United Kingdom

Must Do’s in Manchester, UK

Published on July 1, 2019July 2, 2019 by reganclemLeave a comment

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Thanks to one of Virgin Atlantic’s latest routes, Bostonians can now hop over the pond to one of the U.K.’s increasingly popular destinations, Manchester! For someone who has been to the U.K. more than most, I was excited to explore a new city – checking out some amazing cafes & restaurants, exploring the bar scene, catching up on the latest street art, and making new friends! I was so fortunate to be traveling with two other influencers: Kira (@kiraamaa) and Marisel (@mariselmsalazar); we all got to pal around and experience the city together, meaning more food to try, different perspectives on art, and someone to cheers with at Bongo’s Bingo!! (I’ll get to that.) Below I’ve listed, what I think, are all the major must-do’s when you’re in the city, with some tips and tricks in there for good measure.

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WHERE TO STAY
We all know having a comfortable place to rest your head at the end of a long day of exploring is crucial. For those seeking a dose of luxury – I recommend staying at The Principal Manchester. High ceilings, big bath tubs, and gorgeous fixtures make this a perfect urban oasis. As an added bonus, they have a beautiful restaurant that is popular amongst Manchester’s most stylish. Be sure to get breakfast included in your rate, as their morning buffet is a tasty and convenient way to start the day.

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WHAT TO DO
Manchester is a city with a lot going on. For any sports fan, grabbing tickets to a Manchester City or Manchester United game is a must. The rivalry in the city is always a fun topic of conversation at the pub, in a taxi, or anywhere really. And, what’s better than a city buzzing from an eventful match?! For a fun night out, I can’t recommend enough going to Bongo’s Bingo. When I first saw this pop up on our itinerary, I was a little skeptical – adult bingo?! But, trust me, this was such a fun experience. Thinking dancing on tables, inappropriate British humor, all the best song’s from the late 90’s and, of course, bingo. I didn’t win anything, but after a few drinks, dancing to B*Witched and making friends with our table mates, it didn’t matter.

WHERE TO EAT
There are so many tasty dining options in Manchester! Breakfast and brunch are taken very seriously in this city, so I suggest investing time in exploring this scene to start your days if your breakfast isn’t included in your accommodations. Some of my top picks include: Evelyn’s Cafe Bar where you should try one of their colorful lattes, Federal Cafe Bar in the Northern Quarter. They also just opened a location in Deansgate! Alberts Schloss for all of the tasty cocktails and big booths for brunch with a big group. They also have amazing flower installations in their front doorway that are perfect for photos.

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For all other meals, it’s really hard to go wrong. Where The Light Gets In is, as expected, a light and airy space with casual, but attentive service. Their dining room only seats 30 people, so a reservation is a must. If steak is more your thing, the Hawksmoor has your name written all over it. This is a perfect spot for date night, especially if you have plans to head the the theatre after. A tasting menu is always a must-have on any culinary adventure; I recommend giving WOOD a visit. They only take two seatings on weekends for this particular menu, so book in advance if possible as well. and, if you’re like me, sushi is always at the top of my “to taste” list wherever I go. Umezushi does not disappoint. In fact, you may never be able to buy grocery store sushi again after a visit to this quality spot.

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WHAT TO SEE
Only have a short time in the city? Take a tour of Manchester with John Consterdine of Manchester Taxi Tours. He’ll take you to every corner of the city that is worth mentioning in the history books (and maybe even some scandalous history you won’t hear from the more formal sources). John happens to be a riot, as well, and kept the three of us jet lagged gals roaring in the back seat.

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If you’re looking for a good excuse to discover the city by foot, the street art is worth seeking out. In the Northern Quarter, street art can be found below your feet, on electric boxes, phone booths, abandoned buildings, and on store shutters. If you’re down for another tour, you can be guided around the city and see some art that you may not have noticed, or take to the streets yourself for a colorful journey!

Manchester is one of my most pleasant surprises since I started traveling. I didn’t really know what to expect, especially because London gets all the love, but this city was an absolute gem, and I can’t wait to go back!

What to Pack for Royal Wedding Weekend in England

Published on May 15, 2018May 16, 2018 by reganclemLeave a comment

Royal Wedding Weekend Packing List

I am so excited to share that on Thursday, I will be hopping a plane to jolly ol’ England to be in-country for a moment that the U.K. may not have for decades – the royal wedding! My trip won’t be super traditional, as I will be first heading to Manchester (a new route is launching from BOS – MAN on Virgin Atlantic starting May 23rd), then Liverpool, and finally London. So, of course, with only two days to go, I am still trying to solve one of life’s most persistent questions: what do I pack?! I decided to take a play out of Meghan Markle’s book and stick to the classics, meaning clean lines, versatile pieces, and a wardrobe that is ready for anything. Sounds perfect for the U.K. this time of year, no?

Below, I’ve included some of the staples listed above – and some other options at more approachable price points. If I had a royal budget, you better believe I’d be pulling everything from the collage above, but alas, I’m a mere commoner. But, fear not – the alternatives below will have bystanders doing double takes to determine whether your look was a splurge or a steal!

The Right Outerwear
Jackets are probably my most popular item in my closet as well as in my suitcase. You can never have too many! (Unless, of course, you’re over the luggage weight limit…) If you had to go with a few, my recommendations would be a classic blazer that looks good over almost all of your tops, a suede jacket that can transition from day-to-night with ease, and also, not listed above, the oh-so-crucial rain coat. The Veronica Beard blazers (this is the one I have) boast some stretch, which make them perfect for packing and running around town, but a more affordable version can be found here. And while this Silvie Schimmel suede biker jacket will cost you a pretty penny, the Blank NYC version looks nearly identical.

Chic Denim
Denim does not – and should not – be boring. I recently picked up a denim dress that can be dressed up or dressed down with a change of a heel and bag, and couldn’t be more happy with how versatile of a piece it is. Mine is a belted version from J.Crew (found here), and the best part – I can also wear it as a jacket as the weather cools down at night! The fun with denim doesn’t have to stop there – with so many trends exploring ways to dress your denim up, don’t be afraid to experiment with length, color, and patterns. I recently picked up a Stretch Flood Jean (in Fiji Stripe) from Reformation, and you have to peel these things off of me because I wear them so much!

Statement Accessories
Probably one of my favorite ways to spruce up an outfit while traveling is to pack eye-catching footwear. These metallic sneakers from Tod’s (I have them in white) are a perfect way to make any outfit pop. If you’re more of the pump persuasion, try a mule, which is a bit comfier for romping around town. I’m personally obsessed with the ones from y/project above – and they happen to be on sale! In the mood for something a bit more budget friendly? These may do the trick. In that same vein, a statement handbag is a must. The Marni shoulder bag above (and this faux fur version) is giving me all the heart-eye emoji feels, but this, this, and this are super cute too! I’m also a huge fan of a good statement sunny. I just picked these Fendi frames up from Solstice Sunglasses, and I swear I’ve gotten more compliments on those in the last three weeks than all of my other compliments combined. I highly recommend checking out their sale items, they usually have an amazing selection!

Last but not least, Light Layers
U.K. in the Spring is a fickle maiden and it’s always good to be prepared with the appropriate layers. I’ll be packing a not-so-standard floral from rag + bone, some short sleeve sweaters, which are a serious travel game-changer, and handful of camisoles for layering underneath my jacket selection. As always, you can catch me at any given time traveling with a handful of vintage tees, which are a part of my nearly daily uniform. If you don’t feel like digging through racks and racks of tees, Urban Outfitters has a pretty stacked graphic tee section worth checking out.

So, as you can see, this is not your standard tea with the queen packing list, but I’m not really one for floor length florals (unless with sneakers) or flouncy blouses. Besides, who wants to deal with steaming all of their clothes when they get to the hotel anyway? Stay tuned for my travels in England coming up later this week – I can’t wait to share everything with you!!

PVD – EDI with Norwegian Air

Published on September 10, 2017May 15, 2018 by reganclem2 Comments

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To say I was excited to head to Scotland this summer is a bit of an understatement. Who doesn’t like scotch, bagpipes, and some of most beautiful scenery in all of Europe?! This was the first trip that I have taken with my mother in I don’t know how long, and I was so happy to be able to bring her along. For us to be able to step away from our everyday lives and explore a country we’ve both been dying to visit was a dream come true – Scotland far exceeded all of my expectations! I was fortunate enough to be able to parter with Norwegian Air and the team at Visit Scotland for this trip. Both teams took amazingly good care of me, gave me plenty of tips & suggestions for my stay in Scotland, and treated me with all the hospitality you would expect from the Scots. For that, I am eternally grateful.

To start – you may have heard about sales on flights to Europe that are as low $99. Yep! Traveling to Europe is now cheaper than taking Amtrak from BOS – NYC. More often than not, I hear from friends who want to travel that flights to Europe are just too expensive. But, now that Norwegian Air is expanding their service out of New England, it has become more achievable than ever to make it to Europe without busting open our piggy banks. As an added bonus, there are flights out of Providence (PVD), for those who live in the southern part of New England, who don’t want to trek to Boston to make a flight. You can book here based on your budget, whether it be $100 or $500. And guess what, flights to EDI are still $99!

If you are planning on taking a trip with Norwegian Air, know a few things:

This is a budget airline, so pack a pillow/blanket, eye mask, and some snacks if you want the most comfortable flight.
If you are someone who gets hungry on flights, you can pay for your meal in advance when you book. It may not be super necessary for the red-eye, as it is best to sleep as much as you can, but for the flight back, could be a good move.
There is no First Class, but a little extra leg room never hurt anyone. Paying a fee to upgrade into an Exit Row seat isn’t entirely unreasonable. I did this for both my mom and I and it was totally worth it.
If you’re flying out of PVD, get there with plenty of time. Because these flights are so popular, check-in takes a bit of time. Expect long lines, and know that, god forbid, you get there a little late, you will be bumped up in line if you’re cutting it close.
There is WiFi on the flight! I got a good amount of work done on both of my flights to and from EDI. If you’re looking to get some work done, or just peruse Instagram, you can!

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For our first night in Edinburgh, we stayed at a cute, and well-situated spot, Hotel Du Vin. This spot is filled with character, and close to some of the most popular sites in the city! Edinburgh in general is a very walkable city, and this is a perfect location to start and finish your day. Rooms are super cozy – and in typical Scottish fashion, each room is outfitted with an amazing bath, cozy beds, and a hint of tartan plaid (in case you needed reminding of where you were). Some sites close by include:

The Royal Mile
The University of Edinburgh
National Museum of Scotland
Edinburgh Castle
Mary King’s Close
Scott Monument
The Writer’s Museum (super cool!)
St. Giles Cathedral

Another amazing spot close by is Sandy Bells. If you love live music, like me, and just good vibes in general, you absolutely have to head here to listen to local musicians in ‘sessions’. There isn’t any photography or videography allowed (although I may have snuck a Snapchat), but the experience of sitting down with a pint and listening to traditional music being played was one of my favorites in the city.

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Another thing to note about Edinburgh is that they have an amazing food scene! I am going to do an entirely separate post on all of my food experiences throughout Scotland, but wanted to share a couple of quick stops that we made in between sightseeing. Our first meal was at an awesome gastropub called The Scran and Scallie. The cocktails are fantastic, and the fare is hearty and thoughtfully prepared. This was just the type of comfort food we were looking for in our first few hours in Edinburgh. For breakfast the next morning, we went to Spoon – named one of the Best Hangover Cafes in the city. The place is eclectically designed and their breakfast definitely hit the spot. If you’re looking for a cafe to work out of, this is a perfect place to post up, but it is open to all types. In our time there, we saw a bachelorette party, some folks working remotely, and very few tourists (which to me is always a good sign).

Another little known fact about Edinburgh, and Scotland in general, they love their gin. Martini lovers rejoice! Sure, Scotch seems like the natural spirit to gravitate to on a trip like this – and I like Lagavulin and Laphroaig with the best of them. But, there are so many amazing gin distilleries popping up that we had to check one out. We headed over to Summerhall, which is a multi-arts complex and events venue in an old veterinary school building – cool, right?! Even if you don’t have a desire to check out a gin distillery, this place is worth visiting. The tour we went on was with a small outfit within Summerhall: Pickering’s Gin. You learn about how two gin lovers started from an old (read: super old) gin recipe from India, and built a sought-after gin that is perfect for a gin & tonic. Of course, you get to do some tasting, and it’s a good way to kick off your evening.

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Alas, we couldn’t stay in Edinburgh forever. We traveled elsewhere throughout the country, and finally stayed in Edinburgh for one more night (those blog posts are coming soon!) and then it was to the airport back home. The Edinburgh Airport is super easy to navigate (Note: there is a bit of walking, especially if you’re returning a car), and their security team has the checkpoint down to a science. Still, give yourself at least 90 minutes if you’re traveling back home, so you have plenty of time to grab a final drink before hopping your flight. If you have any questions about traveling to Edinburgh, definitely don’t hesitate to leave a comment. Happy to answer any questions below! Additionally, Visit Scotland offers a great amount of resources for your travel. They also have a dope Instagram if you’re looking for any inspo for your next trip!

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