Mon Petit Voyage

Category: European City Breaks

  • Edinburgh: August 2025

    Family Road Trip with Mum & Daughter

    What better month to visit Edinburgh?

    Visiting during festival month is undeniably expensive, but the atmosphere around the city is incredible and more than makes up for it.

    This was a special trip for my Mum, who loves Scotland and Edinburgh. She spent many happy times here with my dad, making this visit particularly meaningful. My youngest daughter had been before to see Taylor Swift and spent a couple of days sightseeing — albeit on a student budget.

    I found a fantastic hotel, JustB, on the outskirts of the city. A short bus ride took us straight into Princes Street. Our hosts, Geoff and Karo, were warm and welcoming. We stayed in the Arthur Conan Doyle Suite, with an additional single room attached — perfect for the three of us. The stunning location makes you forget you’re just outside a capital city.

    We drove up from the north of England, stopping at Gretna Green (with an explanation of its significance for my daughter), Lockerbie to remember the tragic bombing of 21 December 1988, and the quaint town of Moffat. It was a beautiful drive through Scotland.

    While in Edinburgh, we shopped along the Royal Mile, walked down Princes Street, stopped at the Vennel Steps (along with other fans of One Day on Netflix), listened for the 1.00pm cannon from the Castle, visited Greyfriars Bobby, and enjoyed a makeover courtesy of Charlotte Tilbury at H Beauty.

    One of the highlights was undoubtedly the Military Tattoo. We attended on VJ Day, in the company of royalty — Prince Edward and his wife Sophie. I had been to the Tattoo once before, in the early 1990s. While the format has changed somewhat, it remains an incredible experience. Wrap up warm: sitting on the Castle Esplanade can be breezy, even in summer. This iconic open-air venue, perched at the top of the Royal Mile, hosts a spectacular three-week show against the backdrop of the historic castle, featuring international military bands, over 1,000 performers, and fireworks.

    An incredible three-generational family trip — memories both old and new.

  • Stresa: Lago Maggiore – July 2025

    We wanted to have a family trip to Italy before my eldest daughter left on her travels. We were looking for somewhere to suit everyone; myself, my partner and 2 daughters (aged 22 & 24) without it breaking the bank.

    Stresa fitted the bill perfectly. Not only were flights to Milan affordable, but Stresa itself offered the charm of Italy without the exclusivity of Como or Sirmione.

    Stresa is beautiful. The views of Lake Maggiore are stunning. The luxury villas and opulent hotels with magnificent gardens line the roads alongside the lake.

    We opted for a smaller family hotel called La Fontana which offered a beautiful pool and all inclusive drinks package. We had a room with a balcony overlooking the lake and the girls had a garden view room. Both were extremely spacious and comfortable. The weather was fantastic! Totally relaxation besides the pool with drinks on hand.

    Breakfast was included and we enjoyed a range of local restaurants from a pizza beside the lake to the high end Lo Stornello restaurant in the town. All an easy walk from our hotel. Stressa offered an abundance of restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets.

    A boat trip to the Borromean islands is a must. Isola Bella was my favourite with its palace and gardens.  We had a private trip which felt so luxurious. Our captain was ready and waiting exactly when he requested.

    A fantastic holiday – most highly recommended.

    Enjoy the photographs…

    Stresa
    Our hotel – La Fontana
    Isola Bella

  • Happy New Year 2026

    A year ago, I created this site as a project to write about and document our travels. I am so grateful for the opportunities we had in 2025 and the wonderful places we were able to visit.

    A few highlights of the year include the absolute privilege of seeing Pope Francis at the Vatican on Palm Sunday, discovering Rome, and visiting the beautiful island of Ibiza. Spending time in Edinburgh during the festival was another unforgettable experience.

    My eldest daughter has now moved to Dubai so we are looking forward to adventures further afield.

    Of course, there are still so many destinations left on our European city list. Lisbon is our first destination of the year, coming up in half term…

    Thank you for taking the time to read my posts. Thank you to all the hotels and places who have enriched our travel experiences.

    Happy & Safe Travels 2026!

    Rome
    Edinburgh
    Ibiza
    Ibiza

  • 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…