Beaches Trips

When I embarked on my indulgent one-year around the world trip, I had one criteria: I didn’t want to go anywhere where I would need to wear socks. Fellow sun-worshippers will recognise this as the trait of a beach lover.

But it’s not just beaches – immersing myself in nature, relaxing in spas and stepping away from the mania of mainstream life is one of my favourite ways to travel.

In this section you’ll find my blog posts all about beaches travel and relaxing travel ideas. From my trip through Florida, to the best cities with beaches to my extensive time in Hawaii, Mexico and Costa Rica, you should get plenty of beach travel inspiration in these blog posts.

I even give you the low down on whether some iconic destinations like Santorini in Greece are worth it.

All you have to do is pack your swimsuit.

Your Complete Travel Guide to Milos, Greece

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Milos is a natural wonder. Geologically speaking, this Greek island is the tip of a sunken volcano and, similar to Santorini, this gives Milos a dramatic coastline as well as a fascinating mining history. Until relatively recently, Milos was one of Greece’s better kept secrets but the tourists are slowly arriving. Milos is a Greek Island you must see; and one you must see sooner rather than later. In this guide I’ll share everything you need to know to visit Milos. I’ll cover: The best beaches in Milos The best things to do in Milos Where to eat & drink … Read more

The Best Greek Islands To Visit – Popular & Hidden Gems

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From the blue-domed churches to the ancient ruins, celebrity hot-spots, glittering green seas and sizzling sands, there’s something uniquely magical about the Greek Islands, which are as numerous as they are unique. With more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year (around 250 sunny days), it’s easy to find yourself gravitating to Greece year after year. I’m certainly hooked. In this article I’ll introduce you to some of the best Greek Islands to visit from the hotspots, to the islands you’ve probably never heard about. At the end, I’ll include a quick guide to how to get around the Greek … Read more

11 Best Things To Do in Puerto Viejo – Costa Rica

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blue sky and palm trees on beach in Puerto Viejo Costa Rica

The first time I visited Puerto Viejo, over a decade ago, the bus has to stop while a sloth slowly crossed the road. It was that kind of place. Where life (and the small amount of traffic) slowed down and nature came into its own. A string of beaches make up the region on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica and the vibe couldn’t be more different than the rest of the country.  Visiting more recently, there was definitely more development, more traffic and fewer sloths but as a tourist destination, Puerto Viejo has grown up, acquired a sophisticated side, … Read more

The Best Greece Cruise – Running on Waves Review

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You could spend a lifetime visiting only Greece and not be left wanting. There are, after all, over 6,000 Greek Islands to explore. From the ancient ruins to the twisting cobbled alleys, to the swanky hotspots, Greece is a dream destination that’s wrapped up in sapphire seas and fringed with red, black and white-diamond beaches. The question isn’t are you going to visit the Greek Islands, it’s when…and how? My first experience of island hopping in Greece was basic. Fun, of course, but it was hard and messy and time-consuming. Navigating the local ferries, searching for rooms on islands that … Read more

Your Ultimate Guide to Travel in Costa Rica

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orange sunset over the beach in manuel antonio costa rica

Welcome to your ultimate Costa Rica travel guide. Costa Rica: where rainforests mingle with steaming volcanoes, where beaches are golden or black and offer surf and sunsets, where sloths and toucans are just a small slice of the exotic wildlife on offer. This small Central American country is a vacation destination that has it all. Whether you’re planning a luxury honeymoon or taking a solo backpacking trip, all travel styles are catered for – it’s not just the environment that’s diverse, Costa Rica welcomes everyone.  I’ve visited Costa Rica three times: as a solo female traveler backpacking through Central America … Read more

The Best Places To Visit in Costa Rica

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black and chite capuchin monkey in a tree in manuel antonio

Beaches, volcanoes, rainforests, jungle, cloud forests, zip-lines, coffee, chocolate, eco-lodges, surfing, sunsets, sloths, whales, turtles and toucans – Costa Rica is a tropical wonderland that deserves a spot at the very top of your travel bucket list.  Having just returned from my 3rd trip to Costa Rica and having spent a few months in total exploring this small but bountiful country in Central America, I’m going to give you the low-down on the best places to visit in Costa Rica.  I’ve had three pretty distinct trips to Costa Rica: first, an extended stay backpacking through the country, a second trip … Read more

The Best Things To Do In Cahuita – Costa Rica

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Wild beach with fallen palm trees in Cahuita Costa Rica

Is Cahuita in Costa Rica the new Puerto Viejo? I have the advantage of having visited the once sleepy Caribbean coastal town of Puerto Viejo over 10 years ago when the streets were sandy and sloths lumbered around the place like it was still their own. While I still love Puerto Viejo a decade on, it’s certainly expanded out of it’s former shell and developed in a way you’d no longer call it sleepy. So, if you are looking for the laid back local vibe, what do you do? Answer, head to Cahuita. Just half an hour away from Puerto … Read more

20 Fun Things To Do In Tijuana Mexico

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Baja California Road Trip Itinerary Tijuana Monumental Arch

Tijuana is always a good idea. Whether you’re heading south of the border to cut loose or it’s the starting point of your epic Baja California road trip, in this post I’ll share with you 20 fun things to do in Tijuana Mexico.  I’ve visited a few times and I’ve never had anything other than a good time. If you are worried about safety, I have written about that in a separate post, which also covers how to get to Tijuana from San Diego.  And if you’re on that epic Baja California road trip, you can read my post taking that … Read more

10 Best Things To Do In Manuel Antonio – Costa Rica

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black and white capuchin monkey sat in a tree in manuel antonio national park

The light woke me. I blinked, looked out of the bus window and smiled as I saw slithers of golden beach and aqua ocean glinting beyond the shade of the trees. This is the Costa Rica I came for. Even the air had changed. I wasn’t in San Jose anymore. Manuel Antonio is one of the highlights of any Costa Rica itinerary and it’s earned its spot there. This coastal attraction offers the perfect Costa Rican blend of nature and beaches. In this guide, I’ll give you a quick run down of the essential things to do in Manuel Antonio … Read more

21 Best Things To Do In Florida Keys

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Florida Keys USA

The Florida Keys – where you’re as close to the Caribbean as you’re going to get without hopping on a plane, with a string of tiny islands connected by one of the most scenic causeway drives in the world, everyone should take a Florida Keys vacation at least once in their lifetimes. It’s a trip I’ve taken four times, and with plans to go back, it’s fair to say I’m hooked on the laid back island life. In this post I’ll share the best things to do in Florida Keys. I’ll also give you some tip for planning your Florida … Read more