It was one of those perfect October fall days with blue skies stretched endlessly overhead, and a crisp chill in the air that made every step feel energizing rather than cold.
Being our final day in New York, we took full advantage of the gorgeous weather and strolled through Central Park whilst soaking in the autumn atmosphere, leaves just beginning to turn and the city humming around us.
We made our way toward Empire Rock where that we could see Billionaires Row rising sleek and gleaming, uptown Manhattan stretching beyond.
New York has a way of making you feel small and completely alive at the same time.
By lunchtime we headed to Tavern on the Green, a place that feels timeless no matter how many times you’ve seen it in movies.
I ordered a light and refreshing watermelon feta salad, the perfect pre-flight meal to get in some freshness and nutrients.
Ryan went for the meaty beef brisket sandwich served with fries, so naturally I had some of those with my salad too.
The whole place was buzzing with that unmistakable Friday afternoon energy.
Locals were sipping drinks, easing their way into the weekend, laughter echoed around the courtyard, and that wholesome feel of fall was in the air.
There was even a wedding reception happening within the venue nearby and it was like we had stumbled into a little slice of someone else’s love story.
Sitting there surrounded by good food, happy energy, and my man by my side, it felt like the most perfect way to close out our dreamy week in New York. It’s no wonder why this city captures hearts so easily.
I don’t think we could have asked for a better goodbye to our new favourite city; we’ll see you soon NYC ❤
Every year I like to book in a city break as part of our travel diary, so this year we decided on a trip to New York at the end of September. I’ve never been to NYC and my boyfriend went when he was much younger, so it’s a place we are super excited to explore together.
We’ll be staying at The Park Lane Hotel right by Central Park with a gorgeous rooftop bar overlooking the city skyline and the park.
I’ve grown up watching Friends and I’m now in my Sex & The City era, so I’ll definitely be channeling my inner Carrie Bradshaw prancing around the city in cute outfits.
As one of the fashion capitals of the world, shopping in New York is a must and top of my list is the iconic Fifth Avenue, Madison Avenue for some ultra luxury retail therapy, and Chelsea for markets and thrift shops.
Being a huge Audrey Hepburn fan, a Breakfast at Tiffany’s moment would be my dream; pretending I’m Holly Golightly with my takeaway coffee and croissant browsing the glistening windows of Tiffany’s.
The food scene in NYC is incredible too with so much to choose from whether its street food like bagels and pizza slices, or aesthetic brunch spots and glamorous rooftop bars.
Some places I’ve pinned to try so far are Leon’s Bagels, L’Industrie Pizza, Saddle’s for brunch and 230 Fifth Rooftop for drinks with a view.
My favourite way to explore a new city is on foot, so I can’t wait to discover the many different neighbourhoods for ourselves. And not forgetting the most famous spots we’ll have to visit during our time in the city including Times Square, Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, Empire State, Grand Central Station and Central Park.
We only have a week there, so planning our days will be key to seeing as much as possible. I’m sure it’s going to be an intense but fabulous time in NYC which will leave us wanting to go back to see more ❤
Having never flown Business Class before, this was my first experience and I was very impressed. Emirates are renowned for being one of the best airlines to fly Business with and I can see why, my overall experience was 10/10. Flying long-haul from Singapore to London, our journey had two legs so I had the pleasure of trying two different planes. It was clear upon boarding the second aircraft with its plush white leather seats that it was a newer one, but aside from the more aesthetic interior, everything was equally excellent on both planes. From the friendly and attentive staff providing 5* service and delicious food for all tastes, to the cosy private pods with fully reclinable chairs making a bed so we could sleep comfortably and land feeling rested and refreshed. Not forgetting the glamorous on board lounge bar serving an extensive option of classic cocktails and drinks.
I appreciate travelling Business is a luxury, but with my insurance company offering to pay this for me given my legs still healing from the dog bites, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to make the most of it. I have to admit that for a long haul journey which can be very uncomfortable in economy, this was a treat and something I would consider again if the cost to upgrade isn’t too pricey. Top tip, enquire for an upgrade at the desk upon checkin for your flight as sometimes special offers can make it far cheaper to purchase it on the day, as opposed to getting the Business Class ticket at full price in advance.
Checkout the full vlog to see me living my best life travelling Business on YouTube here.
With my brother and his family having moved to Singapore at the beginning of this year, we decided to reschedule our flights home from Bali and stopover for two days in the city. It was a joy to see them settled into their new home and so exciting to explore this brilliant city for ourselves.
We were so impressed with how clean everywhere is and the minimal amount of cars on the roads means there’s barely any traffic throughout the day.
To see as much of the city as possible, we went on the open top tour bus which was glorious in the sunshine.
For lunch we stopped at the famous Marina Bay Sands Hotel and went to their rooftop Italian restaurant Lavo.
That evening we were given the authentic Singapore local experience with dinner at a hawker centre called Lau Pa Sat in the centre of town.
There are lots of different food vendors serving street food which you can eat in a community dining space together in the middle. We had some dumplings and then shared this massive plate of crispy vegetable noodles, washed down with a few jugs of beer of course.
That night we went back to the Marina Bay Sands Hotel for rooftop cocktails at C’est La Vie bar, before walking around Gardens By The Bay all lit up at night, making us feel like we’d been transported to outer space.
This was a truly unique, other worldly experience which I’d say is a must to see if you’re visiting Singapore.
The next day was a little overcast so instead of going to the orchid garden as planned, we went down to the Marina Square Shopping Centre to browse the luxurious designer shops.
We were a bit peckish so grabbed a late lunch at Yardbird overlooking the Marina. We shared a deliciously hearty steak sandwich with yummy pickles and salty chippies.
Whilst the endless options of designer shops was tempting, I ended up making a small purchase in Zara and treated myself to this cute, pink skort.
Our final meal with my brother and his family was at their favourite local Greek restaurant Bakalaki Tavern.
I wore my new pink skort and we had the most wonderful evening celebrating our short but sweet visit to Singapore.
My niece is growing so quickly and she was as adorable as ever practicing her words at the table.
We had dips and pitta to start and I opted for a traditional Greek feta salad for main which was divine. I’ve had my fair share of Greek salads and they never come close to my own homemade recipe, but this one was certainly up there.
And so we said our goodbyes and I had my final snuggles with my beautiful niece, before we grabbed our suitcases and got a taxi to the airport.
Our experience of Singapore was fantastic and we will no doubt be returning again soon for a longer trip to see more of the city and spend time with my family too ❤
Welcome to Casa Cherish! I’m so excited to show you around this gorgeous two bed luxury villa we are living in here in Bali for the next two months.
Set over three floors with a private plunge pool and spacious roof terrace too, it’s our very own hidden oasis in the centre of Canggu.
From the sunken living area and arch doorways,
to the tropical plants and neutral earthy tones throughout,
this villa exudes island living vibes.
Casa Cherish already feels like a home away from home ❤
To book a stay at Casa Cherish villas for your own trip to Bali, checkout the rates and availability on their website here – https://www.casacherish.com
Happy Sunday from beautiful Bali! We’ve been here in Canggu a week now and I still can’t believe we get to call this our home for the next two months!
We’re staying at the stunning Casa Cherish villas in central Canggu, only a 15 minute walk down to the beach.
With its Moroccan inspired interiors every corner of this two bed villa is so aesthetic, and the private plunge pool is a luxury to have in this 30 degree tropical heat.
We’re settling into Bali life nicely and fully embracing all of our favourite things about this wonderful island including:
the endless sunshine,
buzzing cafe culture,
delicious foodie scene,
active lifestyle,
beach sunsets,
morning surf sessions,
lucius green palms,
the freshest fruits,
friendly locals and doggies,
aesthetic interiors,
boutique shopping…the list goes on.
It’s only our first week on the island and we’ve already done so much, but when you’re living in such an exciting place surrounded by likeminded people, it’s hard not to be motivated to get out and seize every single day.
Two months sounds like a long time however I don’t doubt it will fly by and we won’t want to leave. So I intend to enjoy every second here in Bali by actually slowing down a little to focus on being fully present in the moment.
Alignment: you are in the right place at the right time ❤
Majestic; having or showing impressive beauty or scale…and Monaco sure was that in every way!
From the grand beauty of the famous Monte-Carlo Casino Square, to the magnificent Prince’s Palace overlooking the stunning harbour filled with millionaire’s super yachts, every corner of the city is a spotless, picture perfect moment.
So here is a completion of those cinematic scenes from our holiday to Monaco, complete with slow motion clips to fully channel my inner Bond Girl starring in her own music video.
As the capital of Santorini, the historic town of Fira is the largest and most cosmopolitan settlement of the island. Located on the western coast it boasts stunning views of the Caldera and is another top spot for watching sunset.
We found the the walk from Imerovigli to Fira took about 30-35 minutes down the coastal path, the perfect pre dinner stroll during golden hour complete with sweeping views of the Caldera.
Whilst Oia is known to be the prettiest town on the island, I personally preferred Fira given it was far less busy, it’s equally as beautiful as Oia and as the most historic town it feels more authentic.
When it comes to dining, you’re spoilt for choice with restaurants and bars to choose from in Fira. Upon researching the best spots in Santorini for food, I booked the highly rated and popular restaurant called The Vine, located just above the main square of Fira overlooking the Caldera.
With our front row table during sunset, there was a minimum spend for our reservation making this our most expensive dinner of the trip.
However we made the most of it and stayed for about 2 hours to see through the entirety of sunset; date nights don’t get much better than that picturesque setting!
Cocktails are a must for date night too and they certainly didn’t disappoint. As always it was a Tommy’s Margarita for her and a Classic Mojito for him, but with a sweet strawberry twist.
We ordered sourdough bread and a classic Greek feta salad to start, then I had the most exquisite king prawns with veg to follow and my boyfriend had the sirloin steak cooked medium rare. To accompany our main courses we had truffle mash potato and honey glazed baby carrots.
Service was very good and whilst my boyfriend’s steak wasn’t the best cut, the food on the whole was delicious and wonderfully presented. I would recommend The Vine for couples seeking a special evening during their stay in Santorini.
A boat day during our time on the island was a must, so we booked a sunset cruise at one of the tourist offices in the centre of Fira for just 40 euros each.
To get to the port of Fira there is a cable car to take you down the steep cliff edge, a fun experience in itself. With our boat trip commencing at 3pm on the Sunday, we were greeted by our tour guide down at the port where we boarded this fantastic old pirate style ship.
First we sailed over to the famous Caldera which we climbed in the scorching heat. A sweaty yet awesome experience to be on the top of the active volcano!
Next we stopped to swim in the hot springs before heading over to the tiny island of Thirassia. This used to be part of Santorini before a volcanic erruption many hundreds of years ago separated the land.
The boat trip concluded with a sunset cruise around the port of Oia complete with a glass of wine. A truly magical way to end the day and see the sun go down at sea.
Being dropped back in the port of Fira at about 9pm, we decided to have dinner in town and stumbled across this lovely restaurant Pelican Kipos. With a large outdoor seating area full of greenery and fairy lights, it was the perfect chilled ambience for a Sunday night dinner.
I had the quinoa avocado blue cheese salad and my boyfriend had the spaghetti carbonara. The food was delicious, service very friendly and attentive, and the final bill of about 40 euros was surprisingly reasonable considering this was the centre of Fira.
Another restaurant we didn’t pre-book but came across on our final night stroll into town was Vanilia. Luckily we got seated at the very front of the terrace with uninterrupted views at golden hour, the perfect final dinner setting.
My order was the grilled squid served with a wonderful fresh salsa, whilst my boyfriend had a decadent four cheese pizza topped with parma ham and rocket leaves. We also shared a Greek feta salad as I couldn’t resist another one on our very last night in Greece.
The food came fairly quickly and was delicious, my whole squid was particularly divine. An unexpected 10/10 meal for our last night in Santorini complete with sunset views, but without the super expensive bill you might anticipate somewhere like this in Fira.
By day the capital is great for shopping and exploring the historic streets, whilst by night there is more of a vibrant scene with lots of restaurants and bars staying open late.
So that brings us to the end of my Santorini Diaries series and I hope you found my recommendations interesting and useful. There’s no questioning the idyllic beauty of this iconic island; it’s certainly won my heart and I can’t wait to go back again soon ❤
It’s Euros finals day and we’re about to order pizza before watching the big game on TV; come on England! Football aside, I’m super excited to be jetting off to the stunning Greek island of Santorini on Wednesday. Packing is well underway and I’ve spent today planning some cute outfits and making the tough decision on which bikinis to pack from my ever growing swimwear collection.
I’ve done my usual research on the area we are staying and put together an aesthetic Pinterest board for photo opportunity inspo. We will be staying at Crescent Luxury Suites located within the small town of Imerovigli, just in between Fira and Oia.
We have treated ourselves to a junior suite so we will have our own private plunge pool with a view, how magnificent! – https://cresantoluxurysuites.com
I was advised that booking a table for a view at sunset is a must, so I’ve lined up our dinner spots for the first three evenings. The night we arrive we have 8pm reservations at The Wine Bar in Imerovigli, only a 10 minute walk away from our hotel. Then I have booked Veranda Aperitivo Bar for sundown drinks in Oia on Thursday, and our Friday night dinner date at The Vine in Fira, a very highly rated restaurant and winery with breathtaking views.
Other activities we are keen to do during our time in Santorini is quad biking around the island, a boat day and visiting the black sand beaches.
Needless to say it’s going to be a beautiful week soaking up the scorching sun, indulging in the most delicious Greek food and wine, and enjoying picture perfect sunset views on Greece’s most romantic island of Santorini ❤
It wouldn’t be a trip to Bali without visiting the luscious green rice terraces and a breathtaking waterfalls in the rainforest. Being based in Canggu for the duration of our stay in Bali, we decided to do a day trip to Ubud and hired a private driver for the day which worked out at about £5 an hour – what a bargain!
Ubud is about 1 hour from Canggu by car and being more central Bali, it is where you find the awesome rainforest and those Instagramable rice terraces upon the expanse of rolling hills.
Arriving late morning mid-week, it wasn’t too crowded for our stop at Tegenungan Waterfall. Another humid and extremely hot day in Bali, the walk down and back up was a challenge in the heat.
Well worth the trek though as we could take a scenic dip by the magnificent waterfall when we finally made it down.
Our next stop was Cretya, a day club with split level infinity pools overlooking perfectly groomed rice terraces. This place was only £2.50 to get into and this gave us access to the pool club and surrounding grounds for the day.
Unfortunately a storm rolled in just after we arrived, so we sheltered from the rain on a table overlooking the rainforest and enjoyed a lovely lunch of margarita pizza and garden salad.
Not forgetting a classic Bintang to ease the sting of that torrential rain meaning we couldn’t fully enjoy the beautiful pools.
Regardless, it was still an amazing place to explore and walk around following our time at the pool club. They even had the famous Bali swing here!
On reflection, we really liked Ubud and would definitely stay there next time we visit Bali to get the full jungle life experience.
Dani Aneka 