Searching for fantastic weekend getaways from Paris? Either as an add-on to a visit to Paris, or perhaps you live in the city and want a break from the hustle and bustle. I’ve already given … Read more
From steak frites in a Parisian bistro to goat’s cheese in the Loire Valley, market shopping, long lunches and pastries that are almost too pretty to eat, there’s a lot more to French food than … Read more
During our road trip across Austria, we spent two nights in Salzburg. This gave us one full day in the city, and allowed us a feel for how the city is during each part of … Read more
Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam’s largest urban centre and is a fascinating mixture of its different pasts, from French colonial buildings and wartime landmarks to rapidly developing modern neighbourhoods. It isn’t as naturally captivating … Read more
Hanoi is cacophonous, a true assault on the senses. But that isn’t a bad thing. In fact, it was a part of our week there that became a sort of white noise of happiness – … Read more
Over the years, I have travelled in almost every kind of way. From backpacking in Europe in my late teens, to multi-month trips through Asia and the USA. Since moving to France in 2018, we … Read more
Strasbourg is a city we keep coming back to, over and over. It helps that there is a direct train from our area in the south-west of France to Strasbourg twice a week! I wanted … Read more
Paris is full of iconic sights, and this comes with a lot of expectations and pressure to deliver. Paris’s biggest attractions are fantastic, but they can also be crowded, hot, overrated, and surrounded by scammers. … Read more
Paris is a city full of charm, art, unparalleled people-watching at cafés and delicious food. It is also home to some of the most famous monuments and tourist sightseeing in the world. This makes it … Read more
Ninh Binh is the perfect mix of chilled vibe, interesting sights, relaxed accommodations, and fantastic food. From the limestone karsts of Trang An, to the zen Bai Dinh Pagoda complex, and the laid back coffee … Read more
Albi is a treasure of a city in the Occitania region of France. Sitting on the Tarn River, it has magnificent views a-plenty, cute alleyways, impressive churches, and red brick everywhere. With lots of historic … Read more
Mérida sits in the Extremadura region of Spain, north of Seville and south of Salamanca. As we were planning our Spanish road trip, we chose a few spots along the north-south highway E-803 that runs … Read more
Ba Na Hills SunWorld is a resort and theme park outside Da Nang, Vietnam. It has the tagline ‘The Journey Through Fairy Kingdom’ – and it turned out to be a magical day out. We … Read more
The coffee game in Vietnam is wildly good. I knew it was known for its Egg Coffee and that cafes were common and funky, but I didn’t realise how incredibly good coffee in Vietnam was … Read more
The food in Vietnam is out-of-this-world. Fresh, aromatic, and varied – it is simple, yet endlessly tasty, filling and diverse. The cuisine was one of the reasons I wanted to visit Vietnam, and I was … Read more
Looking for advice on what to do with your one day in Da Nang? Read on! There is a surprising amount to do in the area, so don’t dismiss Da Nang as just a transit … Read more
3 weeks in the South Island of New Zealand is blissful, pure and simple. Combine the dynamite landscapes of the Southern Alps, with lush wine growing areas, wild coastlines and sweet towns, and it’s a … Read more
Marrakech is a feast for the senses, and occasionally an assault on them. But the charm of souks, the friendly locals, and the colourful alleyways of the medina make it a fantastic weekend getaway. Here’s … Read more
If you’re looking for a road trip lunch stop or an overnight sojourn on your way between Tuscany and Liguria, Lucca is ideal. A perfect midway point between Florence and Pisa or the Cinque Terre, … Read more
Switzerland is a country full of dynamic landscapes and show-stopping views. The greenest of green pastures, cows that wear bells, and mountains that draw international visitors at all times of the year. Oh, and don’t … Read more
The scale and gravitas of the old town of Siena can really only be appreciated from afar, with its imposing fortified position on top of a hill in Tuscany. However, once you are weaving your … Read more
The gorgeous North Island of New Zealand – the jumping off point for most when visiting New Zealand. While limitations on annual leave usually mean people only see the highlights of Aotearoa, spending longer on … Read more
Tours is halfway between Orleans and Angers along the Loire River, and is about 1.5 hours by train from Paris. While the châteaux and wineries along the Loire Valley get most of the attention, cities … Read more
Tobermory, Ontario, is an absolute peach of a vacation spot. On the Bruce Peninsula, where Lake Huron meets Georgian Bay, it is perfect for a long weekend getaway from the city, or as part of … Read more
New Zealand’s Fiordland is one of the most beautiful areas in Aotearoa. I have written extensively about road-tripping around New Zealand, and this post deep-dives into the best stops when you self-drive from Te Anau … Read more
Did you know that there is a swathe of France where the population is so low that they refer to it as the ‘Empty Diagonal’? The Diagonale du Vide has an average of only 30 … Read more
Taupo and Rotorua a hives of geothermal activity, natural beauty and outdoor activities of all varieties. Located in the middle of the North Island in Waikato and the Bay of Plenty, they are two popular … Read more
Visiting the UNESCO World Heritage sites of France is always a treat. From ornate cathedrals, to ancient roman ruins and natural sites of wonder – France has a beautiful spread of heritage to enjoy. This … Read more
Some of the oldest streets in Paris are south of the river, on the Left Bank. It was, and is still in many ways, the bohemian and artistic heart of Paris. While historically more laid-back … Read more
As we sat on the square in Xagħra, Gozo, admiring the limestone church as it shone golden in the winter sun, we started to get an inkling of how special the island of Gozo is. … Read more
The 9 National Parks of California are some of the most breathtaking, diverse and soul-lifting in the whole of the United States. From the red earth and cholla cactuses of Joshua Tree, to the mighty … Read more
Thanks to a thriving textile trade, Ghent was once one of the biggest and richest cities in this part of Europe. This medieval legacy leaves incredible buildings, riverside castles, and beautiful churches for us to … Read more
Yosemite National Park is one of California’s National Parks. East of San Francisco, in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Yosemite is blessed with a dynamic typography, which lends itself to glorious vistas and diverse landscapes. … Read more
Muir Woods National Monument is a grove of ancient coastal redwoods in Mill Valley, over the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. The oldest trees are around 1200 years old, and walking through the quiet … Read more
Have you ever experienced love at first sight, but with a city? I had that experience with Turin. We were driving across the north of Italy on one of our epic autumn Italian road trips, … Read more
Living in France, just a couple of hours by train south of Paris, I am lucky to have easy access to areas outside of Paris. While I make no bones about Paris being my favourite … Read more
When you search for things to do in Barcelona, you’ll often see a day trip to the Monastery at Montserrat recommended. This hilltop haven is tucked high up in the Montserrat mountain range, about an … Read more
Barcelona is equal parts captivating and chaotic. Grand boulevards slice through the city, yet give way to gothic alleyways. Layers of humanity and tourism fight (occasionally) for space and infrastructure. A weekend in Barcelona, Catalonia’s … Read more
There are infinite possibilities of great Californian destinations to choose from, but this is my ideal combination of cities, coastline, national parks and beautiful wide open roads. We have spent many weeks road-tripping around California, … Read more
The Blue Mountains are an hour and a half outside of Sydney, Australia. This proximity makes them a popular day trip, but in my opinion they deserve a couple of days of exploration. Here are … Read more