Florence

Florence

Florence, avid traveler who loves writing and photography I share my travel stories, discoveries and encounters around the world

Preparing for your trip
Travel

Preparing for Your Trip: The Ultimate Pre-Departure Checklist

Organizing and preparing for a trip always takes time. Even if you want to embark on an adventure with minimal planning, there are essential preparations to ensure you fully enjoy your journey and the adventure ahead. In this article, I’m sharing my personal checklist, which I use before every trip, whether it’s for two weeks or three months. At the end of the article, you’ll find a downloadable checklist to help you prepare for your future travels without forgetting anything!

Americas, Guatemala, Travel

El Paredon: 3 days on Guatemala’s Pacific coast

We spent 3 days on Guatemala’s Pacific coast in El Paredon. This village, located 2.5 hours from Antigua, is a favourite haunt of surfers, with great waves, a chilled-out atmosphere, a beach bar where you can play beach volleyball. For us, these 3 days in El Paredon were not about surfing but rather about relaxing and recovering physically and mentally from the climb up to the Acatenango and El Fuego volcanoes (which I’ll tell you about in another article).  We found a magnificent hotel, the Kaana Surf, which was a real haven of peace. Let me tell you about our three days at El Paredon…

trek in the jungle bukit lawang
Asia, Indonesia, Travel

Sumatra: 3 days in the jungle to observe the Orangutan

We spent 3 days in Gunung Leuser National Park, in the north of Sumatra in Indonesia, and it was an incredible experience! It’s one of only two places on Earth where it’s still possible to observe orangutans in their natural environment. Even though there’s no guarantee that we’ll be able to cross paths with these wild (and semi-wild) animals, we wanted to experience the thrill of spending 3 days in the jungle in search of wild animals. So this is where we ended our 2-week trip to Sumatra (read more here). To enjoy this unique experience, we chose to go through an ethical and sustainable agency, Sumatra Orang-Utan Explorer, whose values we share and which supports the local populations. I’ll tell you all about the 3 days and 2 nights we spent in the jungle and our incredible encounter with the people of the forest… 

Asia, Indonesia, Travel

Sulawesi: Our 3-Week Itinerary

We spent 3 weeks in Northern Sulawesi, a still-preserved gem away from mass tourism that captivates with its nature, biodiversity, unique culture, and hospitality. We embarked on a loop from the turtle-filled island of Bunaken to the paradisiacal Togian Islands, passing through the mountainous town of Tomohon, the underwater landscapes of Tumbak, and the Tangkoko Nature Reserve. This journey was incredible in every way!
Sulawesi is undoubtedly a destination for the most adventurous, taking us off the beaten path and providing a beautiful experience. In this article, you’ll find our complete 3-week itinerary in Northern Sulawesi, practical information for moving from one place to another, and what to do at each step.

Destinations, Europe, France, Travel

Discover Marseille: My top 10 places to visit

Marseille is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway or a few days out, all year round. Nestling on the shores of the Mediterranean, France’s second-largest city offers a wealth of things to do and see. Between the Calanques on the horizon, the magnificent cathedral that testifies to the cultural richness of the region, the picturesque Vieux Port where the city’s maritime soul is still in full swing, and the enchanting atmosphere of the South that envelops every street corner, Marseille is my favourite city in the South of France!

thailand itinerary
Asia, Destinations, Thailand, Travel

Thailand: My 6-week itinerary from North to South

I travelled alone for 6 weeks across Thailand, from North to South. From the ancient temples of the North to the white sandy beaches of the South, Thailand offers a rich cultural experience, exotic flavours and a warm welcome. Let me tell you about my highlights, the encounters that touched me and the exotic flavours that awakened my senses.

Asia, Destinations, Thailand, Travel

Thailand: Discover Chiang Mai off the beaten track

Chiang Mai, located in the mountains of northern Thailand, is one of Thailand’s most beautiful cities. Let me share a few tips on how to get off the beaten track and discover Chiang Mai in a different way, through its authentic markets, its hidden and lesser-known temples, through trekking and hiking in the heart of the countryside and, above all, by meeting the locals…

Asia, Destinations, Thailand, Travel

Bangkok: what to do? My 10 favourites in the Thai capital

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is a city full of hidden treasures and must-see places to discover. From Buddhist temples to scenes of everyday life, not forgetting its various markets and street food, this immense megalopolis of over 11 million inhabitants is an incredibly lively city, authentic and full of charm. Bangkok was also the very first stop on my trip to Thailand, and also the very last, where I spent a total of 5 days. After exploring this incredibly dynamic and lively city, which didn’t leave me indifferent, I’d like to share with you my 10 favourites in Bangkok. These discoveries will give you an insight into the richness of Thai culture and the diversity of this fascinating city.
Follow me through the streets and districts of Bangkok to discover my recommendations for the Thai capital.

Indonesia - Bromo Kawah Ijen
Asia, Destinations, Indonesia, Travel

Indonesia: On the Bromo and Kawah Ijen volcanoes in Java

Kawah Ijen and Bromo are two active and iconic volcanoes located on the island of Java, Indonesia. Kawah Ijen, which means green crater, is an active explosive volcano with an acid lake as its crater, reputed to be the most acidic lake in the world. Bromo is an active volcano that last erupted in 2015, surrounded by several other volcanoes and together they form a unique and magical landscape especially at sunrise with the morning mist. I tell you about my crazy 52 hours experience on the island of Java to hike on the Kawah Ijen and Bromo volcanoes!

Asia, Destinations, Indonesia, Travel

Indonesia: 2 week itinerary in Bali

The next part of our trip to Indonesia takes us to the island of the gods, the one everyone talks about: Bali! The name alone evokes rice fields, volcanic beaches, sunsets on the sea and scooter rides among palm trees… And in reality, Bali is all this at the same time with the incredible hospitality of the Balinese, the discovery of the Hindu culture and ceremonies and the promise of an unforgettable trip! In short, I take you to discover an island that is not very big but rich in landscapes and activities to do. I stayed there for more than 3 weeks and I didn’t see the time passing. I present you our 2 weeks itinerary in Bali!

Asia, Culture & Society, Encounters, Indonesia, Travel

Meeting the Indigenous Sasak in Lombok, Indonesia

The Sasak are the largest ethnic group on the island of Lombok, Indonesia. About 80% of the inhabitants of Lombok are Sasak and this is also the name given to the local language spoken on the island. The Sasak live mainly in the rural areas of Lombok and work in agriculture and fishing but also in the handicrafts inherited from their ancestors. We spent two days in the Tetebatu region, in the centre of Lombok, where we stayed with a Sasak family. A beautiful green area in the middle of rice fields and at the foot of the Rinjani volcano, where the immersion in the local life and in the Sasak culture makes the trip even more beautiful!

Rinjani ascension du volcan à Lombok
Asia, Destinations, Indonesia, Travel

Indonesia: 2 days and 1 night on the Rinjani in Lombok

Mount Rinjani is the second largest volcano in Indonesia. Its summit is more than 3700 meters high! It is located on the island of Lombok where we spent 10 days. There are several routes to reach it and enjoy a breathtaking view of the volcano’s crater and the surrounding area. We had an extraordinary experience with a 2 days and one night trek, spending a night in a tent on the crater of the volcano and climbing in the middle of the night to enjoy the sunrise at 3126m, on the Second Summit. In this blog post, I’m telling you all about this crazy but also intense adventure that will be engraved forever in our memories…

Lombok Indonésie voyage
Asia, Destinations, Indonesia, Travel

Indonesia: 10 days in Lombok

We started our trip in Indonesia with the island of Lombok. Lombok is located to the east of Bali and remains a much more unspoilt island than its neighbour, and is known as the “Bali of old”. It is the ideal destination for backpackers and travellers looking to get off the beaten track. This is what motivated us to go there… But besides the beautiful landscapes and the paradisiacal beaches, it is also the kindness of the inhabitants and their welcome that seduced us! I take you to discover our 10 days itinerary in Lombok between snorkeling among turtles, discovering the Sasak culture and climbing the second highest volcano in Indonesia, the Rinjani, for an unforgettable stay!

Oaxaca fête des morts dia de lors muertos
Americas, Destinations, Mexico, Travel

Mexico: How we celebrated “Dia de los Muertos” in Oaxaca

The festival of the dead in Mexico! When we traveled to Mexico in November 2019, we knew we would be attending one of the country’s most important events: El Día de los muertos. Celebrated around November 1, the Day of the Dead honors loved ones who have passed away. Far from being a gloomy time, Mexicans wish to honor their deceased loved ones in a festive and colorful way. Everywhere flowers are mixed with the heads of the dead, and the cemeteries are transformed into a music festival. The spectacle is so singular that it is the setting for films and its atmosphere attracts crowds from all over the world. I take you to Oaxaca, Mexico, where we discovered how El día de los muertos takes place…