Mon Petit Voyage

Author: Helen

  • Roma; La Città Eterna – April 2025

    All roads lead to Rome…

    When I was at school I had an amazing opportunity to visit Italy. It has been a country I have longed to return. One of my daughters has a huge passion for Italy following a number of visits and trips. She suggested we went as a family, with my Mum around Easter.

    Rome is beautiful – so incredibly beautiful. There is history everywhere. I cannot believe I have never visited this wonderful place.

    We flew from London and arrived at Fiumicino airport. An easy coach transfer took us directly to our Airbnb in the Aurelia district. This Airbnb was such a great find! Despite the district being extremely busy and very vibrant, our home for the next few days was a beautiful apartment in a quiet gated community with private garden. There was a large supermarket, typical Italian cafés and restaurants in the vicinity – it was perfect.

    We were within walking distance of metro station Cornelia, on line A. One of my passions is underground networks around the world. However I was not particularly enamoured with Rome’s metro. You need to keep your wits about you at all times!

    The bus was our preferred mode of transport and you get to see the city. Make sure you tap your bank card – even if you have to fight through a crowd on the bus. Fines are very hefty…

    One of our primary aims during this trip was to visit the Vatican and the Holy Doors, as it is the Jubilee Year, 2025. This is a very special year for Catholics around the world. We had chosen our accommodation so it was in easy distance of the Vatican. The bus from outside the apartment took us directly to St Peter’s Square. We were there the weekend before Easter.

    We were so very privileged to attend Mass in St Peter’s Square for ‘Domenica della Palme’ where we saw Pope Francis, in what was to be one of his last public appearances. I will forever be grateful for this incredible opportunity.

    There are four Holy Doors (Porta Sancta) in the Papal Basilicas in and around Rome. These doors are normally sealed. They are opened every 25 years for Pilgrims to enter.

    The doors are located in St Peter’s Basilica, St John Lateran Basilica, the Basilica of St Mary Major & the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. Each basilica is so very different and well worth a visit.

    My favourite was undoubtedly Saint Mary Major (Sainta Maria Maggiore) – an extremely beautiful church and the largest Marian church in Rome. This was Pope Francis’ favourite and where he is buried.

    I was very pleased we decided to visit all four basilicas.

    There is so much to do in Rome. Aside from being a spiritual home for Catholics, the history is so incredible. The Colosseum, The Pantheon, The Vatican Museum, Castel Sant’Angelo, The Trevi Fountain, The Spanish Steps…

    You cannot visit Rome, or indeed Italy, without mention of the food – a pizza and pasta lovers delight, along with delicious salads, seafood and of course, gelato!

    We ventured slightly further afield with an evening trip to nearby Frascati, famous for its wine (amongst other things). A short train journey from Termini station, Frascati is a small town approximately 20 km outside of Rome. We enjoyed an evening of wine tasting and pasta making. Most highly recommended. Grazie Nico!

    Frascati

    Our four day trip gave us just a sample of this wonderful city.

    I cannot wait for our next Italian adventure planned for the summer.

  • Vienna – February 2025

    Ein Tag in Wien

    Vienna

    Following Austria’s Eurovision win last weekend (another big passion of mine!), I have been inspired to write about our day trip to Vienna.

    We choose to stay in Bratislava as it was more cost effective in the school holidays. Vienna was expensive.

    However, less than an hour way along the Danube, these two capital cities are the closest in Europe.

    We took the train from Bratislava-Petržalka station to Vienna at a cost of approximately £16 each. There are trains every hour and the journey is direct to Wien Hauptbahnof taking just under 60 minutes.

    The station is Vienna is enormous. It is a very modern transport hub. We purchased a day travel card to get around.

    Wien Hauptbahnof

    Vienna is beautiful, grand and majestic, rich in history and culture. It’s past shaped by residents including Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn and Freud. There is an array of Baroque palaces and gardens, operas and art galleries. This city is deeply connected to classical music. The history of music and art apparent throughout the city.

    Vienna has also a lively café culture. Our first stop was Café Sperl for lunch; a traditional coffee house built in the 1880s. Undoubtedly, one of Vienna’s finest and grandest cafés. You may have to queue for the ‘Kaffee und Kuchen’ experience.

    Step back in time…

    Café Sperl

    Using the travel card, I took a trip on Tram Line 1 where you travel the Vienna Ringstraße. If like us you are restricted by time this is an excellent way to catch a glimpse of the major sites – St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Vienna State Opera, the Parliament building, the Volksgarten amongst others. The building are incredible – so grand and majestic.

    There is so much history and culture within the abundance of cafés, bars and restaurants.

    A city that will undoubtedly embrace with open arms the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in 2026!

    Café Mozart 🎶

  • Bratislava; the jewel in Slovakia’s crown – February 2005

    Bratislava was our next half term adventure. Following the trips to Prague and Budapest, we wanted another city within our reach that offered good value for money. Bratislava, according to reviews, is one of the cheapest cities in Europe. Its currency is the euro.

    Bratislava is so pretty, sitting along the banks of the Danube. The old town with its immaculate cobbled streets and Baroque architecture is beautiful. It has an abundance of well-priced bars, cafes and restaurants. The castle sitting on the hill, dominates the city.

    The old town
    The Castle
    The Blue Church

    Venture further afield for the incredible views from the UFO tower. A little difficult to find on foot but worth it.

    UFO Tower

    Its quaintness makes it very easy to forget you are in a capital city.

    We stayed in the top Bratislavan Trip Advisor hotel ‘The Loft’ with its very own Fabrika Beer Pub on-site. The hotel is very close to the Presidential Palace.

    The Presidential Palace

    A 4 star hotel in the centre of the city – all the major sites within walking distance. Reading the reviews I thought it was too good to be true – mini bar replenished daily, top range coffee machine, complementary snacks, wine dispenser outside our room along with the on-site microbrewery. It certainly did not disappoint! The rooms were extremely well presented. What a fantastic place – another upgrade added to a wonderful experience.

    We, like most visitors, did a day trip to Vienna. Very cost effective from Bratislava. The train is direct to Vienna Hauptbahnof and takes just under an hour for less than £16 return. What a bargain. Vienna is another story…

  • Une journée à Paris

    I love Paris – without doubt my favourite city since my first visit as a university student.

    I am extremely fortunate that I am able to travel to Paris on a regular basis.

    Last January I was offered the opportunity to do some work which allowed me to travel to Paris regularly and spend the day in this beautiful city. Quelle chance! This was my dream.

    Living in Kent it is feasible to spend a day in Paris especially travelling via Eurostar. This was the first time in quite a few years I had gone for the day and travelled alone. I wanted to cram as much a possible into the trip.

    Obviously my first stop had to be the Eiffel Tower via metro stop Trocedéro. I always love the view from here. Then a trip on Métro line 6 which allows views of the Tower and river.

    My next stop was up in Montmartre. I wanted to see Rue de L’Abreuvoir, one of the prettiest streets in Paris and the famous La Maison Rose. Whilst busy with tourists, it did not disappoint.

    Walking back I had to go past Montmartre’s vineyard and down past Amélie’s café to the Moulin Rouge.

    Quick stop at Monoprix to get a baguette, cheese, meat and wine for dinner back in the UK and that was all I had time for before my Eurostar journey home.

    Somebody once said – Paris is always a good idea. I couldn’t agree more.

    A très bientôt…

  • Beautiful Budapest – October 2024

    The Parliament of Budapest

    Budapest.

    Following our visit to Prague and my youngest daughter’s inter-railing adventure, Budapest was the next city, I had my sights on.

    Favourable flight times from Luton with Wizz Air tipped the balance.

    We found a hotel with excellent reviews. The Ikonik Parlament was a short walk from the city centre. Getting there was an easy Uber ride. Ubers are quick, cheap and readily available in Budapest. We arrive to be upgraded to a room with a balcony and Nespresso coffee machine. Breakfast was served until 10.30 and was an array of products both local and traditional.

    Ikonik Parlament Hotel

    We stayed on the Pest side of the river, which is more commercial with larger shops, bars and restaurants. An evening cruise was a great recommendation from my daughter!

    You must cross the spectacular Chain Bridge to go to Buda. The views up by the Fisherman’s Bastion are incredible.

    Széchenyi Chain Bridge

    Without doubt though, the most moving part of the visit was my walk along the Danube. The Shoes on the Danube memorial a poignant reminder of the murders of the Jews in 1944 & 1945. I underestimated the significance of Budapest during this period. The largest Synagogue in Europe is also in Budapest.

    The Shoes on the Danube Memorial

    Unfortunately we did not have time to visit the famous Ruin bar and the Spas – a definite excuse to return.

    Budapest is beautiful and it’s history incredibly though provoking.

    We found it not a costly as other European capital cities.

    Restaurant & Bar

    Tukory Etterem

    Traditional Hungarian restaurant a stone’s throw from the hotel. So good we went there twice.

    The reception staff at the hotel recommended this restaurant as we wanted somewhere local and traditional.

    Wonderful food, excellent wine, great service – without the extortionate cost. What a find!

    Tukory Etterem

    Di Vino Wine Bar

    Nice bar opposite the Basilica – huge ranges of wine. Great recommendations too.

    Di Vino

    Enjoy some photos of this beautiful city 🇭🇺 ❤️ 🌍

  • Travel tips I have learned

    Following a rather disastrous visit to Mallorca with my daughters almost 15 years ago,  I made the decision to thoroughly do my homework before I go…

    I had relied on a young guy in a call centre advising me on a package all inclusive holiday. His idea of a good holiday did not quite match with mine. First time travelling overseas with two young children was an experience to say the least – but a huge learning curve.  

    • Take your time, ask your friends, email local places of interest, restaurants and hotels
    • As a teacher nothing frustrates me more than listening to people who refuse to make an effort to try the language. People appreciate the effort. Google translate and other sites make this so much easier – no excuse
    • Contact the hotel before you go and get a feel for the place. A friendly email saying how much you are looking forward staying works wonders and build a rapport before you get there
    • Cut out the middle man. We always contact the hotel we like and ask them if they prefer we pay them directly. This way they get 100% of the bill (ie no commission charges to a third party booking site), we don’t have to claim a refund should there be an issue and we are unable to go and in every case we have been given a superior room
    • Local recommendations – ask, ask, ask. We love places off the beaten track following a recommendation
    • Airbnb – take a gift for your host. Always appreciated and should you want to return you may get a discount
    • An under seat carry on bag for a short trip or two hours hospitality in the lounge…? A no brainer for us now

    Bon Voyage

    Upgraded hotel room
    Another city, another fabulous upgrade
    Airport lounge hospitality