Breakfast In 12 Different Cities
2019 New Year's Resolution
I like to explore new places, so to encourage me to get out and about my 2019 New Year’s Resolution was to have breakfast in 12 different cities. Breakfast is undoubtedly my favourite meal of the day – there are so many options and almost anything goes!
However, this wasn’t a challenge to find the best breakfasts – maybe that’s an idea for another year!? Instead it was about exploring 12 different cities as they were waking up, enjoying the sights they had to offer, and having a bite to eat.
12 felt like a good number to aim for. Of course it’s the number of months in the year, but it didn’t have to be one new city each month for it to be achieved.
As often is the case, I didn’t have a plan for the year, but I had a goal.
At the time I only shared the challenge on what was then called Twitter. Now I’m writing it up, I’m kicking myself for not taking better photos, and for not getting pictures of the breakfast food too. Hindsight is a wonderful thing isn’t it?!
1. Berlin
I love Berlin. It’s an incredible sprawling metropolis that recognises the past yet has thoroughly modern foundations too.
Once a tale of two cities, impressive historical buildings have many stories to tell. New structures rise up next to them, creating further chapters for the ongoing story of the capital. Contemporary builds, modern skyscrapers, glass and steel, all compliment the beautiful intricacy of the grand aging architecture.
I love exploring all it has to offer and was lucky enough to visit for a third trip.
A New Year Visit
January 1st 2019 started with a particularly rough and ropey feeling after not only welcoming in the new year in Berlin, but also celebrating a friend’s big birthday. More than possibly still a little inebriated from the late night revelries, no amount of eye rubbing on waking seemed to make things any less blurry. This was a city that partied hard!
Breakfast In 12 Different Cities - Berlin
Our hotel clearly knew it’s clientele and was serving breakfast right through until lunchtime. Very civilised! We cautiously sampled all of the delights from the hot and cold buffet to see how they settled in the stomach.
We hadn’t realised until the first mouthful, just how hungry we were. The array of traditional German breakfast snacks were delicious, including a variety of local sausages, and fresh bread. Taking on as much fluid as possible and starting to feel more like a human than the dried up remnants of a rung out tea towel that’s been left in the sun for too long, we steadily went for a wander.
Walking under the iconic Brandenburg gate and by the forboding Reichstag building, our explorations were a little slow. Judging by the faces of other people out and about, they too were struggling after welcoming in the new year with gusto.
It was a great start to the new year’s resolution though. Only the first day of 2019, and I’d already ticked off breakfast in my first city!
2. Rovaniemi
The capital of Lapland! Six miles north of The Arctic circle, and home to Santa Claus, Rovaniemi is not a huge city in Finland, and was fairly quiet when we visited in February.
I have always been mesmerised by The Arctic. I find there is something achingly beautiful about a frozen wilderness. An untouched blanket of snow seems so inviting to explore. The satisfying crunch as you step into pristine, freshly-laid snow; the way the sunrise seems pinker and the blue skies bluer. Even on a day when the snow is blizzarding it still feels magical to me, and I love the feeling as you come in from the cold and wrap your hands around a steaming cup of tea.
Cool Overnight Stays
We had two nights in Rovaniemi. The first night we spent outside of the main capital in a Snow Hotel – which hadn’t been as cold as you might think. We had been incredibly lucky during our stay as the colours of a spectacular Northern lights display silently swirled and swept over the night sky.
The second night we spent in an Arctic cabin at the Appuka resort. Half of the roof was made of glass and the bed was perfectly placed beneath for any aurora spotting. Just as I felt the heavy seduction of sleep washing over me, I took a final peek upwards out of the window.
A thick stripe of hazy green light shimmered across the sky. I nudged the other half awake and we witnessed a magical half hour display from the comfort and warmth of the cabin.
Breakfast In 12 Different Cities - Rovaniemi
Breakfast on both mornings was a vast buffet of hot and cold Finnish delights. I’m not overly keen on fish unless it’s pretty basic. There was plenty on offer! I know it will have been exceedingly fresh, and I did sample most of the offerings, but I still wasn’t a convert to the more unusual fish dishes. The salt cured salmon was about the most exotic thing that I actually enjoyed and I even went back for seconds!
3. Helsinki - Breakfast In 12 Different Cities
February in Helsinki was cold. Somehow when the wind blew as we meandered the streets it felt more biting than when we’d been out in the open snow fields in Rovaniemi. The centre was big, with tall distinguished buildings making a statement in the cold capital.
Helsinki Landmarks
The iconic white pillared Helsinki Cathedral and it’s green domed rooftops presided over the harbour skyline. Nearby, the ornate red brick Uspenski Cathedral with numerous spires and towers cast an imposing shadow. The green park of the esplanade along the middle of the street welcomed visitors to take the weight off their feet at one of the many benches, although the cosy cafes were far more inviting to step out from the chill.
Exploring the city in the grip of winter, we took solace in the Temppeliaukio Church, also known as the rock church. Combining rough craggy stone with a smooth wooden roof, the spacious interior was calm and quiet. I really liked the way the architecture worked with the existing solid rock rather than removing it.
Breakfast In 12 Different Cities - Helsinki
Breakfast in our central hotel was an exceptional buffet giving us the opportunity to try some different local cuisine. Porridge is a usual staple on the Finnish breakfast table, however I opted to try the Karelian pie. Usually made with a rye pastry crust, it is filled with a sort of rice porridge and often topped with a buttery scrambled egg mash. I realise that probably doesn’t sell it very well, but I genuinely thought it was delicious. A delightful contrast of textures and a lovely subtle taste.
There was also plenty of fresh rye bread – a good solid base to top with a selection of local cheeses and meats. I couldn’t quite bring myself to sample the reindeer though.
4. Malaga
I got more annual leave than the other half, and he’d already been to Malaga a few times with work. I’d been looking at cheap breaks and managed to bag myself accommodation and flights for £100. This would give me just over 33 hours to explore the sunny Spanish city, and chance to tick off another breakfast!
Malaga was a lovely city, fairly compact so perfect for a short break and to be able to see most of the sights in my limited time.
Seeing Some Spectacular Spanish Sights
Taking a trip up to the top of the Cathedral gave views down to the hopscotch of roof tops and across to the busy harbour. Not content with one climb, I made my way up Mount Gibraltar through the pretty gardens to the Moorish castle, where I caught a glimpse of the unmistakable ‘La Malagueta” bullring in the distance.
My morning run gave me the Old Town to myself, including the opportunity to enjoy a moment of quiet on the marble paved pedestrian street, La Calle Larios. Lined with beautiful buildings, shops, cafes and ice cream parlours, it wouldn’t be long until the pedestrian street would be full with tourists and shoppers. I loved feeling like I had the place exclusively to myself.
Strolling along the beach front I dipped my toes in the clear cool waters of the Alborian sea, followed by wandering past the well preserved remains of the Roman theatre, and then taking an amble around the Alcazaba.
The Alcazaba, or Citadel, amalgamating defence with serenity, was beautiful in the afternoon sun, filled with trees and flowers amongst the many patios and ponds.
Breakfast In 12 Different Cities - Malaga
I did some research into places for breakfast, and headed to one I liked the sound of. Except it was so packed when I got there. There wasn’t even space for just me on my own! I had a wander around the block and found a nice looking restaurant with a couple of people sitting outside.
Perching at a free table on the cobbled street I scanned the menu, settling for something that I thought was local. When it arrived it looked very beige, and suspiciously like a cheese slice melted onto white bread. It may not have been bursting with fresh colour, it probably wasn’t all that authentic and local, but it was a tasty way to start the day. Another city breakfast completed.
5. Ripon
Ripon only takes about an hour to drive from York, yet in over 20 years of living in such close proximity I’d never actually been. We went in our campervan and stayed at a site just outside of the centre. Ripon is the 7th smallest city in the UK, the third smallest city in England and THE smallest city in Yorkshire.
Historical City Centre
It’s only a small centre but does have a market square with several significant features. The old Keepers Carriage that would once have trundled across the cobbles, is now wheel-less and stationary. The 24 metre high obelisk, apparently the oldest in England, has seen its fair share of city history having been originally built in 1702.
A tradition that is thought to have been going for centuries is that of the Ripon Hornblower. Since 886, every evening at 9pm a bugler blows the horn at each of the four corners of the obelisk. It’s such a prominent part of the heritage, that the horn has become a symbol of the city. There’s even a horn weathervane perched on the top of the stone column.
Gothic Giant
Ambling through the winding streets and cobbled snickets, past the dinky independent shops full of local gifts and products, we arrived at the magnificent Ripon Cathedral.
Also known by its full name of The Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Wilfrid, the tall towering gothic structure is an impressively mighty landmark for such a small city. We popped inside where the internal architecture was just as stunning. High arches made it feel light and airy, and the great stained glass windows brought in pops of colour.
Breakfast In 12 Different Cities - Ripon
We stumbled across a cosy pub, just in the shadow of the Cathedral. Serving traditional breakfasts, I enjoyed a delicious vegetarian cooked selection made with local produce. Vegetarian sausages can be a bit hit and miss in my experience. These were much less cardboard tasting than some I have tried, and great for dipping into the perfectly poached runny egg.
6. Kassel - Breakfast In 12 Different Cities
We had a short stop over at Kassel in central Germany on our 2019 European road trip. Home of the brothers Grimm who brought us the fairy tale classics including, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.
Wild Weather
There was so much open green space where people were enjoying picnics and barbecues in the late afternoon when we arrived.
That is until everyone ran for cover as it started to spit with rain, which then turned into to a torrential storm. We sat in our campervan watching the trees bending perilously in the wind and listening to the rain battering down on our roof. As the storm eased up, the sky turned a magnificent colour. Purple clouds rolling across a burnt orange sky, with amazing reflections on the river Fulda.
Runderful Morning Exploring
Before breakfast and before we moved on the next day, I went for my daily morning run, having an explore through Karlsaue park and gardens. There was a huge expanse of paths twisting and turning through the trees and by the lakes.
I also ran round the city centre, which was empty as it was still so early. Unfortunately almost 90 percent of the city centre was destroyed in the raids in 1943. In the 1950s, Kassel was rebuilt, combining new buildings in the style of the decade with reconstructions of the older architecture.
Breakfast In 12 Different Cities - Kassel
Breakfast was a simple affair back at the van, comprising of a nice cup of tea and a big bowl of cereal. We didn’t sample anything local this time as it was such a flying visit and we needed to get moving. However, we did have the chance to sit in the sunshine and open air, and added Kassel to our ‘revisit one day’ list.
7. Athens
For my big birthday in 2019, the other half bought me the incredible gift of a kayaking trip with Much Better Adventures in Greece. Whilst the kayaking took place in Papolonia, we flew into and out of Athens, and we spent a night in the capital before flying home.
The Home Of History
Western civilisation is thought to have begun in the Greek capital, and is a place reknowned for scholars and learning. I was smitten with the city from first sight.
It was busy, but easy to get around and see the sights. Alongside the many, many, beautiful historical landmarks, were parks and greenery with tree covered mountains providing some protection to the centre. I was really keen to go to the Olympic stadium, one of the first ever built, and of course I ran a lap around the world famous track when we were there.
Morning Exploring
A visit to Athens wouldn’t have been complete without seeing the Acropolis up close. We thought we’d got a head start on the crowds and meandered our way up the hill past fallen ruins beneath the trees. At the very top was the infamous Parthenon. It’s also where most of the tourists were. It was still quite early, yet there was already a steady churn of people schlepping around the iconic pillars. There were also lots of cats slinking along the steps and between legs, looking for a fuss and a feed. It was certainly a monumental place, having staked its claim in the consciousness of many people on the planet, and providing fantastic panoramic views of the city.
Breakfast In 12 Different Cities - Athens
Breakfast was on the rooftop of the hotel. High up from the busy streets below we enjoyed a small selection of bread, meats, and cheese followed by a choice of hot items from the menu. I took a beautifully cooked breakfast with local meats and a fresh salad dressed with oil and herbs.
8. Bradford
I got up early to get a train over to Bradford for breakfast one Sunday morning. It’s not far at all, and whilst I’ve been to the Museum of Photography Film and Television, I’d never really explored any further. It’s got some striking buildings in the centre. I was very impressed as I wandered the city streets.
Heritage In The City Streets
Taking in the sights I walked through the open space of Centenary Square to the grand Alhambra theatre, named after a palace in Granada. Huge pillars rose up in front of me, topped by a gigantic domed roof. It was a sight synonymous with Bradford.
There were plenty of noble establishments reminding visitors of the prominence of the industrious city. Large former factories and grand old brick buildings provided an impressive legacy of the place that was once known as the wool capital of the world. Now home to cafes, banks, restaurants, hotels and shops (Waterstones is definitely worth popping in to), new life is being breathed into old streets.
Breakfast In 12 Different Cities - Bradford
Breakfast was at a coffee shop. I didn’t select my food wisely. You could pick what you wanted out of the fridge and they would warm it up. I spotted a breakfast burrito. I quite like a bit of spice at breakfast so I was looking forward to tucking in to what I thought was going to be a concoction with a kick .
Only once it had been warmed up and placed in front of me, I realised it was a burrito filled with bacon egg sausage and tomato, rather than something more exotic. It was my own fault. It tasted of English breakfast and disappointment. There is nothing wrong with a good English breakfast when you’re expecting it, it’s just that I had been anticipating something else. It was fine, I just should have read the label properly. Still, it was another breakfast in another city, so counted towards my new year challenge!
9. Porto - Breakfast In 12 Different Cities
Hillier than I’d thought it would be, we throughly enjoyed a weekend in the coastal city of Porto in North West Portugal.
Pottering Around Porto
Our first day was spent wandering the winding streets. Beautiful colourful buildings, often covered with patterned tiles brightened up the streets; trams snaked along the narrow lanes; and riverside cafes were a hive of activity.
It was one of the friendliest cities I’ve ever been to. From a local commuter on the metro offering us some tips and advice, to serving staff giving friendly welcomes, making genuinely good food recommendations and taking the time to ensure we were enjoying ourselves. It wasn’t a city where eye contact was avoided and visitors were people to be wary of, but rather a place where strangers smiled at each other and tourists were greeted like locals.
Of course we sampled the local tipple too, and sat on a roof top terrace with a glass of deep red port as the sun set beyond the horizon and the sky lit up a hundred shades of red.
Breakfast In 12 Different Cities - Porto
We had breakfast at a café around the corner from our apartment. It was very popular and busy on the ground floor. A cheerful member of staff took us upstairs where we were the only customers. Feeling a little out of the action, we quietly enjoyed some sweet freshly baked cakes, (including a pasta del nata), and some cheese and ham sandwich slices! We didn’t wash it down with port, but it was available!
10. Wakefield
Another city fairly local to me. I used to travel to Wakefield for work, but that was at a business park on the outskirts so so this was a good opportunity to visit the centre. Right in the middle of the busy streets was the big cathedral with it’s 75 metre high spire – the tallest in Yorkshire!
City With A Shopping First
The centre felt a little out of sorts. A mix of grand historic buildings with intricate decor and fading signs of long gone brands, neighboured modern shopping centres which were a bit less pleasing on the eye having not aged quite so well. When The Ridings shopping centre opened in 1983 it was the first of its kind in the UK and would probably have been considered very futuristic and cutting edge.
Just out of the main shopping streets, the old and new buildings were slightly more spaced apart giving room heritage and modernity to stand proud in their own rights. The Chantry Bridge straddling the river calder included the Chantry Chapel, a Grade I listed building with extremely intricate exterior carvings.
The Hepworth Wakefield gallery was a more recent building. Angular and box like, it was home to an incredible selection of art inside as well as out. I popped in for a visit and lost track of time looking at the amazing exhibits.
The streets of Wakefield were peppered with gold stars paying homage to significant people from the city, including sports players, entertainers and explorers! There were many more famous Wakefieldians keeping Jane McDonald company!
Breakfast In 12 Different Cities - Wakefield
My first meal of the day was a traditional English breakfast in a small, quiet, cafe. Service was friendly, the tea was hot and strong, and the eggs, bacon and all the trimmings were filling and warm to set me up for the day of sightseeing.
11. The City Of London
London. The big smoke. The capital. I was often in London for work, usually staying in Vauxhall near the offices. I decided to take the opportunity of my next overnight stay to explore a bit further afield. Setting the alarm early, I got the tube over to the place known as ‘The Square Mile’. Covering an area of just 1.12 miles, the City of London was the perfect size for a quick explore before work.
The Square Mile
The name London is now used to describe an area of many boroughs and neighbourhoods in the south east of England. The City of London, however, specifically refers to the small area that packs a mighty punch.
It is often described as the financial centre of London, is home to the Bank of England, and you can find St Paul’s cathedral there. In fact the square mile fits in an incredible amount of old and new buildings and the juxtaposition between them works really well.
It was a clear and crisp December morning and it was fantastic to be there so early as the deep black night sky was morphing into the dark blue before sunrise. I enjoyed milling around, passing the big dome of St Pauls, and wandering through smaller streets, home to quaint little shops and cafes.
Breakfast In 12 Different Cities - The City Of London
I spotted a sign for a restaurant that was serving breakfast in a vaulted church crypt. Descending the stairs to the unusual eaterie I was welcomed by a waiter to the underground venue. There were quite a few tables in already although most people seemed to be having business breakfasts. At least I could savour my meal without having to switch on to work just yet.
My avocado on toast was smooth and creamy, accompanied by tangy fresh tomatoes and a smattering of basil. It was a lovely breakfast and nice to enjoy it in a unique setting away from the mayhem of the city streets just outside the door.
12. Hull - Breakfast In 12 Different Cities
The only waterfront city in Yorkshire. I caught the train over to Kingston upon Hull, (to give it its full title), on a sunny December morning to claim my twelfth breakfast in a different city. The moment I stepped out of the station I was greeted by grand buildings that I don’t think I’d expected.
Historic Hull
I wound my way through the narrow streets of the old town, past the pubs and museums that now occupied the buildings. Embellished brick structures with decorative facades and ornate rooftops stood proudly as a reminder of the busy heritage of the city.
Hull Minster seemed to be neatly tucked away, I could easily have missed it. It didn’t feel imposing despite the fact it has floor area of a parish church in England.
I followed the path by the sea where the breeze coming over the water brought with it a brisk drop in temperature making me snuggle down deeper into my wooly scarf. Passing by Hull’s aquarium, the unmistakable landmark building of The Deep, reminded me of an abstract seal pointing its nose up to the sky.
Breakfast In 12 Different Cities - Hull
This was the lightest breakfast of the twelve over the course of the year. It wasn’t quite the fanfare that it could have been to mark the completion of my new year’s resolution. In hindsight I should have rounded off the challenge with something elaborate, but instead, I had a real hankering for a pastry.
Even though it was early morning, condensation steamed up the windows, lively conversations were in full flow, and the cafe was bouncing with Christmas shoppers. I managed to find myself a table and ordered an almond croissant. It was very fresh, extremely flaky, and exceedingly sweet and delicious, accompanied by a nice pot of tea.
2019 New Year's Resolution Completed
I really enjoyed this as a new year resolution, and can definitely recommend it! Whether I was with the Other Half, or on my own, I loved that this gave me a reason to explore. Without the goal, I could easily have not bothered catching the train, or making the trip to see some amazing cities and learn about their heritage and culture.
If I did it again, I’d definitely look for some more inspired breakfast dishes. The food I had was all good, but perhaps not always as adventurous as it could have been. I’d also try and take some better photographs of the food!
Other Similar Resolution Ideas
Maybe this has given you some food for thought for a New Year’s Resolution you could try? Below are a couple of ideas on the theme, but you can easily get even more creative! Let me know if you do anything like this, I’d love to know how you get on and it might give me, and others, some further inspiration!
- You could go for breakfast in 12 different villages, regions, states, countries, or time zones!
- Have breakfast (or another meal of your choice) in the top 12 cafes on Trip Advisor in your local area. Do you agree with their ratings?!
- Visit 12 places you’ve never been to before that are less than an hour on the train
- Got a sweet tooth? Why not enjoy a dessert in 12 places you’ve never been to before
- Try 12 different flavours of ice cream
- Make 12 different breakfast dishes
- Have fish and chips at 12 different seaside locations
- Try the local dish in 12 different regions
- Sample the local breakfast dish in 12 different places
- Have 12 different vegetarian breakfasts
- Visit the coffee shop in 12 different museum cafes
- Have a half time snack at 12 different football grounds
The possibilities are endless! Good luck, have fun, and don’t forget to take some pictures!