Tag: Travel

My Favourite things to do in La La Land…

On By louiseIn Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

It’s absolutely no secret that I adore Southern California. From the golden sunsets to sandy beaches I’m completely head over heels in love. It all started in 2015 when my husband and I spent a month on honeymoon along the West Coast of America. It was such a fun and dreamy time that I would relive over and over again in a heartbeat. We had just so much fun and it was from that moment on that Los Angeles became one of my favourite places in the world. That’s why when the opportunity arose to spend ten days in LA again I leapt at the chance and we were on a plane to soak up the sun by the time you could say USA. Well, almost. 
Anyway after returning from our trip I have been inspired to put together a few things that I love to do when I’m over in La La Land.

Being a Disney addict means that no trip is complete without a Mickey fix and the parks in California are fabulous. 

I must admit that the Adventure park and Disneyland itself are my favourite of all the Disney parks that I’ve visited (which includes Walt Disney World in Florida!). 

I think that the fact that this park was the original just gives it a little extra sparkle and there’s so many unique rides that I just love (the Cars ride is so cool!).  I also like that you can hop between the parks super easily (like in Paris) and it’s not overwhelming (like WDW can be). Plus it’s all in English so I feel like I experience it fully. Anyway, I always have so much fun here so I would definitely recommend a visit!

One of the other things that I love to do is shop. We love walking around the mall having a nosey and until recently you could pick up quite a bargain with the US/GBP exchange rate. A lot of my favourite brands are American so I’m in my element!

A new discovery from our recent trip was Knott’s Berry Farm, which is a theme park located in Anaheim. It’s so much fun and quite quirky. They have a couple of really odd rides there. It’s also not as busy as Disney and we literally never queued for anything. Hurrah!

We stayed in Santa Monica for a few days on this trip and it was really lovely. We loved cycling along the beach (which is also what I loved doing on our honeymoon in Long Beach), and the cycle paths that are literally on the beach make it super safe and easy. There’s loads of places to rent bicycles cheaply too. I think we paid around $16 for a couple of hours. 

There’s quite a lot to do in Santa Monica from the pier to Muscle Beach and the beach itself is layered with beautiful golden sands.

Long Beach is a gorgeous place to explore with lots of nice restaurants and a pretty marina to walk around. It’s also where they filmed a scene in Clueless which always excites me!

I went whale watching on this trip which is something I didn’t do last time as we had just been swimming with sharks in Hawaii and  poor Phil had felt terribly seasick so he didn’t fancy hopping on a boat. We also went whale watching in Iceland last year which was unsuccessful as I didn’t see any whales and poor Phil spent the four hour boat journey vomiting! 

This time I went with my friend Kate and was absolutely blown away. We were so incredibly lucky to see four grey whales as well as lots of sea lions. It was one of the most enchanting experiences seeing these wonderful giants living wild and free. We used our LA Go cards for this trip (as well as Universal and Knott’s Berry Farm!), so it wasn’t remotely expensive. I am planning on going again when we next visit for the summer migration.

Long Beach is also rather lovely with its marina and, er, beach. There are lots of nice restaurants in the hood (including the delicious Wokcano) and there are lots of cute places to enjoy the LA Lifestyle. As well as some totally instagrammable shops near the marina.

Have you visited LA? What would you recommend?

L x 

10 Essential tips for travelling to Hong Kong…

On By louiseIn Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

At the start of January we headed over to Hong Kong to celebrate my birthday. I was so, so excited to explore a part of the world that was new to me and couldn’t wait to take it all in. Luckily for us, I have a wonderful friend from my uni days who lives in Hong Kong and we also met a man on the plane who lives there too, so we quizzed both of them on their top tips and must see places. I now present to you my top ten tips for visiting Hong Kong…


1. Get yourself an Octopus card

I had heard about the Octopus card that is used all over Hong Kong. It’s a prepaid card that works like an Oyster card in London. It’s great because you can save so much money on public transport by having one. As a Londoner, I found the MTR to be super cheap and such a convenient way to get around town. You can also use your Octopus to pay for things in fast food restaurants and convenience stores.


Dress: AllSaints


2. Buy theme park tickets from 7 Eleven

This is a tip that we picked up from our chatty plane companion. Tickets for places such as Disneyland and Ocean Park can be picked up from the 7 Eleven stores that are all over the city. There are two major pluses for this; firstly, no queues on arrival and secondly they are a couple of quid cheaper – hurrah!


3. Use the Openrice app

This tip was given to us by our lovely friend Cindy. It’s basically an app that you can use to source restaurants, cafes and general eateries. People post reviews and photos of the food. I found this super handy because it’s always a good idea to go on recommendations from others and we could see what was around when we were hungry. Plus I’m super cautious over food hygiene when eating out and this gave us a bit of a heads up.


Taken at Yum Cha in Tsim Sha Tsui.

4. Haggle at the markets

The night markets in Hong Kong are great, especially for choosing souvenirs. Make sure you know what price you are prepared to pay and haggle down if you think it’s on the steep side. There are some bargains to be had, but some merchants will try to take advantage of you!


5. Take advantage of the MTR

I loved using the MTR whilst we were away. I’m always a fan of walking lots and using public transport whilst away because I feel like you really get to see the place. The MTR goes all over Hong Kong and has stops near all of the major attractions. It even has a Disney themed train!

6. But also don’t be afraid to use a taxi

I was so surprised at just how reasonable the taxis are. When we arrived at the airport we went over to the taxi rank and it was so well organised. We knew how much we would be paying, the taxis are colour coded (red for Tsim Sha Tsui) and they’re all registered too, so we felt safe.


7. Do Disney

Disneyland in Hong Kong is really special. It’s much smaller than the other Disney parks that I’ve visited, it’s bitesized and a perfect addition to a visit to Hong Kong. We visited on my birthday and had such a fun day. It was super quiet in the park and we didn’t need to queue for any rides except for the Iron Man ride which had a twenty minute queue and had opened that day. We had so much time to do everything because we weren’t queuing all day and watched two parades, one show and met a few of the characters. All in all a fantastic birthday. Also, take advantage of the free wifi and fast passes.


8. Accept that it’s busy

Hong Kong is a bustling hive twenty-four/seven. We dragged our jet lagged selves out in the early hours one night for a drink and snack only to be greeted with streets still alive with people. It’s incredible. And also ridiculously handy if you need a shop in the middle of the night (which we actually did one evening when I was unwell!). It’s a bit daunting that the city is so tall and busy, but I think that’s part of Hong Kong’s charm. It’s pulse barely reaches resting state. So just be prepared to embrace it’s intensity.


9. Happy Valley Race course 

Apparently, Happy Valley Race Course serves cheap drinks and it’s a great place to go for a night out. We didn’t find alcohol particularly expensive during our trip, but according to our plane pal, the race course is where it’s happening.

10. Check out the free places 

There are lots of places to visit in Hong Kong that are either free or require a small donation. There are some beautiful temples, parks and gardens to explore. Perfect for those on a budget. Check out the Avenue of Stars for something quirky.
Have you visited Hong Kong?

L x 

A weekend in Munich…

On By louiseIn Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Over the summer, we were lucky enough to escape to Munich for a long weekend. I hadn’t been before, but the hubby had and said that it was really gorgeous, so I was excited to go. Being the type of person I am, I immediately began researching what we could cram into our weekend, I wanted to see as much of this city as we could in a short space of time.

After a flight cancellation followed by a flight delay (cheers BA!), we arrived in Munich. The sun was shining as we rode the train from the airport to the city. I loved looking out of the window and catching a glimpse of the countryside. There’s something so serene about fields dipped in sunshine. 

Upon our arrival I ditched our bags and headed out for a walk to explore. We were so, so lucky with the weather. It was just one of those perfect summer days. Warm and enchanting. I had a mooch around town, stopping for an ice cream whilst absorbing the sumptuous architecture. I felt really safe walking around and free too. I had a lovely couple of hours.

Later on we went for a walk along the river. It was so alive with people swimming and catching the last of the day’s rays. I had a paddle and the water was lovely, so clean and refreshing. I couldn’t imagine an atmosphere like it in London with the murky Thames!

I was so surprised at just how beautiful the city is. With its architecture, people and atmosphere it’s just such a positive place.

We found a great Mexican restaurant for dinner and had amazing burritos before continuing our stroll around until the sun set.

Munich is quite an active city with cyclists galore, runners and dog walkers. It was great to see so many people out and about.

On our second day we were up and out quite early, eager to explore as much as we could in our weekend in Munich. The streets lining the river have some great street art and I loved just taking it all in. 

Munich made me feel so light and free, it is such a relaxing place. 

We had decided that we were going to visit the zoo which was an hours’ walk from our hotel. I like to walk a lot when we are away so that I don’t miss the little details. I’m so glad that we did because we stumbled across a little market in Mariah Platz. The market sold fresh, local produce, plants and cute gifts. My favourite part was looking at all of the gorgeous flowers in full bloom.

We continued our walk and found an Italian restaurant with Al Fresco dining. Again, the weather was divine, so it was lovely to sit outside stuffing our faces!

Once we arrived at the zoo I was so surprised by how large it was. For a city zoo, I was impressed with the enclosures and also the amount of free space for families. There are lots of play areas and you could literally spend the whole day there. My favourite spot was on the sun loungers by the giraffe enclosure. So much love for lounging in the sun!

Soon enough it was time to start our walk back to our hotel. We were almost there when a thunderstorm started, so we ran into a shopping centre to grab dinner and shelter from the rain.

The following day was our last in Munich and we really wanted to check out a restaurant that we had seen on the first day and explore the English Garden.

The restaurant was Speisen and Getranke, a trendy burger place with an amazing woodland interior. The food was super lush and we loved it.

We then headed over to the English Garden which I think is Munich’s version of Hyde Park.

The park was lovely and filled with people enjoying the weekend. We found some surfers practicing in the river, which I really wasn’t expecting. I loved watching them though, we spent ages there!

Before long it was time for us to head back to rainy old London.

We had such a lovely time in Munich and I feel like it’s the kind of city that I would love to return to. It has everything needed for a weekend getaway.


Have you visited Munich? Where’s your favourite place for a weekend away?
L x 

9 things to do in Munich…

On By louiseIn Food, Travel, Uncategorized2 Comments


We were lucky enough to escape for a cheeky weekend away in Munich this summer. I hadn’t been before and was pleasantly surprised – it’s a gorgeous city packed with things to do. Here are nine things that you can pack into your trip to Munich.

1. Shopping. Now I’m quite aware that this may seem like a bland thing to do whilst in such a beautiful city, but Germany have amazing treats hidden in their supermarkets from tasty chocolate to strong beers, it’s all there and worth a nose at.

2. Hire a bike. Literally everyone cycles in Munich and with their well planned cycle lanes and just general awareness for cyclists, it’s a great way to get around whilst exploring.

3. Check out the architecture. Munich is home to some of the most gorgeous buildings riddled with history. You only have to walk around to become enveloped in their beauty.

4. Hang out by the river. On a sunny day, an evening by the river is where it’s at. Bring your swimmers if you fancy and soak up the bohemian atmosphere.

5. Check out the local markets. There are a few markets on all over the city on weekends. We visited the market on Mariah Platz that runs every Saturday. You can find local produce from little gifts, fresh fruits and plants. We loved having a little nose around!

6. Eat, eat and eat some more. There are so, so many restaurants dotted around the city covering every type of cuisine. We found lots of independent restaurants that served delicious food from Italy to Mexico!

7. Visit the zoo. Munich is home to a lovely zoo that is actually quite large. It’s really family friendly and they are working on a lot of conservation projects too. 

8. Go to the English Garden. The English Garden is a wonderful park in the heart of Munich. Filled with dog walkers, joggers and surfers, it’s a great way to spend a few hours. We loved watching the surfers at the park (something I never expected to see!).

9. Take a day trip to Neustwanstein Castle. You can easily catch the train from Munich Central and head on over to the iconic castle that’s been used in many films. Sadly we didn’t squeeze it in this time, but I’m all over it the next time we visit!

Have you visited Munich?

L x 

12 Things you must do in Venice…

On By louiseIn Food, Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment


As we flew above the sea, descending into a new world, I couldn’t tear myself away from the plastic oval window that I was sat beside. I looked down at the tiny islands surrounded by water and tried to distinguish which one was which. Was I looking at the famous glass island or the one with the coloured houses?  I had heard many great tales of this little spot in Italy. Stories of magnificent beauty, magic and untold amounts of gondolas guided by men singing ‘just one Cornetto’. I couldn’t wait to explore.

You see, Venice had been on the ‘list’ for a while and as a huge fan of everything Italian, I knew I needed to go. That’s why I was super thrilled when our lovely friends Kim and Simon (or Kimon as I like to call them), suggested a trip, I had my passport in my hand before you could say ‘gelato’. 

We had chosen to travel in the summer, which was something that I had been warned against. Told that it was smelly and crowded. I had heard about such an odour from so many people that I genuinely wasn’t sure whether or not I needed to pack a peg for my nose. I was absolutely delighted when upon our arrival I discovered that it really isn’t that smelly and no more crowded than London, so I tossed my carefree nose in the air and began to enjoy the beauty that is Venice. 

The sun was shining and the water glistened as it danced underneath, surrounding us on our little island. There were no roads, no traffic lights, just bridge upon bridge over little canals weaving through the land. Boats were an accessory to the water, like a new pair of boots on a rainy day. Enjoyable, yet completely convenient. I have always had a charming love affair with both the sea and travelling by boat. I love how free I feel bobbing along, taking in my surroundings. Needless to say, I fell completely in love with Venice. The people, the food, the beautiful architecture, the boat rides, the beach and mostly, the fact that in all of the places that we have visited, the sights we have seen, Venice is remarkably unique. 
We had such a tremendous time exploring what Venice has to offer. I find that when I am visiting somewhere new, I need to experience it. Fully. I need to walk the streets the locals walk, I need to see all of the famous landmarks. I need to eat the local cuisine. I need to absorb so much that I can barely move. 

In case you haven’t guessed, I loved our time in Venice and I now present to you twelve things you must do in Venice.


1. Take in the architecture.

Have a meander around the cobbled streets that are swallowed by buildings, creating tiny walkways, but don’t forget to look up for there are so many gorgeous buildings oozing Italian history. Forget your Millenium Dome, these buildings have been here for centuries and they are pretty gorgeous! 

2. Visit Murano – the glass island.

Murano is a great little island to explore, especially if you want to get away from the rush on the main island. It’s a little quieter, but just as beautiful with gorgeous buildings and cute little glass shops.

3. Go on a Gondola ride.

Whilst they are a little on the pricey side (80 € per boat for around half an hour), I simply couldn’t imagine having visited Venice without going on a gondola. The idea just feels criminal. You can find slightly cheaper rides just off of the main canal, and to be honest the best part of our ride was meandering down the narrow paths, away from the big boats on the main canal, so if you are looking to save a bit of cash it’s a good way to go. We all loved our ride on the gondola. Just don’t expect them to be singing ‘just one Cornetto’. I was terribly disappointed.

4. Stuff your face with the most scrumptious authentic Italian cuisine.

Eat, eat and then eat some more. There are so many cute little restaurants lining the streets of Venice, each one offering wonderful traditional dishes. I am a big fan of Italian food and loved shovelling pasta in my face. They are all pretty reasonably priced too, and there are a few pizzerias where you can grab a slice of pizza for a Euro or two.

5. Visit a glass making factory on Murano.

There are a few factories on the island of Murano and many of them offer free tours where you can watch the glass being made. Definitely worth a nosey!

6. Visit the Lido island.

The Lido island feels a bit more familiar with its roads and larger shops. It’s still very beautiful and worth a stroll around.

7. Have a day at the beach.

The beach on the Lido island is so lovely with golden sand and warm waters. There are also little restaurants nearby and beach shops, so it’s so easy to spend the whole day there. They also have volleyball and boat hire facilities if you are feeling fun!

8. Hire a bicycle

Why not explore the islands by bicycle? There are a few places dotted around, especially on the Lido island. With virtually no cars, cycling is a great way to get around. 

9. Head over to Burano

Burano is a stunning island riddled with brightly coloured houses. It’s so unique and there are lots of restaurants and shops around to spend a few hours.

10. Eat copious amounts of gelato.

When in Italy it is of paramount importance that the consumption of gelato takes place on multiple occasions throughout the day. There are so, so many different flavours to try and each gelataria has their own speciality flavour. Try them all!

11. Grab a Venetian mask 

Venice is reknowned for its unique masks and there are so many shops on the main island selling traditional Venetian masks. We loved looking at all of the crazy designs and seeing how they are made. 

12. Watch the story of Venice

Something that I wish we had done was watch the story of Venice performed on stage. There is a show that runs most nights on the main island, but unfortunately I only heard about it on our last day, so we were unable to go. It’s performed in English and sounds really good, so give it a go if you can!


So there you have it, my guide of things to do in Venice.

Have you visited Venice before?

L x 

The day I fell in love with Paleokastritsa…

On By louiseIn Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

It was a little after eight A M when we set off on our adventure to explore the island of Corfu. It was already well into the late twenties, and I knew that it would be a scorcher of a day, miles away from our non-existent summer in grey London. 

I’ve always had a warm place in my heart for the Greek islands, blessed with the purest beauty and with welcoming locals they are such a lovely setting for a summer holiday in the Mediterranean and although I had my reservations about Corfu being spoilt by copious amounts of tourists, lads holidays and girls get togethers, I know that there is beauty in every place. You just sometimes have to look for it.

When I had been planning our Greek escape, a word that had been thrown around casually was Paleokastritsa. It was mentioned so casually that it didn’t ignite any particular curiosity in me and I didn’t research what exactly it was. Either way it was on our agenda for a visit and I was so very surprised by our discovery. In many ways I am glad that I didn’t research Paleokastritsa as I got to experience that raw, organic emotion that can only be felt when faced with something so breathtakingly unexpectedly beautiful and whilst photographs really don’t do the place justice, the incredible surprise from my own naivety was simply wonderful. 

As we climbed down the mountain, twisting and turning along the narrowest of roads, passing gorgeous bays basked in brilliant sunshine with a sea so turquoise that you questioned if you had even really seen the colour turqouise before, we were met with a crystal clear sea, a beautiful beach and the perfect place to explore.

Sure it was busy, but there was still plenty of space for us and I couldn’t believe that this was my life and this place was real. This incredible experience of visiting such a magnificent place and being able to just simply enjoy it was divine. I was instantly in love.

It was around lunch time when we arrived and we were both starving. We had been recommended a beach front restaurant called Vrachos and decided to stroll right on over for some delicious Greek food surrounded by stunning scenery. We had a massive meat feast and some courgette cakes that were truly scrumptious and I would highly recommend Vrachos as a place to eat if you are in the area.

Soon after it was time to explore and we went for a paddle in the sea. I was sad that we hadn’t brought swimwear with us, but was determined not to miss out on the pure waters, so waded in as deep as my short shorts would allow. Luckily this was enough for us to explore a cave and climb some rocks.

I loved looking at all of the fish dancing around my feet and watching crabs scurry past. I can’t express how clear the water is, it’s like a sheet of the clearest ice and simply incredible (Did I mention I was in love?!). 

There are two bays in Paleokastritsa that are perfect for swimming, going on a boat ride or simply sunning yourself as well as cute restaurants and shops. It’s got such a quaint, organic feel to it. I felt super relaxed there and loved the laid back atmosphere. It doesn’t need anything fancy, it simply speaks for itself, demanding you to embrace the harshness of the jagged coastline and become mesmerised by the lush waters. Forcing you to enjoy this special place on our magical planet.

Soon it was time for us to head on back to our hotel, but I knew that this first time wouldn’t be the last time I would step here.

So two days later we hired a perhaps slightly dodgy quad bike, filled a backpack with everything you need for a swim at the beach and drove for almost an hour, weaving up and down mountains, having close calls with coaches that are probably a little oversized for this island and having a massive petrol panic after almost running out and there not being a station in sight, before we were once again united with the ultimate gem on the Emerald Isle of Corfu.

I was so thrilled to be able to swim in the beautiful waters and be back at such an awesome place. I loved cooling off and living in a summer holiday dream. I’m so glad that we managed to go back.

In case you couldn’t tell, I would highly recommend visiting this magnificent spot that stole a piece of my heart the moment I set eyes on it. It takes a lot for me to really love a place, I lust after many places around the globe, but love is hard to come by and I’m so glad we visited Paleokastritsa.

Also, shout out to my husband for his patience and taking lots of photos for this little space on the Internet. Here’s a shot of him wading through the water before stepping on a sea urchin so I could have cave and rock photos – it’s not all glamour!

Have you visited Paleokastritsa? Has anywhere stolen your heart?

L x

17 Things to do in Corfu…

On By louiseIn Travel, Uncategorized3 Comments

Summer holiday season is in full swing and it appears that all of my social media feeds consist of people scantily clad and enjoying their holidays. Europe is an amazing place to explore in the summer, with perfect weather spread across the Mediterranean and culture to absorb. The Greek islands hold such a special place in my heart for summer holiday adventures and their natural beauty is unrivalled. I’ve been blown away on each visit. This year we decided to hit up Corfu for the first time and see what this delightful island in the sunshine has to offer. Here are seventeen things to do whilst on holiday in Corfu…
1. Visit Aqualand 

A great way to cool off in the scorching sunshine that us Brits simply aren’t used to is to visit popular water park Aqualand. It’s a great day out for everyone young and old with slides and pools galore. Just make sure you are liberal with the old sunscreen and top up regularly because scorched salmon is not a good look on anyone.


2. Stroll along the Canal D’Amor

The Canal D’Amor is absolutely stunning with incredible cliff top views and gorgeous little caves to swim through. Located to the North of the island, you could easily spend the day taking in their beauty whilst having a swim.

3. Have a lazy day by the pool

Something I was looking forward to doing was taking some time out to just relax by the pool. To do nothing except catch up with a good book, ice cold drink in hand, reeling in the sun’s sumptuous rays. We are all so busy, swept up in modern day life that it’s easy to overlook ourselves and it’s important to switch off from time to time and just be. So grab a book and a sun lounger!

4. Hit up the bars

There are some lovely little bars dotted around all over Corfu. Many with stunning coastal views. Serving nice cold drinks and offering free wifi, it’s a great way to kick start your holiday in the sun.

5. Have an evening walk through the villages

The Greek architecture is so, so cute with lovely painted Mediterranean houses and vibrant flowers outside. It’s great to explore on foot and embrace the lifestyle.
6. Visit Mouse Island and Corfu airport

Mouse island lays in shadow of flights taking off and landing at Corfu airport. It’s such a sweet little island, offering amazing views and general cuteness. You can take a little boat ride across or see it from above, complete with views of the planes taking off and landing. 

7. Stop for an ice cream

There are some lovely places to stop for an ice cream all over Corfu. From authentic Gelataria’s to home made ice cream, there’s a flavour for everyone! 

8. Visit Achillion Palace

Home to Empress Elisabeth, also known as Sisi, Achillion Palace is a must visit if you are after a bit of culture. It’s opulence rivals stately homes owned by the National Trust and the gardens are nothing short of beautiful.

9. Spend the day in Paleokastritsa 

My absolute favourite discovery whilst in Corfu was Paleokastritsa. Perhaps it’s the beauty, maybe it’s the vibes, either way it stole my heart from the moment I arrived. I fell so in love with the place that I insisted that we went back for a second visit. There is so much to do and it’s beauty is literally breath taking.

10. Have a slap up Greek meal

I absolutely adore stuffing my face with Greek food and when I was presented with this platter of an amazingly marinated meat feast with a side of courgette cakes, I knew that I had arrived at the Golden Gates of food heaven.

11. Explore the jagged rocks and coastline

I loved exploring the coast and wading through the sea to climb large rocks. There’s something about being surrounded by such a vast display of natural beauty that puts everything into perspective and I loved it.


12. Visit the Monastery

There’s a lovely Monastery near picture perfect Paleokastritsa and it is definitely worth a visit. Just remember to cover up and be respectful.

13. Go to Bella Vista

If postcard views is what you are after then Bella Vista is your place. The views will blow your mind and there’s a traditional village to explore too as well as lots of restaurants, all with that awesome view.

14. Hire a quad bike and go on a beach crawl

One of my absolute highlights of our trip was cruising along on a quad bike, up and down mountains, stopping at dreamy beaches and generally just getting under the skin of this emerald island.

15. Go on a boat ride

There are so many cruises on offer in Corfu from visits to other islands, caves and general stop and swimsin pretty locations. It’s such a lovely thing to do and a great way to cool off!

16. Visit Albania

Something that we didn’t actually do but toyed with the idea of was taking a ferry across to Albania. It’s so, so close to Corfu and gets another country ticked off of your list. So why not hop on a ferry and get exploring!

17. Spend a day shopping and exploring the town


There are some wonderful shops all selling locally produced products from ceramics, paintings, olive oil and wooden things such as pots and photo frames. We loved exploring the different shops and wandering around the town.
So there you have it, some ideas of things to do in Corfu.
Have you visited Corfu? What did you do?

L x

Tenerife Travel…

On By louiseIn Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

A couple of years ago my then fiancé/now hubby and I took a little Spring trip to Tenerife. I was really excited to go because I had heard such lovely things about the Canary Islands and plus Tenerife was where all of the cool kids at school went on holiday when I was probably exploring Somerset. It always seemed like such an exotic location and the epitome of fun, so let’s just say my hopes were set quite high for our trip.

We booked a hotel to the North of the island and right on the beach. The weather was a complete dream for the duration of our trip – sunshine and in the high twenties. It gave us that little bit of sunshine and warmth that is so desperately craved after a British winter.

On one of the days we walked to a lido that was not only absolutely gorgeous, but also not too busy. It wasn’t expensive either and had lovely saltwater pools. Honestly looking at these pictures makes me want to take another trip, that lido was super lush.

Where we stayed was relatively quiet because the main hub of action tends to be in Los Christianos. We weren’t too fussed about not being where it all goes down because in all honesty it was a holiday for us to just enjoy each other’s company and have a relatively simple trip.

Having said that it is impossible for us to have a lazy stay by the hotel and pool holiday because I’m just programmed to explore, so every day we went for mammoth walks along cliff tops and charcoal coloured beaches, embracing the volcanic charm of the island. The Spanish atmosphere consuming us as we grazed on tapas and attempted to practice our very limited Spanish vocabulary.

The coastline was dramatic and endearing, forgiving and natural. A complete contrast to London life and nine to fives.

I’m always happiest when I’m at the beach, any beach. There’s just something about the crashing of the sea meeting the land that soothes my soul and reminds me of just how my life really is just a drop in the ocean. The purity of the beach informing us that our world is huge and full of natural beauty.

On our walks we stumbled across marinas, cute little shops and lots of geckos receiving the warmth from the sunshine. I loved looking at their different patterns and colours. I’m always so intrigued by wildlife and adore looking out for local creatures whilst on our travels.

On one of the days we visited Loro Parque which is basically a zoo. Of course my upmost preference is to see animals wild and free, but I like to see what conservation work is being done in zoos around the globe and often they might have a species that I haven’t encountered before. At Loro Parque they have Orcas. Admittedly in the past I have been excited to see Orcas that are in captivity. When I was a child we visited SeaWorld and I absolutely loved the Shamu Stadium. It’s only when you reach adulthood that you fully understand just how intellectual these creatures are and how they really are meant to be wild and free, living their lives as we live ours. The only restraints being imposed by their own cultures and beliefs. Not controlled and demanded to perform by humans. I am so, so glad that people are finally seeing where these magnificent creatures belong and hopefully this will now spell the end for Orca captivity.

Overall we had such a lovely time exploring Tenerife. I loved the beaches, the sunshine and the atmosphere. I’m intrigued to see how the other Canary Islands compare because I am still yet to visit the others.

I think Tenerife is quite affordable to travel to from the UK and pretty much has something for everyone. There are party hotspots, quiet parts, gorgeous beaches, water sports and family activities all on offer.

It’s also generally quite pretty too!

Have you visited Tenerife or any of the Canary Islands? 
L x

What I wore in Munich…

On By louiseIn Fashion, Travel, Uncategorized2 Comments

It’s been a while since the south of England has been blessed with sunshine and warmth. If we’re honest it’s barely tippled over twenty degrees and we are in the height of summer. For summer lovers such as myself this has been a huge disappointment. I spent the grey months of winter dreaming of summer days in flip flops and sundresses and have been most unimpressed with 2016’s offerings. Without meaning to moan (and sound ridiculously superficial) I’ve been so upset that I haven’t been able to don on my careless summer outfits that match my carefree summer attitude. I have also purchased a few nice items that I just haven’t been able to wear without risk of hyperthermia. That’s why I was extra excited when I saw that the weather forecast for our long weekend in Munich was sumptuous sunshine and buckets of warmth. Finally a chance to parade around in my new purchases and feel the sunshine kissing my skin. Hurrah! I realise just how melodramatic this all sounds but honestly I feel so upset when I’m faced with grey skies day after day. I’m just the kinda girl who needs a little sunshine in her life!

I love to explore a new place by foot because I find that you can really get a feel for it and absorb the little details. The architecture, the atmosphere, the ambience. I find that if I’m in a taxi or train the moment just whizzes by and I miss out on the beautiful ordinary things that are being offered. With all of this in mind I knew that I needed to pack clothes that would keep me cool and be super comfy.

On the first day of our German adventure I wore a black Playsuit from Urban Outfitters. I am such a fan of playsuits because they can be dressed up or down, look gorgeous, come in a variety of styles and are so comfortable. What more could you ask for from summer attire? 

This Playsuit in particular is absolutely beautiful with its swishy skirt and amazing backless look. The fabric is really soft and light too. I think I fell in love the second I saw it. I teamed it with a black pair of Ray Ban Wayfarers and black sandals I picked up last year in Tesco although these were quickly ditched when we went for a paddle in the river. 

On the first day we mostly just explored the city on foot, embracing bicycle loving Munich and activating Holiday Mode. It’s funny how you don’t realise just how much you need a break until you escape from everyday life and I very much enjoyed not following a routine. We danced along the river, stopping for a paddle amongst sun worshippers before sinking off for a delicious burrito at a cute restaurant nearby. I loved walking the streets, letting the cream and terracotta buildings soothe my soul before stopping for an ice cream and hotel snacks. German supermarkets are amazing for stocking up on tasty chocolate (hi there, Merci!). The evening was devilishly beautiful, lit by the sun setting, the warm air preventing us from wearing a jacket and eventually we retired to our hotel room. 

I was torn between a trip to the zoo or Neuschwanstein Castle on our second day, but opted for the zoo because whilst I adore the warm weather, travelling for four hours in thirty-six degree heat isn’t my idea of a fun Saturday. I was disappointed not to see the magnificent castle that inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, but I left part of my heart in Munich, so I know we will go again some day.

Being such big fans of walking, we decided to walk to Hellabrun Zoo, a mere hour away from our hotel room. The weather was dreamy once again and I had the chance to wear this wondrous floral number from Urban Outfitters. This dress is really unique, I’ve seen a lot of dresses in my years on this planet, but I am yet to find a dress that even comes close to this beauty. The devil really is in the detail with its backless approach, sweet cut, button detailing and layered skirt it is literally like heaven sent down a little package of dress perfection and that’s before I’ve even touched on the summery floral print (a girl’s dream!).

Needless to say from the moment I slipped this dress on my body I knew that it was a dress I would love for the whole summer. A dress that I don’t even care if I’m seen wearing millions of times because it really is just that brilliant. Oh and another thing… You don’t even need to iron it after washing (I did mention it was a girl’s dream, right?!).

The dress and I stumbled upon the cutest little market I have ever seen. Bursting with local produce and a flower stall that could have held my attention for days, I wondered how easy it would be to just stay in that city forever although with an amazing dog and a mortgage back home, I quickly realised living in Munich is a pipe dream. That and my German sucks. So we continued on with our plan of visiting the zoo.
Soon enough it was time for a spot of lunch and we visited an Italian restaurant that was really authentic. The food tasted how I imagine winning the lottery feels. It was absolutely divine.

Once we were stuffed with gorgeous food, we continued our walk and had a wonderful trip to the zoo.


Sadly it doesn’t seem like summer will appear over London anytime soon, so I think I will have to wait until our next adventure to wear these outfits again, but at least we had Munich.

Have you visited Munich before? What are your favourite summer fashion picks?

L x

Visiting Disneyworld’s Hollywood Studios…

On By louiseIn Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment


I absolutely adore visiting the Disney Parks. They are always so beautifully presented, with attention to detail being key. When you visit a Disney Park, they envelope you and take you away from everyday life and into a place riddled with positivity and fun. I think it’s impossible to have a bad day at Disney, even if it’s raining. Once when we were in Paris, I only went on one ride the whole day and still had an awesome time. Speaking of Paris, I love their Walt Disney Studio Park, and was really intrigued to see how it compared to Disneyworld’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando. I hadn’t visited Disneyworld for a few years and my memory of the park was quite hazy, so I was super excited to head back as an adult and see if it exceeded my childhood memories. Sadly, it did not and I was actually quite disappointed by this park. Sure, there’s a cool Star Wars show and the Hollywood Tower of Terror, but there isn’t much beyond that and I did feel quite disappointed. Let’s not get too bogged down because it is still an incredible park that superceeds your average theme park – it is Disney after all. I just felt that in terms of what the other parks have to offer, it is a bit of a let down. I must point out though that it is currently undergoing a massive overhaul and I’m pretty sure that a piece of Star Wars heaven will be born there within the next couple of years. 


I felt that an afternoon spent there was certainly appropriate and there wasn’t really a need to visit over a couple of days. My husband adores the Rock ‘N’ Rollercoaster, which resides at this park and it is also home to the iconic Star Tours which is also in the Paris park. Toy Story Mania is also based here and that ride is super fun and worth a go. There is also a ride called ‘The Great Movie Ride’, which is honestly one of the most bizarre rides that I have ever been on. It’s super odd and I think I spent a lot of the time with my nose scrunched up and generally a bit confused. 

I think I was so disappointed by this park because the one in Paris is tonnes better, with more rides and thrilling shows. I was expecting it to be so much greater as it is Disneyworld, which is supposed to be the Creme de la Creme of Disney and well, it just didn’t excite me much.

I think that you should definitely go and it’s going to be amazing once all of the construction work is done, but don’t plan on spending too much time there as I’m pretty sure you’ll run out of things to do once you’ve done the big rides.

Have you visited Hollywood Studios? Did it live up to your expectations?
L x