10 June 2025

Friday: Cardiff London Paris We set off from Cardiff Central around 9am, arriving at London Paddington without a hitch. Ahead of our Eurostar departure, we tackled the bustling St. Pancras—crowded, but smooth sailing overall. A calm métro ride later, we checked into the luxurious Hôtel Paris Bastille Boutet by 7pm.In the heart of the 11th arrondissement and near Bastille, this hotel is located in a historic setting: Maison Boutet. First a lumber factory and later a chocolaterie, the building has kept its old charm. Unusual and unique. Hotel Paris Bastille Boutet is located in the heart of 11th district of Paris, famous for restaurants and bars, few steps from Faubourg St Antoine and its shops, from Opera Bastille et near Le Marais. Close to Gare de Lyon and the Accor Arena. The hotel is just minutes from central Paris, with direct public transport access to the Opera Garnier and department stores. Despite being snug, our room was charming and warm—think plush robe, slippers, coffee machine, and a gorgeous bathroom—perfect for us. That evening, we eased into local life with a beer, a wine, and a fresh mozzarella and tomato starter. A stroll through the Bastille neighbourhood led us to Louie Louie, a cosy pizzeria buzzing with locals. As the name is same as my Nephew's we had to venture inside! We perched on stools, sampled the “Ninja” pizza and salad, and after little persuasion from the waiter we indulged in heavenly homemade profiteroles—so good that we’ll be back! Saturday: Louvre, Champs-Élysées & Eiffel Tower A 7:45am wake-up kicked off the day ahead of our 9am Louvre booking. Breakfast at the hotel was a delight—pastries, smoked salmon, eggs, and excellent coffee—just what we needed. We hopped on the métro (lines8,1,2) and reached Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre. Inside, the Mona Lisa (naturally packed) was surprisingly tolerable—no queue, just a crowd. We absorbed enough before heading out around 11am, walking through Place de la Concorde, up the Champs-Élysées, and pausing at Galeries Lafayette to dream over designer pieces. Impromptu shopping at Zara followed—because “when in Paris”—then more photos at the Arc before lunch. By 3pm, Café Pirouette called. We savoured a croque-monsieur with house fries, French onion soup, and a sip of wine. Back to the hotel for a rest, then out again at 7pm for the Eiffel Tower. A 60-minute lift queue, but worth every second—Paris at night from the top is breathtaking. We returned for a nightcap and early rest. Sunday: Bastille, Notre-Dame & Spa Time Today was all about atmosphere. We walked to Place de la Bastille, explored the monument and fresh-produce market, then headed to Île de la Cité to admire Notre-Dame (still undergoing restoration) and read its history. Next stop: Centre Pompidou in Le Marais, a vibrant, artsy district brimming with boutiques, bars, and a strong LGBTQ+ presence. Lunch of French Onion soup at a charming corner café was deliciously authentic. We even found the famed Little Red Door speakeasy—though daytime closures kept us out. A spa session at our hotel in the afternoon was heavenly, followed by evening crêpes at Café Breizh and a return visit to Louie Louie for our main course. Perfect French Sunday. Monday: Montmartre & Farewell We slept in, had a leisurely breakfast, then made our way to Montmartre. Wandering its cobbled streets, browsing artisan shops, and indulging in a hot chocolate and cake at Café Pain Quotidien was the ideal Parisian finale. By 1pm, we were bound for Gare du Nord, boarded the Eurostar, and arrived back in Cardiff around 9pm. Paris: checked off—and we’ll be back before you know it. Tips & Takeaways • Beat the crowds: Morning Louvre visits reduce wait times. • Local bistro culture: Sit at the bar, chat with staff, try their house specials. • Metro is your friend: Quick, efficient, and easy to navigate—lines1,2,8 were our go tos. • Exploration on foot: Major sights (Concorde, Champs-Élysées, Arc, Bastille, Montmartre) are wonderfully walkable. • Downtime matters: Spa and hotel relax sessions kept the pace relaxed and enjoyable. Final Thoughts From art-filled mornings to cosy evenings and spa-soothing afternoons, our Paris weekend was a dreamy blend of romance, culture, and indulgence. The Bastille district is a bit further out of the centre but if don't mind Le Metro then it's not so bad. Whether it's the bright lights of the Eiffel Tower or the hidden gems of Le Marais, every moment left us wanting more. Paris completed. We'll definitely be back !

05 May 2025

Saas Fee & "Last Christmas" Magic: A Wham-Lover’s Ski Getaway in the Swiss Alps December 2024 marked the 40th anniversary of Wham!’s Last Christmas, and as a lifelong fan, I couldn’t resist the chance to walk in George Michael’s snowy footsteps. We booked a spontaneous 4-night, 5-day trip to Saas Fee, the enchanting Swiss village where the iconic music video was filmed. Our plan? Blend nostalgia with alpine adventure—and this magical place delivered on all fronts. Arrival – Friday: Planes, Trains & Alpine Vibes We landed at Geneva Airport, where passport control was busy for non-EU travellers, but we were quickly through and off to find the train. A short 5-minute walk brought us to Platform 3, where we boarded the scenic SR95 train to Visp—a 2.5-hour journey of stunning Swiss scenery. Sit on the right side for the best views: Lake Geneva, Chillon Castle, and charming hillside towns glide past like a living postcard. From Visp, we hopped on a bus to Saas Fee—the route is smooth, scenic, and drops you off at the village terminal, just a short walk from everything. (Pro tip: If you're heading to Chamonix or Verbier, change at Martigny.) That first evening, we enjoyed dinner at La Cabana, a cosy Portuguese restaurant, before visiting the iconic Walliserhof —where George Michael stayed during the video shoot. While the official Wham! walking tour wasn’t on during our visit, the tourist office helped us locate filming sites, and we finished the evening with a nightcap in the honesty bar—pure Swiss charm. Saturday – Skiing and Après-Ski Wham Style After a healthy, fresh breakfast of homemade granola, eggs, and mini pancakes at our guesthouse, we picked up our ski gear and headed to Felskinn gondola. From there, we took the Metro Alpin—the world’s highest underground funicular—to 3,500m. The views from the top are spectacular, with snow-dusted peaks stretching into Italy. We skied red runs down to Felskinn, pausing for hot chocolate at a mountaintop café. The slopes were ideal: crisp, sun-drenched snow and wide-open pistes. As beginners and intermediates, some of the reds were steep, but manageable. Après ski kicked off in style at the Bulldog Bar—a lively, DJ-fuelled hotspot with cocktails like The Grinch, Jägertee, and mulled wine. The atmosphere was electric, and after a few hours of partying, we grabbed a takeaway pizza from the Cinema Bar, retreated to the honesty bar with a glass of wine, and turned in for the night. Sunday – Cloudy Skies & Wham Wonders Sunday brought cloudy weather and a near white-out at the top by the revolving restaurant, but we still enjoyed some skiing and a mountain picnic. Back in the village, I explored the tourist office, where I found the Wham! karaoke box and learned that the Saas Museum hosts a small exhibition about the Last Christmas video. Later, my husband and I set off on a snowy walk to visit the statue of George Michael and the house featured in the video—nestled in the woods and beautifully preserved. For any Wham! fan, this is pure magic. It felt like stepping into a Christmas memory. Dinner that night was a traditional Swiss experience at Restaurant Vieux Chalet. The fondue was strong and authentic—definitely a dish for true cheese lovers! The staff were wonderfully kind, explaining everything to us fondue first-timers. Monday – Whiteouts & Village Charm Monday brought another whiteout on the slopes, so we skied lightly and spent more time soaking in Saas Fee’s quieter pleasures. A highlight was stopping at the postcard-perfect Gletscher-Grotte, a charming mountainside chalet café. In the afternoon, we explored the shops and relaxed before dinner at Pizza de la Rossa, where we had one of the best pizzas of the trip. We ended the evening with chocolate, wine, and a jigsaw puzzle in the hotel lounge—wholesome Alpine downtime. Tuesday – Farewell Saas Fee An early departure saw us reverse our scenic journey: bus, train, plane, and car back home. Although our flight was delayed by three hours, I was able to claim compensation—silver linings! Final Thoughts: Why Saas Fee? Saas Fee is a dream for intermediate skiers, Wham! fans, and travellers who want a mix of snow sports and sweet nostalgia. The village is car-free, peaceful, and brimming with Alpine character. Whether you're carving down red runs or chasing the echo of Last Christmas in the snow, this place leaves a lasting impression. I can’t wait to go back—and next time, I’ll be bringing more cheese-loving friends for fondue round two.