That’s Amore Pasta Cooking Class, Rome
The best thing about eating pasta in Italy? It’s free from the “evil carbs” baggage that it gets burdened with back home. No, Italian pasta doesn’t make you “fat” – just look at all the Italians. As our local guide explained, Italians don’t eat pasta drenched in creamy, fatty sauces. Our idea of a spaghetti bolognaise is virtually foreign to them and a carbonara in … Continue reading That’s Amore Pasta Cooking Class, Rome
Stay in Florence: Hotel Alessandra
Hotel Alessandra in Florence is a fantastic deal. It sits only a street back from the Ponte Vecchio, located in a beautiful old building in a street dotted with artisan shops and small family-owned restaurants. The Room I couldn’t believe how enormous and charming our room was, with ample room for an king sized bed, armoire, a window seat, a sink and two big armchairs. … Continue reading Stay in Florence: Hotel Alessandra
Organic Gelato in Florence: Edoardo Il Gelato Biologico
The most delicious gelato in Florence is Edoardo’s, right under the Duomo. It stands out against the countless old-school gelatarias in Italy with modern decor and most importantly, gelato that is kept under wraps (or, metal lids), a sign of a true gelato mastery. Gelato is kept freshest this way and  as tempting as gelato piled high in cabinet windows may look, it is the … Continue reading Organic Gelato in Florence: Edoardo Il Gelato Biologico
Treating my feet on an Amalfi beach
The Italian Riviera was good for my feet. In Sorrento I bought custom made sandals and on the Amalfi beach I enjoyed a foot massage, which I purchased before remembering that I have insanely ticklish feet. I managed not to kick the masseuse, but I gave my stomach muscles a work out as I tried not to giggle. Like Positano, the small town of Amalfi is … Continue reading Treating my feet on an Amalfi beach
Whirlwind weekend in Melbourne Part I
My boyfriend is interning in Melbourne this summer, so I visited from him over the weekend. I had an amazing time and can’t to go back over New Year’s Eve – with better walking shoes. He is staying in a great apartment off Collins Street, but in a big city like Melbourne even basing yourself in the city centre still involves a lot of pounding … Continue reading Whirlwind weekend in Melbourne Part I
La Defense Neighbourhood Guide, Paris
Wide boulevards, elegant stone buildings with gun-metal grey roofs and few buildings more than five or six stories tall. This is how we tend to think of Paris. It wasn’t until my third visit to Paris that I saw a different side to the City of Light. La Defense, technically outside the city’s limits, is Paris’ modern business district. Free of height restrictions, skyscrapers grow … Continue reading La Defense Neighbourhood Guide, Paris
Seeking advice for armchair travel
Really, I’m here to ask for you recommendations for honest travel books (and, while we’re at it, I’m going to Melbourne next weekend – any suggestions?) I used to spend hours (often, during class) soaking up every word on the Lonely Planet website. Cities I’d never heard of were at my fingertips and I loved reading the vivid introductions crafted for each town which imbued … Continue reading Seeking advice for armchair travel
Postcards: Make time for Moreton Island
I can’t believe it took me 20 years to get to Moreton Island. I’d heard of it, sure. It seems almost everyone in Brisbane has been for a day trip or a weekend away camping. However, I’d never prioritised it as something I had to see. It’s easy to take for granted something that is so close to home and I’ve been very guilty of engaging more … Continue reading Postcards: Make time for Moreton Island
Escape the Cinque Terre crowds in Levanto
I don’t know why we decided to stay in Levanto, rather than a Cinque Terre town, but I’m so glad we did. I fell in love with this peaceful seaside village quite by mistake. In fact, when we arrived with no map and not a clue of which direction to go in, I questioned why I decided to go to Levanto in the first place. … Continue reading Escape the Cinque Terre crowds in Levanto
7 Travel Cliches that Need to Die
I talk about travel a lot, I write about travel a lots, I read about travel a lot and I think about it a whole lot more. In all this travel chatter, I’ve come across a few common assumptions and beliefs perpetuated in the modern travel discourse that drive me absolutely bananas. 1. You “do” cities This is just semantics, but when I hear someone … Continue reading 7 Travel Cliches that Need to Die