travel
England has been extremely lucky with weather in 2018, don't want to jinx anything but i just can't get over my contentment with it. Autumn was beautiful. It was well pleasant and London killed with the decorations. Its just getting better and better and more and more shops / restaurants / and spots are getting into and getting better with the display game. Here are some of the best spots to see and take photos during Autumn in London.
1. Kynance mews- Top of the list of best instagram spots for photos in London is Kynance mews. The unique arch ladden with red leaves is a sight and the best part you wouldn't find people there so you can take the pictures at peace to your hearts content.
2. Covent Garden - Covent garden always has stunning installations. Be it seasonal or some event. The autumn one was epic.
3. Belgravia - The lovely neighbourhood has become extremely insta famous ever since Peggy Porschen Cakes graced it with its ever stunning and changing with the seasons installations. It is really my favourite place for pictures in London. No matter what time of the year. You have 4 stunning insta spots in a row. Dominique Ansel followed by Peggy's followed by Moyses Stevens then Le Senteurs.
4. South Bank - With the river thames as backdrop south bank looks particularly stunning with the autumn leaves.
5. Hyde park and Regents park - Lush but with yellow, brown and red leaves. These London parks look their prettiest when every leaf turns into a flower.
6. Hampstead heath - This village in the city is a must visit in autumn to find some of the most beautifully covered by autumn leaves houses.
Love
Chichi
Best London autumn instagram spots
England has been extremely lucky with weather in 2018, don't want to jinx anything but i just can't get over my contentment with it. Autumn was beautiful. It was well pleasant and London killed with the decorations. Its just getting better and better and more and more shops / restaurants / and spots are getting into and getting better with the display game. Here are some of the best spots to see and take photos during Autumn in London.
1. Kynance mews- Top of the list of best instagram spots for photos in London is Kynance mews. The unique arch ladden with red leaves is a sight and the best part you wouldn't find people there so you can take the pictures at peace to your hearts content.
2. Covent Garden - Covent garden always has stunning installations. Be it seasonal or some event. The autumn one was epic.
3. Belgravia - The lovely neighbourhood has become extremely insta famous ever since Peggy Porschen Cakes graced it with its ever stunning and changing with the seasons installations. It is really my favourite place for pictures in London. No matter what time of the year. You have 4 stunning insta spots in a row. Dominique Ansel followed by Peggy's followed by Moyses Stevens then Le Senteurs.
4. South Bank - With the river thames as backdrop south bank looks particularly stunning with the autumn leaves.
5. Hyde park and Regents park - Lush but with yellow, brown and red leaves. These London parks look their prettiest when every leaf turns into a flower.
6. Hampstead heath - This village in the city is a must visit in autumn to find some of the most beautifully covered by autumn leaves houses.
Love
Chichi
Not just a shoppers paradise an instagram lovers paradise too because Bicester village is one extremely beautifully done up place making all your instagram dreams come true. And in this post I am putting some worth having info for a trip to Bicester village.
- Its just 45 mins away from London with trains every 30 mins or so from London Marylebone. Its about 20 mins on train from Oxford and about 1hr 30 mins from Birmingham. You get out of the train station at Bicester village and you are literally in front of the shopping complex.
- If travelling by train get an open return ticket. More often than not one looses track of time in all the shopping. But whichever train you decide to take to get back start walking towards the train station 15 mins before the departure time so there is no rush.
- Beautifully done is literally an understatement. I have never been at a more tastefully done floral piece of space.
- The shops are all there, all the designers and some high street too. Bare in mind that the items in the shops are mostly not from the latest collections.
- There are loads of eating options. Cafes and small carts to serve the hungry shoppers on the go.
- Brace yourself for the cue outside the shops. There are lines for fitting rooms and payment too. Specially at big brands like Gucci, Prada, etc.
- The shops accept cash as well as cards.
- For shoppers from outside the UK you can get a VAT refund at the VAT office inside the shopping village. So do bring your passport for that.
- If you are going to be shopping loads bring a suitcase or bag so its easier to walk around and carry.
- There are loads of promotions throughout the year so check their site before planning your trip.
- The town of Bicester is worth exploring too. Its one of the fastest growing towns because of its close proximity to London and Birmingham. It has cute tea rooms, church, etc.
Have you been to Bicester village ? Do you want to visit ?
Love
Chichi
Love
Chichi
Bicester village UK tips
Not just a shoppers paradise an instagram lovers paradise too because Bicester village is one extremely beautifully done up place making all your instagram dreams come true. And in this post I am putting some worth having info for a trip to Bicester village.
- Its just 45 mins away from London with trains every 30 mins or so from London Marylebone. Its about 20 mins on train from Oxford and about 1hr 30 mins from Birmingham. You get out of the train station at Bicester village and you are literally in front of the shopping complex.
- If travelling by train get an open return ticket. More often than not one looses track of time in all the shopping. But whichever train you decide to take to get back start walking towards the train station 15 mins before the departure time so there is no rush.
- Beautifully done is literally an understatement. I have never been at a more tastefully done floral piece of space.
- The shops are all there, all the designers and some high street too. Bare in mind that the items in the shops are mostly not from the latest collections.
- There are loads of eating options. Cafes and small carts to serve the hungry shoppers on the go.
- Brace yourself for the cue outside the shops. There are lines for fitting rooms and payment too. Specially at big brands like Gucci, Prada, etc.
- The shops accept cash as well as cards.
- For shoppers from outside the UK you can get a VAT refund at the VAT office inside the shopping village. So do bring your passport for that.
- If you are going to be shopping loads bring a suitcase or bag so its easier to walk around and carry.
- There are loads of promotions throughout the year so check their site before planning your trip.
- The town of Bicester is worth exploring too. Its one of the fastest growing towns because of its close proximity to London and Birmingham. It has cute tea rooms, church, etc.
Have you been to Bicester village ? Do you want to visit ?
Love
Chichi
Love
Chichi
Brussels is possible to be done in 24 hours so if you have just that much time keep that smile. Often referred to as the centre of Europe because of the virtue of being the centre of european culture and institutions, Brussels is a city beautiful like from a fairy tale. Gold plated buildings, cobble stone streets adorned by string lights sure are a sight from the fairy world.
8 am - 11 am. Begin your day with the main pilgrimage in Brussels The Grand place. Very rightly named. The architecture is stunning and the gold plated on the buildings is a sight to marvel. The whole square deserves some time and is very photogenic. I suggest you do cover the Grand Place first thing in the morning because it gets crowded for obvious reasons. There are many traditional belgium cafes and restaurants in the square where you can fuel yourself with delicious breakfast. It can be Belgian waffles or just the usual european fare. I suggest go for waffles. Also worth checking are the many cute streets branching out from the grand place. Manneken Pis a 61 cm bronze fountain statue of a boy said to be the symbol of Brussels is also close by.
11 am - 2 pm. The Atomium built in 1958 for the world expo. Over the years it has become symbolic of Brussels and a must visit. There is a restaurant on the highest sphere where you can have lunch and also indulge in spectacular panoramic views over the city.
2 pm - 3.30 pm. Just at the foot of The Atomium is Mini Europe. i.e Europe in a few hours. An animated tour with visual and sound effects of 350 miniatures and attractions that you won’t find anywhere else. You can see many famous european monuments like Big Ben, Eiffel Tower, etc at a scale of 1 to 25. Be amazed by various working models like the fall of Berlin wall, etc. Also get an understanding of the working of EU.
3.30 pm - 4 pm. Parc de Laeken. Brussels has huge parks and this one is the biggest about 10 minutes walk from the miniature park.
4 PM - 6.30 PM. The Belgium chocolate village, well belgium chocolates are world famous so a definite visit to savour the chocolates produced by local artisans on the daily. Closely located and worth checking out are Elisabeth park and National Basilica of the sacred heart which is the fifth largest catholic basilica.
6.30 pm - 8.30 pm. Come back to the centre of the city and end your day with dinner at. Go for traditional belgium. and also savour the desserts. Ah i love the belgium bread and butter too and the Belgium fries yes the Belgium fries that the world knows as french fries. A must snack on during the day !!
Post dinner just walk around the centre and soak in to the architecture around.
With direct eurostar service from london its even more accessible and a great getaway for the weekend or even just a day.
Suggested post - The most perfect 24 hours in Paris
Love
Chichi
How to spend the most perfect 24 hours in Brussels Belgium
Brussels is possible to be done in 24 hours so if you have just that much time keep that smile. Often referred to as the centre of Europe because of the virtue of being the centre of european culture and institutions, Brussels is a city beautiful like from a fairy tale. Gold plated buildings, cobble stone streets adorned by string lights sure are a sight from the fairy world.
8 am - 11 am. Begin your day with the main pilgrimage in Brussels The Grand place. Very rightly named. The architecture is stunning and the gold plated on the buildings is a sight to marvel. The whole square deserves some time and is very photogenic. I suggest you do cover the Grand Place first thing in the morning because it gets crowded for obvious reasons. There are many traditional belgium cafes and restaurants in the square where you can fuel yourself with delicious breakfast. It can be Belgian waffles or just the usual european fare. I suggest go for waffles. Also worth checking are the many cute streets branching out from the grand place. Manneken Pis a 61 cm bronze fountain statue of a boy said to be the symbol of Brussels is also close by.
11 am - 2 pm. The Atomium built in 1958 for the world expo. Over the years it has become symbolic of Brussels and a must visit. There is a restaurant on the highest sphere where you can have lunch and also indulge in spectacular panoramic views over the city.
2 pm - 3.30 pm. Just at the foot of The Atomium is Mini Europe. i.e Europe in a few hours. An animated tour with visual and sound effects of 350 miniatures and attractions that you won’t find anywhere else. You can see many famous european monuments like Big Ben, Eiffel Tower, etc at a scale of 1 to 25. Be amazed by various working models like the fall of Berlin wall, etc. Also get an understanding of the working of EU.
3.30 pm - 4 pm. Parc de Laeken. Brussels has huge parks and this one is the biggest about 10 minutes walk from the miniature park.
4 PM - 6.30 PM. The Belgium chocolate village, well belgium chocolates are world famous so a definite visit to savour the chocolates produced by local artisans on the daily. Closely located and worth checking out are Elisabeth park and National Basilica of the sacred heart which is the fifth largest catholic basilica.
6.30 pm - 8.30 pm. Come back to the centre of the city and end your day with dinner at. Go for traditional belgium. and also savour the desserts. Ah i love the belgium bread and butter too and the Belgium fries yes the Belgium fries that the world knows as french fries. A must snack on during the day !!
Post dinner just walk around the centre and soak in to the architecture around.
With direct eurostar service from london its even more accessible and a great getaway for the weekend or even just a day.
Suggested post - The most perfect 24 hours in Paris
Love
Chichi
The best photo spots in Paris, for Instagram that is. Love it or hate it the reality of todays time, Instagram matters!! Well for if not all for many!! But before we begin, not everyone has the same definition of the perfect Instagram spot. Some like skyline views, some historic, some romantic and so on. This guide is from the point of view of iconic + romantic. Now lets begin.
- La Maison Rose - The pretty pink cafe in Montamarte. Every girl needs a shot here. Wander down the streets of Montamarte from Sacre Couer and you will spot it.
- Palais royale - Well as i said in my how to do Paris in 24 hours post, a shot with the striped columns in the courtyard here was on my bucket list. As for all the places reach early to find it less busy else you can wait. If in luck you will find a section with less people and then just go for the shots without wasting time. Will have to act fast.
- The sinking house of Montamarte - Haha its an illusion and i totally suggest you go, see and take a picture to get what i am saying. Its right next to Sacre Couer
- Arc de Triomphe and the rooftop views from it- Will take about 250 steps to get there but they are totally worth it. You will be able to take stunning pics of Parisian rooftops with the Eiffel Tower. Also stunning are the views over Champs Ulysses.
- Gallerie Lafayette - The glass and steel dome at the Gallerie lafayette is spectacular and a must shot. How about a picture with an eclair or macroon against the dome as the backdrop. If you happen to visit around christmas time you will be able to check out the super impressive christmas tree that they instal. But thats not all you have to go to the rooftop of the gallerie to take some stunning pictures of Paris from above.
- Eiffel tower from Trocadero - Of course, of course, Eiffel tower is a must in Paris and there are a zillion perspectives to it but one breathtaking one is at sunrise from Trocadero ( Eiffel tower with the staircase shot) If you go around sunrise there is no tourist and all the opportunities for the perfect Insta shots.
- Musee de Orsy - The giant clock inside Musee de Orsy is very instagram worthy. But you have to reach at museum opening else it gets crowded for photo opportunities .
- Palais de Luxembourg - Its majestic and lovely at the same time. The garden is lush and you can actually spend some time here reading or just with your thoughts. Photo opportunities are plenty.
- Parisian balconies and cafes - A shot of a Parisian cafe with the authentic parisian bistro chairs and the parisian balconies is well must to capture parisjetaime in its full. The balcony shot can be taken from the hotel you stay in and for the cafe shot there are plenty of opportunities in Montamarte. The one below i took near Palais de luxeumburg.
- Spring in Paris - Well Paris is not really famous for its blooms in spring time but nonetheless it has a few magical shot options specially against the Eiffel tower or any chic Parisian building.
- A picture of the bridges with the Seine - Pont des arts or Pont Alexander III.
- A shot of the pyramide outside Lourve. Best taken at golden hour.
Those are definitely the shots that will complete your Paris Instagram album.
Suggested posts - Paris in 24 hours
Instagram guide to Paris
The best photo spots in Paris, for Instagram that is. Love it or hate it the reality of todays time, Instagram matters!! Well for if not all for many!! But before we begin, not everyone has the same definition of the perfect Instagram spot. Some like skyline views, some historic, some romantic and so on. This guide is from the point of view of iconic + romantic. Now lets begin.
- La Maison Rose - The pretty pink cafe in Montamarte. Every girl needs a shot here. Wander down the streets of Montamarte from Sacre Couer and you will spot it.
- Palais royale - Well as i said in my how to do Paris in 24 hours post, a shot with the striped columns in the courtyard here was on my bucket list. As for all the places reach early to find it less busy else you can wait. If in luck you will find a section with less people and then just go for the shots without wasting time. Will have to act fast.
- The sinking house of Montamarte - Haha its an illusion and i totally suggest you go, see and take a picture to get what i am saying. Its right next to Sacre Couer
- Arc de Triomphe and the rooftop views from it- Will take about 250 steps to get there but they are totally worth it. You will be able to take stunning pics of Parisian rooftops with the Eiffel Tower. Also stunning are the views over Champs Ulysses.
- Gallerie Lafayette - The glass and steel dome at the Gallerie lafayette is spectacular and a must shot. How about a picture with an eclair or macroon against the dome as the backdrop. If you happen to visit around christmas time you will be able to check out the super impressive christmas tree that they instal. But thats not all you have to go to the rooftop of the gallerie to take some stunning pictures of Paris from above.
- Eiffel tower from Trocadero - Of course, of course, Eiffel tower is a must in Paris and there are a zillion perspectives to it but one breathtaking one is at sunrise from Trocadero ( Eiffel tower with the staircase shot) If you go around sunrise there is no tourist and all the opportunities for the perfect Insta shots.
- Musee de Orsy - The giant clock inside Musee de Orsy is very instagram worthy. But you have to reach at museum opening else it gets crowded for photo opportunities .
- Palais de Luxembourg - Its majestic and lovely at the same time. The garden is lush and you can actually spend some time here reading or just with your thoughts. Photo opportunities are plenty.
- Parisian balconies and cafes - A shot of a Parisian cafe with the authentic parisian bistro chairs and the parisian balconies is well must to capture parisjetaime in its full. The balcony shot can be taken from the hotel you stay in and for the cafe shot there are plenty of opportunities in Montamarte. The one below i took near Palais de luxeumburg.
- Spring in Paris - Well Paris is not really famous for its blooms in spring time but nonetheless it has a few magical shot options specially against the Eiffel tower or any chic Parisian building.
- A picture of the bridges with the Seine - Pont des arts or Pont Alexander III.
- A shot of the pyramide outside Lourve. Best taken at golden hour.
Those are definitely the shots that will complete your Paris Instagram album.
Suggested posts - Paris in 24 hours
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