As one of the most photogenic Greek islands, I had high expectations for Santorini. What surprised me most was that Oia, the picture-perfect town perched high on the island, is very different to the rest of the volcanic island. We arrived by tender boat after hopping off the cruise ship and met a bus which would drive us up the island to Oia. We passed … Continue reading Santorini Photo Diary
I’ve never seen anything quite like it. I thought the Palace of Versailles was grand, but Paris’ Opera Garnier blows it out of the water. Every inch is a tribute to opulence. Completed in 1875 by architect Charles Garnier, Opera Garnier is Europe’s largest opera houses. It is the setting for Gaston Leyroux’s Phantom of the Opera, a famous play which is now also the longest-running show … Continue reading The Glory of Opera Garnier, Paris
Beautiful Paris offers endless possibilities for ways to spend your days, but if you need a little inspiration, look no further. This list of 50 things to do in Paris has ideas for first time visitors, and old hands alike. Tell me your suggestions in the comments! 📍 Planning a trip to Paris? Check out my complete guide Where to Stay in Paris for First … Continue reading 50 Things to Do in Paris
Water that really sparkles. Deep blue oceans and glittering turquoise grottos. Endless blue skies. Golden yet gentle sunshine. Diving off the boat deep into the Mediterranean’s Tyrrhenian Sea. Watching my worries float away as I soaked up the sunshine from the deck. Sailing around Capri was one of the highlights from my five weeks in Europe. The most blissful day I’ve ever had while travelling … Continue reading This is bliss: Sailing around Capri
UPDATE: This post has been updated with useful information about where to find the best gelato in France, Italy & Greece, here. Forget your daily bread, in France & Italy it was all about the daily gelato for us! From fruity to creamy to organic, we put as much as we could to a taste test. It took our mind’s off our blistered feet, cheered … Continue reading France & Italy: The Gelato Diaries
Breakfast may be the first “meal” of the day in Italy but unlike at home, it isn’t the most important. A typical Italian breakfast is a coffee and a cigarette, and maybe a cornetti, cannoli, crostata, sfogli or some other kind of sweet pastry. In stark contrast to every other meal which seems to be a slow, pleasurable sit-down affair, breakfast is a quick pit … Continue reading Eating in Italy: Breakfast
I’ve been a bit quiet lately because I’m currently travelling – I’m enjoying five weeks of France, Italy and Greece. I won’t be posting until I get home ( living every moment while overseas) but you can follow my adventures by following me on Instagram: genevievehassall I’ll be posting again in late September. Happy travels! Genevieve LaurenHello! I’m an Australian travel blogger, living in Melbourne, … Continue reading Follow me on the road: Italy & Greece
Wander through the labyrinth-like streets of the Latin Quarter in Paris and you’ll be spoilt for choice, if not a little overwhelmed. The narrow, winding streets make it difficult to retrace your steps but despite this, don’t stop at the first restaurant that catches your eye. I like to go before I get desperately hungry, so I can have a little wander and enjoy the … Continue reading Eating in Paris: The Latin Quarter
The first time I saw snow was at the top of Mt Pilatus, the iconic mountain looming over the tiny town of Luzern. The scenic gondola ride up the mountain is worth the trip in itself . From the top level, you can climb a set of slipper steps to the peak. The enormity of the Pilatus and the surrounding mountains, blanked in snow made the … Continue reading Floating up Mt Pilatus, Luzern
Sometimes the smallest stars shine the brightest. I visited Sainte-Chapelle in Paris in December 2011 and I’ve never been so in awe of anywhere. It is smaller than Notre Dame, but in my opinion, it is so much more beautiful. There isn’t a square inch of the interior that isn’t painted, coloured, carved or adorned with gold leaf. The lower chapel was beautiful, but I was … Continue reading Sainte-Chapelle: A 13th century treasure