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This guide will help you chose your next European holiday destination based on your budget.

Destination Decider Freebie!

Get your free Destination Decider now! With 10 categories from party holidays, to Christmas markets, there is something for everyone!

This guide will help you chose your next European holiday destination based on your budget.

Last updated on April 3rd, 2023 at 10:15 am

This Women’s Packing List for Croatia in Summer is just what you need if you are planning your Croatian holiday.

Croatia is an amazing destination during the summer. You will be amazed by the clear blue water and the stunning old architecture.

Be sure to try out some snorkeling, take a boat trip and visit some of the epic waterfalls. Read my post on what to do in Split for a week for all the details.

In this packing list for Croatia, I have provided quantities based on a week long trip. You can certainly pack lightly and a carry on case will be plenty of space for all you need. Tweak the quantities where needed based on the length of the trip.

Also don’t forget that most airlines allow a personal item as well as a carry on case so don’t forget to make use of a big handbag or schoolbag/backpack as well as the suitcase if applicable.

Why not explore some more of Europe and check out my Rome, Florence & Venice Itinerary for a week in the lovely Italy.

The weather is best in Croatia from June to September. Along the coast, temperatures will be mid 20s to 30° Celsius. The busiest times in the touristy places like Split and Dubrovnik will be July and August, so if you want to avoid this – June or September is a great time to visit.

• Passport
• Boarding Pass
• COVID documents if required at the time – PCR/antigen test results, COVID locator form, Proof of vaccination etc
• Wallet/Purse (cash and/or card)
• Reservations (hard copy or on your phone)
• Check out my trip planner which keeps all your reservations on one place as well as a packing checklist, expense tracker, cost calculator & more

• Phone
• Camera (plus equipment if needed)
• Chargers
• Portable Charger for when you are out for long days and need a back up
• Travel Adapter – plug type C or F is used in Croatia, the one with the 2 round pins used in most European countries, read more here.
• Headphones – listen to music/podcasts on the plane or at the beach
• Kindle/e-book or normal book for some entertainment
• Hair straightener/Hair dryer if needed
• Waterproof phone case – if you will be doing snorkeling, kayaking etc

Start with wearing the bulky items on the plane and leave them out of the carry on. This will allow some extra space in the bag. So, wear the runners, hoody and the jeans on board and let the light items in the case. I usually roll my clothes so they fit well and give me more space.

• 2 x Swimwear/Bikini
• 1 x light pyjamas
• 1 x light rain jacket or Poncho
• 1 x activewear
• 3 pairs of shorts to go with multiple outfits
• 5-7 tops/t-shirts
• 2-4 dresses/skirts
• 1 hoody
• 1 cardigan
• 1 jeans
• 7 x Underwear
• 7 x Socks
• 2 – 3 bras
• Hat

For the toiletries, be careful that the bottles are under 100ml for the carry on requirements. If not you can transfer them to the travel size bottles. You can buy them on amazon here.

• Skincare – Moisturisers, face creams, face wash
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Perfume
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Body-wash
• Make-up/tan
• Make-up Remover
• Hairbrush
• Bobbles/gogos/hair ties
• Hair clips
• Dry shampoo
• Sun cream
• Razor
• Feminine hygiene products

I would advise to bring a water bottle so you can fill up at the airport inside security to avoid paying an extortionate price for a bottle of water. As well as this, bring snacks. I learned my lesson after paying €8 for a mangy sandwich in Schiphol airport.

• Snacks
• Water Bottle
• Sunglasses
• Glasses/Contact lenses
• Notebook and pen
• Jewellery
• Tablets, medicines, vitamins
• Mosquito repellent

Shoes can take up a lot of space in a suitcase so I would recommend just 2 pairs. Wear the runners or hiking boots on the plane and leave the flip flops in the suitcase.

• Flip flops/thongs/jandals/sandals
• Runners

I advise using this women’s packing list for Croatia in summer to ensure you are on track with your packing and let me know if you think I forgot anything in the comments. Save this link to your bookmarks so you can revert to this when needed.

Thanks for reading,

Lisa

Last updated on April 3rd, 2023 at 10:21 am

Are you booking a long-weekend or short stay in Rome, Italy and not sure where to start with planning? Look no further – I have compiled a detailed plan to help you on your journey.

In this post, I will go through my recommendation of where to go each day. This way you can see the best of Rome in 72 hours.

What to do in Rome for 3 Days? Rome is an ancient city in Italy with outstanding art, architecture, history and religious culture. Not to mention the delicious food. As Rome is such a big city, it is a good idea to visit a specific area each day.

For example, it is a 55 minute walk from the Colosseum to the Vatican city, so you don’t want to do those on the same day, if you can avoid it. Let me walk you through the 3 day Rome itinerary now…

Go to:

Why not explore more of Italy and take a look my one week itinerary – Rome, Florence & Venice in 7 Days.

Need help packing? Have a look at this women’s packing list.

The ceiling in the Vatican museums

I would advise pre-booking tickets for the Vatican museums. We paid €21 each and used this website. If you want to get an audio guide, book here and select the option with audio guide.

These museums are really big and hold a wide selection of art. We spent 1 hour there but we did it quite fast. I would advise leaving yourself at least 2 hours to spend there. The more of an interest you have in art, the longer you will spend taking it all in.

Buy tickets to Vatican Museums here! St Peter’s Basilica Rome

When we went to St. Peter’s Basilica, there were massive crowds in St Peter’s Square (which is directly in front of the Basilica) and we could not get in to see the Basilica as there was a canonization mass on. Now, this is important…

If you want to go into the Basilica, do your research to ensure there are no important masses/canonizations etc. on in St Peter’s square when you want to go. The best time to go is between 7am and 9am when the queues are smaller.

Another way to avoid queuing is to buy a guided tour here that includes a skip-the-line feature. Or else you can just buy the audio guide here for only €5 and see the basilica at your own pace.

Tip: There is a dress code for both the Basilica and Sistine Chapel: You have to cover up – no belly tops, your shoulders and knees need to be covered and no low-cut tops either.

Buy tickets to St. Peters Basilica here! Castel Sant Angelo

Only a 9 minute walk from St. Peter’s Basilica, be sure to walk by Castel Sant’Angelo and take in the sight of this ancient cylindrical building. There is a museum inside that displays a variety of art, architecture and artefacts in Rome.

If you are interested in visiting, the cheapest way is to buy a ticket on arrival. It is free for those under 18, €2 for EU citizens aged between 18 and 25 and for everyone else it is €15. The best time to visit is after 5pm, when the queue will be at it’s lowest.

Villa Borghese Park

It will take 22 minutes to walk from Castel Sant’Angelo to Villa Borghese Park. We entered the park from the Piazza del Popolo side, which brings you up a winding hill. On top, we found a lovely view of the Piazza and the City. Wait, there’s more…

There is a charming lake in Vialle del Lago, another area of this park. Here you can see turtles swimming around, you can even rent a boat and row around the lake for €4 per person. This was a nice area for a walk and a must see while in the area. 

What’s more, we came across markets in the park too, selling fruit, veg, oils etc and with a brass band parading around. Click play below on the video for a snippet of magical Rome.

The Colosseum

Make sure to book your tickets online in advance to ensure you get one (1 ticket admits you to all 3 attractions). This only cost me €4 as I am a European citizen between 18 and 25 years old. If you are older than 25, it costs €18. We bought our tickets here.

However, if you can, I would advise visiting early in the morning or later in the evening. Since this involves a lot of walking, you don’t want to be walking around outside in peak heat (like we did). 

Tip: If you want a drink near the Colosseum, we stopped in the Royal Art Cafe which is directly across the road with a lovely view, where we paid €10 for a cocktail. But if you don’t want to pay that much for a drink, we also went into a shop and bought a cocktail in a bottle and a beer (a total of €5) and drank it on the grass in front of the colosseum. 

Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore

Just a 17 minute walk from the Colosseum, Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore is the largest Roman Catholic Marian Church in Rome. It is one of the City’s four major Basilica’s. Inside there is a mix of mosaics, marble floors and frescoes that fill the ceiling. Have a look inside, it is free to enter.

Trevi fountain

Here is the route to take on Day 3, to see more of the iconic attractions that Rome has to offer. The starting point will be near the centre at the Spanish steps and the ending point will be to the west of the City at the Giuseppe Garibaldi Monument, but there is plenty to see along the way.

You will be glad to hear that all of these places are free to enter. The Spanish steps and Trevi Fountain are the busiest. Due to this, the best time to visit is before 9am, when the crowds are lowest. That is why they are the first 2 stops at the start of the day.

1. Spanish Steps 
2. Trevi Fountain: 8 minute walk from Spanish steps
3. Vittoriano: 14 minute walk from the Trevi Fountain
4. Pantheon: 12 minute walk from Vittoriano. You do not need to pay to enter but on Saturdays and Sundays and public holidays, you need to make a reservation, which is free.
5. Piazza Navona: 4 minute walk from Pantheon
6. Basilica de Santa Maria: 16 minute walk from Piazza Navona
7. Fontana dell’Acqua Paola: 11 minutes from Basilica de Santa Maria
8. Giuseppe Garibaldi Monument: 6 minutes from Basilica de Santa Maria. Here you can get a 360 view over the whole city and is not crowded either.

WARNING: In many of these areas, there are many men trying to sell you roses, who are very persistent. You have to be persistent that you don’t want any (unless you do, then you will have many men to choose from). 

We went for food and drinks in different places depending on the area we were that day. Everywhere we went had nice food so the options in Rome are endless.

To find restaurants and pubs that are cheaper, I would suggest walking away from the tourist attractions so you don’t have to pay extra for a view of the Colosseum, for example. Here are some of the places we went that I would recommend.

Scholars Lounge Irish Pub: If you want to watch sports while you’re on holiday, here is a really great place to go. We watched 2 hurling matches here. They have numerous TV screens – while we were there, there was hurling, tennis, soccer, rugby and cricket on. They also do great food and really big portions, with reasonable prices for Rome.

Travel Book Bar is located between the Vatican City and Castel Sant’Angelo. It is the perfect place for a drink outside. We tried out some cocktails. They bring you out appetisers to have with the drinks and free food will always make me happy. It is very reasonably priced for the area and the staff are really friendly.

We stayed in ‘Appartamento in Lucina‘ which we booked on booking.com. It was €325 for 3 nights (€108 per night). It was a double room with an ensuite and a shared kitchen. This was a great price for a private room in Rome.

It is an 8 minute walk from the Trevi fountain, an 8 minute walk from the Spanish steps and 6 mins from Pantheon. The most it takes to walk to any of the major tourist attractions is 30 minutes. This made it an ideal location to see Rome in 72 hours. I would highly recommend it! 

Budget Rooms des Artistes is a hostel that has a very good rating on Booking.com of 8.4. It offers both private rooms and dormitory rooms (also female only dorms). For this reason, it is suitable for solo travellers as well as couples.

The location is about 2km from the centre, but public transport access is very good here. Castro Pretorio Metro Station is only a 1 minute walk and Termini Station is just a 9 minute walk. It might be a good idea to invest in the 2 or 3 day ticket for the metro (mentioned below), if you stay here. The prices are good here.

We arrived in Rome on a Friday Morning. We got the train from Florence and arrived in Roma Termini, which is the main train station in Rome. After this, we got the metro, which is €1.50 each, to the stop at ‘Spagna’. This stop brings you to the Spanish steps, which is quite central.

There are many exits you can take from the underground – ensure you follow the exit that mentions ‘Piazza di Spagna’. Or else you will end up at the side of a road, a good walk for the Spanish steps.  

Apart from entering and leaving Rome, we walked everywhere within the city. I advise walking as much as possible as you stumble upon many interesting things. We didn’t intend on seeing half the things we did, we just came across them as we were walking. 

We stumbled upon a car show on the street, a violinist playing and many street artists. Also we came across Vittoriano, Piazza Navona, Castel Sant Angelo, which were not on our plan at the beginning.

Although if you don’t fancy walking far, the metro, tram or bus are a cheap, convenient option. It stops at many tourist attractions – the Spanish steps, the colosseum etc.

You can get a one way trip for €1.50, 1 day ticket for €7, 2 day ticket for €12.50 and 3 day ticket for €18. These tickets are valid on the metro, trams, public bus as well as the commuter trains.

Where to find tickets? There will be ticket machines at most tourist areas and if you are passing through Roma Termini you can get them there too. More information on public transport can be found here.

Rome has 2 main airports (Fiumicino and Ciampino), so do not end up at the wrong one!

To get to the Fiumicino airport where we flew from, we got a bus to Termini and then got a train direct to the airport (€14 each). Tickets can be booked on omio.

You can also get a bus from Termini to the airport which is much cheaper (€6 each), which can booked here.

The second airport is Ciampino. There is an airport shuttle bus for €6 one way to and from Roma Termini. You can read more about the trains and buses to Ciampino here.

You can also get a Roma Pass for 48 hours (€32) or 72 hours (€52). This includes free use of the public transport network, discounts on attractions and 1 or 2 free museums/experiences (depending on if you got the 48 hour or 72 hour ticket). There are also a few more bonuses, you can read more here.

For me, this pass wasn’t worth it as we walked everywhere and the only 2 tickets we bought cost €39 for one person. In this case the Roma Pass would not have saved us any money. I would recommend planning out what you want to do first, then calculating the cost to see if you will save any money by getting the pass.

What to do in Rome for 3 Days? I believe your question should be answered in this post. By following this guide, you will fit in the best of what Rome has to offer. I hope you are all running off to book a trip to Italy, because I can tell you one thing for nothing, it was well worth the visit. Was this blog helpful? Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Thanks for reading,

Lisa

Last updated on April 3rd, 2023 at 09:48 am

Do you want to experience 4 different countries in 7 days? This is the itinerary for you. It includes a 7 day road trip through Germany, Austria, Switzerland, but also, the sixth smallest country in the world, Liechtenstein! This is the perfect trip for you to make a good dent on your scratch map. The road trip begins and ends in Frankfurt.

Can’t get enough of Germany? Then why not consider Berlin? 3 Day Berlin Itinerary: The Best Spots in Berlin

Love to tour around, why not get in 3 of the most popular cities in Italy in 7 days with my 1 week Rome, Florence & Venice itinerary.

Or take a week to admire the stunning beaches, ancient sites and recreate scenes from Game of Thrones in Croatia with my 7 Day Split Croatia Itinerary

• In Germany, there were a lot of roadworks so there may be areas where you have to drive very slowly through. So account for these delays when you are getting to the next stop of the route. This website has an interactive map that shows where the roadworks are, for what distance and the speed limit you have to do.
• Munich is a nightmare to drive in so I would suggest parking on the outskirts of the City and getting public transport in.
• Research parking before you get to each place so you are not stressed about where to park when you get there.
• On the autobahn (motorway in Germany), there are certain sections where you can go as fast as you like, there is no speed limit. These areas are marked by a white sign with 4 black diagonal lines. So unless you have a powerful car, try keep to the slow lane because there will be cars zooming past so fast, you will barely see them.
• When entering Austria, you need a vignette for the windscreen of your car. You can buy this 10 day toll sticker for about €6 online or via petrol stations, newsagents or post offices. Find more information on the Austrian vignette toll sticker here.
• In Switzerland, you need to have a vignette too. Buy the one that lasts 1 year (that is the one you need) and it will cost about €35. You can buy it in petrol stations or online. Visit this website for more information on the Swiss vignette.

Autumn is the best time to do this trip. We went at the start of November and driving through the Black Forest was stunning with the multi-coloured leaves surrounding us.

What’s more, in some of the cities, they were starting to get ready for the Christmas festivities – setting up the Christmas markets and mulled wine could be bought everywhere or Gluhwein as they call it.

As well as this, driving to Austria was very scenic as the mountains were covered in snow.

Germany is quite cheap when you compare it to many of its western neighbours. I was delighted with myself when I could get a pretzel the size of my head for €1 for my breakfast and beer that was under €4. We found Austria cheap as well, similar to Germany. Here, I was drinking cocktails for €3.

But be mindful that Switzerland, on the other hand, is far more expensive. We went to an Irish pub and it was €30 for a burger, chips and a beer!! We only got one meal in Switzerland and waited until we were over the border in to Germany to get our breakfast the next morning.

Romerberg, Frankfurt

I think a good starting and ending point on the road trip through Germany, Austria & Switzerland is Frankfurt as it has a major international airport with flights arriving from all over the world (Frankfurt Airport or FRA), so it is a good option if you are coming by plane. This City is quite industrialised as it is a major financial hub and home to the European Central Bank.

In Frankfurt, we walked around the City, the old town and Romerberg was a really nice part of the City. As well as this, we climbed the main tower and got a 360 view over Frankfurt. But, I would suggest to spend no more than one day here.

• Hotel Miramar am Romer is a nice option which is about €80 per night for a double room. It is a 3 star hotel, located centrally.
• We stayed at Main Hotel Frankfurt City. It was €40 for the night for a double room and shared bathroom. If you are on a tight budget, this is fine. It was really basic, more like a hostel, than a hotel. It was nothing special and fairly old, but it did the job for 1 night.
• a&o Frankfurt Ostend hostel is an option which may be a good option for those travelling on their own. It is around €40 per night for a bed in a female or mixed 6 bed dorm. It is about 2.6km from city centre.

Book a&o Frankfurt Ostend Here!

Driving time: 2 hours 50 minutes

On day 2 of this 7 day itinerary, head to Nuremburg. We didn’t know much about it before going, but it was surprisingly nice. We paid a visit to the Nuremberg Castle and walked by the City Walls. The Lorzenkirche is a lovely church in the Centre and we had a browse around the market Square too.

• If you are looking for a hostel, the 5 reasons hostel is a good choice. It is located in the city centre and you can get a bed in a dorm for as little as €28 per night.
• We stayed at Ibis Hotel Nurnberg Alstadt. It was €59 for 1 night for a standard queen room. It was really nice and just a short walk from the town and all the main attractions.
• If you have more to spend then Park Inn by Radisson Nürnberg seems to be a good option. It is around €75 per night and has great reviews.

Book 5 Reasons Hostel Here! Evening sky in Munich

Driving time: 1 hour 55 minutes

Munich is known for its beer and Oktoberfest, the annual celebration. I remember looking up everywhere I went because the buildings were so big.

While we were in Munich, we went to see a Soccer match at the Allianz Arena. I have no interest in soccer and only went because I am a sound girlfriend, but the stadium was actually really cool. The outside of the stadium was lit up in red as we were entering and there was a great atmosphere inside.

• For a budget friendly hostel, you can stay at Jaegers Munich. You can get a bed in dorm for just €24 per night. The ratings are very good.
• Hotel Eder is a great mid range option, around €90 per night. The location is great, just a 3-minute walk from Munich Main train Station. The rankings are very good across the board, but especially good on value for money.
• If you are looking for a more high end place to stay with great reviews and central location, you can check out Hotel Concorde a 4 star hotel. A room here is about €200 per night.

Book Jaegers Munich Hostel Here! Schloss Neuschwanstein

Driving time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Stop at Schloss Neuschwanstein on you way to Innsbruck, you will not regret it. This castle was built in the 19th Century, based near the town of Fussen on the Austrian border with such beautiful surroundings.

In this post, I will take you through the 10 must visit places in Amsterdam. When we moved to the Netherlands in 2021, we lived in Amsterdam for 1 month, before moving south to Eindhoven.

Since then I have spent many weekends there, showing friends and family who visited around the Dutch capital. So here are my suggestions and tips I have learned along the way.

Go To:

Planning a trip to Amsterdam, maybe you want to see more of what the Netherlands has to offer, have a look at my recent post:

5 Must Visit Places In The Netherlands

If you are thinking about moving to the Netherlands for work, read the following post for some of the benefits of working there:

5 Reasons why the Netherlands is a Good Place to Work

1. Walibi Holland

Number 1 of the top 10 places to visit in Amsterdam is Walibi Holland. When I visited, I felt like a child at Christmas. Walibi Holland Amusement Park is heaven for the thrill seekers out there. It offers a variety of thrilling rollercoasters and some tamer rides as well. I have been once and would definitely go back again.

I would advise getting there as early as possible and queuing up for the best rides first (such as lost gravity) when the queues are shorter.

To get to Walibi Holland from Amsterdam, you will need to get the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Amersfoort Central. Then you will need to change and get another train from Amersfoort Central to Harderwijk. The two train journeys will take roughly 1 hour 15 minutes.

If you are going in a group of 3 or more at off-peak hours, it will be cheaper to buy a group ticket. To read more about the off-peak hours or to buy a group ticket, click here. If it is just 1 or 2 people that are going, tickets can be bought at the train station or online here.

At Harderwijk train station, visitors can take the Walibi Express bus that will take you straight to Walibi Holland. The bus trip takes about 25 minutes. Tickets can be purchased on board.

2. Keukenhof

If you visit Amsterdam between the months of March and May, I would say the Keukenhof is a must visit. The Keukenhof is an incredible display of flowers that covers 32 hectares (79 acres). It is a feast for the eyes! The gardens gather massive crowds each year. I have been twice and both the men and women enjoyed it!

The easiest way to get there, if you do not have a car, is to get the combo ticket that includes direct bus journey Amsterdam centre plus the entry ticket to the gardens. For more routes from Amsterdam you can check the details here.

Buy Keukenhof combo ticket here!

3. A’DAM Lookout

If you want to get a view over Amsterdam on Europe’s highest swing, then go to the A’Dam lookout. I would highly recommend – you can get a 360 degree view of Amsterdam. It costs €14.50 and you can get your tickets here. There is also other options to get the VR experience as well which costs extra.

4. Heineken Experience

As Amsterdam is the home of Heineken, the Heineken Experience is interesting to do. You get some of the history of Heineken and are taken on an experience through the factory. They show how the Heineken is made and what it contains and more.

You get a small drink along the way. Then you get another 2 free drinks at the end of the tour at the bar, where there is music playing. The drinks you get nearly cover the price of the ticket. The tickets are €21 and you can buy them here.

Buy Heineken Experience ticket here!

5. Boat Tour

Another must do while in Amsterdam is a boat trip along the city’s canals. It is a good idea to do at the start of the trip as you can see what the city has to offer and get an idea of its location.

One of the cheaper options can be bought here. This is a one hour boat tour on an enclosed boat with an audio guide. Or if you prefer an open boat and commentary from the skipper, this is a good option here.

I did both and I preferred the open boat, you can see more, there is much less people on board and it is a more personal experience.

6. Glow in the Dark Mini Golf

This mini golf is really good fun. You can buy a drink at the bar and take it around the course with you. There are 18 holes and it takes about 45 minutes. I would highly recommend this, especially if there is a group. Throw on a bet between the group to make it even more exciting. You can buy a ticket here.

Buy ticket to mini golf here!

7. Take a walk down the Red Light District

Let’s face it, the majority of people will want to see the Red Light District when they are in Amsterdam, even if they won’t admit it. So go and take a walk down….

Between 11pm and 3am is when this area is at it’s liveliest. But be careful if you are going at this hour, make sure there is a group of you together. Also be wary of pick-pocketers, keep your hand on your bag. As well as that, there will probably be people trying to sell you drugs, so just stay clear. Apart from all that, it is an experience like no other. Enjoy the walk through the unique red light district of Amsterdam.

8. Anne Frank House

If you read the Diary of Anne Frank and have an interest in World War 2, then you should pay a visit to Anne Frank’s house. It is nice to see the place in reality that you have read about and be reminded of what the family lived through by listening to the audio guide. Tickets cost €14 for an adult and can be bought here.

9. Cycle around Vondelpark and Rembrandt Park

Another nice thing to do in Amsterdam in the summer is to rent bikes and cycle through Vondelpark and Rembrandt park. If you go on the weekend between June and September, you can stop by the open air theatre in Vondelpark and see what is on!

There can be music, comedy, youth theatre, dance or classical music that can take to the stage. Bring a few drinks and snacks and enjoy the atmosphere. It is all free! Or if you chose, there is also a restaurant, where you stop for a drink and a bite to eat.

Rembrandt Park is quite close to Vondelpark so you should cycle through there too. There is a petting zoo there and you will see plenty of dogs and ducks as well. If you go in the winter, there is a chance that the lakes will have froze over so you can even go ice skating on the lakes.

10. Visit the many Museums

If you are interested in art or science, then check out some of the museums Amsterdam has to offer. It has a large selection to choose from – Madame Tussauds, Van Gogh, Rijksmuseum, Nemo Science museum, Ripleys believe it or not, body worlds, the list goes on… If this is up your alley you can check out tickets here.

I hope you got some inspiration for your trip and you get a chance to explore the 10 must visit places in Amsterdam. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to comment below.

Thanks for reading,

Lisa

Following my trip to Croatia, I want to share my honest recommendations on how to make the most of 7 days in Split. I will reveal the budget friendly ways of exploring Croatia from Split. After some mistakes along the way, I want to share my tips for a more comfortable and enjoyable trip. Keep reading because you don’t want to miss out!

Why not make it a 2 week holiday and get a 1hr 10 min flight to Venice? See my recent post on 7 Days in Italy: ‘The Big 3’ Itinerary By Train

Or finish off your trip with 3 days in ancient Rome: Rome in 3 Days: The Ultimate Itinerary

Payment 

Bear in mind that not everywhere takes cards, so be sure to have some cash taken out. Use bank owned ATMs and avoid independent ATMs for the lowest fees. Always complete the transaction in the local currency (kuna), if given the option, to avoid extra hidden fees. Use a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees if you can. I always use Revolut.

Plugs

Don’t forget your travel adapter. Type C and Type F plugs are used in Croatia, basically the plugs with the 2 round pins. This is the same one used in most European countries. You can find more detail here.

Weather

July and August will have the best weather, but it is the busiest time with all the tourists. If you want to go at a quieter time, June or September would be good. I went at the beginning of June and the temperature was around 30 degrees and we had 1 day of rain.

Getting there

It is most convenient to fly into Split airport. Then get the bus from just outside the terminal. We used a Croatian airlines bus, it will cost 45 kuna each. More information found here. You pay the conductor on the bus. They only take cash, so be sure to have some, there are ATMs on the right just before you exit the door of the airport.

The estimated travel time is 30 minutes. This will bring you to the bus station in the centre of Split. If your accommodation is near the centre you can walk from there.

Day 1 – Diocletian’s Palace, Old Town & Riva Promenade

Diocletican’s palace is a UNESCO world heritage site and is probably the main attraction in Split. This is the heart of the old town and you will find many cafe’s, restaurants and shops located in the old buildings of the fortress along the narrow streets. 

These old buildings are unique and some of Game of Thrones was filmed in the cellar. It was where the dragons were kept. Nowadays, there are stalls in the cellars where items such as jewellery and souvenirs are sold. 

The Riva Promenade located beside the old town is beautiful to walk. There are more stalls to browse through here. Also, you will most likely see some massive cruise ships parked up.

There is a great atmosphere on the street. A few of the days when we were there, events were taking place. One day there was a basketball event on and another day there were supercars lining the street – Mclaren, Porsche and Ferrari’s which drew a nice crowd.

It is worth going to the palace at night also as there is live music, where people gather with a drink or ice-cream and sit on the steps to enjoy the atmosphere.

Day 2 – Plitvice National Park 

The oldest and largest national park in the Republic of Croatia and a UNESCO world heritage site is a must see. It is situated among the mountains and is a natural beauty.

A guided tour from Split is a great option. The tour starts at 7 am from the Gray Line office located on the Riva Promenade. You take a 3-4 hour bus trip. The tour guide explains the history of Split and Croatia along the way.

Once you reach the park, you start off with a bus ride to the upper lakes and you walk with the guide down through the lakes. Then a boat takes you to the lower lake. Here you can walk around and take in the nature of these stunning lakes and waterfalls. The duration you will be at the park will be around 5.5 hours. 

It was raining when I visited but it meant that crowds were much smaller than usual. The rain gave it a more green and luscious feel. It meant that there were more waterfalls to see than during a dry spell. My advice is to go even if the weather is not great. The climate in Plitvice is a little different and gets more rainfall than down the coast. 

After you leave the park, the bus stops at a local restaurant which does good food and is reasonably priced. The area was previously ruled by Turkey, which can be noticed in the food options at this restaurant (mainly meat). There are little to no vegetarian or vegan options. 

We paid €87 each for the tour. This includes the entry fee for the park also. You can book this tour here. 

Tip: Bring rain gear, warm clothes, snacks and water.
If you have dietary requirements, bring extra food.

Buy Guided Tour from Split Here!

Day 3 – Kliss fortress & Bacvice Beach

Part of Game of Thrones was filmed here. It was introduced in Season 4 as the streets of Mereen, where Daenerys Targaryen and her army marched towards Meereen to free the slaves. 

Rather than getting a city tour, you can get to Klis Fortress quite cheaply by getting bus number 22, from HNK bus stop, outside the national theatre (6 minute walk from Diocletican’s Palace). A return trip costs about €3. The entrance to the fortress costs 60 kuna or €8. Tickets can be bought onboard and it takes about 20 minutes.

Bacvice beach is a 15 minute walk from the old town. It is a nice spot to relax and sunbathe. It is also ideal for swimming and you can jump off the Pier. There are many restaurants along the promenade to enjoy dinner and cocktails. Some have deals for 1 litre of cocktail for 140 kuna which is about €20.

Day 4 – The 5 island boat tour ft blue caves, & Hvar

This is a must do for the thrill seekers out there. You get on a small speed boat and travel out to some of the islands, stopping at each to explore. 

We visited Brac, Sveti Klement (one of the Pakleni Islands), Hvar and Carpe Diem (part of Hvar but a separate island). As the wind was strong on the day we went, we couldn’t get to see everything on the itinerary.

The highlight for me was swimming and snorkelling in the blue lagoon (just off Sveti Klement). It was an ideal location for snorkelling and we spotted lots of fish in the crystal clear water. 

It is €115 each – this does not include food or drink. You can book this tour here.

Tip: Book this trip for the day with the lowest forecasted amount of wind for the best chance of doing the blue cave

Buy 5 Island Boat Tour Here!

Day 5 – Marjan forest Park 

If you want to go for a hike, this is a good place to do so. It is a 4.1 mile walk, that is of moderate difficulty and will take about 2.5 hours.

You can reach the park by using the Marjan hill stairs, which is a 10 minute walk from Diocletian’s Palace along the Riva promenade. It is near the Church and Monastery of St. Francis.

If you don’t fancy a long walk, it is about 20 minute walk up steps and there is a stunning view of the city from here. There is also a restaurant here which is a great location for a drink and to watch the sunset.

Day 6 – trip to Dubrovnik

By Car

We rented a car at the last minute and went to Dubrovnik for a day. The total cost for the trip with the car was €200 (€100 rent, €20 insurance, €50 for fuel and €30 to park in Dubrovnik for the day). It is a 3 hour one-way drive. Insuring 2 people in the car is a good idea if possible to share the driving.

While we were there, we booked a Game of Thrones tour. This is interesting for those that watched the show. We were shown the different locations in Dubrovnik that were used in the series and given interesting facts. The tour guide featured in the series as one of the unsullied. The tour costs €20 each. You can book this tour here.

Buy Game of Thrones Tour Here!

If you are not too interested in Game of Thrones, another good option is to book a free walking tour here. This will take you to the most famous attractions in Dubrovnik. But entrance fees to certain locations will be extra.

We also walked the city walls. The entrance fee is €33 per person/ 250 kuna. But the views from it were amazing. You do not need to pre purchase tickets and can just buy them on the day. We had no queue in June when we went but it can get busy in peak times. In this case, early morning or late evening is a good time to go in peak summer months of July and August especially.

It will take about 1 hour to walk, and is roughly 2km long. If you want to book a guided tour to get to know the history, you can book here (this does not include entry ticket to the walls).

Buy City Walls Guided Tour Here!

By Tour 

It is actually cheaper for a group of 2 to get a day tour from Split so I would recommend this. You don’t have to worry about driving for a 6 hour round-trip. It costs €67 in total each and this includes a guided tour of Dubrovnik’s historic monuments and time to yourself to explore. You can book a day tour from Split here.

Tip: When travelling from Split to Dubrovnik ensure you have your passport as you pass through border control as you enter a section of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Dubrovnik is more expensive than Split. We were advised by a local that some places are known to charge tourists more than what is advertised on the menu, so be careful. 

Buy Dubrovnik Day Tour from Split Here!

Day 7 – Relax at the Beach

Before you go home or continue on your journey, it’s time to relax! The choice of beach is up to you. You could opt for Bacvice again which is closest to the centre. Or maybe you want to try Kasjuni beach which is most known for its spectacular views.

You can get a bus to Kasjuni beach which will cost less than €4 return. It is bus no.12 and will take 12 minutes. The bus leaves from Trg Franje Tudmana 1. This is on the Riva Promenade at the right side, near to Fabrique pub.

Accommodation

Stone Rose Apartments

Stone Rose Apartments are very close to the beach and around 500m from the old town so an ideal location, it was a 10/10 for us. When we arrived, we were met at the door with the keys. The host was very accommodating and friendly. We had a 1 bedroom apartment, perfect for a couple or 2 friends.

The location was centrally located between Bacvice beach and the old town (10 min walk from the beach, 5 min walk from the old town). The air conditioning was a blessing after a day in 30 degree heat. The total for 8 nights was €447, a very reasonable price. 

Cosy Rooms in the Center of Split

If you are 2 friends spending 7 days in Split, this is a good option for you. It has a rating of 9.1 on booking.com and great reviews. It is a 19 minute walk to Bacvice beach and 5 minutes walk to the palace (old town).

The Twin rooms have bunk – beds and access to a shared bathrooms. This room is priced between €250 and €300 for 7 nights. You can book here.

Backpackers Fairytale Hostel

If you are travelling alone or prefer a hostel vibe, then Backpackers Fairytale Hostel looks like a good choice. It has a rating of 8.9 on booking.com and really good reviews. The hostel is just 5 minutes from the old town and about a 17 minutes walk to Bacvice beach. A dorm room can be is as little as €14 per night.

Book Fairytale Hostel Now!

Restaurants & Pubs

During our 7 days in Split, we spent many evenings at Bacvice beach and tried a couple of the restaurants along there. The food we had was good, reasonably priced and convenient when you don’t fancy walking to the centre. But, I do have some recommendations we got from a local for some of the less expensive restaurants that serve good food based in the centre.

• Misto – this is highly recommended for its burgers.
• Pizzeria Bokamorra – great for Pizza.
• Fabrique pub – a popular pub in Split and it has tasty food too.
• Barakokula – plant based food with a good variety for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert.
• Bakra – steak and Pizza bar.
• O’ Hara’s Irish pub – to watch live sport.

Split is a great base to explore Croatia while on a budget. A final tip if you are looking for cheap alcohol, is to opt for the local beer – in most bars it will cost between €2 and €3. Now, are you on the way yet? I hope you enjoyed this guide to 7 days in Split. Bookmark this so you can refer to it later.

Let me know in the comments if you have any questions. Thanks for reading.

Lisa

Overall, I think The Netherlands is a good place to work after living and working there for 2 years. It has good benefits for it’s employees compared to what I was used to. Here are some reasons to consider working in the Netherlands and information I did not know before I moved.

If you are considering moving to NL, you may also like this recent post: 7 Costly Things Not To Do In The Netherlands

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Pay Less Tax as an Expat

The 30% ruling is a tax advantage for highly skilled people who were hired abroad to work in the Netherlands. There is a list of criteria that you need to meet to be eligible for this tax advantage; distance you lived from the Netherlands, wages you will receive, education etc. It is important to note that you need to be hired while you were not in the country. You can find all of the information here.

Basically, if all the conditions are met, then you can receive up to 30% of your salary tax free. I was eligible for this and it was a nice addition to my pay cheque every month. Especially as Dutch tax rates are quite high.

Longer Holidays

The minimum number of vacation days that is allowed is 20 days, but 25 days is the average. Although, many companies offer even more. ADV days were brought in by the Government a long time ago to create more employment. This meant employees got extra days holidays and companies needed to hire more people. This is offered still by some companies but not all. So check what amount of holidays you will get before accepting the job. There is more information on ADV days here.

I worked for one company that offered 27 days & moved to another company where I got 40 days holidays (including 13 ADV days) per year. And yes, these exclude public holidays.

Ideally Located for European Breaks

If you love to travel, like me, living in the Netherlands is a great hub to explore what Europe has to offer. For example, if you live in Eindhoven and drive, it will take you 2 hours to get to Cologne, Germany, 1hr 50 to Brussels, Belgium, 2hr 45 to Lille, France or 3 hr to Luxembourg.

If you don’t have a car, Europe is also highly connected by train. Destinations from the Netherlands include Czech Republic, Austria, Italy and many more. You can get from Rotterdam to Paris in 2hr 40 minutes by high speed train.

If you want to go further afield, there are many options to fly around the world with Amsterdam Schiphol airport being one of the biggest in Europe. Apart from Amsterdam, there are also airports in Eindhoven, Rotterdam and Maastricht.

If you are getting 40 days holidays, you will have plenty of time to explore new places every year.

Vibrant Community of Expats

There is a huge number of expats in the Netherlands. So it is highly likely that you will meet people from your home country. Join some of the Facebook groups (expats in Eindhoven, Irish in Amsterdam etc), join some clubs or go to exercise classes to meet new people.

If you are Irish, there are GAA clubs in Eindhoven, Amsterdam, Nijmegen, Maastricht and the Hague. These clubs take part in hurling, camogie and gaelic football tournaments that are played in different countries around Europe as well as the Netherlands, so get yourself signed up…

English is Spoken Widely

The Netherlands was ranked the no. 1 country for speaking English as a second language. If you intend on staying for a short period of time and your job does not require Dutch, you can get away without learning the language for sure. But, if you intend on staying long term, it is a good idea to start learning Dutch to integrate better with the locals.

I hope this post helped you understand the reasons why I think the Netherlands is a good place to work. If you have any comments or questions, you can comment below.

Thanks for reading,

Lisa

Are you booking a long-weekend or short stay in Rome and not sure where to start with planning? Look no further – I have compiled a detailed plan to help you on your journey. In this post, I will go through my recommendation of where to go each day. This way you can see the best of Rome in 3 days.

Rome is an ancient city with outstanding art, architecture, history and religious culture. Not to mention the delicious food. As Rome is such a big City, it is a good idea to visit a specific area each day. For example, it is a 55 minute walk from the Colosseum to the Vatican city, so you don’t want to do those on the same day, if you can avoid it. Let me walk you through the 3 day itinerary now…

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Why not explore more of Italy and take a look my one week itinerary – 7 Days in Italy: ‘The Big 3’ Itinerary By Train

Day 1 – Vatican City & Villa Borghese

Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

I would advise pre-booking tickets for the Vatican museums. We paid €21 each and used this website. If you want to get an audio guide, book here and select the option with audio guide. These museums are really big and hold a wide selection of art. We spent 1 hour there but we did it quite fast. I would advise leaving yourself at least 2 hours to spend there. The more of an interest you have in art, the longer you will spend taking it all in.

St Peter’s Basilica 

When we went to St. Peter’s Basilica, there were massive crowds in St Peter’s Square (which is directly in front of the Basilica) and we could not get in to see the Basilica as there was a canonization mass on. Now, this is important…

If you want to go into the Basilica, do your research to ensure there are no important masses/canonizations etc. on in St Peter’s square when you want to go. The best time to go is between 7am and 9am when the queues are smaller. Another way to avoid queuing is to buy a guided tour here that includes a skip-the-line feature. Or else you can just buy the audio guide here for only €5 and see the basilica at your own pace.

Tip: There is a dress code for both the Basilica and Sistine Chapel: You have to cover up – no belly tops, your shoulders and knees need to be covered and no low-cut tops either.

Castel Sant Angelo 

Only a 9 minute walk from St. Peter’s Basilica, be sure to walk by Castel Sant’Angelo and take in the sight of this ancient cylindrical building. There is a museum inside that displays a variety of art, architecture and artefacts in Rome. If you are interested in visiting, the cheapest way is to buy a ticket on arrival. It is free for those under 18, €2 for EU citizens aged between 18 and 25 and for everyone else it is €15. The best time to visit is after 5pm, when the queue will be at it’s lowest.

Villa Borghese Park 

It will take 22 minutes to walk from Castel Sant’Angelo to Villa Borghese Park. We entered the park from the Piazza del Popolo side, which brings you up a winding hill. On top, we found a lovely view of the Piazza and the City. Wait, there’s more… there is a charming lake in Vialle del Lago, another area of this park. Here you can see turtles swimming around, you can even rent a boat and row around the lake for €4 per person. This was a nice area for a walk and a must see while in the area. What’s more, we came across markets in the park too, selling fruit, veg, oils etc and with a brass band parading around.

Day 2 – The Colosseum & Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore 

The Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill

Make sure to book your tickets online in advance to ensure you get one (1 ticket admits you to all 3 attractions). This only cost me €4 as I am a European citizen between 18 and 25 years old. If you are older than 25, it costs €18. We bought our tickets here. However, if you can, I would advise visiting early in the morning or later in the evening. Since this involves a lot of walking, you don’t want to be walking around outside in peak heat (like we did). 

Tip: If you want a drink near the Colosseum, we stopped in the Royal Art Cafe which is directly across the road with a lovely view, where we paid €10 for a cocktail. But if you don’t want to pay that much for a drink, we also went into a shop and bought a cocktail in a bottle and a beer (a total of €5) and drank it on the grass in front of the colosseum. 

Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore 

Just a 17 minute walk from the Colosseum, Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore is the largest Roman Catholic Marian Church in Rome. It is one of the City’s four major Basilica’s. Inside there is a mix of mosaics, marble floors and frescoes that fill the ceiling. Have a look inside, it is free to enter.

Day 3 – Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon & More

Here is the route to take on Day 3, to see more of the iconic attractions that Rome has to offer. The starting point will be near the centre at the Spanish steps and the ending point will be to the west of the City at the Giuseppe Garibaldi Monument, but there is plenty to see along the way. You will be glad to hear that all of these places are free to enter. The Spanish steps and Trevi Fountain are the busiest. Due to this, the best time to visit is before 9am, when the crowds are lowest. That is why they are the first 2 stops at the start of the day.

1. Spanish Steps 
2. Trevi Fountain: 8 minute walk from Spanish steps
3. Vittoriano: 14 minute walk from the Trevi Fountain
4. Pantheon: 12 minute walk from Vittoriano. You do not need to pay to enter but on Saturdays and Sundays and public holidays, you need to make a reservation here, which is free.
5. Piazza Navona: 4 minute walk from Pantheon
6. Basilica de Santa Maria: 16 minute walk from Piazza Navona
7. Fontana dell’Acqua Paola: 11 minutes from Basilica de Santa Maria
8. Giuseppe Garibaldi Monument: 6 minutes from Basilica de Santa Maria. Here you can get a 360 view over the whole city and is not crowded either.

WARNING: In many of these areas, there are many men trying to sell you roses, who are very persistent. You have to be persistent that you don’t want any (unless you do, then you will have many men to choose from). 

Restaurants & Pubs

We went for food and drinks in different places depending on the area we were that day. Everywhere we went had nice food so the options in Rome are endless. To find restaurants and pubs that are cheaper, I would suggest walking away from the tourist attractions so you don’t have to pay extra for a view of the Colosseum, for example. Here are some of the places we went that I would recommend.

Scholars Lounge Irish Pub: If you want to watch sports while you’re on holiday, here is a really great place to go. We watched 2 hurling matches here. They have numerous TV screens – while we were there, there was hurling, tennis, soccer, rugby and cricket on. They also do great food and really big portions, with reasonable prices for Rome.

Travel Book Bar is located between the Vatican City and Castel Sant’Angelo. It is the perfect place for a drink outside. We tried out some cocktails. They bring you out appetisers to have with the drinks and free food will always make me happy. It is very reasonably priced for the area and the staff are really friendly.

Accommodation

Appartamento in Lucina

We stayed in ‘Appartamento in Lucina‘ which we booked on booking.com. It was €325 for 3 nights (€108 per night). It was a double room with an ensuite and a shared kitchen. This was a great price for a private room in Rome. It is an 8 minute walk from the Trevi fountain, an 8 minute walk from the Spanish steps and 6 mins from Pantheon. The most it takes to walk to any of the major tourist attractions is 30 minutes. This made it an ideal location to see Rome in 3 days. I would highly recommend it! 

Budget Rooms des Artistes

Budget Rooms des Artistes is a hostel that has a very good rating on Booking.com of 8.4. It offers both private rooms and dormitory rooms (also female only dorms). For this reason, it is suitable for solo travellers as well as couples. The location is about 2km from the centre, but public transport access is very good here. Castro Pretorio Metro Station is only a 1 minute walk and Termini Station is just a 9 minute walk. It might be a good idea to invest in the 2 or 3 day ticket for the metro (mentioned below), if you stay here. The prices are good here.

Transport

From Termini Train Station to Rome

We arrived in Rome on a Friday Morning. We got the train from Florence and arrived in Roma Termini, which is the main train station in Rome. After this, we got the metro, which is €1.50 each, to the stop at ‘Spagna’. This stop brings you to the Spanish steps, which is quite central. There are many exits you can take from the underground – ensure you follow the exit that mentions ‘Piazza di Spagna’. Or else you will end up at the side of a road, a good walk for the Spanish steps.  

Walking in the City

Apart from entering and leaving Rome, we walked everywhere within the city. I advise walking as much as possible as you stumble upon many interesting things. We didn’t intend on seeing half the things we did, we just came across them as we were walking. We stumbled upon a car show on the street, a violinist playing and many street artists. Also we came across Vittoriano, Piazza Navona, Castel Sant Angelo, which were not on our plan at the beginning.

Metro, Trams & Public Bus

Although if you don’t fancy walking far, the metro, tram or bus are a cheap, convenient option. It stops at many tourist attractions – the Spanish steps, the colosseum etc. You can get a one way trip for €1.50, 1 day ticket for €7, 2 day ticket for €12.50 and 3 day ticket for €18. These tickets are valid on the metro, trams, public bus as well as the commuter trains. Where to find tickets? There will be ticket machines at most tourist areas and if you are passing through Roma Termini you can get them there too. More information on public transport can be found here.

Getting to the Airport

Rome has 2 main airports (Fiumicino and Ciampino), so do not end up at the wrong one!

Fiumicino Airport

To get to the Fiumicino airport where we flew from, we got a bus to Termini and then got a train direct to the airport (€14 each). Tickets can be booked on omio. You can also get a bus from Termini to the airport which is much cheaper (€6 each), which can booked here.

Ciampino Airport

The second airport is Ciampino. There is an airport shuttle bus for €6 one way to and from Roma Termini. You can read more about the trains and buses to Ciampino here.

Roma Pass

You can also get a Roma Pass for 48 hours (€32) or 72 hours (€52). This includes free use of the public transport network, discounts on attractions and 1 or 2 free museums/experiences (depending on if you got the 48 hour or 72 hour ticket). There are also a few more bonuses, you can read more here. For me, this pass wasn’t worth it as we walked everywhere and the only 2 tickets we bought cost €39 for one person. In this case the Roma Pass would not have saved us any money. I would recommend planning out what you want to do first, then calculating the cost to see if you will save any money by getting the pass.

How to see Rome in 3 days? I believe your question should be answered in this post. By following this guide, you will fit in the best of what Rome has to offer. I hope you are all running off to book a trip to Italy, because I can tell you one thing for nothing, it was well worth the visit. Was this blog helpful? Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Thanks for reading,

Lisa