Oh, my beautiful, dearest Ireland! How I love thee! And you will love Ireland too! It is definitely one of the top most friendly countries I have ever visited, twice, and I desperately want to go back again!

If you have never been to the Emerald island, then here is a bit of an extensive guide to get your planning started. With countless sites, locations, food and places to check out, there is something for everyone whether you are single or a family, shoestring traveller or luxury traveller. Ireland is especially good for nature lovers and hikers, so bring a camera and good shoes. If you are social and like chatting with locals, there is no better place!

Without further ado, here are things to do on your trip to Ireland:

The Basics:

Currency: Ireland is part of the EU and uses the Euro. Prices are neither cheap nor expensive, though Dublin is where you will see the highest prices for accommodation and food.

When to go: Ireland is probably best during the months of March-October, since the winters can be quite chilly, rainy and cloudy. But overall the weather is relatively mild, so if you choose to come in the off season, simply be well dressed with warm socks, good boots, a decent jacket and hat!

What to do in Dublin

This city is full of hustle and bustle, with plenty of things to do, all within walking distance in the city center.

St. Patrick's Cathedral

Not only is this a beautiful example of a medieval church, it is the tallest in Ireland! Named after the most famous Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is reason enough to check it out!

Temple Bar

The most famous bar in Dublin, found in the area known as Temple Bar. Yes, slightly confusing, but it's not difficult to find. It is recognizable by it's bright red walls and busy crowd, likely watching a football match with a pint or two.


St. Stephen Park

A beautiful green space and park that has it's original Victorian layout. Great place to take a rest, maybe have a picnic, or people watch.

Trinity College

A beautiful and impressive establishment, I highly recommend visiting not just the college, but the every famous Book of Kells exhibit. If you love books, these old texts will give your inner bookworm a thrill! Gorgeous pages that have preserved the ancient manuscript skills of monks long passed.

Kilmainham Gaol (Prison)

Want to see where Irish revolutionaries stayed while imprisoned? You can! In fact, you can stand in their very cell. This historic building comes with a very good tour of the building, along with haunting stories to make chills go up your spine...

The Brazen Head

The oldest pub in Dublin still stands today! If you are lucky, there may be some live music, but if not it is still a great cozy place for a good Irish meal!

Guinness Storehouse

If you don't like Guinness before you visit the museum, you will fall in love with it by the time you are done! There is absolutely no comparison to Guinness bought abroad to a pint in the very factory where it is made!

Dublin Writers Museum - I'm a word nerd. So I'm adding this to the list in case anyone else is a fan of literature! Or at least a fan of James Joyce.

Day Trips From Dublin

Wicklow Mountains

To the south of the capital is a huge national park in the County Wicklow. You will need a tour bus to get here, or car rental. It is a perfect place to hike and see the biodiversity of Ireland. The mountains are not that high, so the hiking is not that intense, which is good news for anyone who is not much of a climber. Everything is lush, green and peaceful. There are little streams and waterfalls. You can also visit the Glendalough Monastery ruins.

Howth

Nothing says quaint coastal town like Howth! It is an easy ride on the DART from Dublin. A super lovely town to stroll through, explore little shops, eat amazing fish and chips, and have nature walks by the ocean! You may even see a seal in the marina, really close and personal! It isn't a large town, so there is plenty of time to see both Lighthouses, the Castle and the Abbey. Howth is mostly known for its fish and cliff views, so be sure to enjoy both as well!

What to do on the Coast

West Coast- See Galway and Cliffs of Moher:

Probably the top destination in Ireland besides Dublin. The West coast boasts of incredible sites both of nature and historic. Galway is a young and hip town, thanks to all the students living there. Beautiful shops lining cobbled streets and right along the coast, so you can get a big whiff of that beautiful salty ocean air.

The Cliffs of Moher are the main thing to see on the West Coast. Dauntingly beautiful. Be sure to bring a jacket, as it always seems to be windy! If you are taking a tour bus from Galway to the cliffs, you will likely also stop by to see the Poulnabrone ancient tomb site. For me, this was especially cool, since there is likely some distant relatives of mine buried there.

What to do in Northern Ireland

What to Eat

Food

Irish Beef Stew - a staple of Irish cuisine. It is typically accompanied with soda bread on the side, though you may have the option of Guinness bread as well.

Bangers & Mash - Mashed potatoes and sausages! Very simple but very heart and delicious!

Fish N Chips - fish is common in general, since so much of Ireland is coastal. But I'm pretty sure Howth is where I had the best fish n chips!

Lamb - Whether you have it with potatoes, have it as chops, or in a stew, you're not having the full Irish experience without eating some lamb. During a trip with my friend Jeff, we chose to buy our own lamb chops and cook it ourselves. It was delicious!

Drink

Guinness - starting with the best! Even if you've never really liked dark beers, give Guinness a chance! I definitely didn't like my first taste, but by my third, I found I actually really liked it! It is the most fresh at the Guinness museum of course.

Harp - If you're not too keen on stout and dark beers, than maybe this light lager will suit your fancy. It is lighter and smoother in taste, making it similar to other European beers.

Irish Whiskey - Ireland is not only proud of their beer but also of their whiskey! And they should be. I had a shot that cured me of a headache!



This concludes my basic guide to Ireland. I think everyone should visit this beautiful, friendly and amazing country! If you are planning a trip soon, or have visited the Emerald island before, let us know in the comments below!

Last year we explored Europe once again for the Christmas holidays, and we decided to finish off in Paris! This was our second visit to Paris as a couple, so I was eager to hit up some of the places we missed our first time that I really wanted Wayne to see. This was also my second New Years in the city of lights! It was a wonderful little stay, full of great food, shopping and sight-seeing of course!

Day 1 - New Years Eve

Believe it or not, it was cheaper to fly into Paris on New Years Eve than the next day! So we flew out of Prague and landed in Paris late morning. We checked into the hotel Libertel Gare du Nord, which is incredibly close to the train station Gare du Nord, which made it super convenient from the airport.

We settled into our hotel, bought some food from a local market and bakery a few blocks away, and then got ready for the evening!

I had already done the countdown by the Eiffel tower many years ago, so I knew there wasn't much to see. I had done some research and found out that l'Arc de Triomf has a light show and fireworks! We definitely wanted to see something a little more special, so we chose l'Arc as our countdown place.



If you have ever been to a huge metropolitan city for a big event like New Years, you know it gets crowded quite quickly. The show was great, we were able to have a decent view, and it was wonderful to kiss my beloved into 2016! The aftermath was chaotic, more so than I remember from many years ago. I believe some construction, and distance to the metro contributed to this. It took quite a lot longer to get back to the hotel, but once we did we wished everyone back home a Happy New Year and went to bed!

Day 2 - Relaxing & Food

It's New Years day, so not much is open and we slept in a bit. Once we felt recovered, off we went to explore the city and discover new things!

One place we discovered that instantly became a hit was a small bistro called Frenchie To Go. Wayne and I are huge breakfast people! Now, culturally, French people have very simple breakfasts, but we sought out places that served less typical breakfast meals. This place definitely take a concept that is very foreign to the French, which is the "To-Go" menu! But you can sit inside and enjoy your breakfast at leisure, and look quite French while you do it.



This bistro is the kind of place that changes their menu a little as seasons change, so we were very lucky that they were serving their Maple Bacon scones and pastrami eggs benedict! Both absolutely smashing in flavour! They also have great baking in general. Highly recommend you visit them!



We then walked through Ile de la Cité by Notre Dame. At this point the sun had already set (around 5 pm in the winter) and the Christmas tree in the square was lit up. It was quite beautiful. Slowly we made our way over to the St. Michel fountain and found a restaurant that was open, so we got some dessert.

Day 3 - Shopping at Galleries Lafayette

To save some money, we had only booked a hotel for the first two nights then checked out. For the rest of our time there, we would stay in Le Montclair Montmartre hostel. It was actually really nice, because we had a private room and bathroom to ourselves!

While we thought Frenchie was great, we had also heard of another breakfast place called Holy Belly. It is known to get busy lines in the late mornings since it is well known for serving a non typical French meal known as brunch! We seized our chance and got there before the morning rush.

Their food is delicious, no doubt about that. Very hipster place as well, with some rustic and vintage details. I will say, however, for what is a standard American meal, they charged quite a lot! It was probably the most expensive breakfast we have ever had anywhere!



We were in need of some nice shoes and we were in Paris. How could we not do shoe-shopping in Paris?

Right after breakfast, we headed over to Les Galleries Lafayette. In all my visits to Paris, I had yet to shop in this huge and gorgeous mall!



Can you believe that after a few hours of shopping, and looking at dozens of shoes, I had no success at all? Wayne, on the other hand, found two stylish pairs of shoes to call his own. Needless to say, I felt a bit cursed.

To make up for how down I felt, after a rest at the hostel, we decided to hit up Trocadero and walk up to the Eiffel Tower to watch her sparkle! It never ceases to lift my spirits and fill me with a sense of wonder! Afterwards we got lost trying to make our way to a nearby metro stop, but that's part of travelling and exploring!

Day 4 - Versailles

Taking Wayne to Versailles was high on our to-do list since we didn't get a chance to visit it during our honeymoon. We chose to do an audio guide tour, which in some ways I prefer for an actual guide. For a busy and popular place like Versailles, you'll want to go at your own pace and get a chance to see whatever strikes your fancy.

I always, always, always recommend a ticket that allows you to go into the gardens and properties beyond! Don't be satisfied with only a castle tour. The gardens are lovely, and we went in winter time! In summer it is simply exquisite.



I believe we spent at least 3 hours on the chateau property. With the train ride to and from Paris, we basically had a full day. We stopped by a bakery on our way back to the hostel and bought a Galette de Roi! If you are in France during the holiday season or January, please do yourself a favour and try this great traditional pie!

Day 5 - Shoes & Jardin de Luxembourg

Since it was our last day, we savoured one last delicious breakfast at Frenchie To Go. Thanks to the recommendation of a friend, we were going to try to find me some shoes one more time!

We hit up rue de Rennes, and this time we had success! While I didn't quite find the kind of boots I had in mind, I bought one pair of black suede shoes and one pair of black suede boots that I thought I looked killer in!

The Jardin de Luxembourg was one other major site Wayne had not yet visited, and it is probably my favourite park in Paris! To celebrate finding beautiful shoes and our last full day in Paris, we did a fun photoshoot in the garden.



Once we had our fun and had gone around through most of the garden, it was time to find a place to eat. We found a restaurant nearby for lunch. Wayne had boeuf bolognaise while I indulged in a foie gras platter. Both delicious, of course.



Besides going back to the hostel to pack for our early morning flight, the last thing we did was to spend the evening in Sacre Coeur and Montmartre area for dinner. This is one of the most beautiful and romantic areas in my opinion! So I was quite pleased to end our Paris holiday this way.

Read More: Three Museums in Paris To Visit Besides the Louvre



Are you planning to visit Paris for New Years or holidays this year? Have you been before? Let me know in the comments below! And if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Barcelona is a popular destination, no doubt about it. It is a great mix of urban modern city, old gothic charm, beach town and Spanish culture with a Catalan twist. It's a unique city, and there is a reason it keeps drawing in tourists and visitors by the thousands! If you are planning a trip there, keep reading to get an idea of what to see, do, what to eat, and overall how to have a blast in this amazing Spanish city! Here are my 10 suggestions:

1- Visit the Gothic Quarter

This is a spot I love returning to every time! The Gothic Quarter is so neat and different from the rest of Barcelona, with it's tiny, winding streets preserved since the middle ages, the cathedral and little squares, all etched in old and fascinating history! This is a part of the city you want a tour guide for!

2 - Eat Seafood Paella

Barcelona is a coastal city, so you will see a lot of seafood around! If you're not allergic, then I highly recommend you combine two typical dishes of the city: Paella and seafood! It comes with rings of calamari, little clams, and half a lobster! Yum!

3 - Walk Down Las Ramblas

This is where the hustle and bustle never seems to end! We loved walking down this street from Placa de Catalunya and occasionally meandered off to the side streets before making our way back to Las Ramblas. This is also a potential hot spot for pickpockets, so keep your belongings well-secured! This is also a great street to make some typical souvenir shopping. From here you can also go to Plaza Real, Santa Maria del Pi Basilica and the Boqueria Market.

4 - Be in Awe of the Sagrada Familia

Two visits later, and I still am in incredible awe of this magnificent structure. The outside might seem very impressive and interesting, but the inside is really where the artistry and reverence is revealed. You could spend hours looking at all the detailed elements and admiring the beauty on every column, window or wall. There is seriously nothing like it in the entire world!

5 - Fun Day at the Beach

Barcelona didn't always have a beach! In fact, that's Egyptian sand you're tanning on! The beach is a very popular destination, and yes it can be fairly crowded and touristy, but it's still a fun way to beat the Spanish heat in the middle of summer! The water is so lovely and warm, but still refreshing. The waves can get fairly strong, so surfing is definitely a possibility!

6 - Watch A Football Match

It's no mystery where the Barcelona team is based. If you are lucky to be visiting during a game, be sure to book tickets in advanced. If you love futbol, you'll love the experience of watching one of the most renown club teams in the beautiful stadium, Camp Nou, filled with energized fans!

7 - Explore Gaudi

A Trip to Barcelona would not be complete if you did not see more of Gaudi's work, besides the Sagrada Familia. There is Parc Guell, which I recommend bringing a picnic, water and comfy shoes along. There are two Gaudi 'houses', one called Casa Batllo and the other La Pedrera. If you appreciate artistic brilliance and architectural beauty, you will fall in love with Gaudi's genius mind!

 

8 - Go on a Tapas Tour

What are Tapas? If you don't know, it's basically snacks! Usually finger food and usually accompanied with a beer. There are good tapas places, and bad tapas places. To hit up a few and try about 5 different tapas or so, look for a Tapas Tour. Imagine dozens battered shrimp, spicy meatballs, savory puff pastries and sausages on toothpicks. Yum! Veggie people, don't be discouraged, good tapas bars will have options for you too!

9 - Taste Delicious Sangria

Before I had Sangria, I only really liked white wine. Crazy, right? Sangria was what transitioned me into a 'red' person. If you are travelling with someone, then you can easily split a pitcher and have a few glasses with your meal. One of the best Sangria's I had was in Plaça Reial. Enjoy, and take your time! Spanish people don't eat, drink and leave in a rush.

10 - Enjoy Museums for Free on a Sunday

Who doesn't like free things? And hopefully you like museums too! If you like Picasso or Barcelona History, there is the Picasso Museum and the Museo d'Historia de Barcelona, that are free from 3pm until 8pm on Sundays. Other museums also are free at least once a month, here is a list of those museums for reference.. So be sure to check out their websites in advance.





If you did just these 10 things, you are already having a great time in Barcelona! There are definitely more things to do, so stay tuned for a more detailed guide to this popular Spanish city!

Have you been to Barthelona? What did you think of it? Is it still on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments below!

I may not have ever told you this, but Portugal was almost our honeymoon destination besides Paris. Even though we changed our mind and did Belgium instead, Portugal had been on our list of quite some time, and it was exciting to finally go there!

Lisbon is the bustling, charming capital of Portugal. It is a coastal city with all kinds of amazing sites and beautiful scenes to witness, and probably an ideal place to begin exploring the country of Portugal. If you haven't already, take a look at the photo essay we did, which visually captures a taste of the wonderful character of this city.

We loved this city, though we had little time there, and we hope to go back one day to explore more of it! Let us give you a quick breakdown of what to see, do and try in Lisbon.

The Basics

Lisbon is a coastal town. So when it comes to weather, it is fairly humid and windy. We went in early August and it was quite warm, but a pleasant hot, not the kind where you feel like you're melting as soon as you step outside. In the winter it can get fairly chilly, so be sure to dress appropriately, and not show up in board shorts and flip flops!

Portugal is part of the EU, so they use euros as currency like most of Europe. Prices in Portugal are also relatively cheap compared to many countries in Europe, we especially noticed the difference when we later went to Barcelona, where food and lodging is a lot pricier. So that makes Portugal budget friendly!

The national language is, of course, Portuguese, so brush up on a few key words and phrases to be a polite traveler. If you know Spanish pretty well, you should get by without too much difficulty.

Things to Do

Walk down Augusta street: This is a long pedestrian street that begins at Plaza Dom Pedro IV and goes all the way to the Praça do Comércio, a large square you enter through the archway of Augusta, and faces the coast. Along rua Augusta there are are shops and restaurants galore, as well as churches and attractions near by. Meanwhile, the Praça do Comércio is surrounded by museums and is where large social events and parties are held.



Visit the Castle:

I hope you're in good shape, because this is quite a climb from the city to the mount the Castelo de S. Jorge sits on. Strap on your best sport shoes, bring some water, and make your way up the many, many stairs, but don't go too fast! Not only because you might pass out, but because there are many neat things to see as you go up. Beautiful streets, charming little restaurants, and eye-catching urban murals. There is a tram that gets you you most of the way there, so if you can't physically make the trip, then you can take the tram from the city center. Be warned, it runs a schedule and there are dozens of people lined up to get on, so you might have to wait a while longer to get on the tram.

Once you do get the castle, the entry is 8,50 euros, not bad! The area the surrounding the castle grounds are breathtaking. Luscious, crawling greenery and crumbling architecture of an era gone by, along with an incredible 180 view of the city from above. It certainly makes the work out worth it. There is more climbing of stairs as you tour around the castle to the different towers and sections, but take your time and discover all the little nooks and crannies!

 

Walk down the shore: There is a beautiful coastal walkway with gorgeous views of the water, bridges and land masses on the other side. There are museums and some drink carts, restaurants, and many people taking advantage of the relaxing atmosphere.

Visit Cathedrals: No one can deny the architectural beauty that are cathedrals, and each one is so distinctly unique and of their own character that you really can't say that if you've seen one, you've seen all. The Jerónimos Monastery is an exquisite piece of gothic and renaissance beauty, and is listed on the World Heritage site, and therefore definitely worth a look.

Walking Tour: While we didn't get a chance to do a walking tour in Lisbon, there is one through Sandeman's New tours, and if you've read enough of our posts, you know we are big fans of this walking tour company! Always fascinating, always fun, always a great way to get to know a place.

See Belem Tower: If medieval times are your passion, you can take a quick little trip along the coast to see this medieval defense tower. We could see it while on our way to Cascais, but sadly could not simply hop off the train to take a picture and hop back on.

Where to Stay

Lisbon is not short on hotels, hostels and airbnb options that meet all kind of traveller styles and needs. We chose a an airbnb that was like a personally run hostel. The location was great, very close to the metro and to Barrio Alto, but the room was terribly warm at night and the bed was not the most comfortable (but we are very spoiled when it comes to our bed back home...).



We did have our own full bath, which was great, as well as a shared kitchen where we could store our snacks and cook if we wanted. Once we discovered a fan, the nights became much more bearable, and Yasemin, the young lady who runs the place, is extremely sweet and helpful. I had made no real research before arriving to Lisbon, so she gave us a lot of direction and suggestions. So if you're made of tougher stuff and not travelling in the middle of summer, I do recommend this place if you are travelling in a pair or group.

If you're looking for budget-friendly options with a social atmosphere, you can check out these top rated hostels in the city.

Places to Eat and Drink

Restos in city center - We ate in a small resto right along rua Augusta, and while it didn't blow us away, the meat and beer were good, which is what any active tourist needs on a hot day. If you are looking for Portuguese cuisine, you can try Restaurante Belcanto, known for its chic haute cuisine. Or if you're in the mood for a gourmet burger, have a go at Cafe de Rio. Just beware of 'siesta', a time of day where many restaurants close down for a few hours before opening up again in the evening, usually between 4 and 7 pm.



Breakfast Brunch - With a hike to the castle and a second beach day in mind, we went on the hunt for a good breakfast place to give us the energy we needed. We found an adorable brunch restaurant named Breakfast Brunch. It had bright and cheerful decor, and a relatively large menu. Everything was delicious and we noticed many tourists coming in, so it is quite popular as well. Probably because it is merely 3 blocks away from the Arc de rua Augusta! So it's convenient and easy to find!

Drink cart - Just want to relax by the water, watch the sunset go down while the waves turn from a bold blue to a seafoam green as they crash on the shore? You can do this all with a yummy drink in your hand. There is a neat little drink card called "Pitcher Cocktails" where you can buy a hard lemonade that is fresh and makes you feel just a little bit fancy, and super chill.

Day Trips

Cascais: We have already told you about this precious little beach town that stole us away for most of the time we were in Lisbon! You can read all about it here in our previous post.

Sintra: If you have time, please book in a day trip to this gorgeous town at the foot of the mountains. It takes a little longer to get to than Cascais, but it is quite a stunning and charming city with some fascinating pieces of architecture and a castle of its own! If you want a country-side, small town feel to your holiday, this is the place to visit! This place is one the reasons Portugal is high on our "must-return to" list.



That's the quick scoop on what to expect when you visit Lisbon! Stay tuned for one more Portugal post from the northern city of Porto!



Is Portugal on your bucket list? Have you been to Lisbon? What did you love about it? Let me know in the comments below!

I want to try something different today. Because I can, and I like to try new things!

As you may know, we spent 5 days in Portugal this summer, 3 of which were in Lisbon.  There are a million things I want to say about Portugal, and for that reason I want to do a photo essay, since we all know 'a picture is worth a thousand words'. So let's see if I can't make you fall in love with Lisbon by the end...

History, arts and culture - you can find ample exposure to all of these in Paris, the capital city of France.

I have always enjoyed history, from a young age I loved the prehistoric era, ancient Greece, and Medieval times. I also love art, as it is my long-life hobby. It is no wonder that Art museums are my favourite kind of museums to visit, along with science museums because of their interactive displays!

We all know the Louvre, home to thousands of art pieces of huge fame. The "Mona Lisa" is the main attraction, and is usually jam-packed with tourists taking dozens of ridiculous photos, holding up their babies and attempting selfies.

Forget the Louvre, at least for today. I have three lovely little museums that will thrill any art or art history lover and appreciator.

In May we spent 4 amazing days in Greece, two days in Santorini and two in Mykonos. We already shared what it was like on the island of Santorini in our previous post, and now we shall talk about the most popular island of all: Mykonos.

Greece was nothing like how I always imagined, but it is absolutely wonderful, and has become my husband's top favourite country so far! The islands of Greece are a rugged type of beauty, full of rocky cliffs, breath-taking sights, and winding roads. The people are friendly, the food is delicious, and the lifestyle on the islands is different than anything I have yet experienced.

Santorini vs. Mykonos:

We went to both Santorini and Mykonos, and I will state right off the bat that there is no way to compare these two islands. They are both very different in their vibes, culture,  and lifestyle; even the way the islands are geologically shaped affects their character. This is a two-part blog series that will focus on each island individually, and today we begin with our first stop: Santorini.

Today I tell you about our last stop in Germany, the capital city, and how we spent our precious 48 hours in Berlin.

Between Munich and Berlin, we spent time with family and friends for Christmas in a small town about an hour away from Cologne. It was very relaxing and by far our laziest days of the trip!

One of our most active days, however, was our first day in Berlin. We arrived in Berlin late at night, which meant that we would wake up with two full days to explore the city.

It is located in the small town of Fussen, which is about 2 hours by train from Munich. Most people choose to visit the castle as a day trip from Munich, but you can also stay in Fussen itself. To make the best of your trip there, here are 10 things you should know when you plan your visit to this late 19th century castle.

 I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! We certainly had a lovely quiet Christmas out in the countryside with some close family friends! Continuing from the first post, we will now go into detail of our second day in Vienna.

Morning

Bakery and Belvedere

We woke a little later than the day before, but still got out relatively early to begin our day at the Belvedere Art Museum. On our way, we stopped by this bakery in the metro and had a great breakfast of Ciabatta salami.

Our day began early, with a long ride to the Cairo airport. There we found out the bad news of our flight being delayed by 1 hour, but it did not affect our connection in Athens.Two flights, one layover, a train ride from the airport and 5 metro stops later, we finally arrived at our Hostel "Do Step Inn" with hungry stomachs and ready for sleep.

First, let me clarify by the "big" things one must see during their first visit or two to Paris:

La Tour Eiffel, the Louvre, Sacre Coeur on Montmartre, Notre Dame de Paris, The Latin Quarter, Pont Alexandre III, etc. I'll never say to not bother with these places, they are all spectacular in their own way, and all still very much of Paris. If you are looking for things on the path slightly less taken, or very much local and authentic, here are 8 other places you could add to your list.

Hello wanderers!

There are plenty of tips and pieces of advice for travelling Europe that many people will be familiar with or easily find on most travel sites. Don't forget your umbrella while in the UK, do not leave valuables for pickpockets to easily snatch, keep a close eye on your taximeter, wear appropriate clothing to visit the Vatican, etc.

Yet, there are small details that will come up in your travels that could cause confusion or trouble. Here are 5 tips that I have recorded from my time in Europe. They should prove to be useful, especially if you are planning your very first trip over to Europe. Here we go!

Hello fellow wanderers! There is so much I want to share about the magical little city of Bruges! What had originally attracted me to make Bruges part of our honeymoon was because I heard from many people that Bruges was beautiful, romantic and known as the 'little Venice' of the north. So we hopped on the train at Brussels Midi station and in only an hour, we arrived at the city.

Here are suggestions for how you can spend a lovely, and maybe even romantic, day in Bruges.

Everyone loves Paris, n'est pas? After all, it is the number 1 tourist attraction in the world! Well, most people do, I believe. Some years ago, 2011 to be exact, I had a most amazing opportunity to live and work only an hour away by train from the city of lights! At the time, France was not number 1 in my heart, and I was so wretchedly jet lagged that I wasn't even impressed with the Eiffel tower at first glance! Yup, it wasn't love at first sight, but like true love, once it began it could not be stopped!

Admit it, those are some of the first things, or even only things, you think of when you think of  Brussels, Belgium. Chocolates and beer are probably the predominant ones. Now, you wouldn't be too far off, because chocolates and beer are part of the fabric that makes up this lovely little country north of France, but there are many, many threads that make up its intricate patterns.

Bonjour my fellow wanderers!

I am currently in Paris, about to finish our first day of the honeymoon!

You may already know that I have an obsession and love for Paris that runs deep. Paris simply rarely disappoints... There is maybe that one experience or off day, but overall, Paris is an incredible city.

When I am back home from my honeymoon, I will be sharing more about my experiences of coming back and seeing my (now!) husband experience what I went through so many years ago. Of course, there will be tips and advice for all you wanderers who may find themselves in the City of Love in the future!

You will get to see some pictures, but if you would like to see more on a daily basis as I go about my travels, follow me on Instagram @wanderlustandheart !

Having a cup of tea after a very delicious first meal and dessert!

Enjoying the view from our apartment!

Poor Wayne was so tired, we both didn't sleep at all in our overnight flight and jet lag was present. But so is Sacré Coeur!

My hubby and a view of Paris.