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beachesandbrows · 7 years

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The post-holiday blues have been hanging over my head since I came back from Croatia, so much so that I have avoided writing this blog for fear of depressing myself even more! I never wanted to leave and I promise I’m not just saying that. It was an amazing holiday and even better that I got to go with my best friends.

We flew from Dublin to Zadar with Ryanair. The flight was long and full of young people heading to Sonus festival. We landed around 23.35, got our bags, met our driver and made our way into the city. I used www.croatiatransfers.hr to book our transfers on either end of the trip and they were both reasonably priced and reliable.

Our apartment in Zadar was bang smack in the middle of the Old Town, close to everything. We arrived late enough so we just unpacked and went to bed as we were up early the next day.

On Saturday we headed to Krka National Park and it was well worth the early rise. It was crowded but we still got to go for a swim and take in the amazing views. We got a bus from Zadar which dropped us in Skradin which is where the ticket office is for the National Park. You do have to pay to go in but this includes a boat that takes you down to where the waterfalls are and to where you can swim. For a student it was 110kn which is roughly €15 but I assure you it was worth it.

The water was so cool and refreshing, and SO clean which was a welcome change after the beaches in Mallorca. We swam, took about 1000 photos and then headed back to the boat to return to where we got the bus.

We got back to Zadar around 7 and got ready for dinner and our night out. We ate in a restaurant called Skala and the food was very simple but very tasty. The dishes I would recommend from here would be the Dalmatian Volcano and the mixed meat grill. It was quite cheap, the five of us ate and had a drink for about 460kn (≈€65). We then headed back to our apartment for a few drinks before heading to a club called Lendana which had been recommended to us by more than one person. It was an outdoor club, entry was free and drinks were very reasonable. Vodka and orange was 18kn (≈€2.70) and a cocktail was 56kn (≈€8). There was however an extra charge per drink similar to a cover charge which confused us a little but it was only 6kn which is less than €1 (still cheaper than Ireland). The dancefloor was crowded and a little crazy but it was good fun.

We took it easy the next day, there is no beach as such in Zadar but it’s possible to lie out and swim on the promenade by the sea. It wasn’t very comfortable lying on concrete but it was great fun jumping off the edge into the water to cool off. That evening we got ready early and went to watch the sunset.

We found a great spot on the promenade again and once the sun had set we went to check out the Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun. The Sea Organ was so cool so we just sat and listened for a while until our stomachs became louder than the music. We walked back towards the old town centre in search of food and we settled on La Cucina which was almost right beside our apartment.

All the places we ate in had a wide variety on the menu as we all have very different tastes. I ordered the risotto and I absolutely loved it, it was my first time ever having risotto and I was not disappointed. However, one of the girls ordered calamari and could not eat it so beware some of the dishes can be a little dodgy. This place cost pretty much the same as the night before so again, very reasonable.

The next day we were moving on to Split and we got a bus that was supposed to take us just under two hours. However Croatia hadn’t had any rain in nearly three months and there was lots of wildfires which meant unfortunately we had to be diverted and our two hour journey turned into almost seven hours. The buses are all air conditioned which is great for the first hour but after so long in the cold we were all dying to get off and into the warmth again.

Once again, our apartment in Split was very central, just outside the palace walls. The palace is essentially the Old Town and was made up of tiny streets and spectacular buildings. We went to a restaurant called Villa Spiza on the recommendation of the lady who owned the apartment and it was like eating in someone’s kitchen. The restaurant is family owned and ran and the food is simple and rustic. There is not much variety on the menu but it is quite cheap and the food is good. We had booked the Tower Pub Crawl for that night, which was €20, so we headed home to get ready for the night ahead.

The pub crawl began at 9 and we were taken to a bar by bus where we had unlimited free drinks for almost two hours and needless to say we made use of it! We all hopped back on the bus then and were taken to a club where we got free shots on entry. Unfortunately, we lost some of our fellow comrades on the way there so after about an hour we called it quits and headed home. I therefore cannot give a full review of the bar crawl but we definitely got our money’s worth in free drinks and a t-shirt.

The next day we headed to the beach and had a very chill day. It wasn’t a very nice beach but once you walked out a bit the water was clean and it was nice to swim in. There’s shops and beach bars and food along the beach, all quite reasonable so you can easily spend a day here. That evening we just took it easy, had dinner in a restaurant that’s not really worth mentioning, then explored the city a bit.

The basement of the palace is an amazing market full of trinkets and jewellery, perfect for some souvenir shopping. The centre of the palace is an open square and both times we were here there was live music in one of the bars and many people just sat in the square and listened and there was a very nice, relaxed atmosphere.

The next morning, we were on the road again, we took a ferry from Split to Stari Grad on the island of Hvar. Our apartment was just over a five-minute walk from the town of Stari Grad and also from the ‘beach’ but it was kind of in the middle of nowhere at the same time which was a nice change from being in the city the entire time. This was probably the worst of our apartments but it was by no means a bad apartment.

We spent the afternoon at the beach which, similar to Zadar, was just a concrete slab built beside the water. This was possibly my favourite spot of the whole holiday, the water was crystal clear and so so blue!

That evening we walked into Stari Grad and had some dinner in Mola Podloza, which once again was really cheap and the food was simple but good. Unfortunately one of the girls wasn’t feeling well, so we got a few drinks and headed back to the apartment for the night.

The following day we went back to the beach for a while and then got a bus to Hvar where the Catamaran was leaving for Dubrovnik. The boat was like a big airplane, it was really comfortable and we got to Dubrovnik in just under 3 and a half hours. We got two taxis up to our apartment and one of those taxis dropped us at the bottom of the street rather than the top which meant we had to climb a load of stairs and after that there was a lot of confusion again as there was two number 8’s. About twenty minutes later, the man who owned the apartment found us and brought us to the right place. It was really late at night but we had bought some food in the supermarket in Hvar for dinner. We had a very simple pasta and tomato sauce dinner for the hefty price tag of roughly 64c each! We all admitted at that point that we probably could have cooked for ourselves one or two other nights to save a little more money but to be fair, eating out was not that dear anyway.

The next day, two of us were feeling energetic so we decided to climb up to the viewpoint overlooking the city. Once we walked outside our apartment we were greeted with an amazing view of the Adriatic, which we hadn’t seen the previous night as it was dark. We walked to the supermarket to get some rolls for a picnic and then headed on our way. It was a tough walk, especially in the heat, but with a few stops and plenty of water, we made it and by god was it worth it! The view was incredible, we could see the Old City and the walls and the rest of the city stretched out as well. We spent about an hour up here, taking in the view, taking a few snaps and having a little picnic. The walk down was much easier obviously but we still had to be careful as we were walking on loose stones which meant it was very easy to slip. We spent the afternoon soaking up some sun before getting ready to head down to the Old City.

We were going to go up onto the city walls but you have to pay and as it was the end of our trip the funds were low so if this is something you want to do, plan ahead. Instead we went to eat first. We had read that Dubrovnik was much more expensive than the rest of Croatia, however our dinner was not that expensive. It was however about €4 for a bottle of coke so this raised our bill a good bit.

We strolled around the Old town after this, got a bit lost and just wandered through the narrow streets. We eventually wound up back where we started and had a look in some of the shops. The jewellery here is amazing and I only wish I had kept enough money to treat myself! Three of us decided we were feeling energetic and walked home. Dubrovnik is built on a hill and most of the streets are made up of steps, which is obviously easy going down, but tough going back up. We had to pack and organise ourselves that night.

We headed for the airport at around 10am the next morning and once again I used Croatia Transfers and we got to the airport in plenty of time. There isn’t much in the airport other than the Duty Free and three cafes. The alcohol is quite cheap though which is great for heading back to college.

All in all this holiday was easily one of the best trips I have ever been on. Croatia is way up there on the list of the most beautiful places in Europe in my opinion and whether you’re looking for a couples getaway, an adventure-filled holiday or party central, Croatia has all that and everything in between.

Hope you enjoyed reading the last of my travel posts for a while. Check out below for some tips if you are heading to Croatia.

Lots of love, Eimear x

Tips & Tricks:

Pre-book everything, even if it’s only the night before as a lot of the public transport sells out. I’m pretty sure for the buses you need to print off your ticket so if you don’t have access to a printer then go to the bus station the day before and buy your ticket. For the ferries, you can show the ticket on your mobile and we travelled with jadrolinja.hr both times.

If travelling with a group, go to the supermarket and buy rolls and fillings to share for lunch. Trust me this will save you so much as it works out at about €1-€2 each so it’s great especially if you are a student like me or are on a tight budget.

Don’t spend your change! If you’re with a group of friends, hold on to some of your change to split bills after dinner.

The public transport system in Croatia is pretty good and affordable so make good use of it.

Bring old shoes for swimming at the waterfall. The rocks are covered in moss and are quite slippery.

If you are going to Dubrovnik bring good supportive shoes for the hike. Trust me you will want to do it. Go early in the morning before it gets too hot.

You can drink the water from the tap in Croatia so buy some bottles at the start and refill them.

Don’t over-pack. Especially if you are travelling from place to place. It’s no fun lugging huge suitcases on and off buses and boats. However do make sure to bring enough of everything.

OUR APARTMENTS:

Zadar: https://www.booking.com/hotel/hr/apartment-f-amp-m.en-gb.html?aid=304142;label=gen173nr-1FCAEoggJCAlhYSDNiBW5vcmVmaGmIAQGYAS64AQjIAQzYAQHoAQH4AQuSAgF5qAID;sid=5ea4ed973cf572764e8ed1cd0b3a25b6

Split: https://www.booking.com/hotel/hr/vetom.en-gb.html?aid=304142;label=gen173nr-1FCAEoggJCAlhYSDNiBW5vcmVmaGmIAQGYAS64AQjIAQzYAQHoAQH4AQuSAgF5qAID;sid=5ea4ed973cf572764e8ed1cd0b3a25b6

Stari Grad: https://www.booking.com/hotel/hr/apartments-marija-stari-grad.en-gb.html?aid=304142;label=gen173nr-1FCAEoggJCAlhYSDNiBW5vcmVmaGmIAQGYAS64AQjIAQzYAQHoAQH4AQuSAgF5qAID;sid=5ea4ed973cf572764e8ed1cd0b3a25b6

Dubrovnik: https://www.booking.com/hotel/hr/apartments-mirta-dubrovnik.en-gb.html?aid=304142;label=gen173nr-1FCAEoggJCAlhYSDNiBW5vcmVmaGmIAQGYAS64AQjIAQzYAQHoAQH4AQuSAgF5qAID;sid=5ea4ed973cf572764e8ed1cd0b3a25b6

Travel Post: Croatia The post-holiday blues have been hanging over my head since I came back from Croatia, so much so that I have avoided writing this blog for fear of depressing myself even more!

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beachesandbrows · 7 years

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So for anyone who follows me on my social media (I’ll leave my handles below), you will know that I am just back from four weeks in sunny Spain, on the island of Mallorca to be exact. I was there working as an au pair and teaching English which I will write a separate post on later in the week. My younger sister Niamh came as well to work with another family who were friends of the family I was heading over to.

We landed late at night on the 10th July (thanks Ryanair for a delayed flight yet again) so we didn’t get up to much that night, we got a bite to eat and went home for some well needed sleep!

The following day I met my sister who was living quite nearby and we went exploring the city of Palma. Now while I obviously can’t do a day by day account of the entire 4 weeks, I will tell you all the places you need to go see and perhaps it will help others to plan a great trip to the island which is much more than just Magaluf and Santa Ponsa.

We started at Placa Espanya which is where the islands main bus and train station is located. There is quite an established public transport system on the island however as with anywhere if you want to reach the best beaches and untouched coastline you will need a car or a moped to get to those secluded parts of the island. From there we walked along Carrer de Sant Miquel which has a lot of the main shops such as Pull and Bear, Bershka, Mango etc. Be warned the shopping in Spain is ah-mazingg and if like me you do not have a lot of will power, then maybe a pair of blinders would be useful here. This street leads on to Placa Mayor which is the main square. Here is where you will find plenty of market stalls and street entertainers, especially on the weekends. From there if you head straight, you’ll find some more shops and eventually you will end up in Parc de la Mer which is a very beautiful part of the city. The city’s main cathedral is here along with an amazing view of the ocean. Passeig de Mallorca is another street which leads down to the marina in Palma and is just really nice to walk along in the evenings.

With regards to beaches in the city there is one but it’s only ok. It can be quite dirty at times so if like me you only have an hour or two to lie out then it’s ok but if you’re planning on spending the day at the beach then I’d head out of the city. You can go to Cala Mayor, Cala Nova, Palmanova or even Magaluf for some nice beaches that are for the most part clean enough. Unfortunately, in the summertime due to the amount of boats off the coast of Mallorca, there is a lot of pollution in the water and even natural dirt dragged up from the seabed can make swimming unpleasant. If you have a car, head north where there are supposedly some amazing beaches which we never got a chance to see! There is also a beach at Portals Nous which was quite nice and the port is incredible to walk through with some huge yachts to eye up and drool over.

For the most part I cooked meals for myself at home but we did eat out sometimes and I had some very nice meals, too nice to pause and take a picture of them though! Hogans Bar did some pretty decent chicken wings, while Hawaab Indian restaurant on Carrer del Oms had one of the nicest curries I’ve ever tasted. S’Escorxador, where I tried some local tapas (and I wish I could have brought some home with me) and lastly Chillindrón, which the family I was staying with actually owns, but regardless the food was unbelievable. The menu consisted mainly of Argentinian grilled meat and it was so tasty and it’s All You Can Eat for just under €10!!

We went out in Magaluf one night (if you follow my Snapchat, I apologise!) and to be honest I expected it to be much crazier. The drink was super cheap and the place was packed but I was expecting much more. We also went to Magaluf for our last day, to a beach club. We wanted to lie by the pool for the day and soak up the last few hours of the Spanish sunshine and we did exactly that in WaveHouse. We had a fabulous view from our loungers, had a few fairly reasonably priced drinks and just chilled.

In Palma the main street to go for some drinks is Carrer de Sant Magi, which is also where the bar I worked in was. On Monday before we had to leave we came down here for some drinks. We went first to Bar Cuba and went up to the Sky Bar. The drinks were a little on the pricey side, we got daiquiris at €14 a pop but the view is totally worth it. The bar overlooks the marina and the Parc de la Mer. There is a queue to go up almost every night so there is a sort of exclusive feel here as it is quite small!

The bar I worked in was called Golden and for the four weeks I was there I was oggling the cocktails, dying to try them all so of course we came here next and I got an Espresso Martini followed by a Passion fruit Mojito, both of which lived up to my very high expectations. Cocktails here are only €8 and are actually slightly bigger than in the SkyBar.

There is miles of coastal bike paths stretching out from the city of Palma and so we rented bikes one day and spent the day cycling and taking in the breath-taking views of the Med. The bikes cost us only €9 each for the day and it was definitely a day well spent. We cycled east from Palma towards Playa de Palma and stopped at a few different beaches to cool off in the water.

On another one of our days off we headed to Aqualand in El Arenal. It was very easy to get to from Palma, we took the number 23 bus from the main bus station at Placa Espanya. This is supposedly Mallorca’s biggest waterpark and while we had an enjoyable day there, it was €25 each and I was expecting there to be many more slides than there was. There is also more people with Fast Pass than there is without so we were often left at the front of the queue for 10 minutes waiting for all the Fast Pass people to go before we could take a mat or a ring for the slides. This was extremely frustrating but there was little point in paying another €12 each for the wristbands to join the Fast Pass as we didn’t feel the park was entirely worth it. However if you are looking for a day out and something to do with family or a group of friends, then this is something easy to organise and enjoyable for everyone.

All in all I think I would like to return to Palma and to Mallorca at some point in the future but I would 100% rent a car in order to see the rest of the island. It is quite clearly a tourist destination so if you want a holiday where you don’t feel like a total tourist then maybe it’s not for you. However if you’re looking for good nightlife, nice beaches and a true holiday atmosphere then Mallorca is probably just right!

Until next time,

Eimear x

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Travel Post: Palma de Mallorca So for anyone who follows me on my social media (I’ll leave my handles below), you will know that I am just back from four weeks in sunny Spain, on the island of Mallorca to be exact.

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beachesandbrows · 7 years

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Erasmus How-To II: Long Distance Relationships

Another aspect of Erasmus that can be tough for some people is trying to keep a relationship going throughout the year. Obviously not everybody is in a relationship in college and even some who are would rather not be tied down when they leave and end the relationship before they set off on their Erasmus adventure. It is obviously up to the couple whether they think they can do it or not. When I…

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beachesandbrows · 7 years

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Erasmus 101

The Erasmus programme is one that I’m sure many students are familiar with. It is a student exchange programme run by the European Union and has been running for 30 years. In 2015 678,000 students took part from all over Europe and went to study, work and volunteer in another European country. These facts are easy to find and easy to read but what is it really like to take part in an Erasmus…

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beachesandbrows · 7 years

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Travel Post: London

Hey everyone, I know I’ve been MIA lately but I am back after another little adventure. So this weekend I headed to London with some friends for four days to do some shopping, soak in the sights and go to see Justin Bieber in Hyde Park (I am a huge Belieber, sorry not sorry!). Overall we had a brilliant weekend but not without a few hiccups! On Thursday evening as we were getting ready to go we…

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beachesandbrows · 7 years

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Erasmus How-To I: Long Distance Friendships

As my Erasmus year comes to an end, I have decided to write a couple of blog posts (one would be far too long and boring) on different aspects of the year, a kind of pros and cons list. There are way more pros than cons though believe me! Everyone talks about long distance relationships and how tough they are etc., but rarely does anyone speak about a long distance friendship. Granted it is a…

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beachesandbrows · 7 years

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Inglot in Krakow: The Dream

So I have already written a travel post on Krakow and my trip there (check it out if you haven’t already) but without sounding seriously uncultured, this post is about my favourite part of the trip; my visit to Inglot! If I was to envision heaven it would be to be surrounded by as much makeup as I could, all mine and all ready to try out. Next best thing? Going to Inglot in Poland where…

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beachesandbrows · 7 years

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Study Tips

As I write this post I am meant to be studying so clearly I don’t follow these tips very well myself but I have done the Leaving Cert not too long ago and I am facing into my 3rd year of college exams so I think I might just have the whole studying thing down to a tee.. sort of. 1. Plan it out There is no point in waking up and heading to the library or your desk at home or wherever you like to…

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beachesandbrows · 7 years

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When people think of travelling to Italy they picture the Colosseum in Rome, plenty of pizza and pasta and of course, Venice! I recently went on a little day trip to Venice from Bologna with some friends visiting from Ireland and here’s what we saw.

We got the train from Bologna at around 10a.m. and had a two hour journey ahead of us. The train network in Italy is very well connected and quite cheap in comparison to Ireland (a return ticket to Venice cost us €25 each). On arrival in Venice we were a little confused as to what to do, do we walk to Piazza San Marco, do we get the tram, do we get the water bus?

In hindsight it is totally feasible to walk to San Marco but I would highly recommend getting the water bus. Tickets are €7.50 one way which is a little steep but it is a brilliant way to see the city. The journey was about 45 minutes which would have only taken 30 minutes to walk but it was so worth it.

When we arrived finally at St. Marks Square, we stood in awe of the Basilica there. It was so ornate and just an incredible building. I would have loved to have seen the inside but in Italy you cannot enter a church with your shoulders uncovered, and in some churches you cannot wear shorts/skirt. Of course it was a fabulous day so we were not dressed appropriately but if you are interested in seeing the churches, bear this in mind when getting ready for the day.

We then wandered off the square and through the maze of tiny streets towards the Rialto Bridge. The view from this bridge was magnificent and the canal below us was buzzing with activity. We spent a little time here, took pictures and then moved on for some gelato. We found a gelateria that did the rose shaped cones so of course we had to get one.

After this we just wandered through random little streets allowing ourselves to get a little bit lost. Venice is not a city with specific tourist spots and things to see. You go to see the city itself and so getting lost in it is probably the best way to see it. Just be sure you can use Google Maps to find your way back again. Many of the streets have signs to point you towards the main places such as San Marco, Rialto Bridge and the train station (Ferrovia).

As for food and drink I would recommend bringing your lunch and some water as it is much more expensive here than elsewhere in Italy. We got sandwiches in a cafe for €5 when in Bologna they would have been half the price We did however have drinks on the banks of the canal at the Rialto Bridge. It was happy hour and cocktails were €6, which is still a little dear but OK for a tourist trap. We did pass one restaurant there that had a 3 course menu for €12.50 which is very good so be sure to look around before you settle on one place.

Is one day enough to see Venice? Yes I think so, we were there for 6 and a half hours and I think we definitely got a good feel for the city. I don’t think it is somewhere you would visit for more than a day or two because I don’t think there is that much to see there. If you are going on holiday to Italy for a week or two, Lake Garda is a good place to base yourself, it is stunning and is very close to Verona and from there you can get a train to most of the cities in Northern Italy includng Venice. The weather in the height of summer is a cool 30C and the lake is a good place to cool off. It has been a few years since I was last there but I still remember the gorgeous weather and even more stunning scenery.

That’s it for my travels for a while, my next trip is London at the start of July and I am so broke but so excited!

Lots of love,

Eimear x

Travel Post: Venice When people think of travelling to Italy they picture the Colosseum in Rome, plenty of pizza and pasta and of course, Venice!

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beachesandbrows · 7 years

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Fake It Til You Make It

*Slightly soppy post alert* When it comes to anything in life it can be very had to push yourself to take risks and put yourself out there. Whether it is to move house or change career or pursue something you’ve always thought would forever be a dream, it is very daunting. But as so many people say, you will never regret doing something but you will regret not taking the chance. Of course some…

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beachesandbrows · 7 years

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49 Quotes To Kickstart Your Week

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beachesandbrows · 7 years

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I have spent the last 5 days in Sicily with 15 fellow Erasmus students and my God, what can I say?

We landed in Palermo bright and early on Friday morning after a sleepless night. We got a shuttle bus into the city and made our way towards our apartment in the city centre. There were 9 of us staying together and the apartment was quite big but we did have some issues with plumbing and a broken bed! Regardless of this we just unpacked and got on with the day. We had some cocktails in a bar on Via Vittorio Emmanuele and then strolled towards the port for some lunch.

Naturally being by the sea the main dish was fish, and as we scanned the menu we saw them bringing in freshly caught fish and mussels by the bucket load. However I DO NOT LIKE FISH and so I was a little limited in potential dishes but I settled on a Spaghetti Carbonara and was not disappointed. After this we went in search of a beach. We walked for almost an hour through a fairly dodgy area of the city but to our dismay all we found was a stony and quite dirty beach. Unfortunately there are no beaches suited to swimming in the city of Palermo which we learned the hard way. We got a tram back into the city centre and went for a well needed nap. One thing I find on holidays is that even if I do nothing, I am always still so tired! When we woke, we went in search of some food and drink. We spent that night in our apartment just chatting and having a few drinks as we were all so tired after what felt like the longest day ever.

The next morning we woke up and got ready to go to the real beach. The beach was called Mondello beach and was about 40 mins outside the city by bus but it was relatively easy to get to. We took the 806 bus and it cost €1.40 each way. For the buses in Palermo we had to buy our tickets in a Tabbacheria before boarding. When we got to the beach it was like we were in a totally different place. It had quite a resort-like atmosphere if you don’t count the many men roaming the beach selling beer, blankets and sunglasses. The beach itself was so nice, quite clean and the water was amazing! It was so nice to swim and take a refreshing break from the heat. We headed back into the city for yet another nap before showering and getting ready for the night ahead (cue the plumbing issues). We had a few quick drinks in the apartment and headed out around 1 o clock to see what the city of Palermo had to offer. We came across a side street which was down some steps just off Via Roma and I can only describe it as pure madness.

It was easily one of the best nights out I have had in a long time. Each bar had drinks cheaper than your curry chip at the end of the night, €1 shots, €3 vodkas, you name it! There was also music blaring out of each bar and the street became a continuous dance floor. At the end of the street was a square which had a barbecue, a make shift bar and even a sweet shop and again music filled the whole square and it was black with people.

We stayed there dancing and drinking until 4.30am and two of the girls even ended up as bartenders for the night and handed us out a pile of free drink! We then gathered the troops and headed to bed. This was easier said than done and it was 5.30 before my head hit the pillow.

We woke relatively early the next morning to catch a bus to Trapani. We hadn’t the freshest heads on us as we made our way to the bus stop but we powered on. When we arrived in Trapani we met an old man as we were wandering the streets looking for food before we could check in (truth be told Google Maps told me there was a Burger King nearby when there absolutely was not). He brought us to a restaurant, which wasn’t great to be honest, but it was still very kind of him. We then headed to our apartments which were called Residence La Mattanza, about 5 minutes walk from the port. They were really nice, clean and perfect for a large group. We all went for a nap and then had some drinks and pizza on the balcony. It was an early night as we were all shattered from the previous night. Word to the wise there are no shops open on a Sunday in Trapani and very few restaurants so be prepared if you are arriving on a Sunday.

The next morning we made our way to the port to catch a boat to Favignana island. When we were out on Saturday night a couple told us we absolutely had to go to Favignana, that it was the Italian Maldives and boy they were not lying!

This place is seriously amazing. When we arrived we saw that there was bike rental and then noticed there was also a moped rental place. We rented 7 mopeds between us and I was absolutely terrified starting off. Neither of us had ever driven one before and my hands were numb from the grip I had on the passenger handles but once we got used to it I can easily say it is one of the best things I have ever done.

The island is not that big but it was definitely the best way to see it. We flew around the coastal roads, meeting very few cars along the way. We took a break at a beach called Lido Burro for a swim and a little tanning time. When we left the beach I decided to give a go at piloting the moped. After a slightly dodgy start and nearly ploughing into a wall, I quickly got the hang of it and was soon whizzing around the island like a pro (or at least I thought so anyway) . We got our ferry back at 6 that evening but I could easily have spent a week on that island.

If you have one thing on the top of your list of things to do in Sicily, make it a visit to Favignana and the other Egadi Islands. That evening we napped (again) and then went for dinner in an ok restaurant (the food in Sicily overall was a little disappointing for me but if you like fish I can assure you you will be impressed as everyone else in our group was blown away by the seafood). Unfortunately when we returned to the apartment I headed straight to bed as I was exhausted and a little burnt after the day and just wanted my bed. I was glad though when I woke up fresh the following morning.

Tuesday was our last day and after dropping our bags to another apartment belonging to our friends, we set out in search of food and a beach. We trekked at least a mile in the pursuit of some food which was a little bit of a disaster but eventually made it to the beach and had two hours of tanning time (during which I stupidly got scalded) before heading back to the apartment to make our way to the airport. Our flight wasn’t until 9.55pm so we had plenty of time to get there.

All in all it was quite an enjoyable holiday, but the burning question is will I return? The answer is yes when I am old enough to rent a car as I think Sicily is an amazing island with lots of beautiful beaches and towns but the public transport there is very limited. There is so much more I would have liked to have seen and will definitely return I the future to see. The highlight of my holiday was absolutely the mopeds, and the island of Favignana. I’m off now to check how much it is to buy one!

Much love,

Eimear x

Travel Post: Sicily I have spent the last 5 days in Sicily with 15 fellow Erasmus students and my God, what can I say?

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beachesandbrows · 7 years

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One of my favourite things to do is scroll through Instagram, and lust after the lives of some of the most popular bloggers in today’s social media world. Many of these girls have achieved so much in their careers to date and are sure to achieve much more, and I absolutely aspire to follow in their footsteps. Be it style or makeup, these are the Instagram pages I turn to for a little inspiration when I need it.

STYLE: These are some of the most stylish girls I follow, and whom I love to take ideas and inspiration from.

Louise Cooney (@louisecooney_)

A fellow Limerick lady, Louise’s Instagram as a whole is stunning to look at. Her style is simple yet stunning and her life is quite enviable from her amazing travel posts to her gorgeous ensembles.

Terrie McEvoy (@terriemcevoy)

Terrie is probably my number one inspiration in the blogosphere and even more so in life. It was her blog that inspired me to start my own. Terrie is a fellow Irish gal but she is living and working in Sydney. Aside from the amazing sunny life she leads there, she is also embarking on a round the world trip in a few weeks and I can only imagine the stunning pictures she’ll be posting then!

Suzanne Jackson (@sosueme_ie)

Another huge inspiration to me and I think its safe to say this Irish beauty tycoon is an idol to almost every beauty and fashion blogger. Her success is enviable and her vision and drive are a lesson that hard work definitely pays off.

Dominique Nugent (@dominiquenugent89)

Dominique is the QWEEEN of hair, even when hers is thrown up on her head she still looks gorgeous! She almost always sports a funky braided hairstyle and changes up her hair colour as though changing outfits. Not to mention she has a fabulous and adventurous style.

Emma Roche (@emmazoeyroche)

Emma’s Instagram is brimming with lacy tops and oversized shirts and jumpers. She has a gorgeous girly but edgy style.

Niamh Cullen (@niamhcullenx)

This girl is so down to earth not to mention super stylish! Her outfits are unique and often surprising, as she pairs items that one wouldn’t normally put together and yet for her, it works. This girl is definitely one to watch.

Alisha LeMay (@alishalemayx)

I love scrolling through Alisha’s page for some style inspiration. She basically tries on clothes and styles outfits from different retailers, showing you different brands and trends, perfect for some rainy day online shopping.

Alicia Roddy (@lissyroddyy)

Again, like Alisha, Alicia styles outfits and gives plenty of inspiration again for some beloved retail therapy.

MAKEUP: As an aspiring MUA, these are the girls I look up to as artists. Whenever I’m in a rut when it comes to new ideas or techniques, these are who I look to for inspiration.

Aideen Murphy (@aideenkatemakeup)

Aideen is an amazing makeup artist from Dublin, only 22 and already so successful. She has been reposted by Anastasia Beverly Hills twice already and I know for a fact there are bigger and better things on the horizon for this talented lady.

Jamie Genevieve (@jamiegenevieve)

Jamie is a Scottish MUA who is probably going to take over the world some day. Her basic foundation routine is goals, as is her blinding highlight. Subscribe to her YouTube to learn her tricks of the trade.

Keilidh Cashel (@keilidhmua)

Keilidh is an Inglot senior artist and at just 21 years of age she has already created her own eyeshadow palette and is definitely set to be one of Ireland, if not the world’s, number one makeup artists.

Tara O’ Farrell (@tara_makeup)

Tara is a makeup artist and blogger from Dublin, whose main line of work lies in bridal and makeup for photoshoots. She also models and probably has a million and one other hidden talents. When I get back to Ireland I will definitely try to attend one of her makeup masterclasses as I can only imagine the tips and tricks she has to share after her years of experience.

Jeanette Cronin (@jeanettecroninmakeup)

Jeanette hails from Cork and is a phenomenal makeup artist. She is currently in the midst of opening her own makeup studio in Cork city and again, she is someone who I am sure has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the makeup industry.

P. Louise Makeup Academy (@plouise_makeup_academy)

Last, but certainly not least, I am sure every one has heard of the wonder woman that is Paige from P. Louise Makeup Academy. She started her own studio and school of makeup from scratch and has been a huge influence on makeup trends. I think it is safe to say that each and every one of the aforementioned makeup artists has at some point taken inspiration from the ultra glam that is the signature look of P. Louise.

These girls are all fabulous, super stylish and super talented and are sure to bring a bit more glam to your newsfeed.

Lots of love,

Eimear x

Instagram Inspiration One of my favourite things to do is scroll through Instagram, and lust after the lives of some of the most popular bloggers in today’s social media world.

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beachesandbrows · 7 years

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Like a lot of people, I may not always stick to a strict skin routine but I try my best to take care of my skin as much as I can. Personally I have dry skin and everybody is different so I can only speak for myself but I will just go through the most important steps of caring for your skin.

1. Double Cleanse

So today when you are taking off your makeup, when you think you have finished cleansing your skin, I want you to take another cleanser and see exactly how much makeup & dirt is left on your face. It is so important to make sure you get your face squeaky clean. Personally I cleanse first with a cleansing milk and then use a face wash to double cleanse.

I use Nivea Daily Essentials 2in1 Cleanser & Toner and Nivea Daily Essentials Gel Cleansing Wash.

2. Cleanse Everyday, Twice a Day

Incase you haven’t noticed I’m big on thorough cleansing. Even if you don’t wear makeup you should cleanse morning and night to remove any dirt and pollution that have built up during the night or when you’re out and about during the day.

3. Use an Oil Based Eye Makeup Remover

The skin around your eyes is quite delicate and sensitive and so it’s important to not pull at it too much. An oil based makeup remover breaks down the mascara, eyeliner and other products used on the eyes and makes it easier to remove them and thus is more gentle on the eyes than a regular cleanser.

I love the Garnier Eye Makeup Remover Express 2in1.

4. Listen to your skin

Whether you have normal, dry, oily or combination skin, you need to pay attention to your skin and know what it needs. For example the majority of the time I use a light moisturiser on my face morning and night. However sometimes my skin develops dry patches and at this point I know that I need a rich moisturiser designed specifically for dry skin in order to rehydrate my skin. It is not necessary to stick to the same skincare all the time, if your skin changes you need to change your skincare to adapt.

I love to use the Nivea Daily Essentials Day Cream and I switch between the Light and Rich moisturisers depending on what my skin needs. I am aware this post is like an ad for Nivea but I promise it isn’t, I’m just lucky that I have found a skincare brand that seems to work for me.

I also love to use Aqueous Cream when my skin is so dry that it is almost flaking. This cream is really thick and quite oily but it works for me. It can also be used as a face wash so it’s a handy one to have.

5. Hydration is Key

I am ridiculously bad at drinking enough water but it is so important for fresh, plump and radiant skin. There is a difference between dry and dehydrated skin and the latter is caused by a lack of water. Therefore it really is a vital part of keeping your skin hydrated and maintaining the health of your body in general.

6. Makeup Free

I find it is so important to sometimes brave the day sans makeup. My skin can look so dull after days upon days of wearing makeup and it definitely needs a break from time to time.

These tips are my ways of trying to keep my skin clear and fresh. I am definitely not an expert on skincare but if it is something that you are interested in or want to know more about, then you should 100% follow Jennifer Rock aka The Skin Nerd on Snapchat @theskinnerd. She talks all things skin and it can be so interesting and informative.

I hope this post was useful and that you all enjoyed it. Until next time,

Eimear x

My Skincare Routine Like a lot of people, I may not always stick to a strict skin routine but I try my best to take care of my skin as much as I can.

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beachesandbrows · 7 years

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In December 2016, I went to Krakow with about 10 friends to soak up the Christmas atmosphere and get in the festive mood before heading home for the holidays. We arrived in Krakow on a Saturday morning to quite a chilly welcoming, literally! Temperatures were a cool 6/7°C. We had definitely come to the right place. We eventually gathered our bags and made our way to our transfers (if you’ve read my previous travel post you’ll know I will almost always recommend booking transfers for groups). It took us about 30 minutes to get into the city centre and to our apartment. When we got out of the taxis, we were all pleasantly surprised to see an Irish pub across the road from our apartment. Ideal! We had to waste some time before we could check in so of course we made our way to in for a refreshing drink after the journey.

We stayed in an apartment on Świętego Jana near the Main Square which was booked through www.booking.com. Once we had a chance to unpack and freshen up, we headed to the main square which was only a 2 minute walk from our apartment. There was quite a large Christmas market here, full of local cuisine and other produce. We strolled around here for about an hour and then headed home to get ready for the night ahead. We had read up on some nightclubs in the city and decided to check out one called Prozak 2.0. It was a fairly big club with different rooms playing different types of music. Drinks were priced slightly dearer than other places in Krakow but similar prices to Ireland if I’m honest so I wasn’t feeling too hard done by! We stayed here until about 3a.m. and then of course made our way to KFC for a bite to eat.

The following morning we were up very early but feeling fairly fresh after the night before. We had booked a tour to Auschwitz which cost us approximately €40 each. We were collected at our apartment and dropped back there afterwards which was extremely handy. The journey to Auschwitz took about an hour and a half but there was a documentary played on a screen about the liberation of the camps. It was a little hard to watch at times as it was a brutally honest depiction of life in the camps. Once we arrived we went through security and joined our tour guide. Tip to anybody heading to Auschwitz, you are only allowed to bring in a bag that is smaller than an A4 sheet of paper so a small bag would be advised. We were unaware of this but we were able to leave our bags on the bus which was locked while we were inside. The tour lasted approximately an hour and a half and we were brought around the camp and showed the various buildings and were told about the purposes they served during the Holocaust.. It was quite surreal being somewhere where you know so many people lost their lives. The most bone-chilling part to me was the room filled with tonnes and tonnes of human hair, which was used to make fabric.

After this tour we had a half an hour break to get something to eat in the café before the bus departed for Birkenau, another complex which was part of the Auschwitz camp. This camp was massive compared to Auschwitz. It was built to cope with the immense number of prisoners being held in Auschwitz. When the war ended, the Nazis tried to destroy this camp in order to hide the existence of the extermination camps. They destroyed the gas chambers and burned down half the barracks where prisoners lived. However they did not thoroughly destroy it and half of the buildings are still standing today. We walked around Birkenau for about an hour before making our way back to the bus. We arrived back in Krakow around 4p.m. and went back to our apartment to warm up. The weather that day was horrible so word to the wise, dress extra warmly when visiting the camps as there is no shelter from the biting wind and in our case, the rain.

When we were refreshed and warm, we made our way to a vodka bar called Bar Wodka which serves lots of different and some strange flavours of vodka. To our dismay it was over 21’s and some of our group had not yet turned 21, including me (I was only off by a month!). Instead we went to a different bar on the same street, I’m not sure of the name but we just had a few drinks there. We were all exhausted after the day so we didn’t stay out too late.

The following day we explored the city itself. We had lunch in the Hard Rock Café on the main square and then went to see the castle and various other places around the city. There isn’t a lot to see in the city itself but it is a nice city to just wander around and get lost in. We then went to Galeria Krakowska shopping centre which is 100% worth a visit. It was Christmas of course and so the decorations and lights there were spectacular. It has so many various shops there so you’re sure to find something for everyone. Of course Inglot was also there and I picked up a few bits to say the least but I feel like that deserves its own post! After this we dropped our shopping home and went for dinner in a steakhouse called Ed Reds. I had the steak and tried some of my friends cod & white sausage soup which was so good. The food was so cheap and was divine! After this we went to a Shisha bar which was quite cool. Unfortunately it wasn’t open late but we got to spend about two hours there before heading home.

The next day, which was Tuesday, we headed to the airport for our flight home. Three days was plenty of time to do and see all that Krakow had to offer. It was a very enjoyable trip and I would definitely recommend Krakow for a weekend break for anyone looking for a fun and cheap enough getaway.

Travel Post: Krakow In December 2016, I went to Krakow with about 10 friends to soak up the Christmas atmosphere and get in the festive mood before heading home for the holidays.

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