Rootless Vegan

During my time on the Isle of Skye I volunteered at Skye Backpackers, owned by JoJo’s Hostels, I spent a month and a half there and when I was done, I wasn’t ready to leave Scotland. It just so happened that the company was in need of a receptionist at their hostel in Oban, Oban Backpackers. I took the position for a month, and as with Skye, decided that wasn’t enough time and stayed another month. This was my first paid position in the UK so it was nice to start making some money after living off my savings for 6 months. I had a great experience there, and with that company, and I am glad they gave me the chance to work in Scotland.

What to do

Ceilidh Night

Every Thursday night the bag piper would come to the hostel and bring the guests to try out some Scottish dancing. The company that puts on the dance has changed since I was there, it is now called The View Oban, but they still have Ceilidh Nights every Monday, Thursday and Saturday with the place turning into more of a club after the traditional dancing is done on Thursdays and Saturdays. I went with some of the volunteers and guests of the hostel and, as the Scottish would say, the craic was great.

McCaig’s Tower

The uphill climb to reach McCaig’s Tower is a little taxing on a warm day, but it is worth it to see the views over Oban and the bay. This Tower was built by John Stuart McCaig, a local banker, in 1897. It is a beautiful place to take in the scenery and have a relaxing day. I went there many times to sit in the gardens and read.

Dunollie Castle

The ruins left today date from the 15th century. You can walk up to visit the ruins and then visit Dunollie House, which the MacDougall clan built in 1745 after they abandoned the castle. There is also a garden you can explore. You get great views of the castle coming into Oban Port on the ferry.

Dunstaffnage Castles 

This Castle is a far walk from the centre of Oban, but manageable if you like walking; you can also take a bike or car there. It is a beautiful journey if you travel along the coast. It is one of Scotland’s oldest stone castles dating back to the 13th century. You can wander around the grounds and find the ruined 13th century chapel.

Oban War & Peace Museum

This small museum is worth a visit if you’re interested in the local history. The entrance is free, but they do accept donations to help cover costs. It is run by volunteers and is full of local artifacts, memorabilia and photographs.

Oban Distillery

I did not visit the distillery during my time in Oban because I am not a fan of Scotch Whisky. If you are though, then this is a place that you should check out. It is Barnivore certified vegan!

Grab a drink

One of the go to spots to grab a drink and hang out is Markie Dans. This place gets very busy on weekends, some nights they have live music and other nights they have a pub quiz. I went to a pub quiz with one of the volunteers at the hostel and we came in last place. Turns out a German and a Canadian do not know many Scottish facts, but it was a lot of fun. The live music here is always great!

Visit the islands!

I visited some of the islands by myself, and other islands I visited through a tour with Staffa Tours. I’ll get into more detail about the islands later in this post.

Where to eat

While I was working at the hostel I was trying to save money so I was making my own food and I did not eat out very often, Oban might not have the array of vegan options that Edinburgh or Glasgow does, but there are a few places that you can check out.

The Little Potting Shed Cafe

I had researched vegan places before I arrived in Oban and was very excited to try out The Little Potting Shed Cafe. Unfortunately, when I arrived, the cafe was having some construction work done and was closed for my first month there. Thankfully, it opened my second month and it was worth the wait! I ate there quite a few times and everything was always filling and delicious.

Cuan Mor

This is a really nice restaurant with seating on the harbour front. A great place to go if you’re looking for a nice night out and are with non-vegans. I went for a goodbye lunch with some of the volunteers at the hostel and ordered a quinoa salad. Looking at their menu now though, it seems they have added a vegan burger and vegan mushroom risotto to their dinner menu that sounds mouth-watering!

Millstone Wholefoods

This is not a restaurant, but this little health food shop is a good place to find vegan goodies.

Food From Argyll at the Pier

I did not eat here, but they do have a vegan option if you’re looking for a snack before you jump on a ferry!

The Corryvreckan Wetherspoon

This is probably the cheapest food and drinks you’ll find in Oban. The drinks are great, but I haven’t tried the food (I haven’t heard the best things about Wetherspoon’s vegan options) however, it’s good to know all your options when you’re in a small town.

The Islands

It is easy and fairly inexpensive to visit the islands around Oban. The CalMac Ferries run from Oban to the islands and back many times a day so, you can make it a day trip or you may choose to stay the night on some of the islands. You can also take a guided day trip to some of the further islands if you don’t plan to stay overnight.

Here are the islands I visited while in Oban:

Kerrera

This is the closest island to Oban, you can see it from the mainland. It was also my favourite island. I visited this island a few times during my stay in Oban. The ferry for Kerrera does not leave from the main port, you will have to pass the port and walk along the road heading toward Gallanach to get to the boat that will take you to the island. Kerrera is fairly small and there is a hiking path that will take you in a loop around the whole island, which was my favourite walk. If you don’t want to walk for that long, you can go halfway to Gylen Castle (a 16th-century Tower) and Kerrera Tea Garden and Bunkhouse, grab some food and then head back the way you came to get to the boat.

Lismore

Lismore is the perfect island to take a bike ride. The path is paved and smooth so, it is not a difficult ride. The hostel I worked at had a bike which the staff could use. I took it with me on the ferry and followed the route along the island. You can also rent bikes in the city, if this is something you’re interested in. The Isle of Lismore Cafe is a good spot to take a break and get a drink. They did have a vegetable soup with a side of bread which was vegan however, it is always a good idea to pack some snacks because you never know if any of the cafes on these small islands will have vegan options.

Isle of Mull

This island is the second-largest of the Inner Hibrides after Skye. You won’t be hiking around this island in a day like you can some of the others. On this island it is best if you have a car, but if you don’t, there is a bus that can take you from Craignure where the ferry from Oban drops you off, to Tobermory. There are other locations you can visit by bus, but the capital of Mull is a nice place to explore. It is a lovely small town with colourful houses along the water. There are some nice cafes and little shops. The Pier Cafe had a sign indicating vegan options were available, so I stopped in and ordered a lentil soup with a side of bread (a theme in Scotland for vegans). Based on their social media now, it seems like they’ve expanded their vegan options since I was there. My favourite place on Mull was the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, a marine conservation charity, where you can go in and learn about the whales, dolphins and porpoise around the island. Another place I visited on Mull was Duart Castle, I walked from Craignure to the 13th century Castle, it took just over an hour and it was closed when I got there, but it is still a remarkable building with nice views looking over the sea.

Staffa

I visited Staffa on the tour I mentioned previously. This was one of my best experiences in Scotland. While on the tour, you have a certain amount of time which you can do with what you will. You could visit Fingal’s Cave and/or go see the puffins. I headed to the puffins first and they are the most adorable birds you will ever see. They actually will get pretty close to you if you’re sitting still and don’t try to bother them. They are all over the cliff edge and you can watch them swoop down off the cliff and fly around. I spent awhile just watching them. After some time, I did go to check out the cave. It is fairly easy to get to, though some of the rocks might be slippery. The island is made up of basalt columns so parts of it, especially the cave, look a lot like The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. Since it is a uninhabited island you should remember to bring food and drinks, if you will be there for awhile. 

Iona

Iona is another island I visited through a tour. This island has a lot of history to it and it is known for Iona Abbey, as a burial spot for Norwegian, Irish and Scottish Kings (including 11th century King Macbeth), and for the remains of the 1203 nunnery. Iona is also known for its marble, The Iona Marble Quarry was opened in the 1700s and was in and out of use over the centuries. It has been closed since the First World War, but you can visit the location if you like. I did not go there, but I did buy myself a beautiful Iona Marble necklace from Iona Pebbles Arts & Crafts. Iona Marble is said to be a lucky stone, which Scottish fishermen would not leave port without. On the tour we could explore the island as we liked so, I went to the Abbey and then I followed a path to a beach.

Oban was not on my list of places I wanted to visit while in Scotland but I am very happy that this job opened up and I had the opportunity to visit this little city. I had some amazing times there, and it will forever be one of my favourite places.

Over the sea to Skye

A trip to the Isle of Skye should be on every persons bucket list. This island is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to in my life. The snow covered hilltops and lush green landscapes are something I could never tire of. I originally was set to work in the hostel Skye Backpackersfor a couple weeks but I just kept extending my stay because I didn’t want to leave! I ended up…

What to do

Walking Tour

As I say in every one of my other posts, take a walking tour! I try to make this the first thing I do so that I can see as much of the city as I can and see if there are any places I want to check out in more depth later. There weren’t many tour options in Glasgow so I took a tour with Walking Tours in… Glasgow, a company run by two local women. It’s not a free tour, but the cost is very affordable and is what you would give as a tip to any of the guides on a free walking tour. They cover so much of the city and I highly recommend them.

University of Glasgow

Jennifer, whom I met in my hostel, had lived in Glasgow previously so she knew the city well. She showed me around some of the university campus and it was beautiful.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

I also went to this museum with Jennifer, we had a quick look around as it was closing not long after we arrived. There is a wide array of art and historical artifacts to catch anyone’s attention.

The People’s Palace

This was a stop on the walking tour that I went back to the next day to give it a further look. I’d say this is a must visit because it gives such an in depth look at Glasgow’s history. It also has a beautiful greenhouse garden where you can take a break. Take a walk around the Doulton Fountain in front of the palace to see the how people saw the colonies during Victorian times. The Canada section features a beaver, a moose head, and wheat.

Glasgow Cathedral and the Glasgow Necropolis

This was another stop on the walking tour. The Necropolis, meaning city of the dead, is a graveyard beside Glasgow Cathedral. It is a nice yet spooky place to go for a walk and you get some fantastic views of the city from here. I did not go inside the Cathedral but the outside is beautiful, in a dark sort of way, and it is the oldest building in the city.

George Square

You’ll pass this square as you walk through the city, but it’s nice to take in the architecture and statues of famous Scots.

Buchanan Street

This is the main shopping street and it has some beautiful buildings.

For the Doctor Who fans

Keep an eye out for the Tardis! There are a a few blue police boxes arround the city.

Food and drinks

Hillhead Bookclub

This is one of the places Jennifer took me to, it is a very quirky restaurant/bar. It had gorgeous vintage decor, good music, good drinks, vegan options and retro video games. There seems to always be something happening at this place. I tried the vegan haggis spring rolls; not the most traditional, but very tasty!

Òran Mór

The next stop was this church turned bar. We went for just drinks here, but there is a restaurant which has a variety of vegan options. The stained glass windows, murals, high ceilings and the lighting make it a unique and interesting place to spend an evening. There is a good atmosphere and they have events and live music going on during the week.

The Flying Duck

This was my favourite restaurant in Glasgow. It is fully vegan and has amazing food! It has a grungy basement bar aesthetic, but everyone was friendly and it was always pretty busy! I never went at night, although it seems like a cool bar to spend a night out in. The first time I went here I was very excited to see poutine on the menu, but when I ordered they said they were out! Disappointing, but I got the Philly Cheesesteak instead, which was delicious! The next time I visited Glasgow I went back and tried to order the poutine again, but again they didn’t have all the ingredients, so I settled for the jackfruit tacos, which were again, delicious! One day I will try that poutine!

The first time I went they were having a little vegan market in the back room! I got an amazing vegan donut.

Bar Bloc

I happened by this restaurant on my way to the hostel. I saw a sign that said full vegan breakfast. I dropped a pin on Google Maps and went back the next morning to try it out. The breakfast was pretty average, but I got to try vegan blood pudding, it was good but just tasted like a vegan sausage. Their lunch/dinner vegan options seem delicious though, I would go back to try the vegan bean poutine and the vegan hot dog! They are open late if you’re looking for a place closer to the city centre to visit in the evening.

The Hug and Pint

This was the start of my night out with Jennifer. I wanted to try this place but she wasn’t hungry and I was still pretty full from lunch so I settled on getting something small. I ordered some garlic broccoli and rice, simple but good. Their dishes are mainly for sharing so I didn’t end up getting anything fancy. This would be a good place for a few people to head to for a nice Asian inspired sharing dinner. They also have live music some nights.

Mono

This place was a little bit out of the way, but definitely worth a visit. This restaurant/music store/live music venue is completely vegan and had an amazing vibe. I saw people of all ages there listening to the band and eating amazing food. As I do in most vegan places I go to by myself, I ordered a few smaller things. I ordered the Cesar Salad, Mini Mac and Cheese, spicy chips and for dessert, I got a small scoop of ice cream with chocolate sauce. It was a lot but it was all delicious!

It is a very busy place so you might want to book ahead!

The 78

Another great, fully vegan restaurant, located in West Glasgow. The 78 had a very relaxed vibe and has live Jazz on Sundays. I ordered the quesadilla and was not disappointed, it was delicious.

Next time!

Picnic

I honestly have no idea why I did not visit this vegan cafe! I regret it because it was on my list of places to visit and I guess I never got around to it, but everything on their menu sounds like heaven. I did not want to leave it off the list because I love supporting fully vegan businesses, this will be the first place I go next time I get to visit Glasgow.

V&V Cafe

There were just too many places and too little time so I had to skip this cafe, but again, I want to share for people interested. I didn’t get to head back to West Glasgow after my night out as it was just too far out of the way for me. If you’re heading that way durning the day, then add this place to your itinerary.

The 13th Note

A vegetarian/vegan bar/restaurant I never made it too, but it looks really nice.

The Glasvegan

Another place I’d like to support in the future. This place must have opened right after I visited Glasgow! It looks amazing!

And for the Canadians

Tim Hortons!

I didn’t buy anything from Timmies, I didn’t feel like a plain bagel and I don’t drink coffee, but I took a selfie outside. There are much better cafes around the city, I just liked the novelty of it.

Things to do in the city!

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is on a cliff overlooking the city and it was the first thing I saw every morning as I walked out of the hostel. The castle is in such good condition and is beautiful, you can’t help but just stare at it while it’s in your eyeline. You can walk up to the castle and explore parts of the exterior but to get in it is a little pricy, £18.50. The guide of the walking tour I took said, in order to really enjoy the castle you should pay for a guided tour or an audio guide, but I did not find this to be true. I went in without a guide and there were plenty of information boards and a free mini tour included. I think it is worth it to visit the castle, it is huge and there are so many different things to see. They split different parts of the castle up into what it was used for during different time periods.

Arthur’s Seat

If you’re able, then I highly recommend a hike up Arthur’s Seat. It is not the easiest hike, I stopped a few times to catch my breath, but the climb and the view from the top is amazing. Formed by an extinct volcano system, one of the theories of how it got its name is that it may have been the location of Camelot from the King Arthur legends.

Dean Village

A picturesque little village just outside the city centre. It is a very nice walk along the river.

Free walking tour

I recommend taking a free walking tour in every place you go. It’s a good way to get your bearings in a city and learn about some of its interesting history. I took the Sandemans tour which was great, there is also another similar tour run by Edinburgh Free Tour.

The Elephant House

Take a stroll past The Elephant House, one of the cafes where J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Victoria Street

Another link to the Harry Potter universe, this street is said to be J.K. Rowling’s inspiration for Diagon Alley (as mentioned in my York post, where The Shambles claims the same). This is one of the prettiest streets I’ve seen, with beautiful architecture and bright colours. This street is filled with independent shops and a few Harry Potter gift shops.

National Museum of Scotland

Scottish history, world history, natural history, science and fashion all combined in one museum. There’s something to interest everyone in this museum. You can even see the weird rotating platform where the stuffed Dolly the Sheep now lives.

Take a bus to Leith

A woman I met in the hostel said she had heard Leith was beautiful so we hopped on a bus to see the port district. It wasn’t the best weather, but it was a nice little place to check out, if you’re in Edinburgh for a few days.

What I will do next time

The Edinburgh Gin Distillery

I had just started to drink gin when I got to the city, so I did not even think to go to the distillery. As a new gin lover this distillery is now on my list of places to visit next time.

Where to eat the best food!

Paradise Palms

A vegetarian restaurant/bar that has plenty of vegan options on the menu. They describe their menu as soul food, so expect a lot of mac and cheese, fried “chicken” and other southern inspired dishes. I got a few side dishes instead of a main so I could try as much as I could fit! I got the vegan mac and cheese, the cauliflower wings and onion rings. It was all delicious even though I felt the need for a salad the next day.

GrassRoots

GrassRoots is a vegan cafe/shop. There is a changing menu but everything looks delicious. I ordered a very tasty seitan and veggie sandwich and a brownie. They have raw options as well, if that is what you are looking for. Very friendly staff and delicious healthy food.

Hendersons

Hendersons is a fully vegan restaurant. I went for lunch and I wasn’t overly hungry, so I just got soup and a hot chocolate; both were amazing. They have a few locations in Edinburgh, so find the one closest to you and try out their delicious sounding menu.

Considerit

A cute cafe with amazing vegan donuts. I ordered the maple pecan donut (I can never refuse anything maple flavoured) and a hot chocolate. I got them to go and took a walk to The Meadows and discovered there was a festival going on that weekend!

Hula Juice Bar

For a variety of healthy food choices go to Hula. There are plenty of vegan breakfast and lunch options. The cafe always seemed to be busy, so you might have to take your food to go.

Stockbridge Market

There were a few vegan food options at this Sunday market.

Illegal Jack’s

A Tex-Mex restaurant with a couple vegan options. Good flavour, good portions and very filling! If you’re craving a burrito check this place out.

Harmonium

If you do take that trip to Leith, then you must eat at Harmonium. It is a fully vegan restaurant with a varied menu. I went there with a non-vegan and she really enjoyed the food as well. They have amazing vegan pizza.

There is also a fully vegan cafe in Edinburgh called Pumpkin Brown which I didn’t get a chance to go to, since it was closed last time I was there. It will be the first place I eat next time.

Until next time Edinburgh!

Outrage over Health Canada’s Food Guide. I thought I’d cover some of the biggest critiques and show how they are wrong, or at least misguided. #Canada #FoodGuide #HealthCanada #HealthyEating

Two weeks ago Health Canada released a revised food guide that was very different from its previous guides. While the food guide received a lot of praise, it was also mocked by many people in articles, in the comment sections of news articles and on social media. I thought I’d cover some of the biggest critiques and show how they are wrong, or at least misguided.

1. The comments saying, “I’m not…

While I was in York I stayed in the YHA York. This hostel was probably the cleanest and most comfortable hostel I have stayed in. It was a bit of a walk away from the city centre, where everything you want to see is located, but it was the only hostel I could find. As nice as the hostel was, there was absolutely no atmosphere; no one is really there to talk to anyone so, don’t expect to meet a lot of other travellers.

What to do:

The Original York Ghost Walk

This was the best ghost walk I’ve ever taken and it is worth more than it costs. The guide has such a presence about him, he could be an actor (maybe he is). He was so entertaining and really gets you right into the ghost stories. It is an old city and he has plenty of stories to choose from. If you are in York, you MUST take this tour. It is creepy though so, if you’re solo travelling, be prepared for a scary walk back to your accommodation.

The Shambles

This street is what you think of when you think of York. The buildings tower over the street at odd angles hanging over your head. It has such an old-world charm to it. This street is the reason people come to York.

York claims that the Shambles was inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter. Edinburgh also claims that Victoria Street in Edinburgh was the inspiration. Both say they were JK Rowling’s inspiration, but no matter which has the true claim, if you visit both streets then The Shambles definitely has the look and feel of Diagon Alley.

National Railway Museum

An interesting look at the railway in the UK. They have some carriages from past royal families, which are cute and set up the way they were for royalty.

Yorkshire Museum

A museum filled with art, natural history, artifacts from Roman York, Prehistoric People, Medieval York and much more.

York Art Gallery

Art from the 1400s onward, from artists all around Europe.

York Castle Museum

If you’re only visiting one museum on your trip to York, then make it this one. This was a fun and interactive museum with a recreated Victorian cobbled street you can walk through. There is also a 60’s street, an exhibition on WWI and an amazing exhibition called Shaping the Body: 400 Years of Fashion, Food and Life.

If you want to visit the three museums, you can buy a YMT Card that will grant you access to all three museums for a year; it works out cheaper then buying tickets separately.

York Minster

A gorgeous gothic cathedral. I did not pay to go in (I’d been in so many cathedrals up to this point), but the exterior is beautiful and there are many things to look at if you circle the building.

Where to eat:

Ippuku Tea House

I was passing by this place on a walk and noticed they had a vegan menu in the window. It wasn’t a permanent menu, but if you’re craving Japanese food, ask if they have some vegan options. I ordered a three-course meal: a cucumber avocado hand roll to start, vegan mapo tofu with steamed rice for the main and a brownie for dessert.

Double Dutch Pancake House

If you love pancakes, you must eat here! Ask for the vegan menu and feast your eyes on the many savoury and sweet pancake options. I had the Canadian pancakes that came with maple syrup and Swedish Glace ice cream. So good! Maple syrup is probably one of my favourite things and there is a surprising amount of people who haven’t tried it so, come here and try it!

Goji Cafe

This cafe was always busy therefore, I got a snack to go. A veggie samosa and a hot chocolate. Check this place out!

True Story

This is a really nice little vegan restaurant and it serves really good food, but it is pricy. I had the tofu scramble with vegan feta and arugula. It was delicious, but this is not the place for people on a tight budget; it’s good for a splurge.

El Piano York

This was an amazing place to find delicious vegan food, but I just found out they closed at the end of August. According to their website, there will be new owners taking over so, keep your eye on their website to see what the future will bring for this location!

This city is a must visit if you like music and museums. Birthplace of The Beatles and home to many local bands there is always a gig happening somewhere. Walking around the streets, taking in the industrial architecture, wandering through the free museums and listening to local artists you will have no problem filling your days in this unique city. I originally booked to stay in the city for 4 nights but booked another because I wasn’t ready to leave!

I stayed in Hatters Hostel which I would recommend to anyone staying in the city. It is a nice hostel within walking distance to all the attractions and offers events in the evenings which is great for a solo traveller. I had booked in a 10-bed mixed dorm and had no issues until the third night when I felt unconforatabe with my roommates. I asked at the reception desk if I could switch rooms and they upgraded me to a private room for free! It helped that it was off season, so the hostel was not busy, but I was just so grateful for the helpful and friendly staff. If you’re looking to stay in a hostel, then check them out.

Go to:

The Beatles Story

If you are a fan of The Beatles (who isn’t?), then you MUST go to this museum. The ticket price includes an audio guide for a self guided tour through the museum starting from the band members’ childhoods, throughout their time as a band and their careers after the split. It is very interesting to learn about one of the most famous bands in history.

International Slavery Museum

This is a in-depth museum on the slavery trade. The museum covers the transatlantic slave trade’s almost 400-year history. According to the museum at least 12 million Africans were forcibly transported and millions more affected. Liverpool has an unfortunate connection with the slave trade, which this museum can teach you about. It is a somber museum but something I think everyone should see.

Museum of Liverpool

A fascinating museum which covers the history of Liverpool.

Tate Liverpool

An art gallery located in a converted dock building.

World Museum

A huge museum filled with natural history, exhibits on different cultures and science. While you’re here check out the Central Library next door, it is a beautiful library to visit.

The Cavern Club

Although this is not the original Cavern Club, the original closed in 1973, it is an exact replica. In the early ‘60s The Beatles played at the original Cavern Club 292 times. This Cavern Club is also a live music venue with acts playing throughout the day and night. During the afternoon there are usually Beatles covers being performed and in the evening, there are local or bigger name performers.

Liverpool Cathedral

Built between 1904 to 1978 this is the largest Anglican Cathedral in the world with the highest gothic arches, largest organ and the biggest stained-glass windows in England. Standing in the aisle of the Cathedral makes you feel tiny surrounded by the big open concrete space.

Chinese Arch

The largest ceremonial arch outside of mainland China was erected for the Chinese New Year in 2000. It is gorgeous with its decorations made in Shanghai. The neighbourhood surrounding the arch is one of the oldest and largest Chinese communities in Europe with English and Chinese signs on the shops and restaurants.

The Old Dock

In order to see the worlds first commercial enclosed wet dock, you have to book a tour at the Merseyside Maritime Museum. I recommend you do. This wet dock was built in 1715 and made Liverpool one of the most important ports in the UK. It was only in 2001 that the dock was discovered after being buried since 1826. Here you can see the remains of the dock and the creek (Pool) from which Liverpool got its name. Although the tour is free, they do accept a tip at the end to help keep the tours free.

Walk along the pier

The old and new architecture is beautiful along the water. I watched one of the most vivid sunsets in Liverpool, it was beautiful.

Eat at:

Down the Hatch

This restaurant has a dark underground ambiance and serves plenty of vegan junk food. I had the seitan strips and fries, they were good but very greasy (which sometimes you want).

LIV Organic & Natural Food Market

A health food store with a lot of vegan options. They offer food to go and baked goods. I got a Victorian sponge cake and it was delicious!

The Egg Vegetarian Cafe

This is a must visit in Liverpool. This vegetarian/vegan restaurant has a wide variety of food options. It is an open, airy space with loft seating and it a cool atmosphere. I ordered the blind scouse pie so that I could try the vegan version of the traditional scouse stew. It was delicious, if it is on the menu you must try it! For dessert I had an amazing chocolate and shortbread slice with soy ice cream and the next morning I went back for a full English breakfast!

The Caledonia

A pub which offers vegan junk food and live music in the evenings. I had a cheese burger, which was good, but nothing special. They have a lot of different burger and hot dog options. If you want to listen to music, I recommend getting there early to get a good seat.

Wok & Go

If you’re looking for a quick and cheap meal that still tastes good, you can get a veggie and tofu stir fry here.

Have you been to Liverpool? Did you love it as much as I did? I used my trip here as a reason to listen to the full Beatles discography. While I had listened to the majority of their songs before my visit, I was surprised to discover ones I had never heard. This is a city I would like to come back to one day.

View from the hostel

If you do want to go to Birmingham though there are a few places you cannot miss:

Museum of the Jewellery Quarter

This museum was once a working jewelry factory. Opened in 1899 this business was passed down through generations and when it closed in 1981, it was left pretty much exactly as it was when it was running. Though it closed in the 80s not much had changed with the technology used to create the jewelry, so you can see the practices of jewelry making through the years.

You must take a guided tour of the museum and I was the only one there at the time. The guide was very friendly and informative and took me through the factory and showed me how some of the machines worked. This was my favourite part of Birmingham.

The Bull Ring Market

There is a market in Birmingham where you can walk around and look at the things for sale for hours. There are vendors selling fruits and vegetables, fabrics, jewelry, clothing and shoes, toys, pretty much anything you can imagine someone was selling it.

The Library of Birmingham

This library is free to enter, and it has a great balcony to view the city from. There is also the Shakespeare Memorial Room which holds some of his works and information on his life.

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

This museum is home to many objects and art from around the world and has a gallery dedicated to the history and people of Birmingham.

Take a day trip to Stratford-upon-Avon

It is a quick and cheap train ride to get to the birthplace of a William Shakespeare. Whether you are a fan of the playwright or not, it is an amazing little village to see. I am always so amazed at how the buildings from that era are so well preserved. You can walk through the house where Shakespeare was born and grew up in. Visit his daughter’s house, his wife’s cottage, the school that he attended and the church he is buried in. The town is very cute and it’s nice to walk around in.

Food!

Not Dogs

Hearing that there was a vegetarian restaurant dedicated to veggie dogs was so exciting! I spent forever getting to this restaurant using Google Maps. It wasn’t clear that it was UPSTAIRS, and I kept circling, going all over the place looking for it. It turns out it was upstairs in the hall connecting the train station to the mall. It was worth it though! I ordered a nacho veggie dog and a chocolate peanut butter shake.

Fressh

I rushed to this restaurant to get there before 11am because I wanted to try the Egg Muffin.  Tofu scramble, tomato, spinach, vegan creamed cheese on a toasted English muffin. It sounded delicious and it was! It wasn’t the prettiest meal, but so good! I went back to Fressh another day and ordered the Taco Salad; it was one of the best salads I have ever had.

The Warehouse Cafe

This restaurant is a must visit. It is not in the nicest location, close to the hostel I was staying in. And walking out of there alone when it was dark wasn’t the greatest, but everything turned out fine. The food was delicious! I had a Filo Parcel with a spinach and soy cream cheese filling, a side of roasted vegetables and for dessert, a scoop of soy ice cream with toffee sauce! Their menu changes regularly so, there is always something new to try.

Do you want to visit Birmingham? Let me know if you go and if I should give the city another chance!

Obvious one first, don’t over pack. You’re going to be lugging this stuff with you for however long you are away, and there is nothing worse than being weighed down by things you don’t actually need. The thing all seasoned travellers say to do is, pull everything out that you think you need, then cut it in half. Personally, I still struggle with this, I get bored with my clothes often, and it’s hard packing for all seasons when you’re in Europe. Fortunately, I have an amazing friend in the UK who allows me to leave some things at her house, so I’m not always carrying my winter clothes in the summer or summer clothes in the winter. But, when I’m travelling from place to place, I have my Osprey Porter 46 backpack and a medium sized purse and that’s it!

Speaking of your luggage. Use a backpack! You don’t want to be pulling a suitcase on the cobblestones in Europe or up and down stairs. Backpacks just make life easier. I’d even go a little smaller than the one I have. It will make it impossible to overpack and you won’t have the stress of wondering if it will fit as a carry on when flying. Mine is just on the line of being too big therefore, it’s a constant worry when in line at the airport, but so far *fingers crossed* I’ve managed to take it carry on, on all the flights.

Bring your student card! Even if you’re no longer a student (me!). It’s a little sneaky but for the budget traveller every dollar counts! My student card has gotten me discounts in so many places around Europe. My card doesn’t have the date on the front since we had to use the card for all four years which makes it perfect to get the student discount everywhere. And, unless the date stands out, I think you’ll still be fine. I’ve experienced only a couple of people actually take the card to check it out, usually you just flash it and they’ll give you the discount.

Having a hard time making friends? Maybe no one in your hostel is chatty or they don’t offer activities. I usually take a free walking tour and scope out the crowd. Are there other solo travellers? Strike up a conversation, maybe they’ll want to hang out later. Or use the Hangout feature on the Couchsurfing app.You can make yourself available and find other people around the city looking for someone to hang out with. See if meetup.com has any activities listed in the city. Join a travel Facebook group. I’m part of a few Facebook groups where people can ask each other for tips or advice on travel and sometimes there are people in the city you are in, asking if any other members are up to grab a drink.

Don’t overthink the conversion rate for your currency. This is more for people that have a weaker currency and it can be painful when you think of what the thing you are buying costs converted, or how much cheaper you would get it back home (today 1 Canadian dollar is 0.59 Pound sterling or 0.66 Euro so I know the pain). Obviously, a lot of travellers have a budget they have to stick to, but if you’re constantly thinking about what this and that costs converted then you’ll never do/see/eat anything! Enjoy yourself and treat yourself a little. Conversion rates can be disappointing, but don’t let it hold you back from having a great time doing what you want to do. And if you’re in Europe, go to Eastern Europe where your money will stretch longer. Poland was one of my favourite places and I ate so much amazing food for half the cost as I would have spent in the UK.

Always have napkins or toilet paper on you. The long-distance trains or busses will run out.

Don’t care so much about what’s “expected.” Berlin is known for its night life but that doesn’t mean you have to go out if that’s not something you enjoy. If you feel like people will judge you for not doing something, forget about it; in the long run they really don’t care about what you did or didn’t do on your travels. Don’t do things because of what other people will think, travel for yourself and do what you are interested in, don’t do what you’re not interested in just because that’s what’s expected.

Give yourself some time off. If you’re travelling for the long haul, then schedule some days where you do absolutely nothing. As exciting as each place is, and as much as you don’t want to waste time or money, you will get worn out. Travelling long-term can be exhausting and if you want to keep doing it, then you must take some time off for your body and mind to reenergize.

Don’t have high expectations for hostels, you’ll only be disappointed. But sometimes, when you keep your standards low, you’ll be surprised! The number of bad reviews I’ve read for a hostel that was fine but a little dirty are numerous. You are paying a fraction of the cost of a hotel room, so you have to expect it’s not going to be as perfect. You’re staying for a couple nights, you can deal with a little dirt. As long as it’s safe and there are no bedbugs, I’ll stay anywhere.

Avoid Euronet ATMs. They give the worst exchange rate and charge you a huge fee to take money out. Go to a local bank and take money out there. And before you leave home see what your bank’s policy is for taking money out internationally. I’m with TD Bank and Tangerine Bank. TD charges me $5 every time I take money out while Tangerine charges $2, unless the bank is part of the Global ATM Alliance, then it’s free!

Global ATM Alliance

Buy a SIM card when you get to the country you’re travelling. When I arrived in Dublin, I bought a Tesco SIM card that cost me about €15 for 15gb of data! Then, when I got to the UK, I bought a Three pay as you go SIM card that I used until I got a job and signed a contract. Now I get 12gb of data for £15 a month; that is so cheap if you compare it to a phone plan in Canada. With that plan I can use my phone in most European countries at no extra cost for up to two months. Make sure your phone is unlocked before you leave if you want to do this.

Check out a help exchange website. I signed up for helpx.net as soon as I bought my ticket. It was around $20 for two years of use and it has been well worth it. If you’re travelling long term or want to spend a longer period of time in one city, then do a help exchange. Most placements involve a few hours of work a day in exchange for a bed and (sometimes) food. I have a done a few placements at hostels in Scotland and at a house in Wales and it is an amazing experience that helped me stretch my money. Other websites like this are workaway.info or wwoofinternational.org.

Look into whether a working visa is for you or not. I got a 2 year Youth Mobility visa for the UK because I knew I wanted to travel for at least a year and would need to make some money at some point. This visa is for people ages 18 to 30 who want to live in the UK and explore, it is the perfect visa for solo travellers.

When in smaller European towns, keep an eye on the date. Sunday’s are usually dead. I was in a small German town and ended up stuck in the hostel eating whatever I happened to have in my bag. No one would accept my credit card, all the banks were closed so I couldn’t take cash out, the grocery stores were closed and no restaurant had vegan options. It was disappointing.

Don’t compare your travels to other people’s travels. This is true for more than just travel; comparing yourself to others is never a good thing. But, in relation to travel, everyone travels differently. Some people do want to lug suitcases around while some want to be very minimal, some wear make up and some don’t, some spend an hour trying to capture the perfect photo while others don’t even take a photo. Don’t compare and don’t judge and you’ll have the best time.

Vegan specific tips!

When in doubt look for burrito or sushi restaurants. It might not be the most exciting or give you the experience of trying vegan versions of local cuisine but, if you’re struggling to find something to eat, then some cucumber avocado rolls or a veggie burrito are easy options to find in most cities. The same thing with chain grocery stores or coffee shops in the UK, pretty much every one has at least one vegan sandwich or wrap.

Pack some Cliff Bars or other protein/granola bars. They are great to have in your bag if you’re getting an early start to the morning, if you’re on a long walking tour or if it’s taking you a little longer to find somewhere to eat then you’d like. They will tide you over until you can find a proper meal.

Splurge occasionally. Budget is obviously an issue for a lot of people but don’t miss out on some great vegan food because it might be a little pricy. The way I look at it is, I’m not that much of a drinker so, the money most people spend on a night out drinking, I’m spending on a delicious meal.

Don’t rely on hostel breakfasts. Usually it’s some toast and maybe jam. Sometimes you’ll get lucky and they’ll have fruit but for the most part it’s not a great selection.

Carry a jar of peanut butter! I always had a jar with me in Ireland so I could take the free toast at the hostel and make it a little more filling.

Check out HappyCow. This website and app will save you so much time looking for vegan food. They list all the vegan, vegetarian and veggie option restaurants in each city.

It is not impossible to travel vegan. I’ve heard from a few people that it’s just too hard so they aren’t vegan when they travel. I see that as more of an excuse. In bigger cities it’s so easy to be vegan. Veganism is on the rise and even if there aren’t any vegan restaurants, there are vegan options in a lot of places. This is where HappyCow comes in handy. And even if you can’t find a restaurant you can always go to the grocery store, buy some veggies and beans and make a salad and even save yourself some money.

I hope these can help you on your travels! Feel free to ask me any questions and let me know if you have any good travel tips I should know. Here’s to another year!

Go to:

Oxford University

You have to pay to visit the buildings of the school, so I did not visit all of them, but if you are going to visit any I think it has to be Christ Church, especially if you love Harry Potter. This building was used as a set in the first film. The staircase where Harry, Ron and Hermione first meet McGonagall is here, some of the hallways were used in the film and The Hall is also said to be the inspiration for the Hogwarts Great Hall. The whole place has a very Hogwarts feel to it.

  You can also visit, for a small fee, The Bodleian Library. This library was used in the first Harry Potter film as the Hogwarts library and particularly for the filming of the forbidden section scene. The front hall of the building was also the set for the hospital wing in the first film and the set for the dancing class in the fifth film.

Oxford University Museum of Natural History and Pitt Rivers Museum

These two adjoining museums are full of fascinating exhibits. The Natural History side is full of dinosaur and animal bones and taxidermy, but the best part is the Pitt Rivers side. This has got to be one of my favourite museums now. It is full of cultural artifacts from all over the world and the interior of the building is beautiful. My favourite thing from this museum is a silver bottle said to contain a witch. And it’s free to visit! A major plus and one of the best things about the UK is that the majority of the museums are free.

  Ashmolean Museum

Another free museum, this one is full of artifacts and art from around the world. They have a lot of Greek style sculptures. It’s a nice museum to stroll through on a rainy day.

Walk the streets of this historic city!

You never know what beautiful sight you’ll see around the corner, even if it’s raining.

Food in the city!

Happy Friday Kitchen

This restaurant was a little out of the city centre. I had to take a bus to get there but I kind of like taking the bus sometimes. By taking public transport you get to see parts of the city that you wouldn’t usually see when you stay within walking distances. The menu was full of delicious sounding vegan food, so I had to try multiple things! I ordered the macaroni and cheese, the seitan tenders with garlic mayo sauce and a hot chocolate to drink. It was so good, and it was for sure the best hot chocolate I have ever had!

  Greens Cafe

A lot of the cafes around Oxford have vegan options on their menus (usually a falafel sandwich). After exploring the city all morning, I went into Greens Cafe for lunch and got the Falafel Baguette and the Apple and Date Shortbread. Very yummy lunch. You can get it to go if you’re in a rush or take your time and hang out in a cafe full of local students. I took my time in this cafe while rereading Harry Potter.

Zizzi

This chain Italian restaurant is all over the UK and has saved me any times when there is nothing around for me to eat or if all the smaller restaurants are closed, since it’s a chain restaurant it’s open later! Not only is it affordable and reliable it is also good. Vegan pizza with good vegan cheese! They also have vegan desserts!

  Also look for Ask Italian and Pizza Express, these are two other chains around the UK with vegan options.

Since there were not too many vegan options in Oxford I decided might as well get pizza two nights in a row. I hopped on the bus and went back the Happy Friday Kitchen hoping to try their stuffed crust pizza and have another of their amazing hot chocolates, but when I got to the restaurant it was closed! Google said it was open until 8pm; disappointed, I wandered over and checked the menu outside the bar next door, The City Arms. I saw some vegan options, so I went in, just so I didn’t take the bus across town for no reason. When I went up to the bar to order they didn’t have the stuffed pepper salad I wanted (more disappointment) so I got the curry instead with a side of onion rings. The curry wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t the greatest either. They were really good onion rings though! This would be the kind of place you would go to with meat eating friends or family, if they want non-vegan food but still want you to have more than fries to eat.

Despite what the alleyway graffiti says, Belfast is a good place! I was working in a hostel for the month and a half I was in Belfast and I loved it! I was only supposed to be there a month, but I extended my stay because I didn’t want to leave. I volunteered through Helpx at Arnie’s Backpackers, which was sold to a vegan woman after I left, but the name is the same. It was an amazing experience working there. It was owned by Arnie who was in and out of the hostel with his adorable dog Coco. I started the same day that two girls from Catalonia started, Juiliá and Cris. We were the hostel team my whole stay there, we had a few regulars and everyone together made the hostel feel like a home. It was so nice to stay in one place for a bit, after a month of non stop moving. I wish I could have stayed longer! Maybe not changing beds and cleaning toilets for longer, but being in the city with those people for longer. It is a lively city, no matter the time of year. I was there from the end of October to mid December. The city has an interesting but dark history yet has some of the friendliest people.

Me, Júlia, Arnie, David, Cris and Chelsea

Where to go and what to do:

Victoria Square Shopping Centre

You can enjoy a beautiful 360 degree view of the city if you climb up the stars in the mall to the Dome.

Titanic Belfast

If you’re interested in the Titanic at all then I recommend this museum. The museum chronicles from the building of the Titanic to the sinking and wreckage. It is located on the slipway where the Titanic was built, and they have an outline of where it was built to show the actual length of the ship. There are no artifacts from the ship but a lot of history I didn’t know prior to my visit here. You can also see the studio in which they film Game of Thrones from the slipway.

Christmas Market

If you’re in Belfast around Christmas time, then go to the Christmas Market! There are so many cute booths and it is beautiful with all the lights set up! It is located right in front of City Hall.

City Hall

You can take a free tour of the City Hall. It is not the most interesting tour, unless you’re really into politics, but the interior of the building is beautiful.

St. George’s Market

A big market open year round with a variety of stalls and live music on the weekends.

The Peace Wall

The Peace Wall/Peace Lines first went up in 1969 to separate the Republican/Catholic areas from the Loyalist/Protestant areas, they were meant to minimize violence between the two communities. Throughout the years the walls were built upon and although The Troubles ended in 1998 the gates of the walls are still closed every night.

When you’re in Belfast walk along the Peace Wall and see some of the political art left on the wall, or take a tour to give yourself some more background on the history of the conflict.

Political Walking Tour or Black Taxi Tours

I took the Conflicting Stories: Political Walking Tour in which one half of the tour is led by a Republican ex-political prisoner and the other half is run by a Loyalist ex-political prisoner, the tour is handed over at the Peace Wall and they each give you their stories and history during The Troubles. It’s a very interesting walk and gives you a good background of this divided city. I would recommend going when it’s warmer though, as it is a three hour walk which doesn’t end until the sun is down and your toes are frozen.

If you don’t feel like walking, there is also The Black Taxi Tour which gives you a history of the conflict from inside a taxi. It has gotten very good reviews.

The murals

The city is covered in murals, political murals, portraits of people of Northern Irish descent, popular culture, and some are just beautiful art. You’ll have a hard time seeing them all if you’re only in the city for a short time, but keep your eye out for them while you’re out and about. Or take a tour to see some of the most notable ones.

Ulster Museum

There is a variety of art in this museum and you can spend a long time wandering around the different galleries. This is also where The Game of Thrones tapestry is. The tapestry has a scene from every single episode with space to add more after the new episodes air. The tapestry is huge and twists around the whole room. If you are a fan of the show, you should definitely go.

Botanic Gardens

The hostel was right around the corner from the gardens and they are beautiful. It is free entry and you can spend forever walking through the park. Pay attention to the signs though! One of my first evenings in Belfast I decided to go for a walk through the gardens while talking to my mom on the phone. It was starting to get dark so I headed towards the place I came in only to find the gate locked! Only slightly panicking I started walking to another exit and heard the scraping of a gate moving so I started to run. I managed to sneak through the gate that had been opened to let a car through. I have no idea what I was going to do if I got locked in!

Cave Hill

A quick bus ride gets you to Belfast Castle, now a hotel, to start your hike up to Cave Hill. It is a fairly easy hike to do and you get a beautiful view along your journey.

CS Lewis Square

This square commemorates the author of the Chronicles of Narnia, CS Lewis, who was born in Belfast. Take a walk around the square to see statues of the characters! You can also explore of bit of East Belfast while walking to the square.

Giants Causeway Tour

There are plenty of tours to the Giant’s Causeway from Belfast. I took Allen’s Tours since I got to go for free through my volunteer position at the hostel. It was a great tour with plenty of stops along the way and a long stop at the Giants Causeway which allows you to explore the area and take in the landscape. They have included a few Game of Thrones stops since it has brought a lot of tourism to Northern Ireland. The tour guide was obviously not a fan of the show though as, when he pointed out the port where Arya climbs out after being stabbed he said, “Ar-ar-e-a”. The last stop of the tour was The Dark Hedges, aka Kingsroad in Game of Thrones, which is so creepily beautiful.

Where to eat and drink:

The Perch

One of the coolest bars I’ve ever been in. You take an accordion elevator run by an attendant up to the top floor where everything is bird themed. It is such a pretty space with a partially open roof. The drinks are a little pricey but it such a cool place to hang out in.

The Honest Vegan

This cafe has AMAZING vegan pancakes! I went to The Honest Vegan so many times during my time in Belfast and I just kept getting the pancakes because they were so good! They have the regular pancakes and the apple strudel pancakes, both are delicious. They always have some sort of treat available; cookies, cupcakes, chocolate truffles, anything you could want.

*Update*

This cafe has closed 😦

They now sell their sandwiches/wraps/desserts at a few convenience stores around the city. Keep your eyes on their Facebook page to see where their food will be for sale.

387 Ormeau Road

Another fully vegan cafe. Sweet and savoury offerings. I tried the sausage roll which was really good and a New York deli style sandwich which made me not hate pickles. The strawberry milkshake was okay, nothing special but the chocolate chip and pretzel cookie was one of the best cookies I’ve ever had. The tofu breakfast burrito was really good as well. Their cakes are so good, there are always different flavours.

Boojum

If you’re having a burrito craving then Boojum is great for a quick veggie burrito.

The Five Points

The pub I spent the most time in. There is usually amazing live music that is so much fun to listen and dance to! The cost of drinks are pretty average.

Filthy McNastys

Included purely for the name. Another cool bar with live music occasionally.

Laverys

This is the place to go to for vegan bar food. Laverys has a good section of vegan food and they have a sharing platter with cauliflower wings, guacamole and tortilla chips, chilli, bean salad, chickpeas bites, and sweet potato wedges. It’s a perfect snack to share with vegans and non vegans alike! Also rumoured to be where the Game of Thrones cast hang outs.

St George’s Market/ Christmas Market

Always check out the markets for stalls that offer vegan options. I have found vegan desserts, falafel wraps, smoothies, vegetable samosas, and garlic potatoes. A favourite of mine is the vegan fudge sold by Melting Pot Fudge.

Game of Thrones locations!

In honour of me ALMOST being an extra on the show 😦

It was an exciting day when I got an email asking if I was available to be an extra for three dates, I said yes but never heard back. So I headed to the Isle of Skye, only for the next day to get another email asking if I was available for two days, but it was too late at that point. Thanks to Chelsea a fellow Canadian who was an extra on the show and a regular at the hostel for showing me how to sign up for the extras website, it sucks it never worked out. Check out her handmade jewelry and designs!

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It was really nice to see the small community come together on Saturday for Argyll’s First Wee Vegan Fair to interact and learn about vegan food, vegan products and to discover what being vegan is all about!

There were over 200 people who attended the fair throughout the day and everyone was happy and had a smile on their faces. It makes you almost forget about all the negative energy that…

I stayed in a bothy overnight!

Something I discovered while working at Skye Backpackers on the Isle of Skye was the existence of bothies, empty shelters, which you can stay in while hiking throughout Scotland, Northern England and Whales. A lot of people just use the bothies as a pit stop for lunch along their hike, but some people stay overnight if they want to take in more of the area. A couple of the staff at the hostel had…

Ireland, outside of Dublin and Galway

When I was in Ireland I took busses between cities. I did a loop around the country, trying to see as much as I could for the month I was there. I started in Dublin and ended in Galway, which are both amazing places but, it was interesting to see some of the areas outside of the bigger cities. If you’re going to some of the smaller cities or towns in Ireland and you’re vegan, be prepared to make…

Galway is what I was expecting when I first got to Dublin. Dublin was so busy every single day and night. There was not one night of the week when there weren’t people roaming the streets drunk. And while that can be fun for some people, it’s also overwhelming. Galway has more of a laid back vibe which is relaxing, and it is much easier to meet friendly people there. I met so many nice and…

Being spontaneous is not as easy as it seems it should be. I decided to start my trip on the shoulder season when it’s not supposed to be as busy but, joke’s on me because October is busy! I booked only my first week in Dublin and then decided to be adventurous and decide where to go from there, but if you don’t book ahead you don’t get the cheapest, or any, hostels. I wanted to make my way…

Dublin: Where to go, what to eat!

I started my first solo trip in Dublin, Ireland! I wanted to start somewhere they spoke English so that it wouldn’t be quite as scary being in a different county alone. It is beautiful here, the city is always busy and there is always something to do.  The hostels I stayed at in Dublin were better than most, quality wise. I stayed in Ashfield Hostel and Abigails Hostel which are both owned by the…