On The Road Again

Bali’s been having a moment for about three years now. It’s been a popular destination for decades, due to its tropical climate, easy-going lifestyle and rich culture; but tourism on the island has been booming recently – with people seeking its idyllic beaches, spectacular lookouts from sky-high volcanoes and unique Balinese culture. Last year I spent five weeks exploring the Indonesian island – diving under the crystal waters of the Gili Islands (which are technically on Lombok island, BTW – I’ve included them in this Bali itinerary because they are commonly visited on the same trip), hiking up Mount Batur, wandering around temples and eating a preposterous amount of $1 nasi goreng (fried rice). There’s something in Bali for everybody; whether you travel for the natural beauty, culture, or beach lifestyle, you’ll love exploring this gorgeous island. This Bali itinerary is perfect for the traveller who wants to see it all – both meet other tourists over an ice cold Bintang (loc...

I’m a little bit in love with Somerset – there’s something about the rolling hills and tranquil villages of this county that instantly relaxes me. Not to mention the fantastic character that Somerset has – Bristol, on it’s Northern border is, after all, the most charismatic place I’ve ever known, and there’s plenty of quirky towns and interesting fables that make this historic area wonderfully unique. There’s so many options for days out in Somerset, Wells and Glastonbury being a perfect example. Wells and Glastonbury have both been on my constantly expanding and never to end ‘to visit’ for a while, and now I’ve seen them I’m wondering why on earth I didn’t go sooner. They’re both wonderfully historic cities, revelling in the very best that the region has to offer. Wells retains its marvellous medieval atmosphere, as many of the buildings lay unspoiled. The current standing cathedral was built in the 12 th and 13 th centuries and it has been a prominent British cathedral for ...

In order to fund my expensive habit of going to as many places as humanely possible, I have had to develop some tactics to visit expensive cities on a budget. When I told people I’d booked an impulsive trip to the capital of Ireland after finding flights for £50 on skyscanner, everyone’s response was pretty similar… I hope you have a lot of money.  Apparently, Ireland’s expensive and the capital’s the dearest of all. People advised me that if I was venturing into more rural Ireland, the prices do go down a little. But in Dublin? I’d be bankrupt approximately 30 minutes after stepping off the plane. Ever the optimist, I replied that as I was only going for two days and am used to London prices, so it couldn’t be that bad… Could it? Is Dublin on a budget possible? I put it to the test and ventured to Dublin for a weekend with the aim to spent as little as possible. And here are my tips for saving money in Dublin! Cheap Transport in Dublin From the airport, you ca...