2010 European (mostly) Travels

I've been thinking about how an earth I catch up with over a year's worth of travel, and I've decided to do it by pictures. I've been to:

• Auckland, Matamata, Tauranga, New Zealand (visit home)
• North Wales
• Paris, France
• Alicante, Spain
• Biarritz, France
• San Sebastian, Spain
• Algarve Coast, Portugal
• Madrid, Spain
• Prague and Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

Following South America when the world was firmly in the recession, it was quite challenging for us both to get jobs, so took us a while to get back on our feet. Career and travel are the main two reasons were are living in London, and thankfully both of them are back on track!

Here are a few highlights...

WALES LONG WEEKEND (Easter, 4 days)

My hubby was back in New Zealand for a wedding, so I was left to fend for myself over Easter. It was also our 2nd wedding anniversary, so I certainly didn't want to sit around in London by myself!


My lovely new friend at work, Annie, invited me to spend the weekend at her family home in Wales.  We had a great time looking around, which included Snowdonia. The scenery was absolutely gorgeous, and reminded me a lot of New Zealand.

    

Me with my lovely host, Annie






Conway Castle - best one I've seen so far!



Longest town name in the world! Check out
the sign behind me!









 





PARIS LONG WEEKEND (4 days)

Paris was a special trip on two levels. I've aways wanted to go there, and it was everything and more that I expected, but I was lucky enough to spend it with my 78 year old Grandma. She was an ABSOLUTE trooper, a 78 year old, going on 50! 



Below the Effiel Tower with Grandma

With Grandma in front of the Arc de Triumph, Paris

Top Paris tip... take the bus! The hop on hop off bus was a great option... so easy to get around, and you can plug in your headphones and listen or as little or as much touristy info as you like!

Grandma and I outside the Louvre, Paris

 FRANCE/SPAIN SUMMER HOLIDAY (1 week)

In September, hubby and I flew in and out of Biarritz, France, hired a car and drove up and down the coast, as far north as Bordeaux, and as South as San Sebastian, Spain.

Hubby particularly loved this trip, as he is a surfer, and the waves in Hossegor are well known on the Pro circuit, so we spent a lot of time at the beach.

 

It was great to look around as much as we did, but in hindsight, I probably would have stuck to France and relaxed a bit more around Biarritz, Hossegor and San Jean Luis.

 

Bordeaux - visting wineries in Margot region



Hossegor - Kelly Slater's footprint on the footpath

by the beach



San Sebastian, Spain













  



More to come another day!