A lifelong traveller.
An itinerary obsessive.
I’m Cindy. I plan my own trips the long way, then turn the ones that work into ready escapes — for people with more taste than time.
Friends who saw my trips started saying I should sell the itineraries. They noticed I end up in good places. Escapes by Cindy is that work, written down — day-by-day plans you can follow without doing the hours.
- From France, then London at 18, Australia at 26. Sunshine Coast now.
- Languages English every day. French when I call family.
- Map About 70 countries. Every continent except Antarctica.
A school trip to England at fifteen is the one that made me want to see the world. Five months backpacking Australia on my own is the one that made me sure I could.
How I travel
Boutique, quiet, original travel means places with character — authentic to the destination — and a way through popular spots that isn’t always with the crowds. It does not have to be expensive or completely off the beaten track. It has to feel like yours.
Give me a small locally owned hotel in a walkable neighbourhood, an early start at a famous landmark, then an afternoon wandering side streets. I am not racing through five countries in ten days. I am not ticking a list because everyone else did. Luxury for its own sake does not interest me — I would rather spend on a beautiful place, a real experience, or a meal I will remember.
I like a plan. Then I like room to wander.
How I work
I don’t stop at the first blog or ChatGPT list. I cross-check reviews, videos, maps, and logistics until I would book it myself.
What you find in a guide is there because I think it is the right place — I loved it, or I researched it until I would send my own holiday there. Not because anyone paid for the mention. When I have stayed somewhere, I say so. When I have researched a route I have not walked yet, I say that too.
I will not recommend animal tourism. Wildlife belongs in the wild.
I research my research, so you don’t have to.
The map
Where I have been.
Every continent except Antarctica.
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Belize
- Bolivia
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Cambodia
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Cook Islands
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- Estonia
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- French Polynesia
- Germany
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Hungary
- India
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Montenegro
- Myanmar
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Caledonia
- New Zealand
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Turkey
- Uganda
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Vanuatu
- Vietnam
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
The three escapes
Taipei in 5 Days is a trip I took. First solo city in about fifteen years. I was nervous. The MRT was clear, people helped, and I walked at night. That confidence is in the guide.
North Island is a loop we drove: Auckland, Coromandel, Rotorua, Tongariro, Raglan. Sixteen days so we were not racing past the scenery. Tongariro rained for almost the whole stay. We did not force the Alpine Crossing.
Sunshine Coast is home. Beaches, hinterland, Noosa — how I would show this coast to someone visiting for the first time. Outdoor days. Not the Gold Coast.
I also write about the places we visit on Free Two Roam, my travel blog.