YKC Travels

YKC Travels Ditching the daily grind for open roads and adventure. We’re embracing the YOLO spirit while homeschooling through the world's wonders.

Join us as we explore new places and uncover amazing facts, turning the world into our classroom.✨

30/05/2026

🌌 Grotte des Grandes Canalettes – A Cave, a Light Show, and Pure Magic ✨
Next stop: the Grotte des Grandes Canalettes and this one felt like stepping into another world. The moment you walk in, the temperature drops, the sound changes, and suddenly you’re surrounded by towering stalactites, underground chambers, and formations that look like something out of a fantasy film.
And then came the best part...
the light and sound show inside the cave. Colours shifting across the rock walls, music echoing through the chambers… it was honestly pretty cool. The whole place lit up like a natural cathedral, and the kids loved it. It’s one of those experiences where nature and creativity blend perfectly.
🧑‍🏫👨‍🏫 Fun Facts and Things to Know
- The cave is nicknamed the “Versailles of the Underground” because of its massive halls and formations
- The light show highlights millions of years of geological history
- Located near Villefranche‑de‑Conflent, a UNESCO‑listed medieval town
- The cave system stretches deep into the Corbières mountains
- Perfect mix of nature, art, and a little bit of magic

16/04/2026

🌟 Hôtel Pams – Perpignan’s Hidden Belle‑Époque Treasure ✨
Next stop: L’Hôtel Pams, one of Perpignan’s most beautiful surprises. From the outside it looks like a quiet townhouse… and then you step inside and it’s like walking into a Belle‑Époque dream. Marble, gold details, stained glass, sweeping staircases...every room feels like a little time capsule of elegance.
We wandered through the salons and courtyards just soaking it all in. The light, the colours, the craftsmanship, it’s one of those places you don’t expect to find, and then it becomes a highlight of the day. A true hidden gem in the heart of Perpignan.
🧑‍🏫👨‍🏫 Fun Facts and Things to Know
- Built in the late 19th century by Pierre Bardou, heir to the JOB cigarette‑paper fortune
- Designed in full Belle‑Époque style, mixing luxury, art, and exotic influences
- Famous for its stained‑glass skylight, marble staircase, and ornate salons
- The courtyard is filled with tropical plants and feels like a private oasis
- Today it’s used for exhibitions and cultural events, but still keeps its original charm.
- it's totally free to visit

12/04/2026

🌴 Perpignan – Sunshine, Colour, and a Touch of Catalan Spirit ✨
Next stop: Perpignan, a city that instantly feels different... warmer, brighter, and full of that unique Catalan‑French blend. After the calm of Leucate and those incredible oysters, Perpignan hit us with energy: palm trees, colourful buildings, lively streets, and that golden southern light.
We wandered through the old town, soaked up the atmosphere, and just enjoyed being in a place where everything feels a little sunnier and a little slower at the same time. It’s one of those cities where you don’t need a plan , you just walk, look up, and let the colours guide you.
🧑‍🏫👨‍🏫 Fun Facts and Things to Know
- Perpignan was once the capital of the Kingdom of Majorca, which explains its strong Catalan identity
- You’ll see Catalan flags, hear Catalan words, and feel that Mediterranean vibe everywhere
- The Palace of the Kings of Majorca is the city’s star landmark
- The old town is full of pastel façades, narrow lanes, and sunny squares
- It’s one of the warmest cities in France, with over 300 days of sunshine a year

11/04/2026

🦪 Leucate – Fresh Oysters Straight From the Boat ✨
Next stop: Leucate, and this one was an absolute treat. We pulled up to the little oyster huts by the water and had fresh oysters for lunch, literally straight out of the boat. You can’t get more “sea‑to‑plate” than that.
The whole place has this relaxed, seaside charm: boats bobbing in the harbour, locals shucking oysters right in front of you, and that salty breeze that tells you the seafood is going to be amazing. And it was... fresh, briny, cold, and perfect. One of those simple meals that ends up being a highlight.
Such an amazing spot, and honestly one of the best oyster experiences you can have in France.
🧑‍🏫👨‍🏫 Fun Facts and Things to Know
- Leucate is famous for its oyster farms, especially the Étang de Leucate lagoon
- The oysters here are known for being sweet, crisp, and lightly salty thanks to the mix of Mediterranean water and lagoon nutrients
- Many of the oyster huts are family‑run, passing down the craft for generations
- You can often watch the boats unload and eat the oysters minutes later
- The area is also known for its windsurfing and kitesurfing thanks to the strong Tramontane winds

27/03/2026

⛪ Albi...A Cathedral That Absolutely Stops You in Your Tracks ✨
Next stop: Albi, and honestly… this church is on a whole different level. The Cathédrale Sainte‑Cécile isn’t just beautiful, it’s jaw‑dropping. From the outside it looks like a fortress rising out of the red‑brick city, and then you step inside and… wow. Every wall, every arch, every corner is covered in colour, detail, and artwork. It’s one of those places you walk into and instantly go quiet because it’s just that stunning.
A total must‑see!!!! Even after everything we’d visited on this trip, Albi’s cathedral still managed to surprise us.
🧑‍🏫👨‍🏫 Fun Facts and Things to Know
- Sainte‑Cécile is the largest brick cathedral in the world
- Built in the 13th century as both a place of worship and a symbol of power
- The interior is covered in frescoes and painted vaults, including one of the oldest Last Judgement murals in France
- The contrast between the fortress‑like exterior and the richly decorated interior is intentional, meant to inspire awe
- Albi’s historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
We absolutely loved Albi 🫶🩷💛

19/03/2026

🐂 Les Machines de Toulouse – Engineering, Imagination, and One Epic Ride ✨
Next stop: Les Machines de Toulouse, and this one was such a blast. We’d been to Les Machines de Nantes years ago and absolutely loved the giant elephant, so we were curious to see how Toulouse would compare… and honestly, it was pretty incredible in its own way.
The machines here feel like stepping into a giant engineer’s sketchbook... whimsical, clever, and full of movement. And the best part?
We even got to ride Le Minotaure, this enormous mechanical bull‑creature that moves with so much power and personality. Sitting on it as it came to life was surreal, the kids were buzzing, we were laughing, and it felt like being inside a living piece of art.
Every corner had something fun creatures, water sprays, gears, wings, wheels...all brought to life with that signature French mechanical magic. If Nantes was unforgettable, Toulouse definitely held its own.

🧑‍🏫👨‍🏫 Fun Facts and Things to Know
- Le Minotaure is the star of La Halle de La Machine, designed to blend engineering, mythology, and performance
- Many of the machines are interactive, letting visitors ride, pedal, or activate movements
- The project celebrates Toulouse’s identity as a city of innovation and engineering
- Created by the same artistic universe behind Les Machines de Nantes
- Perfect mix of family fun and mind‑blowing craftsmanship


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06/03/2026

🌸💗 Toulouse – Friends, Pink-Brick Streets, and a Hint of Something Big Coming ✨ Next stop: Toulouse, we love this warm and vibrant city. After weeks of recovery and easing back into travel, Toulouse felt like a hug, colourful streets, friendly faces, and that unmistakable “Ville Rose” glow from the pink terracotta buildings.
We spent time wandering through the old town, discovering hidden squares, cafés, and riverside walks, and our evenings catching up with our friend who welcomed us like family. There’s something special about exploring a city with a local, you see the real heartbeat of the place.
And the best part?
The highlight of the whole trip was just around the corner… something big, magical, and totally unforgettable (yes, La Machine is coming).
What made Toulouse unforgettable
- The city’s nickname, La Ville Rose, comes from its pink‑hued bricks that glow at sunrise and sunset
- It’s one of France’s most vibrant university cities, full of life and creativity
- Staying with a friend meant discovering the little spots tourists often miss
- Toulouse blends medieval charm with aerospace innovation — a city of contrasts that somehow feels perfectly balanced .

16/02/2026

🌄 Rocamadour – Back on the Road After a Much‑Needed Pause ✨
After a month and a bit of resting, healing, and letting that calf muscle recover (who knew a pedal boat could take you out like that…), we finally restarted our travels. And our first stop back on the road was the absolutely magical Rocamadour.
Perched dramatically on the side of a cliff, this village feels like it’s hanging between earth and sky. We took our time wandering through the steep lanes, climbing the steps at our own pace, and soaking in the views that make Rocamadour one of the most unforgettable places in France. After weeks of slowing down, this was the perfect place to ease back into adventure.... peaceful, spiritual, and breathtaking all at once.
🧑‍🏫👨‍🏫 Fun Facts and Things to Know
- Rocamadour has been a major pilgrimage site since the Middle Ages
- The village is built vertically into a 150‑meter cliff, with sanctuaries stacked above each other
- The site is part of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage routes
- The château at the top offers panoramic views over the Alzou canyon

07/02/2026

🌊 Les Gorges du Verdon – Fun, Sun… and an Unexpected Plot Twist ✨
Next stop: the stunning Gorges du Verdon, one of the most beautiful natural wonders in France. The turquoise water, the cliffs, the sunshine, it was pure magic. We hired a little pedal boat, laughed the whole way, and soaked in the views… until the universe decided to spice things up.
Somehow.... who knew this was even possible... I managed to tear my calf muscle on a pedal boat. Yes, a pedal boat. Of all things. Our big Italy plan got cut short right there. One minute we were cruising along the gorge, the next minute I was discovering that pedal boats are apparently an extreme sport 🤣
Even with the unexpected injury, the day was unforgettable. The kids loved it, the scenery was unreal, and it’s one of those memories we’ll be laughing about for years.
🧑‍🏫👨‍🏫 Fun Facts and Things to Know
- The Gorges du Verdon is often called the “Grand Canyon of Europe”
- The water gets its iconic turquoise colour from glacial minerals
- The gorge stretches 25 km and reaches depths of 700 meters
- Popular activities include pedal boats, kayaks, hiking, and cliffside viewpoints
- The lake at the entrance, Lac de Sainte‑Croix, was created by a dam in the 1970s

20/01/2026

🏞️ Gordes – One of the Most Beautiful Villages in France 😻✨
Next stop: the breathtaking hilltop village of Gordes, and honestly… it deserves every bit of its reputation. Perched above the Provençal countryside, with stone houses glowing in the sun, it feels like stepping into a painting.
We wandered through the narrow cobbled streets, admired the view over the valley, and soaked in that golden light Gordes is famous for. And they have..… cat photos everywhere 🐈🐈‍⬛️😻
🐈Why are there cat photos all over the village?
Over the years, Gordes became known for its friendly community cats, always lounging in doorways, sunbathing on stone steps, and posing like little models. Locals and visitors loved photographing them, and eventually a few artists and shop owners began printing and displaying these cat portraits around the village.
It caught on.
Now the photos are a quirky, beloved tradition, a tiny open‑air gallery celebrating the cats that give Gordes so much of its charm.
🧑‍🏫👨‍🏫 Fun Facts
- Gordes is officially listed as one of “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France”
- The village is built entirely from local stone, giving it that iconic honey‑colored glow
- Its history goes back to Roman times, with the medieval château still dominating the skyline
- Gordes became an artists’ haven in the 20th century, attracting names like Marc Chagall
- The village overlooks the Luberon Valley, one of the most scenic regions in Provence

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