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Vilnius and Trakai, Lithuania

I really enjoyed Vilnius and, if given the opportunity, would definitely go back! It's a hidden gem of Europe. I particularly enjoyed Uzupis, the artsy neighbourhood with great bars and many art installations.

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Accidental Örebro, Sweden

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Seal watching boat trip at Blakeney Point, Norfolk, UK 

The seals are a lot bigger than I imagined; they look a bit (as my mum described them) like large slugs. We went with beans boat trips.

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Kew Gardens Orchids festival, February 2025, inspired by plants from Peru.

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My building block collection. Lego botanical mini plant collection and the LOZ street shops.

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Snorkeling - Bali

This was my first time snorkeling, and I also didn't know how to swim. It is a miracle that I didn't drown. Nah, my friend Alice and the boat crew were supportive and patient. It was one of the best experiences I had whilst travelling. Photos stolen from Alice and the boat guys.

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Indonesia - Bali

My dream of visiting Bali came true. Here are some of the stunning places I visited. I'd loved to stay much longer to explore nearby islands. I also had a one-day stop in Jakarta where I visited the Istiqlal Mosque - the largest Mosque in Southeast Asia and the 9th largest Mosque worldwide. In Bali, we rented out a scooter and went to the city and nearby villages; highly recommend.

Tanah Lot

Gorgeous rock formation with Hindu temple Pura Tanah Lot.

Taman Dedari

A tourist trap, but a pretty tourist trap with gorgeous statues of two dancing angels.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary - Ubud

Nature reserve and temple complex. The monkeys roam free and have plenty of fresh fruit and veggies to eat. They also try to steal from you but are adorable while attempting theft.

Rice Fields

There are plenty of rice fields you can visit. I stayed in the jungle part of Bali, away from the popular tourist cities like Kuta or Ubud, so we managed to visit multiple different rice fields diving around the smaller villages.

Hidden Waterfalls

Our hotel booked us a jeep tour around the local villages, the above rice fields and hidden waterfalls. We also went to a lovely family-run restaurant overlooking the rice terraces.

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Dublin

Believe it or not, I have never visited Dublin for all these years, all 29 of them. We only had 5 hours to explore, which isn't nearly enough! The strategy was to visit the creepy Oscar Wilde statue, roam around his house, run to Kennedy's for a pint of Guinness, tour the Little Museum of Dublin (hilarious, highly recommend going) and end the day at Temple Bar. Great success overall.

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Dublin 5-hour Itinerary

Dublin Express to Eden Quay, North City, Dublin, Ireland

Merrion Square Park - Oscar Wilde Statue

The Little Museum of Dublin

Molly Malone Statue

Ha'Penny Bridge

The Temple Bar Pub

Temple Bar Street

Christ Church Cathedral

The Saucy Cow on Temple Bar Street - Vegan food

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Painshill Park

Exploring Painshill Park, just outside of London, where Bridgerton season 3 (I believe) was filmed. The park offers some beautiful paths to explore with reconstructions of buildings and bridges that once stood there. It is also home to the Crystal Grotto which has been doing its rounds on the internet. Sadly it is artificial and also a reconstruction. It is beautifully done however and definitely worth a visit!

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Holkham Hall

A visit to Holkham Hall in Norfolk. As always the garden was the only part I was interested in. Some gorgeous greenhouses.

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Lake District

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Lake District Itinerary:

Day 1

Derwent Water Marina - FREE

Kayak and canoe hire - https://derwentwatermarina.co.uk/boat-hire/ - £20ish book in advance

White water tubing - https://keswickadventures.co.uk/outdoor-activities/white-water-tubing/ - £70 per person

Canyoning - https://keswickadventures.co.uk/outdoor-activities/canyoning/ - £70 per person

Day 2

Hike around Derwent Water (1 hour 35 min one way, 16 min by car) STOPS: Friars Crag, Hundred Year Stone Sculpture, Ashness Bridge, Surprise View) - FREE

Lake cruise (50 min) https://keswick-launch.co.uk/cruises/ STOPS:  Ashness Bridge, Lodore Falls, Grange in Borrowdale, Brandelhow and Lingholm, holiday home of Beatrix Potter + 4 islands Derwent Island, Lord’s Island, Rampsholme and St Herbert’s Island - £15 per person, dogs go free

Day 3

Hike around the Castlerigg Stone Circle (dogs welcome open during daylight) - FREE

Boat hire https://keswick-launch.co.uk/boat-hire/ - £50 an hour, dogs can be on the boat, no booking just turn up

Theatre by the Lake

Day 4

Day trip to Lake Windermere

Stop by The Bridge House in Ambleside

Day 5

Walla Crag or Castle Crag mountain peak hike

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Wardley Hill Campsite, Norfolk

Caping at Wardley Hill Campsite, Norfolk, an eco-friendly campsite set amongst wildflower fields, 2024

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Norfolk Lavender, 2024

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Marriott's Way Norfolk

I really enjoyed the Marriott's Way hike in Norfolk with my dad. It follows two disused railway lines between Norwich and Aylsham. Throughout the lovely nature walk there are plenty of reminders of the old railways including an A-frame bridge and the preserved Hellesdon platform. I particularly enjoyed the metal sculptures made from railway tracks placed as mile markers.

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Kew Gardens

My favourite photos of plants from Kew Gardens. The highlight of the trip was the lily pond with its giant lily pads. My second favourite area was the Chokushi-Mon & Japanese Landscape Garden featuring a four-fifths scaled-down replica of the Karamon Gate of the Nishi Hongan-ji Temple in Kyoto. I definitely wouldn't mind coming back in different seasons to explore the gardens.