Travel

November 9, 2019

A Weekend In Callander

I live in Edinburgh, but I was born and raised in the middle of nowhere, Canada. So I like to get away from the city for the weekend when I can. Sometimes it’s just for a day in the Pentland Hills, other times it’s a weekend away on the Isle of Skye (it’s doable!). This time, it was a weekend in Callander. I picked Callander while on my way back from Skye, actually. Annoyed and jaded by all the tourists I saw on Skye, I wanted somewhere quiet, often skipped over by tourists. Just outside the tourist hub of Fort William* and still incredibly cute and cosy, Callander was the perfect fit.

*By normal standards Callander and Fort William aren’t too far apart. This is not the case by Scottish standards… where Glasgow and Edinburgh are on other sides of the planet

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October 25, 2019

A weekend visiting Paris in the Rain

Last weekend we (Angus and I) were in Paris on a long weekend holiday to visit my cousin Claudia who’s studying there. I know that there are about a million and one travel guides for Paris, this is not one of them. If I’m honest, I did very little prep for this holiday. Since my cousin has been living there for months, I figured she’d know her way around and we’re already familiar with all the typical tourist destinations. So, in lieu of writing yet another travel guide, I’m telling you very simply what we did. Or at least I’m giving you the highlights. It was a miraculous weekend, and I think no travel guide can really tell you how to have one of those. This, is Paris in the rain.

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September 28, 2019

How To Find Sentimental Souvenirs

If you’ve ever gone to any travel hotspot, you know the hubbub about souvenirs. Heavy plastic magnets with the name of the place and/or poorly drawn, inaccurate pictures of the skyline with a backing that’s sure to fall off within a few months, flags on everything, postcards with the most over-processed filters, and usually a little knick-knack known in the area. In Greece, everything has evil eyes. In Scotland, everything has tartan, or bagpipes, highland cows, Nessie, you name it!

Walking down Edinburgh’s Royal Mile you will see nothing but tourist shops that sell this kitsch. Does anyone really want to buy it anymore? Wouldn’t you rather buy something small that you’ll use again, that will remind you of your holiday? It can’t just be me! Here’s my guide on holiday shopping for sentimental souvenirs.

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September 13, 2019

A Weekend In St Andrews

I know that St Andrews was on my list of Day Trips From Edinburgh, and I maintain that it’s a lovely place for a day trip! That said, I love St Andrews a lot. There’s a ton of cute walks, cafes, restaurants, and loads of things to see and do! So, I think if you have the time it’s well worth a whole weekend in St Andrews. The added bonus is that it’s not too far from Edinburgh so you really cut down on the travel time! Pretty much the opposite of a weekend away in Shetland. If you’re visiting Scotland from abroad, it’s definitely a weekend trip to consider because it’s so easy to get to and there’s still a lot of sightseeing opportunities!

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August 19, 2019

A Weekend In Shetland

Most people would think it is insane to spend only a weekend in Shetland as it’s so remote. But, if you’re based in a major city in Scotland and you’ve always wanted to go, it’s completely reasonable to spend a weekend in Shetland! That being said, Shetland often seems like the sort of place people only go if they really want to, but it’s a lovely and unique place to visit even if you haven’t heard of it before. Shetland is where Nordic and Celtic traditions really come to a head. It’s the northernmost point in Scotland, and an incredibly beautiful, relaxing, and cozy place to be!

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June 27, 2019

What To Do On A Sunny Day In Edinburgh

A Sunny Day In Edinburgh! Taken in Princes Street Gardens, a woman standing in a park with Edinburgh Castle atop the Castle Rock looming in the background.

This NEVER Happens: What To Do On A Sunny Day In Edinburgh

Is it randomly really sunny on your trip to Edinburgh and you want to make the most of the weather? Fear not! I’m a tour guide on the Royal Mile and I spend a lot of time in Old Town in between shifts. Plus, I’m from one of the only places on planet earth where it’s usually colder than Edinburgh. AKA, I love a sunny day, and I always want to do the most on sunny days. So I know the ins and outs of how to make the most of sunny weather here in Edinburgh! Here are my top tips on what to do on a sunny day in Edinburgh:

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June 7, 2019

How to Hike The Cliffs of Moher

The Best Experience: How to Hike the Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher are on many a bucket list, and one of the fan-favourite places to visit in Ireland (and in Europe I would say). As it’s such a hot spot among tourists, there are no shortages of tour companies who have day tours running from Dublin, Belfast, Galway, etc. They drive you to the Cliffs, give you an hour to explore through the Visitor Centre. It could be a bit underwhelming for those of you who have been dreaming of visiting them for years.

Those who love the outdoors, and who want to see the iconic views might be disappointed.Unfortunately, it’s hard to see the version of the cliffs you see online from the Visitor’s Centre because you’re right on top of the main chunk of the Cliffs. But most people don’t know they have an alternative, well here it is:

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