CHAMP ELYSEES

You can't visit Champ Elysees without admiring the designer stores, my favourite designers Givenchy and Saint Laurent had beautiful stores, if only i could have bought something...

BUDAPEST

Budapest aka hipster central.

Some people may make fun of hipsters for there hobo-chic style and tendency to wear beanies and ugly nanna sweaters but i have a small place in my heart for hipsters. If it wasn't for hipsters gluten free wouldn't be cool and i wouldn't be able to eat out (i have coeliac disease meaning i am very allergic to gluten.) Before Budapest i hadn't come across much gluten free, in fact i had been living off rice cakes and fruit most of the time so it was a welcome change to find some restraunts and cafes that could cater for me. One of my absolute favourites was this amazing raw, organic, paleo and gluten free cafe that had the cutest interior i just had to take a photo. I relaxed with a piece of cacao and mint cake and a cup of cacao almond mylk. So delicious and i felt healthy after dessert which is always a plus! 

While in Budapest I..
- Went to the Thermal Baths
- Ate my weight in food (Drop restaurant had incredible food, the saffron risotto and crispy veg soup is a must have)
- Went to the Doboz ruins club

GREECE II

Santorini is famous for its stunning sunsets particularly at Oia (A small town on the island) and it doesn't disappoint. 

While in Santorini I..

- Had a swim at the Black and red beach 

- Had dinner overlooking the water and ate some tasty calamari 

- Did some wine tasting 

- Did some shopping in the beautiful boutiques and picked up some jewelry, souvenirs and scarfs.

- Watched the sunset at Oia and ate some gyros with the rest of the tourists

Wearing: H & M Crop top / Zara Pants / Seed Heritage top and shorts / Karen Walker Sunglasses

GREECE I

Greek Islands where blue sky and tasty seafood is in abundance.

Paros, Greece

VERSAILLES

The stunning Palace of Versailles where no expense is spared. 

I took a day trip from Paris to the palace via train, it was a lot quicker than i thought and only a 5-10 minute walk from the station to the Palace. The real waiting comes when you get there and see the endless line to get in. I bought tickets online thinking it would save some time but there is no way of avoiding the dreaded line. It was however so worth it! The lavish interiors are incredible and the gardens are endless, my pictures speak for themselves. A lot of people miss going to Versailles but it is definitely a must see, especially since its so easy to get to (and quick) from Paris. 

PARIS II

Notre Dame / Top of Eiffel Tower / Eiffel Tower light show

It's not Paris without the Eiffel Tower..

The following days while in Paris I visited the Notre Dame which was walking distance from my motel in Montparnsse (A really nice area of Paris if you are going anytime soon.) Notre Dame is stunning sitting by the rivers edge, the real wow moment comes though when you step inside and see the intricate stained glass windows and buttresses that seem to reach to the sky. The line to get into the church is long but moves very fast so even the most impatient person can wait it out. 

That night I met up with a couple staying longer in Paris from my contiki tour. We got some dinner on a street off the Champs Elysees where we ate some escargot, then got some macrons from Laduree and made our way to the Eiffel tower. It is such a different experience seeing the Eiffel Tower at night, there is so many more people around having picnics with champagne and eagerly awaiting the hourly light show. It was beautiful to see the flashing lights bringing even more spirit to the tower that makes Paris. 

While in Paris I..

- Climbed the Eiffel Tower (Okay so i got the lift, i was tired, alright?)

- Watched the Eiffel tower light show

PARIS I

The Lourve and Arc De Triomphe

Paris where everyone speaks French.

That sounds a bit obvious i know, but if there is one thing I've learnt about the French is that they don't like speaking any language other than French. Which proves very hard when you are trying to figure our their very complex train system. Luckily it is a beautiful language so you can put up with it. They also get a pass from me because they built such a beautiful city, I was lucky enough to stay in Paris for a week to explore a city that has intrigues me for quite some time. It is always surreal when you visit a place that you have dreamed about for so long. On the first day i wandered all through Paris, starting at the Arc De Triomphe walking down through the Champs Elysees, making way to the Lourve via the many gardens then ending by walking by the river seine back to the Champs Elysees to do some much needed shopping. 

While in Paris I...

- Went to see the Mona Lisa at the Lourve

- Got some retail therapy on the Champs Elysees (visited the iconic Abercrombie and Fitch store)

- Ate Escargot (Not as bad as i thought but the texture is off-putting)

- Bought some famous Laduree Macarons (Unfortunately i ate them before we made it to the Eiffel tower)

AMSTERDAM

Amsterdam where anything goes..

When most people talk of Amsterdam it has to do with their tolerance for hash brownies and the red light district but Amsterdam is so much more than that. It is such a beautiful city with lively happy people riding bikes over the many bridges and streets that surround the canals. This was the third city i visited and I also came back a second time at the end of my trip. The first time i visited was with my Contiki tour and we stayed in a motel out of town which meant you couldn't get as immersed in the city. However on the second visit I staying right in the middle of the city, it was such a good location, my hotel joined onto the main street with all the shops and restraunts, it was perfect. 

Although i enjoyed both visits the second was the best since i knew a bit more about the city and I had more time to wander the streets on my own. One thing i have learnt about this trip is that having time to yourself to wander makes you notice so many things you wouldn't when you're with someone. 

While in Amsterdam I ...

- Went on a canal and dinner cruise (twice, it was worth it)

- Visited a Cheese and clog farm (The drive out to the countryside was the best part)

- Did some shopping (The boutiques are amazing and theres plenty of chain stores to keep you busy)

- Ate plenty of Asian noodle stir fry (Because of the great trade routes with Asia during 1500-1800's  it influenced the cuisine in the Netherlands particularly Amsterdam.)

BRUSSELS

Brussels; where handmade chocolates and decadent waffles are plentiful! 

Although i didn't spend much time here, I would still say it was one of my favourite cities because of its relaxed vibe. No one seemed to be in a rush to get anywhere, everyone was happy to sit on the cobble stoned square with gelato and admire the sunset. The restaurant I had dinner at even had a cat skulking between the patrons chairs. Definitely a beautiful city to admire at sundown. 

While in Brussels I..

- Watched the many street performers moving about the streets and square

- Wandered in an out of the many handmade chocolate shops

- Checked out the Manneken Pis (Aka the peeing boy) an iconic 17th century bronze statue/fountain of a boy peeing. Its the eiffel tower of Brussels apparently. 

NO PLACE LIKE HOME

After 2 months abroad traveling around Europe, flying into Sydney airport the other morning was the best feeling in the world. Traveling is amazing and eye opening but living out of a suitcase has its moments. Over the next few days and weeks i'm excited to share on my blog all the snaps of the amazing places that I've been spending my time in. 

First city up is London of course! I spent the first couple of days of my trip in London recovering from jet lag and then went on a bus tour of the city which is a must for anyone that hasn't been to London before, the tour guides are hilarious and know so much about the city. I saw all the sights such as Big Ben, Westminister Abbey, Buckingham Palace, The London eye, The House's of Parliament and much more. I then headed to the shops on Oxford St, let me tell you the shopping in London is amazing, I bought some lovely pieces from H & M, River Island, Topshop and Lush. On recommendation I went to the amazing 4 storey Lush store on Oxford st, they have over 400 products that Australia doesn't get, I bought these bath oil balls that smelt incredible and made my skin so soft, i could literally spend hours trying every product in that store! 

I returned to London for two days before flying back home at the end of my trip and stayed at an amazing air bnb flat in clapham which was great for chilling out before the long flight home.

London is such a lively city that you seem to forget about the rainy weather. There was so much more i could of seen in London and Britain in general, i'll definitely be going back very soon.

While in London I..

- Went on a sightseeing bus tour of London (The Original tour)

- Wandered Oxford st looking through all the amazing shops

- Stayed in Bloomsbury which is such a great location, its nice and close to piccadilly circus