So as the school holidays have arrived I have lots of free time on my hands. All of the girls have either gone home or are off travelling , leaving me alone for most of the holidays before I head off to Austria next week. I decided to book a little trip to break the week up and so booked a night away in Avignon. This was the first time that I had actually travelled on my own so I was excited to see how it would go. I got up nice and early on Wednesday morning and headed for the train station to catch my train. It was cheaper to travel in 1st class in the TGV so I thought why not, my first time in 1st class and I have to say it was very nice. Everything was going to plan until some truck decided to get stuck on the bridge meaning we couldn’t pass and so making the train delayed by 20 minutes. Normally I wouldn’t mind this I mean these things happen but when you only have a 15 minute connecting time between your two trains this makes it a little difficult, needless to say I missed the next train. This meant I had to book on to the next one which wasn’t for an hour and a half although the bright-side was that the lady booked me in 1st class again on the TGV which was great. I grabbed a muffin and a drink in Marseille as I waited to continue my journey. Finally 2 trains later and 2 hours later than planned I arrived in Avignon.

Walking into the city walls from the station I got a very good feel about the city. I was a little early for checking into my hotel so I stopped in to a restaurant called Tost which I had seen when I looked up places to eat. You can get toasted sandwiches ( you would never have guessed from the name right) and also salads and then they do amazing juices. I had a toasted sandwich with mozzarella , tomato sauce and pesto and then a gorgeous juice. Sitting in the sun having my lunch was a great way to start my trip. Then I headed to my hotel to check in. I was staying in Hotel Central , a 3 star hotel right on the main street. It was lovely as you walk through a little courtyard to get to the hotel and then my room was on the top floor. It was small but perfect and had everything I need for my short trip. I changed and freshened up and then headed out to explore Avignon.

I headed to the Palais des Papes, and the Rocher des Doms to explore. The Rocher des Doms is a lovely park which as you walk up gives you a lovely view all over Avignon and also of the Point d’Avignon as well. I then headed into the Palais des Papes which I had to pay for but at €9 it wasn’t too bad and it was impressive walking around all the different rooms and learning why so many popes called Avignon home in the past. After this I headed to explore and wander the streets and I also headed into some museums. Many of the museums were free for the week so I took full advantage and gazed at many pieces of art. After exploring some more I headed back to the hotel to relax for a bit and get freshened up to head out for dinner. I head to Place de l’Horloge as there were a few restaurants and lots of people and being alone I thought it would be nice and have a little atmosphere. Eating alone is a little weird and it takes hardly any time but it was all good, I had pizza (what’s new) and then there was nothing on the dessert menu that caught my eye so I just headed back to the hotel. I saw a bakery open on my way back so stopped in to grab a cake to eat curled up in bed watching television.

Thursday morning I was up early to have breakfast, which was your typical french buffet style with fresh bread , fruit and croissants. After this I checked out and head to explore for a little bit more before I had to head and get my train home. I headed to the Petit Palais museum which again was free for the day which was great. Then I just wandered around the streets stopping into a restaurant called Vivtto which was recommended to me by a friend for a mousse au chocolat and a juice as I wasn’t very hungry. Then it was time to hop on the train back  and this time it was direct which was great. When we arrived I had 10 minutes until the next bus which was grand although then someone was parked where the bus comes out and the bus hit them so there was a big hulabaloo and all the information had to be exchanged so we ended up getting off the bus and waiting to get the next one which was in a half an hour. It was a little annoying as all I wanted to do was get home. I eventually got there and spent the evening relaxing.

Although my trip was short and sweet it was lovely. For my first real solo adventure it was perfect and it definitely showed me that travelling alone can be fun and not scary at all. It certainly won’t be the last time I book a solo trip. I also vlogged my trip which you can watch here.

Emma

xx