There is truly no shortage of stunning spots to take a dip in the region’s gorgeous lakes. On a sunny day, the locals are seen soaking up the rays by paddle-boarding, kayaking, and swimming. Check out the list below for seven of the best places to go for a swim, including some popular spots and some hidden gems.

• Derwentwater: Derwentwater is one of the most popular destinations for swimming in the Lake District, and it’s easy to see why. The water is surrounded by atmospheric hills and forests – it’s the perfect spot for a relaxing swim!
  
  
• Ullswater: Ullswater is a beautiful lake in the Eastern Fells. Containing crystal clear waters and decorated with a mountain backdrop, it’s an ideal place for taking a dip.
  
  
• Eskdale: This secluded area is great for swimming, with its plunge pools and magical scenery. It’s also known for beautiful waterfalls, so don’t forget to bring your camera!
  
  
• Rydal Water: This small lake is perfect for a peaceful swim, as it is complete with unspoiled views and gentle waters.
  
  
• Coniston Water: This large lake is a great spot for a swim, featuring plenty of beaches and bays to explore. At five miles in length, there is a ton of room for activities such as boat and bike rentals.
  
  
• Harrop Tarn: This hidden gem is centrally located in the Lake District, and is a great spot for a refreshing swim. The lake is surrounded by stunning views, and in the right season, can be decorated with lily pads!
  
  
• Crummock Water: A personal fave! There’s a parking lot and a few trails that go around the lake, stopping by little coves like this one. Keep an eye out for the boathouse, as this beach is perfect for a sunny day.
  
  

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing swim or a more adventurous experience, these are some of the best places to go for a swim in the Lake District. Enjoy!

x,
Melissa

The post Seven Spots for a Swim in the Lake District appeared first on Maneuvering with Melissa.

For those who don’t know, I am a PhD student in the UK, and my trips are often done on a pretty tight budget, though I occasionally splurge if needed to fully appreciate the countries and all that they offer. I actually was in Vienna for a conference, and thus had a few meals provided, but primarily I was responsible for my own food and drinks. Luckily, the region could not be better for wine!

Below I will go through the places I ate in Vienna, and then at the bottom I’ll make note of anywhere I wanted to check out but didn’t end up making it to. Hopefully this will provide a thorough view of the options in this beautiful Austrian city.

Dinner Options

Eat with Pia

Between Prater and Stephansplatz

I wish I had researched options to eat with a local, so I am sharing this one here! You could pay a bit to have an authentic meal with Pia at her house in Vienna. She seems super sweet and the communal dining looks delicious! “Being most of the time in Vienna, we like to invite people from all over the planet to share food and time with us. Our apartment and artist-studio are between Prater and Stephansplatz. Our apartment is on the third floor without elevator. We have an open house and are looking forward to welcome you!” El Boro Pizzeria

Thaliastraße 77, 1160 Wien, Austria

Picture the scene: I’ve just arrived in Vienna after a 3-hour long flight delay, and then an hour journey from the airport to my Airbnb. Basically, I am desperate for anything close by which will do the job of feeding me until morning. Luckily, I encountered El Boro Pizzeria just around the block.

Highly rated on Google Maps, this was the meal I needed. The pizza was delicious, affordable, and I could sit outside and watch the people of the neighborhood stroll by. I felt like a local, I grabbed a beer, and I thought I could finally relax a bit.

Little did I know, they are cash-only. You may think it was a rookie mistake to not get some cash at the airport, but I did not do my proper research and assumed that most places would accept card. So basically, yes, a rookie mistake.

The people of El Boro were so kind and directed me to the ATM across the street. *PRO TIP: To make a long story short – I thought the ATM located inside the small storefront was closed, but it turns out you need to put your card into the slot to the side of the doors before they will open to let you in and take out some cash. Thank you to the employees of El Boro for helping this silly traveler figure this out!

I took my pizza and beer to-go and enjoyed it in a local park – I highly recommend!

Schnitzelwirt

Neubaugasse 52, 1070 Wien, Austria

Some of my colleagues from the conference said that they were recommended Schnitzelwirt by an Austrian friend, so this is how we ended up in a boho area of town with an excellent vibe.

Honestly, I am still confused on what exactly counts as schnitzel, but I am pretty sure that it can be pork, chicken, or beef. I read somewhere that the original Weiner Schnitzel was beef, but it seems like different restaurants have different meat options.

Our table got a mix of schnitzel, fried cheese, and fried vegetables. Everything was delicious, and the glass of wine was perfect on this hot day. I second this recommendation!

Zattl

Schottengasse 2, 1010 Wien, Austria

This one was recommended to us by the conference organizers! Close to the University of Vienna and in an active part of town, the outdoor seating was perfect for a Friday night. I got two white sausages, which came with a side of pretzel and some amazing mustard.

Truly I would say the atmosphere made this place – though the food was great too. There were plenty of tables, service was quick, and there were options which worked for everyone. I will note that they stick to their last call time and shut down drinks outside by 10pm, but then you can relocate inside.

Additional Options

Ballroom 1090 – damn.good.dumplings – Maria-Theresien-Straße 5, 1090 Wien, Austria

Woracziczky Gasthaus – Spengergasse 52, 1050 Wien, Austria

Zweitbester – Heumühlgasse 2, 1040 Wien, Austria

Eat with Pia (a native Austrian) with

Lunch

Andrea’s Viennese Lunch

Near to Prater

Andrea opens up her home to you and teaches you to cook a traditional lunch! As a solo traveler, it would have been great to sit down with someone local and eat what the Viennese are really having for lunch or dinner. “Let’s enjoy a great cooking class experience in Vienna, to know all the secrets of my country.

I’ll teach you all my old recipes in a friendly atmosphere. If you have any suggestions just let me know, so then we can choose together what we can elaborate. I invite you all to come to my typical Viennese apartment.”

Check it out here!

Naschmarkt

1060 Vienna, Austria

I went here in the morning, so only grabbed a pastry, but I think it would be a lovely place to enjoy lunch as well. The sellers are friendly and lively, and there’s plenty of outdoor seating if it’s a nice day. There are lots of options as well, and it’s easily walkable to many parts of town.

Amerlingbeisl

Stiftgasse 8, 1070 Wien, Austria

This place is so cute and trendy! The outdoor seating is covered by vining plants and consists of bistro tables scattered throughout a small square area. Such a nice place to grab a bite to eat, and definitely a hidden gem, as you can’t see how nice the patio is from outside.

In addition to being very aesthetic, the food and service was great. I got a breakfast dish, as the breakfast menu is only on Sundays and seemed to be what everyone was going for, but based on the menu and the taste of this dish, I believe any lunch would be excellent as well. Probably my favorite restaurant I went to in Vienna!

Wurstelstand

Honestly, I grabbed lunch at a few different Wurst Stands. It feels like an authentic option, and is quick and easy. If you’re ever walking around and in need of a quick snack or lunch, just look up what is nearby and go for the one with the best reviews. I was never disappointed!

I went to Wiener Wurst near St. Stephen’s Cathedral and also have had recommendations for Bitzinger Wurstel and Kasekrainer Bratwurst!

Breakfast

Der Mann

There’s a bunch all over Vienna!

I ate an embarrassing amount of pastries from Der Mann last week. But I was often in a rush to get to the conference, and these bakeries are all over town! And, they’re delicious. I think I tried three separate kinds of cinnamon rolls in the first three days from Der Mann.

If you’re in a rush, or have a pastry craving, you can’t go wrong with Der Mann.

Supermarkets

Another pastry option is any of the many small supermarkets around Vienna. Any that I walked into had a pastry and snack section, and they each were less than a pound. Some options are Billa, Hofer (Austrian Aldi), or Spar. Really, you won’t struggle to find a tasty pastry in Vienna. Take it to a park and enjoy your breakfast or snack!

Snack

Aida

Several locations in Vienna

In all honesty, I originally stumbled into Aida in need of an outlet to charge my phone. I lucked out thought because this tearoom was so nice and…pink! I got a great seat overlooking St. Stephen’s Square, an outlet, and a tea to drink while I people watched. There was a lovely story about the history of the family-owned company, and how they handled the events of history as a small bakery. The pastries and cakes looked delicious, and they are well-known for their hospitality. Definitely one to check out!

Cafe in der Burggasse24

Burggasse 24, 1070 Wien, Austria

I was wandering around the stores in this neighborhood when I stumbled across this cafe within a clothing store. The vibe was very cool and hipster and I sat down for a drink in the outdoor area. It’s situated in a fun side street, and everyone around was trendy and engaging in their conversations. A great spot to stop for a rest – I didn’t have any food but the cafe is well-rated so I think it’s safe to say it would have been good!

I hope you have found this summary helpful! Don’t forget to pin for later, and follow me on Instagram!

Cheers,

Melissa

*This post may contain affiliate marketing! This will lead to no additional charges for you, and will help me pay off student loans. Hope this is okay 🙂

The post Where to eat and drink in Vienna, Austria appeared first on Maneuvering with Melissa.

So read along to make note of five great things to do while in Split!

Explore Diocletian’s Palace

One of the great things about exploring a new city during a conference is that you often get access to smaller buildings and rooms which are off limits to the general public. There were a lot of back alleyways and charming restaurants in Diocletian’s Palace which you could spend all day exploring.

We didn’t get an official tour, but there are a number of plaques which provide some background on the history of the palace and certain buildings.

Palace Tour Options

• 90-min Diocletian Palace Walking Tour with optional Wine and food Tasting
• Walking Tour of Split with a ‘Magister’ of History
• Game of Thrones Tour Split – City Of Dragons
• Jewish Heritage & Diocletian’s Palace Private Split Tour

If you’re looking for some places to eat, check out my post (coming soon) on all the spots we went!

Sit on the Riva and people watch

This is definitely an activity for those who like to slowly sip in the culture of a new destination. I love to people watch, and the Riva feels like it was basically set up for the purpose. On a clear day, you get a beautiful view of the port and nearby islands while sipping on your drink of choice. There are several restaurants and bars, so plenty of options if you wanted to spend each morning or afternoon of your trip taking a break.

Take the stairs to Park šuma Marjan

Usually I plan a detailed itinerary when traveling, but I was so nervous preparing for my first conference presentation that I didn’t get a chance to look at the options in Split. Thankfully my partner read about the stairs to Park šuma Marjan, and suggested it for sunset.

The reviews make it sound more exhausting than it was in my opinion. The stairs are daunting, but once you get going it’s actually not too far and there are several places to stop and catch your breath if you need. We didn’t plan to walk all the way to the top, but the weather and sunset were beautiful so we figured why not! If you’d rather do this journey by e-bike, there’s a tour for that here: Marjan Park Forest tour with Greyp fully electric bike.

Go to the Archaeology Museum (Muzej hrvatskih arheoloških spomenika) or Mestrovic Gallery (Galerija Meštrović)

We somewhat stumbled upon the Mestrovic Gallery on a walk one morning, but were pleasantly surprised! I would highly recommend walking along the coast for a bit and then once you get to Plaža Ježinac, head up to the main road and you’ll be right at the entrance.

Grab a self-guided pamphlet at the entrance to the Mestrovic Gallery and enjoy learning about the sculptor while wandering around his beautiful home-turned-gallery.

For those who are more interested in the Archaeology Museum, this Split and Salona Cultural Heritage Small Group Tour includes the ticket in its price!

Take a Ferry to a Nearby Island

We had heard that a great way to spend a day in Split, is actually to take a ferry to a nearby island! We chose Hvar after our lovely Airbnb host Ivana recommended this island.

Figuring out the ferries took a bit of time, but eventually we figured out that there were just two ferry trips between Split and Hvar each day since it was during the off-season. We booked tickets for 9:00am and a return ticket for 6:30pm from Hvar on https://krilo.hr. Ivana also recommend http://jadrolinija.hr. The ferries were actually quite prompt, so I would recommend getting to the port 15 minutes or so early to board and get a good seat.

It is worth noting that Hvar is pretty quiet in the off-season! It was a beautiful island and we were able to entertain ourselves by exploring the fort and the coastal trail, but there definitely some people who expected more of a party scene. Keep in mind that there are only a few places serving food, and don’t rely on the reviews to be accurate when it’s not the middle of summer! Nevertheless we still enjoyed this day trip.

Things to do in Hvar

• Full-Day Sea Caving Experience of Croatian Islands from Hvar
• Hvar Wine Tasting Small Group Tour (we had some great local wine in Hvar!)
• Full-Day Catamaran Cruise to Hvar & Pakleni Islands with Food and free Drinks
• Blue cave and Hvar Town – 5 islands tour

And that’s my top five recommendations for Split, Croatia! There’s so much to do in this charming city though, so feel free to use these ideas as jumping off points for larger adventures!

Comment any other Split tips below ⬇

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xx Melissa

This post contains affiliate links – if you book a tour through one of them, I will receive a small percentage, at no cost to you!

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A mistake that people often make is that they book a coach trip which drops them off at the Cliffs of Moher visitor center for a few hours. If you’re in a time crunch, this option works, but if you truly want to experience the area I highly recommend booking a walk with a local. Not only will this bring some revenue into the local economy, but these are the people who know the history of the area best! They’ll be able to answer all of your questions and take you to the most scenic spots while still keeping safety in mind.

Read on for my five top reasons to hire a guide and go on a walk over the Cliffs of Moher.

1. You get more VIEWS!

The Cliffs of Moher are stunning from every angle, but there’s only so far you can walk from the visitor’s center when you’re on a schedule. When walking from the local town of Doolin to the visitor center, you have the opportunity to see a variety of local landscapes, including a tower and wild horses! There are a few local buses which depart from the visitor center and go back to various locations, which don’t need to be pre-booked.

2. Less people = better experience & pictures

As I’ve said previously, there’s no shame in the visitor center game, but it is a different experience in terms of crowds. Taking a few hours to hike along the cliffs allows for ample time to take in the scenes and snap some pictures without worrying if there is anyone in the background. It’s a great way to meet other tourists as well, and provides and opportunity to exchange ideas based on travel experiences.

3. Often hikes are led by a local who has access to private land

From what I remember, a group of local farmers agreed to allow certain guides on the outskirts of their land along the cliffs. You have to book a guide who is from around the area in order to be allowed on these trails, so it’s sort of like paying for a museum ticket to get exclusive access to certain exhibits. This means the trail is upkept, safe, and unique!

4. Exposed to wildlife which isn’t around the visitor center

While Ireland is known for having no snakes around, there are plenty of other creatures! We were able to get a glimpse of some wild horses and puffins on our walk, which I can’t imagine you would be able to see with the crowds at the visitor center. It helped that the guide knew exactly where to look on the rocks for these cute and rare little birds.

5. Get that workout in!

I’m not really the type to fit a fitness schedule into my travels, but there is something exhilarating about spending some time getting your heart rate up on some of the most beautiful hills on earth (am I exaggerating? I don’t think so.) After a couple of days downing pints of Guinness and potatoes in a variety of forms, it was nice to stretch my legs and wake up a bit!

That being said, let me link to some of the highly recommended tours along the Cliffs of Moher:

• From Cork, Ireland: 1 Day Cliffs of Moher & Atlantic Edge Walk
• Meet in Doolin, Ireland: Small-Group Cliffs Of Moher Guided Walking Tour from Doolin
• Meet in Doolin, Ireland: Small-Group Cliffs Of Moher Guided Walking Tour from Doolin (Expedia)
• Meet in Doolin, Ireland: Doolin Cliff Walk

Hope this blog post has inspired you to consider a day out hiking the Cliffs of Moher! It was one of the best days of our week in Ireland, and I would highly recommend to families, couples, or solo travelers alike.

Go n-éirí leat! Good luck!

x Melissa

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**This post contains affiliate links. That means if you use them to make a purchase, I’ll earn a commission to help fund my PhD and more travel experiences, but mostly my PhD.

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One of the main reasons our family trip to Ireland happened was because of our family’s historical connection to the country, particularly the County Mayo region. My dad has gone down the family line to uncover all kinds of fun connections to the Irish people and their eventual travel to the United States. Because of this, we wanted to take advantage of being so close to where many of our ancestors lived on the island, so we booked a self-led bike excursion through County Mayo.

Now I have mixed feelings about exploring by bike, as I have had both wildly successful experiences as well as days where I wanted to throw the rented bike to the pavement and run away. I’m learning more each time, but what I can say, is that County Mayo was the perfect area to explore by bike, even if you’re inexperienced.

What makes a place suitable for biking in my opinion is:

• Few to no cars or other vehicles
• Large bike paths
• Open scenery which can only be explored on foot or bicycles
• Clear paths, which ideally loop around back to the start (reducing the chance of getting lost)
• Friendly locals who don’t mind people cycling past their houses/yards/living spaces

Now that we have set the scene, let’s go into more depth about our exact travel plans, so you can recreate them. We had a “home base” in Galway, so we departed from the city in the morning and took a bus to Westport, Ireland. We utilized the website Rome 2 Rio to book this bus

In terms of packing, I would recommend bringing a small backpack which contains:

*affiliate links are to UK sites, message me for any affiliate links you’d like to link to US sites 🙂

• an additional layer or two (light fleece layer here!)
• rain jacket (comes in a ton of colors!) and waterproof trousers (these are men’s, but they come in this crazy neon yellow which I am here for)
• charged phone
• portable charger if your battery doesn’t last long (we use Anker for everything)
• water
• snacks
• padded shorts or a bicycle seat pad if you want to be more comfortable (Padded cycling shorts here and seat pad here)
• sunglasses for a sunny day! (I’m not going to link out to some sunglasses – you guys know how to find those!)

Once arriving in Westport, we walked to the Clew Bay Bike Hire shed and picked out our electric bikes. I wasn’t sure initially if I wanted an e-bike, as it didn’t really seem worth it, but in the end committed to the electric option, and I am glad I did! Using an e-bike may take some of the physical effort out of the journey, but as it was multiple hours long over some small hills, I was thankful that I didn’t wear out before the rest of my family.

Clew Bay Bike Hire offers a shuttle service if you only want to bike one way and also offers roadside assistance if needed! We travelled from their Westport location to Achill Sound and then took a bus back to Galway from there.

The Great Western Greenway path was incredibly clear in terms of directions, and also had ever-changing views along the way. There were large bridges, rivers, mountains, lakes, and more. We traveled through some small towns and were always met by friendly locals – the Irish are the most lovely people!

All in all, the Great Western Greenway is a trail not to be missed. We got to explore the areas where our relatives once lived, all from the comfort of a well-marked path. This day out is not limited to those who are experienced cyclers, or to any certain age range! I would say the path was doable for most ages, and most of the bike hires have a variety of options in terms of adult bikes (electric or regular) and multiple sizes for children.

Alternative Options in the Westport Area:

• Beach & countryside horse riding. Mayo. Guided. 1 & 2 hour options.
• Alternative bike hire: Self Guided E bike Tour with Electric Escapes (TripAdvisor)
• Alternative bike hire: Great Western Greenway Full-Day Self-Guided Bike Tour (TripAdvisor)
• If anyone wants to go to the Westport House and Gardens while some people cycle!

Comment if you have any questions, and I will get back to you! Thanks for reading, and tag me in any of your Ireland journeys with the hashtag #maneuveringwithmelissa on Instagram.

Until next time,

x Melissa

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**This post contains affiliate links. That means if you use them to make a purchase, I’ll earn a commission to help fund my PhD and more travel experiences, but mostly my PhD.

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Our trip to Ireland was a whirlwind adventure, where we tried to knock out a few of the major Irish locations in just a few days. Because of this, the travel tips and ideas for Ireland are going to be over a short timeframe, which should be great for backpackers or those hoping to take a lot in over a restricted amount of time. Ireland isn’t a country which emphasizes a quick lifestyle, so it is best to soak in this attitude and perspective, even when only in a given city for a day or two. Without further ado – please read ahead for where I went when in Galway, Ireland!

Accommodation

We got a lovely AirBnB near to Eyre Square in central Galway. It had a great view over the city and was well decorated and comfortable. I would highly recommend the area – it was easy to access pubs, restaurants, transportation, and felt like it was still in the middle of local life. I couldn’t find the exact place we stayed in, but there is a hostel nearby and a few townhouses which I am linking here.

Pubs

I went to:

An Pucan (4.5)

This pub was perfect for a variety of travelers. There was an authentic pub feel for those looking for the local experience, a large sign that said GALWAY for the traveler looking for a good picture, and also a more upscale room for the more luxurious traveler. It was super close to our accommodation, and I couldn’t have asked for more.

The Quay Street Kitchen (4.7)

We actually sat outside at the Quay Street Kitchen – the street was rather crowded, but we wanted to find a seat where we could enjoy the Irish music and liveliness. I can’t comment on the food, but the reviews seem to indicate that it does not disappoint! Great location for a pint and a chat with friends on a Saturday afternoon.

1520 Bar (4.5)

Also on Quay Street, 1520 Bar was a quaint and cosy pub for those looking for a break from the active scene on the street. There wasn’t live music when we stopped in, but often the music scene is lively here. Attendees rave about the cocktails and unique menu!

Highly Recommended

O’Connell’s Bar Galway (4.7)

The best pint of Guinness we had on our trip

Reviews mention that there is no live music, but O’Connell’s has one of the best beer gardens in Galway. The location is ideal, being close to the station for newcomers and those about to continue their travels. The variety of bars reduces wait time and the decor intrigues those who take the time to investigate.

Tigh Neachtain (4.6)

Every time in Galway, a must visit! Fabulous food, amazing wine by the glass, and extremely helpful and friendly staff. Great atmosphere and I love the art.

The atmosphere is the most mentioned piece of many reviews of Tigh Neachtain. Often full, but known for its variety of craft beers and seafood. In a location where you can hear the buskers while enjoying the character of the city.

The Salt House (4.6)

The best brew pub in Galway. The Salt House has 21 taps in the small bar and more than 100 beers on bottle or can.

Off the main path, The Salt House provides a more local experience. Dog friendly and perfect for the beer connoisseur – most reviews make sure to point out the friendly staff and overall atmosphere.

The Bunch of Grapes (4.7)

Authentic atmosphere in a family run pub. One of the few places in Galway where you can experience the true Irish friendliness.

Great for a pint or a coffee, reviewers remark on the family feel of this pub. Smaller than some of the larger options, The Bunch of Grapes can get full but has been called a “hidden gem” with real charm.

Walking Tour

As I said above, I think the best way to take in Galway is through wandering the streets. Having a mission to tick off all of the boxes in this city would be a mistake, as a rushed and packed itinerary would take away from the Galway experience.

Streets:

Quay Street, High Street, Middle Street, The Latin Quarter

Points of Interest:

Eyre Square, St. Augustine’s Catholic Parish, Canal off of the pier area (walk past The Salt House, along the canal until you reach Henry Street Playground, then back along the “Galways Westend” road past Greens & Co./Plamas/Taylor’s Bar & Beer Garden)

Stores:

Aran Sweater Market, Aunty Nellies Sweet Shop, Amber Gift Shop

Sunset

I found that the best place for sunset was by the water (specifically Nimmo’s Pier). There were plenty of people with the same idea – which made the setting feel authentic. There were teens drinking from tins, families picnicking, and couples enjoying the atmosphere. There is a ton of room, so you can sit on the edge of the pavement with your legs hanging over the water or sit further away on the grass.

Personally, I would bring some bread and cheese and maybe a bottle of wine and just relax as the sky turns a myriad of colors.

And that’s a day in Galway! We didn’t stay out late, as we had day trips out to the Cliffs of Moher, Kylemore Abbey, and County Mayo (via e-bike) the following few days. Stay tuned for more details about those ventures.

Thanks for reading, and subscribe below!

xx Melissa

The post How to spend 24 hours in Galway, Ireland appeared first on Maneuvering with Melissa.

1. Apply for a visa/ESTA (for non-US citizens)

This isn’t a new requirement, but as a citizen of the USA I often forget that visas can be required even for short visits to other countries. There are a lot of websites out there which try to lure in inexperienced travelers, but the correct site to apply for an ESTA is currently https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov . From my experience, it is wise to never put any personal travel information into websites which don’t have the .gov in the URL!

2. Purchase travel insurance

This is another part of travel I was never aware of, but it is necessary to get travel insurance for most out-of-country trips in case of incidents. As an American who doesn’t live in the USA, I have to get travel insurance when I visit home since I am not currently insured by work or covered by my parents insurance anymore.

In order to find the best deals, go to MoneySuperMarket and click “Get a New Quote”. There will be a series of questions to fill out based on your trip and insurance preferences, and then you will be given a list of options which are suitable.

3. Book a Covid test

You knew it was coming…currently the USA still requires visitors to provide evidence of a negative Covid test before departure. The test can be PCR or lateral flow, but must be taken within one day of travel. This means if you are flying on a Monday, the test must have been taken at any point on Sunday.

After looking at several options, I am going to order a £15 self-test (from the pharmacy Boots) which is verified with a travel certificate within four hours of submission. See the photo below for my selection! My backup plan in case of website problems is the £35 rapid test you can get done at Heathrow airport.

4. Limit exposure for two weeks prior to travel

This one is probably debatable for a lot of people, but I do not want to get a positive Covid test result prior to an international flight.

You’re more protected from getting the virus if you have tested positive recently, so this could play a role in your decision to socialize prior to travel, but I would recommend being as safe as possible just in case.

5. Have evidence of your vaccine (non-US citizens)

Some people may not know this, but you have to be vaccinated against Covid in order to travel to the USA currently, unless you’re a US citizen. Read more here!

This evidence can be confirmed on the NHS app, under the NHS Covid Pass (see below). This is a quick and easy process, but it is worth making sure that your information is up to date before travel.

And that’s it! Now just to book accommodation, transportation, activities, food and drink….

I will update this page if anything else comes up or if I learn any new guidance to make the process easier!

Wish me luck,

x Melissa

The post 5 Things to do before Traveling from the UK to USA in 2022 appeared first on Maneuvering with Melissa.

#1 Cutlery Works – Foundry Coffee Roasters

Address: 73-101 Neepsend Ln, Neepsend, Sheffield S3 8AT

Cutlery Works is one of my favorite work spaces because there is a TON of space and outlets spread throughout the second floor for people who are working remotely. Also they have a deal where it’s £5 for unlimited tea or coffee ALL DAY! CW has lunch deals for £5 as well if you need some sustenance while getting 👏🏻 work 👏🏻 done 👏🏻

#2 Gaard Coffee Hide – Kelham

Address: 20-22 Burton Rd, Neepsend, Sheffield S3 8EP

Gaard is a cozy coffee shop tucked into Kelham Island with indoor and outdoor space. They have great snacks and drink options, and the cafe is suitable for remote workers and friends catching up. Sometimes it does fill up, so I wouldn’t go here if you have meetings or need to talk out loud during your workday but otherwise it’s a great spot!

#3 HYGGE Sheffield

Address: 14 Fitzalan Square, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2AZ

HYGGE is a great coffee shop and communal space in the Sheffield City Center. There is ample room (though often it fills up at the large table spaces) and a chilled atmosphere. HYGGE is set up to be a working space and has a variety of table sizes which work for a larger gathering or a solo venture. Highly recommend this cafe!

#4 Steam Yard

Address: Unit 1-2, Aberdeen Court, 97 Division Street, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 4GE

Steam Yard is a classic coffee shop on Division Street, known for its delectable pastries and three cheese toasties. The small shop does tend to fill up, though they have outdoor patio space which is perfect in the warmer months. I would recommend Steam Yard more for catching up with friends rather than a day of working, as the cafe needs to be able to filter people in and out more regularly than some of the larger options.

#5 Couch – Campo Lane

Address: 29-31 Campo Lane, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2EG

Couch is an underrated coffee shop in my opinion! You don’t see it mentioned as often as some of the others in this guide, but the decor and atmosphere is just great at this large and lively spot. GREAT food and lovely employees from my experience. Couch is perfect for the lone worker, a larger party, or brunch with friends. Nestled into the city center of Sheffield, definitely one to check out if you’re nearby.

#6 Birdhouse Tea Bar & Kitchen

Address: Sidney Street, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 4RG

I’ve only been to Birdhouse once, but it certainly made a good impression on my friends and I. I couldn’t find an image that showed the IMPRESSIVE amount of loose leaf teas they sell (I recommend Custard Cream flavor) but it was something to behold. Great food and pleasant atmosphere – the perfect spot for a tea or lunch, but probably less of a workspace than some of the others mentioned.

#7 Marmadukes – Norfolk Row

Address: 22 Norfolk Row, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2PA

Marmadukes is a well-known cafe with a few locations in Sheffield! I have stopped in for breakfast before and was not disappointed. Full of charm and eager customers, Marmadukes is a perfect spot for brunch or a hot drink with a partner or friend. As some of the others mentioned here, it is a bit of a smaller space where people are coming and going, so probably not the one for an all-day working venture.

#8 Tamper Sellers Wheel

Address: 149 Arundel St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2NU

Tamper Sellers Wheel is the first on my list of coffee shops to go to! I haven’t been yet, so I can’t comment on the space or food, but from what I have heard from others it is a great working space. Additionally, from looking at the photos on their Instagram, the food looks pretty tasty too!

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Melissa

The post 8 of the BEST coffee shops in Sheffield, England appeared first on Maneuvering with Melissa.

For me, this adventure began when my primary care physician noticed that my neck was showing signs of thyroid distress in 2015 (in my late teens), and we proceeded to get blood work done at Shands in Gainesville, FL. This part of the process is a little bit hazy for me as our doctor said that there was a high likelihood that I would develop hypothyroidism at some point, but there was no need to start lifelong medication before I was showing symptoms. We were instructed to keep an eye on it and go to an endocrinologist once I noticed any changes in energy, weight, brain fogginess, etc.

Fast forward a couple of years, and I am doing my masters degree in England (beginning September 2018). While this placement was everything that I had dreamed about, in January of 2019, I found myself struggling to stay awake in classes, while writing papers, and studying. I was unable to focus in the library, something that I had no issues with in the past. Physically, I found that I had no motivation to get out and explore the new city and country that I was living in, even though I mentally wanted to soak it all in. Naps were a daily occurrence – sometimes multiple times a day. I became anxious and depressed, even though I had new friends and the support of friends and family at home. I did not feel like myself and went to the uni health center to see if they could figure out what was wrong.

I’m not sure at what point hypothyroidism came into the discussion, but once I remembered the visits to the doctor in 2015 it all began to make sense. I researched the disease in depth and learned that my symptoms matched those of hypothyroidism. My mother also has thyroid issues, and this disease can be hereditary. I thought that the mystery was solved, and the health center would simply need this information to begin providing me the necessary medicine to bring me back to life. Unfortunately, this was not the case.

I soon learned that things were not going to be as easy as I had hoped. The public health system in England is called the NHS, and they have firm requirements for the diagnosis of thyroid disorders. Hypothyroidism is unique for everyone, and research continues in determining how this disease works. A friend of mine had a TSH level greater than 10.0 mlU/L, and showed symptoms that were similar to mine, even though my TSH level was around 5.0 mlU/L. I was sluggish and felt like my body was shutting down, but my TSH of 5.0 mIU/L did not meet the NHS’s defined range to treat my hypothyroidism with levothyroxine.

This blood test occurred in July of 2019, and after multiple visits to the uni health center, it became clear that they would not treat my hypothyroidism. This led to a strenuous research and dissertation process, a need to leave the UK earlier than preferred, general discomfort, and anxiety. If there is one thing that I advocate for in the research of thyroid diseases, it is an understanding that each person’s body reacts differently to the disease, and setting a standard range for treatment that does not address family history and severity of symptoms is harmful.

I wish I could say that it was easy to get treated once I returned to the USA, but the difficulty with thyroid diseases is universal. While there were not necessarily government mandated TSH ranges to deal with, there was a discrepancy between doctors on what is mild hypothyroidism that does not need to be addressed yet and what counts as hypothyroidism that should be treated. Since returning, I have had a women’s health doctor confirm that my symptoms and blood work indicate hypothyroidism, but then was later denied treatment due to the office’s PA deciding that my TSH was not high enough. It is incredibly difficult to be told time and time again that you are wrong about your body and symptoms, and it is crucial to persevere and advocate for yourself and your needs. I am writing about this now because I read about others’ experiences struggling to find a doctor who would address their disease, and I wanted to be able to encourage others to keep going as well.

Finally, in November of 2019, I returned to the primary care physician who had noticed my abnormal thyroid in 2015. At this point I was sobbing at every appointment I went to, as I felt like my health was spiraling out of control and health systems were failing me. If my doctors would not do anything to help me, where was I supposed to turn? Thankfully, this one was the doctor who would look at my blood work, symptoms, and family history and confirm that I should have received treatment at that first appointment in England in July of 2019. This means almost a full year of brain fogginess, weight gain, depression/anxiety, and exhaustion – most of which was spent in a foreign country.

In November 2019, I began the hypothyroid medication, levothyroxine. This medication has to be increased gradually, so I started at a dosage of 20 mg and went up from there. Levothyroxine can only be increased after a blood test (taken after six weeks of the current dosage) confirms that the medication is working. I went through this process a number of times until I reached a dosage of 64 mg, which seems to feel like the right amount for me and has brought my TSH down to 2.04 mlU/L in May of 2020.

I have since met with an endocrinologist, who confirmed that my treatment seems to be on the right course. This disease will require me to take daily medicine for the rest of my life, but after experiencing what happens to my body without this medicine, I am happy to deal with the mild inconvenience. I’m hoping my story will provide hope for those who are dealing with the same, or similar, diseases. Being a young person who has to repeatedly tell doctors that there IS something wrong, and it needs to be addressed and treated is incredibly hard and exhausting, but advocating is what will find you the right doctor in the end.

My symptoms included:

-exhaustion

-inability to focus

-brain fog

-weight gain

-depression

-anxiety

-irregular menstrual patterns

My blood work numbers were:

July 2019 (UK measurements)

TSH- 5.0 mlU/L

T4 level- 14.5 pmol/L

November 2019

TSH- 4.54 mlU/L

T4 level- 1.1 ng/dL

January 2020 (after lowest dosage of levothyroxine for six weeks)

TSH- 4.7 mlU/L (showing no change – dosage would need to be increased)

T4 level- 1.1 ng/dL

March 2020 (increased dosage)

TSH- 3.95 mlU/L (small change! my doctor was happy to settle with this, but I advocated for increasing the dosage as I still felt exhausted)

T4 level- 1.3 ng/dL

May 2020 (increased dosage)

TSH- 2.04 mlU/L (HUGE improvement at 56 mg of levothyroxine a day)

T4 level- 1.2 ng/dL

This article is to explain how I navigated my disease, but this does not mean that these numbers will match anyone else’s or that my dosage is right for anyone else with similar numbers. Hypothyroidism is different for each person it affects. I’m happy to answer any questions regarding my own personal experience.

There’s still more testing to be done in order to finalize the dosage that works best for me. Currently I am at 64 mg of levothyroxine, but I haven’t had the blood test to see how this affects my TSH and T4 levels. I do feel SO much better and my friends and family have noticed my gradual return to being energetic, confident, and active, so I have high hopes for continuing to deal with this in the future.

Melissa

The post Navigating Hypothyroidism – A Guide to Advocating for Your Health appeared first on Maneuvering with Melissa.

Volendam’s cobbled streets and little Dutch houses made the 20 minute bus journey well worth it. Our Airbnb, a tiny house nestled into a Volendam neighborhood, was incredible (http://bit.ly/Greshouse). As we set down our bags and settled for a couple of minutes after arriving, we noticed a group of tourists taking pictures of OUR accommodation from the outside. How funny it was that we were able to spend a night in this house that other tourists wanted to capture. The weather was a little chilly, but we soon left and wandered around, stopping by the port to watch the boats and take it all in. Our walk took us to a Dutch cheese factory (http://bit.ly/cheesefactoryvolendam), a clog store (http://woodenshoefactoryvolendam.com/), and then back to our little nautical-themed Airbnb. Gré left us some eel to try, and Peter had high-praise for the delicacy (I was not brave enough to taste this local cuisine).

We returned to Amsterdam, where we would be meeting up with my friend Neelie, who I met over 10 years ago at summer camp. Neelie caught up with us just in time to hop on our evening boat tour through the canals of Amsterdam. There are many boat tour options, but we went with the 1-hour canal cruise from https://www.lovers.nl/ for €16 per adult. You can redeem this at any time of the day, but there is often a long line, so be prepared. The sunset time cruises are some of the most popular and I would advise to arrive at least an hour prior to your desired time in order to make it on the boat. We lucked out and began right around the sunset, getting both views of Amsterdam in the light and after dark. Our guide was very knowledgeable, telling us about each of the archways that we passed under, as well as fun facts such as, how many cars fall into Amsterdam canals each year (the fire department reports over 35 annually!).

View from the Canal Cruise Window – April 13th, 2019

In such a short time (4:30 PM April 13th – 7:00 AM April 14th), we were able to: go on a canal boat ride, walk the streets of Amsterdam and Volendam, stay in an authentic Dutch home, try on some wooden clogs, drink a Heineken from the local brewery, try some Dutch cheese, and more! This area of the world is charming and perfect for the world-traveler, and I cannot wait to return. After some hot drinks, we retired to bed, eagerly awaiting our early morning wake up call and travels to the next stop, Frankfurt, Germany.

Places on the itinerary that we did not make it to, but would like to check out next time:

-Foodhallen at De Hallen: a massive food hall that has something for everyone, in one of Amsterdam’s hip and trendy neighborhoods

-Breakfast/Cafes: 1. Omelegg for breakfast 2. Nescio for lunch, located within the Generator Hostel but popular with locals as well 3. Blue Amsterdam, noted for its views of the city and authentic experience away from the crowds

-The Vincent Van Gogh Museum

-Moco Museum – Modern, Contemporary, and Street Art Museum

-Architecture: 1. Gingerbread facades on the Damrak 2. Nieuwebrugsteeg street that turns into the Sint Olofssteeg 3. De 9 Straatjes – Picturesque and quirky shops

-Bloemenmarkt (flower market) on the Singel canal

-Sunset: A’DAM Lookout Tower

Melissa

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