Boarding passes saved to my phone, GetYourGuide tour QR codes saved to my phone, Booking.com app on my phone, document with addresses of our accommodation saved to my phone, Uber accessible on my phone, my email easily accessible on my phone, screenshots of our ferry tickets on my phone, no camera needed as I have my phone, no bank cards needed really as I have my phone (I’ll take one to be safe).

You can see where this is going, right?

After packing, I realise I can’t find my waterproof phone pouch with a neck strap that I bought last year in Thailand. This truly sucks, as Croatia has some of the best waters for snorkelling and I was looking forward to catching some footage for memories.

When I went to the shop to get some last-minute essentials (travel miniatures in the form of shampoo and conditioner, mainly), I spotted a Water Resistant Pouch With Neck And Arm Strap in Boots.

“YES!” I shouted aloud.

I think the staff thought I was a bit loopy, but I was so excited that I could get some great pictures and videos!

Let’s fast forward a bit. We arrive in Dubrovnik late in the evening, so we decide to get some sleep, wake up in the morning and head straight to the beach, Banje Beach.

I load my phone into the waterproof pouch. I lock it. I check it by giving it a couple of dips. I record some videos, I swim, and then I realise I still have my wedding ring on. I don’t want it to slide off in the Adriatic Sea, so I put my ring in the pouch too.

I check it again after closing it. All is good.

I check it again five minutes later. Everything is still fine. No water is in the pouch.

I swim for around 30 minutes and then lift the pouch out of the water.

It’s around 1/4 full of water.

My charging port is covered. All of the cracks in the back of my phone are also covered in water.

I’m quite far away from the shore at this point, so I swim back, dry my phone and put it in my bag. I make sure it’s working and there are no issues at all...

Yet.

We continue our day.

I know a few of you are probably thinking, “OMG, WHY DIDN’T YOU PUT YOUR PHONE IN SOME SAND TO DRY IT OUT?”

If you’ve been to Croatia, you’ll know that sandy beaches are few and far between!

We are continuing our day, it’s a beautiful day. We’re pretty tired by the end of it, so we get some sleep. I put my phone on charge and it charges with no problem, the charger is a bit fiddly as it has been the past few weeks, but I get it on charge nonetheless.

I wake up the next morning and my phone loads normally, all is good.

I walk to the bathroom and freshen up, then come back and click the side button on my phone.

It goes black.

It won’t turn on.

I charge it for a few more hours.

It still won’t turn on.

Shit!

EVERYTHING is on my phone, including all of the money for our trip, sitting in a Monzo pot.

I freak out because the following day we have a ferry to Split. Then I remember I shared my ‘Croatia document’ on Google Drive with my husband.

Phew!

That has our ferry booking code on it. Surely we can sort the tickets when we get there. I’ll call them, though, just to be safe...

Ring ring...

(I explain the situation.)

SHIT.

They need the actual tickets upon boarding. They cannot accept a booking reference. The tickets have been sent to my email.

SHIT!

Wait, actually, that’s fine. I’ll just log into my email on my husband’s phone. All good...

And then 2FA, also known as two-factor authentication, enters the chat and royally ruins my day. They should really call is 2-Fuckya-authentication. I’m only joking don’t worry, I understand it’s there for safety.

2FA is going to send me a text so I can get into my email.

Well, that’s going to be an issue because my phone is not working.

Wait.

Thank GOD I bought an Apple Watch a month or so before coming. I can connect to the Wi-Fi in our accommodation and surely I’ll be able to receive an authentication code.

Five minutes later, my authentication code arrives. My phone must still be working to some extent behind the black screen.

Thank God!

We manage to get our ferry tickets. I forward them to my husband and we screenshot them.

We are so lucky we could get into my email. After this, we spend around two hours logging into everything on my husband’s phone: Booking.com, Monzo, Gmail and Outlook.

It takes ages to redirect authentication codes and try alternative methods of verification, but we get in eventually.

Without that first initial code coming through to my Apple Watch before my phone decided to completely stop working, we would have been screwed with a capital S.

Luckily, we manage to sort everything.

The day after, upon arrival in Split, my phone turns on. I squeal a little as I’m excited

Ah, the screen is bright green, flickering and flashing like a light in a nightclub.

If I didn’t know it was end-game before then, I definitely do now.

By this point, though, I’ve accepted it.

Some important information you need to know: my phone was not exactly in the best condition before I set out.

It needed a new battery and recently it had been losing charge quite easily, so I knew it was on the way out. I planned to get a new one when I got back from Croatia. I was just holding out because, truthfully, I didn’t want to spend the money.

I’m in saving money mode at the moment.

Unlike my phone.

It’s in dead mode.

Too soon, maybe?

There are a couple of things I think both you and I can learn from this story.

1) Make sure your phone is actually waterproof

If you’re going to get it anywhere near the water, make sure it’s actually waterproof and that it isn’t cracked. Otherwise, even if the phone is technically waterproof, it doesn’t really matter.

2) Buy a proper waterproof case

Check the reviews on it or, better yet, get a GoPro.

I know it’s so tempting to shove your phone in an £8 pouch you buy from a shop because, as a travel lover, you want to show the beauty of all of the amazing places we’re lucky enough to see.

I get it.

But it’s not worth messing your phone up for the rest of your trip and then losing the chance to take loads of cool pictures and videos.

Saving the most important for last...

3) NEVER go on a trip as the only person with access to important documents

I’m talking bank accounts, boarding passes, ferry tickets, accommodation addresses and anything else you absolutely need.

I recommend creating a WhatsApp group with everyone you’re travelling with. Screenshot all of the boarding passes and hotel addresses, make a Google Doc with the important information and share everything in that group. That way, if anyone loses access to their device, you have at least one backup plan.

Travelling solo?

I recommend printing versions of everything or having a second backup device, such as a small iPad or MacBook.

I almost brought my MacBook with me, but I turned to my husband before the trip and said:

‘I never use my MacBook. I’m not going to bring it this time.’ 😂

The ONE TIME I say it is the one time I need it.

It’s always the way, isn’t it?

Phone fails aside, Croatia is one of the most stunning places I’ve ever visited. I was lucky enough to go rafting on the Cetina River, jump off a cliff, visit Krka National Park, go to the Blue Lagoon, snorkel, eat wonderful seafood, walk the city walls of Dubrovnik and more.

I can’t wait to tell you all about it in my upcoming pieces.

And, apart from having basically all of our trip essentials stored on my phone, I wasn’t actually scaling the walls without my phone. The only time I really missed having it was when I wanted to take pictures and videos. I value them a lot because I don’t have the best long-term memory, so being able to look back at photos and videos helps me remember the little moments from a trip that I might otherwise forget.

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But not having my phone also made me appreciate the natural beauty around me even more than I normally would. Instead of getting to a viewpoint, taking a picture and moving on, I found myself actually stopping. Taking an extra 10 or 15 seconds to properly look at what was in front of me and take it all in. There were moments where I genuinely thought, ‘I can’t take a picture of this, so I need to remember it, I’m going to take a mental picture’

Maybe there’s a lesson in that too. Take the pictures, take the videos and capture the memories, but every now and then, put your phone down for an extra 10 seconds and actually look at where you are. You travelled all that way to see it with your own eyes, not just through your camera roll.

I know it’s been a while since my last piece and the uploads have been slower than normal, but, we’re back baby!

And don’t forget, to travel is to live.

- Wanderwise with Kiera

Quite often, planes don’t provide travel pillows and, when they do, they’re not exactly the best quality. I’ve also never been given one that actually wraps around your neck, which isn’t ideal when you’re trying to sleep sitting upright - especially when you’re next to a stranger and can’t exactly use their shoulder as a headrest!

My advice? Bring your own. Definitely go for one that wraps around your neck so your head has proper support, and ideally choose one that comes with a bag so you can easily store it when you’re not using it.

For me, a travel pillow is an absolute must on a long-haul journey.

Tip: Get your travel pillow before you get to the airport. Shops often overcharge for travel pillows as they know they are your only option.

2) Earphones/Headphones/Earplugs

I know airlines sometimes give you earphones or earplugs, but let’s be honest, they are crap. 😬 Whilst earphones are without a doubt an essential so you can sit back, relax and enjoy your music, TV shows and movies, there’s also something to be said for the sweet silence that earplugs bring.

Planes are loud and if you happen to be sat behind a screaming baby for 12 hours, there may be nothing your earphones and White Chicks turned up to full volume can do… Earplugs, however? Music to your ears. Pardon the pun.

(P.S. Don’t forget to charge your earphones if you’re taking wireless ones… not speaking from experience of course.) 😅

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3) Jumper/Hoodie or Even a Blanket

I always tie a hoodie around my waist when I head to the airport. Airports can get surprisingly hot when you’re walking around, standing in queues and rushing to your gate, but a couple of hours into the flight it can be a completely different story. Once everyone’s settled in with their personal fans blasting, I usually end up freezing! It’s definitely worth bringing something cosy to keep you warm.

A blanket is another great option. You can buy super thin travel blankets to save space. I’ve even seen some bundles with a travel blanket and pillow in them too so keep an eye out for that!

4) Chewing Gum/Toothpaste

Perhaps an obvious one, but also surprisingly easy to forget. There have been so many times I’ve woken up on a plane with the driest mouth ever, feeling like a bear has sh*t in it…

And then I remember: “Ah, perfect. I packed my toothpaste… in my hold luggage.” Brilliant.

This is definitely one of those things worth doubling up on and keeping in your carry-on too. A mini toothbrush and toothpaste, some chewy mints or a pack of chewing gum can go a long way towards making you feel human again after an in-flight nap.

And while we’re on the subject of feeling human again, that brings me nicely onto my next essential: skincare.

5) Skin and Haircare - Wipes, Moisturiser and Eye Drops.

No, I’m not talking about whipping out your hair curlers and premium hairspray on board, don’t worry. (However, I have seen some reels of people doing full faces of make-up and hair and I don’t know whether I’m slightly impressed, grossed out or just annoyed for the other passengers.)

Planes are drying and it’s so easy to leave a plane feeling worse than when you got on it.

For context, here’s a video of when I got off a 16-hour flight, my skin and me in general, we are done.

Those little 100ml tubes or pots of Nivea or Simple or whichever skincare you use are a lifesaver when you’re in the air and want a quick refresh after getting some shut-eye.

Add some hydrating face wipes or face wash and you’re all set. Also, don’t forget to bring a hairbrush and a hair bobble. Sometimes when you’re on a plane, if you have long hair the last thing you want when you’re trying to get a bit of shut-eye is your hair being all over your face. Often when you wake up, you’ll find your hair is knotted and a quick brush of your hair will sort you right out.

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Bonus tip: Do you get dry eyes whilst travelling? Then eye drops will be a game changer for you. Halfway through your flight, go to the bathroom, freshen up and put some of those bad boys in your eyes 😂. Thank me later…

6) Your Own Entertainment

“Wait, there’s usually entertainment on the plane!” I hear you, and quite often there is. But there’s always a chance you’ll board and discover there’s no screen, yours isn’t working, or there’s simply nothing you actually want to watch.

This is why I always recommend having a backup. Download a few TV shows or films onto your device before you travel so you’ve got something ready to watch offline.

And if TV and films aren’t your thing, download a playlist or podcast, or bring a book. The last thing you want on a long-haul flight is hours to kill and absolutely nothing to do.

7) Footrest/Sling

Now, this is something I’ve never personally used, but on my flight to Australia I saw someone using one and I was in awe. They looked so comfortable while they slept, and for my next long-haul journey I will definitely be purchasing one.

8) Eye Mask

This one is very basic but essential. If you’re on a day flight and the lights are on, it can be really hard to get some rest. This can be the difference between leaving a flight feeling refreshed or not.

9) Power Bank and Charging Cables

It’s a digital world out there for sure… paper boarding passes are still used in some places, but more often than not it’s e-visas and digital boarding passes now. So, a dead phone is what nightmares are made of on arrival. A power bank is your bestie!

Also, if you’re like me and have around 20,000+ videos and photos on your phone, then you know how your phone battery just isn’t going to last all day whilst you’re getting snap happy! That 30–45-minute charge with your power bank over lunch or dinner is what keeps you from having to go back to your hotel to make sure you have enough battery to keep those pictures and memories flowing.

10) Food, Snacks and a Water Bottle

It’s no secret that airports are expensive… there are so many times I’ve budgeted for a trip and had a specific amount set out for each day and then ended up having to cut my daily budget due to what I spent at the airport. Yikes! If you’re not going to bring food then definitely include some airport spending in your budget.

If you are going to bring food, some great options are protein bars, sandwiches, wraps, crisps, sweets, chocolates, etc. I recommend you steer clear of nuts just in case people have allergies on the plane.

An empty reusable water bottle is always a good shout. Lots of airports have options to refill your bottle, and it can save you buying a £3 bottle of water at WHSmith... it all adds up!

Thanks for reading! Hopefully this piece was helpful for you. Bookmark this piece and use it as a checklist for your next trip, because pre-trip stress is real and when we get stressed we forget things!

Speaking of checklists, I’d like to write a quick general mini checklist for you to have a look at before your trip to ensure you don’t forget any of the essentials 👇🏽

Essential checklist for your trip

1. Passport and visa documentation

2. Cards and money

3. Electronic devices (phone, kindle, laptop, gaming device)

4. Power banks and charging wires

5. Universal travel adaptor

6. Earphones/Headphones

7. Comfort essentials (pillow, eye-mask, foot-rest/sling)

8. Hygiene essentials (Hairbrush, eyedrops, toothpaste, mints,)

9. Any medical things you need (ibuprofen, prescription tablets, pads, tampons etc)

10. Packing cubes (these are a great way to organise your clothes for multi-destination trips).

And some extras for your suitcase that personally I’ve forgotten on trips before and then had to buy them abroad and they end up being super expensive: deodorant, towels, swimwear, flip flops, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, make-up, hairbrush.

Safe travels and don’t forget, to travel is to live! - Wanderwise With Kiera

*Some images in this article may be generated with AI. All text and videos are created by me, a human.

“I’m behind on my travel goals”

Let’s get into travel, that’s what you’ve likely subscribed to me for… If you take one thing away from this piece, remember these words ‘it’s a journey, not a race’. Some people travel the world in a gap year and hit 50+ countries. Others wait until retirement for an around-the-world cruise and finish having visited 60+ countries, my point is, our journey is unique and the constant need to ‘out-do’ others or ‘keep up’ with others or try to cram travel into specific time periods needs to be quashed.

"I don't have enough time."

(Warning: here comes the tough love) Respectfully, shut the f*ck up. You DO have time! (Unless you are literally on your deathbed then ignore all of the above and go wild 😅) There’s no set time frame to do things by.

Of course, I’m only human and I do understand not feeling like you have enough time, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t. There are so many beautiful places in the world, fascinating places, dotted across the world. Surely I can’t see them all. I’ll give it a bloody good go though. I’ve written a list of all the places I want to visit and thought “Wait, but how? When am I going to find the time or money to do this?"

I’ve felt regret too. I’ve sat there and thought that I wished I had taken a gap year or traveled more when I was younger… but I didn’t and the point is that it doesn’t stop me doing what I want to do now and I never know what opportunities will come my way. And vice versa to you. You could win a trip to somewhere you’ve never envisioned traveling too before, you could get offered a job in another city or country, you could plan a trip and realise you can fit another neighbouring country into your trip that you didn’t expect you could before. You never know what life has planned for you.

It’s all too easy to feel like you’re behind and to compare yourself to others. But I’ve learned first hand that rushing or getting yourself into debt by cramming trips into certain time periods, just to “catch up”, doesn’t help anyone. That kind of thinking gets you to an end destination of Depression Corner, with a couple of stops at Stress Street and Panic Point. AND I’m sure that those destinations are not on any of your bucket lists.

Of course, you will have an amazing, once in a lifetime experience when you book a last minute trip on a credit card because life is getting you down, but then reality sets in and you start to wonder whether it was really worth it. Could you have waited? You know, when you come back and the crippling anxiety hits and the credit card debt is staring you in the face and you have to spend 5-10 hours making a finance plan on a colour coded spreadsheet detailing all of your outgoings and incomings because let’s be honest the cost of living crisis is real. (Not speaking from personal experience of course😬)

The trick is to stop focusing on what others say you “need” to do and focus on what you want to do. Most important, what you can do. You don’t need to rush things. People travel into their 70s and above now. Plan, but plan realistically and always, always, allow time for spontaneity because you never know what opportunities are going to come your way and truthfully you might completely change your mind after you come back from a trip and think, no wait, I need to go back to this country or continent again in the next few years because it was so amazing.

To be clear, I’m not against goals and bucket lists and organising multiple trips in a year. I’m the queen of goals and lists, but I’ve learned to be more realistic. I’m not against “30 things to do before I’m 30” or “50 things to do before I’m 50”; I think they are a fantastic idea, they can be super fun. I’ll cover this in the next section. Just don’t lose the fun behind the things you are doing and don’t rush them with unrealistic timelines. The main things here are, don’t create the list because you feel like you have to and most importantly, if you don’t complete it, you are not a failure. ‘There’s always tomorrow’ as the saying goes.

We will pivot away from travel slightly now and talk about how having these goals and lists can be fun because they can force you to step away from day to day life, to step out of your comfort zone and to try new things.

New Experiences

My aunty last year made a “50 things to do before you turn 50” list. The two weekends after she made the list, me and a group of family and friends ticked some things off the list together - one of the items on the list was having a cocktail night at home, making our own cocktails and another was an activity called “sip and paint”. For this, you go to a bar, paint a pre-chosen picture on a canvas and enjoy some drinks. These are not things I usually would have done or factored into my finances/planning. But because they were pre-planned and it felt like a fun thing to tick off a list, I went and I LOVED both of these events. Sip and Paint was so fun and relaxing. I won’t quit my day job because my painting was definitely the worst, but it was so much fun!

I never would have been to this event if it wasn’t for my aunty’s bucket list and truthfully it’s inspired me to start my own bucket list / get mine going again, but I’ll get into that. Also, just whilst we are on this event, in general, the event was a rip-off, it was something that you could easily host at home for a fraction off the cost, all it was, was some paint, a canvas and some cocktails. We actually hosted our own night shortly after.

In addition to this, at a work event last year we were making bracelets with all sorts of cute beads and charms, it was very therapeutic and I then went home and raided Amazon for some materials and I made some of my own at home. It was super fun and at the time just being away from anything digital and just sitting there putting cute little bracelet beads onto a piece of string, was so relaxing and therapeutic.

Without trying new things, we might never discover our passions or what truly makes us tick. Reading is something I’m trying to get back into at the moment, I enjoy it and I think it will help me take some time away from screens and also help me as a writer. I’ve started a LGBTQIA+ book club at work and we’ve got our first session booked in for a certain date and I feel like having this deadline will be really helpful for me, because I LOVE reading, but I find it hard to find the time, however, now with book club, I’ve got a deadline and I’ll make the time. I’ve already started reading it and so far, so good.

While I am writing this, I am thinking about how my colleague told me about Substack and how I never even knew it existed and what a fantastic community it is. Shout out to you, - Serious Literary Author. Check out his content.

His Substack recommendation re-ignited my passion for writing - I LOVE it. Does that mean I am going to cry in a corner when my next piece only gets two likes and 30 views? No, I understand that growth takes time, and so should you. I’m on my own time frame, you should be on yours too. You’re not a failure, you’re you, your own way. It this cheesy? Yes. Is it also true? F*ck yeah.

I hope you finish reading this piece, look over your to-do list and tick a few things off then take a deep breath and think ‘I did good’. I hope you finish this piece and decide that you’re going to change some of your goals and make them more realistic for you. I hope you finish reading this and you look at some of your accomplishments or where you’ve traveled in life and think ‘wow I really did that and I did it my way’. You’re not a failure. You’re a success.

Let’s take a look at what the Caledonian Sleeper actually is…

What is the Caledonian Sleeper?

The Caledonian Sleeper is a train that offers benefits like saving a hotel night and travel time by journeying overnight, waking up in your destination (London/Scotland), with amenities such as Wi-Fi, charging, and sleep kits; private rooms (Classic, Club, Caledonian Double) provide beds and privacy, while seated options offer reclining seats and at-seat service, plus exclusive Club Car access and Scottish food/drink options, all designed for a comfortable, unique travel experience.

How much does the Caledonian sleeper cost for one night in a double en-suite?

This snazzy journey will set you back £1,140! This includes an en-suite shower room, priority access to the Club Car, Station lounge access and breakfast onboard. For one night only! (See Birmingham International-Inverness example below).

I know you’re probably thinking “YES, but it’s obviously going to be expensive, you’re looking at one of the furthest points!”. I understand this, so I’ve undertaken some more research and have next looked at London to Glasgow in the Caledonian Double en-suite and it comes in at £990.00. So slightly cheaper, but still, insanely expensive.

I suppose my question to you is, is a shower on a train and a bed to sleep on really worth this much to you? My honest initial thoughts are, can’t you just shower once you get to the hotel in Inverness and jump into bed there? Yikes, sorry to state the obvious. I’m cringing just reading this back.

Let’s go back to our initial Birmingham search and take it down a level of comfort to Club en-suite where we still get breakfast included onboard and priority access to the Club Car, however there’s now no double bed and the sleeping situation will be twin bunk beds. Our price is now £890.00 total, £445 each.

To quote my husband “if you want to travel to Scotland and sleep, you might as well just get a flight and a hotel”. I’d say he’s definitely right! I’ll go into pricing options and how much cheaper it actually is just to get a flight and a hotel in Scotland for a couple of days versus this train journey, but first, let’s get into the cheapest ‘sleeper’ option on the train.

The cheapest ‘sleeper’ option - what does it cost?

There is, one more sleeper option, the ‘Classic’ option, which offers a twin bunk bed room with a washbasin and there’s room service available. With this option there’s no breakfast included, no shower and no Club Car access.

I have changed the dates slightly for this next search as ‘Classic’ wasn’t available on the way out for my original search dates. £700.00 total to sleep in the basic cabin on the Caledonian Sleeper. For 10 hours and then you’re off into Inverness, with no accommodation booked, no breakfast and no transport booked. Let’s bear that £700 in mind for later and remember what you actually get for that £700 (£350 each). (A bunk bed to sleep on during a ten hour train journey).

Take a seat please, ONLY a seat.

We could always opt for a single seat and skip the bed entirely. However, that defeats the purpose of the journey. The whole appeal is the experience of sleeping your way to Scotland. You are paying for the comfort and the novelty of the Caledonian Sleeper, not just a way to get from A to B.

Let’s do a thought experiment. If we were to take this journey but just sit in a regular seat, what would it actually cost? Two adults from Birmingham to Inverness in March 2026, a return journey, no breakfast, no special amenities. The cheapest price is £258.00. Price-wise, when you compare it to everything above and all of the sleeper options, it doesn’t sound terrible. However, for a ten hour train journey, sitting in the same seat. At night too, so you won’t be seeing any beautiful views and if you're like me and really struggle to sleep unless you are lying down, then it might be a bit of a long night.

Let’s compare this to a flight at the end of March 2026. I’ll go with trusty easyJet. £99.96 return including a small cabin bag (a backpack). So, you’re looking at half the price and then some. Flight time: 1 hr 30 mins. Personally I know which I would opt for, what would you pick?

If I added on a hotel too for those dates, 4 nights for 2 adults in Inverness. It’s around £395 total, with breakfast included. Add this together with the flights, it’s £494 total. Let’s really take this journey to the max and cover a few other expenses too such as taxis to and from the airport to your hotel/parking at the airport near your home. Add £100-£150 on for this. This takes us to £594-£645 total. This includes travel, accommodation and breakfast for 4 nights. It is still cheaper than any of the ‘sleeper’ options on the Caledonian Sleeper!

Picture this: you have three ways to get to Inverness. You could spend 10 hours cramped in a standard train seat for £258, or drop a staggering £700–£1,100 on a sleeper cabin just to wake up “refreshed”. Or, you could take the third option: a 90-minute flight for under £100.

For me, it’s simple. I value my time, my sleep, and my bank account far more than the novelty of the tracks. It all comes down to how we define one specific word: convenience.

Let’s talk convenience… A very odd station choice 😬

I’ve also got a bone to pick with the station choice for this particular journey… As someone from Birmingham, I do have to say that Birmingham International is an odd choice for this train journey to depart from. Let me explain why I think this. Yes, it sounds convenient on surface-level however, surely Birmingham New Street would have been a better option?

I’ll explain - Birmingham International is primarily known for being close to the airport/NEC, so, if you’re going to be THAT close to the airport, then wouldn’t you just get a flight to Scotland for £100 or less? Getting there in less than 2 hours vs a 9+ hour train journey that costs 9 times the price.

Is ‘convenience’ worth £900 to you? It’s not for me and honestly, it’s not even that convenient because if you are in Birmingham city centre, then you then have to get to Birmingham International anyway to get on the sleeper train, which fair enough is only a 10 minute train journey away, however then you’re at the airport so you may as well get on a flight. I’m not sure who thought this one through. Yikes!

For context for my Bristol folks, it’s like saying you have a train from Bristol to Scotland and then having the train go from Bristol Parkway or Bath Spa instead of Temple Meads. It’s just a bit odd. A short 10 minute journey but not very convenient, especially for £1,000+.

For my London readers, this is a bit like choosing to have a train depart from Heathrow rather than the city centre. It is just an odd choice. Surely Paddington or Euston is a better shout? I suppose I can understand the logic for international visitors who want to hop off a plane and straight onto a train to Scotland. If you don't know much about UK train prices or how quick the flights are, it might actually seem appealing. Anyway, rant over. Let’s move on before I start sounding like a proper moaner.

Now for the part where I become a total hypocrite. All of the above being said, if I was a bit more flush and had £1,100 just lying around, I would absolutely go on this journey. Why? I’d do it to experience a UK sleeper train, to say I’ve finally done the Caledonian Sleeper, and of course, to write a proper review for all of you 😉. As someone who is working class I just can’t bring myself to do it. When I think of that money, I think about all of the little mini trips I could go on with that money or all of the excursions I could embark on at my end destination. So that’s why it’s a no for now, for me.

Have you been on the Caledonian Sleeper? If so, was it any good? I want your honest review. Was it worth the price, am I missing some serious benefits here or am I just a cheapskate?

🥩 A rare find

Feast your eyes on this absolute beauty. A medium-cooked tenderloin steak with foie gras, Budapest ragout and roasted potatoes at Red Pepper Budapest.

A literal explosion of flavour cascaded through my mouth when I bit into a slice of this steak; it was flavourful, tender and juicy. I then opted for a pinch of foie gras neatly placed on top of my next slice. My eyes almost popped out of my head. Mmmmm, it was just something that elevated it to the next level! A perfect combination. The crispy, perfectly cooked and seasoned potato wedges were crunchy and great for a break inbetween buttery mouthfuls of hearty steak.

Let’s rewind a bit before we get more into the food coma.

Where am I?

Budapest in Hungary. A country known for its hearty, paprika-spiced staples like goulash, pörkölt, and paprikash, or heavy hitters like deep-fried lángos. It’s a land of rich desserts, from layered Dobos torte to spit-roasted kürtőskalács (chimney cake).

But you know what it’s not typically known for? Steak. And honestly, someone needs to have a serious word with the tourism board about that, because WOW.

After a full day of sightseeing, we were extremely hungry, and we opted for one of the first places we saw. “This could be a disaster or a fantastic idea”, I thought to myself. Especially when I saw that we were the only people in the restaurant… “This can’t be a good sign.” 😳

I almost suggested we try somewhere else, but at this point, I was just happy to sit down and eat. I was at that point in the day where your legs hurt, and you just need a nice cold drink and some food. Looking back now, I am SO GLAD we didn’t try anywhere else.

On arrival, we excitedly looked through their menu. It looks fantastic. Their menu is fantastic. “I’m torn between the ribs and the steak,” I said, turning to my husband. “But the steak is quite expensive.” (Roughly £35).

“Go on, go for the steak, you said you’ve been craving steak, I bet it’s amazing here!” He says. So I thought:

I had been craving steak for a couple of days, which is odd because I don’t usually eat steak. When I ordered it, I asked for it medium, which is even stranger, as usually I ask for medium to well done. Something told me that this time the steak needed to be medium for me to get the most out of the experience.

We also wanted to try something new together. We love trying new food in different countries, and we opted to look at the sides. None of the sides particularly piqued our interest as we both had our eyes set on the stuffed cabbage rolls from the main menu. We didn’t know whether the portion size would be absolutely ridiculous huge with it being on the main menu, but looking at the picture, we thought it was manageable to share between two people.

The food came out altogether. We opted to try the stuffed cabbage rolls first. It was so windy, rainy and cold outside in Budapest, and these cabbage rolls were exactly what we needed to start our meal experience. They were hearty, flavourful and filling. I highly recommend! The sour cream and bacon flavours came through and yet didn’t overpower the soft, warm and soupy cabbage. (Is soupy a word? It is now.)

Now, let’s get into the main dishes. I’ve heard people say that steak melts in their mouth before, and honestly, I just thought “What a load of sh*t, steak is chewy and sometimes awkward to eat, even hard. It turns out I was wrong, I must have never had a good steak or always had it overcooked, because the steak mixed with the foie gras was like a buttery melt in my mouth stew of goodness. Mmm, even thinking back now, I wish I could eat it again. I’ll have to wait until my next Budapest trip. Conveniently, it’s this week, so I’ll be back in steak heaven. (I promise you, it is literally that good, I’m not exaggerating). 😍

Jamie, my husband, opted for the Kacsacomb (Duck Leg) with mashed potatoes, onions and red cabbage as it is a well-known Hungarian dish. His thoughts on the dish were:

He also had a bit of my steak afterwards, as I couldn’t finish it; it was honestly so filling, and it tasted so good that we didn’t want it to go to waste.

No dinner in Eastern Europe is complete without beer, of course, so we filled our stomachs with beer and steak and then… we genuinely struggled to walk out of the venue afterwards. (Not because we were drunk, but because we were full of amazing food).

Completely unrelated, but when I got back to England, I got my blood test results back, and I’m low on Iron and red blood cells… it kind of makes sense why I was craving steak now 🤣

There are quite a few restaurants in Budapest called Red Pepper, so make sure you head to the one I’ve detailed below for a fantastic experience, and if you’ve been here before or you have any recommendations for your best food hotspots in and around Europe, then I’d love to know in the comments below.

Also, as mentioned, I’m in Budapest again this week, so if there are any gems I can check out, let me know!

And remember, to travel is to live.

Kiera Jessica | Wanderwise with Kiera.

🔗 Go to the Red Pepper website here.

🥩 View the full menu here.

📍 1051 Budapest, Harmincad Street 4.

📱 +36203852709

📧 foglas@redpepperbudapest.hu

INITIAL ITINERARY: DAY IN DUBAI
10:00: Wake up and make way to Burj Khalifa
11:00-13:00: Burj Khalifa - 2 hours here. We get access to the lounge where there is coffee and canapes, and stuff. Get there early and go in here.
You must then go to the Dubai Mall and pick up your tickets for later for the boat ride. Have a look at the Dubai Fountain Show. Then jump in a taxi in Dubai Miracle Garden.
13:00-15:45: Dubai Miracle Garden (2 hours there + 30 min transport + 15 min mess around)
15:45-19:15 Jumeirah Beach - quick dip in the sea (2 hours here total + 30 min transport)
19:15-20:45 The Courtyards - One&Only Royal Mirage - (1 hour here + 30 mins for transport)
20:45-22:00 Boat ride at Dubai Marina, 9pm (1 hour here + 15 mins for transport)
22:00 Back to the accommodation to go to bed. (30 mins.)

Looks great, right? But… I’m missing one key thing: time for eating! Which does take some time, especially if you’re sitting down for food. I’m also not factoring in that we are functioning on around 5/6 hours of sleep in 40°C Dubai heat.

Now, before you say we should have started the day earlier than 10 am to fit everything in, I will provide some context: we visited Dubai on our trip as part of a 'very long layover’ on the way to Thailand. We arrived in Dubai at 00:40, got to the hotel at 02:30, and had a little sleep until 09:30, when we awoke and had our full day in Dubai, so we only had a short amount of sleep, and we were shattered, but we wanted to make the most of our time in Dubai.

We then got a few hours of sleep until around 05:15 am, and then left our accommodation the following morning and 6 am and flew out of Dubai. Overall, we had around 34 hours in Dubai in total, from when the plane touched down on the ground to when we took off again.

Did we stick to our itinerary?

Watch my YouTube video above to find out more, including about my £200 epic photograph fail.

We stuck mostly to the itinerary; however, the timings were slightly off. After a couple of hours surviving on just coffee and canapes at the Burj Khalifa, we realised that we needed some real food. Burj Khalifa entrance was inside Dubai Mall, and let’s just say there were a few fussy eaters on our trip, so we ended up eating at Pizza Hut, much to my husband and I’s dismay. (Don’t worry, we made up for it later, with some AMAZING cuisine, I’ll go into this below!)

After Pizza Hut, we made our way to Dubai Miracle Gardens. We had a quick look around, took lots of pictures, had an explore, and a couple of hours passed. I even ran into someone I went to school with! Which was just insane, considering we were over 3000 miles away from the UK! It’s a small world. After this, it was getting really late, and we were almost falling asleep, so we decided to head back to our accommodation and have a 45-minute power nap, recharge our phones and ourselves!

We then made a swift exit to The Courtyards - One&Only Royal Mirage, where we planned to have some Shisha/Hookah, as we were told it was the place to go. We planned to spend an hour here and then jet off to our Dubai Marina 30-minute boat trip. You can absolutely not spend an hour at The Courtyards - One&Only Royal Mirage, it is too stunningly beautiful. We spent around 15 minutes outside taking images of the alluring sculptures of camels and sheikhs.

When we entered the actual hookah lounge/shisha bar, we were in absolute awe. The Middle Eastern decor, stunning designs, and the helpful staff were a perfect combination. My husband and I turned to each other and gave each other an awkward look, both of us thinking the same thing. We didn’t want to leave. But we had to, because we had a boat ride booking coming up soon. We looked at each other again and discussed staying a bit longer there. We decided that we wanted more than just 45 minutes here; it was stunning. This is what we pictured when we pictured Dubai.

Buy me a coffee

We stayed there for a couple of hours and then took a walk through the gardens of the complex. You don’t even want to know how much it costs to stay in this resort, but I’ll tell you anyway. One night costs anything from £496… yeah, wow.

Let’s get into the food, drinks and hookah/shisha. 10/10. For starters, the amount of attention to detail and customer service was top-notch. I was quite sad that there was no Karak tea on the menu, as it’s my favourite drink to order when my husband and I usually frequent shisha bars. The waiter must have seen my disappointment because he came back and told me that the chef is going to make some especially for me. We were so shocked, and we didn’t expect it at all. Truthfully, it was this gesture that made us want to stay even more.

We ordered some fresh hummus, and it came with fresh flatbread cut into small triangles. The flatbread was warm and toasty, and the hummus was so full of flavour. We hadn’t planned on ordering lots of food, but we just had to order more. We ended up ordering filo prawns and some other little starter items. 10/10 experience for everything - food, drinks, customer service, shisha. Do not miss out on The Courtyards - One&Only Royal Mirage when you are next in Dubai.

Am I sad that we missed our boat trip around the harbour? Honestly no. Of course, it would have been nice to do it, and I do really wish we hadn’t lost the money we spent on it; however, in the moment, we really wanted to stay where we were, and we had a fantastic night, probably my favourite thing we did in Dubai. So no regrets here on that decision.

The must-do 24-hour ideal Dubai itinerary.

The perfect mixture of views, shopping, food and relaxation.

10:00-12:00 pm - Burj Khalifa
12:00-14:30 pm - Dubai Mall and lunch
14:30-15:30 pm - Fountain Show and wander around Downtown Dubai
15:30-18:00 pm - The Palm/Jumeirah Beach
18:00-20:00 pm - Back to your accommodation for a freshen up
20:00-23:00 pm - The Courtyards - One&Only Royal Mirage

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What is so special about the Dubai Mall? Why is it on the itinerary?

Dubai Mall is the largest mall in the world in terms of total land area. It is frequently described as the world’s largest destination for entertainment, leisure and retail. Even if shopping isn’t your thing, you’ve got to eat at some point in the day and where better to eat than Dubai Mall? The entrance for the Burj Khalifa is also in the Dubai Mall, so you are literally there, it would be rude not to explore ;D

We didn’t plan on spending as long in the Dubai Mall as we did; however, it was the HUGE aquarium that stopped us in our tracks. Some of the animals in there I had never even seen before; there were also divers in there, in the middle of the mall. It was fascinating to watch, and I highly recommend even a quick walk by when you’re in Dubai.

Why is The Palm/Jumeirah Beach so late on the itinerary?

Beating the crowds and the midday sun in the afternoon with this itinerary is a great option. This also means that after the beach you can go directly back to your accommodation and freshen up, ready for a relaxing evening of top-class food.

Why is Dubai Miracle Garden not on the itinerary?

Dubai Miracle Garden is a fantastic place to visit, specifically if you have children; however, out of all of the things we did, I believe this is something you can probably do on a second visit or when you have more time. It was really interesting and fun, but looking back, I do wish we had gone to Jumeirah Beach instead. That’s why I’m urging you to do this on your Dubai trip.

My Top Tips

1) DO NOT BUY IMAGES AT THE BURJ KHALIFA! They are photoshopped images that, truthfully, you could just replicate online, and each image comes in a leather wallet. I bought three images and didn’t realise I had spent £200! Epic fail🤦
2) When you have such a short period of time somewhere, weigh up the pros and cons of being close to the city vs close to the airport. We were closer to the airport, and for us it worked as we had a late flight in and an early flight out. Think about where you’re going to want to pop back to your accommodation in the day, and if you are, then closer to the centre is probably ideal. Unfortunately, this will likely cost more, which is something to bear in mind.
3) Sunscreen is a must, yes, but often overlooked is a hat. This may sound silly and obvious; however, something I never took into consideration is how hot the megacity of Dubai would be in terms of the buildings reflecting the sun. The whole city is a city of high buildings made of shiny material… that shiny material plus the Dubai sun is not your head’s friend, trust me. Just 30 mins in the sun whilst watching the Dubai Fountain Show and you could have seared a steak on my head. Stay safe, bring a hat!
4) If you are booking tickets through external platforms such as GetYourGuide, ensure you read the details about where to pick up your tickets, as often in Dubai, you can’t just show up to your activity and are required to have picked up your tickets elsewhere (Dubai Mall is highly likely).

I used GetYourGuide to book my tickets – it was so easy! 🎟️ Book the SAME Burj Khalifa ticket I used (Sky Level 148, 124, & 125): https://gyg.me/g4LraVTg

Lastly, I know it’s tempting to try and cram everything into one trip, but remember that Dubai is a fantastic stopover destination with many flights connecting here, meaning that if you love travel, you are likely going to come here again. Sometimes things are best savoured and not rushed.

Thanks for reading, and remember to travel is to live.

- Wanderwise with Kiera.

I haven’t done this, I haven’t been here, I’m not earning this much, I didn’t finish this qualification. I HAVEN’T DONE ‘30 THINGS BEFORE I’M 30’! That’s it, life is ruined.

Who sets these arbitrary timelines? Who says you have to have certain things completed by a certain time, otherwise you’re a failure in society? Four years of university after school, a gap year travelling the world, married, and a house by 28, then have kids by 30. Well done, you’ve completed what society wants you to do. What now?

I say we call it what it is, bullshit. Now, let’s be clear, I’m not saying that if you’ve done the above in that exact order, then you’ve just gone with the grain or that you’re boring. The above absolutely works for some people; some people prefer having a certain routine and following what they are supposed to do.

However, it doesn’t work for some, and I feel like more and more people are falling on the other end of the scale.

I spoke to my subscribers and I asked them: Did you think you would be at another point in your life when you hit a ‘milestone age’? Also, what’s your opinion on societal pressure to have done something major, like bought a house or obtained a degree, or something by a certain age?”

Those who were happy to be quoted let me know. My subscribers range from teenagers to people over 70 years old. What a fantastic array of people you are, and all with fascinating life stories. I want to thank all of my subscribers for chatting with me and giving their opinions and stories. It was so eye-opening to read all of your views.

One subscriber’s story really struck a chord with me:

You can read Powered by SID’s work here.

The rest of this article will be paid as it’s a bit more personal, and I’ve got some opinions on lots of things. Consider becoming a paid subscriber if you want access to more personal stories, opinions, goals, travel deals and more. Below, I cover everything from more of my subscribers’ thoughts to people finally getting their chance to shine after being told they were too old.

I've also gone against the grain and made a ‘30 before the end of 30 list’, because who says I have to reach goals by the time I’m 30! I say the end of 30 sounds great 😉 (My birthday is November 15th, so I’ve got a couple of weeks until I’m 30, and I will be in Bucharest on my birthday!, which may or may not be one of the things).

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*The above offer is only available until 31st December 2025*

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To be here feels surreal. My husband and I have had such a special trip, seeing so many places we’ve looked forward to: Dubai, Phuket, the Phi Phi Islands, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City... With so many more to come. But this moment is fulfilling a unique kind of dream. As a bit of a river enthusiast, this part of our honeymoon is what I have been looking forward to most.

I’ve heard so many people say that Vietnam isn’t a place you can see just once, that once you go, you will have to return. As I sit, pen in hand, watching the sunset, I understand how right they are.

It is a picture-perfect moment, seeing the absolute joy radiating off the children when I return their “hello” eagerly and wave back. It’s one of those moments that fills you with warmth.

Vietnam is stunning, there’s no doubt about that, and at its heart is the Mekong Delta - a mighty river.

Mother of Water

In Thai, “Mekong” translates to “Mother of Water.” It’s a beautiful name, but it’s also the literal truth.

This river is the heart of Southeast Asia. It begins as the Lancang River on the distant Tibetan Plateau, but as it winds its way south through six nations, it transforms. It becomes a life-giving force for tens of millions of people.

Every rice paddy, every fishing boat, and every family drawing water from its banks depends on it. The Mekong isn’t just a river on a map; it’s the lifeline that sustains the entire region.

A River Full of Life

It’s not just humans that depend on the Mekong River; the Mekong River Basin is also one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, home to thousands of plant and animal species - including over 1,300 types of fish and rare creatures like the Irrawaddy dolphin and the giant catfish. It’s a powerful reminder that this river supports an entire web of life, both human and wild.

Where did we stay?

We spent our nights aboard the beautiful Dragon Eyes, a traditional-style river boat. It’s run by a company called Mekong Eyes, which specialises in creating these amazing, intimate journeys along the delta.

I highly recommend booking a tour with Mekong Eyes - the staff were so lovely, attentive and knowledgeable. The Dragon Eyes boat was beautiful, well-kept and clean. The food was fantastic, and the excursions were a beautiful way to see Vietnam.

As it was our honeymoon, they provided us with a free bottle of wine and made our bed up so beautifully with swans made from towels and rose petals. We were actually on board by ourselves for one night and joined by another couple the second night. It was nice to have time for ourselves, and the other couple that joined us the second night were absolutely lovely too!

Mekong Eyes offers tours from 1-4 days across Vietnam and Cambodia. We went on the 3-day Mekong Delta discovery from Saigon, which includes 2 nights onboard, three meals a day, pick up from Ho Chi Minh aka Saigon and drop back and visiting Can Tho and Cai Be. See the full tour details here.

What we ate on the Mekong

The food was a huge part of the experience! Just to give you an idea of some of the dishes and treats we tried:

• Fried Red Tilapia fresh from the river

• Rice noodles

• Fresh coconuts

• Pineapple fried rice

• Fresh mangos

• Star fruit and pickled lotus root

• Vietnamese spring rolls

We even got to make our own spring rolls! This inspired me to try making them when I got back to the UK, which was fun, but messy to say the least.

Also, completely random, but I really dislike mangoes in the UK; however, in Asia, I loved them! Don’t knock something until you try it, as the saying goes.🥭

Did you know? Random fact of the day.

Mice from rice fields are eaten as a delicacy and a source of protein in parts of Vietnam, especially in the Mekong Delta region, where they are cleaned and cooked in various ways, such as grilling or stir-frying. Our guide told us that they only eat white mice from the rice fields, and not the mice that are closer to the Mekong River, as those other mice are considered ‘dirty’.

No, we didn’t eat any mice. I’ll pass on that one. We did, however, try snake bacon! Which was surprisingly nice. One of the fellow tour-goers coined it ‘Snakon’, which I thought was just brilliant. We also tried Cobra wine, banana wine, peanut candy, and Jamie even tried frog, watch until the end for the honest reaction… 😳

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You can’t talk about cobra wine without mentioning its most famous reputation. In Vietnam, and across much of Southeast Asia, it’s traditionally seen as a powerful, all-natural Viagra. This belief is rooted in pure symbolism. The cobra is a symbol of incredible power and virility, so the folk logic is that drinking its essence will transfer that potent energy and stamina to the drinker. It’s often steeped with other herbs or even scorpions to make it an even stronger tonic. While there’s no science to back it up, its reputation as a performance enhancer is a huge part of its mystique.

What did I learn from this trip?

On a fast-paced trip, it’s easy to get swept up and forget to truly appreciate a moment. I’ve always struggled with my memory, knowing that even the most stunning sights can fade. So as I sat on the back of the boat watching the sunset, I gave myself a command. I forced myself to pause, to take a deliberate mental picture, and to say with intention, “I am going to remember this. This is beautiful.” It was a small act, but it felt transformative.

In that quiet moment, something else clicked into place. Looking out at the stunning Mekong, I was overwhelmed with a sudden urge; I needed to write about this. It was a craving. My mind flashed to the notebook I’d bought in Singapore, and I knew exactly what I had to do. I ran to our cabin, and with that notebook in hand, I started to capture everything. It was as if a switch had been flicked, and I couldn’t stop. I even jotted down the comical details of my nightly bathroom trips.

A diary entry from later on that night: “I just went to pee in our bathroom and there was a cockroach in the shower, FML lol. I suppose thats to be expected when your on the water in a hot country. So far today, the guide has told me there was a mosquito biting my face and then one landed on my arm and she slapped me. When in Vietnam ay?” (Riveting thoughts there Kiera 🤣)

Unfortunately, I only wrote a few pages on this trip as we were getting up at 6:15 every morning, and I value my beauty sleep. 🤣 All jokes aside, this trip was over before I had time even to process it.

I‘ll admit, I’m usually a “see-it-all” traveller. If there’s another destination nearby, I’ll find a way to get there. This means “downtime” isn’t really in my vocabulary, and things like reflection or note-taking get pushed aside.

Vietnam changed that.

Specifically, it was the time I spent on the water in the evenings. Just watching the sunset, I felt a shift. That’s what I’ll be taking with me from this trip. Vietnam’s slower rhythm and incredible natural beauty have inspired me to finally slow down, to truly take time to capture the moment, whether that may be putting my phone down and mentally recording the image, or scribbling away in my diary. Savour every moment. I will write more for sure, to savour those intricate details that only words can capture.

Thanks for reading.

Remember, to travel is to live.
- Wanderwise with Kiera

Let’s rewind in time a bit - a few months ago, I saw that my work was running a ‘surf club’ chat and, being the water-lover that I am, I HAD to join.

At first, I was a little puzzled. Fistral Beach in Newquay, arguably one of the UK’s most iconic surf spots, is still a solid three-hour drive away. So how was this surf club going to work, exactly? Surprisingly, there’s a great place to surf only 30 minutes away from where I live. 👀

One of the lovely surf club organisers booked us all tickets for The Wave on the 4th of October (aka today). I stuck with the beginner session - figured I’d leave the heavy wipeouts to the pros.

This morning, full of enthusiasm, I signed my waiver and hit the road. The Wave’s website recommends arriving at least an hour early, which makes sense once you realise the car park is a ten-minute walk from the main site.

As you arrive, you’re greeted by a cosy little café for all your pre-surf caffeine needs and a shop that’ll make you want to buy every surf-related item, whether you need it or not. Then, through some shiny glass double doors, and boom, there it is. Your first proper look at The Wave.

“Wow… this is so f*cking cool.” - me.

Once you’ve successfully closed your mouth from the awe, continue to follow the signposts to the check-in area. Here, you can either use the self-service screens or chat with one of the friendly staff to check in. Naturally, I opted for a chat, and then came the dreaded wetsuit moment.

Now, as a plus-sized woman, I can’t lie, I was dreading this a bit. But to my relief, they had a wide variety of sizes, and it was as simple as being asked, “What clothes size do you usually wear?” He then gave me two options and told me to try either and just bring back the other one. Just as I was about to head off and get changed, one of the staff members paused, clearly deep in thought.

“What time did you say your session was again?”
“3:30 pm,” I replied, slightly confused.

“Ohhh, that's a beginner session. (Pulls a 😬 face) All of our beginner sessions have been cancelled today because of the Storm; you should have received an email. You will have received a voucher so you can reschedule.”

But of course, I didn’t receive an email because I wasn’t the one who booked it. 🤣 Well… woops. When I opened my work laptop this morning to sign my waiver, I saw I had a few notifications on chat, but I thought I would check them when I’m back at work on Monday. You know, self-care and all that jazz… I can see the message sitting in my chat now: “Sorry everyone! Session is cancelled today due to the weather, but we can reschedule for another day”. Uhhh, serious regret for not checking my notifications this morning.

(Please ignore what I look like above, this is me on 6 hours sleep, plus a storm and no make-up… nice)

Side note: can we talk about how utterly unintimidating UK storm names are? Amy? Seriously? That sounds more like someone who’d offer you a cup of tea and ask about your weekend, not a storm strong enough to ruin your surf session. (Sorry to anyone called Amy - you know I’m right 🤣)

If we’re going to have our plans destroyed, at least give the storm a name that sounds like it’s going to punch us in the face. Something like Storm Vortex, Storm Ironclaw, or Storm Venom. Come on, Met Office, give us something with a little pizazz.

Anyway, no surfing this time. But I did get to have a proper look around, and honestly, the place is brilliant. I can’t wait to revisit.

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I was planning to give you a full review of the session, but unless I magically learn to surf through time, that’ll have to wait. In the meantime, here’s the next best thing: all the key info you need to know before your own visit, so you can arrive feeling fully clued-up. I’ll cover:

• What is the Wave?

• What’s at the Wave?

• Accessibility

• What the beginner lessons and sessions entail (Including pricing)

• Opening times

• Events

🏄🏿 What is the wave?

The Wave in Bristol offers a rare chance to surf real waves without heading to the coast, thanks to its innovative inland surfing lake. Located just outside the city, it uses advanced Wavegarden Cove technology to produce consistent waves up to two meters high, suitable for everyone from beginners to experienced surfers.

There is always something going on at The Wave, both in and out of the water. Make sure you leave plenty of time to enjoy everything on offer, whether that is relaxing with an ice-cold drink on the rooftop terrace, grabbing a waterside bite at the café-bar, letting the kids run wild on the play park, or skating on the skate ramp.

If you want to stay longer, The Camp at The Wave offers glamping-style tents that are great for families, couples, or groups of friends. These tents come with comfortable beds, a kitchenette, woodburners, a private toilet, and a large balcony. For those seeking a more traditional camping vibe, Bell Tents are also available.

The Wave is more than just a surf spot. It is a place to get active, learn, relax, and enjoy a unique outdoor experience without needing to travel to the coast.

👀 What’s at the wave?

• Cafe-bar selling food and drink throughout the day

• Shop selling fins, leashes, wetsuits, accessories, clothes, and more

• Children’s playpark

• Outdoor walks and seating areas

• Skate ramp

• Saunas (only in the winter months)

• Surfboard repair

• Surfboard hire

• Yoga

• Swimming sessions (in the summer)

• Events, talks, retreats, and more

👨‍🦽🐕‍🦺👩🏾‍🦯 Accessibility

The Wave is for everyone, and it’s been designed with that in mind. Their goal is to make sure as many people as possible can enjoy their time there.

• Level access and paved paths throughout the site, including right around the lake and on the pier

• Lift access to the roof terrace

• Limited number of blue badge parking spaces right outside the main building

• Comfortable indoor and outdoor seating

• Assistance dogs are welcome

• Wheelchair accessible toilets and a Changing Places toilet

What does the beginner lesson entail?

Beginner Surf Lessons are a mixture of a 30-minute dry land lesson and 1 hour of in-the-water training. They take place in the small white water waves in The Bay. These lessons are suitable for all.

The Beginner lesson prices are:

Beginner Lesson - Adult (£45.00)

Beginner Lesson - Child (£40.00)

If you’ve already started your surfing journey with a lesson or two, then the Beginner Surf Sessions are a great next step. No lesson included!

The Beginner Surf Sessions prices are:

Beginner Surf - No Lesson - Adult (£40.00)

Beginner Surf - No Lesson - Child (£35.00)

There are also lessons and sessions for improvers, intermediate, advanced, expert and some non-surfing activities. Prices vary; find out more here.

⌚When is The Wave open?

The opening times and days change throughout the year.

• Monday: 6am – 8pm

• Tuesday: 6am – 8pm

• Wednesday: 6am – 8pm

• Thursday: 6am – 9pm

• Friday: 6am – 9pm

• Saturday: 6am – 9pm

• Sunday: 6am – 9pm

🎄 EVENTS: Christmas party nights

27th November & 4th December 2025

Colleagues, friends, or family can come together to celebrate at The Wave. The Christmas Party Nights provide the perfect festive atmosphere for smaller groups. Rather than booking a private venue, guests join one big, unique celebration at The Wave, Bristol’s ultimate destination for a memorable holiday party.

What’s included:

• A delicious 2-course Christmas dinner

• A welcome drink on arrival

• Live music to keep the party atmosphere going

Price: £65

Thanks for reading

I hope you enjoyed finding out more about The Wave. Fingers crossed you have more luck with the dates you book! I’d love to know if you have been and how you found it.

Remember, to travel is to live.
- Wanderwise with Kiera

*All information is correct as of 04th October 2025.

Above you can see me on the Mekong River. I’m a bit of a river, canal and aviation nerd, as you will probably tell from reading my bucket list, which includes ‘go on an A380’ and ‘see the Panama Canal’. I’m the sort of person who watches documentaries about the Mekong and about how Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger landed on the Hudson River after both engines went down on the plane he was flying. So, it’s surprising to me that I never put the Mekong Delta on the bucket list that I originally created, because it definitely was on there in my brain. 🤯

However, for a bit of extra context, this bucket list was originally made to be posted on social media as content, one post at a time; therefore, I believe I may have wanted to have some variety on each post so it didn’t look too ‘samey’. As an example I didn’t put bucket list items that were in the same region on the same social post for variety (For example: See the Great Barrier Reef and visit Australia are on different images).

A great idea at the time, content-wise, but a nightmare for me now, whilst I am writing this, as it’s likely I’ll mention something that’s on the 4th image whilst talking about the 1st image. So for ease, here’s the full bucket list in 4 images, and I’ll go into everything after the images:

Truthfully, I look back on this list now and I think, “wow, that was random” for some of these options! Some of them, I think, “girl, how rich did you think you were gonna be?!” Visiting Antarctica is, of course, what I’m talking about. And for some of them, I think “Really?! There are so many things I’d rather do/places I’d rather go. Isn’t it interesting how time can change your priorities?

The ‘COVID’ of it all…

At the time I created this bucket list, my partner and I had plans to go on a cruise around South America via Princess Cruises. We had it booked and were going to pay it off monthly. We were super excited because we would get to visit the Panama Canal, which was a huge dream of mine.

❌ See the Panama Canal

Long story short, COVID happened and screwed up our plans entirely and then by the time things were opening up again, we had decided to tick a few things off our lists that were a bit closer to home, and interrailing was the perfect option to do this!

Interrailing

This was an amazing trip and a fantastic way to tick off multiple locations across Europe. I HIGHLY recommend interrailing. We mixed it with a couple of flights at the start of our trip too, to cover more distance.

✅ Go interrailing

We visited (In order):
🇸🇪 Stockholm and Malmö in Sweden
🇩🇰 Copenhagen in Denmark
🇩🇪 Berlin in Germany
🇨🇿 Prague in the Czech Republic
🇦🇹 Vienna in Austria
🇩🇪 Cologne in Germany
🇧🇪 Brussels in Belgium
🇫🇷 Paris in France

As a separate trip, we also went to Italy, train-hopping, and we visited Pisa, Venice, Florence and Rome. We ate lots of pasta in Italy! 🍝

✅ Eat pasta in Italy

Santorini blowout - literally!

So… I rented a car abroad, and I’ve driven quite a few cars abroad since then, including a campervan.

However, we shall never speak of my first experience driving a car abroad after I explain what happened just now. 🙈 My step-son looked very worried sitting in the backseat, and to make him feel better, I said, “Don’t worry, I’ve got almost 10 years of driving experience,” and no word of a lie, 1 second later, I mounted one of Santorini’s very high curbs and popped both tyres.

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Additionally, this was only around 15-20 minutes after we picked up the car; let’s just say that when the technicians arrived to fix it, they were less than impressed. It’s become a bit of a one-liner in my household now “She’s got 10 years of driving experience, leave her alone, she’s a pro” fml. You live and you learn.

I did redeem myself, though, after a flight halfway across Australia, my husband and I picked up a campervan; he was feeling nervous about driving a camper abroad, so I drove across Captain Cook’s Highway in Cairns. Those winding roads will test any driver!

G’day England, Hello Australia!

✅ Renting a car abroad
✅ Visiting Australia

Speaking of Cairns… you know what this is the jumping off point for, don’t you? The Great Barrier Reef, of course! Earlier this year, we were lucky enough to have a full-day tour on the Great Barrier Reef, which included diving and snorkelling. We saw starfish, turtles and barracudas. It was one of the best experiences of my life. My first time diving was terrifying but electrifying. I can see why people chase adrenaline highs.

✅ Seeing the Great Barrier Reef

Most recently, we got married in Thailand. We flew there via Dubai on an A380 and had a full 24 hours in Dubai. We then had our honeymoon across Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia). All of these places were high up on my ‘must-visit’ locations list! (I know most of them weren’t on my bucket list, but my husband and I had always spoken about going to these places on our honeymoon, so it was a given that once we were over in Southeast Asia, we were going to make the most of it).

✅ Go on an A380

Be fluent in French and Spanish

Quite a large task! It’s more of a goal than a bucket list item, but I’m not the authority on what’s allowed on bucket lists, so screw it!

It’s safe to say I’m not there yet at all with fluency, specifically with French. I love that I have high hopes for myself, but let’s be realistic here. Learning two foreign languages simultaneously whilst also working a full-time job and having a side hustle is pretty damn hard.

❌ Be fluent in French and Spanish

My new goal/bucket list item will likely be to be conversational in both languages in the next five years, instead of fluent, as part of that, also to continue my degree in languages with the Open University. I’m finding Spanish a lot easier to learn than French. I’m going to write a piece on language learning soon!

✅ Saw a Broadway show

I have seen a Broadway show! In 2023, I turned to my then fiancée and said, “Shall we go to New York this weekend?” He said: What? How? To which I replied, Let’s just do it. (Amazing plan btw 🙄 - we put like 90% of it on a credit card and were surviving off our American Express out there 😳).

Also, it’s surprising how many places in America don’t take AMERICAN EXPRESS!? WTF! But I won’t go into crazy last-minute financial decisions, let's just say we learnt our lesson, and also we had such an amazing time.

We had just over 48 hours in New York and managed to see and do so much! Our highlights included Times Square, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, High Line Park, the Friends Building, Ellen’s Stardust Diner, Joe’s Pizza, Bleeker Street Pizza, watching Back to the Future on Broadway, visiting The Edge, Bryant Park, Wall Street, and more.

We couldn’t have fit so much in without the Big Bus Tours pass, which also included a cruise on the Hudson to see the Statue of Liberty. It was such a fantastic purchase - I highly recommend it.

We also almost got stabbed with a ‘rusty needle’ on the subway. (Oh yes, you best believe that story is coming up in a newsletter soon!)

✅ Visit Africa

I visited Africa, Western Africa, to be precise, Tunisia. I would like to visit Southern Africa at some point and go on a Safari. That being said, Tunisia was so underrated as a travel destination. Definitely consider adding it to your list.

Of course, there are more things that I left off this list; my list would be never-ending if I added everything that was swirling around my brain, believe me, there’s a lot.

Plans for the future

There are a few things on my old bucket list that I think are going to have to wait a while to happen, as truthfully, other locations have become more of a priority. Sorry to Hawaii, the USA road trip, Bora Bora, The Maldives and Indonesia, you’ll have to wait a good few years at least; however, you never know what might happen.

We never expected to go to Tunisia when we did or to Australia; however, through my job as a Travel Consultant at the time, these opportunities were more readily available. We’re very lucky to have travelled as much as we have in the past few years, specifically the past year.

I believe next up in terms of travel is South America, followed by Africa and then Japan and South Korea combined. In between these big trips, I’ll be exploring some more of the UK. Scotland, definitely! I want to go camping loads next year! I’d like to build up a healthy camping kit - I’ve started already. Slowly but surely, I’m going to grow it until I have the most KICK ASS camping kit ever in the cupboard, ready to go whenever we need it. I’m talking cute thermal mugs, picnic blankets, comfy airbeds, blow-up pillows, a gas bottle, you name it, I’m going to have it ready to go.

READ: My Top 'Beginner Camping' Tips

As part of the camping trips, I’d also like to go surfing and maybe diving again, and kayaking is definitely on my list too! A writing retreat could also be on the agenda. I won’t get started going onto my new bucket list just yet, I’ll save that for another post 😉

Living in the UK, you can travel to cities across Europe for very affordable prices if you look in the right place. I love a good bargain, and I’m also going to Budapest in Hungary and Bucharest in Romania for my birthday in the next few months. Subscribe for a breakdown of how much the trip costs. I’ll cover it soon!

Thanks for reading. I’d love to know a few of your bucket list items in the comments below 👇🏽

Remember, to travel is to live.
- Wanderwise with Kiera

⚖️ I’ve had a side hustle every single year for almost ten years. As I get older, though, I’m faced with a dilemma: what’s more valuable — my time or extra money? After all, time is money, as they say. I work a busy full-time job, 5 days a week, that I love, and truthfully, I don’t have time for side hustles. However, I make time, because in this day and age, you have to suffer if you want to thrive and not just survive, as depressing as that sounds.

📈 I’ll level with you: yes, my situation is unique, and I’m currently paying off debts, so my outgoings are higher. But truthfully, over the past year, I’ve got my finances down to a tee with a payment plan I can’t and won’t falter on. I pay off a set amount each month, and I’ll be debt-free towards the end of next year.

🤑 That should fill me with relief, but truthfully, I sit at home on my evenings Googling ways to make money, side hustles, you name it — I’ve tried it all. Cashback apps, survey apps, event hosting, tour guiding, quiz hosting, being a dating host, freelance work... the list goes on.

🛏️ Sometimes, I lie awake at night thinking, ‘Ooo, but I haven’t tried this to make money. Maybe I could do that and pay off even more.’ ‘Maybe, just maybe, if I did this side hustle, I could save enough for a mini-break without sacrificing the money I pay back on my debts.’

😬 Lots of people feel the same way, even though they’re not in the same position as I am. Millennials are feeling the squeeze — almost 40% of us are working multiple jobs just to get by, while the cost of living has soared by 45% in the last decade.

💷 On top of that, student loan debt in the UK has hit £170 billion, leaving many of us stuck in a cycle where building any real wealth feels out of reach.

I am 35 years old—the oldest millennial, the first millennial—and for a decade now, I’ve been waiting for adulthood to kick in. My rent consumes nearly half my income, I haven’t had a steady job since Pluto was a planet and my savings are dwindling faster than the ice caps the baby boomers melted. - Michael Hobbes, Huffington Post (Read full piece here)

🌏 As my creativity flourishes and I want to spend more time creating posts on Substack and marketing myself as a travel writer, I’m faced with a dilemma. Do I cut off my constant stream of ‘pocket money’ from my side hustles to throw my absolute all into travel writing and the things I’m truly passionate about, or do I continue the grind and try to fit my travel writing around everything else?

🍕 I’m tempted to choose the former, but I know that in around a month’s time, when I’m halfway through the month and lacking my extra cash, I’ll want to order a Domino’s as a treat or buy myself a bath bomb. Then, I’ll find myself back on Google, searching for some get-rich-quick scheme, or messaging my contacts to see if any events need covering.

Event manager: “We’ve got an event 120 miles away, but we’ll give you this much money?”
Me: “Yeah, sure, sounds like a great idea! (AKA, the money sounds great)
Me on the day of the event, exhausted: “FML, what have I done?”
Me when the money hits my account: “I’m a genius, this was fantastic, lets do it again!”
And the cycle repeats. 🔁

✍🏽 Writing is igniting my soul. Even if I only have 40 readers, I’m enjoying the freedom of expression. I’m seeing the beauty in other people’s work, and I am loving every second of it. Then I wake up and face the reality that I’ve got to be at my side hustle tonight, after my full 8-hour working day, so that’s three to four hours of creative time down the drain this evening.

⌛ There truly isn’t enough time in a week. The thing is, everyone says, 'You do too much, make sure you’re looking after yourself.' The thing is, I am looking after myself. I might not be looking after myself physically, but mentally, when I can relax a bit more at night because I’ve got my side hustle money, that constitutes looking after myself, right?

💅🏽 I’m being facetious - I know it’s important to look after yourself, so when I do hit a turning point and have that realisation, I’m faced with yet another dilemma.

😔 I do just that — I relax, and for a while, I feel better. But then, I start to feel guilty. I feel guilty for spending money on myself and my well-being, thinking I should have put it into savings or toward my debts.

❤️‍🔥 But I’m really trying to shift that mindset because I don’t live for numbers; I live for life. I live for experiences. I live for passion. While passion alone doesn’t pay the bills, maybe if I keep following my passions, I can eventually create a stream of income that will support my endeavours without having to be a side hustle queen.

As a side note, to any of my ‘side hustle’ employers who might be reading this: honestly, I rely on your work at certain times of the year, and I’m very thankful for it. I’m also very good at what I do, and I genuinely enjoy it, as I’ve mentioned above.

💭So, in this post, I suppose I’m really asking for your thoughts and opinions... Should I sacrifice money for creative freedom? Should I step away from my side hustles and focus on travel writing, at least in the short term? Or should I just continue the grind?

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Thanks for reading!
And remember, to travel is to live.

- Wanderwise with Kiera

But here’s the secret: Halloween isn’t just for kids. Adults can still enjoy it and absolutely SHOULD. Haunted houses, ghost tours, scary movies, pumpkin carving, creepy cocktails, themed parties, murder mystery nights. There are so many ways for adults to enjoy Halloween!

I’m going to cover EVERYTHING you can do this Halloween, from magic shows to creepy camping, even arts and crafts nights with friends.

I understand that affordability will be a big thing for some people; therefore, I’m also including some budget options to prove that you don’t have to break the bank to have fun! 🤑

So grab your broomstick (or your cocktail shaker) and let’s make this Halloween one to remember. 👻

DIY Food and Drink

🍸 Cocktail making - see multiple recipes here, here and here. (Did you know Halloween sangria is a thing?! It looks amaaaaazing.)👇🏽

BUDGETING TIP: Make a whole jug of sangria to keep costs down rather than buying the materials to make multiple different cocktails. You could also try making this non-alcoholic Halloween punch - it can also be made alcoholic by adding vodka or gin.

Other popular Halloween cocktails include the Witches Heart, a Bloody Mary and a Blood Orange Margarita.


Another option is:🍺 Cider tasting - The Stable is a great choice, it has great cider tasting boards and is a popular destination in many UK towns and cities such as Birmingham, Bristol, Plymouth and more.

Other food options:
🍎 Make caramel apples - recipe here.
🏠 Decorate gingerbread men/women or even make a gingerbread house!
🔥 Roast marshmallows

A popular thing to do with yours friends is a ‘bring a board’ night, where you ask your friends to each pick a colour, and then they have to bring a board/plate full of food and drinks that colour. You could make it Halloween-themed - orange, black, green and red. Make sure you coordinate who is bringing which colour board, otherwise it could be a disaster!

💅🏽 Have a Scary Spa day at home!

No, I’m not suggesting you go into a sauna or steam room and start screaming at everyone; in fact, please don’t do that. How about instead, you go to Starbucks, order yourself a pumpkin spiced latte and then go home and indulge in a pumpkin bath bomb from Lush whilst your ‘Pumpkin Spice’ candle burns away in the background. Pumpkin overload? Pumpkin is not personally my thing, so if it’s not yours, I get it. Try the blood orange lip scrub or the alien bubble bar instead. 👽

Also, I know it’s not strictly Halloween themed, but the Black Rose bath bomb from Lush smells heavenly, you could pretend that you’re a sexy witch and throw some rose petals in the bath too. (Who’s pretending? We all know you ARE a sexy witch!)

If you like the rose scent, then Rosy Cheeks face mask from Lush is a go-to for feeling and smelling like an angel. This cheaper alternative from Superdrug is not to be ignored. Also, I have sensitive skin, and I’ve used this many times, so I can vouch for this.

On the topic of Lush, the brand is known for its fresh, handmade, and ethically-produced products like bath bombs, solid shampoo bars, shower jellies and more. These products can be expensive; therefore, I’d like to offer some alternative options here: Primark’s Pumpkin Sheet Mask for only £1.79, a 4-pack of Halloween Bath Fizzer’s for £2.

If you want to have fun in budget mode, Primark’s Halloween section has over 400 products, including cosmetics, pyjamas, pillows, plates and more.

Arts and crafts

Forget spooky… get crafty instead. Grab the girlies or the lads and sit down for some chilled-out arts and crafts time. Why not try picking up a DIY Sugar Skull Mug from Tiger Copenhagen for £7.

If you’re feeling competitive, you could all put some money into a kitty, buy some canvases, paints and a gift set (spooky-themed would be ideal). Get together at someone’s house and have a Vincent Van Ghost Night.

You see where I’m going with this, right? You all paint scary pictures, and then at the end, you vote for the winner. You could create a points system and mark each one out of 10 for creativity and scariness. Winner gets the spooky gift set and perhaps control over your playlist for the evening, or they could even get to pick the horror film that you watch afterwards.

Buy six canvases here for only £10.19. Buy 18 paint colours with 10 art brushes included for £14.99 here. Add two/three bottles of wine at £8-10 each, and you’re looking at around £10-15 each. Budget-friendly! You can use cardboard plates for the paint.

Feeling a more relaxed vibe? Then it’s time for ‘Blood and Books 📕’ (a play on blood and guts) - read your scary books with friends and indulge in a glass of blood red wine. 🍷 If you’re looking for a budget-friendly night in with friends or family, then this is a great option.

Why not put together some of the activities above and have the ultimate Halloween night in?

Picture this: you’ve just made Halloween cocktails and caramel apples. You pop on a scary movie, open the bags of scary sweets and scream the night away.

On a budget? Pop to Poundland or the equivalent in the country you’re from and grab some cheap Halloween-themed sweets, skip the cocktails and opt for a hot chocolate instead and put on a Halloween film. Cheap, cheerful and fun.

If you’re feeling extra creative and want to dress up and do your make-up for Halloween, Superdrug has tutorials on their website for everything from an ‘easy budget make-up tutorial’ to an ‘ice queen tutorial’. See the full list here.

Decorating your apartment - the finer details

Put the crappy plastic decorations away, darling, we’re adults and we are classy adults! You don’t need to buy cheap plastic decorations or spend hundreds to make your place look how you want it to look.

For starters, IKEA has the cutest plates for serving your snacks on. £10 for a 4 pack. If you’re hosting a couple of friends for dinner, this is a great option.

For only £2, these Skeleton hand cups are a MUST from Tiger Copenhagen! Your cocktails will be tasty and scary. Perhaps even some red wine, so you can look like you’re drinking the blood of the taxman. (I’ll put my claws back in now.)

I’m also slightly obsessed with the below hand washes from The Somerset Toiletry Co. Spooky, but also stylish. A bit more on the ‘pricey’ side, but they are so pretty.

🏕️ A Ghostly Getaway

Feeling fearless? Try camping on Halloween. Think crackling fire, sticky marshmallows, spiced cider, and ghost stories that get a little too real.

In York and Edinburgh, you can squeeze in a ghost tour before crawling into your tent. Norfolk’s Blickling Hall has Anne Boleyn showing up headfirst, while Chillingham Castle in Northumberland is practically a paranormal sleepover.

Scotland welcomes wild campers, but in England and Wales, you’ll need a proper site or risk a visit from something scarier than ghosts: the council. 😱

Halloween date ideas

“Ok, the ideas with friends were great, but where are my lovey-dovey Halloween date ideas, Kiera?” I hear you don’t worry.

Of course, you do all of the above with your boo too (cringe, but I had to add the ghost pun). However, here are a few more activities that you can enjoy, especially with your loved one!

🕯️ Have a Halloween-themed candlelit dinner (Budget-friendly option)
⛓️ Make matching couples’ Halloween bracelets (Budget-friendly option)
📽️ Go to a ‘Drive In’ cinema
🎩 Go and watch a magic show (You can get deals on Wowcher for shows)
🏚️ Stay at a haunted hotel
🔮 Have your fortune told
🪵 Rent a cabin in the woods
🏕️ Have a bonfire date night
🥰 Buy matching pyjamas
👻 Visit a Halloween-themed bar
🎢 Go to a theme park for their dedicated Halloween events.
🍎 Cider tasting (You could do this yourself at home as a budget option)
🧡 Pumpkin picking / go to a corn field
🎃 Make your own Jack O’Lantern (budget option)
🕸️ Halloween shopping

You could even make a full day of it, start by going pumpkin picking, next up it’s Halloween shopping and conclude with some cider tasting.

For Halloween shopping, Flying Tiger Copenhagen is a must; they have so many cute things! The Range is also a great shout, and Lush is one of my favourite options (in case you can’t tell).

I hope after reading this that you are never stuck for ideas of things to do on Halloween again. Bookmark this, save it and come back to it later and don’t forget to subscribe for more travel and lifestyle tips and tricks.

Let me know if you’ve done any of the above activities before or if you’re now planning to! Can’t wait to hear your plans.

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Remember, to travel is to live!
- Kiera Jessica, Wanderwise with Kiera.

Did you know that I’m also on YouTube? You can subscribe to my channel below 👇🏽

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Short Breaks

Amsterdam City Break from Birmingham Airport (30th November-4th Dec)
Duration: 4 nights
Price: £192pp
Provider: On The Beach.
Flights and accommodation:

Book the Amsterdam deal here

Waterfront Portugal Break from London Gatwick Airport (06th Oct-10th Oct)
Duration: 4 nights
Price: £186pp, £372 total.
Provider: LastMinute.com
Flights and accommodation:

Book the Portugal deal here

Brussels City Break from Manchester Airport (07th October-10th October)

Duration: 3 nights
Price breakdown: Flights are £38pp, £76 total. Accommodation is £217-£239 total, depending on whether you need free cancellation.
Total price: £157.50pp, £315 total.
Provider: Ryanair through Skyscanner and Booking.com for the accommodation.
Flights and accommodation:

Book Brussels flights here

Book Brussels accommodation here

Now, let’s be honest, you wanted to read this because you saw that you could get to New York or the Maldives for £200pp - so let’s get into how that is possible. It’s a bit a gamble, I’ll explain.

Wowcher’s Mystery Holiday Deal: Mystery Holiday™: Maldives, New York, Mexico, Dubai, Bali, Disneyland Paris, Japan & More!

Whilst I haven’t purchased this myself yet, I am tempted. Pay anything from £99pp to £129pp, fly from select UK airports and get a mystery holiday. Sounds nice and easy. Granted, not everyone will get a 7-night Thailand trip and you could end up with a 2-night Dublin trip, but for £129pp it’s a risk that I personally, would at least consider taking.

Let’s take a closer look at how it works:
(The below information is taken directly from Wowcher.)

What's included: A Mystery Holiday™ with flights and a hotel stay at one of over 100 worldwide potential destinations in 2025!

• Travel dates: You can choose the travel dates that work best for you - putting you in control of your holiday adventure!

• Long-haul destinations: Maldives, Barbados, Bali, Thailand, Dominican Republic, Dubai, Florida, Los Angeles, Barbados, Cape Town, New York, Mexico, Las Vegas and more!

• City breaks and beach holidays: Destinations include city breaks to Venice, Rome, Amsterdam, Disneyland Paris, Madrid, Porto, Lisbon, Krakow, or beach breaks to Crete, Ibiza, Portugal, Cyprus, Malaga, Malta and more!

• Hotels: During your getaway, you'll stay in a minimum 3* accommodation, in your own private room with en suite!

• Time in resort: Enjoy a minimum of 40 hours at your destination when departing from London or Manchester, and at least 36 hours from all other UK airports

• Flights: All short-haul flights are direct from the UK. Depart from London or choose from a wide range of regional airports including Manchester, Edinburgh, and more!

Closing date: Deal closes on 7th Sep 2025!

Now, of course, it would be lovely if everyone was awarded a mystery trip to the Maldives or to New York, but that’s not exactly how it works.

Every eligible order placed online or via the app is randomly assigned to one of three tiers:

• Tier 1: 6 holiday packages

• Tier 2: 12 holiday packages

• Tier 3: 1,982 holiday packages

That’s 2,000 holiday packages in total – enough for 4,000 travellers (since each holiday is for 2 people) – all awarded via a randomised draw.

Destination Allocation

Destinations are based on your chosen travel dates during redemption. See here for the full list of destinations. The Holiday Provider manages availability and will randomly assign from the options available on your date. You can choose an alternative destination for £20pp (where available).

I did a bit of digging into this Wowcher deal so you don’t have to - and let’s just say, plenty of people on Reddit aren’t exactly thrilled with it.

Read the full sub-reddit here.

Kiddo Adventures has also reviewed their experience with a slightly different take, saying:

Go to the Wowcher deal here

I’m not here to make decisions for you, truthfully after doing a bit of research I do understand why people wouldn’t book the Wowcher deal - there are so many resources online now that can find cheap holidays for you and with a little bit of research, you can probably get what Wowcher will offer you for the same price.

Thanks for reading today’s post. If you enjoyed it and you want to see more content like this, let me know in the comments 👇

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(Prices and availability were correct at the time of publication and are subject to change. I have no affiliation with the providers listed. The information shared is for reference purposes only and should not be considered a guarantee or endorsement.)

WanderWise with Kiera is a publication set up to ensure you wander wisely on your travels. Any knowledge I have from my travels that I can pass on to my readers, I do.

Only joking, of course! If only packing for a trip were that simple. There’s always something you forget. You’ll be happily on your way to your destination when it suddenly hits you: “Damn, I didn’t pack that!”.

Don’t worry - I’m here to walk you through exactly what to pack for every type of trip. I’ll even share what you can safely leave behind if space is tight or if your luggage is creeping over the weight limit. Sorry, cats don’t make it onto the checklist. 👇🏽 😾

Whilst reading through, you might be thinking, “I’m only going to a city - why would I need that?” Or, “Why bother with that? I’m not heading somewhere exotic”. I’ll explain everything in detail, with real-life advice, mistakes, and lessons I’ve picked up from my own travels. (Warning: a slightly gross picture is coming up.)

Let’s get started!

Multi-travel plug adapter with USB ports (x2)

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stayed somewhere with just one or two sockets in the room. With a standard adapter, I’d end up having to set alarms to swap our phones and devices over during the night - a true nightmare.

A multi-travel adapter with USB ports has honestly saved me more times than I can count. When both my husband and I need to charge our phones, he needs to charge his vape, and I’ve got a camera, earphones, or laptop waiting in line - this little device has truly been there for us (cue the Friends theme tune).

Our plug adapter comes with four USB ports plus a USB-C port, and it works in the USA, Europe, the UK, Asia, and Australia. Total game-changer! This is very similar to the one I have.

Pain and allergy relief

Medication can be surprisingly pricey abroad - especially if you don’t know where to look. In some countries, certain products are only available from pharmacies, and if the pharmacy is closed (or miles away), you’re out of luck.

There’s nothing worse than being on holiday and stuck in pain. Toothache, period pain, dodgy knees - whatever it is, it’ll always hit at the worst time. Pack some ibuprofen, paracetamol, and antihistamines in your bag - you won’t regret it.

Power banks

A long day of taking pictures and videos, using maps and searching for recommendations for places to visit can often take its toll on your mobile. A power bank is one of the things that top my list, purely for convenience. The last thing you want to do when you’re enjoying the fast-paced life of traveling is to have to find somewhere to charge your phone and lose an hour or more out of your day.

✈️ Travel Tip: You can bring a power bank on a plane, but only in your carry-on. The size matters:

• Up to 100Wh (27,000mAh): All good, no approval needed.

• 100–160Wh: allowed with airline approval, max two per person.

• Over 160Wh: not allowed on board.

Toiletries you’ll actually need

This one might sound obvious, but when you’re cutting down the weight of your luggage - or trying to keep things light with just a backpack - these are often the first things to get left behind. The classic lines: “I’ll just buy some toothpaste when I get there” or “I don’t want shampoo leaking all over my clothes” (yes, I’m guilty, I’ve said these exact words).

But here’s the thing: those “cheap” and “easy” to buy essentials like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, or face cream can quickly eat into your daily, weekly or monthly budget. A few euros here, a couple of dollars there - it adds up fast. Pack the basics (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razor, toothpaste, toothbrush, face cream) and save yourself the hassle and the expense.

When it comes to travel essentials, a packet of wipes, some toilet roll, deodorant, and hand sanitiser are a must. Too many bathrooms around the world are either gross or completely missing toilet paper. Be prepared - and don’t get caught with your pants down (pun intended).

Change and bank notes!

I’ll admit it: I’m a bit of a phone-wallet diva. Half the time I don’t even carry my bank card, and cash? Darling, I don’t carry cash! But sometimes I catch myself thinking, “Sh*t, I actually need cash” (don’t ever say I’m not authentic).

It’s happened more than once. I’ve found a great little place to eat, wanted to explore a small town, or even just have a drink and play a game of pool, and I’ve seen the dreaded ‘cash only’ sign.

Over the years, I have learned not to depend entirely on my phone and to stash some cash. Past experiences of convincing a taxi driver to go on a last minute ATM detour whilst dealing with a language barrier and almost missing a tour will haunt me.

A little cash, a physical card, and yes, even some change will save you a lot of unnecessary drama.

Comfortable shoes (warning, gross feet pic)

The trauma attached to this one is real. Picture this: interrailing in Italy, 20,000+ steps per day, 5 a.m. starts, and the wrong pair of shoes. That’s all I’ll say. To make a terrible shoe-related pun: DON’T DO IT. Sorry Nike. Buy some decent walking shoes and, for Christ’s sake, please test them out before you travel.

On the plus side, I did buy the most expensive pair of sandals I own in Italy, and that pair has now traveled the world with me. After seeing the price tag, my husband said, “You better wear those shoes EVERYWHERE; I want you to never take them off.” I think he’s been pleasantly surprised with how often I actually wear them.

Honestly, your foot health and comfort are essential to having a good time. Comfortable shoes aren’t just nice, they’re a MUST.

Comfort items - earphones, travel pillow, earplugs, eyemask

A long plane journey, a long bus ride, a long coach or train trip… are made a hell of a lot longer if you don’t have these few comfort items. Yes, some airlines will give you earphones and a pillow, maybe even earplugs and an eye-mask, but it’s always good to have your own in case a plane isn’t your chosen mode of transport.

As an example, if you land early in the morning and you need a little nap before you face the day, then the eye-mask and earplugs will come in handy! Whilst the world is wide awake, you need your beauty sleep. You’ll end up facing the day feeling a lot fresher with these travel staples.

Suncream and aftersun

I’m a woman who tans quite easily and rarely burns - probably because there’s some Asian heritage in my family. If I ever do burn, it’s only slightly on my shoulders. However, I got sunburnt in the UK! Never underestimate the sun.

Secondly, while in Perth, Australia, it was a cloudy, windy, and borderline chilly day. I was wearing a semi-see-through tropical print shirt, a vest, and trousers - my arms were fully covered. I had a great day. The next morning, I woke up, and my arms were like lobster claws, and my husband looked like fire itself. Stupid British people that we are, we saw some clouds, felt the wind, and thought, “Eh, let’s wrap up and hit the road.” Sun cream… not even a thought in our minds. Woopsie. Let’s just say we ran out of suncream by the end of the two-week trip and learned our lesson.

Aftersun is always an afterthought, you never think you’ll need it, until you do. Just put some in your bag, trust me!

Towels and swimming gear

I absolutely adore a plush, long, and cozy towel. However, it’s just not the best option for travel. It takes up way too much room and once it’s wet, it takes too long to dry.

Shoving a damp towel into your bag is a surefire way to put a dampener on your day - pun intended. So, what’s the solution? A large microfiber or “fast-drying” towel! Many beach towels come in this kind of material. Wash it, throw it over the back of a sun lounger, balcony, or chair, and it’ll be good to re-pack or re-use in a couple of hours. 10/10.

Now, even if you’re not going somewhere hot, TAKE YOUR SWIMMING costume/trunks! There may be a pool where you’re going, a spa experience, thermal baths or something else cool. I’ve been caught wishing I took my swimming gear more times than I care to admit, I always regret not taking it if I don’t.

Packing cubes

I promised myself, while starting this publication, that I would be authentic and honest - and I am. Truthfully, I hate spending money on unnecessary things and like to save where I can. When I first heard about packing cubes, I thought, “What a load of sh*t - just another way to get your money, another travel ‘hack’ for influencers to post on TikTok.”

Then I did some research, and genuinely, I’m a convert. For my trips to Australia and Asia, packing cubes really helped condense my mountain of clothes and keep them organised. Swimming gear in one, bottoms in another, tops in another, socks in another, underwear in another, and “going out” outfits in one more.

Some extra advice: I bought mine from Temu - they were very cheap, but as the saying goes ‘you pay for what you get’ and the zips broke after my first trip, so I had to order more for my next trip. Also, out of the six or seven cubes, only three were really usable sized - the others were pencil-case sized. So, I had to order even more. Just a tip for if you decide to order some!

I’d recommend maybe ordering two packs to give you a good variety of sizes. Perhaps consider ordering packing cubes from different retailers, so you have variety and can test our their usefulness. Everywhere including Matalan, John Lewis and even Primark sell them. So you’re spoiled for choice. Side note: Condé Nast Traveller tested out The Best Packing Cubes so that you don’t need to!

International No-Fee Bank Cards

When you’re abroad, the last thing you want is sneaky fees. I use Monzo, and I know of friends and family that use Revolut - both are good options.

With Monzo, you can split your money into “pots” for daily spending, accommodation, transport, or excursions, which makes budgeting actually, dare I say it, quite fun. You can spend in foreign currencies or withdraw cash up to a certain limit without extra charges, and the exchange rates are fair. Basically, it’s one less thing to worry about while you’re having fun.

Click here or on the button below to sign up for Monzo, you’ll then get a mystery reward of £10, £20 or £50! Definitely worth doing.

Sign up here and win a mystery reward

A backpack with multiple pockets. (Hidden pockets are a bonus)

Often, handbags can’t fit all of your essentials and let’s be honest, they are annoying to hold. Wherever you are going, a backpack will be useful. Whether it’s a long all-inclusive holiday or a short city break.

A backpack with lots of compartments is a total travel lifesaver. You can tuck your passport into a secret pocket, keep your room key somewhere secure, and stow your wallet or purse in its own little nook. Everything has a spot, and you don’t have to worry about your essentials getting lost, jumbled together or stolen. Honestly, once you travel with one of these, you’ll wonder how you ever survived with just one big, all-in-one compartment.

Mini-detour for a moment, here’s my backpack essentials list:

Backpack Essentials List

• Painkillers

• Water, lots of it

• Power bank or multiple power banks

• Tissue/toilet roll

• Make-up wipes / wipes

• Hand sanitiser

• Deodorant

• Sun cream/mosquito spray (depending on where you’re going)

• Wallet with essentials: ID, debit card, backup debit card (one VISA and one Mastercard from different banks), bank notes, and change

See my full travel essentials list below, along with a handy interactive online checklist, you can use this to tick items off in preparation for your next trip.

This checklist will work for both checked and carry-on luggage, however, obviously, with carry-on luggage your liquid requirements may be smaller (10 x 100ml is most common), so bear that in mind along with the fact that you are going to have significantly less room in a carry-on, so you may need to be a bit brutal with what you take.

The Travel Essentials List

• Multi-travel plug adapter with USB ports x2

• Ibuprofen / Paracetamol

• Anti-histamines

• Period supplies (for the ladies)

• Suncream and aftersun (yes, even in the UK)

• Swimming costume/trunks

• Towel (microfibre/fast-drying is best)

• Flip flops (thongs, if you’re American)

• Change/bank notes

• Packing cubes

• International no-fee bank card

• A backpack with multiple pockets

• A beach bag (mesh is a good shout)

• Toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razor, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, face cream, toilet roll

• Comfortable shoes

• Power banks

• Travel pillow

• Earplugs

• Eye mask

• Earphones

Use my FREE interactive checklist

What can I drop from the list, if I need to save a bit of extra space?

What can you possibly drop from a travel essentials list, everything is essential… right!? Unfortunately, suitcases have weight limits and backpacks can only hold so much. At some point, you’re going to have to make some sacrifices. The tricky part is deciding what is actually on the chopping block.

It really depends on your destination and the type of trip. For example, if it’s a short city break and you’re staying in a hotel, you can probably leave the towel, shampoo, and body wash at home since most hotels provide them. Take conditioner though, because apparently, hotels think we don’t like to condition our hair. Seriously - why do they never have conditioner?

I’d still recommend taking a swimming costume. You might want to take a break from being on your feet and book a last-minute spa session. And if you’re like me, a larger lady, it’s a hard task finding a swimming costume that fits and is comfortable whilst abroad, so I always have one handy to avoid disappointment. A towel, however, most places you stay or visit will have towels in your room or even towels to rent, so you can probably leave that off your list if you’re strapped for space. Other items that you could potentially leave out are: beach bag, eye mask, period supplies and painkillers. These can all be purchased en-route.

I did just read this aloud to my husband and he said “Noooo, I’m always traveling with painkillers, after what happened in Santorini with my tooth pain.” So, use your best judgement with what you leave out of your suitcase, you’ve been warned!

A power bank could be left out if you are remaining relatively close to your accommodation and you have short excursions and/or access to plug points.

Thanks for reading

I hope you found this piece useful. I know I’ll definitely come back to this piece before my next trip and make sure I pack everything above.

WanderWise with Kiera is a publication set up to ensure you wander wisely on your travels. Any knowledge I have from my travels that I can pass on to my readers, I do.

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Applying for a visa

I knew we needed visas for Australia. So, I did what anyone would do and Googled Australian visas. I found a website called Australia-visas.org. It looked legit. I filled out the form and paid over £100 if I remember correctly.

They offered a joint eVisa. “Great,” I thought. Efficient, time-saving, simple. I put both of our details in. A few days later, I got an approval email. “Fantastic! Sorted!” I thought.

But then I read it properly. Only my visa had been approved. Yikes!

We assumed Jamie’s would come through a few days later. Maybe a week at most. We’d applied months in advance to be safe, so there was plenty of time. But after a week… nothing.

We emailed their support. No reply. We emailed again a few weeks later. Still nothing. We emailed a third time, months later. Finally, we got a generic message saying they were very busy and would get around to it “when they got around to it.”

So, we did what any normal person would do… Freaked out, did some more frantic research and applied again. This time, an application just for just my husband, for a different type of visa (a Tourist visa). And thank goodness, that was approved almost immediately. Phew! Stress over. Right? Not exactly…

Arriving in Australia

Fast forward a few weeks. We land in Australia. Absolutely shattered. Feeling like we’ve entered a different dimension after our 16-hour direct flight from London to Perth.

I go through customs first. All good. Then Jamie goes. They hold him for a moment and ask him to take a seat, they can see two visa applications.

I’m like, “Woah, that’s my husband, can I sit with him?” We explain the whole mess with the other visa application.

Buy me a coffee to support me

Picture this: we’re the only people at immigration. You could hear a pin drop. We go back and forth with the immigration officer as he asks us lots of questions. After about 25 minutes, the officer tells us they’re on the phone with Canberra trying to sort it out.

On the phone to a different city… the capital city of Australia! Alarming much.

We’re panicking. What if they send us straight back on another 16-hour flight? (Side note: that flight made me so ill, but that’s a story for another day.)

After another 20 minutes, the officer comes back. Good news: one visa has been cancelled, the other approved. We’re free to go.

I swear, we’ve never exited an airport so fast in our lives.

Moral of the story? Don’t let me book your visas. (Kidding!) The real lesson is this: always, ALWAYS read the UK government’s official website. It would have saved us two visa applications, over £100, 45 minutes of stress, and a small heart attack.

On the plus side, the immigration officers were really lovely and professional. They managed to sort it out for us, and we’ve certainly learned our lesson for next time.

The website I got our visas from, no longer exists, shock horror! The reviews, however, they do still exist and they speak volumes.

Although this website doesn’t exist anyone, there are others like it, so be careful and always apply for your visa’s via the official website.

Must know information for traveling to Australia

I’m not going to leave you with just my stressful story, don’t worry. This is the information you need to know:

The current entry requirements on the UK government website state:

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to visit Australia.

Applying for a visa

British citizens can usually get the following types of electronic visitor visa:

• eVisitor visa – there is no visa application charge or service fee

• Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) through the iOS app or Android app – there is no visa application charge, but there may be a service fee

The Department of Home Affairs has information on all other types of visas.

As always, I’m here to share my crazy travel stories, the do’s and don’ts, and hopefully give you a laugh along the way. My aim is to help you become a more knowledgeable traveller while keeping it real.

See you next time and remember, to travel is to live ✈️

✍️Wanderwise with Kiera

*All views are my own*

🟣 Fact 1: You can’t open an airplane door mid-flight!

After the plane is fully boarded, cabin crew lock the doors. ”Cabin crew arm doors and cross check” and then the cabin crew/air hostesses proceed to arm their doors, which means they activate the emergency evacuation slides attached to the aircraft doors, so that they will deploy automatically if the doors are opened in an emergency. Then another crew member cross checks their door and vice versa.

Once an aeroplane climbs above roughly 10,000 feet, opening a door becomes a feat so impossible it might as well be magic. 🧙

The cabin is pressurised and the doors are plug-type, so the higher you go, the harder the air inside pushes to keep them sealed. By cruising altitude, usually around 35,000 feet, that pressure difference is locking the door in place with the force of several tonnes. In other words, you’d have better luck opening a bank vault with a teaspoon.

A slight detour for a moment, whilst I was Cabin Crew I had an unfortunate incident on board where a passenger who had taken drugs a few days earlier had an outburst and attempted to get into the flight deck, he was screaming:

We restrained the passenger using the restraint kit provided and police met us on arrival, he was later sentenced. So the moral of this story is, don’t do stupid things on planes and maybe, don’t take drugs either!

Also, I’m aware there is a news article from 2023, where a man allegedly opened the door of the Asiana Airlines plane when it was 700 feet (213 metres) above the ground. I have so many questions whilst reading this piece: did the slide deploy? How was this man out of his seat at this point in the flight? How did he ‘open the door’? What was he thinking?

🟣 Fact 2: Tunisia is home to the ancient city of Carthage, which was a major rival to Rome in ancient times.

Carthage, once a major city in the ancient world, is now part of a residential area in modern Tunis, Tunisia. Situated on the Tunisian coast, it was ideally positioned to monitor and control ships travelling between Sicily and North Africa across the Mediterranean. From a bustling port and trading hub, it grew into a powerful Mediterranean state and a serious rival to Rome. Today, the archaeological site of Carthage is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, having been added to the list in 1979. As a side note, Tunisia was stunning! A country that truly shocked me and I would highly recommend taking a trip there.

🟣 Fact 3: The Trevi Fountain makes around $1.7million per year in coinage.

Throw a coin into the Trevi fountain, it guarantees your return to Rome, as the legend goes. Turns out that’s not all it does. Every day, roughly €3,000 in loose change is thrown into the Trevi Fountain, adding up to as much as €1.5 million over the course of a year.

The Trevi Fountain isn’t just a place for tossing coins and making wishes. Every few days, city workers gather the change and hand it over to Caritas Roma, who use it to run soup kitchens, shelters, and a supermarket for families in need. Last year, almost 10,000 people received help thanks to coins thrown by tourists hoping for luck.

🟣 Fact 4: The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from Space.

The Great Barrier Reef is the only living thing on Earth visible from space, stretching over 2,300 kilometres along Australia’s coast. From above, it appears as a vast ribbon of shifting blues and greens, a reminder that our planet’s biggest wonders aren’t always on land.

🟣 Fact 5: The most visited country in the world is France.

France is the most visited country in the world, attracting tens of millions of travellers each year. From the Eiffel Tower to the Arc de Triomphe, the Moulin Rouge and beyond, there’s tons of landmarks to see as well as its diverse landscapes, rich history, and celebrated cuisine.

Whether for a weekend in Paris or a summer on the Riviera, France continues to capture the imagination of travellers everywhere. Have you been to France? If so, where was your favourite part? I’m thinking of camping in France soon, so I would love to know from my readers their recommendations.

Buy me a coffee

If you’ve enjoyed reading this, I would love it if you would support me by subscribing or ‘buying me a coffee’. Also, if you have any ideas of what you would like to see me write about, let me know, I’m always open to feedback.

See you next time and remember, to travel is to live ✈️

✍️Wanderwise with Kiera

*All views are my own*

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Let’s backtrack a bit, we’ll get into my B&Q purchases in a minute. As soon as I heard we were going camping, I think the Facebook algorithm started listening to me and kept recommending me the OUTBAK Expedition™ Folding BBQ, after a few recommendations and a bit of research I finally gave in and ordered the grill, some skewers and a sausage grilling basket. It was ‘compact’, ‘easy to clean’ and ‘easy to use’. Ok, I’m sold. It cost me £49.97 as I bought some accessories too including a sausage grilling basket and some metal skewers.

’First thing I’ll need is charcoal then’ I thought as I was in B&Q, straight away I notice multiple bags all different sizes. ‘I’m so out of my depth here. Which bag do I buy? Is this going to be enough?’ I opted for the smallest bag (3kg). ‘How am I going to light the charcoal, ooo, here’s some lighter gel’. That will do the job surely. ‘I don’t want to burn myself though’. Then I spotted a long lighter stick, ‘YES! Perfect.’ I thought.

Review for the OUTBAK Expedition™ Folding BBQ: really easy to use grill, super lightweight and easy to pack away and clean. 10/10 would recommend.

My little B&Q escapade was going well so far, so I moved along the aisle and started thinking about comfort, my dad said he had some foam mattresses but I wanted an air bed. Sleep is super important to me and I wanted to be in control of making sure I get a good night’s kip.

There was only one option for a double air bed (Bestway Blue Double Airbed), ideally I would have had a king due to mine and my partner’s size but the price was right, it was only £22, so I added it to my basket. Truthfully, I could have looked elsewhere and probably got a better quality air bed for a bit more, but I was on the clock as my camping trip was only a few days away and at £22, you can’t really complain!

Review for the air bed: it was comfortable but very small, I did have to top it up a few times. I think this air bed would be good as an air bed for one person that wants quite a bit of room, or two smaller people. Overall, I’d say it was worth the price.

Next, I saw some camping pillows (Bestway Air pillow inflatable) too for only £1.87 each. “What a steal” I thought. Even if we don’t use them to sleep on they will come in handy, for sure.

Review for the camping pillows: Super easy to inflate, really sturdy, absolutely worth the price. 10/10 recommend. I didn’t use them as pillows but used it between my legs to keep my knees elevated and my back in a good position whilst sleeping on my side. I also used one to keep my back upright and from rolling back into the middle of the air bed as the air bed wasn’t the sturdiest.

After B&Q, I went to Morrisons to get some food and also got some essentials such as paper plates, tissues, plastic re-useable cups and disposable coffee cups. My disposable coffee cups didn’t last nearly as long as I had hoped, so I bought some insulated mugs from one of the touristy shops in Penzance. Next time, I will bring them along. A table was something that would have come in handy. We made do with our chairs and cup holders but a table for eating/cooking would have been ideal.

Whilst walking around the campsite, it was a great time to check our other camper’s set ups and get ideas for what we could be missing. The two ladies opposite us had an inflatable sofa! Love that, let’s add that to the shopping list for next time. Another aesthetic thing I noticed on a few tents was fairy lights, such a simple touch but it added a real ‘homey’ vibe.

We opted for no electric hook up at this campsite. We made do with power banks and also their games room had some plug points which we used to charge our devices between 8pm and 9pm before they closed for the night. We always went to bed with some battery due to this, however electrical hook up would have been a better idea as truthfully on one of the nights we wanted to watch the sunset, but we would have lost access to the games room to charge our phones so we opted to go back to the campsite. You live and you learn ay?

I really enjoyed camping - I love to travel but in my own country and my own city, sometimes I can be a bit of a homebody. It was so nice to get out in the fresh air, to walk on the grass with just my socks or bare feet, to feel the wind running through my hair, to cook with my family and to explore the UK. I have always thought that I may feel a bit ‘grim’ whilst camping, without access to proper facilities, but the thing is, you can have access to proper facilities and that’s exactly what happened at the wonderful campsite we stayed at.

If you are ever looking for a campsite near Lands End or Penzance I HIGHLY recommend Trevaylor Campsite. The facilities were fantastic - the showers and toilets were so clean and a lovely temperature. The shower stayed on for a great amount of time before you had to re-press the button again. The lady who owned the campsite was so lovely and talkative and gave us some great tips about the local area and places to go. The games room/conservatory was a lovely place to take your dinner and eat or have a few soft drinks (no alcohol allowed), there is a pool table, cards, board games and more. And importantly for us, charging ports. Also, every Friday night is pizza night at the campsite! Overall 10/10 for this campsite. The only thing that would have made it better is if the games room opened earlier than 11:30am and closed later than 9pm, maybe 11pm so that you didn’t have to rush back from the day’s activities to play games if you were only on a short break.

To round up, here’s a list of things you need if you go camping, I’ve divided it into what I consider to be essential and non-essential.

Essential things to take on your camping trip:
Tent/living space (Campervan, Tent box, caravan etc)
Air bed
Duvet and pillows
Gas stove
Gas bottle
Cool box
Freezer blocks
Food for the cool box
Bottles of water
Cooking utensils (Spoon, spatula, frying pan, pan)
Eating utensils (Plates, bowls, cups, mugs, knives, forks, spoons)
A kettle
Bin bags
Camping chairs
Camping table
A torch
Magnetic light/hangable light
Kitchen towel/toilet roll
Non-perishable food
Washing up liquid
Change (for laundry machines)
Grill
Charcoal Briquettes
BBQ lighting gel
Lighter
Wet wipes
Anti-bacterial hand sanitiser

Non-essential things that would make your camping trip a bit nicer:
Inflatable sofa
Fairy lights
Bean bags
Campfire materials (if they are allowed at your campsite)
Additional shelter/gazebo/wind blocker
Hot water bottle

Thanks for reading and don’t forget to subscribe. I’d love to hear what you just can’t go camping without and maybe I can add it to my list for next time too!

What do you imagine when you picture an ice bar? I picture something quite grandiose, of course, there’s ice everywhere, ice for the floor, multiple sculptures, big beer steins made of ice, ice shot glasses, ice wine glasses, and maybe even ice chandeliers. Perhaps my thoughts and wants were far too Disney-like, but I almost did expect it to have a fantasy type quality to it. What I got was none of the above.

My partner and I are about to enter the Ice bar, we’re excited and are given ponchos to keep us warm. “Super cute,” I think. If, like us, you’ve been in Spain for a few days by this point, you’re looking forward to cooling down a bit too.

We enter the Ice bar, aka freezer. First thoughts are, it’s so small. We looked around (that didn’t take too long), and there were only a couple of ice stools by the bar, a few statues, a big ice chair/throne you can sit in, and a bar made of ice. We did get one free drink, which was a shot in an ice shot glass. That was pretty cool! The bar being made of ice was pretty cool too, but I couldn’t help having this feeling that we were sold something way better than this, and it’s not just me that thinks that…

One person said, “It feels like I’m in the back of a lorry”. Which, frankly, I relate to. It was very cramped, and the industrial metal-looking flooring did make it feel like we were in the back of a delivery truck…yikes! No first class here, my friends.

One Google review states:

"Bit of a let down, used to be bigger, now the size of a small walk-in freezer."

It’s currently 51 out of 78 in nightlife in Benalmadena on TripAdvisor with 3.3 out of 5 in terms of reviews, I suppose that speaks volumes.

I also had a look at what other people were saying as it’s been a few years since I went, and apparently, now you don’t even get an alcoholic drink, you only get orange juice, and it’s not even in an ice glass… I mean, come on! The disappointment…

You may be thinking, well, why did you buy tickets? The bar is advertised absolutely EVERYWHERE around the city as a ‘top tourist attraction’. Truthfully, we felt like we were missing out by not going, and I’d never been to an ice bar before, so being the explorer I am and loving to try new things, I thought “Great, another thing to tick off my bucket list”.

There are a few learning points here - number one is that advertising has some real power. Number two is to do your research before you buy into something, and number three is don’t go to the Ice bar in Benalmadena because you will be disappointed. If that’s the lasting piece of advice I can give you today, it’s spend your money on something else and you won’t regret it.

If you’re still looking to get your ice fix and want a ‘cool’ experience, I’ve done some research for you and found a few alternatives around Europe. I will note, however, that an ongoing theme through lots of these reviews is that the bars are a lot smaller than people expect them to be, so bear that in mind.

Some alternatives:

Ice Club, Rome
Ice Club is the place where art and cold come together. The club, entirely made of ice, offers an unforgettable experience.
4.3 stars in reviews on Tripadvisor

Art Below Zero, Amsterdam
Europe's largest ice art exhibition. Experience an immersive walk-through of larger-than-life ice sculptures crafted by an expert team of sculptors and artists using over 500 tonnes of ice and snow. There’s also an Ice Bar for you to enjoy a drink in after viewing the sculptures.
4.2 stars in reviews on TripAdvisor

Thanks for reading. This is my first time posting on Substack, and I appreciate all the love and support I can get. My content will be focused on travel tips and personal stories. My aim is that you learn something that will help you with your travels, or you laugh at my mishaps!

Kiera Jessica | WanderWise

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