Skip to Content

Monica

Hi, I'm Monica! This is my family lifestyle blog where I share posts about motherhood and microadventures.

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 …

Read More about Your family holiday packing list with printable holiday checklist

If you’re travelling from a UK airport this summer you might be feeling a bit nervous about the current chaotic situation. The news is full of images of ridiculously long queues and stories of travellers missing their flights due to mega delays. Some people are waiting hours for their luggage and flights are being cancelled …

Read More about 10 Tips to survive UK airport chaos this summer

This blog post has been created in collaboration with Cedar Tree. As with all collaborations on The Travel Hack, this is a brand I use myself and I’d only ever recommend an insurance brand I’m happy to use for myself and my family. If you decide to take out a Cedar Tree travel insurance policy, …

Read More about Cedar Tree: The travel insurance you need this summer that covers against Covid and cancellations!

This post has been created in collaboration with Stagecoach but all opinions are my own. We all know the cost of living is rising. It’s a hard fact to avoid right now. Every time I turn on the TV I see reports about the cost of fuel and I wince each time I fill my …

Read More about A travel hack for the cheapest day out possible with Stagecoach Bus Trip Challenge

Have you seen the viral videos online showing people packing for a month away using vacuum sealed bags and just a tiny suitcase or backpack? If you’ve ever used a vacuum sealed bag before you’ll know how amazing they are for compressing soft items and saving so much space. Many people have used vacuum storage …

Read More about Using vacuum sealed bags for travelling: The BEST way to save luggage space

If you’re looking for a new weekend break destination then I have a great suggestion for you today – Vilnius in Lithuania! I’m sure many people won’t have heard of Vilnius and definitely won’t have considered Lithuania as a holiday destination! But I urge you to think again because Vilnius is perfect for a weekend …

Read More about 10 things to do in Vilnius in Lithuania for a weekend break

A picnic backpack is one of those things I’ve wanted for so long but I stooped myself from buying one because it seemed a bit…unnecessary. But now that I’ve had one for a year I wish I’d got it years ago! What a game changer. It makes family days out so much easier. It’s great …

Read More about 10 picnic backpacks: The best insulated picnic bags

We’ve just returned from a 4-night stay at Barcelo Nura in Biniancollet on the south coast of Menorca so I thought I’d share a quick review and some helpful tips for anyone thinking of visiting. Barcelo Nura is a new hotel in a quiet and beautiful area of Menorca. It’s perfect for an adult getaway, …

Read More about Barcelo Nura Review: Our 5 star Menorca all inclusive

I’ve just returned from Costa Dorada where I had the most incredible trip. This trip was a press trip with Jet2 so I’d like to begin by thanking them for such an amazing experience! I love that Costa Dorada can be an easy package holiday destination, but there’s also loads to see and do once …

Read More about 1 week in Costa Dorada + 30 Things to do in Costa Dorada

Last week I visited Costa Dorada in Spain for a taste of what it’s like to have a family holiday in the region. Costa Dorada is in Catalonia, just below Barcelona on the Mediterranean coastline. The area is famous for its golden beaches, blue seas and family-friendly resorts which attract holiday makers from all over …

Read More about 10 reasons you should visit Costa Dorada for your next family holiday

I’m debunking the hand luggage myth today and answering the question about whether or not you can take razors on a plane in your hand luggage. Instinct has always told me that you can’t take razors in your hand luggage and, I’ll be honest, I didn’t ever bother to research if this were true or …

Read More about Can you take razors in hand luggage? FAQs + the surprising answers!

I’ve had a few anxious messages in my inbox this week from people who are desperate to book holidays but they don’t know where to start and they’re worried about getting ripped off. I want to be the first to say that this is totally normal right now! After spending so long staying close to …

Read More about Tips for booking a holiday in 2022: Tips, advice and how to not get ripped off 

Around a year ago I was sent an email from Sandal Shop asking if I’d like to review some sandals. ‘Of course,’ I replied excitedly. ‘I can create a review within one month of receiving them.’ ‘Oh no,’ Sandal Shop replied. ‘We’d want you to wear them for nearly a year before reviewing them! We …

Read More about Sustainability + summer sandals: My favourite summer sandals for travel

In yesterday’s post I mentioned that I had a blogging hack to get more pageviews to old blog posts. I’m sure anyone who has been blogging for a few years has got old posts that barely get any views. Maybe they ranked well years ago or maybe they just never took off? It’s frustrating to …

Read More about My blogging hack to get more pageviews to old blog posts

What would you say if I told you there’s a device that could make your skin look and feel younger? Your skin will visibly look fresher and feel so much softer? I’m guessing half of you would be biting my hand off and asking what it is. While the other half would be sceptical and …

Read More about Jupiter by Spacetouch Review: Does this $7,200 anti-aging device work?

I’ve shared so many holiday packing lists over the years but the question I’m always asked about is how I manage to pack light for long holidays. It’s easy to pack light for a 2-3 day holiday, but what do you do when you’re away for 2-3 weeks! Or even 2-3 months? How on earth …

Read More about Holiday packing tips: 10 travel hacks to pack light for long holidays

Llanbedrog Beach – Everything you need to know about visiting my favourite beach on the Llyn Peninsula! Llanbedrog Beach has quickly become one of my favourite beaches on the Llyn Peninsula. This one-mile stretch of gorgeous, golden sand is spectacular and whenever I visit I feel like I’m on a tropical island, not in Wales! …

Read More about Llanbedrog Beach + hiking to the Tin Man!

More and more of us are travelling with small carry on luggage only. These small cabin bags are not only free to travel with but it’s so liberating and easy to travel light! And let’s not forget that it saves so much time at the airport as you don’t need to check-in a suitcase and …

Read More about The best small carry on luggage + how to pack your small cabin bag

If you’ve read any packing tips then you will have undoubtedly come across people shouting about the benefits of packing cubes. “Packing cubes help organise your luggage, they make sure you don’t forget things and they save so much space!” But do they really? Do packing cubes really save space? Are packing cells actually great …

Read More about Are packing cubes worth it and do packing cubes really save space?

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 …

Read More about The best shoes for travel: Walking shoes that aren’t ugly!

If you’re thinking about travelling with a newborn then I’m here to give you some reassurance and encouragement and let you know this is a great time to travel with your baby! I have three young children and we travelled a lot with them all as newborns and I honestly found this to be the …

Read More about My ultimate guide to travelling with a newborn

If you’re looking for an easy waterfall walk in North Wales then Conwy Falls is the walk for you! The Conwy Falls walk compromises of a short, one-way circular walking route. It begins just behind the Conwy Falls Cafe and leads to the waterfall and back up through the woodland. It’s a short walk to …

Read More about Visiting Conwy Falls, An easy family waterfall in North Wales

Packing your carry on for long haul flights doesn’t need to be difficult. Here are my top tips to pack the perfect carry on for your long haul flight. This post has been created with SOCKSHOP – because you can’t fly long haul without a pair of cosy socks! I like to keep my carry …

Read More about What to pack in a carry on for long haul flights

Last week I published a blog post about travel content creation and how that leads to blogging passive income (aka, the best way to earn a living ever!)  The response from you guys was amazing and I’ve had so many follow-up questions. The main question being: ‘How do you turn your passion for travel into …

Read More about 12 steps: How I turned my passion for travel into a career as a travel content creator

Screen time for kids is something most parents are a little concerned about so today’s post is all about my tips for limiting screen time.  Most of us adults grew up with TVs and computer games, but we didn’t have the incredible array of tablets and phones and handheld gaming devices that many kids have …

Read More about Limiting screen time for children: 10 tips to reduce screen time for kids

If you’re looking for inspiration and ideas to get your kids playing outdoors more then I’ve got you covered with loads of ideas and motivation, even for those cold, wet days! We all have days when it’s difficult to get outdoors, especially in the UK where it feels like it hasn’t stopped raining for months. …

Read More about 15 tips to get your kids playing outdoors more

Aber Falls (Rhaeadr Fawr in Welsh) was the first hike we did as a family of five and it was the best way to begin! What’s not to love about a magical forestry walk leading to an incredible waterfall with rock pools at the bottom to dip your feet in!? It was perfect for our …

Read More about Aber Falls: 10 things you need to know about visiting Aber Falls Waterfall in North Wales

Exercising in the morning is something I’ve struggled with for years but I’ve finally cracked it and I can officially call myself a morning exerciser! I’ve been trying to get into a routine of exercising in the morning for years. In fact, I think it’s been my New Year’s Resolution since I was about 15! …

Read More about 20 tips for exercising in the morning

Anyone else struggling with the January Blues? These cold, dark days seem to be never ending and spring is so far away! Due to the uncertainty of Covid restrictions I didn’t book any winter holidays this year but I sure as hell will be next year! We’ve got a lot of catching up to do …

Read More about 10 winter holiday ideas: My favourite winter holidays EVER

If you’re visiting Vilnius in Lithuania then I highly recommend taking some time away from the city and visiting Trakai. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Trakai from Vilnius. Trakai is a gorgeous day trip (or even half day trip) from Vilnius. It was so easy to get there and wonderful to see …

Read More about Visiting Trakai from Vilnius: Everything you need to know

Today’s blog post is an update on my original Peloton review to ask the much asked question, ‘Is the Peloton bike worth it?’ I wrote my first review when I’d had the bike for just a couple of months so it was shiny and new and exciting. Of course my review was going to be …

Read More about Peloton Bike Update 7 Months on: Is the Peloton Bike Worth it?

If you’re looking for travel decorating ideas then you’ve come to the right place! As you know, I LOVE to travel and I’m always bringing little mementos home with me.  But I also love clean, minimalist design and try to avoid having any clutter around the house. Souvenirs you find on holiday can look like …

Read More about Travel decorating for travel themed interior design: 12 ideas to bring travel into your home