Of all the widely distributed fragrance brands, Guerlain is my favourite. It’s obvious that it was started by a perfumer and not a fashion house that eventually launched a beauty line. Guerlain has 193 years of history and it shows. Their shop in Champs Élysées dates back to 1914 and it’s an ode to sensorial beauty that is, in my opinion, a what-to-see must in Paris.
Vacationing in COVID Times: my Glamping Experience in Reserva Alecrim
Back in September, when it was still warm and before COVID numbers in Portugal started to go up again, we went Glamping. Travelling abroad wasn’t really a choice in 2020, so we stayed in – in an isolated artificial igloo in the middle of a natural reserve, that is.
The world is starting to open up again, but caution is still advisable. If you want to venture out, but still be somewhat isolated, glamping is a great choice.
4 days in Istanbul: not a Guide, a Diary
It took me some time to write these posts, clearly, since our trip was back in June 2019. But I didn’t want to rush it. I took my time reminiscing about the trip. Like telling a friend a story, instead of an excursion tour.
Here’s a recap of it, day by day:
4th Day in Istanbul – Wandering through Sea and Sky
Our 4th and last day before taking a plane to Kapadokya was one to decompress. A boat tour going up the Bosphorus was going to keep us occupied for 6 hours. We started very early that day because we were catching the boat at 10:30 (if I’m getting up before 10:00 am on vacation, it’s very early).
Very important tip: don’t purchase the 20+ euro tickets you see everywhere for a boat ride on the Bosphorus. That’s a giant tourist trap. If you go to the very discreet Şehir Hatları ticket booths, Istanbul’s official ferry company, near the docks, you can purchase a ticket for a 6 hour tour for 25 Turkish lira (little under 4 euros). That’s what we did.
3rd Day in Istanbul – Old Palaces and Ancient Places
Third day in Istanbul, and we woke up with a sense of urgency – there was still so much to see. Getting lost in the city was not an option this day. We headed for Topkapi Palace, aware that it was a time consuming experience, and considering skipping lunch altogether.
2nd Day in Istanbul – Spiritual Ballrooms
First morning in Istanbul. I was woken up at 5 am with the sound of the prayer echoing through the city. There were several speakers, on minarets from multiples mosques, projecting the chant like a powerful choir.
First Day in Istanbul – The Erten Konak Hotel
First day at Istambul: the sun has already set when we arrive. Trying to decipher the public transportation system while carrying a very large trolley and reassuring a very jumpy Sir Boyfriend who was transporting, unbeknownst to me, my engagement ring in his baggage, I’m somehow able to get us across Sultanahmet Square, through the surrounding streets, passing by a myriad of tourist-trap like restaurants and descending to our very discreet and concealed hotel, guiding us only by memory of what I’ve seen on Google Maps – because we had no wifi.
Le frique, c’est chic.
If you didn’t know the song, now you know, your life is better now. And if you know what youtuber I’m referencing with that last sentence, give yourself a cookie. Go on. Blame the calories on me.
Given the tag line of this blog, it’s ironic that the first picture of this post is a display of sneakers. But these are so original and colourful that they made it. Still not for me, still sneakers, but I reckon they’re cute.
Travelling to London: 10 Tips to Know
A list of very specific tips based on my last experience so that you learn from my mistakes.
Travelling to London – Part 3: The Treats
This travel log wouldn’t be complete without a report of where we noshed and self-indulged, would it?