Category: Cities

A winter break in Madrid

Reading Time: 16 minutes
 Madrid, Spain (Jan 2018)

This was my first visit to Spain and I was excited to explore a new country, even if only for a few days. As usual I did my research before going, mainly browsing TripAdvisor, Pinterest and an Eyewitness Travel guide book: “Top10 Madrid”. I loosely planned an itinerary for 2 days in Madrid and left open an option for a day trip to another nearby town, like Toledo or Segovia.

We left our children with their grandparents in England as we were holidaying with the family there over the Christmas period. On New Year’s Day we caught an afternoon flight Continue reading “A winter break in Madrid”

A work conference in Chicago

Reading Time: 6 minutes
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A. (Feb 2016)

In 2016, I was invited through work to attend a conference in Chicago.  My Hubby (Steve) decided to tag along and we added some time before and afterwards to venture to some other cities (San Fran, Palm Springs and LA). Although there wasn’t a lot of time for sight-seeing in Chicago due to a fairly full conference schedule, I did manage to experience a few things outside our hotel, both as part of the conference and also during some free time with Steve.   Continue reading “A work conference in Chicago”

Our 25th anniversary in California & Nevada

Reading Time: 12 minutes
California & Nevada, USA (April/May 2017)

After seeing an airfare sale we decided at short notice to take a trip to the USA to mark our 25th anniversary of being together (we left our children at home with their grandparents since it was during school term).

We have been to the USA a few times so planned our itinerary with a combination of places we have been before which we enjoyed (like Universal Studios and Venice Beach in L.A.) and also added in some new places we wanted to experience for the first time around Las Vegas and Palm Springs. We had a really enjoyable time and fortunately everything went smoothly, thanks to some good planning and resources such as the TripHobo app.

People travelling: Two (me and Steve)

Trip duration: 12 days / 11 nights

Total cost A$5,250 (Flights, accommodation & rental car) plus spending money Continue reading “Our 25th anniversary in California & Nevada”

Milan – Historic, Stylish & Home of Lambretta

Reading Time: 8 minutes
Milan, Italy (July 2012 & June 2017)

While on a family trip in the UK in July 2012, hubby and I decided at short notice to take a brief side trip without the children to Milan, Italy. It was the first time we’d taken a trip without the kids (then aged 8 and 4), so we felt a little guilty. We need not have worried, it was only for 3 nights – the children stayed with their grandparents and cousins in England and had a fantastic time. Continue reading “Milan – Historic, Stylish & Home of Lambretta”