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Language Learning

Preply vs Duolingo (1)

Language Learning

Preply vs Duolingo: Which Is Better for Learning a Language? From a Real User

Read More Preply vs Duolingo: Which Is Better for Learning a Language? From a Real User

Preply-Review

Language Learning | Living Abroad | Travel

Preply Review (2026): Does 1:1 Tutoring Actually Work? (From a Real User)

Read More Preply Review (2026): Does 1:1 Tutoring Actually Work? (From a Real User)

French Together Review

Language Learning | Travel

French Together Review (2026): Everything You Need to Know

Read More French Together Review (2026): Everything You Need to Know

Lingoda-learn-new-language

Language Learning

Lingoda Review: Everything You Need to Know in 2026 (from a real user)

Read More Lingoda Review: Everything You Need to Know in 2026 (from a real user)

Candace-in-Paris-as-a-23-years-old-woman

Language Learning | Living Abroad | Travel

How to Actually Learn French: A No-Fluff Guide to Language Learning in 2026

Read More How to *Actually* Learn French: A No-Fluff Guide to Language Learning in 2026

10 Unique Ways to Learn Chinese

Language Learning | Living Abroad

10 Unique Ways to Learn Chinese

Read More 10 Unique Ways to Learn Chinese

Ready for more travel inspiration? Follow on the Gram or TikTok!

candaceabroad

ad @klook_uk London tip: don’t wait until you’

ad @klook_uk London tip: don’t wait until you’re standing on South Bank to book the London Eye 🎡

I’d book it on Klook before your trip so your ticket is already sorted—and you can spend more time enjoying the views instead of figuring out your day.

Use code CANDACEKLOOK for 10% off selected European tours and activities on Klook. 🌍

Happy travels!
Candace x

–
London Eye, London Eye Tips, London Tourist, London Tourist Tips, London Travel
#Klook #LondonEye #LondonTravel #LondonTips #EuropeTravel

I still remember the first time I passed this spot

I still remember the first time I passed this spot when I was at university in London (eeks, 10 years ago!), and it’s still one of those local London gems you could walk right past without realising what’s happening here.

Every summer, Everyman sets up a canal-side cinema in King’s Cross, with free outdoor screenings running from the end of June—and this year there’s something on every day!

📌 Practical bits:

📍 Where: Everyman on the Canal, by Regent’s Canal in King’s Cross

🗓️ When: 29 June to 16 August 2026

🎟️ Tickets: Free and walk-in, no booking needed

🎬 What’s on: Outdoor films, Wimbledon screenings, DJ sets, Q&As and more (Bohemian Rhapsody was on when we went!)

⏰ Tip: Arrive early if you want a good spot on the canal-side steps

🍿 Food & drink: There’s popcorn, snacks and drinks available, or you can make an evening of it around Coal Drops Yard

Have you heard of Everyman on the Canal? SAVE this for your London summer list 📌

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—
Everyman on the Canal, King’s Cross, Things to Do in London, London Things to Do This Summer, Free Things to Do in London, London Summer, London Local Gems, London Hidden Gems
#londonlocalgems #everymanonthecanal #kingscrosslondon #freethingstodoinlondon #londonsummer

ad @burnhambeecheshotel Where to Go for a Girl’s

ad @burnhambeecheshotel Where to Go for a Girl’s Weekend Near London 🏨

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from a spa weekend break near Slough, but Burnham Beeches Hotel & Spa ended up being such a lovely and unexpected little dose of countryside escape.

P.S. Comment REVIEW and I’ll send you my full review of the property—including prices, what to enjoy during a stay and practical tips for booking. ✨

Set in a Georgian country house in Buckinghamshire, this hotel has everything you’d want for a ladies weekend stay—without the trek from London (just hop on the Elizabeth line, followed by a short Uber!). Think afternoon tea, cocktails before dinner, spa R&R and bikes you can take out to Burnham Beeches the next morning.

Practicals:

📍 Burnham Beeches Hotel & Spa, Buckinghamshire // @burnhambeecheshotel

🏨Rooms from £160/night

Would you stay here?

Happy travels,
Candace x

—

Buckinghamshire Hotels, Countryside Hotels Near London, UK Hotel Stays, Spa Hotels Near London, Girls Weekend UK

#burnhambeecheshotel #ukhotels #countrysidehotel #buckinghamshirehotels #spahoteluk

Comment ROMEO, and I’ll send you my full guide t

Comment ROMEO, and I’ll send you my full guide to planning a Stratford-upon-Avon weekend for yourself—with how to get there, where to stay, things to do & my full itinerary! 🇬🇧

Did you know you can visit the town where Shakespeare lived?

Set in the heart of Warwickshire, Stratford-upon-Avon is one of the loveliest UK weekend trips—from Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage to riverside pubs, theatre, Sunday roasts and the UK’s largest home to butterflies 🦋

📌 Quick Trip Bits:

🏨 Stay: @hotelindigosua for a central base in a 16th-century Tudor building.

🇬🇧 Do: Shakespeare’s Birthplace, New Place Gardens, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage @shakespearebtrust, theatre at @thersc, @stratforduponavonbutterfly and explore the riverside.

🍴Eat/drink: The Woodsman at Hotel Indigo for Sunday lunch, Cox’s Yard for riverside drinks, Hooray’s for gelato and Waterside Upmarket if it’s on.

It’s also super walkable, easy to explore over a weekend, and perfect if you’re looking for a historic or bookish UK break with plenty of charm…

Have you been to Stratford-upon-Avon before? SAVE it for your next UK trip 📌

Happy travels,
Candace x

—
Stratford-upon-Avon, Stratford upon Avon itinerary, UK weekend trips, Shakespeare England, UK travel blogger
#stratforduponavon #ukweekendtrip #visitengland #visitwarwickshire #shakespeare

#AD @kef_airport If you’re flying home from Icel

#AD @kef_airport If you’re flying home from Iceland, your trip doesn’t have to end the second you get to the airport ✈️

I spent the day at Keflavík International Airport experiencing The Bless Programme (bless means ‘goodbye’ in Icelandic)—a free series of 30–45 minute mini tours giving travellers one final taste of Iceland before they fly home.

From Icelandic art and design around the airport to local food tastings and a visit to two of Iceland’s most iconic shops, it’s such a smart way to make your final bit of airport time feel like part of the trip.

Next time you’re flying home from Iceland, leave a little extra time at Keflavík Airport and check out The Bless Programme. 🇮🇸

📌 SAVE and let me know if Iceland’s on your list soon!

Happy travels,
Candace x

–
KEF Airport, Iceland Travel Tips, The Bless Programme, Keflavik Airport, Iceland Stopover Tips
#KeflavikAirport #KEFAirport #IcelandTravel #VisitIceland IcelandTips

Afternoon teas are lovely every time, but it’s n

Afternoon teas are lovely every time, but it’s not often I’m surprised by one (I’ve written about 50 at this point!). When it comes to themed afternoon teas, it’s hard to find one quite like this…

(P.S. - Follow for more fabulous London recs ✨)

Hanging out unassumingly on Covent Garden’s Long Acre Street, you’ll find Dim Sum Library. Where you can trade savoury sandwiches for juicy dumplings, thick egg tarts and creamy bubble tea. In other words, if a Cantonese afternoon tea isn’t on your list—it needs to be 🫖🥟

Would you try this afternoon tea?

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—
#afternoontealondon #themedafternoontea

Afternoon Tea Recommendations London, Themed Afternoon Tea London, London Afternoon Tea, Cantonese Afternoon Tea London

ad @greenpeopleuk One thing that somehow never fee

ad @greenpeopleuk One thing that somehow never feels important when you’re packing…until you’re standing in 35°C heat 😅

I’ve personally been using Green People for the last 2 years, and this trip I packed their Scent Free SPF30 and Organic Sun Essentials Set with me. Easy to travel with, natural + organic, and one of those things that becomes a holiday essential very quickly. 🌞

Find them at @greenpeopleuk and make sure to use sunscreen for your next trip!

Happy travels,
Candace x

—
holiday packing, sunscreen for travel, organic sun care, travel essentials #GreenPeople #SPF30 #SunProtection #TravelEssentials

Ready for summer in London? Comment SUN and I’ll

Ready for summer in London? Comment SUN and I’ll send you my full London summer guide to use for the season straight to your DMs—with 35+ of the best things to do, eat, see and book in the city for summer in London before it’s too late. 🌞

From Wimbledon and swimming ponds to rooftop bars, riverside pubs, festivals, parks and seaside day trips (albeit no AC, but that’s another story for another day) London is a spectacular place to spend the season.

Just finished writing up my summer guide to London for 2026, so be sure to give it a read and make the most of all there is to get up to this season.

Are you in London this summer?

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—

London in Summer, Summer in London, Summer in London Things to Do, London Blogger

#londonsummer #summerinlondon #londonblogger

I’ll be honest, my favourite thing about London

I’ll be honest, my favourite thing about London is not its attractions, it’s things like this! The quirky museums, the small bookshops, the independent restaurants. I lived in Greenwich for a short while and never realised I was a 10-minute walk from one of the most charming museums I’ve ever visited. The Fan Museum is home to over 3,500 fans, with a charming café and a great place to lose yourself for an hour before exploring more of the area.

P.S. - Comment GREENWICH and I’ll send you my full guide to the best things to do in the neighbourhood to use for your day out 🏡

Do you prefer the ‘top 10’ things to do in your town or city, or places like this?

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—

London Quirky Museums, London Museums, Fan Museum, London Blogger

#happylondoning #quirkylondon #londonmuseums #londonblogger

Let’s travel London by food! Tonight, we’re go

Let’s travel London by food! Tonight, we’re going to Georgia 🇬🇪

DakaDaka is a modern Georgian restaurant in Mayfair centred around fire-led cooking, Georgian flavours, sharing plates and natural wine. Think khachapuri, khinkali, lobio, pickles and all things cosy, carby, and garlicky…

Here’s what to order:

🍅 Pomidvris Salati — Georgian tomato salad
🥩 Tartari — tartare
🫘 Lobio — Georgian bean stew
🧀 Imeruli Khachapuri — cheese-filled bread from Imereti
🍗 Shkmeruli — Georgian chicken in garlic sauce
🥟 Pork Khinkali — Georgian soup dumplings
🥔 Tapis Kartopili — Georgian-style potatoes
🥒 House Pickles — pickled vegetables

Practicals Bits:

📍10 Heddon Street, London W1B 4BX (Mayfair)
🍴Price: ££

What country do you want to see next?

Happy Londoning 🇬🇧
Candace x

—
#happylondoning #travelbyfood #georgianrestaurantslondon #londonrestaurants londonrestaurant
Georgian Restaurants London, London Restaurant Recommendations, Mayfair Restaurants

You don’t need a car to do a great day trip from

You don’t need a car to do a great day trip from London—here’s a few to save for your next free day in the UK 🚂🇬🇧

🏛️ OXFORD

How to get there: Take direct train from London Paddington or Marylebone Station to Oxford, usually around 1 hour.

Things to do: Explore the historic university buildings, visit the Bodleian Library, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford Botanic Garden, Christ Church for the Harry Potter bits, and climb St Mary’s Tower for city views.

Tip: Book popular college visits in advance, especially Christ Church.

🛶 CAMBRIDGE

How to get there: Direct train from King’s Cross Station to Cambridge, usually around 1 hour–1 hour 15 minutes.

Things to do: Wander the historic colleges, visit the Fitzwilliam Museum, explore Cambridge Botanic Garden, browse Market Square, and go punting on the River Cam.

Tip: If you don’t go punting, still leave time to sit by the river and watch the punts go by!

🌊 WHITSTABLE

How to get there: Direct train from London Victoria to Whitstable, around 1 hour 25 minutes.

Things to do: Wander the high street, eat oysters by the harbour, walk along the beach huts at Tankerton, and finish with cream tea at Whitstable Castle.

Tip: Bring layers—even on a sunny day, the coast can get breezy…

☀️ DURDLE DOOR

How to get there: Take the train from London Waterloo to Wool, then a 5-10 min Jurassic Breezer bus to Durdle Door.

Things to do: See Durdle Door, walk the Jurassic Coast, add Lulworth Cove, have beach time, and stop at The Ship Inn near Wool Station if you have time before heading back.

Tip: Wear proper walking shoes—the cliff paths are gorgeous, but there’s definitely an incline.

For full guides, head to candaceabroad.com and type in the destination you want to visit—I’ve got full blog posts for each with transport, costs, things to do and extra tips. 🇬🇧

Which one is top of your list?

Happy travels,
Candace x

—
Day Trips from London, London Day Trips Without a Car, UK Day Trips, Oxford Day Trip, Cambridge Day Trip, Whitstable Day Trip, Durdle Door from London

#londondaytrips #daytripsfromlondon #uktravel #visitengland

Kew is so much more than just Kew Gardens. A leafy

Kew is so much more than just Kew Gardens. A leafy South West London village that’s well worth spending a slow, lovely day in—think world-class gardens, independent shops, cosy cafés, local pubs, pretty corners and an easy journey towards Richmond or Hampton Court Palace if you want to keep exploring. Here’s everything to get up to ⬇️🏡

Comment GUIDE and I’ll send you my full Kew neighbourhood guide—including things to do beyond Kew Gardens (and in Kew Gardens), café, restaurant, lovely pubs and independent shop recommendations, nearby walks and extra ideas to make a proper day exploring the neighbourhood.

Have you been to Kew?

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—
Kew, Kew Village Kew Gardens, London Neighbourhoods, London Neighborhoods, Local London

#londonneighbourhoods #londonneighborhoods #londonareas #kewvillage #locallondon

Minus Target ✨ — American in Europe, American

Minus Target ✨

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American in Europe, American in London, US in #usvsuk #usvseurope #americanintheuk
#americanineurope

SAVE this for your spring Europe bucket list 🌷🏰 or comment SPRING for my full guide to visiting Groot-Bijgaarden Castle—including how to get there from Brussels, when to visit, what to see and practical tips for planning your trip.

Groot-Bijgaarden Castle is one of the loveliest spring day trips near Brussels—and quite the hidden gem (without the fanfare of Keukenhof).

Every year, this private Belgian castle opens its gardens to the public for Floralia Brussels, with tulip beds, spring flower displays, castle views, a moat, bridge, café and gorgeous photo spots throughout the grounds.

P.S. It’s finished for this year, but it usually runs for one month from early April to early May, so save this for next spring if you’re planning a Belgium trip. 🇧🇪

Practical Bits:

📍 Groot-Bijgaarden Castle, Belgium

🚆 Around 30–35 minutes from Brussels by train

⏰ Save around 2 hours to visit + a short time to explore Groot-Bijgaarden village

🌷 Best for: tulips, spring flowers, castle views and a quieter alternative to Europe’s bigger spring gardens

📌 SAVE for next year and let me know if you’ll be adding Groot-Bijgaarden Castle to your bucket list!

Happy travels,
Candace x

—
Groot-Bijgaarden Castle, Floralia Brussels, Belgium Spring Travel, Brussels Day Trip, Tulips in Europe, Europe Spring Travel, Belgium Hidden Gems

#grootbijgaarden #floraliabrussels #belgiumtravel #brusselsdaytrip #springineurope

Comment STAY and I’ll send you my full guide to

Comment STAY and I’ll send you my full guide to staying at Bodysgallen Hall & Spa—including the history of the house, what to enjoy during your stay, nearby things to do and practical tips for booking. 🏨

And to my Welsh followers, let me know how I did on pronunciation…

Bodysgallen Hall & Spa is one of those rare hotels where the stay itself feels like the trip. A National Trust-owned 17th-century country house in North Wales, set within over 200 acres of parkland and gardens, with views towards Snowdonia and Conwy Castle.

Practicals:

📍 Bodysgallen Hall & Spa, The Royal Welsh Way, Llandudno, North Wales LL30 1RS // @bodysgallenhall

🏨 Double rooms from £300 per night, including full Welsh breakfast, spa use (pool, steam room, gym, sauna), free Wi-Fi and access to the grounds

Perfect for a slower long weekend stay in North Wales.

Would you stay here?

Happy travels,
Candace x

—
Bodysgallen Hall, North Wales Hotels, Historic Hotels Wales, National Trust Hotels, Country House Hotel, Spa Hotels Wales, UK Hotel Stays

#historichousehotels #bodysgallenhall #waleshotels #countryhousehotel #ukhotels

📍How to Spend a Beautiful Day in Notting Hill

📍How to Spend a Beautiful Day in Notting Hill

Comment HUGH, and I’ll send you my full Notting Hill guide—with more things to do, places to eat, pretty streets, pubs, bars and hidden bits worth knowing. 🇬🇧

If you’re looking for a London neighbourhood with colourful houses, brilliant food, independent shopping and lots of lovely little corners to wander—Notting Hill is always worth a day out.

Here’s how I’d spend it:

🥞 Start with brunch at @sundayinbrooklyn_ldn or @farmgirlcafe

🛍️ Wander over to@portobellomarketofficial for vintage finds, antiques, independent shops and general Notting Hill people-watching

🏡 Take a little detour down the side streets for the colourful houses—Lancaster Road, Colville Terrace and Elgin Crescent are all lovely

🎬 Pop by the @nottinghillbookshop on Blenheim Crescent for a little Notting Hill movie moment (or see a real one at @electriccinemas nearby)

🏛️ Visit the @museumofbrands for something a bit different and nostalgic

📚 Browse the local bookshops—Lutyens & Rubinstein’s is a favourite, or @saucybooks if you’re feeling a cheeky read

🌿 Walk over to @hollandpark, especially if the tulips are out, and don’t miss Kyoto Garden while you’re there

🍽️ End with dinner at @barbarylondon for divine dishes inspired by North Africa and a very lovely local neighbourhood feel

Would you spend a day in Notting Hill?

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—
Notting Hill, Notting Hill London, London neighbourhood guide, West London things to do, London area guides, Portobello Road Market, London blogger

#nottinghill #nottinghilllondon #londonneighbourhoods #westlondon #londonblogger

Just a woman who loves city living 🖊️✨ —

Just a woman who loves city living 🖊️✨

—
#londonlife #londondiaries #londonblogger

ad Found a new recommendation for dating in London

ad Found a new recommendation for dating in London 🇬🇧especially if you’re tired of endless messaging that never quite turns into an actual date—cue True Dating…

I’m always looking for genuinely useful London resources, and True Dating is absolutely one to check out. They run weekly (often sell out) speed dating events across the city that are super relaxed & well organised, grouped by age, and designed to make meeting people feel a little more straightforward.

Comment CITY, and I’ll send you my full guide to speed dating in London, what to expect, and whether it might actually be right for you (or head to candaceabroad.com/speed-dating-london).

Ready to find the best speed dating in London for you? Browse their upcoming events directly via True Dating here: truedating.co.uk/events to make the next one! ✨

Happy Londoning x
Candace x
—
Speed Dating London, London Life, Dating in London
#movingtolondon #londonlife #datinginlondon #speeddatinglondon #thingstodoinlondon

Whether you want to or not, we all end up at Oxfor

Whether you want to or not, we all end up at Oxford Street at one point or another (for last-minute Zara skirts mainly), but that doesn’t mean you need to eat at a tourist trap, here’s 3 lovely and local restaurants just off Oxford Street worth a post-shopping sit-down🍴

📍 Firebird // 29 Poland Street, W1F 8QR
🗺️ Around a 5 minute walk from Oxford Circus

A woman-owned, open-fire Mediterranean restaurant on Poland Street, perfect if you love small plates, wood-fired cooking and a really good wine list. Recommend their orange wine, Devon crab and pork chops with apple mustard.

📍Noreen // 28–32 St Christopher’s Place, W1U 1NJ
🗺️ Around 10 minutes from Oxford Circus / 2 minutes from Bond Street

Tucked away in St Christopher’s Place, serving Middle Eastern dishes inspired by the Arabian Peninsula and the Levant, with mezze, flatbreads, grilled dishes and cocktails. Recommend their Kabab Laham and their Cardamom bun with date butter (best I’ve ever had).

📍 Taverna Ermou // 38–40 James Street, W1U 1EU
🗺️ Around 10 minutes from Oxford Circus / 3 minutes from Bond Street

A rustic Greek taverna on James Street from the ERGON team, bringing the feel of an Athenian neighbourhood restaurant to Marylebone. You would never believe it’s this close to one of London’s most touristy streets. Recommend their pita bread, Spanakopita dip, their Prawn saganaki, Crab giouvetsi pasta and grilled Soutzoukakia. And perhaps their Galaktoboureko (Warm phyllo) for dessert…

SAVE for your next Oxford Street shopping day 🛍️

Happy Londoning,
Candace x

—
London Restaurants, Oxford Street Restaurants, Where to Eat in London, London Food Guide, London Food Spots, Marylebone Restaurants, Soho Restaurants

#londonrestaurants #oxfordstreet #londonfoodguide #londonfoodspots londoneats

#ad @klook_usa Europe summer travel is gorgeous…

#ad @klook_usa Europe summer travel is gorgeous…but it’s absolutely not the season to be winging every booking ✈️

If you’re planning a trip right now, this is your sign to get the key bits sorted early—especially for trains, popular attractions, day trips, and anything with limited availability. Here’s how to do it all in one app with Klook ⬇️📌

1️⃣ 📍Pick your route
2️⃣ 🚆Check your transport options
3️⃣ 🎟️ Book the attractions you really care about
4️⃣ 🗓️ Add any day trips or experiences
5️⃣ 💸 Check for Europe summer deals before paying full price

It’s so useful for having all your travel plans in one place instead of jumping between a million different tabs.
Plus you can get up to 40% off selected bookings for Europe summer deals 🌞so more budget for gelato ✨

Be sure to book on Klook for your next Europe trip 🌍

Happy travels,
Candace x
–
Summer in Europe Planning, Summer in Europe, Europe Summer, Europe Travel
#KlookPartner #KlookKreator #EuropeTravel

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