Tag: traveling

Queenie, Murwillumbah – An Airbnb Gem

If you find yourself in Northern NSW and in need of a funky place to stay then I have just the place… Welcome to Queenie.

Queenie is located in the lovely town of Murwillumbah in Northern NSW. Surrounded by sugar cane fields, tropical hinterland and the majestic Mt Warning watching over the town.  It’s close to Byron Bay, Tweed Heads and the Gold Coast and is sat on the banks of the Tweed river so it’s in pretty fabulous company and some of the best landscapes Australia has to offer. It’s always been a key place in my life as my grandparents have lived there for most of my life and my grandfather was born and grew up there. Many holidays and breaks from Uni were spent with family exploring the hinterland, swimming in the Murbah pool, exploring the coastal towns nearby, taking a million photos of Mt Warning and just sitting outside drinking tea and taking in the tropical surroundings.

On a recent visit to Murwillumbah, my family and I discovered the retro paradise Queenie. First, off I was quite surprised there were any Airbnb’s in Murwillumbah (i have since found out there is several) and secondly, I was in awe that it wasn’t just your standard house (not that there’s anything wrong with that) but…  Queenie was bursting with character, it was just like stepping into the pages of an interior design magazine.

The attention to detail, the charm, the style, the colours, the beds. OMG, the beds.  It is hands down one of the best Airbnb I’ve ever stayed in. As a vintage lover, this place was what my dreams are made of and ‘house’ Pinterest board is full of. Light muted tones, tropical vibes, hand picked vintage furniture, art deco styling that all just went so well together and was totally #housegoals.

The beds were like sleeping on a cloud. My jetlagged self just melted between the Tommy Bahamas sheets. There is room for four guests with two bedrooms- one king and one queen. There is a bright open kitchen/diner area with a super cute little retro bar. If you do want to watch a film or Tv there is a small entertainment room with a million DVDs to choose from. If you want to eat your breakfast listening to the birds there is a lovely outside area to sit and take in the sounds…

To get into the town there is a very short walk to the main street which is full of cafes, eateries, boutique and antique shops. There is a pool with waterslide, lots of brilliant walks, the Wollumbin National Park is only a short drive away. I haven’t been myself but I’ve been told the Margaret Olley Exhibition and Tweed Regional Art gallery are well worth a visit. Byron Bay and the Gold Coast are also within a short driving distance. I can thoroughly recommend having fish and chips in Kingscliff and visiting Point Danger where you can stand with one foot in NSW and one in QLD (obviously doesn’t take much to entertain me). Green Point, Currumbin and Kirra are also within a short drive. You won’t run out of things to do and places to explore.  Also If you are a fan of I’m a celebrity get me out of here then its filmed in Murwillumbah as well so you may even catch a glimpse of Ant and Dec!

The only downside for Queenie (and I’m clutching at straws for a downside!) would be there is no wifi which isn’t really that big of a deal but as I was travelling with an international sim card I wanted to the internet without the data roaming charges so wifi would have been a bonus. Thankfully a lot of cafes in town had free wifi.

We loved our stay at Queenie and if you want to explore this beautiful house and area then I thoroughly suggest jumping on Airbnb and booking them up. To see more reviews or to book check out their Facebook and Airbnb pages below. Trust me you won’t regret it!

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This was not a sponsored stay and this post includes all of our own opinions.

Do check out their reviews on Airbnb and you’ll see it’s not just that are big fans.

Do you have any amazing Airbnb’s that you’ve stayed at? If so share below in the comments.

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Globetrotters- Seeking the Spanish Sun

This week our Globetrotter is the lovely Perri from Seeking the Spanish Sun. A fellow expat, however, she swapped rainy Britain for the Spanish sun and I swapped sunny Australia for rainy Britain (think I may have done it the wrong way round). Her goal is to discover and blog about every inch of her new home, Spain. And what an awesome goal to have!

I love a travel blog but my ultimate favourite is discovering new expat bloggers. Seeing a country outside of a week or two on holiday and really absorbing and embracing the lifestyle is a truly awesome way to travel. I enjoy hearing how people adjust and explore a new country is really fascinating and in a selfish way, it makes some of the challenges I face seem a little less challenging knowing that someone else is or has been through the same thing. Spain is such a gorgeous country with some many different areas and Perris’ style of writing really draws you in and it’s like you can imagine being there so much so you find yourself on Skyscanner looking for fights.

One of my favourite posts was a recent one about my favourite Spanish city Barcelona. It’s such an amazing city that has the best of both worlds glorious beaches and winding old city streets. This two-day city guide is a great guide on what to do if you are only in the city for s a short time. I have read this over and over as long to be back exploring Barcelona and have even discovered some places I hadn’t yet seen.

If you are planning a trip, want to move or just need some travel inspiration then you need to check out Perri’s blog. There is an abundance of city guides, local tips, advice on Spanish life and stacks of inspiration to explore all parts of beautiful Spain. I’ve included all links to Peris’s blog and social channels so you keep up to date with where she discovers next…

Let me hand you over to Perri from Seeking the Spanish Sun

Hi, I’m Perri, a 34-year-old Brit living in Spain. I moved from London to Madrid last year seeking the Spanish sun. I am exploring Spain in search of a place to call home and settle down. During my travels, I share everything I see and learn at Seeking the Spanish Sun .

Check out my blog and social media sites for information, tips, guides, and advice on visiting and living in Spain. Spain is truly a wonderful country and it has so much to offer.

What do you enjoy most about travelling?  

I love the excitement of going somewhere I’ve never been before and just exploring. I love trying local foods, seeing how other people live and learning about other countries and cultures. In the past, I always travelled as far as possible and to as many random places as I could. Nowadays I live in Spain and I have dedicated my current travels to exploring locally and see everything that Spain has to offer.

Why do you think travelling is important?  

I think traveling is important because it broadens your mind and teaches you things that you would never learn if you stayed at home. Traveling is exciting, confidence building and eye-opening. Whether it’s a city-break, beach holiday or year’s backpacking trip, I believe that everyone should travel.

Where are you off to next? Or where have you just come back from?  

I just came back from a relaxing winter sun break in Fuerteventura .It’s an Island in the Spanish Canaries, West of Africa. My next trip is to Barcelona, I have been there many times. This will be a few days catching up with friends, drinking, and eating.

What is your favourite photograph from your travels.

This is a photo from my road trip in New Zealand. We drove from Auckland to Queenstown and it was an awesome trip. The scenery in New Zealand is just stunning and every night we stopped at beautiful roadside spots with views like this.

Do you have a pre-travel ritual? If so what?

I write a list of what I still need to pack and what I need to do before leaving. Then I meticulously go through that list and cross everything off. That way I feel organised and know I haven’t forgotten anything.

Who do you usually travel with?  

My boyfriend Brad, we met in Mykonos almost 12 years ago and have been traveling the world together and living in different countries ever since.

If you were to give one piece of travel advice what would it be?

Make a plan, think about where you want to visit and work towards getting there. Try not to get caught up, in big, expensive bucket list destinations. Even if you start small with a few places you want to travel to that are not so far away. Work, save, research, then go.

Tell us the most memorable moment you’ve had whilst travelling?

Christmas dinner in Goa, India is one that comes straight to mind. It was my first backpacking trip and the first time I had travelled outside of Europe. I went with Brad and group of friends and we had the best time! We had no plans, no idea what we were doing or where we were going. We just explored and loved every minute.

The restaurant on the beach nearest our huts, where we had dinner every night, ordered in lobster especially for us and we had one each. We felt like Kings, I had never tried lobster before and the staff thought it was so funny when we all wore our Christmas hats.

Where is your favourite place that you’ve been to?

Caye Caulker off the coast of Belize was an impromptu stop during my travels in Central America and I was so wowed by it I had to extend my stay. It’s a gorgeous place, untouched by commercial tourism where the locals serve rum punch in plastic cups and bbq whatever fish was caught that day.

Where was one place that didn’t live up to the hype?

Hawaii, unfortunately, is somewhere that I felt very underwhelmed by. Maybe it was because I had just seen the un-spoilt beauty of The Cook Islands and New Zealand but I just felt it was too commercial. All of the shops and restaurants were catering to the tourists from the USA.

Tell us one place/experience on your bucket list?  

The Maldives is somewhere that I have to go. I put that top of the bucket list category because it’s quite expensive and such a dream destination. Another experience I would love is to go on a safari in Africa. The next few places I need to visit next are Seville, Asturias, and Mallorca.

What is the one thing you wouldn’t travel without?

I would never travel without a book. A book is the best thing to keep me occupied while I’m waiting for a delayed flight, while I’m on a long train journey or while I’m just relaxing by the sea. I love to swap my book for another lovingly read, slightly battered, second-hand one as soon as I finish. Passing a good book onto someone else is such a lovely way of sharing.

Your go to or favourite book/film/tv series that always makes you want to travel?  

The BBC tv series Planet Earth always makes we want to travel. They cover so many fantastic and unique destinations in their documenting of animals and nature. Series II, in particular, got me thinking about travel to exotic jungles and islands. The amazing high definition camera work reminds me how big and beautiful the world is.

What can readers find on your blog?  

I started my blog to share all the things I see while exploring Spain and all the things I learned while living here. You can find information on the towns, cities, parks, and beaches that I visit in Spain. Tips and guides on how to get the most out of your holiday or travels in Spain. Plus, some insight on what life is like living here and general travel advice from my experiences.

Where does your blog name come from?  

When I left London and moved to Madrid I was literally seeking the Spanish sun. I was tired of the mostly grey and miserable weather in the UK and was really hoping to find that Spanish sunshine and all the wonderful things that come with it… sangria, secluded beaches, siestas and a slower pace of life.

Do you have a favourite blog post? What is it and why?

I think my favourite blog post is the slightly controversial How to be a good tourist. It’s addressing the issue we have in Spain currently with negative tourism. It includes some very simple ways that we can all enjoy a more conscious and sustainable holiday. It is different to my usual type of post (and I try not to be too negative or bossy) but this is something that I feel we really should all work to improve.

Links to find more from Perri below. Do check them out!

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Globetrotters- Travel with Me 24 x 7

Travel with Me 24 x 7 is exactly what their goal is to do. I love it when a blog name is exactly what it says on the tin.

You should see just how many places are covered on their blog. If you need travel inspiration on advice then this is certainly a one-stop place for resources, The design and headings mean navigating their site so much easier and also allows for you to find so much more than you would have initially expected.

Sri Lanka is somewhere I’ve been reading more and more about and it fast becoming a bucket list destination. This post with suggested itinerary shows just what I  I need to see once I eventually get there. It looks so beautiful and so diverse. I’m a little ashamed to admit but I’ve never really known much about Georgia or even read much about what to do and see. There are many posts covered on Travel with Me 24 x 7 and they show it off in all its glory. This post about Georgia in the winter really encompasses the charm of this destination.

As I’ve mentioned many times (and will probably do so again and again) I really thrive on reading the answers from the Globetrotters involved. We’ve covered so many people from different countries, races, nationalities and walks of life that everyone has such an interesting mind set on the same questions. Travel with Me 24 x 7’s answers on Why travelling is important and why do you enjoy it really match my own viewpoints and its reassuring to know that there are people in the world who see the same benefits you do.

I so happy to introduce Travel with Me 24 x 7 to you all.

Hi, I studied computer engineering but have always had a wandering soul. I love to paint/draw my favourite travel scenes on canvas. Travel, Photography, painting, arts and craft, cooking are all my passions. I am a family oriented person and vegetarian. I’ve travelled to many places but still much more left on my bucket list. For me whatever might be the destination, enjoy the journey or path because paths are more beautiful and adventurous than destinations. Blue skies, countryside towns, narrow local streets, colourful houses, green grassy slopes with grazing animals are all my weaknesses.

What do you enjoy most about travelling?
Meeting new people, indulging in new cultures, travelling around to see how people live in different geographies. Travel widens my horizon and I really believe on this great quote “The best stories are found between the pages of passport”.
Traveling enhances practical knowledge about history, political status, geography, commuting options, living with odds and even, socializing, enjoying and discovering the truth.

Why do you think travelling is important?
Travel clears the misconceptions or misunderstandings of a particular place or region. While travelling we find certain truths which are not even mentioned in books. After returning from a travel, you are not the same person as before. Travel is the biggest adventure a person can have.

Where are you off to next? Or where have you just come back from?
I just came from China. A very eye-opening place for me as language, culture and cuisine all were so new. It was exciting trip.

Do you have a pre-travel ritual? If so what?
Just praying to god, packing clothes within a day even though travel has been planned months before. I don’t make any plans for my itineraries.

Who do you usually travel with?
My husband and my children. And of course my camera with loads of memory.

If you were to give one piece of travel advice what would it be?
Travel and just travel, don’t make many plans on paper, take a leap and jump into this pond which is then followed by superb ideas and an addiction to travel. Every place has some tourist attractions which are worthy of experience but do enjoy every moment of travel whether it is the snowy, rainy or bad weather.

Tell us the most memorable moment you’ve had whilst travelling?
Once in Italy, we were stuck in the heavy snow with small children. As it was night, there was no help and being new to a place, we were helpless too. We were freezing literally but all of a sudden 4 youths emerged from somewhere and took our luggage and dropped it at our hotel. There were many thoughts running through our minds about the authentication of those unknown youths, but humanity wins all doubts. They didn’t even ask for money. We felt like as if they were sent by God.

Where is your favourite place that you’ve been to?
Mykonos- I loved those narrow streets, the sound of waves, turquoise blue water and silent nature. Everything looked unrealistic and as if it was a different land or planet. Another favorite is Caucasus mountain town – Kazbegi in Eurasia. The real untouched countryside that heals our soul.

Where was one place that didn’t live up to the hype?
Bangkok

Tell us one place/experience on your bucket list?
A trip to Russia or being in the quaint streets of Cuba.

What is the one thing you wouldn’t travel without?
Family and my camera. I can travel without my phone but my camera is a must. Once while travelling my camera stopped working properly and very soon at that new tourist place I bought a new one.

Your favourite book/film/tv series that always makes you want to travel?
Tv series and Bollywood movies at exotic locales always tempt me to visit that place.

What can readers find on your blog?
How exciting travel is. Also how to travel by blending with that place. Every place has some positive vibes which we have to feel there. There is no exact formula of what to see, but just feel the place as it is. My blog reflects that. I simply choose destinations in random order and visit them according to my moods and emotions.

Where does your blog name come from?
I want to travel 24 X 7 means all day and night. This feeling changed and gave birth to my website name.

Do you have a favourite blog post? What is it and why?
I love Familyearthtrek blog by Dada K S, as it also deals with family travelling and also they are nature lovers. The way they explore non-famous paths or offbeat destinations resonates me.

To find more from Travel with Me 24 x 7

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Globetrotters – Beyond My Border

This week we have a real treat with the amazing Daisy from Beyond my Border. By her own admission her site documents tips, advice and bizarre experiences and who doesn’t love reading about a bizarre experience!

One thing I truly admire about Daisy is the fact she is a solo backpacker. The guts and free-spiritedness it takes to wander the world is something I have so much respect for. As tough as it must be and I’m sure it’s not all Instagram worthy updates it would be amazing to go when and where you want and all the amazing people you must meet along the way.

Daisy has had some hella amazing experiences on her travels – watching the balloons in Cappadocia (100% on my bucket list), staying in Abandoned Hospitals and cave rooms, exploring Iceland, Living with bikers in Turkey, making friends with an air traffic controller and watching him land the planes. Reading through her blog you can find so much information about all of these as well as advice on travelling on a budget and so much travel inspo that you just want to book up a flight straight away. This I just one example of her awesome budget travel guides on the diverse California , shes even got one about travelling in Delhi for $3 a day!! Yes, $3 a day.

Here is the inspiring Daisy from Beyond My Border

I am Daisy, a solo backpacker that travels the world budget style. I grew up in 5 cities in China and Canada and have traveled over 20 countries. I’ve slept in teepees, bungalows, beach houses, and cave rooms, hosted by lawyers, professors, hippies, bikers and much more. I’ve cracked my head in France, twisted my foot in Hungry and got chikungunya in India. Yet I’ve witnessed hot air balloons in Cappadocia during sunrise, rode a motorcycle up into the Himalayas, slurped fresh oysters by the harbor of Santa Barbara and would not change my experiences for the world.

What do you enjoy most about travelling?
Traveling has taught me so much. From history to culture, I have come to fill my heart with stories of people from places so different from my own. It might be a common traveler’s syndrome, but I love to meet people and hear their experiences, understand their perspective and explore the unknown.

Why do you think travelling is important?
Traveling is important because it truly helps us understand how similar people are. It will stimulate acceptance, understanding and create a more open-minded society. This will play into sociopolitical conducts and minimalize discrimination and diminish prejudice.

What is your favourite photograph from your travels?


My favorite photo was taken atop the Himalayas. It took me a 9-hour night bus to get to my host’s city, 3 days for us to bike into the mountains and 5 hours of hiking to reach the peak. But we caught the sunset and it was glorious.

Do you have a pre-travel ritual? If so what?
No ritual is my ritual 😊 A little out of the norm, but I like to travel without much, or any planning at all. It can be a huge headache when I’m lost in a place that speaks a different tongue, but I’ve come out with some amazing experiences.

Who do you usually travel with? I’ve traveled with friends and family but to be honest, my favorite travel companions are strangers I meet on the road. I guess the most suitable answer would be no one, but everyone.

If you were to give one piece of travel advice what would it be? Be fearless & have fun

Where is your favourite place that you’ve been to? I spent two months in Turkey. While in Cappadocia, I witnessed hot air balloons mid sunrise by myself in the middle of some rocky hills. As cliché as it was, I felt the experience eye-opening. Of course, being the clumsy traveler that I am, I ended up being abandoned by the tour bus and had to hitchhike into the city at 7 am. But it was definitely worth it.

Where was one place that didn’t live up to the hype? After living in Paris for 4 months, I concluded that the city was just not for me. Then again, my memory of Paris was far from romantic. During my stay, I managed to lose my phone and crack my head open, which resulted in a $7000 hospital bill. (Amen insurance). My friend who came to visit me was also robbed.

Tell us one place/experience on your bucket list? I would love to attend the International Highline Meeting in Monte Piana, Italy. I may be horrified of heights, but what’s better than stinging a hammock on the webbing between a couple rocks and chill out?

What is the one thing you wouldn’t travel without? My camera!

What can readers find on your blog? Lots of budget travel advice and quirky experiences. I travel on a tight budget and tend to get into bizarre situations.

Do you have a favourite blog post? What is it and why? My favorite is Surviving in Delhi on $3 a Day. While in India, I spent a month living on the bare minimum. My shared apartment had broken windows, doors that didn’t lock and an outside kitchen. Nonetheless, it was such a memorable time since I truly became appreciative of the things I had. Not to mention that I ended up being adopted by a modeling agency and spent two months living with international models!

Find more from Daisy here

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Globetrotters – A Walk and a Lark

So we’ve taken a few weeks off with our Globetrotter series (sorry about that!) but we are back tonight and we have a gem of a blogger to share with you. This week it’s the lovely Josy from a Walk and a Lark.

I’ve long been a follower of Josy’s and always read her blogs wondering how her feet keep up with her with all her walking and hiking. I think mine would tell me to sit down and have a cuppa. We share that we are both expats with Josy previously liking Japan and now living in Canada and it’s great to read and relate to someone to who understands the trials and tribulations of living abroad. We also share a huge love of jumping photos and I am so glad she has sent one over to be included in this post.

This year she moved to Canada and as this has been long on bucket list I’ve been pouring through her posts to fuel even more wanderlust to get myself over there. This section on her blog has all the posts you need to know where to go, what to do and where to hike.

I really do love reading other travelers answers in this series and I think Josy’s answer to ‘Why do you think traveling is important’ is one of my all-time favourites. As traveling isn’t always important and that you can have a rewarding life even if you don’t travel. We often need to remember it’s a privilege to be able to do it and that not everyone has the means, funds or interest in traveling and that’s ok. We are all different and what’s important for one person is always going to be different to another and there are other ways to be enriched by the world. Such a refreshing reminder.

And on that note let me hand you over to Josy

Hello! I’m Josy.
I am not sure why I have always had wanderlust, but as soon as I first got a job back when I was 15, I started to save money for air tickets! I have lived in the UK, Japan and now Canada, so most of my trips have been close to those countries. My other love is walking and the outdoors so almost all of my travels include some long walks and thousands of photo opportunities.

What do you enjoy most about traveling?
This is a toss-up between food and pretty scenery! I LOVE to see the varied countryside around the world. When I lived in Japan, I picked up the habit of traveling with plans to eat a specific dish from whatever area I was traveling to. For example, Japanese people would all want to try kakinohazushi (really yummy sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves) when they visit Nara or eat Fugu (puffer fish) when they visit Ise. I love the culture of traveling to eat!

Why do you think traveling is important?
Hmmm…I don’t think it is important per se, but I do feel like I have been incredibly lucky and privileged to have been able to travel a bit. I mean, life can still be rewarding if you cannot travel, it is just the icing on the top to enrich a person’s life. I really think seeing the world and meeting people from different cultures opens my mind.

I am already a pretty cheerful person, but I also find planning my next trip helps make me really happy! It’s something to look forward to, and then something to experience and remember forever!

Where are you off to next? Or where have you just come back from?
At the moment all of my travel plans revolve around friend’s weddings. We just got back from a trip to Ireland (both North and South as the wedding crossed the border!) and my next big trip is for another good friend’s wedding in New Zealand. I am sooo excited to explore the land of the Lord of the Rings!

Having said that, as my husband and I are living abroad at the moment, every weekend feels like an exotic trip! I am having so much fun exploring the mountains near my new home!

What is your favourite photograph from your travels?


This is basically impossible for me to choose! I really like jumping photos and amazing mountains, so I guess I should pick this photo from Italy. A few minutes before the photo the whole world was white and the mountains were shrouded in mist. It is hard to describe how ridiculously happy I was when the clouds parted and this vista appeared. The sound effect that goes with this image is “squeee”

Who do you usually travel with?
Nowadays I travel with my husband, Marc. He loves to explore the world, but he is rubbish at making plans… so I normally make all the decisions, and just bring him along for the fun! He’s the one who takes my jumping photos.

If you were to give one piece of travel advice what would it be?
Taste as many local dishes as you can. It may not look like something you expect to be delicious, but you’ll never know unless you try it!

Also, if you live somewhere for a while, go back and re-try things after you have started to get used to the flavours. I wasn’t keen on maccha and azuki beans when I first arrived in Japan, but now I LOVE them both.

I also think you should attempt to learn some of the local lingo. Even if you are still pretty rubbish, people really appreciate the effort and the world is less bewildering if you can understand more about what is happening around you.

Tell us the most memorable moment you’ve had whilst traveling?
I have so many! This will probably change each time I think of an anecdote!

A few years ago my husband and I were hiking in the Atlas mountains in Morocco. There was a moment when we came over the top of a ridge to look down on the valley below and it was just magical. The colours of the mountains changed from browns to reds and yellows, in large colourful stripes. People had built their houses from the rocks in their area, so the colours of the houses changed in sync with the surrounding mountainside. I had never seen scenery like that before, and it blew me away.

The people that lived in those colourful houses were soo friendly! We walked through a village just as a group of ladies were getting ready for a wedding ceremony. They giggled when they saw me, and brought me inside to join in the celebrations by covering me in henna! My husband and our guide were not allowed in (girls only!) but they could hear our giggles before I returned with some very orange arms!

Another brilliant memory is from Mongolia. We went to stay with a family in their traditional Ger camp. They are nomadic people, following their herds as they cross the steppes. The problem is, they were a little too nomadic for our guide! We had to drive around for a few hours looking for them as they were not in the place we expected!!

Once we’d settled in, the local children came over to play with us, and my brother, George, spun one of them around. The child loved it so much that he then had to spin every single child in the camp! It was hilarious watching them collapse into dizziness and giggles. Their parents welcomed us with their “beer” and “vodka” made from fermented horses milk. It was pretty gross, but still fun to try.

Where is your favourite place that you’ve been to?
This has to be Japan! I love the gorgeous mountains, the ancient culture with all the temples and shrines, the fooooood, the festivals and the people. I studied Japanese at university, so have lived there both as a student as well as working for a Prefectural government. I have so, so many amazing memories from my years there. I could easily write this entire post just about my experiences in Japan. I also have many good friends there that I hope I’ll stay in touch with for the rest of my life.

Where was one place that didn’t live up to the hype?
Marrakesh. I thought the city was beautiful and loved the food, but I hated the way people treated tourists there. It just seemed like everyone was pushy or attempting to rip us off. I had a horrible experience with touts and it made me want to hide in our Riad and keep away from the streets. In the end, the stresses didn’t stop me exploring, but I never felt safe while we were there.

Tell us one place/experience on your bucket list?
I would love to go walking in the mountains of South Korea and eat some of their gorgeous food. I studied Korean several years ago, and although I have forgotten most of it, I can still read Hangul. I’d LOVE to explore and see if I can actually understand anything there!!

What is the one thing you wouldn’t travel without?
Walking boots (or at least comfy shoes that I can explore in!) My favourite part of visiting a new area is finding a map and planning a walk!

What can readers find on your blog?
I started my blog to document some of our pretty walks around the UK or on our travels. Since then I moved to Canada, so I’ve been documenting the amaaaazing scenery around Vancouver in British Columbia. I take far too many photos and find it difficult to cut down, so my blog is full of the vistas that have taken my breath away.

Where does your blog name come from?
My long-distance walking started with the Capital Ring through London. This is a 126km trail which goes through parks and pretty areas of London. I started planning the blog as we walked through the parks on this route. Originally I thought about calling the blog “a walk in the park”, but then when my husband suggested “a walk and a lark,” I liked the sound of that better.

Do you have a favourite blog post? What is it and why?
This changes all the time! At the moment I love my post about the Honen matsuri (penis festival) just because it’s fun to share a funny side of Japan that less people know about! I also adored writing about our fantastique walking holiday in Italy. I tried to fit it all into one post, but had so many photos to share that it expanded into a whole mini-series of posts!

To find more from Josy check her out here

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Globetrotters- A Mindful Traveller

This weeks Globetrotter is the ever lovely Lorelle from A Mindful Traveller.

First, off she is one of my favourite bloggers as she has always been so supportive of my blog and I love having her a not only a reader but also a blogging friend. Secondly, she lives in my favourite city in the world and that always gets a huge thumbs up from me.

You can find so much on A Mindful Traveller from travel tips, destinations, road trips to food inspired by said travels. Food and travel what a match made in heaven!

A couple of my favourite posts from Lorelle include the two-part series of a road trip to Melbourne to Sydney. Reading these transported me back to doing sections of this journey so many times. I grew up smack bang in the middle of Sydney and Melbourne so we often stopped in Holbrook or Albury when going to Melbourne and then also would stop in Gundagai (although usually Maccas not the dog on the tuckerbox) and the Big Merino in Goulbourne when traveling to our grandparents a few hours out of Sydney. So many hours of my life have been spent going up and down that highway that it was a treat to read about. I also like these posts as they highlight just how humungous Australia is and show the rural landscape of southern NSW and Victoria which many tourists and travelers don’t always get to see.

https://amindfultravellerblog.wordpress.com/2017/09/11/a-road-trip-from-melbourne-to-sydney-part-1/
https://amindfultravellerblog.wordpress.com/2017/09/17/a-road-trip-from-melbourne-to-sydney-part-2-why-is-it-always-quicker-coming-home/

Another post which has added yet another destination to my bucket list is this one about Cinque Terre. How gorgeous are those houses in the cover picture!! #instafabulous!

Lorelle’s blog is written in such a lovely style that makes you feel like you are having a cuppa with a friend and chatting about exciting travels and the experiences that you find along the way. Her tone of voice draws you in and it’s just a treat to take a moment and read her posts.

I love that I can introduce you to Lorelle from a Mindful Traveller.

Hi, my name is Lorelle. Wife, mother of two wonderful teenage children, beauty therapist and a passionate traveller, who lives in Melbourne, Australia.
My very first trip overseas was for my honeymoon in 1999 when I was 25 years old. From that holiday, my obsession with exploring and discovering different countries and cultures grew immensely. Travelling as a couple at first and then as a family was quite a contrast, and I learned to embrace these experiences. I treasure these lifelong memories created, as they are the essence of me and my life story.
I am grateful and truly blessed to be able to offer my children a different type of education and life experience through travel. Teaching them about the world beyond and to be accepting of others and diverse cultures is extremely important and I hope one day, they too, will be able to pass these valuable lessons on to others.
I have created this blog to share with you a little piece of my journey, through my life, my explorations and my love of food. These are my unforgettable mindful travels.

What do you enjoy most about travelling?
Travelling gives me the opportunity to discover and explore new and wonderful places in this world.
The one thing I enjoy the most about travelling is having the opportunity to share these lifelong memories with my wonderful family and expose them to our incredible world.

Why do you think travelling is important?
To travel is to open your mind! It’s so important to accept and educate yourself about different cultures and cuisines. While not only broadening our knowledge intellectually, travel also connects us emotionally and spiritually; a whole mindful journey.

Where are you off to next? Or where have you just come back from?
We have just returned from a road trip to Sydney for my cousin’s wedding. A short weekend break, however always a great time when visiting family.
Our next holiday is to Singapore.

What is your favourite photograph from your travels?


Hmmm, this is a hard one, I have so many!
I do love this one though, taken in Dolceaqua, Northern Italy.

Do you have a pre-travel ritual? If so what?
All those who know me well will tell you I am quite an organised person. So in regards to pre-travel, I have many to do lists that I have scattered everywhere throughout the house!
Packing is also organised the week of travel. I can never leave things for the last minute!

Who do you usually travel with?
Always my family. I never travelled alone or with girlfriends when I was younger. I have always travelled with my husband and now with our children as well…. who may not want to be travelling with us in the near future as they are getting older and will soon want to venture out on their own or with their friends!! That’s a whole new chapter right there!

If you were to give one piece of travel advice what would it be?
I would advise taking all documentation, we actually take copies as well and keep another set at home with my parents.
Also, be sure to have multiple outlets of credit. A diverse range of cash, credit cards, and cash passport cards are important, and we always split this between the both of us. Never does one person carry all the cash or cards on their own.

Tell us the most memorable moment you’ve had whilst travelling?
I have a few of these memorable moments, but the one moment that will always stand out is exploring Rome. We were on foot discovering the city labyrinth when we happened to turn the corner and the most amazing sight of the Colosseum greeted us. Truly amazing moment and one I will never forget.

Where is your favourite place that you’ve been to?
Paris is by far my favourite city in the world. We have been privileged to visit this glorious city quite a few times. I love immersing myself in everyday Parisian life. The beauty and charm of Paris captivates me every time!

Where was one place that didn’t live up to the hype?
For me, Barcelona did not live up to its expectations. I found the city to be very European, quite similar to Italy. I remember talking to locals and they had advised travelling further south to experience the “real Spain”. Unfortunately, Barcelona was our only stop in Spain, so our next adventure there will be to explore the rest of the country and maybe Portugal too.

Tell us one place/experience on your bucket list?
Sri Lanka. My parents were both born in Sri Lanka and some of my family are still there, so being able to visit this beautiful country is definitely on my bucket list. Hopefully one I can tick off sooner than later.

What is the one thing you wouldn’t travel without?
Well, we never travel without my daughters’ teddy bear named “Vodka”. You have probably seen him around on my blog! He has become part of our travelling family essentials! He is a well-traveled teddy bear.

Your go-to/or favourite book/film/tv series that always makes you want to travel?
Definitely reading and then watching “Eat, Pray, Love” always makes me want to plan another holiday…especially to Italy!

What can readers find on your blog?
Readers can find a variety of travel stories experienced through my eyes. I love sharing my knowledge and accounts of my families travels together. In addition to a travel post, I try to incorporate a recipe, which I cook, that links to that previous particular travel post. I love cooking and sharing my recipes as well.
https://amindfultravellerblog.wordpress.com/2017/07/03/easy-4-ingredient-scones/

Where does your blog name come from?
It didn’t take me too long to come up with this name. Being mindful is quite important and being able to embrace these experiences wholeheartedly really opens up your mind, puts life into perspective and demonstrates what the important things in life really are!

Do you have a favourite blog post? What is it and why?
My favourite post would have to be on Lourdes, France. Words cannot explain this Christian Holy Site. It was a very spiritual day for us there and one I will always remember forever.

Links to discover more
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Globetrotters- Mackinaw Road

This weeks Globetrotter is the Michigan gal Marta from Mackinaw Road.

I’ve never been to Michigan but reading Mackinaw Road’s about me page I could just tell it is somewhere special! I’ve been perusing all over their site reading up on what I can and found two places in Michigan that are on my hit list. Leland reminded me of the small fishing style villages of the British South Coast just more American (obvs). Charlevoix looks like a beautiful area with so many gorgeous boutique shops which I could spend alot of time and money in.

You will notice in the two posts above that design and shopping is included in their posts and also in reference to where is on the bucket list below (no spoilers here- you’ll need to read on) that traveling and design go hand in hand. We’ve recently written about collecting things (not just moments) when traveling and this really plays into Mackinaw Roads way of thinking in that picking on designs and items when traveling can help shape your home and daily life.

When checking out their site you’ll find as mentioned above Michigan Must visit and Travel inspired design but you’ll also find travel inspired menus, Island travel series, travel tips and lots of adventures in between. I would also recommend checking them out on Instagram the way Marta has travel inspired design and travel posts interwoven together just creates on fine looking Instagram feed!

So let me hand you over to Marta from Mackinaw Road

Hi, I am a Michigan girl with a big passion for travel. I am filled with fond memories of warm spring break vacations and summer road trips to the East Coast with my family. While I love where I am from I get a huge sense of restlessness if haven’t traveled in a while. I just love the feeling arriving in a new city, getting settled, discussing what to do, and wandering. It’s also just as fascinating to return to a place you once visited only to find so many aspects the same yet so many new things to discover?
To find out a bit more about us click here for our About me page
http://www.mackinawroad.com/about-me/

What do you enjoy most about traveling?
Traveling brings about a sense of rejuvenation and relaxation. I love learning about places when actually in the location- that kind of accidental information is the best.

Why do you think traveling is important?
Traveling helps us step outside our routines and see how others live. It helps us see what a tiny yet important role our lives play in the grand scheme of the world population.

What is your favourite photograph from your travels?


My favorite photo to date is actually taken only about 45 minutes from our residence. It is of my children playing at sunset on the beach and represents the carefree feeling I always hope for when traveling.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BVKWKZRBMV6/?taken-by=mackinawroad

Do you have a pre travel ritual? If so what?
Does scrambling and taking a million trips to Target count?

Who do you usually travel with?
Almost always my husband, most of the time it includes our children, and yearly at least one of our extended families.

If you were to give one piece of travel advice what would it be?
Spend at least one day exploring without guides or Pinterest suggestions—just discover what you discover.

Where is your favourite place that you’ve been to?
Banff, Canada. I almost didn’t go and now know what a mistake that would have been. It has something for everyone- I can’t think of one person that I know that I wouldn’t recommend Banff too.

Where was one place that didn’t live up to the hype?
Grand Cayman. We had been to multiple islands in the area, several of which we would readily return to but this just isn’t one of them.

Tell us one place/experience on your bucket list?
I’m slightly obsessed with the Norwegian way of life and would love to visit to really feel what it is like there.

What is the one thing you wouldn’t travel without?
Aside from my husband and family, I haven’t gone on a trip without my Moment Lens for my camera. It is so much easier than lugging a big camera around (especially when I will inevitably end up carrying one of my children also) and takes great photos.

What can readers find on your blog?
Mackinaw Road (www.mackinawroad.com) has a little bit of everything- traveling with and without children, travel-inspired design, and travel-inspired recipes.

Do you have a favourite blog post? What is it and why?
I don’t have a favorite blog post- I just can’t pick a favorite because they all feel unique and special in their own ways. I’ve enjoyed completing my Island Travel Interview series and learning about islands that I have not yet been to. I’ve also found it to be incredibly fun to collaborate on various posts with other bloggers/friends for travel, food, and drink. I think that someday it will be fun to look back on the travel posts to relive stories and remember aspects of the trip that I may have forgotten.

To find more from Mackinaw Road check out the links below
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Globetrotters- Cosmos Mariners: Destination Unknown

This week for our Globetrotters we are off into the cosmos to meet Natalie from the Cosmos Mariners: Destination Unknown.

Now I love a creative blog name and Natalie’s blog is one of the best I’ve come across. What is even more interesting than the name itself is the story behind it. You can read all about here and I completely agree that naming a blog is just like naming a child (although I haven’t experienced that just yet) you want it to be a goodun that stands out.

Natalie has been blogging for almost forever and you can tell she has mastered her craft over the years just by looking through her site. From a long list of companies, she’s worked with to informative and well-written posts. There is literally something for everyone who is looking for information and inspiration on their next trip.

I’ve always wanted to explore the south of America and Savannah has been high on my list so this post just makes we want to get there even quicker. The buildings look stunning and the tree lined streets are ones I want to wander down. For gems like the post above you can find even more destinations covered.

I’ve recently written a post about my travel loving parents and it was so great to read that Natalie travelling buddies are not only her husband but also her two children. Kids of parents who love travelling in my eyes will have the best childhood. The adventures, the stories and awareness of the differences within the world is something you only get by going somewhere new. They are two lucky little kiddos having Natalie as their mum.

I’ll stop jabbering on now and hand you over to meet the wonderful Natalie.

The wandering darlings Globetrotters- Comos Mariners destination unknown

Hi, I’m Natalie, a former college professor who combined my love of learning with a desire to see the world to create my travel blog, Cosmos Mariners: Destination Unknown. Since starting my blog in 2010, I’ve discovered a secret apartment at Hampton Court Palace, flown in a World War II-era DC-3, stood in the shadows of inspiring buttes at Monument Valley, and crept inside an Iron Age burial ground in Ireland.When I’m not travelling with my husband and two young kids, I can be found exploring my hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, sewing, or reading contemporary British fiction.

What do you enjoy most about travelling?
I love that every moment is a new opportunity to learn something. As soon as I step out of my hotel room when I’m in a new place, I’m bombarded by new sights and smells, all waiting for me to dive in and explore. That fresh, new environment is what I crave when I’m not travelling!

Why do you think travelling is important?
Having your thoughts and perspectives challenged is incredibly important to becoming a more well-rounded person, and travel puts that at the forefront. If you’ve never been away from the comfort of home, and you’re suddenly placed in a foreign country, it’s overwhelming and scary, but it forces you to ask big questions like “What is my place in the world?” and “How can I better myself through what I’ve learned here?”

What is your favourite photograph from your travels?

The wandering darlings Globetrotters- Comos Mariners destination unknown
This changes on every one of our trips since I always come back with new photos! My current favourite photo was taken on our recent road trip through the Western U.S. I’d always wanted to go to Monument Valley, so being in this incredible place with my husband and two kids was a dream come true. Fun fact: our 4-year-old took the picture! Perhaps I have a junior travel blogger in the family?

Do you have a pre travel ritual? If so what?
Getting ready for a trip with a 4-year-old and an infant is very different than how I used to get ready pre-kids. Nowadays, my pre-travel ritual is all about frantically throwing things into a suitcase a few hours before we have to leave for the airport and hoping that everything we need somehow makes it into the mess!

Who do you usually travel with?
My favourite travel buddies are my husband, Landon, and my two kids, Britton (my 4-year-old daughter) and Gibson (my 8-month-old son).

If you were to give one piece of travel advice what would it be?
Plan as much as you can, but know that you’ve got to be flexible in the moment. When making our itineraries, I give us more stuff to do than we can ever get to each day, so that way we have options when it comes to our sightseeing. Some days, we’ll get up and want to go to a historic palace for a tour, while other days, we choose to explore a local park.

Tell us the funniest story or a mishap from one of your adventures?
When I was a senior in college, my sister and I both went on a study abroad trip to the Bahamas. Our destination, Andros, is so sparsely populated, that our class flew on two tiny charter planes to get there, and the pilot of the plane I was on had to call ahead to the airport to make sure they’d cleared all of the cows off of the runway before we attempted to land! Once we landed (without hitting any local wildlife), we went through customs, got our baggage, and got an introduction to the island…all in the one room airport. I love going to (really) off the beaten path places since there are guaranteed adventure ahead!

Where is your favourite place that you’ve been to?
It’s a three-way tie between the Aran Islands in Ireland, the Dry Tortugas off the coast of Florida, and London, England. We were the only non-locals at a Gaelic quiz night at a pub in Inishmore which was the perfect way to experience what life was really like on the Aran Islands. I love to snorkel and scuba dive and the Dry Tortugas are gorgeous! (Plus, Fort Jefferson has stunning ocean views AND an incredible history, which is my perfect travel combo). And London was where I studied abroad in college, so it is like my second home!

Where was one place that didn’t live up to the hype?
I always get weird glances when I tell people this, but Paris did not in any way live up to the hype. At first glance, you’d think I’d love it since it has gorgeous architecture, a deep history, and a rich arts scene, but I didn’t enjoy my time there at all. I might go back eventually to see if I can find out what people love about the city, but I have many, many other places to visit first.

Tell us one place/experience on your bucket list?
I REALLY want to go to Machu Picchu, Peru, and Angkor Wat, Cambodia. I’m hoping to check one of those off of my bucket list in 2018!

What is the one thing you wouldn’t travel without?
I am super near-sighted, so I always travel with a few extra pairs of contacts and my glasses. I would hate to get in the middle of a trip and lose a contact or two and not be able to see a thing for the rest of it.

What can readers find on your blog?
I focus a lot of the nerdy side of travel: historical and literary sites are my jam! Since I have 2 kids, I also write about family friendly spots that we visit and the products that make family travel easier. You’ll also find general travel posts about packing, our cruises, itineraries, and the like.

Do you have a favourite blog post? What is it and why?

Before I started travel blogging, I worked as a college literature professor. I am deeply in love with all things literary, so my favourite blog post focuses on the ties that New Orleans has with American literature.

To find more from Natalie please check the links below.

Blog
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The wandering darlings Globetrotters- Comos Mariners destination unknown