Australia, Islands & Beaches, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Travel Itineraries, Victoria

Itinerary for One Month in Australia: Cairns to Melbourne

This itinerary for one month in Australia, from Cairns to Melbourne, covers some of the country’s most beautiful scenery and charming cities, from the Great Barrier Reef in the north to the Great Ocean Road in the south. This travel itinerary covers Australia’s three largest cities, four state capital cities and five states. If you have one month to visit Australia, you’ll get the most … Continue reading Itinerary for One Month in Australia: Cairns to Melbourne

Genevieve LaurenSeptember 10, 2025November 22, 20259 Comments

Europe, France, History, Versailles

The Temple of Love in the gardens of Versailles

The Temple of Love is a neo-classical temple in the English Gardens at Versailles, erected for Marie Antoinette. The Queen preferred the more “natural” style of the fashionable English gardens, as opposed to the French order imposed upon meticulous greenhouses and manicured garden beds, which you can see in the rest of the gardens. You could lose hours in the seemingly never-ending gardens of Versailles. … Continue reading The Temple of Love in the gardens of Versailles

Genevieve LaurenJanuary 10, 2024October 29, 20255 Comments

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef, Destination Guides, Islands & Beaches

15 Amazing Things to Do in Queensland’s Tropics

Queensland is a magnet for superlatives. Biggest. Oldest. Most Beautiful. Only. Queensland’s tropics are famous the world over for natural marvels like The Great Barrier Reef, lush rainforests, idyllic beaches and islands and colourful local character. I’ve rounded up the best things I’ve experienced in Tropical North Queensland, hopefully to inspire you to explore the region too. Read More: The Ultimate Queensland Travel Guide 1. … Continue reading 15 Amazing Things to Do in Queensland’s Tropics

Genevieve LaurenMay 26, 2019November 22, 20252 Comments

Sydney

A Girls Weekend in Sydney

Sydney is the first stop for most travellers when they come to Australia, yet despite growing up not far north, in Brisbane, I felt like I hardly knew the city. I’ve visited on a childhood trip with my family, a few work trips and a couple of weekenders, but felt like I was missing what made Sydney so special. Since I moved from Brisbane to … Continue reading A Girls Weekend in Sydney

Genevieve LaurenJanuary 10, 2018September 7, 20256 Comments

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef, Islands & Beaches, Nature

Cape Tribulation: The Only Place in the World…

Cape Tribulation in Tropical North Queensland is the only place in the world where two World Heritage Listed Sites collide. It’s not every day you get to visit a place that is truly the only kind in its category, so walking along the beach at “Cape Trib” was pretty special. I acknowledge the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people as the First Nations owners of the land … Continue reading Cape Tribulation: The Only Place in the World…

Genevieve LaurenMay 1, 2015November 3, 202511 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 LaurenDecember 4, 2014August 5, 202512 Comments

Country NSW, Nature, North Coast NSW

The Best of Waterfall Way, NSW

Waterfall Way is a scenic drive in northern New South Wales, which is dotted with beautiful waterfalls, national parks and charming country towns. It is one of Australia’s best kept secrets, and I’m surprised at how I have never read about Waterfall Way or seen it anywhere else on the Internet, in guide books, etc. I took a four-day weekend this week and went on a … Continue reading The Best of Waterfall Way, NSW

Genevieve LaurenOctober 1, 2014October 14, 202113 Comments

Cinque Terre, Islands & Beaches, Italy, Nature

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

Genevieve LaurenOctober 26, 2013August 5, 202512 Comments

Europe, France, History, Versailles

Don’t miss Marie Antoinette’s fairytale village in Versailles

Visiting the famous Chateau de Versailles is a popular and worthwhile day trip from Paris. Built by the lavish Louis XIV, the Sun King, the palace is one of the most extravagant in Europe. The palace itself is impressive, but in my opinion the best part of the estate is the garden. My favourite part of the sprawling garden is Marie Antoinette’s little village at … Continue reading Don’t miss Marie Antoinette’s fairytale village in Versailles

Genevieve LaurenJune 15, 2013October 29, 202515 Comments

Europe, France, History

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

Genevieve LaurenApril 1, 2013September 2, 2025Leave a comment

The Wanderbug

Travel Blog

Tag: UNESCO World Heritage List