Having just returned from an amazing 3 weeks in Europe, a little break from the Ballarat Winter was exactly what I needed. Travelling with a friend, we covered 3 countries and numerous towns, but it was really lovely to not move too much, avoid packing and unpacking and slowing down to take it all in.
First stop was Copenhagen, fast becoming a very popular destination, and I can see why.
It is one of the cleanest cities I have been to, full of colourful buildings and cobblestone streets. The Old Town is one of the most walkable to explore and immerse yourself in the European café culture. We cruised the lovely canals around the city and over to Freetown Christiania which is a great way to view the city.
Biking is a way of life and how most people get to and from work in the city so of course a bike tour was a must. A great way to see some of the main attractions and do as the locals do. We covered all of the major sites from Queen Mary and King Frederik’s residence to the famous little mermaid statue, Parliament Building and stunning and colourful Nyhavn.
We ate our way around the city with the many pastry shops, trying all the local treats. Cinnamon and cardamom buns are a must and my favourite were their quiches. I loved exploring the food markets for a quick snack and in the afternoon it was great to have a wine and mingle with the locals who flock to them after work for a catch up on the way home.
there is inspiration everywhere as the locals are effortlessly chic.
Copenhagen style is having a moment right now and if you love shopping, I can tell you it is heaven and there is inspiration everywhere as the locals are effortlessly chic. One of my favourite things to do was to sit at the sidewalk cafes and people watch with a coffee or a wine in the afternoon. It was safe, vibrant, and colourful and a great mix of heritage architecture and a modern forward culture. Something for everything .
From Copenhagen it was time for some sun and beach. Mallorca it was!! A Spanish Island known for its stunning beaches and coves. August is a busy month in Europe at any coastal destination, but it was a lovely chance to enjoy the stunning views, slow the pace and relax.
We decided to stay at the charming village of Cala d‘Or to make the most of the views out to the beautiful little inlets that surround the eastern side of the islands Coastline. The water is stunning with fish swimming around. We read, swam, enjoyed some yoga on the beach and local restaurants. The perfect place to unwind.
My favourite day was taking an afternoon catamaran to explore the south tip of the island for sunset. Jumping into the beautiful water and watching the sun go down while having a BBQ dinner was a great way to see some more of the stunning coastline.
A quick stop for the night at Playa de Palma was a fun way to finish off our island experience and be nice and close to the airport ready for our next adventure.
Stay tuned next week for our final stop, France.
Carly
