I'm really excited to be sharing this post with you guys today, because not only was it a real highlight of my Sri Lanka trip, but it was also what sparked the inspiration behind the trip. Although Sri Lanka has always been a place that really ignited my imagination, it had slipped to the back of my mind and wasn't really on my list of priorities. But when an email from the team behind Diyabubula Hideaway dropped into my inbox, suddenly Sri Lanka shot pretty quickly to the top of my must-travel list. Talking about the creative atmosphere, the beautiful and historical location, the nearby national parks where hundreds of elephants gather – read more about this here – my imagination was captured and I couldn't stop talking about it. My boyfriend was curious and eager for our holiday not to end, so he decided that we were going to Sri Lanka after we left Australia, my dreams were becoming a reality and we couldn't wait to explore this whole new world. Diyabubula Hideaway was the perfect place to celebrate the halfway point of our month in this amazing country and we couldn't have been more grateful for a chance to spend a few days in this wonderful, natural, creative space.
Normally I would write quite in-depth about the property, but to be honest, I think the pictures speak for themselves. The place was absolutely beautiful from the second you walked through the gates, lush green vegetation adorning every building and inviting you to breathe in the fresh air and the sights and sounds. It was magical, with every luxury you can imagine, plus the freedom and the independence to explore at your own pace with a team who would work around your plans to provide you with the finest food and service. We stayed in an overwater villa which was absolutely stunning and reminiscent of the treehouse experience I had dreamt of when I knew I was coming to Sri Lanka.
The rooms were peaceful and luxurious with a huge bathroom and walk-in closet, an enormous bed overlooking the balcony where we would watch monkeys play. We were quite lucky to experience all weathers when we were there - both glorious sunshine and one evening a torrential rainstorm which was quite magical to watch through the windows, and to fall asleep to the sound of raindrops drumming on the roof. The room also came with a small kitchen with basic amenities and a lounge area downstairs.
Found in central Sri Lanka, in a town called Dambulla at the edge of the Cultural Triangle, the accommodation is the creation of renowned Sri Lankan artist Laki Senanayake who designed the place as a hideaway to compliment his water garden. With just five villas available at this luxury lodge, it defines "boutique luxury" and offers each guest the finest pace to escape from the busy cities and to explore the culture and heritage of Sri Lanka.
With some of the country's oldest temples, ancient cities and astounding national parks right on your doorstep, there is so much to do in the local area and the helpful, and attentive staff can organise transport and guides for you. If you're less interested in the area and more in a creative escape, you're in the right place as artist Laki actually lives at the property in his own minimalist space. Each evening guests are invited to join him at his place for an amazing light and music show he has created himself, and to spend the night in discussion with the artist himself.
I was so disappointed to find out Laki was away travelling at the time of our visit as I would have loved to have met him and to have heard more about his vision. But we still had the pleasure of exploring his quarters and enjoying the amazing sculptures dotted around the property, plus his amazing light show each evening. If you're a creative type yourself, this could be the perfect opportunity to indulge in creating your own art as I've heard Laki loves his visitors to try their hand at creating during their visit.
Overall, an absolutely amazing stay that treated us to the ultimate luxury at this beautiful boutique lodge, and some well-needed peace and tranquility. After weeks of travelling non-stop and throwing ourselves into all of the activities, it was lovely to take some time to just relax and to have somewhere so peaceful and beautiful to do it. A huge thanks to all of the amazing staff who were so welcoming and who really made our stay at Diyabubula Hideaway a pleasure.
The rooms have different rates available – for the water villa we stayed in you can have half board for 200 euros a night or full board for 220 euros per night. (There are not many restaurants nearby and the food at Diyabubula is amazing so I would recommend full board) Or, if you fancy trying the tree house or bamboo grove, you can have half board for 180 euros or 200 euros for full board. All of these prices are for a double rather than a single. I personally think this accommodation is worth every penny and will make your stay in Sri Lanka even more magical. I really cannot recommend this place enough and although I received gifted accommodation in this case, all views remain honest and all my own. Click here for more info and to book.
Would you like to stay at Diyabubula Hideaway? Can you recommend any other accommodation in Sri Lanka? What are your priorities when booking accommodation?
Now that I'm back in Europe, I'm excited to be focusing on a whole new way of travelling for the next year. I won't be revealing all of my plans for the year yet, but I'm planning to be based over this way for at least the next 12 months and during that time I'm so excited to have the opportunity to explore more of Europe's charm. I've loved exploring Asian culture for the last few years, but after spending so long in Australia, I'm craving the heritage and the history of Europe. I'm thinking endless rolling hills, quaint little villages in the shadows of mountains, castles at every turn and crystal clear lakes, from the markets of Germany to the spas of Budapest, the stunning countryside of Eastern Europe and the beautiful rustic villages of Italy. There is so much to explore and I've yet to see so much of it despite my endless travelling since a young age, Europe is vast and offers so many different ways of travelling from those long summer holidays on the beaches to weekend city breaks to month-long escapes on the rails.
Something I've been ever more interested in since my time in Australia is the idea of living on the road. Van life has become hugely popular over recent years and after spending months living out of a car down under and road tripping across Australia – I can understand why. When I first met my boyfriend, he was the proud owner of an awesome van that we had hoped to travel together in, but sadly it wasn't meant to be as it broke down before we could get started, but we finished the trip by car and still had an epic time. Ever since, it's been our dream to have another van together and to have time to explore Europe, among many other places, by road. Now I'm always on the lookout for new road trip ideas that will inspire my next set of travels and Europe is filled with epic road trips that are just waiting to be ticked off your bucket list.
Pic by Elizabeth Albert
One of my absolute dream road trips, this one was made famous by Top Gear after the boys took on the challenge of driving it and Jeremy Clarkson claimed it was the "best road in the world." This unforgettable journey along The Transfagarasan Highway will take drivers 150km round endless curves and alongside steep drops as they pass over the Fagaras mountains in Transylvania, Romania at more than 2,000 metres. The trip doesn't come without a few risks, many large sections of the road have no barriers protecting those brave enough to take it on from the steep 1,000ft drops. The highway is closed during winter, drivers are advised to check weather forecasts and brakes of the vehicle before taking this one on.
Norway has captured my imagination for a long time and I could scroll through Insta for hours looking at the beautiful fjords and picturing myself there. One for the thrill-seekers, the Trollstigen route in Norway’s Rauma region – also known as Troll's Ladder – features 11 tight hairpin bends, steep drops to get the heart racing and a twisting route that is sure to get your legs shaking. Travelling through the mountains, drivers have endless places to stop and take in the epic views at viewing platforms overlooking the 1,050ft-high Stigfossen waterfall. At just four miles, it's a short one but you want to allow a few hours to make the most of sightseeing stops.
I'm looking forward to exploring more of Germany this year and one road trip that just seems too cute and magical to miss is the 220km stretch from Würzburg to Füssen, travelling along the Romantische Strasse. Passing fairy-tale castles, a Medieval wine village and breathtaking natural wonders as you pass into the foothills of the Alps - this one is definitely one for the photo album. Apparently best during spring, summer and autumn to best enjoy the Alps. For Disney-lovers, there is also the The Alpenstrasse, or Alpine Road, which takes you through meadows, mountains, lakes and straight past the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle which inspired Walt Disney to build Cinderella's castle. This trip takes between three to eight days and also take sin Munich and Salzburg.
Pic by Ion George
Can we just talk about how bloody incredible Iceland is? I can't believe I still haven't been there but every day I'm dreaming up new additions to my perfect trip and the latest is an epic road trip covering the 800miles along Route One. Taking anything between a week and 10 days, this trip will leave drivers speechless as it starts in Reykjavik and takes in an incredible landscape filled with volcanoes, lava fields, waterfalls, hot springs, geysers and even deserts. Plan for July or August and book a 4WD car for the trip.
The perfect place to fall in love, with each other and with the country's stunning landscape – from beautiful coastline to rugged cliffs and driving through the remnants of Greek temples and Roman ruins. Whether you choose the Amalfi Coast of driving through the hills of Sicily, you're in for a treat as you enjoy villages that will feel like you've stepped back in time and views that will leave you speechless. Don't forget to indulge in the local food and lots of gelato. Fancy something different? Try the Great Dolomite Road which takes you up through the mountains for Northern Italy and away from the usual tourist traps.
After seeing so many beautiful photos, I can't resist a look at the fabled Swiss Mountains and there's an amazing alpine road that will take you on the ultimate winding journey through the amazing scenery. The Klausen Pass is where the Klausenrunnen takes place every four-five years and is a spectacular way to see the country. Or, try the Furka Pass, a dangerous winding road that puts drivers to the ultimate test as it passes through the Alps.
If you ask me, this post needs a few more beaches in it so why not check out the Estoril Coast Drive, a beautiful drive that takes travellers all the way from Lisbon to Sintra. Perfect for slow travellers and those on a budget, the trip takes in the vastly underrated coastline of Portugal and give you plenty of opportunity to hit the beaches.
Pic by Jonas Wagner
Have you road tripped any of these countries? Where would your dream European road trip take you?
I don't know about you guys, but I like travelling at any time of year and I'm not one to let the winter stand in my way. If you're anything like me, January always gets me thinking about hopping on a plane and jetting off on an adventure. This year I'm spending my first January in the UK in three years, using the time to reminisce about my favourite trips and to plan my next exciting move. Over the years I've spent my summers and winters travelling all over the world, regardless of seasons and unworried by the weather. Some of my favourite trips have been Christmas spent in New York or on the beach in Mauritius, or those winter jaunts around Europe exploring a new city, and road tripping around Australia. My motto has always been "travel smart" because by doing so, you can avoid some of the most common problems associated with winter travel. By preparing and spending some time on your planning, it really can make all the difference to your trip and ensuring you have the best possible time. I've teamed up with Slater & Gordon to talk all about some of the most common issues travellers face during the winter months, and how best to avoid them.
The bane of every traveller's life, but sometimes unavoidable if the weather is just too bad as it was recently with snow storms in New York for some people to make it home. Now if the weather is unsafe, it is totally understandable to cancel flights - but the best thing as a traveller is to be prepared. My best advice, always try and book an early morning flight as your aircraft will usually have arrived the night before and won't be delayed, also, the weather is normally much clearer in the morning and gets worse throughout the day. You may well just miss the worst of any storms and still make it home for dinner. It's always a good idea to have a good travel insurance that will cover any weather-related cancellations in extreme circumstances, and I would recommend just having a little money set aside in case there are any problems. I understand there were a lot of problems with people who couldn't afford to stay longer in New York being stuck there in the airport for a few days - sometimes the airlines will put you up in a hotel or provide some support but it's always helpful to have a bit of cash for emergencies. Remember it is not the fault of the airline, they are trying to keep you safe. Be flexible and work with them, communication is key. Be open to different travel options if your route is just not available.
Pic by Roman Boed
I have always wanted to go on a skiing or snowboarding holiday, winter sports always look amazing, and while I'm sad I haven't yet had the opportunity they are definitely staying on my bucket list. I have friends who have always been sworn beach bums until they die, until they went on a skiing holiday and now they head for snow over sea every single year and love every second. But what if things don't go to plan? Winter sports are physically very challenging and when you introduce ice and snow to the equation, accidents can happen. It's awful if you are hurt while travelling, after spending so long planning your trip it is the ultimate disappointment to be struck down. I had a similar thing happen to me when I was in a bus crash in Cambodia just days before a long-awaited yoga retreat - I was devastated. The most important thing to do is to ensure you have a good travel insurance that is comprehensive and covers you for all your activities. There is no point getting insurance for a skiing holiday if it doesn't actually cover you for winter sports! Plan ahead and make sure you are covered for all medical treatment - you never realise how important it is until you don't have it.
I love road trips. They are one of my favourite ways to travel - check out my guide to planning the ultimate road trip here. I don't see why you shouldn't be able to indulge in a road trip at any time of year. Canada is fantastic to road trip, or if you want something closer to home why not head to Europe to drive from city to city, or head up to Scandinavia. Absolutely gorgeous, but don't forget to take into account the weather beforehand - all of these come with their own harsh conditions, from icy roads to heavy snowfall and it's best to be prepared to prevent your trip from being ruined. Make sure your vehicle is weatherproof - whether you are taking your own van to camp in, or you're hiring a car - you need to make sure the tyres are appropriate for the conditions. Pack a box with warm clothing, a torch, gloves, jumper cables, a windscreen scraper and lots of de-icer – just in case. Take the roads slow and plan your route according to weather warnings so you can avoid the worst of it. If the weather is too bad, find a hotel or somewhere to sleep for the night and start afresh in the morning when it is safer.
Pic by Giuseppe Milo
Recently there were huge snow storms in New York and weather warnings to stay inside and to avoid getting caught out in it – when you travel during winter there is always a chance you may face weather like this. The best way to deal with it? Accept it and plan ahead as best you can. You can't fight Mother Nature, so don't let it ruin your trip, just adapt. Plan ahead by keeping an eye on weather alerts for the area, if the weather starts getting worse then make a decision on whether to rearrange your trip (if you have this option) or to go ahead. If you're already there, you need to make sure you restrict your activities to ensure your own safety. If it's snowstorms you face then you need to be sensible and to stay warm, sudden floods can be dangerous - stay inside and follow advice. Icy conditions can be slippery and unpredictable - make sure you have shoes with good grip and that you only go as far as you feel safe - a fall on the ice can leave you in hospital and that's the last thing you want on holiday. Overall message? Be smart, be safe and don't be too stubborn to admit defeat.
How else can you avoid winter travel dangers this season? Have you faced any winter travel nightmares?
One thing I really loved about Sri Lanka was that it wasn’t just beaches and cities, there was a whole other side to the country, a wild, rugged jungle waiting to be explored. With plans to explore not one, but three national parks along the way, I was excited at the thought of staying in the depths of the jungle with wild elephants and leopards hiding just beyond the boundary lines. So I was very excited when Wilpattu Treehouse invited us to come and stay with them for a few nights while we explored Wilpattu National Park up in the north-west of the country. We arrived at Wilpattu after around five hours on the buses travelling from Habarana in the Cultural Triangle and found Wilpattu to be tinier than we had imagined. With just one street heading off the main road, there are limited accommodations aimed specifically at those visiting the park. When planning your trip, you wouldn’t need much time in the area, just one full day for a safari would suffice, with a day set aside before and after for travel times.
This sanctuary was declared a national park in 1938 and lies just 188km away from the capital, Colombo, with Wilpattu Treehouses situated just a minute’s drive from the park entrance. Visitors to the area can take full or half day jeep safaris in the park through several companies, where they can spot the likes of the Sri Lankan elephant and leopard, sloth bear, spotted deer, buffalo, sambar and mongoose. The park is also fantastic for birdwatching and has an interesting array of flora scattered amongst the dry, dense jungle which couldn’t be more different to that of Yala’s National Park. February to October is considered prime time to visit, however, we visited in late November and had amazing sightings of most animals plus perfectly fine weather. If you are arriving by public bus as we did, ask the bus driver to alert you when you arrive as you could easily miss the tiny town. Jump off the bus and grab a tuk-tuk which should cost no more than 400 rupees to drive you the 7km to the edge of the National Park where the treehouses can be found.
Now I want to take a moment to just point out that out of all the places I review and visit, whether I pay for them myself or are gifted accommodation, it is very rare that I am disappointed. I don’t write fake reviews or compromise my views for free stuff, I pride myself in being completely honest because otherwise what is the point in sharing my views? So when I am left disappointed by a place, I will also share my experiences with you so that you can make an informed decision over whether to visit during your own trip. In this case I was gifted three night's accommodation, but have remained honest in my review.
In the case of Wilpattu Treehouses, I was left a little disappointed by our stay. I had been looking forward to staying there from the beginning of our trip and saw it as a great way to round off our time in the country. However, from the moment we arrived, I could tell it wasn’t to be quite the experience I had anticipated. We arrived at 3pm to find our room was still being cleaned which wasn’t a problem, we relaxed in the lobby with a fresh lime juice until our room became available. We were excited to check out the treehouse as we could see it through the trees and bushes across the yard, it would be overlooking the rice paddy just as I had hoped. After seeing images on Booking.com and the company’s website, I was eager to have a look inside. When we made our way upstairs, on first impression we were delighted with the room which was all wood finished as a treehouse should be. We had a lovely big balcony overlooking the rice paddy, a big comfortable bed to lounge on and a lovely little bathroom with a luxurious looking shower. The website had promised luxury so this is what we were expecting and we were instantly happy with our room, but upon closer inspection we found a few issues.
The hasty cleaning after the previous guests had left late had been less thorough than it should have been, leaving us with a filthy fridge and even mouse droppings on one of the beds! We also noticed that there wasn’t really a view from the balcony as the branches from the trees completely blocked any real sight of the rice paddy. And as the afternoon drew on, the mosquitos became rife but with no mosquito net in the room and gaps by the door, we were both bitten to pieces despite using bug spray and a room repellent. We later realised that the mouse droppings had not been the fault of a stray mouse but of a regular to the room who would run around the beams at the ceiling while we sat in bed. The creature would even scamper across the room leaving droppings in the bedroom and bathroom every time we left as he searched for crumbs. I could find it cute and outdoorsy except we left the room for less than an hour for dinner, and came back to find droppings on the bed and across the floor which we had to clean up.
We also had an issue with several chipmunks and small squirrels who would run across the same beams in the evenings looking for food. We had stayed in many jungle locations by this point and can definitely appreciate the nature, but we know it is not necessary to have issues with animal faeces being found around the room. Later we also had problems with the shower, which despite just the two of us thing showers once a day, started to flood and the water would take a long time to drain. When I mentioned to the staff, I was told to clear the drain myself and if it wasn't fixed someone would be sent to check it in the morning, but no-one ever came. During our three night stay, the rooms were not cleaned once, leaving us to tidy up the animal mess left behind and to deal with a shower that would not drain. Due to the remote location, there are no restaurants around so visitors to the site will be limited to eating meals at the accommodation. These are cooked onsite by the staff and include a mixture of Sri Lankan and western breakfast, and a three course dinner with vegetarian options available. While the food was certainly good enough to survive on, it was also some of the blandest and most uninspiring food I have eaten in Sri Lanka. I was disappointed by how tasteless the meals were after eating some delicious meals since being in the country at much cheaper accommodation.
My real disappointment stemmed from the fact that Wilpattu Treehouses claimed to be luxury accommodation on their website but that the food, service and accommodation was definitely not luxury quality. The staff were lovely, but they do need to work on making their guests feel a little more welcome, and they really should have more knowledge about the bus timetable for those arriving and leaving the area. Now don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed my experience of staying in Wilpattu on the very borderline of the national park and I really cannot complain about being so close for our safari. It was a beautiful treehouse and a fantastic location, very convenient for your safari stay and truly magical to return from a day of spotting leopards and wild elephants to still hear them from your balcony. We also really loved the next-door neighbours who were having a family celebration while we were there and it was lovely to hear the music throughout the day. I just found that the disappointment over some of the less desirable features of Wilpattu Treehouses outweighed the positives for me. We stayed in the deluxe triple room, and I felt the £95 a night price (Booking.com) was far too expensive for what I could not consider a luxury stay.
Have you been disappointed by a luxury stay? Or by any accommodation on your travels? Tell me about your worst travel accommodation experience?
Whether you're more of a homebody or you're travelling every opportunity you get, there's something we're all guilty of in the UK and that's not seeing enough of our home turf. The UK has so much to offer in the way of travel and better yet, it's all just waiting to be discovered right on your doorstep. I'm definitely one of these people who has so much left to discover in my own country instead choosing sunnier climes in far off lands, but being back in the UK has really got me excited about making the most of this time before jetting off again. Better still, this time I come with my German boyfriend in tow and while he's travelled all over the world, he had never been to the UK before visiting me. Cue the perfect opportunity for me to discover my home country all over again and enjoy playing tourist and tour guide as I show him around. As soon as I knew he was coming over to visit, I started excitedly planning a trip that would give him the chance to see all the major landmarks as well as squeezing in a visit to some of my favourite places along the way.
I've always loved London - it's a great city to visit and explore - and ever since I was a kid I've spent endless weekends there with my family and friends visiting the sights, going to gigs or theatre shows, and partying it up. But it has been a long time since I visited and actually just played tourist instead of heading there with a packed schedule and no time to just experience London. This trip would be different as all I was planning for us was to experience London and all it's charm in just 48 hours for my boyfriend's first taste of England. Now sadly, the trip wasn't quite what we had hoped for but due to unavoidable circumstances - we were both sick with that horrible flu/cold bug that was going round and the trains back to Norfolk faced huge delays due to a storm. Despite this, we both still had a good time and loved exploring the city - it was a great first visit for boyfriend who got to see all the sights with his own eyes, and for me it was a lovely chance to rediscover the charm of the city.
Of course it wouldn't be a visit to London without riding the tube and ticking off the major sights - pick up and Oyster Card, a day travel card or just use Paypass on your bank card and tap your way around the city. Most of the main sights are centred around the Circle Line and it is pretty easy to navigate if you know where you want to go. There are lots of maps/tourist suggestions for sightseeing tours and you can either do it yourself, join a tour or try one of the hop on/hop off buses. We chose the tube and started with Buckingham Palace, then ticked off Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, London Eye, Trafalgar Square, St Paul's Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Tower of London, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden, Kensington Gardens and a few others along the way. We also took the time to stroll along Southbank, Embankment and around Oxford Circus/Carnaby Street and around Camden and a few other areas.
Top tip: Pick your route to see the highlights in their best light - seeing Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament can be lovely at night when they're all lit up, and Soho is a great area for the evenings.
My favourite thing to do when I'm in London – to indulge my foodie side – and while there are endless amazing restaurants to visit, I'm also a street food girl at heart. There's nothing I love more than going to the markets – my favourites are Camden Market and Borough Market – and indulging in delicious, freshly prepared foods, cocktails, smoothies and much more. We visited both markets while in London and gorged ourselves on pasta dishes, burgers, vegan and Caribbean inspired meals and lots of juices and hot mulled cider. Definitely not a good place to start a new year's diet, but if you feel like really treating yourself, it's possible to do it on a budget and pass a morning by browsing the stalls.
Top tip: Go early to Borough Market and beat the crowds, plus get your food at its freshest! Then head to Camden Market later in the day to browse the amazing stalls, pick up some food and then indulge in a cocktail at the bars.
Let's be honest, London is quite the fashion mecca and there is no end of shopping to be done. Whether it is boutiques, high street brands, quick vintage stores or the high end stuff you're after - London has it all. Personally I'm much more interested in the high street shopping around Oxford Circus or the vintage stores which can be found scattered all over the city. I've found my favourite shops around Camden, Shoreditch or Brick Lane areas but there really is something to suit all tastes so it's worth spending some time doing a bit of research before your trip and exploring while you're there to discover the greatest treasure troves.
Top tip: Wear comfortable shoes and have patience - London shopping comes with a lot of walking and a heck of a lot of people, you should be prepared and a bit of pre-planning could really help fill your shopping bag.
One thing we didn't have time for but is always a bit of fun – spend a few hours doing something a bit cheesy and seeing a different side of London. If the weather is a bit rubbish or you're looking for something else to do, why not take a ride on the London Eye, or head to the London Dungeon? It's a bit of fun and great for entertaining kids of all ages - even the ones that never grew up. I remember visiting the London Dungeons with my family when I was a kid and having so much fun, it was brilliant! The best thing is that you can always get discount tickets and money-off vouchers online so don't pay full price - I actually got sent money off vouchers through Booking.com when I booked a hotel for us to stay in.
Top tip: If you don't fancy one of these attractions, why not look on Groupon or other money-saving sights for cheap deals for afternoon tea at one of the fancy hotels, or boat tours along the Thames?
Any excuse for a beer! One of the things I love most about the UK is a good, old English pub. I missed then when I was away – the smell of ale, the heavy, dark wood furniture, the huge beams inside and the roaring fires during the winter months. Pubs are a huge part of English culture that you don't get elsewhere, so there's nothing better than huddling by the fire to warm up with a local ale, a warming red wine or whiskey when you visit. I always try and play a few pub stops into every trip and always like to try different ones - this time we popped into one near Carnaby Street and a few around Camden and Kensington where we were staying.
Top tip: If you have a day free, a good crew of mates and fancy a challenge, why not try a pub crawl? We used to do a great one when I was at university all around the Circle Line with lots of games along the way and a drink at every stop.
This was without a doubt the best activity we did while we were in London – despite both of us being ill and exhausted we both turned into little kids once we climbed on to the ice. I love ice skating and during the winter London has some fabulous rinks in beautiful settings to enjoy. I've seen the one at the Natural History Museum in previous years and always wanted to give it a go, so when I was invited along to try, I couldn't wait to get out on the ice. In the shadow of my favourite museum, the trees surrounding the rink are dotted with fairy lights with a beautiful carousel in the background. Truly magical. Sadly the rink has now closed until October, but there are others in London to check out if you fancy a skate.
Top tip: Although we went in the afternoon, I thought the evening would have been even more magical when the lights were more visible in the trees. Be sure to wrap up warm against the wind.
Whether you love musicals, theatre, comedy or dance – London will have a show to delight and entertain you. Over the years my family have ticked off so many musicals and we always love heading to London for another. We actually went to the city just before Christmas to see the new Aladdin show which was amazing and an absolute dream come true. Previously we've seen the likes of The Lion King, Mamma Mia, The Phantom of the Opera, Chicago and many more. There are always new shows opening and we've also seen The Woman in Black which was very spooky and had the audience on the edge of their seats. It's worth getting tickets just to check out some of the beautiful theatres and I highly recommend booking an evening's entertainment.
Top tip: Look online and ask at ticket vendors for last minute seats for discounts, or even visit the theatres just before the shows to see if any tickets are being resold - you might get a bargain! Plus online, you can often find cheap "dinner and a show" tickets.
After travelling all over the world and sometimes paying a small fortune to visit museums and sights in new cities, I can tell you we really are very lucky to not only have such incredible museums in London but that they are all free! So often people hear the word museum and think of something boring but London really takes education and puts a whole new spin on it. Think exciting exhibitions that really ignite your imagination and bring science, history and culture to life. get bored looking at displays? Head to the Science Museum for a truly interactive experience where you can take part in experiments and become a scientist. Like animals and a sucker for David Attenborough? The Natural History Museum is my fave one to visit and is filled with awe-inspiring sights, amazing history of both animals and people and some really cool exhibitions - even ones about dinosaurs! And if you love a bit of culture, fashion and art, the Victoria and Albert Museum is for you - think beautiful, epic and amazing exhibitions that will make you see art in a whole new light.
Top tip: Arrive early to beat the queues and to give yourself plenty of time to explore - it's easy to spend all day in these museums!
I love live music and no matter what your taste, London has a vibrant and exciting music scene just waiting for you to explore. I used to arrange my visits to the city around gigs and have previously seen some epic artists perform life from Fatboy Slim and Basement Jaxx to Major Lazer, various jazz and acoustic performers and even a ska band. There are countless venues all over the city, so it's best to look online for tickets and to find something that you love, but my favourite venue for gigs is definitely Brixton Academy. Elsewhere, I've loved DJ sets at clubs like XOYO and Fabric, and found great random little gigs in bars around Camden.
Top tip: if you find yourself at a loose end one night in London, look online and find tickets to any random gig, I did that and ended up at a ska gig at Dingwalls in Camden - it was an amazing night!
Sometimes it's nice to just have a mooch around some of the cuter little areas, to get some nice photos and to see how some of the locals live. I always really love wandering around Notting Hill, Camden, Shoreditch and Portobello Road Market – grabbing a coffee here, or brunch there, taking in the cute little houses and sights. It's also worth checking out Hampstead, Greenwich and Hoxton for cool areas to explore that offer a bit more of London's unique personality.
Top tip: Make your way from one neighbourhood to the next, coffee in one, brunch in another head to the markets in the next - it's a great way to see what London is all about – diversity.
Whats your favourite thing to do in London? Is there anything else first time visitors should try and squeeze into their trip?
Ireland is a country that has always held my heart. Growing up, I spent a lot of time in Ireland thanks to a boyfriend whose family was Irish, visiting each year for weddings and family events, I quickly fell in love with this beautiful country. I'm not sure what it was that charmed me so much – the people, the culture, or the endless rolling countryside and rugged cliffs that drop down to the ocean. Perhaps it was the beautiful wedding we went to at Waterford Castle and danced all night at, maybe it was the pubs we walked into that were filled with live music and laughter, or perhaps it was the days we spent walking on beautiful southern beaches. All I know is that Ireland charmed me long ago and has forever stayed close to my heart. Read my post on Seven Things I Love About Ireland. Since travelling, I have so many Irish friends that I have met all over the globe, and each one has always welcomed me into their lives with open arms. Now, it's been almost five years since I was last over there and it seems far too long for someone who used to visit twice a year! Now I dream of returning and road tripping the country.
After spending so much time in Australia on the road, I've really discovered the magic of a road trip and the wonder of waking up somewhere new each day. Having the independence to explore at your own pace and to find hidden treasures along the way that you never could have dreamed existed. It's a freedom unlike any other and one that every traveller should experience at least once in their life. For those who don't have the time to dedicate to a huge Australian road trip, why not start smaller and explore a country like Ireland that lies right on your doorstep? Not only is it just an hour's flight from London airports but the actual island is small enough to enjoy in a matter of days whether you try and cover as much as possible, or just focus on the things that drive you to explore.
Pic by Giuseppe Milo
A new e-book created by Chill Insurance provides the perfect guide to planning your trip, whether you're interested in history, art, music, food or family fun. The guide offers advice on what sights you don't want to miss out on when exploring, which could help you plan the perfect road trip. History buffs will want to ensure they make a stop at Dublin Castle, the Rock of Cashel and, of course, Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone. While arty types might prefer to spend time in Dublin where they'll find the National Gallery of Ireland, the Sphere Within A Sphere sculpture, and just a few hours drive away, the Limerick City Gallery of Art. Family trips can centre around attractions like Dublin Zoo, or head outside and island hop around the beautiful Aran Islands before heading into the darkness of Doolin Cave. There are no end of ways to see the real Ireland, one that will draw you back to visit again and again as it did with me. I did a bit of research to discover some of the best road trip routes to really take in some of Ireland's most beautiful spots and picked out four of the road trips I would absolutely love to do.
Pic by Giuseppe Milo
For Star Wars lovers, this could be the perfect route for you, taking in the rugged cliffs and moody skies that provided the stunning backdrop for the story of the battle against the Dark Side. Road trippers will travel from from the Southern Peninsulas of Cork and Kerry, past the cliffs of Clare, to Donegal's Northern Headlands taking in otherworldly landscapes along the way. Now you too can follow in the steps of the Jedi taking in magnificent views of the Atlantic.
Highlights include:
The true legend of Irish road trips - this stunning route takes in some of the most well-known sights between Belfast and Derry-Londonderry. This is one trip to take your time on with the whole Atlantic coast dotted with sandy beaches, fishing villages, gorse-covered valleys and beautiful clifftop paths. With cute little villages and plenty of pubs along the way, it's the perfect place to pick a few gems to explore each day at your own pace. Give yourself the time to get out of the car and really take in this epic landscape, and to enjoy the sights and sounds of this legendary land.
Highlights include:
Pic by Nicolas Raymond
Flying into Dublin and after a taste of Ireland's unspoilt shores? Imagine untouched beaches, stunning coastline and delicious seafood as you make your way along the east coast down towards Cork. Take a step back in time to one of the most ill-fated voyages to depart these shores by learning about the Titanic, spend your days walking on the endless beaches and be sure to work up an appetite before visiting villages famous for the freshest seafood straight off the boats.
Highlights include:
Looking for inspiration for your trip? Well look no further than your favourite TV show and spend a few days exploring Northern Ireland, home to more Seven Kingdom locations than anywhere else in the world. If you're obsessed with Game of Thrones, how better to peel yourself away from the screen than to see the place that inspired some of the most beautiful scenes? Stretching across 330 miles and taking three days, the trip takes in sights including the real-world Westerns, the lush Riverlands which lie side-by-side with the Iron Islands, the Dothraki Sea and Winterfell.
Highlights include:
Pic by jit bag
These are just four routes that I would love to road trip, but it doesn't stop there. Depending on what most inspires you to travel – movies, whiskey, walking, food, history – there really is a different trip for everyone. For such a small place, Ireland is a very diverse destination and visitors have the luxury of being able to design a trip that will ignite their passions and their love for the country. You can find more inspiration for planning your perfect road trip here.
What's the best road trip you've done? Have you been to Ireland - what was your favourite place? Can you recommend any places to visit?
Back in the UK now, I'm loving pouring back over photos and memories of my time in Sri Lanka as I write up post after post about my experiences there. I always enjoy reliving every moment so much when I get home, getting to share everything with you guys is incredible because it means I get to experience the joy all over again. But sometimes, there are some memories of a place that make you shudder to recall them, those moments that hurt your heart when you think back to them. This was one of those days, but I must add, the only day I had like this while travelling in what was a truly amazing country. Read my guide here to everything you need to know before you travel to Sri Lanka. But what is important, as a travel blogger, I pride myself on my honesty and giving you guys information that is authentic and genuine so you can plan your own travels, and part of that is telling you about the bad experiences as well as the good ones. So what happened?
A late afternoon safari which promised me the sight of 100 elephants, a dream come true for a gal like me who has always loved these beautiful, gentle creatures, turned out to be a bit of a nightmare. We'd been staying in the Cultural Triangle, deep in the centre of Sri Lanka, in a tiny town called Habarana, where I had been drawn to after reading about the amazing history, culture and natural wildlife. Our wonderful host recommended we go on safari to a nearby national park where we were told you could see over 300 elephants at one time - it was a once in a lifetime opportunity that we couldn't pass up. During the dry season (July to October) Minneriya Wildlife Sanctuary sees herds of hundreds of elephants gathering for what has been called the 6th greatest wildlife spectacle in the world by Lonely Planet. Arriving in November, we weren't sure if we would be lucky enough to witness such a spectacle but when we came to Habarana we were encouraged to go on the safari where several people claimed we would see at least 100 elephants. So we went, but we were not prepared for what we would see.
The magic and beauty of nature faded as the engines revved, each jeep vying for the best spot.
Driving around the national park was amazing to begin with, we had a great driver who really cared about the animals and could tell us so much about them and their habitat. Different to other national parks we had visited, this one offered vast open plains leading to huge lakes in the distance. As we drove the winding paths in our jeep, we could already see huge herds of elephants dotted across the plains, and our guide stopped so we could watch them from a safe distance. We spent three hours on safari in the park, watching various groups of elephants before they all came together to form one use herd as they made their way over to the lake. An absolutely majestic sight and one I won't forget in a hurry, but sadly for all the wrong reasons.
Throughout the afternoon, it had not been a calm experience where we could all peacefully enjoy these creatures from a distance benefitting both us and the animals. Instead there had been countless jeeps racing, overtaking each other and generally terrorising the animals as they competed for the best spot. The groups of eager tourists in many of the other vans were noisy and had little respect for the animals as they cheered and shouted in the back of the jeeps. We even saw several cars which had been allowed to drive the muddy tracks despite not having four wheel drive and posing a danger to both the visitors and the animals. I was glad to see that our driver seemed not to be like the others and was keen to hang back and watch the animals from a distance rather than crowding them like the others.
However, one good driver doesn't make up for the rest.
As everyone was driving over to the lake, the elephants were getting more agitated about protecting one of the babies as they walked through a crowd of jeeps. It wasn't long before one adult became so stressed that she charged the jeeps who didn't seem to understand they should move out of the way! The elephants made it over to the lake and all the jeeps started to drive round to the other side, but then one of the 2WD cars got stuck in the mud, panic ensued as the elephants spotted it and became aggressive. You could see they were terrified and started to charge the vehicle to try and protect the herd - also terrifying for the group in the car. Other jeeps rallied round to protect the jeep while others pulled the vehicle out of the mud, but in the process the jeeps revved engines and blared horns to scare off the elephants. It was a downright disturbing experience, terrifying and stressful for the animals. Absolutely horrible for me to watch and to be a part of as an animal lover, and each second that went by it just got worse.
Eventually the car was freed and the elephants were scared away, we told our driver we wanted to leave. We'd seen enough. I was dumbstruck by what had happened. As we drove out of the park our guide told us a bit of background to the park, he told us how these 2WD cars were allowed into the park - understandably the locals had to make a living even if they couldn't afford the right equipment - however this meant that what we had just witnessed was a regular occurrence. Almost on a daily basis these 2WD cars would get stuck and a similar event would happen with the elephants becoming stressed, agitated and frightened by tours. Even worse, our guide told us that within the last few years, one of the jeeps had actually reversed into a baby elephant and killed it which was the reason why the elephants had become so aggressive and nervous around the cars.
It was a pretty traumatic experience, and I can't imagine what those poor elephants go through each day. They live in a national park and should be some of the lucky ones being protected from harm, but if you ask me, a lot more needs to be done to protect these animals. After volunteering at Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand, sanctuary founder Lek Chailert always said we all have the power to make a change by raising awareness so by writing this post, I hope it will inform each and every one of you to make a conscious decision to not support this kind of tourism unless you know the animals are being properly protected. I didn't know what to expect before I arrived, but by sharing my experiences I can hopefully help make a change by letting my readers know what happened.
Have you experienced a safari like this? How do you feel about the protection of elephants across Sri Lanka, and Asia? Would you be put off another safari?
My first trip to Sri Lanka has brought with it some very exciting blogging opportunities, and the first of these was a really luxurious treat and welcome to this amazing country. I was invited to be the first blogger to visit and review the beautiful Dickman Resort - an adults only, luxury resort which has been hailed the first gay-friendly accommodation of its kind in the country. I was thrilled to be invited to somewhere so forward thinking and all-accepting, and couldn't wait to see what the visit had in store. In the heart of Negombo, the resort is ideal for anyone just arriving or about to fly out and the staff pride themselves on giving the very best welcome or farewell to Sri Lanka. As we pulled up to the resort we were given the warm Sri Lankan welcome as we were invited inside with fresh passionfruit juice and a tour of the property, before being seen to our room and told to relax and enjoy.
Our room, the Purple Suite overlooked the pool area and gave us a lovely view across the courtyard while still being tucked away neatly to give as much privacy as we wanted. Perfect for a travelling couple, the boutique resort is the perfect place to mingle with the staff and other travellers, or to give yourself complete privacy and alone time. Week-to-week the crowd changes - when we arrived it was many individual gay travellers but when we left there were several couples both gay and straight. But Dutch owner Mr Dickman make sure everyone feels welcome, always stopping to chat to everyone who is staying there and to make sure they have everything they need. Travelling with my boyfriend, we couldn't have felt more welcome and it really was the most romantic few days. A perfect place for a couple to holiday together, the rooms are pure luxury and have everything you never even realised you deserved from gorgeous outdoor rain showers to a four poster bed, fresh fruits and background music to set the mood.
After more than 48 hours travelling across Malaysia and Indonesia, it was the greatest pleasure to climb into the comfiest four poster bed and finally catch up on sleep. Waking up feeling refreshed, we headed to breakfast where we were greeted with fresh juice and delicious coffee, platters of fruit, omelettes, dhal, sambol and more - their tasty nod to both Western and Sri Lankan breakfast. An absolute feast, the meal was the perfect way to start the day and it was lovely to eat overlooking the beautiful courtyard with chipmunks running up and down the trees and birds calling overhead. A perfect place to spend a few hours reading, writing, or indulging in your favourite holiday pastimes, there are endless hidden corners and comfy spots to find a pew to while away the afternoon.
Spend your days relaxing by the pool with amazing staff on hand for everything you need from towels and magazines to fresh watermelon, all of them so friendly and kind. Head to the shaded courtyard to lay in the hammock and read, or make yourself comfortable on one of the colourful couches and while away the afternoons. Just up the street are no end of restaurants, bars and shops if it takes your fancy to go for a wander, or talk to the staff and order in your meals for complete comfort. The staff can arrange for spa staff to pick you up and whisk you away for massages and spa treatments at a moment’s notice and are happy to arrange transport if you wish to visit any sights.
It was a complete pleasure to stay at the Dickman Resort and a perfect way to start our Sri Lankan adventure, if you’re looking for a luxury treat then this is the one for you. Just 30 minutes from the airport, it’s a great way to relax into your trip after a long flight. Start your holiday the right way by booking in for a luxury treat here.
Have you stayed at any gay-friendly resorts around the world? Tell me - what is luxury to you? Have you been to Sri Lanka?
Layovers can be an annoying hold-up in your trip, or they can be a fantastic way to see a new city without committing to a whole trip to a new country. There are some places in the world that, although you would love to tick off your bucket list, you don’t need to spend a lot of time in to really enjoy. I’ve never really made the most of my layovers, always too keen to reach my destination, I didn’t take opportunities to explore Dubai or Kuala Lumpur on flights across Asia and to Australia over the last few years. So when I knew I would be leaving Australia and planed to travel parts of Asia, it seemed a good opportunity to explore some of areas I hadn’t had a chance to previously.
Booking some seriously cheap flights in an amazing deal I found in CheapFlights.com - I planned to fly from Darwin, Australia, to Bali for seven hours, then on to Malaysia for a day’s layover and eventually to Sri Lanka. One heck of a trip and a lot of travelling, but less than $700 for two people, and a chance to get a LOT of work done in Bali Airport followed by a day exploring Kuala Lumpur, it was a bargain. We had a great time in the city and managed to really make the most of our trip, so I thought who better to share it with than all of Absolutely Lucy’s closest friends.
Arriving in Kuala Lumpur, I finally had a chance to try out Blacklane’s premier chauffeur service - think Uber but far more upmarket with a personal driver and a sleek black Mercedes. After a pretty serious car crash, two flights and a seven-hour layover in Bali Airport, this was just the luxury treat we needed and it really gave our exhausted bodies the motivation to explore the city. We were met at arrivals by a Blacklane representative who guided us to our car and introduced us to our driver, David D, who was quite a character and really looked after us during our 10 hour layover. He offered advice on our plans for the city, he made sure we knew where we were going, where to meet him and had us back at the airport in plenty of time for our flight. Sweeping us around the city in his plush ride, we arrived at the caves and Petronus Towers ready to explore, and we easily dodged the crazy KL traffic and avoided the chaos of public transport - a saviour for those with yet another flight ahead of them. While the cars may not be in the budget of the average backpacker, they are well worthwhile booking for anyone who is planning on a luxury adventure getaway, or anyone who fancies arriving in the city in style. Find out more about Blacklane and book your next ride here.
I’m definitely not much of a city person and as soon as we arrived, I was already keen to leave the grey smog of Kuala Lumpur behind me, a far cry from the sunshine of Darwin. After an hour’s drive, we were dropped at Station Sentral where we planned to get the train to Batu Caves for just RM2 Just 8km out of the city, the train takes around 30 minutes and drops you right outside the Hindu cave temple, it really couldn’t be more convenient. First we wandered along the street towards the caves, watching the monkeys and tourists fight over food and selfies, then as we approached the caves we stopped to cover ourselves up - try and avoid wearing shorts (both men and women) out of respect, ladies make sure you have a shawl or sarong to drape around your shoulders. I really hate seeing people not pay their respects and cover up, it is a very small thing that means a lot to other cultures. Entry is by donation, then start the steep ascent up the stairs, stop every now and again to look behind and take in the view before you enter the caves and start exploring. I was less impressed by the main cave simply due to the number of people in there at the time, but it was majestic.
If you haven’t quite had your fix of caves, by not venture down the right side of the main staircase outside the caves and pop into the Dark Cave - these natural phenomenon are really work checking out. You can only explore by paying for a tour, but after paying RM70, I can say it was definitely worth it. We spent 45 minutes in hard hats exploring the huge caves by torchlight with our guide who seemed to know everything you wanted to know about these huge structures. It was great to walk alongside our guide and to hear her tell us about everything from the cave’s physical structure, to the biology of the organisms living in the cave including the bats and even the history of tourism. She was very knowledgeable and full of character which really brought the information to life for all of us on the tour. It was fantastic that we had time for both caves and we actually could have spent even more time there if we wanted. Afterwards, we strolled along the food stands outside and ended up enjoying a meal of vegetarian dhal and curry with fresh roti prepared in front of us - our first taste of the food that will be our diet for the next month.
Of course you can’t spend a day in Kuala Lumpur without wandering the city and paying a visit to the Petronus Towers. Our driver dropped us off right at the base of the towers and we spent some time taking in the sight and taking photos around the base. Although you can get tickets to go up to the top of the towers to take in the view, we decided against it as it was a rather cloudy and rainy day, and we didn’t want to queue. For the shopaholics among us, there are also several huge shopping malls both inside and next to the towers for all your retail needs, plus they’re a good place to escape the rain if the weather is a bit rubbish as it was for us.
We managed to do all this in less than six hours and had plenty of time for travelling between places and back to the airport - we were back there in plenty of time to collect our bags, make it through security and get food in departures. One thing that really helped us to enjoy seeing the city was being able to leave our bags at the airport, we paid less than $30 (AUS) to store our bags there for the whole day and it meant we were free of our heavy loads and didn’t have to stress about them on public transport. If you’re planning to get out and see the city, I would highly recommend it as Kuala Lumpur is one of the best cities I have been to for sightseeing in just a few hours. And I would definitely recommend leaving your bags either at the airport or train station to give you more freedom around the city.
Where's the best city you've spent a long layover? Have you been to Kuala Lumpur - what did you get up to while you were there? Do you like taking a break in the journey, or do you prefer to blast out the whole trip in one?
