Continents
Reykjavik Spa Sensation: Iceland’s Sky Lagoon Gives You All The Feels
Written by Jaillan Yehia
Reviewing spas can be a tough job (no, really, stick with me here), for a couple of specific reasons. Most readers, in this case you, are looking for a post about a spa, in this case Reykjavik spa newcomer Sky Lagoon, to check out plenty of photos of the facilities, as well as the concept. […]
FlyOver Iceland Review & The Rules Of Icelandic Flight Club
Written by Jaillan Yehia
What is the last thing you want from your first post-pandemic trip abroad? For me the answer was simple: after the digital overload of the lockdown era, I didn’t want another virtual experience. So when I finally said yes to my first foreign adventure since January 2020 – a hosted press trip to Iceland (which […]
My Top 10 Sri Lanka Travel Tips (Especially if you’re British)
Written by Jaillan Yehia
When I need a break from whatever life decides to throw at me, I have a habit of packing a bag and heading to a different part of Southeast Asia. I’ve explored The Philippines, Cambodia, Thailand and parts of Laos and Vietnam, and in late 2018 I chose to spend a whole month in Sri […]
A Guide To Murcia Day Trips: Best Days Out Within 1 Hour Of Murcia City
Written by Jaillan Yehia
Murcia’s recently opened Corvera airport has increased the budget flight options for holidaymakers heading to this part of Spain from across Europe. So, it’s never been easier to take a short break in Murcia city and explore this entire region of sunny South-Eastern Spain. So, if you plan to visit Murcia and want to sample […]
My Marrakech Itinerary: 5 Must Do Activities in Morocco For First Timers
Written by Jaillan Yehia
Being from a British Arabic speaking background myself, I’ve always favoured short breaks to Arab countries a bit more than the average English holiday maker. Something about the atmosphere, the warm hospitality, the delicious food and the general sense of home I get from these countries really appeals to me when booking breaks. As well […]
Eat With Locals Prague Food Tour Review
Written by Jaillan Yehia
Why Take A With Locals Prague Food Tour? In this post I review a food tour in Prague, which I took while visiting the city for three days. But maybe you’re thinking you can discover plenty of places to eat and drink in a major European capital like Prague on your own, without any tours? […]
Travelling Around Britain in a Motorhome?My Top Caravan Spots in the UK
Written by Jaillan Yehia
I’m lucky enough to have explored a fair chunk of my home country, staying in everything from luxury hotels to eco campsites. I’ve also had the chance to go on a lot of different kinds of holidays all over the world, including hitting the open road on more than a few occasions. But while living […]
My Favourite Places In Lanzarote (& Why I’ll Always Secretly Love Lanzarote )
Written by Jaillan Yehia
Brits tend to think of the island of Lanzarote – and the Canary Islands as a whole – as an easy fly and flop destination. Most places in Lanzarote are synonymous with holidays rather than adventurous travel, and with days spent relaxing as opposed to exploring. But even though it may not be trendy to […]
My Crush On Log Cabins, Cotswolds Style: A Luxury Log House Review
Written by Jaillan Yehia
Fancy spending a few days staying in your own private lakeside retreat, surrounded by stunning nature, with quaint and historic honey-hued village pubs on your doorstep? If the answer is yes, then holidaying in log cabins, Cotswolds style could be the mini-break for you. Renting a rustic but luxurious log house of your own is […]
Carcassonne Airport Shuttle Bus Route & Times: Everything You Need To Know
Written by Jaillan Yehia
If you’re travelling to or from Carcassonne Airport you’re probably looking for up to date information about using the quick, cheap and convenient Carcassonne airport shuttle bus before or after your flight. The Carcassonne airport bus service connects tiny Carcassonne airport, on the outskirts of town, with Carcassonne train station (otherwise known as Carcassonne SNCF), […]
The Stylish Way To Brave Blackpool: An Alternative Weekend in Lancashire
Written by Jaillan Yehia
A weekend break to Blackpool probably isn’t the first thing that pops into your head when you think of a stylish staycation, but I found that by combining a visit to the stunning Lancashire countryside with a side trip to the kitsch and cheesy seaside town that’s famous for ballroom dancing and bright lights, you […]
Why Time Is Running Out To Travel By Jeepney In The Philippines
Written by Jaillan Yehia
Have you been to The Philippines yet? If you have already visited one of the world’s friendliest countries, maybe (like me) you are counting the days until you can go back? Either way I have some news for you if travelling on The Philippines’ own signature transport system is high on your wishlist; the colourful […]
15 Unexpected Things To Do Near The Shard & London Bridge
Written by Jaillan Yehia
One of the reasons London is such an endlessly exciting city is because it is forever evolving. And along with other parts of the English capital, the London Bridge area of the city is changing at a pretty fast pace. As a native Londoner I still remember the area around London Bridge before The Shard […]
8 Things Every Tourist In London Needs To Know
Written by Jaillan Yehia
London is a city of over 8 million people, so as a native Londoner I’ve come up with 8 things every tourist in London needs to know. They should help you fit in, do as the locals do and get more out of your trip to the best city on earth. If I’d just got […]
Atelier des Lumières Paris: 5 Things You Should Know Before You Go
Written by Jaillan Yehia
We travel to Paris, like so many couples before us, to soak up romance, art, culture and style – presented in a way that only the Parisians can pull off. I book a city break in Paris in the Spring with my partner because it is the most romantic city on the planet, but I […]
Rome’s Bocache & Salvucci: Is This World’s Most Exquisite Men’s Shoe Shop?
Written by Jaillan Yehia
As a complete shoe obsessive I made sure that the first thing I prioritised on my first ever visit to Rome was buying some beautiful Italian leather shoes. The only problem on that particular short trip was that I had just 4 hours to spare in the Eternal City before I had to catch a […]
Lunuganga Garden: Exploring The Geoffrey Bawa Estate
Written by Jaillan Yehia
As I wait outside the firmly locked gates of Lunuganga Garden and Estate, along with a smattering of other curious visitors to this leafy corner of Sri Lanka, I feel like Charlie waiting to be let inside the chocolate factory. And just like Willy Wonka’s factory, the architectural fantasy world at Lunuganga is full of […]
A Juice Retreat At Moinhos Velhos: Can NO Food Make You Feel Fab?
Written by Jaillan Yehia
I’ve been warned that everyone talks (and fantasizes) about food the whole way through a juice retreat. Well I’ve got a head start on all the food talk because I live with a chef – and we think and talk about food non-stop. My partner is even opening his own food truck specialising in tacos […]
Excursions By Car In Mallorca: 6 Unusual Ideas
Written by Jaillan Yehia
Brits love nothing more than a sunny summer holiday to the Balearic Islands. But unlike my fellow English travellers, I first fell in love with a sleepy off-season Ibiza long after the clubs had shut their doors and the crowds had vanished. I followed this with a couple of forrays to the even sleepier and […]
Barberyn Sands Ayurveda Resort: A Healing Holiday On Paradise Island
Written by Jaillan Yehia
When I’m invited to visit Barberyn Sands Ayurveda Resort in Sri Lanka, the timing couldn’t be better: it’s been 2 years since a driver ploughed into the back of my car while waiting at a roundabout, resulting in me losing consciousness. I still have debilitating whiplash that just won’t quit. Having already set aside 4 […]
1 Day In Colombo in Style: The Best Of The Sri Lankan Capital in 24 Hours
Written by Jaillan Yehia
You may be thinking of spending 1 day in Colombo on your trip to Sri Lanka, but aren’t sure if the capital city has enough to offer to make it worth your precious holiday time (the answer is a resounding YES!). Perhaps you’re a city break fan and have decided you want to experience the […]
Weekend Shortcut: Your Complete Guide To Short Breaks In Cornwall In Winter
Written by Jaillan Yehia
I can personally vouch for benefits of holidaying in Cornwall in the depth of winter; I once boarded a train at London’s Paddington Station in the snow – and arrived a few hours later in St. Austell, to the sight of sunshine and daffodils, at the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Cornwall as a summer destination […]
Wolford Chapel & John Graves Simcoe – A Piece of Canadian History in Devon
Written by Jaillan Yehia
The last thing you’d expect to stumble upon while driving through the remote English county of Devon, is a slice of Ontario, but that’s just what you’ll find at Wolford Chapel. This small chapel and its grounds, tucked away off an unassuming British B road, is technically part of Canada, and flies the Canadian flag […]
5 days In Portugal: 5 Places To Go
Written by Jaillan Yehia
My first ever post-university package holiday all by myself was to Portugal. I loved holidaying solo and both the concept of solo travel and Portugal itself have done nothing but grow on me over the years. In fact I’ve been visiting Portugal for decades, so when I realised I’ve now been on 5 separate visits […]
Choose Prague’s Forum Karlin For Your Next Gig And Fly There For Free
Written by Jaillan Yehia
I’m on a lot of mailing lists and I just ignore most of the emails I’m sent – I bet you do the same thing. But one email that’s guaranteed to get my attention, and be opened right away, is an alert to say that my favourite band is touring, and tickets are now on […]
Pidurangala Rock At Sunrise: 5 Reasons To Choose It Over Sigiriya
Written by Jaillan Yehia
Pidurangala Rock is probably on your list of places to check out in Sri Lanka’s Central Province, and chances are Sigiriya is on that list too. But unless you’ve got unlimited time to spend in the area, and plenty of funds, you might be wondering whether you should climb just one or both of these […]
Ask Yourself This Question Before Researching Self-Guided Cycling Holidays
Written by Jaillan Yehia
You’re about to start researching (or maybe you’ve already started) self-guided cycling holidays in Europe, and there are lots of different options, destinations and companies to consider. There are 50 countries in Europe, many sharing mountain ranges and offering similar types of terrain with slight differences, so the choice is overwhelming. But as much as […]
Travel Cures All Ills – How Sri Lanka Opened My Mind to Medical Tourism
Written by Jaillan Yehia
I remember way back when the phrase medical tourism was first bandied about in the UK. To my mind it usually referred to people travelling to obscure Eastern European countries to have things like costly dental work and minor cosmetic procedures carried out at a fraction of the price that the same treatment would cost […]
How To Do Ibiza Off Season
Written by Jaillan Yehia
Ibiza’s beaches and laid-back vibe started to attract visitors in the 1960’s and Europe’s answer to California’s hippies flocked there, but since then the White Island’s reputation has been primarily one of clubbing and nightlife. But step away from the built-up resorts and bar action and visit off season when the clubs are closed and […]
4 Pretty Random Things I Love About Portugal
Written by Jaillan Yehia
I’ve mentioned this before, but it took me a couple of trips to really fall in love with Portugal. I’d already rented an apartment in the Algarve on my own in my early 20’s and tried a city break in Lisbon with a boyfriend in my 30’s before I really clicked with the country properly. After that […]
4 Cool Souvenirs To Shop For In Europe’s Capitals
Written by Jaillan Yehia
Like a lot of travellers I know, I’m obsessed with shopping for cool souvenirs to bring home from my trips overseas, and even if I’m just popping over to one of my favourite European countries for the weekend (as you do) I have a good idea what I want to bring back. But as well […]
My Winter 2019 Long Haul Holiday Wishlist
Written by Jaillan Yehia
I started planning travels with a mind map instead of a list about 2 years ago. It’s not just travel I plan this way now, it’s everything. From blog-related tasks to personal and financial to-do lists they’re all on a mind map above my desk, to keep me focused on what I want to achieve […]
5 Cool Things To Do In Bologna (Especially If You Love Food)
Written by Jaillan Yehia
The university city of Bologna makes the perfect weekend setting for an the alfresco lesson in romantic architecture, multiple courses in amazing eats and an in-depth study of aperitivo culture. As well as being home to the oldest university in the world, Bologna is the birthplace of tortellini and ragu, and boasts the tallest medieval […]
Why I’ve Decided To Spend A Month in Sri Lanka
Written by Jaillan Yehia
I’ve been secretly planning my month in Sri Lanka for most of the year, but didn’t want to jinx it by saying anything out loud. Now I know it’s happening I can tell you my exciting news: I will be spending a whole month in Sri Lanka in October. This isn’t just any old trip […]
Where To Next? My Autumn+Winter Travel Plans for 2018/2019
Written by Jaillan Yehia
It really has been a summer of legend here in the UK, but I’m finally ready to admit that the British heatwave is over, that no, I probably didn’t need to buy that extra fan after all, and that there is life (and travel) beyond the UK in the glorious sunshine. Considering I’m a travel […]
5 Essential Camden Town Tips, Written By A London Local
Written by Jaillan Yehia
As a native Londoner I’m pretty passionate about the place where I (mis)spent my youth: Camden Town. So when I hear tourists saying they don’t like London (crazy, but it happens!) I feel duty bound to share some ideas about places to go in the capital which might make them change their mind – and […]
Weekend Shortcut: Eco Camping In Sussex Woodland at Beech Estate
Written by Jaillan Yehia
Do you love getting into the outdoors, cooking on an open fire and sleeping under the stars? If you’d asked me that very question just a few years ago I would have answered firmly in the negative; as I didn’t understand just how amazing a camping break can be. These days my feelings about camping […]
Edinburgh VS Glasgow: At-A-Glance Guide To The Contrasting Scottish Cities
Written by Jaillan Yehia
If you’d like to head to Scotland for a wee staycation and can’t decide between the historic cities of Edinburgh or Glasgow, then this at-a-glance guide to the two contrasting – and often competing – Scottish cities might help you make up your mind on the question of Edinburgh Vs Glasgow. Edinburgh Vs Glasgow: Get […]
Weekend Shortcut: Top 5 Things To Do In Salisbury + Stonehenge
Written by Jaillan Yehia
If you’re looking for staycation ideas here in the UK you’re probably picturing yourself enjoying a leisurely weekend away in a quintessentially English market town, perhaps one blessed with some gorgeous scenery and top notch local sightseeing. You know the kind of weekend I mean: strolling through cobbled streets eating pub lunches, spying half-timbered buildings […]
I Spy Montenegro: How I Bonded With The Balkan State
Written by Jaillan Yehia
I’m flying to Dubrovnik and going on assignment, but I’m not coming for a mission in Croatia at all – on the contrary I’m here to spy on what goes on in the tiny state of Montenegro. Unlike a real secret agent, I excitedly tell a handful of people in advance that I’m off to Montenegro, and the […]
Bringing Camping Home From Canada: My Ultimate Camping Checklist
Written by Jaillan Yehia
I blog about lots of travel experiences here, like delicious foodie weekends away in the UK or chilled out sunny holidays in the Balearics, but one thing I’ve never really talked about online is actually one of the single most defining travel experiences of my life: falling in love with camping while living in British […]
Meet The Sculptor Who Casts The A-List & Clones Football’s Top Trophies
Written by Jaillan Yehia
He’s shaken the hands of every celebrity you can think of from Quentin Tarantino, Robert De Niro and Angelica Houston to Kirk Douglas and Samuel L. Jackson – the list goes on. But unlike the average fan, Dante Mortet has gone on to make bronze sculptures of those very hands, becoming one of the Hollywood […]
Better Value European City Breaks: Swap 3 Capitals For Second Cities & Save
Written by Jaillan Yehia
If there’s one thing we committed travellers love to do, it’s to discover somewhere new. Ideally a location a little bit off the beaten track, because a big part of travel is the sense of discovery. And while everyone can agree that world famous capitals like Paris and New York, London and Barcelona are all […]
Dubrovnik vs Kotor: A Tale of 2 Dalmatian Cities
Written by Jaillan Yehia
As you leave the altitude and cloud cover behind and descend into Dubrovnik, you’ll see stunning scenery below that’s reminiscent of a mountainous Tuscany or a balmy Balkan answer to the Norwegian Fjords. This section of Adriatic coast is defined by dramatic cliffs and slices of blue sea glistening in the sun, punctuated by the […]
Weekend Shortcut: Bristol For Foodies
Written by Jaillan Yehia
One of the things I banged on about endlessly while based on the West Coast of Canada was the sheer variety of travel experiences on offer back in the UK – especially the variety of cities we can visit, often within a couple of hours drive of our homes. Canada is epic, obviously, but those […]
4 Different Ways To Visit The Cotswolds
Written by Jaillan Yehia
The Cotswolds is a stunning section of rural English countryside spread across the counties of Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire, and covering perhaps the prettiest 800 square miles of Southwestern England. If you draw a circle around the tourist-friendly hubs of Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Bristol and Bath – and the Welsh borders – the Area […]
4 Really Romantic Things To Do In Rome
Written by Jaillan Yehia
When interviewing a native Roman hotelier who’d set up a boutique hotel in Cambodia I learned a little about her home city. She said in her charming Italian accent: ‘Your eyes are spoiled in Rome; living there you’re used to seeing beautiful things everywhere you look.’ Some years later when visiting Rome on a shopping trip I […]
Hidden Artisans of Rome: The Restoration Game
Written by Jaillan Yehia
Imagine trying to get job satisfaction when the best testament to the skill of your work is no-one having a clue you’ve done anything at all. This bizarre ideal is the ultimate goal within the intense world of fine art conservation, as I learn while meeting a husband and wife art restoration team in Rome… ‘Being a good art […]
Loch Lomond Hotels For Lovers: Where To Have Your Own Highland Fling
Written by Jaillan Yehia
If you’re looking for true romance and a mini-break that swerves the stresses and strains of long haul travel, you can do no better than to cosy up together on the banks of Loch Lomond. Gather round the hearth with your hubby, take a wee dram with your wife and snuggle up in the cutest […]
Weekend Shortcut: Drawing Inspiration From An Artist Retreat In Kent
Written by Jaillan Yehia
The last time I wrote about going on a retreat, I started by talking about crying in a yoga class on a beach in Mexico. At the risk of making it seem like all retreats – be they yoga or artist retreats – involve crying, I’m going to start this review of a UK artist […]
A Day Trip To Boulogne & Le Touquet
Written by Jaillan Yehia
The humble day trip, whether at home or abroad, has untold powers to invigorate and inspire us: it offers us all the joys and refreshment of a new place compacted down into a short time frame, and without any of the stresses and hassles of organising a full blown holiday. In short, the day trip is the travel equivalent of a power nap. […]
Walk Like An Egyptian In London – Bring Cairo To The Capital
Written by Jaillan Yehia
London is incredibly multicultural, meaning it’s packed with cool and curious cross-cultural ideas on every corner. But Egyptian influences in the city are not always immediately obvious – unless you know where to look – so you may wonder if it’s possible to enjoy an entire Egyptian itinerary while out and about in the British […]
The Perfect Place to Stay in San Ramon, Costa Rica – Casa Amanecer
Written by Jaillan Yehia
I was deciding where to stay before flying out of San Jose airport following a trip through Nicaragua and Costa Rica. I considered taking in Costa Rica’s capital city but like many travellers, I decided that with just an overnight visit I couldn’t do San Jose justice. Instead I plumped for a relaxing night in […]
Travel Tattoo Stories: Going Dutch On Tattoos in Japan
Written by Jaillan Yehia
Savoir Ink is a new section where I meet real travellers who got inked in international locations, and hear the true story behind their travel tattoo… This week to kick off the series, and as it’s ♥ Valentine’s week ♥ we meet cute travel blogging couple Roxanne and Maartje, the Dutch duo behind Once Upon A […]
WIN A STAY WITH YOTELAIR HOTELS – CHOOSE EITHER AMSTERDAM OR LONDON!
Written by Jaillan Yehia
If you’ve got early morning flight, are landing late, or just want to stay somewhere fun and functional without too much fuss, then you need to know about YotelAir hotels. Yotel, invented by the same people who started the conveyor belt sushi chain YO! Sushi, have taken another Japanese idea – the concept of making […]
Around The World Via Holland – An Alternative Layover In Amsterdam
Written by Jaillan Yehia
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is one of the busiest travel hubs in the world. Dutch national airline KLM flew more than 32 million passengers in 2017 and plenty of those people took advantage of the opportunity to sneak in a little layover in Amsterdam. If you’re one of the 60 million passengers who are set to […]
5 Perfect Places For Winter Sun
Written by Jaillan Yehia
I wonder what prompted you to read a post about finding perfect places for winter sun? Maybe it’s the start of January and you’re looking for hot holiday ideas to get you through the month? Perhaps you’ve stumbled on this post in mid-March having suffered an entire English Winter? Or are you actually in Australia […]
Pho The Win: The Best Asian Food In Vancouver
Written by Jaillan Yehia
I recently wrote a post about the best places to find British food in Vancouver, because during my four years living in Canada’s cool West Coast city, I was continually determined to find a taste of Europe – and by that I basically mean I was always on the hunt for good cheese. This post […]
My Guide To Eating British Food In Vancouver, BC (without going bankrupt)
Written by Jaillan Yehia
After four amazing – and sometimes challenging – years living in Vancouver, British Columbia, I moved back to the UK. When people ask me why I left Canada – a dream destination for many – the answer I give is simple but may seem trite: I couldn’t live without good cheddar cheese. Of course there […]
5 Of The Strangest Places In The World To Go Swimming
Written by Jaillan Yehia
The classic summer holiday is that cliche of sun, sand and sea – and that’s when most people tend to do most of their swimming. But as well as lazing on a sun lounger on our precious days off, many of us enjoy exploration and adventure while overseas, and to immerse ourselves in something new. […]