My favorite wine bar in Paris, Le Barav

The Seine shimmers in the late afternoon sun. I take a deep breath in and exhale. I am back in Paris once again. The City of Lights is a reminder of my 26-year odyssey across Europe. I stand on its banks, not just a tourist, but a testament to the transformative power of travel. Yes, I admit, I'm an outlier in a world that often tells us to stay put. A wayfaring soul who's carved her own path, leaving comfort zones behind like shed skins. My adventures aren't mere vacations; they're journeys, each one a chance to reclaim a part of myself.

 

These journeys throw me headfirst into the unknown. I recall the early years and the displaced reality of no familiar faces, no well-worn paths, just the raw, vibrant geography of a new land. I don't know the language, the customs, the very rhythm of this place. And it is this I find thrilling, intoxicating. It strips me bare, forces me to shed the comfort of routine, to become a sponge, soaking up the sights, sounds, and soul of a world unlike my own.

 

It is exhilarating, yes, but it is also transformative. Each challenge, each obstacle, becomes a stepping stone, propelling me forward, not just through a foreign city, but through the layers of myself. I navigate, I connect, I communicate, not just with words, but with a wide-open heart and a spirit that thrives on the unfamiliar. 

My favorite jazz bar 38Riv and journaling in a cafe with a view of The Siene

It's a baptism by immersion, a constant dance of observation and adaptation. I shed the familiar, embrace the foreign, and emerge anew, a richer tapestry woven from the threads of a thousand experiences. This, my friends, is the magic of travel. It is not only about the sights, but about the sight within us, awakened and ever-evolving. 

Paris wasn't just a stroll down memory lane, a nostalgic nod to my nomadic past. It was a homecoming, a reunion with the woman beneath the layers of "shoulds" and " to-dos." I don't recall the last time I truly allowed myself to be present, not just physically, but wholly. No work emails, no business plans buzzing in my head, no meal planning or people needing me, no endless lists whispering obligations. 

 

The silence wasn't deafening; it was liberating.

 

I know. We all juggle a million things. Time, money, family, careers, responsibilities – they're the ever-present realities. And we can also make them our excuses. But the truth is, we make time for what matters. And trust me, dear friends, taking time for yourself matters more than you think.

 

Wandering along the Seine at dusk, getting lost in the labyrinthine streets, lingering in cafes writing for hours, staying out past midnight listening to jazz, indulging in pastries with reckless abandon – it wasn't about luxury, it was about connection. Connection with myself, with the present moment, with the simple joy of being. 

 

And I returned home, not just rested, but reawakened. My spirit, vibrant and alive, hummed with a newfound clarity.

 

Mélodies Graphiques stationary shop, a portrait of a revived self, and hotel breakfast spread

On this Sunday, take a moment, breathe, and listen to the quiet places within yourself. What is calling to you today? What is it you need for yourself? It might not be a plane ticket to Paris, but maybe a staycation in your town. Maybe a road-trip to a neighboring town you've had on your list to explore. I hope this is encouragement to visit somewhere new or reconnect with places of your past. More important, this is about taking time for you. 

 

And to fuel your exploration, I'd like to offer a little nudge, a $300 (cash gift) whisper in your ear, to support your solo escape. Wherever your heart leads, wherever you find yourself, may this be a time for rediscovery, connection, and the joy of being present with yourself.

 

A reviving quest awaits –  The journey back to you.

 

 

Here you'll find my round-up of recent European travel-related news, tips, and resources so you can be in the know:

 

 

Many clients express feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information available when planning European travel. They often ask, "Where do I even begin? Who can I trust?" While I'm proud to be a reliable source for your travel plans and trip itinerary, navigating the vast landscape of online resources can be daunting, especially for first-time travelers.

 

When embarking on your travel planning journey, it's crucial to critically evaluate the sources you utilize. Here are some key  to ask yourself:

By carefully considering these questions, you can identify trustworthy sources that will guide you towards a truly enriching travel experience.

 

Parisians enjoying mild winter afternoon in the sunshine

As a travel advisor and trusted resource for European travel, I understand the overwhelming feeling you might get when researching your trip. With countless reviews, blogs, forums, and official websites vying for your attention, discerning reliable information can be a challenge. Here's my advice on navigating this maze effectively:

 

Reviews offer valuable insights, but it's crucial to consider their origin.

 

One of my personal annoyances is when I see travel bloggers or “influencers” sharing city itineraries or places to go that they've only visited once for a day or two and are now promoting various locations as “the best places to go”. While most bloggers provide insightful recommendations, others might prioritize content engagement over in-depth knowledge. 

 

While forums like destination Facebook groups, Trip Advisor and Reddit can be helpful for troubleshooting, their reliability for recommendations can be limited. Many users are first-time travelers, leading to skewed perspectives. However, they can be valuable for uncovering current issues or unexpected situations to consider. 

 

Look for established publishers who invest heavily in research and constantly updating their material, making them reliable sources. I value travel magazines like Condé Nast Traveler and Afar whose content consistently offer insightful and inspiration information.

 

While not ideal for research, official websites can be useful for finding basic information such as visa requirements, transportation options, and public holidays. These websites can provide basic information, but treat sponsored content with caution. They may promote certain businesses over others, potentially influencing their objectivity.

 

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Independent research empowers you to tailor your European adventure to your personal taste. By understanding the information landscape and asking the right questions, you can navigate the maze of European travel planning with confidence, ensuring a memorable experience.

 

If you decide this is all too much or you don't have the time to invest in the research, my expertise lies in crafting personalized information based on your unique preferences and interests. Don't hesitate to leverage my knowledge and experience to navigate the information overload, seek clarification, and plan a trip that exceeds your expectations. I am here to support you throughout your European travel planning journey. 

 

 

 

This tour is not just a typical vacation, it's an opportunity for rich engagement around your personal story and discovering English heritage — and to gain an understanding of your own origin story while exploring this stunning region of England.

 

Situated on the edge of Cornwall, this curated itinerary is designed to bring you closer to your roots by immersing you in the physical places where your family's English history began. As you explore these locations, be prepared to have your emotions stirred and stories from ancestor's past brought to light. There is nothing quite like this tour out there.

 

See England as you've dreamed of it. 

The experience is personal and authentic, with time to immerse yourself in local culture, discover gorgeous scenery, meet lovely people and time set aside for your own exploration.

 

 

I have been on a quest to discover the perfect Parisian hotel to recommend to you – and I found it! This romantic, quirky independent hotel, themed around Beaumarchais' 'The Marriage of Figaro,' is packed to the wooden beams with period detail and charm. Legendary playwright Beaumarchais, from whom the hotel takes its name, was born a few doors down and the proprietor has followed his chosen theme meticulously: the lobby is set up as an 18th-century drawing room, complete with beautiful silk wallpaper and exquisite Louis XVI-style furniture – there’s even a harp and card table left mid-game. Attention to period detail carries on into the corridors and rooms with their fine fabrics, chandeliers and painstakingly chosen antique pieces. Even the elevator has been considered! 

 

The location is excellent. The hotel is on one of the liveliest streets in the Marais, known for its ample offering of boutiques, trendy bars – La Perle, Les Philosophes. (they have the best onion soup!) – and gorgeous pre-Haussmann architecture. Notre Dame, the Centre Pompidou and the Louvre are all within close walking distance, while the St Paul (Line 1) and Hotel de Ville (Lines 1 and 11) Métro stations are five minutes away by foot. Not to mention my personal favorite jazz bar, 38Riv, is just outside the front door of the hotel. It is prime location.

The hotel is a one-off and the welcome is intimate and cosy. The staff are friendly, attentive and very passionate about the concept. This bolthole really is all about style, charm and welcome, so don't expect a gym or spa – but the staff will be happy to recommend walks and activities in the local area.

 

The 18th-century theming continues in the rooms – think grand curtains, exposed beams and hand-picked poetry and drawings framed on the walls. Views are either of the street or a quiet interior courtyard, and the beautiful balconies provide a suitably regal reflection spot. Seventeen of the 19 rooms have bathtubs. Bathrooms feature dainty trompe l'oeil murals and robes embroidered with a Beaumarchais portrait; hairdryers are the old-school attached-to-the-wall type. Despite the period theme, windows are double-glazed making the rooms pleasingly quiet. Guests also benefit from international news channels, convenient charging points (including USB) and a safe. They have truly thought of everything.

 

Guests pay a reasonable €15 (£13) supplement for a continental breakfast including boiled eggs, fruit, croissants and fresh pastries, yogurts, fresh juice and hot drinks – this can be taken in a small breakfast lounge or in-room (which I personally recommend – breakfast in bed). There is no bar or restaurant, but guests will not be short of choices in the surrounding area, with some of the Marais's most popular food spots situated just around the corner. 

 

Double rooms from €160 (£137) for a courtyard-view room in low season; and from €180 (£154) in high. Breakfast not included €15 (£13). Street-view rooms from €235 (£201). Room 60 and 61 have a balcony with a view. If you book a room, let them know I sent you. Alain the owner is an absolute delight.

 

Here are a few of my current reads this late winter season.

 

This Dark Country: Women Artists, Still Life and Intimacy in the Early Twentieth Century by Rebecca Birrell According to Rebecca Birrell, there was nothing remotely still about the still lifes that British female painters produced in the first third of the 20th century. What is contained in a still life – and what falls out of the frame? For women artists, such as Dora Carrington, Vanessa Bell and Gwen John, this art form was a conduit for their lives, their rebellions, their quietly subversive loves for men and women. She is particularly good at teasing out the stubborn material facts that underpin the most serene of still lifes. While Vanessa Bell’s apples, Gluck’s flowers and Nina Hamnett’s saucepan might appear to speak of modest ambitions and domestic self-containment, Birrell argues that these works positively buzz with political resistance, desire and an unshakable refusal to stay within the frame. You just need to know how to look. In This Dark Country, Rebecca Birrell conducts a dazzling fusion of group biography and art criticism, exploring, from the celebrated to the overlooked, the structures of intimacy that make – and dismantle – our worlds

 

The Grassling by Elizabeth Burnett “What fills my lungs is wider than breath could be. It is a place and a language torn, matted and melded; flowered and chiming with bones. That breath is that place and until I get there I will not really be breathing.” Spurred on by her father's declining health and inspired by the history he once wrote of his small Devon village, Elizabeth-Jane Burnett delves through layers of memory, language and natural history to tell a powerful story of how the land shapes us and speaks to us. The Grassling is a book about roots: what it means to belong when the soil beneath our feet is constantly shifting, when the people and places that nurtured us are slipping away.

 

French Love Poems A collection of French love poetry. Filled with devotion and lust, sensuality and eroticism, fevers and overtures, these poems showcase some of the most passionate verses in the French language. From the classic sixteenth-century love sonnets of Louise Labé and Maurice Sceve to the piercing lyricism of the Romantics and the dreamlike compositions of the Surrealists.