Krishna Janmashtami puts children at the heart of its festival. Although it is a Hindu religious festival with important traditions and rituals, Krishna Janmashtami is also a festival of fun, mirth and frolic for kids.
For those who don’t know, Chow Mein means “stir-fried noodles”. Technically, Chow Mein is a dish from China. But it is also (very) popular in Nepal.
The Nepali version of Chow Mein is super easy to make. Unlike other Nepali dishes, Chow Mein is prepared with ingredients that are easy to find.
Experience traditional Nepali life and local food as you walk through the streets of Thamel, the bazaars of Asan and Indra Chowk, historical places including Hindu temples, Buddhist stupas and monasteries, Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and many hidden Bahals.
What’s fun about Kathmandu is the amazing food diversity the city has to offer. Kathmandu is an incredible foodie destination.
We spent two full days hunting for the best street food in central Kathmandu, NEPAL. This time, we’ve covered Asan, Basantapur (and Kathmandu Durbar Square) and New Road.
Here are the 20 street foods you absolutely must try in Kathmandu.
Among other South-East Asian cuisines, Nepali food stands out for its distinct cultural influences from various ethnic groups, and one of its richest and tastiest cuisine is undoubtedly the Newari cuisine.
In Bhaktapur, avoid the rooftops selling continental food for the tourists and get ready to experience the traditional local food! The real deals are tucked away in small alleys, far from the tourist traps.
Kirtipur is one of my favorite cities in Nepal. Often overlooked and ignored by tourists, Kirtipur is undoubtedly one of the best places to experience the authentic Newari way of life.
My favorite kid-friendly hike is the one that is quite easily accessible, not too long or strenuous but moderate enough so you all get a sense of achievement when you finish, with some terrain varieties (including open spaces) and that leads you to a place with an amazing view. Tarebhir is just that.
There are many hidden gems in the Kathmandu Valley and Ichangu Narayan is definitely one of them.
Located at the foothill of the Nagarjun forest, approximately 3-km northwest of Swayambhu, the Ichangu Narayan temple is one of the most important Hindu temples in Kathmandu.
Food hunts are one of the most fabulous ways to immerse yourself in a country’s culture and learn about its heritage and traditions.
Nepali food is so generous and unbelievably tasty. We are planning to do many, many (seriously many!!) food hunts in Kathmandu and all over Nepal as well. And what better place to start our food hunt series than Boudhanath?
Heading to Lyon and looking for ideas of things to see and do in the city in 3 days?
This three-day itinerary will take you to many landmarks and attractions that makes Lyon the amazing place that it is; but I also want you to discover unique sights and hidden gems that will set you apart from the crowd. Within three days, I want you to taste the local culture and experience the best of Lyon like a local.
There’s something about Montmartre.
Located in the northern part of Paris, in the 18th arrondissement, Montmartre is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful districts in Paris. It is also known as one of Paris’ most charming and romantic neighborhoods.
Whether you’re visiting Montmartre for the first time or the twentieth, here are the 24 very best things to see and do, plus tips on how to get there, essential things to know before you go, best time to visit, where to eat and where to stay.
Bhaktapur is, hands down, my favorite city in the Kathmandu Valley. The vibe of this place is indefinable. Whoever visits Bhaktapur will surely agree with me when I say that it is one of the most captivating cities in Nepal. From its beautiful sacred temples and remarkable architecture to its charming medieval atmosphere and traditional craftsmanship heritage, Bhaktapur is undoubtedly one of the most unique places in Nepal to explore with plenty of things to see and do.
We’ve visited Bhaktapur many times and have compiled our comprehensive travel guide to the ‘city of devotees’.
When people think of Nepal, they often think of the Himalayas, outdoor adventures, ancient culture and rich traditions, but rarely you’ll hear of Nepal as an incredible wildlife destination. And yet, the country offers many amazing wildlife experiences.
On Île de la Cité, you’ll find some of the most important historical monuments that have made Paris so iconic in the world. There is the magnificent Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral of course (which is unfortunately under reconstruction after the terrible fire that struck the cathedral on April 15th 2019), but you’ll also find the incredibly stunning Sainte-Chapelle, the infamous Conciergerie and the beautiful flower market. Île de la Cité is a remarkable microcosm not to be missed. A must-see in Paris!
Whether you are spending days in Kathmandu or just make it a quick stop, Boudhanath should definitely be on the top of your bucket list. Boudhanath is the quintessential experience one should have when visiting Kathmandu.
Here’s everything you need to know before you visit.
Sainte-Chapelle is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful monuments in Paris. Located on the grounds of the Palais de Justice, Sainte-Chapelle is one of Paris’ most precious gems and a true masterpiece of architecture. It is an absolute must see for first time visitors in Paris.
The Quartier des Halles (‘Les Halles’) is one of the most dynamic neighborhoods in Paris. Les Halles were originally a huge wholesale food market until the end of the ’60s. The neighborhood changed a lot since then; yet the Quartier des Halles is still one of the best places to experience the authentic Parisian way of life.
In this guide, I share what you need to know to have a fun and memorable experience in Everest during the festival Mani Rimdu, plus our detailed Mani Rimdu Festival Trek itinerary.
Important Note: Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, all major 2020 gatherings have been suspended in Nepal. However, as the festival happens every year, you can keep reading this guide and start planning for your future (Post-Covid-19) Festival Trek in Everest, Nepal.
Patan is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the local life, and a very enjoyable place to stay while visiting the Valley (more authentic than the touristy Thamel in our opinion). Definitely worth a day (or two) on everyone’s itinerary!
Not only is the Musée d’Orsay one of the best museums in the world (ranked the best in the world by TripAdvisor Travellers Choice) but it is also one of the most beautiful! The museum is housed inside a restored old railway station, the former Gare d’Orsay. The stunning architecture alone is well worth the visit. By far, Musée d’Orsay is my favorite museum!
Located on the outskirts of Kathmandu, in the northern part of the valley, Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park is one beautiful place to escape to and a great destination for a day trip near Kathmandu.
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park offers some fine options for outdoor enthusiasts. There are lots of trails inside the National Park, from a simple 2-hour walk to longer routes. But it isn’t all! Shivapuri is also an amazing place for mountain biking, rock climbing, birdwatching, butterfly watching and canyoning.
Built by Gustave Eiffel in 1889 for the World’s Fair (Exposition universelle) and the 100-year anniversary of the French revolution, the Eiffel Tower is the quintessential experience one should have when visiting Paris.
Here’s a practical guide to make the most of your visit to the Iron Lady.
If you only have time for one attraction in Kathmandu, make it Swayambhunath. Also known as the “Monkey temple”, Swayambhunath is Kathmandu’s most famous, most visited and most iconic site.
Swayambhunath stupa is the oldest stupa in Kathmandu and one of the oldest religious sites in Nepal. The historic landmark has been a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
Here’s everything you need to know before you visit.
The Palais Royal is often overlooked and ignored by tourists, and that’s the main reason why we like it. Unlike the Tuileries garden, the Palais-Royal (meaning “Royal Palace” in French) and its little garden are a quiet refuge in the heart of Paris; and trust me, this is very rare in the 1st arrondissement!
We may have heard a lot about Ile de la Cité but have you heard of its quieter neighbor, Ile Saint-Louis? Ile Saint-Louis is one of the only 2 remaining natural islands located on the Seine river in the heart of Paris (the other one is ‘Ile de la Cité’ known worldwide for its internationally famous Notre-Dame Cathedral). Ile Saint-Louis only spans 11-hectares, yet the island is very lively with plenty of restaurants, cafés and boutiques to discover.
Located at the foot of the Shivapuri Hill, at the northern part of Kathmandu, Budhanilkantha temple is certainly one of the most off-the-beaten places to visit in Kathmandu. You won’t see many (if any!) tourists there. As a result, Budhanilkantha offers a more intimate experience. It’s also the perfect opportunity to meet the locals.
Rue Montorgueil is one of my favorite streets in Paris and I couldn’t wait to show the “Quartier Montorgueil” to Krishna. The neighborhood holds sentimental value to me; it was where my parents lived in the 80s, where they hanged out, where my father worked, where they shared so many memories and dreams. My dad used to live rue Saint-Sauveur, near Rue Montorgueil, before moving rue Gravilliers, in Le Marais neighborhood, with my mum. I went there few years back with my mum to listen her anecdotes. I had a great time!
The 19th is one of my favorite arrondissements for admiring the best street art in Paris. There, you’ll find the creations of renowned street artists, including dAcRuZ and Marko93.
You have to check out the amazing street art at Rue de l’Ourcq. Do not forget to continue your stroll towards the Quai de la Marne and Quai de la Loire along the Canal de l’Ourcq to spot other beautiful street arts.
There are many amazing sites to discover in Paris and Ile de la Cite is definitely one of them. For those who don’t know the place, the Conciergerie is the beautiful building located on the western part of the Ile de la Cité in the 1st arrondissement. La Conciergerie has been on our bucket list for quite some time but we eventually visited the monument last November.
When it comes to views and mountains, nothing beats Nepal. Eight of the fourteen eight-thousanders (mountains above 8000m) in the world are located in Nepal. Nepal is the ultimate destination for trekking. There is no substitute!
It was very difficult for me to narrow this list down to just twelve. But here we are! Below are my 12 favorite trekking trips in Nepal. They range in length, variety, terrain, and difficulty but they all have one thing in common: spectacular views!
Another beautiful hidden gem to discover in the nineteenth: The Park des Buttes Chaumont.
The Park is a 25-hectare public park located in the 19th arrondissement, in the northeastern side of Paris. It is one of the 4 Parisian parks created by Emperor Napoleon III to offer the Parisians 4 major green spaces around the city: the Bois de Boulogne in the western part, the Bois de Vincennes in the eastern part, the Parc Montsouris in the southern part and the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont in the northern part.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés is known for being the most artistic neighborhood of the capital. Want to experience the neighborhood like a local? Here’s my free (and secret!) self-guided Saint-Germain-des-Prés itinerary. Enjoy!
Here, you’ll discover what to see and what to do in the 6th arrondissement. More than a visit, be ready to experience the unique neighborhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés like a local. Let’s go !
There are so many beautiful gardens and parks in Paris. This isn’t my first article about a Parisian garden; I’ve written entire posts about the Luxembourg garden, the Palais Royal garden, the Monceau park and the Buttes Chaumont park. Today, I am writing about one of the best kid-friendly gardens in Paris: the “Botanical garden” (“Jardin des Plantes”), located in the 5th arrondissement. If I there’s one Parisian garden with tons of things to do for kids (and adults too!), it’s undoubtedly the Botanical garden. It is a perfect place for a family day out.
The Jardin du Luxembourg is one of the most popular gardens in Paris among tourists, students and locals alike; incontestably, it is also one of the prettiest.
Located just a short walk from Thamel, the popular tourist hub in Kathmandu, Kathmandu Durbar Square, also known as “Basantapur Durbar Square” or “Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square”, is one of the capital’s most visited landmarks. The site has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Its historical importance, beautiful Newari architecture and lively bazaars make it a fascinating place to visit.
A visit to Pashupatinath in Kathmandu is definitely a must-see for every traveler who plans to visit Nepal. Steeped in history and legend, the unique complex is really worth discovering.
Tourists to Pashupatinath mainly come to witness cremations.It is one thing to see Pashupatinath and cremations, it is totally another thing to know what you’re actually seeing! Here’s a comprehensive travel guide to Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most important sacred pilgrimage site for Hindus.
La Défense is Paris Metropolitan Area’s main business district. It is one of the largest business districts in Europe. Luckily, you don’t have to be a finance executive to enjoy what la Défense has to offer.
Today, I am sharing my first Nepali recipe (in fact, it’s Krishna’s recipe). We cannot go to Nepal at the moment. So, we are bringing Nepal to us.
Nepali food is so generous and unbelievably tasty. And I feel like we could all use a bit of comfort right now.
Krishna and I have been eating Thukpas for years and we’ve tried it many various ways. But this recipe is certainly the best! Our version is healthy, satisfying, and tastes amazing.
Here’s Krishna’ secret recipe (makes 6-8 plates).
Two weeks ago, our baby boy turned 2 months old! The weather wasn’t too bad, so we decided to celebrate this day outside. We didn’t want to travel too far, but we wanted to be surrounded by nature. Located at no more than 45 minutes from our place, we naturally chose to explore the beautiful Park of the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse, in the Yvelines department. The Vallée de Chevreuse is one of the 53 French regional natural parks. This park, the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse Regional Natural Park, was the first created in the Île-de-France region. Ready to discover what to see and what to do in the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse?
Let’s do some cooking! It’s time for spicy potato salad (aloo sadeko) today.
Located near Swayambhu, at the foot of the Nagarjun forest in Kathmandu, Single Tree Hill is a teeny tiny hill that offers a splendid panoramic view over the capital city.
Not many tourists (nor expats) know about this spot as no travel guidebooks mention it and you won’t find much information in English on internet neither.
Single Tree Hill is an easy hike from Swayambhu (some people will even tell you that it isn’t a hike at all, just a walk!). It is accessible to anyone (including children!) with a good pair of shoes.
The Galeries Lafayette is without doubt the most beautiful shopping mall in Paris. The department store is globally famous for its jaw-dropping art nouveau architecture and stunning window displays during the Christmas season. Loved by both locals and tourists alike, the Galeries Lafayette is a fun place to visit. No Paris shopping trip is complete without at least a visit to the Galeries Lafayette. This is the ultimate Paris shopping experience.