Lacock Cotswolds Village UK

Lacock: A Perfect Cotswolds Village

The English Cotswolds are the fairytale ideal of country life. Lacock is regarded as one of the best-preserved villages in the Cotswolds and was the perfect, picturesque stop to break up the drive between London and Bath. I’ve been industriously editing all my old, forgotten photos lately, and I’ve just found these photos of Lacock from a 2012 trip (yes, bit overdue).It was only a … Continue reading Lacock: A Perfect Cotswolds Village

View from boroka lookout in the grampians victoria australia

Highlights from a weekend in the Grampians

Last weekend, I visited The Grampians for the first time with two girlfriends, Olivia and Marlo. The Grampians National Park is one of the most beloved regions of Victoria, around four hours’ drive west of Melbourne. The park is enormous, and best explored in sections. We stayed in Hall’s Gap, which is close to more lookouts, mountains and hiking trails than we could possibly do in … Continue reading Highlights from a weekend in the Grampians

Waterfall Way NSW Australia

Celebrating the in-betweeners on Waterfall Way

Last year I went on a road trip with my family through Waterfall Way, the most beautiful drive in New South Wales. I have been in awe of the beauty of Queensland for years, but before this trip I’d never given regional New South Wales too much thought. I’ve done a few posts about the highlights of the trip, the Queensland section of the trip … Continue reading Celebrating the in-betweeners on Waterfall Way

Tenterfield nSW Australia charming country town

Visiting Tenterfield, NSW

Despite being a stone’s throw from the Queensland border, and miles from Sydney, Tenterfield immediately struck me as a town belonging to New South Wales. The wide thoroughfares, palm trees and occasional sandstone building of Warwick was swapped for narrow streets lined with a charming collection of colourful, beautifully-preserved buildings from the late 19th and early 20th century. Read more: The Most Charming Country Towns in Australia … Continue reading Visiting Tenterfield, NSW

Where to eat in Montville, Sunshine Coast Hinterland

It’s that time of year when a weekend escape calls for swapping beach trips for crisp days and cool nights rugged up in the mountains. Apart from the spectacular scenery, one of the best things about cool-weather hinterland holidays is the abundance of delicious food & wine at your fingertips. One of my favourite winter breaks in Queensland is in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, in the mountains behind … Continue reading Where to eat in Montville, Sunshine Coast Hinterland

One perfect day in Southern QLD Country

Sometimes you just need the wide open spaces. Endless blue skies, rolling green and gold hills, plunging waterfalls, good ol’ country hospitality and roadside pumpkin stands. Wineries, distilleries, orchards & dairies with cheese-so-good-you-could-eat-it-with-a-spoon certainly don’t hurt either. Southern Queensland Country is at its most beautiful in Autumn when the crisp country air gets a little chilly and the trees erupt in flaming golden foliage. A … Continue reading One perfect day in Southern QLD Country

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

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

Monterosso: The best beach in Cinque Terre

Monterosso al Mare is one of my favourite Cinque Terre villages, for having the best beach. We had lunch on the deck of Nuovo Bar Eden, overlooking one of the private beaches.  The fact that you can charge people for a beach seems so strange to me – I know that wouldn’t go down well in Australia. How can anyone set up shop and own the … Continue reading Monterosso: The best beach in Cinque Terre

Classic cars & Relaxing in Reims

Charming Reims is a breath of fresh air after the hustle and bustle of Paris. I felt myself relax and loosen my tight grip on my handbag as I slowed down to a leisurely stroll along wide, cobbled streets. Despite being the capital of the beautiful Champagne region, the streets were quiet and the town was cloaked in a soft silence that encouraged a slower … Continue reading Classic cars & Relaxing in Reims