Author Profile: Kerryn Hawkins

London is a city of layers, but nowhere are those layers more fascinating than in Westminster. This is the borough where kings have been crowned, parliaments have debated, and history has been made for over a thousand years. It is where Big Ben still chimes above the River Thames, where monarchs live, and where you can wander between grandeur and hidden corners in a matter of steps. In this guide, we will walk you through the highlights, lesser-known gems, and share our own experiences of...   view more

Civitavecchia, Italy, is a charming port town situated on the Tyrrhenian Sea, just a one-hour train ride from Rome. It’s the gateway for cruise passengers visiting the Eternal City. While many rush off to explore Rome, we decided to take a more relaxed approach and enjoy the peaceful vibe of Civitavecchia itself. With only three hours on shore, we had the perfect opportunity to explore at our own pace, soaking in the local culture, coastal views, and tasty Italian...   view more

Cruising into Genoa on the MSC World Europa, we didn’t quite know what to expect. With colourful buildings climbing up the hills, an easy port location, and the option to explore at your own pace, Genoa gave us exactly what we needed that day: history, beauty, and no pressure to rush, even in the rain. In this post, we’re sharing how we spent our day in Genoa — plus five ideas for your own visit, whether you’re exploring solo or seeking a relaxed couples’ experience like...   view more

On our recent trip to Barcelona, we immersed ourselves in Antoni Gaudi’s Barcelona, one of the most renowned architects in history. Gaudí’s unique and imaginative style defines much of the city, and we were excited to visit several of his most famous works. Here’s a look at the Gaudí sites we visited and some helpful tips to make your experience smoother. I must admit being left trying to figure out whether he was a genius or a madman. But I know that, either way, he was an...   view more

With its narrow, winding streets, medieval architecture, and rich history, the Gothic Quarter offers a captivating and easy-to-navigate experience, allowing for a relaxed introduction to the city. When I planned this tour, I was thinking about a casual, leisurely afternoon after our long-haul flight from Australia. In full transparency, we did this tour over two visits, as jet lag caught us off guard, and we could not think. Still, this tour could be done in 3 or 4 hours if you leisurely visited...   view more

We arrived in Prague for the first time at the end of November 2023 and spent five nights there. In this post, I will share the places we visited, our experience of three Prague Christmas Markets on opening weekend, and other helpful information to help you plan a trip to this popular city. We had unprecedented snow over the weekend, adding to Prague’s charm and...   view more

It had been three years since we had visited a new country, and Dublin, Ireland, was the place we chose to break that drought. Waking up in Dublin was a brilliant feeling, knowing this three-day adventure was going to be just the beginning of our Epic Ireland adventure; we were ready to hit the ground. After months of researching, I came up with an itinerary I felt would give us a good overview of the city, Irish culture and history. In this post, we lay out an overview of our first visit to...   view more

London is the capital of the United Kingdom, a place adorned with history, but did you know that London there are effectively two Londons, Greater London encompassing the whole of the capital and the 2000-year-old City of London? Which is a square Mile originally settled by the Romans. The City of London is only a small part of Greater London and worth a bit of your time. Walking the streets of London, your day will be full of discovery, and in this post, we will look at the things you can find...   view more

Salzburg has so much to offer, the Birthplace of Mozart, the Von Trapp family and a History that suits the region’s beauty. You are sure to be enchanted by Salzburg as you visit and explore. It is so easy to get swept away by romance and history. Salzburg had been on my bucket list all my life; I grew up loving the sound of music and longed to visit the places of the movie. As an adult visiting Salzburg was as much about the romance and history as it was about Maria and her...   view more

On a recent trip to Hervey Bay, we spent time exploring the area, and this is what we discovered on our 4-night stay. Hervey Bay is located 3.5hrs (295kms) north of Brisbane, on Queensland’s Fraser Coast. The major tourism is driven by whale watching and visits to K’gari (Fraser Island). Still, there is much more on offer in this tranquil part of Australia. For more on K’gari, check out our blog or video. In this Blog, we will look at the places we visited, helping you plan your visit to...   view more