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These little lovelies where captured outside of Liberty on Great Marlborough Street, London.

Another beautiful place ticked off of my bucket list and another history lesson for Ryenne!

I’m sure many of you have seen Sofia Coppolas version of Marie Antoinette, but until you have actually seen the beauty of Versailles with your own eyes… its incomprehensible. The fine fine details in every inch of the palace is astonishing. Chandeliers, candelabras, fine textiles. I was in absolute princess heaven!

Once we got past the well manicured gardens and ponds we reached Marie Antoinette’s getaway village which isn’t anything like I expected. I knew about her senseless spending, so I expected glam and sparkle, a private palace spilling with royalty… but I was wrong! Very wrong! Her getaway village was very calm and quaint with farm animals and thatched roofs.

Not only was I impressed with the little details of Versailles, but the enormous property itself is fascinating.  I took a LOT of photos while I was there and couldn’t possibly post all of them on the blog,  but I didn’t even get to some of the main areas before it was time to leave. I could spend days there! Apparently… so can many other locals who use the property for their daily jogs!

Thank you Mr. Romantic!

So, we are off to Castellamonte in Turin, Italy. Castellamonte is famed for their terracotta and ceramics which you will see all around the town on their street name plates, art pieces, roof tops and stoves which are used throughout Europe! While in Italy, we also learned of the tradition of  La Befana and Epiphany! How have I made it to the age of 33 and not ever heard of this! We learned about the Witches and the events of the 12th day of Christmas. Very interesting!

We visited Castello di Agliè but unfortunately, we weren’t allowed to take photos inside. The tour was done in Italian and from what I was able to make out of it, the castle was one of the summer residences of the Kings of Sardinia.  Through out the castle, the furniture and the paintings were stunning. Chapels, theatres, chandeliers… I’m in heaven! It was killing me not to be able to take photos!

This castle tour has only inspired us to make our next stop to the Palace of Versailles… where photos are allowed!

Our next stop: Italy!
Don’t worry France… we will be back! Versailles is calling me!

Lake Geneva

A holiday with Max wouldn’t be complete without taking a vintage beauty for a drive through the country side. I think driving around in the Beatle was one of Ryenne’s favourite parts of the trip! Next Stop: Italy! 

Thank you Russell and Vibeke for letting us stay with you in your beautiful home! Hugs and kisses to you and sweet baby Alice!

Two of our friends surprised us with the amazing gift of a relaxation getaway to this amazing hotel. A gift we won’t forget!
I can’t even begin to describe how how beautifully elegant the hotel is or how great the service is. Every detail including the immediate greeting by name from the valet attendants, to the couples spa treatments, to the champaign and chocolates waiting in our room was certainly deserving of its 5 Star reputation.

Our very large room was located in the main building and was definitely fit for royalty! We even entertained the idea of being able to live in a flat this size! With someone to make our bed and clean our washroom daily… why not!
The well manicured property includes ‘cottages’ (which are actually bigger than my current home), horse stables, polo grounds and a large spa with a fabulous view from the ‘relaxation room’… sigh. We also had an exceptional dinner in the John Campbell Restaurant which even surpassed Max’s expectations! It was so good in fact, that we had full english breakfast there as well!

I know this will be a special place to come back to again and again… if not for ourselves, then maybe to shoot a wedding!

A special thank you to Don & Nina and Donnie & Renee for this amazing gift!

On a side now, I was only traveling with my 50mm lens therefore all of the below shots were done with just one lens! Have you ever challenged yourself  in such a way!?
The hotel has the largest rosemary garden I have ever seen!
Its very therapeutic to walk through, especially if you have stuffy sinuses! It’s a nice touch to add to a steamy bathroom!
The bathroom was one of my favourite parts… the  bateau bathtub was big enough for two… or just one with room to swim!

I couldn’t decide if I liked it better in colour or in B&W… The only thing missing is a bride and groom!
I don’t know what this flower is, but it is so beautiful!This place is very classy but very cheeky too!Relaxed to the Max! 

My next flight was an overnight flight to London, England. I came ‘fully’ prepared this time! I ate the biggest meal possible.. just in case! This time, they wouldn’t stop feeding you long enough to let you sleep! The lights kept coming on… the announcements came on every other hour… the guy next to me wouldn’t turn off his reading light… and to top it off, I was so cold!

I have had pretty good luck with my flights and seat mates. There have been a few cancellations and lost luggages but I have learned how to make it through all of that by remembering to bring all of my travel essentials with me in my carry-on luggage! I do realize that some people (like Max) don’t travel with anything but a carry-on, while others prefer not to have to worry about overhead space on the plane.

So, here it is… my travel secrets!

I always check luggage. I pack and over pack but never seem to pack the right things somehow… so my suitcase is pretty heavy and I don’t like to carry it around the airport with me. Also, I have way too many liquids and gels and aerosols that I’m just not willing to part with on my trips! My first tip on what NOT to pack in your checked luggage is your car keys, especially on your way home! If your luggage doesn’t arrive on the other side… you are pretty much screwed! This didn’t actually occur to me until after I got my purse stolen a couple months ago while in London. My car keys were in my purse, which brought on some very tense moments trying to figure out how to get my car out of the QuikPark at the airport (which happened to be in the US, not in Canada where I am from!). Thankfully, the QuikPark people could recommend a locksmith that they trusted to have keys made and ready for me at the gate when I returned to the USA. Phew! They told me that people pack their keys in their luggage all the time to keep them safe while traveling, but forget to take them out before checking luggage! If the luggage never arrives, neither do your keys! My Tip… put your keys in your luggage when you arrive at your destination.. but carry them on the plane with you!
This same thing can apply to your phone charger! You don’t want to be caught on the other end without your luggage, keys and a dead phone battery!

As I mentioned above, I found myself very cold on my flight to London. This seems to be the usual case for me on planes! One of my most fav things to have on a flight with me is a pashmina. It comes in handy in so many occasions!
It works as a blanket, a pillow, a cushion along the armrest in the case that you like to cram yourself into funny sleeping positions, as I do! I also use it as a protector for my camera when I day trip stash my camera in my purse if I don’t want to carry my camera case with me. I thought I was the only one in the world that would do such a thing, but I did just read somewhere that Jasmine Star does the same thing.. so I guess I can say out loud that I do it too! Just becareful that your purse doesn’t get stolen!

I travel to rainy London quite a bit now too. My pashmina has helped me keep my hair dry in pinch as well! All this, and of course, it does help keep you fashionable! Dress up any dull outfit with a great pashmina in the case that you are feeling a little underdressed! Layering also helps hide travel bloat!

I have added a bottle of water onto my fav travel essentials as well. Yes, they serve water on the plane so why would you want to carry a whole bottle with you? Because… it comes with a cap! The water that they serve you on a plane is in a cup… so if you don’t want to drink it all at that moment, you are stuck with it. I personally like to tuck my knees up with my feet just barely touching the aim rest of the chair in front of me. I can only do this if I have a window seat of course! This is the ONLY way I can sleep on a plane… which, you can’t do if you have a cup of water to babysit! So, cap the water bottle and sleep away! If you want your water cold.. just ask for a cup of ice!

I am a girl that is all about wearing easy on and off shoes to the airport. This is especially helpful when zipping through airport security! The only problem with this is that I hate being barefoot on planes… I get cold! I said this already.. you get it! Socks are a travel essential for my long flights especially when I tuck my feet on the edge of the arm rest infront of me! It would be pretty nasty to have my feet up in all places without socks on! I have seen people walk around planes in their socks… even into the lavatories! YUCK! I don’t recommend that!

My iPad is always an essential as it holds so much entertainment in one tiny package! Delta flights are starting of offer WIFI on certain flights, although GOGO will charge you a minimum fee of $12-$14USD per flight. If you are like me and have seen every film on the monitor in front of you, or you get stuck with films that you now have to pay for (ahem.. thanks Delta!), having an iPad close by is a saving grace… especially when traveling with kids! And, if they are kids that steal your iPad from you… bring a book too!

Hopefully these tips will help you on your next flight. These items aren’t very big and most usually fit in a small bag that I can tuck under my seat for convenience. I am sure I could come up with 50 more travel tips and one day I will add some more to this list I’m sure!

If you have any tips that you would like to share, please feel free to leave them in the comments field below!

a. Pashmina – A million and one uses! From fashion item to blanket to camera protector!
b. Noise cancelling headphones – Bose are expensive but worth the money. I currently use Sony but have had the luxury of testing out Bose. Drowns out crying babies or coughing seat mates brilliantly! (Did I just use that word?! Hmm.. couldn’t think of a better one!)
c. Clinique’s All about eyes cream – Call me crazy, but I see the difference! Its a must have to look your best on the other side!
d. iPad – as mentioned above, it goes everywhere with me!
e. Eye Mask – Just makes your sleep that much better!
f. Books – James Patterson has some great travel tips for you in this book too!
g. Passport – Although I always remember to bring it, I have had it stolen out of my bag at the airport. Always double check! I feel like maybe I should travel with a security guard!
h. Bottled Water – as mentioned above…its all about the cap!
i. Keys – Keys in your carry on… it’s just smart traveling! See above for details!
j. Phone Charger – keys and charges go hand in hand! See above for details!
k. Toothbrush – This could be combined with a pair of underwear/panties as well. Freshen up after a long flight, or just be prepared if your luggage doesn’t arrive!
l. Socks – for that extra level of comfort!