We're up for exploring some new places this summer! | image source
Which cities are you looking to discover + explore this summer? With our
Euro Road Trip still in the planning stage – and considering myself + Hollie have already have a trip to Florida booked for June – we’re taking a closer look at a couple of cities across Europe that we think would be great places to stop-over in, and soak up the local culture.
Choosing one in the UK + two in mainland Europe, each city has its own plus-points, strong reasons to visit, and a good bit of history. Perfect for weekend trips for people who love to explore, and who are attached to their cameras. For people like us then!
Let's go!
A mixture of old + new can be found within the streets of the England's second city | image source
Birmingham - Art, Menswear + Independent Businesses
Birmingham may seem like a strange choice, as it's only a three hour train ride away from Lancashire. But considering a budget of around £200 for a weekend, and the fact that we've only ever visit the city for work, Birmingham seems like a great place to start the Buckets road trip across Europe!
England's second city – famed for its integral role in the Industrial Revolution – is by far one of the best connected cities in the country; with trains, buses, planes and motorways running in every direction. Having visited the city before for work, I knew I wanted to return and explore more thoroughly.
Where To Stay
Bloc is a modern boutique hotel with rooms for under £50 a night | image source
As with all three cities, we want to keep costs down, but we still want to stay in places we'd consider to be modern, well connected to the rest of the city, and of course clean.
Located in the city's historic Jewellery Quarter,
Bloc Hotel fits the bill perfectly. With good reviews online and room rates hovering around £45 per night we reckon this would be ideal. Expect it to be basic and small (hence the name?), but it's got everything you need for a short break.
What To Pack
Never leave the house without a brolly around these parts!
The price of the hotel includes towels and wi-fi (which is becoming increasingly rare for budget hotels these days), but I'd pack extra toiletries like hand soap and shower gel, as they don't always throw them in.
I'd be traveling to Birmingham by train – booked as separate journeys in advance, for a cheaper fare – which is a good three/four hour journey, so I'd plan to catch up on podcasts with my iPad or use the old Kindle app for a bit of reading.
No doubt it will rain, so my trusty Fulton umbrella, Marmot rain jacket +
Red Wing boots will be joining me as standard. A back-up phone charger is a lifesaver these days too.
What To Do
Visit Menswear + Denim Specialist retailer, Liquor Store.
Having a few friends from Birmingham helps, and it didn't take me long to realise you'd never be short of things to do, and places to explore. But if you don't know anyone in the city, try the "explore" feature on Instagram.
The Ikon Gallery regularly rotates its exhibitions of local and international contemporary artists, plus it's totally free! It's great to feel a connection to any new place you visit, so I'd be keen to see the "
We Made It" exhibition at Think Tank too. Also the
Library of Birmingham is a must-visit. Looking for something a little more exciting, then stick perhaps
Indoor F1K on your list. There's also several picturesque parks across the area, so pack a book!
A trip to Birmingham wouldn't be complete without paying a visit to our favourite denim specialists
Liquor Store, in the Great Western Arcade either. These guys know their stuff when it comes to menswear, with Store Owner, Phil, working in the denim industry for 15 years.
There's so much more of the city I'm yet to explore, and with quite a few lifestyle bloggers from this part of the country it would be a great opportunity to meet up with them. If it doubt take to the #Birmingham hashtag on Twitter.
Where To Eat & Drink
People watching at an independent, Faculty Coffee
"Where's the nearest coffee shop to the hotel?", is generally my first question when I arrive at a new place.
Faculty Coffee is a sweet independent coffee shop who know their way around a strong roast, same goes for
Six Eight Kafe. Both can be found slap-bang in the centre of the city.
With the aim to keep things affordable but still considered, we'd give
The Church Inn (
Winnie's recommendation) for cocktails – with 20% off every Wednesday with their Whiskey Club – and classic American soul food, and for beers I hear
Pure Bar + Kitchen is worth paying a visit.
