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  • France

    On our final day in Paris, a Monday, as our flight was scheduled for later in the evening, we wanted to revisit our favorite places, do some shopping and embrace the energy of the city on a vibrant weekday. After stashing our luggage at the Montmartre hotel, we made a list of “must-do’s” before heading down to the river, ensuring we had enough time to pick up our luggage before departing for the airport.

  • France

    Our wedding anniversary dawned upon us, shiny and bright. We set out for the Arc de Triomphe, undecided about whether it would be worth going up. In the end, we decided against it and focused on finding a charming breakfast spot. Our eyes landed on Ladurée at Champs-Élysées – its quaint outdoor seating area felt perfect for our special day, but the long waiting line discouraged us. Eventually, we chose Café Joyeux, a remarkable initiative supporting the integration of individuals with disabilities. Their breakfast menu was competitively priced (11 euros for coffee, juice, croissant, or pain au chocolat), and the warm service and purposeful atmosphere quickly made it one of our favorite places.

  • France

    After a magical stay at Disneyland Paris, we bid adieu to the enchanting world of fairytales and returned to Paris. Taking the train from Val d’Europe to Charles de Gaulle (Etoile) and then the metro to Montmartre (Place du Clichy), it took us around 1h30 to arrive and settle into the same hotel we stayed on Day 1 Ibis Paris Montmartre 18ème.

  • France

    Bonjour, fellow adventurers! As we sit here, reminiscing about our journey through the City of Love, we can hardly believe it has been one whole month since we embarked on our romantic escapade to Paris.

  • Portugal

    Portugal Olhão: Algarve’s refreshingly different city worth discovering We visited Olhão somehow unexpectedly, as we usually prefer the region of Alvor when visiting Algarve. João was speaking at the Iberian Technology Summit on April 29th, so we decided to take Friday off and enjoy a longer weekend. Sweet dreamsThe 1-day summit was held at Real Marina Hotel & Spa, lunch included. It is a beautifully located venue, in front of the marina and with a stunning view of the waterfront. The pool overlooks be promenade from a large balcony and the hotel also includes a spa. Despite the convenience of staying at the hotel’s conference, we opted for staying at a smaller, more familiar and budget friendlier hotel – Hotel Cidade de Olhão. Located a short 15-minute walk from

  • Estonia

    Bookshops Rüütel & Matilda Bookshop: A Cozy Literary Haven in the Heart of Tallinn Last February, while exploring the charming streets of Tallinn, Estonia, we stumbled upon a hidden gem nestled in the heart of the old Town. On a cold and windy day, after visiting the magnificent Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, we sought refuge from the biting wind and embarked on a quest to find a warm coffee shop. Little did we know that our search would lead us to an unexpected treasure – Rüütel & Matilda English Bookshop. It was a delightful surprise that enriched our visit to Tallinn in more ways than one. As we descended through the picturesque Long Boot (Pikk Jalg) street, we found ourselves standing before the entrance of Rüütel & Matilda. Stepping inside, we were greeted by the warmth and coziness that only a well-loved bookstore can provide. Eve, an 80-year-old lady who happened to be the

  • Books

    Books Around the World in 80 Trains: A 45000-Mile Adventure by Monisha Rajesh In a world where air travel has become the norm, there's something truly captivating about embarking on an adventure around the globe by train. Train travel possesses an undeniable charm that has entranced generations of adventurers. The rhythmic chugging of wheels on the tracks, the soothing sway of the carriage, and the ever-changing scenery passing by create a unique and immersive experience.In “Around the World in 80 Trains”, Monisha Rajesh takes readers on an extraordinary 45,000-mile journey across continents, capturing the essence of train travel and offering a glimpse into the diverse cultures and landscapes she encounters along the way. Monisha brings the reader along from the planning phase of her travel around the world,

  • Portugal

    Portugal Childwood memories in Prainha - Algarve I remember as if it was yesterday, the day in which Princess Diana died. I was staying with my parents and sister at one of the serviced apartments of Prainha Club, and remember having breakfast in bed, staring at the emotive images on TV, feeling that I was witnessing an historical moment, an unprecedent experience of worldwide commotion. Although this sad event stayed forever associated with Prainha, it didn’t stain the experience - quite on the contrary, it helped us remember Prainha as part of our history as a family and as citizens of a global world. I understand those who feel that Algarve has become overrated – hotel prices have escalated, supermarkets are packed, restaurants have huge waiting lines, and service

  • USA

    USA Route 66 – The Journey of a Lifetime If you are considering a road trip alongside Route 66 look no further – in a series of blog posts "Route 66  –  The Journey of a Lifetime" we will share all information needed to ensure you make an informed decision and have lots of fun, should you decide to travel along the Mother Road! We have taken Route 66 for our Honeymoon, but it is a road trip well suited for both family and friends' holidays trips.  Duration When we first started planning our road trip, we were conscious about the time we had available. Wanting to make the most of the 15 days we had, but also avoiding unnecessary hustle, we decided to start our journey in Oklahoma City. This meant losing the first 850 miles of the historic route, but it was well worth it. We would not recommend doing the 2000

  • Portugal

    Portugal Arraiolos - The Intricate Tapestry of Portugal’s Cultural Heritage Few things give me more pleasure than the count down for summer holidays – there is such lightness and joy in daily work, a thrilling energy that gets things done while still leaving space for daydreaming and planning. I always exaggerate the number of swimsuits, shoes and books that I prepare for sunny days, walking and resting peacefully, reflecting on priorities and defining new actions in the perspective of the new school year. In the Summer of 2021, we decided to have a "combo-holiday", dividing 9 days (including trips) through Portugal and Spain starting with the region of Alentejo, specifically Arraiolos. Known for its famous carpets, Arraiolos is situated in the heart of the Central Alentejo. The tranquillity of a

  • Portugal

    Portugal Vouga Historical Train João is passionate about trains - he knows all the carriages and gauges and has on his wish list of trips around the world to explore railway lines.  This summer we decided to start with a short trip near home - the Vouga Historical Train - one of the only two remaining historical trains in Portugal.   Also known as Vouguinha, the train runs between Aveiro and Macinhata do Vouga, on Saturdays, between June and October. With 5 carriages from the early years of the 20th century towed by a diesel locomotive, the train uses the only narrow track line in operation in Portugal, with only 1 meter between tracks. The trip costs €35/person (round trip) and includes admission to the Macinhata do Vouga Railway Museum and 1 stop in Águeda to enjoy the "AgitÁgueda" and the "Umbrella Sky" project, on the dates scheduled for each event.  The train journey lasts 1

  • Portugal

    Portugal Ericeira - Us and the Sea We arrived to Ericeira on April 30th 2021, hoping for a coronavirus-free spring. These were the days of the long-awaited easing of restrictions, after long months of confinement - the first weekend  with open restaurants had an underlying promise of sunny lunches and windy dinners under the moonlight. The hotel we chose - You & The Sea – was named after everything we were looking for - time to devote to ourselves and the sea.  In my suitcase I bring

  • Portugal

    Portugal Pedras Salgadas - a retreat At the end of November 2020, we needed to stop for a few days and spend some quality time together. It was unusual, given how close we were to the Holidays, the limitations imposed by Covid-19, and the cold, rainy winter. We decided to go for it anyways.  Taking time off at this time of the year, even if just a couple of days, helps me prepare for Christmas. Not just gifts and decorations but also, and most importantly, allows me to find the peace of mind required to live my favorite season focused on what really matters.  As we only had room for a quick getaway, we decided to go to Pedras Salgadas Spa & Nature Park – we had heard good things from friends, it was a short drive from Oporto (1,5 hours) and it had plenty of outdoor space, ideal to get some fresh air