I'm not going to lie - I was a little bit nervous about my latest trip - a visit to Istanbul. It was only about six weeks after the recent military coup after all. There were very few tourists around during my visit, but there was no trouble at all while I was there. Turkey … Continue reading 5 must-do experiences in Istanbul
Category: World Travel
Vivid memories of Vietnam
Backpacking in Vietnam It's hard to believe, but in February it will be seven years since I had my first experience of travelling in Asia - a visit to Vietnam in 2010 when I was 21. At the time, I was teaching in Abu Dhabi, and I went on this trip with around 12 other … Continue reading Vivid memories of Vietnam
48 hours in Bristol, England
I’m a huge advocate of trying out new places as often as possible, but there’s also something very comforting about returning to a city you know and love. I lived in Bristol for around ten months in 2011, and some of my closest friends still live there, so I try and make it back there … Continue reading 48 hours in Bristol, England
Stranded in the South China Sea: Travel Disasters Part 2
Back in February of 2010, at 22, I went on my first 'holiday of a lifetime' - two weeks exploring Vietnam. There was a group of about 12 of us, all working as teachers in the same school in Abu Dhabi at the time, determined to make the best of a mid-term break. We covered … Continue reading Stranded in the South China Sea: Travel Disasters Part 2
48 hours in… Berlin
A fairytale wedding, magical Christmas Markets and moments of history captured made up my last-minute trip to Berlin last week. Friends of mine were married at Schloss Kartzow, an old German castle that served as a getaway for the country's aristocracy in times gone by. Located just outside Berlin in the pretty little town of … Continue reading 48 hours in… Berlin
Getting deported: Travel disasters and what I learned from them
There's a side of travel that people don't talk about so much... You rave on Facebook about the new cultures you encounter, Instagram shots of stunning sunrises on mountaintops and Tweet about amazing experiences that happened spontaneously in exotic places. You just don't hear so much about the days people lost luggage, felt homesick and … Continue reading Getting deported: Travel disasters and what I learned from them
A flying visit to Frankfurt
Now that I'm living back in Ireland, one of the things I'm really excited about is getting to travel more in Europe. I'll admit that Frankfurt is not the first destination to spring to mind when I think "European getaway", but a friend was there on business and that was a good enough excuse for … Continue reading A flying visit to Frankfurt
A trip to Kenya and a big decision
Have you ever gone on a holiday that genuinely changed your perspective on life? Kenya did that for me. I visited in September over the Eid break, and I loved every minute of it. I landed in Nairobi, where I stayed with friends, and flew the next day to the Masai Mara. The landing strip … Continue reading A trip to Kenya and a big decision
GIVEAWAY: Getting the Royal Treatment
Alright folks, I've got a fantastic giveaway for you today - a 90-minute hot oil massage courtesy of the Royal Thai Lady Spa on Al Waab Street. If you would like to win, all you have to do is share this post on Facebook and answer the question below in the comments. All are welcome … Continue reading GIVEAWAY: Getting the Royal Treatment
A harmless fantasy: Escaping the 9-5
Today at work, my mind wandered... I indulged in a fantasy I've had many a time before. It's nothing naughty now, in case you were wondering. My fantasy was about ditching the 9-5. Ditching the idea of saving for a mortgage. Ditching Qatar. Ditching this phase of my career. I actually quite like my job, … Continue reading A harmless fantasy: Escaping the 9-5