Tag: London

  • Catching the Cheap Bus From the UK to France – A FlixBus London to Paris Review

    Catching the Cheap Bus From the UK to France – A FlixBus London to Paris Review

    There are a few ways to travel between London and Paris. You can catch the train, drive and then use a ferry or the “chunnel”, or fly from one of several London airports to one of several Parisian counterparts. Then, there is the newest and cheapest option, catching the cheap bus between the UK to France. Read on for my full FlixBus London to Paris review.

    This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.

    A Little About FlixBus

    FlixBus has swept through Europe, swallowing the competition by providing clean and well run connections between towns and cities across The Continent. Despite their dominance elsewhere, they are still not that well known here in the U.K. I think that taking on National Express and Megabus is going to take time. Where they are really thriving is the cross-channel route between the capitals of U.K. and France.

    My Trip to Paris

    In November 2024, I spent a week in Paris with a few content creators. I travelled solo between home and the hotel and being rather more budget conscious when I travelled solo between without Mr Fluskey, I decided to give the coach a go. So how was it to travel on FlixBus between London and Paris? comme ci comme ça.

    Check out my Paris posts HERE!

    And my London posts HERE!

    FlixBus London to Paris Review

    The Outbound Journey – London to Paris

    • Route:

    07:00 – London Victoria Coach Station

    09:30 – Dover (P&O Ferries)

    14:00 – Calais

    17:35 – Paris Bercy

    • Ticket: £18.99
    • Seat: 1A £3.99
    London – Victoria Coach Station

    There is no sugarcoating it, London’s Victoria Coach Station is awful. Squat, crowded and a with distinctly chilly metal seats, it is not somewhere I choose to be if I can help it. Sadly, there aren’t really any alternatives, if you are travelling by coach. The small Pret A Manger had the usual crowd, a few coffee addicts who zoomed through, one guy who was fast asleep on the counter and some out-of-towners horrified by the price of a croissant. I thought about grabbing breakfast but decided against it. At this point, breakfast is mostly a social expectation for me rather than a requirement. Plus, I didn’t want to drink coffee and then board a bus. The bathrooms are very much for emergencies and I really didn’t want to need a wee.

    The Coach

    Having booked 1A, I was surprised to see that I was in fact, in the second row. For some unknown reason the driver had blocked off the front row seats with seatbelts strapped across the aisle. Then, new seat numbers had been scrolled above the rows behind, causing quite a lot of confusion on boarding as people tried to sit in the same row thinking they were both row two and row three.

    I was a bit peeved because I had pushed the front row for a nice view out of the front of the coach, but instead was staring at the back of the seat. I’d paid £3.99 for the privilege that was in a regular seat. I was also a little confused as I’m pretty sure stringing seatbelts across the aisle, blocking the exit is a massive health and safety issue. If we were to get in an accident will have to disembark quickly quickly people were going to fall down the steps after having been trapped in a seatbelty web.

    I did like that each seat had a one USB-A port for charging their devices, and as I was lucky enough to have the seat next to me free I could charge both my phone and my camera at the same time.

    Departure

    Our coach was due in at 06:45, arriving from Disneyland Paris, but it didn’t turn up until about 07:40. We departed at 07:47, 47 minutes late and I thought we were going to be late for the ferry. The timetable said “09:30 – Dover (P&O Ferries)” and there was a ferry that departed at 09:30. I did a quick map search and we weren’t due to arrive until 09:47. Clearly, I am stupid. Our ferry wasn’t the 09:30 one but the 11:00.

    Entertainment

    There wasn’t any to speak of. Now, I wasn’texpecting any so that was fine. However there was a sticker with a QR code which promised an entertainment suite. I did feel irritated when it didn’t work. Time to peel those stickers off me thinks.

    Dover

    We pulled into customs and passport check. I was first off and into the passport office which was very plain and looked distinctly temporary. One female guard sat in a small wooden box and checked our 28 passports, flicking quickly through the pages before banging the stamp down on each. The bus pulled forward and we climbed back on.

    There was a departure terminal of sorts. It was almost identical to a motorway services with a WHSmith, Costa Coffee, Burger King and a little gambling arcade. There was an open door at the side and the front doors kept swishing open so it was quite cold. I made quick use of the ladies and hopped back on board for the remainder of our 30 minute break.

    P&O Ferry

    The coach pulled onto the big vehicle deck (Deck 5 – Red) and we all got off. I left my larger bag on my seat, just taking my little bum bag full of valuables. no point dragging it around for no reason.

    I watched the White Cliffs of Dover disappearing behind the wake of the ship and for the next 45 minutes explored the decks, poking my nose in everywhere they would allow.

    There were several lounges, each with a different intended function:

    • The Bar – Seating with a small casino in the corner.
    • The Family Lounge – Located at the front of the ship, the sofas here looked straight out to France. Those in the know bagged these seats very quickly. There was a cafe/bar counter in here and what seemed to be a dance floor(?)
    • The Pet Lounge – Somewhere for your furry friends to play, with an outside space at the back of the ship.
    • The Quiet Lounge – I only saw one couple in here that were chatting very loudly. They missed the point.
    • The Club Lounge – Only accessible by scanning a ticket, this is the premium lounge that includes food and drink throughout the sailing. It was £27 so if you were able to indulge then not bad value. I tried to see in but could only see a set of drinks optics on the wall…but that’ll do!
    • The Marketplace – On the top deck was the food hall. They had snacks, a selection of baked goods, hot meals, kids lunch boxes and some nice looking desserts.

    I grabbed a can of Pimms and a packet of crisps from The Marketplace and settled in for the last half an hour of the crossing. Calais slowly hove into sight (everyone with normal eyesight had been able to see it for ages) and then we were called back to the bus.

    Calais

    We made a quick stop at a services near the port. There was a mostly shut cafe and a big shop with all kinds of food and drink. I just popped into the bathroom and straight back into the coach. I was grateful for the stop as it meant my Pimms was dealt with before we reached Paris.

    Paris – Bercy Bus Station

    Stepping off the coach at Bercy Bus Station was very overwhelming. It was noisy and crowded. Taxi touts swarmed the new arrivals. One guy in particular would not leave me alone and followed me, badgering me for a taxi. I escaped into the winter air as soon as I could. It was surprisingly dark in the park that is in front of the station so it took a moment to let my eyes adjust. Then it was am eight mimnute walk to the metro.

    Check out my Paris posts HERE!

    And my London posts HERE!

    Inbound Journey – Disneyland Paris to London

    • Route:

    22:15 – Disneyland Paris

    23:00 – Paris Bercy

    02:50 – Calais (Eurotunnel)

    04:20 – Folkestone

    06:50 – London Victoria Coach Station

    • Ticket: £23.99
    • Seat: 1D £3.99
    Chessy Sud

    Not having read the email properly about where FlixBus picks up at Disneyland Paris, I was at the wrong bus station. I was stood outside Marne-le-Vallee train station but clicking on the map provided I realised that it wasn’t right. Luckily, I had bags of time before it was due to leave. I head back through the security, leading into the Disney bubble, and walked briskly to the exit across the way, to the Southern bus station, Chessy Sud. The bus was listed as being from Platform G which, on the sign, was labelled as Long Distance Buses. Makes sense!

    The Coach

    This coach was a bit newer on the inside and it was toasty warm which I really appreciated. There’s nothing worse than trying to sleep in a bus when you are cold.

    Once again, I had paid a little extra to sit on the front row as it looked like it was just a single seat on one side. 1D was on the map but 1C wasn’t. Annoyingly, this was because it was reserved for one of the drivers. This whole seats thing is a bit messy and when they are charging for them, some clarity would be nice. (I’m still salty about my view on the first bus).

    Departure

    I was hoping to see the drone show above the car park roof but sadly, the cold and windy weather meant they didn’t take to the sky. The bus arrived about fifteen minutes before departure and the four passengers waiting, including myself, boarded. Presumably, the driver knew that everyone had arrived as we left six minutes early.

    I was exhausted after a rather manic week and was looking forward to getting some sleep. However, I quickly realised that I had made a very rookie error. Sitting at the front was SUCH a bad plan. The radio was playing music, the drivers were chatting loudly and the windscreen was flooded with the headlights of vehicles. That £3.99 price tag made these seats look so tempting but a little corner somewhere at the back would have been far superior.

    Bercy Bus Station

    In comparison to Bercy, Victoria Coach Station is rather fancy. Buses are stacked here cheek by jowl, with just a small pavement to wait on. People spilled into the path of our coach as it approached. So dangerous! How is this the main bus station of a major European city?

    I am so glad FlixBus has a service you can board from Disneyland Paris, it is vastly more pleasant and doesn’t feel as maddening or dodgy.

    Calais

    I dozed off, surfacing every 20 minutes or so, until we reached the Channel Tunnel terminal. The bus seemed to turn in circles until we found our way to French passport control. I made confused and tired small talk about Paris in the snow until the agent stamped my passport and I could nip back onto the coach.

    I put my head down and tried to force myself back to sleep again, forgetting entirely that British Border Force was still to come.  I was just dropping off again when the coach stopped and bleary eyed, we traipsed back off. It was a very quick passport check, but then I think a couple of people were having their luggage checked by customs so we had to wait a little while before we were allowed to get back on the coach. I had been trying to dehydrate again to ensure that I could sleep and I didn’t have to use the cage. However, there was a bathroom after passport control, and a drink machine, I decided to throw caution to the wind, go for a wee and treat myself to a bottle of Orangina. I was wildly thirsty so this was definitely a good move.

    The Eurotunnel

    I woke up just in time to see the coach squeezing slowly onto our carriage if the EuroTunnel train.  these are basically metal shells and bogies, that you drive into. They are then sealed and the whole train chugs through the tunnel. You are not permitted to leave the vehicle during the trip. I don’t know if it was the constant light, the occasional rumbles, or just the strange sensation of being on coach that was moving without any engine, but I slept incredibly fitfully, gasping myself awake time after time. It speaks volumes that after the coach was driven back onto the road. I got a proper one and a half hours of uninterrupted sleep. Still, the train variation of this journey is far superior to that of the ferry overnight as you are made to get off the couch and then have to go and find somewhere to sleep on the boat for two hours.  if you are a good sleeper then I think you’ll get a pretty decent chunk of sleep after passport control.

    London Victoria Coach Station

    The next time my eyes opened, I was looking straight at a double-decker red bus, a strong indicator that we were somewhere within the M25. About five minutes later the drivers put the lights inside the coach up to full and announced that we were almost there. We arrived at about 07:00, a slight delay but nothing dramatic. I think the bus was due to turn around into the service that I had taken to Paris on the ferry originally.

    The coach station to the Underground at Victoria is a steady ten minute walk and it isn’t signposted that well. Luckily, I have done this walk dozens of times so I could do it in my groggy autopilot. Weirdly, the tube was packed but I gave it a few trains and managed to get a seat all the way back to my home station…and I was straight to bed.

    Final Thoughts on my Journey with FlixBus Between London and Paris

    This was very much a journey of two halves. I actually really enjoyed travelling from London to Paris with FlixBus including the ferry. Yes, there was some drama with the seats but I still can’t work out if that was a FlixBus issue or that particular driver who had taken matters into his own hands. I think that for the price, and that starts at less than £20, it is a marvellous adventure and extra fun if you’re sharing it with someone else. I would 100% do this again.

    However, despite the convenience of a coach that leaves directly from Disneyland Paris and carries on all the way to my hometown, the overnight journey was a bit of a trial. I am quite a light sleeper and so I always struggle on overnight transport to an extent. The recline on the seats was okay but not enough to make me feel like I was lying in a bed. Again, you can pick up these tickets at them absolute bargain but you are going to need a very decent nap when you arrive at your destination. Possibly, I wouldn’t choose to do this trip again overnight but coming back in the daytime I think would be fine.

    Overall, I think FlixBus does a decent job and if you are travelling on a budget, or are trying to travel in a more sustainable way between London and Paris then it is a good option. Trust me, the next time I need to go between these two capitals and I’m short on cash, FlixBus will be the first place I look.

    Rosie xx

  • 7 Super Heathrow Hacks – Top London Heathrow Tips

    7 Super Heathrow Hacks – Top London Heathrow Tips

    London Heathrow airport is one of the world’s busiest, with a plane arriving or departing every 45 seconds all day. I have compiled 7 London Heathrow tips to ease your journey, just a little. London Heathrow can be big, confusing and frustrating, but I work there so these are all legit London Heathrow tips!

    This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.

    1.) Know Your Terminal

    Currently, Heathrow Airport has four working terminals. Terminals 2, 3, 4 & 5. Getting between them can be up to half an hour so it is definitely best to know your terminal before you leave for the airport. Heathrow has a handy tool on its website which is always up to date. (Don’t just google it, the search engine may bring up old information).

    Heathrow – Which Terminal Website

    2.) Getting to Heathrow

    Trains to Heathrow

    A quick note about lifts. There may be a queue at some lifts but don’t be tempted to take the escalators. There are multiple long escalators, it’s probably not quicker and it can be dangerous with bags. Lifts to take:

    • Terminal 2 from the underground tunnel to departures.
    • Heathrow Central from the Elizabeth Line/Heathrow Express platforms
    • Terminal 5 from Elizabeth Line/Heathrow Express platforms or Underground platforms to departures.
    Train Options
    • Heathrow Express – At just 15 minutes from Paddington, this is the quickest option from Heathrow to a London terminal station. It is also the most expensive.
    • Elizabeth Line – A bit of a game-changer, this travels to Paddington in 25 minutes and then cuts through Central London in no time at all. It is the most popular train.
    • Piccadilly Line – The dark blue London Underground line is the slowest way into Central, but it is also the cheapest….and you can use this hack to make it even cheaper:

    Check out Your complete guide to the London Underground

    The Hatton Cross Hack

    If you are catching the Piccadilly Line to London Heathrow (and have some time to spare) then there is a sneaky way to save some pennies. If you are travelling to Heathrow during off-peak hours (avoiding 08:30 – 09:30 and 16:30 – 19:00) then hop off at Hatton Cross. Tap your Oyster or card out of the gates and you will have been charged around £3.50 from Central London. Then, you can tap back through and travel on using the “Free Heathrow Travel Zone”. It is a pain in the bottom with luggage as there is no lift but if you are on a budget then it might be worth the faff. It saves £2 on your tube fare. Actually it saves you 0.50p during peak times but it just doesn’t seem worth it for that.

    Coaches to Heathrow

    You catch the National Express coaches to London Heathrow from around the country and from Victoria Coach Station in London too. It’s a good option if you live further afield. Just remember to leave lots of extra time for traffic snarl ups and break downs. It is also worth noting that they do charge more for going directly to the airport rather than into London itself so price up your options.

    Depositphotos.com – Photo by claudiodivizia
    Driving to Heathrow

    I don’t know an awful lot about this as we don’t drive but there is something you really need to be aware of:

    The Drop Off Fees

    If you are driving to London Heathrow, even if you are just dropping someone off or picking them up, you need to pay £5. This can be paid online using this website and can be done a little in advance or a little aferwards. There is no way to avoid this if you are driving within the Heathrow area so just be prepared to fork out a fiver.

    Oh, and Heathrow is now in the ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) so there will be a ULEZ charge of £12.50 if you car isn’t compliant.

    Check out Carry On Only! – 20 Top Tips for Hand Luggage Travel

    3.) Try a Timeslot

    Trials at have begun at Terminal 3 for something they are calling Timeslot. Three days before you fly, you can search for your flight on this website and book a time to go through security. Slots are allocated in 15 minute windows but you can actually arrive up to 15 minutes before or after your entry time. Booking in advance allows Heathrow to limit the entrants and ensure there are enough staff for the people booked.

    Let’s see how it turns out!

    4.) Getting Through Security

    Next on our London Heathrow tips is preparing for security. You can start this before you even leave for the airport. They are going to ask that you remove a few things from your bag as you go through. There are some fancy new machines which will make these rules obsolete but they aren’t everywhere yet. Oh, and at London Heathrow every bag gets its own tray to go through the x-ray machine so spread things out.

    • Know Your Liquids Rule – That’s one clear, resealable bag no bigger than 20cm x 20cm per person. Inside, no liquid container can be bigger than 100ml. The total volume cannot exceed 1 litre. Keep these out and separate in the tray as they go to the x-ray.
    • Remove Your Laptops – You will be asked to remove laptop, tablets and mindless. You will need to place these in a separate tray. Make sure they are somewhere handy.
    • Consider Your Clothing – You must remove all your metal and any boots or high heels. My advice is to wear soft, wireless clothes, skip the belt unless you really need it, and opt for slip off shoes that don’t require much lacing. Oh, and really empty your pockets as you got through.

    Check out Top Ten Tips to Pack Your Liquids Bag for Carry On Luggage Like a Pro!

    5.) Heathrow Transfer Tips

    • Transfers – If you have through checked luggage and you are continuing your journey from Heathrow then you can use the transfers areas. Follow the purple signs rather than those for passport control. If you need to change term in is you will be using inter-terminal buses. These don’t come as often as anyone would like. They also don’t all go directly between terminals so you may need to catch two. Bare this is mind if your hand luggage is crazy.
    • Security – When transferring at Heathrow, you will be passing through security. This is just as thorough as the main security checkpoint so everything that applied to that, applies here. If you have a little drink from your previous flight, drink it or ditch it. Make sure you have gathered your mini liquids back into their bag and remember that even if you got away with something a little bigger at your origin they will spot it and throw it away.
    • Connection Time – Travel agents and flight aggregator websites will lead you believe that an hour is enough time to transfer at Heathrow. Let me assure you, it really isn’t. This is especially true if you have to change terminals. Realistically, I wouldn’t book a flight through Heathrow with less than two hours.
    • Staying Overnight – If your connecting flights arrive mean an overnight stay, book hotel accommodation. There are no airports in the transfer areas and nowhere nice to sleep. Most people are rounded up and shown to Gate 7 in Terminal 3 for the night. Book a hotel along the Bath Road or somewhere handy for your departure terminal. Remember, you will have to go through passport control and exit the airport to reach these.
    • Transfer Desks – As you transfer, make sure you visit the Airline Service Desks. The staff can make sure you have everything you need for your onward flight, enter any baggage numbers that may not be in your booking automatically and give you more helpful advice like this.

    6.) Food and Beverage Tips

    • Download the Heathrow App – The app will let you know about all of the food and drink service outlets in each terminal. You can even order ahead on the app for some of them and collect when the food is ready. This is great if you need to grab and go. Order when you join the security queue and something yummy will be ready for you when you get through.
    • Grab a Meal Deal – Not included on the app are the shops that provide meal deals. These are the cheap and cheerful way to grab a bite at the airport. For £5-£6 you will get a sandwich, a soft drink and a snack. These can be as basic as a cheese sandwich to an elaborate triple sandwich pack. For snacks you can choose fruit, crisps, chocolate and more. Airside, Boots and WHSmiths are the best for these and you can add in M&S Simply Food if you are landside too.
    • Bargain Booze at WHSmiths – This is a rather recent development and I am intrigued to see if it will stick around. They are now stocking a pretty decent selection of wine, beer and cocktail cans for purchase. These are the cheapest alcoholic drinks at Heathrow so bottoms up!
    • Bring a Water Bottle – There are free water fountains near the entrance to many of the bathrooms at Heathrow. The water in these is safe to drink so you can top up and drink your fill.

    7.) Getting to the Gate

    • For our final London Heathrow tips, get to the gate on time and prepared.
    • Terminal 2 – Get your legs ready if you are flying from here. Half of the gates are in a separate part of the terminal which is a good 15 minute stride. There are moving walkways to help but travelling down a huge escalator, walking under the tarmac and re-emerging at these gates can be a long way.
    • Terminal 5 – There are some far gate at Terminal 5 too but luckily there is a train. For a hint on which doors to aim for if you are in a rush, follow the British Airways staff. They know the quickest way!
    • At the gate – Have your boarding card and passport ready. They may use self service boarding, in which case you will only need your boarding card but listen for announcements to tell you so.
    • Bathrooms – Heathrow has lots of closed gates. This means you are scanned onto the flight at the point you enter the gate room. Coming back out to find a bathroom means the gate staff have to stop what they are doing to mark you back off the flight, and that you have to carry your boarding card and passport to the loo. Use the bathrooms en route to your gate or hold it until you board.

    Final Thoughts on Our London Heathrow Tips

    Heathrow is one of the world’s busiest airports so anything you can do to feel prepared and a little smarter than your average passenger can only be a good thing! Do you know any more London Heathrow tips or hacks that we have missed? I’d love to hear them in the comments. (Oh, and if you see me, wave hello).

    Rosie xx

  • A Review of Bulgaria Air A220-300 Economy

    A Review of Bulgaria Air A220-300 Economy

    What do you do when you have two holidays back to back? Hop on Kayak and check out who flies between the two spots of course. With a trip to Spain and then Bulgaria planned, we decided that this was the ideal time to try Bulgaria Air. Bulgaria Air has been the flag carrier for Bulgaria since 2002. Join us on our adventure from Malaga to Sunny Beach and back to London, taking four flights with Bulgaria Air (oh, & BA too). Read on for our full review of Bulgaria Air economy.

    This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.

    Airport Experience

    Malaga

    The first of our four check ins didn’t go too well. The check in desks didn’t open u til 2.5 hours before take off. By that time, there was a little crowd waiting. When the screens finally flashed on for Sofia, half of the crowd stormed down the exit. They were ushered into the main queue but then they started to change the way the queue went. We went from second in the queue to seventh. It was a bit messy. That being said, all of the staff are ground handlers that work for Malaga Airport and not Bulgaria Air directly.

    Varna

    Check in at Varna Airport was really easy and quick. We popped our bags on the belt and walked away with boarding cards within two minutes. It is a very small airport so security was also super speedy. We grabbed a couple of seats right next to the gate and waited for the plane to arrive.

    We were both on our phones and I glanced up to see a little queue start to form. Looking up again just two minutes later, the queue stretched around 20 metres! It seemed a little mad considering it is a small plane and everyone has a seat. There were no boarding calls so everyone just joined the queue and scanned through when the plane was ready. We waited for the queue to die down and then got on at leisure.

    Sofia

    We did leave the airport on both occasions but didn’t have to check in again as our luggage went straight through. On our first stopover we went into the city and did some sightseeing. This was really easy thanks to the metro line that runs into the centre of town in about 20 minutes. On the second, we hopped in a taxi and went to Infinity Spa. It has natural mineral hot spring water and was divine.

    Sofia airport doesn’t have much in the way of food and drink options. There was a Relay shop, a bar with pizza and sandwiches and then a set of cafes and stands all called Eddy’s. We opted for one of their pizzas on one day and some borek style cheese pastry on the other. They were both pretty good.

    For both of our flights, our plane was on a remote stand at Sofia Airport which meant scanning through onto an airport bus.. The queues were not organised at all, more of a scrum with no barriers. There seemed to be no provision made for priority passengers which would have been annoying if we had business tickets (there was one guy who was clearly fuming). I understand that there are only 8 business class seats so having a whole extra queue may be mad, but a priority boarding announcement would have helped. They also didn’t announce pre-boarding for disabled passengers which is a shame as not all disabilities are visible and there may well have been people that needed it.

    Bulgaria Air’s A220 Interior

    Considering the size of the plane, the interior felt so spacious. It was bright and airy with a surprisngly wide aisle. (Getting to the bathroom was no issue despite one lady randomly deciding to read her magazine in the centre of the walkway). The colour scheme was light grey with a navy carpet. It was neat and inoffensive but not super exciting. As we boarded they started to play some calming music which again, was inoffensive (a little like spa music), not the pop options on Virgin Atlantic or popular classical on British Airways.

    The Seats

    Layout

    The seats on Bulgaria Air’s A220s are set in an asymmetric 2 3 configuration. It was really nice to have 4A and 4C for all of our flights. It meant we had the two on the side and it felt pleasantly cosy. This set up means most people are happy with their aisle or window seats, and gives everyone a bit more room.

    Comfort

    Bulgaria Air’s A220 economy cabin has a seat pitch of 30 inches and a width of 18.5 inches. This is bigger than other airlines that operate between the UK and Bulgaria. The seats felt plenty spacious thanks to the extra width (most budget airlines like Wizz Air and Ryanair are only 17 inches).

    The seats recline 3 inches which might not sound like much, but when combined with the headrests, you can get a comfortable map. The headrests were fully adjustable with a few inches of stretch upwards (and they came low enough even for this shorty) and with flaps on either side.

    In business class, tantalisingly close, the 2×2 seats have a 38 inch pitch, 20 inch width and 6 inch recline. Plus, they are even more padded. Currently, it only costs €70 domestically or €130 to upgrade…I was so tempted.

    I would also like to commend Bulgaria Air on the comfort of their padding. In a world of seats that get thinner an harder, causing lower back and bum pain to many travellers, Bulgaria Air still keeps our bottoms happy.

    One last point is the cabin temperature. I was perfectly comfortable, not too cold or hot. It was such a relief to know we didn’t have to carry layers and scarves on board with us.

    Practicalities

    In the seat back in front there was an open bottomed literature holder containing the safety card. Then, a great little innovation, the phone shelf. (I mean I guess a phone or tablet could fit here so it’s the entertainment shelf). Next to it were two charging ports, one a 60w USB-C fast charger and one a normal USB-A. It’s a great set up allowing you to watch videos handsfree. If you are a cleverer content creator than me, this would be a great spot to set up your phone without needing a tripod. Instead, i just watched films and TV shows that I had downloaded.

    A quick note, we were sat in row 4, the second row back in economy. The row in front had extra leg room, which is nice, but they didn’t have the phone shelf and if that is important to you, it is something to bear in mind.

    Below the entertainment shelf was an adjustable tray table and a wide but shallow seat back pocket.

    The Storage

    Considering the size of the plane, there was a fair amount of overhead locker space. I think easily enough for everyone to have a wheelie hand luggage. You are allowed one piece weighting up to 10 kg, 55х40х23cm. Plus, you can have a handbag/personal item too.

    The Entertainment

    We didn’t really get anything in the way of entertainment. There wasn’t any seatback entertainment systems or WiFi. We did have a magazine but it was a bit of a business dirge rather than a fun travel magazine. It is not the kind of thing you can mindlessly flick through. If you are flying Bulgaria Air, make sure you have a phone full of distractions. Given that the seat design is great for independent viewing, you’ll be much happier.

    Amenities

    The Bathroom

    The bathrooms on the A220 are quite tight but manageable. There was a bathroom at the front but this was reserved for business class only. That’s one bathroom for 8 people, whilst the economy cabin shared 2 between 135 people.

    For most of the time, the bathrooms were very clean. The hand soap was very generic and didn’t smell of much. I wonder if the business class loo had fancy cream? On our Spanish to Bulgaria leg one of the toilets was a bit of mess but overall, I thought they were kept well. That being said, every single time I used the bathroom, the toilet had not been flushed. This was definitely user error. However, I think the flush button might be the problem. I had to look around for it and it was not my first rodeo. I’m not I have seen a flush button like it, tucked on the side. Maybe a sticker, with words on, or an arrow directing people to it might help.

    Food & Drink

    We didn’t know there would be anything provided for food and so we had grabbed some snacks at Malaga Airport. We each munched a bag of crisps, some raspberry & vanilla Oreo’s and a drink.

    Drinks

    Well, turns out, we got a little bottle of water as we boarded and then, a food service. There was a drink selection that included water, juices, fizzy drinks (soda) and even wine. I opted for a glass of Bulgarian white wine. I didn’t catch what it was but it was a medium, zingy, fruity wine that I quite enjoyed. (I’m no sommelier so don’t judge me if you don’t like it). Mr Fluskey opted for a Fanta.

    Food

    We were handed a sandwich and I was surprised that it was warm. The cheese and (smoked?) ham roll was chewy, floury and just right. I even got a mini cheese pull! We wiped the flour from our fingers with the napkin and lemony wipe, stuffed and happy. It was the same sandwich given on both of our international legs. There was a vegetarian option too but the ham was tasty so we stuck o the same ones.

    Apparently, you can preorder and pay for other meal options too including a charcuterie spread or crudités and dips. It would have been good to try these but I have only just found it…which is a little too late.

    Dessert

    We settled back and a while later a tea and coffee service was started. This was served with a mini chocolate bar with more Bulgaria Air branding. The chocolate was a lovely (if incredibly sweet) finish to the service. It reminded me of Easter egg chocolate..in the best way.

    Then, would you believe it? Another drink service came through. This time it was only soft drinks but I was thankful for soft drink.

    On our shorter journeys, we were given one soft drink service, a tea and coffee as well and that little chocolate bar again. I think I’m going to miss having a little chocolatey treat on every flight from now on.

    Final Thoughts on Our Review of Bulgaria Air Economy

    Surprising and delightful, we had a lovely time flying with Bulgaria Air. It was a shame not to have provided entertainment but knowing that ahead of time, you can prop your phone up on the shelf and enjoy whatever you are currently bingeing. I have read that the chocolate was too sweet for some people but I am now fully addicted, and think it goes marvellouslly with black coffee. Maybe we will get the chance to fly with them again so I can satisfy my craving. Business class next time I reckon, as long as they keep those impressive upgrade costs!

    Rosie xx

  • A Review of Vistara 787-900 Economy BOM – LHR

    A Review of Vistara 787-900 Economy BOM – LHR

    At the end of their on board safety video, Vistara announces itself as “India’s Beat Airline”. Having flown with Indigo a few times, Spice Jet and Air India, we were really intrigued to see how they would live up to that moniker. Is Vistara really India’s best airline? Read on for our review of Vistara 787-900 economy as we travel from Mumbai to London.

    This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.

    Why Vistara?

    We were meant to fly home from Mumbai with Virgin Atlantic, but we’re enjoying our time at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel so very much, that we decided to change our flight and go later with Vistara. I guess you can say we just wanted our fill of Tata (that own both the hotel and Vistara). Vistara has the latest flight from Mumbai to London (around 14:55 on the day we flew), arriving back in the UK around 20:00.

    The Airport Experience

    Our check in was quick and easy. We dropped our bags as we had wine to bring back to the UK. We wouldn’t normally check in bags but with Vistara’s 7kg hand luggage allowance, plus the boozy souvenir, we decided it would be best. Vistara had about 10 desks at Mumbai which is pretty good to say they only have one flight.

    We made our way through security and passport control before making our way to McDonalds. Yes, we just had to grab a Maharaja Mac to see if it was as good as we remember from 2009…turns out, it was.

    The boarding gates at BOM are big, open seating areas with some lovely lamps and big sections of green plants which make it quite a pleasant space. They also have huge windows out onto the ramp and runway so we found a nice spot for trying to plane spot as we waited for the plane to board.

    Economy was split into two queues, one for the back section and one for the front. It worked reasonably well but as the queues were formed outside of the tensa barriers, the usual slight scrum occurred.

    Vistara’s 787 Interior

    Let’s do a review of Vistara inside. I love the Boeing 787 and I love that Vistara uses the unique features offered on this plane to full effect. (Almost, the sliding recline on the ANA 787 still wins).

    The lighting on the 787 is nicely adjustable. On boarding, they were a pinky purple (not as purple as Virgin’s lighting but very reminiscent.

    The windows on the 787 are lovely and large with dimmer switches on the bottom. This is fun but it was a little annoying that they were all dimmed quite early in the flight. The lights were brought down and the message was clear, its sleepy time. When the lights were bought up for the second meal service, they left the windows dark so it still felt like it was nighttime. I tried to brighten mine but I guess they had master control. It would have been to see the sun to help adjust to U.K. time.

    After meal two the windows remained dim and the lights were shut off again for another post dinner nap. It felt so odd to wake up the plane for that snack and then try to get them back to sleep.

    Our Economy Seats

    Seats are in a 3-3-3 configuration in economy, decreasing to 2-3-2 in premium. The seat covers are navy and made of a thick woven material, topped with a head cover with the Vistara logo.

    In economy, the seats have a … inch pitch and … inch recline. It feels fine when you are sat but getting in and out is a real squeeze. Luckily, we managed to snag three seats between us so I wasn’t clambering over a stranger but it would be…intimate.

    The headrest was very adjustable and was almost low enough at its lowest point for me to use the flippy bits. This is unheard of!

    Under the TV, in the seat back is the reading material shelf. This contained the inflight magazine, the safety card and a sick bag.

    Below this was the tray table. This had a very neat clip rather than the more common spinning lock. It felt quite snazzy. The tray folded down and then out, sliding towards the seat (but with no room to do so after dinner).

    The Storage

    Technically, Vistara only allows 7kg in hand luggage but there were clearly a fair few people flouting those rules. Several large bags were slotted into the overhead lockers around us, which the bins took well.

    Vistara’s Entertainment

    Being an Indian carrier, the entertainment system, Vistara World, was a mix of Indian and American options. There was an abundance of HBO programming and several films starring the same actors. (A few Cate Blanchett, several Ryan Goslings and a couple Leo DiCaprios). They also had music and games but I never got around to those.

    I started the flight enjoying the Bernie Madoff film, “The Wizard of Lies”, and then settled in for a rewatch of “White Lotus”. An excellent show as it is, the heightened viewing experience of planes really sucked me in.

    Mr Fluskey managed to finish “Crazy, Stupid Love” which he started on the Virgin Atlantic flight on the way over. Don’t you love it when things work out. He moved onto Bullet Train, featuring the new James Bond.

    He also found the live channels which were all showing the news. What a happy bunny he could have been with nine hours of BBC World News on one screen and the world map on the other.

    The best thing about having three seats is having that middle seat set to the map the whole way. I especially loved spotting some cool mountains from the window and checking out where we were flying over.

    Vistara offers paid internet access. Personally, I didn’t need to be online so I didn’t use it but it was good to see the options. Combined with the plugs offered in economy, you could definitely be doing some work on a laptop or just scrolling on your phone if you like to stay connected.

    The Amenities

    For our review of Vistara amenities, lets start with what is on the seat. There is a pillow, blanket and headphones and all were surprisingly good for economy. I liked the blankets smooth feel but it wasn’t super warm.

    The plugs in the TV (a USB and a sound connection) was actually a dual prong. I was worried that this would result in the horrible twiddling that you have to do to use a normal 3.5mm jack but it worked perfectly with just one. Happy days.

    The bathrooms were fine. By midway through the flight, they ended up pretty messy and didn’t seem to improve. I would definitely say this was user misuse rather than bad cleaning by the airline. I don’t know if the cabin crew are meant to spot clean them.

    Each toilet had the normal foamy hand wash in, some antibacterial gel and curiously, some mouth wash. This was an interesting addition as it requires the user to squirt it right into their mouth and it doesn’t seem like many people would use it?

    Vistara’s Economy Food & Drink Service

    Round One

    Our first meal was served about an hour and a half into the flight. There was an option of chicken or veg and we both opted for chicken. The trolley had a decent selection of drinks including spirits, wine and beer. It is worth noting that although there was Diet Coke, the sugary version was Pepsi. This doesn’t bother me but I am aware there are people that might consider this a deal breaker.

    For the review of Vistara’s main meal I had a chicken curry with cumin rice. The curry suffered from being a little two salty but the chicken was really tender and wasn’t dry, a serious accomplishment for an economy meal. The cumin rice was full of flavour and quite fluffy, I was impressed. The bread roll was pretty dry however, but a liberal slather of the good, salted butter solved that.

    The little salad on the side had cucumber, tomato and cumin. With the squeeze of lemon it was very refreshing and still crunchy. I would say it’s the best airline side salad I’ve had.

    For afters we had a gooey chocolate cake dessert which was yummy scrummy and it was demolished at speed! Finslly, there was a packet which at I first I thought was sugar. Turns out it was a sachet of the minty, herby nibbly stuff often seen at the end of Indian meals.

    There was only one drink offered with dinner, with tea and coffee afterwards.

    Round Two

    At around 2.5 hours to landing, the lights were brought up and the trolley rolled through a second time. Again we were offered the choice of chicken or veg and we both chose chicken. It was another almost full tray with a hot chicken wrap. The wrap was whole meal and slightly chapati-esque and the filling was soft pulled chicken packed with spice. The potatoes were spicy but not really flavourful.

    The dessert was a soaked sponge with a crumble topping and sweetened creamy custard. It was another total winner.

    On the tray we got another tiny water and a masala lemon water which was fun. It’s nice to have so much water but one bigger bottle would probably be better as they must produce an awful lot of plastic waste with all these cute little ones. They have paper cups and bamboo cutlery so they are obviously making strides in the right direction.

    For some reason, our crew member didn’t offer drinks from the trolley whilst the others were pouring away. We caught her on the way back and grabbed a couple of Cokes. We were offered tea or coffee after the meal again but we both declined.

    Honestly, I think this is one of the best economy services we have had in terms of food. The quality and quantity were both better than expected. We have often had one good meal followed by a terrible snack, but both meals were tasty. The only things I would change are the cutlery (we had to use the same spork for our savoury food as our dessert) and the plastic bottles.

    The Views

    Final Thoughts of our Review of Vistara 787-900 Economy

    I was pleasantly surprised with Vistara and their service. The food was genuinely tasty, the entertainment selection pretty decent and the seats comfortable enough for a long haul flight. The crew were super friendly and very professional. I didn’t enjoy the lighting settings being dark for so long on a day flight.

    Rosie xx

  • 5 Top Tips for Flying From Stansted Airport

    5 Top Tips for Flying From Stansted Airport

    In the past, flying from Stansted Airport could be such a drag, but a necessity for the budget travellers of London. However, significant changes over the last 10 years have improved things considerably every time we travel, we learn a little something new and decided to share them with you. Using our our top tips, should help make flying from Stansted a little easier and a little more enjoyable.

    This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.

    1.) Top Tips for Getting to London Stansted Airport

    We don’t have a car and so we can only talk about public transport:

    The Stansted Express

    Taking the Stansted Express from Liverpool Street Station is easiest way to reach the Aitport. The platform is announced a few minutes before departure, giving you time to wander along and find a seat. In winter, these warm few minutes are a god send. You can also travel from Tottenham Hale on the Victoria Line but this is outside.

    Book your tickets early to save a bundle. Buying your tickets online up to three months in advance can save you 50%. Whatever you do, don’t use contactless to board the trains! The machines at Liverpool Street and Tottenham Hale will allow you to tap through with an oyster/phone/contactless card. However, when you reach Stansted you will be fined for not having a ticket.

    Once the train reaches Stansted, everyone will pile towards the escalators. There are slow ticket checks here and it can feel a little like a rugby scrum. For an easier time, make your way to the lifts. There will be very few people waiting for the lifts and the whole thing is a lot more civilised.

    The Coach

    Catching the coach is cheaper when your travel date is close, and vital if you are stuck with train strikes. National Express offers routes from across London and runs 24 hours a day so this is the most flexible option. They have plugs and free wifi…which is nice. You can pay £5 to make your ticket flexible, allowing you to catch any coach if your flight is delayed.

    Airport Bus Express is even cheaper but only goes to Stratford and Liverpool Street. You will also find that they don’t keep an eye on the seats sold. You are not guaranteed a seat on the coach you book, which could be a problem if you are due to catch a flight.

    Checking In

    When you make it to the departure hall, bear in mind that the alphabetised system is the wrong way round. A is furthest from security, to your right as you look at the desks. There are a fair few budget airlines that operate from Stansted which you might think means nobody is checking in bags but don’t underestimate the queues to drop bags. We recommend getting to check in two and a half hours before you flight is due to leave. This gives you some contingency time to play with.

    2.) Top Tips for Stansted Security

    Getting into Security – Go Right

    As you look at the security entrance, take note of the special assistance and fast track lines on the floor, veering off to the right. if you follow these, you will find a few security machines that are actually for general use in between these two faster lanes. Scan through these and you will be at the end of security with fewer people.

    Preparing for Security – Electricals

    London Stansted Airport has very strict hand luggage rules. Not only do you need to prepare your liquids properly, more on that in a bit but they want to see all of your electricals. This means that any travel hairdryers straighteners, curlers etc need to come out as well as the standard laptops, e-readers & tablets. Make sure that anything like this is packed towards the top of your hand luggage to make your life a little easier.

    Preparing for Security – Liquids

    Then, of course, we have the liquids issue. The way Stansted airport test its liquids means you must have them all in a proper plastic Ziploc bag. A thick clear bag with a normal zip does not cut it. They do have small plastic bags available at the entrance of security but it is just easier to make sure you have a compliant bag in the first place. You wouldn’t want to get to security only to realise that your bag was slightly bigger and your bits will not fit in theirs. a Ziploc sandwich bag, no bigger than 20 cm x 20 cm is perfect.

    Preparing for Security – Clothing

    Remember to wear shoes you can slip on and off quickly. Don’t wear clothes with lot of zips and metal catches and you will have to take your jumpers and jacket off so don’t wear just a bra or little crop top if you are self-conscious…learned that the hard way. If your bra has alot of underwire (M&S are bad for this) then prepare to beep. Maybe a wireless bra or bralette is the way to go.

    Getting into Security – Go Left

    Alternatively, go all the way to the left. Stansted is trialling two new machines which mean you can leave everything in your bag (liquids and electricals). It is very novel! Sadly, we haven’t had a chance to try this out ourselves as they were shut on most recent journey.

    3.) Top Tips for Stansted Seating

    The majority of the seating in Stansted departure lounge is crammed in the middle and hard wooden seating. It is noisy and crowded. However, there are three spots to sit that are vastly more pleasant.

    The Windmill

    Wetherspoons is usually crowded and can be noisy but, if you head upstairs with a bit of luck, you can find a table with a wonderful runway view. On most mornings, this will be a little grey, but seeing the planes move and take off always helps with that holiday excitement. Plus, you can get a refillable hot drink for £3.40! Thats cheaper than a coffee anywhere else in the airport. It is worth noting that the prices here are now as bad as anywhere else other than this great deal, so don’t expect Wetherpoons’ high street pricing.

    The Escape Lounge

    There is one airport lounge at Stansted, which is used both by airline business class passengers, and most airport lounge schemes. You can buy a reservation online through their website or use something like a Priority Pass, as we do. You will find comfortable seating, airport screens, and included in the price are both food and drinks. This includes alcoholic beverages, so a small meal and a couple of drinks it’s probably worth it. Plus, it is so much quieter than the main terminal.

    Additional Seating

    For a completely free, quiet area, make your way through all of the Terminal until you reach the transit train. On the right hand side, you will see a sign, pointing downstairs for additional seating. Follow this, and then head around the escalator to Stansted’s best kept secret. There are rarely many people down here. It’s hardly aesthetically pleasing, but if you just need some headspace then this is a nice option.

    4.) More Top Tips for Stansted Airport Airside

    Stansted Food Tips
    • Meal Deals – This is the cheapest way to eat at the airport. Boots does the best value meal deal at less than £5 for a snack, main and drink. Choose a nice big packet of crisps like Walkers Max, a triple sandwich and a fun fizzy drink for the best value.
    • Grab – This app allows you to preorder food at several outlets. You can then pick it up and go. This is great if you are short on time, you can order in the security queue and then pick up your food once you’re through.
    • Drinks – Don’t forget you can bring an empty water bottle through and refill once you are through security. There are water fountains by all the bathrooms. This is why you shouldn’t waste your drink option on water in a meal deal!
    The Liquids Hack

    If you are travelling hand luggage only, this one is for you! You can do an online order at Boots.com and choose London Stansted Airport as a click and collect location. This ensures you have your favourite full size sun cream or hair products ready and waiting for you at high street prices.

    The Transit System

    Many of Stansted’s gates are located on the other side of the apron. To reach them, you will need to take the transit train. Our advice is to check the gate number as soon as possible using the screens, your airline’s app or Google. Head straight for the transit and make you way to your stop. There are bathrooms at the satellite gates so no worries.

    • Stop One: Gates 1-19
    • Stop Two: Gates 20-39

    Don’t miss your stop and end up travelling back round the main terminal or you’ll be required to clear passport control and go back through security again…you very well may miss your flight.

    Bear in mind that sometimes, it is broken and you will need to take the stairs to buses or to walk a different route so make sure you can carry your hand luggage easily.

    5.) Top Tips for Returning to Stansted Airport

    How to Ace Passport Control

    If your gate requires you to take the transit back to passport control, then make sure you ask, heading to the left to board. Then when you disembark go straight for the passport control sign. Here the queue is split into and basically everybody will go left, go right and you will be to the machines in no time. Make sure your passport is out of its cover and ready to go.

    Don’t Arrive Too Late

    It might seem like a good plan to save some money and catch that late flight. Arriving just in time to catch the last train is all very well and good if your flight is on time. However, if you hit a delay, you will be slightly stuck. Without a guaranteed coach seat booked back to London, you may have to watch several coaches leave without you. This is especially painful in the cold and/or rain. Trust this gal that didn’t manage to get on a bus until 03:00…it is NOT the one.

    Final Thoughts on Our 5 Top Tips for Flying From Stansted Airport

    We hope this plethora of info will help you as you navigate the meandering walkways of Stansted Airport. If you have any Stansted top tips to share, let us know in the comments.

    Rosie xx

  • A Review of Tunisair A320neo Economy LGW – TUN

    A Review of Tunisair A320neo Economy LGW – TUN

    Tunisia is a year-round sunny destination that is just 2.5 hours from the UK. It feels like another world with North African food, culture and sunshine. For many, Gatwick is the gateway to this jewel on the southern edge of the Mediterranean. We flew Tunisair from London Gatwick to Tunis for our 2024 trip on one of their newest planes. Here is our review of Tunisair A320neo Economy LGW – TUN.

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  • A Review of PLAY Airlines A320neo STN – KEF

    A Review of PLAY Airlines A320neo STN – KEF

    Iceland has had its fair share of budget airlines. It makes total sense. Iceland is close to Europe and the USA, making it a great stopover between the two. Plus, Iceland one of the most popular destinations for nature lovers in its own right. However. somehow, they don’t seem to last. Well, here comes PLAY Airlines, the latest competitor from the land of fire and ice. A fun, young brand with a name to match, it aims to secure the route that so many others have lost. Read on for our full review of PLAY Airlines, travelling on their A320neo from London Stansted to Keflavik in Iceland.

    This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.

    Airport Experience – London Stansted

    There were just two check in desks at Stansted, tucked away in Zone A (counterintuitivly, this is to the right when you enter the terminal). PLAY Airlines doesn’t charge for online check in so you can just turn up but of course we still checked in online and picked the seats we wanted. The staff were friendly and told us how to get the transit to the gate. They even knew the gate number ahead of time which is always a nice feeling.

    Reminder: Always check the screens as gates can change!

    We popped to the Escape Lounge (not a bad one if you have a Priority Pass or similar) for a little breakfast. Iceland is expensive and we wanted to fill our boots before we were in the land of pricy, imported food.

    About ten minutes before the gate was due to be announced, we grabbed our bags and made our way to the transit train. Well, it was temporarily broken so they had set up a way to walk out the gates. This was much nicer than last time when we had to queue for coaches. I was very glad that we had ditched our big bags at check in for once as it meant we didn’t have to lug them all the way across the airport.

    The gate staff were a little on the snappy side but they were agency staff, so you can expect the same service for plenty of airlines out of Stansted. However, as we boarded, we were welcomed by the cheerful crew standing cozy in their red puffer coats. These must be so comfortable to wear in the Stansted chilly morning, let alone the wintry conditions in Reykjavík.

    Luggage

    We are usually hand luggage only people but PLAY very kindly included a check in bag each so we took advtantage. Check in bags are provided at different weight allowances for different fares:

    • PLAY Basic means hand luggage only.
    • PLAY Value passengers can take 20kg which should be more than enough for a week of travel in a chilly place.
    • PLAY Flex can pack up to 23kg
    • Any passenger can pay excess for a bag weighing up 32kg, which is the legal limit for bags in Europe.

    In terms of hand luggage, everyone is entitled to one small 10kg underseat hand luggage (42cm x 32 x 25 cm). If you opt for a PLAY Value or Flex ticket, you can also pack a large 12kg hand luggage (55 x 45 x 25 cm). This would have been absolutely fine for our normal way of travelling but when the bags are included, why not treat ourselves?

    On Board

    The Seats

    The seats are all a light grey colour which is clean but a little dull. It would have been nice to see some pops of red in here as so much of their branding is red and white.(No, I don’t count the safety cards as decor). There was a 3 inch recline function which I wasn’t expecting at all. You don’t get that on the other low cost carriers on this route.. or in general really.

    On the back of the seats was a standard tray table and a literature slot. Don’t put anything in here as it may well slide out. At the bottom of the seatbsack is a small net. I prefer these to the deep seatback pockets that never get a proper clean, and I am happier to use them for the bits and bobs I need to keep handy.

    The standard leg room on PLAY Airlines’ A320neo is pretty good at 29 inches. This is one inch less than Ryanair and one more than Wizz. Strangely, Ryanair has always felt tighter than that? Mind you, with the little recline offered on PLAY, it feels bigger. Their extra lleg room comes up to 34 inches, the same as extra leg room on long haul carriers.

    Entertainment

    There isn’t any to speak of. There is no seat-back TV, or streaming service so make sure you bring a book or download some music, podcasts or videos. Thank goodness for that USB charger. Mind you, you cannot always rely on these power outlets so maybe pack your trusty powerbank too! Of course you can browse the inflight magazine but honestly, it was a five minute thumb-through job without much substance.

    Food & Drink

    There is no food or drink included on any fare with PLAY Airlines. This is absolutely fine on a short stretch but I think this would be hardgoing on the full trans-Atlantic journey. The stopover in Keflavik is not a cheap place to pick up food or drink either so you will be splashing out a fair bit on eating either way.

    The only thing that surprised me, was the price of the alcohol. It didn’t seem that bad. Alcohol in Iceland is wildly expensive so €10 for a mini bottle of wine (a large glass) isn’t crazy.

    Amenities

    Coming straight from a flight with Tunisair, who use the same planes, I was shocked at the difference. This bathroom was spotless, stocked with plenty of toilet roll, hand towels and it was almost pleasant. The space is quite tight but large mirrors made it feel big enough. We were on quite an empty flight so maybe it wouldn’t have stayed as neat if it were being used more, but I believe I saw the crew giving it a quick tidy so maybe they just take more care.

    The Flight

    I adored the announcements from the flight deck. They were so informative, polite and funny. For example “Dear passengers, It has been an absolute pleasure. It is a lovely day in Iceland….so put on your warm clothes”. It seems to reflect the fun, youthful energy PLAY Airlines is trying to convey. What other airline has their crew in cool, white trainers in the air!?

    We had a pretty smooth ride, loving the moment we burst through the clouds and left grey London behind. Well, we landed back in a grey, snowy Iceland…but that is not the point.

    Check out 4 Days in Iceland – A Long Weekend in the Land of Fire and Ice

    The Return – Keflavik to Stansted

    As soon as we entered Keflavik’s departure hall, we spotted the PLAY signs by the self-check in machines. Having checked in online, we had barcodes on our phones. Popping these under the scanner, we were expecting to have to fill out a few screens but instead, a bag tag printed straight out! It was so fast, so efficient, things my airline’s self-service bag drop can only dream of. I expertly attached them to our backpacks (that is ten years of practice not gone to waste) and as I did so, a nice member of staff came over to point us to the out of gauge section. Having strappy backpacks, it was best to send them through the fragile section. The smiling security officer accepted the gas and we made our way through security.

    The departure lounge was buzzing and I was having a sad moment, not ready to leave Iceland and super sad that we missed out on experiencing a big northern light display…first world problems, I know. We had some slightly overpriced sandwiches and walked to the gates. Turns out our gate was basically a corridor. It was dark and had no seats. People leaned on every wall, many sat on the floor. It was really weird. Most of KEF is well-designed. At least, once the door opened and we all walked up the stairs, they did a good job of separating the passengers with priority boarding and it was a nice, quick process getting on board.

    Final Thoughts on This Review of PLAY Airlines

    PLAY has all the ingredients of a decent low-cost carrier, and that is fine for a quick three-hour hop from London to Reykjavík. However, I think I would want a few more included extras if I were a transiting passenger, carrying on across the Atlantic.. A snack would be nice and at least a bottle of water would be good as a minimum. The stopovers are nice and quick (unless you opt for a stopover overnight) so it seems like a very cost-effective way of hopping the pond. Maybe we will get a chance to review the full journey one day soon.

    Rosie xx

  • So, I Accidentally Entered the World Pesto Championship 2024 – Round One

    So, I Accidentally Entered the World Pesto Championship 2024 – Round One

    Pesto is my favourite food. No, really. Green, red, artichoke, smother it on pasta, chicken or a mozzarella sandwich and I will be yours forever. Punchy flavours and fond memories, it is my comfort food. That is why, when offered the chance to Instagram a pesto event in London, I was there in a heartbeat. So how did I end up taking part in the World Pesto Championship? I am not sure myself…there was a cocktail or two involved!

    This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.

    What is Pesto?

    Born in Genoa the main city of Liguria in the northwest of Italy, pesto has been around since the 16th century. A traditional pesto contains:

    • Basil
    • Garlic
    • Pine nuts
    • Olive oil
    • Parmesan
    • Salt

    The word pesto means to crush, so as you can imagine you take these tasty ingredients and beat the hell out of them in a pestle and mortar. Eventually, you get a glorious green gloop, good for dousing pasta in or adding to….well, anything really. I like my pasta with more than the recommended serving. My Mum used to make pasta with the pesto and some of the cooking water which diluted it and I was furious every time.

    My (possibly unhealthy) Relationship with Pesto

    Now, don’t tell anyone at the competition but I have fought for years about the joy of jarred pesto. Everyone says, “But it is so easy to make yourself”. Sure, but the whole point of comfort food is that it is quick and easy. If you are in emotional distress, you don’t want to be missing one vital ingredient for your pesto or to spend ages pounding it…although that may be quite therapeutic actuallly. Boiling a quick pan of pasta (and yes, we do have the quick cook kind sometimes) and smothering it in too much yummy, green pesto means a bowl of happiness in just five minutes.

    The World Pesto Championship

    The world’s top pesto competition is held every two years in Genoa (Apart from that year when everything went digital). Throughout the year, competitions have been taking place all over the world. Chefs and amateurs alike have been whittled down in a series of heats with 100 hopefuls all meeting in Genoa for the finals. Everyone gets a pestle and mortar and identical ingredients. There are 40 minutes on the clock and it must all be done by hand. On the 23rd March 2024, there will be 10 morning rounds with 10 participants before the grand final in the afternoon. The top 10 will show down in the final round for the title judged by 30 experts. These include restauranteurs, chefs and food critics (eek). Winners get a pestle with a gold handle and the honour of being the Pesto Champion of the World!

    The First Round

    The Invite

    World Travel Market is London’s biggest travel expo. It is held at Excel in London’s Docklands and s attended by industry professionals, journalists, content creators, businesses and networkers galore. We have attended for the last five years and it is fun, exhausting and interesting in equal measure. Throughout the week, there are loads of side events and sometimes, we get asked along to one or two. This year, I was sent my dream invitation, an event all about pesto and held in a cocktail bar that I had wanted to try for a few years. Lyaness in the Sea Containers Hotel has the best reputation for innovative and truly delicious drinks, all within an exceedingly trendy Thames-side hotel.

    Liguria, Italy has floated a huge barge down the River Thames, laden with a giant pestle and mortar full of pesto. Some content creators had spent the day on the vessel, learning how to make the sauce and I watched their stories with giggles to myself. It looked like hard work. It was a relief that my attendance only required eating the delicious green gold and drinking some of the expertly crafted cocktails.

    The Evening Begins

    I arrived aggressively on time and made my way into the bar, a slight panic setting in. Everyone already there was slim, beautiful and elegantly attired in their best black dresses or sharpest black suits. I was distinctly underdressed in a fifties style, houndstooth dress. It was my, “I like cute dresses but please take me seriously” fit. Somehow, I had found myself in an event full of London’s most fabulous Italians. I gravitated straight to the bar for a nerve-steadying beverage. The basil mojito was unusual but very tasty and worryingly easy to drink. A second followed quickly as other people I knew started to arrive from WTM.

    Now, I would like you to bear the cocktails in mind when judging the photography in this post. Also, I was not aware I would be on camera.

    Appetisers and Aperol

    There was a small buffet to one side of the bar. A vat of pesto (of course), bread, tomatoes, mozzarella and other Italian cheeses. Taking a small plate, I tucked in quickly. I hadn’t found my buddies at this point so I didn’t really have anywhere to sit. I decided not to go for seconds but instead, try their Aperol Spritz. This may come from the other side of Northern Italy but I will forgive them their non-Ligurian ways as it was very well made. Turns out there were oysters and all kinds of delicious dishes at the other end of the bar which I entirely missed! Whoops.

    The barge floated into view and we all head out into the chilly evening to snap photos. It was a very cold week actually, temperatures haven’t been that low in the two months since. Another drink was grabbed to ensure a proper cocktail coat.

    The Competition

    On the way back in, one of the organisers said a couple of spots had opened up and asked if we wanted to hop in. Feeling distinctly tipsy and therefore a little reckless I said, “Why not”. It would be a fun way to end the night and I could tell Mr Fluskey that I was in the London heat of the competition.

    The World Pesto Championship president, Roberto Panizza took centre stage to give everyone a demonstration. I tried my best to listen but was so worried that I would forget what to do that I shouted instructions into a selfie video as an aide-mémoire. As long as it makes sense, it is now my recipe book.

    I took to the pestle and mortar with the amazing encouragement of food influencer Lilly Diep (@dieponfood). I was getting stuck in but also eating rather a lot of both the raw ingredients and my own pesto. It wasn’t hygienic but it is my favourite food! I just couldn’t resist!

    I think we were working on it for around 10 minutes. There was a pint that I realised I hadn’t seen when the oil was glugged in so I was definitely doing my own thing when I chucked it in at the last minute.

    Here are my terrible video recordings, meant just for me but shared as a visual aid.

    The Award

    The judges made their way around the entrant’s bowls, tasting each with small plastic spoons. We mingled, giggled, drank a cocktail and some people were dancing. It was all very jovial. There was an announcement that the winner had been chosen so we crowded around. I took a spot at the end of the table, phone poised to record the winner in all their glory. Well, it was my name that was announced and I screamed before bursting out laughing in disbelief. It was unanimous! What a fluke.

    I was presented with my “Finalista” certificate and grinned into the bright lights of the cameras. Apparently, we were on Italian TV but thankfully, I’ve never seen any of the footage.

    The Next Round

    So, we are off to Italy and the World Pesto Championship. Genoa is the location of the competition, more specifically the Doge’s Palace. We have our flights booked and a plan to swing down to Cinque Terre and Pisa too. It would be rude not to. I visited Genoa briefly on an MSC Mediterranean cruise but it was a rainy January day and I am not sure it was giving its best. It will be great to see it again.

    I am, of course, not expecting to win. You need to hear a compilation of my friends and family when I told them I was in a cooking competition. I am SO good at eating but cooking is NOT my forte. Still, I can’t wait to give it a good go and have fun doing it. There are proper chefs that take part in this competition. Most of the previous winners are Italian (almost half from Genoa itself) but in 2008, some guy called Danny Bowien won.

    Oh, turns out he is a James Beard Award-winning Korean-American chef with restaurants in New York.

    I will be updating this post with the results and documenting my competition on Instagram. Follow along in March!

    @flyingfluskey – Pesto IG Highlights

    Final Thoughts

    As a kid, we all saw adults in competitions saying they never thought they would get the chance to do something like this. I think I relate to them now. It may have all been an accident, but what an excellent excuse to return to Genoa and try something crazy. Plus, I am going to eat SO much pesto!

    Ready for the results? Check out That Time I was in the 10th World Pesto Championship Final

    Rosie Fluskey (World Pesto Championship Finalist 2024) xx

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  • Loving London – Dinner Cruise with City Cruises London Review

    Loving London – Dinner Cruise with City Cruises London Review

    London is a special city…but then I have lived here for sixteen years so I may be biased. After such a long in the city, it could be easy to think that I have seen the river and all it has to offer. However, taking a dinner cruise with City Cruises proved me wrong. To find out what made it so special, read on for our full City Cruises London review.

    We were guests of City Cruises but all opinions are entirely our own.

    Westminster Pier

    For the London Dinner Cruise, the boat departs from the Westminster Pier. This floating pontoon is right by Westminster Bridge, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament meaning you can do a spot of sightseeing before even embarking. We were in the area far too early so we went and relaxed in nearby St James’ Park. It was a swift 12 minute walk back to the river, ready for our cruise at 19:30. All guests are asked to arrive at 19:30 and it is very important to arrive on time. The boat pushes back at 19:45 and if you miss it, there isn’t a chance to hop on.

    On arrival, we were shown to a queue which moved forward quickly as the boat pulled in. Each group of guests was welcomed, checked off and shown to their spot with a welcome drink. We were incredibly excited to find out that we had front row seats which meant great views. Being visually impaired, sitting close to the action is so important to me!

    Central London Part 1

    The boat pulled away from the pier, under Westminster Bridge which we thought was a little curious. However, it soon made a U-turn and began to sail back east, through Central London.

    Upstairs, we snapped photos galore but got totally distracted as the boat passed smoothly past our favourite London landmarks. I have enjoyed many a stroll along South Bank since I was a child so it was very cool to see the buildings from a different perspective.

    Visiting London? Check out our ideas for 101 Things to Do London

    • So casual
    • The Houses of Parliament
    • About turn!
    • Trying not to neck my welcome drink

    Karl poked his head over the side and saw that those below were already eating so we dashed down for our starters.

    The Starters

    After ordering a couple more drinks (a rum for Karl, and a kir royale for me), we were served with our first course. Now, I am a pushover when it comes to all things smoked salmon but this was particularly good. It had all the flavours that mix so beautifully with salmon, the dill, lemon and prawn but they had obviously thought about texture too. The salad was crunchy, the prawns meaty and I loved the little bits of salmon on top too. It was my perfect fish starter…and not a drop of marine rose sauce to be seen!

    We then had a nice bowl of simple soup. We had demolished the first lot of bread brought to us, completely forgetting about the soup course, but luckily they served it with a choice of rolls. It is a testament to the steady boat captain that I didn’t end up with any soup on my dress!

    Scottish Smoked Salmon Mousse with Mustard and Dill Centre, King Prawns with Lemon and Mesclun Salad
    Tomato, Roast Pepper and Basil Soup

    As we sipped on our beverages and chomped on the starts, we continued to sightsee. Golden Hour was setting in and the sun bathed everything in a warm, glittering light. If you are serious about using this as a photo cruise, stay upstairs until you pass under Tower Bridge so you don’t end up with little reflections in your photos.

    The OXO Tower looks very different when you aren’t below its arcade front.
    A very shiny Shard
    My Kir Royale is almost as big as The Shard!
    St Paul’s Cathedral
    HMS Belfast and Tower Bridge

    What it is Like On Board City Cruises?

    The City Cruises boats are incredibly stable. At the water level, you feel like you are floating across the water. The decor is a little 1990s, like a business hotel lobby but who is there to look inside? What made it special was the performer. He sang and played guitar over three sets, covering modern easy listening favourites. At the end of the night, he got a big cheer. I wonder if people are normally allowed to get up and dance in non-covid times?

    Upstairs, the seats are simple and designed for big groups of tourists to take in the views en masse. We never sat up here but just ran around for photos. The boat holds far fewer people for dinner so there was plenty of room for everyone to get their angles.

    The Main Course

    The main course was a game of two halves. I could have eaten the entire oven dish of dauphinoise. It was a creamy, garlic-laden delight. The sauce was sweet and sharp with tomato and red wine, and heady with thyme. The crispy parma ham was a lovely addition. However, the cute carrot flowers were a bit overcooked and my chicken breast was quite dry in the middle. I didn’t end up finishing it.

    Roasted Supreme of Chicken wrapped in Parma Ham, served with Dauphinoise Potato and Mushroom with Thyme and Red Wine Sauce and Seasonal Vegetables

    What a Sunset

    After speeding quite quickly through the curve f the Thames that runs between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge, the boat pulled over in a City Cruises docking area. We were a bit confused, wondering if that was as far as it went, but enjoying the time to finish our main course without having to rush upstairs for photos.

    As we finished eating, the colours outside had gone from blue and bright to pure gold. We popped upstairs and we greeted by a stunning skyline. We took a thousand photos until the boat pulled out and started to speed eastwards once again.

    East London Hightlights

    Between Tower Bridge and the O2 in North Greenwich, the boat passed some famous spots. Sadly, we missed the infamous pub, The Prospect of Whitby on our left hand side in Wapping We were just too distracted by the sun. However, as we passed through Bermondsey, Limehouse and Rotherhithe everyone’s attention was captivated by Canary Wharf. The Docklands was regenerated in the 1980s when river trade died off. Along the waterfront, a cluster of tall, very shiny skyscrapers now dominates the area.

    From the new to the old, just around the corner is Greenwich. From afar, one can see the masts of the venerable ship, Cutty Sark. The tea clipper

    The Cutty Sark and Greenwich Foot Tunnel Entrance
    The O2
    Our table neighbours watching East London go by
    The Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich looking stunning

    The Dessert

    Oh dessert,. When it arrived, it looked pretty but its simple appearance belied its perfect chocolate hit! I took a bite and was instantly sad that it wasn’t ten times the size. The blend of the three chocolate mousses was bang on to ensure it was creamy, not too bitter and not too sweet. The raspberry sauce gave it a fun, fruity punch every so often and at home, we’d have licked the plates.

    White, Dark and Milk Chocolate Truffle Cake with Raspberry Sauce

    The cake was so good, I considered minesweeping the few that people hadn’t touched. I restrained myself….! I settled for the coffee served as a closing number for the meal.

    Central London Part 2

    Our second pass through Central London was much slower. They took particular care to go through Tower Bridge at a stately pace. The sun was celebrating its last few dying rays, the lights were on and it all made for a rather nice snap. We were all furiously photographing the bridge, the sky and each other.

    The eleven bridges over the Thames have been undergoing some work and now all boast a light installation. the overall work is called Illuminated River. Each bridge is different and the LED lights seem to pulse as you pass below each bridge. The lights are on until 2 am so we got to see them in all their glory.

    Along the banks, a few building showed off their lights, reflecting boldly on the shifting water. The brightly coloured lights of the London Eye, and the fun rainbow Town Hall welcomed us back to Westminster Pier.

    Final Thoughts on our City Cruises London Review

    As a London resident, this was an amazing way to see London in a new way. I have walked the Thames from the O2 to Kew Bridge, but how many people cn say that? It opens up sections of the river many haven’t seen, and you can see it all whilst enjoying a tasty meal. Taking the trip in summer is definitely the best plan as the chance to see central London by day and by night was special. In winter, the sun would be gone by the time you boarded.

    As a visitor to London, any of the City Cruises tours would be a special way to see lots of the city in a short time. It’s worth remembering that the classic cruises journeys have a commentary for a little history along the way (great if you don’t know London well) but if you just want to relax, combining sightseeing and dinner, then the dinner cruise is a fabulous option. We saw so many different groups of people on board. Romanic nights out, groups of friends having celebrations, families taking in the sights. It just goes to prove that this is for anyone! I mean, I’d happily go again tomorrow!

    Rosie xx

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