From the top of St Mark’s tower to the steps of the Rialto Bridge, Venice is one of those rare places in the world that feels like a living museum – or more accurately a living gallery.

It’s little wonder so many poems, books, films and paintings have Venice as the central character.

A sea of terracotta rooftops, waterways stitched with tiny bridges, and streets and canals so narrow there’s barely space for the buildings to breathe. It’s easy to get lost as you wander, but that’s where the real fun of Venice begins.

Getting lost in Venice – finding the city’s heart

I’ve been to Venice several times now – with my family, on my own and together with Jim – and each time I see something new. Even travelling the same path you’ll notice different things, meet new people and take away a whole other side to Venice.

And the most important thing to remember is getting away from the main tourist areas of Venice doesn’t mean you’re away from the most beautiful parts.

In fact, most of the time that’s quite to the contrary, and you’ll have it all to yourself as well.

We’ve shared our 5 things you must do in Venice and we stand by those, but we really wanted to focus on that extra tip of allowing time to wander.

We recommend avoiding the heaving summer crowds and try to plan your visit for autumn or spring instead. If you do visit in winter, you’ll find some places are closed, but you’ll have the city to yourself.

So put away your map, take your vaporetto ticket and put on comfortable shoes. Venice is a romantic city that needs more than a guided day trip to really experience it.

And if you can’t get to Venice right now, here are our Postcards from Venice.

Have you been to Venice? What was your fave spot? Tell us in the comments!

PS. You may also like these posts on Italy –

• How to find the real Italy
• The best way to get around Venice
• How to order coffee in Italy
• How to spend a week in Tuscany
• And for more of our Postcards From… series, click here.

The post See the the world’s most romantic city – Postcards from Venice, Italy appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

Over the ages, Bruges has gone through a number of metamorphoses… or perhaps ‘identity crises’ is more like it. Today, Bruges is a tourist haven. Its pretty streets are filled with visitors gorging on monastic beers, romantic views and eponymic lace.

But the face of Bruges has worn many different masks.

A pirate-proof Roman bastion, a Viking stronghold, a trading hub, a painters’ playground – they’ve all been the eyes, ears, nose and mouth of this peculiar, singular city.

To Bruges or not to Bruges

If ever there were a chocolate-box town, it would be Bruges. From delicate spires down to ornate doors, red roofs to leaded windows, it’s hard to imagine a prettier town.

Beyond its aesthetic, Bruges has even more to offer as well. Food, drink, history, culture… it’s also quite small, so seeing a lot of the city in a short time is very do-able.

So why wouldn’t you want to visit Bruges?

To be honest, there aren’t many downsides to this place. It is truly beautiful and so interesting. Perhaps the sheer numbers of tourists can spoil things sometimes, but away from the main streets and the Bonifacius Bridge, things quieten down.

Many of the tourists in Bruges are here for the day, so as evening falls numbers dwindle and you often have the city to yourself. So staying overnight here is definitely worth it.

Perhaps the second most surprising thing about Bruges is how hard it is to find somewhere for dinner.

If you haven’t booked – even if it’s not peak season – there’s a good chance you’ll be turned away. The main problem is most of the buildings (and therefore restaurants) are small, so they reach capacity quickly.

And then we come to the bricks and mortar elephant in the room.

Modern-day Bruges, with its delightful bridges, vestibuled Gothic streets and sparkling network of canals, is a tourist dream. It’s a rare European gem of a city – one that shows barely any damage from WWI or WWII. Compare that to places like Rotterdam, which was utterly razed by the Nazis in 1943.

The interesting part is most of the Gothic architecture – including the iconic ancient stone bridges over the canals – are not that old at all.

We’re talking 20th Century.

The Bonifacius Bridge – arguably the most photographed part of the city – was built in 1910.

It doesn’t really matter when you boil it all down. This is a superbly beautiful and most enviably photogenic city.

And the Neo-Gothic architecture is very much in keeping with what would have been here in the 1500s… apart from the wood and thatch structures that dominated the streets of Bruges back then.

But even in the 1700s, these were misgivings as to the safety of these buildings; they were all fire hazards that only 40 years before saw old London town burn to a crisp.

So don’t feel too bad about Bruges not being as old as it looks. I certainly hope people don’t judge me in the same way! The city is still very beautiful and most certainly worth coming to see.

Postcards from Bruges

To show you how truly stunning Bruges is, here are some of our favourite shots of the city – Venice of the North:

The post Postcards from Bruges – and our reasons for and against visiting the Venice of the North appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

Click here to skip down to our Postcards from Iseo.

I’m sure there’s an Italian word for ‘sleepy elegance’. I’m also sure it doesn’t sound like a dusty dowager with a crystal stem of sherry at her elbow. But in lieu of such a word, sleepy elegance will have to do.

For the little villages around Lake Iseo, and the boat makers, net menders and fishermen on the lake’s looming island mountain, this disobedient collocation seems fitting.

Secreted amongst the peaks of Italy’s mountainous north, and squeezed in between Lake Como and Lake Garda, Iseo looks like a comma separating two famous stanzas.

And this is very much the attraction of Lake Iseo: it’s overlooked and undervalued.

Here’s our quick video on Lake Iseo and its mountain island:

Click here to watch this video on YouTube.

Lake Iseo’s biggest town – Sulzano – is little more than a few waterside cafes and restaurants, some shops and a beautiful hotel – the Rivalago, all done with that inescapable charm that Italy manages.

But what Sulzano does offer is easy access to Italy’s biggest lake island. In fact, Monte Isola – literally ‘Lake Mountain’ – is the biggest island on a lake in all of south and central Europe.

Monte Isola – Europe’s highest island mountain

A short yet superlative ferry ride from Sulzano will take you to Peschiera Maraglio – the island’s biggest village.

From here, you can either explore the foot of the mountain, which is also the shoreline of the island, or the winding pathways up to the peak of the mountain – 600m above sea level.

The bad news is there are no cars on the island, so you’re either on foot or pedalling. Otherwise, motorbikes are of course allowed.

This is Italy after all.

Taking the road around the mountain will give you some amazing views and bring you to many of the 12 atmospheric little villages that make up the island community. It’s about 7km all the way round and it gets hilly in places, so be prepared for this if you’re on foot.

Climbing the elevated roads up the mountain is obviously more of an investment in time (and your knees!) but the effort is worth it.

At the top, you’re rewarded with views across the mountains and down over the lake. A shrine – the Santuario della Madonna della Ceriola – dating back to the 13th Century looks out over the view with you.

To get to the summit, you have to pass through the village of Cure. I’m sure the irony of the name isn’t lost on those who choose to hike here.

The other option is to relax with a spritz in Peschiera Maraglio, enjoy the views across to Sulzano, and perhaps stroll to the next ferry wharf for your ride home – a sum total of about a four-minute walk.

From the moment you arrive at Iseo, the romance of this little lake and its impressive mountain island is as apparent as it is incontrovertible. But as with many parts of Italy, the true beauty of this place is in the details.

Little flags on the quays, neat wooden boats posed by the water, pretty doors, walls draped in ivy, racks of little fish drying in the sun and fishing nets webbed over the water ready for their next catch.

It’s all these touches that make Lake Iseo so magical.

We count the days for when we can return.

Postcards from Lake Iseo:

The post Exploring the island mountain – Postcards from Monte Isola on Lake Iseo appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

In the far eastern spur of Mexico, almost touching the arm of Cuba, the Yucatan Peninsula hugs the southern Gulf and reaches into the Caribbean Sea.

This jungle-filled province is home to many thousands of relics the Maya built for their reign over Mexico and most of Central America.

Here are two significant archaeological sites of the Yucatan we visited while in Mexico. Once thriving cities of the Maya, now merely the white bones picked clean by time.

Zamá – the City of Dawn, Tulum

With the bright blue of the Caribbean sparkling beside us and the white gravel path crunching beneath our feet, we emerge from a low stone doorway.

It’s a doorway that, thousands of years before us, would have brought the Maya to their place of residence, their place of trade, their place of worship.

We are walking through history.

Beyond the doorway built into a three metre deep stone wall are the ruins of Tulum’s ancient Maya town and its clifftop citadel.

In fact, this wall and the imposing ‘El Castillo’ are where Tulum gets its name.

Tulum means ‘palisade’ or ‘wall’ in Maya.

Roaming the archaeological avenues woven between stones and pillars of this ancient walled city, we completely forget about the view across the sea that has captivated our attention up until now.

It’s not until we’re looking back across the cliffs to see the glimmering white sand of the Playa Ruinas that we once again remember that this Mayan ruin is the only one if its kind to sit on the coast.

All other Maya ruins are tucked away in the dark confines of jungles.

Here, the squat yet elegant fort sits in the most striking of contrasts to the swirls of soft sand sifting through the gentle eddies of the Caribbean shores.

Built with nothing but the strength of Mayan hands so long ago, it’s an interesting paradox that this age-old view has captivated so many on Instagram.

Cobá – the City of Broken Water

As we step aboard our rickshaw, I can only feel apologetic and grateful to the man at the pedals. We’ve taken too long to get here from Tulum and now we have to hurry our way through this incredible place of ancient culture.

Not that arriving early would help that much though.

This city of Coba was – and still is – vast.

It would take a whole week to explore all the grey ruins of this mighty place. But in the heat of the ailing afternoon sun, we roll along the many white-pebbled sacbé – the pathways throughout the city – admiring and trying to comprehend the magnitude of this place.

There’s an unpolished beauty to Coba. It feels as it must have felt soon after the early explorers discovered these ruins. As the jungle parts, you’re welcomed and at the same time admonished by the scale of this spectacle.

No truer is this than when you first see Ixmoja – Nohoch Mul as people call it.

What once would have been the grandest of all of the Maya temples in Mexico is now half shrouded to its shoulders by dense foliage. Once side has crumbled, while the other, still with its iconic stepped pyramid shape, faces the afternoon sun.

This is the highest pyramid in Mexico and, incredibly, you’re allowed to climb to the top.

It’s a strenuous, terrifying effort, with each tall yet shallow step threatening to pitch you backwards to the bottom. But at the top, you’re rewarded with drone-like views across the jungles.

Lumps sprout here and there, and although they look like little mountains, we’re assured these are yet undiscovered monuments much like the one on which we now stand.

Directly west of Cobá, hidden by the horizon and the dense jungles, is Chichén Itzá – one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. And these two sites are joined by a direct path – an ancient sacbé.

You can still follow the sacbé – if you have the time and skill. It’s said to be a pilgrimage like no other.

As we clamber carefully down the side of this manmade mountain, we see the tree line come down to meet us. It’s like sinking below the green waves. And we get a sense of the loss of a civilisation – the departure of the way of kings.

Travel doesn’t end with a flight home

One thing we’ve learnt as we’ve been travelling is just because you’ve been to a destination doesn’t mean you should stop learning about it.

And if anything, finding out new things about a place you’ve visited takes you back there and elevates your memories of your time travelling.

Your new knowledge combines with your memories to create a fuller picture – to make sense of things you experienced.

Here are a 10 things we’ve learnt about the Maya of Mexico since we’ve been back:

1. Coba was one of the biggest Mayan cities. In its prime it would have had a population of around 50,000 people and covered an area of 27 square miles. For context, Manhattan is only 22 mile².

2. The largest pyramid at Coba – Ixmoja – is not only the tallest in the Yucatan but the whole of Mexico and the third tallest in the world. Ixmoja is also known as Nohoch Mul, which means ‘great mound’ in Maya.

3. The ruins at Tulum are the only known existing Mayan buildings that are on the coast.

4. Over 4,000 archaeological sites have been discovered in the Yucatan Peninsula, but there are still potentially thousands more hidden in the heavy jungles of the region.

5. The Maya have been around for at least 5,000 years – roughly the same amount of time as the Ancient Egyptians.

6. Other ancient civilisations with similarly grand structures had the help of animals to carry and move stone. The Maya had no beasts of burden – only the strength of their own hands.

7. The east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula – the state of Quintana Roo – was one of the last strongholds of the Maya, who were only really completely subdued in the early 20th Century.

8. Quintana Roo was named after a popular law man Andres Quintana Roo, who was key to forming Mexico’s independence from Spain in the early 1800s.

9. Cancun, the biggest town in the Yucatan Peninsula, is the easiest gateway to the Yucatan and Quintana Roo.

It’s also a party hotspot and little remains of the land’s history or heritage. Cancun means ‘pit of vipers’ in the Mayan language. If you’re not into in the hedonism of Spring Break or the apparent ‘luxury’ of resort travel, this is not a place for you. I think the name is very fitting.

10. In the 19th Century, the Maya rose up against their Spanish oppressors and were, for a while, successful. It was the greatest and most recent victories of Indigenous Americans and Mesoamericans to have been recorded.

One of the Maya we met, who was in his late 90s, talked about his father and grandfather fighting in battles with the Spanish. The Caste War went from 1847-1853, so longevity must run strong in his family!

I remember the stories he told us of fooling the Spanish soldiers by hiding in the trees and calling to their gods, which scared the Spanish enough for the Maya to fight them to victory.

The Yucatan Peninsula and Quintana Roo were the last places of the Maya to capitulate to Mexican domination, which happened in the early 20th Century.

The post Mysterious Cities of Gold – Maya ruins of Mexico to visit appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

Flames leap from busy grills and savoury smoke fills what little space the crowd leaves – the homogenous mass squeezing down the shining street as it inspects each delectable stall in turn.

First a barrow with glazed roasted ducks dangling like orange candles. Next a donut trolley that fries then grills then fills the donuts with chocolate*.

Next soup, next curry, next grilled prawns.

Next a cart hung with sheets of crispy crackly pork belly where the vendor hacks chunks off with a huge knife and serves the pork with an unctuous sauce over rice and a gooey egg.

Check out our video glance of Yaowarat:

Click here to watch the video on YouTube.

There are shops piled high with teas, mushrooms, seafood and even the legendary durian.

And round one nondescript corner into an alley, we find the ‘musical chairs curry shop’ Jek Pui Curry. Lining one wall, a bank of stoves bubble and steam with various pots.

At the back of the eatery, you pull up a stool in the alley and wait for your pick of curries. It’s a local favourite and for good reason.

*This particular stall, run by a father and his sons, is where, so far, two Michelin Plates have landed – awarded “where inspectors have discovered quality food” – for their ‘Yaowarat toast’.

How to get to Yaowarat

Known locally as Yaowarat after the main street it’s on, Chinatown winds through the western part of Bangkok, close to the Chao Phraya River. Locals also call Yaowarat Road ‘Dragon Road’ as it bends and flexes its way through the city much like the mythical beast.

Confusingly, Yaowarat means ‘young king’ – from when King Rama V named it after his son Crown Prince Maha Vajirunhis. The actual Dragon Road (Mangkon Road) runs perpendicular to Yaowarat.

This small street is home to Wat Mangkon – the Dragon Temple; the most sacred Chinese Buddhist temple in the country.

You’ll also find the MRT station Wat Mangkon here. This is the best option for getting to Chinatown, as you not only avoid the terrible traffic, you also get to walk past the temple and visit if you have time.

The station itself is also worth exploring.

Decorated to look like its eponymous temple, the station also has interactive murals and trompe l’œil style exhibits you can have a lot of fun with.

Following Mangkon Road south, it drops you in the heart of Chinatown, emerging from this quiet(ish) backstreet into the blazing lights, rich, vibrant colours, and tempest of aromas and movement of Yoawarat.

It is a thrill to the senses.

Yaowarat proffers the promise of rewards for the inquisitive gallivanting gourmand; the travelling foodie and the foodie traveller alike.

Of course, you’re guaranteed sumptuous food, but the risk of something challenging or unexpected arriving on your plate makes the experience all the more exciting.

Postcards from Yaowarat – Bangkok’s Chinatown

Yaowarat is one of the most exiting and interesting parts to Bangkok. The number of times we’ve been to this incredible city, but we’ve always been put off by people telling us it’s always too busy and the traffic’s appalling… but it’s worth it.

We were here just before the Covid-19 pandemic locked the whole world down, so crowds were much smaller than usual.

For more stories from our travels to Thailand, click here!

You might also like:

Our travel guide to Thailand’s forgotten capital

The secrets of Pak Khlong Talat – Bangkok’s flower markets

A Bangkok oasis – Hua Chang Heritage Hotel

We travelled to Thailand as guests of the Thailand Tourism Board.

The post Dragon Road – postcards from Bangkok’s Chinatown and its street food paradise appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

Shimmering amid the towering mountains of southern Switzerland and leaning out into the far reaches of northern Italy, Lake Lugano is magnificent.

Picturesque towns and villages spill down the mountainside and nestle at the lake’s shores, and little boats bob across Lugano’s sparkling surface.

This glacial lake, embedded in the majestic landscape of the Alps, holds your chin close to the ground as you gape at its splendour.

See for yourself:

Postcards from Lake Lugano

Straddling the borders of Italy and Switzerland at multiple points, Lake Lugano offers the unusual opportunity of being able to look across at another country from either side of its shores.

And sometimes those shores are no more than 50 metres apart.

Click here to skip down to what you can do on Lake Lugano – but make sure you don’t miss our postcards from this stunning part of Europe.

What to do in Lake Lugano

It’s important to remember that to visit this magnificent body of water, you’ll need to carry two currencies: euros and Swiss francs.
The majority of towns around the shores of Lake Lugano fall within a thin finger of the Swiss border that encompasses much of the lake.

However, there are some parts of Lake Lugano that are still in Italy, and it’s interesting to see if you can spot the differences and similarities in cultures between the two countries.

In fact, if you want to visit Switzerland but you also want to avoid as much as possible the surprisingly higher prices compared to Italy, Lugano is a good option. Visiting the Swiss parts of Lake Lugano but staying in accommodation in Italy will certainly save you money.

But while you’re on Lake Lugano, here are 5 highlights you shouldn’t miss:

1. Visit Lugano town

Lugano is the largest town on the lake – the largest in Ticino (the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland) in fact. It’s a beautiful blend of Swiss sophistication and Italian elegance.

Immerse yourself in the beautiful old town of Lugano, full of the grand palaces, broad piazzas and narrow streets so typical of old European cities.

Best of all, have lunch at Gabbani. The food here is superb, but the al fresco seating provides the entertainment. The people-watching here is off the charts.

2. Explore the lakeshore at Lugano town

Exploring the city’s biggest park – Parco Civico-Ciani – is one of the best things to do. Its wooden boardwalk takes you through the park and along the lakeside. There are artworks on display and the Natural History Museum is nearby.

Further round and away from the city centre, the tree-lined promenade stretched around lake. It’s a beautiful, romantic walk that takes in the best of the water views. If you have time, stop in at Lido Riva Caccia – a swimming pool and bar right on the lake.

3. Catch a ferry across the lake to Morcote

From Lugano, ferries can take you to most parts of the lake. However, Morcote (see our next points) is a unique town of the area. You can drive to Morcote, but traffic can be tricky – especially if there’s a classic car rally going by!

If you’re short of time, hire a pedalò in Lugano. They have lots of different ones from pedal-powered classics to motor-driven ones big enough to carry a family of 8. There’s even one with its own barbecue on it.

4. Visit Morcote

This quaint lake-side town, which is over 1000 years old, sits on the steep southern end of Lake Lugano and looks out directly at Italy on the opposite shore. It’s known as the Pearl of the Ceresio – the old name for Lake Lugano.

The narrow main road that runs around the town separates the lakeshore from the rest of Morcote. Exploring the alleys and steep steps is very much worth the effort as they take you up into the intricate paths of the town proper.

All those steps will also make the drink and snack at one of the many cafés and restaurants along the waterfront even more rewarding. Lunch at one of these places is a must.

5. Visit the Church of Santa Maria del Sasso

High above the town, a pinnacle of the mountainside, the Chiesa Santa Maria del Sasso has incredible views. It’s a long, hard slog up many, many steps to get here, but the effort is worth it.

The church, which dates back to 13th Century, is an impressive building with plenty of nooks and courtyards to explore. On your way back down to the town, keep an eye out for a small building on its own. Inside is an unusual fresco depicting hell, with angels looking down on human souls caught in a giant fishing net.

You should also check out the cemetery, balanced on the steep incline of the southern spur of the Swiss Prealps. The headstones and mausoleums of important citizens have spectacular views over the lake and surrounding countryside.

Bonus tip: ignore the other travel lists

We’ve seen quite a few travel lists on Lugano telling visitors to go to the miniature replica of Lake Lugano. Having driven past it and laughed at the model, we don’t think this is particularly good advice. It looks rubbish.

If you want a good overview of Lake Lugano, use Google maps and set it to 3D satellite and save yourself $30.

Have you been to beautiful Lago Lugano? Do you have any tips on where to go here? Have you ever been to a miniature village? Tell us in the comments!

The post Postcards from Lake Lugano and 5 things to do there appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

Cuba’s fascinating cultural make-up, its political stance and its recent history has made this Caribbean island nation a unique travel destination.

It’s almost impossible to put your camera down as you explore Havana’s streets. The capital’s crumbling elegance, the Cubanos’ easy-going nature and the omnipresent beat of salsa and rumba music, not to mention the incredible quality of light here, are infectious.

It’s a recipe that makes you want to try again and again to capture the moment that sums up Cuba. It’s an impossible wish of course, but it’s so enchanting, you just can’t stop trying.

Check out our 5-minute video snapshot of Cuba – the city, the country and the beach:

Click here to view the video.

Here are our top tips for shooting in Cuba, plus Christina’s favourite photos from one of our all-time top travel destinations:

Postcards from Cuba

5 tips for photography in Cuba

1. Be respectful

Ask for permission to photograph people if you’re working on your street photography. “¿Permiso?” (‘Permission?’) will result in a nod or a shake of the head, or also likely a proffered hand. Tipping a few CUCs will leave both parties happy.

Just because the scene is amazing and you really want that photograph of a local, remember what it’s like if someone aims a camera at you without asking.

2. Shoot early in the morning

If you just want photos of the architecture without tourists and or locals in your shot, just after sunrise is best. It’s calm and quiet even in the busiest parts of the capital. You’ll also be rewarded with a gentle, glowing light as the sun comes up.

3. Hit town at Golden Hour

Golden Hour – that time in the early evening when the sun’s setting and the yellows and reds really pop – is a well-known photography favourite. In Cuba, you get remarkable effects at this time of day, and it’s also great for lively street photography.

Golden Hour and Blue Hour change from day to day and place to place. This impressive app by AlpenGlow tells you exactly when and where the light will be every day.

4. Be careful what you’re shooting

Each country has different rules, customs and social norms for photography. In Cuba, please do not try to photograph military or police personnel, or government buildings.

You may well be asked to delete the images from your camera or phone, and in some instances the officials have been known to confiscate devices.

Also be aware that if locals ask to have their photos taken with you or by you, they will want money. Not much – just a couple of CUCs – but just so you know. They’re often dressed in bright ‘traditional’ Cuban clothes or toting large cigars, and you’ll see them in busy tourist areas.

5. Bring everything you need with you but be careful what you bring in

Make sure you have everything you need before you go to Cuba. Photography equipment will be expensive if it’s even available or compatible, and the same goes for memory. Don’t rely on internet speeds and availability for back-ups in Cuba either.

Remember that Cuba is still a relatively closed country and they don’t like anything that could be surveillance or media equipment. Don’t try and bring your drone into Cuba – or do so at your own risk. Anecdotal evidence suggests customs officials enjoy confiscating them and other high-tech gear.

Now, on with the postcards!

We love sharing our favourite photos in this ‘Postcards From…’ series. Here are some others.

And if you want more of our stories from Cuba – we have itineraries, guides and information posts all on this beautiful Caribbean nation – click here for our full Cuban library.

Now tell us, which was your favourite out of these postcards? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Postcards from Cuba – and 5 tips for photography in Cuba appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

Japan is one of those incredibly photogenic countries – even everyday moments there are interesting. Our trip to Okinawa in Japan’s south showed us a side to the country we were never expecting to find.

We decided this would be the perfect opportunity to share the latest in our ongoing Postcards series – Postcards from Okinawa!

Postcards from Okinawa, Japan

This group of tropical islands is nothing like the Japan you usually think of, and it’s produced some amazing photo opportunities. We can’t wait to go back and see more of this fascinating side to Japan.

For more of our coverage of Okinawa, click here to access our library.

We also have more posts on Japan in general here.

Is there anywhere you’ve been that’s exceeded expectations or changed your perspective of a destination? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Images by Mr & Mrs Romance.

The post What is it like in tropical Japan? Our Postcards from Okinawa appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

Sitting on the most easterly point of Australia, Byron is the first place to see the sunrise in Australia. This small coastal community has really developed into a haven for those seeking escape.

We’re pretty spontaneous travellers and as we arrived into town we thought we could find a place to stay easily. But in the middle of December, Byron starts to get pretty crazy and everywhere was booked out. We were stranded with nowhere to go.

The best thing about backpacking is the people you meet. You form instant bonds and become fast friends over a few beers while you trade travel tales. On our way to Byron we met a fellow traveller, Emily. She was on a gap year from the UK and had plans for a family reunion in Byron Bay. Her parents had rented a house for the holidays so they could all be together.

Hearing we had nowhere to go, Emily invited us to stay with her family. Looking back, I wonder what her parents thought when she turned up with strangers, I mean new friends, in tow! They were so welcoming and let us stay a couple of nights before we made it back for Christmas with my family.

Our stay in Byron went from a disaster to one of the best parts of our trip. We ended up having so much fun we lost our camera but we still keep the memories close.

On our last trip, we did Byron Bay in style and were amazed at how this little town has grown. No matter what style of travel you like, you’ll find it in Byron Bay. From the most luxurious private breakfast we’ve ever had, to a calming health retreat, champagne lunches on the beach and exploring brand new luxury resorts – here are some of our postcards from Byron Bay.

Looking to plan your trip to Byron Bay?

Check out our posts on Byron Bay to help you plan your next escape.

• Our top 7 things to do in Byron Bay
• Where to stay in Byron Bay – Elements of Byron
• Where to stay in Byron Bay – Gaia Retreat
• 7 best things to eat in Byron Bay
• Where to eat in Byron Bay – Graze at Elements

Have you been to Byron Bay? 

The post Postcards from Byron Bay appeared first on Mr and Mrs Romance.

Mrs Romance took so many photos on our 12-day voyage we couldn’t fit them all into our earlier post on what we did aboard the National Geographic Orion. We decided we’d share some more images of our time there with you in our Postcards from the Kimberley collection.

The Kimberley Region in northwestern Australia is one of the most isolated places on the planet. Few travellers ever reach this place and even fewer have explored its coastline. We were lucky enough to be on a National Geographic exploration ship sailing along this fantastic coast.

The National Geographic Orion is a magnificent ship with enough space onboard for 102 guests, her crew and a team of expert naturalists, scientists and photographers. It’s a luxury vessel equipped for adventure. She goes on expeditions into the ice fields of the Antarctic, the deep waters of the Pacific or – like now – on the tropical tides of the eastern Indian Ocean.

Mr & Mrs Romance explore the Kimberley (video)

Please click here if you can’t see the video above.

Here are some of our favourite shots from our time on the National Geographic Orion exploring the Kimberley.

Postcards from the Kimberley

Each night we would sail the along the wild northwest Australian coast to the next day’s anchorage. Every morning we would climb aboard our Zodiac tenders to explore the hidden treasures of the Kimberley.

This tiny 3-seater helicopter took us on a quick airborne tour of one of the pearl farms of Broome, the southernmost town of the Kimberley.

The wildlife in the Kimberley is incredible. This osprey is showing off her fishing prowess! We found out from the naturalists that ospreys will turn the fish they catch in their talons so that it faces forward while the flight. I think this fish missed out on the view though!

The rich red of the iron oxide in the rocks throughout the Kimberley is so iconic to the area. The dark line you can see up from the water shows how high the tide comes twice daily. This region is home to the 2nd biggest tides in the world, boasting a huge 9-metre difference in water level!

The Bungle Bungles are the Kimberley’s most famous rock formation. Having said that, this range was only discovered in the late 1970s.

Mrs Romance has a deep love of helicopter rides. So we couldn’t wait for our flight to the beautiful Mitchell Falls.

This region’s history from man’s perspective is also filled with mystery. The rock art of the Gwion Gwion (aka the Bradshaws) are thought to be around 26,000 years old and are completely unique to the region. Still, no one really knows who created them or where this people went.

The Big Crocodile at Wyndham, WA. There were some big crocs in the sea and the rivers in the Kimberley, but thankfully none this big!

The Kimberley is unique in many ways. It was once its own tectonic plate, which collided with the Australian mainland hundreds of millions of years ago. The geology of this region is incredible.

The giant boab trees throughout the Kimberley are incredible. They also remind me of the Wandjina rock art peculiar to the region.

The skies about the Kimberley are one of the most stunning parts of this magical place. From the deepest, richest blues of the day to the glittering blackness at night – and of course the spectacular sunsets. It was like we’d travelled much further than just the other side of the country.

Have you ever visited the Kimberley Region? Which of these is your favourite shot? Tell us in the comments!

Images by Mrs Romance. Other images courtesy of National Geographic photographer Susan Seubert and Nat Geo Expedition Leader Adam Cropp.

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