Exploring Europe: Torvehallerne KBH, Copenhagen, Denmark

My boyfriend and I both adore a food market so when we're planning a trip outside of London we naturally look for markets in our research. When we started planning Copenhagen, Torvhallerne KBH came up time and time again in the research so it was quickly added to the list.

If you've ever been to Borough Market in south London, I'd describe it pretty similar to that. It was full of locals and tourists alike, each trying to get their foodie fix. It's an undercover food hall right in the centre of the city, making it the perfect pitstop to try some tasty food before you continue on with your sightseeing. Full of over 60 different stalls, there's something for every tastebud with cuisines from all over the world catered for. There are takeaway stalls for those in a rush or stalls with chairs to allow you to enjoy your food at a more leisurely pace.

We got there for a late breakfast/early lunch and opted to go Danish and headed straight for the stall that was selling the Smorrebrod - an open sandwich. Located at the right of the food hall, past the flower stall outside and at the back, we greedily chose three different types to share. They were delicious. It wasn't cheap as nothing in Denmark ever is but it was well worth the money. We picked up a Danish as big as our heads each on the way to eat on the go for dessert.

Even if you're not a massive foodie, Torvhallerne KBH should definitely be on your list for the buzzing atmosphere, delicious food and a little peek into Danish life.

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How to have a chilled Friday evening indoors

I don't know about you but I really dislike going out on a Friday night and try to arrange my weekend socialising to start on a Saturday night. After the working week all I want do is come home, put some comfy clothes on - some Jack Wills Joggers would be perfect -  and chill out in my own head with maybe some pizza thrown in for some good measure. So here are my tried and tested ways to have a chilled out Friday night indoors. Staying in is the new going out don't you know?

Switching off
Your brain is pretty frazzled after a long week at work and what it doesn't need is to work overtime on a Friday night. So I tend to do something that completely allows my mind to wander elsewhere, to forget about what has happened over the last five days. I find a trashy film, a documentary you've seen before or a riveting book can help take you unwind.

Good food
After trying to eat healthily all week, Friday is the day that I come home from work and go for the comfort food. Something that's still wholesome and quick to make but like a hug in a bowl. Thai green Curry, Spaghetti Bolognese or chicken fajitas are my go-to meals. I find standing in the kitchen making something delicious is a great way to switch off too as all I can think about is how amazing it will be when I finally get to eat!

Leaving the inter webs alone
I know this is easier said than done but I spend my whole life on the internet - both at work and at home - so on a Friday night I'm feeling a little burnt out. I'm so tired from the working week that the last thing I want to is to spend hours scrolling social media and writing up blog posts. So unless I have something urgent to do, once it gets to 8pm I log out of the internet life and start living in the present. It also helps you get a decent night sleep which is always a bonus.


What is your perfect chilled out Friday evening like?

This post was written in collaboration 

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My top five European countries to re-visit

1. Germany
I fell head over heels for Germany when I ventured to Berlin in 2012. In fact, I credit that trip for turning into somewhat of a travel junkie. It was the first cultural holiday I'd had, before I had just been on beach resort holidays. It helped me broaden my horizons and I came back with such a thirst for seeing the world. Berlin was such an incredible place and it encouraged me to book a trip to Cologne last year to see if I was in love with the country or the capital city. Turns out I was in love with the country. I loved the slightly grumpy people, the stodgy food, the charming beer halls, seeing the history I spent two years studying at A level and the beautiful architecture. It's a place that feels so familiar yet vastly different. I'm really keen to tick more cities off my list - mainly Hamburg, Munich and Dresden.

2. Poland
I first ventured to Warsaw back in 2013 and after fours years away, I'm heading back to Poland in August to do a mini tour of the country. I'll be hitting up Krakow, Warsaw, Pultusk and Gdansk if anyone has any tips. The capital of Poland brings such incredible memories for me. I had so much fun and so many stories to tell about the place - mostly involving the bars... It blows my mind that the old town of the city was completely rebuilt after it was flattened during the war. You'd never know walking around. I adored the amazing culture, the friendliness of the people, eating pierogi every day and discovering the contrasting architecture. It's a country that came back from the brink to be the thriving, beautiful place it is today.

3. Ireland
Ah the beautiful Emerald Isle has a very special place in my heart. Luckily thanks to my boyfriends family, I have an excuse to go back and visit more often. Not that you should need an excuse to visit! I've only been to Ireland three times but have a long list of things I'm desperate to see and do. The scenery is among some of the best I have ever seen - I never tire of seeing the rolling green hills, stunning jagged coastlines and beautiful architecture that tells hundreds of years of stories. It's a place I feel so relaxed and at peace in. That Irish pace of life is quite something else!

4. Denmark
The country where I never quite feel cool enough to visit. Copenhagen is one of the only cities I've visited that I honestly believe I could call home. The Danes really know how to live and enjoy life. The people speak better English than I do, the food scene is probably the best I've ever encountered and the proud history is fascinating. I have Aarhus, Odense and the North Zealand coast all on my wish list to help get more idea of the country.

5. Slovakia
This country completely took me by surprise, I really didn't expect to love it as much as I did. I adored the cafe culture in Bratislava, the gorgeous buildings of the old town, the contrast between old and Soviet new and the wonderful Slovak wine. Bratislava is so much more than stag dos. I feel there's so much more for me to discover here and think that Kocise would be the ideal place to start.

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