London, January 5. - 8. 2024

London is not new to us. I first visited as a teenager with my school, fell in love with the city, and knew I would return one day. Between 1999 and 2000, I spent a year elsewhere in the UK and made several trips to London. Later, we took a couple of short trips with the kids when they were small, and in 2015, we stayed for four days. This time, we were all eager to go back—for the city’s unique vibe, world-class museums, endless restaurant choices, and just the joy of wandering its streets. It was a quick decision to book tickets and a hotel for the last four days of the Christmas school holidays, with one new addition: Ricardo brought along his friend Nina.

There are flights every day between Nice and multiple London airports, but I chose Heathrow for its convenient tube access. Our British Airways Friday morning flight went smoothly, though passport control was stricter than in previous visits—both when leaving France and entering the UK. We had reserved two rooms at Premier Inn London Farringdon, near the Farringdon tube station, which is served by the new Elizabeth Line among others. Over the years, we’ve stayed in several Premier Inns, and they continue to be a reliable choice—and this stay was no exception.

Arriving a bit early meant our rooms weren’t ready yet, so we left our bags at the hotel and headed out to explore. A few tube stops later, we were at Leicester Square, which was just as bustling and vibrant as I remembered. From there, we passed through Chinatown and wandered the small streets of Soho before reaching Oxford Circus. We hopped back on the tube to return to the hotel, giving everyone—especially Nina, for whom it was her first time in London—a taste of the city.

After an early start that morning, we needed a short break to relax in the hotel before venturing out again in the evening, ready to continue our London adventure.

Tube vibes

M&Ms Leicester square

                                                                        Chinatown

One of the main highlights of this London trip was experiencing the city’s famous West End musical scene. That evening, we had tickets for Mamma Mia at the Novello Theatre. The show was simply magical—the singing, dancing, and acting all performed at an impressively high level. We thoroughly enjoyed every moment.

While West End tickets can be pricey and should ideally be booked in advance, the experience is absolutely worth it. The teenagers were so inspired that they added several ABBA songs to their playlists afterward! We’re already thinking about returning to see another show—London offers such an incredible variety.

 Novello Theatre

The next morning, we opted for breakfast at the hotel, partly to check out the vegan options available with the hot breakfast. Refueled and ready, we made our way to Madame Tussauds. Even though it wasn’t my first visit, the exhibition constantly changes, making it a fun experience every time. The kids had a great time posing with the wax figures and exploring the different sets.

I had purchased the tickets online a few weeks in advance, which is highly recommended. The museum limits the number of visitors at any one time to avoid overcrowding, so pre-booking ensures a smoother, more enjoyable experience.

After a fun morning at Madame Tussauds, we continued along the classic tourist route: Buckingham Palace, St James’ Park, the Royal Mews, Downing Street, Westminster Abbey, and Big Ben. We were lucky with the weather for January—definitely colder than France, but still pleasant enough for a long walk outdoors. And most importantly, it didn’t rain.

Although the day had already been full, we wanted to make the most of our time in London. After a brief afternoon rest at the hotel, we headed out for dinner at Brick Lane. Finding really good Indian food in the South of France is nearly impossible, so we were excited to have some in London. The meal at Bengal Village was absolutely delicious—even Nina, who had never tried Indian food before, and usually avoids anything spicy, loved it.

The following morning, I had reserved tickets for the Natural History Museum. Admission is free, but booking in advance is highly recommended. We had visited the museum back in 2015, but Martin was eager to return. Being Sunday morning, it was fairly crowded at first, though the flow of visitors spread out once we began exploring. The museum is enormous, with countless fascinating exhibitions—we especially enjoyed the dinosaurs and the Earth gallery.

Natural History Museum

After a couple of hours at the museum, we walked over to Harrods, which wasn’t too far away. Known for its iconic status and luxury shopping, it’s also a great place to pick up tea—I couldn’t resist bringing some back to France. The store itself is a landmark, so it’s always worth a visit.

The teenagers were eager for some shopping, so we made our way to Oxford Street. While they explored the shops, Johnny and I took a more relaxed approach and enjoyed a quiet cup of tea at a small nearby café.

For early afternoon, I had booked a late Sunday lunch at the George Inn, one of the oldest pubs in London, built in 1676 and the city’s only surviving galleried inn. The pub is located near Borough Market, though unfortunately we didn’t have time to visit the market itself this trip. The food was classic British pub fare, but I was especially impressed by the vegan option—a Nut Wellington served with delicious sides—proving that even centuries-old establishments can cater wonderfully to modern tastes.

Nut Wellington, carrots, roast potatoes, roasted cabbage wedge, Yorkshire pudding and vegan gravy - delicious

The British portions were generous, so hopping straight on the tube back to the hotel wasn’t an option—we decided to walk instead, and it turned out to be a wonderful choice. The hotel was about a 40-minute stroll away, and the walk offered some incredible sights along the way: the views from the bridges, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the quiet streets of the city in the evening made it completely worthwhile.

Our last day in London greeted us with crisp cold air and a light snowfall—Nina’s first-ever snowfall experience, which had her beaming with excitement. We also received a message from British Airways advising passengers to arrive early due to potential flight disruptions.

With a few hours to spare, we left our luggage at the hotel and took the tube to Oxford Circus, where the teens squeezed in a bit more shopping. We then strolled along Regent Street to Piccadilly Circus, continued to Leicester Square, and soaked in the city’s vibrant atmosphere one last time before heading home.

Arriving at the airport early turned out to be a blessing rather than a worry. Our flight was on time, giving us the chance to enjoy a final meal—delicious Asian food at Wagamama—before leaving London.

London left us with wonderful memories and an undeniable urge to return. The theatres, museums, food scene, and the city’s unique vibe made us all eager to experience it again. This trip was certainly not a goodbye—it’s a “see you again soon.”

Bucharest, November 4. - 6. 2022

Our Bucharest weekend was actually part of our Jordan trip. On our way back from Jordan, we had the opportunity to spend a long weekend in Bucharest before heading home. Although it was technically part of another journey, I still felt that Bucharest deserved a separate post on this blog.

We arrived at Bucharest Otopeni Airport on Friday, November 4th, around noon. The airport was total chaos. We lined up for passport control, but there didn’t seem to be any proper queues—many people weren’t respecting them, and there were simply too many passengers for such a small area. Unfortunately, the trouble didn’t end there. After passing passport control, we waited almost an hour for our luggage, so it was nearly 2 p.m. by the time we finally left the airport.

Getting around Bucharest by Bolt (similar to Uber) was easy and inexpensive. The almost hour-long ride from the airport to the city centre cost us just 17 euros.

We wanted to stay in the old town, within walking distance of most of the sights, so we chose the Hilton Garden Inn Bucharest Old Town for our stay. We were very happy with this choice—the hotel was clean, new, and modern, and the breakfast was excellent, with plenty of options, including plant-based ones. After checking in, we went for a short walk around the old town to grab a bite to eat and exchange some local currency. The Romanian currency is the leu, and at the time one euro was worth around 4.9 lei.

We were also lucky with the weather, which was unusually mild for early November. As we walked around, we checked out the menus of several restaurants to decide where to have dinner and were pleasantly surprised by how affordable the prices were. The old town was lively on Friday night, with crowds filling the outdoor terraces of bars and restaurants, street artists performing, and many young foreign visitors arriving for a cheap party weekend in Bucharest.

We eventually chose a restaurant called Bazaar. After eating Middle Eastern food throughout our Jordan trip, we were all craving pasta. The food wasn’t particularly special, but the bill—around 40 euros for four people—was a very pleasant surprise.

The double room in Hilton Old Town hotel

Discovering Bucharest Old Town

The building just opposite of our hotel

For the next day, we had planned a visit to Therme București, a huge indoor—and in summer, also outdoor—water park and spa. It’s located not far from Bucharest Airport, and getting there by Bolt taxi took about an hour. The complex is divided into three areas, and children under 14 are only allowed in the water park section called Galaxy.

The Galaxy area features plenty of slides, a couple of saunas and jacuzzis, and an indoor/outdoor pool. Most of the spa and relaxation facilities, such as the various saunas, are located in the Elysium area. The entrance fee for access to all areas was around 27 euros per adult.

We aimed to arrive in the morning around 10 a.m. (it opens at 9), and it wasn’t too crowded when we got there. However, by the time we left in the afternoon, it had become absolutely packed—as it was Saturday. I would definitely recommend visiting on a weekday to avoid the crowds.

 The "Hollywood Sauna" - a cinema-sauna showing nature documentaries

For dinner, we wanted to try some traditional Romanian cuisine, so we decided to eat at Vatra. The restaurant serves classic Romanian dishes—which are very meat-heavy and make it a bit challenging to find plant-based options. The waiters wear traditional national costumes, and the place is highly rated on Google. It absolutely lived up to our expectations, and we were very happy with the entire meal.

Traditional stuffed cabbage leaves

 After dinner walk in the old town

We still had the whole of Sunday to spend in the Romanian capital, as our flight wasn’t leaving until 9 p.m. We enjoyed a pleasant morning walk, admiring the beautiful buildings and visiting an old Orthodox church, before deciding to visit the Palace of the Parliament—the second-largest parliamentary building in the world and also the heaviest. Entry to the building is only possible as part of a guided tour.

We hadn’t made a reservation, but we hoped that in November the groups might be less full than during the summer months. We arrived around noon and were offered an English-language tour at 2 p.m., which we happily accepted.

 

A beautiful old Orthodox church

The Parliament building was incredibly impressive, both from the outside and inside. The guided tour was absolutely worth it, and we learned many fascinating facts about Nicolae Ceaușescu’s opulent palace—his goal to use only Romanian materials, the stories behind the different rooms, and when the palace was finally completed.

 

 

Although our trip to Romania was very short and we only managed to visit the capital, we really liked this lesser-known European country. Romania is, of course, much more than Bucharest, and I hope that one day we’ll have the chance to return and explore more of it.

Munich and Salzburg, July 05. - 08. 2020

For some time, we had been dreaming about a European city break—just the two of us, without the kids. The perfect opportunity came during the summer holidays in Estonia, when we could leave them with their grandparents. Not wanting to spend too much time flying, we limited our search to direct flights from Tallinn or Riga. Our final choice was Munich, with the added bonus of a possible side trip to Salzburg.

We had visited Germany before—Berlin before we had kids, and Frankfurt (if airport stopovers count)—but Munich, as the capital of Bavaria with its historic old town, felt especially appealing. Traveling during Covid wasn’t an easy decision, but with low infection rates that summer, we decided to take the chance. Even better, my sister and her husband joined us on the trip.

Our flight departed from Riga in the afternoon, but we left Tartu early in the morning. The drive to Riga Airport takes about three and a half hours, and during Covid times, arriving early felt like the safest option. The airport was unusually quiet, with most shops and restaurants closed. Since we arrived well ahead of time, it wasn’t ideal—but thankfully, we still managed to find a place for a quick bite and a coffee.

The 2-hour-and-15-minute Air Baltic flight passed smoothly. We were given disinfectant wipes and masks upon boarding (even though we already had our own), and the plane was only half full. After landing, we took the train from the airport into the city, as our hotel was just a short walk from the central station.

Thanks to the lack of travelers during Covid, we scored an incredible hotel deal. We stayed at the brand-new Premier Inn Munich City Center, only a few minutes from Karlsplatz, for just €39 per night for a double room. The room was modern and comfortable, with a spacious bathroom. Breakfast wasn’t served due to Covid restrictions, but guests could grab a complimentary coffee and croissant from the lobby each morning—a small but appreciated touch.

In Germany, masks were mandatory in all indoor public spaces and on public transport, but otherwise the city felt lively. Museums, bars, restaurants, and markets were all open.

Munich quickly proved to be a wonderful city for exploring on foot. The city center is largely car-free, making it easy and pleasant to wander around. We passed countless inviting restaurants tucked into squares and hidden courtyards, eventually choosing a charming square just behind the Frauenkirche—the iconic twin-towered cathedral—for dinner. As a bonus, Munich turned out to be very vegan-friendly, with plenty of plant-based options available.

On our way to Marienplaz

 

 

The impressive Rathaus

Vegan burger and local beer for dinner

 

Our first morning in Munich dawned cloudy, with the promise of rain hanging in the air, so we decided to start the day indoors at the Residenz München. This former Bavarian palace served as the seat of government and royal residence for dukes, electors, and kings from 1508 to 1918. Today, it stands as the largest city palace in Germany and is open to the public as a museum.

The vast complex is made up of ten courtyards and more than 130 rooms, each offering a glimpse into Bavaria’s royal past. We bought our tickets for €9 and began our visit, quickly realizing that we were almost the only visitors there. Wandering through the grand halls in near silence made the experience feel even more special, and it was absolutely worth the time to dive into Bavarian history. Much of the Residenz was destroyed during the Second World War, but since 1945 it has been painstakingly reconstructed to reflect its former grandeur.

By the time we finished our visit, the weather had started to improve, so we headed to the English Garden—one of the largest urban parks in the world. Although the Japanese Garden and teahouse were unfortunately closed, we still enjoyed a leisurely walk through the park. One of the highlights was stumbling upon surfers riding the waves on one of the streams—proof that even in landlocked Munich, you can catch a wave if you know where to look.

No visit to Munich is complete without a stop at the Hofbräuhaus am Platzl, probably the city’s most famous brewery and beer hall. That’s exactly where we went to soak up the classic Bavarian beer hall atmosphere. 

The rest of the day was spent wandering through the city, stopping here and there for quick bites or coffee breaks. We especially loved the small Asian food spots—whether it was soup, dumplings, or fluffy bao buns, they were perfect for an easy and tasty snack on the go.

The following morning, we picked up our rental car near the central station and set off toward Salzburg in Austria. The drive took about an hour and a half and turned out to be a highlight in itself, passing scenic landscapes with views of Lake Chiemsee, rolling hills, and the Bavarian Alps in the distance.

Salzburg greeted us as a picture-perfect town set along the Salzach River. It’s best known as the birthplace of Mozart and as one of the filming locations for The Sound of Music, and Mozart’s name truly is everywhere—Mozart Square, Mozart Park, even the Mozart University. We spent some time strolling through the charming old town before heading to lunch at GustaV, a vegan restaurant just a short walk from the center.

Delicious vegan lunch at GustaV

 

Salzburg town center

 

After lunch, we wandered through the picturesque gardens of Mirabell Palace, another well-known filming location from The Sound of Music. With their perfectly manicured flowerbeds and views toward the fortress, the gardens were just as lovely as expected.

 

Still craving more nature, we decided to take a small detour on our way back to Munich and headed toward the Königssee area—a true paradise for hikers and nature lovers. Unfortunately, time wasn’t on our side. We didn’t even have the chance for a short hike, as we needed to return the rental car before the office closed at 7 p.m. It was one of those places that instantly goes onto the “next time” list.

For our final evening of the trip, we chose a Lebanese restaurant called Ksara for dinner. The food and service were excellent, and it turned into a truly memorable way to end our journey.

The next morning, Johnny flew back to France, while the rest of us had a late-afternoon flight to Riga. That gave us a few extra hours to enjoy Munich—another relaxed walk through the city center, some last-minute shopping, and one final opportunity to sample local specialties for lunch. We tried Knödel: large, flavorful bread dumplings cooked in stock, filled with beetroot, mushrooms, and mixed vegetables. Let’s just say… trying them once was enough.

 Knödel

 

It was a wonderful short break spent in great company. We all fell a little bit in love with Munich—a city that feels effortlessly walkable and refreshingly green, with a charming old town, an excellent range of restaurants, and a rich Bavarian beer culture complete with traditional gardens and cellars. Add to that the city’s cleanliness and sense of organization, and it’s easy to see why Munich left such a strong impression on us.

Germany is a country that definitely deserves to be explored more, and this trip only scratched the surface. Next time, we’d love to stay longer, see more—and maybe even bring the kids along.