Home in Time for Tea

After attacking Bran Castle  with the mobs of other tourists, Richard, my Mum and I drove just 15 miles into the Piatra Craiului National Park towards the remote villages of Pestera and Magura, and found peace ! It wasn't that we didn't enjoy the impressive, historic castle, synonymous with Dracula , but the crowds were heaving in the heat, and that little monster of mine didn't do the best job of holding my hand. She really enjoyed exploring the castle; hiding in the eerie nooks and crannies , but sweaty, thirsty and not even 2 years old, I couldn't help feeling she might appreciate an open space and some fresh air. Also the castle was quite literally groaning under the weight of everyone queuing on the stairs, so after admiring the history and the views, we were relieved to get some space.  Up in those mountains it was some of the freshest air I had breathed in a long time. Cattle grazed amongst meadows blooming with wildflowers , chickens ...

Glamour and Drama at the Vienna State Opera A classy Viennese evening out, the State Opera is a popular evening attraction for locals as well as tourists. Performances vary but are of an extremely high standard, from unbelievably powerful voices and great accoustics to exciting abstract costumes, stage sets and choreography. Not to mention the tasty selection of gateaux on offer during the interval. Gold Leaf and Romance; Klimt paintings at The Belvedere The wondrously sumptuous decor of the Belvedere art gallery and prestigious collections of art are a true sight, of which the focal point is the Klimt collection; in all its surreal, romantic, golden glory. My friends and I particularly enjoyed the 'kiss' photo opportunity! Stunningly Detailed Baroque & Gothic Viennese Architecture  The architecture of this splendid city is something of its own to admire. From the majestic green and gold domes of the Hofburg palace, to the dazzling pattered roof and ...

For a tiny island, there is great deal of things to see and do in Barbados. With its fascinating plantation history, beautiful tropical gardens, world-class beaches and food, and great natural attractions. There's something here for literally every visitor. The island, whilst being heavily touristed, has a very tangible culture which coexists harmoniously with tourists. The island makes a great, safe and fascinating holiday destination, attracting a generally affluent and child-friendly type of tourism. Yellow Bird Hotel & St Lawrence Gap Our experience on this island of absolute paradise was made all the more perfect by our choice of hotel. As well as being right in front of the loveliest little beach, the Yellow Bird Hotel at St Lawrence Gap is immaculate, stylish, friendly, and in a convenient location. The hotel was within a few steps of some of the best restaurants around, and what a lot of choice there was (see below).  The beach outside the Yellow...

With its canals and bridges, Annecy is often referred to as a mini Venice, and although this is fitting, I felt that it deserves more than just a fleeting comparison to other places; it is truly one of a kind, it boasts a  unique mix of Alpine and Sardinian influence, whilst still retaining a decisively French pride.  Perched at the tip of the lake of the same name, Annecy  beguiles, with its colourful old town reflected in its many canals, and it's wide sweeping views across the third largest lake in France with a steep Alpine backdrop. My favourite reason to visit Annecy is the combination of its lakeside position and proximity to the great outdoors - particularly the slopes in winter -  and its  historic and bustling character which gives it a great atmosphere. For those who really can't choose between elegant cafe culture, and a day trekking or skiing in the freshest air enjoying sweeping rocky vistas above the clouds, Annecy is a real gem a...

Whilst getting excited about my trip to Vienna, I Googled 'how to dress for the Viennese opera' - quite honestly hoping to have an excuse to dress up, and the results weren't disappointing. Most people seemed to be saying that the dress code was smart and only ignorant tourists attended in jeans! So, wanting the authentic experience as always, I happily packed my favourite silk peacock pashmina, favourite accessories, and a crease-resistant outfit. After a couple of great days sightseeing, appreciating the Swarovski flagship store, and quality-checking most of the cake and hot chocolate in Vienna, the night of the Opera arrived. My mum and I had booked in advance to ensure good seats to the Saturday performance of Armide, and we turned up to collect our tickets on the night. The Vienna State Opera building looks stuning and impressive by day, and by night it genuinely beguiles! I suddenly felt so glad to be a part of this magnificent city in such an authentic and ...

Enjoy a more traditional and untouched Europe in these quaint and interesting towns and areas dotted around the continent... Mostar - Bosnia & Herzegovina A place now recovered from the conflict of the past, Mostar is a  fascinating  place with a  strong Islamic and Ottoman history,  where Muslims, Christians and Jews now live happily alongside one another. Mostar is a place seemingly  untouched by mass package tourism  and general mainstream Western culture.   Local music plays in bars, and the streets of the old town buzz with a flurry of activity and colour in the bazaars . Visitors are mainly independent and the town has a traditional and atmospheric feel.  The old Bridge is the focal point and I just loved the way it reflected magically in the clear green-blue river. Unlike many tourist landmarks, we liked that it is extremely popular with locals. They take dips in the river in summer, jump off the bridge, and even k...

Both Dubrovnik and Split in Croatia make fantastic holiday cities for beaches , history, atmosphere, eating out, and value for money. However they each have a distinctive appeal of their own and our little road trip covering them both highlights the differences between them, as well as what they have to offer: Dubrovnik Walking around this ancient medieval walled city without the crowds from a whole fleet of crusie ships is a far more pleasant experience than when the cruise ships dock and literally thousands of people flock to the suprisingly small historic centre. The thing is that Dubrovnik's walls are impressively intact which also means tourists don't naturally disperse like they do in other popular cruise destinations like Nice for example. In summer it isn't possible to predict how busy it will be, however we found the town quieter on the Thursday, and heaving on the Friday. Dubrovnik's uniform light-coloured stone buildings with green shutt...