Take Twelve Trips is a travel challenge I personally took on to maximise my travel plans and see the world. I needed this challenge to get motivated to travel more often whilst the conditions (single, no kids) were favourable. I am glad I did because at 30 years old I have been to more than 30 countries and over 35 cities. Many people ask me how I manage to travel so often, and no I don’t have no sugar daddy either. If you find one, send him my way, I am low maintenance and require no contact. But on a serious note, I manage to travel as often as I do due to planning and researching. I recently shared why being broke is the best time to travel, well not completely skint but low on money.
Take Twelve Trips January 2018 #2
Our recent adventure was Toulouse, a French city and capital of the Occitane region in south-west of France. It is known as the pink city because of the red bricks used way back when to building the city. I planned this trip as a surprise to my parents who are celebrating 30 years of marriage this year. Toulouse is nothing like Paris, it is a unique large village with everything in close proximity to Le Capitole.
We spent just over 48 hours in this glorious city and we feel we need more time to explore. We’ve already started to make plans for our next adventure in Toulouse in warmer weather. Day 1 we had a jam-packed day, 3am wake up for a 4.30am drive to the airport. The flight was 7am, we arrived in Toulouse after 10am, caught the bus to the centre of the city. Pure tiredness resulted in a short taxis ride to the hotel. We stayed at Hotel Albert 1er, a three star hotel which is a few minutes walk to Le Capitole.
After check in it wasn’t long before it was lunch time but due to tiredness my parents opted to order in. Then went on a guided tour of Toulouse which was incredible, we learnt so much about the city’s history. We then went off walking around before heading back to the hotel for a quick nap before dinner. For dinner we ate at Les Cosmopolitain a Tapas bar which is very lively with great atmosphere. After an hour we left for another short walk before heading to the hotel for a much-needed rest.
A Museum kind of Day
Day 2 started with breakfast at the hotel before we went off to Hugo market for a lovely nose around. As it was raining all morning and parts of the afternoon we opted to make it a museum kind of day. From Hugo Market we walked to Musee des Augustine were we spent an hour which wasn’t enough. But we had to leave as we had a reservation for lunch at Les Caves De La Marechale. We enjoyed an incredible lunch here and definitely recommend it, the decor was divine.
After lunch we continued on museums and went off to Musee Paul-Dupuy were we got fascinated with time. We weren’t sure what to expect but we absolutely enjoyed our visit. Afterwards we went off to The Natural history museum which is a short walk from Musee Paul-Dupuy. Three hours later and by this time it got dark so we made our way back to the hotel. But this was after we did a spot of shopping in the centre of Toulouse with incredible sales.
After shopping we heard back to the hotel via the longest route we could find so we got to see more of the city. Arriving at the hotel we were shuttered as we walked everywhere, it was raining and cold most of the day. Hotel Albert 1er has the best and comfiest beds ever so it was easy to roll into bed and order room service.
Au Revoir Toulouse
Day 3 was another early riser, we had breakfast at 7am and I had booked airport transfer with Blacklane for 8am. The ride to the airport was short but it was one we enjoyed, I booked the business car and it was awesome. The driver arrived on time, I was emailed and texted before and after the pick up, a great service.
Before long we were back on the flight home but not without doing some retail therapy in duty-free. As this trip was about treating my parents, I made sure to buy them whatever they needed. I can tell you they are very excited about the next trip they are joining me on, Tuscany Italy.
Whilst I may have stumbled upon Toulouse – the pink city by accident, I am glad I did. The city is beautiful, people are kind and very helpful and always with a smile. The food was incredible and can not recommend it enough.
Next Trip: Antwerp, Belgium 🇧🇪
Disclosure: This was a press trip in collaboration with Toulouse Tourism.
Jessica Taylor says
Wow! Such a beautiful place! I wish I could take one trip, much less 12 haha!
Kiwi says
It must be a lot of places to travel in Europe for cheap. 12 trip in jan…did you make it???
Ruth I. says
Well I think you must give yourself a pat on the back for living your life at its fullest. This is my dream but I still can’t manage to do because of so many reasons.
Anatoliy Simeonov says
Thank you for the sharing this travel trips with us. I love traveling on budget. Congratulations on the well done job.
Dee Jaye says
This sounds like it was such an amazing trip. I would love to try the same route one day.
Angela Milnes says
I could use a fun trip like this. This is my travel year for sure!
David E says
It sounds like you had an amazing trip. I am definitely curious as to how you accompllish that on a tight budget. I have heard good things about Tolouse as well. I would love to go see it sometime.
Anosa says
Over the last two year I have learned to maximise my money when I travel, with a lot of planning and researching
mail4rosey says
I love that you tout traveling while on a strict budget. I’d love to start traveling again. Time and money seem to be short right now.
Anosa says
Traveling on a budget does take some getting used to but it is also once mastered
Suzanne Spiegoski-Decamps says
You’re making excited to travel soon! I once sat next to a man on the plane that was from Toulouse. Sweet music professor.
Anosa says
Awww how lovely, I I enjoyed my Toulouse visit
Lavanda Michelle says
You’re such an inspiration to travel! If I had enough time to travel I would. The twelve trip challenge sounds amazing.
Anosa says
Awww thank you Lavanda, you’ve made my day
Sarah Bailey says
It sounds like you had an amazing time in Toulouse, I would absolutely LOVE to check out the museum, there is something that always draws me into such places.
Anosa says
I did thank you Sarah, these days I am appreciating the museums more now than before
Kayleigh Marler says
I love that you mentioned traveling while “broke.” That’s usually the reason behind many people who want to travel not being able to do so. You’re a great example of not letting this life escape you!
Anosa says
Aww thank you Kayleigh, traveling broke can be challenging at best but with a little planning it is doable
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says
You always make me want to travel! My oldest is on her way out the house, and my youngest is being homeschooled, we should totally travel more!
Liz Mays says
Spending your second day browsing the museums sounded so nice. I think I’d have to plan a day like that if I was visiting Toulouse.
Amber says
Yes! I just love going through markets. You never know what you’ll find. Your posts always make me want to travel. I get to travel in the summer, but we’re just going to Ohio. One day I’d love to go back to France with my daughter.
Anosa says
Travel home or abroad is still travel and I hope you have an incredible time
Blanca N Valbuena says
I really like your philosophy, no time like today. I love France, but I haven’t been to Toulouse yet, maybe it’s time I scheduled a trip. Thanks for the inspiration.
Anosa says
Thank you, I have the time and resources now so its important to live in the now
Stephanie says
This looks lovely and how fun to explore somewhere new each month. What a great year!
Kara says
Toulouse looks incredible and would never have thought of visiting there. I am so guilty of heading to the bigger cities
Stella Kashmoney says
I wish I travelled a lot more before the kiddies slowed me down. Enjoy the freedom now.
Ana De Jesus says
Haha I am with you, if anyone can find a sugar daddy then send one our way! But on another note I like the ‘Twelve trips’ challenge that you have set yourself and how it has encouraged you to see more of the world, even whilst being on a budget!
Ami Rose says
That sounds like an amazing challenge to set yourself and Toulouse sounds fantastic. I’d love to be able to visit more places this year. I’ve set myself a “spa day/weekend a month” challenge this year and just been on my first one.
Ami xxx
Searchingforspice says
I love France and love the sound of Toulouse! I definitely agree that you have to travel while you can. My husband and I went to a few exotic places but now we’ve got children we can’t go far for the next few years.
Talya Stone says
I’ve never been to Toulouse but it sounds really charming – I love the sound of the market and the museum.
themoneyshed says
Looks like you had a fantastic time here. It’s amazing what places you can find that aren’t always so obvious when you are visiting a city as a tourist.
jessica says
It looks like such a fantastic place to visit I really So wish that I had done more traveling pre children
Katy Stevens says
I think if you’re low on money it probably encourages you to look around more, head off the beaten track more and see how you can get the best value for your money. I like to live like that all the time, even when I’m financially sound.
30 years of marriage is such an achievement for your parents!