Top Free Things to Do in Sydney

1. Romantic Stroll Through Wendy's Secret Garden 

This place is so romantic, it is the perfect place to escape the city while still feeling connected to it. The views are amazing, the smell of flowers beautiful and it is one of the more quieter parks you will come across.

2. People Watching at Opera Bar

I love this spot you get great photos of both the Opera House and Harbour Bridge from here plus the added bonus of people watching. You don't have to buy anything at the actual bar just sit on the wall across from the bar which is surprisingly very comfy.

3. Picnic in Botanic Gardens

Head on through to the Botanic Gardens once your finished people watching at the Opera Bar for a picnic and check out the sunset from Mrs Macquarie Point. You can also get free walking tours of the gardens daily from 10.30AM.
4. Fireworks at Darling Harbour

Every Saturday night you can watch the sky light up with a free firework display down at Darling Harbour from 8.30PM in winter months and 9pm during the summer. 

5. Stroll Through Newtown

Newtown has to be the coolest neighbourhood in Sydney! It is like you are strolling through the 90s with students strolling around in original 501's, printed shirts and long leather jackets. From window shopping in thrift stores to checking out the street art you won't be bored. 
6. Bondi to Coogee Walk

My favourite thing to do in Sydney for free is hikes and walks, there are so many beautiful walks with amazing views that it doesn't even feel like exercise. Bondi to Coogee is a must if you haven't done it but a few other of my favourites are the Hermitage Foreshore Walk, Manly to Spit & Watson Bay to Hornby Lighthouse. This walk is also a great way to see whale watching for free.

7. Walk the Sydney Harbour Bridge

To climb the Harbour Bridge it is pretty pricey but you can always walk across it for free which gives great views of the Opera House and brings you over to North Sydney for free.

8. Check Out the View From Dover Heights

One of the best views in the city, in my opinion, it looks over the whole city and harbour below and is also a great starting point for the Hermitage Foreshore walk. Stroll down the hill through the neighbourhood of Vaucluse and be in awe of the mansions that surround the streets before arriving at the Hermitage Foreshore Reserve to start the walk. 
9. Release your Inner Child at Luna Park Head on over to Luna Park to get a photo beneath the giant smile entrance. Although entry into here is free the rides are around $10, it is still worth heading to walk around the old fashioned amusements though. 

10. Hike Manly to Spit 

Head on over to Manly on a Sunday for discounted ferry fares and walk to Spit. This 10km hike is definitely a little more tough than your Bondi to Coogee but the stunning views along the way make it worth it and you feel amazing at the end. 
11. Sunbath on Tamarama Beach

An obvious free thing to do in Sydney is to catch a tan while lying on the many gorgeous beaches around. One of my favourites is Tamarama beach, you will find this quiet beach along the Bondi to Coogee walk. 
12. Explore Local Markets 

One of our favourite things to do on a weekend is to stroll through the local markets. Our local markets are down on Bondi Beach where on Saturday you can find all local fruit and veg and on Sunday handmade jewellery, fashion as well as homeware. The hours on Saturday are from 9AM-1PM and on Sunday 10AM-4PM. 
13. Whale Watching in Palm Beach 

Palm Beach home to the famous Home & Away is just a short 2-hour car ride away. Hike up to Barrenjoey Lighthouse for spectacular views of the bay and if you do this walk during winter (May-October) you may catch a glimpse of the humpbacks migrating.

Top Things To Do & See in Sydney When Visiting

There is so much to do in Sydney and when planning your trip it can be a bit overwhelming. I had a list the length of my arm of things I wanted to do and see before I came and I have done a pretty good job at ticking them off. Below are the top things that I would recommend doing if you are only visiting or what should be on the very top of your bucket list. 

1. Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk

This walk is so beautiful it is a MUST do when visiting Sydney. Overall the walk is 6km which isn't bad and the walk itself is pretty moderate. There are quite a few steps at some stages so I wouldn't go on the warmest of days as you might die with the heat! The views you get to see along the walk are amazing and if you do the walk around May/June or November/December you may even spot some humpbacks on their migration so keep your eyes peeled.

I personally prefer to start the walk in Coogee and walk to Bondi rather than the other way around. The reason for this is that there is more to do in Bondi so when you are finished you can pop into the Iceberg bar for some drinks and a bite to eat, which brings me to my next top thing to do.


2. Bondi Icebergs

You might recognize this popular bar from Instagram, its the famous Bondi Icebergs. At the end of the Coogee to Bondi walk, you will find yourself at the Icebergs pool. This is a great spot for getting a well-deserved drink after your walk and getting that Insta pic.

If you don't fancy having some food and drinks you can pay into the pool & sauna for just $8.

*Remember to bring ID as you will need it to get in even if you don't plan on drinking.


3.  Opera House/ Harbour Bridge/ Rocks Area 

Is it even a trip to Sydney if you don't get a pic of the Opera house & Harbour bridge?? I love this area of Sydney as it really makes you realise where you are with the two main tourist attractions side by side.

Head on down to the Opera Bar to do some serious people watching, this is also a great place to get a picture of both the Opera house and bridge. Once you are finished there walk up to The Rocks area for some food. If you are an Italian lover you need to check out Zia Pina (AMAZING) or Munich Brauhaus for dollar wings & $5 drinks every day from 4pm-6pm.


4.  Taronga Zoo

TBH I am not the biggest lover of zoo's I just feel sad every time I see the animals in their tiny cages but Taronga Zoo is so much more than your average Zoo.

Catch the ferry from circular quay across the water to the zoo and jump on the free cable car up to the main entrance. This gives great views of the city while also looking down at the zoo below. There are so many different species to go see they also do seal shows, as well as pictures beside some koalas. One thing we came across and I am sorry we didn't pay to do it was the Wild Ropes. It is basically an activity course up in the trees where you walk across ropes, navigate suspension bridges and climb walls. There are four different type courses suitable for all ages.

5. Ferry to Manly 

If you want a short day trip from Sydney hop on the ferry at Circular Quay and head over to Manly for the day, where there is plenty of places to eat, beaches to chill and work on that tan or if you were feeling active why not do the 10km walk Manly to Spit.

*Go on Sunday for a $2.80 trip

6. Sunset From Mrs Macqurie Point 

The perfect place to catch the sunset is strolling through Botanic Gardens to Mrs Macqurie Point, here you will get to see the sun going down behind the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.


7.  Cocktails at 360 Bar/ O Bar & Dining 

If you want 360-degree views of Sydney from above what better way to see it than sipping on a cocktail. Both these bars offer a 360-degree view whilst revolving so you don't even have to get out of your seat to see every angle. Personally, my favourite is O Bar & Dining as it feels less touristy and you don't have a minimum spend.


8. Luna Park& North Sydney 

Head over to North Sydney to experience Luna Park and why not check out the Olympic swimming pool while you're there. Another gem I found over at North Sydney was Wendy's Secret Garden, this place is so beautiful and a great escape from the city. This place is great to come chill while you figure out your next stop and there are tables for picnic opportunities also.


9. Darling Harbour Fire Works 

I love Darling Harbour it is a great place to head get some food with beautiful harbour views. Our favourite place there so far is Casa and shock it's another Italian. Head for some food Saturday night and watch the firework display at 8.30pm.


10. Day Trip to the Blue Mountains

If you have the time I definitely recommend catching the train from Central out to the Blue Mountains. We got the train from Central to a town called Katoomba which is just a two-hour train ride away. Here you will be just a short bus ride from the famous Three Sisters and Scenic World. I will do a full blog post on a day trip to here and everything you need to know soon.

Have you ticked any of the above off your list and what are your top things to do here? :)

Lots of Love, 

Leah 

24 Hours in Cork | Ireland

Last weekend I headed down to Cork for the night and explored all there was to do in the south of Ireland.

A spot of shopping at Mahon Point!
Head on over to Mahon Point for a bit of shopping they have a good variety of high street brands from Zara, Tommy Hilfiger, Debenhams, River Island and so on. There is also a cinema if shopping isn't your thing, afterward, there is plenty of options to pick up a bite to eat. They have everything from Nandos, ByBy's, Insomnia, Mc Donalds, Abracadabra or O'Brien's. 

Watch all the sports in Soho!We headed on over to Soho Bar and Restaurant to catch the Man United game, it is a great sports bar with a good atmosphere. The venue is four stories high with each floor having a different vibe. The bottom floor has a huge projector screen perfect for watching the matches and also has cozy booths which are perfect for grabbing some bar food. The second floor is where you can enjoy a more relaxed and sophisticated meal in the restaurant, the third floor is VIP which can be rented out to groups and finally the fourth floor is the rooftop deck which can also be booked. Even if you're not into sports it's still a great place to grab a cocktail or two. 

Check out the local produce at The English Market!The 18th-century English market is one worth checking out! It is open Monday-Saturday 8am until 6pm, here is where you will find local produce and yummy homemade treats. It's so good even the queen visited in 2011!

Listen to live music in The Oliver Plunket!This is another great bar we stumbled across in Cork. They pretty much have everything all under the one roof from live music, fresh barista coffee, food, and an upstairs whiskey bar. If you want to hear some traditional Irish music this is the spot to go to. If you are a whiskey enthusiast their hidden upstairs Frisky Whiskey Bar offers quality whiskey for the experienced taster to newly introduced tasters. The interiors up here will take you back to old Ireland with that cozy small town pub feel. 

Pick up some sweets at Nelly's Sweet Emporium!
If you are a big Charlie and the Chocolate Factory fan you will love this little sweet shop. It is full to the brim with nostalgic sweets in old-fashioned jars, they literally have everything you could ever think of from fudge, chocolate, jellies to lollies. Oh did I mention you can get yourself a Wonka bar!!

Check out the Lions & Tigers at Fota Wildlife!
Just outside the city, you can head to Fota wildlife which is a great spot to bring kids and even if you don't have kids it's a great place for a morning stroll. You can expect to find tigers, lions, penguins, and monkeys as well as other interesting animals (be sure to check out the spider monkeys). Throughout the park, you will find kangaroos and wallabies hopping along the path beside you which is a great opportunity to see them up close. 

Love Leah x

Four Days in Amsterdam

Amsterdam was always a must-see on my list of places to visit and for my "New Years Resolutions" this year I created a bucket list of places I wanted to see and Amsterdam was on top of the list.

I don't know why I have wanted to go for so long whether it was because everyone had already visited and I have heard so much about it or that the laws and lifestyle intrigued me. Either way I made my way across the water in May this year and finally ticked it off my list.

Accommodation

We spent four days in the city which at first I thought was too short but by the last day, a weekend would have been enough time to see everything. We stayed a little outside the city in the NH Museum Quarter which was due to the fact that we left booking accommodation to the last minute and everything else was booked up or cost a fortune which we weren't willing to pay. My advice, book your accommodation in plenty of time.

I use the Booking.com app which I find AMAZING it literally makes booking accommodation soo easy and I would be lost without it. What I like to do on the app is book lots of places so I have plenty of choices and then use the free cancelations on the ones I don't want, that way you're getting the best place for the best price.

Our hotel was about a forty minute walk outside of the city center which at first I was a little disappointed we were so far out but after the first night, I was glad we were that bit further. Amsterdam is a pretty social city with plenty of stags and tourists hitting the town at night including ourselves so when we got back at night I was glad of a quiet place to get a few hours sleep before waking up to another full day.

Things to Do

There is quite a lot to do and see in Amsterdam but everything is fairly central so it is easy to walk around or you could always rent a bike and cycle (which I wish we got around to doing). 

While we were there we visited the Heineken experience which we didn't need to pre-book tickets for, saw the famous Amsterdam sign and strolled around the beautiful flower markets. We also did a boat tour which is, in my opinion, the best way to see as much of the city as possible in the shortest time. My friend from Amsterdam recommended we did the Friendship Amsterdam Cruise which is located at Oudezijds Voorburgwal 230, this was a lovely tour that had a bar on board so you could sit back take in all the views along the canals while sipping on a cool vodka soda. 

Other things that we didn't get to do but wish we did would have been to go to the Van Gogh museum (Amsterdam is full of museum's) and the Anne Frank house but unfortunately, the Anne Frank house sells out so you need to book your tickets a bit in advance. 

Food & Drink

Bars

We were spoiled for choice in Amsterdam for places to eat and drink there is something for everyone's style whether it be Irish bars, cozy cafes, speak easy's or outdoor restaurants. Most of our nights we spent in and around the Red Light District which if you are heading to Amsterdam I would recommend you go and experience it. Here you will find the cheapest drink deals and good nightlife. 

We spent most of our nights in an Irish bar called Durty Nelly's. It is not your typical pokey Irish bar that you would expect to find abroad the venue itself is quite large with two floors, great drink promos and a pool table downstairs if you fancied a game. 

Another bar just down from Durty Nelly's that also has good drink promo's like four vodka red bulls for €15 is called Belushi's which is worth checking out. 

If Irish bars aren't your thing and you want something a bit more glamorous there is a great upscale cocktail bar called Njoy on Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 93 Street. It is a little bit hidden and hard to find (we walked past twice), it is just a regular door up a few steps which looks nothing on the outside but has a great atmosphere inside. It is a little on the pricey side as with all cocktail bars but trust me the drinks are delicious and completely worth it. Once you find it just ring the doorbell to get in, I would recommend making reservations as it is a small venue and they seem to be very busy but we were lucky enough to get in without one that night. As for dress code, they seem to be quite strict so this would be the perfect night for that LBD or jeans and a "nice" top combo.

Food

There is nearly every kind of food scattered around the city from pasta to burgers to steaks you're bound to find something yummy. If it is pasta your craving you have got to check out Bravi Ragazzi it is the BEST pasta I have ever had, the portions are small and you may be still hungry afterward depending on how hungry you were beforehand but it is so delicious! 

For quick in and out lunch or dinner bites check out Box Burger. The best way I can describe this place is it's the Amsterdam version of Shake Shack. You go up to the till, order and pay and they will present you with a buzzer that will go off when your food is ready. It is a quick and tasty spot to get in eat and get back on your way to exploring the city ASAP. 

For breakfast, we went to this cute square which had lots of outdoor seating and a nice fountain in the center which was lovely to start the day off sitting back and watching the city go by. The restaurant we went to was called Brasserie Meuwese, they have everything from sandwiches, eggs, pancakes, salads, pasta and so on. 

Cafe's

As we all know Amsterdam is famous for its legal weed and cafes which attracts many tourists every weekend. If that is your thing I would check out Dampkring Cafe it has a really cool vibe, the bartenders are super nice and its a great experience whether you go to smoke, for the brownies or to sit back and watch the stoned cat (we thought he was stuffed at first, no joke). And trust them when they say half a brownie each is enough if you are not regular smokers!

Shopping

I was pleasantly surprised by the shopping in Amsterdam I was not expecting it at all and was sorry after that I didn't budget for it. In the city center, you will find all your high street shops from Zara, Nike, H&M and the likes. 

Further out just a few minutes walk from our hotel we stayed in is the shopping district which is full of premium designers. The main street is PC Hooftstraat they have everything from Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Burberry and so on. Around the corner on the next street, you will find mainly all dutch designers as well as some more premium designers. 

It was a beautiful city that I would definitely return to, there was just something lovely about the picturesque canals and thousands of bicycles scattered around the city that makes me just want to go back, and I hope to soon.

Love,

Leah x

Day Trip to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas

The Grand Canyon has always been one on my bucket list and I am so grateful and happy to be able to mark it off the list. It was everything I expected it to be, breathtaking, surreal and beautiful. When doing tours it is easy to fall for the first price you are given which is what I almost did but with a bit of research, I was able to find myself the cheapest tour and also which tour was best for me.  

So Which Tour to Do?

There are several different tours you can do including bus, helicopter, jeep etc. The tours can be quite expensive if you book through the concierge at the hotel, what I did was went on to Groupon and booked the tour and it saved me almost $200!! (just search Grand Canyon Tours on Groupon). I went with the bus tour which is the least expensive one but also a lovely tour to do as you get to see the Hoover Dam, Route 66 and experience a little bit of Arizona and the desert. The bus tour leaves very early in the morning at 6 am and you are not back until 9.30/10pm so if you are planning on doing this tour from Vegas I would suggest booking an extra day to fit it in.

Which Rim to Do?

When booking the tour there are two options to book from one is to see the South Rim and the other is to go and see the West Rim (I believe there is the North Rim also but I was not given that option when booking). Although the West Rim is closer to Vegas I decided to go with the South Rim because it is supposedly more picturesque. From what I saw about the West Rim the tour takes you to the famous glass bridge called the SkyWalk. Here you can walk out over the Grand Canyon which sounds ideal for the adrenalin junkies out there. But the main reason I decided against the West Rim was because you are not allowed to take your possessions out onto the bridge or take any photos as the property is owned by The Hualapai Indian tribe.

How Much Does it Cost?

The tour costs around $94 which includes pickup from your hotel and drop off back to your hotel, tea/coffee, and a lovely buffet lunch. On the way down we stopped twice once at a Mc Donalds (which I was extremely happy about) and the second time at the restaurant where we had lunch. The buffet had everything from soups to salads, pasta, fruit and ice cream. On the way back we only stopped once and we also got to see the Hoover Dam lit up at night which was so amazing!!

This is honestly the most beautiful place I have ever seen, the pictures do not do it justice!! It is definitely one of those places you just have to experience in real life, I would highly recommend doing the Grand Canyon if you are going to Vegas.

Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon, what did you think??

Love,

Leah x

6 Month Update & 6 Things I Have Learned in New York | NYC Survival Guide

The 15th of April marked six months for me living here in New York. I can't believe a whole six months has passed already, time really does fly when you're having fun! Since moving to this crazy place I have learned so much already which I have decided to share with you guys.

1. You Will NEVER Have Enough Money!

No matter how much money you may think you have it is never enough in this city. It is probably the most expensive place I have lived and also visited. Whether it be going for dinner, drinks or paying rent I find myself constantly spending money every day. You cannot leave your house in New York and not spend anything, it is IMPOSSIBLE. My advice for anyone coming either to live or visit is to make sure you are financially ready.

2. You Have To Really Want It Here

New York is defiantly not for everyone and since moving here I can understand why. Everything is super expensive, you are living in a tiny cramped apartment with no garden or outdoor space like you may have been used to (especially coming from Ireland), there are people everywhere and there is no such thing as a good nights sleep without been woken up by alarms or cars beeping. Most people here work multiple jobs just to survive, living here will defiantly challenge you as a person but you will come out tougher than you ever thought you could be.

3. You Don't Know Who You Could Be Talking to!

This is one of my favourite things about New York and it is that everyone has a story. No matter who you talk to here whether it be the old man sitting at the bar or the person who sits down next to you on the subway, you can learn so much from having a conversation with these random strangers. After all, everyone moves to New York for a reason whether it be for a better life or to live their dream.

4. There's No One Like The Irish 

The Irish look after the Irish here. Sin é!

5. What Is A Kitchen And Why Is It Taking Up My Space?

Seriously I do not know why people insert kitchens here in New York. I can honestly say I have used mine maybe twice since I arrived. You will never cook here unless you are one of those people who finds cooking actually fun. Going back to why you will never have enough money living here is probably due to the fact that I eat out two to three times a day, but with thousands of restaurants to explore it would be a shame to cook at home, right?

6. Don't Take Everything To Heart!

If this city doesn't give you a thick skin I don't know what will. People here are rude, they will push and shove you until they get onto the subway, they speak their mind and sometimes they will make you feel like the smallest person on earth but you just can't take everything to personal here.

Despite all these lessons learned I have never felt more at home than here in New York City!

I hope this post helps you if you are having trouble making a decision on whether to move here because it is not everything you see in movies but saying that it is still my favourite place in the world and I wouldn't have it any other way <3

Love,

Leah

The Move to NEW YORK!! | NYC Survival Guide

For those who don't know, I have just moved back to New York and I couldn't be anymore EXCITED!! Exciting as it is, moving to New York was no joke, it is a very daunting and stressful experience (but well worth it in the end....Hopefully).

Before I moved I had wished that there was some sort of magic book that just told me everything I needed to know about moving and surviving in the Big Apple. So, I have decided to write about all my experiences (good and bad) here on my blog to help any of you out there thinking of doing the same as I have. Although these posts will be focused on my experience of moving to New York it also apply's to anyone thinking of doing the 1 Year grad programme  I hope that my tips and tricks will help and guide you not only if you are moving to New York but also if you are visiting as I will be posting lots of recommendations for the best bars, restaurants, places to shop and things to do here in the city.

Firstly, I have always wanted to live in New York it has being a dream of mine since I was younger. I think Sex in the City and Home Alone are to blame! I feel New York is a place that you will either love or hate, for me I adored it! When I got to move here last summer for a J1 I was so excited, it was the best thing I ever did, although I did find it hard being away from home at times. I highly encourage doing a J1 first to be extra sure if the place you are thinking of moving to is for you before doing the grad visa because a year is a long time and the visa doesn't come cheap.

Gaining Access

Okay so if you are like me and are not blessed with an American passport you need to gain access to work and live in the US. I got my visa through USIT which I found super helpful when I went to them with my J1 so I decided to go through them again. Really it is the safest and easiest way to get your visa. They are always there with any questions you may have and honestly made the whole process a lot less stressful. I went to the Dublin office this time around as I was studying there but you can go to any of them. There are offices in Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Cork. If you are not able to get to any offices you can also do it all over the phone or by email as well.

I moved to New York on the graduate visa which is a visa that you can do once you finish your degree and allows you to work and live in America for the year. You have to work in the sector that you studied in, because of this I decided to wait until I had my masters degree as I did not want to work in New York with what I studied in my undergraduate. My undergraduate was in politics and sociology. I just recently completed my masters in Public Relations back in May which is what I will be working at over here. USIT allow you a full year from the date you graduate to move so for me I graduate in November 2016 so I had until November 2017 to move but decided to go as soon as I could as I couldn't wait to get back to this crazy place.

As soon as you apply and pay off everything you will get an appointment to go to the embassy for your interview. Most people usually freak out about this interview but really once you have all your correct documents that USIT say to bring as well as the correct photos you should be fine. You will find out then and there if your visa has been accepted and your passport will be taken away for about a week or two for the visa to be put in it so if you are going to be going on holidays or needing your passport remember that.

Before You Go...

It is extremely stressful the week before you leave especially if you are working straight up to when you go and haven't had the time to even think about moving like I was. I decided to make a list of everything I needed to get done before I left to make landing and adjusting as easy as I could for myself. The more you have sorted before you go the easier it will be for when you land because once you land you will have a million and one things to do (blog post coming on what to do when you land). Once I decided to do the grad visa I got myself straight over to the Facebook pages that are for j1ers in New york or graduates in New York. These pages are great especially if you are travelling on your own like I did. The Facebook page is where I found my two room mates and is a great place for making friends.

Be sure to weigh your luggage before you go as I did not and was A LOT over 22 kgs but luckily I had a lovely girl at the desk who put it through anyway.  I would also recommend getting the sim card that USIT provide, this way you can register the sim card to activate the day you land and you can contact home straight away after you land. You also can set up a direct debit so you never have to worry about topping up which is great.

I will have lots more posts coming now that I have FINALLY settled here in the city on how to survive this crazy place so stay tuned :)

Lots of Love, 

Leah x

Quick Weekend Getaway | Meyrick Hotel Galway

The weekend before college started back I visited Galway for my moms birthday. A group of us decided to head over to the west of Ireland and stay in the Meyrick Hotel. The hotel is located right at the bottom of Eyre Square just beside the train station. This was an ideal location as we were right in the middle of Galway city and were in walking distance to all the best shops and night life Galway had to offer.

As soon as we arrived at the hotel we were greeted at the door by our valet. The staff at the Meyrick were so welcoming and professional. As soon as we had checked in we made our way to our room which looked out over Eyre Square.

 During our stay we had booked spa treatments and afternoon tea also. I decided to go for the shoulder, neck and back massage which was so soothing and relaxing. For afternoon tea we were presented with a large range of different sandwiches and deserts. Over all the experience we had at the Meyrick was 10/10 and will defiantly be returning.

I always love going back to Galway to see all my friends from college. It is such a great city with an amazing night life and I hope to be back soon.

Love Leah 

x