Wanderlust with Danii

If you find yourself in London for Christmas, be sure to visit the Leicester Square Christmas Market.

This was from last year 2023

Imagine soaking in the warmth of a delicious toastie while enjoying live entertainment at the Spiegeltent, a cozy retreat amidst the bustling market where joy and laughter fill the air. Gather with friends and create unforgettable memories as you indulge in toffee apples and mince pies, embracing the heartwarming traditions that make the Leicester Square Christmas Market a must-visit this season. Celebrate the wonder of Christmas as you share a festive toast with loved ones over a glass of Pimms, surrounded by joyous laughter and the enchanting sights of the lively market.

Festive treats piled high at Christmas in Leicester Square. Credit: Pasco Photography. Image courtesy of Underbelly.

The market is open from 10am to 10pm.

Image from montagetravel.com

Image from ababyonboard.com

Whether you're on a tight budget or looking for something special, the Leicester Square Christmas market is sure to bring you holiday cheer. This iconic marketplace offers a variety of stalls, featuring everything from classic British cuisine to one-of-a-kind handmade gifts. Make sure to add it to your list of must-see attractions when you visit London in December!

I hope you enjoyed my post. Until next time 

xx

 If you were in London during Christmas 2023, you might have seen the Book Christmas Tree at St. Pancras Station. 

It was a breathtaking sight. I'm delighted I had the chance to see it in person.

In collaboration with the bookseller Hatchards, which is the oldest bookshop in the city, this 12-meter tree was constructed from 3,800 hand-painted classic books, including A Christmas carol and the lion the witch and the wardrobe., over 270 shelves showcasing all the beautiful books.   At the base of the tree, a circle of cozy reading nooks invited visitors to sit and enjoy audiobooks. It proudly stood in St Pancras international station.

The trip was ideal for readers and Potterheads alike, who, like us, visited London during the festive Christmas season.

Sadly it has been taken down now but it was such a beautiful sight to see if you managed to see it. 

Did you get a chance to see this beautiful tree? 

I can't believe its almost been a year since I was in London but I still have so many posts to post. I will be trying to aim for 2 posts a weeks Ill also be posting on Tik tok @wanderlustwithdanii. 

Update - This year in 2024 you can see a wicked themed tree.

Until Next time 

xoxo

  Hey there lovelies,

Captivated by the stunning images of Hahndorf in South Australia on TikTok, I was determined to visit someday. While in Adelaide for a funeral in May, we decided to extend our stay and explore some local attractions, including Hahndorf. 

This charming German village, situated a mere 28km (30 Minutes) from Adelaide along the freeway, makes for a perfect day trip. Its Main Street is lined with historic buildings from the 1800s. It's one of South Australia's most loved tourist destination. Hahndorf, as the southern hemisphere's oldest German settlement, offers a blend of rich history and picturesque landscapes, establishing it as a distinctive and captivating destination for tourists. The village of Hahndorf was established in 1839 by fifty-four German families who immigrated to Australia fleeing religious persecution for their firm Lutheran convictions.

We began our day with a leisurely walk down the main road, pausing to explore the shops that piqued our interest. The abundance of beautiful antique shops was particularly striking.

Sweet Shop

One of my favourite shops in Hahndorf

Beer Steins and Cuckoo clocks

Some decorations and also Beautiful Nutcrackers

We paused for lunch at one of the numerous German eateries. The traditional bratwurst served with mashed potatoes was scrumptious.

There is also Beerenberg Family Farm close by and from November to April it's a great destination for kids and adults to enjoy picking their own strawberries. Sadly, we didn't get to see this because we went in May. 

I'm thrilled to have visited this remarkable and distinctive location. It reminded me of our actual trip to Germany last December (which I still need to post about).

Have you ever visited Hahndorf?

Until next time

xo

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Entrance

In 2014, my parents and I embarked on a road trip to Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. We stayed at a lovely apartment known as the Rolling Surf Resort. Today, I'm here to share my review of the apartment. Fortunately, I kept journals of my trips, which allows me to revisit and share my experiences of the apartment with you all.

Pool Entry from our room

Our stay in a two-bedroom, fully-serviced apartment with direct pool access was remarkable. The only suggestion I have is the addition of a ladder for easier exit from the pool, especially for plus-sized individuals. Aside from that, the apartment was fantastic with spotlessly clean rooms.

Our apartment (Photo taken from trip advisor)

The resort offers direct access to the pristine golden sand beach, and the sound of the waves can be heard from your room.

Additionally, the resort includes a gym and a games room, catering to the entire family.

I wholeheartedly recommend this resort; it remains one of my most cherished holiday destinations.

(Photo taken from Rolling surf resort website)

10 Levuka Avenue, Caloundra, Queensland 4551 Australia

Until next time.

xo

Photos taken by me unless stated otherwise.

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As an avid book enthusiast, I was compelled to visit Daunt Books in Marylebone, London. 

Daunt Books, one of London's renowned independent bookstores, specializes in travel literature, making it the perfect destination for those seeking inspiration for their next journey. 

Established in 1990 by ex-banker James Daunt, the flagship store on Marylebone High Street occupies a charming Edwardian building adorned with long oak galleries, elegant skylights, and William Morris prints. The natural light filtering through the skylights illuminates the mezzanine, enhancing the ambiance. 

In 2010, Daunt Books embarked on a publishing venture, debuting with Saki's "Improper Stories" and continuing to revive numerous out-of-print titles alongside new publications. 

The historic section of the Marylebone store, completed in 1912, originally operated as an antiquarian bookshop named Francis Edwards, reputed to be the world's first purpose-built bookshop. Near the entrance to the travel gallery stands a large, walk-in safe, a relic from the past where costly tomes were once safeguarded.

We went in December and there was a beautiful Christmas tree set up. It makes the store even more beautiful. 

Check out the Daunt Book Website Here

Address 

Daunt Books
83-84 Marylebone High Street
London
W1U 4QW

Have you been to this beautiful bookstore?

Until next time.

xo

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Over the years, my family and I have visited Sydney numerous times. Along the way, we've gathered some interesting tidbits, and I thought it might be fun to share a few.

1. Sydney boasts more than 100 beaches.

2. Sydney was officially designated as a city in 1842.

3. Constructed between 1811 and 1816, the Sydney Mint is the oldest public building in Sydney's Central Business District.

4. The strength of the Sydney Harbour Bridge was demonstrated prior to its opening day by positioning 96 railway engines on the bridge.

5. Locals affectionately refer to the Harbour Bridge as "the coat hanger" because of its distinctive shape.

6. Sydney ranks as the 12th most expensive city globally, with some of the highest property prices in the world.

7. Opened in 1857, the Australian Museum in Sydney is the country's oldest museum dedicated to natural history.

8. The Sydney Fish Market is the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and the world's third-largest fish market.

9. George Street holds the title of the oldest street in Australia.

10. Residents of Sydney are known as Sydneysiders.

11. The Opera House is a bustling cultural hub, hosting over 3,000 shows annually.

12. Sydney once set a Guinness World Record for creating the longest line of pizzas.

13. Sydney has been a prominent filming location for major movies, including 'The Matrix' series and 'The Great Gatsby', among others.

14. Sydney attracts 3.5 million international visitors each year.

15. McKell Beach, Sydney's smallest beach, is only accessible by boat during low tide.

16. Arnold Schwarzenegger claimed his final Mr. Olympia bodybuilding title at the Opera House in 1980.

17. Urban Sydney comprises 658 suburbs.

18. Sydney's postcode, 2000, coincides with the year it hosted the Olympics.

19. Sydney is Australia's largest city, both in population and size.

20. The Sydney funnel-web spider ranks among the world's most venomous spiders.

That concludes my post; I hope you found it enjoyable. I love creating these kinds of posts and hope you find them enjoyable to read.

Should you have any other Sydney facts, feel free to share them in the comments below.

Until next time,

Danii

(Unless stated otherwise, all photos are taken by me.)