This travel destination section is my journal, with travel tales and pictures of the places I have particularly loved along the way. I was born on breathtaking Reunion Island, have lived in Europe (in France, Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands), and have been based in Asia (Vietnam) for two years, so you will mainly find references about these continents here. Let me take you on a journey!
Travel to France
Rue Montorgueil Food Tour: 10 Things to Taste in Paris
Welcome to Rue Montorgueil! This central and historic food street in the heart of Paris gave its name to a charming quarter stretching from Sentier to Les Halles. The area…
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Explore Paris Like Never Before: The New Lonely Planet Guidebook is Here!
I am thrilled and proud to announce the release of the new Lonely Planet Paris guidebook, to which I contributed! This latest edition, the 14th, is packed with up-to-date insights…
10 Things You Should Know Before Coming to Paris – Parisian Etiquette (Part II)
Let’s acquaint ourselves with Parisian etiquette and some insights I’ve gleaned as a Parisian—nuances that come with experience, subtle details that can make you feel more comfortable in a city,…
Travel to Japan
🌸 Hanami Guide: How to Contemplate Sakura 🌸
Hanami, literally “looking at flowers,” is an institution in Japan. Every year, at the time of sakura blossoms, the Japanese engage in it in the form of a picnic under…
Kamakura’s Zeniarai Benten: a grotto-sanctuary
Zeniarai Benten sanctuary is one of my favorites in Kamakura, probably because I discovered it completely unexpectedly. It’s dedicated to money-making and welcomes visitors in search of good fortune to…
Oku-no-in: Koyasan’s Ghostly Cemetery
Among the most impressive places with a mystical aura that I have had the opportunity to visit, I can easily rank Oku-no-in, the Buddhist cemetery of Mount Koya in Japan,…
Travel to the Netherlands
Before the Tulips: Early Spring at Keukenhof
The Netherlands is famous for its tulips, and everybody knows that. Keukenhof Garden, the tulip paradise that makes headlines on social media each year come springtime, is even more renowned.…
Travel to Scotland
4 o’clock in Edinburgh: Teatime at Prestonfield House
I never thought of myself as a princess (a princess-warrior perhaps sounds more appealing) but I have to admit that some particular friends of mine do make me feel that…
Travel to South Korea
Udo Island: Paradise Between Heaven and Sea
Udo, located in Jeju-do province, is one of the most beautiful places I have visited in the world. It is a small island that may not seem impressive, and outside…
Travel to Turkey
Istanbul’s Sunken Palace: a Visit to the Cisterna Basilica
In early October, I found myself exploring the streets and alleys of Istanbul for a fleeting three days. Amidst the city’s cacophony and charm, one place really caught my attention,…
Travel to Vietnam
A Love Letter to Hanoi
Sometimes,When I’m still awake,Hanoi oi, how I miss you. Back in my old Europe, awayFrom your hustle and bustle,At times,You come rushing down like a wave of motorbikes,And the magic…
The Terraced Rice Fields of Pu Luong: Stairway to Heaven
The terraced rice fields of Pu Luong in Northern Vietnam are one of these paradise places relatively unscathed by mass tourism. In the year before the pandemic struck, it had…
Mu Cang Chai Rice Fields: Go Dig for Gold
Mu Cang Chai in Northern Vietnam had been in the top destinations for Vietnamese tourists for a while when foreigners discovered the magnificence of the place – mainly driven by…