10 tips for surviving long distance travel

Australia is very far away... 

From everywhere.

Which means if I want to go anywhere, I need to get on a long distance flight.

I have been back in Australia for just over 3 weeks now and the 18 hours spent on the plane is still fresh in my mind. I hate the uncomfortable seats, the small foot space and the freezing cold air conditioning.

So I've had to come up with ways to make the flight more enjoyable and to survive the long distance travel.

So here are my top 10 tips for surviving long distance travel.

1. The most important thing for surviving long distance travel is wear the right clothes. If you are uncomfortable on the flight, you will notice it for the entire journey. Also, wear layers or pack layers because the plane will get very cold. I usually pack a cardigan/jumper, jacket and blanket scarf with me if it gets too cold.

2. Pick the right seat. If you need more support when you sleep, maybe choose the window seat so you can rest. If you want to stretch frequently or use the bathroom, maybe pick the aisle seat so you don't interrupt the other travellers. Also, check the capacity of the plane once you take off, you may be able to move and get an entire row to yourself!

3. Charge your devices. Make sure everything you need is charged and ready to go. There's nothing worse then getting on the plane to realise you forgot to charge your laptop or iPad! I bring along a battery pack too, just incase I need to charge my phone, iPad or camera. The more battery you have, the more entertainment you have for your flight.

4. Drink lots of water. On those long haul flights you can ask for more beverages to keep yourself hydrated. The constant cold air conditioner and the cabin pressure can cause a headache. So drink water! It will help. By drinking lots of water, you may need to use the toilet frequently but the walking around will help.

5. Don't jump straight into the onscreen entertainment. Space out the movies and TV episodes. It will make the time go quicker. I usually browse a magazine or read a book until beverages and food is served.

6. Stand up and stretch frequently. This will help with the back and neck pain and the restless legs.

7. If you are a creative type, use the downtime to be creative. I write new blog posts or come up with ideas or write some of my novel. 

8. Freshen up. Every couple of hours, I go to the bathroom to clean my face, brush my teeth and my hair. This makes me feel clean and re energised. 

9. Pack a travel survival kit:
I always pack with me: 

- a travel pillow
- Ear plugs
- Lip balm 

- Medication
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Moisturiser

- Travel socks

10. Set your watch to the time of your destination. This will help you get your body clock used to the time difference. As soon as you take off, try to sleep and eat your food at the time you would eat them at your destination.

I really hate travelling, especially long distance so by following these tips, it makes the journey more enjoyable and comfortable.

What are your tips for surviving long distance travel?

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Reflection on the water

My photo this week is one of my favourite photos from all my time in France. 

I was exploring the grounds of a castle and stumbled upon this old boat drifting on the water. I loved the colours and the reflection of the sky in the water.

I loved this photo last year and I still love it now!

Whenever I look at this photo, It makes me stop and reflect on things. I think about exploring France and discovering new places. 

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5 reasons why you should travel France

If travelling is something you want to do, but your not sure where to go, can I make a suggestion?

France.

Buy a ticket to anywhere in France, you'll thank me later.

So here are my 5 reasons for why you should travel France

1. It is so beautiful. I've been to quite a few places in France and loved all of them. Whether we drove through the city or camped in the nature, everywhere we went was beautiful. In France, you can see every possible landscape. Beach, mountains, cities, architecture, rivers... It's every travel photographer's dream!

2. The food. I'm not much of a foodie but I do love desserts. And French dessert... *Insert drool here* is amazing. If you love food, France is the place to visit. You get 5 course dinners starting with aperitifs, entrée, main, cheese and finishing up with a delicious dessert! My weakness = mousse au chocolat (chocolate mousse!) 

3. The streets are quiet and peaceful. I have slept in a few French cities, Angers, Montpellier, Toulouse and also camped in a few locations and most of the time, I've had a quiet and peaceful sleep!

4. Paris is always a good idea! I've been to Paris a few times now and every time I go, I love it. For any fashionista, being in Paris is a dream come true. I love the French boutiques, high end department stores and even people watching for the latest fashion trends. It's amazing and having a picnic under the Eiffel Tower never gets old.

5. If you don't know the language, it can be tough but as long as you make an effort and say the pleasantries in French (Bonjour, sil vous plait, merci, etc) they will be patient with you while you try to explain what you want. And it's always a nice surprise when they speak English with you!

I spent more than 5 months in France and it still wasn't long enough!

What's your favourite thing about France?

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Dealing with Travel Anxiety

I like to think I am a "glass half full" kind of gal, but when it comes to travelling, it's a different story.

I am such an anxious traveller. 

I hate being in confined places for so long, I hate not eating properly (plane food, bleh) and I hate not having any control over getting places.

This photo was taken after my travel, I was too anxious before!

So I start getting anxious, stressed and nervous imagining all the things that could go wrong.

What if my luggage goes missing? 

What if our plane is delayed and we miss the second plane?

What if a meteor crashes into our bus?

What if...

What if...

What if...

It makes it complicated for my Frenchy when I start getting stressed out. I have a short fuse, I get angry at the smallest things and I generally stop talking for the first part of the trip! Sorry Frenchy...

We have been on a few long distance trips over the passed 12 months so I have come up with a few techniques to deal with travel anxiety.

1. Plan everything days before you leave for your trip. It's not always possible, but when it is, it makes me feel so much better. I like knowing my tickets are printed, most of my bags are packed, my outfit is planned for the travel day, my transport is organised... blah blah blah. If I have everything planned, it makes me feel like I'm in control.

2. If you start getting stressed and anxious, take a few moments to just do nothing. Sit down, take deep breaths and think about why you are going travelling. This always makes me feel better. I think about why I want to go somewhere, what I'll do, what I'll see and it makes me calmer.

3. Think before you speak! I am still working on this one (sorry Frenchy). When I get overly anxious or stressed I have a very short fuse. My Frenchy calls me his kettle because I boil really hot and then explode! If I take a moment before snapping his head off, things are much more smooth. 

4. Drink plenty of water for the days leading up to your travel. When you're travelling, you can't always drink much water, so try and get hydrated all the days before your travel, so it won't be so bad if you miss a few glasses of water!

I'm still working on this, but for now, these techniques help me deal with my travel anxiety and make my travel days, much smoother.

What are your techniques for dealing with travel anxiety?

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Life gets a bit brighter in Brighton

 London is a beautiful city, but it's only the beginning. There are so many beautiful surrounding places to discover and explore.

And for as little as £10, you can be on a train for an hour and a half and end up in the beautiful seaside town of Brighton.

I spent a whole day exploring the streets of Brighton and it has reenergised my soul.

So things to do in Brighton.

Firstly you should take a stroll along the seaside and soak in the sea breeze. This is such a great remedy for energising the soul.

Along the seaside you can discover some markets and explore the local art and photography. 

You can continue your walk along the seaside until you reach the Brighton Pier.

Here you will find food and many sideshow games to play. You can play few games and enjoy some rides overlooking the Brighton sea.

Or if you are anything like me, you'll be a bit peckish after your seaside stroll and you can't leave Brighton without indulging in the typical local cuisine... Fish and Chips!

But, be warned, they are large servings!

You'll be nice and full after your feast and ready to take a stroll in the streets of Brighton. You'll discover an explosion of colourful houses, graffiti alleyways and more markets to enjoy. The best thing to do, is just walk. You'll discover little hidden gems along the way.

After a couple of hours of strolling through the streets, it's time to energise. And what better way to energise then a hot cup of coffee. One thing I was amazed at was the amount of cafés in Brighton. They all look amazing, it was hard to choose where to go.

I only spent 6 hours in Brighton, but it was enough time to re-ignite my love of exploring new places. I hope this day trip was only the beginning of discovering more of the places surrounding London.

A day in the life...

I've wanted to start a new segment on my blog for a few years now.

Since starting my blog, I have met many savvy fashionistas, wonderful stylists and inspirational women. So I thought, why not interview and share "a day in the life..." of the people who inspire and influence me for my loyal readers!

And to kick off the series, I thought I would start with a day in the life of me.

I wanted to share some of my personal life with you, to help you understand what motivates me!

A typical day off for me, means I get a sleep in, I run some errands and then go window shopping for fashion inspiration.

A day in the life of me!

9:00 I know it's not the best way to start the day but my day doesn't begin until I scroll through my fashion Instagram page! I love checking out the latest fashion and admiring other bloggers' outfits. After I've had my fashion fix, it's time for my coffee and breakfast. A typical breakfast for me is natural oats sweetened with vanilla essence and of course...coffee!

11:00 After doing some errands, it's time for a mid morning pick me up. I've recently been enjoying home made smoothies! I've been experimenting with different ingredients but my favourite combination at the moment is mango and strawberry. The fresh produce doesn't last so long here in London so I use frozen fruits. As a benefit, your smoothie is instantly chilled and ready to drink! 

My recipe:

1/2 frozen mango

1/2 frozen strawberry

1 1/2 cup of skim milk

Vanilla essence to taste

It's such a simple recipe but oh so tasty!

12:00 Once my brain has woken up, I usually spend a couple of hours doing my blogging and networking. I come up with new post ideas and share my blog archives on my Social Media platforms.... or I get distracted and browse other fashion bloggers!

2:00 This is when I take some time for myself. After I've picked my outfit and applied my makeup, I go exploring the city. I like to find great places to go shopping and enjoy a warm beverage while I do. I enjoy studying the latest fashion and getting inspiration for blog posts or to understand the latest trends. Sometimes I'm guilty of indulging, otherwise I enjoy "window shopping" and dreaming of the day when I can buy everything I want!

6:00 After 4 months of holidays and 3 months of settling into London life... I've just started getting back into my exercise. I spend 40 - 60 minutes doing body weight exercises.

My routine:
5 minutes of warm up stretching/exercises
5 sets of 20 squats
5 sets of 20 sit ups
5 sets of 20 lunges
5 sets of 10 push ups
5 sets of 10 tricep dips
10 minutes of stretching to cool down

As I regain my strength, I will be increasing my repetitions and slowly add some weights for resistance. At the moment, I am focusing on regaining my flexibility. The strength will come back later!

8:00 Dinner time! My Frenchy and I have different food schedules. I hate eating dinner after 8:30 but he never gets hungry! So when he's working, it's dinner for one at 8:00pm! I've always been difficult with food so dinner is usually something simple and it usually consists of chicken!

After dinner, I unwind by reading or doing some more blogging... Or watching re runs of Modern Family!

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The power of shoes

Just the other day, I remember looking down at my shoes and thinking, how far I have come wearing these shoes. As a person I have evolved, matured and progressed. I never thought travelling would hold so many life lessons and experiences.

Once upon a time, a not so long ago time, I was a shoe addict. I am not at all cured of this addiction, I have simply found a way to tame it. For the passed 6 months, I have worn the same ONE pair of shoes almost every, single day. For me, this is a rarity. I have over 200 pairs of shoes in my wardrobe back home, some of them never being worn. So for me to wear the same pair of shoes around the world is astonishing.

Upon reflection of my 6 months away, I realised that my trusty, once white trainers have carried me to so many places. I have been to Singapore, Paris, Angers, Moliets, Vannes, Nantes, Nivillac, Montpellier, Toulouse, Argeles, Barcelona, back to Toulouse and Paris again. They also carried me to Munich and now London. They are a well loved and well travelled pair of trainers!

My value for shoes has now increased immensely. Once upon a time I was attracted to the way a shoe looked. The way I felt when I wore them, how sexy they were and of course, who made them. But now I look at my shoes as an investment. They protect my feet from the harsh environments and they are comfortable and durable for exploring different places. I have run up and down many stairs, carrying my heavy suitcase. I have dragged my suitcase up and down many cobbled streets, run into many rain puddles (thank you London for the miserable welcome!) and even climbed some mountains wearing them. 

My now mud covered trainers hold the story of my travel.

What's your shoe story?

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Upcoming:

Check back on Friday for my #UltimateVegasOutfit

The Big Ben

London is such a big city.

There is so much to see and do and on my last day off, I went to the Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and walked along the Pier to the London Eye. It was such a beautiful (and freezing cold) day! My Frenchy and I got to witness a beautiful sunset and enjoy some quality time together.

Scroll down to see my tourist pictures from the Big Ben!:

Stay tuned for more tourist pictures from London!

For tips from London, head to the London Series.

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Living 6 months abroad

I still can't believe I am in Europe. Every month I sit down and reflect on the month I've had. I weigh the ups and downs, review my thousands of photographs and reminisce with my Frenchy on the highlights. 

And every time I do this, I can't believe I lasted another month.

I have to confess, I'm a creature of habit. I like routine. Before leaving Perth, I don't think I had a spontaneous bone in my body! But now, living abroad for 6 months, I've had to adapt.

The passed 2 months have been the hardest so far. I loved my time in France, holidaying and exploring new places, but now the holiday is over, it's been a shock to the system. 

My time in London has been a challenging time.

Most recently, I had to endure the festive season without my family so that was like a kick in the face whenever people were shopping for their loved ones. Instead of being a happy time of year, I felt like the Grinch who had to find different ways to cope with homesickness.

London is a place where you spend all day, everyday at work. You have long shifts and then long commutes back home. I never fully feel rested even after I've had a day off. And while my Frenchy and I are growing stronger, we've definitely had some challenges over the passed 2 months. We went from seeing each other every single day in France, to missing each other everyday. I work days and Frenchy works as a waiter by night. So it was impossible to spend time together. It was definitely a difficult time for me, cooking dinner for one every night but it's the challenges that make a person stronger, right?

But now, finally, things are turning around for us (me) in London. We finally have money to our name so we can pay for food and accommodation without the constant anxiety! And we've had more time together to slowly explore the city. I've also met so many wonderful and supportive people here in London, who have made my time adjusting much easier then it would have been.

I've definitely grown stronger and wiser during my short time here in London.

Head to the London series for more details from London.

How to cope with homesickness

I've been away from my family now for 6 long months. 

And sometimes it gets really hard to stay away from them.

Travelling is amazing and exploring new cities is something that will remain with me for so long but I've had to deal with homesickness for far too long. Over the time, I have had to come up with ways to not let my separation overpower me.

So I thought I'd share them with you.

1. With technology these days, you can see your family whenever you want it and no matter where you are. All you need is Wifi and a camera phone. It's important for me to FaceTime my family as regularly as I can. When I see them on my computer, it makes me feel like I am sitting in the living room with them.

2. Take sometime to explore the city. While you are exploring new places and discovering new things, it takes your mind off your homesickness. By appreciating a new place and learning new things, it gives you a reason to be away from your family, which makes it easier to accept.

3. Take sometime for yourself. Do the things that make you happy. Read your favourite book, drink a glass of wine, take a bath or listen to music. Whatever your passion is, do it regularly. If you have significant you time, you'll appreciate your time alone.

4. On days you miss your family or friends the most, look through your photos. Just simply seeing them or reminiscing of when the photo was taken will give you joy. When I'm on the Tube or enjoying my coffee, I flick through my Family Album on my phone. It gets me through to the next FaceTime session.

5. And finally, reflect on the reason/s why you decided to travel. By remembering why you chose to travel, it will make you want to keep going.

Be strong and enjoy the places you discover. There is a reason why you wanted to travel, don't let the emotions get in your way.

What are your tips for dealing with homesickness?

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Top 5 tips for surviving London on a budget

A lot of people complain about how expensive my home city of Perth is to live... Well, I have to say, London is even more expensive! And when you haven't earned your pounds yet... It's seems like you have a money pit draining from your wallet.

So here are my top 5 tips for surviving London on a budget.

1. Everthing is more expensive in Central London, so find accommodation further out into the suburbs. While this is a catch 22, you'll spend more money on commuting, you'll save money on accommodation, surrounding bars, restaurants and supermarkets. The benefits sure outweigh the negative.

2. Don't be afraid to shop at the cheaper supermarkets. There is an amazing place, I have only just discovered, called Poundland! Everything is only 1 pound... Amazing right? It's a good place to stock up on your toiletries,  non perishables and other basic supplies. It's a place where you can buy non branded products so you aren't paying for the label.

3. In the 1st point, I said it can get expensive when you commute into Central London, but you can buy Travelcards for the London transport system. This will be Zone specific so you'll pay a less amount if you stay within your Zone options. Just remember to stay within your selected Zones otherwise you'll pay a penalty!

4. If you are thirsty at a restaurant, ask for a glass of tap water not bottled water. The price for bottled water in a restaurant is ridiculously over priced. If you ask for tap water in a restaurant, they legally have to give it to you. Save your pounds for wine and drink the free tap water!

5. Don't take taxis in this city! It's definitely only for the rich and frivolous! If you miss the last train, don't forget about the many, many night buses you can take. It will be so much cheaper and it will be during the off-peak time so it will be even cheaper.

I am still settling in to London life, what are your money saving tips for surviving London?

Check out more from my London Series.

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My true passion

My true passion lies in the pages of Vogue magazine.

The glossy pages have me coveting the latest designer fashion, falling head over heels for the most beautiful shoes and dreaming of the moment I can afford the luxury.

I love my current life. Travelling with my Frenchy is amazing. I love visiting and exploring new places and I love the life lessons that go with it. But sometimes, I wish I could settle back into my old life, surrounded by my 200 pairs of shoes, without the responsibilities.

But, I recently found a great way, I can have a taste of both worlds.

Before leaving France, I applied for a position as the Clothing Specialist for a busy London company. I was fortunate to be the successful candidate for the position. 

Now, every day at work, I get to meet and style new customers in the latest fashion, I get to learn about the fashion industry in one of the fashion capitals of the world and I get to do it all in a new city. On my way home from work, I stumble upon little London bars and restaurants, sample different cuisines and discover great places to shop in this big city.

So what do my duties include as a Clothing Specialist in London?

While I'm still in training for the Company, I style new and returning customers in luxurious, high quality fashion and accessories. I also get the privilege to see all the new products for the upcoming season, before we release them in stores. This means I get to create new outfits and style the latest fashions before they hit the streets.

The ultimate reward for me! :)

I'm still finding my way in the Company and developing my position, but for now it's a great way to be surrounded by fashion for one of London's biggest companies, while still exploring more of the world.

What is your true passion?

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Top 5 things I'd love to change about London

I've been in London for officially one month now and while I am still in the honeymoon stage of our new relationship, there are some things that I'd love to change about London.

So I've compiled a list of the top 5 things I'd love to change about London, to make sure we have a long and happy relationship for the future!

1. This is one seriously expensive city. And when I say seriously expensive, I mean, it's really, really expensive. If you are planning on moving to London to work and save (like me!), don't expect the saving part to happen right away. Whilst, I still love this place, it costs more than 10 pounds a day, to travel into Central London and rent costs almost your entire pay cheque, it takes some serious work hours to make ends meet.

2. You will feel like a tiny little ant when you are in Central London and you will be forever getting out of the way of crazy shoppers. There are so many people here. It's a highly populated place which is permanently hustling and bustling. If you are someone who hates really busy places, London isn't for you.

3. You will never, ever get a seat on the Tube during peak hour. Now as a young person, I know I shouldn't complain about standing on the tube for 20 minutes but when you work on your feet all day.... It's nice to be able to sit down during your commute.

4. You will work many, many hours in this city. While you may work a traditional 9 hour day, it will feel like an extremely long day when you add your commute to and from your work. If you are like me and can't afford living in Central London, you may be based in Zone 3 or 4, which makes your working day feel so much longer.

5. The city goes dark by 4pm. The first day in the city, I was in shock that the streets were in total darkness before I had my afternoon coffee! Seriously, why?

So, while I am super excited to discover a new city, I can see this being one of those love/hate relationships. 

Check back next week for more on the London Series.

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5 months away...

My holiday is well and truly over now!

I've been very fortunate to spend 4 months in France, travelling around the country and living in my Frenchy's hometown of Angers. While I had an amazing time which I will forever remember, it's nice for my life to have more structure here in London.

Since the age of 14, I've been working. I worked casually while in high school and University and then full time once I graduated. And during my 11 years of professional experience, I barely took any holidays.

So for me to take an extended holiday was a shock to the system! 

It was difficult for me to have no structure or purpose to my life. But now that I'm in an english speaking country, working hard, I feel more like myself.

So what is next for me and my Frenchy?

While it's our goal to work hard and save some money, we still want to travel and explore new places here in Europe.

Our next destination will be somewhere I can see and feel snow. Living in Australia, I wasn't lucky enough to experience snow. The only time I saw snow, I was 4 years old. I have a few pictures and a short video of me in the snow but I was too young to remember it and properly experience it. So, after Christmas time, we will save our money and plan our snowy escape!

For now, I am settling into my new position as the Clothing Specialist for a busy London store, our future aspiration is to take mini vacations around Europe, while continuing to earn and save our money.

For us, we have no time limit on London. If we love it here and find a successful work/life balance, we will work hard towards our future careers while enjoying much needed vacations in between.

To follow my 4 month vacation in France (and surrounding countries) click here for the full details.

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Top 5 tips for finding work in London

When I decided I wanted to live in London, convincing my Frenchy wasn't as difficult as I thought. I started searching for work, while I was still in France and found SO many job opportunities.

Upon our arrival in London, so many people told us London is a great place to progress in the workplace. There are so many job opportunities here, so you'll be sure to find something for you.

So where do you start? 

1. Work on your resume to tailor it to the positions you are applying for. Your resume/cv is the most important tool to assist you in your employment success. Make sure it is detailed, professional and easy to read.

2. Submit your resume to a recruitment company. They will help you find the job/career you want, while you can focus on the move and settling into the city.

3. Don't put all your eggs in one basket! Apply for a few positions before you get to London. If you are successful, hopefully you will have some interviews lined up for when you arrive.

4. Prepare some common interview questions and responses before your interviews. Also, remember to familiarise yourself with the Company, the more you are prepared, the more confident and professional you will sound. If you haven't had much experience in interviewing, you can always find some coaching professionals to help!

5. First impressions are very important. Make sure you are professional. Arrive to your interview ahead of time, wear appropriate interview attire, be well rested and calm. This will ensure you perform at your optimum capacity!

"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail!" Benjamin Franklin

Head to my previous post for more tips from London

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Sunsets...

During the last four months, I've had many people compliment me on my travel pictures (thank you to all you wonderful people!) but some of my favourite pictures have been captured during sunset.

I never truly appreciated the setting sun, until my first date with my Frenchy. We sat on the beach, getting to know each other, talking in broken English, while the sun begun to set. 

This memory has made me truly appreciate the setting sun.

Since our first date, my favourite time of the day, is when the sun sets, casting beautiful light on the world. I thought I would share with you, some of my favourite sunsets...

The sunset from our first date in Perth

The first sunset over the Loire river in Angers

More sunsets in Angers

A sunset over the city of Toulouse

One of my favourite sunset pictures from Les Ponts de Ce

A Summer sunset

Enjoying the sunset on the beach in Penestin, France

Angers city before the night falls

What's your favourite time of day?

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Top 5 things to do BEFORE moving to London

My Frenchy and I decided to move to London.

I was missing the English language and I found so many job opportunities online so we made the move. 

We were fortunate enough to have a great Airbnb host and housemate who told us all the important things we should have done BEFORE we moved.

So to save you the trouble we went through, I thought I would share my top 5 tips to help make your move easier.

1. Find accommodation for longer than a few days. It's going to take a little bit of time to find accommodation and check it out before moving in. I suggest Airbnb as a great place to start. You can find some nice, affordable locations, while you look for another place. Here is a link to the Airbnb we stayed. It's a great location and the Host is so helpful.

2. Book your accommodation a couple of weeks in advance. Build up a rapport with your Host and they may be able to help and give advise, leading up to the move.

3. If you are planning on working, call ahead to the National Insurance company to secure an appointment to receive the next available appointment. Ask your host if you can use their address as it is a requirement for applying for a NI number. I booked for an appointment when I first arrived in London and I had to wait 2 weeks.

4. Plan an appointment with a bank provider to make sure you don't have to wait for the next available appointment. Schedule the appointment a couple of days after your NI number appointment. The bank won't give you an account without a permanent address or a NI number.

5. Study the transport in London. Make sure you know how to get from where you arrive in London, to your accommodation. Also, upon your arrival, get yourself an Oyster card. It makes travelling so much easier instead of buying tickets all the time. Also, the more you travel on an Oyster card, the more money you can save.

Be sure to check back soon for more tips from London.

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Top 5 tips for travelling in France

I was recently asked by a reader: What tips can you give me for travelling in France? So I compiled a list of my top 5 tips for travelling in France...

I've been in France for over 3 months now and I've experienced many French towns and cities over the time. I have compiled a list of my top 5 things to know when travelling in France.

1. Learn basic French - Aside from this being incredibly polite, the French people choose not to speak in English so you'll need to understand some of the basics when it comes to ordering food and checking reservations.

2. Don't overeat - Like I mentioned in my previous post Eating like the French, you tend to eat a lot of food in France. So I have a few tips for you: Firstly, skip a big breakfast, instead opt for fresh fruit and a small pastry. Don't forget your coffee too! Next, pick one meal either lunch or dinner as your biggest meal. Don't eat 2 big meals in a day! And finally, if you're like me and love your desserts, share one with your partner, you won't feel so guilty for the indulgence.

3. Buy a city map - They are much more reliable than a GPS and you can use them offline! There have been many times during our travels where our GPS has failed and we've had no wifi to fix it. Also city maps will show you all the must see landmarks in the city, so you won't miss anything!

4. Be careful of pick pockets - I'm sure you hear this all the time but it's so easy to be distracted when you are exploring new places. My tip for women, buy a handbag with an inside pocket zip for your valuables and a zip and buckle closure for the outside. Also, keep the things you use most, in a separate compartment to your wallet so you don't expose your valuables every time you open your bag.

5. And finally, shops don't open on Sundays so plan your shopping around that! The first Sunday here, I desperately needed to buy something but discovered I couldn't. Now I make sure I have everything I need before the weekend hits!

What did you learn from travelling France that you wish you knew before?

Last Minute Travel Tips

Travelling is supposed to be a fun and exciting time but sometimes it can make a person incredibly anxious.

Like me.

I always feel like I have forgotten something important.

So I plan. A lot. And I thought I would share with you, my last minute packing/travel tips!

Firstly make a list of everything you will need. If you have it written down, you won't forget to pack it in your suitcase. Once you have your list, take that list to a friend or family member and they might prompt you to remember something. Or like a lot of friends, they told me I don't need to pack so many shoes (we are no longer friends!).

Photocopy your important documents. Save them on a USB stick or email them to yourself so if anything happens, you will have a copy of them. Always keep the originals and photocopies in separate bags. It will double your chances of keeping them safe!

Next, get all your clothes and shoes organised for packing.  Do this about a week or two before you take off. You can see if you have forgotten anything and you can also take stuff out if you don't think you need it. And check if some of the things you are taking require dry-cleaning. Take it in with plenty of time.

Pack everything properly! Make sure all your shoes are at the bottom of your suitcase so they don't damage your clothes. And also, pack things into your shoes. This uses up wasted space and it helps keep your shoes in shape. Bring lots of spare zip lock bags. You can separate your dirty clothes from the clean ones and you can wrap your shoes in them once they get filthy. This will ensure, your clean clothes stay clean. And pack your toiletries into plastic bags. It will contain any spillages or explosions.

Break in any new shoes. You don't want to wear new shoes when travelling as they are more likely to give you blisters. Break them in first so when you do start travelling, they will be comfortable!

Your carry on bag will be the most important thing you pack.  

What should you pack in you carry on?

• You want all your valuables with you at all times just in case your suitcase goes missing (touch wood)! This may be your electronics or travel documents but keep them close.
• Always pack a change of clothes and emergency toiletries in your bag. Again, if your luggage goes missing, you have fresh clothes, underwear and toothpaste at the ready! 
• Pack a scarf. Planes can get very cold so use it to keep you warm.
• Aspirin is also important. Planes can dry you out so drink lots of water and take some medicine if you get a headache. You want to be as comfortable as you can be.
• Pen and paper is also important. You'll need to fill out declarations and luggage tags so make sure you have a pen ready. Also, you are going to be stuck on a plane with so much spare time, you never know what inspiration may occur when you are travelling at 35,000ft.
• Wear shoes that are easy to put on and take off. You'll be going through security and you might want to take your shoes off in the plane. Have a pair of socks or slippers in your bag too incase you have to go to the bathroom or stretch.

It's important to tell your bank that you are travelling overseas! There will be nothing worse if they cancel your cards and you will be stuck without your funds!

Speaking of money, take some cash in the local currency. You won't want to be changing money at the airport plus you'll need it for transport out of the airport.

Don't forget your universal power adapter. There would be nothing worse if you couldn't charge your camera or laptop (oh, the horror!) while your away.

And finally, learn the local language. Now, I don't mean you have to be fluent in the language but it's important to know the basics. Write them down and try to use them when possible. It shows you are making an effort and it shows respect. 

Here are some of the basic French words you may need to know:

• Good morning/Hello - Bonjour
• Goodbye - Au revior
• Yes - oui
• No - non
• Please - s'il vous plaît
• Thank you - Merci
• My name is Fiona - Je m'appelle Fiona

But lastly remember to relax! If you plan ahead, you'll feel prepared and ready to explore the world.

Where is your next dream holiday?