A long week-end in Saint-Petersburg – a sightseeing itinerary for families and a few delicious Russian restaurants

On January 31, 2020March 12, 2021 By CGKIn Europe, RussiaLeave a comment

We took this trip in June 2019 but, with all the travelling during Summer and the birth of our daughter in September, I kept postponing writing about it. Although not one of the easiest destinations, mainly due to the visa restrictions, I was pleasantly surprised how accessible and even reasonably priced it is once you pass the airport immigration booth.

We bought the flights about 7 months before the travel date. The only thing that was putting us off a bit was the need to get a visa. But, Continue reading “A long week-end in Saint-Petersburg – a sightseeing itinerary for families and a few delicious Russian restaurants” →

Monasteries and vineyards in The Republic of Moldova – a two day itinerary

On June 4, 2018August 19, 2018 By CGKIn Europe, MoldovaLeave a comment

The Republic of Moldova is located just East of a homonym region of Romania and is surrounded by Ukrainian borders. It’s not on many people’s travel bucket lists which makes it a pleasantly uncrowded discovery. As it is only a few hundred km away from my hometown, it was only a matter of time for me to get an opportunity to visit.

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A long week-end in the Sun in October: try Montenegro

On October 20, 2017June 3, 2018 By CGKIn Europe, Montenegro, Unesco World Heritage SiteLeave a comment

This was the second long week-end in 2017 spent on a girls trip. The first girls trip of 2017 was in June in Malaga and I loved having the opportunity to visit the Picasso Museum, eat great food and generally have adult conversations with my friends. I hope to share my impressions of Malaga in a future post.

After my return from Malaga, I had a quick look at potential low cost flights from either Brussels or Paris towards another sunny destination that many of my friends recommended: Montenegro. I found Transavia taking off from Paris Orly. I was aiming for an escape in the end September, to avoid the crowds. If you are thinking about going in the same period, keep in mind they only fly directly till Ocotber to Tivat ( part of the Summer schedule). I found a flight for less than 200 Euro and convinced two friends to join in.

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Let’s go on a trip, ladies ! – Bangkok and Khao Lak

On October 29, 2016October 28, 2018 By CGKIn Nature, Southeast Asia, ThailandLeave a comment

Thailand is by now a well-established destination for winter Sun seekers. Not close enough for a short break but rather well connected to Europe in terms of flights so you do not need to take several connections and loose time in airports, which maximises your time on the ground.

I was not particularly attracted to the idea of Thailand. To me, it conjures images of tourist buses and temples queues. I could not imagine that there are still places where you could fell some connection to the country, its natural beauty and traditions and get to know the people. But then the opportunity of a reasonably priced direct flight from Paris CDG presented itself. My partner had limited vacation days left as we were in end Oct – November 2016, close to year end. So I decided to ask some friends to join me and do a first post-pregnancy holiday sans-family. After this trip, I decided to do one ladies every year! Surely, Mr. benefits of the same prerogative (except for taking ladies along…:).

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How we got lost in Marrakech, Morocco

On August 13, 2015January 25, 2018 By CGKIn Morocco, Unesco World Heritage Site, Urban landscapeLeave a comment

Actually, it is not that difficult to get lost, particularly in the old part of town (Medina). Just to give you a bit of context, the Medina of Marrakech is big, around 4 kilometers in diameter in places. It can also be very confusing, with winding covered streets, narrow dead-end alleys, and hundreds of dusty side streets only mopeds and donkeys can navigate.

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India – a place that will stir up all your senses

On August 10, 2015January 25, 2018 By CGKIn India, Nature, Urban landscapeLeave a comment

When planning my last year’s trip to India, I was a bit nervous.

For one, I was traveling with two other girls. Any travel advisory out there, from Lonley Panet to the UK Governement Travel advice will imply that might not be such a bright ideea. Couple or group might be better. Even so, in my view, as three is definitely better then one alone, I had good chances of survival.

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Why I always go back to Florence

On June 21, 2015January 25, 2018 By CGKIn Europe, Italy, Unesco World Heritage Site4 Comments

First time Florence was about 10 years ago, part of my Erasmus year in Italy. Since then I went back a few times on work related business. Most recently, I was in Florence last week-end, in an escape from the Belgian summer (that is to say grey, skies and rainy mornings that make you think twice about leaving the apartment).

Of course, if you ever decide to visit or re-visit the city, Continue reading “Why I always go back to Florence” →

Positano – the end of my short South Italian escape

On August 24, 2014January 25, 2018 By CGKIn Europe, Italy, Unesco World Heritage Site2 Comments

The trip from Matera to Salerno (my jumping off point to Positano) was more tricky than initially thought. The plan was to take a Miccolis bus leaving at 8.15 from Matera, changing into another bus from the same company somewhere at Salandra and continuing to Salerno for a trip lasting about 3h30. The fault in the plan was

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Bari and Matera – Great views and South Italian foods

On August 20, 2014January 25, 2018 By CGKIn Europe, Italy, Unesco World Heritage SiteLeave a comment

Arriving into Bari by train it takes about 15 min from the train station to the old city. This is the place to be if would like to get lost walking narrow cobble streets typical of old South Italian cities and taste great sea food in family run trattorias. I can only recommend to make here your base for exploring this city and it’s sea front.

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Short break in Slovenia – Things to see in 48h

On August 10, 2014January 25, 2018 By CGKIn Castles, Europe, Nature, SloveniaLeave a comment

A short plane ride away from Brussels you will find …many interesting and diverse destinations. Probably one of the advantages of this small Western European country. Staying true to our wanderlust, in January 2014, we hopped on an ADRIA plane to visit friends in Ljubljana. Despite the delays usually associated with traveling during winter in Europe (always catching airports by surprise, it seems, although it tends to come during the same 3-month period every year) we had a smooth 1h15 flight to Slovenia’s capital. And we are glad we did as Slovenia is truly a winter wonderland.

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