STYLE, LIFESTYLE & TRAVEL INSPIRATION
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature about the Top 4 beach destinations near London. Whether you are a resident in England’s capital or looking to add some countryside to your city break, don’t miss out on a trip to one of these four beach destinations near London. Top 4 beach …
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and our guide to the ten best things to do in Cahors, France. As an avid traveler, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting numerous stunning destinations across the globe. One place that truly captured my heart is Cahors (so much so that I nearly bought a house there!), a …
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this post about The Ultimate Irish Road Trip Itinerary. When it comes to road trips, Southern Ireland is one of the most beautiful places to explore. From charming towns and stunning coastlines to rolling hills and lush green landscapes, there is something for everyone. Here are my ten …
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this post about ten things to do in Granada in Spring. Granada is a vibrant and beautiful city in the region of Andalusia in southern Spain. With its rich history, culture and natural beauty, Granada is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a unique experience. From ancient …
Hi and Welcome back to The Velvet Runway, and our Ultimate Guide to the Best Christmas Markets in Europe. As soon as Summer is over and the leaves start to fall and the evenings start to draw in, my thoughts immediately turn to Christmas. Christmas in Europe is a time for magical fairy lights, mulled …
Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and here is my guide to my top 5 Spooky Halloween Destinations. Read on if you dare! It’s almost Halloween, the spookiest night of the year : the night when the ghosts of the dead return to earth, and the line between this world and the next becomes blurred. …
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature about A winter fairytale at the Baden-Baden Christmas Market. I hope you have been enjoying this series about Christmas Markets including this feature about Christmas in Budapest by guest contributor, Shebs Alom, and last week’s post about 5 of my favorite European Christmas markets. Today, I have …
by Shebs Alom* Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature about Christmas in Budapest, and the Christmas Markets . Last week, I shared with you 5 of my favorite European Christmas markets, and this week, I have another one to share with you : the Budapest Christmas Market. Once called the “Queen of …
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway travel guides and this feature about great food and great memories in South West Germany. Maybe South West Germany has never crossed your mind as a vacation destination, but not only is this region full of great things to do, it is also renowned for its culinary delights! Good …
When we think of visiting Portugal, our thoughts automatically go to Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve, so today I want to share with you the magical area of Alentejo. There are lots of reasons to visit Alentejo, including its breathtaking coastline, rich culture and mouthwatering cuisine. It is set in the South of Portugal, between …
It has been a while since our last travel guide (and a while since my last travels!) so I thought it was time to a) travel again, although I’m staying in France this time and b) share one of my trips with you, and what better place to start than with what to do and …
By guest Contributor, Juliette Smith Hi, and Welcome back. I’m really excited to share this guest post about the top ten Instagram worthy spots in Madrid by Juliette Smith from Madrid Discovery. Who better to advise on the best locations than a local? Madrid is the capital city of Spain and mostly known to be …
In my recent post on 12 European Places to visit in 2020, in January I recommended looking for Winter Sun in Tenerife (a Spanish Island). So, here is bit more information on what to see and do in Tenerife. If you have had enough of the January cold and you want to skip the winter …
Today I want to share with you a story about Swan Lake and the legend of the flottins and flottines, little creatures who arrived at Evian on the shores of Lake Geneva and saved Christmas one winter night. The story takes place in Evian les Bains, a beautiful alpine town on the shores of Lake …
Vienna, renowned for its breathtaking beauty, stunning architecture, delicious cakes (try the ‘sacher-torte‘ – you’ll thank me later!) and rich cultural legacy, is an ideal European travel destination, and here are my top 5 reasons to visit Vienna. Due to its central location in Europe, Vienna is a very popular destination for visitors from all over the …
Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and this post about What to See in Madrid in three days. Madrid is Spain’s largest city and its capital and is one of the top travel destinations in Europe, but what are the key attractions if you are only on a short break? Here are a few tips …
London is one of the most visited cities in the world. With attractions such as the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the London Eye and the hope of catching a glimpse of the Royal family, it is a tourist’s paradise, and there is plenty to do during a weekend in London. Why you need a …
Sorrento is often the starting point for a trip to the beautiful Amalfi Coast, as from here you can easily visit Pompeii, Capri, Ischia, Naples, Positano, Amalfi and more destinations by ferry/ hydrofoil and in some cases by bus or private transfers. Read on for what to do in Sorrento, suggested day trips and where to …
The beautiful island of Capri is often associated with ‘la dolce vita’ (even though the original film was set in Rome), and a visit to Capri makes the perfect day trip from the Amalfi coast (with ferries and hydrofoils from Naples, Ischia, Procida, Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi). My initial experience on arrival, however, did not quite …
This post is taken in the same place as my previous post, and specifically in the grounds of the castle of Chantilly. If you remember, I recently spent a day visiting the town of Chantilly, which is about 40 kms north of Paris (half an hour outside Paris by train), and I promised to share …
Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and this post about Ruffles and Chantilly. I recently spent a day visiting the town of Chantilly, which is about 40 kms north of Paris (half an hour outside Paris by train). The town itself is very pretty but the jewel in it’s crown is without doubt the impressive …
The fortified town of Bergues is perhaps most famous for the filming of ‘Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis’ (or ‘Welcome to the sticks’), a 2008 French comedy film directed, co-written by, and starring Dany Boon. Much of the shooting took place in Bergues and you can follow a guided tour to visit some of the sites, such …
Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this post about The Algarve Revisited. I visited the Algarve this time last year and fell in love with it, so much so, that I went back this year. The coastline is spectacular, the beaches are breathtaking, the weather is beautiful and there’s plenty to see and do. What’s …
I recently spent a weekend in Dusseldorf and discovered the botanical gardens out towards the University campus. It really is a beautiful setting and the perfect place to indulge my obsession with everything floral, including floral prints! Botanical Gardens in Dusseldorf I recently spent a weekend in Dusseldorf, which is a great place to spend …
The good weather has finally come to Paris and the city is even more beautiful than usual! Read on for more photos and to find out what I love (and don’t like) about Paris in August. Dress – French Connection last season Paris in August The best thing about Paris in August is the fact that the …
by Jess Signet * Read on for some ideas of what to do on a Madrid City break, including sightseeing and shopping on the Gran Via, relaxing in ‘El Retiro’ Park , soaking up some culture at the ‘Prado National Museum’, visiting the ‘Santiago Bernabéu Stadium’ (home to Real Madrid) and eating and drinking in the Plaza …
So, it’s nearly 2016 and here are a few ideas for what to do to celebrate New Year in London. Go shopping Some of the sales in the UK start before Christmas, but all start by Boxing Day (26th December), so if you have a few hours (or more) to spare then I can …
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas – except for the distinct lack of presents under the Christmas tree! In order to rectify this I rushed off for a 24 hour Christmas shopping in Paris expedition. For my guide to the best places to shop (valid all year) and the best window displays (Christmas …
It’s the time of the year when all the Christmas markets start to appear and there is such a great choice of places to go. This year, we chose to go to Maastricht Christmas Market and you can find out more below. Maastricht Christmas Market The Christmas markets originated in Germany, Austria, the South Tyrol …
FOUR DAYS IN BARCELONA. Barcelona is a magical city and there is something for everyone – beaches, great shopping, museums, parks, historical landmarks, tapas and generally lots of sunshine! Although the city seems very big and spread out, it is perfectly feasible to discover on foot, particularly if you group your activities by neighbourhood, so …
