What I packed for 6 months in Mexico

In this blog post I am sharing with you everything I packed for 6 months in Mexico. Some of the things mentioned below may not apply to everyone, however this will hopefully give you an idea of what to take. I am landing in Cancun where I'll spend 2 weeks exploring the surrounding area, and then heading to Isla Mujeres and Playa del Carmen. I will then be travelling to some other states including Yucatan, Oaxaca, Mexico City, etc where I'll be staying for a about a month in each place.

You can also watch my Youtube video with me packing here:

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase anything through the links provided I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you!

I have the Osprey Fairview 55 Women’s Travel Pack which includes a detachable day backpack. Here is the men’s version. I used packing cubes to pack everything in and it helps keep everything together while travelling. Everything came to just less than 10 kilos and I took it as hand luggage on the plane.

ELECTRONICS AND DOCUMENTS

• Laptop + charger

• Phone + charger

• Camera + charger

• Go pro + charger

• Portable charger

• Mini tripod

• Big tripod

• Tripod phone extension

• Earphones

• Business cards

• Documents folder

• Passport

• Journal + pens

• Travel adaptors

CLOTHES

• 12 underwear

• 7 socks

• 3 bras

• 3 sports bras

• 4 bikinis

• 5 dresses

• 1 jean shorts

• 3 walking/comfy shorts

• 1 leggings

• 5 tops

• 1 thin long sleeve top

• Rainjacket/hoodie

TO BUY ONCE THERE

• Shampoo + conditioner

• Shower gel

• Mosquito spray

• Sun hat

ACCESSORIES

• 2 hair scarves/bows

• Clasps

• Bumbag

• Dry bag

• Foldable backpack for beach

• Tote bag

• Hat

• Thin scarf

• 7 reusable masks

• Necklace

• 2 microfibre towels

• Resistance band

• Trainers

• Walking sandals

• Converse

TOILETRIES

• Makeup

• Toothbrush + cover

• Toothpaste

• Mini sun lotion

• Hairbrush

• Razor

• Sanitary towels + tampons

• Deodorant

• Tweezers

• Nail clippers

• 1 nail varnish

• Mini nail varnish remover

• Travel First Aid Kit

• Multivitamins

You can also check out my blog post about 15 Instagrammer’s Travel Essentials HERE. Let me know in the comments below, what travel essentials do you pack?

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15 Gift Ideas for Valentine's Day

In this blog post I am sharing with you 15 gift ideas for Valentine’s Day. This guide will give you a few ideas, for all budgets, of what to get your partner. You can click on each image for more information on the product.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase anything through the links provided I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you!

1. A night away

Whether it's a night away to a nearby city or weekend trip abroad, a trip is a great gift for Valentines. You could spend the actual V-day there or print out the booking and put it in a cute card for a future date that suits both of you You can book your romantic getaway through Booking.com HERE

2. A book

A book by their favourite author is the perfect gift for a book lover. Another idea is to get them a travel guide of somewhere they are planning on going or a language book if they are learning a new language. A book about one of their hobbies is also a great gift, for example one about gardening, cars, cooking, gaming, fitness, and the list goes on! You can find a book about almost everything.

3. Food

Food is a nice gift for anyone, and the great thing is that nowadays you can find vegan and gluten free options as well, like these gift boxes of snacks:

If you love cooking or baking, you can make their favourite meal or bake them a cake. You could even add some edible heart shaped decorations like these:

4. An experience

From hiking to a spa day to driving a supercar for the day, there are hundreds of experiences that you can do with your loved one. You can find some ideas here:

5. 100 dates scratch off poster

This scratch off poster has 100 cute date ideas, from things to do at home to adventures and activities.

6. Camera equipment

If they love photography, camera equipment they will definitely love a photography related gift, whether that’s a new camera, lens, a drone, or camera bag!

Another idea could be a photography course or book for beginners if they are just starting out.

7. Where we first met map

This personalised map where you can add location where you first met, your names and the date.

8. Cocktail kit for home

With this cocktail maker set you and your partner can have your own little bar at home and make different cocktails for each other.

9. Funny card

There are tons of funny cards to make your partner laugh.

10. What I love about you journal

With this fill in the blanks journal, you can write personalised notes about all the things you love about your partner.

11. Flowers

You can get their favourite flowers from a local florist or if you are in a long distance relationship, you can get ones to send through the letterbox or to their work with a cute note.

12. Gardening set

If they like gardening, you can get a kit with tools, gloves, seeds, a bag, etc.

13. Custom painting of photo

You can get a custom painting of your favourite photo together. This will also give you the opportunity to support a small creator as well.

14. Coffee or tea set

If they are a coffee drinker, they will love this gift set with different coffees to try.

This coffee hamper is also a great gift idea which includes 9 different gourmet coffees, syrup set, shortbread, and a French press coffee maker.

Or if your loved one is more of a tea drinker, these tea gift sets will do the trick.

15. Make your own gift hamper

Another gift idea is to make your own gift hamper and add all your partner’s favourite things, for example, their favourite snacks, face masks, wine, coffee/tea, makeup, books, etc

The are loads more ideas but these are some of my recommendations. Let me know in the comments below what other gift ideas you have.

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A day at the University of Dundee Botanic Garden

Located by the River Tay, Scotland’s longest river, University of Dundee Botanic Garden has something for everyone. In this blog post I am sharing with you my experience at the garden, what you can do and see there, how to get there as well as things to do nearby.

This blog post is in paid partnership with Discover Scottish Gardens, however all opinions stated are my own.

You can also watch my Youtube video about the garden below.

About

The ticket price is £5 or if you are a student with a valid student ID, it’s free to get in. You can find out more about prices and opening times on their website.

How to get there

I got the bus X54 from Ferrytoll P&R, however it is quite easy to get to Dundee from most places in Scotland. The journey took about an hour and a half.

Once you get to Dundee, you can get the local bus 16 or 73 from the bus station to the garden which takes about 10 minutes.

Things to do and see in the garden

When I got there, I was immediately welcomed by the friendly receptionist who gave me some very useful information about the garden including its history and some fun facts, and gave me a map of the garden.

In the nine and a half acres of garden and foliage, there is a large variety of things to see. I loved walking through the different “continents” where I saw plants from all over the world, from the Mediterranean to New Zealand to the local area. I also spotted a red squirrel running around.

Each “continent” had the cutest little painted doors with animals from there. There were also signs everywhere with interesting facts and the history of the garden.

One of my favourite things was how many beautiful spots there are to sit and relax, including the little tunnel which you can see in the photo below. A hot drink, a book, and being surrounded by nature and the winter sun, what more could I want.

Around the garden, there were lovely views of the river Tay as well as Tayside Aviation where I got to see some of the planes landing and taking off.

Even during winter, everything is bright and colourful and makes it a great place to escape the winter blues. There are loads of different trails to take around the garden and there is even a children’s playground.

After walking around for a couple of hours, I ended up at the glass house. It was so nice and warm inside and there were really interesting things to see such as the curry corner and the coffee beans as well as the Scottish carnivorous plants.

Before leaving the garden, I had some lunch at the garden’s cafe where I had a baked potato with beans and a carrot and coriander soup.

Things to do nearby

There are many things to do in Dundee, from walking trails to museums and art galleries. Some of the attractions include the V&A Dundee, Mills Observatory, Science Centre, HMS Unicorn, RRS Discovery, and McManus Art Gallery and Museum.

You can also see the famous Dundee Penguins.

Before getting on the bus, I stopped at Serendipities, a 100% vegan coffee shop on Union Street. Their peach sponge pudding served with custard tasted incredible as well as their creme brûlée hot chocolate, topped with Biscoff cookie & cream.

Planning your trip

When I was planning my trip, it was really helpful to go on the Discover Scottish Gardens’ website and use their search tool. You can search by region, seasonal highlights, openings, and highlights such as woodland, autumn colours, snowdrops, water gardens, etc. That’s how I found this garden. I searched for Dundee and then “open in winter” and a few different gardens came up. It’s a great way to get ideas of where to visit as there are many places you might not know about.

The Snowdrop Festival has also started and has events in many public gardens up until the 11th March. You can find out more about its events and dates on their website.

I had a lovely time wandering around the garden and it’s definitely a great place for a day out, whether you go alone or to meet up with friends and family. Even though it’s a busy city, when you are in the garden it feels like you are in a different world. You can find out more about the garden and other ideas for days out on Discover Scottish Gardens website and Instagram.

You can also follow me on Instagram @marisa.vogiatzi for more travel content, travelling on public transport and budget travel tips.

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A Guide to the Japanese Garden at Cowden, Scotland

When it comes to Scotland, a Japanese garden is probably not the first place you would think to find there. However, just outside the town of Dollar, lies the breathtakingly beautiful Japanese Garden at Cowden. In this blog post I am sharing with you a guide to the garden, including how to get there, what you can see, things to do nearby in the same day and how to plan your trip.

This blog post is in paid partnership with Discover Scottish Gardens, however all opinions stated are my own.

About

It was created at the beginning of the 20th century by Japanese designer Taki Handa for Scottish adventurer Ella Christie. At the time, it was unique for a Japanese woman to be employed for that kind of role. Ella Christie named the garden Sha Raku En which means “a place of pleasure and delight”.

The ticket price is normally £7 or £6 for 18-24 year olds. However, if you visit them any day before the 18th February 2022, you can get 50% off the admissions tickets as part of Scotland’s Days Out by VisitScotland. If you are booking online, apply the code “Daysout50” at checkout or you mention this offer at the ticket desk when you arrive. You can find out more about the prices and opening times on their website. I spent about 3 hours there but honestly, I could’ve spent all day strolling in the garden and taking in the views.

How to get there

Whether you’re driving or taking public transport, the garden is very accessible and easy to find. I took the 202 bus from Kinross Park and Ride towards Tillicoultry and got off at the stop “Anchorage”. The bus journey took around 20 minutes. I walked about 15 minutes from the bus stop and the road was clearly marked with signs pointing towards the garden. It’s a lovely walk there as you are surrounded by hills and fields. Alternatively, you can get a bus to Dollar and from there walk around 30 minutes to the garden which is also a beautiful walk.

Things to do and see in the garden

When I arrived, I went to purchase my ticket at the ticket office and then began to explore the garden. The lady at the ticket office was very friendly and also gave me a map of the gardens and explained a bit more about the place. I definitely recommend also getting their guide book as it explains really well the fascinating history of the place, what each part is and its symbolism.

When I started the self guided tour, I was instantly welcomed by a beautiful pond surrounded by the stunning views of the hills. I immediately felt the peace and serenity of the garden and it made it easy to sit and relax. The whole time I was there, I felt very calm and safe, especially as a solo female traveller. I took my time to take everything in and learn about each unique attraction.

Some of my favourite things there that I found very interesting are the stunning pond and the surrounding views, the dry garden with the four moss mounds and the gravel that represents the water flowing from the Ochil Hills. I loved learning about what each thing represents, for example, the North Gate symbolises leaving the Japanese Garden and reentering Scotland.

The different sized stone lanterns were placed around the garden which were used to light up the paths at night.

I loved the different views and perspectives I saw from all the different paths, like in the photo below.

I also followed the Christie’s Walk which took me through some woods. The winter sun was shining through the trees the whole time and I didn’t want to leave.

When I finished walking around (and taking hundreds of photos!), I ended up at their tearoom. The menu didn’t have any vegan lunch items, however the staff were very accommodating and friendly and made me a vegan spinach and potato soup which tasted delicious. After that, I had their orange polenta cake which was vegan friendly.

They also have a cute gift shop with lovely gift ideas and souvenirs.

Things to do nearby

There are many things nearby, so you can do a few of them in the same day. After the garden, you can take a walk in the Lawhill Community Woodland which is about a 10-minute walk from the garden. A few other walks that you can do after or before visiting the garden are Hillfoot Hill, Tillicoultry Glen and Dollar Glen. Castle Campbell is also nearby and is worth visiting. You can also walk about 30 minutes to the town of Dollar and explore the local independent businesses. From there you can also get the bus back.

On the way back home, I took the bus H2 from Dollar to Alloa and had to wait about an hour for the next one so I had a look in some of the shops there and bought a couple of things I needed.

Planning your trip

When I was planning my trip, it was really helpful to go on the Discover Scottish Gardens’ website and use their web search. You can search by region, seasonal highlights, openings, and highlights such as woodland, autumn colours, snowdrops, water gardens, etc.

The Snowdrop Festival has also started and has events in many public gardens up until the 11th March. You can find out more about its events and dates on their website.

I fell in love with the Japanese Garden and could not believe how bright everything is even in the middle of winter. It’s truly a stunning place and I would definitely recommend it to anyone to visit no matter the season. Whether you go with family and friends or go solo, it’s the perfect place for a day out to reconnect with nature and enjoy the tranquillity.

You can follow Discover Scottish Gardens on social media for more up to date information on all the different gardens you visit in Scotland.

Follow my adventures on Instagram @marisa.vogiatzi for more travel content.

Watch my Youtube video down below.

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How to choose a hostel when travelling solo

Hostels are a great and affordable option when you are travelling solo and make it a lot easier to meet other travellers. I have stayed in some very basic ones that I just slept in for 1 night, and some with rooftop pools, free pancakes for breakfast and hiking tours up volcanoes! In this blog post I am sharing with you 8 ways to help you choose the best hostel for your trip. I usually find hostels on Booking.com and HostelWorld.

1. Price

As a budget traveller price plays a huge role when booking accommodation. I usually stay in hostel below £15 per night but it depends on the destination. I have stayed in some places for as little as £3 per night and some places for £30 per night.

2. Kitchen

Does it have a kitchen? As I like to make my own meals to save money, it is important that it has a kitchen. Even if that means just a small hob or microwave and a cutting board. Usually the hostel kitchens are quite big and have everything you need, from hobs to ovens to cooking utensils and a fridge. This makes it a lot easier to prepare food, even if it’s something simple like pasta or instant noodles or just a salad.

3. Tours and events

Some hostels offer organised tours such as hiking, walking and boat tours, and events such as pub crawls and pizza nights. These are great ways to meet people and get to places if you don’t drive. Some hostels offer free tours (tipping is definitely recommended though) or for a very low price.

4. Reviews

I always check the reviews before I book, especially the ones about cleanliness and staff. I also like to check if it’s a social hostel as I like to meet other travellers.

5. Common Area

A lot of hostels have a common area with seats and sometimes board games and tvs. It’s a great place to meet other travellers and socialise or if you just want to chill. I love working on my laptop there as there are usually plugs and wifi.

6. Lockers

It is important they have lockers in your dorm to store your belongings while you are out for the day and when you are sleeping. They usually mention if they have lockers on their “amenities” section on the website. If you forget to bring a padlock with you, they usually sell them at reception, however they can be quite pricey so it’s definitely better to bring your own.

7. Location

I make sure that it is in the city centre or it’s easily accessible by public transport or it’s located near the places I want to visit, for example a tourist attraction, a hiking spot or the beach.

8. Single Sex Dorms

If you feel more comfortable staying in a single sex dorm, check that the hostel has these before booking, as some hostels only have mixed dorms. I have stayed in both single sex and mixed, and do not have a preference.

These are things that are important to me when choosing a hostel, however you may have other preferences. The important thing is to do your research and make sure that the hostel meets your needs.

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5 Solo Travel Myths That Shouldn't Put You Off

“Don’t you get lonely?” “Aren’t you scared?” “But who takes photos of you when you’re travelling alone?”

These are some of the most common questions I get asked when people find out that I travel solo. In this blog post I am sharing with you 5 myths about solo travel that shouldn’t put you off from doing it. Before travelling solo, I also believed these as well. However, travelling solo was one the best decisions I ever made and has changed my life in so many different ways.

Everything mentioned in this blog post are based on my personal experiences but as with anywhere, do your research, be aware of your surroundings, and trust your instincts

1. You won’t have any photos of yourself

There are a few different ways to get photos of yourself when you’re travelling alone. You can use a tripod and a timer and this way you can get as many photos as you’d like and choose exactly how you want the photos and videos. All photos in this blog post were taken with a tripod and most of my photos on my Instagram as well. If you’re in a busy city, I would recommend asking someone to take a photo of you. People are usually very friendly and will be happy to take photos of you. This can also be an opportunity to start a conversation with them too.

2. You’ll get lonely

Just because you’re travelling alone, does not mean you are lonely. I’ve had the best time travelling solo and have made so many friends from all over the world. You can meet people in hostels, through group tours, or just starting a conversation at a bus stop! I’ve actually found it a lot easier to meet people while travelling solo. However, please remember that it’s normal for everyone to feel lonely sometimes.

Check out my blog post about my solo trip to Maui HERE

3. It’s way more expensive to travel solo

Sometimes hotel rooms and taxis can work out more expensive if you’re alone. However because you are travelling alone, you can choose what to spend your money on and what you want to do. Hostels are perfect for solo travellers, and are very affordable. I’ve stayed in hostels from as little as £2 per night! Even in the US I was only spending about £20 per night. Travelling alone also means that you choose what activities you want to do and therefore not spend a lot of money if you don’t want to. Joining group tours is also a great way to see places without having to rent a car.

4. It’s too dangerous

I have felt more uncomfortable walking in my hometown and getting catcalled, than being alone in a completely different country. Yes, you have to be careful and aware of your surroundings when travelling alone, and you might get some unwanted attention, especially from males, however it does not mean that you shouldn’t travel solo. Do research, don’t drink a lot of alcohol, don’t walk alone at night, respect the country’s culture.

5. Eating out alone is weird

A lot of people think that eating out alone attracts attention from others in the restaurant and that they will think they are loners. One of the many things I have learned while traveling alone, is that no one actually cares. No one is watching you. If you are nervous about eating alone for the first time, try to get a seat at the bar or try to go to a restaurant or cafe with a more casual setting. At the beginning I did feel a bit self-conscious that everyone was staring but after my first time eating out alone, it was much easier and now I don’t even think about it anymore, I just go for it.

Like I mentioned earlier, it is important that you do your research before your trip and to always trust your instinct. You don’t have to do a 6-month backpacking trip for your first time. You can start small with day trips and weekend trips to a nearby city to give you a feel of what it’s like.

You can watch my short documentary here about solo tourism and the impacts on self-confidence by stepping outside one’s comfort zone

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10 Insta-worthy Christmas photo spots in Edinburgh

No matter how many times I visit Edinburgh, I will never get bored of it. I always find myself saying “wow” every few minutes when walking around and of course taking dozens of photos and videos each time. During Christmas, the city becomes even more magical and has some stunning decorations and lights. In this blog post I am sharing with you 10 Insta-worthy photo spots in Edinburgh during Christmas. Obviously there are many more beautiful locations to capture but these are the ones that I managed to visit in a day and snap some photos of. You can follow me on Instagram for more travel content @marisa.vogiatzi

1. The Dome

2. The Edinburgh Grand

3. The Ivy

4. Edinburgh Law School

5. The Witchery by the Castle

6. The Cold Town House

7. Victoria Street

8. The Huxley

9. The Printing Press

10. Edinbugh Christmas Market

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A Guide to York on a budget | Things to do in 2 days

I recently visited York for the first time and I immediately fell in love with this place. With its Roman roots and interesting history, lively city center and beautiful cobbled streets, this ancient walled city is definitely worth visiting. I stayed there for 2 nights in November and I would definitely recommend staying for a minimum of 2 nights as it’s a beautiful place with tons of things to do and see.

HOW TO GET THERE

You can get a train or bus to York from most cities in the UK. I got the train from Leicester for £19 each way and my mum got the train from Edinburgh for £27 each way. The prices will also depend on when you book your tickets. You can also get a coach with National Express and Megabus.

Where to stay

When I visited with my mum, we stayed in The Lighthorseman which cost £60 per night for a double room with a private bathroom and is about a 10-minute walk to the city centre.

There are also a few hostels in the city from £12 per night, which are perfect for solo travellers.

THINGS TO DO

Like I mentioned above, there are tons of things to do in York and a lot of things are free! Here is a list of the things that we did when we were there.

York Minster (£12 or £17 for tower as well. Student discounts available)

Walk down the Shambles

Explore the snickelways (little streets) such as Coffee Yard, Church Lane, and Lady Peckett’s Yard

Enjoy the views from the City Walls (FREE)

Wander around the Museum Gardens (FREE)

Try all the tasty street food at Spark, a food court with bars and eateries in upcycled shipping containers (Vegan and gluten free options available)

Visit the York Castle Museum (£13 for annual ticket, £11.70 for annual ticket for 17-24 years and students, and FREE for Universal Credit claimants)

Find the cats on the York Cat Trail. You can pick up a free trail map at thre York Glass in The Shambles (FREE)

Immerse yourself in the Van Gogh Immersive Experience (£13)

Walk by the river

One of the best things to do in York is to just walk around, look up, and admire all the little streets and buildings. Click here to read my blog post about 10 Instagram-worthy photo spots in York.

WHERE TO EAT

I was pleasantly surprised at how many vegan options there were. Everywhere I looked there were signs reading “vegan” outside cafes and restaurants, whether they were vegan friendly or 100% vegan places. You can find a list HERE of the places we ate at (vegan friendly and gluten free options).

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5 Vegan friendly places to eat in York

When I visited York with my mum we were pleasantly surprised at how many vegan options York has. Everywhere we looked there were signs reading “vegan” outside cafes and restaurants, whether they were vegan friendly or 100% vegan. In this blog post I am sharing with you 5 vegan friendly places to eat in York. Obviously there were many more places which looked amazing but these are the ones that I visited in the 3 days I was there. You can follow me on Instagram @marisa.vogiatzi for more travel tips and food inspiration.

1. Double Dutch Pancake House

One of my favourite meals that I had in York was at the Double Dutch Pancake House, located on Church Street. They had so many vegan options so we got 2 pancakes to share, a sweet and a savoury one. We had the Festive Pancake which had vegan chicken, bacon cheese and cranberry sauce and a sweet one with vegan nutella (best thing ever!), strawberries, and flaked almonds.

2. The Orchid Vegan

Located on George Hudson St, The Orchid Vegan is an Asian fusion 100% vegan restaurant. For starters we had the prawns and calamari and then the lemon chicken and Cantonese Style Pork Char Siu. We also had “egg” (tofu) fried rice. For dessert we shared the blackcurrant dessert which was a biscuit base with blackcurrant mousse. Everything tasted incredible and very realistic. The staff were very friendly and the atmosphere was relaxing. Would 100% recommend it even for non-vegans.

3. Mr Chippy York

Found this fish and chip shop by accident as their “Vegan Menu” caught my eye when walking past. We had the vegan fish and chips and mushy pea-evs (kievs). They even had vegan tartare sauce which was really nice. It is located on Church Street.

4. Dog's Nose Taqueria

Located in Spark, a food court with bars and eateries in upcycled shipping containers, Dog's Nose Taqueria is an 100% vegan Mexican restaurant. I got the Cali Burrito habanero tofu, rice, beans, chips, pico de gallo, pickled cabbage and chipotle mayo, and it was delicious. 

5. Doe Bakehouse

Right opposite the Double Dutch Pancake House on Church Street, you can find Doe Bakehouse which has a lovely range of doughnuts, including vegan ones. I got the vegan  caramel, apple and biscoff doughnut and my mum got the biscoff one. As we went quite late in the evening, the doughnuts were half price which was a bonus.

If you are in York during Christmas time, you can find delicious vegan hot dogs sold at the Dog Haus in the Winter Village at the York Minster.

Do you have any more vegan friendly recommendations for York? Comment below.

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15 Instagrammer's travel essentials

In this blog post I am sharing with you a list of some of the things I take with me when travelling as a content creator. I am not going to mention in this blog post my full packing list, just the things that help me with work. Some of the things may not apply to you but hopefully it will give you some ideas.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase anything through the links provided I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you

1. Portable charger

With constantly using my phone, from taking photos and videos to managing my social media as well as using Google Maps, the battery drains really fast. One of the most important items that I always make sure to take with me is a portable charger. 

This one is a small portable charger that you can use for your phone and camera.

I absolutely love working from coffee shops and beach bars but unfortunately there isn’t always a power socket nearby to charge my laptop. However, I recently got a portable charger that can charge bigger devices such as my laptop and it has been a game changer. Now I can work from anywhere without having to make sure I sit near a power socket. Here is the one I have:

2. Travel adaptor

If you are travelling to many different countries with different power sockets, you will need a travel adaptor. I knew I wanted to go to some European countries but also visit the US and Southeast Asia. So I needed quite a few adapters, especially as I have multiple devices to charge, such as my phone, camera, gopro, portable charger, laptop, etc.

If you have a MacBook like me, the Plug Bug by Apple is a great option. It has two USB sockets and one for a Macbook or an Iphone/Ipad, so I can charge my camera and another device as well as my laptop at the same time. It has 5 snap-on plugs that you can use in most countries such as the US, Canada, Japan, UK, Singapore, Europe, New Zealand, and China.

Another option, can be this all-in-one worldwide travel adaptor, which has 4 USB sockets and 4 international plugs for the US, UK, Europe, and Australia.

3. External Drive

4. Travel towel

I alway carry one with me one of my ?? towels as it can be used for different purposes. I can use it as a photo prop when taking photos at the beach/pool/lake (and of course dry myself) but I also use it to wrap around me for something different if I've been taking loads of photos wearing the same swimsuit. 

This is my favourite travel towel. It’s super thin and light and dries really fast which is perfect for travelling and you can get it in different sizes and colours.

5. Phone camera adaptor

On my long term travels I always take my laptop with me, but if I’m just doing a short weekend  trip or a day trip, I don’t usually take it with me. However, on my way back from a trip, if I want to start editing some photos from my camera, I can transfer them to my phone with an SD card reader. I already had one for my macbook but this one allows me to transfer them directly to my Iphone so I can edit them on the Lightroom app. This is very useful, especially when I am travelling on a long bus journey and helps to save time when I get back.

This one is the one I have for my Iphone 11:

6. Tripod

As I travel a lot on my own, I take all my photos and videos of myself with a tripod. This has been a huge game changer for me as I used to ask strangers to take photos of me but unfortunately they didn’t always come out as I wanted. With a tripod, I can take my time, choose the position of the photo and retake it as many times as I want. I put a timer on my camera or phone and shoot. 

I also use the tripod to film myself for my youtube videos and to film steady shots when I am creating freelance content for clients. 

I have two tripods which I use all the time at home and during my travels. One small one that bends and then my big one that extends.

You can also get this tripod phone mount to be able to use your phone on the tripod too:

7. Camera

I get a lot of questions on Instagram about which camera I use for my content so I thought I'd share it here. I have the Sony Alpha a5100 which is a compact mirrorless camera 24.3MP APS-C CMOS sensor and a 3" touchscreen LCD which can flip upward 180 degrees for easy self portraits and vlogging. The video quality is amazing and I love how the photos come out. I’ve had it for about 4 years now and I am very happy with it. It’s perfect for travelling and it is super light.

And here is the SD card to go with it:

8. Action Camera

Here is the action camera I have and I am super happy with. It works great for under water photos and videos and comes with all its accessories and extra batteries too. However, if you would like something with a bit better quality you can check out the GoPro.

9. Lip balm

One of the most annoying things with creating content in cold destinations is getting dry lips. No one wants dry lips in their photos/videos or when they are in a video conference call. I tend to get really dried lips and I have tried many different brands over the years but one of my favourite lip balms that actually works, is the Body Shop Hemp Heavy Duty Lip Care. 

10. Headphones

Whether I’m on a bus listening to a podcast or at a cafe editing a video or in a business call, having headphones is a must for when I am travelling. I have used both, headphones and earphones, and don’t really have a preference so I’ll list them both down below

11. Laptop

I got my Macbook Pro about 3 years ago and I absolutely love it. It’s great for editing and it also makes it a lot easier for me to sync everything with my Iphone. 

Macbook Pro:

Another great option is the HP Envy:

12. Cable case organiser

Having multiple chargers and cables for different things can get quite messy and tangled up when travelling. This cable organiser bag is a great way to keep all their cables and electronics’ accessories organised in one place.

13. Water Spray for hot destinations

I love taking summer photos but taking photos in the sun in a hot destination isn't always the most comfortable, especially if I want a non-sweaty one! I like to take a small bottle with me on photoshoots.

Setting spray for makeup:

14. Bow/hair tie 

When travelling, my hair tends to get very messy from the heat, rain and wind, so I pack a pack of hair ties. 

I also take 2-3 bow scrunchies with me as I like to put them on while taking photos for my Instagram or my blog and I love to add a pop of colour in my photos. And of course to manage my messy hair.

15. Editing software

This is not a physical item but an essential for me as a content creator. 

Lightroom has been a game changer for me and I edit all my photos with it. I made my own presets which makes it a lot easier and faster to edit with just one click. You can make your presets or buy them online from many creators. 

For video editing I use Premiere Pro which is also part of Adobe. You can either get it on it’s own for £19 per month or part of Adobe Creative Cloud.

Adobe Creative Cloud has more than 20 apps for photography, video editing, web design, social media, etc, including, Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After effects

Get my presets here:

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8 Insta-worthy photo spots in York

In this blog post I am sharing with you some of my favourite instagrammable locations in York. Obviously there are many more beautiful places in York, however this was my first time there and only had a couple of days to explore.

1. York City Walls, Station Road (opposite The Grand Hotel)

2. The Shambles

3. York Minster

4. Coffee Yard (linking Swinegate with Stonegate)

5. Low Petergate

6. York Museum Gardens

7. York City Walls (overlooking Gray’s Court)

8. York Magistrates Court

9. Castle Museum (interior and exterior)

10. St Olave’s Church

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35 best gift ideas for travellers

Whether it’s for Christmas, birthdays, or any other special occasion, if you are wondering what to get for that traveller in your life, here are 35 travel gift ideas, for all different budgets. You can click on each image for more information on the product.

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase anything through the links provided I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

1. Scratch off map

This is a very popular gift for people who love to travel. It’s a such a great feeling scratching off each country you visit and seeing how much of the world you have seen.

Here are two different sized maps:

2. Thermals

If the recipient is planning on going to a cold country, then what better gift than a thermal hat, scarf and gloves? This is a perfect gift for winter destinations.

You can buy them separately or as a set.

3. A weekend away

Whether it's a weekend trip to a nearby city or a trip abroad, a trip is a great gift for a traveller. You can book accommodation through Booking.com HERE

4. An experience

Another great gift for them can be an experience. From wine tasting to a spa day to driving a supercar for the day, there are hundreds of experience options for the traveller in your life.

You can find some ideas here:

5. Ordnance Survey Maps

If they enjoy hiking and walking, why not get them a subscription to the Ordnance Survey Maps? Or you can get them a physical one if you know what area they would like.

6. Food

You can’t really go wrong with food, right?

If they love hiking or camping, you could get some snacks or freeze dried meals to take with them. Here are some of my favourites:

Another option is to get them a gift box of snacks from around the world to try. One of the best things about travelling is getting to try the local food from the destination. This will give them the opportunity to try it from the comfort of their own home.

7. Money bank with map - adventure fund

Saving up for something can be difficult sometimes. So why not give them a bit of motivation with this “Adventure Awaits” travel money bank?

8. Passport cover

This cute stitch-your-own passport cover comes with thread and needle and will give them the opportunity to sew a cross on the map every time they visit a new country. And it’s vegan!

9. Travel Planner and Journal

A travel planner and journal allow someone to plan their trips, write down their packing lists and bucket lists, and keep memories.

Here are two of my favourites:

These stickers go perfectly with the planner:

10. Travel book/guide

A travel book or guide is a great way to inspire the traveller for their new adventures. Here are some great options:

11. Something travel sized/portable

When travelling, space is limited. However, there are some things that you still need/want to take with you. That’s why portable items exist. Here are some portable items that are great for travelling:

Mini hair straighteners:

Portable charger:

Bluetooth Charger:

Travel mirror:

12. Guardian Angel Necklace for safe travels

This guardian angel necklace is a cute and thoughtful gift for someone to take with them on their upcoming travels.

13. Desk Globe

Every time I come across one of these I always think to myself how beautiful it would look on my desk.

14. Travel sized spa gift set

A travel sized spa gift set is a great way for them to pamper themselves while they are at their hotel and they can take them in their hand luggage as they are under 100ml each.

15. Travel jewellery box

Having tangled necklaces and bracelets can be very annoying, and it can get worse when they are packed in a suitcase/backpack. This little jewellery box can keep everything organised and untangled.

16. Reusable bottle/coffee mug

This water bottle is a great sustainable gift for someone. You can get it here:

Or if they are a coffee (or tea) lover, you can get this coffee mug here:

17. Neck pillow

Help them make their journey more comfortable by getting them a neck pillow for the plane or bus. This one is super comfortable and has a little hook to hang on their bag.

18. Eye Mask

Speaking about comfort while travelling, this eye mask perfectly accompanies the neck pillow to make their journeys more relaxing.

19. Plane socks

These compression socks for long haul flights go perfectly with the neck pillow and eye mask.

20. Travel sized puzzle books

Long plane journeys can get quite boring. Sometimes you don’t feel like watching a film or listening to music. These travel sized puzzle books are small and light and fit easily in a small bag for the plane.

21. Headphones

No one wants to be that person who listens to music or watches videos without headphones in public.

These wireless noise cancelling headphones are great for travelling

Or you can get these airpods which come in a little case that fits easily in your pocket.

22. Candles to remind them, of different places

These scented candles are inspired by different destinations and are a great way to remind someone of their travel memories.

23. Camera

Before I left for my year-long internship in California, I got myself a camera and it was the best purchase I've made. I just wish I had it sooner for all my previous travels. I have the Sony Alpha a5100 which is a compact mirrorless camera 24.3MP APS-C CMOS sensor and a 3" touchscreen LCD which can flip upward 180 degrees for easy self portraits and vlogging. The video quality is amazing and I love how the photos come out. I’ve had it for about 4 years now and I am very happy with it. It’s perfect for travelling and it is super light.

And here is the SD card to go with it:

And here is a case:

Lightroom presets to make editing a lot easier:

24. Tripod

Whether they take photos on a camera or their phone, a tripod is a great gift for a traveller, especially if they travel alone. As I travel a lot on my own, I take all my photos and videos of myself with a tripod. This has been a huge game changer for me as I used to ask strangers to take photos of me but unfortunately they didn’t always come out as I wanted. With a tripod, I can take my time, choose the position of the photo and retake it as many times as I want. I put a timer on my camera or phone and shoot.

I have two tripods which I use all the time at home and during my travels.

25. Money belt

A money belt can bring peace of mind to the traveller as it can keep their money and passport safe from pickpockets.

26. Walking shoes

Having comfortable shoes when travelling is vital. Here are some walking shoes that will make walking and hiking a lot more comfortable.

Women’s:

Mens:

27. Backpack

Taking a backpack on my travels made everything so much easier. I now have free hands to use my phone for directions, go up stairs, and walk on cobbled streets without having to drag a suitcase behind me.

Here is the backpack that I have:

And this is the mens version:

You don't have to get a big travel backpack, as a little day backpack is also a great idea for someone who likes to do shorter trips or day trips to nearby cities.

You can get one here:

28. Packing cubes

Help them keep their life organised on the road with these packing cubes.

29. Cable organiser bag

Having multiple chargers and cables for different things can get quite messy and tangled up when travelling. This cable organiser bag is a great way to help them keep all their cables and electronics’ accessories organised in one place.

30. Toiletry bag

This hanging travel toiletry bag can store all their toiletries or cosmetics and can hang up in the bathroom to save space.

31. First aid kit

Every traveller should have a first aid kit with them. This mini first aid kit is perfect for fitting in a small backpack and does not take up much space, yet has all the basic things that someone may need.

32. Kindle

This is perfect for the book lover in your life so they can take all their books with them without worrying about bag weight and space.

33. Metal straws

These metal straws come in a little bag with a cleaning brush and are a lovely eco friendly gift for them to take with them when travelling as well as when they are out for the day.

You can also get this eco friendly set with metal cutlery and straws in a little pouch:

34. Life straw filter

This life straw water filter is a great survival tool for hikers as it can protect them from microplastics, silt, sand, and cloudiness when drinking water in the wild.

35. Travel towel

This is my favourite travel towel. It’s super thin and light and dries really fast which is perfect for travelling and you can get it in different sizes and colours.

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A guide to the BBC Good Food Show - Review

I recently went to the BBC Good Food Show Winter in Birmingham and had a great time trying all the different food and drinks, watching some of the shows, meeting people and learning about their businesses and products. This was my first time going and I wanted to share my experience with you as well as some tips for visiting.

This blog post is in collaboration with BBC Good Food Show and the tickets were complimentary, however all opinions stated in this blog post are my own

How to get there

There are a few different ways to get to the venue. You can get the train from Birmingham New Street Train Station to Birmingham International which costs around £3.20-5.40 return and the journey lasts for about 10 minutes. When you get there, follow the signs to the NEC and then to the BBC Good Food Show. You can also get the X1 Platinum bus from the city centre to Arden Hotel which takes around 40 minutes to get there and from there walk to the NEC. If you are going by car, there is plenty of parking spaces available and you can either prepay or pay on the day of your visit.

What to bring with you

A reusable water bottle and coffee mug - you will be walking around a lot and will probably be really thirsty after trying all the food samples, and therefore a water bottle is a must. There are water stations in the lounges where you can refill your bottle. If you are a coffee or tea drinker, you can bring your reusable coffee mug too, to avoid single use cups and help cut down plastic waste.

A backpack - from food containers to bottles of gin and rum, you will probably end up with a lot of stuff and a backpack will definitely make it easier for you to carry, especially if they are heavy. A lot of people also bring a wheeled shopping bag, which is a great idea especially if you end up buying bulky items such as new pots and pans and foodie advent calendars.

Breath mints - you will be trying so many different food and drink samples, you might need to have a breath sweet after.

Layers and comfy shoes - if you are visiting the winter show, it will most likely be freezing on your way there. However, after walking around for hours, you might get a bit too hot in your coat and jumper. So make sure you wear layers so you can take some off when you get too hot inside. There is also a cloak room near the entrance where you can store your jacket. Comfy shoes are also recommended as the space is huge and you will be walking a lot.

Your covid status - before you go in, they will ask to see your COVID-19 status. If you don’t have proof or you are exempt, you can take a lateral flow test on-site which costs £12.

Things to do

When we got there, we started from one end of the hall and worked our way through the different stalls. I was overwhelmed by all the different tasty options and was pleasantly surprised by how many vegan options there were. As we walked around, we got to try dozens of food and drink samples and chat with the business owners where we learned more about their businesses and products. There was a mix of startups and big companies, with a huge variety to choose from. From Greek souvlaki and wine to vegan breakfast shakes and gluten free baked goods to premixed cocktails and scotch whisky, there was something there for everyone. Some stalls had a big queue, however they were going quite fast so we didn't have to wait long to get served and some of them had samples that you can help yourself to. There were also stalls that sold non-food items such as candles, jewellery, and scarves.

Some of my favourite stalls:

Jack Berry, where I got to try vegan honey. It tasted so good and exactly like real honey!

Aagraz where we tried some of their Indian curry sauces and spice blends.

Alpro, one of my favourite plant milk companies. They made me a coffee with their Barista range and it was so good.

Mixtons, where we tried their premixed cocktails. We ended up buying the Cheeky Peach and Candy Pants.

Beanies, where I bought their Decaf Chocolate Orange coffee.

There were loads of different shows and workshops on that day such as Maunika Gowardhan and Rachel Green in the Festive Kitchen, Stacie Stewart, Suzie Pelta and Becky Excell at the Get Baking Stage, the Hairy Bikers ands Nadiya Hussain in the Big Kitchen and so much more. Some of the workshops included Macaron Basics by Liberty Mendez, Cocktail Hour by Tom Surgey, and wine tasting by Kate Hawkings at the Olive Wine Theatre.

After wandering around for a few hours, I had some loaded fries with vegan chicken popcorn from the VFC food truck and they tasted amazing. My partner who is not vegan also enjoyed them very much.

Some more fun things that we did was spinning the wheel at the Go Puff stand where I won some Candy Kittens vegan sweets and James won a pack of Andrex toilet rolls which I found quite funny.

We also took part in a raffle led by OXO. Unfortunately we didn’t win but it was worth a try.

On our way out, we stopped to get our Show Goody Bags which had lots of lovely things in them, such as PG tea bags, Mentos, Real Handful peanuts, Alara muesli, and Zoflora.

I had a great time at the BBC Good Food Show Winter and I would love to return for the summer one. You can find more photos and videos on my Instagram @marisa.vogiatzi

Would you like to visit the BBC Good Food Show? Let me know in the comments below :)

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Solo trip to Zion National Park and St. George without a car | Southern Utah on a budget

During my 30-day solo trip around the US, I went to Southern Utah for a few days by bus. I stayed in Las Vegas for a couple of days and then booked a shuttle to St George via the St George Shuttle which cost about 30 dollars one way. I got picked up at 8am from McCarran Airport and the journey took around 2 hours. 

I chose St George as a base as I wanted to visit Zion National Park and at the time I went, I couldn’t find any affordable accommodation near the visitor centre so this was the closest town. The shuttle company goes a few times a day from St George to Zion National Park Visitor Centre which was quite convenient. Just make sure you check the time of the last bus back so you are not stranded.

I decided to couchsurf in St George with Isaac as my host. Couchsurfing is a website where you can find local hosts in the destination you are planning to go to and you can stay with them for free. The purpose is to meet like minded travellers and learn about different cultures (and of course to save money).

When I arrived at the house, I put my backpack down and Isaac asked if I wanted to go hiking with him up Angel’s Landing at Zion National Park. I of course said yes, so off we went in his car. As I mentioned before, I was planning to take the shuttle but since he offered to go together, we went in his car which took about an hour. 

Angel’s Landing is one America’s most dangerous and extreme hikes. It is famous for its steep switchbacks and chains bolted into the cliff to provide secure handholds and the sheer drops. I’m not really afraid of heights but when I was at the final stretch of the hike, I definitely felt anxious and quite scared. But the views were absolutely breathtaking and it was definitely worth the hike. This is one of my favourite hikes that I have done in the US.

On our way back, we stopped at Meme’s Cafe where I basically inhaled a vegan meatloaf and mash potato as I was so hungry and tired from the hike.

The next day I went for a walk around St George town and then went to Red Hills Desert Garden. It was really interesting to walk around and see all the desert plants, red rock canyons and dinosaur tracks. It also had some swings overlooking the town and the view was beautiful as it was quite high up.

It was really hot so I found some shade and sat down for a bit to relax and drink water. While I was sitting there, there were a few other people nearby and I overheard someone talking on the phone about going to a lake nearby. When he hung up the call, I asked him about the lake as that sounded like a great idea during this heat. He was really friendly and actually offered to give me a ride there in his car. Turns out he was also a solo traveller, from Philadelphia, travelling around the States for a month in his car.

Once we got to the lake, we hung out for a few hours, went swimming, took photos and just chatted about our travels. The lake was in Quail Creek State Park and there were only a few people there swimming. We then went for dinner to George’s Corner Restaurant where I had a vegan burger and a local beer. 

He was really kind and drove me back to the house as I had promised my host and his flatmate that I was going to go with them to watch the sunset. I had a quick shower and headed up Sugarloaf, a stunning viewpoint of the town up the red sand rocks. We watched the sunset, shared our funny travel stories and also took some photos and videos with their drone.

The next day I woke up early and took the shuttle back to Las Vegas where I had a flight to catch my next destination, Seattle! Southern Utah was one of my favourite parts of this trip and I would love to go back and explore its stunning locations.

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Solo trip to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon on a budget - 3 day itinerary

After a year-long internship in California, I did a 30-day solo trip around the US and my first stop was Las Vegas. I arrived at the McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas around 9pm and went straight to my hotel. I stayed in the Stratosphere Hotel which cost about 30 dollars per night and it was one of the few hotels that didn't charge a resort fee. This was the only hotel I stayed in during my trip as I wanted to have a private room for the first two nights because I was quite upset about saying goodbye to everyone in California. The hotel was really nice and it had a lovely rooftop pool with stunning views of Las Vegas and the surrounding desert. 

The first day I relaxed by the pool for a few hours and then I walked down the Strip looking at all the hotels and casinos. In the evening, I bought a ticket to the Magic Mike Live show which cost about 50 dollars. Depending on when you go, the ticket price can differ and it can cost up to 300 dollars. I really enjoyed it and I would definitely recommend going to see it.

The next day I checked out the hotel and went to a hostel as it was cheaper (around 15 dollars per night for a shared room) and I thought it might be easier to meet people. The hostel was called Las Vegas and it had a swimming pool, kitchen, a cinema, and a common area. 

Once I checked in and left my backpack, I was going to go for a walk and while I was leaving reception, I started talking with another girl who was travelling solo so we decided to go for a walk together. We walked through most of the hotels on the Strip and took loads of photos. We also went to Caesars Palace and swam in the pool for a bit. One of my favourite hotels was the Venetian Resort where we saw the Venice canals and gondolas.

The next day, I had the chance to tick something big off my bucket list. I booked a day trip to the Grand Canyon. I don’t usually go on group tours as I prefer doing things at my own pace, however as I don’t drive and couldn’t find a way to get there by public transport, I booked a few days in advance the Grand Canyon South Rim Bus Tour through Canyon Tours which cost about 80 dollars. 

The bus picked me up around 6am and it took about 5 hours to get there. With a couple of food stops/toilet breaks on the way. I really enjoyed looking out the window as we drove through Nevada and Arizona. When we got there, we had a few hours to explore on our own and take photos. The views were absolutely breathtaking and it wasn’t too crowded with tourists. 

The tour lasted for about 14 hours so when I got back to the hostel, I just fell asleep. The next day I checked out of the hostel early, around 6am and headed for a new adventure. I booked a bus to Utah where I stayed for a few days and hiked in Zion National Park. You can read my full blog post from South Utah here.

Las Vegas definitely exceeded my expectations. I wasn’t sure about going alone in the beginning as I don’t enjoy drinking or gambling, but I had a great time and I would love to go back again and see some more shows. It is also a great base to have to visit places like the Grand Canyon and Southern Utah, especially if you don’t drive.

Have you ever been to Las Vegas? Which is your favourite hotel?

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10 things to do in Leicester

In this blog post I am sharing some of my favourite things to do in Leicester and Leicestershire. You can get to all these places either by foot or public transport so don’t worry if you don’t have a car. There is obviously a lot more to do than what I have mentioned below, however these are some of my favourite things that I did during my time in Leicester.

This blog post is in collaboration with Visit Leicester and the entries to some of the places mentioned were complimentary, however all opinions stated in this blog post are my own

Space Centre

With 6 interactive galleries and the iconic 42-metre high Rocket Tower, the National Space Centre is a must-visit when you are in Leicester. The ticket costs £15.50 or £12.50 for students and this also includes entry to the Planetarium which is the largest in the UK. It’s about a 30-minute walk from the city centre or you can get bus 303 from the centre to “Byford Road” bus stop and it’s a 5-minute walk from there.

Van Gogh - The Immersive Experience

Situated in the All Saints Church in Leicester City Centre, “Van Gogh - The Immersive Experience” is a 360 degree exhibition which showcases the artist’s life and art in a unique sound and light show. The tickets cost £13 or £11 for students and at the end of the exhibition you can do a VR experience of the artist’s life in Arles, for an extra £3.

Triumph Factory Visitor Experience

Visit the Triumph Factory Visitor Experience where you can get an immersive tour and learn about the journey of each motorcycle, from the initial concept to the final manufacturing.It’s a great way to learn about the company and its culture as well as see some of the famous motorcycles such as the one featuring in the latest James Bond film No Time to Die. The guided factory tour is £20 per person and must be booked in advance. The exhibition is free to visit and you can also enjoy a coffee and cake at the cafe. You can get there by taking bus 158 from Leicester Bus Station to “Beaumont Avenue “ bus stop and then it’s about a 20-minute walk to the factory.

Discover Leicester’s Old Town

Wander around the Old Town of Leicester and learn about the city’s history through the many attractions such as the King Richard III Visitor Centre, Guildhall, Leicester Cathedral, and Castle Gardens. This area is also famous for the discovery of King Richard III in a car park.

Parks, lakes and forests

Escape the busy city life and take a stroll around a park. Leicester has loads of parks and nature locations that locals as well as visitors go for recreational purposes. Some popular places to visit are Abbey Park in the centre, Aylestone Meadows Local Nature Reserve (you can take bus 84/85/87 to “Hampshire Road” and from there it’s a 5-minute walk) and Bradgate Park which is famous for its herds of deer and historic landmarks (you can take bus 125 to “Chaplins Rough” and from there it’s about a 15-minute walk).

Leicester Museum and Art Gallery

Visit Leicester Museum and Art Gallery where you can learn about Ancient Egypt, Dinosaurs, Space, Picasso, Attenborough, arts and crafts, and other galleries. There is also a gift shop and cafe in the building. Entry to the museum and art gallery is free, however a small donation is suggested.

Market towns

Visit Leicestershire’s market towns including the beautiful Ashby de la Zouch, Market Bosworth, Loughborough, Hinckley, and Lutterworth. You can check out the bus routes and times on the bus companies’ websites to find out how to get there from Leicester.

Eat and drink

What better way to experience a city than eating your way through it! From small independent coffee shops and pubs to award-winning international restaurants, Leicester offers a huge range of food and drinks options. There are plenty of vegan and vegetarian options as well as gluten free, so there is something for everyone. 

Shop from local independent businesses

From quirky little shops to fruit and veg markets, you can find anything you need in Leicester. Whether you’re looking for a gift or just picking up some food for dinner, you can shop from the city’s independent businesses and maybe even find some unique items.

Walking trails

One of my favourite things to do when I visit a new city is explore by foot, and Leicester is perfect for that. You can discover all its little streets and unique buildings by just walking and looking around. Leicester has loads of walking trails such as the New Walk, the Canal Art Trail, and the Golden Mile, to explore and learn more about its history and culture.

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Solo trip to Peak District National Park without a car - On a budget

When I came to England for a few weeks, one of the top things I wanted to do was visit the Peak District. If you love nature and cute little villages with cobbled streets, this is the perfect place. And even if you don’t drive, like me, it’s still super easy to get to most places by public transport and on a budget. In this blog post I am sharing with you my 2-day solo trip to the Peak District National Park, including visiting the beautiful villages of Bakewell and Castleton, renting a bike on the Monsal Trail, walking through Winnats Pass, hiking Mam Tor, doing a boat tour through a cave 450 metres underground, and eating some delicious vegan food.

Where to stay

I chose Sheffield as a base as you can easily access the national park from there. I usually stay in hostels when I travel alone but I couldn't seem to find any in Sheffield for the day I was going. However, I found an affordable hotel in a lovely neighbourhood near the city centre. The hotel is called Jonas and it was £45 per night for a room with a private bathroom. The receptionist was really polite and friendly and the room was clean and comfortable. There was also a common room downstairs, a games room with a pool table and a tv and a little canteen with snacks and hot drinks available to purchase.

Bakewell

The first day, I arrived in Sheffield by train from Leicester around 11am and I decided to go to Bakewell which is a market town famous for its Bakewell Pudding as well as its picturesque location and nature surroundings.

How to get there

I got the 218 bus from Sheffield Interchange and a day ticket cost £7.50. They didn’t accept cards on the bus so make sure you have cash on hand. It doesn’t have to be the exact amount though as they give change. The journey took about an hour and the views from the window were breathtaking the whole way there. The bus drops you off right in the centre of the village.

The buses to Bakewell go every 30 minutes from the Interchange and the last one back is at 19:30 which is great for enjoying your day there without having to rush for the last bus. However, I would recommend you to check the timetables for the day you are travelling just in case there have been any changes.

Things to do

When I arrived, I was surprised at how busy it was for a Monday. I walked around for a bit, visited the Visitor Centre and then started walking along the river towards Hassop Station.

It took about 30 minutes to walk there and there was a footpath along the road. I rented a bike so I could follow the Monsal Trail and it cost £15 for 2 hours or £19 for 4 hours. Apart from the bike hire, there was also a cafe with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, and a lovely gift shop as well. There were also a lot of picnic benches so you can take your own lunch. The traffic free trail started right next to the bike shop and it’s about 8 miles long. There were people cycling both directions, and a lot of people walking on the trail as well.

The weather was lovely, and the views while I was cycling were stunning. I went past a few old railway tunnels and stopped a few times to take photos of the surrounding fields and hills.

I stopped for a lunch break in a field with a lovely view of Bakewell in the distance and fields of cows. I had hummus and bread, one of my favourite things to have when I travel.

I rode the bike back to the hire centre, and then walked back to the village. I went into the famous Original Bakewell Pudding Shop but they had run out of vegan options unfortunately. I walked around a bit more, took photos and then took the bus back to Sheffield.

I went to Coop and got some dinner and then checked into the hotel. I had a veggie pasty, vegan sushi, mango granola and chia pudding and a banana. I watched a few episodes of You on Netflix and then had an early night as I had to wake up early the next day for another adventure into the Peak District.

Castleton

The next morning I woke up around 7am and took the first bus to Castleton around 7:55. Castleton is a beautiful village on the western side of the Hope Valley in the Peak District National Park. It’s one of the most popular places to visit in the area and there are a lot of things to do and see.

How to get there

I got bus 272 from “Ecclesall Road/Junction Road” bus stop which was about a 10-minute walk from the hotel. However, you can get the bus from Sheffield Interchange if it’s closer to where you are staying. The journey took about an hour and the ticket cost £5 for a day ticket. And again, the views were stunning on the way there. I always love to sit in the front seat at the top of the bus. There are buses to Castleton every 1-2 hours depending on the time of day and the last one back is at 22:30 but this might change depending on when you go.

Things to do

When I got there, there was no one around as it was still 9am and none of the shops were open either. This was the perfect opportunity for me to set up my tripod and take photos and videos in this picturesque village. I fell in love with it. The little stone houses, cobbled streets and bright green hills in the backdrop.

After walking around for a bit and taking tons of photos, I walked to Winnats Pass which took about 15 minutes on a straight road with a footpath. It was stunning. The photos really don’t do it justice.

Right next to it, it was the start of the Mam Tor trail. One of the most popular walks in the area, and I’m not surprised why as the views were beautiful. As it had rained during the night, everything was muddy and it was quite slippery so make sure you wear steady shoes. I sat on a rock and had some lunch which I had bought from Sainbsburys in the morning before the bus. I had a soft pretzel, a pack of cut up fruit, and chocolate covered almonds.

After that, I did something completely outside my comfort zone. Everyone who knows me, knows that I am very claustrophobic. But somehow I found myself signing up for a boat tour in a cave, at the Speedwell Cavern which was just at the entry of Winnats Pass. The ticket cost £16 per person and booking online is recommended as they sell out fast. However, I decided at the last minute and asked at the gift shop if they had something available, and luckily they had a slot at 11:40, an hour from then. I walked around and took loads of photos with my tripod and then made my way back to the gift shop.

When I got there, the tour guide welcomed the group, about 15 of us, and gave us hard hats to wear. Masks also had to be worn. We went down a lot of stairs and got to the little wooden boat. Once we got on it, the tour guide explained some health and safety guidelines and off we went. We went through a very narrow tunnel so we had to keep ducking down, and the tour guide told us about the history and stories of the cave and the old mine.

Going through the narrow tunnel took about 20 minutes, and then we got off in the centre of the cave where we stayed for about 25 minutes. The guide gave us some more information about it and then gave us time to look around and take photos.

Then we hopped on the boat and went back. I was really surprised with myself that I wasn't too scared and didn’t feel too claustrophobic. However, my legs were shaking a bit while in the centre cave and then after the tour for a few hours. But I did enjoy it and I am proud of myself for stepping outside my comfort zone and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is visiting Castleton.

After the cavern, I walked back to the village and went into the Visitor Centre. I looked around the gift shop as they had some lovely souvenirs, and there was also a little museum as well which was very interesting.

After that, I decided to walk to the next village, Hope. There is a public footpath that you can follow which takes you to Hope Village and goes through fields of sheep. It took me about 40 minutes to walk and I enjoyed every minute of it as the views were beautiful and it was just so peaceful.

Once I got there, I went to a lovely cafe called The Grasshopper Cafe, and sat out in their garden. They had loads of vegan options which was one of the reasons I chose to go there. I ordered a warm chocolate and nut banana bread topped with vegan yogurt fruit coulis and granola, a butterbean and spinach sausage roll, and a decaf oat latte. The staff were really friendly and everything tasted amazing.

Once I ate, I went to the bus stop which was just outside the cafe and got the 272 bus back to Sheffield Interchange. You can also get the bus from Castleton but there was no point in walking back since I was already in Hope.

Once I got back to Sheffield, I had a couple of hours to wait until my train back to Leicester so I went to a coffee shop called Hygge for some chamomile tea.

Total Spendings:

Depending on where you are coming from, and where you are staying, etc

Train from Leicester to Sheffield - £13

Day ticket to Bakewell - £7.50

Bike hire - £15

Packed lunch from Sainsburys - £2.50

Hotel - £45

Dinner from Coop - £4

Day ticket to Castleton - £5

Breakfast from Sainsburys - £2.60

Speedwell Cavern - £16

Lunch at Grasshopper Cafe - £13

Tea at Hygge cafe - £2.50

Train back to Leicester - £5.50

Total: £131.60

I had an amazing time in the Peak District and I would love to go back to explore more. Getting there was super easy without a car and I didn’t have any problem at all getting around. And there is definitely a way to do it on a budget and still have a great time.

Have you ever been to the Peak District? If not, which activities from this blog post would you like to do?

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Solo trip to Seattle on a budget - 4 day itinerary

During my 3rd year of university in Scotland, I did a year-long internship in California and at the end of the 12 months, I had 30 days to travel around the US. I started off in Las Vegas, and then went to Southern Utah to hike Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park and then flew to Seattle. I stayed in Seattle for 2 nights, then went to the Olympic National Park for a couple of days and then stayed for another 2 nights in Seattle.

Arrival

I flew from McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas to Seattle - Tacoma International Airport for about 30 dollars and landed around 17:00. I stayed in the North Admiral neighborhood as I was couchsurfing. Couchsurfing is a website where you can find local hosts in the destination you are planning to go to and you can stay with them for free. The purpose is to meet like minded travellers and learn about different cultures (and of course to save money). The main thing I always do before reaching out to a host is read their reviews and make sure that other female solo travellers have stayed with them before. But until now, I have only had really good experiences with it.

When I arrived, my host, Roger, made me feel really welcome and already had my bed set up in the living room. He asked me if I wanted to go on a walk to see the Seattle skyline and of course I said yes. As the neighborhood was across the bay from the city centre, we could see all the famous landmarks all lit up at night, including the Space Needle and the ferris wheel.

Day One

The next morning, I woke up early, had a peanut butter jelly sandwich and headed towards the Water Taxi Pier where I got the water taxi across to Downtown Seattle. The ticket cost me about 6 dollars one way and it took about 20 minutes to get to the other side which was plenty of time to take photos of the city from the ferry.

When I got there, I spent a few hours walking around and taking photos of Downtown Seattle. I went to the iconic PIke Place Market which is the oldest continuously operating farmers market in the US and strolled around the different shops. I stopped by the famous Pike Place Fish Market where I watched the staff sing and throw a fish to each other to catch every time someone ordered one.

I then got myself a cinnamon roll and an apple turnover from one of the little bakeries in the market.

I walked around a little more and then sat at a cafe called Moore Coffee Shop, where I had a Taro Purple Latte with super cute latte art on it. While I was there, I edited some photos on my laptop and wrote some postcards to send to some friends and family.

Later, I walked by the original Starbucks store at Pike Place, however the queue to get in was really long so I just took a photo of the storefront.

Day 2

The second day, I decided to take the bus to Port Angeles so I could explore the Olympic National Park for a few days. But I go into more detail about that in this post that I dedicated just for that.

Before going for the ferry, I went with my host for breakfast at a cafe called Luna Park Cafe which is a retro-style diner in West Seattle. It served all-day breakfast with lots of vegetarian and vegan options too. At the time I was only vegetarian so I had the vegetable omelette with vegetarian sausage and it tasted delicious.

I then took the ferry across to downtown Seattle where I got a Greyhound bus to Port Angeles.

Day 3 in Seattle

Fast forward to coming back from the Olympic National Park, I met up with my host and his girlfriend where we went to the Pride Parade! I was really excited because I had never been before as I worked in hospitality the previous years where I always worked weekends and missed it.

It was one the most beautiful days I have ever experienced. The moment we walked up to the parade, I felt so emotional as everyone was just so happy, it was like I could feel their happiness and I felt so proud.

We went to a few different bars and took loads of photos.

Then we went to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery, an immersive experience where you can watch the coffee being roasted, from the sacks it comes in to it being loaded into the green coffee loading pit. Even though I don’t drink a lot of coffee, it was a great experience and it was really interesting to watch the process.

For the last 2 nights I couchsurfed again but somewhere different. Eric and his lovely golden retriever, Finley, hosted me on their boat!

It was a great experience and something that I wouldn’t normally get to do as it would be out of my budget. We sat and chatted for a few hours and then I had an early night. I was quite tired from the last few days. My bed was super comfortable and the best part was getting to sleep next to Finley, the friendly dog.

Day 4

The next day, I stayed on the boat as my host took it out for a few hours and we actually went past Bill Gates’s home as well as Jeff Bezos’s.

I even got to steer the boat for a bit which was pretty cool.

In the evening, we had dinner on the deck and watched the sunset behind the bridge.

Last day

I only had a few hours in the morning before I had to get the bus to the airport so I got up early and went to the Seattle Public Library to catch up on some uni work.

I then took the train to the airport where I flew to New York City for my next adventure. If you have any questions, let me know in the comments or you can message on Instagram @marisa.vogiatzi

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10 Insta-worthy photo spots in Rethymno, Crete

Growing up, I never really “saw” how beautiful Rethymno town. I guess I was just used to it. However, when I came back after living abroad for 5 years, I saw it with a completely different view. Especially now that I have my blog and create content for a living.

In this blog post I am sharing with you some of my favourite photo spots in Rethymno town. Obviously there are many more beautiful locations in Rethymno but these are just some of my favourite ones that are within walking distance from the centre.

1. Old Venetian Harbour of Rethymno

2. Steps at Vasilis Restaurant (on the way up to the Fortezza)

3. Charilaou Trikoupi Street ( Near the Rimondi Boutique Hotel)

4. Chaireti Street (Just off Arkadiou Street)

5. Rimondi venetian Fountain

6. Mikrasiaton Square

7. Rethymno Beach (Especially during sunset)

8. Church Of Four Martyrs

9. Katehaki Street (just under the Fortezza, next to Melina Cafe)

10. Porta Guora (Megali Porta)

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A week in my life living in Rethymno, Crete as a digital nomad

This summer, I decided to sell all of my stuff and leave my flat in Scotland to travel full time. As I work remotely, I can work anywhere in the world, as long as I have wifi. I chose Crete as my first stop as that’s where my dad is from and I actually grew up there but left about 5 years ago. And even though I grew up here, I never really got a chance to see much of the island or to experience it as a tourist. So I thought I’d stay for a month in August, see my family, work from my laptop and explore the island.

In this blog post I will share with you of the weeks while staying there. Each week was completely different as I worked different hours and went to new places each day, however this can give you an idea of what it’s like working remotely and traveling in Crete.

I stayed in Julia Apartments, in Platanes, which is a small seaside village a few kilometres from Rethymno city. It’s really easy to get to Rethymno from there, by taking the bus which costs £1.20 each way.

You can also watch my Youtube video about this week here

MONDAY

On Monday morning, I had some watermelon on the balcony and then did some work on my laptop. Then I went into Rethymno for a little walk around the Old Town and took some photos. There are so many beautiful little side streets in the Old Town and so many photo opportunities. You can read my blog post about some of my favourite photo spots HERE.

Then I had lunch with my sister and mum at a taverna on the beach road, called Samaria. The owner is always so friendly and helpful and the food tastes amazing. We had gemista (stuffed vegetables with rice), chips, tzatziki, and one of my favourite greek dishes, boiled greens. It’s so simple but so tasty especially with some olive oil and a squeeze of lemon.

I worked a few more hours in my room and then in the evening I went down to Platanes Beach to watch the sunset.

TUESDAY

On Tuesday, we rented a scooter from a rent-a-car place in the Platanes and it cost £30 for a day. We decided to go to Bali, which is about a 45-minute drive from Platanes. You can also take the bus that goes towards Heraklion from Rethymno Bus Station and it will drop you at the top of the road from the village.

Bali is a seaside village and is a popular holiday destination but busy with locals as well. It has a few different beaches as well as little harbors with shops and restaurants. The views are beautiful as you can enjoy the sea views and the surrounding rock cliffs as well as the mountains at the back.

We ate at a restaurant called Mythos Beach which looked out onto the sea and we had fava (yellow split peas), and kolokithokeftedes (fried courgette balls). It is quite easy to get vegan food in Crete as a lot of the Greek dishes are vegan anyway.

We sat on the beach for a few hours and then we headed back. On our way back, we went up the hill to Melidoni Cave which has a stunning view of the mountains, olive trees, vineyards, and Melidoni village. As we got there quite late in the day, the cave was closed but the viewing point was still worth visiting.

WEDNESDAY

On Wednesday I did some work in the morning and then I went with my sister to a village called Margarites. You can take a bus from Rethymno Bus Station and on the way you could also stop at Arkadi Monastery which is definitely worth visiting while you are in Rethymno. You can find the times here

Margarites is a small village near Platanes, and it’s famous for its many pottery studios where you can watch the artists make the pottery. We walked around and took loads of photos as everything is so instagramable. We even got to taste some raki. I don;t usually like raki as it is super strong but I loved these ones because they were flavoured. My favourite was the caramel and coffee flavoured ones.

We had lunch at a taverna called ?? and had fava, a mixed salad, fried courgette and anthoi (stuffed courgette blossoms). The balcony view was stunning as we could see the surrounding hills and olive trees and the staff were very friendly.

After lunch we headed up a hill to a monastery. We had both been to the village when we were really young but we had never been up there before and we were amazed at how lovely it was. It had a beautiful garden, and there were also some animals such as chickens and peacocks. From up there we could see the village and the mountains.

THURSDAY

The next morning, I spent a few hours working on my laptop and doing some washing. Then I went with James to Myli Rescue Centre in Platanes, where we met so many adorable dogs and we got to take them for a walk. It was such a great experience to meet all these lovely rescue dogs and talk to Elina, the founder of the rescue centre. You can visit their Facebook page to find out more about the shelter and how to help.

Later, I did some shopping in Lidl where I got some vegan pastries and had them on my balcony. Then I continued working for the rest of the day.

FRIDAY

On Friday, we went to Patsos village where we went wine tasting at Kourkoulou winery. You can get the bus from Rethymno Bus Station but make sure to check the times as it only goes a couple times a day.

Located in the heart of the Cretan mountains, about 22km from Rethymno. Kourkoulou Winery is a new family-run winery with breathtaking views of the mountains and gorge. You can take a tour of their vineyards and winery and taste their exclusive Cretan wines. We paid 10€ each which included a tour of the vineyards and the winery, and tasting 5 wines and paximadi (hard Greek bread), olive oil and olives.

After the wine tasting we headed down the road to Patsos Gorge, where we did a short hike. There is also a traditional Greek taverna next to it called Drimos but we didn’t go this time.

On the way back we stopped at Potamon Dam, which was built in 2008 and it has capacity of 23 million cubic metres and is one of the most important wetlands in the southeast Mediterranean with many different animals being recorded nearby.

SATURDAY

On Saturday, I went to Marinos Beach Hotel to work on my laptop for a few hours.

In the late afternoon, I went for a walk in Platanes to take some photos. Near the Lidl, there is a little trail that passes some fields and has a litle church as well.

SUNDAY

On Sunday morning I did some work at Porto Rethymno and then went to Blue Lagoon with Sofia, one of my Greek friends. Blue Lagoon is a beach bar in Platanes which has a swimming pool as well and sun beds/bean bags on the beach.

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