Europe

A 35-day adventure by Paula Read more

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Trip start
September 5, 2023
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Day 2
Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at 3:30 PM
☀️ 33 °C
Altitude: 47 m
France Eglise Saint-Antoine-des-Quinze-Vingts 48.849165, 2.37421248°50’57” N 2°22’27” E
First day in Paris
September 6, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
I arrived to 32 degrees & very muggy. It took 45 mins in taxi to get to apartment, it's so cute & off a courtyard so really quiet. The area we staying in is really cool, heaps of cafes, quaint shops & easy to walk everywhere. I had my first beer people watching well I waited for Sian to arrive. Everyone bikes everywhere & you have to watch you don't get run over my cyclists!Read more
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Day 3
Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 10:05 PM
🌙 25 °C
Altitude: 47 m
France Eglise Saint-Antoine-des-Quinze-Vingts 48.849169, 2.37423648°50’57” N 2°22’27” E
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Paris day 2
September 7, 2023 in France ⋅ 🌙 25 °C
Another hot one today, heading up the Seine River on a hop on hop off bus we had a great view of some iconic sights. Had a guided tour through the Louvre which was pretty amazing . Also checked out the rugby world cup fan zone & supporters shop, excited for heading back there tomorrow night to watch the gameRead more
Bonjour to you both 😘x [Shirley]
9/8/23Reply
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Day 4
Friday, September 8, 2023 at 7:30 PM
☀️ 32 °C
Altitude: 57 m
France Canal Saint-Martin 48.847225, 2.37022848°50’50” N 2°22’13” E
Pinch me moments from Paris
September 8, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
My pinch me moments from Paris were -
Seeing the amazing architecture - it's everywhere
Going to the Louvre
Cycling from the Arc de Triomphe down the Champs-élysées
Croissant making
Travelling on the Seine & been surrounded by the history - quite mind-blowing.Read more
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Day 4
Friday, September 8, 2023
☀️ 34 °C
Altitude: 47 m
France Eglise Saint-Antoine-des-Quinze-Vingts 48.849176, 2.37426248°50’57” N 2°22’27” E
Croissant making
September 8, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C
Today we did a croissant making class, was so much fun & the tutor was great, he used to live in NZ. Then we walked up to a steep the Sacre-coeur - a chapel which was not far from where we did the class. Great view of the city from here. Quite an effort in 32 degree heat though so a beer on the way down was much appreciated. Heading out to rugby soon ...Read more
TravelerBrilliant loving your photos 🥰x
9/9/23Reply
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Day 5
Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 2:03 PM
⛅ 33 °C
Altitude: 45 m
France Luxembourg Garden 48.846356, 2.33819448°50’47” N 2°20’17” E
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Cycling in Paris
September 9, 2023 in France ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C
Well we took our life into our hands yesterday & cycled around Paris. It was so much fun despite the heat, you get a bit of breeze when your biking thank god! We covered a lot of miles & were knackered last night.Read more
Traveler ❤️
9/12/23Reply
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Day 6
Sunday, September 10, 2023
⛅ 31 °C
Altitude: 82 m
France Ancien couvent des Augustins 47.393543, 0.68484447°23’37” N 0°41’5” E
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Bye bye Paris, hello Loire Valley
September 10, 2023 in France ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
We left Paris on the fast train to Tours which took an hour. The whole trip was flat cropping land for miles. Our Air bnb is much bigger than Paris & really nice but lots of traffic noise, don't think we'll be leaving any windows open tonight! Had a wander around today, visited the tourist office & bike shop to plan our next two days. Very chilled & now watching Wales v FijiRead more
Traveler 🤣well done wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 x
9/12/23Reply
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Day 7
Monday, September 11, 2023
☁️ 29 °C
Altitude: 82 m
France Ancien couvent des Augustins 47.39354, 0.68484147°23’37” N 0°41’5” E
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Chateau Villandry
September 11, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
We hit the bikes again today & cycled 20km to the Chateau & it's amazing gardens (it was the vege gardens we came to see mostly 🙂). It was originally built in the 1189. The photos don't really do it justice, this was a must see on our bucket list & one of the main reasons we came to this region. Was so worth it. Topped off amazing day with a very french platter. P.S sorry about all the garden photos!Read more
Traveler 😮 wow looks fabulous
9/12/23Reply
Traveler ❤️
9/12/23Reply
Traveler ❤️
9/12/23Reply
TravelerFabulous ❤️xxx
9/12/23Reply
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Day 8
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
🌧 20 °C
Altitude: 50 m
France Centre Hospitalier National d'Ophtalmologie des Quinze-Vingts 48.851268, 2.37338248°51’5” N 2°22’24” E
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TOURS -Day 8
September 12, 2023 in France ⋅ 🌧 20 °C
Today we had a leisurely morning packing up to leave Tours, stored our bags & then went to our first Michelin star restaurant for lunch, was amazing & good value with 2 courses for 22 euro, then did a touch of shopping, tried some mini patisseries & caught the fast train back to Paris. Bit of a downgrade in the accom tonight, a tiny box up 4 flights of stairs! Baguette with leftovers for dinner & off for a beer as it's a sauna in here.Read more
Traveler 😘
9/12/23Reply
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Day 9
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
☁️ 29 °C
Altitude: 50 m
Italy Bolognina 44.513667, 11.34757644°30’49” N 11°20’51” E
Day 9 - Bologna Italy
September 13, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
We arrived in Bologna this morning & checked into our Air bnb, lovely & spacious, 10 min bus ride to centre of city. Had our first taste of homemade pasta for lunch & then did a food market tour tonight tasting local foods which was awesome. Great start to Italy😍.Read more
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Day 10
Thursday, September 14, 2023
☁️ 29 °C
Altitude: 46 m
Italy Bolognina 44.513679, 11.34763944°30’49” N 11°20’52” E
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Modena - Balsamic & Markets
September 14, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Yesterday we caught the train to Modena the town famous for Balsamic vinegar. We did a taste testing of the different aged varieties from 8-25+ years & heard how it was traditionally made & still is - was really interesting. Then we went to ANOTHER amazing food market for lunch & checked out my first cathedral in Italy. After catching train back to Bologna we did a 2 hour evening walking tour, which was also great to find out some of the history. Interesting facts - The steps in the photo were made that way so the Pope could ride his horse up & down them as he was never meant to touch the ground. Bologna has the old university in the world starting in 1100's. Finished off the day with an apretizo - typical pre-dinner drink in Italy & you get the snacks included in the price of the drink. Then dinner at a real traditional family owned Italian restaurant we fluked finding in the locals part of town. Was yumm. We did 18k steps for the day!Read more
Awesome photo’s PJ [Michelle]
9/15/23Reply
Traveler 😘
9/15/23Reply
Traveler Loving your photos my friend 💕
9/15/23Reply
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Day 10
Thursday, September 14, 2023
⛅ 28 °C
Altitude: 19 m
Croatia Rt Kantafig 42.667157, 18.07991242°40’2” N 18°4’48” E
Churches - Modena & Bologna
September 14, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
The first church I visited in Italy was the Modena Cathedral & I couldn't believe the beautiful interior with all the marble, gold & trimmings along with the stunning art. I've obviously seen heaps of churches since the first & they all have the same extravagance but I wanted to do a couple of posts on them to help me remember them later. The Bologna Cathedral had security guards as it contains a statue some Muslims find offensive & the church has had bomb threats in the past . First 10 photos Modena, rest were Bologna Cathedral.Read more
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Day 11
Friday, September 15, 2023
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 320 m
Italy Pocaia 43.489617, 12.09183643°29’23” N 12°5’31” E
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Florence - Art/History
September 15, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
We arrived in Florence after an interesting train experience where we missed the train & jumped on another (different coy) but didn't have tickets for it. Wasn't a very relaxing trip wondering if we'd get kicked off or have to pay twice but we made it. Florence was mind-blowing & beautiful with all the history, Sian took me to the Ponte Vecchio (bridge with the houses on it) & we wandered through the city. We went to see the David statue this morning & then walked up the Duomo which is gives an amazing view . Over 450 steps but well worth it. It's way busier than Bologna & there is leather shops/markets EVERYWHERE.Read more
Traveler 🥰
9/18/23Reply
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Day 11
Friday, September 15, 2023
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 320 m
Italy Pocaia 43.489615, 12.09183243°29’23” N 12°5’31” E
Florence - food
September 15, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
On our first day in Florence we went to the market & had pizza, it's the best pizza I've ever eaten, we saw them make it & cooked in wood fire oven. Then we had dinner at a Osterio ( Italian eating place) you can't get in there without booking, & you have to ring no online bookings. So we got the Italian lady we stayed with to book it. Best meal yet & a great way to celebrate Sian's birthday. For those interested I had a Caprice salad, pasta with a tomato sauce & cheese called burrato, (sounds basic but can't explain how good it was) then tiramisu (of course) Some other random photos here tooRead more
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Day 12
Saturday, September 16, 2023
☁️ 27 °C
Altitude: 320 m
Italy Pocaia 43.489616, 12.09183143°29’23” N 12°5’31” E
1 1 1 1
Florence - The Duomo
September 16, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
Photos of our climb up the Duomo, a wedding we came across today, extras from Florence & off to Tuscany in our rental car this afternoon.
Traveler Wow
9/18/23Reply
Traveler Great shot girls 💞x
9/18/23Reply
Traveler Omgoodness drive safe you 2 😬xxx
9/18/23Reply
Traveler Nice pics Paula 😎
9/18/23Reply
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Day 13
Sunday, September 17, 2023
☁️ 28 °C
Altitude: 320 m
Italy Pocaia 43.489575, 12.09203443°29’22” N 12°5’31” E
Tuscany - Day 13
September 17, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Had a very chilled day today not venturing far from our Agriturismo (like a farm stay). Did some washing in a little town near by then checked out a Polenta festival that was happening in the local village over the weekend. Spent the rest of the afternoon by the pool - was bliss! Added some photos of roads & footpaths in Italy. They are shit & they make our roads at home look really good.Read more
TravelerHowz chianti tasting?
9/18/23Reply
Still working on that Andrew [Paula]
9/19/23Reply
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Day 14
Monday, September 18, 2023
☁️ 28 °C
Altitude: 320 m
Italy Pocaia 43.489575, 12.09203443°29’22” N 12°5’31” E
Tuscany - Day 14
September 18, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Today we headed off for a cooking class & lunch in the Tuscany hills. We got stuck in traffic due to accident on motorway so we're an hour late but still got there for most of it. Then we went to San Gimignano a little hilltop village everyone raves about. It was lovely but super packed & very touristy so was good to leave there & head to Siena which was beautiful & so worth the trip. We got there late afternoon, it wasn't too hot & not too many people. In the main square (Piazza Del Campo) they do horse racing twice a year which would be amazing to see as it's not that big! Part of Siena is surrounded by a massive stone wall that was used as a fortress to defend it against conflicts with Florence in the 1500's. Had my first drive on right hand side of road tonight & we lived to tell the story so that was a bonus😍Read more
TravelerSienna one of my favourite places in the world, glad you got to go.
9/18/23Reply
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Day 15
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
☀️ 29 °C
Altitude: 320 m
Italy Pocaia 43.489614, 12.09182443°29’23” N 12°5’31” E
Tuscany - Day 15
September 19, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
We started our day with a truffle hunt. The owner of our accommodation took us out to search for black truffles with his truffle dog. It was getting a bit late in the season but we found at least 8 so that was pretty cool. The dog was very clever! Then after a coffee at local village cafe (cheapest coffee yet at 1.50 euro) we headed to Arezzo, local city. Had a look around the old part of town, did museum & a couple of cathedrals & of course daily gelato. Pizza for lunch today. Tried to find Prada outlet shop but unfortunately wrong town! Then we headed back for late afternoon swim & siesta by the pool.Read more
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Day 15
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
☀️ 29 °C
Altitude: 276 m
Italy Palazzo Chianini Vincenzi 43.465243, 11.88102143°27’55” N 11°52’52” E
Arezzo churches
September 19, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
We visited the Arezzo Cathedral & St Francesco Basilica. The Basilica is famous for the paintings known as the Legend of the True Cross completed in 1400's. As usual amazing artwork & stunning interiors.Read more
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Day 16
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
☁️ 25 °C
Altitude: 320 m
Italy Pocaia 43.489613, 12.09182843°29’23” N 12°5’31” E
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Umbria - Day 16
September 20, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Today we planned to go to Cortona the town where 'Under the Tuscan Sun' movie was set. We got there early but still no parks & couldn't face another crowded town so headed to Perugia instead which is the capital of Umbria (neighbouring state to Tuscany) . Great decision, browsed around the main part of town, very chilled, not too many people & had lunch at a little street food place - great find. Then headed to a wine & olive oil tasting which was in a lovely valley off the beaten track. Great way to finish the day, especially the dessert we decided to add on to the tasting😀. Packing tonight ready to head to Rome tomorrow.Read more
TravelerLoving following your travels PJ,
9/20/23Reply
Traveler Oooo that looks nice 😊
9/23/23Reply
Traveler Love coming along with you 2 😘xxx
9/24/23Reply
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Day 17
Thursday, September 21, 2023
⛅ 29 °C
Altitude: 42 m
Italy Monte Palatino 41.889083, 12.48750341°53’21” N 12°29’15” E
Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
September 21, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
The Roman Forum was amazing to see, loved looking down on it from Palatine Hill & then wandering through it was surreal.
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Day 18
Friday, September 22, 2023 at 11:59 PM
🌧 23 °C
Altitude: 43 m
Vatican City Galleria dei Candelabri e degli Arazzi 41.905805, 12.453641°54’21” N 12°27’13” E
Colosseum
September 22, 2023 in Vatican City ⋅ 🌧 23 °C
Rome was a lifetime experience that I'm so pleased I have done. It was a crazy 24hrs but so worth it. The photos don't really do justice for what it was like to experience it for real. I'll do 2 or 3 posts to cover this as so many photos & videos.Read more
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Day 18
Friday, September 22, 2023
☁️ 29 °C
Altitude: 70 m
Vatican City St. Peter's Basilica 41.902353, 12.45325941°54’8” N 12°27’12” E
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St Peters Basilica & Sistene Chapel
September 22, 2023 in Vatican City ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
We signed up for an early morning tour lasting 3.5 hrs starting at 7.15, was meant to beat the crowds but it didn't feel like it. Most of the first two hours was a history lesson & going through the museum's in the Vatican City. Was good as I learnt a lot. You were only allowed 15 mins in Sistene chapel & no cameras but it was unreal to see it. ST Peters was huge & the marble & opulence of the interior is mind-blowing. Was quite surreal to see where the Pope addresses the people every Wed in front of the Basilica.Read more
Traveler Amazing shots Paula👍
9/24/23Reply
Traveler Wow
9/24/23Reply
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Day 18
Friday, September 22, 2023
☁️ 29 °C
Altitude: 43 m
Vatican City Galleria dei Candelabri e degli Arazzi 41.905786, 12.45356941°54’21” N 12°27’13” E
Rome continued
September 22, 2023 in Vatican City ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
More photos of inside the Basilica & of other Rome highlights
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Day 21
Monday, September 25, 2023
☁️ 23 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Croatia Dubrovnik Ferry Port 42.659216, 18.08598742°39’33” N 18°5’10” E
Croatia cruise - Day 19-21
September 25, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
After flying from Rome to Split on Friday we overnighted in Split then boarded our yacht at the Port on Saturday, weather has been a bit damp over the weekend so been lots of R & R which is just what we needed. 40 people on board & to be fair we are feeling quite young😀. The weather has affected some of our stops but we have called into some pretty nice ports. Today landed in Dubrovnik & visited a war photo museum which covered the Yugoslavia civil war here in 1990's along with Ukraine war as well. Was pretty sobering but pleased we went. Then had a walking tour through the old town, hope to walk the city walls tomorrow as was a bit wet & windy today.Read more
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Day 22
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
☀️ 27 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Croatia Šipanska Luka 42.726951, 17.86227442°43’37” N 17°51’44” E
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Croatia cruise - Day 22
September 26, 2023 in Croatia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
Sun in now back out - yay. We had a half day in Dubrovnik so we walked the city walls of the old town. Very popular but we got in early before it was too crowded. It's quite expensive here, paid 5 euro for a coffee & 9.5 euro for a wine, the most we have paid the whole time we've been away. We left Dubrovnik at lunchtime & had a swim spot part way to our next stop Sipan, a very small island. Lovely sunset here & we had the 'captains dinner' on board - a 4 course meal which included some interesting items like octopus.Read more
Traveler Fabulous 🥰
10/3/23Reply
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