[caption id="attachment_16325" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Monument aux Girondins Bordeaux[/caption]

I've decided not to Google anymore the places that I'm about to visit and leave it as a surprise. Starting with my trip to Bordeaux where I had to do it the old way, walking aimlessly and discovering the town one area at a time. I had 3 days in Bordeaux which are more than enough to see everything there is to see while walking and wine tasting at every corner. Bordeaux is the capital of the wine industry, at least that is what the French say because I'm sure Italians from Tuscany don't agree. 

Things to do in Bordeaux

Walk around the city

Half of the whole town is a World Heritage Site so you can't go wrong just walking for hours. Starting with the three main streets Cours Clemenceau, Cours de l’Intendance, Allées de Tourny then moving into the backstreets where you'll be amazed by the neoclassical buildings. 

A walk on the riverfront

The Garonne river has been one of the most important sites for the city of Bordeaux with its port that would connect the town with the World and be the main drive to economic development. The old port isn't there anymore, but walking up the Pont-de-Pierre you can see how rich this town was from the architecture of the waterfront 18th-century buildings. 

Cité du Vin

Opened in 2016 with a modern architecture  Cité du Vin is the biggest cultural center dedicated to wine. They don't have one of these in Tuscany, so maybe the French are right, Bordeaux is the world capital of wine. With tasting rooms, 800 different types of wines and lots of wine history exhibitions it is a unique place for wine lovers. 

Food

I can't suggest a specific place because everywhere I ate it was a delicious experience. The city is very close to the Atlantic ocean so fresh oysters are a must try, but Bordeaux is a carnivore town and its most famous dish is entrecôte marchand de vin, also called entrecote a la bordelaise. This dish is a rib steak cooked in a rich gravy made from Bordeaux wine. The typical sweets are called Canelés, tiny round cakes soaked in rum which used to be made by the nuns of the convent of Annonciades in Bordeaux. 

Antique Shopping

Twice a year, in Spring and Autumn, the Foire à la Brocante des Quinconces is the appointment of all vintage and antique lovers who live in the region. I stayed at an Airbnb and the lady who owned the house had decorated it all from pieces found at this market. 

[caption id="attachment_16317" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Galerie Bordelaise, Bordeaux Wearing skirt MMissoni, Cardigan Gucci[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_16318" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Galerie Bordelaise, Bordeaux[/caption]



[caption id="attachment_16322" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Wearing MMissoni Dress[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_16340" align="aligncenter" width="800"] The big bell of Bordeaux[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_16310" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Parosh dress, Gucci loafers, Sara Giunti Bag[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_16330" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Place de la Bourse Bordeaux[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_16328" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Place de la Bourse Bordeaux[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_16309" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Carousel de Bordeaux Wearing Parosh Trench Coat Fendi Bag[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_16329" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Place de la Bourse Bordeaux[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_16333" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Place du Parlement, Bordeaux[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_16334" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Place du Parlement, Bordeaux[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_16332" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Place du Parlement, Bordeaux[/caption]



[caption id="attachment_16335" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Pont de Pierre Built in 1820s in honor of Napoléon[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_16336" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Wearing Parosh Dress, Drunken Rabbit by Linda Ferrari necklace, Longines watch[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_16338" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Pont de Pierre, Bordeaux[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_16339" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Puerta de Cailhau, Bordeaux. Built in 1495, this monument with a castle-like exterior was once the main gate to the city.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_16320" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_16307" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Bordeaux Antiques Market[/caption]




Photography @APBRAMBI

Travel Style : 3 Countries 1 Delsey Luggage

It is exciting organizing a whole month of travels, but when the moment comes and you see that every trip fits together perfectly it is time to prepare your luggage in a smart way. Criss-crossing from Milan to New York to Tuscany and then to Qatar with only one piece of luggage while at the same time trying to dress accordingly to the events I was attending or the country's culture hasn't been an easy feat. But thanks to this experience I learned the smart way of making 1 piece of luggage work for long term travel.

[caption id="attachment_12496" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Malpensa Airport in Milan[/caption]

1. Get the lightest luggage.

It seems obvious, right? I got my DELSEY Helium Air 2 Anniversary edition which comes at only 3.6 kg leaving lots of space to bring my own stuff while also being easy to wheel around airports, New York streets, Tuscany's countryside and Doha's beaches. It also has a TSA-approved lock to secure the suitcase, and I love the ombre design which makes it easier to spot on the baggage carousel among all those same looking luggage.

[caption id="attachment_12497" align="aligncenter" width="850"] In the New York City streets trying to hail a taxi. It took us 30 minutes.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_12500" align="alignnone" width="850"] A travel blogger in New York[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_12494" align="alignnone" width="850"] Hotel Americano at the High Line New York[/caption]

2. Plan Your Wardrobe

Plan your wardrobe based on your trip. And if the trip is taking you to multiple locations with very different needs of clothing try to find the similarities. I knew that in Qatar I needed modest clothing options. In the beginning, I panicked but I soon understood the opportunity of getting some classy elegant long dresses that would work for New York as well.  While the shoe choices were difficult given they take so much space. I decided on a pair of Adidas NMD that are light

and a pair of gold sandals, both shoes could be used in multiple outfits and don't take any space in the luggage.

[caption id="attachment_12499" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Tuscany always gives me the perfect Italian Holiday experience[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_12502" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Travel Blogger in Tuscany[/caption]

3. Pack in small separate bags

This is my favorite part of packing because I hate anything loose in the bag. Every item has a category, and every category gets its own place in the luggage. All cosmetics fit in one bag, all underwear in another, all cables and chargers are packed in one small leather bag, and all clothes go in plastic bags that also helps keep them ironed. I also have an empty plastic for dirty clothes and I'm ready to go. You get to where you’re going, and are ready to hang your toiletries in the bathroom, you transfer the rest to actual drawers, and you are done. When it is time to pack again to leave a place you'll be done in 3 minutes.

[caption id="attachment_12498" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Travel style on Qatar Airways[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_12501" align="aligncenter" width="850"] A travel blogger in Qatar[/caption]

4. Choose your travel style carefully.

Traveling light doesn’t go well with indecisiveness because taking the entire wardrobe to decide later on depending on your mood isn't an option. The keyword is functionality and your travel style should include pieces that can be worn different ways. In winter I always include black pieces that can be interchangeable while in summer I go for white. Choosing a neutral base color for your travel wardrobe is one of the best ways to remain a savvy packer. Accessories will help change the outfit and they don't take much space.

[caption id="attachment_12493" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Made some space for the Veuve Clicquot Rich bottle[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_12492" align="aligncenter" width="850"] Traveling light with DELSEY Helium Air 2 Anniversary edition and my Dolce Gabbana Sicily Bag[/caption]

5. Get wearable souvenirs

My favorite souvenirs from my trips are wearable pieces. Packing light it means sometimes I forget a jacket or a dress that I need for an event. I take this opportunity to go shopping in the city I'm in and have lots of fun going through local vintage stores to find a unique vintage piece that makes for the perfect souvenir. Then when someone asks where did you get that scarf you can say New York. :-)

*This post is a collaboration with DELSEY for its 70th-anniversary celebration.