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July 3, 2017

The Grand Social

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The mornings in Bordeaux, France are MAGIC ✨ Do

The mornings in Bordeaux, France are MAGIC ✨
Don’t miss out on this quiet, dreamy side of the city before it gets busy!

While you have Bordeaux all to yourself, make sure to:

🥐 Grab a coffee and pastry at Boulangerie Jocteur, then head around the corner to eat them while enjoying a view of the magnificent Bordeaux Cathedral

🏰 Wander down the picturesque cobblestone streets of the Old Town to discover hidden gems like La Grosse Cloche and the medieval Porte Cailhau before the rest of the tourists arrive

☕ If you’re still hungry, grab breakfast at Suzzi Cafe

🛍️ If it’s a Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, or Sunday, be one of the first people at the Saint-Michel Flea Market, which kicks off at 9AM

🌳 Take a peaceful walk along the Garonne River

#Bordeaux #France #BordeauxCity

It’s officially Christmas season in Dublin!! The

It’s officially Christmas season in Dublin!! The streets are lit up, the pubs are decorated, the nights are long, and it is feckin FREEZING 🥶☔️

I’m getting in the Christmas spirit and made myself a little Dublin Christmas checklist, which includes but is not limited to:

🏰 The Christmas market in Dublin Castle starting November 24th

🍺 Having a pint in the two most festive pubs in Dublin – The Gingerman and Hole in the Wall (the Christmas decorations in both of these pubs is truly next level)

🎁 Checking out the Brown Thomas window display

🎄 The Christmas flea market at the Digital Hub

☕️ Hot Chocolate at Bewley’s

🛍️ Christmas shopping in George’s Street Arcade, Powerscourt, and on Grafton Street

☕️ Drinking an Irish coffee by the fire at The Duke

⛸️ Ice skating in Dundrum

Now if it could just stop raining for like 2 seconds so I can work on checking things off that list that would be great thanks xoxo

Don’t mind me while I romanticise autumn in Lond

Don’t mind me while I romanticise autumn in London for 15 seconds 🍂☔️☕️☀️

My weekend in London was filled with (too much) delicious food, checking out lots of cool markets like the Columbia Flower Market, Brick Lane, and Spitalfields Market, seeing @hamiltonwestend , and wandering around the city soaking up all the autumnal vibes 😍

Truly nothing better than a sunny weekend in NOLA!

Truly nothing better than a sunny weekend in NOLA!

It’s been a MINUTE since I’ve visited New Orleans and it never disappoints, especially this time of year! Of course my recent trip revolved around a ridiculous amount of food and drinks but I meannnnn it’s literally impossible to go to New Orleans and NOT treat yourself 🤤

The overindulging on this New Orleans visit included:

☕️ Coffee and beignets from @cafedumonde (obviously)
🧇 Pecan waffles and hasbrowns from Camellia Grill
🎷 Jazz Brunch Buffet at @courtoftwosisters
🍺 Beers and burgers (and people watching) at Igor’s
🍌 Dinner at @brennansnola , which OF COURSE included Banana’s Foster for dessert
☕️ TWO brown sugar lattes from @districtdonuts
🥣 Açai bowl from @playabowls

But there were also plenty of opportunities to walk it all off including:

⛪️ A stroll around the French Quarter
🍹Bar hopping on Bourbon Street
🎃 A walk around Uptown New Orleans to see the AMAZING Halloween decorations
🛍️ Shopping on Magazine Street
🌳 Walking in Audubon Park

Until next time, NOLA!!

Portobello, Dublin really pops off in Autumn 😍🍂

Maybe I’m biased but my Dublin neighborhood is the VIBIEST of them all this time of year! The leaves are crunchy, the Halloween decorations are out, there’s a fresh chilllllll in the air 😍 Obsessed!!

Some of my Portobello favorites:

🍳 Turkish Eggs from @alma.dublin
☕️ Pumpkin Spice Latte from @brindlecoffeewine
🍪 The chocolate chip cookies from @themorningbakery
🍁 A stroll through Iveagh Gardens and the Museum of Literature
👜 A flea market in the @portobellocommunityhall
🍷 Wine Fridays at @wearemarlowe

PROS, CONS, & TIPS👇🏼 The Grand Palace truly

PROS, CONS, & TIPS👇🏼

The Grand Palace truly is Thailand’s answer to “How much gold can you fit in one place?” and makes Buckingham Palace look like a quaint little cottage. It served as the official residence of the Kings of Siam for over 150 years and is home to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (War Phra Kaew) and let’s just say it’s called The GRAND Palace for a reason 👑

👍🏼 PROS
- It’s only 500 THB (~$15) to visit and that gives you access to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Central Court
- All temples in Thailand are blinged out, but this one takes opulence to a whole other level. There is not 1 single square inch of this complex that isn’t adorned. The architecture is so intricate, the decoration is so ornate. It’s seriously a feast for the eyes.

👎🏼 CONS
- The palace has a super strict dress code so even though it is literally A MILLION DEGREES, you have to have your shoulders and knees covered, or else you will have the same fate as me and have to buy a (super tacky) t-shirt / sarong at the gift shop to wear over your clothes and sweat your 🍑 off even more.
- Unless you go super early, it’s super crowded. And there are photoshoots going on EVERYWHERE. Genuinely, everywhere. The places is crawling with both tourists and locals (some dressed up in full traditional costumes) getting their photos taken, sometimes with hired photographers 🙄

🤷🏻‍♀️ SO IS IT WORTH VISITING?
Absolutely! Despite the crowds, heat, and the fact that the Emerald Buddha is actually NOT emerald (it’s jade) and way smaller than I was expecting, I still think it’s a must-see while in Bangkok, especially if it’s your first time in Thailand! It’s like visiting the heart of Thai history, culture, and religion all in one place.

❗️TIPS FOR VISITING
- You have to take your shoes off to enter the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, so wear something easy to remove
- Come with your shoulders and knees covered as mentioned above!!!!!!
- Unless you enjoy being swindled, stick to official guides or audio tours (you can also wander around on your own)
- Arrive early to avoid the crowds (and the heat 🥵)

Open daily from 8:30AM – 3:30PM

Looking for a holiday destination wtih amazing bea

Looking for a holiday destination wtih amazing beaches, historic sites, delicious food, and great nightlife? I GOT YOU.

Enter Palermo, Sicily: where the arancini are round, the cannoli are endless, and every corner has a story to tell 🌞🍕 Sicily boasts a rich blend of cultures and history unlike anywhere else in Italy and that is very evident in Palermo.

The beaches are stunning. The entire city center is a UNESCO World Heritage site so it has TONS of historical landmarks. Plus there’s lots of markets to explore, the nightlife is super lively, and it’s cheapppp! But my absolute favorite part about Palermo was the FOOD (shocker) – Sicilian food is absolutely fkn delicious and different than the stereotypical Italian food 🤤

Here are a few of my Palermo recs!

🍻 A night out at La Vucciria Market
🍝 A food tour with @streatytours
🏝️ A beach day at Mondello Beach
🚴 A bike tour to The Capuchin Catacombs with @socialbikepalermo
⛪️ A visit to the Palermo Cathedral
🍴 A typical Sicilian dinner at Osteria Lo Bianco

There are elephants truly everywhere you turn in T

There are elephants truly everywhere you turn in Thailand 👀 🐘👖

Head to any temple or tourist destination and you’ll count approximately 725196 pairs of these elephant pants. Sometimes whole families wearing matching ones!

They are sold at literally EVERY SINGLE market in Thailand and are super popular with tourists. They’ve become known as a symbol of Thailand (even though 70% of them are actually made in China 🤫)

Somehow I managed to spend 2.5 weeks in Thailand without buying a single pair even though they. are. EVERYWHERE. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Did you buy elephant pants in Thailand?

Follow @sara.sees on Instagram!

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The mornings in Bordeaux, France are MAGIC ✨ Do

The mornings in Bordeaux, France are MAGIC ✨
Don’t miss out on this quiet, dreamy side of the city before it gets busy!

While you have Bordeaux all to yourself, make sure to:

🥐 Grab a coffee and pastry at Boulangerie Jocteur, then head around the corner to eat them while enjoying a view of the magnificent Bordeaux Cathedral

🏰 Wander down the picturesque cobblestone streets of the Old Town to discover hidden gems like La Grosse Cloche and the medieval Porte Cailhau before the rest of the tourists arrive

☕ If you’re still hungry, grab breakfast at Suzzi Cafe

🛍️ If it’s a Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, or Sunday, be one of the first people at the Saint-Michel Flea Market, which kicks off at 9AM

🌳 Take a peaceful walk along the Garonne River

#Bordeaux #France #BordeauxCity

It’s officially Christmas season in Dublin!! The

It’s officially Christmas season in Dublin!! The streets are lit up, the pubs are decorated, the nights are long, and it is feckin FREEZING 🥶☔️

I’m getting in the Christmas spirit and made myself a little Dublin Christmas checklist, which includes but is not limited to:

🏰 The Christmas market in Dublin Castle starting November 24th

🍺 Having a pint in the two most festive pubs in Dublin – The Gingerman and Hole in the Wall (the Christmas decorations in both of these pubs is truly next level)

🎁 Checking out the Brown Thomas window display

🎄 The Christmas flea market at the Digital Hub

☕️ Hot Chocolate at Bewley’s

🛍️ Christmas shopping in George’s Street Arcade, Powerscourt, and on Grafton Street

☕️ Drinking an Irish coffee by the fire at The Duke

⛸️ Ice skating in Dundrum

Now if it could just stop raining for like 2 seconds so I can work on checking things off that list that would be great thanks xoxo

Don’t mind me while I romanticise autumn in Lond

Don’t mind me while I romanticise autumn in London for 15 seconds 🍂☔️☕️☀️

My weekend in London was filled with (too much) delicious food, checking out lots of cool markets like the Columbia Flower Market, Brick Lane, and Spitalfields Market, seeing @hamiltonwestend , and wandering around the city soaking up all the autumnal vibes 😍

Truly nothing better than a sunny weekend in NOLA!

Truly nothing better than a sunny weekend in NOLA!

It’s been a MINUTE since I’ve visited New Orleans and it never disappoints, especially this time of year! Of course my recent trip revolved around a ridiculous amount of food and drinks but I meannnnn it’s literally impossible to go to New Orleans and NOT treat yourself 🤤

The overindulging on this New Orleans visit included:

☕️ Coffee and beignets from @cafedumonde (obviously)
🧇 Pecan waffles and hasbrowns from Camellia Grill
🎷 Jazz Brunch Buffet at @courtoftwosisters
🍺 Beers and burgers (and people watching) at Igor’s
🍌 Dinner at @brennansnola , which OF COURSE included Banana’s Foster for dessert
☕️ TWO brown sugar lattes from @districtdonuts
🥣 Açai bowl from @playabowls

But there were also plenty of opportunities to walk it all off including:

⛪️ A stroll around the French Quarter
🍹Bar hopping on Bourbon Street
🎃 A walk around Uptown New Orleans to see the AMAZING Halloween decorations
🛍️ Shopping on Magazine Street
🌳 Walking in Audubon Park

Until next time, NOLA!!

Portobello, Dublin really pops off in Autumn 😍🍂

Maybe I’m biased but my Dublin neighborhood is the VIBIEST of them all this time of year! The leaves are crunchy, the Halloween decorations are out, there’s a fresh chilllllll in the air 😍 Obsessed!!

Some of my Portobello favorites:

🍳 Turkish Eggs from @alma.dublin
☕️ Pumpkin Spice Latte from @brindlecoffeewine
🍪 The chocolate chip cookies from @themorningbakery
🍁 A stroll through Iveagh Gardens and the Museum of Literature
👜 A flea market in the @portobellocommunityhall
🍷 Wine Fridays at @wearemarlowe

PROS, CONS, & TIPS👇🏼 The Grand Palace truly

PROS, CONS, & TIPS👇🏼

The Grand Palace truly is Thailand’s answer to “How much gold can you fit in one place?” and makes Buckingham Palace look like a quaint little cottage. It served as the official residence of the Kings of Siam for over 150 years and is home to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (War Phra Kaew) and let’s just say it’s called The GRAND Palace for a reason 👑

👍🏼 PROS
- It’s only 500 THB (~$15) to visit and that gives you access to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Central Court
- All temples in Thailand are blinged out, but this one takes opulence to a whole other level. There is not 1 single square inch of this complex that isn’t adorned. The architecture is so intricate, the decoration is so ornate. It’s seriously a feast for the eyes.

👎🏼 CONS
- The palace has a super strict dress code so even though it is literally A MILLION DEGREES, you have to have your shoulders and knees covered, or else you will have the same fate as me and have to buy a (super tacky) t-shirt / sarong at the gift shop to wear over your clothes and sweat your 🍑 off even more.
- Unless you go super early, it’s super crowded. And there are photoshoots going on EVERYWHERE. Genuinely, everywhere. The places is crawling with both tourists and locals (some dressed up in full traditional costumes) getting their photos taken, sometimes with hired photographers 🙄

🤷🏻‍♀️ SO IS IT WORTH VISITING?
Absolutely! Despite the crowds, heat, and the fact that the Emerald Buddha is actually NOT emerald (it’s jade) and way smaller than I was expecting, I still think it’s a must-see while in Bangkok, especially if it’s your first time in Thailand! It’s like visiting the heart of Thai history, culture, and religion all in one place.

❗️TIPS FOR VISITING
- You have to take your shoes off to enter the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, so wear something easy to remove
- Come with your shoulders and knees covered as mentioned above!!!!!!
- Unless you enjoy being swindled, stick to official guides or audio tours (you can also wander around on your own)
- Arrive early to avoid the crowds (and the heat 🥵)

Open daily from 8:30AM – 3:30PM

Looking for a holiday destination wtih amazing bea

Looking for a holiday destination wtih amazing beaches, historic sites, delicious food, and great nightlife? I GOT YOU.

Enter Palermo, Sicily: where the arancini are round, the cannoli are endless, and every corner has a story to tell 🌞🍕 Sicily boasts a rich blend of cultures and history unlike anywhere else in Italy and that is very evident in Palermo.

The beaches are stunning. The entire city center is a UNESCO World Heritage site so it has TONS of historical landmarks. Plus there’s lots of markets to explore, the nightlife is super lively, and it’s cheapppp! But my absolute favorite part about Palermo was the FOOD (shocker) – Sicilian food is absolutely fkn delicious and different than the stereotypical Italian food 🤤

Here are a few of my Palermo recs!

🍻 A night out at La Vucciria Market
🍝 A food tour with @streatytours
🏝️ A beach day at Mondello Beach
🚴 A bike tour to The Capuchin Catacombs with @socialbikepalermo
⛪️ A visit to the Palermo Cathedral
🍴 A typical Sicilian dinner at Osteria Lo Bianco

There are elephants truly everywhere you turn in T

There are elephants truly everywhere you turn in Thailand 👀 🐘👖

Head to any temple or tourist destination and you’ll count approximately 725196 pairs of these elephant pants. Sometimes whole families wearing matching ones!

They are sold at literally EVERY SINGLE market in Thailand and are super popular with tourists. They’ve become known as a symbol of Thailand (even though 70% of them are actually made in China 🤫)

Somehow I managed to spend 2.5 weeks in Thailand without buying a single pair even though they. are. EVERYWHERE. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Did you buy elephant pants in Thailand?

Follow @sara.sees on Instagram!

I have photographed or own all images, unless stated otherwise! If you would like to use an image, please email me.

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