Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler! Let the Good Times Roll!
Along the Parade Route Magazine Street
Even before I ever stepped foot there I knew I would love New Orleans. How could I not? Marching to the beat of its own drum, and moving at an unapologetic pace all its own, NOLA takes great pride in it’s uniqueness. It’s truly a you have to see it, smell it, taste it to believe it kind of a place. Words alone just won’t do it justice, because there simply is no other place like it.
Happy Birthday NOLA
Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans?
I love the title of Louis Armstrong’s song because I absolutely do miss New Orleans. I miss it in the very same way that I miss a dear friend. The easy pace and friendly atmosphere, the glow of the gas lamps and the haze of humid nights, the architecture of the French Quarter and the Garden District, the galleries and, yes even the touristy shops, and of course those beignets I can’t stop talking about.
Bourbon Street
As you walk along, music floats through the air mixing with the chug chug chug of the street cars, the clippity clop of the donkeys and the horn of the riverboats creating the sweet sound of New Orleans.
The Creole Queen
Over the years I’ve taken countless photos in the Crescent City, and written a bit too (ha ha), but because not all the photos relate to a specific post many of them have gone unused. Well, no longer… Here for your viewing enjoyment are just a few of the many NOLA photographs that have been languishing inside my laptop.
When the boys were younger I was frequently asked if I would be bringing them on our travel adventures. The answer was always yes! I know we traveled prior to their arrival, but I hardly remember what it was like, and with very few exceptions, the children have always joined us.
Stow-A-Way
I confess there was a time when I thought occasionally leaving them behind would have been a nice option… Now that they’re getting older I realize our window for family travel is finite and I’m cherishing every opportunity. Speaking of which, my older son turned 16 this month, which is what led me to take this trip down memory lane.
Baby’s first road trip
Simon was only three weeks old when we took our first family trip, a car ride to Santa Barbara.
It hasn’t always gone according to plan, we’ve left strollers in parking lots, formula at home, and wipes in the airport bathroom. Traveling while potty training is always interesting, and I apologize for whoever sat in our seats on United LHR – LAX back in April 2006.
Layover at Heathrow
Elliot suffers from air-sickness, and has pretty much thrown up in every place we’ve ever visited, (Lucky me?) I’ve been there to catch it in just as many places. On the rare occasions when this hasn’t happened, Simon usually takes his place. We’ve lost a few retainers that way.
Hawaii
We brought Salmonella home from Hawaii and Fifths Disease to New Orleans. Our flight left without us in Barcelona, we filled our diesel car with gas in Ireland, and once came back to a car filled with thousands of ants in Santa Barbara.
Ross Castle
Killarney National Park
For the most part we’ve been able to make lemonade out of lemons, except maybe that time with the ants, and though our style of travel has changed as the boys have gotten older one thing has stayed the same and that’s my love of the uninterrupted dedicated time that traveling as a family gives us.
A trip to Maui when Simon was just 13 months was our first long distance flight as a family. Happily it went off without a hitch setting the tone for future family travels.
Kaanapali Maui Hawaii
Seattle, Washington 2004
We loved our annual trips to Seattle to visit family, especially in the summer months when we could take advantage of the city’s many wonderful parks.
Butterfly World will forever be remembered in our family as the first place Simon decided to use the potty. The expression on his face is the way I felt when he said he wanted to use the bathroom!
Butterfly World Miami Florida
Europe 2006
London, Barcelona & Bilbao
Simon was three when we took Our first long haul flight to Europe. We visited London, Barcelona, and Bilbao. Everything was going according to plan until the plane left without us in Bilbao. Thankfully, the airline put us up in a nearby hotel where I had the best pastry I’ve tasted in my life.
It’s no secret that New Orleans is a family favorite, we go almost every year, and I have a feeling the kids will continue to visit The Crescent City long after they stop traveling with us.
Visiting the Forum alone with two hungry boys who wanted to be anywhere else isn’t one of my fondest travel memories, but I love what happened afterwards when I treated them to McDonalds. It was the most crowded one I’ve ever seen (to this day), and there was no way I could get inside with a stroller. I couldn’t leave the boys alone, so 9 year old Simon braved the crowd, pushed his way to the front, and ordered two Happy Meals! Where there is a will there is a way!
A 28 day trip to Europe in 2013 was at that time our longest family adventure to date, and it went off without a hitch! Still a number of years before I would start this blog, I was definitely starting to feel like I had a handle on this family travel business.
In spring of 2014 we visited Japan, our dream vacation, and it was everything we’d hoped it would be and more. A return visit is high on our family’s wish list and I hope to make this happen before Simon heads off to college…
A last minute trip to Portugal and Spain in the fall of 2015 meant taking the boys out of school, but dedicated family time is important and we made it work, spending the time between sightseeing and dinner doing homework in the room.
Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, England Belgium, The Netherlands & France
In 2016 we set off on a six week journey, our longest trip ever. During our travels we almost kissed the Blarney Stone in Cork, Ireland, signed the Peace Wall in Belfast, Northern Ireland, went to art school in Glasgow, Scotland and walked on Hadrian’s Wall.
Kissing the Blarney Stone
Signing the Peace Wall in Belfast
Glasgow School of Art Glasgow Scotland
We spent a few days in London (I wished for more) visiting some of our favorite places, before hopping the train to Belgium where we wished we’d eaten way more chocolate, Amsterdam where we visited Anne Frank’s House and Van Gogh’s Museum and finally Paris, where we practiced our French, sailed boats and wandered aimlessly.
2017 was a busy travel year. We stuffed ourselves during our annual trip to NOLA and survived the soaring summer temperatures on a 2000+ mile road trip through the Great American Southwest. Finally, we brought the year to a close in London where we froze our Southern California butts off on multiple day trips and outings including Bath, Stonehenge, Windsor, Kent, and WB Studios.
We stayed closer to home this past year exploring the West Coast of the United States including Northern California, Oregon, and Southern California including Palm Springs.
2018s’ final trip will be our annual visit to New Orleans, and beyond that I’m not exactly sure where we’ll be headed next, but I’ve got lots of ideas. Stay tuned…
I’ve come along way from the timid unsure stay on the path traveler I once was. Not only have I become more brave then I once was, but my overall approach to travel has changed a lot. After years of family and solo travel I’ve finally found just the right combination of togetherness and alone time that allows everyone to get what they need out of our family vacations.
I’ve now added something new to our family vacations… personal days! Yes, togetherness is a great thing, but you can’t underestimate the value of a little personal time to recharge and regroup. Even when on vacation!
The History of London on Plantation Lane
My most recent personal vacation day was a private walking tour through the city of London. As an aspiring photographer I loved this four hour lesson and photo tour around London. I chose The City of London and East London, but choose the areas that appeal most to you. You’ll get private instruction along with a walking tour which includes a nice amount of history. I admit that photography and history might be two things that my family are less than excited about, so this was the perfect choice for a solo adventure.
I met, Steve, my guide at the crack of dawn in a coffee shop, and we spent a good amount of time talking about photography and basic technique before we hit the streets. Hoping to come away from our vacation with what I felt would be iconic photos of London, I had some preconceived ideas of what I thought those photos might be. I might have gotten those ideas from looking at Instagram too much.
Something new for me: motion shots
I soon realized that Steve’s personal style, and my preconceived ideas didn’t match up. I was privately concerned that I might not get out of this tour what I hoped, but decided to just go with it and see how it went.
Bengal Court
I had the best time! Not only did I learn a lot about the places we visited during our tour, but I was opened up to a completely different perspective where my photos are concerned. I came away with a lot of new knowledge and some unique photos I am really pleased with.
Ruins of St. Dunstan-in-the-East
There has been a St. Dunstan-in-the-East church in this location since 1100, but when the most recent church building took extensive damage during the Blitz in WWII the decision was made not to rebuild. The ruins became public gardens in 1971, and are a popular place for photo shoots.
Plantation Lane
This unique and fun Street art installation represents the history of London! It’s inlaid into the pavement on Plantation Lane. You’ll find everything from major events and famous landmarks to both long forgotten and new Street names.
Who wouldn’t want to walk down Love Lane
Leadenhall Market
From the Ancient Romans to Harry Potter and everything in between the Leadenhall Market has had a place in London’s history since the very beginning. You might recognize it as the entrance to Diagon Alley from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Go early, or after hours for people free photos.
Damien Hirst ‘Temple’
It wasn’t all ancient history on this tour. This very large anatomical man created by artist Damien Hirst is part of the Sculpture in the City initiative, which places sculpture and art near some of the city’s most famous landmarks. The statue is made of bronze and weighs over three tons.
The Lloyds of London Building
The Lloyd’s Building is located on Lime Street on the former site of the East India Trading Company’s headquarters. Due to it’s unique architecture it was given a Grade 1 listing only 25 years after it was built. All of the building’s services including the lifts are on the outside.
Reflection of the Lloyd’s Building
Jamaica Coffee House/George & Vulture
The Jamaica Wine house is thought to be the site of London’s first coffee house, and is located in St. Michaels Alley, which is part of a labyrinth of medieval alleys and courtyards in the heart of The City. It’s just next to the George & Vulture a pub, which was popular with Charles Dickens, and is mentioned multiple times in his novel The Pickwick Papers.
St. Michaels Cornhill Parish Church
St. Michaels is a medieval parish church, which sits on the site of a Roman Forum from the first Century AD. The church was destroyed in the Great Fire of London, and the present church was rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren.
The Cornhill Devils
Fierce looking gargoyles, known as the Cornhill Devils, overlook St. Peter’s Church from the building next door. They were placed there after a land dispute with the church’s rector caused the architect to literally “go back to the drawing board.”
Cornhill Devil
Christ Church Spitalfields
Christ Church Spitalfields was commissioned by an act of Parliament in 1711, which called for fifty new churches to be built. The churches would serve new settlers many of whom were French Huguenots. Only 12 churches were actually built.
Brick Lane
One of our favorite London locations, I was delighted to revisit this area during the tour. Brick Lane, which no longer refers to just one street, but rather an area, has a long and fascinating history. I admit its the street art and food that draws me to this area.
The art of Shok-1The art of JauneThe art of FanakapanWe stopped for a snack halfway through.
Royal Exchange
The Royal Exchange was opened by Queen Elizabeth in 1571, and according to the sign I read is the heart of The City of London. I was interested to learn it’s one of the locations where a herald proclaims the new monarch’s reign. I found a tiny puddle in which to take this reflection shot outside the Royal Exchange because while we did have a lot of clouds during our visit we didn’t have much rain.
hilarystyle’s Travel Revelations:
Real world advice from other travelers is golden.
Mixing our days with self guided activities and guided tours means we are free to discover things on our own, but also ensures that we’ll get the most out our visit.
I admit to a preference for small groups or private tours.
We don’t have to be together every moment of our vacation, it’s okay to split up and pursue individual interests.
My tour guide was Steve Franck, and the tour was four hours.
I chose The City of London rather than Houses of Parliament due to the ongoing renovations. You can choose from a variety of tours and locations both private and group.
These are just a few of the locations we visited on our tour.
Would you like to see some of these London locations on your own.
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Take Me With You!
Would you like directions to these fabulous places? Why not take me with you! You can download this and other fun hilarystyle articles using the GPSmyCity app!
I ❤️ LA, and clearly I’m not alone! From Venice Beach to the streets of Downtown and everywhere in between! Love is everywhere in the City of Angels!
And while some might complain that it’s too big, too smoggy, or too congested, there’s a reason 45+ million people found a reason to visit in the last year. With mild weather and endless possibilities it’s no wonder that Los Angeles is the ❤️ of Southern California.
Sharing The Love
Join me on a whirlwind photo tour showcasing just some of the fun and he(Art)s I’ve discovered throughout the LA LA Land that I love.
Venice Beach
Like the sign says, I ❤️ Venice, and not just for the cheap sunglasses and great people watching! I just can’t get enough of the good weird that is Venice!
Thinking about a new pair of shades? Have you considered heart shaped?
Who doesn’t love candy, hearts and selfies, but especially selfies with candy hearts?!
Venice is a work in progress, always changing, so whether you’re, driving, biking or walking, keep your eyes open! Even Muhammad Ali is showing the love.
Washington Boulevard
WRDSMTH’s inspirational pieces can be found throughout Los Angeles and the world. ❤️
Windward Avenue
While out biking one morning Marioe’s bright red heart caught my eye !
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
We often find ourselves in the Aviator Nation shop on Abbot Kinney Boulevard! And it’s not just because we love their ping pong table… Their loungewear is pretty awesome too!
Artist J. Goldcrown’s #bleedinghearts #lovewall is a favorite among tourists and locals alike!
Santa Monica Pier
I came across these brave and confident lovelies sharing the #bodylove on the Santa Monica Pier one afternoon!
Culver City
Artist Curtis Kulig’sLove Wall at Smashbox Studios in Culver City isn’t exactly on the beaten path, but it’s bright happy message is worth a detour, especially if you’re with someone you love!
Museum Mile
If you’re a car lover, than you might like to visit Herbie the Love Bug who lives at the Peterson Automotive Museum on the Museum Mile!
Silver Lake Neighborhood
It was love at first sight when I saw the not so “secret” Micheltorena Stairs while out exploring the Silver Lake neighborhood with my boys!
We just had to stop at take a family photo underneath this happy message of love painted by artist and writer Dallas Clayton on the wall at Dangerbird Records on Sunset Boulevard!
Downtown Los Angeles
The change to Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA) in the past decade is unbelievable and IMHO it’s all for the better! Not only will you find amazing art everywhere (more on that in a future post), but there are fabulous brewery’s, restaurants, shopping, markets and more! I LOVE DTLA!
This lovely street art heart is on the side of the Angel City Brewery.
Literally, art on the street, these fun little stencils can be found just about everywhere around town. I’m particularly fond of the official kissing spot!
This new piece by artist Adam Dare was finished in October 2016 and it says, Love is Love. I couldn’t agree more! It’s located just outside the Dejavita boutique in the DTLA Arts District. What I don’t love… cars parked in front of the art, but it is LA, and we do love our cars!
I ❤️ LA, and clearly I’m not alone! From Venice Beach to the streets of Downtown and everywhere in between! 
And while some might complain that it’s too big, too smoggy, or too congested, there’s a reason 45+ million people found a reason to visit in the last year. With mild weather and endless possibilities it’s no wonder that Los Angeles is the ❤️ of Southern California.
