Pack your bags, we’re heading off on a
Trip Over the World….
Choose a destination below, and join me to experience the places I have been and get some ideas on what to see and do when you visit these places. Inspiration for those travelling solo, just make the booking and Trip Over The World.
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If you have any questions or comments on any of the stories, or want to tell me your story, please contact me, I look forward to hearing from you.
Trip Planning
Planning a trip overseas is all part of the experience of travel, it takes a lot of research into destinations, flights, accommodation choices, what to see and do, how to get around once you are there, etc, etc, etc.
Flying into Venice
I flew into Venice Marco Polo Airport from London to begin my solo Italian Adventure in early spring, hoping to get ahead of the crowds. This trip was taking me to visit Venice, Florence, Siena, Pisa and Cinque Terre
Heathrow to London
I’ve never found arriving at Heathrow to be as daunting as some have led me to believe – it’s all well sign posted and, basically, just follow the crowd. I need the Piccadilly Line as it goes directly to Green Park.
Herd Of Hope
A herd of elephants arrived in Spitalfields back in 2020. This amazing art installation, of 21 bronze elephants created by Gillie and Marc to raise awareness of the damage caused by poachers.
Sydney to London on QF1
Flying to London from Sydney on QF1, all booked, all packed, having decided to fly on Qantas again hoping things were getting better as Vanessa Hudson, the new CEO, had promised!! And, I have enough Qantas points to apply for an upgrade
Boxing Day Walk
A short Boxing Day walk around St James’s in London learning a bit about the history of the area and walking off Christmas lunch.
Christmas Day in London
Christmas Day in London is so much better for looking at the Christmas Lights than Christmas Eve!!
Christmas Eve in London
The Christmas Lights in London are amazing!! Everywhere you look the streets are all decorated with the most unbelievable lights.
Walk Around London
The big walk I failed to do the previous day had heavy rain, light drizzle and even some sunshine
Arriving in London
Jetlagged up to the eyeballs, I set off exploring the neighbourhood
Flying with Qatar Airways
My first flight with Qatar Arways was a big success!
Clicking some of the advertising links on this site, and purchasing something, could earn me a small commission. It certainly won’t cost you any extra. I really appreciate it, thank you!
In the London Bridge area on the south side of the Thames, after visiting the Versace exhibition at The Arches, I walked down past The Shipwrights Arms across to Hay`s Galleria....used to be Hay`s Wharf....now shops, restaurants, Christmas stalls, and a giant Christmas Tree.
Memorial to the Jews who were rounded up during WWII, they were lined up on the edge of the Danube, forced to remove their shoes, then they were shot in the back and their bodies fell into the river.......
#shoesonthedanube #solotravel #busapest #traveltheworldwithme
A table for one… and a very good reason to book it! 🍽️✨
After admiring the beautiful Párisi Passage in Budapest, it was time to experience it from the inside — this time with a delicious three-course set menu and a table for one.
And what a setting for dinner! Surrounded by the spectacular architecture, ornate details and warm atmosphere of this magnificent restaurant ✨️ Three courses of beautifully presented food, a lovely atmosphere and plenty of time to sit back and enjoy the experience. ❤️
And yes… I may have taken photos of every course before eating it! 📸😂
Great food, a beautiful setting and a memorable evening in Budapest. The perfect end to a big day exploring Budapest.
If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website in my bio.
#Budapest #ParisiPassage #BudapestFood #SoloTravel #SoloDining
Walking from Bratislava train station to the town centre takes 15 minutes, passing through a park and by the parliament buildings before reaching the historic cobblestone streets.
This is where the touristification of the town kicks in, every shop is a restaurant or souvenier shop.
Even the castle is a remake of what they think tourists want to see....we actually want to see the original castle!!
#bratislava #streetsofbratislava #solotravel #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
✨ A little taste of Paris… in Budapest!
I stumbled upon Párisi Passage in Budapest and, honestly, this is one of those places where you walk in and immediately forget where you were going!
Tucked beneath the impressive Párisi Udvar building, this spectacular glass-roofed passage is a feast for the eyes, with its ornate Art Nouveau and Neo-Gothic details, beautiful mosaics, stained glass and sparkling chandeliers.
The building dates back to the early 20th century, when Budapest was enjoying its golden age and competing with the great European cities for architectural bragging rights. And I think it did rather well!
Today, the passage is home to a beautiful café and hotel, making it the perfect place to stop for a coffee and admire the architecture from the inside.
Sometimes the best discoveries are the ones you weren`t actually looking for! ❤️
Would you add Párisi Passage to your Budapest itinerary?
If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website in my bio.
#Budapest #ParisiPassage #BudapestTravel #HungaryTravel #SoloTravel
Every great view in Budapest seems to come with a climb!
✨️After crossing the beautiful Chain Bridge, I decided to walk up the steep pathway to Fisherman`s Bastion rather than join the long queue for the funicular. It was definitely a workout, but one that came with some wonderful rewards.
✨️The winding path offered beautiful glimpses of the magnificent Hungarian Parliament Building through the trees. Of course, I had to stop several times... purely to take photos, you understand—not at all because I needed to catch my breath! 😉
✨️Reaching the top, I was greeted by a bronze statue of St Stephen, the first King of Hungary, on his horse and the fairytale towers and elegant terraces of Fisherman`s Bastion. Built between 1895 and 1902 to celebrate 1,000 years of the Hungarian state, its seven graceful turrets represent the seven Magyar tribes who settled in the Carpathian Basin in 895. Today, it`s one of Budapest`s most iconic landmarks, with breathtaking views across the Danube to the Parliament below.
✨️Sometimes, taking the harder path really does lead to the best views.
✨️If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website in my bio.
#Budapest #fishermansbastion #solotravel #soloadventure #travelhungary
After visiting the Design Museum I strolled up Kensington High St doing a bit of window shopping, and came across St Mary Abbots Church and Kensington War Memorial on the corner of Kensington Church St. There has been a church on this site since 1262, but this one is quite modern - dating back to 1872.
#stmaryabbotschurch #kensingtonwarmemorial #kensingtonhighstreetlondon #london #solotravelinlondon
🌶The magnificent Budapest Central Market Hall has been welcoming shoppers since 1897 and is the largest and oldest indoor market in Budapest.
🌶With its distinctive Zsolnay tiled roof and impressive Neo-Gothic architecture, it`s just as beautiful on the outside as it is bustling on the inside. The building was severely damaged in WW2, and sat in ruins until 1997 when it re-opened to much fan-fare.
🌶Standing outside the market, you`re also treated to lovely views of the iconic Liberty Bridge, one of Budapest`s most recognisable landmarks spanning the Danube.Step inside and you`ll find two floors packed with stalls selling everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to Hungarian sausages, local wines, handmade souvenirs and, of course, paprika! Available in sweet, hot and smoked varieties, paprika is Hungary`s most famous spice, the essential ingredient in Hungarian Goulash.
🌶Whether you`re shopping, sampling local flavours or simply soaking up the atmosphere, the Central Market Hall is well worth adding to your Budapest itinerary.
✨️If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website in my bio.
#budapest #solotravelwoman #budapestcentralmarkethall #soloadventures
Budapest certainly knows how to slow you down—in the best possible way!
✨️On my first morning, I set off towards the magnificent Central Market Hall, but as always, I was happily distracted along the way. Passing through Vörösmarty Square, I discovered the impressive Carrara marble statue of 19th-century romantic poet Mihály Vörösmarty. Perched high on its pedestal, he`s surrounded by 20 beautifully sculpted figures representing the many social classes of the Hungarian people—a fascinating piece of history hidden in plain sight.
✨️Everywhere you look, Budapest`s architecture demands your attention. Even the entrances are works of art! It takes forever to get anywhere because there`s always another beautiful building, sculpture or hidden corner waiting to be admired.
✨️One of my favourites was the stunning Art Deco entrance to the Matild Palace. Then, tucked away in a nearby lane, I found the charming bronze sculpture of writer and journalist Gyula Krúdy, sitting at a table with his notebook, looking as though he`s waiting for someone to stop by and share a story.
✨️If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website in my bio.
#Budapest #HungaryTravel #SoloTravel #WomenWhoTravel #CentralEurope
🏰 Budapest has another castle… and of course I had to go and find it!
Even though the weather was looking a little gloomy during my time in Budapest, it certainly wasn`t going to keep me indoors. So I headed up to City Park (Városliget) to discover the city`s other castle — the enchanting Vajdahunyad Castle.
And what a beautiful surprise!
Built between 1896 and 1908 as part of Hungary`s Millennium celebrations, Vajdahunyad Castle is a wonderfully eclectic mix of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architectural styles. Rather than being an ancient castle, it was originally created as a temporary exhibition — but Budapest obviously decided it liked it too much to let it go!
Today, its fairytale towers, turrets and lakeside setting make it one of the most photographed spots in City Park.
The gloomy skies actually added a little atmosphere to the castle… although I wouldn`t have complained if Budapest had turned the sunshine on for me! ☁️😂
If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website in my bio.
#Budapest #VajdahunyadCastle #HungaryTravel #SoloTravel #VisitBudapest
Exploring Prague with lots of walking and lots of tram rides! Walking across Charles Bridge, up to the castle, through Lesser Town, into New Town, and historic Old Town.
#prague #praguelife #solotravel #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seeeverythingdoeverything
Chilly morning in Vienna today, but apparently its going to warm up big time tomorrow! First stop Naschmarkt, then strolling past Karlskirche on my way to Schloss Belvedere.......
#naschmarkt #karlskirche #solotravel #traveltheworldwithme
A quick ferry trip across the Grand Harbour from Valletta to the area known as the Three Cities. Grab a seat up on the top deck forthe best views. Vittoriosa, Senglea, and Cospicua are all worth exploring on foot, cobbled streets, little parks, the maritime museum just near where the ferry arrives, and the Knights of St John HQ at the amazing Fort St Angelo, not to mention the harbour full of yachts of all shapes and sizes.
Read more about my solo 10 day trip over to Malta by clicking the link to my website in the bio.
#malta #valletta #threecitiesmalta #solotravelinmalta #solotravelwoman
A day trip from Valletta to Gozo is very easy, taking the fast ferry gives great views all the way up the north coast of Malta. You can then get around on buses, or the hop on, hop off bus, and plenty of walking.....I wish I could have spent more time there, next time I stay for a few days✨️
Click the link to my website to read about my 10 day solo adventure in Malta
#solotravelinmalta #soloadventures #gozo #malta #solitravel
The gardens at Sydney`s Government House and into the Royal Botanic Gardens on the edge of Sydney Harbour.
#royalbotanicgarden #sydneylocal #sydneyharbour #sydneylife #walkinthepark
The gardens at the Governor Generals house in Sydney`s Royal Botanic Gardens are open to walk around most weekends.
✨️ Feels weird to go and sit on the balcony of someone else`s house and look out at the harbour, but it`s a very relaxing way to spend a bit of time!!
#royalbotanicgarden #fountains #beautifulgardensoftheworld #seeeverythingdoeverything
The beautiful streets of Valletta, some of the hills and steps are not for the faint hearted!! But it is such an interesting place you just press on regardless.
✨️To read more about my solo adventure to Malta, click the link to my website in the bio - happy travels!
#solotravelinmalta #valletta #malta #soloadventures #sreetsofvalletta
Having mastered the very efficient bus system in Malta, after visiting Lower Barraka Gardens and the War Rooms in the tunnels under Valletta, I headed off out to Tarxien to the pre-historic temples, then out to the east coast to the beautiful fishing village of Marsaxlokk to see the traditional fishing boats.
To read about my 10 day solo adventure in Malta, click the link to my website in the bio.
#solotravelinmalta #solotravelwoman #malta #traveltheworldwithme #tripovertomalta
Budapest`s streets are full of art✨️ apparently there are mini sculptures scattered everywhere, and I`ve found one of them so far!!
The hunt continues.....
#artinthestreets #budapest #solotrip #neverstopexploring
Had a quick run around Prague after a 4 hour train trip from Vienna. I was last in Prague 9 years ago, all seems familiar except Wenceslas Square....apart from the statue of Good King Wenceslas on his horse, the rest of the square that used to be an elegant collection of historic buildings, hotels, cafes, etc......has now turned into Oxford Street, London...Primark, C&A, Half Price, the list goes on......who thought that was a good idea????
#prague #solotravel #traveltheworldwithme #charlesbridgeprague
Cesky Krumlov, a quaint medieval town in the south of the Czech Republic, a simple day trip by train from Prague....then lots and lots of walking on cobble stone paths!!
#ceskykrumlov #daytripfromprague #solotrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
Strolling around Sydney`s Royal Botanic Gardens and Government House✨️ looking out across Sydney Harbour on a sunny mid winters day☀️
#rbg #sydneylocal #sydneyharbour #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #sydneyharbourwalks
Step insde this fairly average looking cathedral and be amazed by the intensity of the interior, minimalism was not the brief✨️ Everywhere you look in St John`s Co-Cathedral in Valletta there is gold, art works, and more gold!
Built in the 1500s, the the interior revamp happened 100 years later, then the cathedral sat there happily until it took a hit in WWll. It was then restored from the 1980s until 2017.
🥂 For more ideas on things to see in Malta, click the link to my website in the bio to read about my 10 day solo trip over to Malta.
#stjohnscocathedralmalta #soloadventures #solotraveller❤️ #malta #traveltheworld
I spent 10 fantastic days exploring Malta 💖 A great place for solo travellers who love history and endless exploring.
✨️ Read about the places I visited by clicking the link to my website in the bio.
1. St Ursula St, Valletta
2. Victoria Gate, Valletta.
3. Upper Barraka Gardens, Valletta
4. The view from my hotel over The Grand Harbour
5. Victoria Gate, Valletta
6. Valletta street scene
#malta #solotravelinmalta #solotravelwoman #valletta #historylovers neverstopexploring
After visiting the Easter Markets at Schonbrunn Palace , I went for a walk up through the gardens, all the way up to the `Gloriette` at the top of the hill way off in the distance.
The Gloriette was built in 1775 for no other reason than the view - when the Habsburgs were sitting on the balcony of their summer Schloss, they wanted something nice to look at, so they had the Gloriette built along with a few ponds and fountains. The world became a better place!!
#schönbrunnpalace #schönbrunnschloss #solotravel #habsburgfamilyresidence #vienna
The Hungarian Parliament Building from across the Danube at night ❄️ It was a freezing cold evening, but a quick trip under the Danube on the Metro to get a few photos is just what needs to he done!
#hungarianparliamentbuilding #budapest #soloteavel #traveltheworldwithme
Beautiful day to have another amble around the gardens at Schonbrunn Palace after exploring the Imperial Apartments, in another month these gardens will be in full bloom☀️☀️☀️
#schönbrunnpalace #schönbrunnschloss #palacegardens #solotrip
Explored the stunning Belvedere Palace in Vienna, a former imperial residence that`s truly breathtaking. The gardens were gorgeous, especially with the ponds and fountains coming to life now that winter`s loosening its grip, slightly....!!
#belvedere #schlossbelvedere #vienna #solotrip #traveltheworldwithme
Beautiful Prague in spring was the next stop on my recent solo adventure to central Europe, where I stayed at Hotel Grandium ✨️ Lovely place in a great location and nice and close to the station, perfect if you arrive by rail.
✨️Check out the hotels I stayed in by clicking the link to my website in the bio.
#grandiumprague #solotravel
The fairytale world of Castle District, perched high above the Danube on the Buda side. Hours of leisurely strolling are a must!!
My solo adventures in Budapest continue...
#budapestcastledistrict #budapest #solotrip
A crowd gathers every hour to watch the Astronomical Clock in Prague put on a show 😂 Then some people clap and cheer, and some people laugh in an `is that it` kind of way.
#prague #astronomicalclockprague🏰 #solotravel #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
Caught the train from Vienna to Bratislava for a day trip. Walking up the hill to visit the castle is not for the faint hearted!! And the walk back down 🥴 brutal on the dodgy knee!!! But I made it 😃!!!
#bratislava #daytripfromvienna #daytripfromviennatobratislava #traveltheworldwithme #solotravel
St Paul`s Cathedral dome as seen from the top of 1 New Change, the shopping centre across the road. I walked down Ludgate Hill, Fleet St and The Strand, coming across the Royal Exchange, Australia House, the dragon marking the boundary of London City. Every building along this street has incredible history.
#stpaulscathedral #royalexchange #australiahouse #londondragon #historiclondon
Arriving in Vienna, I found my hotel at set off exploring the neighbourhood, the architecture is all gobsmacking, but hard to get far enough away from to photograph!!
#vienna #traveltheworldwithme #neverstopexploring #solotravel
As usual, when it cones to museums, I usually find the building more interesting than the exhibits!! Vienna Natural History Museum was no exception!!
#viennanaturalhistorymuseum #vienna #solotrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
A day trip from Palermo to Sicily`s south coast took me to Agrigento, to visit the Valley of the Temples, an ancient Greek archeological park ✨️The Temple of Concordia is the most complete of these ancient ruins, with it`s very own Fallen Angel!!
#agrigento #valleyofthetemples #templeofconcordia #solotravelinsicily #daytripfrompalermo
St Matthias Church in the Castle District near Fisherman`s Bastion. Climb the steep stone spiral staircase for a stunning view into the main church and explore the artifacts on display. This historic church dates back to the 11th century.
#solotrip #stmatthiaschurch #budapestcastledistrict
Exploring Trapani Salt Pans on the west coast of Sicily with a day trip tour from Palermo - what a quirky spot! Windmills, old boats, and epic views. The last shot shows the hilltop medieval city of Erice, which I featured in my previous posts. The solo adventure continues.....
#trapani #trapanisaltpans #sicily #solotravelinsicily
Discovering Segesta`s Doric Temple, built in 420BC ✨️, and the adjacent Greek Theatre on a hillside. On this Palermo daytrip, we covered Segesta, Trapani, and Erice (previous posts have more). Apparently, some believe the temple remained unfinished, evident from the unfluted columns and remaining construction blocks.
#segestatemple #daytripfrompalermo #sicily #solotravelinsicily #sicilianhistory
In Erice, I stumbled upon Sicily`s ultimate pastry haven, but what should I try??? The struggle to resist buying it all was very real😋 I was not disappointed with my choice!!
#ericesicily #grammaticomaria #solotravelinsicily
The Vivid Sydney light show in Argyle Cut, looking along Argyle St from Cumberland St, The Rocks.
#vividsydney #traveltheworldwithme #sydney #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
Aimlessly wandering around the streets of Prague - beautiful💖
#prague #praguelife #solotrip #praguearchitecture
The best part of the day trip from Vienna to Bratislava was the boat trip back to Vienna on the Danube!! The hydofoiling catamaran was fast, about 90 minutes, the crew were great. It was freezing cold and windy outside, but I couldn`t help myself, I just had to keep going out to take photos, then running back in to sip my wine 🥂!!!
Great for solo travelers, I met so many other travellers onboard.
#cruisingonthedanube #twinliner #solotravel #traveltheworldwithme
It was a lovely sunny London day to walk through Kensington Gardens from South Kensington to Baystwater Rd. Kensington Palace was all locked up for the Christmas break.
#kensingtonpalace #kensingtongardenslondon #london #solotravelinlondon #traveltheworldwithme
After catching the tram across the river, I strolled through Letna Park, there are stunning views of Prague`s Vltava river, the bridges and the castle, not to mention all the flowers in the park.
#flowerseverywhere #viewsfordays #praguelife #solotrip #walkinthepark
.....further to my previous post. I walked past Hochstrahlbrunne, a fountain built in 1873 to celebrate the opening of Vienna`s high pressure water system. Then once I arrived at Schloss Belvedere, I found that this was not the place to be at Easter. There was one long queue to buy a ticket to stand in one of 3 other long queues to get in!!! Even one of the staff on crowd control said he had never seen it like this - I`ll go back after the Easter weekend crowds have left.
#vienna #viennaeaster #soloteavel #changeofplans
Budapest... you certainly know how to make a first impression!
After checking into Hotel President in the heart of this beautiful city, I couldn`t wait to start exploring my local area before darkness fell.
My afternoon took me past the magnificent St. Stephen`s Basilica, the lively Budapest Eye Ferris Wheel, the stunning Hungarian Parliament Building, past to the iconic Chain Bridge, and to the moving Shoes on the Danube Memorial, a powerful tribute to the thousands of Jews murdered on the riverbank during World War II.
Of course, no walk around Budapest would be complete without rubbing the shiny belly of the jovial bronze "Fat Policeman" statue for a little good luck. Whether it works or not remains to be seen... but I wasn`t taking any chances! 😉
As evening fell, and the jet lag started kicking in, there was only one way to finish my first afternoon in Hungary – with a steaming bowl of traditional Hungarian Goulash. Rich, hearty and full of flavour, it was the perfect welcome to this incredible city.
If Budapest can pack this much into just a few hours, I was looking forward to what this adventure has in store for the rest of the week.
If you`re planning your own Budapest adventure, or would like to read about the hotels I stayed in during my solo journey through Budapest, Vienna and Prague, you`ll find the link to my website in my bio.
#Budapest #SoloTravel #SoloFemaleTraveller #exploringbudapest #Hungary
Budapest... you certainly know how to make a great first impression!
✨️After checking into Hotel President in the heart of this beautiful city, I couldn`t wait to start exploring my local area before darkness fell.
✨️My afternoon took me past the magnificent St. Stephen`s Basilica, the lively Budapest Eye Ferris Wheel, the stunning Hungarian Parliament Building, past to the iconic Chain Bridge, and to the moving Shoes on the Danube Memorial, a powerful tribute to the thousands of Jews murdered on the riverbank during World War II.
✨️Of course, no walk around Budapest would be complete without rubbing the shiny belly of the jovial bronze "Fat Policeman" statue for a little good luck. Whether it works or not remains to be seen... but I wasn`t taking any chances! 😉
✨️As evening fell, and the jet lag started kicking in, there was only one way to finish my first afternoon in Hungary – with a steaming bowl of traditional Hungarian Goulash. Rich, hearty and full of flavour, it was the perfect welcome to this incredible city.🥂
✨️If Budapest can pack this much into just a few hours, I was looking forward to what this adventure has in store for the rest of the week.
✨️To read about the hotels I stayed in on my solo adventure to Budapest, Vienna and Prague, click the link to my website in the bio.
#Budapest #SoloTravel #SoloFemaleTraveller #exploringbudapest #Hungary
Budapest Central Market Hall built in the late 1800s, extensively damaged in WWll, left in ruins until the late 1900s when it was returned to it`s former glory.....only to now be mainly selling tourist trash.
#budapestcentralmarket #budapest #traveltheworldwithme #solotravel
Czech artist, David Cerney, famous for his politically opinionated art works.
✨️Here showing King Wencelas riding an upside down dead horse into battle. Hanging in the Lucerna Palace, Prague.
✨️Then 2 men (politicians??) pissing on the Czech Republic!! This one is outside the Kafka Museum across the Charles Bridge.
#davidčerney #politicalart #prague #solotrip
