Hello December!
Time goes by so quickly and I just cannot believe December is already here! Christmas lights in Ljubljana were lit yesterday and today we will go see how beautiful it is. But before all that I wanted to share with you everything that made November special for me. I got so many great responses with my October Favourites, I decided to do this every month. It is also a great way for me to reflect on the previous month and have a diary of all the wonderful things that happened.
1. Trip to Istanbul
Booking trip is always so exciting for me. This rush of joy just goes through my body and instantly I feel more happy. Taking 5 days off of our daily routine felt really good. Istanbul is a magical place and even though we didn’t have the best weather we did have wonderful time (check out these 10 things to do in Istanbul on a rainy day). Wandering streets all day, taking a ferry to Asian side, eating the most delicious food, wondering how did they manage to build such stunning and magnificent buildings 1000 years ago without all the modern technology…. Even flight there and back was wonderful. Turkish Airlines really has a great service and 2 hours in the sky were over almost too quickly.
2. Breakfast
I rarely eat breakfast at home, but last year in Prague we decided to go out for a whole Sunday breakfast outside thing. We loved it, so we did the same in Istanbul and it was even better. The whole table full of tasty delicious food with hot Turkish tea is the perfect way to start your day on holidays. I will do a special post about our breakfasts in Istanbul, because they truly deserve to be posted (check out 3 amazing breakfast places in Istanbul). Just a little sneak peak here. Doesn’t it look just yummy?
3. New backpack
If Black Friday is good for anything it is for the things you have been eyeing for a long time but keep putting it off because it just cost too much and you are saving for something else. I got myself a new backpack, which is quite bigger than my small everyday backpack. I got this one for traveling as a hand luggage (I am sure it could also fit as small bag for Ryanair and similar airlines, that cut off normal hand luggage), day trips, weekend getaways and going home to my parents for the weekend. It is big enough for all the things I need to have with me (I am trying to pack as minimalistic as it goes) without feeling like those huge backpacks for longer travels. I am so happy about this purchase and cannot wait to use it for some traveling!
4. Tropical paradise at Ocean Orchids
Winter is coming and what better (and cheaper) way to escape it for a bit, than visiting tropical garden? Ocean Orchids in Dobrovnik had an open day/weekend and we decided to check it out. This was one of those things that are so close to your home and you just keep putting it off and visit everything else that is further away instead. I am so happy that we finally decided to visit this place. Their tropical garden is really pretty and with over 900 tropical plants and flowers you do feel like you are teleported into some jungle. Just being there reminded me so much of Taiwan and whatever does that deserves a special place on list like this one. They have 40.000 m2 of greenhouses where they produce more than 2 million of Phalaenopsis orchids.
There is so much to look forward in December for me. I got a real job that I will start on Monday. My blog stats for November were amazing and can’t wait to beat those numbers in December! Christmas time is finally here and one last adventure of this year is closer than ever. We have some really exciting plans for New Years and just can’t wait for it. Last year we wanted to spend New Years somewhere in a cabin with friends, but we were too late, so we booked really early this year. My only wish now is that we will have some snow! Plus I am so excited about all the Christmas lights and trees, Christmas movies, mulled wine to keep my hands warm while exploring beautifully decorated Ljubljana and baking cookies!
What are your plans for December?
Your Istanbul post is my fave too, love! 💖💖💖 I wanna see your new backpack! hihi
Great post as always love!
key xx
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I will definitely post some with it when I am off to somewhere. Thank you so much for your support and kindness!
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I will wait for it! 😘 You’re welcome 🤗
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Wow I so envy you! I wanted to visit Istanbul for such a long time. Hopefully will have the opportunity soon 🙂
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It is kind of funny how we envy each other on visiting destinations! I would love to visit Japan and Mexico and you would love to visit Istanbul. I am sure our wishes will come true someday. 🙂
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Yes, definitely! And hope we do cross each other somewhere in our destinations! 🙂
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That would be really amazing. 🙂
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Such a lovely post. It certainly looks like you’ve had a fantastic November.
Kate | cakeandcoast.com x
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Thank you so much! It was a great month and can’t wait for what December will bring.
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How is it already December?! It is always nice to book a trip and discover new places. YESSS I agree with that question!! It is amazing to see buildings still up after so many years. That’s what I call good architecture. Your breakfast looks DELICIOUS! I love the views from Ocean Orchids. Hope you’ll have a great December!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
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I also can’t believe how December show up so quickly! I am so happy that you liked my post. 🙂 I wish you great December as well!
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Omg your photos are always soooooo amazing! Istanbul looks truly amazing, I could only ever dream of visiting there!
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Thank you so much! Living in Europe has quite some perks, when it comes to traveling. One hour drive from Ljubljana and you can be in Croatia, Austria or Italy. 🙂 I really wish you will get a chance to visit Istanbul someday. It is totally worth it.
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Wow that’s actually crazy that you’re so close to so many amazing places!! A trip to Europe is around 24 hours on a plane for me hahah 😭😭
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I know. I only see one solution here, to come to Europe for a longer time and travel around. I think shorter breaks are just too tiring if you are on the other side of the world.
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Yes exactly, I’d 100% spend a couple weeks doing some travelling if I was spending that many hours on a plane!
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Maybe we can switch places for those few weeks. 😛 I would love to explore Australia, but it is just so expensive to get there. I have some relatives there and maybe I should paid them a visit. 🙂
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Hahaha i’d love to switch places! I’d much rather live where you live! Omg tell me about it, it’s even expensive to actually live in Australia! If you have relatives here though that would give you a great opportunity to come and visit though!! xx
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Europe is truly amazing. Everything is so close but you can still tell the differences. Australia on the other hand is a whole different place, seperate from the rest of the world.
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I know we are so far away from everyone and everything it sucks! Europe has so much more history and architecture and ahhhh I love it I wish I lived there haha 😍
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Maybe you will someday! 😉
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Looks like you had amazing November as well! I’m envious of your photos, you are such a wonderful photographer I swear! I am living for your Istanbul trip, it’s one of the best travel posts you’ve shared with us! Xx
Mary
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That is so nice to hear (or read). I am really happy that you enjoy my photos, I am trying to make them look good, even though I am not really good at using my camera in technical sense. I will definitely write more about Istanbul. 🙂
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Beautiful photographs. It seems like you’ve had a great November!
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It was. Istanbul was definitely the highlight of it. We didn’t plan to go on any more trips after Venice, but something just pushed us into going on one more. 🙂 No regrets.
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Hahaha, I love it when that happens
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Me too. 🙂 Sweet surprise. Do you have any travel plans for 2019?
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Nothing solid, but I would like to go somewhere, it’s been a while since I went abroad
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I hope you will find some great destination. I also don’t have any set travel plans for 2019 yet, but I would wish for one longer trip, like Taiwan this year, and maybe some shorter breaks and day trips.
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Thank you! I’m sure you’ll manage it, it seems like you were born to travel!
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That might be a bit true. I always wanted to go somewhere and was never homesick. 🙂
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Istanbul looks beautiful! Would love to go there one day! Loved this post 🙂 x
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Thank you so much. It is really amazing city. Maybe next year?
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Sounds like you had a great month. I enjoyed your Istanbul trip and I’m intrigued about your breakfast. It was interesting how you wrote about Dubrovnik being so close, in my mind it isn’t. The tropical gardens look great. . Hope you have an equally great December.
John
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Thank you so much. It is not Dubrovnik in Croatia but a town Dobrovnik in Slovenia. 🙂 very similar word but totally different town. Wish you amazing December as well.
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Ooooooh. That makes a lot more sense. Note to self. Read the word again before opening mouth. 😅 I’m glad I’m not as bad at geography as I temporarily believed I was. 😌
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It totally happens, because it is just one letter difference and everyone knows about Dubrovnik. 🙂 Your geography is very good!
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Your photos of Istanbul are beautiful! I visited Turkey when I was around 12 years old, but I would love to go back!
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Thank you so much! That would be a great experience. To see some places again and from a whole new perspective! Which places did you visit in Turkey?
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We went to a beach town, I was so young I don’t even remember the name! And we only visited Istanbul for a day
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Then you should definitely visit at least Istanbul. I would love to also see Cappadocia and Pamukkale and maybe some smaller towns to see how Turkey really is. Istanbul is such a global city and I think smaller towns will totally different charm. 🙂
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That all sounds so exciting! The garden in Dubrovnik looks beautiful and the breakfast in Istanbul so delicious 😍 I’m celebrating my sister’s, my dad’s and my birthday in December along Christmas and New Year’s. I’ve got quite a busy but exciting month ahead!
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Wow! So you will have tons of festivities, delicious dinners. cake and lots of gifts! Enjoy it!
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Thank you ❤
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Great read! What is that fruit in the second picture? I’ve never seen one like that before!
Nyahxo
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Those are pomegrantes. They are very popular through Middle Eastern countries.
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you and a camera work wonders
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Aww…thank you so much! It means a lot that you think that.
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your most welcome
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I love favourites posts!! Those gardens look beautiful. I love orchids! I am also on the hunt for a good travel bag I hope I can find a nice inexpensive one soon! x
Linda || Lindaroche.blogspot.com
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They really are. I always like to visit botanical gardens and parks. Still haven’t visited the one in Ljubljana though. I think it is best to wait for some discounts or sales, to get stuff like that.
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