all Hi Fly. I believe they called this “a damp lease”.
We were greeted with a lovely bit of hype upon arrival at Glasgow International Airport. A balloon arch, signs for Global Airlines and a photo wall adorned the check-in area. There were cupcakes on offer and friendly staff from Glasgow Airport tagging hand luggage with lots of excited chit chat.
Check-in seemed to go quite slowly, and we queued for about thirty minutes, but when we reached the desk we saw that the staff were dealing with an admin nightmare. They had a printed spreadsheet that they had to cross-reference with every check in. Half of the economy passengers were being upgraded, whilst all of the others had new seats. The couple next to us were popped into business class. Sadly, we were not. However, it turned out that we had all been moved to the upper deck, presumably for either weight and balance or ease of service.
Airside
Glasgow Airport is a little on the wee side. It reminds me strongly of London Stansted, but they have lovely modern security systems, making getting screened a breeze. Once through the main duty-free shop, there is a surprisingly large selection of eateries, but we stuck with old faithful and grabbed something from Pret. Filling our water bottles, we head down in the direction of the Emirates lounge, gambling on the premise that this was where they park their A380, so it may well be the location of ours. Well, there it was, waiting for us.
Glasgow Airport is pretty ill-equipped for such large planes, and the corridor by the boarding doors got pretty busy, even with just the hundred or so passengers waiting to board. I have no idea how they cope with a full A380. A domestic flight had also arrived, and the incoming passengers all squeezed past us, so for about five minutes, it was carnage.
Boarding went reasonably smoothly. Interestingly, business was boarded first, followed by First Class and then Economy. Again, I don’t know how they would cope with just one jetty if the flight was full. I suppose other arrangements would be made.
We’ve flown on the giant Airbus A380 twice before this; once on Singapore Airlines, and we wrote a full reivew of when we flew with Emirates from London to Dubai.
Onboard Global Airlines A380
The Seats
The seats, upholstered in a light biscuit colour and highlighted in red, reminded me a little of Emirates’ uniform colours. They look great, but I do wonder how the lighter fabric will fare over time. The economy seats have a decent pitch at 32 inches and a width of 17.2 inches which is plenty. You will also get a recline which works to both tip the chair back a little (not enough to enrage the person behind you) and to slide the seat forward a little. At least, most do. My particular seat wouldn’t stay reclined. Luckily, the seat next to me was free, so I could move over.
The seat in front has a wide but thin tray table which extends towards you for meal times. Each has a handy little drinks holder too.
The Headrests
The headrests are a menace! They have nice adjustable flaps on either side, and in theory, can be slid up and down for height. However, there are no catches on the attaching bracket, so anyone trying to push them up pops them clean off! I did it, along with five or six other people in the cabin. I was mortified. They might need to look at this for the future.
Our Seats
We had seats upstairs in the small section of economy at the back of the plane. Originally on 37 H and K (a window and aisle with a seat between us), we ended up in 79 F and G (an aisle and middle seat on the back row). This was a real shame as I was excited for the view and there was no tail cam to watch. Not good for boredom alleviation or for content creation. I asked the cabin crew if I could go downstairs to take a few photos out of the window and of the seats, but it was off limits.
Honestly, our seats were rather unfortunate. Not only were we in the middle, but the bathroom right behind us was broken somehow. There was a rushing air sound, as if it was flushing permanently. It was so loud! I would have killed someone if I were trying to sleep.
Storage
The Airbus A380 has tons of room for bags in its delightfully sizable lockers. Upstairs, the window seats also have a handy locker to your side, between the seat and the window. This is absolutely perfect for shorties like me. It also gives you a handy shelf to sleep on.
The seatback pockets were the width of the seat, so you could stash loads in there if required. Do remember that they can end up quite dirty, as it is nearly impossible to clean them properly and don’t stick anything in there that is going in your mouth.
Entertainment
This is where things went a bit wonky for me. I had seen a cabin walkthrough before we departed and noticed that the in-flight entertainment systems hadn’t been changed from the old China Southern units. Obviously, screen technology has come on somewhat in the last twelve years, but as long as the offering of entertainment options is decent, I can handle a clunky system. However, the night before we departed, we received an email to let us know that:
A – The original entertainment system was not going to be operational.
B – There would be no in-seat power in economy, so we should make sure we have a full charge and power banks.
C – The WiFi wouldn’t be up and running.
D – They have installed an entertainment offering that can be streamed to our own devices.
Now, in normal circumstances, I wouldn’t be mad at it. However, lots of people (including us) were already in Glasgow or en route, so it was a bit late to prepare. I only had my small phone to watch the films or TV shows on, and being visually impaired, this is less than ideal. I also happened to have a power bank with me as I am paranoid, but I bet there were plenty of people who didn’t. An earlier heads-up would have been good. As you might expect, there were lots of people with laptops in tow, hoping to get their reviews done on board, and this clearly had them concerned.
The actual selection of films, TV shows, music and games was pretty good, with films from a few months ago like Conclave and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. I decided not to watch anything to ensure I didn’t give myself eye strain. Mr Fluskey was happy to see that there was a Skymap but it was very, very basic.
Amenities
In the Seat
When we boarded, we found some bits and bobs waiting for us. First was a nice, soft fleece blanket and a small pillow. These were both good quality for an economy offering. We also had a nice commemorative note or certificate to celebrate the flight. Finally, there was a rather fancy amenity kit.
The Global Airlines Amenity Kit
In a world where it is rare to get any kind of amenity kit in economy, Global Airlines has gone all out!
Eye mask
Ear plugs
Socks
Shoe horn
Mirror
Comb
Refreshing wipe
Body lotion
Pulse point oil
Eau de toilette
Lip balm
Dental kit
Pen
I’m 80% sure this wasn’t meant to be for economy passengers as it was giving major business class vibes but I forgot to ask Mr Asquith.
The Bathrooms
The bathrooms by us were small, but I think this is due to them being the upstairs ones and not the main ones in economy. Interestingly, only one of the two had the nice Margaret Dabb hand cream. Mr Fluskey made the right choice when it was time to pop to the loo, while I picked the more basic of the two and left without moisturised hands.
One of the big promises made about Global Airlines is that every passenger, regardless of cabin, would get a glass of champagne. No doubt, those in Business and First class would have more than one, but it was still a very welcome treat for us plebs. We were served Laurent Perrier champagne. There was no champagne, prosecco or cava on the official wine list, but I asked and they poured me another glass of champagne to enjoy with lunch too. There is a pretty full bar offering, so I would imagine that too many people would miss it.
Speaking of drinks, somewhere is the world’s first Skypub, but as it resides between Business and First class, it was not for the likes of us.
We got two full meal services, which was unexpected. The drinks were served at the same time. As mentioned, we had a second round of champagne with lunch. Mr Fluskey also asked for a rum and Coke. They poured the Coke but said that to add the rum would make it “a cocktail” and they would have to ask at the front to get it. This seemed a little odd to me, considering it was all listed in the menu. What will they do if the whole cabin asks for different drinks? I think they either need to reduce what is offered in the menu or do a full bar cart service before the food is brought out.
The Food
Meal One
Everyone in economy had a three course meal tray provided, with the choice of three different main courses. Wine was offered at the same time.
The starter was a neat little caprese salad with fresh tomato, mini mozzarella balls and a fresh basil leaf. It was really good but could have done with a little touch of salt. I don’t know if you can pre-salt a salad but I feel like probably not…?
I opted for the chicken with spring vegetables and potatoes. The chicken was lukewarm and hugely dry so I didn’t have much of it at all. A chicken ballotine has zero fat so keeping it moist is tricky even when it’s freshly cooked in small quantities. Cooked en masse, they didn’t stand a chance. The potatoes were fab and the veggies cooked well so overall, not a bad dish.
Mr Fluskey chose the sea bass. We were both very impressed with the cooking of the fish, which was excellent. The additions of dill-scented potatoes, fennel, along with charred onion were definitely a cut above your standard plane food. This all felt much more like premium economy than economy. There wasn’t as much veloute as he would have liked but I think any more might have made the whole thing feel sloppy. I think the general consensus was that his dish was best.
For dessert, there was a mini lemon tart with lavender meringue and lemon curd. This was by far the most delicate and delightful dessert I’ve ever had in economy.
Snacks
A tray of full size snacks was offered and Mr Fluskey availed himself of a bag of popcorn and a big packet of pretzels. Obviously he couldn’t actually eat then and there so we had the, on the road to Maryland a couple of days later.
Meal Two
I was still too full to indulge in the second meal service, let alone the snacks. Mr Fluskey, however, bravely stepped up to ensure we had a full and comprehensive review.
This time, the starter salad was a superfood salad which had all kinds of fun vegetables in including edamame beans which he adores. it was all crisp and very interesting to eat.
He originally requested the butternut squash pasta as his main dish that was accidentally given beef. The crew said they could swap it but unfortunately they had actually run out of the past so he ended up with beef after all. He isn’t much of a fan of beef usually but said that it was actually very tender and well seasoned which, from him, is high praise for red meat.
The dessert was once again, far and away the most deluxe economy dessert we have had. It consisted of delicate chocolate shards, surrounding a chocolate cremeux and it was all jazzed up by a little pot of honeycomb pieces. I wonder if they’ll have the choice just to eat dessert in the future because they were both absolutely brilliant. 
Info
If you are planning on flying economy on Global Airlines, here are some things you might like to know.
Buying Tickets – At the moment, you can’t! After the return from Glasgow to New York and the return from Manchester to New York, Global Airlines have no more flights scheduled. Presumably this will change, but the best thing to do is to keep an eye on their social media for more info in the future.
Luggage Allowance – Economy passengers are entitled to one case at 23kg. You can also bring on international size carry on and a personal item with you.
Check In – There is no facility to check in online at present, so passengers must check in at a desk. This is fine if you have luggage, but always a touch frustrating for the hand luggage only crowd.
Final Thoughts on Our Review of Global Airlines A380 Economy Inaugural to JFK
This is a tricky one. I left the flight feeling a little hard done by. I hated losing our window seats to be relegated to a middle row at the back, especially knowing that there was an entire floor of economy window seats that we weren’t allowed to use during the flight. It left me in a mood for the rest of the flight. The crew were lovely and I thought the service was fantastic.
I see the potential in what Global Airlines has to offer. Any competition is good for consumers, and the busy transatlantic market always has space for another player.
When it comes to November in Walt Disney World the festive season kicks in and special events, decorations and snacks are celebrated. Starting in 2023, there is a new after hours party to consider. “But Mickeys Very Merry Christmas is Iconic”, I hear you cry. I get it! We went back and forth about which holiday party to attend (only being able to get to one) for a couple of weeks. However, I firmly believe that Jollywood Nights is the superior choice for Disney adults without the kiddos in tow, and here’s why…
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
Let me be real with you for a second… I didn’t know I was going to write a blog post about Jollywood Nights so these photos are pretty shoddy. I can only apologise.
The Vibes
If you love The Fab Five, classic Disney family cuteness and cute kids galore then you will want to pick Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. However, for some more grown up fun, hit Jollywood! Now, when I saw ault vibes, I don’t mean sexy, just more mature. Of course, we are all big kids at Disney but here you will see more of that old Hollywood glamour. This is felt in what people are wearing, the classic 1940s-60s Christmas music pumping through the speakers and the themeing of the entertainment.
The Food and Drinks
Hollywood Studios has some great spots to eat and drink but not everything is open for the party. In fact, three of the most popular sit-down restaurants are closed so don’t plan on dining at 50’s Prime Time Café, Woody’s Lunch Box or Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant. Brown Derby is open, has a special menu including apps and cocktails, and everyone is serenaded by delightfully jazzy pianists.
Other than that, you are going to be doing a lot of grab and go with small dishes and snacks throughout the park. There are whole blog posts hosted on whole WDW blogs so I am not going to be a pretender but for my money, the savoury options like the Bavarian Pretzel with beer-cheese fondue and spicy mustard from Baseline Taphouse, Birria Taco from ABC Commissary and Spicy Pimento-Kimchi Dip topped with chives and served with fresh house-made wonton chips from Dockside Dinner were far superior to the sweet offerings.
As well as speciality snacks, there is an abundance of cocktails to try (responsibly of course). The few served at the Tip Top Club are premixed but there are some real treats to be found. The Peanut Butter Whiskey Cream: RumChata Cream Liqueur and Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey at Brown Derby was top notch, the Mango Chamoyada with tequila a very adult, tropical treat and the Warm Spiced Chai Cocktail would be perfect on a colder December evening.
The Character Meet & Greets
Disney knows that the clientele for this party edges a little older than the normal park average and this is very much reflected in the meet and greet or photo opportunities on offer.
In 2024, the park was stacked with characters straight out of the Millennial Nostalgia Yearbook yes, this comes straight from the Disney website because my Millennial memory fails me:
Baloo or King Louie from Talespin – appearing at Echo Lake
José Carioca or Panchito from The Three Caballeros – appearing at Animation Courtyard
Bo Peep or Lotso from the Toy Story movies – appearing at the entrance to Toy Story Land
The Mandalorian – appearing at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Joy from Inside Out – appearing at Pixar Place
Phineas and Ferb – appearing at Echo Lake
Max Goof as Powerline – appearing at Echo Lake
Rescue Rangers Chip ‘n’ Dale – appearing at Echo Lake
Santa Stitch – appearing at Celebrity Spotlight at Echo Lake
Santa Duffy – appearing at Santa’s Workshop at Grand Avenue
Edna Mode and Frozone from The Incredibles – appearing at Pixar Plaza
Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy or Pluto – appearing by Pixar Plaza
Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse – appearing at Red Carpet Dreams on Commissary Lane
What it doesn’t say is that the Pixar Plaza was a dance party so you could boogy with Edna Mode! Sadly, we onlyl saw it when we dashing off for our reservation at Brown Derby so we didn’t get the chance.
There was a “The Muppet Christmas Carol” meet and greet, or so we thought. Turns out, it was actually a very cool photo op with the choice to do an ultra slow motion clip or a Fozzie Bear dance party clip. We queued for around 30 minutes, and here is our clip:
The Entertainment Options
There are some marvellous shows on offer during the evening and you won’t see these anywhere else.
In 2024, Glisten was premiered. This was such a fun ice skating performance, all set to both well-loved Disney songs, classic Christmas tunes and some original music too. The small rink makes this performance particularly impressive. Who knew you could do a romantic and lyrical ice duet in a space only just bigger than my small London flat?
If you need a sit down then make your to one of these two shows. Both of these are around 30 minutes long and both magical in their own way.
Disney Holidays in Hollywood – Hosted by the iconic duo of Miss Piggy and Kermit, this glamourous Christmas special is a delightful selection box of Christmas song and dance. tjhe choreography is fantastic and the singers blow it out of the water. Seeing Belle and Tiana on the same bill as Mickey and Minnie makes for a lovely lineup.
What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along – This show which is part live action and partly animated features some of the popular songs from the film The big Jack Skellington puppet and Oogie Boogie cameo are both pretty awe-inspiring and it is the perfect bridge to take you from Halloween to Christmas.
The Jingle Bell Jingle JAM! fireworks and projection show is not technically an event exclusive. It used to play around the holidays so if you visited Hollywood Studios around November/December in the late 2010s, you may have seen it. The story revolves around a couple of elves named Prep & Landing who, as ever, need to save Christmas. It’s nice to wander past but it’s aimed at children for sure and I feel like your time may be better spent elsewhere. You’ll be able to see some of the fireworks in the sky anywhere.
Finally seek out the Tip Top Club. This legendary spot has jazz and swing bands that get the crowd up and jiving. The singers are tip top quality and the atmosphere is lively. Cool cats, this one’s for you!
The Ride Wait Times
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has five big ticket attractions. This means that they can rack up some very hefty standby lines throughout the day. If you want to ride any of these, be prepared to wait:
Slinky Dog Dash
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Rock and Rollercoaster Starring Aerosmith (soon to get a Muppets retheme)
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Even the second tier of rides including Midway Mania and Smuggler’s Run can garner some rather huge queues. However, once the day clicks over to Jollywood Nights only these queue times plummet! Rise of the Resistance rarely rose above 15 minutes and considering that is regularly 180 minutes during the day, this is pure madness. We queued for 5 minutes for both Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway and Toy Story Midway Mania with Alien Swirling Saucers and Smuggler’s Run both walk ons.
We watched Slinky Dog Dash remain solidly at 40 minutes throughout the night and only decided at the very last minute to end our night there. Well, it was only 10 minutes so maybe that wasn’t accurate all evening?
Final Thoughts on Why is the Perfect Disney Holiday Party for Disney Adults
Would we go back to Jollywood Nights? 100% and that says it all really. We didn’t cover everything in one party as we wanted to ride all of the rides too. If we had been in the park all day, or at any other time in the trip, then we would have focussed on the party-exclusive activities. We spent some time in the Brown Derby which nibbled an hour away from our park time. I think that without that, we would have seen almost everything, If we had skipped the photo in the Muppet area we could have done the lot…but it was very cute!
Anyway, I’m rambling now…
Point is, Jollywood Nights is the perfect holiday party for Disney adults. It’s classy and fun in equal measure which is exactly what the perfect Christmas should be!
Disneyland Paris is the greenest and most gorgeous Disney park in the world. (I may be biased as it is my nearest). Planning a trip can seem daunting but doing some research and coming prepared will make your trip so much easier and a whole lot more magical. Read on for our top tips for Disneyland Paris.
If you are in Orlando for a few days and want to escape that theme park bubble, there is one place we cannot recommend highly enough. Winter Park is a small town that is just on the cusp of Orlando’s urban sprawl. However, it has maintained bucketloads of historical charm and the generational wealth of its residents means I think it will for years to come. Read on to find out how to spend the perfect day in Winter Park.
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
How to Get to Winter Park
There are two main ways to reach Winter Park from Orlando. The first, and most common, is to drive. Taking the Icon Wheel as the centre of Orlando, it’s around a 16 mile drive, which will take roughly 30 minutes. Most of the drive is heading north along I-4 so it’s not too tricky. Of course, the advantage of driving is having the flexibility in timings, the choice to drive from spot to spot in Winter Park, and to not having to wait around for transport.
The second option is to hop on the SunRail. This central Florida commuter train runs from stops including Orlando Health/Amtrak and LYNX Central to Winter Park. The train runs every half an hour and takes 15-20 minutes depending on where you embark. In Winter Park, you will be dropped right by North Park Avenue. The advantage of public transport is the flexibility to have an adult beverage if desired. But some of the food and drink options listed below are a little too far away from the station to walk.
How to Spend a Perfect Day in Winter Park
Start With a Coffee
All good days start with coffee and all great days start with Austin Coffee. This cooler than cool spot has plenty of coffee beverages, plus wine and beer (but it may be a bit early for that). Order your beverage and you can pick from around 30 different flavoured syrups to give it a fun twist. Peanut butter, raspberry, amaretto and chocolate mint are just some of those on offer.
Alternatively, you can opt for one of their tasty teas which come in cute teapots if requested. The Orchard Tea Pot (ginger cinnamon spiced tea steeped in apple juice) is autumnal perfection.
Saunter Down Park Avenue
Park Avenue is at the heart of the Winter Park Historic Downtown District and it is picture perfect. Cafes, clothing boutiques and brilliant bookshops line the pavements between rustling green trees. If adorable dresses are your thing then don’t miss Louise James Boutique and Forema Boutique. If you are after some antiquing or art work, then look out for Antiques on the Avenue, Adjectives Market and Flo’s Attic.
The 11 acre Central Park is a nice green place, perfect for a picnic and home to plenty of community events including the Sidewalk Art Festival, and their Olde Fashioned 4th of July party. On Saturday mornings, there is a lively farmer’s market with plenty of produce to take home and lots to munch on for breakfast / brunch / lunch.
Visit the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
This museum, known locally as the Morse Museum is an absolute gem. There are three main sections and they are all full of the most fabulous pieces of art and homeware. Tiffany (he of the lamps) has left the most magical collection of windows, lamps and vases. I know it doesn’t sound super exciting but trust me, this man did the most marvellous things with glass.
To help explain the objects, you can read the signs throughout, grab more detailed pamphlets at the entrance to each room or download their app for an audio tour.
Louis Comfort Tiffany layered glass, played with temperatures and tried completely innovative techniques to create his art. In the museum you’ll find stunning vases, magnificent windows and gorgeous glass scenes. The museum takes some of the larger window pieces and exhibits them in the local park at Christmas. Carol singers bring the festive atmosphere to life and flickering candles make them dance and sparkle.
Hiding in the far left corner of the museum is a real gem, parts of Tiffany’s own home, Laurelton Hall. Parts of this 84-room mansion in New York‘s Long Island are now on display here. Keep an eye out for the flamingo piece as you explore this area, you can see it from the side and you’ll be amazed at the depth of the glass work.
Entry is free on Fridays 4-8 during the winter. The museum is closed on Mondays and only open for reduced hours on Sundays. Check their website for up to date info.
Have a Spot of Lunch
Park Avenue is full of delicious options for lunch. Several cuisines from around the world can be found here and many of them are numbered amongst the best restaurants in the city.
Prato – A nice Italian with some decent Napoli style pizza and lots of pasta options.
Umi – An Asian spot with some interesting sushi, Japanese staples and the odd Korean dish such as bibimbap.
Ava Mediterranean – A delicious selection of Greek, Turkish and Mediterranean dishes including great seafood like octopus, some nice sides like hummus and good meat options.
Briarpatch – Yummy brunch spot with options like fried green tomatoes, pecan pie, French toast, eggs benedict and cakes galore.
Tabla Cuisine – All your Indian favourites made to a fantastic stadard. Butter chicken, samosas and biriyanis spice up your lunch.
You will also find lots of fantastic options on Fairbank Avenue which is up to a five minute drive or 45 minute walk away, but as our next activity is in the opposite direction, I think sticking around Park Ave is the better option.
Take a Scenic Boat Tour
Operating since 1938, the Scenic Boat Tour is an absolute must do in Winter Park. The tour lasts just under an hour and takes guests through the lakes and waterways that edge Winter Park. These are home to some amazing properties and some real Winter Park institutions such as Rollins College. This liberal arts school was established in 1885 and has around 30 courses to choose from…and a dock, they have a dock.
Stroll Through a Garden..or Three
If you fancy a lovely walk through a gorgeous garden then you have three wonderful options in Winter Park:
Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Garden – Home of Czech sculptor Albin Polasek, there is a museum in the property which can be enjoyed on a group tour. The garden is stacked with fantastic bronze and stone statues which tell the cultural journey of Albin’s connection to both his homeland and his adopted country.
Mead Botanical Garden – This lovely large and lush garden stretches over 47 acres and is home to a butterfly garden, an amphitheatre and thousands of plants to wander through. They have some great events including a rubber duck derby and yoga amongst the plants. Best of all? It’s free.
Harry P Leu Botanucal Gardens – A little closer to Orlando proper, the Leu Garden is another 50 acres of garden glory. This is the most expensive option of the three. There are lots of fun activities on offer here as well such as music concerts and movie nights.
Savour Dinner at The Glass Knife
Part bakery, part cocktail bar and part coffee shop, The Glass Knife has somehow mastered all of these foody skills. The menu has brunch vibes, and that is probably because it is only served until 7pm. This is an early dinner. There are biscuit sandwiches, grilled cheese and soup combos and salads on offer. They have a fun cocktail menu to go along with the food though, which all makes it feel a little more dinner time-y. Then for dessert you can pick from a huge selection of cakes, pastries, macarons and doughnuts.
Enjoy a Nightcap at The Courtesy
To round off your perfect day in Winter Park, go for a drink. There are plenty of bars around the city, but you have to grab a cocktail at The Courtesy. This is Orlando’s OG cocktail bar and as such, is a history maker. The vibe is adults-only, and somewhere between tiki fun and classy. They have a long list of gin, a longer list of tequila, and an even longer one for whiskey so you don’t even need to have the mixed drinks to enjoy a top quality beverage. They also run cocktail classes in the afternoon.
Final Thoughts on How to Spend the Perfect Day in Winter Park
Winter Park is such a beautiful place to visit for the day. It is nice to be out of the crazy entertainment bubble of Orlando and while it may be lower octane, it is certainly high on class!
Rosie xx
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptRejectRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Cookie Consent
We use cookies to improve your experience on our site. By using our site, you consent to cookies.
Contains information related to marketing campaigns of the user. These are shared with Google AdWords / Google Ads when the Google Ads and Google Analytics accounts are linked together.
90 days
__utma
ID used to identify users and sessions
2 years after last activity
__utmt
Used to monitor number of Google Analytics server requests
10 minutes
__utmb
Used to distinguish new sessions and visits. This cookie is set when the GA.js javascript library is loaded and there is no existing __utmb cookie. The cookie is updated every time data is sent to the Google Analytics server.
30 minutes after last activity
__utmc
Used only with old Urchin versions of Google Analytics and not with GA.js. Was used to distinguish between new sessions and visits at the end of a session.
End of session (browser)
__utmz
Contains information about the traffic source or campaign that directed user to the website. The cookie is set when the GA.js javascript is loaded and updated when data is sent to the Google Anaytics server
6 months after last activity
__utmv
Contains custom information set by the web developer via the _setCustomVar method in Google Analytics. This cookie is updated every time new data is sent to the Google Analytics server.
2 years after last activity
__utmx
Used to determine whether a user is included in an A / B or Multivariate test.
18 months
_ga
ID used to identify users
2 years
_gali
Used by Google Analytics to determine which links on a page are being clicked
30 seconds
_ga_
ID used to identify users
2 years
_gid
ID used to identify users for 24 hours after last activity
24 hours
_gat
Used to monitor number of Google Analytics server requests when using Google Tag Manager
