
As the second wife of Peter the Great, Catherine I, Empress of Russia, came to the throne by chance. She was orphaned at an early aged and spent her youth as a maid. Nevertheless, they met soon after Peter moved the capital to St.… Read the rest

Travel, life, loves and laughs.

As the second wife of Peter the Great, Catherine I, Empress of Russia, came to the throne by chance. She was orphaned at an early aged and spent her youth as a maid. Nevertheless, they met soon after Peter moved the capital to St.… Read the rest

Our destination is Peterhof. After a drive through the city, however, the metro is our first introduction to St. Petersburg. From the very beginning, Narvskaya metro it is unlike any other metro station. This station is bustling with commuters as we push our tokens into the machine to pass through the gates.… Read the rest

The wind whips through my hair as we walk along the pier to our first glimpses of Estonia. There’s not much by way of sign posts to the Old Town but I know Tallinn is going to be special.… Read the rest

“Forgive me for saying so, but you’re too young for cruising” my work colleague quips a few weeks before our departure. On the contrary, I rather wish we had discovered this way of travel long before now.

We’re on our first day at sea travelling from Warnemünde, Germany to Tallinn, Estonia where we will dock tomorrow morning. … Read the rest

Today we are visiting Marienkirche (St Mary’s Church), located in Rostock, a city in northern Germany. After a walk through the town square we come across this charming church and enter into the dazzling interior, the whitewashed wall reflecting the light of the bright day outside.… Read the rest

I wake up in Warnemünde, our first port of call, and I can’t wait to get out and explore. After dressing, breakfast and other morning tasks, we walk from the port into town and follow the pretty canal lined with boats floating prettily and little pension (B&B) along the banks.… Read the rest

Our holiday begins in earnest today. Whilst yesterday was filled with waiting, today dawns to coffee and croissants (after Jason takes an early morning walk to find provisions). Suitably fortified we ready ourselves and set off for Kastellet.

As we set off from our Friederickstrasse apartment and out along the cobbled streets I breathe in the chill of the clean, cool air and stretch my arms towards the blue sky.… Read the rest

All good parties have a serious side that goes along with the fun. Today’s party for Brad’s 40th has a good deal of both! Let’s Brunchology!
My friend Diana (wife of said birthday boy), has given up a girls’ weekend, organised a surprise birthday party with 33 guests, plus other weekend surprises (a mini break at the Burj Al Arab no less) as well as having coordinated a house move in the last week. … Read the rest

I’m a bit surprised at first when Ahmed arrives to pick Vaishali and I up in a van to explore Cairo. Then I remember his sister, Dina and her three children, Aya, Adam and Hana are joining us too so the van makes sense. … Read the rest

My Authentic Amman evening begins when Banan pulls up to pick me up from the hotel. Chic as always, she’s in jeans and an airy white shirt and beams at me as I jump in the car. … Read the rest