Today I welcome Genevieve Hassal from www.thewanderbug.com, a fellow Australian, joining us from Brisbane. Like myself, Genevieve loves blogging about the her home state just as much as the adventures she’s had on the other side of the world.
Hi Genevieve, tell us a bit about your story and what types of adventures you go after.
I live in Australia and didn’t go overseas till I was nineteen. I’d been to New Zealand, but everyone will tell you that doesn’t “count!” I’ve been hooked on travel ever since. I went back to Europe four months after getting home the first time, when I got a part-scholarship to study in Paris. I’ve been back to Europe again since, to some of the same destinations and some new ones.
This year I’ve focused on seeing more of Australia, which has been amazing – and I still have so much more to see. In the past, I’ve travelled through a few countries whenever I go overseas, which has been great. In the future though, I’d love to do road or train trips through one country and maybe with a few nights in surrounding smaller countries if that fits in, but the idea would be to see much more of one country rather than dashing about all over the place.
I’m going to North America next year, and I’d love to go to Asia next year too – I feel a little bad that I’ve only been to Europe, outside of Australia so far! In saying that, I’m a firm believer that a destination is never “done”, and I have no problem re-visiting cities I love to bits or didn’t have enough time in the first time round.
My Europe experience was also very similar so you are not alone! The cities give you a taste, then you pine to return and see the countryside. In fact it’s this very reason that prompted this blog. Do you have a particular song/video/poem/quote that particularly inspires you to travel?
I love this quote, because there can be so much fear when it comes to travelling – especially the night before I leave! I suddenly wonder why I’d even booked the trip in the first place, even when I’ve designed the trip of my dreams. It also picks me up a bit when I’m working all hours to save up for my next trip.
“Promise me you will not spend so much time treading water and trying to keep your head above the waves that you forget, truly forget, how much you have always loved to swim.” – Tyler Knott Gregson
Can you let us in on a secret? What is one place or town in the world that you’ve been to that was truly ‘the road less travelled’?
Levanto in Italy! It’s just a ten minute train ride from the northernmost Cinque Terre town, Monterosso, which is a tourist magnet. Levanto is virtually untouched by crowds. The only other tourists I saw in Levanto were some Americans in their car who got lost looking for Cinque Terre. Levanto is a little bigger, so it feels like there is more of a community, and I saw the most beautiful sunset in the world there. My number one place for going to relax!
What did you do there and why should I visit?
We were there as a base for our first few days exploring Cinque Terre, so we didn’t spend as much time just relaxing there as I would have liked – I didn’t realise how beautiful it would be! We walked around the town, had a look at some shops, ate delicious food & saw the most amazing sunset I’ve ever seen, as I said before. There aren’t a lot of “sights” exactly, but this is what makes it so perfect.
How did you find out about this place?
We booked it as a cheaper / less crowded alternative to staying in Cinque Terre. I wish we’d stayed longer!
What was the food like? Was it different to anything you’d experienced before?
We asked our B&B host to suggest places to eat, so he sent us to a great restaurant – we were the only non-Italians there! I still think about the panna cotta I had for dessert. It wasn’t that different to what you can get most places in Italy, but the food was perfection!
Could you explain a bit about the culture of this place? Did you have much interaction with the locals?
Levanto is a really chilled out seaside community. The pace of life there is deliciously slow, which is why it’s my number one destination for unwinding. Cinque Terre is gorgeous, but it’s SO. CROWDED. I’m part of that crowd, so I won’t complain about it, but Levanto is a breath of fresh air. On my last morning there, I stood in the post office for about 45 minutes hoping to get time to send some excess luggage back home.
In the end, I had to leave because I was going to miss my train, but I enjoyed just standing in this tiny post office on a Monday morning and watching the locals have a gossip. The shop owners that we spoke to were really chatty and lovely, as was our B&B host. They’re not frustrated or bored by tourists, as they are in many other destinations!
Was there anything you actually missed out on doing that you wish you had?
Staying there longer! As I rushed back to the B&B from the post office, I walked through a different part of town just full of little shops. All of the shopkeepers were sweeping their stoops, cleaning their windows or putting out fresh baskets of flowers and whatever they sold, and I would have loved to have the time to just walk around as everyone woke up and started going about their business.
If we had just met in a hostel, you are super excited about this place you have just visited, what tips would you give me to best experience it?
Spend at least one full day in Levanto, not visiting Cinque Terre. The beach here is really beautiful and the water is crystal clear in some parts. Stay at Villa Clelia, the loveliest B&B in the world (I think!) and just relax!
Changing lanes a little now, can you share with the internet one hidden secret of a favourite city of yours that people would likely skip past unless they knew about it?
No one ever talks about the ancient Roman ruins under Notre Dame! They’re a relatively recent discovery. In the square in front of Notre Dame, there’s a staircase leading underground. They’ve preserved the ruins really well, and it’s like a miniature museum built around these excavated ruins. So cool! What made it feel real for me was this tiny little bronze gladiator, about the size of a matchbox, that they had on display.
It was a Roman child’s toy. Seeing that just blew my mind! You could just image a small child playing with it and idolising gladiators. My second one is Tour Montparnasse in Paris. You can’t miss it, it’s the only skyscraper within Paris’ city limits. At night, it has the most gorgeous views over Paris and there are hardly any tourists up there. Make sure you check it out!
Can you recommend 3 of your favourite travel blogs?
Apart from Anti Travel Guides? Haha ☺ I read so many, so I’ll pick three I’ve been reading lately.
http://www.adelanteblog.com Adelante has the most beautiful pictures, I love it!
Gallivance – seriously the coolest travelling couple around
Young Adventuress – Her blog is huge, so you’ve probably already heard of it, but I really admire her determination to make her passion her full time job!
http://bristolinmypocket.blogspot.co.uk (since removed from the internet) – I’ve only just discovered Bristol in my Pocket, but I’m totally hooked. I’m semi-researching a UK roadtrip I’d like to do and it’s hard to find beautiful, informative, authentic (ie not the tourist board’s) posts on these destinations.
Last question and it’s an easy one, where do you live on the internet and social media for people to come visit?
Web: www.thewanderbug.com. You can follow me via WordPress, but if you subscribe to my email list (click the big photo of the ice cream), you’ll get once-a-month updates that rounds up the best content I’ve published, has some behind the scenes stuff that doesn’t go on the blog and the occasional freebie! I’d recommend joining the list rather than following by WP, if you’re that way inclined ☺
Instagram: @wanderbug_world
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wanderbugworld
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