Finland’s capital, Helsinki, sits on a southern peninsula in the Gulf of Finland. We have arrived at the port and I’m itching to get into the city but as usual, it’s a bit chaotic getting five people ready. … Read the rest
Helsinki
Venice Of The North
Today we get to experience St. Petersburg’s canals. Alexander the Great founded this city as his own and had a vision to turn it into the Venice of the North, criss-crossing the city with canals to provide a means of transport as well as beauty.… Read the rest
A Taste Of St. Petersburg
After a day of exploring Peterhof and the Catherine Palace at Pushkin, I’m ready to delve into St. Petersburg proper. After dropping the rest of the tour group back at the port, mum and I are taken to the metro at Primorskaya where we are handed over to another guide for the evening. … Read the rest
Uplistsikhe & Gori
Uplistsikhe, literally the ‘lord’s fortress’ is a cave town – an ancient city built into the rocks, just outside of Gori around 90 minutes drive from Tbilisi. The drive is quiet and I admire the mountain scenery, picking Sergo’s tour guide brain about all the best places to visit and things to see. … Read the rest
Kakheti Region
After having a bit of time to explore Tbilisi, my travel companion Diana and I are excited to be heading out of town for the day to explore the Kakheti Region. … Read the rest
Tyntesfield
A day out at Tyntesfield is one for the whole family. This exquisite Victorian Gothic Revival estate includes a grand home, complete with its own chapel on a sprawling estate. Here you can watch the children play hide and seek between the trees, climb around the playground and explore the hothouse plants.… Read the rest
Kings Weston
It’s a beautiful, if a little crisp, Bristol morning. We’re off to Kings Western for the junior park run. My friend Alison used to run these in Brisbane when Miranda and Jasper were little, now it’s the children’s turn.… Read the rest
Chania
We’re in Crete! We have brought the boys with us to Chania for the day and I have, as usual, a full itinerary to get through. It’s perhaps a little ambitious but, with a promise of ice cream a the end, let’s see how we go.… Read the rest
The Forbidden City
The only word that comes close to describing the enormity of the Forbidden City is “vast”. Even this doesn’t seem to do it justice. It’s hard to comprehend that the Forbidden City (Palace Museum) was built in the Ming Dynasty (around 1420).… Read the rest
Temple of Heaven: Imperial Walkway Bridge
The Temple of Heaven Park is a vast green space in the heart of Beijing. It has the not-so-green Temple of Heaven, including its Circular Mound Altar structure as its centerpiece. By no means is the Temple the only structure though.… Read the rest