A hen do in London

Read ahead to hear about my friend's hen do weekend in London...

Our Copenhagen video

Copenhagen: Day Three

Read ahead to hear about our day climbing church spires, eating street food and visiting Christiana...

Copenhagen: Day two

Read ahead to hear about our day exploring the streets and museums of Copenhagen with an evening at one of the oldest amusement parks in the world...

Copenhagen: Day One

Read about our jam packed day one in Copenhagen, visiting the Round Tower, Nyhavn and the Little Mermaid!

What to do in: Liverpool

Read ahead to hear about what I like to do when I visit the wonderful city of Liverpool...

What to do in: Herefordshire

Read about our cider and cheese themed trip down to Herefordshire...

What to do in: Kent

Read ahead to hear about my wonderful day exploring the castles and vineyards of Kent...

Europe 2016: Video

Europe 2016: Day Seventeen

Read ahead to hear about our surprise kick ass day at the paper museum!

 

Europe 2016: Day Sixteen

Read ahead to hear about our arrival in Basel and exploring the old town...

Europe 2016: Day Fifteen

 Read ahead to hear about our day at Kristallwelton, the world of Swarovski...

Europe 2016: Day Fourteen

Read ahead to hear about another beautiful day in Innsbruck, visiting the sights of the Court Church and the Golden Roof and popping into the Swarovski shop...

Europe 2016: Day Thirteen

Read ahead to hear about our day exploring the mountains in Innsbruck, using the Nordkettenbahnen...

Europe 2016: Day Twelve

We arrive in Innsbruck and take a walk around the city... 

Europe 2016: Day Eleven

Read ahead to hear about our adventures up the snowy mountain of Dachstein!

Europe 2016: Day Ten

Read ahead to hear about our time in Rittisberg, experiencing the coaster and enjoying the views!

Europe 2016: Day Nine

 

Read ahead to hear about our adventures in Hallstatt, exploring the amazing salt mines, and making our way onto Schladming...

Europe 2016: Day Eight

Our visit to the beautiful Halstatt, seeing the bone house and taking in the sights...

Europe 2016: Day Seven

 Read ahead to hear about our joint birthday, having fun at Haus Der Natur, visiting Mozarts birthplace and our wonderful birthday meal...

Europe 2016: Day Six

Read ahead to hear about our time in Salzburg, visiting the Hohensalzburg Fortress & The Mirabell Gardens...

 

Europe 2016: Day five

 Read ahead to hear about our time at the stunning Nyphenburg Palace...

Europe 2016: Day four

Read ahead to hear about our morning at the Dachau concentration camp and our afternoon at the BMW museum...

Europe 2016: Day three

Read ahead to hear about our day sightseeing in Munich, including a visit to the largest Urban park in the world...

Europe 2016: Day two

 Read ahead to hear about the Nazi rally grounds, Palace of Justice, Nuremberg castle and sightseeing around town...

Europe 2016: Day one

Read ahead to hear about our arrival in the wonderful Nuremberg...

Summer in Budapest: Day five

 Read ahead to hear about the best restaurant in the whole of Hungary and more escape game fun! 

Summer in Budapest: Day four

 Read ahead to hear about our adventures in Buda, exploring the beautiful history and going for a wine tasting followed by our evening at the ruin bars...

Summer in Budapest: Day three

Read ahead to hear about our time exploring one of the oldest zoos in the world, braving the thermal baths in the sun and going cruising...

Summer in Budapest: Day Two

Read ahead to hear about our morning exploring Margaret Island, our first escape game and our all you can eat and drink dinner!

Summer in Budapest: Day One

 Read ahead to hear about our return to Budapest, touring the Parliament building and strolling along the Danube...

Japanese adventure day sixteen: Tokyo

Read ahead to hear about my airport adventures...

Japanese adventure day fifteen: Tokyo

Read ahead to hear about our day at Ueno Park, visiting the pandas at the zoo and the national museum, before returning to Akihabara and then crossing the capsule hotel off our bucket list!

The Liebster Award

So I got a lovely nomination from Expedition Education (find the blog here) for the Liebster Award.

The Liebster Award is a recognition award for relatively new travel bloggers that helps their viewers to get to know them better and allows them to get their name out there a bit more. Ultimately, you nominate a few travel blogs who you feel should receive more recognition and a larger following. I think this is a pretty neat award because it’s from one travel blogger to another; I can’t wait to share more about me and get to know more about you!

So what do you do?

– You should answer the 11 questions you have been given in your nomination.

– Nominate and write about another 5 to 11 blogs you enjoy.

– Pick 11 new questions for your nominees.

Here were the questions I had to answer:

1. What inspires you to travel?

I've been lucky enough to grow up with parents who place value in exploring different countries and they've instilled within me a deep wanderlust. The world is full of unlimited opportunities to see cultures and sights that you could never have imagined!

2.What destination is definitely not on your list and why?

This was the toughest question of them all! I find there is something interesting about most countries I can think of. Of course a lot of political unrest in the world means there are currently countries I would steer clear of but I hope that won't always be the case. I'm not one for beaches so I think somewhere like the Maldives would be totally lost on me.

3. Why are you writing a blog? What are your long term goals?

I started writing the blog as a personal diary of my holidays but I wrote them in a way that others would understand for if I ever decided to make the blog 'public'. I find that when I travel I spend a lot of time reading travel blogs because I think it's one of the best sources for information, it gives a truer reflection of the place. I hope my blog offers the same for people visiting my destinations.

4. What do you think are the benefits of technology, especially social media, while traveling? The negatives?

Something like Whatsapp is amazing, being able to keep in touch with your loved ones wherever your trip takes you. I tend to stay away from Facebook whilst travelling, I think travelling is too wonderful to be glued to your phone! Apps like Dropbox are wonderful for being able to store photos on though.

5. What is one thing you learned in grade school that benefits you abroad?

Well maths can certainly help in currency conversion and adding up the bills. Other than that I would say that it is the travelling itself that can teach you so much. I know my geography knowledge has never been taught to me in a classroom!

6.  Favourite person, or people, to travel with and why?

My partner, Adam. I've holidayed with many people over the years and there is always a tension of sorts. I like early mornings and chilled evenings, I like to walk everywhere, I like to be on the go and sometimes that can be different to what others want. With Adam he's totally on my wavelength and I would never want to travel without him.

 7. What is your favourite personal travel story?

God I don't know. Everyday is a travel story and I intend to share them all on the blog :D

8. Any adventure excursion you’re dying to do?

So many! I'm a big animal lover so would be so excited to do something like a safari. Adam dreams of the Galapagos Islands and Madagascar. Something like seeing the Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda would be beyond belief. Hopefully we'll get there one day!

9. Best travel accommodations and for what reason?

I'm a huge fan of airbnb, when we visited Japan we couldn't have afforded it without staying in an apartment and in the last 2 years I've used the site a number of times. I think it allows you to have a central location but at a fraction of the cost. I think as well, with the right host, you can pick up a much better feel of that particular culture from staying in an apartment over a generic hotel. 

10. If you could live anywhere in the world where would you live?

I find that there is a huge difference in countries you LOVE and countries you could actually live in. I adore the lakes in Italy but couldn't imagine myself actually living there. There are two places where I really thought 'Yes, I could live here' and that was Tokyo, Japan and Carmel, California. Totally different places but I loved their way of life, their attitudes, I could really see myself functioning there.

11. Where to next? Why did you plan this trip?

This summer we will be visiting Germany and Austria. Our reason quite simply is because of cheap flights. I realised we could fly round trip from Germany for £15. Austria was only a short train ride away and the itinerary fell into place that way. I'm looking forward to the beautiful scenery and amazing food!

So here are my nominations:

Helen @ The Little Backpacker

I like Helen's blog because it was a great mix of travel and cooking. Her posts show that travelling can be both cheap and healthy and compliments all her posts with some very appealing photos.

Rob & Kim @ Simply Travelled

A really well written blog with some lovely photos. Their approach to holidays is similar to mine, 'balanced' as they describe it meaning they won't turn their nose up at a hostel but prefer a hotel room and they put money aside for experiences. Too often I read travel blogs that are at opposite ends of the spectrum- budget or luxury- whereas I feel Rob & Kim have it right.

Trevor & Christine @ Grabbing life by the balls

Well first of all, great blog name! Having only done their first blog post a month ago I'm looking forward to seeing how this blog progresses. Their posts provide some great reading and already show a variety of destinations.

Stephanie & Adam @ Road Unraveled

Their blog posts are really detailed, informative accounts of their trip and its these kinds of blogs that I look to the most when I'm planning my trips as they allow you to get a real feel of the place.

Wes @ A teacher traveling

A great blog with some really beautiful photos and features posts from quite a few locations such as America and Asia. It's great to read about someone who is interested in immersing themselves in the culture and Wes delivers some great accounts.

Willow @ Wanderlust Willow

I really like Willow's photography and her posts are simple, informative accounts of her trips that range from Vietnam to Venice. Although a fairly new blog Willow seems to have put a lot of effort into already getting lots of great blog posts up, looking forward to seeing how her blog develops.

Sahara @ Pack Travel Explore

I really like the layout and look of Sahara's blog. The information presented in her posts is really clear and concise. She uses her GoPro to deliver video content on her blog as well, which is something a bit different. Certainly worth checking out.

So my questions for them:

1) Have you ever been to a destination that hasn't lived up to your expectations?
2) Have you ever visited anywhere that has totally taken you by surprise?
3) What is your ultimate dream travel destination?
4) What is your favourite kind of souvenir to buy from a holiday?
5) How much do you prepare before you go on holiday in terms of the itinerary?
6) Where do you recommend people check out on their next trip?
7) Where has your best meal been?
8) What factors make you decide on your next holiday destination?
9) What are your aspirations for your blog?
10) Where was your first ever holiday?
11) What's next for you?

Japanese adventure day fourteen: Nikko

Read ahead to hear all about our rainy day exploring Nikko and it's gorgeous Toshogu Shrine!

Japanese adventure day thirteen: Hiroshima & Osaka

Read ahead to hear about our morning at the Hiroshima memorial park and our afternoon at the Osaka Aquarium!

Japanese adventure day twelve: Miyajima

Read ahead to hear about our Miyajima adventure, climbing Mount Misen and the floating Torii gate!

Japanese adventure day eleven: Kyoto

Read ahead to hear about our full on temple day down the Path of Philosophy!

Japanese adventure day ten: Kyoto

Read ahead to hear about our early visit to the Fushimi Inari shrine, adventures at the monkey park, our afternoon in the traditional Arashiyama (including the bamboo groves) and an evening with the Geishas. 

Japanese adventure day nine: Nara

Read ahead to hear about our day in Nara, feeding the deer, visiting the impressive temples and then travelling back to Kyoto for some samurai action!

Japanese adventure day eight: Kyoto

Read ahead to hear about our first day in Kyoto, our traditional guest house, visiting Nijo castle and dinner in the Gion District!

Japanese Adventure day seven: Tokyo

Continue to read about the Studio Ghibli museum, cherry blossom in Sumida Park and going to the crazy Robot restuarant!

Japanese adventure day six: Kamakura & Yokohama

Read ahead to hear about our time in beautiful Kamakura, our hike through the Daibutsu trail, seeing the Giant Buddha and then travelling onto Yokohama for amusement fun!

Japanese adventure day five: Tokyo

Continue reading to hear about the Tsukiji fish market, the beautiful Hama Rikyu gardens, Ginza, Geeky fun in Akihabara and catching our own fish for dinner!

Japanese adventure day four: Tokyo

Continue reading to hear all about our adventures at Disneysea!

Japanese adventure day three: Tokyo

Continue reading to hear about my first visit to a shrine (the beautiful Meji shrine), shopping in Harajuku, exploring Shibya and Shinjuku and eating at a crazy prison hospital themed restuarant!

Japanese adventure day two: Tokyo

Read ahead to hear about our arrival into Tokyo, our experiences in the Odaiba area and fun at Joypolis!

Japanese adventure day one: Getting there!

Read ahead to hear about our stopover in Moscow on the way to Japan, the capsule hotel we stayed in and the yummy food!

Cologne: Day three

Read ahead to hear about the Ludwig modern art museum, looking around Ehrenfeld and having fun at 3D mini golf, visiting the chocolate museum and El- De Haus (home of the Gestapo) before finishing with a wonderful dinner!

Cologne: Day two

Read ahead to hear about the Basilica of St Ursula, visiting the impressive Dom, putting a love lock on Hohenzollern bridge, looking at the beautiful purfume bottles at 4711 and ending the day in the Belgian quarter!

Cologne: Day one

Read ahead for our arrival into Cologne, looking around the sculpture park and the botanical gardens and having an amazing Valentines meal at Gilden Im Zims!

Budapest: Day three

Read ahead to hear about visiting the Parliament buildings, the shoes on the Danube and climbing Castle hill. We ended the day with the amazing Budapest Gala concert!