Lavinia D
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continenthop.bsky.social
Lavinia D
@continenthop.bsky.social
S.Asian Food,Travel journalist- WaPo, Condenast,etc + award winning travel blogger, Content creator | Seen in BBC, NewsX | TEDx, WTM etc speaker | DEI advocate
Continenthop.com
Planning to travel solo in #Europe? Europe is generally quite safe; however, if I were to pick countries, my top picks would be the Netherlands, Germany, the U.K., Austria, Finland, and Norway. There’s good public transport and a network, and even if you stay in a hostel, good fellow travellers too!
November 19, 2025 at 11:52 AM
After calling Europe home for almost 8 years, I can say that if you’re flexible, you can walk to an airport & get a flight for as little as £25! For the hidden gems in the Alps, think Seealpsee, Valle Di Cembra or a road trip around Austria. For weekend breaks, think of Innsbruck & Santander! 1/2
November 17, 2025 at 11:52 AM
As a child, television and movies were the only window to the world. The few Indian movies that had budgets prominently featured Europe. Hence, it comes as no surprise that almost everybody in India thinks of visiting Paris and London, so did I, before realising 1/2
November 12, 2025 at 11:52 AM
#Asia, the largest continent, doesn’t just serve the greatest variety of food; it is culturally diverse & is the birthplace of spirituality. Monks offering prayers & Hindu priests chanting ‘shlokas’ are balanced with traffic jams and haggling in the bazaars. It doesn’t do anything lukewarm. 1/2
November 5, 2025 at 4:56 PM
#Asia may be the land of ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ for many, but this has and will always be home to me. Comfort food is a delicious curry every time! A spicy red Rendang in Malaysia, a bowl of hot, flavorful Pho in Hanoi, or the aroma of a Xacuti in Goa, India—what gives you a foodgasm every time?
October 31, 2025 at 4:56 PM
It was my first day not only in Hanoi but in #Vietnam. It was mid-December and the weather was balmy. Children were singing hymns at a nearby school. I heard cars and scooters beeping, and it seemed like I was the last to wake up. Hanoi sure was busy, and everyone seemed to be awake by 7 AM! 1/3
October 24, 2025 at 3:56 PM
‘Pivo’ - The best and most famous part of Czech #cuisine! It's the Czech word for ‘beer’ and while it is not technically a ‘food’, you just cannot imagine the influence it has had on Czech cuisine! While strolling through Prague and sipping on varieties of beer, I understood one thing: 1/2
October 16, 2025 at 10:52 AM
My short stay in #Prague convinced me: from rustic countryside villages to bustling city squares, the Czech Republic offers a gastronomic journey like no other. Here is a glimpse of my culinary odyssey through a land where centuries of history and culture have shaped the very essence of its cuisine!
October 14, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Here's something about #Malta - It offers a variety of cities for those who love hustle and bustle, and small fishing villages or resort towns for a slow-paced holiday. Many prefer cities like Valletta or Sliema as these cities are well-connected via public transport to other parts of the island.1/2
September 24, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Sometimes the smallest of countries have the potential to steal your heart more than any continent can—said no one ever, but it's so true when it comes to #Malta. It's the perfect destination for a short break, no matter the time of year! Yes, even in winter! 1/2
September 22, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Land’s End in Cornwall, although touristy, was our last stop of the day. We hardly bumped into any visitors. The setting sun changed the colour of the ocean to a blazing gold. It was one of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen! 1/2
September 18, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Polpeor Cove in #Cornwall isn’t one of the ‘famous’ coves listed in the ‘Top 10’, but it is an image that you can’t erase easily. I had seen images & knew I had to see it for myself! Pictures don’t do it justice! A tiny cafe sits at the other end & is a lovely place to sit and enjoy the view.
September 16, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Snowmobiling in Tromso is addictive! And it isn’t too difficult. While I did not do much of the driving as I found it tough to turn, a quick 10-minute session, a trial ride, and we were good to go. We drove across freshly snowed forests, continued through panoramic landscapes 👇
September 15, 2025 at 10:52 AM
When in #Santorini, marvel at the beautiful Greek architecture, unique with its lanes and quintessential whitewashed houses. Irrespective of the town or village, wander through the narrow streets and alleyways and snap pictures in front of their buildings that are contrasted with colourful flowers.👇
August 29, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Want to see how #Vienna greets you on a sunny day? Here is a glimpse from my Vienna trip, where this city of poets and writers, music and culture, welcomed us with historic landmarks, cobblestone streets, and warm people
August 27, 2025 at 7:45 AM
I am someone who has always been in awe of sunsets. I've been to Cyprus & Greece - the lands known for painted skies. But, for me, #Scotland will always be the one with stunning sunsets. When I went glamping in Scotland, there was this one evening when the sunset began painting the sky golden. 1/3
August 25, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Travelling to #Europe for the first time? You may find this surprising, but it’s perfectly safe to drink tap water in most countries. In restaurants, you have to pay extra if you want bottled water. Refilling a reusable water bottle is perfectly okay here & is a great way to travel sustainably.
July 31, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Editing #travel photos? Follow the 'less is more' approach. Use filters like lighting & exposure to bring out details lost in shadows or highlights, or slightly change contrast & saturation to make colours pop. Cropping your images to improve composition and remove distractions is also a great way.
July 28, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Having spent the early years of my life in India, I had never seen snow. Just the pretty pictures of how white-clad mountains and trees look. It changed when I visited Lahti, #Finland. It started snowing gently. I held my hand out & watched in awe as delicate snowflakes landed on my gloves 1/2
July 25, 2025 at 10:52 AM
The air was crisp when we landed in #Vienna. There was a certain ‘classic’ feel to the whole city; maybe it was just me, making assumptions, after all I’d read about the city, or maybe it was just true. We seemed out of place, hauling our luggage on the street, & yet it was love at first sight!
July 22, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Favourite mode of #travel? Definitely, cruising! When I stepped on my very first cruise, I was dumbstruck. It was a floating town with all the essentials & entertainment I could ever need. Plus, cruises head off to offbeat destinations & offer spectacular service. 1/2
July 21, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Craving for something simple yet flavourful today, and as it always happens, not able to decide which dish I exactly want. But that reminded me of trying tapas in #Spain for the first time. The magic of a light bite as it danced with my taste buds. 1/3
July 16, 2025 at 10:52 AM
I often hear how 'lucky' I am to #travel, and I always say - Prioritise the travel, not just the destination. Forget the pressure to pick only popular spots or exclusively hidden corners. Just go! And yes, as cliché as it sounds, truly learn to enjoy the journey. That's where the real magic happens.
July 14, 2025 at 10:52 AM
I was not in India but #Mauritius & it felt like coming home, to the smells of street food & the hustle and bustle. The first thing I noticed was how much it reminded me of home, yet it was more diverse. Look at the photos, and even you will find it hard to tell if these are from India or Mauritius.
July 10, 2025 at 10:52 AM
When I #travel & asked about my ethnicity, people get super curious when I mention I’m Indian. Their expressions change rapidly! The excitement, questions ranging from bizarre to dull. Some look annoyed. I’m pretty sure some Indian somewhere must've rubbed them the wrong way! 👇
July 8, 2025 at 10:52 AM