Paradise in the City- The Bristol Lido

Bristol has many hidden wonders from the secret bars scattered throughout the city to the many wonderful little side streets that aren’t on the tourist map but offer a different view of the stunning city. One of my most recent hidden finds The Bristol Lido has actually been a huge Bristol favourite for many many years I just hadn’t experienced it yet. Somewhat behind the times. The Bristol Lido is a huge must if you live in or around Bristol or if find yourself travelling to this city.

So what is the Bristol Lido? Well, it’s many things- but I think how it’s summed up on their website ‘an Urban Retreat’ has it spot on. With a bar, restaurant, pool, hot tub, sauna, spa treatments and quirky changing rooms all housed within a walled area it’s like a little piece of paradise hidden away in the city.

It was or is a Victorian swimming pool that dates back to the 1850s however over the years it’s been closed and opened and swapped hands over and over again. Although it’s modernised now it still really has so much history and charm retained.

The Lido is located down a very unassuming street and from the outside, you wouldn’t know what was behind the door and this only adds to its appeal. You can visit the restaurant and bar without having to swim and relax but you get the joys of the views. If you are local there are memberships available or if you are just wanting to visit on occasion there is day passes available. The package we went for was a spa day package. It was a birthday and Christmas present to each of us all rolled into one so we went all out on the treat. Included in our package we had breakfast, lunch (all non-alcoholic drinks included), 2 spa treatments and full use of all the facilities it was at the higher end of spa packages at £150 per head but it was a girly treat day and something we had wanted to do for a little while so it was ok to splash out.

It was the best treat day and just one of those experiences I regret leaving so long to do.

The food is raved about and whilst I have been known at times to be a picky eater I was pleasantly surprised by what they had on offer. It was locally sourced well-planned food and although in the luxurious environment you didn’t once feel at all like it was pretentious. I mean we were sitting in our robes with wet hair while the table next to us were dressed like people should be in the day. The relaxed environment filters into every part of the Lido.

The two spa treatments we had were a full body massage and a facial. The spa treatments are located upstairs and there is a waiting room, changing room and boudoir to get yourself dressed after. The treatments were amazing and embarrassingly to add I was so relaxed I even fell asleep in my facial. cue to awkward snoring! There were professional but personable and just made you feel so at ease. I really liked the wind-down room they take you to after your treatment were you can recline on the sofa and enjoy a fruit tea.

In between our treatments, we tried out the other facilities which included the sauna, hot tub and open-air pool. We visited on a brisk November day so it wasn’t as busy as what I would imagine it to be in the summer but there was still a fair few people. The hot tub was probably a little small for the number of people able to visit the Lido but we managed to squeeze in comfortably. The pool claimed to be 22 degrees and as although when I dipped my toe in it almost fell off due to frostbite there was NO way I wasn’t getting into the pool so I braved it and jumped in did 3 lengths and got straight back out. You can’t visit it a pool as glorious of this and not get in.

The Lido should be a must on any itinerary to Bristol even if it’s just to sample the food at the restaurant or to view the beautiful decor. There aren’t many places in a city where you get the feeling of escapism that Lido offers and regardless of what season you visit you will be glad you got there. And trust me no matter how cold it is, take a dip in the pool.

For more information check out their link below
http://www.lidobristol.com/how-to-lido/

Globetrotters- Travel with Me 24 x 7

Travel with Me 24 x 7 is exactly what their goal is to do. I love it when a blog name is exactly what it says on the tin.

You should see just how many places are covered on their blog. If you need travel inspiration on advice then this is certainly a one-stop place for resources, The design and headings mean navigating their site so much easier and also allows for you to find so much more than you would have initially expected.

Sri Lanka is somewhere I’ve been reading more and more about and it fast becoming a bucket list destination. This post with suggested itinerary shows just what I  I need to see once I eventually get there. It looks so beautiful and so diverse. I’m a little ashamed to admit but I’ve never really known much about Georgia or even read much about what to do and see. There are many posts covered on Travel with Me 24 x 7 and they show it off in all its glory. This post about Georgia in the winter really encompasses the charm of this destination.

As I’ve mentioned many times (and will probably do so again and again) I really thrive on reading the answers from the Globetrotters involved. We’ve covered so many people from different countries, races, nationalities and walks of life that everyone has such an interesting mind set on the same questions. Travel with Me 24 x 7’s answers on Why travelling is important and why do you enjoy it really match my own viewpoints and its reassuring to know that there are people in the world who see the same benefits you do.

I so happy to introduce Travel with Me 24 x 7 to you all.

Hi, I studied computer engineering but have always had a wandering soul. I love to paint/draw my favourite travel scenes on canvas. Travel, Photography, painting, arts and craft, cooking are all my passions. I am a family oriented person and vegetarian. I’ve travelled to many places but still much more left on my bucket list. For me whatever might be the destination, enjoy the journey or path because paths are more beautiful and adventurous than destinations. Blue skies, countryside towns, narrow local streets, colourful houses, green grassy slopes with grazing animals are all my weaknesses.

What do you enjoy most about travelling?
Meeting new people, indulging in new cultures, travelling around to see how people live in different geographies. Travel widens my horizon and I really believe on this great quote “The best stories are found between the pages of passport”.
Traveling enhances practical knowledge about history, political status, geography, commuting options, living with odds and even, socializing, enjoying and discovering the truth.

Why do you think travelling is important?
Travel clears the misconceptions or misunderstandings of a particular place or region. While travelling we find certain truths which are not even mentioned in books. After returning from a travel, you are not the same person as before. Travel is the biggest adventure a person can have.

Where are you off to next? Or where have you just come back from?
I just came from China. A very eye-opening place for me as language, culture and cuisine all were so new. It was exciting trip.

Do you have a pre-travel ritual? If so what?
Just praying to god, packing clothes within a day even though travel has been planned months before. I don’t make any plans for my itineraries.

Who do you usually travel with?
My husband and my children. And of course my camera with loads of memory.

If you were to give one piece of travel advice what would it be?
Travel and just travel, don’t make many plans on paper, take a leap and jump into this pond which is then followed by superb ideas and an addiction to travel. Every place has some tourist attractions which are worthy of experience but do enjoy every moment of travel whether it is the snowy, rainy or bad weather.

Tell us the most memorable moment you’ve had whilst travelling?
Once in Italy, we were stuck in the heavy snow with small children. As it was night, there was no help and being new to a place, we were helpless too. We were freezing literally but all of a sudden 4 youths emerged from somewhere and took our luggage and dropped it at our hotel. There were many thoughts running through our minds about the authentication of those unknown youths, but humanity wins all doubts. They didn’t even ask for money. We felt like as if they were sent by God.

Where is your favourite place that you’ve been to?
Mykonos- I loved those narrow streets, the sound of waves, turquoise blue water and silent nature. Everything looked unrealistic and as if it was a different land or planet. Another favorite is Caucasus mountain town – Kazbegi in Eurasia. The real untouched countryside that heals our soul.

Where was one place that didn’t live up to the hype?
Bangkok

Tell us one place/experience on your bucket list?
A trip to Russia or being in the quaint streets of Cuba.

What is the one thing you wouldn’t travel without?
Family and my camera. I can travel without my phone but my camera is a must. Once while travelling my camera stopped working properly and very soon at that new tourist place I bought a new one.

Your favourite book/film/tv series that always makes you want to travel?
Tv series and Bollywood movies at exotic locales always tempt me to visit that place.

What can readers find on your blog?
How exciting travel is. Also how to travel by blending with that place. Every place has some positive vibes which we have to feel there. There is no exact formula of what to see, but just feel the place as it is. My blog reflects that. I simply choose destinations in random order and visit them according to my moods and emotions.

Where does your blog name come from?
I want to travel 24 X 7 means all day and night. This feeling changed and gave birth to my website name.

Do you have a favourite blog post? What is it and why?
I love Familyearthtrek blog by Dada K S, as it also deals with family travelling and also they are nature lovers. The way they explore non-famous paths or offbeat destinations resonates me.

To find more from Travel with Me 24 x 7

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Be like a local in San Francisco – 5 Best Things to do

Every touristy guidebook lists Lombard Street, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Golden Gate Bridge. And that’s where the majority of the visitors to San Francisco go, and it shows, those spots are all insanely crowded. But if you want to go where the locals go, you’re in the right place!

Here’s a list of the 5 best things to do in San Francisco from a local’s point of view.

Bike Across the Golden Gate Bridge

Golden gate

The cost to drive across the bridge these days is so expensive (at least $6.75/car), we tend to avoid it unless we’re going up to Marin. With that said, it’s still worth it to bike across the bridge! You can rent a bike from the shops by Fisherman’s Wharf which includes a ferry ticket back from Sausalito and a map.

It’s great that they provide the one-way return ticket since after you bike all the way there, your legs will be tired and you’ll be able to rest on the boat!

Angel Island

angel island

In a way, this island is stuck under the shadows of Alcatraz because it is much less popular amongst tourists since Al Capone didn’t exactly live here. But if you’re into hiking and great views, this is the place to be!

There are several trails that take you around the island and to the panoramic viewpoint, from here you can get a 360 view of the San Francisco Bay Area. On a clear day, you can see from Marin county all the way down to Silicon Valley.

This island was also once home to the “Ellis Island of the West,” where many Asian immigrants to the United States were once held awaiting approval into the country. At the Immigration Station museum here, you will learn about their lives detained on the island and see Chinese poetry they carved into the walls.

Ferry Building/Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

Ferry building

This is one of my favorite places to go in the city! Mainly because I love food, but also because I love the selection here.

Any day of the week, you can go inside the Ferry Building and be treated with lots of stalls selling food and various types of housewares. My favorite stalls are Blue Bottle Coffee Company, Humphrey Slocombe Ice Cream, Acme Bread Company, and Hog Island Oyster Company.

If you’re lucky enough to go on a Tuesday (10am-2pm), Thursday (10am-2pm), or Saturday (8am-2pm), there will also be an outdoor market where you can buy cooked food as well as fresh produce. There are also stalls selling fish and flowers so there is a lot of variety in offerings.

16th Avenue Tiled Steps

16th avenue

If you’re a fan of Antoni Gaudi, like I am, and you’re missing his insanely gorgeous mosaics. San Francisco’s got a spot for you!

This local gem is hidden within a residential neighbourhood, the tiles are beautiful and you can see the amount of work that went into creating the mosaic. They were created when neighbours banded together to beautify the community by sponsoring handmade tiles including shapes of animals, fish, and shells.

After you walk up the tiled steps, you can continue walking up additional concrete steps to Grandview Park to get a view of the Sunset district and the Pacific Ocean.

Twin Peaks

twin peaks

I’ve saved the best for last! Point blank, this is one of my favorite places in San Francisco because you get the most amazing views of the city.

This spot is beautiful day or night. During the day, you can see Marin county, Golden Gate Bridge, East Bay, and best of all, downtown San Francisco. At night, the views of the sparkling lights of Downtown and the main thoroughfare of Market Street are gorgeous.

Twin Peaks is a spot you must do on a clear day, on a cloudy or foggy day there will be nothing to see.

Hope you enjoyed these local spots in San Francisco! For a great 2-3 day weekend trip itinerary, check out A Weekend Away: San Francisco.

This post was kindly written by a lovely Wandering Darling- Constance fromThe Adventures of Panda Bear. I’m sure you loved what you’ve read as much as I have so check out her blog and social media channels with the links below for more great information and inspiration

Author Biography

Constance is a graphic/web designer and blogger living in the San Francisco Bay Area, where technology rules the world. She and her boyfriend, Jimmy, are always in a state of wanderlust, looking forward to their next adventure eating their way around the world. Follow them on their blog, The Adventures of Panda Bear.

https://theadventuresofpandabear.com

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Globetrotters-Lyf&Spice

Travelling and food go hand in hand and this week’s Globetrotter Lyf&Spice have a brilliant blog focusing on their love of both of these elements.

One of the things I enjoy most about reading their blog (apart from drooling over some of the food they’ve been eating) is that it focuses a lot around South East Asia and India. Two places I’ve not really spent any time in at all. India has been on my list for AGES so its great to get inspiration and get tips and advice on what to see and do in this part of the world.

There are so many travel bloggers and Instagrammers that have images and stories that look like they have come straight out of a magazine but this quote on Lyf&Spice’s about me page makes me love reading their tales even more. I have a lot of time for bloggers who are authentic and relatable and you can certainly find that here.

‘ Lyf&Spice is a space where you will find simple, off-beat, fuss-free travel, with no frills attached, no make-up (well, almost) and no fancy outfits. In an attempt to keep it relatable and simple, I document my travel stories as they happen. Explore off-beat paths and try the local food with me as I embark on a new journey every now and then…’

I’ve got a couple of favourite posts that you should check out these include
https://lyfandspice.com/2017/07/21/halong-bay-cruise-vietnam/– So many epic photos and a great cruise. https://lyfandspice.com/2017/10/06/malioboro-street-yogyakarta-indonesia/ as I mentioned above authentic speaks volumes and being able to post about a place that includes not just the good bits but also the bad and the ugly.

So you are for a travel and culinary treat, let me hand you over to Lyf&Spice

A wanderopath with a munchlust!! (Wow! New words just got invented). I’m a dreamer, explorer, and soul-searcher; a crazy, wandering soul documenting my travel and food tales around Asia and the world in my blog Lyf&Spice. My mission is to eat (in every country), try every adventurous activity (at least once) and immerse in the local culture of places I travel to (as much as I can)!

What do you enjoy most about travelling?
Walking into my dream with my eyes open! That’s the best feeling ever. Travelling takes me to a different zone altogether. I feel alive.

Why do you think travelling is important?
To keep your spirits up! It helps you open up, breathe, de-stress, connect and most importantly LEARN and GROW.

Where are you off to next? Or where have you just come back from?
I’m most likely off to a small Malaysian city or India (not decided yet). I have just come back from the most gorgeous islands – Perhentian Islands, Malaysia from our annual Scuba Diving break.

What is your favourite photograph from your travels?


This picture was clicked at the riverside of Hoi An, Vietnam. It’s my favourite photograph as it captures the very essence of travelling – human interaction and observing the simple ways of life.

Do you have a pre-travel ritual? If so what?
Yes, to charge all my electronic devices, especially power banks. Plus, to finish up all my pending assignments and sketch rough drafts of due submissions before my travels. Needless to say, to-do lists, reminder alarms, and vacations alerts go/ring off the hook!

Who do you usually travel with?
I usually travel with my fave travel buddy, aka Amit, who also happens to be married to me 😉 On and off, I travel alone or with my girl gang too.

If you were to give one piece of travel advice what would it be?
Don’t think too much – Just go! Most of our travel plans are marred by over-thinking, both before and during the travel.

Tell us the most memorable moment you’ve had whilst travelling?
Too many to mention, so I’ll pick 2:
1. When we slept under the stars at Rishikesh (India) after a delicious barbecue and bonfire post our white-water rafting. Our arms were aching and our muscles were sore, but we still danced around the campfire and gazed at the twinkling sky above us.
2. When we rushed to Candy Ijo peak at Jogja (Indonesia) to catch a glimpse of the setting sun (supposed to be the best sunset spot). Although we saw nothing spectacular, I got up to click some pictures of the surrounding temples and when I got back, I just couldn’t disturb the uninterrupted conversations between my Hubz and Sis. To me, moments like these define beauty on earth.

Where is your favourite place that you’ve been to?
Yikes! That’s a tough one. Yogyakarta or Jogja, Indonesia where we witnessed the best hiking trails, the most insane gondola ride across cliffs, amazing volcanic tours and heart-thumping high rope activities.

Where was one place that didn’t live up to the hype?
Not a city, but a place as such would be Kalibiru National Park of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. We expected the views to be better than they were and the rides to be more fierce than they seemed online.

Tell us one place/experience on your bucket list?
Going on a Merapi Lava Jeep Tour in Java, Indonesia. The best part was getting to dust the volcanic ash off our hands and checking it off our bucket lists.

What is the one thing you wouldn’t travel without?
My boarding pass (Lol)… Well, it’s actually my fanny pack with my phone, some money and knick-knacks to keep my hands free as I like to walk around when I travel.

Your go to or favourite book/film/tv series that always makes you want to travel?
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. It means ‘you won’t get this life again’ or simply ‘YOLO’ – a Bollywood movie where 3 friends travel and indulge in adventurous activities of their choice.

What can readers find on your blog?
Travel and Food stories on Southeast Asia (primarily) and India – travel tips, guides, street food tales, food stories.

Where does your blog name come from?
Lyf&Spice comes from the 2 main elements: Travel and Food. Each of these adds spice to Lyf (a twisted term for life). After all, it’s all about enjoying life with some flavour and spice, isn’t it?

Do you have a favourite blog post? What is it and why?
Yes… the one I wrote in my book release. My book is called Kota Bharu Kelantan Malaysia: 50 Travel Tips From A Local and it is very dear to me. It’s based on my stint at my current hometown – Kota Bharu, Malaysia.. and I’d like to consider it a bit of an achievement (there goes my modesty out of the window) in terms of putting Kota Bharu out there – in the global map for travellers.

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