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25 Trips to take in 2025

January 6, 2025

A new year, a whole 12 months of possibilities. I’ve complied a list of 25 places to visit, probably not all in one year, but maybe some of them will inspire you to make this the year you tick some stuff off your bucket list! I’ve broken them down into different categories, so hopefully you’ll find something that looks good to you.

Epic safaris

A safari in Tanzania. This has to be something everyone does at least once in their life. Tanzania is a good option because the game reserves allow you to see all of the big five, and are easy to access. Plus, you can end your trip with a relaxing stay on the beaches of Zanzibar.

A safari in Zimbabwe. If you’re a bit of a safari veteran, why not skip Tanzania and head to Zimbabwe instead? The parks are wilder and the animals harder to spot, but that adds to the adventure and experience. Chilo Gorge is a fantastic lodge to base yourself at.

Summer adventures

Summer in the French countryside. I mean, you could visit any time of year. But there is something magical about clambering over hay bales, walking through fields of sunflowers and watching the sun set over golden fields here in the summer time. The Loire Valley, the Gers and Normandy are all good options with plenty of cute villages and adorable Gites to stay in.

Learn to surf in Portugal. This is a great place to learn to catch a wave. There are no deadly animals to worry about, and if you wear a wet suit and learn in the summer, the water is not too cold. The instructors are very nice and when you’re not surfing you can explore the beautiful area of Cascais, just an hour from Lisbon.

Visit a Greek island. And which one? I’ll always say Corfu. This mysterious island covered in pine trees and pebbly beaches has so much to see and do, beyond just the beach. Stay at Amalia Complex and enjoy a lovely pool set between the lemon trees.

Step back in time in Rome. Feel history come alive as you explore the Colisseum and Forum and stand in awe in the Pantheon. This beautiful city is easy to explore on foot and is the perfect place to lose yourself in the little roads and alleys on a hot summers evening.

Rent a boat on the Norfolk Broads. The ultimate tranquil summer experience. Renting a boat and spending a week slowly winding your way down the sleepy back waters of Norfolk, stopping each night at a cute village and going for long walks in the countryside is a lovely way to spend the summer.

Paradise islands

Mauritius. Possibly my favourite island ever. If you want to escape to a far flung island with mysterious jungle, crystal clear ocean and lots to do, this is the best place for it. You can swim with wild dolphins, snorkel with rainbow colored fish, and rent a car to explore the banana plantations and windy jungle roads inland.

The Maldives. This one has to be on the list, right? A marine lovers heaven, stay in an over water villa and watch fish and sharks pass beneath you. Go snorkelling over pristine reef, swim with sharks and rays, and soak up the sun while you spot dolphins on a dhoni boat.

The Bahamas. For a laidback holiday, head to tiny Bimini island. Lose your shoes for a week, and spend your time dolphin spotting, and hanging out at little bars and cafes owned by the friendly, chill locals.

City breaks with a difference

Istanbul. The east meets west thing is true, it really is a melting pot of cultures and places. It’s modern but traditional, and full of colorful houses and waterways to explore. Plus, you can take a day trip to the Princes islands, just an hour away by boat, and feel like you’ve been transported to a tiny Greek island.

Monaco. Arrive in style, with a helicopter ride from Nice. Then spend your time strolling around this tiny country, gawking at the super yachts, and having coffee at one of the many waterside cafes in the sun.

Miami. Walk down South Beach, iced drink in hand. Watch the sun rise over the board walk. Rent a bike and pass by boulevards and power yachts. And head off to one of the many malls for cheap things to take back home.

Farflung escapes

Thailand. There’s just so much to do here. Bangkok is where you’ll probably start. Take a river boat, get lost in China Town, spot monitor lizards in Lumpini Park. Head north to Chiang Mai, visit an elephant sanctuary, temple hop, watch the sun rise through the mist. Then head to an island. Phuket for ease and lots to do. Koh Samui for beautiful clear water to snorkel in. Koh Samet for a laidback, no shoes vibe and the whitest beaches.

Japan. Base yourself in Tokyo, and explore Harajuku and the infamous crossing. Then take day trips by bullet train to towns like Kamikura, with the shrines and beach views, and catch glimpses of Mount Fuji, rising above the clouds. Everything is an experience in Japan, it’s a place like no other.

Indian rail trip. For first timers, take the two hour ride from Bangalore to Mysore. Explore the palaces and gardens and enjoy a slower pace of life. For an overnight train experience, take the sleeper from Bangalore to Chennai. Check out the beach and sari shops and haggle for bangles. Then back to Bangalore for glitz and chaos and city life.

Malaysia. Something for everyone here. KL has manicured parks and AC mega malls to explore. Head to Penang and rent a car, drive around the island, exploring the jungles and beaches. Fly to Langkawi for some relaxation on beautiful beaches.

Laos. Head north to Vang Vieng. Hike up one of the steep karsts for epic views. Take a long tail boat along the river, dodging water buffalo. Look at the rice paddies and hot air balloons rising above the mountains at sunrise.

Cambodia. Base yourself in Siem Reap to explore Angkor Wat and all its temples. There are many to see, and each is unique, so go with a driver who can guide you to see all the best bits.

Western Australia. Perth is a chill city of beaches and riverside runs. Go whale watching, take a boat to nearby Rottenest island for pictures perfect beaches, spot kangaroos in the parks. Rent a bike and explore the whole of the riverside.

Winter wonderlands

Finland. The cheats way to get to Lapland. Helsinki is beautiful in winter, with plenty of shops and museums to warm up in. Take a taxi to Espoo, just half an hour away, to walk in a winter wonderland and visit a reindeer sanctuary.

Norway. Tromso, deep in the Arctic circle is your base for a week of winter fun. Feed reindeers, meet huskies, go whale watching and spot the Northern lights dancing in the sky each night.

Skiing in Austria. Seefeld has always been our go to, with a good mix of slopes and a cute town to stroll through. Plus nice accommodation and a friendly vibe.

Desert adventures

Qatar. If you have a stopover here, make full use of it, and head out of the city into the desert. Go with a driver who will take you dune bashing, and try your hand at dune surfing and holding a falcon.

Morocco. Explore beautiful Marrakech, and rent a car to head out into the desert and the Atlas Mountains. Visit the donkey sanctuary, the lake, and explore the surrounding epic foothills of the mountains.

RAK and Dubai. A best of both worlds trip. Stay in RAK and enjoy a beautiful beach and sea, and take a day trip to Dubai to explore the malls and epic architecture of this special Emirate.

And there you have it, twenty five epic ideas for this year and beyond. Hope there’s something there that calls to you. Have a beautiful year of adventure, whatever you choose to do x

destinations travel tips

My Top 5 Thai islands

June 2, 2024

When there’s so many islands to choose from in Thailand, how do you know where to go? I’ve done the very hard work for you (tough life, visiting islands) and here is my list of the top ones to visit, two well known, and three under the radar. All are easy to reach from Bangkok or Pattaya.

Koh Samui (for snorkelling)

One of the most well known islands, Koh Samui really has something for everyone. There is a lush interior to explore, coconut trees everywhere, beautiful beaches and the best snorkelling. Pig island nearby is also a highlight. For an affordable but lovely place to stay, try Baan Had Ngam, right on a very nice beach.

Koh Samet (for relaxation)

My favourite island! Come for quiet, unspoilt beaches, clear water and a really laidback vibe. There’s not much to do so make use of those perfect white beaches and relax. Vongdeuan Resort and Ao Prao are both nice hotels. The former is very affordable and right on a quiet peaceful beach, the later more expensive and on a good surfing beach. The jungle backdropping the beaches make this island super photogenic.

Koh Larn (for an easy day trip)

My favourite day trip from Pattaya, but also doable from Bangkok. Koh Larn is full of pretty beaches, warm water, and a really chill vibe that forces you to relax. Stay the night and enjoy the sunset from the sea once all the daytrippers are gone, and stay at Riviera Resort for really good service and rooms with huge bath tubs. The downside? There are no hotels here right on the beach. Monkey beach and Tien beach are my favorites here.

Phuket (for lots to do)

This list wouldn’t be complete without Thailand’s largest island and arguably the most well known. Phuket has some crowded areas, but choose carefully and you can have a peaceful vacation on an island that knows how to host tourists. The airport even has international flights. Plus there is lots to do, from playing with elephants to visiting Phuket Town. 6th avenue Surin Beach is a great hotel with infinity pool and in a quiet area.

Koh Si Chang (for off the beaten track)

The wildcard! An island no one has heard about, for the bragging rights. It’s a bit of an adventure to get here, including taking an old ferry from Sriracha north of Pattaya, but it’s a fun place for a day trip. The beaches are wild and the roads are primitive, but if you want the ultimate island adventure, this is the one. Visit the cave temple, the Royal Family’s old summer palace, and some of the view points and then chill on the only beach which has a few rudimentary umbrellas perched up above the cliffs. There are simple places to stay the night, though I’ve never tried them.

Practical stuff

Bangkok is the gateway to all of these, either with an onward flight or taking a taxi to the nearest port for a boat ride across. I mention some of my favourite places to stay above, too, and things to do. All are best visited in the dry season from November to May.

There you are, my round up of the best. Have you been to any? What did you think? Any others I should add?

Photos from Koh Larn 🙂

bucket list travel tips

Swimming with wild dolphins

June 8, 2022

My dream since I was little, I’m lucky to have had the chance to swim with dolphins in the wild TWICE. Once in The Bahamas, and once in Mauritius, but it was the second one, in Mauritius that was truly special, since I was almost alone. I’ve spent hours researching swimming with dolphins, and I’ve read about places in every corner of the world. In case any one has been living under a rock, it’s not okay to swim with them in captivity, ever. But in the wild, that’s a different story. Dolphins are by nature playful, curious and enjoy interacting with humans. The important thing is to find a company that respects them, and allows you to swim with them but on their terms. Companies that don’t ever chase the dolphins, that stick to strict rules, and above all, love them as much as you do, are what you want.

My first time I ever saw dolphins in the wild was off the coast of Zanzibar. We had planned an excursion to swim with them, but when we saw all the boats chasing them and tourists plunging into the water in a chaotic mess we decided to just enjoy watching from the boat. Then a few years later, I came across a place in The Bahamas where you spend a week at a retreat and went out on their boat each day for a chance to swim with the dolphins. This was a lot better, since they were very respectful of the dolphins, but the problem was that there were LOTS of us in the water at the same time so it got chaotic, again. Fast forward another few years, and I was still looking for that experience as I had dreamed it; just me, the big blue sea, and a pod of wild dolphins. And finally, last October, I experienced just that, in Mauritius. I found that there are a lot of dolphins to be found along the coast there, and that it was possible to swim with them. And after a lot more research, I chanced upon Vitamin Sea, a local company who seemed to do this respectfully.

Mauritius is a truly beautiful and magical island, and I wrote about our adventures there in detail, if you missed it. Maya and I had to drive to the other end of the island to get there on time for the 6am departure. So we were off at 4:30, figuring out the roads in the dark, but luckily in Mauritius they are all pretty well maintained. We got to Rivière Noire in good time and then met the crew of Vitamin Sea. It’s a family business, and the co-owner, Cedric, and his skipper were waiting. The boat was modern and comfortable, and soon we were setting off. We had barely been out on the water a few minutes when we had already spotted fins! There is a resident pod of spinner dolphins who come into the bays to feed every morning, and seem to enjoy hanging out with people along the way. They’ve apparently been doing this for generations and are unperturbed by us. Cedric told us all this, and more, whilst checking on the dolphins, and determining when was right to get in the water. Eventually, he said we could get in, so I got my snorkel gear on, and slipped in as quietly as I could.

The water was freezing, (Indian Ocean, what?) but I didn’t have to wait long. We had entered in front of the pod, and soon we were surrounded by spinner dolphins! It was absolutely incredible; I was literally surrounded by the pod and they were very curious, they’d come up close to me and roll over, and dive deep down, almost as if inviting me to join them. Then eventually they’d all swim on their way, way too fast for slow fish like me. Cedric was great, he obviously loved being there, and really let me enjoy my time with the dolphins. It was incredible being the only two in the water with them. We repeated the swims a few more times, and each time I was completely amazed by their playful nature and grace underwater. It’s truly something incredible, to connect with such intelligent creatures in their home.

Afterwards we got to go to an amazing shallow lagoon nicknamed the Aquarium to swim with thousands of tropical fish in a kaleidoscope of colors. And then a fast ride back to shore, the wind drying my hair. I guess after all these years, my dream really did come true! And if you’re ever considering a wild dolphin swim, I’ve already done all the hard work for you!

The details- Vitamin Sea offers half day swims with the dolphins, from their base on the west of the island. Reserve well in advance- they book up fast (they’ll also take photos of you)! There’s a range of accommodation on Mauritius, but for a lovely little hotel on a beautiful beach I recommend Astroea beach hotel. Try to visit between September and November for the best weather and least crowds.

https://www.vitaminsealtd.com/

lifestyle travel tips

How to draw cute animals

September 12, 2019

During the summer holidays I finally had a bit of free time. Time to read, to watch clouds pass languidly across the sky, to watch the dogs sniff about the garden, as butterflies buzzed around them. To draw. Maya gave me a very helpful book with lots of tips to draw animals. I always struggle with their eyes and by making them more cartoonish, as the book suggests, you can avoid that problem, and make them very cute.

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lifestyle travel tips

The Sketchbook Files- Watercolour horses

May 30, 2017

I’ve been obsessed with drawing horses since I was small. I found one of my old sketchbooks the other day and its filled with attempts of horses and ponies of all sizes, especially Shetlands since they were my favourite back then. Horses don’t make easy subjects; its hard to get their proportions right and I always struggle with their eyes. The weather of late inspired me to get outside with my sketch book and give the challenge of drawing horses another go- I figured a blackbird soundtrack and being able to spread myself out on the freshly mowed lawn would help the creative process. Continue Reading

lifestyle travel tips

The Sketchbook Files- How to draw dolphins

May 22, 2017

I know we all lead busy, stressful lives and barely have five minutes to breathe, leave alone pick up a pencil and paper and start sketching. But for me, art is a form of relaxation and taking some time out to draw helps me wind-down and gather my thoughts. Not to mention the satisfaction that comes from looking at finished drawing. So, I thought I’d share a few posts on how to draw different things, starting with one of my favourite subjects… dolphins. Continue Reading

travel tips

Why I love my GoPro

March 10, 2017

I have to start off by saying that I’m not the best photographer. So when I got a GoPro HERO last Christmas, it was a bit of a revelation. Once the domain of thrill seekers and extreme sports junkies, these days everyone seems to use a GoPro on their travels. Although I’m still scratching the surface in terms of using mine, I thought I’d share why I love my GoPro and why its the perfect little camera for lazy travellers. Continue Reading

bucket list destinations travel tips

How to survive an African Safari

February 10, 2017

You’ve been driving around for hours, your whole body aching from the constant jarring and bumping. The heat is intense, the sun beats down on you unmercifully, easily finding its way through the open vehicle. Every bush, every tree, every leaf is starting to look the same, a blur. Suddenly, something catches your eye, something is out of place. What have you spotted? Continue Reading

lifestyle travel tips

Making a holiday scrapbook

December 28, 2016

Postcards, ticket stubs, keychains, shot glasses, magnets, napkins, receipts, boarding passes. The list of pointless souvenirs and momentos we find ourselves bringing back from our holiday is endless. Each flight we take, each restaurant we eat in, each museum or concert or park we visit, we insist on buying/keeping/stealing (ok maybe not the last one) something to ‘remember’ our trip by, only to be dumped in a box or the bottom shelf, to be discovered again when moving house. Continue Reading