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After two quiet months at residence in Prague, whereas residing by one of many coldest winters we’ve had in years, it was time for one thing higher.
A little bit of sunshine. A bit of heat. And a little bit of time within the South of France.
Right here’s what I acquired as much as in March 2026!
Locations Visited
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Toulouse, Narbonne, Montpellier, and Marseille, France
Highlights
A enjoyable and foodie journey to southern France. Charlie and I take one another on journeys for our birthdays, and as quickly as we came upon that Les Grands Buffets existed, that’s what he wished to do for his!
And with three of our pals in tow, we flew to Toulouse, had a decadent night time on the buffet in Narbonne, spent just a few nice days in Montpellier, and completed up in Marseille.
Toulouse was a revelation — and it rapidly turned one in every of my favourite cities in France! Toulouse is in regards to the dimension of Prague, with simply over a million residents. However it feels so chilled out by comparability.
Toulouse appears totally different from each different metropolis in France, because of the pinky-red bricks of the buildings within the metropolis. There are tons of cute little eating places and boutiques in all places, and I might genuinely come again right here simply to buy and eat. Town has a terrific vibe, too. I can see why folks wish to dwell right here.
The buffet expertise at Les Grands Buffets in Narbonne was unbelievable — one in every of my high foodie experiences, ever, and we already wish to return sooner or later.
I’ve already written a full publish in regards to the buffet expertise, so I gained’t repeat myself right here.
I’ll solely share that we ate SO a lot scrumptious meals, and for 65.90 euros per individual, we acquired unbelievable worth, no less than double and even triple the worth of what we’d have paid for that a lot meals in an everyday restaurant. If you happen to’re a foodie traveler or a French meals fanatic — or particularly a cheese freak — you must make an effort to go as soon as in your life.
Subsequent up was Montpellier. Montpellier is a small college metropolis within the south, and it felt a bit like a child Paris on the Mediterranean, because of its Haussmann structure with just a few palm timber poking out right here and there.
We ate nice meals in Montpellier, particularly after hitting up the markets and bakeries. The eclairs at Maison Bonnaire have been particularly memorable. General, I believe this is able to be a terrific metropolis to spend every week in when it is advisable to recharge. Simply go for strolls, go to the seashore, eat good meals, and repeat.
And we completed our journey in Marseille…and I’ll put that within the “Challenges” part. You’ll quickly see why.
A pleasant and productive journey to Berlin. Charlie and I went to Berlin to attend ITB Berlin, the biggest journey commerce present on this planet. Oddly, this was the primary 12 months we each went.
The present was profitable for us each, with a number of good conferences. And we acquired to spend time with a number of our blogger pals, together with some I hadn’t seen in a few years.
On our ultimate night time in Berlin, we went to see Belle & Sebastian with our pals Daryl and Mindi. They performed their first album, Tigermilk, and sounded simply pretty much as good as they did 30 years in the past. The venue, Metropol, was actually cool — it sort of felt like a freaky church.
I’m joyful so as to add that this was the primary live performance I’ve been to of an artist I found in my Rolling Stone 500 albums problem. How superior is that?
Charlie and I joined a trivia group in Prague! I at all times really feel like I can’t be part of a group or any sort of common exercise due to my journey schedule, however our pal Jamie invited us to hitch, and that is the proper answer — you merely volunteer to hitch on the times you can also make it. There’s no stress to indicate up each week.
Our group performs the identical pub quiz every week on Monday nights — Prague’s hardest quiz, in actual fact. A few of the questions will genuinely stump you, particularly the cryptic questions.
However it’s been going properly. I’m loving working along with a group of recent pals. And the primary week we joined, we truly gained!
And in case you’re questioning, Lewis the cat is STILL being very snuggly with me. Final month, Lewis began climbing into my lap nearly day-after-day. I’m joyful to report that he’s nonetheless doing it. Typically Charlie and I’ll sit on both aspect of the sofa and battle for Lewis’s affections.
Challenges
Marseille was a little bit of a bust. We knew we’d solely have a day and night there, and because it was a Sunday, we needed to take a 2.5-hour bus from Montpellier to Marseille, moderately than the prepare that runs the opposite six days of the week.
And as soon as we acquired there, it was raining — a chilly, intense rain that got here down in sheets. And in the event you’ve been to the Mediterranean within the low season, you already know that they don’t have any clue methods to warmth something correctly. Folks have been consuming exterior in tents, shivering of their heavy coats.
However we made the very best of it! We discovered a restaurant with the heater blasting subsequent to the open entrance door, then we grabbed a desk at Les Grandes Halles du Vieux-Port, an indoor meals corridor with loads of nice eating places. We spent the afternoon consuming seafood and ingesting rosé earlier than choosing up some Savon de Marseille (the town’s well-known cleaning soap) and heading to our resort.
I undoubtedly wish to return to Marseille and expertise the town correctly. There are direct flights from Prague, so possibly a protracted weekend in late spring or early fall someday…
After which I acquired meals poisoning. It hit as soon as I used to be residence, about 24 hours after we had our seafood extravaganza in Marseille. (Charlie and Nick have been superb, so I’m considering it may need been a nasty oyster.) Fortunately it wasn’t a violent sort of meals poisoning — simply nausea and abdomen cramps for 3 days.
Lastly, Les Grands Buffets is NOT a simple place to make content material. I sort of had that feeling getting in, so I caught to only doing fast cellphone images and movies moderately than bringing out the great digital camera or video digital camera.
However if you wish to make Truly Respectable Content material at Les Grands Buffets, I like to recommend you guide a number of seatings, as a result of the night time goes by FAST and also you in all probability can’t eat what you wish to eat *AND* make content material about it.
On high of that, the lighting is dim, and it’s loud and crowded. So simply know that. I believed I might share that as a head’s up for different content material creators.
Weblog Posts of the Month
What’s It Actually Prefer to Journey to Madagascar? — An enormous, detailed recap about why this nation, whereas so difficult at occasions, is totally price it.
Les Grands Buffets — Price It or Not? A Detailed Evaluate — Les Grands Buffets in Narbonne, France, is an epic French buffet and one in every of my favourite meals experiences I’ve ever had. However would it not be price it for you?
Most Well-liked Submit on Instagram
Madagascar isn’t for everybody. My first video from Madagascar! I posted this video on Instagram and on TikTok.
Whereas Madagascar is an unbelievable vacation spot and I liked my time there, it’s completely not a vacation spot for everybody. And even most vacationers. That you must ask your self plenty of questions.
What I Watched This Month
Actuality Test: Inside America’s Subsequent Prime Mannequin on Netflix. This documentary examines the legacy and hurt of America’s Subsequent Prime Mannequin, and interviews lots of the folks concerned.
I solely watched Prime Mannequin often again within the day, however I did see a number of the extra memorable episodes (just like the one the place they made them as much as be totally different races!). And thru a 2026 lens, WOW. This present was MESSED UP they usually did some actually horrific issues.
The worst was getting the fashions and a gaggle of native males extraordinarily drunk, then one woman who was blackout drunk ended up hooking up with one of many males. She has no reminiscence of it. This was all filmed. And the following day, and for years after (!), the present shamed her for dishonest on her boyfriend — when she was a sufferer of sexual assault who couldn’t probably consent!
It additionally made me consider Beneath Deck: Down Beneath Season One, when one member of the crew tried to sexually assault one other crew member, a lady who was blackout drunk, and 1) the movie crew stopped it and a couple of) the assaulter was kicked off the boat instantly and fired the following morning. I’m glad occasions have modified and we’re in a position to see an assault for what it’s.
I additionally watched loads of Season 2 of Paradise this month. I completely liked Season Considered one of Paradise, however I’m undecided I’m loving it as a lot this season. I believe it is likely to be the affect of The Pitt — I really like the hyper-realism of that present.
And Paradise, as with the present runner’s final present That is Us, there are loads of overwritten monologues, unusual coincidences, and manipulative emotional moments. Undecided I’m into that anymore. Make extra reveals like The Pitt!
Lastly, I noticed Venture Hail Mary in IMAX, and it is likely to be my favourite IMAX expertise I’ve ever had. The film is unbelievable and flies by, and it’s fantastically filmed and so devoted to the guide. An absolute pleasure, and so uplifting. One which may be very a lot price seeing within the theater.
What I Listened To This Month
I’m listening to all 500 of Rolling Stone‘s 500 Best Albums of All Time, which I’m having fun with immensely. I’m loving discovering new artists and listening to albums I’ve someway missed my whole life till now!
In March, I listened to albums quantity 112-93. Not a giant month for listening.
Favourite Discovery: Supa Dupa Fly by Missy Elliott. WHAT A GREAT HIP-HOP ALBUM. What I really like about Missy’s music is that it feels so timeless. She at all times makes futuristic-sounding music with none of the cheesiness that weighs down different rappers. You can have made this album as we speak and it wouldn’t have sounded dated in any respect.
That is an unbelievable album for dancing, grooving, driving, and simply vibing. Every little thing on the album has a particular perspective, however the songs are various and every have a distinct sound.
Missy and Timbaland have been a match made in heaven (and nonetheless are) — however I believe she deserves extra respect on her personal, each as a rapper, a singer, and a producer.
Different Favourite Discoveries: When the Pawn… by Fiona Apple, Goodbye Yellow Brick Highway by Elton John, Automated For the Folks by R.E.M., Take Care by Drake, Management by Janet Jackson, Courtroom and Spark by Joni Mitchell.
Favourite Revisited Album: Nothing revisited! Every little thing was new to me this month. I believe I listened to When the Pawn… a couple of times as a teen.
Favourite Songs: “Limp” by Fiona Apple, “You Don’t Wanna Fuck With Me” by Missy Elliott, “After I Consider You” by Janet Jackson, “Me Myself and I” by De La Soul, “The Ballad of Danny Boyle” by Elton John, “Automobile on a Hill” by Joni Mitchell, “Wild Horses” by The Rolling Stones, “The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight” by R.E.M., “Asking For It” by Gap.
Get the playlist: I’m making a playlist of my favourite songs from the five hundred albums — most one per album — on Spotify. You possibly can take heed to it right here.
Random Music Ideas: Because the listing ticks down, there are fewer and fewer artists launched for the primary time. The one newcomers this month have been Tv, Gap, The Allman Brothers Band, Drake, and Missy Elliott.
*Disclaimer: QUITE A LOT of the musicians featured on this listing are problematic in numerous methods — there’s even a assassin within the combine. I’m their music solely from an influential perspective.
What I Learn This Month
Grownup Braces: Driving Myself Sane by Lindy West (2026) — Lindy West’s husband Aham instructed her he was going to be polygamous and she or he needed to both settle for it or finish their relationship. She didn’t need it. Aham had not one however two secret girlfriends. So she determined to go on a solo journey throughout the US to see if she might deal with being alone. On the finish of the guide, she determined to begin courting Aham’s girlfriend. And now they’ve been in a triad for years.
I’m a giant Lindy fan, and the guide itself is actually good in loads of methods. I really like her voice and her humor, and the components about journey have been the strongest components of all, even when I didn’t essentially agree together with her on loads of issues. I liked how she wrote about Florida, of all locations, particularly the Forgotten Coast and that complete lesser-known area of Florida.
However there are loads of alarming issues about her relationships in each this guide, and its aftermath.
I wrote rather a lot about this in my publication final week, and I’m not going to repeat myself. However I’ll say this: since this guide got here out, it’s clear to me that Aham has been publicly humiliating Lindy for a very long time now, and has been emotionally abusive not solely to her, however random girls (together with author Scaachi Koul, who wrote a bit on the guide).
I would like her to get away from Aham, as a result of she deserves a lot, significantly better. However I’ve the sensation that each one this discourse goes to make Lindy double down.
Venture Hail Mary by Andy Weir (2021) — Center college science instructor Ryland Grace wakes up from a coma on an area shuttle and may’t bear in mind why he’s there. Quickly, he remembers that the solar is dying, and that scientists on Earth have despatched him there to discover a answer. However quickly after arrival, he discovers one other ship, an uncommon ship the likes of which he’s by no means seen — and realizes that he’s not alone.
It was my high precedence to learn Venture Hail Mary earlier than seeing the film, partially as a result of I believed Weir’s first novel, The Martian, was a significantly better guide than a film. I devoured it in 48 hours! I adored this story and the way it became a buddy comedy. It nearly follows the plot of a typical romantic comedy, solely it’s platonic. Extra uplifting sci-fi!
I’ve heard the audiobook is nice, too, however I selected to learn it as a result of I figured I’d zone out on the extra science-y components. You couldn’t go fallacious with both.
Coming Up in April 2026
This month I’ve a giant journey deliberate — I’m touring solo to Central Asia! It is a new area for me and one I’ve wished to cowl from the angle of a solo feminine traveler.
I’ll be visiting Kazakhstan first, largely basing in Almaty, with an in a single day journey to Charyn Canyon, Black Canyon, Moon Canyon, Lake Kaindy, and Kolsai Lake. Subsequent I’ll fly to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and journey by prepare to Samarkand, then Bukhara, then Khiva, earlier than flying again to Tashkent. Whereas in Samarkand, I’ll be doing a day journey to the Seven Lakes of Tajikistan.
If all goes in keeping with plan, these shall be nations quantity 97, 98, and 99 for me.
In Uzbekistan, I’ll be attempting out a number of artful actions and diving into their textiles. They’ve a number of the greatest silks on this planet, and lovely traditions in the case of embroidery, pottery, and wooden carving. I even have a photograph shoot deliberate in Samarkand.
I do know lots of people are apprehensive about touring in the intervening time, so I wish to share why I’m snug touring right here at the moment. First off, these nations in Central Asia are extraordinarily protected for vacationers typically, and solo feminine vacationers particularly. I’ve carried out a number of analysis and talked to pals who journey right here typically.
Secondly, these nations are by no means concerned at any time when violence or warfare kicks off within the Center East. Life has been persevering with as regular in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.
And at last, I’m not flying by the Gulf. I’m flying Prague-Frankfurt-Almaty on the best way there and Tashkent-Istanbul-Prague on the best way again, which is an itinerary that enables me to keep away from flight disruptions.
I’m actually excited to share Central Asia with you.
Any plans for April? Share away!
