A journey on the Shanghai Maglev train from Shanghai Airport to the city centre

The Shanghai Maglev runs between Pudong International Airport and Longyang Road Station in Shanghai city centre. Completed in 2002, it wasn't built to solve a transport need but rather to showcase the advanced technology and boost Shanghai's international profile. It's the only high-speed maglev line in commercial service. 

Although capable of running up to 431km/h, the typical operational speed is around 300km/h, a speed which is only maintained for about 50 seconds due to the short route. The distance between the two stations is approximately 30km, and the journey lasts between 7 and 8 minutes. There are plenty of other ways to travel from the airport to Shanghai city centre, but if you want to have a unique experience then the Shanghai Maglev is definitely the way to go! 

What is a maglev train?

A maglev train is a train which levitates above the tracks using magnets instead of wheels, which means that it can travel very fast with little friction. However both the trains and tracks are expensive to build, and there are only a very few short commercial lines worldwide. It's a technology which has a lot of potential for high speed long distance travel, but because of the significantly higher costs involved and greater energy consumption it hasn't yet realised its potential. 

Practicalities for travelling on the Shanghai Maglev train

The train travels between Pudong International Airport and Longyang Road Station, and trains run every 15-20 minutes throughout the day from around 7am to 9.40pm. You can check the exact timetable here - Shanghai Maglev timetable. From Longyang Road Station you can transfer to Metro lines 2, 7, 16 or 18 to reach downtown Shanghai, although we chose to travel by taxi to and from our hotel as we had several large suitcases.

The journey takes between 7 and 8 minutes, and even though you'll only be travelling at top speed for less than a minute, it still feels super fast! There's a display board in the carriage showing your current speed which is fascinating to watch.

You can buy your tickets when you arrive from ticket counters and self-service machines at the stations. We bought a round-trip ticket which is valid for return within 7 days using one of the ticket machines, the current price for this ticket is 80 yuan. We used Alipay to buy the tickets from the machine, which we had already installed on our phones before travelling to Shanghai. This was our first time attempting payment in China so it did take a little while to get it working, and if you are planning to visit China from another country you definitely need to do some research into payment methods so you are all set up before you arrive.

When you've bought the tickets you then use them to enter the gates which take you to a waiting area and there is also a security screening area. In the airport waiting area there is a model of the train along with some information boards.

At the station, when the train is close to arriving you are directed by staff down to the platform. There is a marked out queuing area, and then it's easy to board once the train arrives. It was a lot less chaotic than our experiences of using the Shanghai Metro, and it wasn't busy on either of our journeys. The seats have plenty of space around them for suitcases, or else there are large luggage storage areas at the ends of the carriages. 

There are no stops on the way, it's just a direct train between the stations. There are some great views along the way, and you can definitely feel the speed that you are travelling! It's something that you can't experience in many places around the world, so if you are visiting Shanghai I would definitely recommend it.

Attending a recording of The Show K-pop music television show in Seoul

One of our favourite experiences on our trip to Seoul this summer was the chance to watch a live recording of The Show - a South Korean music television show which is broadcast live every Tuesday from the SBS Prism Tower in Seoul. If you are a K-pop fan, or are travelling with one, it's a fantastic opportunity to watch some K-pop performances live on stage and to see how a live music show is put together.

We booked our tour with Trazy - SBS MTV The Show & Seoul Tour Package. The Show takes place every Tuesday, and this tour is available for foreigners only. The current price is £75 per person. There are other tour operators that offer this experience so you might want to shop around, but we were very happy with Trazy. We did notice that each tour operator entered the studio in turn and Trazy was first, so our group was seated in the front rows. 

We met our tour guides just inside Hangangjin Station and it was easy to find the group. The tour includes a sightseeing tour before you head to the studios. You don't have to do this - you can just meet the group at the SBS Prism Tower later in the day for The Show. However numbered tickets are allocated when you arrive at the station, so if you join the tour later you will receive a higher number. You'll still have a good view in the studio, but it's something to bear in mind.

The itinerary of the sightseeing tour changes seasonally, so you need to check what your tour includes. We visited in July and so our tour was the Gwanghwamun King Sejong Course. This included a self-guided visit to The Story of King Sejong Underground Museum, a stop and photo opportunity at the Statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Sin which is right outside the museum, a short walk and rest along Cheonggyecheon Stream and a visit to Hikr Ground. The bus took us between these locations, then dropped us off at the SBS Prism Tower. After the show it was up to us to make our own way back to our hotel.

Although our reason for booking the tour was to see The Show, we were really glad that we had chosen to do the optional sightseeing tour. It's always nice to be taken around places rather than having to find your own way, and our tour guide (Jamie) was really friendly. The King Sejong Underground Museum was very interesting, and there was the chance to learn how to write your name in Hangul. The river walk was lovely, and there was time to have a sit down with your feet in the clean water. The Hikr Ground part of the trip was a bit chaotic as it was very busy and also a bit confusing, but there was a nice cafe on the top floor and it got us in the K-pop mood!

Once we arrived at the SBS Prism Tower for the show there was quite a lot of waiting around. There is a cafe area and toilets but not much space to wait inside, so we were encouraged to wait outside with our group. We lined up by tour group in number order according to the tickets we received when we registered, and this was very strictly controlled. There were also separate lines for what I assume were the South Korean K-pop fans that can receive tickets by ballot to stand in front of the stage. Then we were taken into the studio in turn and directed to our seats. Once inside it wasn't too long to wait until the show started, and there was plenty to see as the studio prepared for the broadcast.

The line up for the show is only released just before the broadcast. We were given the details on the tour bus, although we had already looked it up online. On the day that we visited this was the line-up - Han Seung Woo, KARD, ONEUS, H1-KEY, POW, Baby DON'T Cry, AHOF, NouerA, TIOT, DPNS, RESCENE, Blingone and DIVA-X. 

All of these groups apart from Baby DON'T Cry were present in the studio. However not all of their performances were being filmed live - sometimes they danced along to a pre-recorded video, and they didn't always perform the whole routine. In spite of this, because the show moved very quickly from act to act there was plenty to keep us entertained. 

I'm fairly certain that apart from one group none of them were actually singing live, but they all showcased excellent and energetic dances. There was a great atmosphere in the studio, with the local fans in the standing area at the front and also in one of the seating blocks - they had light sticks, signs, balloons and so on and were very enthusiastic supporters. 

Here's a clip from the end of the show that we watched when they announced the winners:

For the K-pop fan in our family, going to watch The Show being recorded was an incredible experience. Even those of us less enthused by the magic of K-pop really enjoyed going along to watch and seeing how the broadcast was put together. I would absolutely recommend this tour if you are visiting Seoul and have even a vague interest in K-pop!

A couple of things to note before you book - Check the age restrictions. The tour that we chose was for children over age 10 only and children under the age of 15 need to be accompanied by an adult. You need to be at the studio in plenty of time, and you cannot take any photographs or videos inside the studio, even before the show starts. You cannot leave the studio once the show starts so make sure to use the restroom first. The Show is subject to cancellation, and if that happens you should receive a full refund, but do check with your tour operator.

If you are interested in more K-pop themed experiences in Seoul then you might find this post useful - Embracing K-pop in Seoul - K-pop activities, things to do and see in the city.

A visit to Shanghai Zoo, China to see pandas

When we were planning our trip to Shanghai this summer we knew that one thing we really wanted to see was giant pandas. We discovered that in Shanghai there are two options to see them - Shanghai Zoo and the Shanghai Wild Animal Park which both have giant pandas as well as a range of other animals. In the end we settled on Shanghai Zoo because we were more interested in some of the other animals that they have there - in particular the monkeys as we really enjoy seeing monkeys and other primates!

We travelled to Shanghai Zoo by taxi from our hotel in central Shanghai, as we found that booking taxis in Shanghai using the Didi app (which is very similar to Uber) was really easy and the rides were very reasonably priced. But if you prefer to use public transport then the Metro Line 10 stops at Shanghai Zoo Station which is right outside. We used Alipay to buy our tickets on the gate.

We arrived at the zoo as soon as it opened, around 8am, which meant that as well as avoiding the summer crowds we could also make the most of the very slightly cooler temperatures. Because the pandas were the main attraction for us we headed straight to their enclosure which was a really good move. There were only a couple of other people there, and the two pandas were out and about. 

We were able to see both pandas really close up and moving around in their outdoor enclosures, and we stayed for quite a while watching them.

Another draw for us was the penguins which were near the entrance, so we made our way back through the zoo stopping at various exhibits along the way. The zoo is very large and we found it quite difficult to navigate - and be prepared for a lot of walking! It's a good idea to take a photo of one of the maps to help you find your way around. There are a few places to buy snacks or water, and also some vending machines.

We found the penguins, and also enjoyed seeing the golden snub nosed monkeys, the lions and tigers, and the elephants.

The zoo was clean and tidy, and not at all crowded when we visited on a weekday in mid July. It was very hot which meant that we didn't feel up to spending the whole day there, but we comfortably saw everything that we wanted to in a couple of hours. Something to note about the toilets - almost all of the toilets were squat toilets which as Western visitors we aren't used to. If you need or prefer a pedestal toilet then look for the disabled toilet, we found one in every toilet block.

There is a lovely Swan Lake which features other water birds as well as swans, and overall the zoo was really open and pleasant to walk around, with plenty of green and scenic areas.

I found the design of the zoo a little old-fashioned and quite charming. Many of the enclosures had gorgeous hand painted signs showing the animals inside, inside which I loved. 

Almost all of the signage around the enclosures was entirely in Chinese, so if you don't speak Chinese you will need to make sure that you have a translation app on your phone - I like to use the Google Translate app. You can't use Google products easily in China, but I made sure to download the Chinese dictionary ahead of time and it worked really well. 

One thing that I had read before we visited the zoo was that the living conditions for the animals aren't perhaps quite as high as you might be used to seeing in other zoos around the world, and there is possibly some truth in that. We found that we saw every single animal, and often when you visit a zoo there are some animals that you never see because they are out of sight. 

So although the animal enclosures were a good size and clean, I think they are built so that they don't have many areas where the animals can hide out of view. Although this makes for a great visitor experience, it may not be so good for the animals. Otherwise though the enclosures were clean, and the animals appeared healthy.

You can find more information about the zoo on the Shanghai Zoo official website (the website can be translated to English!)

Embracing K-pop in Seoul - K-pop activities, things to do and see in the city

If you are a K-pop fan, you can't beat a trip to Seoul in South Korea to indulge your passion. From the moment you step off the plane you are surrounded by K-pop - posters welcoming you to Korea featuring photographs of your favourite idols, K-pop music playing in taxis and shops, screens broadcasting music videos, and merchandise filling the shop windows. 

Here are some ways that you can really indulge your love of K-pop in a visit to the city.

Watch a live broadcast K-pop performance - The Show and Inkigayo

The Show is South Korean music television show which is broadcast live every Tuesday from the SBS Prism Tower in Seoul. As a foreign tourist you can book a tour which includes tickets to watch the show, and I'll be writing a detailed review of our tour because it was so good. 

We booked through Trazy - SBS MTV The Show & Seoul Tour Package. As well as a city tour you receive seated tickets to watch The Show being filmed. There were also some areas filled with enthusiastic Korean fans with their light sticks and signs, and I understand that these tickets are available for locals by raffle. 

It's worth booking early as spaces are limited, and our ticket numbers were allocated on arrival so it might be worth arriving early so that you end up closer to the front. It does also depend on which company you book tickets with as they are seated in turn - luckily we discovered that with Trazy we were seated first. 

When we visited we saw performances by Han Seung Woo, KARD, ONEUS, H1-KEY, POW, Baby DON'T Cry, AHOF, NouerA, TIOT, DPNS, RESCENE, Blingone, DIVA-X with all but one group there in person. Some of them performed a full song which was broadcast live, others danced along on stage to a previously recorded film of the song. I'm fairly sure that apart from one none of them were actually singing live, but they all performed excellent and energetic dance routines!

A larger live K-pop experience is Inkigayo which tends to have some better known groups. Unfortunately you need to be over 15 years old, and my daughter was too young! This show takes place on Sundays and can be booked in a similar way through various companies like this one - SBS Inkigayo (Popular Songs) & Seoul Tour Package.

Enjoy some free K-pop street performances

If you spend some time in the Hongdae area of an evening then you will likely find some street performers entertaining the crowd. We saw some excellent performances and although they were promoting their social media channels they didn't seem to be passing around a hat, they appeared to genuinely enjoy performing. 

Film your own K-pop music video

HiKR Ground is a fun and free place to visit if you have some spare time. We only found it because it was part of our tour to watch The Show! It's located inside the Korea Tourism Organization Seoul Center, and among other things it features some recreated K-pop themed sets which you can use to film your own music videos. It's all indoors over several floors, and there is a cafe on the top floor.

There are also plenty of filming locations from K-pop music videos all over the city, so it's worth doing a search for your favourites in case it's somewhere that you would like to visit.

Shop for albums and other merchandise

We spent a lot of time wandering the streets looking for K-pop albums and other merchandise. We spent most of our time in Myeondong which was near our hotel and had a huge selection of shops. The Myeongdong Underground Shopping Mall is great for browsing, and being air conditioned was a welcome relief from the heat. There were a few shops selling albums, and also lots of other merchandise.

It's worth noting that although the albums were the same as the ones that we can purchase at home in the UK, the prices were incredibly reasonable and in most cases around half the price that we are used to paying. Light sticks were also very well priced - we bought a Blackpink and Baby Monster light stick for around £20 each. I think it is also quite common to receive a free poster or photo card when you shop.

We had a couple of favourite shops in the Myeondong area. Music Korea was great for albums at really reasonable prices, and also offers a discount if you follow them on Instagram.

K-Mecca had a huge selection of merchandise, including a wide range of light sticks, and plenty of albums including very cheap mystery boxes.

Take photos "with" your idols

Photos and cutouts of idols are everywhere, and not just in the K-pop shops. You can find posters and advertisements featuring idols all over the place to take photographs with, and many shops have photo booths where you can take your photo and have it superimposed on to individual or group idol photographs.

Visit the headquarters of the entertainment companies

You are unlikely to see idols coming in and out, but many of the headquarters have a merchandise shop or a cafe, and fans may recognise the buildings from publicity around their idols. We made it to the YG Entertainment headquarters where we visited the shop and my daughter wrote a message on the wall outside. We weren't the only ones there!

You can find a list and map of entertainment company headquarters here - K-Pop Entertainment Buildings in Seoul.

Follow a trail of painted K-pop bears

K-Star Road connects Apgujeong Rodeo Station exit 2 and Cheongdam crossroads in Gangnam. Along a 1km stretch of road you can find seventeen bears (known as GangnamDols) to represent different K-pop groups. They tend to be the older groups, but they are fun to see and take photos with.

Spend some time in Gangnam

Also in Gangnam you can see the famous Gangnam Style statue with the crossed hands, great for photos! Close by is the COEX Mall for shopping, and outside are a couple of walls with handprints of K-pop idols. Again they are mainly older groups, but fun to visit. You can find detailed instructions for finding the handprints here - How to find the K-pop idols handprints at the Starfield COEX Mall. 

Check for special events

If anything exciting is happening in the K-pop world then it will definitely be celebrated in Seoul! We visited just after the start of Blackpink's 2025 tour, when parts of the city were lit up in pink to celebrate. The special locations were marked in the Naver app which we used for navigation, and were also highlighted on the Blackpink website. Although we just missed it, we were able to visit the Deadline pop up store and pick up some very reasonably priced Blackpink merchandise which wasn't available at home.

We were also there for the release of Blackpink's new single Jump which was broadcast on huge screens across the city, including one just outside our hotel which was very exciting. We joined with other fans to watch and record it!

If an idol is celebrating anything, perhaps a birthday, anniversary, new release and so on, fans will often organise special events in a cafe or other venue. As well as decorations you might find themed snacks, drinks and merchandise. These are often advertised on social media, although you might need to know some Korean to find out what is going on. You can try asking in some of the K-pop stores, or just keep your eyes open if you know that there is a special date coming up! We saw posters on the metro to say happy birthday to one idol!

Visit Idol Radio

Idol Radio is a live radio show run by MBC, and if you visit on a Monday or Wednesday evening you can watch it being broadcast from outside. We didn't manage to do this on our trip, but if you fancy it you can find full directions and instructions here -  Kpop Fan’s Guide to Visiting Idol Radio in Seoul.

I hope that you found some useful K-pop themed suggestions here if you are planning a visit to Seoul - let me know what I missed in the comments!

The Shanghai Greenhouse Garden at Expo Culture Park

Shanghai Greenhouse Garden opened very recently in September 2024, in the centre of the Shanghai World Expo Culture Park in Pudong New Area. Situated in glass domes somewhat similar to the Eden Project in the UK or Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, there are three themed glass pavilions - Sand Mirage (tropical and arid), Cloud Forest (tropical wet shade) and Cloud Canyons (tropical wet sun).

We found it easiest to travel to the Shanghai Greenhouse by taxi as it was a little way from where we were staying. The website states that advance booking is required - we didn't realise this, however we were easily able to purchase tickets on arrival. 

When we visited Shanghai in July it was very hot, and although the greenhouses were still warm insdie it was a perfect escape from the sun, and would also make a great place to visit on a rainy day. We visited on a weekday morning and it wasn't at all busy. It was a really pleasant way to escape the noise and bustle of the city centre on our final day.

The gardens are beautifully laid out, lovely, clean and relaxing. Unusually for some of the other tourist spots in Shanghai there were excellent English translations throughout, it definitely felt like a modern attraction. If you can't quite read the sign below it says 'Civilised garden do not littering' which I loved.

Your route takes you through the three domes in turn, which are linked by underwater corridors and walkways. You can also wander about at your leisure, and there are places to sit for a while and enjoy your surroundings. Although there are quite a few steps, it's reasonably suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. There is a marked accessible route, and there are plenty of toilets.

 

There are several suspended walkways which give you lovely views across the gardens. It was so peaceful with the sound of running water from the waterfall and the streams.

I loved walking slowly around the gardens, enjoying the peace, and taking it all in.

I have a newly developed interest in gardening, and so I loved admiring all the beautiful plants. I'm always drawn to flowers, and I particularly loved the tall pillars which were packed with orchids in the Clouds Canyon zone. There are lots of great locations for taking beautiful photographs.

At the base of the orchid pillars is a long shallow pool where small children are allowed to paddle, which I thought was lovely. I can imagine locals coming here to entertain small children away from the heat and crowds. 

I felt that being so new, the Greenhouse Gardens are a little bit off the tourist radar when it comes to places to visit in Shanghai. Although the greenhouses feel set up to deal with larger crowds, it was very quiet when we visited and there was none of the hectic bustle that we found elsewhere in Shanghai. If you are looking for somewhere pleasant to spend a few hours away from the crowds, or if you are travelling with young children that would enjoy a paddle, I would really recommend a visit.

Furthermore, there is also plenty to see in the surrounding park areas. It was a little too hot when we visited to explore outside, but at a cooler time of year I think you could easily spend a day here. In fact you might find that the free outdoor areas are just as lovely as the greenhouses!

A typical adult entry fee to the greenhouses is ¥98-128, and opening hours are 9am to 5pm with last entry at 4.30pm. The greenhouse is closed on Mondays except for Chinese statutory holidays. Tickets can be booked in advance using WeChat. You can find more details and visitor information here - Buying tickets to Expo Park Greenhouse. 

Visiting the Myeondong Cat Playground cat café in Seoul

Somewhere my children were desperate to visit in Seoul was a Cat Café. I was hesitant, mainly because my son has a mild cat allergy, but he was fully prepared to accept the consequences in exchange for the experience, and fortunately he was fine!

There are several cat cafés in the Myeondong area of Seoul where we were staying, but it was difficult to find out information online. In the end I chose the Myeondong Cat Playground because it was close by, had a reasonable fixed fee for entrance that included a drink, and you could stay as long as you wanted. It wasn't possible to make advance reservations, so we did have to wait for a short while to get in.

On arrival you need to swap your outdoor shoes for a pair of plastic sandals, and you are provided with a plastic sack to keep your belongings safe from the cats. There was a good selection of hot and cold drinks included in the entry price and you could buy more as you needed them as well as cat food. 

In the centre of the room was a tower structure with dozing cats, there was a heated floor area to sit and hope that a cat might want to sit on your knee, all the tables were provided with a basket and often a sleeping cat, and the cats also roamed around freely.

You aren't allowed to pick up the cats, and some of the cats were wearing a blue collar which means that they may get grumpy if you play with them too much. The cats all seemed really happy and well cared for, and they were all beautiful breeds, including a hairless cat.

I didn't like to disturb them too much but they honestly didn't seem to be bothered by the attention (and I know that a cat would make it pretty clear if they were fed up of being bothered!) There were plenty of hidden places that the cats could escape to if they needed a break, and they could rest high up and out of reach.

Our table had a basket but no cat, so we were delighted about halfway through our visit when a lovely cat jumped up on the table and came to visit! After some stroking and photographing the cat ended up settling down for a nap.

The café was beautifully clean with no cat hair in sight. It looked a little hectic at first when we were waiting to go inside, but once we were settled at our table it felt much calmer, and people were generally very respectful of the cats. It was a really relaxing space to sit with a drink, especially if you are lucky enough to end up with a sleeping cat on your table!

I would love to have a cat of my own but it's not practical for us, and probably not a good idea with an allergy in the family. So the cat café was a great place to hang out with some cats for a little while, and if we ever find ourselves in a part of the world with a cat café again I'd love to visit another!

Our fantastic summer holiday to Helsinki, Tallinn, Seoul and Shanghai!

We have just got back from our summer holiday, and it was a very exciting one for us! We travelled to Helsinki in Finland, took a day trip to Tallinn in Estonia, then spent a week in Seoul in South Korea followed by a week in Shanghai in China.

The itinerary came about for several reasons. Firstly, the trip was booked using Avios Air Miles. We wanted to visit Seoul, and because you can't fly directly from London to Seoul with British Airways we began the trip with a short stop in Helsinki. 

Secondly, we were able to easily travel to China without a visa by taking advantage of their 240 hour visa free transit policy. You just need to arrive from one country and depart to another within 10 days, with proof of your onward travel. So we took a short flight with Korean Air from Seoul to Shanghai, then used Avios points again for our return to the UK from Shanghai. 

Why did we choose those destinations? Seoul was inspired by our 14 year old daughter's love for everything K-pop and Shanghai was an opportunity to visit Shanghai Disneyland. I'll be sharing lots more about these places over the next few weeks!

We had to change our plans slightly at the very beginning after our outbound airline FinnAir announced strikes on the day we were due to leave. We decided not to take a chance and to fly to Helsinki a day early, giving us an extra day on the itinerary. We didn't have much planned for Helsinki, so we made the great decision to take a ferry over to Tallinn in Estonia for the day (an option we only knew about after investigating alternative options if our flight to Helsinki was cancelled!) It's not that we didn't like Helsinki, but it was a great opportunity to visit a city which we'd heard things about and were unlikely to visit separately.

Tallinn was lovely and I felt that it had much more of a heart to it than Helsinki. We visited on a weekend when there was a Song and Dance celebration taking place with a huge parade through the city centre and lots of people dressed in traditional costumes. Unfortunately it did rain quite heavily all day, but we stuck with it and carried out our sightseeing under umbrellas!

After a second rainy day in Helsinki we were ready for some warmth and sunshine, and fortunately that's what the rest of the holiday delivered in abundance! We landed in Seoul and my daughter was in K-pop heaven - shops, billboards, posters, merchandise and music everywhere you looked. 

We did a lot of shopping in Seoul. Everything was incredibly cheap, it was a friendly and pleasant city, easy to get around and we also took two excellent organised tours.

The first tour was to watch a recording of 'The Show' - a weekly K-pop show featuring idols galore performing live on stage - an incredible experience for a K-pop fan. The second tour took us to the DMZ (demilitarized zone) border between South Korea and North Korea which was fantastic. We covered a number of stops including a visit to the observation deck where you can peek out across North Korea, a tunnel dug from North Korea that is now a tourist attraction, and a drive through the land mined area that separates the two countries. I'll be sharing more about this tour because it was truly excellent, but for now here is a picture of the toll gate to North Korea, now no longer in use.

Then we travelled on to Shanghai which I must admit was quite a change after Seoul. It was even hotter, very busy, and although we knew in advance that most of the familiar apps wouldn't work on our phones it was a bit of a shock to actually encounter the Great Firewall of China! Fortunately we had purchased e-Sim cards which allowed us to access most things through our data, and a bit of pre-planning and downloading of Chinese apps meant that we were able to cope. 

We stayed in a hotel with an amazing view across the Huangpu river towards The Bund area. 

Shanghai Disneyland was definitely an experience. Although the tickets for entry were reasonably priced, we ended up paying extra for early entry and to get on two of the rides as it was just so busy and too hot to be waiting around for long. We enjoyed the rides that were different from the ones that we are used to and we had a couple of fun days there.

We also visited temples and gardens in Shanghai and spent some time in the shopping malls to escape the heat, although the prices on the high end goods weren't any better than at home. We struggled a bit for food as we aren't adventurous eaters, but towards the end we found a fantastic Italian restaurant opposite the the hotel that kept us filled up! 

We had an amazing holiday and saw some many interesting and unique things, I think I'm still processing it all and I'm definitely still recovering from the jet lag!

A couple of hours in Bruges from Zeebrugge

A couple of weeks ago we enjoyed a last minute short cruise aboard the Disney Dream, travelling from Southampton with a day in Zeebrugge and a day at sea. Zeebrugge is just a busy port, but it's a great cruise stop if you want to visit Bruges or Brussels. We had a lovely day out in Bruges last year, and so we decided to go back and enjoy some sightseeing and a Belgian waffle.

We had an activity on the ship in the morning, so we only had a few hours to spend ashore. Luckily our ship departure time wasn't until very late at 10pm, so we had plenty of contingency for getting back onboard. Last year we took a taxi from the port which was very easy but also quite pricey, so this time we decided to do the journey by train at a fraction of the cost.

It was all very easy. Zeebrugge port offers free shuttle buses from the ship to both the main cruise terminal (where you can pick up a taxi) or to the nearby town of Blankenberge. We had a quick walk around Blankenberge and it was lovely, very busy with plenty of shops and bars and a sandy beach. If you are stopping in Zeebrugge on a cruise you could easily just take advantage of the free shuttle and enjoy yourself here.

The shuttle dropped us just outside the station, and we purchased our train tickets in advance online. It takes just over ten minutes to travel to Bruges, and the main reason that we wanted to take the train was so that we could travel on a double decker train which was very exciting!

Bruges station is central, and you can take a nice walk through the park to reach the centre, passing some beautiful bridges and canals on the way. The main streets of the city were very busy, but there were plenty of quiet streets with beautiful buildings to enjoy.

This year we decided not to do a canal boat tour again, but you can read about how we did it here - A canal tour in Bruges. It's all very well organised. Last year we arrived early to avoid the queues, but the lines didn't look too bad when we went past, and it it's a first trip to Bruges I would definitely recommend it.

We returned to a tried and tested favourite for our waffles - Chez Albert on Breidelstraat located just off the Market Square. It's a takeaway but there are places to sit nearby if you don't mind perching on a wall or in a doorway. The queue was short, the menu was simple, the Belgian flag is a nice touch, the sturdy cutlery very much appreciated, and of course it tasted delicious! 

Breidelstraat is a beautiful street filled with intriguing little shops, and so while the sugar hit from the waffles wore off we had a lovely walk up and down doing some window shopping. Then we made our way back to the station for a train back to Blankenberge, and a return to the Disney magic onboard.

Going on a Disney cruise - some Pixie Dust ideas

We were recently lucky enough to take a short weekend Disney cruise which we booked last minute at a fantastic rate. It was quite hectic, as many of our fellow cruisers were first time Disney cruisers and were keen to see and do everything!

One of the things that we love about a Disney cruise is that there are so many ways to add some magical extras to the trip, for example with organised gift exchanges, magnet swaps and door decorating.

Something that really took off in the Facebook and WhatsApp groups for this particular cruise was Pixie Dust. Pixie Dust is a small and inexpensive gift given without the expectation of receiving anything in return. It can be placed inside the Fish Extender of a stateroom that you like the look of, or handed out in person on the ship. Sometimes a cruise group will set up a list of people that want to give and receive Pixie Dust, and some people prefer to gift at random.

We've given out lots of Pixie Dust on previous cruises, and I've also shared some Pixie Dust ideas for a Halloween cruise. Based on the Pixie Dust that we received on this cruise, I thought I'd share some of the things that went down particularly well!

How to package Pixie Dust

I am still working through my fabric stash, so I made lots of very simple drawstring bags. You can also use plastic bags, paper bags, wrap in paper or tissue paper, or just give out unwrapped. Some people put a lot of thought into the presentation of their items, with glitter, sequins and stickers.

Most people put a small note or gift tag with their cabin number. You don't have to do this, but it is probably a good idea to at least label it as Pixie Dust so that new cruisers aren't confused and think they have received something by mistake. 

Homemade Pixie Dust ideas

Magnets - this could be a simple laminated picture. In the past I've designed magnets which are specific to the cruise with destinations, flags, or a picture that I've taken of the ship. I've also made Hama bead Disney magnets which are really simple and fun.

Bookmarks - If you have a laminator these are really easy to make, just print out your designs, laminate, then add a ribbon.

Bracelets - Homemade bracelets are really easy and inexpensive to make and people love wearing them to remind them of their cruise.

Pirate Night themed Pixie Dust

If you are lucky enough to be sailing on a cruise with a themed Pirate Night then pirate themed gifts are a great idea! Some ideas - chocolate coins, temporary tattoos, glow sticks or bubbles for the deck party, plastic jewellery, inflatable cutlasses, eye patches.

Other Pixie Dust ideas

Sweets - This was probably the most popular Pixie Dust received by our family! Small packs of Haribo, Maoam bars or similar. Also small chocolates like chocolate coins or fun size bars. Just make sure that they are all individually wrapped.

Stickers - You can buy large packs of Disney or ocean themed stickers and add a few to each package.

Pens - There are lots of Disney themed pens available in multipacks that can be broken down for individual gifts. I always appreciate a nice pen!

Magnets - We received some lovely tiny Disney themed magnets, they were so sweet! You can often buy these in bulk and separate out.

Ducks - People love to hide ducks when cruising (that's a whole other topic!) and we were thrilled to receive a full size Belle duck and also some cute tiny plastic ducks.

Bubbles - There will probably be some kind of deck party on your cruise, for example a Pirate or Frozen themed party. Blowing bubbles is a great way to keep little ones entertained while you wait for the party to start. Just make sure to pack them securely!

Clothes pegs - This might sound an odd one, but one year we received a couple of Mickey Mouse clothes pegs and I love them, they always make me smile when I hang out the washing! I assume that they were part of a large set and given out a couple at a time.

Jewellery - I love any kind of inexpensive jewellery that I can wear on the cruise, on future cruises, and when I'm back home. I received a lovely mermaid ring and necklace which I wore on Pirate Night.

Patches - These can be sewn onto bags or hats as a reminder of the trip.

Pins - Official Disney pins would be an expensive and generous Pixie Dust gift, but you can also buy cheaper pins with a nautical or ocean theme which would make a lovely gift.

Temporary tattoos - These are always fun to apply and wear around the ship.

Reusable straws - I saw someone on our cruise giving these out and thought that this was a great idea as the paper straws supplied on board can be a little flimsy.

Keyrings - Again something that you can buy in bulk, we received some lovely glitter Mickey head keyrings in different colours.

Many of these items can be purchased in bulk from places like Amazon, AliExpress or Temu and can be very reasonable in terms of cost. And or course not everything has to be Disney themed - you could look for a nautical theme, an ocean theme, pirates and mermaids and so on.

I hope that you find some ideas to inspire you, and have fun joining in with Pixie Dust gifts on your next Disney cruise!

Vintage San Francisco: Retro Shops and Experiences in the City

This is a collaborative post

As the saying goes, ‘Old is gold.’ If you are the type of person who loves vintage items, this collated list of retro shops and vintage experiences in San Francisco is a treat for you. This is one remarkable way of uncovering the city’s culture and hidden gems. If you are coming from San Francisco airport, take your rental car from SFO to some of these vintage spots and travel back in time. You can choose to visit some antique shops, vintage diners, historic theatres, or flea markets selling some of the most unique and classic items you’ll ever find on your trip. 

Decades of Fashion

This shop is located at 1653 Haight Street. The place is about 13-15 miles from San Francisco airport and it will take you at least 20-30 minutes to reach this vintage spot. From the name of the store itself, you would already have an idea that it is a vintage clothing store. Do you wish to experience some dress dating back to the Victorian era? If so, this is the right place to go. In addition, you can also find accessories to go along with the dress. Vintage aficionados would visit this shop to look for rare collectible items from the 1920s up to the 1980s. Stepping into this store is like travelling back in time.

Haight - Ashbury  

If you went to the Decades of Fashion store, you might as well take time to discover the Haight-Ashbury neighbourhood. This is where you can find some historic lovers roaming around the area. There are plenty of bookstores, clothing and tattoo shops, eclectic bars, and restaurants around Upper Haight Street. There are also Victorian homes that were preserved over time around the neighbourhood bordering Golden Gate Park. History shows that this area is famous for revolutionary movements, especially during the 1960s. Haight-Ashbury made its name as the centre of the hippies movement back in the day. It’s a place of diverse culture, flamboyant vibe, and modern classics. 

The Alemany Flea Market

Take your Avis Car Rental and head to the Alemany Flea Market. This spot is a short drive from the airport. In less than 15 minutes, you’ll reach this place. If you are looking for some one-of-a-kind items to add to your home decorations, then this market should be on your checklist. This place is located around the Bernal Heights neighbourhood. There are plenty of items you can choose from such as vintage jewellery, home décor, or even furniture. There is a certain upbeat vibe in the place and it's great to spend a few hours visiting in between shops. 

Stuff 

This is another store you can check out for retro furniture, clothes, artwork, and home décor. It’s located at 1545 Pacific Avenue and about a 30 minute drive from the airport. Are you collecting vinyl records? Check out the collection of records they have at this shop. It supports 60+ shops so there’s always something to offer for everyone looking for unique things.

There are several other antique shops you can visit such as S16 Home and the Gaslight and Shadows Antique which is located at 2335 Clement Street, Past Perfect located at 6101Geary Boulevard. The Antique and Art Exchange is also a must-visit. It is located at 151 Vermont Street Suite 4. Some other shops are Golden Age Vintage, De Angelis, Grand Central Station Antiques, Brand X Antiques, Reperch, and No Shop. 

Photo credit Oleg Ivanov via Unsplash

Lori’s Diner  

Visiting these shops could be trying, and if you are looking for a restaurant with a quintessential vibe, make your way to Lori’s Diner. It will take you back to the 1950s and you can order their famous burgers and milkshakes. Enjoy the vintage vibe while you immerse yourself in unique memorabilia decorated around the diner. Lori’s Diner is just 20 minutes drive away from the airport. 

Red Java House 

This is another spot with a vintage vibe where you can eat. This place is located at Pier 30. It will take you about 10-15 minutes from San Francisco airport to get to this place. This is where you can also enjoy delicious burgers, hotdogs, and fries while looking at the view of the Bay Bridge. They have been serving their customers since the 1950s. 

Castro Theater

If you wish to visit historic theatres, the Castro Theater is a must. This place has been well-preserved since its creation in 1922. It has been the venue for many different events over time. Various film festivals and film screenings were held at this place. It’s 14 miles from the airport and would take you at least 20 minutes to reach the theatre. 

These are just a few of the places you can visit for a vintage experience in San Francisco city. It’s a truly unique trip worth sharing with your friends once you’re back home. This is your chance to travel back in time. 

The High Line, New York

On our recent trip to New York, one of the places that I was really keen to visit was The High Line. The High Line is a park which has been built on an abandoned elevated railway track, running from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to 34th Street near the Javits Center. It's free to enter and is open daily from 7pm-8pm in winter and until 10pm in summer. We visited on a sunny Sunday afternoon at the end of March, and it was very busy.

It's a little early in the year for much to be growing, so the park was sparse in places. But there is plenty of artwork displayed to add some colour. Also many of the buildings that you walk past have cheerful murals and there are some lovely views of the city buildings. I was pleased to see that some of the original tracks had been kept in their original positions, and the park was much wider than I expected it to be.

Some of the paths were a little cramped because it was so busy - when we visited it wasn't really possible to enjoy a leisurely stroll as you needed to keep up with the people ahead of and behind you. I can't imagine what it's like on a sunny summer's day! There are plenty of places to sit down to enjoy the view and people watch, and it all felt very safe.

As you walk through the park you are very close to some of the apartment blocks on either side. It's very tempting to have a peek inside even if you try not to! There was one apartment with a large window very close to the path. Inside the room, all the furniture was draped with white sheets and there was a young woman dressed in white, lounging artfully on a white bed while staring back at the passers-by. It was very surreal, it felt like an art installation!

If you are taking a trip to New York I'd definitely recommend taking the time for a visit, it's a fantastic way of bringing new life to old infrastructure, and a real change from the busy and noisy city.