Visiting Florence | Piazza Santa Croce

Is there a city in Italy that isn't full of city gems? Florence is no different as it scored big on that lottery and is filled with so much history. Said to be one of Europe's great art cities and it not just a city with beautiful art but beautiful architecture at almost every turn.  The city that has given birth to many luxury good companies, Salvatore Ferragamo to name a few of my favorite Italian brands was founded in Florence and is still headquartered here. Having searched high and low for where to stay in the shadows of Santa Maria del Fiore's Dome, with no luck we finally found something right by Piazza Santa Croce. Thinking that we were miles from everything, we couldn't have been more wrong.

Piazza Santa Croce is a little gem you need to add to your visit when you Florence. Our apartment in a street right next to Santa Croce church. Two streets over we had the Arno River and close by Ponte Vecchio and right across the river from us is Piazza Michaelangelo offering amazing views of the city vista. Needless to say, we had struck gold! Busy enough with Italian cafes, restaurants, shops, and galleries but quiet enough to enjoy surrounding without hordes of tourists clogging up the area too much. Santa Croce as well as offering a stunning focal point with its beautiful facade is also a place many Italian greats have been buried.  Known as Temple of Italian Glorie, Santa Croce is where Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo and many illustrious Italians are buried. The church overlooks a piazza. This is also where another Italian sport was born; Calcio Fiorentino

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Blue Lagoon | Tips and What To Expect What Planning A Trip To Iceland's Blue Lagoon

You can have a short layover in Iceland, a five-day, 7-day, or even 10-day adventure on this island, the one place you will have make time for is a visit to the Blue Lagoon. There are geysers, crazy-beautiful waterfalls, magical lava fields, glaciers and mountain scenery all waiting to be seen and what a sight for sore eyes! Out of all the adventures this island has to offer, soaking up in the Blue Lagoon is up there on many an Iceland visitor's bucket list.  I am a lover of all things Spa. For every long haul trip, I go on, I usually book an appointment at Ajala Spa. One of my favourites in London as they aren't far to get to and I have easy access to two in the city. For short weekend trips, I usually opt for a little pampering by way of Mani/Pedi with the massage chair of course. For the trip to Iceland, I skipped 'before trip spa' because I was preparing my mind, body and spirit for all that the Blue Lagoon was going to offer and I wasn't disappointed! There are places that are usually hyped up and when you get there, it is a pure and utter disappointment. That was not the case with the Blue Lagoon. It was everything I hoped it was going to be. I had spent about a week exploring Iceland by campervan(more on that in posts to follow), so I was very much looking forward to the spa day at the Blue Lagoon at the end of our trip. I was relaxed and floating on air by the time I left, so the spa did exactly what it said on the tin. So you want to visit the Blue Lagoon when you are in Iceland? Then read on...

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Gunnamatta Beach: Getting Introduced to Melbourne's Hidden Gem

I have been keen to visit Melbourne for some time now, partly because I was going to be getting a local tour of the city. Local in that I was going to have my very own personal guide to the city. Not in the ‘driving miss Daisy’ type of experience but I was going to have my friend chauffeur me (there was a tram or bus threw in the mix too) me about to all the cool little hang outs that tourists don’t usually venture out to. I love a touristy spot, but adore even more to see hidden gems in cities I visit. This is the same thing I try to inspire people to do when they visit London. Don't just stick to popular places in central London. Visit Angle, Brixton, East London, Kingston, heck add Peckham in there too. You want to see where the locals hang out, don’t you? So get in there!

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Enter The Magical World of Iceland's Eldhraun Lava Field

I was going to wait until November to do a series on my trip to Iceland but each time I look at the pictures I get so excited and lose all patience with my planned schedule of posts so I thought I would get it out of my system and share the magical world Iceland's Eldraun Lava Field.

Eldhraun Lava Field

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Summer Essentials - What You Need When you Hit The Beach in Thailand

It's not everyday you wake up and have the beach all to yourselves, unless you are in, maybe Phuket. This little Thai island is just paradise! I wish I could have stayed forever. I guess in a way I now understand why people stay on and live in Thailand. You could certainly live there and not miss any "Western comforts". You want shopping, Bangkok is filled with shopping malls from designer boutiques to purse-friendly stores. When it comes to the weather, let's just say the London summers are blown right out of the water!

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Where to Stay In Paris | Parisian Weekends with Views of Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe

Usually I complain about not visiting Paris as much as I should considering its only an hour and a half on the EuroStar. This year I have managed to rack up quite a few trips to the popular capital. One memorible trip from the visits was a weekend visit and staying on Champs Elysées, just before I left for Australia. Nothing bits an apartment with a view of the Eiffel Tower, but even better is having a hotel room with not only a view of the Eiffel Tower but a view Arc de Triomphe from outside two of your private balconies.

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A Private Paradise | Are These Luxury Villas Phuket's Best Kept Secret?

It simply doesn't get any better than this!!! Considering my birthday falls right at the end of the year when I am a little more reflective which means I opt for more relaxed celebrations. For my birthday, December last year I opted for a month long celebration which saw my boyfriend and I travel from Budapest to Beijing and then to Cambodia's Siem Reap to Bangkok, before landing in Phuket. For my actual birthday, the day before, the birthday and the day after I just wanted peace and quiet, no tours, no crazy activities, just pure indulgence! What the lady wishes for, so she must have and I did get, by way of a private paradise at Renaissance Phuket.

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Exploring Sydney's Opera House

Sydney Opera House! A building that really needs no introductions, huh? But, for those not in the know, Sydney Opera House is a performing arts center in Australia's Sydney on Bennelong Point of Sydney Harbour. Situated close to the business district and the famous Harbour Bridge. Inspired by bird wings, the shape and form of clouds, shells and palm trees, say its Danish architect Jorn Utzon. The roof is made out of fungus ceramic tiles and concrete.

Looking at these pictures you would not believe that the city had rained for 3 days in a roll! Yep, that total messed up all the plans I had to shoot the sunset over the bridge or my planned rides to Manly. I suppose I can't complain too much as I still managed to venture out and explore the city parks, the famous Bondi Beach, and its sea water pools along the coast and beautiful harbours or the famous Kings Cross a notorious red light and entertainment district of Sydney.

Back into Farm Cove, you can admire the view of Sydney's Opera House from many unique viewing points that include Mrs Macquaries Chair, from the Botanical Garden which I will be sharing more pictures on shortly after this post.

Booking a tour in Sydney's Opera House

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Sydney Apartments That will Bring Out The Naomi Campbell Out of You!

Lately, when I travel I prefer a little bit of "home from home comfort" so I tend to opt for apartments when traveling for leisure these days. Sure you might want everything taken care of by the hotel and that's great when I am staying in hotels while on a work project. For my trip to Australia this March, I wanted to be right in the city but still feel comfortable in the space I was staying and much less foot traffic compared to a hotel. I definitely found in Meriton Apartments. They have some of the tallest residential properties in Sydney. They have many apartment buildings in Sydney and some with penthouse. I chose to stay at Meriton Serviced Apartments in Pitt Street. Right in the heart of Sydney's CBD. Westfield Shopping Centre is just a street or 2 streets away. It is perfectly located in that you also have the world famous Queen Victoria Building with designer boutique stores, cafes and restaurants just a few steps away.  Just as well, as being close to many a restaurant meant I had enough time to evoke the Naomi Campbell alter ego before venturing off to dinner with travel friends I met in the city. 

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The Perfect Weekend Bag For Quick and Easy Getaways

Being a travel blogger, I guess I don't need convince you of the fact that I travel a lot. Working as a consultant also means I travel for much of my projects. Currently making the weekly rounds between London and Harry Potter's playground in beautiful Oxford. I hope my recent weekend trips to Paris, Copenhagen, Warsaw, Edinburgh, the English countryside and many other European cities have served inspiration for you to pack your bags and head for little break. With the right bag one can quickly hop on out of the city for a little weekend R&R with minimal packing effort. Those weekend trips are all about maximising the time you have for play on your get away, and doing so means reducing the time you have to check in at airports or dragging around big bags. You want to be able to pack a carry-on and go from work to play in about as little time as it takes Lewis Hamilton to get from 0-60! That means having a bag perfect for a carry-on-only weekend getaways. Who doesn't need an escape from the weekday grind? The Catalina weekender by Lo and Son is perfect for skipping the check-in desk and heading straight to departures. This little baby comes in a few shades but being a lover of all shades of blue, I went for Indigo, but there are a few more colours in the range if blue doesn't get your wanderlust flowing. Reasons to love this weekender?

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Just Do It! 10 Travel Tips For First Time Solo Travellers

'Travel is never a matter of money, but of courage'

Talk is cheap so stop telling yourself you are going to do it and just do it(as Nike used to say). But, where do you even start? Before we even get very far in to this, you need to decide on where to go! Contrary to what a lot of people believe, solo doesn’t just mean travel outside the country. It can also be inland travel. I spent a lot of my late teens exploring parts of the UK on my own and even took my nieces too from time to time. Exploring Wales, Scotland, and parts of England on my own before I ventured off to other parts of the world on my own! Yes, exploring your own country counts as solo, so why are so many guys and girls so afraid to explore without a companion?

Travel planning for trips with friends and family can be tough with trying to figure out when and where to go, factoring what you are going to do and where you staying, fitting in people's budgets and what they like to see and do. See, just talking about it is tiring enough. Even worse, when you do all that planning and people cancel! I love travelling with compadres, but love my solo trips just as much. The freedom to go where I want, when I want and how long, stay where I want. This is all a breath of fresh air. We do so much for others through the year, whether you are at work or home, so solo trips are another way to re-group and do you, for you! Like the quote above says, it’s not about money but courage. So for those that haven’t embarked on a solo trip yet I thought I would help you out a little. Having travelled as far as Australia's Sydney, Hong Kong, parts or Europe and UK on my own I may just have picked up a thing or two to get you started! So here are tips to get you going on the first solo trip.

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Thailand | Sun, Sea and Style in Koh Phi Phi Islands

Another installment from my island hopping and exploration in Thailand. If you didn't catch the first post in the series, you can read my tips on island hopping in Thailand's Phuket. Of all the places that I have traveled to Thailand is up there in the top 5. Stunning landscapes, beautiful beaches, great activities to sink your teeth into and so much more that you will easily be plotting your return soon after you leave. These shots were taken on some of the other stops on the same tour as the stop to May Bay, also famously known as The Beach. We had a few stops for snorkeling, lunch and a bit of shopping on some of the islands. We had the pleasure of exploring some of the islands and getting up and down hiking, sailing to make the most of our stay in the country. If you have not been to Thailand and have it on your list, I would highly recommend you move it to the top of the list soon. If you need more reasons, to help you move it to the top of the list here are some to get you started off - all rolled in with some tips. 

Shiny Happy People - Get Some Sun - I come from a hot country and by hot, I mean HOT! Our hottest time of the year is October and temperatures can get as high as 40's! So now living in London, you know that summer is promised to no one, so if you want to be in with the shiny happy people then getting some sun will definitely do you some good. Thailand is not short of the rays and even when it rains, it's hot and sunny soon after a few drops. Another advantage is that you can also have beautiful beaches to enjoy the sun all to yourself. 

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Mandarin Oriental | Where To Stay In Kuala Lumpur

Petronas Twin Towers are Kuala Lumpur's most famous landmarks in Malaysia, if not the whole of Southeast Asia. When I was planning our visit to Kuala Lumpur I was also on the hunt for hotels in Kuala Lumpur city center as almost everything that I planned was close if not within the main part of the city center. We checked into Mandarin Oriental in Kuala Lumpur, which not only sits pretty with views of Malaysia's business district but comes with a bonus of being right next to Petronas Towers and the ridiculously HUGE Suria KLCC shopping mall. The location makes it some much easier to get started on the list of things to do in Kuala Lumpur as KLCC and Petronas Tower Bridge Tour Experience are right at your door!

The luxury hotel boasts 10 restaurants serving up Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Spanish and other international cuisines. Gastronomy to the max! Kuala Lumpur is already a multi-cultural city but I love that the hotel is already offering you a piece of the world in all its international flavours without even having to leave the premises. With all the city's tourist sights we had on the cards, first on the list was a bit of R&R on the rooftop's infinity pool. Considering we had just spent a few days temple running through Cambodia's Angkorian Temples, it was time to relax by the pool with a cocktail before exploring began. A few days ago I also shared some pictures from our culinary tour through Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown.

Budget - Wise

Obviously, Mandarin Oriental is in the luxury category so expect to pay a premium for that, but it was well worth every penny or dollar that we paid. We had a room that was looking out to Petronas Towers, again those rooms charge a bit more. Others not facing the towers are slightly less. I will be posting more on the hotel. It was a birthday treat so totally justified, I guess. For a list of hotels in Kuala Lumpur head over to this list of hotels in KL.

Location Location Location

Location of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur doesn't get any better!  You are bang in the middle of it all. If you are after a hotel near KLCC then this is the place for you! Firstly you have the 10 restaurants inside the hotel, then the major Suria Mall within Petronas Towers next door. You have stores from luxury to sensibly priced stores. So from your Gucci, Fendi, Chanel to H&M and all the gadgets shops like the Microsoft, Samsung and Apple stores. I couldn't resist, I managed to come back to London with a gold and shiny Samsung A8. Exclusive to Asia, so I feel pretty chuffed that only a few people in the UK might have it. The hotel is perfectly located with plenty of sights are your finger tips. Also, perfect for anyone short on time but wanting to get the most out of your stay. You won't have to go very far to see the sights.

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Travel Essentials | 6 Tips and Tricks on How to Look Refreshed After Long Haul Flights

Last year saw me travel a lot more that I usually do and with the majority of my trips long haul  travel I thought I would share some tips that help me look and feel refreshed after long haul flights. As well as share some travel essentials that are staples in my carry-on. My trusted pink Longchamp has been to Hong Kong, Australia and all over Europe and still continues to survive the trips and the contents I tend to throw in it. This simple and little bag is unbelievably durable. This coming from someone who will pack everything but the kitchen sink and that straps are still intact!

In addition to having a magazine, book or the iPad I have always packed items that I can easily access once I get on the flight. Items that will allow me to easily relax and rest. Below are some of the tips that help me and will hopefully help you feel more refreshed after long haul flights.

1. H2O - Drink Plenty of Water - Travelling can be dehydrating, especially during long-haul travel. Dehydration can also mean dry pasty looking skin when you land so drink as much water as possible before and during your flight.

2. Get Some Sleep - If flying long haul I tend to pick flights leaving at night but even if you leave in the morning or afternoon. Try and get as much sleep on the flight as possible to help you align your sleeping patterns to the destination time zone. Getting some rest on the flight also means reducing the effects of jet-lag when your arrive. Details of This Stuff Work Lavender spray below in the carry-on essentials.

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Printemps Terrace | Best Kept Secret In Paris

Au Printemps is well known to every Parisian and to every fashionista visiting Paris, but what many don't know about is that is has a beautiful rooftop terrace with endless and uninterrupted views of Paris. Au Printemps is one of the biggest department stores in Paris, with everything one could possibly want. Au Printemps is pretty huge, taking up a few buildings in the neighbourhood, with floors of high-end fashion for women, men, kids as well as household items. It's only a question of whether one can afford it, but there is something for everyone. You can shop till you drop and when you are done you can head to the Printemps rooftop Terrace and drink in the views of Paris.

Most places offering such views come at a price while you can simply navigate your way around Au Printemps lifts and escalators and find yourself in this sweet spot in the heart of Paris. Views of Montmartre, Eiffel Tower, Paris de Garnier, Sacre Coeur and many more of Parisian iconic structures can all be seen from the rooftop terrace. If you are hungry for a little more than just the view there is also a cafe here. With an impressive 360° view of Paris, you will be sad you hadn't known about this place all along but yet don't want to spread the news for fear of being overcrowded the next time you visit.

Au Printemps: 64, BOULEVARD HAUSSMANN, 75009 PARIS

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Happy Mother's Day | 5 Gift Ideas For The Ladies In Your Life

Necklace and Earrings -  HSN/ Prosecco  - Co-operatives

It's that time of year. Mother's day is upon us and time to honer all the beautiful and hard working ladies in our lives. With both parents deceased Mother's day and Father's day at times to really owner the men and women who really make a difference in my life. For mother's day this year The co-operatives food invited me to the Mother of All Tea Parties. If you haven't see pictures of these then check out twitter's hashtag #TwitterTeaParty.  

While sipping away countless ups of Earl Grey and sides of irresistible cake I thought it best to spread the love and send you over a few ideas to really pamper and appreciate the ladies in your life. That includes those sisters, friends, cousins and nieces that really bring joy to your life then below are 5 ways to show them a little love for Mothering Sunday. From flowers to a little bling. It's not always about going over the top with Mother's Day gifts. You can invite the ladies over for a little Prosecco and girly giggles.

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Island Hideaway | 10 Essential Items To Pack For Santorini

In my last post I shared with you reasons why you should stay in Santorini's Akrotiri when you visit this beautiful island. Santorini, like many Greek islands with its abundance  of sunshine, sea and sand draws people from all four corners of the globe to sample a little bit of island living. Hot weather, warm seas and the perfect spot to cool off is just what the doctor ordered! When it comes to travel and beauty in hot weather simplicity is key. Below are essential items you need to pack for a trip to Santorini. 

1. A good moisturiser - Hot or cold weather a good moisturiser is key to looking fresh. It also helps keep your make sure in place, although I prefer less make-up during hot weather.

2. Cleanser and toner - Cleansing the skin of sunscreen and make-up for a clearer and fresh face.

3. Sunscreen - There is nothing more aging that sun burnt skin so protect your skin not only from burns but from UVA and UVB. Yes that goes from black skin, Indian skin. Everyone should be wearing it. Why? Because cancer does not discriminate so slather it on!

4. Sunglasses - Get some shade in your life.

5. Mascara,  brow kit, lip gloss - Less is more when it comes to make-up and hot weather. The last thing you want is having foundation and eye shadow sweating off your face. For a fresh-faced look cleanse and tone, moisturise then shape the brow, a little mascara and lip gloss and you are good to good. That is pretty much all the make-up you will usually find in my bag when I travel in hot weather.

6. Accessories - Keeping things simple is great but packing a few accessories can take a simple outfit from simple to vava voom in 0-60!

7. Big Hat - Your very own portable shade. The bigger the better!

8. Hair moisture - For someone that had super dry hair I love Aveda, Keratase and Qhemet Biologics in taming the mane in super drying weather.

9. After suncare with aloe vera - After being in the sun all day. Add moisture back into the skin as well as protect any parts of your skin that may have been overexposed to the sun.

10. Scarf - Warm days and cooler nights. Packing a scarf or shawl will save you from that cold breeze on the evening stroll back to the hotel.

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Travel and Beauty | Jet Set Ready With...Cynthia of SimplyCyn

The last post in the 'Jet Set Ready With...' series is in collaboration with Cynthia of SimplyCyn. This New York based jet-setter-blogger-attorney is one travelista that is packed with style as she trots around the globe in effortless chic attire. So, of course I wanted to know how she manages to look so stylish with her long haul travels crossing over the Atlantic, as if she pack the best stylists in her suitcase! Below Cynthia was quizzed on her beauty and travel style secrets. Hope you enjoy the insider deets as much as I did.

1. How do you get ready for a  holiday?

I binge on travel mags and blogs trying to make sure I've captured all the necessary elements of my itinerary. I've had many friends tell me it sounds like work, but there's really nothing more fun for me than the planning stages (besides maybe the actual trip).

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Travel and Beauty | Jet Set Ready With...Codie At CodieKinz

We all have those count downs to the holiday, don't we? Planning what we are going to pack, getting the names, done, hair cut and in some places waxed or shaved! Yep, we all do so this week I have had two bloggers take us through their jet-set ready plans. This third installment to the 'Jet Set Ready With' series with bloggers this week with one more to go this Sunday with Simply Cyn. This time we have Codie Kinz sharing how she gets ready for vacations and mini getaways. I love Codie's honest and relaxed way of getting ready and not putting too much focus on the getting ready part and more on the fun of exploring. I can so relate as on some trips I just want to get up and go with no fuss. Hope you enjoy it. Dont forget to share how you get ready in the comments below.

1. How do you get ready for a  holiday? 

I’m pretty low-maintainance to be honest. I make sure I’ve shaved my legs and ‘pits, and that’s pretty much it aside from the usual. I also craft some fun, themed accessories, which was obviously amazing for our recent Disneyland trip!

2. What's your beauty routine before a flight?

I use a lot of moisturiser to make sure my face doesn’t get dried out on the flight (I tend to use Simple moisturiser because it feels great!) and then I’ll use BB cream, rather that foundation to give me just a little coverage. Then just a bit of mascara, not eyeliner because I always fall asleep on ‘planes.

3. What's your go to fragrance for your getaway? 

Lady Gaga - Fame

"I recently had a Lush ‘Comforter’ Treatment, and I don’t think anything will ever feel as good!"

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Travel and Beauty | Jet Set Ready With... Coco Butter

The second in the 'Jet Set Ready With...' series. This time we have Samantha who blogs at CoCo Butter. A lover of travel and exploring, although London continues to be her favourite city. Below, Samantha shares her secrets when it comes to being Jet Set Ready!

You can find the links to Samantha's blog below. I hope you enjoy  the series.

1. How do you get ready for a  holiday?

I start preparing as soon as I book a holiday by stepping up my exercise routine and trying to eat a little bit healthier - all in an attempt to get my bikini body! I'll also start taking tanning and hair, skin and nails supplements so that I can look my best on the beach. I'll also use the sunbed a couple of times before I leave (naughty!) to prepare my skin for the sun. The day before I leave, I'll get Shellac on my nails and toenails, shave everywhere that needs it, fake tan, and get my eyelashes tinted. I always leave packing until the last minute and so I'm usually stressing the day before!

2. What's your beauty routine before a flight?

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