Wei Ting’s Euro Holiday Guide
BY WEITING SHYU
“The perfect holiday destination for me is somewhere with diverse terrain, beautiful beaches and delicious food.”
10 JAN - 2022
Where to eat, stay and play!
Note from the Editor: Hey Chums. Happy New Year! It’s our first week back to work and the first thing I want to do is plan my next holiday. Whether you’ve been struck with the post-holiday blues or still battling with cabin fever, international travel is something that the yuppie folk has been pining over for years now.
To make your planning easier, I asked U.K. based serial traveller and good friend, Wei Ting, to share with us her favourite hotspots in Europe. Happily infected with the travel bug, she’s been globe-trotting for years and her gram will make you want to get a one way ticket outta here to explore what this world has to offer.
Wei Ting is a self-proclaimed devout foodie (have you seen her delicious booty? She eats that lunch), fitness extraordinaire (she’s got a way with the skipping rope like none other and does headstands like Christine from ‘Selling Sunsets’), an avid hiker (the views on her gram are to die for) and “an absolute sun slut,” her words. “The perfect holiday destination for me is somewhere with diverse terrain, beautiful beaches and delicious food,” she says, and I’m sure many of you would consider this to be the perfect travel brief!
In no particular order, here’s her favourite European holiday destinations! Take us away, Wei Ting!
Vernazza, Italy
Mallorca, Spain
Split
I visited Croatia during the first lockdown we had in the UK. I flew into Split as it was dirt cheap and a really good base to go island hopping. Split has lots of great restaurants and really affordable accomodation. If you’re planning to fly into Split - I’d recommend a day trip to Krka falls and/or Plitvice lake - I didn’t get to go to the latter destination, but it’s on my list!
In terms of must-try cuisine, I would highly recommend the octopus salad and fish stew:
- Sexy Cow: quite literally sexy cow meals like beef wraps of dreams.
- Sug: the home cooked fish stew is so wholesome
- Superfood: like the name suggests, they have delicious and healthy lunch options.
Krka Falls National Park
Hvar
Think sunset beach bars on the water. It’s kinda like Bali but the European version haha. Hvar is a short boat trip from Split (where you usually fly into from London). I’d recommend Hvar if you love a party, gorgeous beaches and sight-seeing.
There’s two places I would recommend as a must-do - Hula hula Beach Bar and Carpe Diem; a bar and club on the water.
Sunset at Hula Hula beach bar
Bol
I spent a few days in Bol on Brac Island and I absolutely relished its quiet, down to earth and relaxing vibes. It’s the perfect place to unwind, rest and recuperate.
Lounge around on Zlatni Rat beach a.k.a Golden Horn beach and to get your steps in with a view, hike up Mt. Vidova Gora.
Partial view of Golden Horn beach
Mallorca
I’ve been to Mallorca twice and both times, I’m amazed at how much there is to do there. Mallorca is the biggest of the Baleriac Islands and it truly is something else. For those that don’t know, the Baleriac islands are made up of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. The beaches are so blue and the temperature of the water is always perfect!
I highly recommend hiring a car so you can do lots of beach hopping, hiking and explore the many old towns in Mallorca. There’s bangin’ food all around, no matter where you stay. I’d recommend the old town as a base or the Cala D’or area if you’re looking for more of a beachy/relaxing area.
My Mallorca must do’s (I tried to keep this list small or it would never end!!):
- Explore either Deia or Soller… or both if you have time!
- Cala banyalbufar beach and hike to Port des Canonge.
- Visit Calo des Moros (a stunning cove you should definitely not miss!)
- Mondrago National Park where you can spend the day beach hopping and exploring.
- Torrent de Pareis/Sa Calobra hike
- Explore Mallorca Old town and the quaint alleyways; walk around the castle and soak up the history.
Mallorca
Ibiza
This Baleriac island needs no introduction. I’m sure you’ve heard the tribute songs for the party Island. There’s “We Are Going To Ibiza” by the famous Dutch Euro techno dance group, Vengaboys; “I took a pill in Ibiza” by Mike Posner and “Miami 2 Ibiza” by Swedish House Mafia, to name a few… Ibiza is a short 2 hr 25 min flight ride from London so it’s the perfect long weekend party destination!
Yes, Ibiza is famous for its beach parties and crazy clubs but I’d highly recommend exploring it too!
- You can walk around Ibiza Old Town, specifically ‘Dalt Vila’ high above Ibiza Town
- O Beach pool party is a must
- Watch a sunset from Sundowners at the San Antonio side of the island
- Hop on a boat to Formentera!
Formentera is the smallest of the four Baleriac islands and a MUST-DO in my opinion. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen! Having been here twice, each time, the beaches look even better than the last. Formentera has such a relaxed vibe with seriously clear, aquamarine waters that make you go “am I dreaming?!!” “IS THIS HEAVEN?!”
Formentera
Corfu and Paxos
I went around the islands of Corfu on a Medsailors sailing trip and it was one the best weeks of my life! Corfu is known for its luscious greenery and beaches. The seafood is so incredibly fresh!
Hire a quad to drive around Paxos for the day and explore its many beaches. Our faves were Avlaki, Kipiadi and Erimitis Bay; this one has big waves whereas Avlaki and Kipiadi had the CLEAREST, calm waters.
Visit the Triptos Arch in Paxos - it’s an amazing spot to overlook the sunset!
Stay at Corfu luxury villas if you’re with a group on this side of the island or if you’re hopping around. We stayed at Corfu luxury villas for a night post-sail trip and it was so nice! We had an infinity pool AND our own private lil’ beach.
Tripitos Arch in Paxos
Milos
Did you know that Greece has a total of 6,000 islands? Only 227 of the Greek Islands are inhabited islands. Milos is one of my favourite islands I’ve ever been to… located in the Aegean Sea, it’s got some of the best beaches, gorgeous sunsets and such a romantic feel. Another fun fact: Justin Bieber vacayed in Milos this year with Hailey Biebs! Told you, it’s a hot spot.
Milos
Cinque Terre
As a lover of hiking, Cinque Terre is what I’d call… THE DREAM! It was one of the things on my bucket list, to walk through the centuries-old towns along the Italian Riviera coastline. Along the five towns, you’ll see the cutest colourful houses, trattorias filled with delicious food (think lots of fresh seafood!) and sweeping sea views!
I recommend a few days to soak up all Cinque Terre has to offer. We hiked over a day with pit stops at different Trattorias - rewarding ourselves with a pint and/or aperol spritz at each town we passed through. “Nessum Dorma” came highly recommend as a place for a drink in Manarola.
Views from Trattoria Billy
Florence
This is a bonus fave that isn’t a beachy destination but I wanted to include for FOOD’S sake (oh and if you’re into museums!) Florence is a culinary dream. There really is nothing sexier than a Florentinian steak, a gorgeous slab of T-bone that melts in your mouth and it’s SO affordable. If you love al fresco dining, you’ll love Florence. Dining on the cobble streets in late August or September (any earlier and you’ll roast to death! This city gets hot hot hot!), indulge in aperol spritz or bottles of wine while enjoying a delicious meal. Also, don’t forget about gelato! You can get it anywhere and it will all be seriously amazing!
Restaurants to try:
- Osteria Santo Spirits: their truffle gnocchi and melon wrapped in prosciutto are exceptional!
- La Fettunta: visit in the day for the best sandwich you’ll ever have! And for dinner, get the Florentinian steak and Ragu pasta.
Florentinian steak from La Fettunta
RELATED STORIES
GIVEAWAY
SUBSCRIBE
Subscribe to Chatty Chum's mailing list to receive the latest in beauty and lifestyle news, giveaways and the launch of our Editor's Collection boxes.