If “where can I go next?” is normally the first question on your mind the minute you arrive home after a holiday, you’re not alone!

Where to go next??

After much flight-price-stalking, saving up and work-contract planning; my travel plans for the rest of 2016 are fixed. “Next” is now just around the corner. Can’t wait!

First up, it’s Berlin!

A July city break of culture, history and wurst awaits.

Berlin, baby! Image licensed from fotolia.com

My schoolgirl German will be getting a dusting down after (cough cough) years as we explore the historical WWII sites and the Berlin Wall, get under the skin of the city arts scene, and have an obligatory cocktail atop the Fernsehturm (TV tower).

Why Berlin?

Berlin appeals for several reasons: its artsy reputation, the opportunity to learn something more about our recent history, and – I can’t lie about this – a new FlyBe route from the catchily-named Doncaster Sheffield Robin Hood airport, which has made it far more affordable to get to from Yorkshire.

The fact I’ll be there (almost) for my birthday and that I can wax lyrical about a “hat that has three corners” in the native lingo has absolutely nothing to do with it 😉

My Berlin travel style

Cheap flight (around £80 return), a nice central apartment (approx. £75 per night) so we can come and go as we please, a few meals out, the occasional cocktail, and not forgetting the wurst! We won’t be crazy big spenders, but we’re not scrimping either.

Back to Mexico!

I’m beyond excited about going back to Mexico. Since travelling there for six weeks in 2007 and a further two weeks in 2009, I’ve been longing to return and see the bits I didn’t get chance to visit first and second times around.

The Copper Canyon (Barranco del Cobre) is top of the list. How amaze-balls does it look?

The incredible Copper Canyon. Image licensed from fotolia.com

Longer and deeper than the Grand Canyon (yup, really!), the Copper Canyon has been on my “things I MUST do” list for what seems like FOREVER. We’ll be catching the train from Los Mochis to Creel before hiking, biking and – possibly – horseback riding our way into the canyons’ depths.

Flights are booked for October, and the Copper Canyon will be just part of our three-week trip.

Why Mexico?

I love it! And … did I mention I love it? The vibe, the food, that it’s easy to travel around and get talking to local people, the history, the culture, the crafts. Have I sold you on Mexico yet?

Our itinerary is pretty flexible, but looks something like: Mexico City – Guadalajara – Colima (including volcanoes) – Mazatlán – Los Mochis – Creel (for the Copper Canyon) – Chihuahua – ending in Mexico City for Day of the Dead (Dia del Muertos).

We’ll be in Mexico City for Day of the Dead on 2 November. Image licensed from fotolia.com

The challenge is narrowing down where to go. It’s easy to spend weeks if not months traversing Mexico!

Mexico travel style

A mix of outdoorsy and city, travelling independently and staying in simple B&B/Airbnb-style accommodation. Buses and possibly the odd cheap flight will be the norm. We may take one or two organised trips in the canyon, or to the volcanoes near Colima.

We’re budgeting around £1700 each for a three-week trip. This includes our transatlantic flights (which we found through Skyscanner) from the UK, plus all food, accommodation, transport, insurance and activities.

I’d love if you could take a moment to share your top tips for Berlin, the Copper Canyon and Guadalajara. Which sites can’t I miss? Where does the best wurst? Spill the (Mexican) beans below …