How To Spend a Long Weekend in Sofia, Bulgaria

As March turned into April, it was time for me to go exploring again. My destination? Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria: a new city for me and the 49th country I've visited. During my four-day trip, I learned a great deal about Sofia's complex and fascinating history, admired striking and diverse architecture, took several excellent tours with passionate locals and ate delicious food. I even managed a side trip to a UNESCO-listed monastery perched high in the Rila mountains and to the city of Plovdiv. Read on to find out all of my recommendations for spending a long weekend in Plovdiv.

Seven Speciality Coffee Shops To Visit in Sofia, Bulgaria

Earlier this month, I spent an enjoyable — and very well caffeinated — long weekend in Sofia. The speciality coffee scene in the Bulgarian capital has been growing in recent years, with a number of new cafes joining longer-established coffee spots. This meant I didn't make it to all of the venues on my list; I was also a few weeks early for Sofia Coffee Week. But I did visit seven Sofia coffee shops and drank lots of delicious coffee, enjoying chats with some lovely coffee people. I even managed a speciality coffee pitstop on my very brief visit to the city of Plovdiv — scroll to the end of this post for the details. 

The Caffeine Chronicles: Nostos Coffee, St James's Park

My favourite London coffee opening of 2021 was Nostos Coffee's original Battersea cafe. Nostos lives up to its name (from the Greek for 'homecoming') — I felt at home there from my first visit. Their coffee is impressive too. Nostos's second coffee shop goes even further, with an experience bar, where you can enjoy unique coffees and brewing techniques.

The Caffeine Chronicles: Moonstruck Cafe

I took advantage of the recent Easter long weekend to check out a few new-to-me coffee shops and Moonstruck Cafe, which opened in Stockwell earlier this year, was high on my list. With fantastic coffee served by welcoming staff in a beautifully designed space, Moonstruck is an excellent addition to the neighbourhood.

How To Spend a Perfect Weekend in Brighton & Hove

Brighton and Hove makes for an ideal weekend getaway in the UK. Located on the Sussex coast 55 miles south of London, this seaside gem has it all: a bustling beachfront, labyrinthine lanes filled with independent shops and eateries, a thriving art and cultural scene and a bohemian, inclusive spirit. You can easily take a day trip but to make the most of all Brighton has to offer, why not spend the weekend there? Read on for my perfect Brighton and Hove weekend itinerary, filled with things to do and places to eat, drink, shop and stay. And scroll to the end for a map of everywhere featured in this guide.

Ten Speciality Coffee Shops To Visit in Brighton and Hove

Brighton is one of my favourite destinations for a day trip. An hour away from London by train, it has the wonderful beach and seafront, fantastic independent restaurants and shops and a laid-back, bohemian spirit. It also has many excellent coffee shops and roasteries but somehow, I'd never quite managed to make a Brighton speciality coffee guide. As I've been visiting a lot more frequently since some family members moved down to Sussex 18 months ago, I'm excited to finally share my favourite coffee spots in Brighton and Hove.

Where To Eat and Drink on Bermondsey Street

Bermondsey is, without doubt, one of London's best neighbourhoods for foodies. Yes, I'm biased: I've lived in the area since 2012 (it was one of the reasons I moved here). It's home to Maltby Street Market, which draws huge crowds every weekend, and Spa Terminus, where you can hop between the railway arches, tasting and shopping for everything from kimchi to comté. There's a reason why it earned the nickname 'London's larder'. But if you're looking for a restaurant, bar or coffee shop, look no further than Bermondsey Street. And if you're looking for a guide to the best places to eat on Bermondsey Street, read on! (Scroll to the end for a handy map.)