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AKMU, MAMAMOO and Sumi Jo in Sydney: Three Concerts to Remember

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Our three weeks of live music in Sydney began with AKMU Sydney consistently attracts world-class singers and bands, bringing global music right to our doorstep. As a Korean-born Australian , I especially cherish the opportunity to see live performances by Korean artists. There is a quiet warmth in hearing familiar voices and my mother tongue perform in the city I now call home. Over three unforgettable weeks, our family attended three very different live performances: the indie-pop duo AKMU , the powerhouse vocal group MAMAMOO , and the world-renowned classical soprano Sumi Jo . Each evening offered a distinct atmosphere, lasting memories, and a wonderful connection to music. AKMU: Songs That Feel Like Stories Our musical marathon kicked off with AKMU (Akdong Musician), the talented brother-and-sister duo consisting of Lee Chan-hyuk and Lee Su-hyun. Raised in Mongolia by missionary parents before winning Korea's K-pop Star 2 , their music has always stood out for its sincerity and ...
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From Val Thorens to Marseille: The Beginning of Our French Road Trip

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  Our final morning views of the snow-covered French Alps as we travelled from Val Thorens to Chambéry Airport. After a wonderful week of skiing in Val Thorens , it was time to leave the snowy French Alps and begin the next stage of our family holiday—a road trip through France. Although we were sad to say goodbye to the mountains, we were also excited about what lay ahead. Our first destination was Marseille, a historic Mediterranean city completely different from the quiet, snow-covered landscape we were leaving behind. An Early Departure from Val Thorens Saying goodbye to Le Chamois d’Or in Val Thorens before our 7.00 am departure. Our transfer was once again arranged through Savoie Transport, with our driver collecting us from  Le Chamois d’Or in Val Thorens at 7.00 am. Leaving early was essential because weekend traffic around ski resorts can become extremely congested, particularly when large numbers of holidaymakers arrive and depart on the same day. The streets were s...
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Staying & Dining in Val Thorens | Our Village, Restaurants & Après-Ski Experience

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  Our home in Val Thorens – Résidence Le Chamois d’Or surrounded by winter snow Life in Val Thorens Village – Our Accommodation, Restaurants & Après-Ski Evenings Our days in Val Thorens were spent carving through the vast slopes of Les 3 Vallées, but experiencing the vibrant pulse of the village after dark was equally unforgettable. Returning from the ski runs to trade heavy boots for comfortable winter gear opened up a whole new side of the French Alps—one filled with glowing mountain lights, bustling dining spots, and world-class après-ski. During the day, Val Thorens is a hive of activity as skiers and snowboarders head toward the lift lines. By late afternoon, the mood transitions seamlessly: the mountains quiet down, golden lights reflect off the snowpack, and the village square comes alive. Late afternoon in Val Thorens as the village begins to come alive after skiing Staying at Résidence Le Chamois d’Or For our stay, we chose Résidence Le Chamois d’Or, a practical thr...
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Skiing Val Thorens and Les 3 Vallées: Our 600km Alpine Adventure

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  Endless snow-covered peaks on a beautiful bluebird day in Les 3 Vallées After several days of fresh snow and misty weather in Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise , arriving in Val Thorens felt like stepping into a completely different Alpine world. The clouds cleared, the sun came out, and we were welcomed by perfect bluebird conditions. All around us were wide white mountains, massive ski runs, and panoramic views stretching across the French Alps. Our Epic Australia Pass provided access to Les 3 Vallées, giving us the opportunity to explore one of the largest interconnected ski domains in the world. Ski-In, Ski-Out Convenience in Val Thorens Looking down across the enormous ski terrain from one of the high mountain lifts Our accommodation was conveniently located right beside a chairlift. Each morning, we stepped outside, clicked into our bindings, and skied directly onto the slopes. For families or group travelers, ski-in, ski-out access provides major advantages: Zero Lugging: No carrying...
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St Foy to Val Thorens: Why Our Early Departure Was Worth It

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  After four and a half hours on the road, we finally arrived in Val Thorens After a wonderful week in Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise , it was time to continue our family skiing holiday . Our next destination was Val Thorens , part of the enormous Les 3 Vallées ski area in the French Alps. We also had to say goodbye to some of our family members. Some returned to London, some departed for Japan, and others continued to Innsbruck in Austria. Our family group became much smaller, reducing from 12 people to five. Although St Foy and Val Thorens are both in the Savoie region, the road journey between them is approximately 73 kilometres. Travelling with five people, suitcases, and ski equipment still required careful planning. After a great deal of research, we decided that a private transfer would be the most comfortable and practical option for us. Planning Our Transfer from St Foy to Val Thorens Beautiful Alpine scenery during our private transfer from St Foy We booked our journey with Savoi...
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Korean-Style Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls for a Fun Family Dinner

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  Colourful platters of vegetables, egg and protein ready for our family rice paper roll dinner. Rice paper rolls are one of the most popular meals in our family. Rather than assembling everything in the kitchen, we set all the fresh ingredients in the middle of the dining table and let everyone build their own custom rolls. It is fresh, vibrant, and interactive. The best part is the quality time spent around the table—our dinners usually last an hour to an hour and a half because everyone is busy picking ingredients, wrapping rolls, and chatting. It turns an ordinary weeknight dinner into a relaxed, memorable event. If you enjoy interactive family meals, you might also like our Korean Rolled Egg Omelette (Gyeran Mari) . Our Korean-Style Rice Paper Rolls Fresh vegetables, herbs, noodles, apple and other fillings ready to be prepared Our Korean-Style Twist While inspired by traditional Vietnamese fresh spring rolls, our recipe has evolved over the years into a unique Korean-style fa...
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Life in Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise: Family Meals, Snowy Evenings and Après-Ski Relaxation

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  The lights of Sainte-Foy made the snowy village feel like a fairytale After several incredible days on the slopes, our family discovered that off-mountain life in Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise was just as memorable as the skiing itself. Booking a spacious self-catering apartment at CGH Résidences & Spas Les Fermes de Sainte-Foy gave our extended group a cozy base to unwind each afternoon. From simple pressure-cooker dinners to quiet night walks along snow-covered paths, these slower moments quickly became the highlights of our trip. If you are planning your own journey, you can read about our scenic train journey from Milan to Sainte-Foy to see how easily accessible this Alpine village is by rail. A Warm Place to Return to After Skiing Returning to a warm, well-equipped residence after hours in the freezing mountain air makes a world of difference for a large family. Les Fermes de Sainte-Foy features comprehensive spa facilities, including a heated indoor swimming pool, traditional...
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