The tranquil and measured perfection of Kenroku-en left me stunned. As I stood in awe of each balanced branch and mossy root, I felt as if time had frozen and all hints of chaos had slipped from my mind.
Author Archives: Nic Freeman
Kimono Fever in Kyoto
The vibrant scene of kimonos at Kyoto’s Kiyomizu-dera Temple were as striking as the 17th Century pagoda, making it an exciting scene for travel photography.
For The Love of Paris: a photowalk
It’s a perfect Parisian evening. A light breeze dances through the Jardin Du Luxembourg with the sweetness of red and purple blossoms. Tanned bodies sprawl across the lawn; bare skin against electric green. Little white triangles tack across the glossy fountain pond as children run alongside with sailors’ glee. Powder-green chairs sit in messy clusters;ContinueContinue reading “For The Love of Paris: a photowalk”
Best bushwalks around Brisbane
With the passing of city-dwelling days, I ache for the steady stomp of the track, for the calming flutter of canopy leaves. Read about some of my favourite national parks for walking in the Brisbane surrounds.
More Melbourne Eats
Melbourne is a joy for the senses; a vibrant, food-loving, coffee-fueled city that celebrates dining with creativity and care. Here’s a handful of delightful Melbourne eats discovered in my recent adventures. Movida Next Door Entering the small space of Movida Next Door inspires the same passionate buzz as a late-night Spanish bar. Waiting with aContinueContinue reading “More Melbourne Eats”
Idyllic Croatia: A photo walk through memories
Croatia lives in my memory as a pristine natural beauty and a nation of warm hospitality. When running my not-so-short list of ‘favourite’ travel destinations , Croatia always seems to feature. And often, in moments of wishing I was far, far away, the mental images of Croatia sail into view, bringing with them a drifting kind ofContinueContinue reading “Idyllic Croatia: A photo walk through memories”
A Photo Drive Around Wanaka, New Zealand
The air is still like winter. Alpine blues soften ice-bitten brown and gravel-grey mountains. Long lakes like mirrors line the valleys. Woodfire smoke rises to meet low cloud. Sitting in the passenger seat, I’m in awe of the natural scenery and glad of hiring a car. I’m an adventurer on wheels; an intrepid spirit inContinueContinue reading “A Photo Drive Around Wanaka, New Zealand”
Arriving in Queenstown, New Zealand
Alpine air smacks my cheeks as I step onto the tarmac. A curtain of blue-grey mountains encircles the airport and I’m suddenly aware: this is a majestic land. It’s my first time in New Zealand and the start of a one-week encounter that leaves me longing for more time to roam the captivating wilderness ofContinueContinue reading “Arriving in Queenstown, New Zealand”
Travel Moments: Deep winter in Tromsø, Norway
The crush of snow underfoot echoes in the deep winter of Tromsø. All other sounds sleep under a white, white blanket, waiting for the sun to rise in six weeks time.I am most intrigued by the pale sky. It fades between hues of blue and grey. That faraway sun, suspended below the horizon, would beContinueContinue reading “Travel Moments: Deep winter in Tromsø, Norway”
Melbourne Weekender: Foody Happiness in Australia’s Cultural Capital
The creative pulse of Melbourne stirs giddy dreams of urban adventures. With every visit, I find myself enchanted by vibrant street art and tipsy with the rush of cultural possibilities. Melbourne inspires laneway fever, strolls down wide streets, tours of history-rich buildings and skipping through crisp autumn leaves. The city calls for late night explorationsContinueContinue reading “Melbourne Weekender: Foody Happiness in Australia’s Cultural Capital”
A Photo Walk in Melbourne, Australia
Crisp leaves scrape along the windy path. Coffee grind scents the morning air. A dog dressed in tartan trots next to a lady in black. I’m as comfortable here, walking camera-in-hand, as I’ve been anywhere in the world. Melbourne is cold and exciting. It inspires creative footsteps. It urges me to capture the quirks ofContinueContinue reading “A Photo Walk in Melbourne, Australia”
Travel Moments: Walking the Camino de Santiago
The path stretched over the hill to the horizon. There was nothing but a trail through patchwork green. Head down, I focused on the grit of the soil, the drips off my limbs and the splash underfoot. The approaching storm dampened the light, dampened my damp and weary will. And all I could hear wasContinueContinue reading “Travel Moments: Walking the Camino de Santiago”
Travel. Food. Photo. France.
Eating in France is a sensual, indulgent, near-sacred experience. Inspired by the French people, who seem to be captivated by their food, absorbing it rather than merely ingesting it, visitors will find their senses enlivened, their culinary imaginations fulfilled and their palates warmed to the finer delights of occasional dinning. Accompanying the familiar features ofContinueContinue reading “Travel. Food. Photo. France.”
The Joys of French Champagne
Alighting to a crisp autumn vista of neat vineyards and floral tones was precisely what my wander-lusting heart had imagined for Champagne-Ardenne. On first impressions, the French province so well known for its exclusive and decadent sparkling whites, is a countryside dream of lavender, daisies and carefully tended cottages all in a row. With theContinueContinue reading “The Joys of French Champagne”
Words About Home
There are times when this big, boisterous world is just too great to absorb. My mind can’t expand across the oceans and peaks, nor bridge gaps between cultures and hearts. There are too many strange and confronting things to voice in one breath; too many miraculous places for a single dream; and too many harshContinueContinue reading “Words About Home”
Travel Moments: Walking the Hills of Sapa, Vietnam
Rice paddies glisten through the mountain mist as I weave into the valley below. Beyond the haze, I hear Hmong voices chattering as they trace a well-worn trail; I glimpse dark figures treading between the clouds, wicker baskets of produce strapped to their back on the way to market. I was enchanted by this northernContinueContinue reading “Travel Moments: Walking the Hills of Sapa, Vietnam”
Travel. Food. Photo. Berlin.
Eclectic like its culture, full of flavour like its people, I found the food of Berlin bloomed from a welcomed suite of cuisines at joyfully affordable prices. As I mentioned in my A Week In Berlin post, I was happy to be greeted with the multicultural spectrum the tastebuds in Germany’s creative capital. Unlike otherContinueContinue reading “Travel. Food. Photo. Berlin.”
Travel Reads: Top 10 posts on nicfreeman.com
Looking for some travel inspiration? Perhaps a little reading on a rainy day? As I sit indoors, confined by the wild rain beyond the window pane, I thought this would be a great opportunity to share the top 10 posts of all time on nicfreeman.com Top 10 Tips for Travelling Stockholm, Sweden Rainbows and MistContinueContinue reading “Travel Reads: Top 10 posts on nicfreeman.com”
A Week In Berlin: Exploring Germany’s Creative Capital
The mere mention of Berlin is often enough to conjure thoughts of street art, underground music and offbeat urban adventures. Such associations fit quite nicely with my concept of the ideal city, so I made my way back to Berlin in September to emerge myself in the creative city for a second time. I cameContinueContinue reading “A Week In Berlin: Exploring Germany’s Creative Capital”
Gratitude for a Wonderful Year of Travel Adventures – 2012
As we wander into another new year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on 2012 adventures, and to thank you, my lovely readers, for sharing my journey. For me, 2012 was about realising dreams: my dream of travelling Europe for months and my dream of working as a travel writer. While I amContinueContinue reading “Gratitude for a Wonderful Year of Travel Adventures – 2012”
A Photo Walk in Berlin
Gritty and colourful, sweet and rough, the streets of Berlin offer many curiosities for the aimless wanderer to consider. Whether it’s the street art that Germany’s creative capital is so famous for, the charming blossoms that dress cafe table tops, or the grand monuments that represent a rich and dark history, there is no doubtingContinueContinue reading “A Photo Walk in Berlin”
Travel. Food. Photo. Croatia.
Of all the places I travelled this year, Croatia was perhaps the most unexpected to enter my ‘amazing country for food’ list. From previous travels, I had known to expect plentiful seafood by the Adriatic and Italian influences gracing the hearty Eastern European cuisine, but I now know my first trip to Croatia revealed onlyContinueContinue reading “Travel. Food. Photo. Croatia.”
Travel Moments: Camping in Wadi Rum, Jordan
October 2010 This morning I woke to a pale blue sky, a cool desert breeze and red sand stretching as far as my little eyes could see. For a moment, between sleep and the new day, I thought I was dreaming. But my mind came around to my thin mattress on the still-warm sand andContinueContinue reading “Travel Moments: Camping in Wadi Rum, Jordan”
Everything Homemade in Petrinja, Croatia
A soft thud from the front of the house signals the fall of another petite red apple on the driveway. Our gracious host, Senad, had apologised for the scattered obstacles underfoot as we arrived from Zagreb at dusk, but we politely shushed him, secretly delighted with the novelty of freshly-fallen fruit. After a warm welcomeContinueContinue reading “Everything Homemade in Petrinja, Croatia”
A Photo Walk in Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
Aquamarine lakes are fringed with mossy veins and sunshine-dappled woodlands in Croatia’s natural treasure, Plitvice Lakes National Park. Covering almost 300 km2 , and comprising 16 lakes, Plitvice is the largest of Croatia’s eight national parks and was the first established, back in 1949. As well as being just generally amazing, with its (hiding) brownContinueContinue reading “A Photo Walk in Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia”
Sunny Adventures on the Island of Pag, Croatia
Beating down on the lunar landscape, shimmering across the Adriatic, the sunshine on Croatia’s island of Pag makes the world seem ever-bright. Time on the Pag syncs with the idyllic sway of the sea and the long road stretches through rocks, vineyards and groves to reveal an island of wholesome delights. We ventured to PagContinueContinue reading “Sunny Adventures on the Island of Pag, Croatia”
Travel Moments: Bathing in the Nam Ou in Laos
Returning to Australia after nine months of travelling has been a bittersweet transition. The joys of reuniting with loved ones and the comforts of a reliably clean bed and shower have been peppered with pangs of panic as I face the blunt honesty of domestic routine and real-world responsibilities. While I’m a little sad to realiseContinueContinue reading “Travel Moments: Bathing in the Nam Ou in Laos”
Surprises on Losinj, Croatia’s Island of Vitality
Finding myself floating in tepid jade sea off Lošinj, Croatia’s self-dubbed “island of vitality”, was a bit of a surprise. We had always planned to spend time relaxing in the northern islands of Croatia’s Adriatic Sea, but with every blog post and travel guide read about Croatia’s glorious island options, we felt more spoilt forContinueContinue reading “Surprises on Losinj, Croatia’s Island of Vitality”
4 Quiet Delights in Istria, Croatia
Happily nestled between Italy and Slovenia, jutting into the the Adriatic Sea, Croatia’s peninsula of Istria has some impressive neighbours to compete with in the tourism stakes. But with the region’s rich cache of truffles, vineyards and farmlands supplying some of the most notable culinary experiences in the country, and with natural beauty worth wowingContinueContinue reading “4 Quiet Delights in Istria, Croatia”
Nature’s Playground Around Bled, Slovenia: Part Two – Canyoning
Of all the outdoor adventures I imagined myself having in the alpine wilderness of Slovenia, flinging myself down a rock cliff into icy water was not one of them. But, as travelling has taught me time and time again, it’s often the adventures you least expect that deliver the biggest thrills. The conscious effort neededContinueContinue reading “Nature’s Playground Around Bled, Slovenia: Part Two – Canyoning”
Nature’s Playground Around Bled, Slovenia: Part One – Emerald River Adventure
From the highest mountain pass in Slovenia, the world is a soothing spectrum of hinterland greens, precipice blues and alpine whites. Here, in the northern corner of Slovenia, beside the Italian and Austrian borders, silence drifts between the rugged pine slopes of Triglav National Park and the glimmering limestone peaks of the Julian Alps. ItContinueContinue reading “Nature’s Playground Around Bled, Slovenia: Part One – Emerald River Adventure”
Travel. Food. Photo. Slovenia.
The food of Slovenia is bold and wholesome, like its people, like its land. It is made with heart and designed to banish the alpine chill. It promotes meat and potatoes to lead roles in almost every meal and lets fresh fruit and vegetables show their backyard spirit with little adornment. I wasn’t sure whatContinueContinue reading “Travel. Food. Photo. Slovenia.”
A Photo Walk in Ljubljana, Slovenia
Walking the calm streets of Slovenia’s capital city, Ljubljana, is a bit like taking a stroll through a modern-day fairytale. The stoic stone castle perched above the river-laced city sets the tone for sure, but it’s the calm, cobbled streets, sunflowers, pinwheels and flower pots that sunny-up the scene and urge the body to skipContinueContinue reading “A Photo Walk in Ljubljana, Slovenia”
8 Tips for Enjoying the Loveliness of Venice, Italy
The hypnotic dance of pale sunlight on the smooth columns of Ca D’Oro was enough to convince me that visiting Venice would be a lovely experience. I had questioned our timing, in the height of summer and tourist peak, and wondered if the small archipelago system might be spoilt by too many tour groups andContinueContinue reading “8 Tips for Enjoying the Loveliness of Venice, Italy”
Delightful Dining in Bologna & Parma, Italy
If there is one thing you must do when in Italy, it is eat…and oh, what a chore it is! The Italians are experts at offering regional specialties, quality ingredients and simple elegance on a plate. They are also wonderfully good at nailing that heart-winning combination of incredible food and indulgent yet casual dining experiences,ContinueContinue reading “Delightful Dining in Bologna & Parma, Italy”
A Week in Florence: The Pleasures of Italy’s Renaissance City
A week in Florence is a fabulous way to test your dedication to your travel budget. Although hosting its share of tourist traps, overpriced dining and luxury shopping, the real threat to your bottom line is the tempting suite of wine bars, restaurants, boutiques and gelatarias in the historical centre of Italy’s Renaissance city. IContinueContinue reading “A Week in Florence: The Pleasures of Italy’s Renaissance City”
Travel. Food. Photo. Italy.
My month in Italy was an adventure centred around eating – regularly, indulgently, eating. As a result, this edition of Travel. Food. Photo. is kinda epic. I just had to taste all the glorious flavours that have radiated from this relatively small country and influenced deliciousness across the world. Each region of Italy offers specialtyContinueContinue reading “Travel. Food. Photo. Italy.”
Nic Freeman 