Explora Journeys: A new level in cruise line luxury

I’ve been to Lanzarote eight times over the last few years! I just love it for budget winter sun and haven’t found anywhere better! The weather in Lanzarote is gorgeous, the beaches are beautiful (my personal fave of the Canary Islands), the flight isn’t too far from the UK and there are so many amazing …

I’ve just returned from a 2-night break to Gdansk and wow – what an unexpected gem! Gdansk quickly became one of my favourite cities for a weekend break and it has to be one of Europe’s most underrated city breaks. If you’re craving a weekend break with a mix of seaside charm, fascinating history and …

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 …

I fly from Manchester Airport at least twice a month so today I want to chat about one of the less glamorous and often forgotten sides of travel – getting to the airport! Unlike some people, I never take a taxi to the airport because I find them to be expensive and unreliable. I once …

In this series of blogging posts I’m attempting to answer some of the questions I’m asked as a full-time blogger and freelancer. I’m often approached by people who have begun to earn a small side income through blogging and freelance work and want to know how to make the leap and do this full time. …

If you’re considering a ski break this winter, Tyrol in Austria should be top of your list. Boasting dramatic mountain scenery, reliable snow, charming villages and excellent infrastructure, Tyrol is a great option! Tyrol is perfect for first-time skiers to seasoned powder hunters and it’s easy to get to for UK travellers too.  Today I’ll …

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 …

  Impact-Site-Verification: 5501bd01-56da-47d6-8a46-9c7d7ebab36d Varanasi in northern India has a magical atmosphere that multiplies by approximately 10 million* times as darkness begins to fall*.*This may not be an entirely accurate figure but I’m sure it’s close. It is the holiest city in India so it isn’t surprising that the spiritual vibe makes it such an incredible …

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 …

Today I’m sharing my ultimate kids activity pack that is perfect for travel or whenever you need to keep your kids entertained in small spaces! If, like me, you have kids who don’t sit still then these activity pack ideas will come in so handy. I have three young children (ages 7, 5 and 2) …

Tucked into the borderlands of Saxony, the Vogtland region offers rolling hills, soothing spa towns and some of Germany’s best-kept outdoor escapes. It’s the perfect destination for walking, cycling or simply unwinding and it’s an underrated gem for UK visitors! Here’s my guide to Vogtland in Germany, including the best places to stay and the …

Going on holiday with the kids has the potential to be simply spectacular or an unmitigated nightmare. Expecting the unexpected is rule number-one, but selecting the right place is always the most important thing. When I first had George I imagined I’d take him anywhere and everywhere, regardless of whether it was ‘child-friendly’ or not. …

If you’ve got 1 day in Dublin then you’re in for a lot of fun! Whether you’re taking an Extreme Day Trip or you’re visiting from another part of Ireland or Northern Ireland, Dublin is a great place to visit for one day. I’ve done lots of 1 day trips to Dublin. Once during a …

Nestled in the heart of the rolling Shropshire Hills lies a little haven that feels plucked from a fairytale. Welcome to Shropshire Shepherd’s Huts, where cosy luxury tiptoes gently into nature. Surrounded by lush green hills and sunkissed golden meadows, it’s a place you go when you want to unplug, unwind and remember what the …

If you’re dreaming of setting sail on the open seas, soaking up the sun, and exploring exotic destinations, then planning a cruise holiday might just be your ticket to paradise. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a first-time cruiser, looking for a family cruise or a solo cruise, creating the ideal cruise escape demands a touch of …

Valencia is Spain’s third-largest city and it’s my absolute favourite! You’ve got the perfect mix of chilled beach life, a gorgeous historic centre, loads of trendy bars and cafes, beautiful outdoor areas thanks to the massive park, perfect weather and very cool locals!  For students and professionals looking to improve their Spanish, Valencia is an …

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 …

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 …

I know I’m a travel blogger but money and savings are such a huge part of travel. The biggest hurdle stopping people from travel is money. I’ve been on an eye-opening financial journey over the past few years. When I split up from my husband I was terrified about finances. I had no idea how …

It’s over 8 years since I left to go backpacking around Southeast Asia and Australia. I remember the day we left like it was yesterday. I was so excited I thought I might burst but I was so scared I thought I might break down in tears and refuse to board the plane. We had …

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. The coaches between the cities were also brilliant; they were …

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 …

If you’re short on time but craving the open road, these European motorhome itineraries are perfect for a 3–4 night getaway.  Here at The Travel Hack we’re all about weekend breaks and short holidays so today we’re talking about the best European motorhome itineraries you could do during a long weekend break or a short …

Planning a trip to Universal Studios Orlando can be both exhilarating and overwhelming! With multiple theme parks, so many thrilling rides, immersive experiences and crowds from all over the world so it pays to come prepared! Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning for another round of adventure, these 10 travel hacks will …

Atomic Habits by James Clear was an absolute game-changer of a book for me. It’s a book I recommend people read so often I thought it was time to create a summary.

Are you packing for a trip to Morocco and wondering what you should wear in Marrakech? I’ve just returned from my third trip to Marrakech and I finally feel like I figured out exactly what to pack for Morocco! If you’d like some Morocco outfit inspiration and ideas, skip to the end of this blog …

A long weekend in Albania!? Yes please! If you’ve never considered Albania as a weekend break destination then you need to think again. I know, it surprised me too and I’ll admit that my boyfriend took some convincing to join me for this trip, but it turned out to be our favourite weekend break destination. …

If you read my post about buying a static caravan then you’ll know how much we love our van, but there are some cons to consider before making the big decision to buy one. Let’s dive straight into the pros and cons of owning a static caravan… Pros to owning a static caravan You feel …

I’ve just got back from my first trip using the Jollying Pebble 20” Pro suitcase with the matching Softhard Everyday Shoulder Bag. Use my code: THETRAVELHACK for 20% off The main USP for the Jollying Pebble suitcases is that they’re collapsible and fold down into an ultra slim version that can easily be stored away. …

As a travel lover, the greatest gift I could ever be given is the gift of travel! Whether it’s my birthday, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, an anniversary or any excuse to be spoiled or celebrated, travel is really all I want. Don’t get me wrong, I love a scented candle and a bunch of flowers, but …

If you’ve looking for a travel gift idea for a travel lover, then I’d like to introduce you to Aery Living’s collection of Mini Travel Essentials! This is a beautifully curated range of pocket-sized wellbeing scents designed to travel with you. Use my code thetravelhack20 for 20% off. There are different scents to choose from, …

Majorca is such a perfect place for an affordable weekend break. I know most of us associate this gorgeous Spanish island with a 1-week all-inclusive kind of holiday, but I’ve just returned from a 3-night trip to Majorca and it was incredible! I’ve put my exact 3-night itinerary at the end of the posts so …

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 …

This family holiday packing list includes affiliate links. If you’re packing for a family holiday and you’re starting to feel overwhelmed by all the stuff you need then I’m here to help! I’ve created this easy to follow family packing list so you can check everything off as you pack it. We’re going on a …

Imagine waking up each morning to the gentle sway of the sea, the sun casting golden hues over historic towns and emerald islands rising from the Adriatic.  It sounds like a dream just for the super wealthy but did you know this bucket list adventure doesn’t cost much more than your average luxury holiday….if you …

Summer may be on its way but, when you live in Wales, wellies are always a good idea! Wales is all about the great outdoors with gorgeous beaches, mountains, forests, pretty villages and more than our fair share of countryside pubs! Our only problem in Wales is the fact there’s always the chance of rain; …

One of the most incredible experiences of my life was travelling around Australia in a campervan. I was lucky enough to spend almost 18 months driving around the entire coast of Australia. I started in Sydney and travelled through South Australia, up the West Coast, into the Northern Territories and then down the East Coast …

I’ve been lucky enough to call North Wales my home for over 30 years. During that time I’ve seen the area change as it became an adventure hub and visitors could see what a gorgeous, exciting and interesting place this is. It’s taken some time but here is my ultimate list of 100 things to …

The Himalayan mountain range is an absolutely enormous stretch, running from Pakistan in the west, through India, Nepal and Bhutan to China in the east. The word ‘Himalaya’ derives from ancient Sanskrit and means ‘abode of snow’, and the range is home to nine of the highest 10 peaks in the world. You might be …

I have a confession to make: when I was invited to explore the islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, I had to go straight to Google Maps to find out where these destinations were. In case you’re also wondering, they’re in the Canary Islands which, although owned by Spain, are situated off the coast of Morocco. …