I am writing this from the car, on our way back to Hampshire. Although we only left home 24 hours ago, it feels like we have been away on a real mini holiday. Princess mode was activated from the second I walked into the 4* Malvern Spa Hotel. You may (or may not know) that Malvern is known for its water source (I didn't... but then I'm French, that's my excuse!) which makes it the perfect place indeed to spend a weekend in the water. 

Our room (203) was lovely. Spacious, new, with a marble bathroom and bath tub. There were towels, bath robes, and slippers waiting for us on the bed. A kettle and selection of hot drinks, (even a coffee press and fresh coffee!), and of course, bottles of Malvern water. 

We both enjoyed a 1h spa treatment. We went for full body massages, but you will find the list of all treatment here. ​

His: ESPA Energise Massage: This massage aimed to alleviate deep-seated tension and muscular stress using specialised techniques to increase circulation to the muscle, help re-align deeper layers of muscle, release chronic patterns of tension and alleviate common areas of discomfort such as a stiff neck, painful lower back and sore, tight shoulders. 
Hers: ELEMIS Garden of England Rose restore 
A lavishly hydrating body massage. A unique trio of rose, camelina and poppy seed oils are used to maintain and restore skin elasticity. 

Our massage therapists then walked us to a "relaxation room" where we could rest, and let our skin soak in all the gorgeous moisturising skincare products before jumping into the swimming pool. 

Now for the best topic of all.... food. The hotel's restaurant is a AA Rosette, and it didn't disappoint. While I tried to stay healthy and went for the low-calorie dishes, Dom's job was to try everything else so I could review it here! (He took the job very seriously). I had the scallops for starters (which were absolutely divine!) followed by the seabass fillet, which tasted amazing as well. Dom went for the mussels to start with, followed by the lamb & a cheese platter (there is a very wide selection of cheese..... that's when I almost gave up my healthy eating goal!. 

You know me. Can't check in at a hotel without checking out the gym! I will start with the all-marble changing rooms, which are super luxurious. And a gym that offers several hair straighteners & hairdryers gets serious brownie points from me! The gym itself was spacious, well equipped and not crowded, even though we visited on a Sunday morning. You can watch our full body workout in this video! 

Let me start by saying that we were extremely lucky with the weather, which made the experience all the more enjoyable as we made the most of the loungers in the garden, soaking in the sun. The pool is very big: there is an indoor and an outdoor section, and you can swim from one part to the other which is pretty cool! The pool was very warm... more like a giant jacuzzi! And I see that it lights up at night, so I'm sure you would enjoy it even in the winter, at night. ​**You could also order drinks to have by the pool, and that includes fresh smoothies.... more (healthy) brownie points! I didn't have one as I was saving myself for our afternoon tea, but they looked yummy! 

2 o'clock: time for cake! We drove from the Malvern Hotel to the Colwall Park Hotel, which is about 20 minutes away and belongs to the same hotel group. We were greeted by the lovely staff who led us to the sunny garden, and it wasn't long before a beautiful selection of sandwiches and cakes was placed in front of us. (Until this point, I was still determined to eat healthy and stick to the sandwiches. Dom's job once again was going to be to review the cakes. Sorry Dom, I'm having cake too!) They say a picture speaks a thousand words, so here are a few.... And yes, everything was just as good as it looked! (if not better!) 

All in all, a lovely and relaxing weekend getaway, which I highly recommend, as a treat to your family, friends, partners, or to yourself (you deserve it!) 

Have you been to Malvern, Worcestershire? To The Malvern Spa Hotel, or The Colwall Park Hotel? Share your experience in the comments! Make sure to follow my adventures on Instagram, Facebook and Youtube, follow & subscribe! 

This city holds a special place in my heart. Four years ago, our new Indian housemate moved into our uni house. For a year, he told us all about India, and the "City of Lakes" where he is from. Uni came to an end, and of course, we booked tickets to go visit him back in India as a graduation trip. It was a serious culture shock, but a trip to remember. Two years later, we were back in Udaipur for his wedding, traditional Rajhastani style! But I'm saving that for my next blog article. 

Do I need a visa? 
If you are a European citizen like I am, you will need a tourist visa to visit India. Thankfully, the government recently introduced e-visas, which make the process so much easier! You just need to fill a few forms online and you're good to go. Prices vary depending on your nationality. NB: Don't get scammed! Make sure to buy it from this website and not any other site! 

Do I need vaccination? 
You won't need malaria shots if you are visiting Rajhastan only. However, if you are planning a road trip to different parts of India, check with a doctor. 

What should I pack? 
- Toilet paper! (This may make you laugh but you will thank me later!) Many restaurants, etc don't actually offer toilet paper, and when they do, it's the tiniest rolls, which they take forever to replace (even in hotels...) I can still see you laugh! Just trust me on this one. 
- Mosquito spray (especially if you are visiting Rajhastan during monsoons) 
- Clothes to cover up (which brings me to my next point) 
- Cash (in your currency) You are unable to purchase rupees outside of India. Make sure to have some cash on you to be able to exchange it for rupees once you are in India. 

What to wear in India? 
Boys, you can wear pretty much anything you like. Girls, avoid anything short! Remember that Indian and european standards are different. My first trip, I packed shorts (which honestly weren't that short at all on European standards... but got some weird looks, from women!) so I learned from my mistakes and brought long skirts for my second trip. It can get really hot so go for light materials. After asking my local friends how to dress respectfully in India, this is what I learned:
1. Don't show your legs.
2.Try to cover up your shoulders.
3. You are completely fine walking around in a crop top: that won't shock anyone.
​Note you will need to cover your arms and cleavage if you visit temples, I recommend packing a scarf in your bag which you can use to cover up when needed. 

Rules to follow to avoid getting sick
- Don't drink tap water (only bottled water) 
- When you buy a bottle of water, make sure you are the one to open it first (some bottles are refilled with tap water and then sold to tourists!) 
- Don't eat fruit without them with filtered water first 
- Don't eat street food (as tempting as it may be!) 
- Only eat from places that are recommended by guide books / travel blogs / travel agencies...
- Eat a lot of yoghurt (Lassis or Raita) in the first few days of your trip
- Don't be afraid to ask waiters/restaurants to make the food less spicy
- When in doubt, go for the vegetarian option 

​When to visit Udaipur? 

We have been to Udaipur twice: the first time in low season (July), the second time was high season (February). 
Low Season: The monsoons had just started. I was expecting heavy showers, but in two weeks in Rajhastan, we only experienced light rain. It was always slightly cloudy (which is not ideal for pictures) but still very hot and humid. Fun fact: Our friends in India would check the weather forecast and say "The weather is going to be good tomorrow!" That actually meant it was going to RAIN! Rajhastan is so dry that the locals count the days to Monsoon season. Although June/July/august aren't the best time to go, you will still have a great time. Heavy showers are mainly experienced in the South of India. 
High Season: Blue skies everyday! The temperature was around 25 degrees C. everyday. NB: I found that I would get sunburnt way quicker than in Europe... bring hats and sunscreen! The temperature would seriously go down at night, down to 8 degrees C. (Bring a jacket!) This is definitely the best time to visit Rajhastan. 

Get lost in the busy old city. This is the perfect place to shop for souvenirs, clothes, spices,...! 
You should visit the main temple, Make sure to remove your shoes before walking in, and don't get scammed by the man trying to make you pay to "watch your shoes"! and walk down the the waterside. 

The City Palace is the main attraction in Udaipur, and well worth a visit (which will take you about half a day). 

We didn't have time to visit Monsoon Palace during our first trip in Udaipur... We almost didn't go the second time, but I am so glad we did! This was one of the highlights of the trip, and I strongly recommend you save some time to check it out! Monsoon Palace is located right at the top of a hill/mountain, which means the view from there is breathtaking, especially at sunset! If you want to see monkeys, this is also the place to go! (Although don't expect to visit a well kept palace... you are going for the view!) It's quite far from the city, so you will have to get a taxi or a tuktuk to the entry of the "park" (bottom of the hill) where you will buy a ticket, and a car will take you to the top, and bring you back down after sunset (expect to queue!) 

We did a private boat tour which was arranged by our hotel (Udai Kothi). Beautiful at sunset! 

During our time in Udaipur, we got to try several hotels, and these were our favourites. 

This is a hidden gem! The location is perfect: 5 minutes walk from the old town (on the other side of the bridge) and less than 2 minutes walk from all our favourite restaurants! The hotel looks like an old Indian palace. There is a rooftop pool which is gorgeous and very clean. To top it off, the staff is absolutely lovely. There is a restaurant on the roof which serves delicious food by the pool (See "Where to eat"). Breakfast was a large buffet offering fresh fruit, smoothies, lassies, yoghurt, pastries, and there were two chefs who could make omelettes or pancakes for you. We stayed in a Super Deluxe Double Room which was beautiful and had a huge bath tub! The hotel can arrange transportation for you, and there are always tuk tuks waiting outside the hotel. 

We were the first customers to stay at this brand new hotel. Located in a quiet part of Udaipur, this is perfect if you are looking to get away from the noise. Our room was one of the most beautiful I have every stayed in (picture doesn't do it justice).... made me feel like an Indian princess! We checked in late at night so hadn't realised how breathtaking the view was. We didn't even need to get out of bed to admire the most amazing view of Udaipur! (first picture) There is a beautiful rooftop pool, and sunbeds. Where you can sunbathe and take in the view. 
​

We stayed in this hotel for a night during our first trip to Udaipur. The rooms were absolutely beautiful, and so was the pool! 

This is my favourite​ restaurant in Udaipur. The food is very good, but the atmosphere, is the most magical of all! Right on the lake and candle lit... you just have to experience it for yourself! 

Our favourite lunch spot! This restaurant is located right across Udai Kothi. Probably the best value for money in Udaipur: cheap, huge portions, super comfortable seating! (Try the tandoori chicken, and the chicken tikka masala) 

Bet you saw this one coming! Even if you are not staying at the hotel, you can come in for lunch or dinner. I recommend the butter chicken! 

One of the most famous restaurants in Udaipur. Again, although the food is very good, you will want to dine at Ambrai for the view, the atmosphere, the experience. 

Check out this brand new restaurant for lunch. Loved both the food and the decor! 

If you have been to Udaipur and tried any of these places, I would love to hear your thoughts! Don't hesitate to comment with any questions, or other hotels, restaurants, activities you would also recommend! 

​Santorini is one of the most magical places I visited. The views are absolutely breaktaking, and unlike anything I’d ever seen before. Is Santorini on your bucket list? Here are a few things to know before you go …

We stayed for 4 nights, 3 fulls days, and I would say that was the perfect length of time. There is quite a lot to see and do, so if you want to have time to just sunbathe and relax, maybe add an extra day. 
​

The island of Santorini is BIG! I was expecting it to be all in one place. There are actually several villages on the island, which are all quite far from each other (by that I mean that you would not be able to walk everywhere) so pick your location well! The two main villages, and most “touristy” ones (for the right reasons!) are Fira and Oia (pronounced Ea). This is where most hotels are located. Oia is slightly more upmarket than Fira, but Fira is in the middle of the island, which makes it easier to get around.
 
We stayed at Modernity Suites in Fira. Trust me when I say that I spent hours and hours researching “the best” hotel in Santorini, before booking a room at Modernity Suites, and it did not disappoint! I wanted a room with either pool or jacuzzi (although it you are going in April, forget about the pool, it will be way too cold!), and “caldera view” (view on the bay). This hotel was absolutely perfect: it’s very well located (at the highest point in Fira, so no one is looking over your balconey!), meters away from all the restaurants, shops and bus station. There are only 4 rooms (so make sure to book early!) 2 junior and 2 superior suites. Each suite has its own terrace with caldera view (where breakfast is brought to you every morning) and a Jacuzzi. We stayed in the superior suite which was gorgeous and very spacious. Watch a video of our room here. 
​

Santorini airport is only about 5km from Fira, yet, all taxis and shuttle services charge from 40/50€ per person, one way! I had almost given up searching for a “good deal”, reading about airport transfers on forums, when I found Hoppa.com. I had never used Hoppa before, but I definetly will again! You simply prebook/prepay for your transfer online. It only cost us £20 return ticket for 2 people. Someone was waiting for us with a sign at the airport. We only shared the smart looking shuttle-bus with 2 other couples, and arrived in Fira about 15 minutes later. Pleasant surprise: Hoppa had even called our hotel, so when we got off the bus, our host was waiting for us and helped us with our suitcase to the hotel. On the way back, someone came to pick us up from our hotel to walk us to the shuttle bus and drive us to the airport. 
​

​Santorini is expensive, on Greek standards. It is very touristy, which means you can expect to pay €6 euros for an espresso coffee. However, there are a few cute taverns, where you can enjoy lots of Greek specialities for decent prices… I will share my favourite addresses with you, just keep reading! 

**Make sure to have enough cash (euros) on you, as most places don't take cards! (or say they don't...) There are a few ATMs in the centre of Fira and Oia, but it may be more difficult to get cash out if you leave these two villages.  
​

There are many car, scooters, and quad bikes rental agencies. You don’t need to prebook anything, and can rent it for the day. Just make sure to have your driving license with you. There are regular (and very punctual!) buses. We got a bus from Fira to Oia and back, which took about 40 minutes. There are buses running every 40 minutes (tickets are €1.80 pp). However, if you want to watch the sunset in Oia, you may need to get a cab back to Fira, as the last bus from Oia to Fira leaves at 7.40pm.
 
We rented a quad bike on our last day from Moto Lignos (Fira), which was arranged by our hotel. Someone from the rental agency came to pick us up from our hotel, and drove us to their shop. It only cost €20 + petrol (for 24h), and was a very fun way to get around! Be careful however if you want to drive to Oia, there are two roads. You want to go the longest way, as the other road is dangerous (falling rocks)
​
**You need a valid driving license. 
​

​We landed in Santorini in the afternoon, and went for a quick lunch at Lucky's Souvlakis, to kick start the trip with a Greek speciality! The plan was to just relax on our balcony and enjoy the sunset on our first night, saving sight seeing for our first full day.
​
We then had dinner at Theoni’s Kitchen which was one of the best! It's a small tavern (make sure to book a table!) we ordered the grilled fish platter which was a huge plate of the best barbecued seafood I have had…. Ever!! We also had loukoumades for dessert (a speciality from Santorini) which was delicious… and on the house! (We still don’t know why, but thank you!) 
​

We then made our way down to Ammoundi port for lunch. There is a road to get down by card, but we made our way down by foot. It’s a beautiful walk down, but a good workout if you are walking back up!! We had lunch at Amoudi Fish Tavern. Sitting at a table right on the water, enjoying fresh octopus and greek salad. Perfect! ​

Back in Fira for the sunset,… and for dinner! We had dinner at Salt & Pepper which was recommended by my bible (aka Guide Du Routard, a French travel guide book I take everywhere with me). Both the food and the staff were lovely. Make sure to book a table as it will get fuly booked very quickly!

I spent a lot of time (I mean.. A LOT) researching which boat tour to do. There are so many different ones, and I highly recommend you book one in advance. Just like hotels, airport transfers and restaurants… Why not charge x5 the price, if tourists are happy to pay for it. I’m happy to contribute to a country’s economy, but like you I’m sure, I don’t like to get scammed ;-) So save yourself some time (and money) and book this tour. They have 6 different tours, we picked option 1 (which was the only tour running in low season) and it was perfect. The (beautiful, old Greek looking) boat, leaves the old port of Fira at 10:30am). Allow 20-30 minutes to walk down from Fira to the old port (*You can also get a cable car down, or ride a donkey… although bare in mind they only see the vet once a year!).The boat tour we did lasted 6 hours. 

…. Food on our mind. We made our way back to Fira for the last “gyros” of our trip! This traditional “take away” type food, is basically a large pitta, wrapped and filled with salad, grilled meat of your choice, tzaziki, and chips. Super cheap lunch (usually around €2.50) and even healthy if you skip the chips! Our ultimate favourite Gyros was from Lucky’s Souvlakis, in Fira.
 
Our final stop (and probably the highlight of the trip!) was Firostefani. We drove up from Fira towards Oia and stopped by a big church in Firostefani. Then walked along the cliff for a good hour. The view from there is absolutely breathtaking. You just have to see it for yourself!

For our last dinner, we booked a table at Ouzeri, which was recommended to us by a young couple on the boat. Our waiter Yorgos was the most welcoming, and the food was delicious! It was Easter Sunday, so we had traditional grilled lamb, as well as many other Greek delicacies. The perfect end to a perfect holiday! 

Here's a recap of our favourite restaurants in Santorini... 
For a quick & cheap lunch…
Lucky’s Souvlakis (Fira)
For lunch on the water…
Ammoudi Fish Tavern (Oia)
Labros (Thirassia) 
For a snack
Kalimera-Kalinixta (Fira) - Best smoothies & pastries! 
For dinner…
Theoni’s Kitchen (Fira)
Salt & Pepper (Fira)
Stani (Fira)
Ouzeri (Fira)
Ammoudi Fish Tavern (Oia) Also under "lunch" 

​If you are dedicated to eating clean and staying fit, going on holiday could get in the way of your fitness goals. By being prepared and keeping these few tips in mind, you could make the most of your holiday, whithout feeling guilty.

1. Pack some healthy snacks​
You may have to get up really early, wait for a delayed flight, or spend hours in a car. In either scenario, you may be tempted by unhealthy meals and snacks. Petrol stations and airport shops don’t always offer healthy food options! So be prepared, pack some snacks! Here are some examples of snacks which won't go off too quickly, melt in your bag, or take much space in your already packed bags: Protein bars, nuts, boiled eggs, fruit (apples, bananas, oranges), vegetable (celery, peppers, cucumber), protein muffins (click here for my chocolate protein muffin recipe), healthy cakes (click here for lots of healthy cake recipes!), protein bites (click here for my Caramel Peanut Butter Protein Bites recipe)
​    

​2. Pack comfortable shoes and walk everywhere
Try not to use public transports, and walk as much as possible. Power walking is great cardio, and a good way to make sure you you don’t miss out on any of the sight seeing. Keep your eyes wide open and soak up the culture!

3. Pack a resistance band  
Even with limited time and space, you could still exercise: in your hotel room, on a balcony, in a park… You don’t need much equipment to have a good workout. Super light resistance bands won’t take up any space in your suitcase but will guarantee an intense fat burning workout. Here is an example of an elastic band workout you could do from your hotel room floor! 

And here is another example of a workout you can do absolutely anywhere! Just put some trainers on, go outside, and get sweaty! 

​4. Plan your cheatmeal 
Pick a day during your holiday where you will allow yourself to indulge. Try the local cuisine or enjoy a cocktail or two. This way, you won’t feel frustrated, and can go back to eating healthy in the morning. Wouldn’t it be sad to visit Italy without enjoying a delilcious pizza and glass of wine? Or to visit France and not have crusty bread and cheese? 
... Here is some inspiration for your future cheat meals! (not that you need it!) 
​

5. Drink a lot of water!
Always carry a bottle of water with you. Staying hydrated is key to reaching any fitness goal. Drinking water will also fill you up, which means you will be less likely to binge or indulge on unhealthy snacks!

6. Eating out – choose wisely 
If you are trying to stay healthy, try to go for grilled meat or fish. Chances are these dishes will contain less fat than any other dish. Ask the waiter/waitress (with a smile, always!) if they could replace the chips with a side of salad or steamed vegetables.  Ask for the dressing on the side.
Here are some examples of healthy meals I ordered in restaurants, in various parts of the world! 

​7. Stay away from the alcohol
 
“Cocktail before dinner”, “glass of wine with a view” all scream holidays. But most alcoholic drinks are packed with sugar. If you fear to “look boring” by simply ordering water, ask for sparkling water and lemon or a tomato juice. Both could be confused for alcoholic drinks: whether you are drinking a bloody mary, a gin an tonic or a drink much less calorie dense… no one will ever know!

8. Visit the local market  
Visiting local markets is another great way to soak in the culture. Use the opportunity to buy some fresh fruit and vegetables to snack on during the day, and maybe even bring home some local delicacies!
​

9. Beware of breakfast buffets! 
Keep your fitness goal in mind while walking around long breakfast buffets, plate in hand! Remember that portion control is key.

• Go for the protein: eggs, ham, choose your carbs well
• Fill your plate with fruit & vegetable
• Go for wholegrain, wholemeal bread, oats
• Stay away from fat and sugar (avoid butter, spreads..) except for healthy fats! (salmon, avocado, nuts)
• Drink water and stay away from sugary drinks!

10. Keep moving 
Depending on your destination, your may be able to go for a swim, go kayaking, hiking, or rent a bicycle! Do your research prior to your trip, and grasp the opportunity to burn some extra calories while enjoying your holiday!
​​
​