It’s been a minute, hasn’t it? I know I’ve been quiet on here, but this summer has been a whirlwind of adventure, a collection of moments that have left me breathless and with a heart full of memories. From an epic family road trip through Europe to a trek across Transylvania and a romantic weekend away, it’s been a season of exploration, connection, and pure joy.
The Grand Tour: A Family Adventure
Our adventure kicked off in mid-July, a family road trip with my wonderful partner, Florence, and our little explorer, Alex, all packed into our Tesla for the ultimate European tour. We dived headfirst into the fairy-tale charm of Bruges, Belgium, getting lost in its canals before moving on to the historic streets of Ghent.
Then, it was on to the main event for our little guy: Disneyland Paris. Watching Alex’s face light up as he met his heroes – Spider-Man, the characters from Cars, and the one and only Mickey Mouse – was pure magic. Right after, our journey through France took an unexpected, wonderful turn. We ended up, completely by chance, in the Champagne region. It was one of those unplanned detours that turn into the best part of a trip – a beautiful, bubbly adventure.
But the heart of our trip was in the smaller corners of Europe. In Colmar, France, we fell in love with “Little Venice.” From there, we ventured into the breathtaking landscapes of Switzerland, humbled by the sheer power of the waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen and the remote beauty of Foroglio.
The Italian leg took us to the stunning shores of Lake Como. We spent a blissful time hopping between the enchanting towns of Bellagio, Menaggio, and Varenna. On a whim, we decided to make a spontaneous hop-on trip to Venice. We only had half a day, but we made the most of it, getting lost in the narrow streets, grabbing a slice of authentic pizza, and taking a gondola ride through the canals, which Alex absolutely loved. Our family journey rounded off with a stop in the charming city of Ljubljana, Slovenia, before finishing at the beautiful Lake Balaton in Hungary.
The Road Less Traveled: Transylvania & a Solo Journey
After saying a tough goodbye to Florence and Alex, my adventure took a different path. I met up with another group of friends in Transylvania to tackle another segment of the incredible Via Transilvanica. There’s something truly special about this trail, a sense of connection to the land and its history.
After the trek, my solo drive back to the UK became a final chapter of exploration. I took my time, winding through the historic cities of Czechia, the fairy-tale landscapes of Bavaria, and revisiting the familiar charm of Belgium one last time before crossing the Channel. It was a perfect time for reflection, for soaking in the last dregs of summer, and for appreciating the freedom of the open road.
A Bucharest Love Story & a Cotswolds Reunion
But the summer wasn’t over just yet. After a few days back in the UK by myself, the pull of adventure (and love) was too strong. Around the August Bank Holiday, I hopped on a flight to Bucharest, to reunite with Florence for some quality time, just the two of us.
It was the perfect end to a season of travel, but the best was yet to come. At the end of it all, after all the miles and memories, we reunited as a family back in the Cotswolds for the most important event of the year: Alex’s first day of school. What a summer, what a life to live.
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