travelling – the wandering darlings

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

I am an over-packer. Fact!

So when I think about the question ‘What is the one thing you wouldn’t travel without?’ it makes me shiver. Only one thing surely there is at least 10 things that you have to have, like 5 pairs of jeans for a three-day trip just in case you need them all. Seriously!

Planning for a trip usually consists of the logistics and not always what your taking and I guess more importantly why are you taking it. There has been many a trip when I ‘ve looked in my bag and just thought why on earth did I bring that but then there are other items which I know I always need and they are the first things I pack.

Imagine turning up at the airport with no luggage and just one thing (i shudder at the thought) but what would that one thing be?

It’s a question we ask as part of our Globetrotters Series and I have been thinking about this question and what my own answer would be. Obviously passport, toothbrush and wallet are a given and it would be a pretty boring post if that’s what all the answers were so we’ve collated some of the previous answers and also added in some other bloggers who had other great suggestions. And as for me what would be the one thing I wouldn’t travel without, well you’ll just have to read on…

Camera- The Pamplemousse Papers

I would have a really hard time not having my camera with me, however, sometimes I think I should force myself to go without it here and there! I often worry I’m not as present in the moment as I could be if I were less focused on gathering a collection of images.

Go Pro– The Wander of Two

We invested in one of these last year and now we honestly don’t know what we would do without it. It comes on every trip with us and is so easy to use.

Headphones-Her Favourite Food

Travelling can inevitably involve long waits, long journey and essentially a lot of time to fill. That’s why I always need my headphones on me and easily accessible too (remember not to pack them away in the check-in luggage!). Whether it’s on the plane, bus, terminal or even just in a cafe waiting for my next mode of transport, headphones are the ideal accessory to ensure that you can never get too bored! I use them to relax to my favourite music, watch a movie or box set I’ve recently downloaded or caught up with loved ones – headphones make this all possible!

Book-Wanderlusting Hippie

There is a book that I always try to have 2 copies of at any given time. It’s called, “Many Lives, Many Masters” and it’s a book that is very meaningful to me. I love to give away my extra copy when I inevitably run into the person who needs to read it.

A Person-Its All Bee

I have grown rather fond of not wanting to experience places without my fiancé. So…I guess it’s not a thing but rather a someone I wouldn’t want to travel without.

Kindle – Adventures In Middle Aged Travel

I read a lot. A. Lot.

And I read fast, so I generally end up reading several books a week. This can be expensive, but it’s an expense I choose to live with. Problem is if I have several books on the go, and I’m going away for a week, am I going to use up valuable packing space with bulky books? Nope.

I bought my first e-reader (a Kindle) back in 2012 and I don’t think I’ve read a paper book since, even though I never thought I would be an e-reader aficionado. A lot of the time I use the Kindle app on my iPad, but for travelling, I use the actual e-reader. Compact, able to hold thousands of books, and with a battery life of weeks, it’s the perfect travel companion for a book lover.

The only drawback is that I can’t read in the bath.

Phone/Google Maps –Sarah + Laura

My phone, but more for camera and map purposes (I appreciate that Google Maps allows you to see where you are on a map without using WIFi or data – super useful when trying to find which direction you need to go.

Power Bank – German Backpacker

The one thing I never travel without is my power bank – mostly, I have at least two with me! The worst thing that can happen to me is running out of battery on my phone when solo traveling, I’d feel completely lost without google maps, whatsapp and emails. Additionally, I can also use it to charge my camera or my action cam if needed. Especially when backpacking in off-the-path countries, there might not always be (working) plugs available in restaurants or even in hostels and since I’m traveling a lot by myself, I need to be organized and have my devices available. I have one smaller power bank which conveniently fits into my pocket, and also a bigger one (with more charging capability) which is great for e.g. multiple day treks and camping without electricity.

I highly recommend getting one for your next trip!

Eye mask & Earplugs – Well Traveled Nebraskan

Whether I’m staying at hostel or a 5 star hotel or regardless of if I have a long haul flight or just a short domestic hop, I never go on a trip without my eye mask and earplugs.

It doesn’t matter if it’s my husband’s snoring or the very thin walls of the hotel that weren’t in the reviews, it seems as though you just can’t go wrong with having a cheap pair of earplugs tucked into your bag. They take up NO room and can save you an entire night’s worth of sleep.

Likewise on an eye mask Especially when traveling internationally your internal clock can be all sorts of out of whack. I love having an eye mask in my bag to help me get to sleep at oddball times to help me get into the right time zone.

I’m all about traveling light and efficient while still having all the “necessities.” Whether I’m staying across town or the world, two things I don’t travel without are my earplugs and eye mask!

Scarf- The Wandering Darlings

I love a scarf. I have over 300 (hoarder) and even if I am travelling to a hot country I will always take a scarf with me. It can literally be used for everything. Pillow, sarong, covering up when visiting temples and churches, blanket, shawl, privacy if changing on the beach, a fashion accessory to change up that tired outfit you’ve been wearing for the whole trip, picnic blanket to sit on and then most importantly it can keep your neck warm.

After reading these answers, we are curious and would love for you to share below … what is the one thing you wouldn’t travel without?

If you would like to read more from our Globetrotter series then click here and even better if you’d like to be involved then send us an email at thewanderingdarlings@gmail.com

Pin it like a pin cushion

Globetrotters- The Pamplemousse Papers

This week we are welcoming the delightful Caity from The Pamplemousse Papers to our Globetrotters series. I have long been a fan of Caity’s both on Instagram and her blog so I’m so excited to have her involved.

She’s an upstate New Yorker who has travelled to so many places, lived in France and even got to call my homeland ‘home’ for a period. Travelling is certainly in her bones and the passion she has for it is evident in her writing, her stunning photography and how she has put her blog together. Her answers below are so insightful and such a joy to read especially with a freshly made brew. I love that she just wants to share and pass along her tips and tricks. I can sooo relate to the surprise at the Turkish Hammam!

Caity’s blog (links will be below) it’s so beautifully laid out and so stylish. Easy to navigate, written with a friendly tone and packed to the brim with great content from all around the globe there is so much to love. From packing advice, storytelling and guides for a wide range of destinations you are sure to find something that will help or inspire your next adventure. She just comes so authentic and real. It’s like she’s a friend you’ve known for years sharing her experiences to help you have an even better time. It’s hard to find genuine and real bloggers these days and Caity is certainly one you want to have experienced.

I’ve really got into photo tours these days and this one Beacon Hill in Boston is so picturesque. I’ve never heard of this area of Boston and after reading this post I felt as those I had walked the streets myself. The pictures are so inviting and capture the area brilliantly. Another post I’ve read over and over is Your Mini-Guide to Tulum. More and more people that I know are venturing here and I’m so desperate to get there. This post is only increasing my wanderlust further.

Once you’ve read the below I know you’re going to be desperate to see more from Caity so as usual, we’ve included all links to Caity’s blog and social channels below.

It’s my absolute pleasure to introduce Caity- you’re going to love her! And wait till you read where her blog name came from! I wasn’t expecting that.

Hi there! My name is Caity and I’m a native of Upstate New York. I’ve spent time living, working and wandering in France and Australia. I love to explore new places and then share my adventures: the beautiful successes, the challenging missteps, and everything in between. I’m currently pursuing my goal of visiting 30 countries before my 30th birthday, as well as exploring more of my home country, the United States. I hope you’ll stop by my blog and social media channels and say hi!

What do you enjoy most about travelling?

It’s the little things that end up being the most exciting for me. Exploring a local grocery store, stumbling upon a piece of beautiful street art, soaking up the atmosphere at a café, people watching in a park, and appreciating the local architecture are all things I love to do in any new place.

Why do you think travelling is important?

For me, travel is an exercise in perspective. Everyone has beliefs and impressions that they’ve gained through their life experiences, and these differ so widely throughout the world. I think it’s healthy and important to shake these notions free on a regular basis.

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

I’ve had a whirlwind first few months of 2018 visiting friends and family in some of my favourite American cities: New York City, Boston, Washington, D.C. and Chicago. My next international trip is to Portugal at the end of May and I couldn’t be more excited!

What is your favourite photograph from your travels?

This photograph was taken in 2010 while I was teaching English at a summer camp in the tiny French village of Azé. Some of my fellow friends and counsellors took a nighttime walk through the surrounding farm fields. I’m sure my yoga posture isn’t perfect and the image quality isn’t great, but it’s a very fond memory of the small but beautiful moments I’ve been lucky enough to have while travelling.

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

As challenging as packing can be, I love the ritual of preparing my carry-on bag. I make sure I have nothing superfluous by paring down my wallet, purse contents and anything else that may have extra items floating around in it. When it’s all ready to go, it’s such a nice feeling knowing my essentials are all in one place and helps me clear my head before I hit the road.

Who do you usually travel with?

I’ve been lucky to travel with a variety of people, from childhood best friends to my boyfriend to family members. Some of my fondest travel memories are with friends I’ve made while travelling that I’ve continued on to new places with. And while I don’t mind travelling solo, it’s definitely not my preference! I love to have someone to share both the good and bad with.

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

Don’t be too hard on yourself! There are bound to be aspects of your trip that don’t go perfectly. Maybe you get ripped off. Maybe you get lost. Maybe you don’t have enough time to do everything you were hoping to do. It’s so easy to dwell on the negative, but try not to beat yourself up. Not to mention, it’s often the mishaps that turn into great stories and opportunities for advice later on!

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

It’s so hard to choose just one, but I love thinking back on the things that now seem so funny and outlandish: Sleeping on the beach in Nice with friends while trying to save money – something we pictured being relaxing and fun but was actually a very cold, rocky and uncomfortable night! Visiting a traditional Turkish hammam with friends from college and not realizing we were going to have to strip down to nothing but bathing suit bottoms. Having to do the same – sans bathing suit bottoms – at a public bath in Iceland. Last but not least, WWOOFing for the first time, which I wrote about here . It remains one of my most cherished travel memories.

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

Another hard question! I think ultimately I’d have to say France and Australia. Those are the two countries where I’ve spent an extended period of time living, working, and studying as opposed to just visiting. The emotional connections I forged with both of them are hard to top. But more often than not, I love the places I visit and am hoping to get back to most of them: the UK, Scandinavia, Mexico, Asia… the list goes on!

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

My only visit to Spain was a long weekend in Barcelona. One of my friends was mugged, one was pickpocketed, and it rained all weekend, making sightseeing challenging. It was not the most carefree trip, as you can imagine! I would love to get back to Spain (as I realize none of those things are the fault of the place!) and rectify that experience.

Tell us one place/experience on your bucket list?

I’ve visited Italy, but largely cities. I would love to rent a car and explore the beautiful countryside, stopping whenever and wherever I feel like! Dining at Massimo Bottura’s renowned Osteria Francescana in Modena would be pretty great, too!

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

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

Ensemble, C’est Tout is one of my favourite movies of all time. It’s set in Paris and whenever I watch it, I long to be in France! For books, Peter Mayle’s series about Provence (A Year In Provence, Toujours Provence, and Encore Provence) is so lovely. I also love Bill Bryson’s In A Sunburned Country, which he wrote about Australia.

What can readers find on your blog?

I love to share tips and recommendations from places I’ve visited, as well as general travel advice, reflections and photos. I’ve been lucky enough to be inspired in the past by so many writers, bloggers, photographers and more – I’d love to repay that favour in any way that I can by helping to inspire others.

Where does your blog name come from?

After much brainstorming, I landed on The Pamplemousse Papers. Pamplemousse is the French word for grapefruit and one of my favourite words in the French language. Pairing it with papers captures my love for France, citrus fruit, writing, language, and alliteration all in one!

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

I don’t think I have a favourite post, but it’s always exciting when something I share seems to be especially helpful for readers. After sharing my “Three Days in Pittsburgh” post, I was so happy to see comments from individuals who would never have considered visiting Pittsburgh and were adding it to their bucket list. I love the idea of offering new trip ideas that might never have occurred to someone. Plus, underrated and less-visited destinations are often cheaper and a lot less busy! It’s a win-win.

To see more from Caity check out the following links

Blog

Instagram

Facebook

To see more of our Globetrotters Series click here

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

Blog
Instagram

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10 photos in …….

Intrigued?

Good I hope so.

We are launching a new series called ‘10 Photos in … ‘ which will be 10 photos (who would have guessed!) from 10 different travellers to help show off the best parts of the featured city or region. Each traveller will show us one shot that they think sums up the city or region.

Some with be the expected landmarks and others will be those amazing little side streets, street performers or just a different side to a place you thought you knew. I’ve always loved photos and travel photos are my absolute fav! When I’m going somewhere new I always peruse Instagram, pinterest and Google Images so wanted to have a series on the blog that helped encompass this.

This series will be starting in the next few weeks and would love to have your input, your eyes (in a non creepy way), your views and your best travel shots.

Do you have an amazing photo and story that you want to share and give inspiration to others?? If so we want you!!

The upcoming destinations are

London

Fiji

Gold Coast

Paris

Bristol

Sydney

New York

Auckland

Melbourne

Marrakesh

Bristol

Barcelona

To get involved we would need one picture (obviously) plus 200/300 words on the location/image. This could be factual information, funny story or brief insight into why it’s your favourite photo from that destination. If you are a blogger/instagramer we’ll include blog link and one social handle. If you are an amazing reader that doesn’t blog then we’d also love you to get involved.

Spaces are limited and we do have a few destinations almost full so if you’d like to be involved then do get in touch swiftly. Please send over to thewanderingdarlings@gmail.com and put the city/area in your subject line.

Not sure what to do in Auckland then read on

Whilst venturing around New Zealand we quickly ran out of adjectives to describe the drastically diverse landscapes and beautifully natured people. Honestly, it’s just STUNNING! And the same can be said for the Auckland and its surrounding areas. Its a smaller city but don’t let that fool you there is plenty to see and do and its a great base to start your New Zealand adventure from.

Did you know the Auckland was the City of Sails? No, nor did I. And to be fair when I thought about it I didn’t really know much about Auckland or what to expect. So when we found ourselves for a few days (and bringing in the New Year) we quickly got searching for the top things to see and do to get the most out of our time there.

Those not familiar with the New Zealand it is split into the North Island and the South Island and both are said to be remarkably different landscapes. Auckland can be found on the North Island and is the largest city both in population and size. It’s actually even the largest urban area in the whole of New Zealand but not the capital- that would be Wellington. It’s a fairly expensive city to live in but didn’t’ feel too expensive to travel in. There is a whole host of accommodation choices available from b&bs and hostels to 5-star hotels and caters for those who like adventure, like their food, like relaxing, like exploring the natural world or even just like wandering through the city streets.

Here are our top 5 things to do in Auckland

Catch the ferry to Devonport
Well, you can drive if you like but seriously in a city with so much water around you just need to get on it. Devonport is a small harbourside suburb which has so much character. It has a beautiful waterfront parade that gives picturesque views over the Waitemata Harbour. You also need to ensure you go up Mount Victoria and North Head. Mount Victoria is the highest volcano on the Auckland harbour. Wandering on the top also gives you magnificent views of Auckland and Rangitoto Island.

Skytower
If you can be in Auckland for New Years then you will get to see this tower in all its glory. Fun Fact Auckland is the first city in the world to see the new year in however most tv channels start their coverage with the Sydney fireworks. The Skytower has lots of options for those adventurous and those not so adventurous. You sky bungee jump off the side of the tower, walk on the side with a harness or enjoy the views from safely inside the viewing platforms. The 360 views of the city and harbour show you are amazing. You also get to see just why it is the city of sails with all the boats in the water.

Waiheke Island
Like Devonport, this is another place that you need to get on a ferry to explore. This island is a little piece of paradise. It has sweet boutique shops with lots of lovely gifts, quirky eateries and most importantly a whole lot of wineries. One I can recommend is Goldies which is actually associated with Auckland University. The island is small and easily covered by hire car or there is a hop on hop off bus that you can go from winery to winery and a quick pit stop at the beach. I loved Waiheke and was one of my favourite places in the whole of our New Zealand trip so this comes with a gold star recommendation.

Viaduct Harbour
This is a lovely area just by the ferry terminals. Full of huge superyachts, stylish waterfront apartments, upmarket restaurants and lots of communal space for tourists and locals alike to share. You can even find a library in a shipping container with deck chairs for you to sit and read and absorb the laid back atmosphere. This is a great part of Auckland to enjoy both during the day and in the evening. The restaurants in this area are fab with so many different styles of cuisines you will be fed and watered well!

Maritime Museum
Adjacent to the Viaduct Harbour is the Maritime Museum which is certainly worth the entry price and gives you an insight into the maritime history of both Auckland and New Zealand. It has extraordinary exhibits and you will be surprised just how many boats they have in there. The collections are interesting and informative that leave you walking away feeling a little bit more educated about the sailing world and New Zealand’s Maritime history. You can also book to go out in a historic boat on the harbour if the weather is right.

Like with most places you visit you can’t see everything so here are a few others that we didn’t make it to but are on the list for next time.

Mount Eden
Take a ferry to Rangitoto
One Tree Hill
Visit Whatipu
Kitekite Falls

Have you been to Auckland? What else would you recommend in Auckland?

We’ve blogged about our New Zealand here if you want more ideas for your trip.

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What a Month!

Well what a month we have had!!

You may have noticed we’ve been pretty quiet on the old blog post front. Sorry about that… but life got in the way a little. It happens to us all but things should be a little quieter now meaning we can start updating on what we’ve been doing and where we’ve been with some wonderful posts sharing the delights of the South Pacific with you.

So what have we been up to…

Firstly we did something that kinda goes against the travel loving lifestyle. We set down roots, got ourselves a mortgage and brought a house 😱 So many people said it’s the most stressful thing you can do and I didn’t believe them but oh my word was I wrong to be a non believer. I came to the UK with 1 suitcase 11 years ago and the amount of stuff we moved I don’t know how I ever was able to fit my life into my trusty old blue suitcase.

Secondly we had to move house on a deadline as we were off to Fiji to watch my baby sister and her hubby get married and have a family holiday for two weeks. We were moving and cleaning right up until the night before we flew and with no sleep fo almost a week we collapsed on the plane ready for 37 hours travelling to the South Pacific. I mean there are worst places to have two weeks relaxing. Being so far away from the family we really cherish the time together so everything else gets put on the back burner. We were only really updating our Insta Stories while away so was a bit of a media black out just so we could enjoy every moment with the family. If you managed to see any of our stories let us know what you thought. It’s such an easy way to share on the go.

We’ve just got back today and the jet lag is still very fresh. I’m falling asleep as I write this and wondering how early is to early to go to bed, I’m looking longingly at my photos, I’m thinking of all the blog posts I want to write, I’ still wearing my bikini as underwear and keeping the flip flops on, I’m having cuddles with out house bunny Bruce and avoiding looking at the huge pile of clothes to be washed. The reality of being home hasn’t quite hit yet and I can tell you I’m not looking forward to it but I guess it’s all part of the process. Life can’t be just one big holiday otherwise they wouldn’t be as special when they happen. I love a cheesy quote and this one springs to mind at the moment ‘don’t be sad it’s over, be happy it happened’. I’m really bloody happy it happened. I need to re read this post to get ready for reality on Tuesday

So keep your eyes peeled- posts and wanderlust worthy pictures will be coming your way very soon

Have you seen the London from the Thames? Well you really should

So many great cities are always said to be seen best from the water. I’ve seen Venice, New York, Paris, Sydney all from the water so I have no idea why it took me so long to see the majestic London from the long and winding River Thames.

This week I righted my wrong.

The opportunity came along with some of my work colleagues as a change from the standard after work drinks. So instead of heading to a pub, we hot-footed it down to Westminster Bridge to go on the City Cruises Sundowner boat.

Now I didn’t really know what to expect. Obviously, a boat, that it would be touristy AF but also hopefully some insta worthy shots and a nice way to see the city. I certainly wasn’t expecting fizz on arrival, one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve seen or that we would be up dancing to the onboard performer on the boat. Just wait for more on that later.

We were booked with City Cruises and they do cruises throughout the day. The one we went on, however, was the Sundowner Cruise. Tickets cost £32 per person (adults and children are the same prices). You can generally get a deal on Groupon so do check there first. The cruise departs from Westminster Pier which is easily accessible from Westminster tube station. You depart at 6.15/6.30ish and are then on the water for 2 hours so getting back to Westminster in time for dinner and drinks. There is fizz/soft drink on arrival and canapes severed throughout. There is also a bar if you want to have further drinks throughout the cruise. If that wasn’t enough they also provide an entertainer who performs throughout the journey. Mainly pop songs but also covers all eras to cater for the mix of ages. The lady we had was brilliant and she had our group and some others up dancing around during the cruise. The processco may have also helped with the dancing. I swear some of the other guests probably thought they had boarded with a group of crazy ladies but most of them got involved with our shenanigans. We did get to make friends with one of the guests they were over from the US and celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. I’m sure when they booked their cruise they were expecting to be dancing around with us to Bruno Mars’s Up Town Funk.

The rain from earlier the day decided to disappear just as we boarded however it did mean that it was wet up top so for dry seating we did need to sit downstairs. The inside of the boat has lots of tables and its group seating. Had we not been such a large group we could have been sat and been able to chat with other guests. What we could do however was stand up top and take some photos (and drink some fizz) and watch the sunset then head back down below deck for some nibbles and a dance.

From the boat, we got to see so much of London and it truly is such a remarkable city. At the start of the cruise the London Eye was contrasted against the grey sky and by the end, it was a luminous red orb. Tower bridge looked postcard perfect before and after the sunset. You could see the Oxo Building, The Shard, St Pauls, Big Ben, red buses going over the bridges along the river, Londoners out on their evening runs, Canary Wharf and the super expensive homes along the banks of the river. I don’t think I’ve ever seen London look as beautiful as I did that evening.

The sunset decided to set just as we went under Tower Bridge making it the perfect silhouette against the sky. So quintessentially London. Seriously what is more London than watching the sunset behind the landmarks of the city, while on the Thames with wet puddles from the day’s rain around you and a Pimms in hand? If you are visiting London or even if you live in London I would 100% recommend doing a cruise like this and if your not sold yet then have a look at some of my snaps for further encouragement.

For more information on the crusie we did then check out this link below
http://www.citycruises.com/london-thames-experiences/evening-cruise

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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
Blog
Face Book
Instagram
Twitter
Pinterest

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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
Blog
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest

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Collect moments AND collect things

There is one of those travel quotes floating around the web that says ‘Collect Moments not things’. Totally cringy but also a fab little writing prompt for me as I don’t see the problem in collecting moments .. and wait for it… collecting things. Especially from your travels I mean is it really that bad to want a thing, memento, souvenir from where you have been?

I know this quote is trying to say that experiences, memories and moments are the best way to remember your travels and that buying a piece of tat from a souvenir shop doesn’t really compare to if you were to spend your money on a bungee jump or a meal in a traditional restaurant. In some respect, I agree. For me though as much as I like having the moment and memories I also like collecting things to bring home. Maybe I’m a hoarder or maybe I just like the idea of having different bits of the world throughout my home and daily life.

Sometimes collecting things on travels isn’t just for yourself. It’s also more than just bringing a gift back for someone special. My best friend collects pencils and I always get her one from wherever we go. A pencil with a funny topper or destination written along the side- wherever I go she gets one. It’s become a regular ritual I always get her a pencil and she gets me a magnet. My dad and his friend have an odd but kinda cool tradition. Whenever either of them goes away they collect a small rock from there and then mount it on a bit of wood when they get back with the date and location written on the mount. They have been doing it for years and both have a healthy collection of rocks from all sorts of destinations. They were maths and science teachers so it makes sense.

This photo is of me about 10 years ago riding a camel in Egypt. I was being led by a small child that was certainly not going to be able to catch me if I fell off or even control the camel if it took off. Thankfully neither of those happened. I couldn’t tell you what the weather was like, how long we were on the camels for, what the little boy or camels name was, what I was thinking or feeling as these details of my memories have started to slip away to make room for new ones (think like in the film Inside Out). However, when I see this picture in its token Egyptian frame that I purchased whilst there, it prompts my mind to bring those memories back. It reminds me that I’ve ridden a camel and will never do so again, that they were big and smelly, that it was so scary getting on and off and that it was an amazing thing to do whilst I was in Egypt. Also whenever I see this picture on the shelf at home I always think about the end of the film the titanic when they do a montage of Rose’s life in photos and there she is on a horse on the beach. This photo of my rocking the worst outfit with the worst hair on top of a camel in Egypt would totally be in my end of days montage.

It’s not just photos that do this but I have a tea towel from Portugal that whenever I use I think back to walking through Albufeira Old Town in the afternoon shopping for ice cream and souvenirs or the soft toy Penguin named Alan with the knitted jumper we brought on Philip Island after seeing the fairy penguins come in and that the sale of this went back into helping knit jumpers for penguins affected by oil spills. Everything I’ve ever brought back has a memory associated with it that then makes me smile, cringe or go searching through the house for other bits I’ve collected.

Over the years I’ve dabbled in I Heart (insert destination here) t shirts, mugs, tea towels, money, photo frames, jewelry, soft toys but the big three main ones for me are magnets, postcards and paintings/prints.

Magnets – the more the gaudy the better. Such a touristy thing to collect but I don’t care. We have them all over our extractor fan at home and will religiously buy one whenever we go somewhere new. We also now have friends get them for us when they go somewhere we’ve not been.

Postcards- Similar to the above I always buy them without the intention of ever sending them. I think one day I will do something creative with them. I’m sure Pinterest will have some ideas for me.

Paintings and prints- I try and buy these off street artists or in markets. Some are also obviously reproduction prints but I like the idea of having them hung up around the house so its like you get to be in all the countries at once. The Eiffel Tower on the same wall as a Venetian canal and the bright wildlife road signs of Australia.

I reached out to a few travel bloggers for their collectible of choice to show you it’s not just about gaudy magnets or lots of postcards. Some of these might even start you on a new holiday collecting tradition…

Liquors

I love to collect different liquors from around the world. Whether it is what a country or area is known for, or an alcohol unique to them, I need to have a bottle! They remind me of the places I’ve been (and usually more than a few nights in said country), and afterward cracking the bottle is a great way to celebrate the big occasions!

Missy from The Journey Project |https://www.thejourneyproject.net/

Magnets

I started collecting magnets when I was 18, after seeing a friend’s fridge covered with magnets of the places they’d visited. My first was a circular wooden magnet with a colourful bird from Nicaragua. Since then my collection has expanded massively to 59 magnets – all are a little piece of the world I’ve brought home from places as far flung as Denmark, Japan, and Zanzibar. My parents now always make a point to bring me back a magnet from the places they’ve been to as well! I love that every morning when I get the milk out of the fridge for breakfast, I get a glimpse of the globe staring back at me. One of my favourites is from Venice, with Italian flag colours and a tiny gondola dangling down.

Laura from One More Step Travel |http://www.onemoresteptravel.com

Shot Glasses

We were lounging and celebrating our honeymoon with glasses of champagne in Santorini when we instinctively decided that we are going to collect shot glasses from all the places that we visit henceforth. Since we love recalling and laughing over our favourite travel memories while sipping on some drinks once we are back, collecting shot glasses was probably our best decision ever! We have a cosy little bar counter at home and have done up a wall display to showcase all our shot glasses right above the counter. Whenever we host a get-together, all our friends are invited to raise a toast to their favourite or dream holiday destination from our selection! It’s so much fun to be able to actually use these little souvenirs than to just stack them up somewhere. Besides being very useful, shot glasses are generally found easily in most countries, are not very expensive and can spoil you for choice! We still remember visiting Stone Town in Zanzibar three times just to lay hands on the prettiest and most colourful hand painted shot glass of the entire lot! Here’s a small glimpse of our collection =)

Trailing Abroad |www.trailingabroad.com

Patches

Years ago I started collecting patches from each country I visited. For me, they were the perfect light-weight and cheap travel memento that doesn’t take up much space in my bag. But, they sat in a drawer at home because I couldn’t figure out how to display them in a way that would be a daily reminder of my adventures! For Christmas one year, my mom got me this piece of vintage luggage. It’s the perfect place for my patches! It makes me smile every day and now, because my friends know that I collect them, they always ask to see my latest patch!

This Big Wild World | www.thisbigwildworld.com

Art

I love art and I love to travel, so what better than to pick up art pieces while traveling? Our home has a nice collection of paintings, sculpture, figurines and other knick-knacks that we picked while traveling to destinations far and wide. One of my favorite purchases of all time is this beautiful “door” that I picked up from a local store in San Juan, Puerto Rico that sells miniature door figurines modeled on actual doors in the city. You can also personalize it as I did!

Year of the Monkey |http://www.yrofthemonkey.com/

Tiles

We love to travel cheaply and while pictures may last forever, we like something more substantial to remember our trip by. On our honeymoon to Puerto Rico, we picked up a handmade door and had “Casa Blanca” inscribed (in honor of our last name). That little yellow and purple door hung in our kitchen proudly! We decided that this will become our memento of choice on future trips!

We ventured to Italy next, where we found loads of various tiles for sale. We now collect small tiles from each city we journey. The tiles are handmade or used as part of home renovations because we want to support the local artists! Our tiles adorn our kitchen to remind us of the delicious flavors we sampled abroad.

The Wanderlust Dietitian | https://thewanderlustdietitian.com

Books

I am a very conscious souvenir hunter. I do tend to document my travels through things and love my ever-growing magnet and mug collections. However, out of everything we bring home the one collection we cherish most is our authentic books.

We purchase books directly from the original place they were written! We love the authenticity and uniqueness of having a manuscript directly from its source. A couple of our favourite additions to our collection include the following:

The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter – When travelling to the Lake District England, we popped into Hilltop Farm where Beatrix Potter lived and wrote the story and purchased the book right then and there! In doing so, our edition of the story sports an embossed stamp inside to indicate its authentic purchase at Hilltop Farm.

Another example is our recent purchase of the novel “The House of Seven Gables” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Written by the same author as the famed Scarlet Letter, when exploring Salem, we decided to tour the actual house of seven gables that inspired the novel and marks the location where the book was written. Inside the front cover, you will find in our copy a stamp stating we purchased the book at the famed location in Salem.

Other examples of our collection include:

Sherlock Holmes from 220 Baker Street in London (The Sherlock Holmes museum), The Ladurée Cookbook straight from the Ladurée café itself- home to the famous macarons, Paddington Bear straight from Paddington Station’s gift shop, Shakespearean book straight from Stratford Upon-Avon in the UK, and much more.

When we travel we need to be conscious of the items we bring home and the businesses we support. With purchasing books from their origin, we feel it is a special collection we won’t outgrow that will be loved in our family for years to come.

Fill My Passport | https://www.fillmypassport.net/souvenir-savvy-tips-conquer-travel-clutter/

Do you collect anything when you are away? Anything different or out of the ordinary? If so I’d love to hear so please do share in the comments below.

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