Category: Europe

Avignon, France, Provence

Finding the Parc des Rocher Doms in Avignon

It was only 10 AM, but Avignon’s cobblestone streets were already hot after a few hours baking in the August sunshine. The city’s medieval alleyways provide surprisingly little shade and the park in the city centre isn’t much better. Visiting the famous Palace des Papes, France’s former home to the Pope, and the Pont St Benezet, the famous half-crumbled bridge from French nursery rhymes, was … Continue reading Finding the Parc des Rocher Doms in Avignon

Genevieve Lauren2 Comments
Amsterdam, Europe, Netherlands

Wanderlust: Amsterdam in Spring

Two days after I left Amsterdam in early 2012, the cold snap hit. It was so cold that the canal froze over and cars on the street were turned into ice sculptures. It was not ideal travelling weather, to say the least. Unfortuantely, this affected my enjoyment of Amsterdam and Berlin, the two final (and coldest) cities on my first trip around Europe. No matter … Continue reading Wanderlust: Amsterdam in Spring

Genevieve Lauren2 Comments
Cinque Terre, Europe, Italy

Postcards from Vernazza, Cinque Terre

We broke the “real” traveller’s cardinal rule for Cinque Terre. We didn’t hike any  of it. It wasn’t planned that way, but that’s how it worked out. I lugged my hiking gear through Europe for naught, but I regret nothing. We spent our first couple of nights in the nearby seaside village of Levanto, which was an unexpected delight and is now my ultimate relaxation … Continue reading Postcards from Vernazza, Cinque Terre

Genevieve Lauren12 Comments
Europe, France, History, Paris

Archaeological crypt of Notre Dame: Roman ruins in Paris

With it’s grand boulevards, historic mansions and charming lack of skyscrapers, it can seem like Paris is stuck in the 19th century. The Archaeological Crypt of Notre Dame underneath Notre Dame Cathedral in Ile de City shows that it’s a city in a constant state of change. In the 1960s, during excavations for a car park outside Notre Dame, ancient Roman ruins were discovered 80 … Continue reading Archaeological crypt of Notre Dame: Roman ruins in Paris

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Europe, Germany, Greece, London, Rome, Venice

5 Places I want to re-visit

 I didn’t fall in love with most of the places on this list when I visited for the first time. I’m not expecting to love every city or country I visit, but I think part of the reason I didn’t “get” it was to do with having not enough time, the weather, or other external factors in my life that didn’t really have anything to … Continue reading 5 Places I want to re-visit

Genevieve Lauren14 Comments
Food & Drink, Italy

Naples: Slow pizza & quick crooks

Our Roman tour guide had a strong distrust of any Italians who lived south of Rome, and it is a sentiment echoed by many Italians throughout central and northern Italy. We’d heard rumours that the mafia in Napoli had the city under its thumb, taunting citizens by cutting off the garbage collection and letting putrid trash pile up in the streets if the local government … Continue reading Naples: Slow pizza & quick crooks

Genevieve Lauren4 Comments
Europe, France, Paris

One Perfect Day in Paris

If I only had 24 hours in Paris, this is how I’d spend it. No Eiffel Tower, no Louvre, no Moulin Rouge. A few icons, a few shops, a few fabulous views and lots of delicious food. Morning Breakfast: I’d start my day right with a pain au chocolat at the nearest boulangerie. Nowhere has pastries like Paris. Afterwards, I’d head to Musee de l’Orangerie … Continue reading One Perfect Day in Paris

Genevieve Lauren12 Comments
Europe, Spain

Malaga, Spain: Culture on the Costa del Sol

When I’m not travelling or planning my next trip, I’m indulging in wanderlust. If I’m not researching places on the Internet or trawling travel blogs I probably have my nose in a book by travel writers from all walks of life. I just can’t get enough! I’ve decided to indulge a little further and write the occasional post about the places that are taking up … Continue reading Malaga, Spain: Culture on the Costa del Sol

Genevieve Lauren1 Comment
Europe, Italy, Levanto

Stay in Levanto: Villa Clelia B&B

As regular readers of this blog will know, it’s my mission to have the most beautiful travel experiences I can afford without breaking the bank (or roughing it). Villa Clelia is the epitome of this philosophy and I wish I had stayed here longer – I will definitely be back. It really makes such a difference to your holiday when you feel welcome at your accommodation and Villa … Continue reading Stay in Levanto: Villa Clelia B&B

Genevieve Lauren2 Comments