*This travel memories post is a collaboration with StickerYou.
Everyone has their own unique way of planning and capturing their travel memories. For some, it's a classic travel journal, for others it's collecting fridge magnets, or even postcards on their journey. For me? It's this blog, my photography and from the very beginning, it's been hugely important to me that my travel memories were captured and shared in a way that was unique to me. After all, no two people experience travel, or life, the same way, so why should we all share it the same way?
Over the years I've kept journals, scrapbooks and photo albums of photographs and things found on my travels. Despite enjoying living a minimalist life and limiting myself to only the essentials – these memories are important to hold on to. Much like the baby books my mum spent hours putting together when I was little, these too will be important memories to look back on in years to come.
My favourite way to store travel memories is by going old school with a travel journal – you can find some great ones from Paperchase. I've never been one for a dear diary moment but there's something rather lovely about sitting with a notebook and pen on a long journey and scribbling down all those memories. What's special about it, is not putting together some spectacular prose, but rather making tiny, barely legible notes about the hilarious moments, the people you meet along the way, the name of that random cafe you ended up in when you got lost that day. It's a stream of consciousness record of all the moments you don't share with the world, but never want to forget.
Some choose to do this in words, others prefer to sketch or draw a memory. I've even met some who like to get those they meet while travelling to write a message, or draw something to contribute to the memories. Think of it like a time capsule of your travels, something to look at in years to come and be instantly transported back to that day. You could even take it a step further and customize your notebook with custom stickers, or create a bucket list using these removable and waterproof travel stickers from StickerYou.
Read: How to get more out of your travel snaps
Much like bands will give their drum kit or amps a unique look using stickers collected from gigs. Why not accessorise your suitcase or backpack using custom badges or patches? Always be the first to spot your luggage arriving on the baggage carousel. Ensure even your bags are filled with travel memories. It's a great way to show off your travels and create a unique backpacker style. If you’re feeling creative, make your own luggage tags, with a custom sticker of your making to stick on the tags.
If you want a way to collect your travel memories and share them with friends and family while you're away, starting a travel blog can be a great way to keep everyone up-to-date with your adventures. By sharing your photos and stories all in one place. Everyone back at home will easily be able to visit the website and find out what you've been up to. Whether you're starting a travel blog to make money. Or you just want a private website for those closest to you. It's a perfect way to make the most of all those travel pics so they don't just sit on a memory card somewhere.
Perhaps you've already been travelling and want to create a board to reminisce over travel memories. With photos and all those old tickets and leaflets you've collected. Or, you may not have even left the country yet but just want to visualise your goal while saving and working towards it. This is a great way to start a bucket list and to stay focused on saving and planning. You could use customised stickers to make the board special to you. From choosing your favourite destinations, to giving yourself that extra little bit of inspiration and a touch of wanderlust. For those among us who are more visual. It really helps to take a look at a vision board first ting in the morning when you're tired from working three jobs to save your pennies for travel!
After your travels, when you've got endless memory cards and hard drives filled with travel photos. Your drawers are filled with random leaflets, bus tickets and cards from epic hostels. What are you supposed to do with them all? A great way to store these memories so that they're not just a mess you want to shove under the bed is to create scrapbooks and photo albums. You could try using Design Bundles scrapbook designs for some extra inspiration. Plus if you're suffering from the travel blues post-trip, this is a great way to relive all those super fun travel memories and to celebrate them.
For scrapbooking from a great trip, include different icons, flags, or the I heart stickers. Make a variety of different travel icons, flags, and more as a bumper sticker. Stick on mugs, laptops, bedroom doors, notebooks, or stick them on photos after trips! I have so many scrapbooks from my uni days. I'm so glad I took the time to make them special and to stick in all those random wristbands and posters from nights out and festivals. It's really made my university memories so special to look back on. I plan to do exactly the same for my travel photos. When I'm older and more settled. It will mean so much to be able to look back on these exciting times and travels in my life.
How do you store your travel memories? Do you prefer a notebook and pen or keeping it online?
We all want to find ways to make our money stretch that little bit further – but how do you know which money saving tips are right for you? After five years of budget travel, I've become a bit of an expert at cutting corners and finding ways to squirrel away a little bit more dollar for that next big trip. The important thing I've learned is that it is possible to save no matter how much you're earning – it just take determination and a willingness to make a few small sacrifices. And the good news? There are a few small tools and money saving tips I can share that could make your life a whole lot easier! But first? Honesty time.
The truth is, travel can easily flush out your finances if you're not careful – life sneaks up and asks for money just about a hundred times a day when you’re exploring strange new places. But as much as I wish I could claim that my bank account is a bottomless pit of endless free money, the harsh truth is that your savings can soon disappear if you're not careful. I’m often asked how I afford to go and see and do so many things, and whether I have a secret money tree, or even a sugar daddy. That’s why I thought I’d share my top tips on how to make every last penny stretch just that little bit further.
Debt is tempting. Buy now, pay later. Zero percent interest rates for ‘x’ amount of months. Follow your dreams now and pay us back down the line. You know the type of thing. The only problem is that eventually debt does in fact need to be repaid, and if you’re on a budget, any plans that you may have had may be shelved for month after month while you try your best to save up again. This website offers a debt calculator that could help you to gain perspective. If you’re juggling monthly payments and if you feel like you never seem to be getting anywhere with your debt, a debt calculator can be an extremely useful tool in making a plan and finding your way out of the debt maze.
This is a strange one to mention but I feel like so many people don't take advantage of it! Picture the scene. You’re in the supermarket picking up some washing machine tablets, some pasta for this evening’s meal, and a birthday gift for a family member - let’s say a book from the books-and-magazines aisle. What do you do? Looking at the shelf full of goods in front of you, do you scan across at eye level and choose brands and items you’re familiar with? You may well do - and that’s the problem. Look to the lower shelves for off-brand and lesser known goodies that do exactly the same thing as the more expensive items, but come at a fraction of the price. As long as you’re happy walking away with much more plain looking packaging rather than the bright and colourful items you’ve seen advertised, you could save a small fortune.
This is personal skill I have developed over the years. Never waste a birthday or Christmas or any other reason that people can find to put their hands in their pockets and buy you things. Save your own money by asking for what you need - from backpacks and footwear to asking for a donation towards a plane or train ticket, I’ve been cheeky enough to ask for it all (and it works!). People would much rather buy you a gift that they know you will enjoy, as opposed to adding one more candle to your ever growing collection of candles from people who think you love candles.
As a big nature-lover, a huge motivator for my travel is getting to explore beautiful parts of the world including national parks, and experiencing incredible animals in their natural environment. I love escaping the crowds and heading into beautifully untouched parts of the world to enjoy nature's playground. From camping under the stars, to spending days hiking trails, swimming in the ocean and climbing trees – it's a wonderful way to experience a country and see a different side to the busy cities. I've been lucky enough to visit some incredible national parks during my travels and wanted to share some of the more under-rated ones for those who love getting away from the crowds at larger parks.
One of my absolute favourite travelling experiences and a place I am dying to return to – Khao Sok National Park. This incredibly beautiful place was where I stayed in a floating cabin on a lake in the middle of an 80 million year old rainforest in the centre of Thailand. It was magical, especially hearing wild elephants in the jungle and watching the sunrise over the mountains. I wrote about my experiences at the national park, and the amazing two day trip you can do to visit. Read this post and this post, for the full details of my stay.
The most epic national park I have seen in Europe, this one was an unexpected gem during my summer road trip! Imagine fields of sunflowers, epic medieval structures high up in the cliffs that have stood there for hundreds of years, fortresses, incredible views and cute little villages overlooking the river. An amazing place to visit and explore, especially if you love hiking and great viewpoints. Read about Saxon Switzerland National Park in this blog post.
Without doubt, the national park to visit if you are going to Sri Lanka! An amazing landscape with tight, enclosed jungle, wide open plains, stunning beaches and swampland. Book yourself on to a safari, or even two, to stand the maximum chance of spotting wild leopards, wild elephants and lots of monkeys! Make sure you book a safari after doing your research to find the most eco-friendly companies that will ensure the animals remain protected to the highest standard while getting you the best possible view. Read my Yala National Park post here.
One of the most varied national parks I have ever visited – plus easily accessible from Melbourne if you only have time for a weekend visit! Boasting epic viewpoints and hikes, stunning beaches, forest, woodland, and even epic sand-dunes. There's so much to do, you could easily stay a week and keep exploring, but a weekend is perfect if you choose carefully what you want to do. Don't miss the sand-dunes and viewpoints, and read more in this blog post.
With a completely different landscape to that of Yala National Park, these wide open plains are a fantastic place to come if you dream of spotting elephants. With the opportunity to see up to 200+ elephants gather at the water's edge – including babies – each evening at sunset. Minneriya is a dream come true for many travelers. However, as much as I loved the experience and seeing these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat, I did have some concerns over the aggressive driving of some of the safari guides' in their cars. Research and book carefully – read more here.
Still one of my absolute favourite national parks of all time – Kakadu is hidden away in the Northern Territory and isn't the easiest to access with 4-wheel drive needed for many of the tracks. However, it's worth it. With some incredible peaks, dense jungle and amazing sweaty hikes, plus amazing watering holes, waterfalls and swimming places to dive into – you'll see places you couldn't even dream of. There's amazing wild camping where you can really sleep under the stars, plus places where you can go and see real Aboriginal artwork on cliff-faces that dates back hundreds of years. Prepare for some mind-blowing sunsets. Read more about Kakadu National Park here.
A tiny little national park on tiny little Rügen Island in Northern Germany, this one is worth a weekend. Stepping into these ancient beech forests – it feels like time stopped a long time ago. Even more so than when I visited the Black Forest, I felt like Jasmund National Park was the place that must have inspired fairy tales of years gone by. There's some beautiful views from the very top, amazing forests and plenty of beautiful beaches to lay on when you're tired of hiking. Read more about what to see here, and how to plan your visit here.
Tasmania absolutely blew my mind – my time there was one of the best road trips of my life. During the 10-day trip, we combined Freycinet and Cradle Mountain National Parks for the most epic travelling experience. We started with Freycinet – imagine camping on the beach, not seeing a soul other than the friendly kangaroos and wombats, and watching whales on the horizon. Cradle Mountain was completely different – it was wild and untamed, crazy rock climbing up mountains, hiking epic paths and crystal clear lakes. Read this Freycinet post and this Cradle Mountain post for more details.
I've always loved exploring places by the ocean, or in the mountains, but spending last summer road-tripping Europe really gave me a new appreciation for forests. With deforestation and climate change, our landscape is changing so quickly and it's important that we take the time to help protect our forests and the creatures that live in them. But also to help them flourish once more, otherwise we risk losing certain areas forever. Visiting these amazing places brings such a sense of calm and reconnecting with nature, so why not try and recreate this feeling in your own backyard?
Choose one of hundreds of tree varieties on this site, and plant your own mini-forest – not only will you be helping the environment but you're investing in the future. How you ask? One of the reasons you feel so good when you are strolling through a forest is that the air is so much cleaner. In one year, a mature tree pulls about 48 pounds of carbon dioxide from the air and pumps out oxygen in its place. As a result, the air in forested areas tends to have fewer contaminants and be richer in the gases the human body needs.
Have you visited any of these National Parks? Which would you love to visit?
Five years of travelling have taught me a lot about creating the perfect capsule wardrobe for all my summer travels and now I want to share all I've learnt with you. Because the truth is, we don't need three suitcases bulging at the zippers in order to feel stylish when we travel. What we really need – is to become more creative with our clothing, and a bit more organised! It doesn't matter how much of an over-packer you were in a previous life, there's potential for all of us to start creating a much more sustainable summer wardrobe that will keep us looking fabulous season after season.
Throughout the year so far, my travels have taken my to Thailand, and soon to Germany and Italy, with more trips coming up. But despite all these different destinations, I'm taking a very similar wardrobe made up of the same key items. That's because I've been limited myself to only buying items I will wear all summer and beyond, that means taking a closer look at both my style and the sustainability of clothing before I take it to the till. I used to be someone who would cram everything she owned into her suitcase, now I often travel just with hand luggage because I've managed to focus in on the items I really need. And now, I'm going to show you exactly how I did that.
Don't get caught up in the latest styles when choosing the key items for your capsule wardrobe, instead focus on timeless shapes that suit your body and won't go out of style. Whether you want a capsule wardrobe to last one summer, or years to come, make sure all your chosen items can make multiple matches and that you can style them in different ways. If in doubt, always go classic with styles that come back into fashion every year when the shops bring out their summer ranges.
When planning a summer wardrobe which has to fit with lots of different trips and adventures, it's important to think about the materials you are investing in. When your clothing options are limited, you want to ensure you have only the most durable clothing which will last you throughout the summer and beyond. Look for crease-free fabrics to make packing a breeze, or, if you have an iron on hand, choose lighter fabrics such as linen to stay cool in the summer sun. Neutral colours are a good basis for a capsule wardrobe, with the option to brighten them up with flashes of colour in your accessories.
One big reason to create a capsule wardrobe that will last you all summer, and for years to come, is for the environment. Avoiding fast fashion and instead going for investment pieces by good quality and sustainable brands is a great reason to start cutting back on shopping. Not only is it sustainable for the planet, but it's sure to help your wallet in the long-run when you save on buying a whole new wardrobe for every trip this summer. Choose brands wisely and do you research to make sure you're buying from a company you want to invest in.
Every woman needs the perfect summer dress. It doesn't matter if you're sunning yourself in an Italian piazza, gallivanting on the beach in Thailand, or even spending the summer at a UK festival. We all want something effortlessly gorgeous to throw on when we don't know what else to wear, instantly fabulous with a slick of lipstick and a pair of sandals. Choose a dress you know you can wear with sandals, trainers or heels, one that you can easily accessorise with a good hat and sunglasses. Most importantly, choose a style that suits you, go for a mini-dress and show off those tanned legs, or go for a longer boho style if you prefer.
As much as we would love to believe summer is always blazing sunshine, you always need an extra layer. Think a light, cropped jacket for those cooler summer nights, or even a cover-up for when you're sightseeing in a foreign country. Pick a style that will go with anything – perhaps a classic denim jacket or blazer, or a kimono if you prefer something super light for more humid destinations. I never travel without an extra layer, and if you're spending a lot of time on planes, buses or trains, you might appreciate a light jumper you can throw on.
One of my fave summer items – whether you prefer a bikini, swimsuit or tankini – there's nothing like finding the swimmers that make you feel fabulous. No-one should feel uncomfortable on the beach, because every body is a bikini body. It's just a case of finding the style that makes you feel amazing! Experiment with styles and colours – don't want to show off that tum? Go for something high-waisted and perhaps a darker print. If you've got a big bum like me – go for tie-side bikinis to avoid that too-tight bottom look. Always be prepared for the beach, or the pool, with the ultimate swimsuit.
If you ask me, every gal should have a fine pair of trousers with all the girl boss vibes and plenty of sass on the side. I bought myself a fab pair last summer and they've become one of my most worn bottoms from my wardrobe. Pick a pair that can go from day, to night, and even to work, and you'll save yourself hours of choosing outfits for every occasion. Not into trousers? Find the perfect skirt, or even shorts, to fit your capsule wardrobe style for summer. If you're looking for a summer classic – why not invest in a pair of linen trousers? These never go out of style and look great exploring a new city in the sunshine.
No pressure, but there's a lot riding on your choice of summer footwear. Think carefully before you invest and work out exactly what shoes you need to take you through all occasions. If you're someone who lives in trainers, invest in a classic pair that will work with all outfit combinations and can be either smart or casual. If you're all about the summer heel – why not look at a wedge style that can be dressed up for down whether it's a summer wedding or a picnic in the park? For those who prefer a simple sandal, make sure you choose one with a supportive sole. Perhaps a pair of hard-wearing sandals with thicker soles would suit those planning on exploring new cities on foot. Or for those who prefer something a bit prettier, go for a sparkly style that works for day or night.
Check out these posts:
Are you an over-packer, or an essentials-only kind of traveller? What key items make up your holiday wardrobe?
One of the questions I get the most is "how to save money for travelling?" Before I went travelling, I too thought of travel as a once a year treat – something that was too expensive to enjoy more often. I understand how it can seem crazy that someone could afford to travel so much. But as someone who has been travelling for nearly five years – I'm here to tell you that travel is both affordable and attainable. Travel is without doubt the best experience of my life and I'm so glad that I have invested so much time, energy and money into it. For every penny I have spent, I have had a lifetime of adventures that have grown and shaped me as a person.
Whether you've finally decided to take the plunge and book a big trip, or if you're still undecided, I'm here to have an honest chat about what's holding you back. The two things that put people off travelling the most? Money and fear of the unknown. Facing your fears is down to you, but I want to do what I can to help you understand the money. We live in a society that views money talk as a taboo, well I'm here to poo-poo the taboo. The more we talk openly and frankly about money, the easier it is to understand and the less intimidating it is. So if you want to know how to save money? Let this post help your dreams seem that little bit closer and more attainable.
It can seem like a mammoth task at first – but every traveller starts somewhere. Whether you want to save for a weekend away, a summer holiday or a year-long backpacking trip, the attitude has to be the same. This trip is something you've always wanted to do and will remember for a lifetime, if you really want it, making some small sacrifices to save for it shouldn't be a big deal. I've been accused of having boyfriends, or even a sugar daddy, paying for all my travels before. But the truth is, if you want to know how to save money for travel – it's by working bloody hard!
Before I first went travelling, I had been saving money for years 'for a rainy day' and I worked five jobs for almost a year before leaving. Likewise, I am constantly picking up jobs, working freelance and through this blog while I travel – trust me, it never stops! As big as that mountain may seem, breaking it down into simple, manageable steps is the best way to tackle it. It can seem like you'll never reach your goal without winning the lottery, but perhaps you just need to set smaller goals to make it seem more attainable.
When I was trying to save for travelling – I found it really helped to work out my monthly incoming and outgoings, once I knew exactly what I was earning and spending, it became easier to cut back. Each month on payday, while everyone else was out spending – I would figure out what I realistically needed to spend over the month ahead and moving the rest into my savings account. This didn't mean giving up all fun in life – I would budget for fun with friends and family as well. By working out exactly what I should be spending, it helped keep it under control. Ask yourself how to save money by cutting back on what you're currently spending – you'll be surprised how much you can save.
TIP: Create a spreadsheet and monitor every penny for a week/month – be honest about your spending and it's easy to see where you can cut back.
Read my other posts with top money-saving tips here.
Work out the costs of your trip for travel, accommodation, food and fun – now break that down by what you can realistically save each month from your earnings. Not fitting in with your timescale? If you're not earning enough, consider getting a second job or taking on extra hours at work, or extend your timescale. Once you have an idea of how much you can actually save each month without being miserable – you'll know whether you want to push yourself harder or whether that actually works for you. Set yourself a monthly goal for saving and put this amount immediately into a high interest savings account or ISA on payday. Hopefully you may even still have some extra money left over at the end of the month as a bonus saving!
TIP: You can get some apps which can automatically save a % of your paycheck each month, or can help you budget realistically and keep on top of your finances quickly and easily. Check out this article.
A great way to help you save extra cash and cutting down on the spare time when you would be spending, is to take on extra work. When I was saving to go travelling, I was working full time as a journalist, then in the evenings I would babysit for friends, work at the pub up the road, take on extra freelance work or paid work for this blog. I was creative and took on work where I could find it, choosing different things to keep it interesting and to broaden my CV at the same time. These same jobs helped me land a job an an au pair in Australia, and lots of hospitality and freelance work later on as well. Identify your skills and see if you can take on extra hours at work. Or go for something different and pick up shifts at your local supermarket or bar.
TIP: Sell your skills (IT, writing, design, social media) and work online in the evenings, or ask around with friends if you can babysit, clean, walk pets etc.
Read my posts on how to freelance anywhere - and how to pitch to brands if you're starting a travel blog.
Make sure you are set up with the best accounts for saving your money – you want to look for high interest savings accounts and ISAs to ensure you make the most of your money. Also, look into investing your money, and into credit cards and air miles points cards as great ways of getting good bonuses when you book travel. Make sure you use discount codes available online whenever you buy anything and sign up to newsletters to get initial discounts as a new customer. If you have to spend, do it wisely and start thinking in terms of what everything would be worth in the currency of the country you want to visit. For example, when I planned to travel Asia, I would ask myself whether I wanted to have a night out, or a week's accommodation/food in Asia – it made the decision easy!
TIP: Also – start a savings jar at home and put all your loose change into it at the end of every day. Anytime you sell anything, put a chunk of it in the jar and don't open until you leave for your trip.
One great way I found to save money for travel while clearing out my cupboards, was to sell items. This ranged from old clothes, books and DVDs to jewellery, kid's toys and even picture frames! I used a combination of eBay and local car boot sales and made a small fortune off stuff that was only cluttering up my home. We all accumulate so much stuff, and I can tell you, if you're planning on travelling long-term, you'll want to minimise your life as much as possible. It's easy to sort out a couple of bin bags of stuff that you would normally take to the charity shop, and to make a few £££ from it. Selling gold and old jewellery is a great way to make some extra cash, check out this website for more information.
TIP: There are some great apps and websites like Depop which you can easily sell your old items on, these are quick and easy to use and can be done all on your phone.
So many of us are signed up to so many different memberships – from gym memberships at £20-40 a month (this could save you up to £500 a year!) to sites for streaming music and TV. With Spotify and Netflix at £9.99 a month, cutting both of these could save you £240 a year! Don't forget that some streaming providers are available on multiple devices – team up with your mates and split the cost! Also, start looking at your bank statement to check outgoings – you could easily be signed up to something without realising. I recently found that NOW TV had never actually cancelled a subscription when I requested it and had charged me for months extra! Don't get caught out by an old insurance or subscription.
TIP: Cancel that gym membership and start running or exercising outside, or check Youtube for lots of free workout videos including Yoga with Adriene.
Ask yourself, do you really need that mocha-choca-cappuccino-latte with extra foam and a toffee Danish every morning? Skip Starbucks and you could save up to £10 a day – that's £200 a month! If you're guilty of buying lunch every day instead of making it at home, that could be another £200 a month right there. It's so easy not to realise quite how much your cheeky little treats to yourself add up each month, but once you actually add it up – that's a lot of empty spending! Start making your own lunches at the start of the week – you can spend an hour prepping a week's worth of lunches and save yourself hundreds. Carry around a refillable water bottle and save even more on bottled water. Read more about the impact these choices could have on the environment in this great post on reducing plastic waste.
TIP: Get up a bit earlier each morning to make yourself a nice coffee to-go for your journey to work – save a fortune and you don't feel like you're missing out.
We've all got a weakness – whether it's eating out, smoking, spending a fortune on alcohol on nights out or even shopping. If we're giving in to these every weekend, or even during the week, it soon adds up. Instead of spending £100-200 each weekend on food, drinks, cigarettes and new outfits – why not look for alternative options? It doesn't mean you have to stop having fun, just get a bit creative with costs! Instead of eating out, make a fancy brunch at home for a third of the price. Invite your friends round for pre-drinks before you go out to save money, skip the ciggies because ew, and why not restyle an old outfit?
TIP: For those addicted to shopping – start restyling older clothes and only shop at vintage/second-hand stores. It makes you more creative with your style, and gives you a unique look while saving £££.
Read my post on why you should be investing in sustainable fashion and start vintage shopping today!
It's amazing the amount you can save with a bit of forethought. Instead of leaving everything to the last minute and ending up paying higher prices for convenience, plan ahead to cut costs. Plan your meals for the week and list the exact ingredients/quantities on your shopping list, combined with not shopping when you're hungry and you could save a fortune. The same goes for alcohol – if you want to spend less on alcohol, look for deals in the supermarket and make sure you have it at home to save you drinking more when you go out. If you want to catch up with friends but not spend a fortune? Why not plan a dinner party evening or tapas night where everyone brings a dish, you get to host all your mates while saving on inflated restaurant prices.
TIP: Think about which supermarket you shop at and consider a cheaper option – after all, they all sell the same products but sometimes at vastly different prices.
Friends and family may want to spoil you at Christmas or on your birthday – but instead of the usual socks and bath products – why not ask them to make a small donation to your travel fund? Or, if they insist on giving you a present – why not ask for travel-related items? A backpack or suitcase would be a great gift for a traveler, or why not ask for travel insurance? It's not the most exciting present, but it saves you a chunk of money and organising, and gives them peace of mind. Explain to them that you're trying to cut back on stuff, and would really appreciate any support they can give. It helps them to feel part of your adventure and you can even send them photos from your trip to show how much you appreciated their support.
TIP: Why not start a travel blog? It's a great way for friends and family to keep up with your travels, especially if they helped you save! Plus you might even be able to make some money from it!
What are your top ways to save money? How have you cut back to save for travel?
*This post is a collaboration with New York Harbour Boat Tours.
Planning New York city breaks is no easy task – there's no end of amazing things to do and see in the Big Apple – but how do stop yourself from wasting time? When you've been looking forward to your trip for months, you want to make the most of every second and focus on the things YOU really want to do, not what everyone tells you that you "should" do. The city may never sleep, but let's be honest, if you did the same you'd be dead on your feet. So this post is all about how to cram in everything you want to see and do, without feeling like you're rushing around like headless chicken!
As someone who has visited the city five times, I've had the opportunity to visit as a tourist keen on sightseeing, and the chance to return and focus on the parts of the city I love the most. Each trip has been completely different and each time I've been, I've discovered a whole new side to the city and fallen in love with it all over again. Now I want to help you do the same – not that you need any help to love New York City – but by taking your trip from the same old New York city breaks, to a trip you'll never forget.
If you're more flexible on when you travel, it's worth monitoring flights and airline sales for some seriously budget-friendly prices. I've just searched on Skyscanner for the cheapest month and it's coming up with flights from London to New York at just £137 one-way in October. Yes New York is an expensive holiday overall, but there are a lot of ways to cut costs and make it that little bit more affordable.If you're unsure of how long you want to spend in the city, four to five days is a perfect amount of time for a first visit.
I've traveled there at Christmas, Easter and October, and all three are lovely times of year to visit. Flying out on Christmas day was significantly cheaper and the time difference meant we arrived by lunchtime and could still enjoy the day (plus everything is open like normal in New York at Christmas!). Do your research and check the weather for the time of year you want to visit, the city can sometimes be caught up in extreme snowstorms that could ruin your holiday!
I've stayed in different hotels during my stays in the city - the first was the Flathotel which you may know as one of the hotels where the models in America's Next Top Model used to stay during the show. It was one of the best hotels I have ever stayed at in my life, with the most incredible pancakes for breakfast but sadly it has since shut down. My last time in New York, I stayed at the Wellington Hotel, which is in Midtown Manhattan and just 400ms from Central Park and Carnegie Hall. It's perfect positioned with great access to shopping, sights and more within walking distance.
If you're traveling on a backpacker budget, I recommend checking out the hostels around the city for cheap beds in dorms (after all you'll only be sleeping there) or private rooms that are more budget-friendly. Check out Hi NYC Hostel for a unique stay in a historic castle-like building featuring lots of great communal areas for meeting new friends and joining in the daily activities. They're one of the highest rated hostels on Hostelworld and have two metro stations within walking distance that link direct to Times Square and Central Park.
There is always a queue for the Empire State Building so make sure you either get up early and get to the front of the line, or get there in plenty of time for sunset. Some may say it's a cheesy tourist spot, but you'll be hard pushed to escape these in New York, and honestly it gives you such a fantastic view of the city. And the Big Apple is definitely a city you want to appreciate from the 102nd floor. Once you see New York from these heights, you'll never forget it.
A memory that will never leave me, I remember when I first went to New York and the World Trade Centre was just a pile of rubble waiting to be cleared. Over the next few visits, I watched it take shape and become the Ground Zero and 9/11 Memorial we see today. It's incredibly heartbreaking, poignant and hard-hitting to visit the site of such a brutal attack, I still remember where I was when I heard the attack had happened. But now, it is a testament to the strength of the people in the wake of destruction.
Whether you decide to head over on the boat and visit the island, or you prefer to take in the view from Battery Park, it would be rude not to greet the Statue of Liberty.
Central Park is such a beautiful place, you could easily spend endless time there. Whether in the winter for the ice skating and snowball fights, or in the summer for long afternoons in the sunshine, visiting the zoo and exploring the little walkways.
If there's one city that does breakfast well, it's New York. From blueberry pancakes with bacon, to eggs sunny side up, French toast dripping in syrup to countless other options – you'll be spoiled for choice! Check out Fluffy's Café and Pizzeria, in Midtown, for insane blueberry pancakes, huge muffins and delicious cheesecake.
There are no end of delis in the city and they all offer freshly made sandwiches, bagels and much more to order. Pick your fave fillings and put in your order! I was obsessed with the smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels on my last visit!
Who could say no to a slice of pizza? New York has the most epic array of pizza places - it would be impossible to cover them all! Here I hand over to Em Shel - who has definitely done her research when it comes to the best pizza in New York, check out her recommendations here.
Whether you love Italian food, Chinese food, Japanese sushi or Mexican, you're sure to find amazing restaurants serving the very finest during your New York city breaks. But be sure to do the research first and have a place in mind so you don't waste time deciding when you're starving! Read the reviews and get recommendations from friends who have been. For me, I love Italian food so every visit means trekking to Little Italy for the best Italian food made authentically in restaurants that have been there longer than I've been around.
If you're eager to get out and explore on foot to work up an appetite after stuffing yourself silly, why not take a walk to some of the different neighbourhoods? Little Italy is a personal favourite, it feels like you've stepped back in time and the streets are filled with the most amazing smells of food cooking in the family-run restaurants.
On the way to Little Italy, you'll find yourself in Chinatown and you'll want to stop and take in the sights. Crowded streets selling all kinds of items, restaurant windows filled with hanging ducks and lanterns overhead. It's well worth a walk around the area for a taste of something different to Midtown.
New York has lots of great markets for vintage shopping and quirky items, get away from the city and head over to Brooklyn to see the city from another viewpoint. Brooklyn Flea Market is a great place to find amazing pieces whether you're looking for second-hand records, clothes or furniture.
Let's be honest, there's no chance of you going to New York and not shopping! Head to the famous 5th Avenue and go from Breakfast at Tiffany's to afternoon at Armani. Whatever your budget, you'll find shopping to suit, from the designer brands down to seasonal sales. If shopping is a priority, look at the time of year you travel – when we visited at Christmas, from Boxing Day onwards, everything was in extreme sale-mode and we saved so much money!
Tired of walking? Why not sit back and enjoy seeing the city from a different perspective, from the deck of a private motorboat with New York Harbor Boat Tours? Skip the crowded NYC boat tours and instead take a unique cruise with views of the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan skyline, the Freedom Tower, Ellis Island and more. With two and three hour cruises up for grabs, it's the perfect way to relax while cramming in the sights during your New York city breaks. The company offer small group and private boat tours departing from two locations, conveniently in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. Prices start at $90 per person, full details of New York Harbor Boat Tours available here.
Keen to catch a show while in the city? Tickets can be crazy expensive for some of the shows, but you can save money by heading to the ticket sellers in Times Square where they sell the last remaining seats for the day a few hours before the shows. It's a great place to pick up reduced price tickets and get great seats! I've seen Mamma Mia and The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway and wow, they were incredible!
Whether you're into ice hockey, basketball, boxing or wrestling, Madison Square Gardens is the place to catch epic live sports in New York. I've always wanted to get tickets to the basketball while in the city but haven't yet had the chance. You can buy tickets online here or pick them up from ticket sellers in the city, just be careful where you buy!
Can't splash out on sports or theatre tickets, but fancy an evening's entertainment? Why not take in a dinner show? There are so many to choose from and they are so much fun, paired with a great meal. Check out this list by Culture Trip to find one that you like the sound of. We went to the World Famous Jekyll and Hyde Club – the world's only haunted restaurant! The show was fantastic and had us laughing the whole way through and the food was absolutely delicious.
You will never run out of things to do and see during your New York city breaks, but the important thing is to focus on the things you really want to spend time on. Yes, I've listed the big sights and some activities here, but you don't have to do them all – you could pick just one or two and skip the rest. You might want to focus entirely on food and culinary experiences, or sports and watching as many as possible, you might even have tickets for a gig! Don't feel the pressure to cram too much in, remember you're on holiday and you should enjoy every second of your trip, no matter what pace you travel at.
I also really enjoyed visiting the art galleries, the New York City Library, Central Station and various other famous sights including Carrie Bradshaw's flat from Sex and the City. Everyone is different, and many other people might not enjoy these, or many not have the money to spend on a lot of paid activities. If you're on a budget, you should check out this post I wrote on finding free activities when you travel. Also, read about my free experience stargazing on the New York City High Line with a local astronomy group - one of my highlights of the trips.
Have you been to New York – what was your favourite memory? Is New York on your bucket list?
*All images by the amazingly talented Jörg Schubert - find more of his work here.
*This is a collaboration with United Healthcare Global
With so much of my family still in Mauritius, I've long since wanted to explore more of Africa, and Kenya holidays have been permanently on my bucket list for years! Such an incredible country with so much amazing wildlife, stunning landscapes and beautiful people, who wouldn't love to explore such wild and untamed lands? After exploring countries across Europe, the US and Australia and finding them so manicured in comparison, only Asia has given me a taste of wild jungles and vast open plains in recent years. It's now been over a decade since I visited Mauritius and yes I still remember it like it was yesterday, if anything it has only whet my appetite for more Africa travels in the future. So, as a taste of things to come, here's a little extra post on the important things you need to remember before planning your Kenya holidays.
Kenya is a stunning country boasting 54 national parks, a beautiful coastline and striking mountains, including Mount Elgon and the Aberdare Range.With Kenya becoming more popular by the year, it's a great time to visit this relatively unspoiled country before it becomes a tourist hot spot. With visitor numbers increasing from 37,000 in 2008, to nearly 100,000, it's set to be hugely popular with travelers searching for their next adventure. But, there are a few things you need to bear in mind when planning your trip.
Pic by Ludovic Hirlimann
Never travel without health insurance. Trust me, as someone who has been in several serious car accidents while traveling, who has stepped on a sea urchin, face planted the water from an 18m jump and goodness knows what else – you never know when you will need it. Medical care is expensive in other countries – when you've grown up with the NHS, you have no idea how much you have been sheltered from. It is wise to buy comprehensive travel and health insurance to ensure you are covered for all eventualities, particularly if you are planning adventure travel activities that might put you at further risk.
Planning Kenya holidays takes a bit of organisation and time, you will need to get vaccinated before you go to prevent the risk of infection when you travel. Check with the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for an updated list of recommended vaccinations before you travel. The current list for Kenya advises you get immunized against the following: Measles, MMR, Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, Chickenpox, Polio, Flu shot, Pneumonia, Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Cholera, Hepatitis B, Malaria, Meningitis, Polio, Rabies.
It is a long list, but you will most likely have already had around six or seven of the vaccines on the list when you were younger. It is worth visiting your doctor to check if you require all of these, any booster jabs, and also how long it will take to get the jabs done. For rabies – needed if you are spending time around livestock or perhaps even on safari – there are several jabs that must be taken over several weeks/months prior to the trip. The rest, all except Yellow Fever, are not obligatory for all travelers. Whether it is wise to have them or not is for you to determine. Your doctor will help you to decide which ones you need. You also need to bear that not getting the right vaccinations may mean that your health insurance will not cover certain illnesses.
*As always, Absolutely Lucy is not a medical professional and cannot advise specific cases – you must speak with your doctor and make the best decision for yourself.
Pic by Dylan Walters
The rules for Kenyan visas vary depending on where you are from. So, you should always check to see what the requirements are for your country. Even if you think you know what the rules are, double-check before booking your ticket. Visa agreements can be updated and changed, at any time. So, you want to be sure that you are working with the latest information, which is available here.
At the time of writing this post, UK citizens require a visa to enter Kenya, this can be organised before traveling or on arrival at the airport. To minimise queuing time, it is advised to get it beforehand by applying for a single entry or transit visa on the evisas website. You can also apply for these, and other types of visa, at the Kenya High Commission in London. For more information, see the website of the Kenya High Commission. Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Kenya. Make sure you have two blank pages in your passport on arrival.
If you are not sure Kenya holidays are for you, but would still like to visit an African country there are plenty of other options. If you want to do a little more research to find which country is the most appealing to you, check out Spirited Pursuit's blog for in-depth articles that tell you everything you need to know including general travel tips for Africa. Her blog is more than just information about traveling Africa, she tells a story of African life and the true beauty of the continent.
Have you been to Africa – which countries have you visited? What parts of Africa are on your bucket list?
It's been over four years since I first visited this amazing island, but Koh Lanta still remains my favourite part of Thailand. This amazing place stole my heart at the beginning of my solo travels and just a few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to return and take my parents on their first visit to Asia. It was such a lovely experience to finally show them where I started my solo traveling adventure, for them to finally see why I had raved so much about the country. There's something about Thailand that holds a certain magic for me, and for so many others who have visited. The land of the smiles welcomes you with open arms whether it's your first, third, or thirtieth visit, and each time has a whole new experience awaiting you.
For those who don't know, Koh Lanta is one of the most south-westerly islands dotted around the bottom of the country. Just 60-90 minutes ferry ride from neighbouring party island, Koh Phi Phi, and a 2.5 hour minibus ride from Krabi Airport – it's easily accessible. And yet, so few travelers seem to make it down here, even during peak season, Koh Lanta always remains somewhat quieter than the other islands. Herein lies the island's charm – expect only those who really want to be there and none of the party vibes of the other islands. If you're the kind of traveler who craves buckets and full moon parties, save yourself the journey. But if you're interested in beautiful nature, peace and quiet, gorgeous deserted beaches and an endless supply of fresh coconuts – this will be right up your street.
One of my favourite traveling experiences will always be going to sleep and waking up to the sound of the waves outside my little beach hut. Constant sandy toes and salty hair that smelt like the ocean and that first feeling of real freedom. I can't recommend it enough – I stayed in both Lanta Palm Beach Resort and Blue Wave Koh Lanta (which doesn't have a website but is great if you fancy just turning up!) Both times I had a bungalow overlooking the ocean for budget-friendly prices whether you're backpacking or on holiday.
The food on Koh Lanta is fantastic with such a broad range to suit all tastes, but don't forget to indulge your taste-buds with some real, authentic Thai food. It doesn't always have to be sunset bars on the beach, you'll actually find the best local food at the restaurants on the main streets. Check out Green Restaurant and Krua Kritsana Restaurant on the main road behind Long Beach for true Thai flavour.
When I first went to Koh Lanta, I actually stayed in a little hut by a reggae bar (Blue Wave Ko Lanta) and it was amazing. The people who ran the place were the best, the music was perfection for beach life and I don't think I've ever felt so relaxed in my life. The island is littered with reggae bars that will give you the full island life experience.
If you fancy testing your sea legs, how better to explore the area than with a boat trip? There are two main boat trips from Koh Lanta – the 4 Islands and Koh Rok. Both involve snorkeling and a full day of activities but if you only have time for one, I would recommend the 4 Islands. It takes you to four different island stops, the first a paradise beach, followed by a snorkeling spot, these followed by lunch on another beautiful island with more snorkeling, and a final stop at the Emerald Cave where you swim through a dark cave to find a secret beach. The official price is 1500bt per adult but if you barter with the travel agents, you can get the price down as low as 1000bt (£24 per person). These prices are for the Pattesia Speedboat Tour.
Other boat trips available from Koh Lanta include Koh Rok which involves several snorkeling spots and lunch. Or head to Phi Phi and Bamboo Island for a trip with several other snorkeling spots including the famous Maya Bay (The Beach). Speak to a travel agent to find out about the various options, including longtail boat vs speedboat, and current pricing.
Don't make the mistake of going to Koh Lanta and not visiting the National Park. It's a stunning southerly tip of the island that is well worth the drive for an afternoon exploring, walking up to the lighthouse, enjoying the beach, monkey-spotting and jungle walks. If you fancy a little day-trip but don't want to go on a boat tour, this is a great way to explore the island at your own pace. It costs 300bt (£7) per person and a small amount for the vehicle to enter the national park, tuk tuks can't drive here due to the roads but to hire a taxi and driver for the day will cost you between 1000-1500bt (£25-30) depending on where you are staying. (All pics in post taken at National Park)
With the shallow waters surrounding the Thai islands and endless coral, tropical fish and amazing underwater scenes, it's a great place to snorkel or learn to dive. There are dive schools everywhere, so if you're interested in learning, just ask at your hotel or at a nearby travel agent to find out what is available.
Close by where we stayed there were riding stables with some beautiful horses that were available for riding on the beach. If you love horse riding, what better place to do it than on the beach at sunset?
Step back in time when you visit Lanta Old Town and get a taste of what life was like with the traditional Thai houses and beautiful streets. This is a great place to spend the afternoon shopping and dining by the water.
On the west coast of the island, there are countless sunset bars worth checking out. Two I can recommend are Sans Sunset Bar (Long Beach) which has a perfect view of the sunset, half price cocktails at happy hour and amazing food (try the hot plates!) plus a fire show every night. Down in Relax Bay, there is Fusion Bar which has cocktails and a great fire show every night.
From the night markets at Walking Street with an abundance of food, clothes and gifts to buy, to the more authentic weekend markets near Long Beach. There's plenty to choose from if you fancy picking up presents or even just some delicious fresh fruit.
A lot of the local bars have live music in the evenings – it's worth looking out for signs as you drive around. I recommend Irie Restaurant and Bar for evening entertainment and good cocktails.
There's only one gym on the island, but 2/3 places where you can go and watch Muay Thai live. If you're into it, or fancy doing something different, you can book tickets to go and see a live match or even book in for a training session. This was one of my favourite things I did when I was first traveling Thailand.
Koh Lanta is the perfect place to learn to ride a scooter, the roads are quite and big so a lot less intimidating than other parts of the country. There are so many tiny deserted beaches to explore and beautiful spots to find. Taxi and tuk tuk costs can quickly add up, so this is definitely a place where I recommend getting a scooter.
The island has a waterfall, a viewpoint and two caves – the Tiger Cave and Mai Kaeo Cave – to explore. But be careful to do your research before you go – the waterfall is beautiful but completely dries up in dry season! Ask the locals to know if it's worth a visit.
My favourite massage of all time was still the first one I had in Koh Lanta – the sun was setting over the ocean as the smell of coconut oil mixed with the warm breeze. True paradise. Get a beach massage, you won't regret it.
I was so impressed to return to Koh Lanta and find some incredible vegan and vegetarian restaurants – it can be difficult to find a range of vegan food when you travel but Koh Lanta has it down to a tee! I'll be writing a full blog post on the best vegan/veggie and general restaurant guide to the island so watch out for that!
My favourite beach is without doubt Long Beach – after visiting a lot of beaches around the island it's the best place to stay with great access to all other areas. The beach is huge so it never feels crowded and it has the best sunset views of the island. Definitely get out and explore the other beaches and areas, but it's lovely to stay at Long Beach.
Koh Lanta has the cutest, friendliest animals from beach dogs to kittens that come to make friends in the streets. If you're an animal over like me, it's bliss to make so many animal friends during your trip. If you watn to go one step further, visit Lanta Animal Welfare to meet the animals, cuddle the kittys, walk the dogs and help out.
I'm sad to see that despite it being over four years since my first visit, Koh Lanta still offers an elephant trekking trip. While it's easy to want to do all the trips and to see these amazing creatures – remember to travel responsibly. If we continue to spend money on these things, they were continue to be an industry. Vote with your money and actively choose not to take part in riding elephants during your trip.
I was amazed to realise that you can actually visit Malaysian island Langkawi from Koh Lanta. It does take around 8 hours for the boat there, but the island is meant to be beautiful and great for snorkeling and diving.
I was so happy to see a real change in environmental attitudes in Thailand and this is clear from the signs warning against use of single use plastics, and those advertising beach clean ups! If you want to help support sustainability on the island, join the Sunday beach clean-ups.
I was lucky enough to be in Thailand during Songkran and I can tell you that it was epic! Even in Koh Lanta, spirits are high as the main street fills with people with water guns, buckets, hoses and determined to soak you! Always check before you travel if there are any celebrations taking place during your stay.
What a perfect way to start and end your day – with yoga on the beach, overlooking the ocean.
So many of the beach bars host fire shows in the evenings, you'll be spoiled for choice! Again, look for the signs to find out the times and check out a few different ones during your trip – there are so many wacky, crazy and spectacular ones to see!
The locals in Koh Lanta are so friendly and welcoming, they're always keen for a chat and to get to know you. Take the time to talk with them, practice your Thai and ask about their culture – trust me, you'll get a whole new experience.
Have you been to Koh Lanta – what was your favourite thing to do? Would you like to visit Thailand?
There's nothing like planning your next big road trip and the last few years have given me a real taste for the open road. Last summer saw me working to convert a van into an awesome camper for an epic three week road trip around Europe and while I've shared a few posts on where we visited, I wanted to explain the route we chose. It can be so intimidating to plan a big trip, especially when you have to think about camping spots, food, fuel and lots of other factors. But honestly, taking a road trip is one of my favourite ways to travel and it's super cost effective if you're traveling on a budget. I've taken road trips all over the world and I've found it to be one of the most fun, and affordable, ways to travel.
When it comes to traveling Europe, it's a perfect way to explore when so many countries are so easily accessible. At the time of my trip, I was living in Germany, so it seemed a perfect opportunity to take our van on an epic trip to lots of new countries and cities we had never visited before. We wanted to choose a blend of city and countryside, of lakes and mountains, to ensure we had the best possible experience. It still remains one of the best road trips I've ever done and I can't recommend the route we took enough. We ended up traveling just under 3,600km in a loop through Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, even spending a night in France along the way.
This stretch was one of my favourites but also included a lot of driving. We drove seven hours overnight from Hamburg to Saxon Switzerland National Park and arrived there for sunrise, after a kip in the van, we headed out exploring and spent a day in the park. We found a place to park up for the night and slept at the park, before spending some time hiking and exploring. Once we had seen everything, we headed to Dresden. An afternoon was a perfect amount of time to see all the sights in Dresden and to catch some afternoon sunshine before driving to Prague.
We spent a full and busy day exploring Prague and while we could have easily spent longer there, it was enough time to see the sights and enjoy the city. We spent another night at a campsite just south of the city, but enjoyed cocktails with friends who were also visiting there. The next day, we took a lazy drive to Vienna, stopping off to see some sights in the Czech countryside. Then we spent the next day walking around beautiful Vienna in the sunshine and gorging ourselves on Viennese desserts and pastries. After a lazy afternoon by the river, we hit the road and arrived late at night in Attersee where we camped out by a lake and spent much of the next day sunbathing and picnicking by the water. A slow afternoon drive to Salzburg to check out the city before heading on to Munich.
It was a packed itinerary until now, but our goal was to get to Munich where we were visiting family and had a place to stay for a few days. Cue parking up the van and heading out on bikes exploring the city of Munich from the gardens and the architecture, to the breweries and food markets. After that, we headed on our way towards the border of Germany, Austria and Switzerland where the mountain ranges stood, and we visited Zugspitze. Taking cable cars up into the mountains where there was snow at the top, but it was 30 degrees down at the base. We spent an afternoon there before camping for the night and heading the next morning to Neuschwanstein Castle – best to get here early to beat the crowds.
Leaving behind the beautiful castle, it was time to take an unplanned detour through Liechtenstein which turned out to be the best part of our trip! A tiny country and easy to road trip in a day, it's perfect to add to your itinerary. We drove to Vaduz and then through the winding mountain roads (read about our day in Liechtenstein here). Then we headed on to Zurich where we spent an afternoon walking the lakes and city, trying delicious hot chocolate and cheese fondue.
From Zurich, it was a few hours to Basel and well worth planning this charming city into your trip. Plus you can easily head over the border and into France from here, we actually spent a night in France on our trip. Just a few hours is plenty to see Basel and indulge in a few treats from the various chocolate shops around. We camped for the night at a beautiful lakeside campsite – definitely look out for these and try to book in advance as they get very booked up during the summer months. The next day, after a few hours by the lake, we drove to the Black Forest where we headed to Triberg for the waterfalls and some Black Forest Gateaux. We spent the night camping at another lovely campsite before starting our drive to Frankfurt the next day, taking a slow drive and stopping off at lakes to swim along the way. Our final day was spent driving the long stretch back up to Hamburg – this could easily be broken up by stopping along the Fairytale Road to see castles along the way.
The beauty of this road trip itinerary is that it can so easily be changed and modified to suit you. In our case, we had a fast paced journey at the beginning with lots of driving so we could spend more time relaxing in southern Germany. But you could easily spend more time in Prague and Vienna, and spend just a day or two in Munich before heading to Switzerland. You could even skip one of the countries to spend more time in the ones that you're most excited to explore.
The beauty of a road trip is that the world is your oyster, you can chop and change your route, you can plan it out completely, you can make it up as you go along. It's up to you! We planned out a lot of our route before we went, we had names saved for campsites just in case, but we also changed a lot of our route along the way. We ended up staying at totally different campsites, we even sneakily free camped in a few spots, and we added in a few extra places along the way.
If you fancy combining the open road with a boat holiday or yacht charter, you could extend your trip and book Zizoo boat rental across several European destinations, including Croatia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy and many more. It could be the perfect way to take a break from driving, while still enjoying a relaxing holiday.
For those who work while traveling and require safe browsing whether they're on the road, or staying in hotels, I'd suggest using a virtual private network (VPN). Nobody wants their banking info or credit card numbers to get stolen by hackers when they're on holiday, so protect yourself against risk. For more information about how VPNs work and which one is the best one for you, check out this beginner's guide: https://proprivacy.com/
Have you been on a road trip around Europe? Which countries would you like to visit? What are your best road trip tips?
Life after travelling is a big topic – because everyone talks about how amazing travelling is and how much it changes you as a person. But what happens when you come home? What happens when every fibre of your soul feels different, but everything about home feels unchanged? It's no wonder so many travelers end up traveling again when adapting to life at home is so tricky. But it doesn't have to be.
This is yet another hotly requested post and one I've been meaning to write for a long time. It's one I've had in my drafts folder for years but have struggled to find the words until now. But in my 4-5 years of full time travel, I've fluctuated between being on the road constantly, to moving abroad and setting up a new home, to moving back to my hometown with potentially no future travel plans. It's been a real yo-yo of a few years and I've loved every second, but there's no denying that coming home is always a bittersweet experience.
Don't get me wrong – I love coming home and I am blessed to live in a beautiful part of the world and to have amazing people to come home to. But it doesn't matter how great your set-up is, it doesn't make you immune from the extreme feelings of displacement you feel when stepping back into your old life. Because at some point, the novelty and excitement of being home will wear off and normality will kick in. Suddenly you're faced with the realisation that actually, life did go on without you, people did continue living their lives and start moving on.
Despite this, everything about your life at home feels unchanged. It feels like stepping into a time capsule of your own life, as though you hit pause but somehow you kept on living. It's hard to come home and feel like your very soul has shifted, and yet to feel like you've stepped straight back to square one. It's easy to be surrounded by supportive friends and family and yet feel incredibly alone. To feel that no-one understands this enormous event that just took place in your life, that they treat you just the same as before.
And yes, I'm well aware that this could sound like incredibly entitled Gap Yah wanker rubbish – but knowing how much travel has changed me as a person, I don't see how anyone can invalidate these feelings. If anything, it's important to acknowledge them and to deal with them if you are ever going to overcome them. It's normal to feel the anti-climax after traveling, it's normal to feel waves of joy to be home, and at times to hate it with every fibre of your being. It's normal to feel lonely and isolated, it's normal to question why you stopped traveling, and it's normal to want to run away and travel forever. For some that is an option, but for most it is not.
For those who are finishing travelling or struggling with being home – I've created this cute little infographic that I feel really sums up the five stages of adjusting to life after travelling. You may not experience the process in this order, you may not experience all of these stages. But much like a break-up or the end of any major part of your life, it's okay to treat it a bit like a grieving process you have to go through. And most importantly – I want to stress that it's okay to not be okay.
Whatever you do, don't try and squeeze your new self into the life you had before travelling. It's like trying to squeeze a square block into a round hole – it's never going to work. Acknowledge that you have changed and that's okay. Realise your life before was small and you've grown beyond it. Don't go back to the same job, don't live in the same place, don't do the same things. You might enjoy the comfort of this in the short term, but before long you'll feel trapped or left behind and you'll just want to run away and travel again.
The world doesn't revolve around you. Your friends and family moved on while you were away and got new jobs, bought houses, got married, had babies. Their lives changed and their new lives might not have as much space for you. You have to respect this and not be petulant about it, don't feel hard done by. Instead, change your attitude and realise you have to make strides in order to catch up.
This one is so important – realise that while you were away you might have neglected friendships and relationships. It happens, don't feel bad, but use the time you are home to make sure everyone around you feels so valued and loved. Be there for them and support them as you couldn't when you were in a different timezone. Feel like everyone has forgotten you? They might have become used to not being able to reach you – you might have to be the person to reach out first if things are going to change.
Remember how fun it was to constantly be seeing new places and meeting new people? Variety is the spice of life and just because you're home, it doesn't mean that excitement for life will disappear. If you want to stop the boredom of life at home creeping in after all your adventures – the best cure is to make life at home an adventure! Make your life spontaneous by stepping outside your comfort zone, do different things, join groups, get hobbies, meet new people. Don't spend all your time in the same routine you had before traveling – it's a recipe for disaster. Make a new routine that has huge blank spaces in it where you just go out and have adventures, meet new souls, and connect with home like you connected with every new destination on your travels.
After travelling, you may not have the money to go out and get your own place or immediately start a new life. You may even crave the comfort of home. There is nothing wrong with crashing in your old bedroom at your parent's place (if they'll have you) but this is not a long-term solution. Trust me, it can be pretty depressing to try and cram your new, grown self back in your teenage bedroom. After being so independent for so long, coming back to a world where you parents want to look after you can seem strange. So take control of the situation – stay independent! Whether that means doing all your own cooking and laundry, or it means saving a deposit for your own place, or even moving into a house-share with friends. You have options and you have to choose the one that is right for you.
Just because traveling is over, it doesn't mean your life is. After all, this post is about adjusting to life after travelling! If I can advise you of one thing when you get home – it's to make two lists. Make one list of all the amazing things you saw/did during your time away, all the achievements along the way. This one will remind you when you're feeling low that you have done something incredible and you should be proud. The second list should be all your goals, hopes for the future and how you plan to achieve them. Making a plan for the future – from short-term goals like unpack your backpack and get a job, to longer-term goals like buy a house or get a new car. What you're doing here is setting your intentions to not just "adjust" to your old life, but to "build" a new life worth sticking around for.
It doesn't matter if you were travelling for three months or three years – if you're struggling to adjust to life at home, try out these tips to help you take back control of your life. Don't feel alone, it's a topic that often isn't talked about because no-one wants to deal with the harder sides of traveling. It's not all dream Insta filters and sun-kissed bodies – sometimes travelling is bloody hard both when it's going on, and after. But as ever, it doesn't matter how hard the situation – what matters is how YOU choose to deal with it. Don't wallow and live in your memories, instead build a future you're excited for and start creating new memories.
How did you cope with coming home after travelling? What helped you settle in at home?
With the blogging industry still finding its feet, so many seem to feel a bit lost when it comes to pitching to brands and setting your blogging rates. After a lot of chatter across Twitter and Instagram, I had a lot of requests to put together this post based on my own experiences. After nearly five years in the industry, I've learnt a lot and while it's a never-ending learning curve. It's good to know I can pass on what I've learned to those just starting out. Community is such a big part of why I love the blogger industry because I never would have become a blogger in the first place without huge support from friends I made along the way.
I've been extremely lucky during my time blogging and have had the opportunity to work with some amazing brands. I came from a journalistic background and having already worked freelance, I knew the value of my work early on and was confident setting my rates from the beginning. I want to stress the fact that despite all the amazing opportunities that come my way, I still turn down around half of what is offered purely because it doesn't align with my blog, my audience and my own brand.
During my nearly five years of blogging, I've worked with brands in the UK, Europe, across Asia and Australia. I've had some amazing freebies including free accommodation in hostels, budget hotels and even luxury 5* resorts. I've had hot air balloon rides, jungle safaris, boat trips, culture visits, walking tours and dining experiences. But most importantly, I've been paid for featuring brands on my blog and social media – from sponsored posts and photography, to social posts and even creating content for brand websites.
Some of these amazing opportunities have been offered to me, but the majority of them have come out of my pitching to brands and showing them what I can do. By knowing how to market my skills and my own brand, I have created some incredible opportunities that hadn't previously existed. Now I'm not the biggest blogger in the world, not by a long shot, but I want this post to show you that no matter what size your following, your blog has so much potential. All you need is an engaged audience and a little bit of confidence to ask the question.
You can start working with brands from day one! There is no right or wrong, there are no rules. I was working with brands within a few months of starting blogging and I earned my first paycheck within less than a year of blogging – I could have probably done it earlier! I would recommend having a self-hosted blog and having a few thousand followers across your social media channels before starting to reach out to brands. But if you can prove to brands that you have an audience who will engage with your content - and with their product - then there is no reason you can't get work.
When you are a new blogger - as your audience picks up, you will start to get contacted by brands who might want to gift you products in exchange for content. This will often start to happen before you get paid (ad) work from brands and can seem super exciting at first - who doesn't love a freebie! But it's important to keep some perspective when it comes to Ad and Gifting – only accept those that align with your own brand.
To clarify for new or non-bloggers – gifted products are given to influencers usually with the expectation of some coverage across your channels but no payment. Ad is used on campaigns when the influencer has been paid to create sponsored content. Sometimes you will work on both gifting and payment basis, sometimes brands will expect a lot and will not offer a fair pay/gift for the amount of work involved. It's up you to set your own rates. Read the full ASA Influencer Guidelines here.
Before you even consider pitching to brands, it's worth sitting down and making a plan. First, ask yourself what your niche (genre) is – for example, Absolutely Lucy is solo female adventure travel – and what your target audience is. My blog is aimed at 20-35 year old women who want to travel solo and prefer adventurous travel/budget travel – so I will only pitch to brands that align with this audience. I also have a big focus on sustainable travel/living and health and wellness – so I would focus on brands that support these values.
It can be really valuable to make a list of 10-15 brands that do align with your values and would be total goals to work with. Whether they're attainable right now or far beyond reach, setting up your parameters for blog work is essential if you're going to get the most out of your collaborations. By focusing on specific brands instead of targeting all of them, you can really show the brands more of a personal and individual approach which often leads to long-term relationships.
Pitching to brands takes confidence, and it takes planning. But there is absolutely no reason why every blogger out there can't be doing it. I'm certainly no expert, I'm just sharing what has worked for me because I believe there is space for all of us in this industry. Here is my checklist for how to pitch a brand:
This is SUCH an important factor in you succeeding at pitching brands and getting your dream collaborations. I remember when I first created my media kit. I didn't have a clue where to start so muddled something together. I've actually just given my media kit it's most recent makeover and I've never felt prouder of it. Your media kit is like your portfolio - a snapshot glance at what your blog is about. It tells a brand who you are, about your values, stats and engagement. And what both brands and your readers think of your blog. It's invaluable when contacting brands. If I can recommend you do one thing, it's spend time curating a media kit you are proud to send out.
Make sure your media kit is styled to represent your blog. Mine is colourful and showcases my photography. Always write a personal section about why you love blogging and creating. Include your important stats – social media following across channels, unique monthly users, DA. Plus it's worth putting a breakdown of male/female, age, location of your audience. I include a logo section of the top brands I have worked with previously. Followed by a testimonials section with comments from brands on why they loved working with me. Then testimonials from readers about how my blog has helped them.
Now this is the tricky one because everyone's rates and standards are different. But if there's one thing this industry really needs, is a clearer idea of what is fair. So many bloggers are seriously undercharging, or worse still, not charging at all for their services. I want to make it clear here and now. If a brand is gifting you a product or experience in exchange for featuring on your blog or social media you have a right to ask for payment. The question then arises – how much payment can you ask for?
This depends on a lot of factors. How much coverage the brand are asking for – whether just words, images, social media posting, whether a link is involved. The brand will take into account your blog following, your social media stats, your engagement, DA. As well as various other stats to measure your reach and influence. It's important to know your worth in terms of stats. Have your media kit ready to prove it – and to be ready to stick to your guns. A sponsored post could range anywhere from £50-500 and beyond depending on the size of your following. You could even be paid for reviews and writing articles and features for brand websites. You could charge for social posts, links, basically anything where you are featuring a brand.
Be aware there are a lot of dodgy "prs" or "seo outreach" workers. They may contact you offering terribly low amounts in exchange for links etc – they might offer £20-30 a post. You have to set your own worth because there will always be someone trying to undercharge you. I personally refuse to work for this low an amount – why? Because I have to take into account the time spent writing and creating a post. The time spent on photography, the money spent on equipment. The time spent building my blog following and social media presence. That is worth something and it took a bloody lot of time and hard work. Working for the lowest rates going doesn't pay my bills. It doesn't satisfy my own mind when I know how much my work is worth.
Don't be afraid to turn down work because they offer too low a price for your standards. Brands always have a budget, they just have to decide where they want to spend it. Last month I turned down a job because it paid too low and this month the same company came back and met my price. If you don't set and stick to your rates, you'll never get paid your rates. Remember, for each time a blogger works for free, a brand will refuse to pay another blogger for the next job. Everything we do in the industry has a knock-on effect. We all have a duty to push the industry towards fair payment for all.
Honestly? Trial and error. I was lucky and knew a bit from freelancing for newspapers. But I still had to figure it out on my own. Speak to blogger friends with the same size following to get an idea of what they ask for. Set a guideline rate and then add 10-20%. I always ask for a bit more than I will settle at so there is room to negotiate. This gives space to find a price that works for both the brand and myself. Remember, you have to get it wrong a few times to figure out your own standard. But practice makes perfect and the only way to learn, is by trying!
What are your top tips for pitching to brands? How did you set your rates?
*This is a language learning collaborative post
Language learning is no easy task and if, like me, you're not a natural, you'll need as much help as you can get! Whether you're trying to learn Spanish, you're attempting French or you fancy your chances at Chinese – everyone needs a little extra help when trying to branch out from their mother tongue. If you're from the UK, it's easy to get caught up in this idea that because most people speak English around the world, we don't need to learn other languages. But after spending so many years working, living and travelling with people from all over the world, I can honestly tell you, you're missing out on a whole other world.
Speaking another language is about more than just bonjour-hola-hello, it's a whole new understanding of the world. It's an appreciation for another way of life and another way of thinking and seeing everything around you. When you visit a new place, language learning is a great way to connect with the locals and to gain a deeper understanding of the culture. Plus, if you've ever seen a local's face light up when you are able to chat with them during your holiday, you'll understand the value of a little extra effort.
My best travelling experiences have come from throwing myself into meeting the locals and heading out into the world on my own. I remember being in Thailand and being welcomed into an artist's house to meet his family and learn all about his work, all because I took the time to learn a little Thai and greet him as I walked past. Likewise, my struggles to speak Thai, but the fact I tried, also brought me together with a woman who practically adopted me as her daughter as she showed me around her town. When I moved to Germany, it was the hardest few months of my life until I picked up enough German to have conversations with people – you can read my post here on what it's really like to move to a country without speaking the language. I can't recommend at least trying to learn a language enough. It's not always the easiest, but not only is it an amazing skill, but it forces your brain to work in different ways. Here are my top ways to start language learning:
Once you've picked up the basics, practicing is so important but it can be tricky to find a buddy. Find a language tandem buddy and you'll pick up a language in no time, while helping them to learn your language! It's easy to find someone in a new city – check expat Facebook groups or visit the local university library where students may also be keen to join in. Either match up with someone who is also looking to learn the same language, or someone who perhaps wants to learn your language and do an exchange. You can also find language tandem buddies online through Facebook groups – that way you never even have to leave the house!
This is one of my favourite ways of learning, because it makes learning fun, interactive and convenient. When I moved to Germany, I downloaded Duolingo, Memrise and Babbel and started to use them daily on my morning and evening commute. It meant I was using the empty time and was engaging my brain before my day had even started. By starting early in the morning, it meant my brain was more receptive to the language and made me more likely to remember later in the day, and to feel inclined to use it. If you hate textbooks, this is perfect for you, learn through fun games and tests instead.
If your resolution for the year is to learn a language, but you want to do it from the comfort of your own home, why not try learning online? There are lots of online courses you can do which can help you develop your skills, testing you at different levels and fitting in with your lifestyle. Why not try Rosetta Stone, Fluent in 3 Months, Future Learn, or Learn Light.
If you're planning on spending longer in a country, perhaps you're moving abroad or planning to travel long-term, it might be worth signing up for language school. I had a lot of friends doing this in Germany and I'm thinking of doing it for my next big trip (can you guess what language I want to learn?). It's a great way to learn in a more formal setting, plus it offers a much better grip on grammar and business-level language which you might need for a new job or studies. If you can't spare the time for full-time language study, why not join a night course? My job in Germany actually offered classes at the office twice a week.
Learnt a bit of the local lingo and want to practise? There's no better way than getting out in a new place and speaking to the locals. Why not go out and ask for directions, or order food in a restaurant and challenge yourself to speak entirely in the local language. Not only will the locals appreciate your effort and probably love chatting back to you, but you'll get to experience a whole other side to travelling!
If you have a partner or family member who already speaks the language, why not try limiting yourself to speaking only that language at home. It doesn't matter how much you know of that language, when you force yourself to figure it out, it's amazing what you can muddle through. By putting yourself in a situation where you have no choice but to speak in the language, you're much more likely to remember it than by reciting fake conversations.
So many young people from other cultures learn English by watching movies, listening to music and podcasts from the UK and US, so why not do the opposite? Watch Spanish movies, listen to Italian music and find a podcast in whatever language you want to learn and listen to it everywhere. Listen and learn on your commute to work, during your lunch break, and last thing before you go to bed. Constant exposure is a great way to learn and getting used to hearing a language is just as important as speaking it.
What are your favourite ways to learn a new language? How many languages do you speak?
