Europe
A Piece of Tranquility in the Capital City
A Piece of Tranquility in the Capital City
London has it all, nightlife, work life, wildlife and greenery. It may seem that the wildlife has left the city, the hustle and bustle, restaurants and bars in London for more peaceful, rural pastures but that isn’t the case; if you stopped and looked around you will see that nature is still at the heart of the city. There are places that you can go to take in nature and view the wildlife in the city; here are a handful of ideas to try.
Stroll through the Park
A mere stone’s throw away from the Paddington Hotel lies 350 acres of stunning greenery. Hyde Park is one of the Royal parks and is home to a variety of birds, beasts and plants. It houses a meadow area which gives a sense of what Hyde Park once was, and in the summer it is a feeding ground for butterflies. Not only this, as you walk through the grounds, you will hear a selection of birds singing, such as the robin and the tits, and spot squirrels constantly running from tree to tree.
The man-made lake, the Serpentine, hosts a wide range of wildlife including ducks and fish. Ecologists have just finished building a large floating wetland island in the middle of the Serpentine which will clean the lake’s water naturally and cultivate micro-organisms that will grow and begin the food chain for aquatic wildlife. The vast amount of insects provide a feeding frenzy for bats at dusk and there are also some unique species that visit the park, such as black swans, Egyptian geese and buzzards.
Camley St Natural Park
A small yet beautiful two acre space full of wildlife and vegetation lies surprisingly in the middle of London, right next to the Eurostar station in St Pancras as a matter of fact. The Camley Street National Park may not be very big but it plays an important part in the conservation process as it is the heart of the London Wildlife Trust volunteering scheme, and allows city dwellers to escape from the eccentric London life. It is a natural habitat for plants, butterflies, amphibians and birds and visitors can see a selection of birds such as geese, the mallard duck, the kingfisher and the reed warbler to name but a few.
London Wetlands Centre
Established in 1946, the conservation charity Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) saves and maintains the wetlands, which are essential for our drinking water and for the survival of wildlife. Their London Wetland centre is situated in Barnes and the 100 acres conservation site was opened in 2000. It is home to all different types of birds, plants and insects, some of which are not from London such as the common kingfisher, the great crested grebe and the Eurasian bittern to name a few.
It is a wonderful place for the family consisting of an adventure playground and a discovery centre for the children. Additionally, this will show them the different types of habitats that can be found in wetlands around the world and the creatures that live there and how pollution can affect their habitat. In World Wetlands, you will observe stunning water birds such as smews and American wood ducks, as well as a family of Asian short-clawed otters that now reside there; every day there is a chance to feed the birds and watch the otters swim.
As well as the exceptional wildlife, there are some breath taking gardens at the centre. The RBC Rain Garden creates a fantastic habitat for an array of insects, small mammals and amphibians with its wildflower meadow and its stream that is bordered with logs, trees and reeds. The slate garden is an aesthetic masterpiece with its vivid colours and displays which last from Spring to Autumn and provide safety and food for many insects such as butterflies and bees.
Anyone for a Spot of Gardening?
Described as an “idyllic garden within a quiet residential street”, the Centre for Wildlife Gardening was established 25 years ago in Peckham and has become an award-winning establishment. It is a firm favourite with gardeners, wildlife fans and children alike with a centre that offers advice to city gardeners and a nature trail for the children. It also accommodates an array of habitats in its wildlife garden, such as the Minibeast village, wildlife pond and stag beetle sanctuary, and provides a safe haven for song birds and the red fox. It is a wonderful place to come and experience right in the heart of London and don’t forget to visit their shop which sells produce from the centre, including honey from their bee hives.
It’s all about Natural History
Where better to experience wildlife than in the Natural History museum. A short walk away from London Premier Notting Hill lies the wildlife garden which is part of the Natural History’s exhibits. Since the doors opened in 1995, over 2000 species have been identified in the gardens and thousands of plants have been cultivated there; this shows a working and growing ecosystem at its very best. It is open from April to October each year and if you visit at different points of the year you will see different plants coming to life such as the sloe and holly berries.
Wildlife isn’t just in the country, it still remains amongst the busy stores, restaurants and bars in London, you just have to know where to look.
Europe
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Europe
Paris on a Budget: Best Cheap Eats in Paris
While Paris used to be regarded as an expensive city, you can now enjoy Paris on a Budget. Use our guide to find the Best Cheap Eats in Paris.
Although Paris has a reputation for being one of the most expensive cities globally, the rumors are now unfounded. In 2012, Paris dropped ten places in the Mercer cost of living survey. And with the Euro looking weak, now is probably a good time to find cheap flights and discover the city of love on a budget.
Eating in Paris can catch a lot of tourists out. Avoid the expensive restaurants serving fancy dishes like salmon wellington and snooty maître d’s on the Champs Elysees and follow our guide for the best cheap eats in Paris. Spend less on food and possibly splurge on friendly hotels in Paris instead!
Girl eating croissant in Paris
Best Cheap Eats in Paris
Head to the Marais
Famous for its selection of ethnic eateries, the trendy Marais area of Paris is perfect for picking up a quick snack.
Check out L’As du Falafel, where you can grab a flatbread bursting with golden fried balls of falafel, smothered in hummus and accompanied with red cabbage. For €4 to take away, you can’t argue with that. Simply head to Chez Hanna down the street for equally tasty food at similarly low prices if it’s too busy.
Enjoy an Oriental baguette.
Vietnamese food is popular in France, and nowhere can you see the fusion of two cultures more clearly than at Saigon Sandwich in the Belleville district of Paris. Their specialty, banh mi, is light and crusty French baguette filled with flavors of South East Asia.
There are only a few options (poulet, boeuf, Maison, and unique), but for €3 ago, you could happily sample them all.
Find French food on the cheap.
Believe it or not, there are some restaurants specializing in French cuisine that won’t see you stumbling into your overdraft. Les Temps des Cerises is one of them.
Described by Yelp as a “Dive Bar,” nothing could be further from the truth. Run by a cooperative, it attracts a distinctly bohemian crowd. The menu is small, but the food is prepared from ingredients that sing with freshness and high quality.
Eat like a local celebrity …
Rumour has it that Pierre Herme, one of Paris’s most celebrated pastry chefs, visits the Belleville restaurant Le Baratin. The prices are surprisingly low for the delicious Argentinian fare.
Time Out Magazine recommends the tuna carpaccio with cherries or the spicy basque lamb. Pop in at lunchtime for the prixe fix menu. At €18 for three courses it’s hard to complain.
… or eat like a local office worker
Bistro Victoires is a favorite amongst Paris’s locals. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, and the wine list leaves a lot to be desired, but when you sit down to enjoy some of the best steak frites in Paris, all else will be forgiven.
Portion sizes are enormous, and the waiters often remind patrons that if they order a starter, they won’t be able to tackle the main course. Despite being a famous location steps away from the Palais Royal, it still manages to be a hidden gem.
What are your tips for finding the best cheap eats in Paris?
Europe
Travel Tip: Train to Pisa from Florence
Whether you spend a half-day or full day in Pisa, we recommend that you Train to Pisa from Florence. It’s the fastest and cheapest way to get there.
Traveling by train is one of the best ways to see the beautiful countryside of Italy. The train from Florence to Pisa takes about an hour, and the journey is stunning. The route takes you past vineyards and medieval villages, through tunnels and over bridges, with breathtaking views of the Tuscan hillsides. You can even see the Leaning Tower of Pisa as the train approaches the station.
Upon arrival in Pisa, you can explore the historic center and visit the famous cathedral, before enjoying a leisurely lunch overlooking the River Arno. With its stunning scenery and convenient location, a train trip from Florence to Pisa is a great way to spend a day in Italy.
How to get to Pisa from Florence
You have a couple of different options for your own half-day trip to Pisa from Florence depending on how you like to travel. But if you are like us and enjoy travelling around Italy by public transport, then you will definitely want to train to Pisa from Florence.
Train to Pisa from Florence
Florence and Pisa are less than 100 km apart and the easiest way is to train to Pisa from Florence. The entire trip one-way takes approximately an hour depending on your route with no transfers.
Trains leave from Florence S.M.Novella for Pisa Centrale a few times every hour. The closest train station to the leaning tower of Pisa is Pisa San Rossore, but it’s not worth the extra time or transfer required. Pisa itself is small and it takes less than 30 minutes to walk to the leaning tower from Pisa Centrale.
Plus you get to explore more of the city such as the River Arno lined with beautiful stately homes.
If you want to book online then a one-way ticket by train to Pisa from Florence will cost from €7.80 (US$10.40) in 2nd class. It is important to make sure that when you are searching online via the Italian train booking site, Trenitalia, you search for “Firenze” rather than Florence.
The train schedules are very easy to understand so we recommend booking your ticket from the self-service machines on the train platform. The return journey is just as easy in reverse. Just watch that you don’t miss the last train around 10pm most days and carry cash with you for the ticket.
Finally, validate your ticket before boarding the train. We forgot a couple of times but used the typical “I’m a stupid tourist” line to get out of any fines.
Bus to Pisa from Florence
Another option is to catch the bus to Pisa from Florence.
There are two main bus companies, Terravision and Autostradale, run regular buses to and from Pisa Airport and Florence Airport into the Florence city centre, they don’t actually go into Pisa itself. The train to Pisa from Florence is so reliable, fast, and cheap, that you may not want to consider this option.
However, there are some advantages to taking the bus. You will see a lot more scenery from the window of the bus, and it’s definitely cheaper; sometimes you can find fares as low as 4 Euros, especially on Fridays.
Driving to Pisa from Florence
If you have hired a car or scooter in Tuscany then you might look at driving to Pisa from Florence. However, even though the distance is less than 100km, the trip will still take approximately 1 hour.
Aside from the fact that the train to Pisa from Florence typically takes less time than driving, you also have to avoid the crazy Italian drivers. Not to mention trying to find a carpark in two of the most popular cities in Italy. Impossible.
Guided Tour to Pisa from Florence
If you have been enjoying the sunset in Florence and all the city has to offer then you might want to take in a guided tour to Pisa from Florence. Not only do you get a great guide to learn all about the history of the area, you also don’t have to worry about getting to Pisa from Florence.
You might want to check out this guided tour around Pisa or get a little bit more adventurous and try out a segway tour in Pisa. Perfect for the family and it will keep the kids entertained between stops.
If you have a whole day, and haven’t managed to fit in a hike around Cinque Terre, then we recommend looking into the Pisa and Cinque Terre day tour. Lasting roughly 12 hours, you will travel from Florence to Cinque Terre, with a 2 hour stop in Pisa to see all the main sights.
We also reckon guides help you get the best photos, as they have seen all the poses.
Tell us below if you have taken any funny photos in Pisa!
We have been wearing out our jandals (Kiwi for flip-flops) on our travel adventures around the world since 2009. We think our blog is thought provoking and a little witty. But we have been proven wrong before. Find out more about us here...
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