5 luxury travel hacks: luxury travel experiences on a budget

We all love weekend breaks and if you’re looking for some inspiration for your next weekender, we’ve put together 52 weekend away ideas that are perfect for those travelling from the UK. All of these weekend away ideas are fabulous destinations for any time of the year, but I’ve written them roughly in order from …

“Mon, I didn’t know you were going away. Are you in Italy!?” This was a text message I received from a friend immediately after I’d posted a photo from Portmeirion on Facebook.  The sun was shining, it was 22C, I was licking chocolate chip flavoured gelato while staring out to sea. I was surrounded by …

You guys all know how much I love glamping. I love being in the great outdoors whilst still having a few little luxuries that make it cosy and comfy. It’s great to stay in quirky and unique glamping pods, domes treehouses, yurts or safari tents but sometimes a good old fashioned tent has to do. …

Is there a science behind booking flights? Perhaps there’s a formula for finding the best deals, cheapest prices and discounts for upgrades? Some people will tell you there’s a science behind it and they may even lead you to believe there are special secrets. But I’m here today to tell you the real secrets behind …

I’m all about packing light and travelling with as little luggage as possible, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have travel essentials! I have a selection of ladies travel clothes I can’t leave home without and they come with me on every trip. Here they are… Neutral trainers A stylish pair of black trainers are …

I have a confession. Despite taking hundreds of flights in my lifetime, I still get really stressed about the airport. I’m fine with flying, flying doesn’t bother me in the least, but the airport turns me into an anxious, stressed wreck. I get stressed about printing my boarding pass vs using a mobile boarding pass, …

As a frequent traveller I know the importance of good quality luggage. I’ll never forget a budget ski holiday in my 20s when a wheel broke off my extremely heavy suitcase and I had to drag it on one wheel for what felt like miles through London and all the way to Heathrow. Travelling is …

Portia Jones from Pip and the City recently took a trip to Ravenna, the beautiful Italian city in Emilia-Romagna. Ravenna isn’t always our first choice for an Italian city break so Portia is sharing 9 reasons why it should be on your travel radar. If authentic (and not too touristy!) Italian cities, great food, history, …

It’s still one of my most frequently asked questions…how do I start a travel blog!? And is it worth starting a travel blog in 2025? The simple answer is yes. Yes, yes, 100% yes! Here are some reasons to start a travel blog… People often ask if it’s worth starting a blog in 2025 because …

It’s one of the questions I’m asked about the most: What to pack for a cruise!? You’re going to be visiting multiple destinations, possibly experiencing different climates, doing lots of activities and probably having lovely dinners each evening. It can be a little overwhelming when you’re planning what to pack for a cruise but I’m …

If you’re planning a weekend break to Iceland then I am so excited for you! Iceland is a magical place and I love it more with every visit. While you could spend a whole week in this incredible country, a weekend trip to Iceland is perfect. It’s an expensive destination so keeping the trip short …

If you’re feeling confused about the airline cabin baggage size for Ryanair, you’re not alone.  I travel with just cabin baggage on Ryanair flights all the time so I’m here to simplify it for you! Here’s what you need to know… Hopefully that simplifies it a bit. The vanity case is ‘free personal size’ and …

Last year I had a gorgeously festive city break to Warsaw in Poland visiting the Warsaw Christmas markets and other lovely wintry things. I think Warsaw is such a perfect and underrated city for a festive weekend away. The two main draws to visiting Warsaw at Christmas time are: Warsaw at Christmas is so pretty …

Staying in an ice hotel has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. The dream became even stronger when I visited the SnowVillage as a day visitor last year in Finland. To be honest, I thought I’d be frozen like one of the intricately carved ice statues, but when I realised …

I’ve been a frequent traveller for nearly 20 years and I’ve spent a lot of time backpacking! I’ve tried so many backpacks during that time but I’ve never found ‘the perfect backpack’, until now… Let me introduce you to the Matador SEG 28 (also available in the larger SEG 45) which I believe is the …

If you’ve been following along on Instagram you will have seen that I’ve just returned from an incredible 3-day trip to Iceland. Actually, ‘incredible’ doesn’t do it justice. It was an unforgettable, once in a lifetime, ‘tell-it-to-the-grandchildren-in-50-years-time’ kind of incredible. I was away for a long weekend and it was actually only 36 hours spent …

Have you heard about ‘Extreme Day Trips’? It’s where you book a very early departure flight and a very late flight home and see a destination in one day. You could fly to Paris at 7am, have a full day in the city and fly home at 9pm and be tucked up in your own …

It’s no secret that I love the Canary Islands for a winter sun holiday from the UK. Winter can feel so long and bleak, but a week in the sunshine perks everyone up! During the winter months, most of Europe has terrible or unpredictable weather and you need to be flying long-haul to get the …

My extreme day trip to Bergamo, Italy + what to do in Bergamo Last weekend I took an Extreme Day Trip to Bergamo and had the best day ever so I had to share everything about it. An Extreme Day Trip is where you take an early flight to a destination and then take a …

If you subscribe to my email updates you will have seen that in last week’s email I asked you guys to send me any travel questions you have. One of the first emails to come through was from Bethan Jackson (thanks Bethan!) and she said: I want to go to New York for a long …

If you’ve got a long layover in Athens or perhaps just a short amount of time to see the best things to do in Athens then I have got the perfect tour for you! Earlier this week I had a five-hour layover in Athens. It initially seemed like a brilliant idea….until I considered the reality …

Emily has recently returned from an incredible 7-day Mediterranean cruise with Princess Cruises. Here’s how she got on… Laying back on my sun bed with a view of the ocean and a Pina Colada in hand, recovering from hiking the Rock of Gibraltar the day previously and looking forward to the next few days touring …

If you’re visiting a hot beach destination it’s easy to find free things to do. Swimming, sunbathing, reading and strolling can keep you entertained for days. But when you’re in a city it isn’t so easy and your budget can quickly spiral out of control. There’s just so much to spend your money on in …

When I boarded the Celebrity Cruise ship I had no idea what to expect. It was my first time cruising as an adult and I was travelling in a completely new way. I had no idea what to pack or what I’d be doing in my spare time so this post is for anyone going …

Today’s blog post is about finding the best heated jacket to keep you warm this winter. I’m one of those people who is always cold so a heated jacket has been an absolute game changer! If you’re looking for the best heated jacket or heated vest for this cold weather then I’ve got you covered! And …

In today’s post I’m sharing the best shoes for travel to ensure you’re comfortable, stylish and can walk for miles. Stylish walking shoes for travel aren’t always easy to come by. They’re often practical, comfortable and a bit ugly…. or they’re cute and stylish but you end up with blisters and sore feet! If you’re …

My robot vacuum review and my honest opinion about whether or not it’s worth getting a robot vacuum. I’ve wanted a robot vacuum for years. I have three children and a dog and I vacuum the downstairs of my house most days, if not twice a day. I really should mop daily too but I …

Are you planning a luxury travel experience? Perhaps you’re celebrating a big birthday, a special occasion or would like something truly incredible to look forward to. My travel bucket list  is endless but I do have a few really luxurious experiences on there. I love having a list of destinations to aim for and hope …

Tenerife is one of my favourite places for a winter sun holiday. While it’s cold and miserable in the UK, you can hop on a quick (and usually relatively cheap!) flight to Tenerife and you’re sunning yourself on one of the many beautiful Tenerife beaches the very same day. Tenerife is an easy option for …

Christmas is my favourite time of the year. I’m one of those people who starts putting up decorations in November and I want it to last as long as possible! In my mind there are five seasons; spring, summer, autumn, Christmas and winter! It’s a time for joy, celebration, traditions, family and indulging in delicious …

I’ve just returned from an incredible week spent hopping around Europe visiting Christmas markets! On this trip I started in Manchester and then went to Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna. The whole trip was so easy, affordable, totally magical and simple to do in 4 days. I can’t recommend this European Christmas market tour itinerary enough …

So you’ve got one day in Reykjavik? How exciting! I’m going to show you how to spend one day in Reykjavik and have the most incredible day. I also want to reassure you that one day is a great amount of time to spend in Iceland’s capital. Sure, a few extra days might be nice …

You’ve made the decision you want to travel more this year. You’ve realised experiences are more important than possessions and you’ve put together a plan to start saving for your next big trip. But how are you going to decide where to actually go? Budget and time will undoubtedly play a part in the decision making process but …

After long flights from Miami to Madrid, you’ll likely be eager to stretch your legs, get some fresh air, and explore the vibrant Spanish capital. Whether you’re staying for a few days or beginning a longer European adventure, Madrid offers a wonderful mix of activities that are perfect for unwinding while enjoying the city’s rich …

I’m a firm believer that multiple short holidays and weekend getaways are way better than the traditional ‘big summer holiday’. Don’t get me wrong, I love a big summer holiday but if I had to choose one or the other, I’d pick lots of short holidays throughout the year. Regular short holidays mean you’ve always …

Winter is around the corner and today’s blog post is for all the fair-weather adventurers out there! I’m the first to hold my hands up and admit I’m a fair weather adventurer. It’s easy to get out for a hike, go paddleboarding, camping, wild swimming or any other outdoorsy activity when the sun is shining …

Bali really lives up to its nickname ‘The Island of the Gods’. With its year-round sunshine, volcanic landscape, sweeping beaches and extraordinarily rich culture, it’s easy to see why when given free reign of the whole world, the Gods would make Bali their home. Predominantly a Hindu island, you’ll see traces of this proud religion …

If you’re a long time reader of the blog you’ll know there’s nothing I love more than an organised bag! Whether it’s a massive suitcase, my gym bag, my travel backpack or my everyday handbag. My life often feels chaotic and messy but at least my luggage is always nicely organised! I was excited to …

Today’s epic post is a one week Ireland itinerary and it’s by Sian from Ireland Before you Die. Ireland is such an amazing place for a road trip so I’m really excited to share this action packed itinerary! I actually did a similar solo road trip a couple of years ago so I’ve left some …

We all love a day at the beach but please tell me I’m not alone in forgetting HOW MUCH STUFF you need!? There are so many things to take to the beach to make sure everyone is happy all day. Beach packing is an underrated art form! You think you can just grab a bag, …