Healthy Barcelona Hotspot: Flex & Kale

Flex & Kale, located in the inner streets of this large Spanish city, is the first healthy Flexitarian restaurant in Barcelona. With a menu that for 80% consists out of plant-based items, the remaining 20% percent includes oily fish. The best thing is, we had no clue that they had so many vegetarian items on their menu until we looked it up later online. With my date, a true carnivore, that’s  something special.

The restaurant is actually quite large and features several floors,  but nevertheless it feels cozy and has garden-esque vibes throughout. At Flex & Kale they flawlessly combine health with happy taste buds. Just the way we like it. Best place to enjoy your meal is on the second floor. That is where the restaurant features a small light infused rooftop terrace.

Featuring above are the following three menu items:

WHEN GOAT IS GOD |   $12.90 (€ 10,50)
goat cheese and beetroot cold-pressed juice beetball + mixed sprouts + rocket +
beetroot + mango + strawberries + pistachios + maple syrup vinaigrette

FUNGHI COCONUT TOAST | $9.80 (€7,95)
seasonal funghi mix toast + 5 cereals whole grain spelt bread + white wine +
coconut cream + thyme + black truffle

BTT: BEET TUNA TARTAR |    $16.60 (€13,50)
tuna and beetroot tartar + avocado + seeds + sprouts

 

So enjoy your lunch under their motto “Eat better, be happier, live longer”. And before you leave, make sure to grab some vitamines on the go from the funky cold-pressed juice wall at the entrance.

Flex & Kale is open everyday of the week during the following hours:

• Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 23:30
• Saturday and Sunday from 09:30 to 23:30

For our lunch at Flex &. Kale, we paid a total price of $47 (€39). This included three dishes, two coffees and a bottle of water.

For more information on opening hours and menu items click here

* All prices converted on xe.com on 17 February’18 

HOTEL TIP – Granada, Nicaragua

Selina Granada

Right within the centre of the color washed streets of Granada, you”ll find the large  and playful Selina. A hostel, part of an innovative hotel chain, that offers “hotels for millennials” and plays in to all the needs and wants their diversified audience might have. From the organization of parties on the weekends to rental of neat work areas during the day and arranging adventurous must see day trips.

Selina Granada is generally operated by young staff members, some more experienced than others, but overall very friendly. Location wise, it is not going to get much better than this colorful hostel. Located just steps away from the evenly bright Granada Cathedral, lively Parque Central and the bar- and restaurant street. Once finished exploring the beauty of Granada’s colonial architecture, the hostel is also a perfect jumping off point for other adventures. At the reception, they offer a variety of day trips that are  easily arranged and well executed.

For our stay, we chose the private room with shared bathroom. But, with 7m2 the room was very similar to that of Harry Potter. With no room to unpack even slightly, we decided to request an upgrade, which would bump up the room size with 200%. However, this proved to be rather difficult and unnecessarily expensive. Hence, we decided to pass, accept our rookie mistake and enjoy the rest of our stay in our closet-esque room.

That aside, this place is definitely recommended. Just make sure to double check your room size before booking, as it does like a little larger in the images, and you’re good to go. Breakfast at the hostel is fine but rather basic. With a lot of cool places around like these, we would recommend to start your day elsewhere.

Want to kick off (or end)  your trip in Nicaragua in a relaxed atmosphere and as centrally located as you could possibly be? Check out the the current prices for a stay at Selina Granada on your desired date and time here.

For a two night stay in the standard room, with a shared bathroom, we paid a total of $45 (€36.5). Breakfast is not included and can be added for $4.50 (€3.60) p.n.p.p.

*All prices as of 10 March’18, converted on xe.com 

HOTEL TIP – Brussels

Hygge Hotel

Hygge –  pronounced “Hoo-ga” – is a concept originating from Denmark and refers to the feeling of coziness and fulfillment by enjoying the simple things in life. Which is exactly what the recently opened Hygge Hotel embodies. Decorated with Scandinavian design throughout, the hotel intertwines modern, minimalistic architecture with a warm touch.

The hotel is conveniently located in the Louise area, right within the city centre of Brussels. The area is a very popular district where shopping, business, dining and bars meet another.

The rooms of the hotel are styled in cool blues and whites, with hints of wood scattered throughout. The bathrooms are decorated in Delft Blue tiles and most encompasses a spacious bath. All of the above contributes to the creation of a relaxed atmosphere to either get some work done (on the in-room desk) or enjoy a good nights sleep.

©HYGGE Hotel

The breakfast, which will cost you roughly 15 euros if you purchase it on the spot, is varied and satisfactory. With the offering ranging from freshly baked baguettes,  Scandinavian yogurts to pressed juices. It is served on the ground floor and the carved details in the ceiling allows you to let your eyes wander, whilst enjoying your meal.

So what will a stay at the cozy and centrally located Hygge Hotel cost you? For a 1 night stay, on a week day, we paid a total of €78/$95.

Hit this link to find out what a stay at Hygge Hotel is going to cost you on your desired date and time.

* All prices as of 1 March’18, converted on xe.com 

Top To Do’s in Marrakesh Under $10

Whether you’re craving the sun, want to get acquainted with foreign culture or wish to explore historic monuments; Marrakesh lends itself perfectly for all city trip lovers. But, as many are aware, those short vacations can become quite costly real fast. Therefore, finding one of a kind things to do, that do not involve reaching deep in to the wallet, are a precious find.

1. Ben Youssef Madrasa

Just a few streets away of the Souk lies the impressive Ben Youssef Madrasa. This monumental building formerly functioned as the country’s largest Islamic school, but is now by many perceived as cultural heritage. The abandonment living quarters, which used to house the students, offer phenomenal views where visitors can glare at the fine architectural details that have been crafted in to the building.  Luckily, you’ll most likely won’t explore the property alone, as creepy feelings sneak up on you fast whilst standing in these small dark chambers. The entrance fee will cost you  MAD 20, equal to $2.18.

For more information on Ben Youssef Medersa and opening hours, visit www.medersa-ben-youssef.com

2. Bahia Palace

We’ve yet to come across a palace that doesn’t excite us. The architectural brilliance that  goes in to building these royal residences have some sort of ancient glory over them. And, as they age, their beauty remains. Which is literally what the palace of Bahia stands for – palace of the beautiful. The palace, covered in colorful tiles and marble carvings, was build in the nineteenth century and is located on the south-east of the old city centre. The entrance fee of the Bahia Palace is very gentle and comes down to €1 – $1.24.

For more information on the Bahia palace and opening hours, visit www.palais-bahia.com/

3. Majorelle Garden

Lush greens and bright blues. The Majorelle garden is a small botanical garden, located some what outside of the Medina, that combines artistry with gardening. The garden is also commonly known as the YSL garden, as designer Yves-Saint-Laurent purchased it together with companion Pierre Bergé in the 1980’s, to restore and maintain the land. The place is, nowadays, as colorful as it is popular. If you’re keen on a visit without standing in line for hours, try to go early on the day and especially avoid weekend days. Another way to go around the line is to buy a combo ticket, which includes entrance to both the museum as well as the garden and can be purchased at the museum entrance, where it is considerably less crowded. This does raise the price however to 100 MAD, whilst regular entrance to the enchanting Majorelle Garden will cost you 70 MAD, equal to €6.2 – $7.6.

©FRANOISE BRO – FOTOLIA/YANN CANARI

---

We weren’t kidding about the line.

For more information on the Majorelle Garden visit www.jardinmajorelle.com

Still need a place to stay in Marrakesh? Hit this link for our accommodation tips.

* All prices as of 13 February’18, converted on xe.com 

 

 

4x Bountiful Breakfast in Amsterdam

In order to explore the many tourist attractions in Amsterdam, you’ll need to have your body fueled up. So its better not to skip the, alleged, most important meal of the day. And, if you’re doing it anyway, you better do it right. At one of the following breakfast spots in Amsterdam.

1. Corner Bakery

More is more – must be the mantra that Corner Bakery operates under. This bakery, located on the corner of the Johannes Vermeerstraat, achieved quite the Instagram fame with their extravagant menu. Becoming highly populair amongst tourists, as well as the locals. So popular even that they’ve recently opened a second location to serve their yummy goodness. If you’re keen on a visit in the original location, best to do so during office hours as it tends to get crowded on the weekends.

Bali Bowl €9.95 – French Toast €9.95

© Cornerbakeryamsterdam

For lunch at Corner Bakery we paid a total price of €41.45 / $51.5. Which included Eggs on toast, French toast, Bali Bowl and four cappuccinos. 11.60

2. MOOK

Pancakes, pancakes and more pancakes. YES, please. Whether it’s sweet, savory or sweet AND savory, they know how to whip up some tasty combinations at MOOK. These richly decorated pancakes, combined with one of their many freshly pressed juices, will have you, and your tummy, walk out the door fully satisfied.

The Blue Magic Deluxe – €11.50 / $14.3

The Soul Flower – €11 / $13.7

For lunch at MOOK we paid a total price of €36.50 / $ 45.6. Which included our pancakes, two coffees and two fresh juices.

For more information on other menu items and prices visit www.mookpancakes.nl

3. The Breakfast Club

What better place to have breakfast than at the Breakfast Club. Whether you’re in the mood for a breakfast burger -yes, apparently that’s a thing- or some eggs benedict. This place is such a success they have opened several locations across Amsterdam; east, south and west. So  wherever you’re located or planning to spend your day, a tasty breakfast is right around the corner.

For lunch at The Breakfast Club we paid a total price of €37.2 / $46.1 Which included the Breakfast Burger, Eggs Seaside, a juice and four cappuccinos.

4. Koala Republic

Playfully basic – is what comes to mind when describing Koala Republic. This naturally decorated lunch cafe is located ten minutes from the, at times hectic, inner city centre, and therefore a great spot to bring your laptop and get some work done. Their menu is a feast for every day of the week and has a strong focus on serving guests good-food-that-is-good-for-you.

Dragon Bowl 8 – Coconut pancakes 7.50

YES, you can actually sit here. Unless your clumsy, like me.

For our lunch at Koala Republic we paid a total price of €36.50 / $45.4 Which included Coconut Pancakes, Dragon Bowl, Coconut water, Juice and two cappuccinos.

*All prices as of 27 January 2018, converted on xe.com 

HOTEL TIP – Marrakesh

Well, hotel, hotel… actually this accommodation is classified as a riad. A term originating from the old days, where a riad was commonly known as a traditional Moroccan house within the centre of it all a garden or courtyard. All within the comfort of the old city walls – therefore, within the medina (old city centre of Marrakesh) you’ll find lots of these Moroccan houses of wonder. Whilst many parts of the old city feel long over do for a renovation, most riads are like stepping in to another world. A world straight from your 1001 fairytale that is. And that especially goes for Riad Palacio De Las Especias.

This is part of your room. I KNOW. AWESOME.

This riad is interior perfection for us, containing future home goal after future home goal. Plants everywhere, hints of bright colors and the turquoise pool. The rooms are spacious, with rose petals on the bed upon arrival- super cheesy but we can’t help but to love the extra effort our hosts made for us.

Bab El-Khemish double room

View from our room

But if that doesn’t sell you. How about the diverse breakfast on offer. Which they will set up on your own private table throughout your stay. Diversifying day by day and just enough to let even the anti-morning persons amongst us leave the breakfast table smiling.

Guests of the riad also have acces to the roof top terrace. If the temperature is right, you can even request even they set up the yummy breakfast featured above under the blue morning sky. Also a great spot to hang and recover from your day of exploring all that Marrakech has on offer.

Want to wake up in Riad Palacio De Las Especias? Check out the the current prices for your desired date and time here.

For our 4-night stay we paid a total price of € 480 / $594 

* All prices as 24  January’18, converted on xe.com 

6x Why You’ll Want to Rent a Scooter in Bali

Yes, traffic in Bali is crazy, there is no arguing that. And while it may seem like an excess necessity to rent a scooter with taxis everywhere -that will take you across the island for just a few dollars- it is truly one of the more extraordinary ways to experience Bali. If you’re all about authentic ways to explore, check out why you will  definitely want to rent a scooter in Bali:

1. There is ALWAYS traffic

Bluebird taxis indeed get you across Bali for as little as some spare change, but when there is traffic, and for some reason there always is, a short distance might turn in to the longest ride of your life. Being stuck for hours at a time is nothing uncommon.  With a scooter you can do as the locals do, wiggle yourself through the traffic jam and off to enjoy your day you go.

©Tempo.co

2. Freedom

Go where ever you want to go, whenever you want to go. Simple as that.

3. It’s cheap

As cheap as taxis might be, so is driving and renting the scooter. Filling it up is done at one of many gasoline stops alongside the road. Bet you were already wondering wat is in those vodka bottles right? Well, it’s gasoline, for one liter expect to pay around IDR 10.000/ US$0.75,-.

©blogit.ulkominesterio.fi

4. No pick-up wait

It is great that the hotels, resorts and even hostels for that matter, are always willing to call you taxis at all times. What is less great however, is the wait… In Bali there is no such thing as “be there in ten”, it is more like “I am on my way now, might take 2 minutes, might take 20, might take an hour”. Great if you have the patience of an angel, we unfortunately do not.

5. Hidden spots

While out and about, the chances are you might stumble upon a gorgeous rice field, or a cute coffee bar that you would have never noticed otherwise. The hidden spots along the way make renting a scooter well worth the adventure.

6. Work on your tan 

Do you get a tan while sitting the car? We don’t think so. Enjoy the sun, with the fresh air blowing in your face instead of the air con.

Scooters are rented throughout the island. Prices will most certainly vary per rental, if you want to avoid unnecessary long price negotiations, best thing to do is to let the hotel arrange it for you. They can even offer you special deals at many occasions. In addition, the rule usually goes that, the longer you decide to rent one, the cheaper it will become. We paid roughly 35.000 Rupiah per day, which is equal to US$2.60. We’ve heard cheaper and we’ve heard more expensive, but I guess it is safe to say it is a safe common ground.

*All prices as of 7 January 2018 at xe.com

HOTEL TIP – BRUSSELS

Le Jardin Secret

Right within the Centre of Brussels, capital of Belgium, lies Le Jardin secret. A, literally, secretive hotel hidden within the walls of another hotel, named Le Berger. The entire hotel is garden themed and can only be accessed via an extraordinary plant shop. After you’ve located the plant shop in one of Brussels many alleys, you will find the cloaked reception and are ready for check-in. After which, entrance to hotel will be granted via the back door and you can make your way to to your room via the inner garden.

Before our visit we never actually realized how uncommon it is to have lots of plants in your room. Total shame because it is absolutely lovely and has a very relaxed and homely vibe to it. Also contributing to those vibes are a view of, yes, the large inner “secret” garden. All of which you can admire from your, very comfortable, window seat.

As Brussels tends to get quite busy – with either tourism, business conferences or European affairs- prices for hotels can be relatively high at times.  However, for this unique hotel we only paid EUR 68/$82.81, way below the usual Brussels average. To have the diverse continental breakfast they offer included, price will go up with EUR 14/$16.81 p.p.p.n.

Find out what it is going to cost you on your desired dates here

For more information on the hotel visit www.jardinsecrethotel.be

3x Amazing Bubble Baths Across the Globe

Truthfully, you don’t even have to be a bubble bath fanatic to appreciate the following three beauties, that each have views to never – ever- forget. Without spoiling to much, have a look at the following absolute stunners and find out how much it is going to cost you to take a dip.

4x Best Healthy Breakfast Bowls in Bali

These fruit packed vitamins bombs, commonly known as breakfast bowls, are quite the phenomenon in Bali. Swirled with tropical fruits and topped off with so-called superfoods, these heavenly bowls are as delicious as they are good for you. As an instant fan, I went on a quest to discover the most exquisite bowls on the rest of the island. Here are my top picks: