Glass Igloos of Finland

by Kim-Ling | Apr 27, 2017 | Finland, Reviews, Travel

Glass Igloos of Finland

If these photos don’t make you want to stay in a glass igloo… nothing will…

Glass igloos are nothing short of magical in a winter wonderland

You had me at glass igloo

When I first saw a photo of the glass igloos of Kakslauttanen in Finland, I was entranced, and immediately dreamt about staying there. So when I did the Auxiliares Program in Spain, I figured it was the best time to tick that dream off the list. I mean, who can resist falling asleep with nothing but stars and, if you are lucky, the northern lights visibly over your head?

But hey, rather than waffle on about our stay there, we figured our photos are much more enticing…

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#BedroomGoals

There’s nothing like waking up to sunlight softly streaming through snow-capped pine trees…

Whilst it looks cold on the outside, the inside is heated and toasty-warm…

Glass Igloos at night

Mesmerising by day, the glass igloos look magical at night, lit up amongst the snow and the stars…

For those a little shy for the glass igloos, you can stay in rooms completely made out of snow!

If you want the ultimate white wedding, why not in a glass chapel, surrounded by a white, winter wonderland?

Husky Safari through Lapland

You can also arrange fun activities at the hotel. The Husky Safari is an absolute must! Not only is it a chance to get the adrenaline racing, it’s also one of the best ways to see the undeniable beauty of Finnish Lapland.

Want to read more about our Finland adventure? Check out our post!

Winter Wonderland

We are normally beach people and prefer the warmer weather, but seeing the sun rise through the snow-covered trees was absolutely magical and swayed me to embrace the cold and the forest. It really felt like we were in a fairytale.

The Finnish Sauna – Getting in touch with nature… literally

Did you know that the word Sauna is the only Finnish word that has been internationally accepted in other languages? It seems appropriate, as it is quite the pastime. If you want the true Lappish experience, you should sit in the heated room, naked, until it becomes unbearable. Then, and only then, you should run outside and roll in the snow. It’s said to have wonderful health properties, such as improving blood circulation, but I’m pretty sure we all do it just for the rush.

Guy and I are not ones to miss out on experiencing the local culture, so off we went, to our respective saunas (they are segregated for each gender), and into the snow we jumped. I was more concerned about slipping on the ice and knocking myself out, naked, than how cold the snow would be, but I did it, and kinda loved it! It’s a very invigorating experience, and I ended up making naked snow angels, giggling at the oddity of it all… twice (sorrynotsorry for the visuals!)!

Snow fun!

For those who are still very in touch with their inner-child, you’ve got plenty of opportunities to make snow angels and have snowball fights in fresh, soft powder…

Food, glorious food!

There are no cooking facilities in the glass igloos, however, the onsite restaurant makes up for that with delicious meals. They aren’t cheap, but the taste of a delicious, warm meal on a cold evening is priceless… Depending where your accommodation is located, you can enjoy a drink in the glass igloo bar.

The Northern Lights

If you are very lucky, you might even catch the fascinating and awe-inspiring aurora borealis (northern lights). The aurora is a fickle thing though, and only appears when the skies are clear and electrically charged particles from the sun collide with gases in the earth’s atmosphere. Luckily for us, we got a glimpse…

Unfortunately for us, it was still quite a cloudy night, so the glimpse we got was so fleeting and quick, I didn’t have time to properly set up my camera, so the photos didn’t turn out as great as I’d hoped (we happened to just be walking back to our igloo from the restaurant when we saw them). We also briefly saw it from our igloo in bed (a moment I’ll never forget!), but the clouds quickly covered it up.

Are you convinced? Is staying in a Glass Igloo at Kakslauttanen on your bucket list? If so, you should definitely start saving and start booking! These igloos are pretty popular and I booked our accommodation close to 10 months in advance (and got the last one!). When you are there, don’t forget to take the obligatory selfie! 🙂

Prynt case review – Augmented reality comes to travel

by Guy | Oct 7, 2016 | Reviews

Prynt case review – Augmented reality comes to travel

This post is part of our Travel Tech series, where we review the coolest tech gadgets and apps for travelling the world.

We all have those moments when we are travelling that seem surreal, unique and memorable. So memorable, in fact, that we often want to share these moments and experiences with family and friends. And while a simple picture can say a thousand words, the augmented reality photos from the Prynt case can say a whole lot more.

What is the Prynt case

The Prynt case is an attachment for your phone (currently iPhone SE, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, and Samsung Galaxy S5) that allows you to print polaroid-style photos. Not only that, but when you view these photos using the Prynt mobile app, they come alive to play an embedded video or GIF that you have selected. Simply put, you can encode a video within a physical photo for your friends to watch later!

Why the Prynt case is good for travel lovers

Once you work out what you are doing with it, the Prynt case has all sorts of uses. You can take a happy snap and send it to your family as a postcard, or send it with a letter (remember those things made out of paper?). A little more creative way of using it, it to take a snap and leave it somewhere around the world for your friends to find! How cool is that!! The photos even double as stickers, so it’s perfect for the travel scrapbook, something Ling was very excited about.

How it works

To use the Prynt case, you need to download the Prynt app. Then, simply plug your phone into the case, open up the Prynt app on the iPhone and press the shutter button on the case. It will begin to record a 3-6 second video of what you are looking at and digitally embed that video into the photo.

To print a photo, the process is equally as simple. Firstly, load up the case with printer paper. With the iPhone plugged in and the Prynt iPhone app running, you select the photo you want, press the print button and the case does the rest! It’s super easy!

The details

Hopefully by now you love this thing as much as we do. But there are some things that you should know. For instance, the case will only work with the iPhone 5 and 6 models and the Samsung Galaxy S5. That should cover most travellers but if you buy a cheap phone overseas, don’t expect it to work. You also cannot adjust the size of the photo paper; the Prynt ZINK® Photos are two by three inches (or 5 by 7.62 centimeters).

While the app is pretty intuitive and easy to use, it doesn’t allow you to select the image from the video that you would like to embed. So if you want the image from the end of the video, then you’re out of luck. So when you are using the app, remember that the start of the video will be the image that gets printed. The other tip is that you don’t have to have the case connected to capture the photo/recording! This came in handy when we were doing some more active adventures, and didn’t want to risk bringing the case along and damaging it.

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Conclusion

Well as far as travel tech goes, this has to be an amazing step forward. We’ve certainly never seen anything like this before! We’ve used it a few times, capturing some fun activities on the snow, days sightseeing and even to send heartwarming photos with messages to loved ones overseas.

Thanks to the Prynt team for supplying us with this case to review. All opinions are our own, and we really like this tech!

Have you used the Prynt case before? How would you use it for travel? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Street XO Madrid – Restaurant Review

by Guy | Aug 25, 2016 | Food, Madrid, Reviews, Spain

Street XO Madrid – Restaurant Review

Situated just a short walk from the hustle and bustle of central Madrid, Street XO is three star Michelin chef David Muñoz’s side project and gift to the masses. If innovative and creative gourmet dishes served amongst a loud and theatrical environment and at reasonable prices are your thing, then Street XO is an absolute must when you visit Madrid.

The entry to the restaurant gives you an indication of what is to come

While Madrid has its fair share of foodie restaurants, they often come with extravagant price tags and must be booked well in advance for that ‘special night’. This is how we found ourselves scouring the internet trying to find fine, but creative dining without a reservation in Madrid and by chance, stumbled upon Street XO.

Spanish wonder-chef Dabiz (aka David) Muñoz is well known within the culinary world for his three Michelin starred restaurant in Madrid, DiverXO. But his side project, the gourmet street food project Street XO, has rapidly gained the attention of the masses. This project aims to bring Michelin starred quality and flavour to everyday people at a price they can afford.

Not what you might expect from a Michelin starred restaurant, right?

Taking the elevators to the 7th floor of the El Corte Ingles on Calle Serrano (see the map at the bottom), you emerge into a real foodie heaven. The floor is a gourmet experience, as beside Street XO sits an artisan ice-creamery and a cool little cocktail bar for
pre-dinner drinks.

The view directly into the kitchen where the magic happens

We joined the queue waiting for seats in the restaurant around 9:30pm (this is Spain after all) and a short time later we were seated inside with an unobstructed view to the kitchen and the organised chaos which ensued. We took our friendly waitress’ recommendations on cocktails (they were fantastic!) and started to peruse the many delights on offer on the menu.

For the first course, we chose a sharing dish, the Pekinese dumplings and Pig’s ear with strawberry hoisin sauce. We were hooked straight away! The dumplings were fluffy and juicy and the pig’s ear, while a first for both of us, was paired perfectly with the strawberry hoisin sauce.

Our first course: Pekinese dumplings and Pig’s ear with strawberry hoisin sauce

So it was with much anticipation that we were delivered our next two dishes, served with excited explanations by the chefs themselves. The first dish: suckling lamb shanks, Jabugo soul glace with chilli garlic fried udon, vegetables and corn; and the other dish, skate ribs on banana leaves with Indonesian Sambal sauce and creamy, spicy ‘salmarejo’. The lamb shanks were roasted to perfection with meat falling off the bone and the skate ribs were basted in a tasty, but not too spicy sauce. Both dishes did not last long before we inhaled them.

Suckling lamb shanks, Jabugo soul glace with chilli garlic fried udon, vegetables and corn

Skate ribs on banana leaves with Indonesian Sambal sauce and creamy, spicy ‘salmarejo’.

By now hooked on the amazing flavours, we decided to go for broke and ordered two more dishes: the Korean lasagne with old Galician beef and goat’s milk béchamel sauce, shitake mushroom wontons and spicy marinated tomatoes; and the roasted bone marrow with churros and an ‘almost jalapeno’ gazpacho.

This was amazing: Korean lasagne with old Galician beef and goat’s milk béchamel sauce, shitake mushroom wontons and spicy marinated tomatoes

Roasted bone marrow with churros and an ‘almost jalapeno’ gazpacho

We didn’t think our night could get much better, but we were so very, very wrong. The Korean lasagne was the highlight and skilfully mixed kimchee and Korean flavours with an eternal favourite, the traditional Italian lasagne. Although the roasted bone marrow was probably a little rich for our tastes, we enjoyed every mouthful and happily devoured every trace of it.

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Satisfied we had tasted our way through the very best that Street XO could offer, we departed content and very pleased with what had been a stunning introduction to Madrid’s gourmet food scene. In total, the five dishes plus four cocktails cost €110-120. Sure, it’s a little more expensive than your regular ‘Menu del Día’ at €10, but the food quality and overall experience is priceless. If you’re looking for a funky, creative food experience that won’t require a second mortgage, then be sure to give Street XO a try.

Two very contented customers!!

Street XO has since changed their menu since we visited, but we are confident the food will be equally as titillating and delicious as the dishes we tried. Enjoy!

Where to find Street XO:

Calle de Serrano, 52, 28001 Madrid, Spain (on the 7th floor of the El Corte Ingles building – Metro – Serrano station)

Have you had a unique dining experience while travelling?

Tell us about it below!

The Travel Bra Review: An Essential for Active Travellers

by Kim-Ling | Jul 27, 2016 | Reviews, Tips and Tricks

The Travel Bra Review: An Essential for Active Travellers

UPDATE: The folks at Travel Bra HQ have released a new range of travel bras and I’ve added details on the Beach Travel Bra below.

We are beginning our packing list for our upcoming trip to Bali (yay!) and one must-pack item is the travel underwear from The Travel Bra company. I don’t know about you, but I am always a little nervous on where to keep my passport, cards and cash when travelling overseas. I mean, unless you are an overweight man in his 60’s and rocking the shorts-sandles-and-socks combo, you really can’t get away with wearing a money belt (and even then, the jury is likely to rule guilty in the fashion crime stakes!). So thankfully, there is an answer in the form of a travel bra and travel trunks, to keep your valuables close to, well, your valuables.

Background

Anthropologist, Dr Annie Holden, had the wonderful job of travelling around the world to remote places. Like many travellers, carrying cash and passports on person at all times was a necessity, but she was put off the idea of a money belt, which draws the unwanted attention of potential thieves. So she did something about it. She worked with one of Australia’s top lingerie designers to create The Travel Bra – a comfy, sporty bra that also has bonus pockets to store the essentials, literally close to your heart.

The Travel Bra, made from organic cotton and bamboo, was such a success that the range has expanded to now include men’s trunks, knickers, wash bags and variations on the travel bra (the Beach Travel bra is my favourite!).

We recently were given the opportunity to road test the underwear, during local and international travels, and here’s what we thought:

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The Travel Bra
(Kim-Ling)

Initial thoughts? I have super dry skin, so the cotton bamboo fabric is wonderful and soft. The hidden pockets are great to hold cash and keys, and the passport pocket also conveniently holds my phone perfectly!

How comfortable were they? As a follower of the ‘activewear’ movement, I’ve worn my fair share of sports bras during travels, as I find them much comfier than normal bras (underwire bras on a long flight? I don’t think so!). That being said, I couldn’t fault this bra on the comfort. It provided comfort and support, without having invasive underwire, clasps or labels digging in. I even played tennis in it, and the only bouncing going on was from all of the missed serves! The fabric is really soft and light, and the mesh panelling on the back is super breathable and managed to keep me sweat-free through all of my adventures!

Keep cool with the mesh back

What are the special features? The passport pocket doubles as a perfect phone pocket! At first I was a little hesitant that my phone would be too big or heavy to sit in there, but the stretch, strength and quality of the fabric is great! All of the built-in pockets would be ideal during travels – sneaky pick-pockets would have a tricky time getting to the valuables hidden in the bra. This is also the ideal bra to wear during active ventures, when you don’t want to carry too much on you.

Store your keys and cash in the pockets

Final thoughts? This is not a ‘sexy’ bra by any means. But it is super comfy and the convenience of the pockets and breathable material make it perfect for travelling. I’ve loved wearing the Travel Bra during our mini-getaways and every-day activities, but am really looking forward to taking it overseas. It’s the perfect bra to wear on flights, not just for comfort, but also for convenience, in having your passport on you when you need it. I also plan to wear it when doing some nature walks in Bali.

Special pocket for cards…

Store your passport in the pull-down pocket

NEW! The Beach Travel Bra

The Travel Bra company have also released a new range of travel bras, including the Beach Travel Bra. This is one of my go-to’s for summer, as it can double as a bright and funky outer-wear crop top with the colourful material perfect to show off (once I get my beach body, of course!).

The drop-down pocket can hold a passport or phone

It’s not quite as lightweight or stretchy as the Original Travel Bra, however the material is still quite comfy and the cross-over straps feel secure without feeling constrained. Like the original travel bra, the beach travel bra has the essential pockets for your passport (or in my case, my phone), cards, keys and cash. There is also a nice addition of a lip gloss pocket in the Beach Travel Bra.

Stylish criss-cross straps on the Beach Travel Bra

The Travel Trunks
(Guy)

What did you wear? I trialled the Travel Trunks while on a trip to Thailand and during 10+ hours of flying.

Initial thoughts? There were a couple of things that I loved straight away about these trunks. Firstly, they were extremely comfortable, felt good on the old ‘privates’ and had a good amount of stretch to them so they never felt like they were bunching up at all. Secondly, they were solidly made of good quality fabrics and able to breathe in the heat of Thailand’s hot and humid summers. And that’s no easy feat!

How comfortable were they? Like pillows. Seriously, the bamboo fabric is light and breathable and never irritated or rubbed against my skin.

Did you use the pockets? I didn’t really use the passport pocket or the money holder too much, other than a trial run while packing at home. While it was a little bulky sitting on my thigh, it wasn’t uncomfortable and would certainly make it very difficult for any thrifty fingered pickpocket out there!

Final thoughts? I enjoyed wearing these trunks a lot as they did exactly what they said they would. I was surprised how well they performed in the 35+ degree humid temperatures of Bangkok and Thailand, in fact they stood up to the heat much better than I did!

If you are an active traveller, or even just a fan of active wear with additional features, the underwear from The Travel Bra range is just for you! We both liked the range so much that we joined their affiliate program! Check out their full range at The Travel Bra.

Game of Thrones Exhibition

by Kim-Ling | Jun 19, 2015 | Madrid, Reviews, Spain

Still recovering from the shock, grief and realisation that Game of Thrones has wrapped up for another season, I thought it was time to reminisce about one of my favourite Game of Thrones moments this year, being the Game of Thrones Exhibition in Madrid.

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Hotel review: Walnut Shell Hotel, Istanbul

by Kim-Ling | Jun 15, 2015 | Istanbul, Reviews, Travel

During our short trip to Istanbul (which you can read Part 1 and Part 2 here), we stayed at the Walnut Shell Hotel. I cannot rave highly enough about this place and the lovely staff who worked there. Read below for our hotel review on the Walnut Shell Hotel in Istanbul.

The inviting entrance to the Walnut Shell Hotel

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