A Week in Nicaragua

If you enjoy the best of both worlds, and by that I mean are a fan of both natural landscapes and cities with old charm, then Nicaragua could be spot on for you as it meets these two needs perfectly. Our local guide told us that Nicaragua was perhaps one of the most beautiful countries in Central America and after spending a week cramming in the sites, I would probably have to agree with him.

Moments in Costa Rica

This post is long overdue but I thought I would finally share some pictures from my month long trip to Central America. As a European, I often feel that Central America is a very overlooked destination and one that sort of gets lost on the map. However, times are changing and it is definitely becoming a more sought after location, but still an area that remains largely untouched compared with the likes of South East Asia and South America.

Aromatherapy On The Go

This year I finally got round to incorporating aromatherapy into my day to day life. I have always had a thing for candles, especially ones that are enriched with natural oils such as lavender, neroli and orange. However, it wasn't until I visited Sri Lanka that I finally decided to invest in an Ayurvedic herbal roll on in an attempt to combat bouts of stress or anxiety occurring at unwanted times.

Rajasthan: Two Week Itinerary

This February, I finally embarked on my dream trip to Northern India. After visiting Kerala back in 2015, I was well and truly obsessed with the idea of returning to India and exploring more of the country I had fallen for 8 years ago. Although I would have loved to have spent months in India, I had a small budget and short time frame forcing me to completely plan out the perfect itinerary prior to arriving.

New York Photo Diary

Today I am starting a new category on this blog called "Photo Diaries". A series dedicated to all of those photos that perhaps don't fit into some of my regular travel posts and photos that, to me, tell a story.

Guide to Vinales, Cuba

With Vinales being our last stop in Cuba it seemed we had saved the best till last. If you are anything like me and love being surrounded by greenery and imposing landscapes, then you really will adore Vinales.

Guide to Trinidad, Cuba

After spending three nights in Cuba's lively capital city of Havana, I was well and truly ready to explore a little bit of Cuba's quiet side. So, after four hours of being squished in the back of a collectivo (shared rental car) I finally arrived in Trinidad, a city famed for its charming colonial architecture. Trinidad was founded by the Spanish and is well known for being one of the best preserved cities in the Caribbean from the time of the sugar trade.

In Flight Beauty Essentials

I think we can all agree that long haul flights wreak havoc on our skin. I mostly experience dull skin that can feel really dry and on the very worst occasions a spot will miraculously appear over the course of the flight. Even though it is very difficult to prevent these things from happening, there are definitely a few products that can make you feel a little more human prior to landing.

Guide to Havana, Cuba

Havana is a city that has been through a lot. It has experienced invasion and colonialism by the Spanish and British. It became a gambling hot-bed for Americans prior to the revolution. In the 1960's, a new communist regime was in full swing, and now it is a city that tourists from all over the world want a slice of.

Guide to Tulum, Mexico

Tulum is the travel destination that seems to be appearing on just about everyones Instagram feeds at the moment. So naturally, as social media tends to do, I was lured into the idea of ending up in Tulum after a month travelling through Central America.

New York: Where To Eat

Even though New York is far from short of good cafes and restaurants, it can be really hard to actually decide where to eat when there is so much to choose from.

15 Free Things To Do In New York

New York is a notoriously expensive city, but there are so many amazing things to do for completely nothing, here are some of my faves:

The Best Beaches In Sri Lanka

Technically speaking, this post should be called "The Best Beaches on Sri Lanka's South Coast", as all of the beaches I will be including are located in this region. After spending two weeks exploring the northern and central provinces of Sri Lanka, I finally headed to the infamous South Coast for a couple of weeks of beach hopping. We did the South Coast in proper backpackers fashion; literally hopping from beach to beach via the bus service that runs directly alongside the southern coastline!

The Hill Country, Sri Lanka

The Hill Country refers to inland Sri Lanka, where stunning peaks and tea plantations dominate the landscape and it is an area often favoured by tourists because of the (slightly) cooler climate. It is home to the ever popular towns of Kandy, Ella and Nuwara Eliya; where there is no shortage of stunning scenery, lovely people and incredible things to see and do!

Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

The Sigiriya rock fortress was probably the single most impressive site I saw in Sri Lanka and one of the most unique landscapes I have witnessed during my travels. The rock juts out two hundred metres higher than the surrounding forest, and the remains of a palace and or monastery are present outside and on top of the fortress. It is easy to sympathise with former rulers who would have perhaps viewed this rock as "godly" and miraculous, and I too found myself in awe of the magical placement of this rock emerging from the jungle.

Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

After spending a couple of nights acclimatising to Sri Lanka's tropical climate in Negombo, we decided to hop aboard a north bound train heading for the ancient city of Anuradhapura. This city is historically very significant as it was the capital of Sri Lanka for well over a thousand years, until it was overthrown by Southern Indians in 993. The ancient Buddhist city was supposedly "rediscovered" by British rulers in the nineteenth century, and since then the ancient ruins of temples, Dagobas and bathing pools have slowly resurfaced.

Jaipur, India

After a heavily delayed train journey from Jodhpur, we finally arrived in Rajasthan's colourful capital city. No visit to Rajasthan would be complete without a trip to Jaipur, a thriving city known for its incredible history, architecture, shopping and overall exuberance.

Jodhpur, India

Jodphur, otherwise known as the "blue city" is one of the most spectacular places I have ever seen. Towering above the cities blue washed walls is the mighty Mehrangarh Fort, which is carved into the rock and completely dominates the skyline of the city. A combination of the blue painted walls and the grandeur of the fort is what draws thousands of people to this city, as it is one of the most unique places in the world as well as in India.

Udaipur, India

Udaipur was perhaps one of the cities I was most looking forward to visiting in India. After seeing countless beautiful pictures of lake Pichola on some of my favourite Instagram accounts, my expectations of this city were high, but I can safely say I was not disappointed! It is pretty hard not to fall in love with Udaipur and I would argue that even the most India sceptic travellers would adore this place.

Ranthambore, India

After spending three nights in the heavily industrialised and pollution rich cities of Delhi and Agra, arriving in Sawai Madhopur (closest train station to Ranthambore) was literally like a breath of fresh air. Ranthambore national park is renowned as one of the best places to spot a tiger in Rajasthan, and although it is a little off the beaten track, it is definitely well worth adding onto your schedule, especially if you love wildlife and nature! 

Taj Mahal, Agra

Everyone seems to have one place that for whatever reason you simply have to visit in your lifetime. For me, this has been the Taj Mahal. This historic marble tomb has long been on my bucket list and I can safely say it did not disappoint. There is nothing quite like the feeling of emerging around a corner and seeing the thing you have dreamt of for years right in front of you!

Delhi, India

Delhi has a population of around 25 million, making it one of the most populous cities in the world. People say India is a land of contrasts and there is no better place to experience the strikingly different ways of life than in Delhi, India's capital city. From the minute you step out of the airport, the chaos and vibrancy of the city will hit you. The intensity of the city is not for everyone, but if you do Delhi in the right way I believe anyone can enjoy their encounter with this lively and interesting place.