Throughout the pandemic I read several articles that mentioned how incredible Venice has been with such a reduced number of tourists and the dramatic improvement in the canals' water quality, which is due in no small part to the local government (finally) issuing a permanent ban on cruise ships. I was eager to visit Venice without the crowds, and I am so glad we prioritized it as our first continental trip this autumn.
Our first official adventure as expats was a trip to the Lake District over the August bank holiday weekend. Famous for its associations with Beatrix Potter and 'Lake Poets' like William Wordsworth (and for the deep-cut Taylor Swift bonus track, obviously), the area is home to one of the largest and most popular national parks in the United Kingdom, which includes the largest lakes in England and all its land higher than 3,000 feet above sea level.
We decided to celebrate our first official weekend in the UK by taking a last-minute weekend trip to Rye, a coastal town in East Sussex that is only about an hour away from London by train and is famous for its medieval streets and architecture. I had seen it on several "most beautiful places in England"-type of lists, and it definitely lived up to the hype. The idyllic charm and relaxing atmosphere of the town made for a picture-perfect start to our European adventures.
As cliché as it sounds, I think Paris will always be my favorite city in the world. I've been 7 or 8 times over the past few years and there's something special about the energy and culture that keeps me coming back. Paris travel guides are a dime a dozen and I am certainly not an expert, but I've compiled a list of some of my personal favorite restaurants, attractions, and shops for anyone who might be interested. Bon voyage!
Lindsey in London 