Europe

A day in Montenegro

Posted on September 9, 2024 by crystalburney

 Nestled in the Balkans along the Adriatic coast with rugged mountains, medieval villages and beautiful beaches, Montenegro has something for everyone. It only became an independent country in 2006 and while they are not officially part of the European Union yet (scheduled for 2028 as long as the requirements are met) they do use the Euro as their currency.

You could easily spend a week or so exploring this beautiful country, but if you are short on time, you can get a good feel for Montenegro in a full day.

It is an easy day trip from Dubrovnik either by car or by bus.

After crossing the border, we made our way to the small town of Perast, on the Bay of Kotor.

From here, you can board a boat and head out into the Bay of Kotor to visit Our Lady of the Rocks. (€10 RT).

This small islet was created by a bulwark of rocks and made bigger by sinking ships loaded with more rocks. The Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Rocks is the only building found on the islet.

According to legend, the islet was built over the centuries by sailors after finding the icon of Madonna and Child on the rock in the sea on July 22, 1452. From then on, after each successful voyage, they laid a rock in this spot in the bay. Over time, the islet gradually emerged from the sea. This tradition continues today, when every year at sunset on July 22, local residents take their boats and throw rocks into the sea continuing to widen the surface of the island!

The first church was built in 1452. It was later taken over by the Catholics and in 1632 the present Church of Our Lady of the Rocks was built and then later renovated in 1722. It costs €2 to enter, but is well worth seeing the beautiful artwork inside. This includes 68 paintings by Tripo Kokolja, a local 17th-century baroque artist, silver votive tablets and the famous votive tapestry embroidered by another local, Jacinta Kunić-Mijović. It took her 25 years to complete her work and she went blind in the process. She used gold and silver fibres but what makes this tapestry so famous is the fact that she also embroidered her own hair into it.

Today, the upstairs area has been turned into a museum filled with artifacts from life in Perast including beautiful paintings, tools, weapons and household items.

There is another islet nearby, Sveti Dorde or St George Islet, which has a small monastery from the 12th century and a cemetery for Perast nobility.

The town of Perast itself is small, but worth a wander around if you have a chance. The seafront promenade runs for 1.5km along the bay, making it the perfect place to go for a stroll.

From here, we continued around the Bay to Kotor, making our way to Kotor’s famous Old Town.

Old Town is completely walled in and it costs €1 to enter through the main gates, built in 1555.

You can walk a small section of the walls for free, but you need to pay if you want to head up into the hills. (Cost €8) The free section has great views of the hills, the water below and several of the churches inside the walls.

Old Town is listed as a UNESCO World cultural site and it is easy to see why. I loved wandering around the cobblestone streets with all the old sandy coloured medieval buildings with their dark green shutters and terracotta roofs. There are a number of old churches found here. The most famous one is St. Tryphon’s Cathedral.

Now a church and a museum, this is definitely one of the most impressive looking buildings. It was built in 1166 and then reconstructed after it was damaged by several earthquakes. The front was also destroyed in 1667 and during the renovation, baroque bell towers were added. However, the one of the left remains unfinished and is shorter than the one on the right.

The Serbian Orthodox Church, Sveti Nikola is found in St. Lukes Sq with two large green domed towers and a Serbian Flag. It is beautiful inside with vaulted ceilings, paintings and ornate carvings. In the same square you will find Sveti Luka, a smaller church from 1195 containing some of the original fresco murals painted on the walls. There are a number of other churches located in Old Town, many of which you can enter.

There are also lots of shops, restaurants and cafes found in within the walls of Old Town Kotor.

We stopped for a slice of Moskva Snit cake, which was highly recommended as a local dessert. Made with pineapples, sour cherries, almond and butter cream, it was delicious!

If cats are your thing, there is also a Cat Museum located here. As my husband is allergic, we decided not to explore this one, but you will find cats everywhere. They are loved and considered sacred here. They are seen as good luck as they get rid of mice, rats and snakes and by doing so helped to protect the city from disease. You will find cat souvenirs in every store!

I loved just wandering around the cobblestone streets and through the narrow alleyways. Such a beautiful place to explore!

About a 30 minute drive along the Bay of Kotor, you’ll find Budva, a summer beach getaway on the Adriatic Sea.

‘Budva Riviera’ is known for its sandy beaches and nightlife. This part of Montenegro is growing and there is construction everywhere. However, amongst all the new builds is the Venetian walled Old Town- Stari Grad. While it is much smaller than Kotor’s Old Town, it is definitely worth exploring.

Located right on the water, next to a marina filled with fancy yachts and fishing boats, you can enter into Old Town through one of the five gates. Budva dates back 2500 years, making it one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic coast.

Just like in Kotor, there are many beautiful old churches found amongst the cobblestone streets. Including the Church of St John the Baptist, built in the 7th century AD, which is considered to be one of the oldest churches on the Adriatic Coast. Nearby is the Church of the Holy Trinity, a pretty pink and white stone building from the 19th century with beautiful mosaics above the door located in the Square of Salt. There are a few other churches along the seawall, including the Church of St Sabbas the Sanctified from the 12th century and the Church of Santa Maria in Punta, built in 840 AD, another one of the oldest buildings on record in Budva.

From Salt square, the walls lead to the Citadel, right along the sea. Part of it was built in 840 with the present version being built in the 19th century during the Austrian Occupation in WWII and just like in Kotor, you will find cats everywhere, including enjoying an afternoon at the beach!

After exploring Old Town, we enjoyed a delicious seafood lunch at Jadran’s by the water with a local Niksicko beer.

From there, we caught the ferry back across the Bay of Kotor, which I highly recommend as it saves time on the drive and the views are beautiful!

We booked our bus trip with Super Tours and they picked us up from our hotel in Dubrovnik and dropped us back off after a full day touring around Montenegro. As we only had one day, we opted to go this route and thoroughly enjoyed our tour, seeing some of the main highlights of Montenegro!

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Dubrovnik

Posted on August 16, 2024 by crystalburney

I fell in love with Croatia on my first visit, but on that trip, I didn’t have a chance to head south down the Adriatic coast to Dubrovnik, so this time, it was a must-see!

The most popular part of Dubrovnik is the historic Old Town. Located between Mt. Srd and the shimmering Adriatic Sea, Old Town Dubrovnik will leave you with a sense of awe at the beauty as you explore its medieval walls, cobblestone streets and baroque buildings.

Short on time? You can see the best of the city in one full day of exploring.

Stepping through Pile Gate, the main entrance into Old Town, you find yourself on Stradun, the main street. This limestone paved pedestrian street runs for 300 metres through Old Town.

The wide boulevard is lined with shops, cafes and restaurants, with churches located at both ends. Near Pile Gate, is the Renaissance church, St. Saviour, the only church that didn’t fall during the earthquake in 1667. At the other end, you’ll find the Church of St Blaise, the patron saint of Dubrovnik.

Onofrio Fountain is also located near the entrance. This large fountain has been providing the city with fresh spring water since 1438. It’s also quite the work of art with 16 slides, all featuring a carved masked face.

Perhaps the most famous sight in Dubrovnik are the medieval walls. For great views of Old Town and the Adriatic Sea below, walking the walls is a must. The walls date back to the Middle Ages and are one of the largest in Europe.

Beginning at Pile Gate, the walls run 1940m uninterrupted around Old Town. They are 25m in height at the highest with 16 towers, 3 forts, 6 bastions, 2 drawbridges and 3 main gates. The views are amazing as you make your way around the Old Town from above.

Some of the best views come from climbing up into Fort Minceta, a 14th century fort.

Plan to spend about two hours to walk around the walls, enjoying the views and stopping for great photo opportunities.

Tickets can be purchased just inside Pile Gate or online for both the walls and Fort Lovrijenac. Adults €35. Under 18 €15. Hours vary depending on time of year.

Across from the walls you’ll find stand alone Fort Lovrijenac 37m high up on the rocks, offering great views of Old Town and the Walls of Dubrovnik.

Admission is included with the Walls ticket or can be purchased on it’s own for €15

One of my favourite things to do, was wander around Old Town’s cobblestone streets.

There are steps everywhere as you explore Old Town, climbing up and down as you make your way through narrow alleys and tight corners which open into large squares with fountains and statues.

There are also many beautiful old churches. Apparently before the earthquake in 1667 there were 47 churches in total! Many are open to the public and the interiors are well worth a look.

Just outside the walls at one end, is the old Port of Dubrovnik, filled with fishing boats and the ferry that runs across to Lokum Island.

It is the perfect place to grab some gelato from one of the delicious gelato stands and enjoy a break by the water!

The Rector’s Palace is a gothic style building which used to be the seat of the Rector of the Republic who governed Dubrovnik between the 14th century and 1808. It was also the seat of the Minor Council and the state administration and housed an armoury, the powder magazine, watch house and a prison.

Today, inside the Palace is a museum filled with information and artifacts. It is also a music venue, where you can attend classical music concerts!

There are no shortages of restaurants in Dubrovnik, especially in Old Town. Enjoy a delicious meal of fresh caught seafood on one of the many street patios. We found a family owned mediterranean style place with some delicious seafood and local wine.

Dubrovnik also has a few options for craft beer. Located off Stradun, is Glam Beer Therapy, a hole in the wall craft beer bar, featuring local craft beers.

As you are wandering around, you might feel like you’ve stepped onto a movie set and with scenes from Game of Thrones, Star Wars, James Bond and more being filmed here, it actually is!

If Game of Thrones is your thing, there are tours you can take to see some of the filming locations.

After a day of exploring, head up to the top of Mt. Srd for a great view of the sunset over Old Town and the sea beyond. You can get there by taking the cable car (which is pricey at €27RT per person ), walking, although it is a good hike or taking an Uber like we did!

There’s a restaurant located at the top as well as some adventure tour options. Unfortunately, the night we were here, there was too much cloud cover for a good sunset, but it was still a great view.

Large lamps hang along the streets and outside the shops and restaurants with the names and logos on them. While Old Town is beautiful during the day, it’s definitely worth strolling around at night as well when the lamps are all lit, especially along Stradun to St Blaise Church.

The lovely peninsula of Lapad, with beautiful beaches and plenty of cafes and restaurants to enjoy along the water, offers a break from busy Old Town.

We chose to stay in this area at the Hotel Dubrovnik Palace, right on the Adriatic Sea. The perfect spot to enjoy your coffee with a beautiful view of the turquoise Adriatic in the morning and a gorgeous sunset at night. The hotel also offers a small beach area and several pools looking out to sea, nice rooms and a delicious buffet breakfast!

From here, it is easy to get to Old Town by car or bus. The bus stops right outside the hotel and drops you by Pile Gate in Old Town. Costs €2.

From Dubrovnik, it is also easy to take a day trip to Montenegro either by renting a car or taking a bus trip like we did.

If you’re heading to Croatia, be sure to add Dubrovnik to your must-see list! Živjeli!

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A Day in Bucharest, Romania

Posted on May 1, 2024 by crystalburney

While in Romania, we spent most of a day exploring Bucharest, before taking the train on to the Transylvanian Region.

As I often do, especially on short stays in a new place, I joined a free walking tour to learn as much as I could in the short time I had. Our guide, Elena, took us through more than 500 years of history including Vlad the Impaler, the height of communism, the ’89 Revolution, and more as we made our way around part of the city.

At first glance, Bucharest is not one of Europe’s beautiful old cities. However, as you begin to explore, you soon find that all the beautiful, old buildings are hidden behind the ‘Communist Curtain,’ as Elena put it. 

During the communist regime of Nicolae Ceausescu, many of the buildings that were not destroyed were hidden away. When you stand in the centre square, you see a wall of concrete buildings, but as you make your way past them, you find the city’s hidden gems. Some buildings were even moved out of the way to save them from being destroyed.

With less than a day to explore, here are some of the highlights.

Hanul- Lui Manuc is the oldest operating hotel building in Bucharest. Inside the gates it houses a popular restaurant. This used to be a stop for travellers on their way from Vienna to Constantinople. It was built in 1808 and continues to serve traditional Romanian food.

There are still some wooden cobblestones near the entrance to the courtyard, showing what the streets used to look like. The inner courtyard used to house wagons and horses of the travellers and merchants who stayed here overnight.

Across the square is St Anthony Church, the oldest church remaining in Bucharest from 1559. It was destroyed by fires in both 1611 and 1847 and rebuilt. Inside are beautiful frescoes in the neoclassical style, painted in 1852. 

Thanks to its abundance of French-inspired architecture, Bucharest is often referred to as ‘Little Paris.’ A great example of this is the beautiful horseshoe-shaped passage in the heart of the Old Town known as Pasajul Macca-Vilacrosse, where today you will find cafes and eateries. 

The most beautiful building, in my opinion, is the 18th-century Eastern Orthodox Church of Stavropoleos Monastery.

With its stunning architecture, ornamental motifs and paintings and secret courtyard housing cloisters behind, it’s the perfect secret spot to get away from the rest of the city and relax in silence for a little while. Definitely a must-see spot in Bucharest.

As a huge book lover, hearing there was a bookstore with six floors located in Bucharest, I had to find it. Cărturești Carusel, translated as ‘Carousel of Light,’ is situated in a restored 19th-century building in the heart of Bucharest’s Old Town.

Here, you will find well over ten thousand books and a cute cafe on the top floor. I could have easily spent hours here!

Revolution Square, near the university, is the site of the 1989 uprising that led to the end of the communist regime after Ceaușescu was captured and executed on Christmas Day.

Take a break from exploring and enjoy a traditional Romanian meal at one of the oldest breweries in Bucharest, Caru’ cu bere. It began in 1879 as La Carul cu Bere(the beer wagon). At this time, the beer was brought to the brewery by horse-drawn wagons. For several years, the three Mircea brothers ran several beer houses in the area of the Villacros Passage, until one started construction of the Caru’ cu bere building in 1899.

The famous restaurant and brewery still stands there today. This gorgeous neo-gothic style building is filled with stained glass, paintings, mosaics, and carved panels on the inside, as well as a great bar area. There is also a nice patio and traditional live music and dance can be enjoyed most days.

We enjoyed a pint of the beer made here and some traditional dishes, including Papanași (traditional Romanian fried doughnuts made with cottage cheese and topped with smetana and jam). So good!

We needed a few more hours here to make it to the Palace of the Parliament and the Roman Athenaeum, but we had a train to catch to Brasov, so we spent the last bit of time wandering around the beautiful streets of Old Town Bucharest before heading out.

Info

  • Train from Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport to Bucharesti Nord Station 5 RON 20-25 mins
  •  Subway system is convenient and easy to navigate. 2-ride ticket is 6 RON
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Beautiful Brasov

Posted on March 13, 2024 by crystalburney

As a huge Halloween fan, Bran Castle and Romania’s Transylvania region has been on my travel list for years.

Arriving in Brasov’s Old Town, I immediately fell in love. This, to me, is exactly what a medieval European city should look like. Ringed by the Carpathian Mountains and filled with cobblestoned streets, medieval walls and colourful baroque buildings, Old Town looks like something out of a fairy tale.

Brasov was founded by the Teutonic Knights in 1211 and was settled by the Saxons in the 13th century, becoming one of Transylvania’s seven walled citadels. Brasov’s location became an important intersection, linking trade routes between the Ottoman Empire and Western Europe.

Our hotel, Casa Wagner, was located in Brasov’s main square, Piaţa Sfatului (Council Square), a large open area where medieval markets were held.

The hotel was originally built in 1477 and is the third oldest building located in the square that is also filled with shops, restaurants, and cafes, with Brasov Old Town Hall found in the centre.


Built in 1420, Casa Sfatului was the meeting place for the town’s council members for several centuries. Today, it is home to Brasov’s History Museum.

Just south of Council Square is the Black Church, the largest gothic structure in Romania and one of Brasov’s most famous sites. The church got its name after the flames and smoke of the ‘Great Fire’ in 1689 darkened its exterior walls. The church was originally built between 1385 and 1477. After the fire, restoration took 100 years.

Today, the church is a massive structure, with beautiful stained glass and statues located all around it. The bell tower stands 65m high and is home to the largest and heaviest church bell in Romania.

The Black Church’s massive pipe organ dates from 1839. It was built by Carl August Buchholz and takes up three floors and contains 3993 pipes! This massive organ still functions and concerts are performed several times a week.

Most of the original statues have been removed from the outer walls to preserve them and replicas have been put up in their place. You can find many of the originals inside the church. Entrance tickets can be purchased for 20 lei at the gift shop across from the church. It looks big from the outside, but once you walk through the large wooden doors, you see how truly big this church is.

Another interesting historical piece in this church are the pews. When people first started to attend, they sat within their guilds. The more important your guild (teachers, town councillors, etc.), the closer you sat to the pulpit.

These pews were also more ornately decorated. Each guild could add carvings, paintings, ornamental elements, and symbols to represent their guild on the panel of the pew. The pews themselves were all fairly standard, except for the carpenter’s guild, who made sure to carve theirs more ornately when making all the pews. It was neat to walk around and see all the differences.

There was a small section containing tombstones with elaborate carvings of the person’s face. Apparently, this was a common thing to do among the wealthy, so they could be depicted in all their grandeur for eternity!

The various murals, paintings, and statues found throughout the church are also worth a look.

As I often do when exploring a new city, I joined up with a free walking tour to learn more about Brasov and all there was to see. We set out with our guide on a 2.5-hour walk around Old Town, where he told us lots of historic facts and local legends and pointed out the house where Vlad the Impaler’s mistress lived.

As we came to the Black Church, he pointed out one of the statues on the roof and told us how Brasov and a neighbouring city were competing to build the biggest and best church. They took this very seriously and only the master builder knew the full plan. One day, he found a little boy up on the roof looking at all they were doing. No one knew who this boy was, so they figured he must be a spy sent from the other town and he was pushed off the roof!

Now, a statue of a little boy looking over the edge can be found on the roof. Some say it was put there as a memorial; others say it’s a warning.

Rope Street, Strada Sforii, is one of the narrowest streets in Europe at 3.6 to 4 feet wide. As the houses were all connected, there was no quick way to get from one street to another, so Rope Street was used as an access route for firefighters. There is a statue of a Rope Lady at one end, pointing the way to the passage.


One legend says that Rope Street was a meeting place for lovers whose parents did not approve of their relationship, and that couples who kissed on Rope Street will forever be tied together.

High above Brasov, in the Carpathian Mountains, is Mount Tampa. There are several different trails you can hike up the mountain or take the cable car (30 lei RT, Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.) to the top for a great view of the city and surrounding area.

From the upper cable car station, it’s a short walk along the path to the famous Brasov sign, where you will get the best views of the town from 955m above!

The cable car takes about 2.5 minutes to ascend to the top, and at less than $9 CAD ($6.50 USD) return, it’s definitely worth it. At the top, you will also find a small cafe and some more walking trails.

As we were there in October, all the leaves had begun to change colour, making the view even more spectacular. You could see all of Old Town, including a great view of the Black Church from above.

When Vlad Tepes (the Impaler) attacked Brasov in 1458, the citadel was destroyed and 40 merchants who refused to pay trade taxes were impaled, and displayed on top of the mountain. I much preferred the view of the fall foliage!

Catherine’s Gate, erected in 1559 by the Tailors’ Guild, is the only original gate to have survived from medieval times. During Saxon rule, Romanians weren’t allowed to own property inside the fortress and were only allowed to enter at certain times to sell their goods. They would be required to pay a toll before entering. At the time, these gates were the only way in and out of Brasov. Above the entrance, the tower bears the city’s coat of arms: a crown on a tree trunk.

Black Tower stands atop a rock on Starja Hill and is one of four defensive towers in Brasov built in the 15th century, and offers great views of the city.

Hunter’s Tower is another defensive tower in the citadel used for storing power during the Middle Ages.

Once you’re done exploring for the day, enjoy a traditional Transylvanian dinner at Sergiana. Head down into the basement, where you will find cave-like dining rooms, servers in traditional Romanian attire, and a delicious variety of local Transylvanian dishes.

After dinner, check out Beraria Mustata for some local craft beer.

While the Council Square is great by day, be sure to check it out at night when it’s all lit up and the Hollywood style BRASOV sign is shining high up on Mt. Tampa.

And while you are in the area, a trip to Bran to see Bran Castle is a must! We spent half a day exploring Dracula’s Castle and the small town of Bran. More on that here.

Brasov is about 30 minutes from Bran. There are buses that will take you, but we found taking a Bolt or an Uber far more convenient.

Before catching our train back to Bucharest, we had to stop for one more delicious Papanași (traditional Romanian fried doughnuts made with cottage cheese and topped with smetana and jam) at La Ceaun in the main square.

Whether you are exploring Transylvania or just making your way to see Dracula’s Bran Castle, be sure to stop and explore Brasov on the way. You won’t be disappointed!

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Exploring Dracula’s Castle

Posted on October 31, 2023 by crystalburney

“Once again…welcome to my house. Come freely. Go safely; and leave something of the happiness you bring.”
― Bram Stoker, Dracula

As we are well into spooky season, this year’s Halloween trip is to a place I have been dying to visit for years.

The Transylvania region of Romania instantly makes me think of a mysterious land of bloodthirsty vampires and spooky Halloween scenes with a lonely, medieval castle perched high atop a rocky cliff.

While many of these images come from watching movies about vampires…or the animated ‘Transylvania’ films, this region of Romania is still the perfect spot to visit around Halloween!

And while the whole region has a history of spooky myths and legends, for me, there was one particular spot that made visiting Romania a must: Bran Castle.

It’s easy to see why Bram Stoker decided to set his 1897 vampire novel, Dracula, here. Although the author never visited Bran Castle, the novel was inspired by superstition and some real-life exploits of the 15th-century Wallachian nobleman, Vlad Dracul III, who was also known as Vlad Ţepeş (the Impaler) as it was said that Vlad liked to impale his enemies on long spikes, leaving them to die in the field. While maybe not a vampire…Vlad definitely left a bloody wake.

Perched high on a rocky hill with rust-coloured towers, Bran Castle looks just like you’d hope a medieval vampire castle would look.

As we climbed up the cobblestone path leading to the castle, there were flags stating ‘Royal by Day. Wicked by Night,’ and looking out over the land where Vlad the Impaler once impaled over 20,000 people, you can easily imagine some angry spooks haunting this place.

Upon entering the castle, you get a brief history of the place.

The first residents on this site were the Teutonic Knights, who constructed a wooden fortress in the early 1200s.

Bran Castle was built in 1377, when Hungarian King Louis the Great granted the people of Brasov the privilege of building a castle. It was completed in 1388. The lord of the castle was elected by the King, usually from among the Saxons. This role was increasingly important in the history of Transylvania. 

While Vlad the Impaler never lived in Bran Castle (his castle is now in ruins, located in the Principality of Wallachia), he was allied with Bran and Brasov during his first reign beginning in 1448 and into his next reign, where he was requested to handle the anti-Ottoman resistance at the border. Then, during his second reign, he changed sides and his army passed through Bran in early 1459 to attack Brasov, in order to settle a conflict between Wallachia and the Saxons. He wasn’t much of a negotiator and burned the city’s suburbs to the ground, murdering hundreds of Saxons from Transylvania. During his reign, to many Romanians he was seen as a hero for protecting them and fighting for Romanian independence.

The castle continued to change hands and fell into disrepair and was restored numerous times over the years.

In 1918, Transylvania became part of Greater Romania, and in 1920, the citizens offered the castle to Queen Marie of Romania, who was beloved. The castle became a favourite residence of the Queen, who restored and arranged it to be used as a residence for the royal family. When Queen Marie died on July 18, 1938, Bran Castle was bequeathed to her favourite daughter, Princess Ileana.

In 1948, Princess Ileana and her family were forced to leave the country by the newly installed communist regime. During these years, the castle was turned into a museum. Then, in 1987, restoration began again and in 1993, the castle was reopened as a museum.

In 2006, after years of legal proceedings, the castle was legally returned to the heirs of Princess Ileana of Romania and Archduke Anton of Austria. 

Today, it continues to be a leading tourist attraction in Transylvania and one I couldn’t wait to check out!

After learning a bit about the castle’s past, you head through the narrow corridors and steep, winding staircases to explore the castle as Queen Marie had it.

Although, this time of year, there was also a Halloween twist to the decor as they were preparing for the huge Halloween party that takes place here at the end of October. While it changed the regal feel, the whole reason we were here was to explore “Dracula’s Castle,” so the Halloween decor just added to the experience for me. (If, for some reason, Halloween is not your thing, I wouldn’t recommend visiting Bran Castle in late October!!)

Step inside both Queen Marie’s and King King Ferdinand I’s bedrooms, both filled with beautiful old pieces.

The ornately carved wooden furniture, high arched ceilings, and decor throughout the castle felt like stepping back in time.

The music room, complete with shelves of old books, a big fireplace, and lots of nooks perfect for reading, is where I’d want to spend my time.

From here, you can head towards the balcony where you will find excellent views of the courtyard. As you explore the castle, you can view the courtyard from the balconies on several levels, offering excellent photo opportunities of the many towers and beautiful fall foliage!

Then head back inside where you will find the narrow secret staircase leading from the 1st floor up to the 3rd floor. This feels exactly like the kind of place you might run into Count Dracula himself.

There are various rooms set up with photos, clothing, weapons, coats of arms, suits of armour, and more spread throughout the castle.

If you’re feeling brave, head to the 4th floor for the “A history of dreads in Transylvania” exhibition.

There are several rooms filled with the history of local myths and fears from the 15th century, including the Grim Reaper, the Lele, the Sântoaderi, the Solomonari, ghosts, the Strigoi and werewolves.

If, like Vlad, medieval torture is your thing, there is another special exhibition on Medieval Instruments of Torture.

Here, there are several rooms filled with various devices used for torture, including photos and descriptions. While all are cruel, some are truly horrifying!

Once you’ve had your fill of Medieval torture, head back downstairs and out into the courtyard, where you will also find a small gift shop.

The final exhibit before exiting the castle is the Time Tunnel. “The only elevator in the world that goes up into history and down into the future.” The castle was built with a 7-metre-deep water cistern, which was converted to a 59-metre well in the 17th century. During Queen Marie’s residence, she decided to put an elevator into the shaft to connect the Royal Park to the castle. After the Royal family was forced to leave, the tunnel remained empty and forgotten for years.

Now, you take the elevator down from the past and head into the future through a multimedia presentation through the years from the Teutonic Knights until present day Bran Castle.

The display ends with a photo opportunity which you can purchase in the gift shop.

Once you’ve finished touring the inside of the castle, be sure to wander the grounds of the Royal Park below for various views of the castle.

You can also visit Queen Marie’s Tea House for a meal or a cup of tea where the Queen used to have her five o’clock cuppa.

As part of the Halloween decor, the pond in the middle of the park was filled with bright red long spikes, to signify the bloody impalements performed by Vlad on his Ottoman soldier enemies.

Outside the gates, there are numerous stands set up selling snacks and souvenirs to the hundreds of thousands of guests who visit each year.

While it may not actually be home to bloodthirsty vampires, between the real history and the imagined Count Dracula, Bran Castle is a Halloween lover’s must-see!

Info

You can purchase tickets just inside the main gate

Admission-

Adults – 60lei

Students – 35lei

Seniors – 45lei

Torture chambers -10lei

Time Tunnel – 20 lei

Opening times

October 1 to March 31
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Mondays (last admission is 4 p.m.)
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday

April 1 to September 30
12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Mondays (last admission is 6 p.m.)
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday

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A brief stay in Belfast

Posted on August 17, 2023 by crystalburney

Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and the largest city in the country. This city is known for being where the RMS Titanic was built and for the violence and suffering here during The Troubles in the later part of the 20th century, although I quickly found out there is so much more to Belfast.

With only two days to explore this city, I set off early to make the most of my time here.

My first stop was at the Victorian St George’s Market, one of Belfast’s oldest attractions. The Friday market has taken place on this site since 1604. The current market was built between 1890 and 1896 and is considered one of the best markets in the UK. The market is only open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with each day offering slightly different vendors. Stalls found here include fish, produce, antiques, crafts, meats, food & coffee stands, and more.

After wandering through the market, I grabbed a Belfast Bacon Bap for breakfast before continuing on my way. The Belfast Bap is a large, crusty white bread roll that originated in Belfast to feed the poor during the great famine. It was a bit hard to bite into…but was certainly filling!

Located at 12-20 East Bridge Street, Belfast. Open Friday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. & Sunday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The heart of the city is found along the banks of the River Lagan. Before crossing over the Queen Elizabeth bridge, there is a Big Fish sculpture, also known as Salmon of Knowledge.

This large fish is also a time capsule covered in ceramic tiles, each one telling a story of the city. There are also a number of Game of Thrones stained glass pieces along the waterfront and the Waterfront entertainment complex.

Continuing along the waterfront, I headed to one of Belfast’s most famous attractions – Titanic Belfast. 

The museum is built on the site of the former Harland & Wolff shipyard where the RMS Titanic was built.

The exhibit tells the story of the Titanic from her start being built in this shipyard until her tragic end and place in history. It is a very interactive exhibit with all the information laid out in a variety of ways to keep you engaged, including a cable car ride to explore life on the docks! If you only do one thing in Belfast, I highly recommend making a stop here. I usually lose interest in reading boards filled with historical facts in museums, but with the use of audio, visual, interactive displays, holograms of people talking about life in Belfast and onboard and more, I was fully engaged. The final exhibit talks about the night the Titanic sank and lists the names of the 713 people who were saved and the 1512 souls that were lost with some info about many of them. I spent 3 hours here and could have likely stayed even longer.

As part of your ticket, you also get access to the SS Nomadic, the last surviving White Star Line ship in the world. This ship was also built by Harland & Wolff and was originally designed to serve as a tender to both the Titanic and the Olympic before serving in both World Wars, becoming a restaurant in Paris, and finally returning home to Belfast. Lots of information found here too, especially for any history buffs.

Located in the Titanic Quarter at 1 Olympic Way, Queen’s Road, Titanic Quarter, Belfast BT3 9EP

Titanic Belfast also has a gift shop, parking, and dining options.

Hours vary throughout the year. Entrance is by time slot. Pre-booking is recommended. Standard admission £24.95.

Other packages are available. Click here for more info.

Belfast City Hall is a fantastic piece of Victorian engineering, built in 1906. With its domed green towers and statue of Queen Victoria out front, this building is definitely something to see. The gardens surrounding City Hall are a popular spot to enjoy lunch on a sunny day.

At the northeast corner, you’ll find a statue of Sir Edward Harland, who founded the Harland & Wolff shipyards and who served as mayor of Belfast from 1885 to 1886. Next to him stands a memorial to the victims of the Titanic.

If you want to learn more about City Hall, guided tours are available daily. For more info and times, click here.

Location – Donegall Square, Belfast

If you’ve read any of my previous blog posts, you’ll know I LOVE a free walking tour. I find they are such a great way to get acquainted with a new place, learn some history and interesting facts, and get tips on the best places to eat, drink, and visit. While the Belfast tour was a little more political than others I’ve been on, our guide grew up in Belfast during The Troubles and had a wealth of information on life here during that time, which he shared as we made our way around the city learning all about what makes Belfast tick. (The Troubles were an ethno-nationalist conflict in Northern Ireland that lasted almost 30 years from the late 1960s to 1998 ending once they struck the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.)

Belfast Free Walking Tours run daily at 11 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. They leave from outside City Hall and can be booked online here. The tours are free and you tip whatever you feel the tour was worth at the end.

The Crown Liquor Saloon is one of Belfast’s most famous pubs. Formerly known as The Liquor Saloon, it was one of the top Victorian gin palaces found among the industrial cities around the British Isles. The building dates back to 1826 and is now owned by the National Trust.

Visually, The Crown remains a true gem. The colourful decor found here is very unique for a pub. Beautiful stained glass, carved pillars, ornate mirrors, beautiful bar top, and a floor laid with colourful mosaic tiles, including the famous Crown found just outside the entrance. It’s impossible to see all the unique details amongst the crowds of people found here. The pub still has the original ‘snugs’ booths with doors that were used to hide those drinking from prying eyes.

The pub was refurbished by Patrick Flanagan in the late 19th century. Our guide told us a legend about how it came to be known as The Crown. Flanagan, a Catholic, argued with his Protestant Royalist wife over what the pub’s name should be. In the end, he told his wife that he would name the pub The Crown in honour of the British monarchy. However, he sneakily took his revenge by placing the crown mosaic just outside the entrance door where customers would tread on it every day!

Stop by for a drink or enjoy a delicious meal here, like I did.

The Crown also has an upstairs dining area. Reservations are highly recommended as most nights it is booked up. Make a reservation here.

Located at 46 Great Victoria St, Belfast

Across from The Crown is the famous Europa Hotel. This is the most bombed hotel in the world after suffering 36 bomb attacks during the Troubles.

At that time, no one was travelling to Northern Ireland except for the journalists who were covering the conflict. What better way to get attention for their cause than by bombing the place the press were staying. It has been fully restored since and is now a 4-star hotel here.

Next door to the Europa is Belfast’s Grand Opera House. This Victorian theatre was built in 1895 and continues to offer a variety of entertainment year-round. During one of the many bombings that occurred next door, the Opera House was hit and ruined on one side. It has since been restored, but if you look closely, you will see that the brickwork along one side doesn’t quite match up.

The Merchant Hotel began as the headquarters of the Ulster Bank before being turned into a five-star luxury hotel in 2006. This sandstone building has long been admired for its distinctive architectural style. Belfast has become a popular film destination over the last decade or so and the Merchant Hotel became the go-to place to stay while filming in Belfast.

The prestigious Queen’s University has been around since 1845. With a beautiful, leafy green campus and the impressive Lanyon Building, the university is worth checking out as you make your way to the Belfast Botanic Gardens. The gardens were established in 1828 by the Belfast Botanic and Horticultural Society and have become a popular spot among both tourists and locals. Occupying 28 acres, the park is also home to the Palm House and the Tropical Ravine. Entry is free.

Belfast has numerous pubs, some dating as far back as the 1600s. As I was first walking around the city, I hardly saw any. Then, on my walking tour, I learned that most of the pubs are hidden down alleyways because liquor licenses/operating licenses were mainly granted by people who didn’t drink and didn’t want pubs corrupting the city, so by having them in alleys, they weren’t visible along the streets and more likely to receive their permit!

Grabbing a pint and listening to some live music is the perfect way to end a day in Belfast!

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Giant’s Causeway

Posted on August 4, 2023 by crystalburney

Are you ready to follow in the footsteps of giants??

When I arrived in Northern Ireland, visiting Giant’s Causeway was at the top of my must- sees during my short stay. I had seen photos of this unique-looking causeway for years and knew I wanted to see it up close.

Giant’s Causeway is located in County Antrim on the North Coast of Northern Ireland near the town of Bushmills. It is found along the Causeway Coast Route, which runs from Carrickfergus to Derry. This route is considered to be one of the most beautiful drives in Ireland. I only did part of it, but the views along the way were even better than I imagined.

So where did this unique causeway come from?

The scientific explanation is that the Giant’s Causeway was formed by volcanic activity 50-60 million years ago. The basalt lava oozed up through the chalk beds and then cooled, forming these awesome pillars. Over 40,000 basalt pillars are found here!

While that explanation is great … I prefer the legend of how the causeway was built by the Irish giant Finn MacCool. After being threatened by Scottish giant Benandonner, Finn began tearing up chunks of the Antrim coastline and hurling them into the sea, creating a bridge—the Giant’s Causeway—to reach Benandonner. However, once he arrived in Scotland, he realized that Benandonner was a far bigger giant than himself and Finn turned and ran back to Ireland. To trick Benandonner, he and his wife disguised him as a baby. When Benandonner saw him, he thought, “If that’s how big the baby is, I don’t want to meet the father,” and he fled back to Scotland, destroying much of the causeway so Finn could not follow.

If you visit Fingal’s Cave in Scotland, you will find it shares a similar geology and appearance to the Giant’s Causeway! 

Whichever version you choose to believe, this UNESCO World Heritage Site should definitely be on your must-see list while in Northern Ireland.

Visiting the Giant’s Causeway:

The Giant’s Causeway itself is free to visit.

However, if you decide to go to the visitor’s centre then you will be required to pay. The National Trust recently built a huge visitor centre here and the signs can be misleading, making you think you are required to pay to see the causeway itself. If you choose to go to the visitor’s centre, you will also have access to an audio guide and the Giant’s Causeway car parks. The entrance fee here is £13.50. I opted to avoid the visitor’s centre and take myself on a free tour of this natural wonder!

There are several trails to hike around the Giant’s Causeway varying in length and difficulty. The easiest one is the Blue Trail, leading from the visitor’s centre down to the Giant’s Boot. If you have a limited amount of time to explore the Giant’s Causeway, this is the trail for you.

The hike down is fairly easy, although the terrain is hilly and uneven in spots. Be sure to wear proper shoes.

If mobility is an issue, there is also a shuttle bus that goes from the visitor’s centre down to the causeway for £1. (Times vary and on busy days you may have to wait as space is limited.)

The whole site is stunning, with green fields leading down to the water, but seeing the unique basalt pillars rising up from the water is truly amazing.

The best time to visit is early in the morning or at dusk, when photos are great and the crowds are minimal.

I spent a couple hours here, walking along the coastline, climbing on the pillars, and looking around in awe. It truly is a sight to see up close!

Other stops nearby:

Old Bushmills Distillery – The world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery. It has been around since 1608. Book a tour or a tasting or just stop by the gift shop or bar.

Dunluce Castle – This beautiful medieval castle, built on the side of a cliff, dates back to the early 1500s. Legend has it that the kitchen broke off and fell into the sea below (along with some of the kitchen staff!). The castle is mainly ruins now with some historical and archaeological exhibits open to the public. This picturesque Irish castle is also a popular spot for wedding photos.

(Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., last admission 4:30pm. £6.)

Carrick-a-rede – This rope bridge was built by fishermen in 1755 to assist with their salmon fishing. It hangs 30m above sea level and is now owned by the National Trust. Along with the rope bridge there is a 2km coastal walk and a 400-year-old Fisherman’s Cottage.

If you want to cross the rope bridge, you need to prebook a time. (Note: coaches are no longer allowed to enter the site.)

Carrickfergus Castle – Located in the town of Carrickfergus. This Norman Castle is one of the best-preserved medieval structures in Ireland.

 (Open 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., £6.)

Northern Ireland is also home to many filming locations from the hit HBO series Game of Thrones. There are whole tours based around the locations.

Two of the most popular are:

The Dark Hedges – This beautiful avenue of beech trees along Bregagh Road has become one of the most photographed spots in Northern Ireland. In Game of Thrones, it represents the Kingsroad. It has become a very popular tourist spot. It is free to walk along the avenue, but remember that vehicles are not allowed. Parking is available nearby at the Dark Hedges Estate, where you will also find a cafe. The Dark Hedges are a short walk from there.

Cushendun Caves – These caves have been formed over 400 million years. The numerous rock cavities have all been naturally carved out by water and time. There’s a little stone beach leading to the caves. It’s a quick stop, but impressive to see. In Game of Thrones, this is where Melisandre gives birth to the terrible shadow killer. Access to the cave is free and open all year round. Parking is found nearby. Just keep in mind that people live in the flats beside the caves, so follow the trail and avoid the locals’ property.

If you are driving around Northern Ireland, all these stops can easily be seen in a day or two, depending on how long you wish to spend at each stop and how many other stops you want to make along the Causeway Coast Route. If, like me, you are without a car and have a limited amount of time, McComb’s Tours does a great day trip, stopping at all these places and more throughout the day. Book the tour here.

So get out and enjoy the beauty of Northern Ireland!

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North Wales

Posted on July 27, 2023 by crystalburney

There are so many beautiful sights to see in North Wales that I had trouble deciding where to go. I decided to make my home base in the beautiful old seaside town of Llandudno.

When travelling, I usually like to make my own way around an area so I can spend as much time as I want at each stop. If you are doing a road trip around North Wales, you can easily drive from town to town, but as I was without a car on this short Welsh adventure, I opted to book a day trip to allow me to see as much as possible. In Llandudno, I booked a full day trip to see Portmeirion, Snowdonia & Castles with Adventure Tour Snowdonia.

Leaving from Llandudno, we made our way up and around the Great Orme, with breathtaking views of the Irish Sea and the neighbouring towns, before stopping at the nearby town of Conwy. Voted one of the best places to live in Wales, this town is definitely worth a visit.

The medieval walls here are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that includes Conwy Castle as well as Beaumaris and Harlech Castles. They are some of the finest and most complete walls remaining in Europe, running almost uninterrupted for three quarters of a mile around Conwy’s heart, with 21 towers and three original gateways.

The best part is you can walk almost all the way around the top of the walls, giving you a great view of the town, Conwy Castle, and the countryside.

Conwy Castle towers at the entrance of the town 700 years later.

King Edward I had it built in 4 years from 1283-1287. Monks had been living here before he ordered them to leave or be killed and he then moved the castle to its current location.

The outer walls of this medieval fortress and the spiral stairs have been restored over the years so you can still climb the levels of the eight towers throughout and imagine what it would have looked like. Apart from the absence of roofs, the interior is largely intact, especially the grand 40m/130ft Great Hall and King’s Apartments. Peer into the prison tower, check out the view from the King’s Tower, and admire the beautiful stained glass in King Edward’s private chapel tower.

(Open daily, entry £11.70.)

Down along Conwy Quay, you’ll find the Smallest House in Britain. This small red house measures 10ft x 6ft and was last lived in by Robert Jones, who was 6ft 3″ tall, until 1900. Since then, it has become a tourist attraction. In the early 1920s, The Guinness Book of Records confirmed its status as the smallest house in Great Britain.

Since then, it has become a tourist attraction. In the early 1920s, The Guinness Book of Records confirmed its status as the smallest house in Great Britain

(Open daily, entry £1.50.)

Also nearby is the town of Caernarfon, home to another one of King Edward I’s medieval castles.

For the best views of this one, head over the bridge to get a great view of the castle with the boats in the harbour. Caernarfon Castle is recognized as one of the greatest buildings of the Middle Ages. The castle was born out of conflicts with Welsh Princes and, along with the town walls and quay, it took 47 years to build. A section still remains of Caernarfon’s walls, but not nearly as intact as Conwy’s.

(Caernarfon Castle – Open daily, entry £12.50.)

Another must-see in North Wales is Portmeirion Village—the Welsh Riviera! Designed by Welsh architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925-1975, the village is said to be modelled on the famous Italian town of Portofino. He acquired the land in 1925 and continued developing the grounds for the next fifty years.

Wandering through the village with its pastel-coloured buildings and ornate architecture make it worth the price of admission (£18). There are two hotels and a number of self-catering cottages for those wishing to stay the night, as well as shops and cafes to enjoy.

(More about my time in Portmeirion here.)

The most famous site in the area is Snowdonia National Park, the largest National Park in Wales, covering 823 square miles of beautiful landscape along the West Coast. In Welsh, it is known as ‘Eryri,’ which translates as “the place of the eagles.” Snowdonia is the oldest national park in Wales, having been founded in 1951, and is home to the tallest mountain in Wales and England, Mount Snowdon, at 3,560ft. Each year, Mount Snowdon is climbed by thousands of people by one of the many paths leading to its summit or via the popular Snowdon Mountain Railway.

The weather can be very unpredictable here and it began to pour just as we arrived, making for low visibility. If you plan to hike, be sure to check the forecast and be prepared for sudden changes in the weather.

A few other quick stops along the way:

The Ugly House, which isn’t ugly at all, is a tearoom and garden with a mysterious history, as nobody knows who built it or when.

Swallow Falls—a cascading, multi-level waterfall found where the river Llugwy flows through a narrow chasm in the woods. A spectacular sight! (Entry £2.)

Tu Hwnt i’r Bont is a historic grade II listed 15th century tearoom located in the small town of Llanrwstwast. It was built as a residential dwelling in 1480 and from there became the Courthouse for the surrounding area. This fairytale-like dwelling is one of the most photographed sites in Wales. It was beautiful when I was there in the spring, but for the real magic, go in the fall when the leaves have all turned a majestic red. Looking at photos, I will definitely need to get back to see it in its full splendor!

With so many things to see and do in beautiful North Wales, if you haven’t already added it to your travel list, now’s the time to do it!

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Portmeirion- The Welsh Riviera

Posted on July 19, 2023 by crystalburney

Stepping into the pastel-coloured village of Portmeirion, filled with ornate statues and brightly coloured flowers felt like I was stepping into an Italian inspired village at Disney World. Portmeirion Village was designed by Welsh architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925-1975 and is said to be modelled on the famous Italian town of Portofino. He acquired the land in 1925, opened the Hotel Portmeirion in 1926, and then continued developing the grounds for the next fifty years.

One of the most popular tourist spots in North Wales, Portmeirion is also a great spot for weddings and other special celebrations.

Unlike most villages that you can freely wander into, Portmeirion is now owned by a charitable trust and you need a ticket to enter (Adult £18.00), but it’s worth it to wander around a charming Italian village while in the UK.

Once inside, simply exploring this unique village is one of the best things to do at Portmeirion. The pastel pink, orange, and yellow buildings and bright turquoise doors, and the ornate stonework and architecture and colourful gardens all are part of what make visiting Portmeirion so unique.

The village makes for a great day tour or overnight stay, depending on your time.

For guests wishing to stay, Portmeirion has two hotels, The Hotel Portmeirion and Castell Deudraeth, as well as a number of self-catering cottages. Both hotels also have dining options for all to enjoy.

While exploring the village, you’ll come across a variety of shops and cafes where you can shop for some famous Portmeirion pottery, check out the art gallery, and then grab an authentic homemade gelato at ‘Angel Ices.

Enjoy your gelato by the fountain in the Central Piazza, surrounded by a rainbow of colour, or play a game of chess on the life-sized chess board found here.

Once you’re done relaxing, Portmeirion Village is set amongst 70 acres of forest, with 19 miles of pathways & walking trails.

There is actually a subtropical forest here, known as The Gwyllt, which means ‘wildwood’ in Welsh. The Gwyllt features some of Britain’s largest trees, rare flowers, and secret gardens.

Hidden along the pathways are the Japanese Garden, with its pagoda and lily-covered lake, and secret sites like the Dog Cemetery, Ghost Garden, and Shelter Valley.

Along the waterfront, you’ll find the lighthouse and the old stone boat, which is an homage to the Amis Reunis, the original boat that Clough used as a houseboat when he first bought the property. You can also take a walk along the white sandy beaches of the Dwyryd Estuary.

If you have time, indulge in a spa treatment at the Mermaid Spa in the village.

Portmeirion is open year-round and is most easily reached by car.

It’s the perfect addition to a North Wales road trip, particularly if you’re already in the area to visit Snowdonia.

If you don’t have a car, another great way to visit Portmeirion is on a tour like I did. This tour from Llandudno included castles, Snowdonia National Park, and Portmeirion.

(The entry fee to the village is not included in the price.)

Whether you decide to spend a few hours or a few days, I definitely recommend adding a stop at the charming village of Portmeirion and indulging in the Welsh Riviera!

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A seaside holiday in Llandudno, Wales

Posted on July 10, 2023 by crystalburney

Looking for a seaside getaway in Northwest Wales? Llandudno should be at the top of your list!

Llandudno began as a small settlement of mainly copper mine workers, but it was the desire for seaside getaways during the Victorian era that led to Llandudno becoming a popular holiday destination.

The Llandudno Promenade, stretching almost two miles long, is quite an impressive sight. With large Victorian hotels lining one side and the beach on the other, it’s the perfect spot for an evening stroll.

One of the most popular sights in Llandudno is Llandudno Pier, located at the west end of the promenade. This Victorian pier has been around since 1878. Jutting out into the Irish Sea, the pier is 2,295 feet in length, making it the longest pier in Wales. Along the pier, you’ll find a wide range of attractions, concessions, food stalls, and an arcade. 

One of the most famous attractions is the Pier View Ferris Wheel, which stands 70 feet tall and has 18 gondolas providing riders with a stunning view of the promenade as well as the Great Orme as they enjoy the ride. Even more spectacular is seeing it lit up with 10,000 lights in the evening!

Rising above Llandudno stands the Great Orme, one of the most spectacular parks in Wales, with scenic views and diverse wildlife. It’s a limestone headland that has been mined for over 4,000 years.

This area became a popular spot during the Bronze Age when miners began prospecting the area for copper. Today, there are numerous trails to hike in the Great Orme, or you can take a drive around the Marine Drive Toll Road, taking in the views and trying to find the famous Kashmir goats. A pair of goats from the Windsor Royal Herd were given to Major General Sir Savage Mostyn around 1880. The herd was released on the Great Orme 20 years later and the goats have been roaming wild ever since! Easier to spot are the herds of sheep found grazing all over.

(You can walk or bike the Marine Drive Toll Road for free. Cars cost £4.50 for the 5-mile scenic drive.)

There are two other ways to get to the summit: Cable Cars or the Tramway.

The Llandudno Cable Cars leave from Happy Valley Park and travel 679 feet up to the summit of the Great Orme. You can enjoy the panoramic views on this 9-minute journey.

The Great Orme Tramway is another option to summit the Great Orme. The tram opened in 1902 and is Britain’s only funicular, or cable-hauled, tramway. The journey begins at Victoria Station and climbs up through the Great Orme Country Park and Nature Reserve to the summit, stopping to switch trams at the Halfway Station. Here, you can learn more about how the tramway works and watch the giant cables turn to move the tram along the tracks. At the summit, there is a cafe, gift shop, and some more info on the area to peruse once you are done taking in the beautiful views!

Great Orme Bronze Age Mine is located near the halfway stop on the tramway. The copper mine was uncovered in 1987 during plans to landscape that area of the Great Orme. Since then, mining engineers, cavers, and archaeologists have continued to discover more tunnels and large areas of the surface landscape. It is considered to be the largest prehistoric mine discovered so far.

After a quick introduction video, you put on your hard hat and head down into the mine on a self-guided tour, exploring tunnels mined over 3,500 years ago. There are nine levels of Bronze Age tunnels found here. On the tour, you are able to explore levels 1 and 2, down 18m of the 46m total. The tunnels are very narrow and the ground is uneven in spots as you make your way down and then back up to the surface.

Once you’re back outside the mine, you can see down into the pit and learn about the steps involved in copper/bronze mining. It’s an interesting spot to explore with a lot of local history.

(Open daily at 9:30am. Last entry 4:30pm. Entry £10.50.)

Happy Valley Park, located on the slope of the Great Orme, was donated to the town of Llandudno by Lord Mostyn in 1887 as a celebration of Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee. What was once a quarry has now been turned into a beautiful park that features a statue of Queen Victoria as well as gardens, a cafe, a putting green, a ski slope, and the cable car base station while offering great views of Llandudno Pier.

As you wander the streets of Llandudno, you will come across statues from Alice in Wonderland. It is said that the real ‘Alice’ spent the first of many summer holidays here in 1861 and inspired Charles Dodgson, who we know best by his pen name, Lewis Carroll, to write his famous novel Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

The town has embraced this story, unveiling an iconic White Rabbit statue in 1933. Since then, Llandudno has made the most of its Alice connection and you’ll find statues of characters like Alice, the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, and the White Rabbit scattered all around the town. Want to find them all? You can purchase an Alice in Wonderland Town Trail Map, “Follow the White Rabbit,” at the Tourist Information Centre and follow the 55 bronze cast footprints in the pavement starting outside the Llandudno Library.

Once you’ve finished your journey down the rabbit hole, head over to “The Looking Glass,” an Alice-themed dessert cafe, on Mostyn St. As you step inside the colourful dessert wonderland, the smell is amazing. The wholevenue is adorned with Alice in Wonderland-themed quotes and items.

From the bar you can order your ice cream with waffles or pancakes, as a banana split and more, and then choose what assortment of toppings and sauces you want to add to your creation. If you have a sweet tooth, you’d be ‘mad’ to miss enjoying a treat at this curious cafe!

Ready for some real food?

Head to The Cottage Loaf, a traditional Welsh country pub. It’s got a homey feel with wooden beams, fireplaces, old heavy furniture, and a great bar with a large variety of beer, including some local craft ones.

This charming town has something for everyone to enjoy on your Victorian-style seaside holiday!

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