Barcelona with a baby- Hotel Barcelona Catedral

Time for a digital detox…

Travelling in the olden days, by which I mean 10 years ago, used to mean guaranteed internet-free periods. You’d have to seek out a fluorescent-lit hole filled with god-forsaken PCs struggling along on Windows 98. Nowadays, a laptop is almost as common as Imodium on every traveller’s packing list. A hostel without wi-fi is like … Read more

Audrey of Uncornered market

If I had a Superpower: Dan and Audrey of Uncornered Market

Dan and Audrey are the creators of one of my favourite blogs, Uncornered Market. I was delighted to hang out with them on a trip to the Douro Valley in Portugal, and couldn’t resist interviewing them for If I had a Superpower. Audrey If you could have a superpower what would it be? To make … Read more

Sea and Forest yoga mat, Trindade

I’m doing a yoga teacher training course – but why?

My heels hover above the ground in downward dog, I wobble in tree and tortoise looks like a distant dream, yet in a few days time I start a month-long yoga teacher training course. This might sound akin to someone rubbish at gymnastics becoming a gym coach, but there are a few differences. Firstly, I’m … Read more

Steve and the view at Izhcayluma

Review: Izhcayluma Hosteria and Spa, Vilcabamba

Details Izhcayluma Hosteria and Spa, Vilcabamba, Ecuador Price  $10 for a dorm; $25-45 for a double In a nutshell… In their spot-on words “the luxury of a resort priced for backpackers”. It’s an affordable spa hotel that doesn’t cut corners on style or quality – and the views are incredible. It’s one of our favourite … Read more

Dusty streets of San Pedro de Atacama

Ten reasons why San Pedro de Atacama is like Glastonbury festival

There was something familiar about San Pedro de Atacama from the moment we arrived. We struggled to put our fingers on it until suddenly it became clear: the oasis in the middle of the desert was a little like being at Glastonbury festival in the UK. Here’s why: 1. Transitory towns San Pedro is filled … Read more

Eguisheim, France – Real-life fairytale village

Introducing the blog house…

Back in July, I received an email from Kate McCulley, better known as Adventurous Kate. She was replying to an email I’d sent, and in it she mentioned an event she and a group of other experienced bloggers were running in September. They were offering a group of new bloggers the chance to stay with … Read more

Why stories taste better: a lesson for bingers from Douro valley

My relationship with alcohol is complicated. I drink it but I couldn’t say I like it. Alcoholism runs in the family. There have been deaths, and it caused me terror in childhood. I once thought I’d steer clear of it for life, but it didn’t work out like that. I became a teenager in England; … Read more

People lounging at Porto port festival

A weekend of festivals and markets in Porto

“She doesn’t know”, “I don’t know”, “She really doesn’t know?”. My friends were shocked, on arrival in Porto, to find that I, their reliably prepared friend, had no idea what to do that weekend. I am that person – the one who finds the flights, fusses over hotels, and researches what to do. I’m the … Read more

Bloggers on the steps in Girona at TBEX

Marketing, manipulation and authenticity: lessons learned at TBEX

TBEX Bloggers HQ at Equity Point Hostel
TBEX Bloggers HQ at Equity Point Hostel

A couple of weeks ago, on the first day of the TBU travel blogging conference in Porto, I waxed lyrical about having found my passion and feeling hyped about being a travel blogger. I had been inspired by Dave and Deb of the Planet D‘s keynote speech.

Since then, things haven’t been so simple. I’ve had moments of despair, thinking no way do I want to do this if that’s what I have to do. The issue is marketing and monetization – two words that make me cringe.

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