My first solo trip by plane fell short of the travel ads. I blame the false sense of security that my airport experience fabricated. I had no issues with trains (for once!), crossed the security border without being drug-tested and arrived at my seat with maximum time to spare and scheduled departure on time. So, I relaxed and allowed my thoughts to finally drift to … Continue reading Travel Trips & Troubles
With a global climate crisis and climate anxiety on the rise, many travel lovers must take a step back to review their approach to travel. With new climate obstacles emerging, a new form of tourism has also been gaining popularity: ecotourism. Traditional tourism is characterised by being beneficial to the traveller and the traveller alone, and having detrimental effects on the environment and communities exposed … Continue reading Ecotourism
Journey to Bali, Indonesia I found myself in Bali. A phrase I’ve repeated over and over, and only sometimes in jest. Since this life-changing experience my friends and boyfriend often tell me to shut up when I bring it up. It’s also a question I get asked all the time. Did you find yourself in Bali? Truth: Yes. Initially Bali hadn’t been my first-choice travel destination. I … Continue reading I Found Myself in Bali
Who doesn’t know someone with a fridge full of magnets from places they’ve visited? Many of us have a special something we like to bring home—postcards, trinkets, bracelets, or even photos. But travel traditions aren’t always material. They can also be experiences like trying local food, exploring markets, or taking the same photo pose at every destination. These rituals connect one journey to the next, … Continue reading Threads of Tradition: Connecting Journeys and Memories
Every travel destination and experience is incredibly memorable and important to me regardless of when, where or who I went with. My family holidays to Cornwall or Greece mean just as much to me as city breaks to Dublin or London and girls’ holidays to Spain, though I find the trips where I go solo end up being the most challenging and therefore, the most rewarding. After spending the summer of 2023 working at … Continue reading Teaching, Tasting and Touring Europe
This year, on the second of September, I joined my partner and her parents on their holiday to Tunisia. I’ll let you in on two of my favourite memories. One isn’t of the holiday itself, but actually from the journey in travelling there. I have a fond memory of the time spent during the delay of the flight that I often revisit with affection. It was no more than a few hours but those of you who have flown before will understand the pain and boredom of prolonged sitting on airport seats all too well.My partner and … Continue reading Memories made in Tunisia
When I get asked what my most memorable travel experience was, there is no doubt that I tell the same story every time. So, grab your popcorn and find a comfy seat as I tell you all about the time I got stranded on an island. It all started when my dad had planned a birthday trip to Lombok, Indonesia for my mom’s 40th birthday. … Continue reading Stranded in the Ashes
‘This is a story that belongs to Butetown.’ – Nadifa Mohamed, Acknowledgement to The Fortune Men. I get a rare moment of pride when I read a novel set in Cardiff. Normally, I prefer to use fiction as an escape into countries I’ve never been to and cultures I’ve never experienced; stories set in harsh Siberian winters, or the drab Midwestern suburban counties of America. But … Continue reading Under All the Pretty Lights: A Trip to Cardiff Bay to Trace the History of Nadifa Mohamed’s The Fortune Men
Last summer, when I went to Italy with my sisters, I unintentionally started a little tradition: collecting keychains from every place I visited. It started in Verona, where I picked two keychains shaped like keys, one for me and, of course, one for my mum. Then, in Lake Garda, I found a beautiful golden one with engravings of the lake, and at our final stop in Venice, a Venetian … Continue reading One Keychain at a Time
Ever since I can remember, I have been super fortunate to travel the world. From city breaks to relaxing on a white sandy beach to exploring the USA. As a Starbucks enthusiast, a tradition of mine, in every place I travel to, is to visit a Starbucks, order an iced latte and purchase one of their location mugs as a precious keepsake. It is so important to me … Continue reading Mementos
Travelling with family can be a whirlwind of chaos and joy, revealing sides of each other we rarely see in the routine of daily life. This past Christmas was especially memorable for my family, as it marked the first time in 20 years that we celebrated the festive season with my mum’s side of the family. Living in the UK, while most of our close … Continue reading Family We Meet on Vacation
Travelling is one of the best ways to expand your horizons, but there is no denying that safety concerns are often on our minds. We’ve all heard the stories: dangers lurking in places like Rio, pickpockets in Barcelona, or civil unrest in Budapest. But are these fears truly justified, or are they just misconceptions fuelled by media and hearsay? When planning our next trip, most … Continue reading Danger of Travel: Misconception or True?
One of my best friends lives over 2000 miles away from me. We met online 4 years ago so we’ve always been long distance. As we’ve grown older, our lives have become a little busier. We don’t always have the time to send the daily flood of messages we used to during the pandemic. But we’ve grown closer over the years even with an entire … Continue reading Does Distance Make the Heart Grow Fonder?
A growing tide of resentment is sweeping across popular holiday hotspots as locals, overwhelmed by the influx of tourists, begin to push back against the costs of mass tourism. With 1.5 billion international tourist arrivals in 2024, this summer marked a tipping point for many locals increasingly concerned about over tourism driving up housing costs, harming the environment and eroding the fabric of local communities … Continue reading Overcrowded and Unwanted: How Locals In Popular Vacation Spots Are Starting To Reject Mass Tourism
I can’t lie, there have been plenty of times I’ve found myself scrolling through Instagram, envious of all the travel photos I see. I find myself wishing that I could be sponsored by some big shot company and sent abroad to experience new cultures and new places to share with my very small following. That’s the beauty of digital marketing; it sparks emotion in an … Continue reading Sunscreen, Selfies, and Sponsorships
words and image by Eve Davies While it is comforting to see familiar chain companies or franchises whilst in a foreign country, it is important to consider their impact on the local economy of your destination of choice. I get it: youÔÇÖre tired, sweaty, and starving after a long journey and the idea of a McDonaldÔÇÖs really hits the spot, but itÔÇÖs not always the … Continue reading Think Local While Global: Shopping Small Whilst Abroad
words by Megha Roy Traveling to new and unfamiliar destinations can be a daunting prospect for many people, but the rewards of venturing beyond what feels comfortable are immense. From personal growth to self-discovery, the benefits of challenging yourself through travel are numerous. Here we’ll explore the opportunities that come with pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and why everyone should consider doing it … Continue reading The Power Of Travel: Transforming Your Comfort Zone
words by Megha Roy Ever since the pandemic came over the globe in 2020, travelling halted for millions of people for over a year. People seemed to have been caged in their homes, but in 2022, the scenario has seen a change. The world is recovering now and that has given the travel lovers the time and freedom to plan holidays. Trip Advisor, one of the leading travel websites, unveiled ÔÇÿThe Best of the … Continue reading TripAdvisor Top Travel Destinations 2022
words by Eva Castanedo Christmas is by far the biggest holiday in the UK. The UK spends ┬ú24.2 billion in celebrating the festivity, consumes 10 million turkeys on Christmas day, uses 227,000 miles of wrapping paper, and pulls 300,000,000 crackers each Christmas season. This festive period agglutinates a vast number of traditions that only occur once a year. Thus, most people lock these dates in … Continue reading Spending Christmas Abroad
words and images by Jess Margetson Architecture changes with society’s artistic tastes, available materials, modern technologies, and spiritual beliefs. With a deep and varied cultural heritage, Europe is a goldmine for architecture enthusiasts. From modern inventions to historical memorials, Europe has something for all tastes. Netherlands: Rotterdam vs Amsterdam Described as the ÔÇÿGateway to EuropeÔÇÖ, Rotterdam has rivalled its capitol, Amsterdam, for many years. The differences in … Continue reading EuropeÔÇÖs Rich History of Architecture
