Let's just say that 2020 is full of surprises but trying to organise a trip this year has proven difficult so we decided on a good old staycation. 

Even though I have had numerous staycations in the UK there is one area I haven't visited before and that's Cornwall. 

Let's just say this is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited, we stayed in a little seaside town called Looe, it was a lovely quaint town on the coast that gave us some amazing sunrises. We travelled around a lot within the area and found ourselves some little gems including the Talland Bay at the end of a country lane. 

We visited the Eden Project which was one of the most surreal experiences as it was basically the rainforest in the middle of the countryside. I loved all the work that they do to preserve different plant species around the world and the art installations throughout the park were breathtaking. 

One thing that I will say about Cornwall is that the food is amazing! It would be a crime to travel that far and not sample the cornish pasties and the cornish cream teas. It was so good that we even brought some home with us!

I must say that this is a place that I fell in love with and I think it's a place that I will visit many times. I feel as though I have only scratched the surface on a beautiful part of the UK. 

​S

Travelling can be an amazing experience for me there is nothing better but it’s not always easy. As much as I love travelling it is also one of the most stressful experiences and nearly every time I travel I have an anxiety attack.  No matter what it never stops me from getting back on a plane and travelling on my next adventure. So here are some of my tips that I have picked up over the years to make the whole experience run as smoothly as possible.
 
My first tip is Mini’s! Over the years we have collected tons of mini’s whether it was from a hotel or Christmas presents or gift sets we have quite a few. They make travelling so much easier. You don’t have to worry about space, whether they will fit in your suitcase coming home or the customs (if you go hand luggage only).  My advice stock up, we have a draw that we can always dip into because you never know when a last minute trip might happen. 
 
My next tips are pretty much common sense but in the chaos of packing can be so easily forgotten.  Firstly make sure your holiday clothes contains the wardrobe stables anything from a cardigan, vest tops even just a plain maxi dress they will always come in handy.  Secondly make sure all electric devices are charged for the journey not only will it kill time in the airports or on the planes but it can last you a while before you may be able to charge your devices on the other side. If you taking a camera clear your memory card! You never know how many pictures you will take so be prepared.  Always make sure you have a good selection of books sometimes staring at a screen can sometimes cause headaches and make you feel groggy give your eyes a break for an hour or so.
 
In terms of packing itself it’s always a daunting task worrying about weight and whether it will all fit.  Here are some tips that I use to help me with these struggles. Firstly always keep some clothes in your hand luggage, we always here these horror stories of people losing their luggage. It has never happened to me but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared. Secondly always back a toothbrush and toothpaste and a travel sun cream in your hand luggage. It’s always nice to freshen up after a flight being in a confined place with so many people can make you feel a little bit meh. There is nothing better than a quick brush of your teeth to make you feel a little bit more human. The travel sun cream however is a trick I learned recently you never think about the journey from the airport to the hotel and it’s a given that you will see sun in that period always best to protect from burning early on.
 
Flying can be one of the most stressful experiences there is always prepare for the security checks and take your time.  Make sure all your documents are sorted and you have prepared to take everything out of your luggage at security. Keep it chill and it will make the start of your holiday all worthwhile. Have fun on your adventures we only live once right?

S

Summer has finally arrived and even though in the UK we have a bit of a love hate relationship with the sun we do like to make the most of it when it's here. One of my favourite things to do in the summer is just get out of the house and enjoy the country! I am fortunate that I live in Yorkshire which has some of the most beautiful scenery. I love to grab a picnic and enjoy the sunshine surrounded by nature (I know it sounds cheesy) there is something quite therapeutic about not hearing car horns or screaming children. 

The Uk has some beautiful places to walk whether it's through woodland, the moors or on the coast you will find some amazing scenic routes. 

So take a break from the hustle and bustles of the city and get back to nature you won't regret it! 

​S 

London has quickly become one of our favourite places for a UK break with so much to do for all ages it's a hit with all the family. 

I have been going to London for many years and every time I seem to go I always discover something new. Whether it is a trip to the museums, the shopping or the west end there is always something to do so here are a few of my favourite places and things to do in London. 

First place I would recommend is Camden Market, I feel like the best way to describe Camden is a treasure trove of all things quirky, weird and colourful. You can find anything you could desire at Camden Market and a few things you didn't even know you needed. One thing to note is the food! You can find something for everyone and if you are vegetarian, vegan or just want to try something new there is something for you. Would recommend a full day of exploring for this pit stop as you never know what you might stumble on. 

Another place to note is the London Zoo, this is a new find but was loved by all the family. I was skeptical with the zoo as all zoos in the UK seem to be the same but the interactive nature of London Zoo makes it stand out from the rest. We visited the Zoo with my 10 year old niece as a birthday treat and it was a big success. We thought we would use the canal entrance and treated her to a canal boat trip that let us enter a more quieter entrance and bypass all the ques it was different and a big hit. The best attractions was the jungle house that had monkeys and sloths hanging just a mere centimeters above your head and the tiger enclosure that gave you a birds eye view of the tigers. It was a great way to spend the day when the weather wasn't quite so cooperative. 

The next must do in London is an obvious one West End!! There is something different about a west end show that just makes the trip seem so much more magical. Over the years I have had the opportunity to see a few west end shows by far my favourite is the popular Wicked. There are so many shows to choose from and sometimes the best ones are that are not so well known. One of the best shows I had the chance to see was 42nd Street and this was an accidental find we just happened to pick a more affordable ticket and decided to chance it. It's the best for all the family and there is something for everyone!

London has loads to offer and I know there is so much more to experience but these are just a few of my top places to visit. Honestly I find the best places are those that are stumbled upon so my advice would be forget the map and itinerary and just explore!

​S

When the days are long and cold I always love to have something to look forward to, Fortunately for us our anniversary is in December so it's an excuse to getaway. This year we decided on Tenerife for a bit of winter sun. 

Surprisingly it wasn't too busy which was nice and we was lucky enough to have the right mix of sunshine and a cool breeze. We really enjoyed exploring a new part of the Canary Islands, we decided to go to the much quieter south of the island that boasts a more chill lifestyle and excellent views.   

The highlight of the trip was the wildlife sanctuary Loro Park. I am a massive fan on visiting wildlife sanctuary's and have visited plenty across the world but this was by far the best one I have ever visited. All animals within the park are rescued and they are part of an initiative to restore many of the animals habitat in order to release them back into the wild. The park has all sorts of wildlife from gorillas to dolphins and orcas. The park itself is huge and have numerous shows educating visitors on the animals and how they can help protect them into the wild. 

The trip was amazing and just the break that we needed before the craziness of Christmas and the New Year.  I would recommend the south part of tenerife if you are looking for a nice chilled holiday. We only stayed for a week as this was all we was able to do and it was the perfect length of time giving us a mix of exploring and lazy days in the sun. My only recommendation is pack a pair of walking shoes as there is plenty of hills and walkways on the cliffs. 

​S

​When we decided to revisit our favourite holiday resort in Egypt we wanted to make sure that we made this trip memorable.
 
We decided to use this holiday to visit the Ancient Egyptian landmarks that Egypt was so famous for and what an experience!!
 
We hired a private driver and guide for the day to show us all the best places. We started with an early start and a 5-hour drive through the desert to Luxor. Even though it was a long drive it was worth it seeing another side to Egypt and driving through Villages and countryside. 
 
Once we arrived into Luxor we picked up our guide and headed to our first destination. What amazed me was the mixture of modern life and ancient Egypt. There were so many ruins of temples and statues mixed into the hustle and bustle of the city; to the locals the thousand-year-old history was part everyday life.
 
We visited the temples and made a journey across the Nile towards the Valley of the Kings. To me this was what Egypt was all about the famous valley where great pharaohs lay in tombs decorated from floor to ceiling.  Honestly it just blew my breath away, we were walking in tombs thousands of years old decorated in intricate inscriptions that looked like they were painted yesterday. The colours within the tombs were just so vibrant and the layouts were so clever it was hard to believe they managed to achieve what they did in their lifetimes.
 
This was why I love to travel around the world it was a way to see other cultures how their history impacted the world. As a child I always had a fascination with ancient Egypt but to actually be there and see the chisel marks from the workers from thousands of years ago was just something else.
 
My advice to you would be if you decide to travel to Egypt make time to see the wonders that the country has to offer. You will not be disappointed.
 
 
S

​Finally my childhood dreams have been answered I went to Disney!!
 
Yes ok I shouldn’t be this excited being a 25 year old but it’s Disney!
 
So after a lot of shopping and planned Disney outfit’s and of course some Disney ears we were all set for our Disney adventure.
 
When people say that you have never been to place like Disney they are not wrong! It was magical for both children and big kids alike. We went exploring around the parks and met some friendly faces including the likes of Mickey, Minnie, Baloo and so much more!
 
We watched the parade, which was amazing! I have never seen a parade like it with some of the most impressive floats topped with some of your favourite characters. I also got some compliments on my ears from Mary Poppins!
 
On our first night we had special access tickets to the illumination show, which was just amazing!! I have never seen a final show like it with a mixture of fireworks, lasers, water and projection let’s just say it was so magical I did shed a few tears.
 
If there was one place I would visit time and time again it is Disney. We travelled to the Euro Disney but plans are already set into motion for a trip to the American parks and rumour has it they are even more magical.
 
Let’s just say I can’t wait!!
 
S

For me when I think of my childhood there is one location that always seems to stick out and that is Scarborough. 

It was one of my families favourite places and throughout the years has held a special meaning. It was a regular thing in my family to jump in the car and drive for over an hour and half until we hit the east coast. We normally justified these trips claiming we had cravings for ice cream and fish and chips. We had our favourite places to visit and our favourite times to visit. 

We have been visiting the east coast for many years and in more recent years Scarborough has held more special meanings, it's where we laid my father to rest, where we introduced my Niece to her first knickerbocker glory and where I got engaged. 

What draws us to this particular part of the coast is that even though it is changing to younger audiences it still has some traditional elements. You can enjoy a ice cream in a 1950's themed ice cream parlour, travel up to the town via a cliff lift and even visit an open air theatre and see some amazing acts. 

I may be biased in my opinion and no matter what will always love this part of the coast but I believe if you are heading to Yorkshire be sure to make this a stop on your journey. It just screams the traditional British seaside town we all know and love. 

S

 
So it comes to that time of year when it’s grey and cold outside and as much as you get cosy you can’t help but want a change of scenery. For me this is a dangerous time as it means holiday hunting.
 
We were on a look out for a short break somewhere not too far but somewhere we had never been before. With it being Christmas time we wanted to embrace the Christmas spirit so we settled on Valencia.
 
Valencia is part of mainland Spain and is one of the most magical cities we have ever been to. It is a hybrid of both modern and traditional culture with the most amazing buildings and streets. It felt like we were on a movie set!
 
With it being a Catholic country they know how to do Christmas in style. The streets were filled with stalls selling some of the most magical trinkets and nativity sets. The Carousel in the main square was just something else it was amazing!
 
The most charming feature of Valencia had to be the streets. You could get lost in the little nooks and crannies and be transported to another time. With the mixture of both the old and new architecture you could turn a corner and be in a completely different era.
 
One of the most magical features of Valencia was the artwork. It was so easy to get lost in the maze of back streets but everyone was a scene to a different world. It was so easy to get lost in the messages of peace, political views and just pure imagination that seemed to be painted on the walls of these back streets.
 
Valencia may not seem a popular choice but it was the right one. The culture, the atmosphere and the food made it one of the most memorable holidays. It is somewhere I would love to explore further and to full immerse myself into the culture. If you looking for a city break with a difference this is one place I would recommend.
 
S

When looking for a quick getaway that would have nice weather and not be too far to travel the logical choice seemed to land on Portugal.  Having looked around we found a great deal in a place called Faro. Most people just pass through to the more popular locations we thought it would be nice to go somewhere a little quieter.
 
We managed to get a hotel right on the sea front and though we went in December it wasn’t to warm but we still had sun and blue skies.  The town itself wasn’t too big but had a wonderful mixture of old and new. The town was split into an old town and new with a old fortress wall surrounding the old town.
 
Within the old town it was like you were being transported to another era. With cobbled streets some of the most magnificent churches and an amazing cathedral that literally took my breath away.  We travelled to the top of the cathedral where you could experience breathtaking views of the city and out to sea.
 
The most memorable part of the tri had to be the food. We wanted to experience as much of the local cuisine as we could. We found a quaint little bakery behind our hotel that was packed with some of the most phenomenal cakes, pastries and breads. As Faro is a fishing town a majority the restaurants serve freshly caught fish and produce which results in some the most amazing food you have ever tasted. One aspect of the trip we could not get enough of was the orange juice. Orange trees can be found everywhere in Portugal and a lot of the local café’s and restaurants serve freshly picked oranges on their menu. I guess I had never really tasted oranges that were juiced on the same day they were picked but it was amazing. We ordered a fresh glass everywhere we stopped.
 
Though our stay was fleeting it was memorable we loved every minute and vowed to return. From the amazing food, history and not to mention the sunsets we were transported to another world. It is a place I would recommend to travel too if you want a quiet seaside getaway.  It was by far one of our most relaxing vacations to date.
 
S