Brunch on a Boat! Grand Banks, NYC
WanderingSnow is a storytelling-based lifestyle blog based in New York City run by Ellie Z. The name is derived from a combination of her interest in wandering discoveries through travel and food with her Chinese name Xue, which means snow.
Resident of New York City, Southern girl at heart, and Chinese roots in origin, this is a glimpse of her journey through the turns and corner of her late 20s onward!
All in France
All centrally located in the prime historical center of Toulouse, these three restaurants range from traditional Toulouse steakhouse, to brasserie, to French Asia fusion. You can try the typical southwest France classic dish of cassoulet, duck confit, and so much more! And not to mention a stone throw steps away from gorgeous views of the Garonne River!
Having the reputation for one of the most unique and visited tourist destinations, the Paris catacombs are often impossible to get tickets for. The way the catacombs came about is absolutely fascinating! According to our Paris Catacombs tour, the catacombs began its initial construction in the 1770s as a result of limited cemetery space due to the increase in population of Paris.
The largest concentration of flea markets in the world, The Puces de Saint Ouen in Paris receives more than 5 million visitors each year! It’s only open on Saturday, Sunday, and Mondays and the fifth most visited tourist destination in France! Some markets focus on vintage paintings, some on French vintage furniture, and others on clothes and collectibles.
Housed in the mansion Hotel Biron, a gorgeous villa in the middle of Paris, with neatly maintained geometric French gardens, the Musée Rodin features many of Auguste Rodin’s famous pieces indoor and outdoors, including Gates of Hell, The Thinker, The Three Shades, The Kiss, and The Lovers' Hands.
5 kilometers northwest of Le Puy en Velay in the Auvergne Region of France, this 1,000 year old fortress built on top of ancient volcanic rocks is home to a few figures that played quite an interesting role in French history. Hence, in addition to A Day Trip to La Chaise-Dieu and Chavaniac-Laffayette be sure to also visit the Forteresse de Polignac!
While staying in the UNESCO town of Le Puy en Velay, I had the liberty to take a few day trips within a 40-minute drive of this beautiful destination located in the Auvergne Region of France. La Chaise-Dieu, an abbey church founded in 1043 and Chateau Chavaniac, the birthplace and childhood home of American Revolutionary War hero, the Marquis de Lafayette.
Opera Garnier, Palais Garnier, and Paris Opera House, among its many names is an absolute must-see when in Paris! From its grand staircase to the grand foyer, which to me, looks like a mix of Sistine Chapel and the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles, is absolutely breathtaking. Although I have been to Paris 6+ times at this point, I have somehow never been inside Opera Garnier until this time around.
Bordeaux restaurant scene is definitely a haven for foodies like myself! That's obviously not shocking considering its fame for being the wine region. From bistros to traditional french cuisine, here are my recommendations for best restaurants and must-try foods, like cannelés for Bordeaux, France!
Your ultimate travel guide for Bordeaux France. Only a 3 hour train ride on the SNCF from Paris, Bordeaux is definitely a great place for a weekend getaway (or just travel in general)! From magnificent ancient churches like Basilique Saint-Michel to Cathédrale Saint-André to Place de La Bourse, the list of things to do and see is endless!
My first true French countryside experience didn’t go exactly the way I imagined in my head. Aveyron, located in the southwest of the Occitanie France is one of the most beautiful regions with amazing landscapes and mouthwatering food! It also consists of some of the most beautiful villages in France.
The french countryside, which of course, includes all the villages in France, always brings out an air of romanticism. Saint Cirq Lapopie, located in Occitanie France is a prime example of the french countryside. Situated on a steep cliff 100 meters above the Lot River, Saint Cirq Lapopie houses only 198 residents.
Traveling to Hong Kong from France as well as traveling from Hong Kong to France during COVID-19 times is definitely an effort! Here's my experience going through travel restrictions from Hong Kong airport and all the things you would need and should expect if you are traveling to and from Hong Kong abroad.
