19 Feb LUYA LOVES… CITY BREAKS Pt. 2
Did you read our first blog on city breaks? Well, if you did and you loved it, here’s Part 2. And if you didn’t, why not?! Check it out here.
Edinburgh, Scotland
A historic capital city, and a firm favourite of ours. When visiting Edinburgh, some of the must-visit tourist spots are a great place to start, including the iconic Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle for a panoramic view and great photo opps. Whilst in the Old Town, head to the Scotch Whisky Experience for a taste of Scotland’s national drink.
If feeling more adventurous, why not hike up to Arthur’s Seat, where you will find spectacular 360-degree views of the city and Holyrood Park. The multiple routes up to the summit include the remains of a 14th century chapel and three beautiful lochs.
On the foodie front, we have to mention Noto for bespoke cocktails and sharing plates, as well as Baba for its delicious eastern Mediterranean mezze. If you’re looking for somewhere a little different to eat or stay, The Witchery by the Castle is definitely worth a visit. Its restaurant and hotel rooms are steeped in centuries of Scottish history, bringing together gothic décor and delicious food. Alternatively, rest your head at Eden Locke and enjoy the boutique aparthotels chic living spaces, botanical décor and ideal George Street location.
For drinks, head to Bramble Bar & Lounge, one of Edinburgh’s’ go-to cocktail bars located on Queens Street. If you’re a fan of cats and cake, head over to Maison de Moggy, Edinburgh’s only cat café, which serves amazing homemade cakes in a cosy atmosphere where you can cuddle up with the resident cats.
Madrid, Spain
Less well trodden than the tourist mecca of Barcelona, the capital city of Madrid gives visitors a glimpse into cosmopolitan Spain at its best. A city of two halves, belle epoque architecture meets rustic local charm and evenings out start late and end even later…
To capture some culture, head to the cities ‘golden triangle’ of galleries. The Prado, Reina Sofia and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza feature pivotal works of Spanish art history including Picassos behemoth civil war masterpiece ‘Guernica’ and the Velasquez magnum opus ‘Las Meninas’.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site, El Retiro Park, is a green oasis in the heart of the city, with its boating lake and botanical gardens not to be missed. Malasaña, the artsy, ‘hipster’ neighbourhood is packed full of artisanal boutiques, bars and local restaurants. Do like the Madrileños, grab a table, order a caña (small glass of beer) and complimentary tapas will often follow.
Much of Madrid’s draw is its food scene, anchored in authenticity, simplicity and packed full of flavour, it’s hard to go wrong when searching for sustenance. The family operated La Casa del Abuelo has been serving locals and tourists alike for over 100-years. Patrons line the trough like marble bar opting for the famed grilled garlic prawns and discarding the shells into the gutter below.
For budget-breaking souvenir choices visit Casa Loewe, the brands flagship store, which was founded in the city. In the style of a collector’s apartment, the store is more gallery than retail space, ideal for escaping the heat for a spot of window shopping.
Paris, France
Paris’ charms are legendary, and for a good reason. From inviting sidewalk cafes, monument-lined boulevards, museums, classical bistros, and boutiques, there is so much to see. However, with the city split into 20 arrondissements, it can be challenging to know which neighbourhood to stay in.
From the smart boulevards of the 8th arrondissement to gritty, on-trend Belleville in the 11th, or the romantic streets spreading out from the white dome of Sacré-Coeur in Montmartre to the stylish Canal Saint-Martin in the 10th arrondissement, every corner of Paris has a unique story to tell.
But our favourite area is Le Marais, a trendy district with a village feel, located east of the Louvre on the Right Bank, full of charm, magnificent architecture, cobbled lanes, and some incredible foodie spots and art galleries. Visiting a city pushing 100 Michelin stars, you’ll be hard pressed to eat badly in Paris, but Café Charlot is one of the loveliest old-school cafés, just opposite the Enfants Rouges market.
Le Marais also provides one of the capital’s most vibrant shopping experiences. Looking beyond the couture-lined boulevards and bustling high streets, the hidden gems lie in emerging shopping neighbourhoods like the North Marais. And if you’re ever near the Eiffel Tower, Sorella restaurant in the 16th arr. is one of the best Italians in Paris – their tiramisu is perfect!
Margate, Kent
Whilst it’s not a city break per say, Margate definitely deserves an honourable mention for its rise in popularity as a UK coastal destination. The seaside town is fast becoming a hub for food and drink lovers alike. Just over 1-hour 30-minutes outside of London with easy transport links, it’s attracting a whole new crowd of trendy, inner-city dwellers, which has helped earn itself the nickname – ‘Shoreditch-on-Sea’.
Enjoy free entry to the Turner Contemporary Art Gallery, explore the colourful Old Town where plenty of independent retailers can be found and of course, enjoy the beach if the British weather prevails. With plenty of boutique hotels now on the scene such as Margate House and No.42 Margate by GuestHouse which has a rooftop bar ideal for the summer months, there’s plenty of design-led spaces to rest your head.
The food and drink scene here is currently thriving, although not overly saturated just yet. With plenty of influence from some of London’s leading venues, the uniqueness of the surrounding coastal setting makes places like seafood restaurant and wine bar, Sargasso, so appealing. There’s also Sète’s French-inspired menu of seasonal sharing plates, whose romantic surroundings make for the perfect special occasion or even just a quick stop for something by the glass.
For drinks, expect to be well and truly cream crackered after a trip to tequila and mezcal bar, Mariachi Margate or spend a quieter afternoon beside the sea with a bottle of natural wine at Little Swift. We also love The Greedy Cow (which feels somewhat appropriate) for Saturday morning breakfast buns.
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