Monday, 29 January 2018

Budapest? Buda-best!

This weekend I had a girls’ weekend in Budapest. Going into the weekend I had no expectations. Hungary was not even in my radar. But I am really glad I went.

On the out side Budapest is gritty. It’s beauty survived communism but the scars show. It’s an attractive grittiness, like New York. 


But inside so many buildings there is an opulent beauty that is unrivaled. 




Paris is for lovers

Last weekend Peter and I had a weekend get away in Paris - sans kids. It was a chance to do things that would be challenging with the kids. 

We saw the Moulin Rouge - an interesting experience. 


And the Louvre. Being off season we got a private tour too. 


And let’s not forget fancy dinners and quiet drinks in the apartment. 


We stayed right on Île St Louis in the heart of Paris. Everything was walkable and the apartment was full of character. The weekend was a real treat! 



Wednesday, 3 January 2018

Czech it out!

Ok. Forgive the bad pun in the title.

After Christmas, we headed off the Prague (Czech Republic) for a few days of adventure.

Why Prague? First and foremost Emily wanted snow for Christmas. Desperately. And since there are few places in Europe where that is guaranteed we chose Prague which had a good chance. The forecast leading up the trip was not promising with temperatures forecast to be 5-10 degrees.

But our little girl must have been very good, because she got her snow. Not much but enough to produce a smile.


Snow aside, Prague was a beautiful city. A combination of historic sites like the St Vitus Cathedral at Prague castle



Delicious food, like the chimney bread that is sold everywhere


And fun, quirky museums, like the LEGO museum and the museum of chamber pots and toilets


made it a very fun and memorable trip.