Planning a hen party is no small task. You'll need to manage a large budget, organise a variety of activities, and keep the bride-to-be's tastes in mind while attempting to please a large group of other people, many of whom you might never have met before. The Cotswolds are a great choice of location. Not only are they arguably the most beautiful … [Read more...]
How to Stay Safe on a Road Trip
Driving overseas presents us all with certain challenges, even if it's just a day trip to northern France from one of Blighty's channel ports. Further afield than the relative similarity of European roads, there are even more things for drivers to consider. However, you shouldn't be put off taking a road trip in South America, Asia or Africa just … [Read more...]
How to Pack for a Safari
An African safari is like no experience you will ever have again. Despite having travelled almost constantly for the past year and a half, my safari in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania remains one of the most exciting and uplifting events of my life. Imagine giraffes striding across the main road before you've even reached the … [Read more...]
How to Make the Most of Being Single on Valentine’s Day
It's that time of year again. Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and it's with very little surprise that I find myself still single 6 years and 3 months on from my last meaningful relationship - yes it really has been that long! But am I miserable? Far from it. The past few years have been the best of my life, and it's all because I made the … [Read more...]
How to Save Money for Travel
Planning your next trip overseas is exciting, but it can also be pretty stressful as the costs start to build up. You might find yourself with rapidly depleting funds as you fork out for flights, visas, vaccinations, new gear and insurance - and that's before you've even left home! The last thing you want is to arrive at your dream destination … [Read more...]
How to Stay Safe While Backpacking
From time to time, I receive correspondence from readers who are seeking advice, be it recommendations for a specific destination or tips on staying safe and saving money on the road. I've decided to start posting my responses to the most popular questions in the hope that they will be useful to anyone relatively new to the backpacking scene who is … [Read more...]
Moving to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa
Moving to Australia on a working holiday visa is not a walk in the park. It takes commitment and a lot of planning. Here's a run down of what you might need to consider before jetting off to the other side of the world. VISA APPLICATION It might seem obvious, but applying for the visa is a big first step, and one that some people leave until … [Read more...]
Renting a Car Abroad: What You Need to Know
I'm one of those people who has always shied away from renting a car overseas. This is, in part, due to the fact that I passed my test seven years ago, moved to London the next day and haven't sat behind the wheel since. On a recent trip to New Zealand, my sister and I took a road trip for a few days and she was very nervous before we pulled out … [Read more...]
How to Plan a Gap Year
Ok, so in my case, it was a gap 7 months and I chose to do it at the age of 29, but the principle’s the same for planning an extended trip no matter when you do it. In the run up to my South America trip, I remember being berated by fellow travellers when I asked specific questions about destinations I had on my itinerary. ‘Why do you have an … [Read more...]
Rio Carnival: Surviving the World’s Biggest Street Party
Ever been to a street party? Truth is, if someone had asked me that question a few months ago, I'd have reeled off a bunch of outdoor urban gatherings, from the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations to Notting Hill Carnival. Hell, I might have even thrown in a couple of sleepovers from when I was a prepubescent and we used to roller blade up and … [Read more...]
