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Category: Destination

The Best French Destinations For Foodies
If somebody asked you where the best place in the world to find good food is, France would be at the top of that list. France is world famous for its culinary heritage and some of the best chefs of all time hail from there. For some people, sampling amazing food from around the world is the best thing about travelling. If that sounds like you, a trip to France is an absolute must.
But with so much choice it’s difficult to know where best to spend your time while you’re over there. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of the best French destinations for foodies to visit.
Grenoble
Grenoble is a great destination because it’s something of a culinary melting pot. Because it’s situated so close to the Swiss Alps and the Italian border, the food there is a brilliant blend of styles. You’ll find loads of great dishes using locally sourced produce and incorporating elements of Swiss Alpine and Italian culinary heritage. Grenoble is the home of the well-known French speciality Gratin Dauphinois, a creamy potato dish that is enjoyed around the globe.
See more: Bonjour Paris! Things to Do In the City of Lights
This blend of traditional French dishes with Swiss and Italian influences is quite unlike anything else you’ll find in France. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll be in your element in Grenoble as well. The region is home to loads of walnut farms and these locally sourced nuts can be found in the delicious pastries sold in the area.
Mougins
Cannes is well known for the annual film festival that is held there but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Mougins, a small commune in Cannes is home to some of the best Michelin Star restaurants in the country. While you’re out there, you can relax in style in one of the luxury villas offered by Elegant Address before heading out to samples some of the amazing food.
La Place De Mougins is one of the most popular restaurants offering great gourmet food in a traditional French style, with a strong focus on locally sourced seasonal ingredients. If you’re after something a little less traditional, you should head over to Kashiwa, one of the best sushi restaurants in France.
Bordeaux
As well as great food, France is world famous for its incredible wines. The best place to sample the best offerings is Bordeaux. The world class wines are amazing but there’s more on offer than that. They’re accompanied by some brilliant restaurants that offer twists on French classics. There’s a strong focus on south west meat dishes like wood pigeon and beef, and pork.
La Gabriel is an amazing Michelin star restaurant offering the best in fine dining, but if that’s a little too expensive for you, you can still find some great food in slightly cheaper places like La Brasserie Bordelaise; you’ll still get great quality French food without the hefty price tag.
France is the culinary heart of the world and there is so much amazing food to try. If you’re a foodie and you’re planning a trip to France, these are some of the must see places.
March 28, 2018
Bonjour Paris! Things to Do In the City of Lights
According to various surveys, France tends to be the tourism capital of the world. The city that brings in the most visitors? Its capital, Paris, of course! Many of us have long romanticised this city and for good reason. Nine times out of ten, it will live up to all of your expectations and preconceived notions. So, what should you consider getting up to while visiting the City of Lights? Here are just a few ideas to get you started!
The Eiffel Tower
You can’t even begin to speak of Paris without mentioning what may be its most iconic landmark: the Eiffel Tower. Designed by Gustave Eiffel, this stunning piece of architecture draws in hundreds of thousands of visitors year-round. It’s not hard to see why. Its sheer grandeur is astounding! Now, this attraction is open most days of the year from morning until night. So choose your time wisely.
Ideally, you should visit while weather conditions are preferable. Why? Well, you don’t want your view from the top to be obscured by fog or mist. If you visit in the day, you will be able to take in a sprawling view of wider Paris. If you visit by night, you get to see the city all lit up. You will also be treated to a pretty light show on the hour every hour. We’d recommend paying the small extra fee to use the lift if you want to avoid exhaustion and the extra to visit the top tier is well worth the investment!
Notre Dame
Chances are you’ve watched the Disney classic “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” at some point in your life. While you can’t expect to bump into Quasimodo or Esmeralda while visiting Notre Dame, you can expect the same magnificent building decked with gargoyles.
Try to reach the site just before the hour, so that you can hear the bells ring out. Then head inside to marvel at the interior decor. Just remember that this is an active religious institute, so to pay the respect that the site and the individuals worshipping inside deserve.
Shakespeare and Company Bookstore
If you’re a fan of literature, then you should seriously consider making the short pilgrimage to Shakespeare and Company Bookstore. Lying just a couple of minutes’ walk away from Notre Dame, this small store is steeped in cultural and literary history. Originally opened by Sylvia Beach in 1919, the first version of the store was host to literary legends such as Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ezra Pound, Djuna Barnes, Mina Loy, and Gertrude Stein.
Having closed during the second world war, it was brought back to life following the war and once again drew in literary genius. The likes of Alan Ginsberg, William Burroughs, Gregory Corso, Anais Nin, and James Baldwin all passed through its doors. Nowadays, you can expect shelves stocked with literature, quaint reading seats, cute views across to Notre Dame and a lovely cafe for a rest stop next door.
Angelina
If you’re a fan of hot chocolate, you simply must visit Angelina. Originally just one store set up by confectioner Antoine Rumpelmayer in 1903, this now chain of tea rooms are renowned for their delicious offerings.
Perhaps best known is their famous hot chocolate. However, they also offer tea, pastries, and macaroons alongside sandwiches, salads, and other lunch items. The cost may be a little upmarket, but if you have the cash to spare, consider it a wise investment for the sake of your taste buds.
Moulin Rouge
In the bohemian district of Montmartre lies the world famous “Moulin Rouge”. Much like the film, you can expect glitz, glamour, dancing, and music from this astounding cabaret show. Perhaps the only downside of this wonderful performance is its use of animals. Sign a petition here to remove this element and this brilliant night out would be absolutely perfect!
Louvre and Musee d’Orsay
Paris has a rich history of art. Some of the world’s greatest artists have flocked here to learn their craft and expand their style. So it’s not all too surprising that you can find two of the world’s most impressive museums lying on the same road here! The Louvre is iconic and expansive. Home to more than 380,000 exhibits, most tourists flocks to see the Mona Lisa.
The Musee d’Orsay is built in an old rail station and home to more Impressionist works, by artists such as such as Van Gogh and Degas!
As you can see, Paris is a hub of activity. These are just a few attractions and experiences that it has to offer! So plan your days wisely and fit in as much as you possibly can!
February 20, 2018
Romantic London: The Capital’s Best Valentine’s Day Spots
Yes, it’s brimming with a glamorous history, rolling Royal Parks and amorous artistry in its great galleries, London then really is the ideal locale for a romantic couple. Here’s how to enjoy a Valentine’s Day full of love – and more – in the UK capital.
Glory in Royal Greenwich
One of London’s most beguiling districts, Greenwich is the utterly charming ‘Royal Borough’ on the banks of the Thames that’s chock-full of Restoration/Georgian architecture, art and landscape design.
If you’re staying in the centre of the city and it’s a fine day, take a Thames Clipper down-river and check-out Christopher Wren’s Royal Observatory and the exquisite painted ceiling in the Old Naval College, not forgetting to playfully straddle the Prime Meridian line and picnic on the luscious rolling green of the Royal Park.
Drink in the charms of Kensington
As mentioned, you may have chosen the base for your stay somewhere central (and you’d be well advised to do so – with so much to do in the middle of the city), like the Grand Royale Hyde Park, for instance; one of the many 4 star hotels London.
And, if that’s the case, you’ll find the exquisite Kensington district just a short journey away. Admired as one of the most prestigious, privileged, elegant and – yes – expensive parts of the capital, it’s also home to the glorious Hyde Park and the wonderful Kensington Gardens – and, within the latter, the supreme Serpentine Gallery. Indeed, with all their lakes, ponds and Italian-style flowered nooks and crannies, these two Royal Parks can make for the perfect romantic refuge.
Discover the marvels of Marylebone
For sure, art in its different forms is the appeal of Marylebone for the amorously inclined. One of the biggest draws of this graceful district slightly north of the centre is the outstanding fine arts gallery that’s the Wallace Collection – its many paintings making for a genuinely very romantic demonstration of artwork across 400 pivotal years in art history (the 15th-19th Centuries), thanks in no small part to glorious works from Rembrandt, Reubens, Caneletto, and Velasquez.
Following this, it has to be on to the delight that’s Regent’s Park and its peaceful and beautiful Queen Mary’s Rose Garden (perfect this time of year) and then the Open Air Theatre for a fantastic theatre performance under the stars while sipping a chilled ‘G and T’.
Partake in Richmond Park’s riches
Alternatively, you may like the idea of getting out of the hustle-bustle of the city altogether for some quiet(er) time. If so, there’s nowhere better than Richmond Park. Why? Because, being the largest of London’s Royal Parks (at whopping 2,000-plus acres), it’s a place of outstanding natural beauty, so much so it’s classified as a National Nature Reserve and a European Special Area of Conservation.
Most significant of all, though, it’s over-spilling with fantastic flora (including the botany treasure trove that’s the Isabella Plantation) and fabulous fauna, chief among the latter the graceful deer, of whom around 600 walk freely throughout the parkland.
January 20, 2018
5 Things Not To Miss In Peru!
If you’re heading to Peru, then it’s time to get excited as this smorgasbord of experiences that intricately combine ancient history, spiritual evolution, fantastic food and huge parties is a festival for all the senses. You’ve then got the huge outdoor playground comprised of giant sand dunes, rainforests, white water rafting, zip lines, bike trails, and paragliding.
With so much to explore in Peru you might want to consider heading over to G Adventures Peru Travel as a starting place for inspiration, when working out your itinerary, as the options for a short break in Peru are vast.
The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu draws visitors from across the globe to bask in its ancient splendor. The capital of Latin cooking that invokes a fusion of ingredients including tropical fruit, Amazonian chocolate, and fiery hot chillies draws its influence from Spanish, African and Asian cuisines.
With such an interesting and intriguing country, this article offers five things you’ll want to make sure you experience whilst in Peru.
Gastronomy in Lima
If you’re in Lima, then you should save some room in both your belly and your budget to indulge in one (or more) of the many gastronomic delights this city has to offer; where you’ll find an incredible array of international fusion restaurants.
Sand Buggying in Huacachina
You’ll need to head several hours south of Lima in the Pampa Desert, to access the world famous sand dune playground of Huacachina, where you’ll encounter high powered sand buggies that will propel you up unforeseen inclines, but of course, what goes up must come down – so be prepared, sand buggying is not for the faint-hearted.
Visting Machu Picchu
The trek to Machu Picchu is certainly an adventure, but it’s well worth the ten – fourteen day trek to the fabled lost city of the Inca’s, perched high above the Urubamba Valley. The spiritual side of this mystical sanctuary can feel a little dampened by the thwarts of tourists present, but for many, the journey to get there is what makes the trip so worthwhile.
Yanza, Umisha, Cortamonte

There’s a ritual known in the Andean highland as the “yunza”…”umisha” in the jungle… and “cortamonte” in the coastal region. The ritual forms the central focus of a number of carnivals where a tree is loaded with gifts and decorations, then when all the guests have arrived, everyone dances around the tree, then, the couple begin to chop at the tree with a machete. It might sound like a strange thing to recommend, but if you want to feel part of a carnival – rather than on the outside looking in – this is an incredibly welcoming option to explore.
Hike in the Cordillera
If you would like to hike through some of the most stunning scenery The Andes has to offer, then you’ll want to head to one of the most pristine and naturally beautiful regions of Peru, with deep blue lagoons, 33 significant snow capped peaks, and exquisite wild fauna.
Remember, this is just a little taste of what Peru has to offer. You could, of course, just turn up and see what happens – but to squeeze the most out of Peru, you’ll want to have some plans in place to experience the highlights you particularly want to visit.
December 6, 2017