Sarah Lewis

I spent 2 nights in Milan and it had a completely different vibe from the other places I’ve visited. The first thing I noticed was the trams, proper old-school ones running through these really pretty streets full of tall buildings and balconies. It felt busy but also kind of calm at the same time, like everyone had somewhere to be but wasn’t rushing.

A lot of my photos ended up just being random streets because the buildings were so nice. Milan has that mix of old and modern, where you’ll be looking at something historic and then you glance up and there’s a massive modern tower in the distance. It’s a weird contrast but it works.

One of the nicest places I wandered into was the courtyard of this old brick church. It was really peaceful inside, with the arches and the warm colour of the brick. I wasn’t expecting to find anything like that just walking around.

The leaves were starting to fall too, so some of the streets looked properly autumnal. It made the city feel softer, even though it’s quite built-up and busy. I liked that.

Of course, Milan has loads of traffic and shops and all that typical city stuff. Even the traffic lights and buildings looked photogenic with the late afternoon light hitting them.

I took a photo of some berries in front of a big tower, completely out of focus in the background, and it ended up being one of my favourites because it just sums up how the day felt, a mix of small details and big scenery.

I also passed a statue with a horseback figure right next to a tram, which feels very Milan: old history and everyday life all happening in the same space.

The main train station was massive and honestly looked more like a museum inside than a station. High ceilings, big columns, loads of people… it felt very dramatic.

By the time it got dark, the city changed again. Neon lights, busy roads, people going out, shops still open, it felt alive in a different way. I loved seeing the contrast between the quiet side streets earlier and then the loud nighttime energy.

I took a trip to Faro and honestly, it was exactly what I needed. The weather was perfect from the moment I arrived, bright blue skies, proper heat, and that kind of sunshine that makes everything feel a bit lighter. One of my first photos was a selfie on the beach, and you can literally see how bright it was with the sun bouncing off the water.

The beaches in Faro are on another level. Soft sand, warm sea, and loads of colourful umbrellas everywhere. It had that proper holiday feeling, people sunbathing, kids playing, and the waves coming in really gently. It was one of those days where you don’t rush anything, you just wander, sit, paddle, repeat.

In the old town, everything felt calm and pretty. The streets had that classic Portuguese look, patterned pavements, white buildings, splashes of yellow, and narrow lanes that twist around corners. I loved walking through there. The little cafés were busy and the atmosphere was really relaxed. There’s something really nice about just drifting through streets like that with no plan.

I also visited the marina, which looked so clean and bright with all the boats lined up in the sun. The water was so still it almost looked like a mirror. It’s one of those places you stop and take way more photos than you planned to.

One of my favourite buildings was the big white church with the two towers. It looked amazing against the clear sky, really simple but impressive at the same time.

I took a day trip to Berlin and honestly, I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did. The weather was grey and a bit miserable at first, but it actually suited the city. The wet streets, the trams, the old buildings. It all looked really photogenic in a moody kind of way. My first few photos were basically me just wandering around, taking pictures of trams and reflections in puddles.

Berlin Hauptbahnhof (the main station) was massive. All glass, steel, different levels… it felt like I was in some futuristic place. I could have spent ages just taking photos in there alone.

As I walked around, the city kept changing. One minute it looked super modern, then suddenly I’d turn a corner and see the Berlin Cathedral or some really old building that looked like it had been there forever. I like cities that mix everything together like that.

When the weather cleared up, the whole vibe changed. The River Spree looked so calm with the blue sky reflected on the water, and the TV Tower popping up behind the trees made for such a nice shot. It actually felt peaceful, which I didn’t expect from such a big city.

I finished at the Brandenburg Gate because… well, you kind of have to. Even in the rain it looked impressive.

The beginning of February got off to a great start, I went over to Oslo! Norway is such a beautiful country. I last visited in 2016 when I took a trip to Abisko, Sweden, and we did a sneaky day trip to Narvik!

I arrived early in the morning at Torp airport and caught the bus into Oslo city. I walked around for a few hours, had a nice Burger King and then headed to the metro. My hotel was in Loren, about an hour's walk from the centre, so the metro was definitely a good option!

I arrived at my hotel which was super clean and lovely, the staff were so nice! I forgot my UK/EU adapter so they lent me a laptop charger which worked for my phone! I spent a bit of the afternoon napping as I'd been awake for over 24 hours.

When I woke up, I decided to head over and find a shop for crisps and a drink. I had a little exploration of Loren and headed back. Then later on, I fancied another little wander, so went out into the snow! I found a little quiet bar and had a drink, then headed back again. It's such a stunning little place!

In the morning I had a nice breakfast and then checked out. I bought a 24-hour ticket for the metro, so decided to visit a few places along the route on the way back to Oslo. I stopped at Nydalen and Majorstuen and finally National Theatre. I walked from there back to the bus terminal, just in time for my bus back to Torp!

Hello all, I am raising funds for North West Air Ambulance and am nearing my target of £150!

If you can spare anything, it will be greatly appreciated.

Your donations will fund the lifesaving work they do daily.

https://ajbellgreatmanchesterrun2024.enthuse.com/.../sara...