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Welcome!

Welcome to The Travel Hack

I’m Monica and I’m a travel writer and blogger based in Wales.

The Travel Hack began in 2009 while backpacking around Asia and Australia. I share travel hacks and inspiration to help you get out and see the world as well as tips and ideas for days out with kids!

Latest blog posts

Read all the latest posts from the blog here.

My recent trips have taken me to Krakow in Poland and Vilnius in Lithuania to prove you can have a short break for £200 or less!

Tote

The Travel Hack Tote is the latest bag in the range. This large shoulder bag is the perfect dimensions for the easyJet ‘free’ underseat cabin bag and it’s big enough for a weekend away!

With plenty of handy pockets and compartments, this tote will keep all of your documents, gadgets and clothes neatly organised. There’s a pocket for all of your bits and bobs so nothing gets lost!

Backpack

The Travel Hack Backpack can be used as the ‘free’ underseat bag on Ryanair flights and has plenty of clever compartments to keep your belongings organised for stress-free travels and days out.

This is a diverse backpack and is a popular choice not only for travelling but for work, hiking, a baby bag or a gym bag.

Suitcase

This is more than just a cabin case. This is a stylish way to breeze through the airport, knowing your suitcase is the perfect size to get onboard the plane! With easy access pockets and a top handbag compartment, The Travel Hack Cabin Case makes it easy to remove belongings for security and access everything you need during the flight.

Riviera Maya vs Cancun for your next winter sun holiday

It’s getting to that time of year where we’re preparing to hunker down for winter. But, before you do, make sure you’ve got your winter sun holiday planned and booked! Nothing beats a week of winter sun when we’re in the depths of a cold, wet winter. It gives you something to look forward to …

10 Adventure Date Ideas

I grew up thinking that dating generally consisted of ‘dinner, drinks or possibly a movie’. Don’t get me wrong, I like dinner, drinks and movies but I think it’s much more fun to have an adventurous date night. A mini adventure is a great way to get to know each other, have fun and create …

What to wear camping: Women’s camping clothes and camping outfit ideas

If you’re looking for camping clothes and ideas for what to wear camping then I’ve got you covered. Here are some of my favourite camping outfits and what women should pack for a camping trip. Shoes The right footwear is really important for a camping trip. You’re going to be outdoors a lot and there’s …

Ryanair personal item size: 6 perfect Ryanair 40x20x25 bags

If you’re flying with Ryanair, everyone gets a 40x20x25cm item of luggage you can take on board at no extra fee. It doesn’t matter what luggage you’ve paid for (if any!) Every passenger gets a Ryanair personal item size bag which is 40cm x 20cm x 25cm. This bag needs to fit under the seat …

13 things to do in Manchester

Manchester is my favourite city in the UK. It’s smaller and friendlier than London or Birmingham and has more of an indie, creative vibe. There are also so many things to do in Manchester thanks to the city’s rich industrial heritage, vibrant cultural scene, and world-famous football clubs. Here are my favourite things to do …

Carry on luggage for kids: The 10 best suitcases and backpacks

If you’re looking for carry on luggage for kids I’ve got 10 great suggestions to help make your flight as smooth and simple as possible. Before choosing your kid’s carry on luggage, make sure you check the size allowance for the airline you’re flying with. It varies significantly from airline to airline and you don’t …

Creating an Instax family photo journal

*This post has been created in collaboration with Very. If I’m ever asked for one key piece of parenting advice it’s this: “Photograph as much as you can and treasure those memories.” It’s an old cliche but time really does go so quickly and documenting your memories is one of the most precious things you …

Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall walk: Stand at the top of Wales’ tallest waterfall!

Pistyll Rhaeadr Waterfall is one of the most popular attractions in Powys and quickly became a favourite of mine. It’s the highest waterfall in Wales at 73 metres high and it’s incredible to stand at the bottom and feel the force of the water nearby. Legend has it that a fairy queen named Blodeuwedd, who …

Log Cabins in Wales: The perfect escape at Trawsfynydd Holiday Village

Last weekend I stayed in the most perfect log cabins in Wales at Trawsfynydd Holiday Village. It was an idyllic escape and these cabins are a hidden gem…so ssssssshhh, keep them quiet!  ‘It’s like a time warp here,’ I was told apologetically as I checked into my log cabin for the weekend. ‘But we’re slowly …

Merry People Bobbi Boot Review

If you’re looking for a comfortable, stylish welly boot that can accompany you from a muddy walk, to pottering in the garden, to the school run to the local pub then I’ve got the boot for you! I’d been eyeing up the Merry People Bobbi Boots for a while and I’m happy to say that …

How to get your travel insurance for free, and make annual savings that could even mean an extra holiday

We’re delving into some real adulting today as we chat about travel insurance and money saving hacks!  Did you know that if you use Cedar Tree travel insurance, you get access to a member’s club where there are massive discounts for both travel and everyday spending? I started using Cedar Tree for my family’s annual …

How many clothes to pack for 7 days

Are you going on a one-week holiday and you’re wondering how many clothes to pack for 7 days? I’m here to help! If you’re feeling overwhelmed, simply don’t know what to pack for 7 days or you’re trying to pack light and it’s not going to plan, don’t worry! I’m going to simplify this process …