Susie Marquis, Author at A Luxury Travel Blog : A Luxury Travel Blog

Planning a short break in Bordeaux? 6 not-to-be-missed experiences

By Susie Marquis on Mar 12, 2015 in Attractions, Europe, Events, Food and Drink, France, Going Out, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Recently nominated as the Best European Destination 2015, this vibrant and elegant city is often neglected by tourists who, if they haven’t been to France before, will opt for the larger and more easily accessible city of Paris. However, since becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, Bordeaux is becoming one of the main

Sicily: a tantalising combination of food, wine, history and culture

By Susie Marquis on Feb 10, 2015 in Europe, Events, Food and Drink, Italy, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

It is hard to think of anywhere that food, wine, ancient history and culture can be found in such abundance as in Sicily, from its cities right down to the smallest villages. Every season offers chances to participate in ‘sagre’ local festivals, to taste local delicacies, enjoy cultural events in ancient Greek amphitheatres, admire colourful

6 original ways to explore Paris on foot

By Susie Marquis on Jan 14, 2015 in Attractions, Europe, Food and Drink, France, Going Out, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Even if you are a regular visitor to Paris, you may well be enticed into enjoying one of these special walking tours, each offering the chance to gain more knowledge while, at the same time, exploring this wonderful, and very walkable, city. Here are six original ways to explore Paris on foot. 1. Paris by

6 ways to taste your way around London as a tourist over the festive season

By Susie Marquis on Dec 01, 2014 in Europe, Food and Drink, Regions, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe

If you are a visitor or a local, with a keen interest in food, London is a melting pot of international cuisine just waiting to be savoured. Here are some ways of exploring London, while enjoying some delicious food and wine experiences, during the cold winter months. 1. BB Bakery bus tour The BB Bakery, the

Re-live your Summer villa holiday with these enticing cookbooks

By Susie Marquis on Oct 16, 2014 in Books, Europe, Food and Drink, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Regions, Travel Equipment, Travel Literature, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

One way to continue the memories of summer is to indulge in one of these relatively new cookbooks, all of which, with tempting recipes and lavish photographs, evoke the atmosphere of warm and relaxing Mediterranean days. The Amalfi Coast: A Collection of Italian Recipes by Katie and Giancarlo Caldesi Just thinking of the Amalfi Coast conjures up images of

Tempt your tastebuds at these October wine and food festivals in Paris and London

By Susie Marquis on Sep 20, 2014 in Europe, Events, Food and Drink, France, Regions, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe

With October approaching and the days becoming shorter, food and wine enthusiasts will enjoy both the culinary delights and the festival atmosphere that are offered at two distinctive annual events – the Montmartre Grape Harvest Festival in Paris, and the London Restaurant Festival. Read on to learn more… Montmartre Grape Harvest Festival, 8th – 12th October

An unforgettable Venetian experience in July

By Susie Marquis on Jun 25, 2013 in Europe, Events, Italy, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

The Festa del Redentore (Celebration of the Redeemer), which takes place every year during the third weekend of July, is both a spectacular celebration and a very moving, traditional religious event, and definitely right up there, with the Venice Carnival, as a great Venetian experience! Its origins go back to the 16th Century, and the terrible plague of 1576,

Explore Milan’s canal district and welcome the arrival of Summer at the Festa dei Navigli

By Susie Marquis on May 12, 2013 in Attractions, Bars, Europe, Events, Going Out, Italy, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

While walking around the centre of Milan, it is hard to believe that the city was, in Medieval times, an important port, with a whole network of canals used to transport goods in and out of the city and the surrounding region of Lombardy. As canals became less important as a method of transport, many

The perfect time to explore Ménilmontant and Belleville in east Paris

By Susie Marquis on Apr 16, 2013 in Europe, Events, Food and Drink, France, Going Out, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

This colourful, multi-cultural neighbourhood in east Paris, with its ethnic restaurants and thriving art scene, has many parallels with east London. Once a wine making village outside the city’s walls, it was absorbed into central Paris in 1860, first housing people from rural France moving to the city, and later, immigrants escaping Eastern Europe after

Several great reasons to visit Florence this Easter

By Susie Marquis on Mar 22, 2013 in Europe, Events, Italy, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Easter is a wonderful time to visit Florence, usually with comfortable temperatures of around 18–20 degrees Centigrade, ideal for walking and seeing the sights, visiting museums and exhibitions, and (especially if the sun is shining!) enjoying a meal and glass of wine on the terrace of one of the many inviting restaurants and cafés lining

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