Category: Europe

Destinations, Europe, France

Yes We Cannes: A Guide to the Seat of Seaside Luxury

Last week, everyone who is anyone was in Cannes. And I don’t blame them- the French Riviera (or the Italian Riviera, Peninsula, or the Greek Isles) is an ideal place to be in late spring and into summer.

See-and-be-seen parties and the Amfar gala aside, mere mortals can enjoy the seaside paradise as well, like I did one summer recently.

The key to Cannes: take in the experience al fresco and don’t let the costs of the smaller things like a drink at a cafe or nice meals detract from your visit. You’re paying for prime real estate and nice WCs. If you decide to get a designer bag on the other hand, I can’t help you with that. Continue reading “Yes We Cannes: A Guide to the Seat of Seaside Luxury” →

Destinations, England, Europe

Back Again to LDN: Last Day – Westminster, Hyde Park, Bond Street, Abbey Road, Oxford Street

London sent me off with a glorious last day of sunshine radiating through the city. I zipped through Westminster, strolled through Hyde Park, got a bite on Bond Street, channeled the Beatles on Abbey Road, and shopped till I was ready to drop into Heathrow on Oxford Street.  Continue reading “Back Again to LDN: Last Day – Westminster, Hyde Park, Bond Street, Abbey Road, Oxford Street” →

Destinations, England, Europe

Back Again to LDN: Day 3 – Tate Modern, Covent Garden, Harrod’s

My first day of 2015 involved an eclectic mix of quintessential London. The only previously unexplored spot for me was Tate Modern, which I have passed many times on my way to the Globe or crossing the Millennium Bridge. After delving into the odd world of modernism, spending time at Covent Garden and Harrod’s felt like greeting old friends. Here’s what I did and saw. Continue reading “Back Again to LDN: Day 3 – Tate Modern, Covent Garden, Harrod’s” →

Destinations, England, Europe

Back Again to LDN: Day 2 – Camden Town Market

My second day in London was the last day of 2014, and there was much to do before the new year began. After enjoying the included breakfast at my hotel, Mentone Hotel in Cartwright Gardens, I headed to the Tube with my friend Annalee to start the day’s adventures. Continue reading “Back Again to LDN: Day 2 – Camden Town Market” →

Destinations, England, Europe

Back Again to LDN: Day 1 – Heathrow, Leicester Square, Picadilly Circus

Good morning from London! On my first day back in this wonderful city, I shared an eventful day with both local and visiting friends. I landed at Heathrow around 9:30, made my way through border control, retrieved my luggage (while enjoying free wifi, thank you Heathrow), and headed out to the Underground. Two tips coming into Heathrow: passport control is relatively streamlined and efficient, but certainly more intensive than entering many other European cities. Also, getting a ticket at the tube station is pretty chaotic, as some people are simply figuring it out for the first time on the spot. After some patience in waiting for my time at the ticket automat, I really enjoyed my ride in from Heathrow on the Piccadilly ride. The train fills up quickly, but then again, if you don’t do crowds well, I’m not sure you should return to central London. Continue reading “Back Again to LDN: Day 1 – Heathrow, Leicester Square, Picadilly Circus” →

Destinations, Europe, Sweden

Jul i Stockholm: Ljus och Dekorationer Runt Stan [Christmas in Stockholm City]

The most anticipated part of my post-Christmas adventures in central Stockholm, or Stockholm City, were the seasonal lights and decorations around the area. This time of year, the sun is up from about 8/8:30 until 2:30, so the city lights are a major part of your experience in the late afternoon and entire evening.

Continue reading “Jul i Stockholm: Ljus och Dekorationer Runt Stan [Christmas in Stockholm City]” →

Destinations, Europe, Sweden

Uttlandsvensk i Stockholm: Gamla Stan, Djurgården, Riddarholmen

English begins after the introduction

Idag var det ganska kallt men otroligt klart, soligt, och fint med lite snö. Från mitt hotell bredvid tåg stationen, Nordic C Hotel, så var det bara att börja vandra. Jag vandrade söderut mot Riddarholmen, Gamla Stan, Grand Hotel, och sedan körde till Djurgården.

From the central location of my hotel (Nordic C Hotel), a lovely stroll could get me anywhere I wanted to go. I walked south from the train station towards Riksdagen, and these are the places I revisited: Continue reading “Uttlandsvensk i Stockholm: Gamla Stan, Djurgården, Riddarholmen” →

Destinations, Europe, Sweden

Utlandssvensk i Sverige: I Uppsala Igen [Back to Uppsala, Sweden]

Eftersom jag är i Sverige kör jag på svenska. When in Sweden, blog in Swedish. An English synopsis is available below.

Min första dag i svenska luften började tidigt just var Sverige o Norge möter- 10 tusen meter upp i luften. En timme senare, kl 8, landade jag hos Arlanda med en dag av tåg och vandring framför mig.
Från Arlanda C så åkte jag till Uppsala med en fin utsikt på en strålande vinter dag. Över sommaren 2012 så studerade jag i Uppsala lite grann, så det här var en chans att komma tillbaka till gamla trakterna. Gatorna, butikerna, nationerna, och sevärdheterna som domkyrkan och så vidare var som gamla vänner. Forum gallerian och St Peter Gallerian var extra goda gamla vänner eftersom de har fri wifi. Continue reading “Utlandssvensk i Sverige: I Uppsala Igen [Back to Uppsala, Sweden]” →

Destinations, Europe, Florida

Holiday Travel Preview: Florida, Stockholm, London

It’s my opinion, fostered through an international family and a wonderfully travel-filled upbringing, that no year is complete without leaving my country of residence. This Washingtonian did go on a Caribbean cruise in March, which was a great trip, but that’s not something a former Floridian would classify as international travel. Anyway, to close out the year, I have three destinations planned or in progress: Southwest Florida, Stockholm, and London. Continue reading “Holiday Travel Preview: Florida, Stockholm, London” →