Great places to stay & those to avoid
How to spend a week in Corfu
How to spend a week in Corfu: Part 1 Dreaming of a Mediterranean escape? Corfu, the jewel of the Ionian Sea, offers the perfect blend of sun, sea, history, and adventure. Whether you’re into exploring ancient fortresses, lounging on golden beaches, or discovering...
How to spend a weekend in London Part 1
How to Spend a Weekend in London: Part 1 London is a city that seamlessly blends centuries of history with vibrant modern culture, making it one of the world’s most exciting destinations. Whether you're a history buff, an art lover, a foodie, or someone who simply...
Discover Cordes sur Ciel, France
Unveil the hidden gems of Cordes sur Ciel, a picturesque village perched high above the clouds, offering breathtaking views and a rich tapestry of history.Nestled in the heart of south west France, Cordes sur Ciel is a medieval village that captivates visitors with...
History in the streets of Toulouse
What could be better than a day out in the beautiful city of Toulouse to soak up some February sun. Toulouse is just overflowing with history, art, culture and fabulous architecture - come with us for a walk through Toulouse. ...
The remarkable Roman ruins of Salona
The remarkable Roman ruins of Salona The remarkable Roman ruins of Salona are just outside Solin, a suburb just 5km northeast of Split in #Croatia. Now part of an archaeological park, the Salona ruins are extensive, testifying to the importance of this colony under...
Where to go and what to do in Lanzarote
Where to go and what to do in Lanzarote There are places and things to do in Lanzarote that are just too good to miss and in this post we will set out our personal favourites and the best way to see them. Lanzarote is an island of contrasts, from the bustling tourist...
This is Lanzarote
This is Lanzarote Lanzarote is an island full of contrasts; from the bustling streets with bars and restaurants, catering to the majority of British tourists, to the wild and rugged coast of the north of the island. It's a great destination for those that are seeking...
The best place we have stayed in Morocco
The best place we have stayed in Morocco is a little riad on the city walls in Essaouira. Just to be clear - We are not paid for this video, nor have we any rewards, be it financial or otherwise from The Riad Chems Bleu in Essaouira. We are publishing this video as a...
Moroccan streetfood in Essaouira
Streetfood in the Moroccan seaside town of Essaouira, from freshly grilled fish, olives, nuts, fresh local fruits, dried fruit and nuts, shawarmas, kebabs and Moroccan tacos, fresh breads and sweet pastries to go with tea or coffee - it's all here. You cannot turn a...
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway Tamil Nadu, India
A trip on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway in Tamil Nadu, India from Mettupalayam to Ooty - sometimes called The Ooty Toy Train. Beautiful scenery on this UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is truly unique and the only rack and pinion railway in India. We met some lovely...
What to do and see in Essaouira Morocco
What to do and see in EssaouiraHistory & beauty What to do and see in Essaouira Morocco - Essaouira is a very cool and laid back town on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, approximately 4 hours by road from Marrakesh. The Atlantic winds ensure a climate that is...
South India Highlights 2020
South India Highlights 2020 of our trip to Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu in South India in January 2020. From the deserted village destroyed by a tsunami at Rameshwaram, the tea plantations at Munnar and Fort Kochi, in the states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil...
Canal des deux mers Dieupentale France
Canal des deux mers Dieupentale France A walk along the Canal des Deux Mers Dieupentale France (Canal of the two seas) that runs from near Bordeaux to near Sète linking the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. This was a short walk along the canal near Dieupentale in the...
The Majorelle Gardens Marrakesh travel video
The Majorelle Gardens Marrakesh travel video taken in an oasis of calm and beauty in Marrakesh, Morroco. Created by the French artist, Jacques Majorelle over almost forty years, starting in 1923, and features a Cubist villa designed by the French architect, Paul...
Toulouse Traditions & Lights at Christmas
The beautiful city of Toulouse in South West France at Christmas, a beautiful sunny December day in Toulouse looking at the traditions, foods, drinks and treats for Christmas and talking to the locals and not-so-locals. Join us for a festive look at #Christmas in...
Effective Learning for Travel Vocabulary
Effective Learning for Travel Vocabulary - Here are some essential strategies for Effective Learning for Travel Vocabulary in any language - try some of them out - they really work. The problem is that we try to learn vocabulary for our travels, then when we have to...
Watchtower of Marrakesh
Watchtower of Marrakesh Marrakesh is a fascinating city to visit, the souks with all of the different crafts and trades, the bustling square of Jemaa el Fnâa is at the heart of the city and it all starts from here. Watchtower of Marrakesh video is an edited version...
The Watchtower of Essaouira
The Watchtower of Essaouira is a video taken during a week in Essaouira in November 2021 - a fabulous little, historical coastal town on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The people are very friendly and the food is wonderful. So many sights, sounds, smells and tastes to...
Vanlife project podcast episode 1
In this first episode of the podcasts on a project that the Two Frogs have to travel throughout Europe in a converted Mercedes Sprinter van, Chris talks about the planning stage of a project that combines travel and environmental projects along the way. The Two frogs...
What to do and see in Santorini podcast
Chris talks about a recent trip to Santorini, a Greek island in the cyclades. Sightseeing on an ATV (all terrain vehicle) or a quad to you and me to Fira, Oia, Akritiri and some of the fabulous villages on the island. What to eat and drink and where to stay in...
What to do and see in Santorini
Santorini, stands proud out of the sea as the plane prepared to land at the tiny airport on the island. Going from the airport to your destination can be done by taxi or bus, and most hotels will organise this for you. We stayed at Kamari beach, so it was a short taxi...
How to spend a week in Santorini
Santorini - what a fabulous island. That's what everyone says and we have all seen those fabulous sunset photos of the village of Oia with the romantic blue dome. Follow us to see how to spend a week in Santorini we are sure you will love it! We went in October, where...
Saint Chély du Tarn
Saint Chély du Tarn in Les Gorges du Tarn in the Gorges du Tarn, Lozère, France. Roughly in the middle of Les Gorges du Tarn a few kilometers from Sainte Enimie. A lovely old medieval village on the banks of the crystal-clear waters of the Tarn River; A laid-back...
Discover Beaumont de Lomagne
Beaumont-de-Lomagne, bastide, was founded in 1276, in 1278 the town was granted a very liberal charter of laws, by the standards of the period, defining the rights and duties of its inhabitants. In 1280, work commenced on a large church; the bell-tower, was made in...
10 reasons why your photos are bad
In this podcast episode, we look at why photographs turn out badly and suggest some things to do to improve your photos - we look at : Framing Exposure White balance Focus & aperture settings All the best advice to help you get some banging photos from your...
Discover Le Seuil de Naurouze
The Seuil de Naurouze, or Col de Naurouze, is the highest point (190 m above sea level) of the Canal du Midi in southern France. It is the watershed point identified by Pierre-Paul Riquet when he designed and built the canal, With water falling on the western side of...
Le Seuil de Naurouze
The separation of the watersHistory & beauty Le Seuil de Naurouze is an historic site for several reasons. It has been many things in the past, including a 11 hectare reservoir to maintain the level of the canal du midi, a pétanque stadium, a project for a...
Le Château de la Garrigue, Villemur-sur-Tarn, France
A clever blend of history, culture, elegance and originality, it transports you to a bewitching universe ... it is the Château de la Garrigue! A place conducive to escape that will not leave you indifferent. From the moment we crossed its majestic entrance, we felt...
Le Château de la Garrigue, Villemur-sur-Tarn, France
Savant mélange d’histoire, de culture, d’élégance et d’originalité, Il vous transporte dans un univers envoûtant… c’est le Château de la Garrigue ! Un lieu propice à l’évasion qui ne vous laissera pas indifférent. Dés le moment où nous avons franchi son entrée...
Discover Auvillar
Auvillar has been voted one of the “most beautiful villages in France” with its harbour area on The Garonne river and outstanding monuments like the circular hall, the clock tower and the Church of St. Pierre. Auvillar is a stop for tourists and pilgrims on the...
The village of Auvillar Tarn et Garonne
One of the most beautiful villages in France History & beauty Auvillar has been voted one of the "most beautiful villages in France" with its harbour area on The Garonne river and outstanding monuments like the circular hall, the clock tower and the Church...
Le quartier autour de St Etienne Toulouse
Around the Saint Etienne Quarter of Toulouse in south west France. The area is dominated by the huge Cathédrale Saint Etienne - which has existed since the third century, built on the site of a chapel constructed by Saint Saturnin, the first bishop of Toulouse. The...
Discover Collioure
The beautiful town of Collioure on the Mediterranean sea, just a few kilometers from the Spanish border in south west France. The town was and still is a magnet for artists such as Henri Matisse, André Derain, Pablo Picasso and Charles Rennie Mackintosh. There are...
The Mediterranean port of Collioure
A jewel on The Mediterranean Discover the history Collioure is a pretty little port on The Mediterranean Sea in South west France, just a few kilometers from the Spanish border - this is Catalan country, which is deeply reflected in the customs and culture of...
Visit Verdun sur Garonne
A video visit to the small village of Verdun sur Garonne in south west France. Today it is a quiet village, but steeped in history, with beautiful walks and abundant wildlife - come and have a look around with us. Verdun was once a fortified port, fom the 13th century...
Toulouse waterways
Discover the waterways of the beautiful city of Toulouse in south west France. Toulouse is crossed by The Garonne river as it flows from The Pyrenees mountains to the Atlantic Ocean at Bordeaux. The 240 kilometer long Canal du Midi bisects Toulouse as it links The...
Verdun sur Garonne
The Gateway to GasconyThe Garonne river We love travelling, near and far, but we just have not taken the time to visit the village where we live; Verdun-sur-Garonne. Today, we decided to have a look at the things that we pass by every day. Verdun is 40kms north...
Les bon plans d’un expatrié à Alleppey, India Podcast
Dans ce podcast, Alain, expatrié de longue date à Alleppey en Inde (Kerala), nous parle de son immersion locale et nous donne tous les bons plans sur la région : les endroits incontournables à voir dans Alleppey et ses alentours, la meilleure manière de visiter le...
The most beautiful village in France
A stroll around the beautiful village of Saint Cirq Lapopie in The Lot Département in south west France. The village has been voted as the most beautiful village in France - maybe you can see why from the video, but there are so many villages in this region that could...
Saint Cirq Lapopie
The most beautiful village in FranceHistory & beauty When you arrive, from any direction, you cannot but be taken aback by the beauty of this village, which has been voted as The Most beautiful village in France in a television program, voted by the viewers....
Munnar
Kashmir of South IndiaHigh in The Western Ghats The best parts of Munnar are on the outskirts of the town and the drive up and down to the hill station. Munnar is a hill station high in the Western Ghat mountains at around 1,600 meters above sea level, which...
Marari Beach
Miles of beach The Chill capital of Kerala? Marari beach is a short tuk tuk ride from the busy town of Aleppey and if you have a choice, stay at Marari beach and travel in when you need / want to. In terms of culture and sightseeing, well, there is ,not much...
Menal Shiva temple complex
Ancient TemplesMahanaleshvara temple Menal was a huge surprise for us - our driver mentioned, on the way to Bundi that he knew of an interesting temple that we could visit. We expected it to be crowded as usual, but the surprise was that it was completely...
Madurai the jasmin city
The city of TemplesThe Meenakshi Ammanahanaleshvara temple The city is centred around the spectacular Meenakshi Amman Temple, with, amongst other sights, the 100 pillared Mandapa Nayaka Mandapam, a pillared corridor with different animal sculptures at the top of...
What to do and see in Beijing, China Podcast
In this podcast episode, I speak to a local from Beijing, China about Beijing : Things to do Places to see What to eat & drink Things to be aware of All the best advice given by a local for travellers to Beijing, China. ...
What to do and see in Haryana, India Podcast
In this podcast episode, I speak to a local from Hisar, Haryana about Haryana : Things to do Places to see What to eat & drink Things to be aware of All the best advice given by a local for travellers to Haryana. [powerpress...
Our roadtrip in Rajasthan
One year ago, in 2019, our roadtrip along the Golden Triangle in Rajastahn, visiting some fabulous sights and cities with Rajasthan, including one of the wonders of the world and several that should be considered as such.[instagram-feed]Happy Clients
What to do and see in Calicut, Kerala, India for two days Podcast
In this podcast episode, I speak to a local from Calicut (Kozhikode), Kerala about Kozhikode : Things to do Places to see What to eat & drink Things to be aware of All the best advice given by a local for travellers to Calicut (Kozhikode). [powerpress...
What to do and see in Kasargod, Kerala, India for two days Podcast
In this podcast episode, I speak to a local from Kasargod, Kerala about Kasargod : Things to do Places to see What to eat & drink Things to be aware of All the best advice given by a local for travellers to Kasargod. [powerpress...
Kumarakom
The backwaters Back to nature One of the first things that you notice in Kumarakom is the peace and quiet along with the very laid-back feel of the place. We travelled the short distance from Allepey, where we spent a day and a night on a rice barge, which was...
Kanyakumari
The southern tip of IndiaBeautiful sunsets Kayakumari is at the very southern tip of India surrounded by three seas; The Arabian Sea, The Indian Ocean and The Bay of Bengal and is a popular destination for pilgrims who come to the Thiruvalluvar Statue and...
What to do and see in Mumbai for two days Podcast
In this podcast episode, I speak to a local from Mumbai about Mumbai : Things to do Places to see What to eat & drink Things to be aware of All the best advice given by a local for travellers to Mumbai. [powerpress...
A stroll around Fort Kochi
A stroll around the market and alleyways of Jew Town in Fort Kochi, Kerala, India. The shops were once owned by Jewish merchants, but the population in 2020 was down to just 6 Jewish people, however, the shops still display the star of David and the original (or made...
Kodaikanal
The princess of hill stationsCool down At over 2,100 metres above sea level, Kodaikanal is a welcome breather from the hot lowlands of Tamil Nadu. The hill station was used by The British, escaping the heat of Madras during the mid 19th century, there are traces...
Fort Kochi
The old fishing village The Chinese fishing nets If you arrive by air to Kochi, you may be surprised at the time that it takes to get from the airport to Fort Kochi - we imagined a 20 minute drive, but even at midnight it turned out to be about an hour, so I...
Jodhpur
The Blue cityThe clock tower & Market Jodhpur is famous for three main things mainly; it is called The Blue City, Sun City and for the eponymous, tight horse riding trousers. The sun city, ok, it was sunny all the time we were here, and very hot. The blue city,...
Fatehpur Sikiri
Fatehpur SikriAkbar's PalaceThe city is predominantly built from red sandstone, about 40 kms from Agra - built by the Mughal Emperor Jalal-ud-din Mohammad Akbar, or Akbar the great, in honour of the great Sufi saint Salim Chisti. Akbar’s tolerant religious views and...
Two days in Delhi
Two days in Delhi Colourful cacophony Delhi is big, really big, noisy, polluted, crowded but full of history. We flew in from Bangalore in the south and I swear the pollution could be smelt even before the plane landed. Travel in and around the city can be done by...
The Amer Fort Jaipur
The Amer Fort JaipurAmer or Amber?The Amer fort, often referred to as the 'Amber Fort' is just 20 minutes outside of Jaipur and dominates the hillside, as it was meant to. Built over an 11th century for in the 16th century, it is still as impressive today as it was...
The Jal Mahal Jaipur
The Jal Mahal JaipurWater PalaceAs you may know, 'Mahal' in Hindi means palace, as in Taj Mahal, and 'Jal' means water and you may run into this in other cities in India where there are water palacces. It was originally built as a duck hunting lodge by the...
Gaitore
Legendary KingsMemorialsAfter the buzz and noise of Jaipur, aitore is a welcome oasis of silence in beautiful green gardens and on the road to The Amber Fort. Gaitore was the royal cremation ground of the Kachhwaha Rajputs from 1733, the only memorial missing is for...
Jaipur the pink city
Jaipur The pink cityThe city palaceJaipur The pink city is so named after the pink coloured sandstone from which many of the buildings are built, that shimmer in the hot Rajasthani sun. We are also from a pink city, Toulouse, named after the pink brick used in the...
Ellangudipatti
Sacred grovesSilenceArriving at one of the sacred groves in the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu is quite a surreal experience. We expected to be confronted by ticket booths and all the rest that you get in tourist sites in India, but not at all. There is a rather grand...
Chettinad villages and houses
Villages and HousesPast gloryChettinad is a region in Tamil Nadu in south India which is made up of 70 odd villages that seem almost stuck in time. The name comes from the caste of traders, Chettiars, mostly bankers and financiers who did most of their business in the...
Exploring the City of Bangalore
City of TemplesIndia's Silicon ValleyExploring the City of Bangalore (Bengaluru) known as 'The Silicon Valley of India' due to the number of big international IT companies in the city. Arriving at Kempegowda airport, you are hit by the real international feel of the...
On The Backwaters of Aleppey Kerala
The backwatersVenice of the eastAlappuzha the venice of the East - The Alapuzzha backwaters are dubbed 'The Venice of the East' by the tourist books, but then again, so is Udaipur , but arriving in Alappuzha, you can sort of see it, as there is water and boats,...
Udaipur the beautiful city of lakes
Udaipur the beautiful city of lakes Udaipur the beautiful city of lakes - When you first arrive in Udaipur, the first thing that you notice is that you cannot enter the city, but you arrive at a car park where the final leg of your journey to your hotel is by tuktuk...
Bundi Rajasthan
Bundi Rajasthan Bundi Rajasthan - Bundi is one of those places that seem to be forgotten by the groups of tourists who do the organised 'Golden Triangle' tours of Rajasthan and pales into virtual insignificance against Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Agra. If you have...
Mallorca
Mallorca, or Majorca is the largest island in the Balearic Islands, which are part of Spain and located in the Mediterranean. The native language, as on the rest of the Balearic Islands, is Catalan, which is co-official with Spanish. The capital of the island, Palma,...
How to make a travel bucket list
How to make a travel bucket list You've all heard of a bucket list, right? Well, if you haven't, it's basically a list of dreams, objectives, goals and ambitions that you want to achieve, often in a given time like; before I am 40 or even, before I die ... It is a...
Summer at Contis Beach
Summer at Contis Beach Summer at Contis Beach France A reat place to go in summer is a lovely little placce, but if there's anything I dislike about summer, then it's got to be a beach holiday, although I absolutely adore beaches. You know, when you get all your...
A trip on the Nuova Venezia Livorno Italy
A trip on the Nuova Venezia Livorno Italy Lying on the beautiful Ligurian Sea is the small port of Livorno on the western coast of Tuscany, Italy. and for some unknown reason, It is known in English as Leghorn, although it is probably from the Genoese name "Ligorna."...
Ten best things to do in Barcelona
The ten best things to do in Barcelona If you are looking for a great place for a city break or a longer stay to soak up some Catalan sun, then Barcelona is the place for you. Barcelona can get crowded, especially in the high season and at New Year and there are great...
A day out in Toulouse
What could be better than a day out in the beautiful city of Toulouse to soak up some February sun. Toulouse is just overflowing with history, art, culture and fabulous architecture - come with us for a walk through Toulouse. ...
The Bahia Palace Marrakesh
Just a short walk from the Medina and 5 or so minutes from Jemaa el-Fnaa lies The Bahia, a beautiful palace and gardens, built in the late 19th century, intended to be the greatest palace of its time. The name means "brilliance", was built to capture the essence of...
The Secret Garden Marrakesh
Just a few steps from the bustling, noisy Souk and just a few minutes walk from Jemmaa el-Fnaa lies the Secret Garden, a quiet and green escape from the hustle and bustle of Marrakesh. Walk through the main Souk, to the Mouassine quarter and take Rue Sidi Abdelaziz...
The Majorelle Gardens Marrakesh
The Majorelle Garden, spread over just over a hectare is a beautiful botanical, landscaped garden in Marrakech, Morocco. It was originally created by the French Orientalist artist, Jacques Majorelle over a forty years period, starting in 1923, and features a Cubist...
Riding The Nilgiri Mountain Railway
We decided that The Nilgiri Mountain Railway was going to be on our travel itinerary for our latest trip to Southern India and booked in through IRTC (Indian Railways) when back in France and it is highly adviseable to book as it can get very packed and sells out...
Dhanushkodi the ghost town
Danushkodi is on the very far southern point in India, just 24 kilometers from Sri Lanka, on the island of Pamban, separated from the mainland by the Palk Strait. It shares the only land border between India and Sri Lanka, which is one of the smallest in the world at...
The Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is one of the most famous buildings in the world, the mausoleum of Shah Jahan's favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is one of the New Seven Wonders of the world, and one of the three World Heritage Sites in Agra. Completed in 1653, the Taj Mahal was built...
A Weekend in Porto
Porto or Oporto, is on the Douro River estuary in northern Portugal, with the centre being a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. It is a fabulous city to visit, preferably out of the summer season. The centre is split by the Douro river, on one side the Port...
40 Fascinating facts about France
40 Fascinating facts about France Let's take a quick look at some of interesting and unusual facts about France: The name "France" comes from "Frank", a Germanic tribe that invaded the Western Roman Empire in the 6th century and founded the first independent kingdom...
Chinese Fishing Nets Kochi India
One of the attractions alongside the waterfornt in Fort Kochi are the Chinese fishing nets, operated by a team of 5 or 6 men, they are an unusual, traditional and historic method for catching fish. The mechanism is made up of a large net, bamboo poles and teak struts,...
The Second best cameras for your travels
Most of use our telephones to take pics when we are travelling, and why not, they take good snaps, are easy to share and generally do the job in hand pretty well. I have been a keen photographer and traveller for many years, right back to when I was travelling around...
The medieval village of Cordes sur Ciel
Cordes sur Ciel - "Tout y est beau, même le regret" The medieval village of Cordes sur Ciel surprises, in more ways than one. Granted, it is listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, but what awaits is truly breathtaking. Arriving on the road from...
The Monastery at Alet Les Bains, Aude
The village of Alet Les Bains lies in the Aude valley, surrounded by high mountain flanks on either side, about 40 minutes from Carcassone, between Limoux and Quillan, it is a nice place to stop off on the way into the Pyrenees or to dip the toes into the icy waters...