Bordeaux seems to be going through a renaissance. 10 years ago it seemed to be a grimy port town that people knew of mostly for the ruby red elixir that makes the town infamous. With a mayor who realised the tourist cash they were missing out on, he set about rejuvenating the city and promoting Bordeaux as a destination within its own right. In my limited experience of the world, I feel it’s safe to… View Post
We wove our way through the streets of Bordeaux, beginning in the Medieval Quarter all carved in butter stone, glimpsed occasional hard modern buildings which turned to suburban homes before giving way to rolling fields of blooming crops. As we turned the corner onto our destination, I excitedly clutched the boy as fields of vineyards heavy with grapes came into view, cart horses grazed contentedly and the crenelated Chateau Pape Clement appeared – our home… View Post
Within 24 hours of arrriving in Bordeaux I declared to the world that I wasn’t returning to my beloved London, but staying forever to bask in the southern climes of France. I even announced it via a variety of social media, both personal and blog related – and we all know that’s a seriously serious statement. It captured my easy heart in a big way. Winding medieval streets, beautiful sunsets, quirky history, #pawned pavements, bouquet… View Post
Lille is a perfect city staycation. We usually avoid travelling on bank holidays like the plague. Extra long queues at airports, super busy UK trains and hiked up prices – bleurgh, we’d rather cruise around London on a self-styled staycation. Check out a few weird gems, stake out a brunch table and possibly catch up on a TV box set or two – that’s usually our favourite way to spend 3 days (more often than… View Post
I love Paris. Love, love, love it, but one of my favourite French holidays involved actually leaving my favourite cream and grey arrondissements, and hail a train into the countryside for a rambly day trip. After a last minute dash and several very grateful merci’s to the train guards (who could obviously spot the lost and confused tourists a mile away) my Mother and I settled into the double decker train (which still amazes me,… View Post