Well hello to you my reader chums! The beach life is for me. Growing up by the seaside, wherever in the world I am and there's a beach, it feels like home. When I headed out to Dubrovnik, one of the main things I was excited about had to be its incredible coastal way of life and endless blue waters.

Whether you're looking for a relaxing day by the sea, to do some water activities or simply appreciate the sunshine, here is my ultimate beach guide to Dubrovnik.

The beaches across Dubrovnik were something special. With their crystal clear waters, pebbly shores and gorgeous sights of the city, it was like a mini slice of paradise. For me, every beach I visited had its own personality and I could tell what type of visitor each would bring.

Sulic Beach

Probably one of the smallest beaches I've visited, Sulic Beach was more like a bay. It had a very quiet and humble appeal to it, boasting a small stretch of pebbles to sit on and several areas of rocky formation to relax. I found for the locals, it was also a place for cliff jumping too! The beach offered two bars overlooking it, one of which featured swings and an array of drinks. The best part of this beach was its vision of bright blue, neverending waters.

Distance to Old Town: 8-minute walk

Sveti Jakov Beach 

This had to be my favourite beach in the whole city. I visited this beach on my last day and honestly, I wish I had the opportunity to see it sooner. To me, it screamed all things paradise. As Dubrovnik wasn't known for sandy beaches, this was a refreshing find with a combination of both pebbles and sand. I loved how it was located in what seemed, the middle of nowhere, surrounded by residents' houses and apartments. But, the best part of this beach had to be the most transparent waters I've seen across the city. And, the picture-perfect views of the Old Town from this beach. I definitely think I left a small part of my heart on this beach.

Distance to Old Town: 25-minute walk.

Banje Beach

One of the most touristy beaches across Dubrovnik, Banje Beach is a hub for sun worshippers and water activities. Even though it can look incredibly stunning when it's not busy, it is one of those spots that end up heaving with tourists and sunbeds to relax on. Although, my favourite part of this beach had to be the incredible view of Lokrum Island.

Distance to Old Town: 6-minute walk

Danče Beach

This was the most local beach I came across and one of those beaches I don't think you'd find unless you knew it was there. Nestled in the hub of residents' homes, nearby to a local park, Danče Beach, needed Google Maps to find it. You have to walk through a long alley which is surrounded by shrubbery in order to reach it, but once you do, it's worth it. I wouldn't say it's a beach, more of rocky terrain with sparkling waters to swim in. This spot was completely vacant with only a couple of locals swimming and sunbathing - perfect if you'd prefer something a bit quieter.

Distance to Old Town: 15-minute walk

Bellevue Beach 

The peninsular of Lapad is a prime spot for cheaper accommodation, resorts and endless amounts of beaches in Dubrovnik. I only visited one of the beaches as I was staying over in Old Town and had enough beaches there to experience. Bellevue Beach is the closest to the Old Town in this peninsular and a gorgeous spot for an afternoon of swimming or sunbathing. I have to admit, it wasn't my favourite pebbled beach in the city, however, it did boast beautiful waters and had a family-friendly vibe about it.

Distance to Old Town: 20-minute walk

Lopud Island

The Adriatic Coastline is what Dubrovnik is famous for and the best way to experience it is by heading off on one of the many boat tours like the Elaphiti Islands. These consist of a couple of islands and my favourite had to be the largest, Lopud Island. I mainly adored the beaches here because I finally got to experience stunning stretches of sand, overlooking a phenomenal view of a harbour and the mountains in the background.

I hope you enjoyed this travel guide. Which beach is your favourite?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Koh Lipe is like a small taste of paradise with clear waters, bright blue skies, hot weather and golden soft sands. I miss the joy of the island already with its holiday vibe and the chance to fully unwind in the sunshine.

As it's a small island, you don't need a long time to explore the wonders of Koh Lipe. However, you can easily spend as much time there fully embracing island life and its wonders. For the ultimate experience, here is my 3-day guide to Koh Lipe in Thailand.

Day 1: Get a feel for the island

Explore Walking Street

Koh Lipe isn't a massive island and has one main centre, which is Walking Street. This street is packed with restaurants, bars, ice cream shops, cafes and shops - and the perfect hub to explore, and well, eat. Whether you're looking for a spot for breakfast, to grab a souvenir or to find a bar to dance the night away, this is the street for you.

Relax on Pattaya Beach 

Pattaya Beach is the main beach in Koh Lipe as it's where you get off the boat from any other island. This beach isn't my favourite as it's one of the busiest, however, it does have gorgeous views, soft sands and a cool, holiday vibe to it.

Enjoy dinner and the bar life

After getting a sense of the island's main hub and soaking up the sunshine on the main beach, it's time to eat your weight in food. Restaurants vary on this island from classic Thai places, and seafood to gorgeous Italian grub, you can find a place to take your fancy and go for a drink afterwards. I loved the bar scene here as you can pick somewhere with great music of a chill vibe, with board games.

Day 2: Explore the wonders of Koh Lipe

Watch the sunrise on Sunrise Beach

Watching the sunrise on the beach is everything and Thailand is renowned for the best sunrises and sunsets. The island has beaches titled 'Sunrise Beach' and 'Sunset Beach' because they're both perfect for views of these events. Sunrise Beach is one of my favourites and the view of the sunrise was everything - the best way to kick start your second day on the stunning island.

Have brunch at Benny's on the Beach

I love a solid brunch to start off island mode. Benny's on the Beach is located on Sunrise Beach and is a dream spot to eat. The restaurant has that complete island feel in a hut with beach seating. I loved this place as it meant eating breakfast in the morning sunshine - and plus their brunch options are amazing, including delicious smoothie bowls.

Hire a kayak and explore nearby islands

The sea off of Kop Lipe is crystal clear and looks like a postcard - ideal for exploring beyond the island's edge. I'd recommend hiring a kayak and paddling off to the tiny islands nearby as here, you can also snorkel to find the wildlife. The islands including Koh Usen and Kla Island are very close to the main stretch of Koh Lipe and very easy to reach - and make great spots for snorkelling.

Watch the sunset at Sunset Beach

After a beautiful day of kayaking, snorkelling and sun-soaking, watching a sunset is a lovely activity. Sunset Beach does get very busy, however, it's a wonderful location to witness the sun go down and the sky lighting up with lots of colours.

Day 3: Soak up the last sights in Koh Lipe

Go snorkelling on Northpoint Beach

As I mentioned the waters in Koh Lipe are a dream and my favourite beach for snorkelling was the Northpoint Beach. Here, I discovered many colourful fishes and other sea life swimming around the corals. Its pretty underwater scenery is everything and will leave you wanting more. I'm missing the freedom of snorkelling at this beach.

Find your favourite spot and relax

Koh Lipe is key for relaxation and when you've ticked off all the activities, the best thing to do is relax on the beaches. It's the perfect opportunity to sunbathe, grab an ice cream and read a book. I would love to be in the sunshine and enjoy island life again.

Favourite places to eat in Koh Lipe

Papaya Mom restaurant

For a traditional Thai food restaurant, this is a solid choice, offering up all the classic meals, from Thai curries, pad Thai and more. It's an old-school, beach restaurant setting with plenty of options to suit your palette.

Benny's on the Beach

As I previously mentioned, Benny's on the Beach is a lovely, beach brunch place offering all types of breakfasts and brunch to kick start your day. I love the smoothie bowls here and the view of Sunrise Beach, plus the swing is a great addition.

Banana Tree

This isn't one of those fancy places but a simple restaurant, offering up all the Thai food must-haves for inexpensive prices. Whether you're craving a curry, noodle dish or rice meal, this restaurant has got variety to choose from.

Mojo

I'm not over the breakfast here, it was that yummy! As a modernised restaurant setting, it looks like a typical, Instagram brunch spot. And, the breakfast was chef's kiss and super mooreish. They have a specific breakfast menu from pancakes and yoghurt dishes to cakes - you'll find something you'll adore.

Elephant

This is a favourite restaurant for many tourists and has a menu crafted for that with a combination of Western dishes and cakes. I enjoyed a dose of carb heaven here with a delicious grilled cheese and chips. The Western options are endless and you can really enjoy anything that you fancy.

Bungroon restaurant

Back to a traditional Thai place, Bungoon is a busy place packed with crowds and a range of Thai dishes you'll love to try. I like the classic and homely appeal of this place with simplistic dishes and various options - and some live music. They had various locals singing which is a wonderful sight to see and a great vibe to enjoy.

I hope you enjoyed this Thailand post. What other recommendations do you have?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! I've been living on the Kent Coast my entire life and I feel incredibly grateful to have grown up by the sea. Over the past year, I've appreciated where I live especially as the beach walks have gotten me through the few lockdowns we've had. The beauty of Thanet is that there are plenty of different beaches and coastal routes you can take, whether you'd prefer something remote or a little busier.

Whether you're based on the Kent Coast or looking to head on a staycation in the summer, here are the best coastal walks in Thanet.

Shorter coastal walks under 2 miles

Botany Bay to Palm Bay

Botany Bay has to be one of my favourite beaches; it's a lot quieter to the main sands of Ramsgate, Broadstairs, and Margate and has a unique appeal to it. The beach is a combination of soft sands, rock pools, and white-washed cliffs to walk through. It has a bit of something for everyone and a great way to get away from the main beaten track.

The trail between Botany Bay and Palm Bay is all dependant on the tide. When it's out, you're able to walk across the rocky terrain onto the paved walkway between the beaches and experience the soft sands. If the tide is in, you can still access a nice chunk of sand on Botany Bay and Palm Bay, but you can't make the walk properly through the main stretch of Palm Bay. However, there is a beautiful walkway on top of the cliffs between the two and you can get a perfect view of the two beaches.

Distance: 0.6 miles

Botany Bay to Joss Bay

The other way to head towards the Broadstairs side of the coastal path rather than Margate is to head to Joss Bay from Botany Bay. Joss Bay is renowned for surfing in the summertime and one of those beaches that also isn't as popular as the main town sands.

The crossover between the two beaches is pretty rocky, but an absolute joy to walk along when the tide is out. You're able to discover some beautiful views and coves to walk through. Once on the sands of Joss Bay, it's a pretty calm and sandy beach with a long stretch to appreciate the coastal air.

Distance: 1.3 miles

Stone Bay to Dumpton Gap Beach

I adore Stone Bay beach; it's the popular Viking Bay's serene and quiet neighbour, away from the bustle of Broadstairs' shops, restaurants, and ice cream parlours. It's quite a small beach, however, is a lovely starting point for a coastal walk. 

Head from Stone Bay, through to Viking Bay, passing the gorgeous colourful beach houses, fairground rides, and happy smiles of passersby. Then, make your way along the cliffside walkway, through to Louisa Bay, and onto Dumpton Gap beach.

Distance: 1.4 miles 

Minnis Bay to Epple Bay

Minnis Bay is located on the other side of Thanet and an absolute treasure to visit all year round, especially in the summertime. Minnis Bay is quite a large beach and has a lot to explore, especially for a coastal walk. There are two different ways you can head from Minnis, and the first and shorter route is from Minnis Bay to Epple Bay.

Minnis Bay is a beautiful starting point with gorgeous, soothing waves. If you head towards the right side of Minnis Bay beach, you can make your way towards one of the quietest bays, Epple Bay. Epple Bay has a serene appeal and is lovely to walk around if you need complete silence.

Distance: 1.7 miles

Longer beach strolls over 2 miles

Ramsgate Beach to Viking Bay

The Royal Harbour in Ramsgate has more to offer than first meets the eye. It's a hub for restaurants, cute brunch spots, and the main stretch of sands with the best fish and chip shop ever, Peter's Fish Factory. 

Ramsgate is quite a big town and the beach has a lot on offer for residents and visitors. The beauty of this walk is you get to experience both the joys of a park and the coastal trail. Head along the main sands of Ramsgate and then up the steps onto King George VI park. Walkthrough there until you come out to the entrance of Dumpton Gap Beach. You can then head down the path onto the beach and make your way along with the cliffside path until you reach the bustling beach of Viking Bay.

Distance: 2 miles

Palm Bay to Margate Main Sands

Palm Bay is one of the quieter beaches in Margate and a fab place to experience the joys of coastal air without too many people filing through. When you head along the bay, if you keep going, you'll continue into an even quieter beach, Warpole Bay. This sandy beach is really lovely, and if you keep going along, the main hub of Margate will greet you. 

Margate's main sands are right next to Old Town with a selection of family-run restaurants, boutique-style shops, and cute coffee places.

Distance: 2.2 miles

Minnis Bay to Reculver

For probably one of the longest walks (unless you'd really like to walk the entire coastal walk of Thanet), Minnis Bay to Reculver is an amazing coastal walk, whether you'd prefer it on foot or by bike.

It's a popular spot for cyclists and dog walkers alike - and gives you the opportunity to experience the sandy shores of Minnis, the stoned beaches of Reculver, and end up in a great picnic spot by the towers.

Distance: 4.1 miles

I hope you enjoyed this post. Where is your favourite coastal walk?

Thank you for reading <3

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Brighton is one of my favourite UK cities. I love the buzz of the shops, the nightlife, the pier, and people but also the calmness of the beach and how it makes me feel like I'm at home. I recently headed over for a weekend to celebrate my birthday with my best friend and had the best ever time exploring and delving more into the Brighton way of life.

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If you're planning a weekend in Brighton and looking for the best things to see and do, here is my guide on how to spend a weekend in Brighton.

What there is to see and do

Kemptown exploring

Kemptown, famously known for its LGBTQ+ culture is a cool place to start your ventures in Brighton. It's located right next to the main stretch of Brighton beach, packed full of cool and colourful bars, quirky cafes, and restaurants. It's also a hub for vintage boutiques, shops, and some fun backdrops for photos. I loved it around there, especially in the evening, as there was such a vibe about it.

Brighton Pavillion and gardens

The Pavillion is one of those postcard moments of Brighton and is worth the visit, even if you only have a mooch around the gardens. The building is iconic to see and the gardens match too with their beautiful bursts of flowers dotted all around. Entry to the museum inside isn't too costly if you fancy a gander too.

Brighton Pier

The most iconic part of Brighton is the pier and you have to make sure you head over there. The pier is more than just a beautiful walkway with dazzling neon lights to look across the beach, it has so many things activities. The pier is packed with thrills and excitement from the assortment of different rides, the dodgems to the endless amount of arcades inside, leading all the way up the pier. There are also a few cafes and food spots scattered across the pier too.

Shopping in the Lanes

I adore the Lanes with my whole heart and love nothing more than having a mooch about when I'm in Brighton. The Lanes are huge and there is more to see than you initially expect. Whether you're looking for vintage clothing, quirky jewelry, or unique homeware, the Lanes have a shop for everyone, plus a huge range of restaurants, cafes, and bars - and stalls outside too. The Lanes is a unique shopping experience, even if you're just going for a browse. And, it's the cutest spot for photos and soaking up the Brighton vibe.

Brighton Beach

Brighton beach is the heart of all the action, especially for either that bit of downtime or to soak up the buzz with its selection of bars, restaurants, and quaint shops. The beach is a huge stretch, giving you the opportunity to find a quiet spot for a picnic or throwing yourself into the live music and beach air. It's a great location for a beach afternoon.

Hove Beach and seafront

Hove is Brighton's quieter neighbour and an area I absolutely fell in love with on my trip. It can easily be reached from Brighton, as you can just walk along the seafront in the direction of Hove to reach the main stretch of the beach. Hove is renowned for its colourful beach huts and they sit opposite the beach in an iconic setting. 

Hove's beach isn't as busy as Brighton in any sense and there are only a handful of cafes dotted along the front to eat at. But, that's what I loved about it as it reminded me of the quiet beaches I have on my doorstep. Hove is a lot more residential than Brighton with the main area, home to its high street and a few parks to mooch in.

Upside down house in Brighton 

On Brighton beach next to the I360 sits the coolest upside-down house. I didn't realise that's where it was located and it adds that extra bit of colour to the beach setting. You're able to enter and explore its illusions for a small fee or simply take a photo next to it outside.

Alcotraz Prison Bar experience

This has to be one of my favourite experiences to date. The Alcotraz Prison Bar is open in many cities including London, but whilst I was in Brighton, I thought I would give it a whirl and I'm thrilled I did. The entire place was designed to look like a prison and the actors were superb in playing the roles of both the warden and the guards, I felt like I was in Orange Is the New Black.

The whole idea behind the bar is to sneak in your alcohol with help of the guards and then the 'kitchen staff' make customised cocktails for you to drink in your cell. We got to make our prison identity cards, engage with all of the staff and the whole thing was more like a show than a bar. I honestly loved the entire thing and would love to go back.

Where to eat

Kooks

Located in the Lanes, amidst the cute vintage shops and quirky cafes, the cool restaurant is Kooks. It's a brunch, cafe, restaurant, and bar all in one with modern style seating inside and outside seating in the hub of the Lanes atmosphere. I stopped in for brunch and got the nicest granola bowl ever, and sat outside in the sunshine. 

Red Roaster

A very hyped brunch place in the centre of town, Red Roaster is an Instagram dream with its monochrome interior and modern brunch menu (with the best waffles.) They're not just a cute brunch place, but they offer a bottomless brunch and at night, turn into a Thai BBQ venue. There's a bit of something for everyone and even an outdoor seating area.

Oeuf

One of the places I saw on Instagram, I just had to try for my birthday morning breakfast and it didn't disappoint. With its mint green and pink interior, the place screams pastels and fun. I ordered their famous frumpets (french toast crumpets) with the most delicious compote and honestly, I was in heaven when eating it. The menu was varied too with something for everyone!

Red Snapper

I'm obsessed with Thai food as it's so hard to find food that is as good as the meals I had when I was travelling but this restaurant made every dish on point. The Thai food was authentic, the restaurant was quaint and cute, and the best part, it's a bring your own bottle restaurant. For the quality of the food and how good the whole experience was, it's super cheap.

VIP Pizza

I'm a huge Italian food lover, I'm part Italian so finding good Italian food is important to me and VIP Pizza hit the nail on the head. It has a rustic interior with everything that screamed Italian eatery about it and the food was top notch. I wanted to eat the whole menu! It's one of those restaurants that has been in their family for years, and you could feel the love and authenticity in the food.

Boho Gelato

Everyone raves about Boho Gelato and I've visited time and time again on my trips to Brighton as I love the variety of flavours on offer. You can't beat the carrot cake flavour and their chocolate ones are superb too.

Dum Dum Doughnuts

I'm not usually one to share chains when it comes to recommending places to eat or drink as it's so important to support independent businesses. However, Dum Dum Doughnuts offer a range of the biggest and best doughnuts and I always love to pick a few up when I'm in the city.

Where to drink

Twisted Lemon

The Twisted Lemon is a cool and funky bar, situated down a side alley in the middle of town which offers a selection of classic and unique cocktails. There's a rustic vibe about it with a quirky twist, and I love that! 

No32

For a fancier place for a couple of cocktails or a posh night out, this is the place to go, located in the centre of town. I adored everything about No32; the extravagance, the mood lighting, and the varied combination of drinks on the menu. It's definitely a fab place for a bottle of prosecco and to dress up fancy for a girl's night out.

The Mesmerist 

The Mesmerist is one of those bars that has something for everyone. It has a slightly more casual vibe to it with that English pub feel about it. The bar is known for live music, good food, and a range of drinks. It's a great starting point for a night out!

Affinity Bar 

Located in Kempton, the Affinity Gay Bar was an incredible vibe for a night out. The bar offers cabaret, karaoke and plays every banger under the sun for a full joyous night out. I loved it there, it had such a happy atmosphere to it and the cocktails were delicious too.

How to get around

Brighton is one of those cities where you can easily get around to all of the main sights on foot and that's one of the main ways to save money in the city. Alternatively, taxis are always easy to flag down and can be a great option if you need to get somewhere quickly or you don't fancy a long mooch. You can find taxis anywhere in town - it's important to note, they're not the cheapest mode of transport.

Where to stay

Brighton is a hub for accommodation, whether that's a hostel, B&B, hotel, or apartment, and has a place for every type of budget.

For the budget traveller, Horizon is a great pick. It's located in Kempton, only about a 10/15 minute walk from the main hub of Brighton, and is super easy to find.

For the slightly more expensive option, The Lanes Hotel is a gorgeous option, overlooking the main stretch of Brighton seafront. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. What's your favourite part of Brighton?

Thank you for reading <3