The most popular blogs on The Travel Hack in 2014

2014 was an amazing year for The Travel Hack. This was the year I really got my teeth stuck in with blogging and I’m so amazingly lucky to be able to call this my job!

My readership doubled during the year and The Travel Hack was named as one of the UK’s top 10 travel blogs! Can I get a whoop, whoop?

Finally, my hard work was starting to pay off and I couldn’t be happier.

I have big plans for 2015 but before we start with that, here are some of the most popular blog posts from The Travel Hack from 2014…

 

10 things you didn’t know about Ljubljana

My trip to Slovenia in June was one of my surprising highlights of the year. I’d been to Ljubljana the November before and I’d liked it but I didn’t LOVE it. Visiting in the summer was like visiting a completely different place and this trip made me realise how a bit of sunshine, good company and a flexible itinerary can mean the difference between a good trip and an amazing trip.

Lonely Planet named Ljubljana as no.2 on the list of best places to visit in Europe in 2014 so there was a huge surge in interest for this little known city. I also loved getting out and about and exploring more of Slovenia’s gorgeous countryside and small coastline.

 

How to survive living in a campervan…for a year…with a boy

This is a consistently popular post on the blog and it’s all about the highs and lows of living in a campervan in Australia. Sam and I lived in ours for well over a year and it was one of the best times of my life. We were free to go wherever we wanted, whenever we wanted and didn’t have a worry in the world.

But, let’s be honest, living in a campervan is kind of gross. As you’ll find out if you read this!

 

What women should wear when travelling in India

India was one of my travel highlights from 2013 but it isn’t an easy country to travel around. I’m so pleased I was able to write this post and help lots of other women who, like me, struggled to know what to pack.

You need to dress conservatively in India but it’s such a hot country, how do you do that without melting into a pool of sweat?

 

10 reasons to love Barbados

As if I even need to tell you why you’d love Barbados. It’s a dream destination for nearly everyone and I was lucky enough to visit not once but twice in 2014 and once in 2013.

Gorgeous beaches, sunshine, rum, great food and great people are among the many, many reasons why you’d love Barbados.

 

My favourite travel vloggers

Vlogging is still something I haven’t managed to master – I just feel way too awkward and look way too weird talking to the camera. This doesn’t mean I don’t love watching other people vlog and I’m finding myself watching more and more vlogs over reading blogs. I don’t think there are many travel vloggers who are really amazing, not in the same way there are with fashion, beauty or family vlogs, but these guys are all rocking it.

 

Quirky and unusual weekend escapes in the UK

It seems I’m not the only one with a love for all the amazing places we have in the UK.

There are so many quirky places to stay in the UK. A lot of us Brits are guilty of travelling half way around the world and ignoring what we have on our doorstep. Why not make 2015 the year you travel more in the UK and stay in some of these cool places!

 

My secrets to packing light

A couple of years ago I was a serial overpacker. I would use every ounce of my luggage allowance and often have to wear 3-4 layers of clothing just to get all of my clothes on the plane. I didn’t understand why anyone would travel light. You have a luggage allowance, why wouldn’t you use it?

And then I took a couple of trips where I travelled with hand luggage only and it changed my life forever!

OK, that’s an exaggeration, but I suddenly realised the benefits of travelling light. It’s so easy! You feel free, you don’t need to worry about lost luggage, it’s cheaper and there’s no more waiting at the baggage carasouel.

Packing light is an art form and it takes years to master. I’m slowly getting there and this post includes my top tips.

 

Sex and drugs in Amsterdam

I don’t think I need to tell you why this post is so popular. Any blog post title with the words ‘sex’ and ‘drugs’ will always do well. Add ‘topless’ and you’ve pretty much got the perfect post.

I’ve left this post on the list because I genuinely think it’s a goodie. It’s all about the Dutch’s liberal attitude to sex and drugs, how much prostitutes earn, what’s really legal and my take on it all.

 

Where to find the best sunset views in Paris

Ahhh, Paris. One of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world. And what is more romantic than watching the sunset and then seeing the stars come out and the Eiffel Tower come to life with twinkling lights?

As you can tell, I really enjoyed my time in Paris and I really, really enjoyed watching the sunset.

 

Review: The Caribee Fast Track Wheeled Backpack

Not the most exciting post in the world but if you’re looking for a new suitcase, make sure you check this out.

I’m somewhere between a backpacker and a suitcaser. You know, I like the adventurous and exciting travel but I also like luxury and the simplicity of wheels. I test out a lot of luggage and the Caribee Fast Track is by far the best. It just makes travelling so flipping easy!

I have my eye on the smaller version for shorter trips and I think it would be perfect for future travels with Baby.

Thank you so much for following along with The Travel Hack last year. I’m hoping 2015 will be just as exciting!