Christmas Markets Outside London

If your looking for a day out for Christmas Markets outside London here are the best place to experience it outside the hustle and bustle of the smoke city.

There are different Christmas Market theme that are scattered around the cities in U.K, from German Markets to Medieval times and Victorian Theme. Come and tag along with me through my photographic stroll around Birmingham, Gloucester, Bristol, Manchester, Bath and Caerphilly Wales.

Enjoy the charmingly captured photos hoping to bring you the festivity feelings.

Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market

It is the largest authentic German Christmas Market outside Germany and Austria. Come and explores over 180 stalls scattered around the shopping area of Birmingham City Centre.

Victorian Christmas Market theme in Gloucester

The Gloucester Victorian Christmas Market theme is four-day event that features a bustling of more than 200 stalls of different local produce to sample from. Come along and be transported to Victorian era even just for a day.

Bavarian German Christmas Market in Bristol

Come and wander around the 38 stalls you’ll find traditional German Christmas decorations, lights, nativity scenes and lots of gifts ideas. It offers a true Bavarian Christmas spirit.

Manchester Christmas Market

Stroll along the busy shopping area of Manchester where the different Christmas Market stalls are dotted everywhere. Different varieties of food cuisine from German, Greek, French and local produce.

Bath Christmas Market: Artisan Theme

A Christmas Market with local artisans products from wood works, glass and local food and wine selection. Come along and stroll around the abbey vicinity and enjoy the atmosphere. I suggest go there early or in the evening its less crowded.

Caerphilly Medieval Christmas Market

A very festive atmosphere set in the Caerphilly Castle with Medieval Christmas Market theme.

Have a Merry Christmas to all, let’s start spreading some LOVE. Let’s cheers to a wonder Christmas with a mulled wine or hotchocobaileys at hand.

Wales: Where I left a Piece of my Heart

I missed Wales and that’s true, I used to live in Swansea for 9 years so now and again I visit my friends and previous colleagues. This time im visiting my friend Claire in Cardiff. Every time I visited her we usually go for a day out with her girls.Today I suggested Caerphilly Castle its a great time to visit, theres a medieval events for two day over the weekend. We didn’t waste anytime we drove off to Caerphilly just after lunch, the traffic near the town centre is quite busy. We thought the castle would be so crowded considering its weekend. We found a parking area just across the road to the castle its very handy and the ticket is cheap too its only £1.20 for 4 hours its a bargain.
We walked across the road and the granduer of the castle facades welcomed us and what a beautiful sunny day. Even though its sunny its still chilly and cold, hats gloves and scarf comes to fashionable accessories and kept us warm. We paid our castle entry ticket for £5.50 p/a and the kids are free.
As soon as we got through the wooden gate, we were greeted by the crowd. Curiosity strike so we joined the crowds and soon we found out its a fire juggler reformer. It was very impressive and kids enjoyed the performance. Then we moved to the nearest tent where they showcased a Victorian Games.

After the jugglers performance we crossed the bridge and enter the main castle grounds. There’s another medieval show it’s a ferret race it was fun watching it, the kids were shouting for their favourite ferret to win, while the kids enjoying the race, I went around the castle and went for a wander.

Went  to the main hall there’s Santa Clause and kids making their wishes and a couple of local products being sold.

I still believe in Father Christmas

And then went around everyroom in the castle. There was also a group of people making Christmas Wreath in one room.

It’s just about 4pm but the sun was setting off, I took the opportunity for my Sunset Photography. The Castle with the sunset at the background was just magical.

After I snapped loads of photos we walked towards the Caerphilly Centre where there are different stalls selling christmas gifts and food.

A cool day out and truly unique experince for the kids they enjoyed. Thanks to my friend Claire and the beautiful girls Zarah Clarice, Reyna and Chantell for a wonderful day in Caerphilly. It’s good to be back even just for couple of days.

December Stroll in Bath Somerset U.K

Christmas is just around the corner and ofcourse Christmas Market are everywhere. Me and my friend Marie went to Bath Somerset, we catched the train from Cheltenham and its about 45 minutes journey. As soon as we reached Bath, we headoff towards the Abbey along the way there are many different types of stalls scattered around. All artisans products from wood works, glassware, jewelleries, Christmas decors, local foods wines and ciders.

The place was so crowded, when we had enough wandering around we decided to go and walked away from the crowd, we bumped into a man distributing leaflets for Shoppers Christmas Carols held in the Abbey, we then decided to go and see out of curiosity. It was a random activity but we were really pleased and we enjoyed the performance, we sing along with the choir to different hymms and Christmas Carols.

After that we stroll along the river bank and took loads of photos.

We crossed the Pulteney Bridge and headed to Victoria Gallery. Entry to the main gallery hall is free, but there’s also different display each month in the ground floor that requires a small entry fee. There are awesome displays that captured my attention like the Firescreen designed by George Frampton . Painted Enamel and Mother of Pearl, St Elizabeth of Hungary and St Dorothea in 1954. Theres a beautiful Lichfield clock made in 18th century unusual musical clock with intricately decorated with angel and guilded details. Most of the painting collections have been donated to the gallery and mostly donated before 1955. Displays from World War 1 Oil paintings, Victorian and Edwardian Art.

After the gallery visit we decided to go to the indoor market, a stroll around and photography stunt. It was 7pm so we decided to grab something to eat. I suggested to go to Sally Lunn its the most famous restaurant and they are known for the delicious bun. I have been there couple of times but always for tea. I highly suggest go there for afternoon tea and they serve delectable array of cakes and their famous buns. The building itself is historic and old house with the original kitchen of Sally Lunn now converted a museum and restaurant.

After our meal we went around the Christmas Market again for a last minute stroll before we catched our train back to Cheltenham.

A day trip was really good even though the market was overly crowded, we still enjoyed our touristy walked around the beautiful Bath. I was here last January with my friend Ching and im closing my December to remember with good photos to take home. Bath remained one of my favorite City in U.K.

Highlights of my 2014 Travels

My 2014 started very slow yet was full of excitement, yes I planned to go and visit my families back home in the Phillipines. Holiday is booked for 3 weeks on March-April. I got 7 hours lay over in Shanghai so I took this chance to see abit of Shanghai. The experience wandering around to a new place gave me the surge of excitement. This was the start of my unstoppable wandering feet, and the time I discovered Solo Travelling. Looking back to my travel trails. I can say I am very proud of myself having the courage to travel solo and the best experience I had so far, meeting amazing people and made friends along the way.

Photo Essay of my 2014 Travels

Philippines

There’s no place like home. Spending time with my family is the best part of my holiday.

Shanghai China

A short time spent wandering around Shanghai district awakens my wanderlust.

Brussels Belgium

The magnificent Grand Place gave me the urge to discover more of the worlds great architectural buildings it has to offer.

Bruges Belgium

Wandering and getting lost in the cobbled alleyways gave me confidence  to explore more.

Antwerp Belgium

Celebrating my Birthday in a strange land is not a bad idea at all. I had a fantastic time.

Haugesund Norway

Visiting a friend I haven’t seen for more than 10 years is a good excuse to catch up and reminiscence our high school life.

Oslo Norway

A road trip with friends to Norways Capital City and  chance to visit the famous sculptured park.

Bergen Norway

My fjord cruising experience is one ticked on my bucketlist and best waterscape photography opportunity.

Forsand Norway
Preikestolen “Pulpit Rock”

My ultimate hiking destination and was shared with new found hiking buddies.

Stavanger Norway

My first ever food festival experience abroad.

Zadar Croatia

Watched the beautiful sunset and listening to the melodic soundtrack of the waves is just perfect.

Sibenik Croatia

Best day out in Skradin to Krka National Park and  experience to swim at the Krka falls.

Split Croatia

Climbing up the Marjan hill and ended up with sprained ankle but didnt stopped me strolling along the old town.

Vilnius Lithuania

A place that teach me lesson in life after losing my wallet. Discovering my true self in difficult times like this
and still enjoyed my holiday after my bank sorted things out and sent me money.

Trakai Lithuania

A good day out in a beautiful countryside setting of Trakai Castle and meeting  Andrea an enthusiast traveller.

Riga Latvia

Regarded as the Europe’s Culture Capital. Enjoy the beautiful Art Nouveau building masterpiece and meeting Corrina a well travelled and impressively multilingual.

Tallinn Estonia

The beautiful medieval old town, good food and cool people like Martha a  friendly local and a good company.

Budapest Hungary

The most beautiful European city that has lived up to my expectation, the history, intricate building designs, delicious Hungarian food and friendly local and very hospitable Daniel a new found friend and Marc my night out buddy.

As I looked back I can honestly say I’m glad I did it. These experience greatly contributed to my self awareness and discovery, being more confident woman I am now. I’am a certified solo travel globetrotter I would say. A big Smile on my face and I thank my family for their unending support, my old and new friends making my life a beautiful one and to those who inspire me to travel more. I cant wait for what 2015 has to offer. More exploration and bring it on.

Manchester: Markets & Concert

It’s a day out in Manchester with my good friend Gina. We are headed to Enrique Iglesia concert Sex & Love and a side trip to the Christmas Market.

We went straight to the Christmas Market near the Victoria Train station. The markets are scattered around the city, they are literally everywhere. It’s not only a German but theres French, Greek, and Italian stalls, a good choice of everything. We followed the map market trails.

Food stalls ranging from wraps, waffles, sweet treats and of course the Bratwurst and more of German beers, mulled wines and hot chocolate with baileys (wink wink). Stalls of souvenir, Christmas decors and more of gift ideas. And some rides for the kids.

Gigantic Bratwurst for a year supply

Hotchocobaileys anyone?

After sometime roaming around to the different stalls its about time to head off to the Fones4U Arena for Enrique Iglesia concert Sex & Love, the highlights of my night. Demi Lobato is the guest performer for the night. She was good and ofcourse she sang the theme song of Frozen ” Let it go”. After an hour performance of Demi, the much awaited man of the night appeared with loud roaring, screaming and shouting for his name, the whole arena comes to life.

And a good time follows with dancing to Bailando and singing along to Hero. What a spectacular night. Thanks for a wonderful night Gina Moore my concert buddy.