• Shibuya Crossing
  Located in the heart of Tokyo, this intersection is often described as the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world. It represents the fast-paced, highly organized nature of modern Japanese cities. Large digital screens, surrounding commercial establishments, and constant movement create a distinctly urban atmosphere.
• Fushimi Inari Taisha
  One of Japan’s most photographed sites, this shrine is known for its thousands of vermilion torii gates that form a network of trails up Mount Inari. While it is a spiritual site dedicated to the Shinto god of rice and prosperity, it has also become a major tourist destination due to its unique visual appeal.
• Mount Fuji
  As Japan’s tallest mountain, Mount Fuji holds both cultural and natural significance. It has been featured in art, literature, and religious practices for centuries. Today, visitors either admire it from nearby lakes or climb it during the official hiking season.
• Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
  This bamboo forest offers a calm, scenic walkway that contrasts with the busier parts of Kyoto. Its towering bamboo stalks create a distinct visual environment that has made it popular among photographers and travelers alike.
• Tokyo Disneyland
  A well-known entertainment destination, Tokyo Disneyland reflects Japan’s attention to detail and customer experience. While it is not traditionally cultural, it demonstrates how global concepts are adapted within a Japanese context.

These destinations serve as strong introductions to Japan, but they often present a curated version of the country. Crowds, commercial establishments, and structured experiences can sometimes limit deeper cultural engagement.

Looking Beyond the Surface: Cultural Alternatives

To gain a more meaningful understanding of Japan, many travelers explore destinations that are less commercialized but more reflective of everyday life and tradition.

Preserved Towns and Historical Continuity

• Tsumago-juku
  This former post town along the Nakasendo route has been carefully preserved to reflect its Edo-period appearance. Modern elements such as cars and visible wiring are minimized during the day, allowing visitors to experience how travelers once moved between cities.
• Shirakawa-go
  Recognized for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, Shirakawa-go offers insight into rural living in mountainous regions. Many of these houses are still occupied, highlighting how historical architecture continues to serve practical purposes.

These locations are not simply tourist displays, but living communities where preservation and daily life coexist.

Craftsmanship and Local Industries

• Kanazawa
  Often referred to as a cultural hub, Kanazawa is known for traditional crafts such as gold leaf production, ceramics, and lacquerware. Its preserved districts provide context for how artisans have historically lived and worked.
• Mashiko
  A quieter destination, Mashiko is recognized for its pottery tradition. Visitors can observe local artisans or participate in workshops, offering a direct connection to the creative process.

In these areas, craftsmanship is not staged for visitors but remains part of the local economy and identity.

Regional Food and Community Interaction

• Fukuoka
  Known for its yatai (mobile food stalls), Fukuoka provides a more social dining experience. Locals gather in the evenings to share meals, making it easier for visitors to observe and even participate in everyday interactions.
• Takayama
  With its morning markets and regional dishes, Takayama offers a slower-paced food culture that reflects local ingredients and traditions.

Food in these regions is closely tied to geography and routine, offering a more authentic alternative to large restaurant chains.

Spiritual Practices in Daily Life

• Koyasan
  Located in a mountainous area, Koyasan is a center of Buddhist practice. Visitors can stay in temple lodgings, participate in meditation, and experience vegetarian monk cuisine.
• Neighborhood shrines across Kyoto and Tokyo
  While less famous, these smaller shrines are actively used by locals for daily rituals, from quick prayers to seasonal festivals.

These spaces demonstrate that spirituality in Japan is not limited to major landmarks but is woven into everyday routines.

Rural and Island Perspectives

• Naoshima
  This island combines contemporary art installations with a functioning local community, creating a balance between modern expression and traditional living.
• Ouchi-juku
  A preserved village with thatched-roof houses, offering a glimpse into Japan’s architectural past and rural lifestyle.

Such destinations highlight a slower pace of life, where community and environment play a central role.

Staying Connected While Abroad

Of course, as you’re traveling across different countries and immersing yourself in new environments, staying updated with what’s happening back home with your games still matters.

With GameZone news, you can keep track of ongoing updates, events, and promos, allowing you to stay informed even while on the move.

A Balanced Travel Perspective

Exploring Japan effectively often means combining both well-known landmarks and lesser-known cultural sites. Popular destinations provide context and convenience, especially for first-time visitors.

Meanwhile, quieter locations offer more depth, allowing travelers to observe how traditions continue to shape modern life.

By approaching travel this way, visitors gain a broader understanding of Japan not only as a destination shaped by tourism but as a living culture defined by its people, routines, and regional diversity.

You can experience this profound intersection firsthand by visiting locations where the environment dictates the architecture and the artwork elevates the terrain.

Why Travel That Combines Nature and Art Is on the Rise

You crave authentic connection when you explore new environments. Instead of staring at paintings on blank walls, you want to immerse yourself in spaces that challenge your perception of scale. 

Modern travellers actively seek these immersive locations because they provide sensory grounding. Engaging with open-air sites activates all your senses simultaneously and forces you to appreciate the physical environment alongside the artistic vision.

Lanzarote: A Volcanic Canvas Shaped by Creativity

Architect César Manrique transformed collapsed lava tubes into subterranean auditoriums and integrated viewing platforms right into the basalt cliffs. As you research Lanzarote holidays, you will find that the Jameos del Agua perfectly demonstrates this vision. 

Hire a car to drive the northern coastal roads so you can appreciate how Manrique’s white-washed structures contrast with the harsh black volcanic rock.

Venice: A Floating City of Art, Light, and Reflections

Builders originally constructed this fragile metropolis upon wooden piles driven into marshland. The surrounding lagoon interacts constantly with the built environment, reflecting Gothic facades and bouncing shifting light directly into grand palazzos. 

Ride the Vaporetto Line 1 just as the sun rises. The early illumination highlights the intricate stonework details before heavy boat traffic inevitably churns the water.

Cappadocia: A Surreal Landscape of Rock Formations and Sky Art

Ancient humans carved intricate homes and subterranean churches into volcanic tuff rock. Today, the sky itself becomes a kinetic installation every morning when hundreds of vibrant hot air balloons ascend simultaneously. 

Book a sunrise air flight with a certified operator to view the fairy chimneys from above. This aerial perspective reveals exactly how the hand-carved windows mimic the natural geological erosion patterns.

Sintra: A Fairytale Landscape of Palaces and Forests

Portuguese royals utilised this specific microclimate to construct romanticist estates that grow organically out of dense pine woodlands. 

Vibrant yellow and red walls emerge through the mist, deliberately designed to complement the untamed gardens surrounding them. Walk the steep footpath from the town centre up to the Moorish Castle. This physical ascent helps you observe how the stone walls grip the natural granite boulders.

Machu Picchu: Ancient Architecture Carved into the Andes

Incan engineers shaped their terraces to echo the dramatic peaks looming directly behind the citadel. The precise, mortarless masonry aligns perfectly with astronomical events, proving the builders possessed a deep reverence for their rugged setting. 

Arrive at the Machu Picchu site entrance an hour before the gates open. Being among the first inside lets you watch the morning clouds clear, revealing the intentional harmony between the ruins and the Urubamba valley below.

Positioned perfectly at the gateway to the north, Stirling isn’t just a convenient stop—it’s a practical one. It’s where many travellers pause to get some rest, inspect their vehicle, and make sure everything is well-prepared for the more remote, weather-worn roads ahead. With a wide selection of tyres in Stirling at Fife Autocentre’s website, motorists can find the ideal balance between safety & performance.

Why & how to choose the right tyres in Stirling?

If you’re stopping in Stirling for some time to sort your tyre health, taking a moment to pick on them wisely can make a huge difference to your journey. Here’s a simple guide to help you get it right without any confusion:

1. Visualise your route ahead in your mind

Before choosing your tyres in Stirling- the most important thing is to be clear about your journey and the kind of difficulties you might face or would hinder your journey on the road. Let’s say if you’re heading into the Highlands, you’ll most likely encounter narrow & one-track roads, deep gradients, and uncertain weather conditions. These routes require tyres which can withstand the harsh roads without compromising your safety. If you would most likely be sticking to motorways or urban roads, your requirements may be less demanding. It is very important to match your tyres to your route so that braking can be safe and journey can be smooth.

2. Check the tread depth

Tread depth plays a pivotal role in how your vehicle handles slippery and uneven surfaces, which are very common in Scotland. Legally, your tyres must meet minimum tread requirements, but specifically for long-distance travel, it’s always better to have a bit more than the bare minimum. Deeper tread would help in dispersing water & reducing the risk of hydroplaning on wet roads. It also improves road grip on rural or worn surfaces. A quick assessment before setting off can make a big difference in safety and performance.

3. Choose all-season tyres for a smooth drive

For road trips, especially in a country with rapidly changing weather like Scotland, all-season tyres are often the most popular choice. They are designed to perform reasonably well in both wet and dry conditions, making them ideal for uncertain journeys. You avoid the need to switch between summer and winter tyres, which is especially useful for short-term travellers or backpackers. While they may not outperform specialist tyres in extreme conditions, they offer a good blend for mixed driving environments. This makes them a good choice for long scenic drives.

4. Match your tyres to your vehicle properly

Every car has specific tyre requirements set by the manufacturer, including size, load rating, and speed rating. Using faulty specifications can affect handling, fuel efficiency, and even safety on long drives. It’s important to check the details inside your car door frame or handbook before coming to any conclusion. Properly matched tyres ensure the car performs well, especially on longer journeys with varying road conditions. Getting this right is not just a tick mark—it directly impacts your driving comfort and road safety.

5. Don’t hesitate to ask for professional help

If you’re unsure, it’s always worth speaking to a tyre professional before planning. A quick tyre testing in Stirling can help you understand whether your tyres simply need adjustment, rotation, or full replacement. Local experts can also spot issues that aren’t immediately visible, such as uneven wear or internal damage. This kind of check is especially crucial before heading into remote areas where help may not be nearby. Taking a few minutes to ask for advice can prevent bigger issues later on the road.

Why Stirling is the best choice for getting tyres?

Stirling quietly sits at one of Scotland’s most important crossroads for adventurers. It’s the last stop before the roads begin to feel wilder, quieter, and more remote.

Beyond here, you’ll often find:

-Narrow, winding Highland roads
– Changing weather conditions
-Fewer garages and service stops

That’s exactly why so many adventurers choose to handle getting new tyres in Stirling before continuing north—it’s about peace of mind as much as practicality.

A simple stop here can turn a potentially stressful journey into a smooth & convenient drive.

Getting around all those neighbourhoods is half the fun – and if you’re travelling in a group, minibus hire in London makes exploring them a breeze.

If you’re into over-priced shopping sprees, Chelsea is the place to go. If you appreciate good dim sum, Chinatown is your man. For the museum district, head to Kensington. For Buddhist Temples, there’s nowhere better than Wimbledon. With London, there’s always a little something for everyone… and here’s what each neighbourhood offers.

CHINATOWN

Chinatown is probably my favourite London neighbourhood – and with good reason. If you’re looking for traditional dim sum, they have plenty of it, and the word “tea” is met with some of the nicest tea bars around.

The area is filled with stone lions, contemporary art sculptures, and the most divine Qing-era style gates which overlook the whole neighbourhood. I have spent many a day just in Chinatown purchasing beautiful teaware, trying on handmade clothing, and attending the Chinese New Year festivities, which typically happen between January and February and are a hub for spectacular parades and pop-up food and craft stalls.

Located between Soho and Covent Garden, Chinatown is one of the liveliest, most colourful pockets of the city. Whilst the area was originally a head for Cantonese and Southern Chinese cuisine, it is now full of places representing Northern China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Japan, and Thailand. Honestly, my stomach is rumbling just thinking about the delicious food there.

Talking about food, a first-timer to Chinatown will likely find themselves overwhelmed with offers of wonderful places to eat. There’s Korean BBQ, bottomless green tea, broth-filled dumplings restaurants, pho spots, shop windows filled with roast duck, cake shops, matcha cafes, ‘dirty ice cream’ (that delicious salt-and-ice cream sold on the streets of Manila)… it truly is a foodie haven! Some of my personal favourite places to eat at are Lido (best Cantonese food), Gerrad’s Corner (best dim sum), Jen Cafe (best jiaozi), Good Friend Chicken (best… chicken), Happy Lemon (best bubble tea), and Opium (best loose leaf tea).

When you stroll through Chinatown and taste all kinds of food, don’t forget to Custom Lanyards No Minimum to make you more relaxed on the trip.

You can customize the lanyards of different lengths according to the actual use, to hang mobile phones, cameras or other small items. Customized lanyards also support you to choose your favorite cartoon elements, words with special meanings, different colors, etc., to make your design more special.

Using lanyards can make your hands freer, allowing you to touch the scenery or taste food as you wish. Personalized customization can also make you more eye-catching when you walk into Chinatown and increase your sense of happiness during the journey.

SOHO

Soho feels like a world away from anywhere else in London, known for its LGBTQ+ community, risqué vibes, and music scene (with Carnaby leading the way in the 60s). Bordered by Oxford Street, Regent Street, Charing Cross Road, and Chinatown, Soho is a chaotic mis-match of cultures and atmospheres.

One of the biggest things that visitors do in Soho is spend every last penny they own. There are 14 streets in Carnaby which are known for their unique and independent stores showcasing first-class fashion, vintage vinyls, and funky musical instruments that haven’t been seen since the 1600’s. One of the best-known shops in Soho is Liberty, the mock Tudor department store that has been featured in pretty much every single movie ever made about London. Liberty alone is a maze – good luck with the rest of Soho!

Of course, Soho is also filled with delicious food places. Here, you can find everything that your little heart desires – from Lebanese pastries to Spanish tapas to Indian masala chai to American burgers. Of course, there’s also a helluva lot of bars and pubs to hang out in (namely, super funky jazz clubs and gay bars).

Before you leave Soho, you should stop to watch a theatre show, buy a million books at Foyles, wander down to Leicester Square to watch the buskers, and finally stop for tea at Soho Square, and I swear it’ll quickly become one of your favourite places in the city.

COVENT GARDEN

No, Covent Garden is not an actual garden. But it is absolutely filled to the brim with alleys and courtyards and little secret areas to explore, which is equally as cool.

The Jubilee Market is arguably one of the best-known places in Covent Garden, where you can purchase anything from candle-filled teacups to vintage postcards to homemade tarts. It’s a whirlwind, let me tell you.

If you’re looking for books, then Covent Garden will leave you spoiled for choice! For travel books, head to Stanfords. For second-hand books on the soul, check out Watkins Books. And of course, for magical books featuring everything occult, you should find yourself in the Atlantis Bookshop.

Neal’s Yard is one of the prettiest streets in London, where every single business is dedicated to sustainable and ethical commercial practices. It’s one area in Covent Garden that you CANNOT miss!

KENSINGTON

If you’re looking for museums, then London’s Kensington is a museum haven. Be sure not to miss:

V&A Museum: Having first opened in 1852, the V&A (Victoria and Albert) is the world’s leading museum on art and design. Galleries cover everything from mini-skirts to Maharajah furniture, along with a leading treasure being the Ardabil carpet (the world’s oldest). General admission is free. 

Natural History Museum: My personal favourite, the Natural History Museum is filled with the most wonderful exhibitions. There’s a gallery on dinosaurs, mammals, human evolution, meteorites, gemstones, trees, earthquakes, even fossil marine reptiles. Add in the delicious pastries at the Central Cafe, and you have one of the best museums in the world. General admission is free; however, if you want to grab a guide book you’ll need to pay. Thankfully, The London Pass is the best kept secret with just one ticket that let’s you gain access to the top London attractions, including the guide book.

Design Museum: I have memories (or fever dreams, call it what you will) of visiting this museum as a child, and suddenly finding myself enveloped by massive armchairs shaped like baseball gloves, sculptural installations that look like humanoid robots, and lamps triple my height that look just like the one that squished the I in Pixar. It’s a great place to visit. General admission is free.

Science Museum: Suitable for all ages, this museum is perfect for nerds and geeks alike. There’s exhibitions on space, astronauts, trains, medicine… there’s even an IMAX! Their exhibitions range from education to humbling, and all in all, it’s a great place to explore. General admission is free.

SHOREDITCH

Shoreditch is a super trendy area where vintage and design shops are plentiful, artists live in every cafe, and vegan food is always on the menu.

One of the areas that Shoreditch is most famous for is Brick Lane. This little street is known for its vibrant art and fashion student population, who complete their degrees and move straight into opening their own galleries, vintage clothing shops, pop-up event spaces, and independent record houses. Along with that, Brick Lane is a go-to for those who enjoy specialist coffees and independent cafes – believe me when I say that everyone here is off their tits on caffeine.

Another thing that is so great about Shoreditch is its street art. The two go hand in hand, with Shoreditch always setting the standards for the international street art scene. It’s pretty impressive – street art is everywhere, down every alley and on every wheelie bin, and the whole area is just one big canvas for up-and-coming artists and still-and-came artists (namely, Banksy).

If you’re properly bitten by the wander lust craze (like the one that fuels my favourite travel blog of the same name), Shoreditch will keep you wandering for days. There’s always another mural, a hidden café, or an unusual shop just around the corner.

Along with that, if you’re looking for delicious food markets, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Shoreditch. There’s Boxpark (a little food market based in a shipping container), Urban Food Fest (the weekly orgasmic food market), and Old Spitalfields (handmade Portuguese tarts, anyone?).

But the best thing to do in Shoreditch? Go on a Walk Eat Talk Eat food tour with Eddie Weaver.

Last month, I was lucky enough to attend a food tour with Eddie, and quite frankly, it was one of my favourite experiences in London.

As we walked and talked, Eddie filled us in on the journey of the business. Walk Eat Talk Eat started in 2011, when there was only one other company doing food and drink tours in London. Since then, it has grown into London’s best food tour, introducing visitors across London to a load of wonderful little places just brimming with stories and history.

To begin our tour, Eddie took us to Sagardi, a delicious restaurant which specialises in cuisine from the Basque region. We tried all kinds of pintxos, meats, and pimientos, and chatted with easygoing Eddie as though we were old friends. He told us a bunch of facts that I didn’t know (such as that 10% of Basque country is actually in France), and one of the waiters brought out a hunk of beef and explained how exactly it was processed and aged.

Then, we headed to Crosstown, stopping along the way to inspect the intricate and very missable painted gum splats on the floor. We tried the pandan glaze doughnut just in time for Chinese New Year, along with the pistachio glaze with custard. For Eddie this was somewhat bittersweet – when he had picked them up for us before the tour, his rent-a-bike was stolen. Still, he was jovial about the tour, telling us all about the slums that used to flourish around us, showing us photographs and videos from his iPad whilst doing so – something I had never experienced before on a food tour.

He pointed out the colour-coded pubs and underground stations dotted around the area, and explained that they were so that the illiterate knew where to go. He also told us that the fire service used to be privatised, with different houses paying for different services. As such, to mark their designated service, these houses had little plates on the walls – another historical quirk which would have been missed if not pointed out.

Eddie then walked us through Brick Lane, passing by a Banksy and other funky street art, and stopping outside Beigal Bake, a bakery known for its traditional Jewish-style filled bagels. We had a salted beef beigel with pickle and mustard, and frankly, it was absolutely delicious.

We wandered through to one of my favourite places on the tour: Dark Sugars. This shop is run by a Ghanaian lady called Nyanga who initially started small in Spitalfields and Borough Market, selling chocolate from her family’s farm back home. When we walked in, we were surrounded by cocoa pods and West African decor, and oh man, it smelt so good. We picked out some truffles and snacked on them as Eddie took us through to Banglatown.

This area was super interesting, with the street signs both in English and Bengal. As we headed to our next stop, we passed by the London Tea Exchange, an off-tour place that Eddie was keen to take us to once he knew about our tea business. Absolutely massive, the shop was filled with over 800 kinds of tea, and the owner talked to us about the origin of his blends before offering us endless samples of teas that he thought we’d like. It was an unexpected stop that was a whole load of fun.

We then stopped at the RajMahal, a Bangladeshi sweet and snack shop. Eddie had been incredibly careful with my (somewhat endless) food intolerances for the whole tour, making sure that I never missed out on trying any of the food. As such, prior to the tour he tried the Bengali Veg Shingara to make sure that it didn’t contain any onion (it didn’t). It was absolutely delicious, and lasted me to our final stop: Kill the Kat.

Whilst I’m not a big beer drinker, I did enjoy the craft beer tasting. The woman running it was super lovely, and the community aspect of the shop was similar to the culture which I have experienced with tea. It was super interesting to be surrounded by people that knew craft beer like I know handcrafted tea, and it was great to sit down in such a lovely place, chatting more to Eddie. We did all this in Spitalfields – which I know now was previously called Hospitalfields.

All in all, the tour was a clear highlight of my London trip, and I loved every second. Eddie was very easy to talk to and incredibly engaging whilst detailing the complex – and yet largely unknown – history of backstreet London. It was great being able to see this place that I had lived for so many years in an entirely new light – and the food is something I simply can’t get out of my mind.

This is a food tour that I could easily return to again and again.

NOTTING HILL

Arguably, Notting Hill is one of London’s prettiest neighbourhood, where almost every street is lined with bright rainbow-colour houses. Reminiscent of Old Havana, this super vibrant and trendy area is filled with quaint vintage shops, homely brunch cafes, and vintage vinyl shops, and is a place that quickly grows in the heart.

The first ever mention of Notting Hill actually dates back to the 14th century, when it was a teeny tiny village next to London. It was known for its pig farms and brickyards, and it took a while to be swallowed up into London’s drive for expansion. By the 20th century, Notting Hill was made up of slums, and was a horrendous place to live, filled with severe malnourishment, disease, and racial violence.

Eventually, the neighbourhood was completely re-vitalised, partly due to the 1999 film starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, Notting Hill. Now, it’s an incredibly expensive area to live, and only upper middle-class and not-so-struggling artists can afford to live here.

There’s plenty to do in Notting Hill that isn’t just wandering the colourful rows of houses at Portobello Road or Denbigh Terrace. For example, you can take a stroll through St Luke’s Mews, which used to be the stables for London’s richest residents and is now just a beautiful area filled with greenery and mini mansions. You can also check out the beautiful bookstores, eat delicious food at high-end restaurants, or attend the Notting Hill Carnival: a two-day celebration of Caribbean culture that now hosts over two million visitors a year.

GREENWICH

Greenwich has an entirely different vibe to the rest of London. Sitting on the banks of the River Thames, a lot of the things to do in the area are somewhat related to its maritime history. There’s the Cutty Sark ( the restored 19th-century ship), the massive National Maritime Museum, the Old Royal Naval College (and the INCREDIBLE music shows that go on there), and of course, the O2 Arena where Ed Sheeran played that one time.

Greenwich Market is another great place to check out. Open seven days a week, this funky little area is filled with street food from around the world, endless stalls of crafts and antiques, and even seasonal events.

Greenwich Park is one of my favourite places in Greenwich, as it offers absolutely incredible views over the River Thames and the City of London. The park used to be used for hunting deer, and as such, there is still a small herd of deer resident in the park. For a bagel with a view, head to one of Greenwich’s wonderful cafes, and stare longingly at the rest of the million cities within a city that you have left to explore.

This is also where the UK gets its timezone from – GMT, meaning Greenwich Mean Time.

WIMBLEDON

A neighbourhood guide to London would not be complete without mentioning Wimbledon – and namely, Buddhapadipa Temple. This Thai Buddhist temple was the first to be built in the UK, and is a true hidden gem. Whenever I go back to London, I tend to spend at least half of my trip nestled away at this temple, and I couldn’t imagine any better way to spend the holidays.

Home to nuns and monks, Buddhapadipa is a great place to slow down, meditate, and learn about your true spiritual path. Not only can you attend meditation classes where afterwards you’re welcomed into the monks’ house for tea, cakes, and conversation, but they often hold Buddhist celebrations and festivals here. Surrounded by Thai families and one or two white monks, it feels a million miles away from the rest of Wimbledon.

The name Buddhapadipa translates to ‘light of the Buddha’ in the Buddhist canonical language of Pali – and it’s clear how the temple got its name. Walk through the doors and be welcomed with the most incredible murals, depicting endless vibrant and intricate scenes in the history of Buddhism. Believe me when I say that it’s one of the most beautiful sights in the whole of London.

Apparently Wimbledon also has tennis and stuff, but who cares about that?

WESTMINSTER

Of course, one of the main things to do in Westminster is visit Westminster Abbey. Along with being a place of worship, Westminster Abbey is also a house of artefacts and burials. Once you step inside the abbey, I have no doubt that you will be completely blown away by the sheer scale of the place. Having hosted nearly 20 royal weddings and every single British coronation, it has a mighty name to live up to – and that it does with ease.

You can also visit the Palace of Westminster, AKA the Houses of Parliament. Taking a tour around this marvellous building is such an incredible experience – you never realise how truly historical a city London is until you wander through its deepest chambers. Of course, at the end of the Palace of Westminster is Big Ben, that infamous clock that strikes louder than a busker on the underground.

St James’ Park is a 23-hectare park in the middle of Westminster, where you can spend hours upon hours wandering its grounds or relaxing in the shade of one of its many trees. I’ve had some of the best picnics of my life in this wonderful park.

As everyone knows, Buckingham Palace is the official home of Queen Elizabeth, and you can actually visit the palace staterooms between July and October. The Palace is a must-see on any visitor itinerary, and I’m yet to see a weeb bucket list that doesn’t mention witnessing the Changing of the Guards, where the Queen’s Guard perform a traditional ceremony in their funky little red coats and bearskin hats.

Another must-visit place in Westminster is Trafalgar Square, home to the National Gallery. IT’s a super busy little square where all kinds of events are held, from outdoor theatres to rallies and demonstrations. Psst: apparently security spend their whole lives trying to stop tourists from climbing atop the lion sculptures at the base of Nelson’s Column… but believe me, it’s a mighty fine view from the top!

Slightly off the beaten track in Westminster are the Churchill War Rooms. This is where Churchill and his cabinet managed the war efforts, and as such, the rooms offer an interesting insight into the history of the second world war.

CHELSEA

I’ll be honest, I’m not too big a fan of Chelsea. It’s all Louis Vuitton bags and 5am fitness fanatics and more plastic surgery than I have draft articles. Saying that, if you’re into posh houses, high-end shopping, popular football clubs, RHS flower shows, and affluent London districts, then this might be just up your street.

Some of my personal favourite places in Chelsea are John Sandoe Books (a super pretty bookstore), Sloane Square (delicious – but expensive – restaurants), and the Saatchi Gallery (a fancy art gallery). The only other things to do in the area is shop and walk purebred poodles.

CAMDEN

Camden is little like a more laid-back Shoreditch – Shoreditch without the steroids. It has the same sort of vibe with its vintage shops, vegan cafes, and beautiful street art, but Camden is a little bit more chill.

Perhaps the vibe is a little different due to the fact that for a hundred or so years, Camden was an abandoned North London town filled with wash-outs and down-and-outs. Apparently, it was a pretty depressing place to live. But then in July 1976, for reasons somewhat unknown, Camden absolutely exploded with the era of punk. For the rest of the 70s and 80s, you couldn’t walk five minutes without seeing a bright green mohican.

Now, Camden still has that low-key punk vibe, which you can clearly tell in the street art and the way that the area is run. If there’s ever a place in London to find denim jackets and motorbike gear, Camden is it!

Take a wander through Camden Town and end up at Camden Lock, where hilarious little barges and narrowboats squeeze down the canal. Across from there is Camden Market. Filled to the absolute brim with trinkets, clothes, and pastries, it’s the sort of indoor market where you will never be able to visit every stall. It gets super busy at lunchtime and on weekends, but imo, that only adds to the experience!

Just down the road from Camden is London Zoo in Regent’s Park, which is conveniently located a five-minute walk from Little Venice. Add the two together, and you have the perfect place to go on a little date.

SOUTHWARK

Sure, Southwark has sights such as the Shard, London Bridge, the Tate Modern, the Globe Theatre, and the HMS Belfast, but I know that what you’re all really here for is Borough Market.

BRIXTON

Brixton is a rugged little London district, filled with international food markets, music concerts, and bustling nightlife.

If you’re into craft beer, gyoza, plantain, and curry, the Brixton foodie scene is the place for you! Brixton Market is one of the best-known food markets, where you can pick up any fruits, vegetables and meats that your little heart desires. There’s a lot of Caribbean stalls, so be prepared to be salivating all day long!

Market Row is a covered Brixton arcade where you can pick up absolutely any type of food you’re craving. After an Italian pizza? They’ve got you. Mexican burritos? Easy. Lebanese falafel? Consider it done.

Some other Brixton highlights are the Ritzy Cinema, Brockwell Park, Brixton Village, and a million and one nightclubs. For a crazy night out in London, Brixton is sure to not disappoint.

RICHMOND

First things first, Richmond Park is absolutely massive. It has an insane 2,500 acres of parkland just waiting to be explored, and you can do so via walking, roaming, running, or cycling. Except to run into at least one family of deer as you do so.

There’s also Richmond Green, which is a fair bit smaller than Richmond Park but is still a cute place to visit. It has been a meeting point since the Middle Ages, where it housed a whole bunch of bloody jousting tournaments. Now, it’s more locals and cricketers, but the overall vibe is still the same.

Richmond Riverside is a super cute walk along the river. Dip into funky restaurants and shops, and enjoy the farmer’s market that pops up every Saturday. They have a whole bunch of quaint little cafes and clothing shops, and all in all, it feels like a very friendly, very middle-class English neighbourhood.

If you’re into flowers and fungi, then boy, do I have the place for you! Just outside of Richmond is an area called Richmond upon Thames, you can find the wonderful Kew Gardens. Not only is Kew Gardens a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but its arboretum also happens to be one of my favourite places in London. Filled with pretty much every single plant you can imagine: from avocados to Asian rice to turmeric to cacti twice my height, it’s such a beautiful place to spend a few hours.

SOUTHBANK

If you’ve ever been a tourist in London, then there’s no doubt that you’ve spent time at Southbank. It’s the London that everyone recognises from the movies, with an exciting mix of both historical and Brutalist buildings, picturesque views of the city and river, and endless theatres, art galleries, and buskers.

One of the best things about Southbank is the fact that whilst on a stroll along the riverside, you will undoubtedly stumble past both food and second-hand book markets. In the winter, a massive market is erected, with Germanic wooden huts covered in glitter and fairy lights, where the air smells like mulled wine and sausage. It almost makes me like Christmas.

There’s a million different types of art in Southbank, with different genres for different art connoisseurs. For example, street artists may visit the Leake Street Tunnel for its graffiti showcase, whereas vegan art students might head over to the Hayward Gallery for its funky exhibitions.

This is also where you can do some of the big touristy sights in the city: the London Eye, SEA LIFE Centre, London Dungeons, Shrek’s Adventure.

And so, that summarises my neighbourhood guide to London! I hope you guys have enjoyed reading about the city that never stops giving, and that it has given you some ideas for your next city trip. If it has BLOWN your mind on what London can be, let me know in the comments below!

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Thankfully, since then I have come to terms with my diagnosis and actually been able to understand what it is and what it means, so that now, I can live a relatively normal life with it. It took me about a year after my diagnosis to start joining Crohn’s and Colitis support groups, but when I did, I was able to learn so much about what Crohn’s Disease is and what having it would mean for me.

Not too long ago, I asked people in my Crohn’s Disease group for advice they wish they’d had when they were first diagnosed – and they were all so incredibly helpful. From that, I’ve compiled the second segment to Things I Wish I’d Known When I Was Diagnosed – you can read the first segment here!

I wish I’d known it wasn’t all in my head because “being less stressed” doesn’t cure it!

– Lauren Mitchell

I wish I’d listened to my body more as a 16/ 17 year old and got help sooner. I also wish I knew about support groups/ accounts sooner. They are such an amazing help and everyone’s encouragement and positivity genuinely warms my heart. I love the IBD community.

– Nancy Tysoe

Be careful where you seek out information on the internet – NHS and CCUK are the best.

– Gill Renouf

You know what I hate? Wales. London is incredible in regards for the three things it’s good for (auditions, The Hard Rock Cafe, and Instagram photos), so in comparison you can only hate Wales and all the things it has to offer. Imagine, the businessmen don’t look dead inside! People apologise when they run into you! People don’t hate their jobs and livelihoods! If England had more sheep, I might consider it a better contender for #1 place to avoid at all costs, but alas, I am Welsh after all.

IT’S TOO AFFORDABLE

From travel expenses to food to excursions – to even cinema tickets (£12 in Leicester Square, £6 in Swansea) – Wales is insanely cheap in comparison to London (and the majority of England in general). If you’re someone who hasn’t got endless funds to dwindle away, I would suggest staying far away from Wales as you’ll probably be so enticed by how wonderfully affordable everything is that you’ll probably want to stay here forever. Damn Wales, with its nifty tricks and horribly economical living.

THERE’S WAY TOOO MUCH TO DO

Oh really, you saw the Shard, Hyde Park, and Big Ben in one day? Congrats, now you’ve got a week left in London and you’ve seen it all. Alas, if you stayed somewhere like Cardiff, you have literal months filled with things to see. Bored of Cardiff? Try Swansea. Bored of Swansea? Try Bridgend. And on it goes. Honestly, it’s addictive.

I went to the Wales Millennium Centre the other day to watch my new favourite band RSVP Bhangra and went home armed with both new dance knowledge, an admiration for the band’s seemingly never-ending energy levels, and a re-fired love for Wales’ capital.

THE LOCALS ARE WAY TOO NICE

One of the biggest social differences between Wales and England is the attitude of people when you pass them in the street. A bunch of times I’ve smiled at people I’ve walked past in London, because when it’s a thin street and you’re directed right at each other it’d be more awkward not to, which my English friends always find crazy. In return I tend to either get glared at or blanked completely, which is entirely different to when you’re in Swansea and people grin, ask how you are, and comment on your new hairdo. I came down to Swansea a few days ago, and am already stunned at how people apologise when they walk a foot too close to you – in London it takes a full-body tackle to get anything.

In general, Welsh people are a lot friendlier to strangers (unless you accidentally call them English, in which case prepare to get shanked), and to be completely frank with you, it’s something you can only hate. I went out to buy some onion chutney, and was caught completely off-guard when the server was genuinely interested in my life and how my day was going. Like please, I just want to buy some chutney and not feel like my life is as intriguing and inspiring as you are making it out to be. They can only aspire to be as blasé as the English, really. And hello, are you flirting with me, or are you just Welsh?

AND TOO HAPPY

In Wales we drink mountain water from our faucets (prepare to lose weight with the whole expelling-everything-you-eat-almost-immediately thing), name our places stupid things like Cwmrhydyceirw and Llangyfelach, and have access to a curious timezone called “now-in-a-minute” (too niche?) – and this all adds together to somehow create the happiest people ever. It’s almost like the quality of life goes up the further away you are from the centre of London and all the grey skinned briefcase-clad people. People spend a lot more quality time with their families on days out around endless mountains, coastlines, and treks up Snowdonia, and are more motivated to leave the house and admire the richness and beauty that Wales holds. The Welsh have everything you could ask for, so prepare to feel like your own life is miserable in comparison.

WELSH CAKES

Move out of the way, scones and eton mess, because here comes the much loved and much devoured Welsh speciality – Welsh cake. ‘What’s a Welsh cake?’, I hear you ask? Heaven. Welsh cakes are heaven. Nothing more than sugar, sultanas, and magic, these little beauties beat everything in England. The Lake District? The cute little London accents? The London Dungeons? Welsh cakes beat every possible thing England has to offer, all in a bite. So please, stay far away from Wales so that there’s more for us. Thanks.

I’ll be honest and say that I initially didn’t peg Milan as a city of books, but I was glad to be proven wrong when I found myself surrounded by a strong bibliophilic culture. It seemed as though they’d built the whole city around its love of literature – from book cafes to little libreria-slash-hostels even to tea-ware houses filled with novels on love and art and meditation!

Over the course of my time in Milan, I must have visited dozens upon dozens of bookshops – or at least, little negozi which also happened to be stuffed full with books. As such, I decided to curate the perfect bookshop tour of Milan – and it only takes an hour and a half to walk from one end to the other! Please, save your dedicated praises until later.

ANNAMARIA FUMAGALLI

First of all, I want to quickly mention my favourite person in Milan. I met Annamaria Fumagalli on my first full day in the city, and let me tell you, I sure am glad that I did. She is an official licensed guide for GITEC (the Association of Italian Guides for Tourism and Culture), and was the perfect person to introduce us to the city.

She was so warm, friendly, and welcoming, that it felt simply as though I was meeting up with my grandmother. Effortlessly Milanese with her fashionable mirrored glasses and a vintage red dress, she was the know-all-end-all for the the finest places to visit in the city. When we met up, her words brought Milan to life, offering local insight and gossip whilst pointing out things such as the Sforzesco Castle, the Duomo, the fashion district, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

She pointed out little things that we would blindly have ignored, and told us about how the city has changed over the years (and more recently, due to coronavirus) – little tidbits that really made the city feel more alive and personal. One of my highlights from my time with Annamaria was when she treated us to a typical Milanese coffee inside of the beautiful Camparino, where we shared anecdotes from our lives and gazed at the beautiful architecture  and tile-work around us.

We left knowing a lot more about the city and it’s rich history, tummies full of strong Italian coffee from the best bar in Lombardi, and several handpicked brochures that Annamaria presented us. After the tour, I asked her if she could recommend any bookshops in the local area, and as it turns out, there was a helluva lot. It was from these suggestions that this book tour really came to life – without her local insight, we would absolutely have missed out on some of the gems that really shaped our trip. And so for that, thank you Annamaria – this post wouldn’t exist without you.

KATHAY

I think that Kathay has to be the best place to start a bookshop tour – and not just because it is genuinely my favourite place in the city (which also happens to be in my favourite area). Whilst not technically a ‘bookshop,’ Kathay is a kind of all-purpose store, featuring delicious culinary goods, intricately detailed homeware, and the most concentrated amount of tea-ware I have ever seen in my life. I felt exactly like a kid in a candy store, surrounded by gorgeous matcha bowls, beautiful displays of Chinese gaiwans on vintage green tables, and endless books on Korean cooking, Feng Shui, kombucha, reiki, and the art of tea – along with every other cool subject you could possibly learn about. I’m not being dramatic when I say that I could quite easily have spent the whole day there, wandering through the isles and running my fingers across the fine china. Never have I been so tempted to buy out a whole store before – and it’s definitely the first place to welcome yourself into the city.

TEMPO RITROV LIBRI

Meaning ‘Time Rediscovered Books,’ this adorable little libreria is filled with black and white framed photos of old film stars, magazines on African food and travel photography, and of course, a comprehensive collection of independent books by small publishers. They have the cutest collection of Children’s illustrated travel books, including intricately designed copies of Libro Giungla and Bella e la Bestia.

The owners of the bookshop believe that, ‘especially in Italy, the importance of reading should be affirmed and supported effectively every day. We therefore put ourselves at the service of the city together with the many other independent bookshops born in recent years, and we propose ourselves as a new and further garrison in which everyone can find time for themselves and others by isolating themselves, for a few moments, from a citizen of chaos.’

GIUNTI AL PUNTO

This is one of the many bookstores that I stumbled upon by accident – and boy, am I glad I did. Enticed by the free literary magazine, Il Libraio, drawn in by their many eye-catching discounts (because who doesn’t love a literary classic at 50% off?!), and fully reeled-in by their little knickknack sections full of explorer gear, pretty pens, and stunning notebooks, it was pretty obvious that I wouldn’t be spending less than an hour in the store. Check it out – you’ll soon understand it for yourself.

LIBRERIA DEL MONDO OFFESO

An independent Milanese bookshop, the Libreria del Mondo Offenso also doubles as a cultural centre promoting initiatives and events. The name of the place roughly translates to ‘The Bookshop of the Offended World’, from the book Conversazioni in Sicilia by Elio Vittorini, which is in essence a journey of discovery of an ‘offended world’, forcing one to take responsibility. It is a place to meet, discuss, and dream, in a haven filled with books, storytellers, and passion. They offer contemporary Italian fiction, theatre books, out-of-print novels, poetry, and gorgeous little travel books.

GINORI 1735

Despite the fact that I was stared at incredibly intensely by the shopkeepers the whole time I wandered through the shop (it was just like that infamous shopping scene in Pretty Woman), I still found myself transfixed by the beautiful pieces in front of us. Surrounded by the finest (and presumably most expensive) fine china I have ever seen, beautifully crafted and intricately painted, I felt as though I was in a Julia Gregson book. They are all absolutely beautiful and definitely something to go out of your way to see, even if to merely begin to plan your future living room – even through the intense eye contact from the staff.

The man behind the name, Carlo Ginori, began to manufacture porcelain pieces in 1735 in his workshop in Doccia, Tuscany. It soon spiralled into a prestigious company of luxury home decor objects, where it was run by the same family until 1896, when it was sold to Richard of Milan and the brand was created.

AMERICAN BOOKSTORE

Their website states, ‘Since 1981, the bookstore has been the perfect place for all lovers of American culture, thanks to the American Bookstore’s in-depth literary knowledge and American and English traditions’ – and whilst I’m not the biggest fan of these so-called American and English traditions, I did really like the store.

Their collection of books is pretty impressive, featuring more or less any genre that you could ever need (although as it is an ‘American bookstore’, I would maybe stay away from the cooking section!). Along with English books, they also offer antique prints, ancient maps, and ‘many objects and curiosities of the ancient American tradition – inside our bookshop you will be transported to a world you thought you knew, but which hides a very deep soul.’ They also sell Christmas decorations and American calendars which is pretty hip.

F. PETTINAROLI & FIGLI

Again, this is another one of those not-actually-a-bookshop bookshops – but I loved it so much that I simply had to include it! It’s the cutest little shop filled with matte vintage globes, thick leather-bound notebooks, intricate Victorian-esque ink-writing sets, shiny compasses, endless antique maps of the world, and chunky pieces of cream paper which were covered in sketches by men long gone. It’s a truly beautiful place. Apparently, it also houses the ‘widest’ selection of charts, vintage prints, antique maps of Italy and the world, as well as government charts and globes for enthusiasts and collectors. Pretty cool for a not-bookshop, eh?

MONDADORI BOOKSTORE

Mondadori has a super neat red theme running throughout the store, making it perfect for those much-desired Insta shots. It’s a big and open bookshop, and is filled with glossy modern books, super vibey music, the most passionate staff ever, and a large collection of travel, art, and architecture books. Highly recommend.

LA FELTRINELLI

La Feltrinelli is actually the first bookshop that I spent quality time in in Milan, and I liked it a lot. We stayed here for a couple hours and drank tea, slowly rummaging through their collection of photography books and black-and-white autobiographies, merely letting the world meander on by. Over the next few days, we discovered that there’s actually another Feltrinelli store in the area called La Feltrinelli Express, and a more niche one called La Feltrinelli Libri e Musica. My favourite definitely has to be that first one though, because it was both the first libreria that welcomed us, and also the place where I discovered Cleo Le-Tan (and her father)’s work for the first time. Of course, this one – like many others, was recommended to me by Annamaria. The woman really does know quality bookshops, I tell you.

LIBRERIA BOCCA

The oldest bookshop in Milan, I could have easily have spent a few hours here. The store has the coolest decorations, with postcards and bookmarks hanging down from the ceiling (which has a cool abstract painting on it), and stays true to it’s antique roots with it’s old-fashioned decor and overall feel of the place. The bookshelves start at the floor and wind their way up, brightening up the place with Taschen and Assouline. Located in the middle of the very commercialised Gallerie, this little homely store feels like a secret haven away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s filled with art, from the very outside in, and they specialise in books by the most exquisite, famous artists of the past to the more vibrant artists of our current generation, even shedding a light on those teeny little backstreet artists that thrive quietly. It’s a wonderful place to immerse yourself.

HOEPLI INTERNATIONAL BOOKSHOP

Because I couldn’t possibly miss out the largest bookshop in Italy! Housing over 500,000 titles of fiction and non-fiction and everything-in-between-fiction books, they also offer rare antique novels and books in their original languages. There are five floors in this bookish oasis, so there’s plenty of space (and volumes) to lose yourself in – I can promise you that you will come in here with the intention to merely browse and finger a couple copies, but will leave with every book you never knew you needed.

LIBRERIA ANTIGONE

I feel as though we didn’t find the gay bookshop, the gay bookshop found us. It was such a cool place to visit with my girlfriend – the energy was distinctly different to the outside, and it was so warm and welcoming, a real nice atmosphere. The whole aim of the store is to create a safe space free from prejudice for all minorities, sexualities, genders, and everything else; a bookshop built on respect and understanding. It’s a really lovely place to be, and they encourage curiosity and inclusion, with the kindest staff around.

Quoting from their website, ‘the Antigone bookshop wants to be a meeting point, a place for building relationships, intended as the only indispensable tool for the cultural and human growth of one another… aimed at maintaining a safe, pleasant environment [which is] useful, accessible by anyone.’ Now I don’t know about you, but that’s the place that I want to be.

Not only do they have some of the coolest books ever (and magazines, and essays, and educational texts), but I found myself irresistibly drawn to their exquisite magnet selection. And oh, the magnets! Made up of all styles and colours, depicting numerous environments and situations, I frankly wanted them all. Antigone, if you’re reading this, I wouldn’t complain  being sent one!

I never thought that I would find a bookshop dedicated wholly to the dissemination of LGBTQ+ and feminist culture and subcultures, but I am so glad that I did.

MILAN WOMEN’S LIBRARY

Although only recently established (in 1975), the Milan Women’s Library is such a cool place to visit. It’s a non-profit libreria that is both a bookshop and a meeting place, housing film screenings and even political discussions. They have a very comprehensive selection of feminist books, and similar to the Antigone, they are dedicated to the dissemination of multiple media subcultures – and in my personal opinion, there’s nothing quite as sweet as a bookshop that makes you think. The staff are all volunteers, and the place runs on pure love, respect, and passion – which if you think about it, is how every good bookshop should be.

WHERE TO STAY

At night, we stayed at the marvellous Babila Hostel and Bistro. Built in 1895, this former Catholic school is now one of the coolest places to hang out in the heart of the city.

It was such a nice place to spend the evenings, with their big clean kitchen, cosy communal room where we could kick back on the sofas and watch Netflix, and their absolutely beautiful veranda where we could watch the sun set over the city – but, fitting with the theme of the post, the highlight has to be the sheer amount of books they had.

Every corner had a shelf stacked with both antique manuscripts and shiny new novellas, where you could either take one off to the bedroom to read, or swap one of your own loved books for someone else’s loved book. They had travel guides, autobiographies, fictional novels, books on aliens – what else could you possibly need?

Mix this with their incredibly comfortably beds, the complimentary drinks you get on arrival, cool board games and boxes of Jenga, and the pool tables, and you have a place that I probably could have spent a few weeks. They do the most delicious mocktails and breakfasts, too – and all in all, I’m definitely glad I stayed here. I may have had my toothpaste and key stolen, but hey, you win some, you lose some, right?

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Over the past few months, I have found myself devouring travel book after travel book – one week even saw me read eight whole ass novels! Throughout that time, I have stumbled upon some absolute gems that I am super excited to share with you all.

Gulliver’s Travels

Since spotting this tatty, water-drenched Tenth Edition of Gulliver’s Travels in a local old bookstore, it has become one of my most prized possessions.

We all know the premise of the plot: Jack Black is on an assignment in the Bermuda Triangle when a magical vortex transports him to a half-mythical land of teeny tiny people. He falls in love with Emily Blunt, becomes the hero of Lilliput, and all in all, does what Jack Black is best known for: exploration. And honestly, rereading the story now makes me appreciate how even classic literature can feel as complex as modern coursework, the kind many students turn to assignment writing services EssayPro for when things get overwhelming.

As it happens, the original story was originally published in 1726, and as such, the novel plot is a little different to the Hollywood movie. Because of this, some of the writing can be slightly (see: extremely) difficult to navigate – but all in all, it’s a pretty sick story. It’s one of those novels that grabs your heart strings even when you don’t know your thou from your thy.

Around India in 80 Trains

There’s no doubt that Monisha Rajesh is one of the best living British travel writers, known for her borderline obsession with the beauty of train travel. Of course, Around India in 80 Trains is one of her most iconic train memoirs – and easily one of my favourite travel books.

I first read this book whilst in the first ever lockdown, desperate to escape the Welsh winter to somewhere new and exciting. As you can expect, a book about India really hit that nail on the head, and I immediately fell in love with the world of milky chai, dusty sunshine, and Mumbai’s infamous commuter trains.

After having left India in 1993, Monisha decides to return to her old home. Along the way, she meets a kaleidoscope of characters who help her to uncover the reason why the railways are considered the ‘lifeline that keeps India’s heart beating’. She wants nothing more than for these 80 train journeys to lift the veil on a country that has become a stranger to her.

Monisha is one of the most down to earth travellers there is, and I love how honest and genuine she is within this book. She meets the coolest people in the most incredible places, and it truly is a beautiful travel memoir to get lost in. I devoured it in hours, and then promptly moved over to ordering her latest book.

Round Ireland with a Fridge

Whilst researching other walking adventures for my Walking Wales Expedition, I came across this book. It’s funny, upbeat, and lowkey relatable, and is a great way to alight your heart with a little flicker of adventure. The whole premise is pretty wacky – as the title suggests, it really is just some bloke wandering round Ireland with a fridge – and just goes to show that all you need is passion, drive, and a little bit of ingenuity.

The Lost City of Z

Quite unbelievably, this book is based on the true story of Percy Fawcett, an old-era explorer who ventured into the forest to find his El Dorado, only to never return. As such, the premise of the novel is the author of this book following in Fawcett’s footsteps to uncover the hidden city of gold.

It’s one heck of a story, as the author contacts Fawcett’s living relatives (Wales represent!) and scours through his old travel journals, along with even winding up in ‘El Dorado’ himself…

Tazmamart

Oh my goodness, where do I possibly begin?

Tazmamart is a truly devastating book illustrating the 18 years that Aziz BineBine spent locked in a secret political prison; with death, disease, and desolation shadowing his every move. I wrote a full-length review on this book for the New Welsh Review, and honestly, have been unable to forget about the book since. It’s burrowed deep into my skin, and I still can’t shake the experiences that BineBine led me through throughout the course of this book.

The book reads like a piece of poetry. The imagery and sheer detail woven into the book is as impressive as it is mesmerising, as the fact that BineBine still remembers the exact treatment they received each week, the precise death dates of the inmates, and everyone’s complex life stories after so many years is truly incredible. The telling of his experience is interlaced with references to other literature, religion, and philosophical ideals, rendering it so much more than just an autobiography.

It’s the most heartbreaking book I have ever read, and honestly, I believe that BineBine is one of the most inspiring people to have lived.

On the Front Line with the Women Who Fight Back

This is a harrowing, inspiring book that shows the incredible strengths that women possess and the feats they undergo on a daily basis all around the world.

Stacey Dooley is a popular documentary host who goes out of her way to show British viewers the most incredible, shocking, and outrageous parts of life – and in this book, she details the incredible women she has met along the way. It offers an insight to the behind the scenes of her popular documentaries, and introduces a personal side to Dooley’s best-loved interviewees.

The Road to Oxiana

The Road to Oxiana was first published in 1937, and is considered to be the ‘first example of great travel writing’ – and as such, it can serve as a great example to fellow travel writers.

Oxiana is a region along Afghanistan’s northern border, and the book details Robert Byron’s ten-month journey to the Middle East. It’s an interesting book which talks about a lost and now almost unattainable form of travelling, and an insight into lives long gone.

As Paul Fussell once wrote, ‘The Road to Oxiana is to the travel book what Ulysses is to the novel between the wars.’ If that doesn’t convince you, then I don’t know what will.

Adventures of a Young Naturalist

Adventures of a Young Naturalist delves into further detail of Attenborough’s first ever expedition. In 1954, he was offered the opportunity of a lifetime, travelling the world finding rare and elusive animals for London Zoo’s collection – and oh boy, what an adventure it was.

Of course, David Attenborough is one of the sweetest souls on the planet, and his book summarises everything that Britain loves about him. The honesty in the way he writes, and the methods in which he documents meeting people – it all comes together to be a book that is so thoroughly Attenborough.

Stranger to the Desert

Stranger to the Desert is easily one of the best travel books ever written, and yet hardly anyone even knows about it. It’s almost impossible to find out information about the author – Dorothy Ross – which is as surprising as it is a shame. Honestly, she seemed like a sick woman, and there should be more information about her.

This book was written in the 1950s, and follows Dorothy as she marries a cowboy and moves to the wild, wild West. It’s absolutely hilarious, and I love everything that she has to say – even if it is a little disjointing at times (with the blatant sexism and racism that was prevalent at the time and thus in her writing).

The Book of Exploration

Quite possibly the best book detailing the most infamous and loved explorers of all time, this book zooms through the ages to talk about the people who have helped shape society and adventure into what it is today.

I largely use this as a reference book and as something to curl up with every now and then, drinking a fat cup of tea and jotting down endless notes. It’s super interesting to learn more about the world’s top explorers – and I have it on a table for guests to flick through when they enter my room, really drawing the whole adventure aesthetic together.

And so, have you guys read any of these books, or now plan on doing so? If so, which one do you think would be your favourite? Let me know in the comments below!

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I don’t know what it is about researching the world’s farthest flung places and jotting them in a little faux-leather notebook, but man, I love it. Luckily for you, this obsession means that I’ve worked out some of the absolute best things to do on earth – and now I’m finally ready to share them and inspire bucket lists around the world!

Europe

⬡ Disneyland Paris

⬡ Eiffel Tower, Paris

⬡ Alhambra, Grenada

⬡ Palace of Versailles, Paris

⬡ See the Northern/ Southern lights

⬡ Portmerion, Wales

⬡ Afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason, London

⬡ Climb Mount Snowdon, Wales

⬡ La Tomatina, Spain

⬡ See a German fairytale castle (e.g. Liechtenstein, Eltzm Neuschwanstein_)

⬡ The Alps, France

⬡ Walk the Camino de Santiago

⬡ Interrail around Europe

⬡ Colosseum, Rome

⬡ Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy

⬡ Tulip Fields, Netherlands

⬡ Experience bright Italy (Vernazza, Procida, Burano)

⬡ Do the waltz at a ball in Vienna

⬡ Lavender Fields, the Netherlands

⬡ Go inside the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City

⬡ Consume space cake, Amsterdam

⬡ Stay in the Ice Hotel, Sweden

⬡ Kew Gardens, London

⬡ Visit a German market at Christmas

⬡ Acropolis of Athens

⬡ Camp at the Lake District, England

⬡ Stonehenge, England

⬡ Mont Saint Michel, France

⬡ Visit the Notre Dame de Paris

⬡ Dracula’s Castle, Romania

⬡ Take an outdoor bath in Budapest

⬡ The Louvre, Paris

⬡ Chinatown, London

⬡ Attend a British Music Festival

Asia

⬡ Taj Mahal, India

⬡ Diwali Festival of Lights

⬡ Virapaksha Temple, India

⬡ Stay at an Indian Ashram

⬡ Ride in an Indian tuk tuk

⬡ Walk the Great Wall of China

⬡ Turfan, China

⬡ Zhangjiajie national forest park, China

⬡ Rainbow Mountains, China

⬡ Lantern Festival, Taiwan

⬡ Hagia Sophia, Turkey

⬡ The Grand Palace, Bangkok

⬡ Bagan, Myanmar

⬡ Ride a camel

⬡ Sea of Stars, Vaadhoo Island

⬡ Meenakshi Temple, India  

⬡ See the Meeting of the Waters

⬡ Ride the Trans-Siberian railway

⬡ Swim in Jellyfish Lake, Palau

⬡ Yellow Mountain, Anhui Province, China

⬡ Eat fresh sushi at a stall in Japan

⬡ Go to a Japanese Onsen

⬡ Wisteria Tunnel, Japan

⬡ Stay in a Japanese Monastery

⬡ Hanami, Japan

⬡ Japanese tea ceremony

⬡ Mount Everest, Nepal

⬡ Visit an underground city like Cappadocia, Turkey

⬡ The Angkor Wat, Cambodia

⬡ Phnom Kulen Rong Chen, Cambodia

⬡ Amman, Jordan

⬡ Float in The Dead Sea

⬡ Yaunyang County, China

⬡ Taste tea in Darjeeling

⬡ Terracotta Army, Shaanxi

⬡ Dubai Miracle Garden

⬡ Songkran, Thailand

⬡ Spring Lantern Festival, Hong Kong

Africa

⬡ Visit the Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

⬡ Go on an African safari

⬡ Lalibela, Ethiopia

⬡ Great Zimbabwe

⬡ Abu Simbel, Egypt

⬡ Visit Madagascar’s avenue of ancient baobab trees

⬡ Lake Natron, Tanzania

⬡ Mount Kilamanjaro, Tanzania

North America

⬡ See the Grand Canyons

⬡ The Republic of Molossia

⬡ Actun Tunichil Muknal, Belize

⬡ Go inside the Empire State Building

⬡ Visit Mount Rushmore

⬡ Host a New York tea party

⬡ Antelope Canyon, Arizona

⬡ Drive down Route 66 on an American road trip

⬡ Dive to the Titanic

⬡ Camp in Oregon, Portland

⬡ Yosemite, California

⬡ Niagara Falls, Ontario + New York

⬡ Party in Las Vegas

⬡ The Statue of Liberty

⬡ See Times Square at Christmas

⬡ Death Valley National Park, California

South America

⬡ The Andes, Chile

⬡ Machu Picchu, Peru

⬡ Choquequirao, Peru

⬡ El Mirador, Guatemala

⬡ Carnival Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

⬡ Angel Falls, Venezuela

⬡ Chiapas, Mexico

⬡ Wander the bright streets of Cuba

⬡ Visit Christ the Redeemer

⬡ Welsh Patagonia

⬡ Rio De Janeiro Carnival

⬡ Ik Kil Cenote, Mexico

⬡ Chichen Itza, Mexico

Australasia

⬡ Swim in the Great Barrier Reef (You may also want to take a look at a dive calendar and consider going scuba diving with a group or instructor. There are many different locations and excursions that you may want to consider being a part of. It’s a chance to get some exercise and see some truly unique creatures.)

⬡ Glowworm caves, New Zealand

⬡ See a pink lake (e.g. Lake Hillier, Australia)

⬡ Climb Sydney Harbour Bridge

⬡ See the Red Crab Migration

⬡ See the Moai, Easter Island

⬡ Stay in an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora

Experiences

⬡ Go to Antarctica

⬡ Fly in a hot air balloon

⬡ Go parachuting

⬡ Go tandem biking

⬡ Ride a segway

⬡ Go wild swimming

⬡ Hike a volcano

⬡ Do up an old van and travel across a continent in it

⬡ Go cliff jumping

⬡ Stay in an underwater hotel

⬡ Bungee jump

⬡ Go glass blowing

⬡ Sleep overnight in a lighthouse

⬡ Sleep overnight in a cave

⬡ Sleep overnight on a beach

⬡ Horse ride through the surf

⬡ Milk a cow

⬡ Spend a few months in a completely new country with an equally new language and learn it (Discovering the joys of learning Korean while traveling opens up a whole new level of adventure. Ready to dive in? Check out this Korean level test!)

⬡ Swim with something big (e.g. a whale or shark)

⬡ Sleep outdoors watching the stars

⬡ Go surfing

⬡ Snowboard

⬡ Flyboard

⬡ Ride a pedalo

⬡ Hire a houseboat

⬡ Ride in a sleigh pulled by huskies

⬡ Go hand gliding

⬡ Fly first class

⬡ Skydive

⬡ Go Water-skiing

⬡ Go to a nude beach and blend in 😉

⬡ Bicycle cross-country

⬡ Ride in a yacht

⬡ Go on a cruise

⬡ Drive a helicopter

⬡ Swim in marine phosphorescence

⬡ Swim in an infinity pool

⬡ Throw a dart at a map and go to that place, wherever it lands

⬡ Go on holiday with no luggage

⬡ Ride in a canoe

⬡ Explore an unexplored island

⬡ Go paragliding

⬡ Busk

⬡ Ride in a limousine

⬡ Go rock climbing

⬡ Skinny dip

⬡ Ride a steam train

⬡ Swing through the sky on a trapeze

⬡ Get kissed under mistletoe

⬡ Drive a motorbike

⬡ Get a penpal in another country

⬡ Put a message in a bottle and send it across the ocean

And so, have you guys done many of the things on this list? Will it help inspire your next trip, or is your bucket list already flawless?

Let me know in the comments below!

BUT BEFORE YOU DO – WHY NOT SHARE THE LOVE AND PIN THIS POST?

Before you learn all about the mastery of audience building, be sure to check out the first instalment of my blog masterclass.

** Psst – I also run an online course which goes into all the gory bits of starting up a travel blog! **

BE PERSONAL

People in general are emotionally-driven, and if you can really market yourself towards the emotions of your audiences, they will be more likely to connect with the content you produce and stick around.

You should be open and honest – and even a little vulnerable – with your audience, and this will make them resonate with you. You can then use this to connect further, addressing your readers personally, and bearing them in mind of everything you do. You need to be able to answer the following questions for each post:

• How will this blog post solve the problems of my reader?
• How will this blog post impact their lives? Will it add any value to them or their knowledge?
• How will this blog post make my reader feel?
• What is the ideal outcome from the reader of this blog post?

FACEBOOK GROUPS

I’m just going to jump right into it. One of the best things that you can possibly do when trying to grow your online presence is to join all relevant Facebook groups. For example, I’m in several Facebook groups regarding female travel, solo travel, and travel blogging. I find that this is a great – and yet often under-appreciated – way to grow a blog, especially as these groups often work like little communities.

To find a group suited to you, simply head over to the Search section of Facebook and type in keywords relating to you, such as ‘Travel,’ ‘Blogging,’ ‘Female entrepreneurs,’ whatever it may be. You will then find that a lot of these groups operate by following a schedule. For example, one of the groups I am in has a schedule like this:

• Monday: Social media engagement. On this day, everyone leaves links to their social media under the post, specifying which type of engagement they would like. If it is Instagram, they often ask for followers, comments, and likes; if it is Pinterest, they often ask for scheduled pins; if it is Twitter, they often ask for likes and comments and retweets.
• Wednesday: Blog link swap. This is where two or three people get together and share organic, helpful links from another travel blog to their posts. This brings up your Domain Authority, and is great for SEO.
• Friday: Guest post. On Fridays, people wanting to write or include guest posts add a comment to the main post stating exactly what they’re looking for, and this form of posting is great for both blogs. One gets to build more organic links to their blog, and the other gets to feature great content! We talk a little more about guest posting and its importance later.
• Sunday: Blog share. This is, of course, where you share a link to your most recent post, and ask for people to comment on it, spend time on your site (again, good for Domain Authority), click through to other posts (great for showing Google people enjoy your content and find it useful), and share it on their social media.

Of course, Facebook group schedules vary – but at the heart of it all, joining these groups is invaluable, regardless of how far into your blogging journey you are.

PINTEREST

As I said earlier, Pinterest is my favourite type of social media to use, as it is so easy to grow!

For this, I highly recommend that you download a plugin relating to Pinterest, such as the WordPress Pin it! plugin, as this creates an easy way for readers to share your content on the site. On mine, you simply hover over an image and it comes up with a little Pin it! badge in the corner, where readers can click and save that image to their own Pinterest boards.

The trick with Pinterest is to be consistent, always uploading new images from your blog and engaging with other Pinterest boards, sharing images relating to your niche. On my Pinterest, 30% of it is my own content – guides and pretty pictures – and 70% of it is me sharing related content from others, such as beautiful photographs of Italy, road trip guides, food guides to my favourite cities, etc.

The key then is to post beautiful enough images that people want to share yours – and that’s when you can really start growing!

PROMOTE OFFLINE

Vastly underestimated, promoting your content offline as well as online is a sure way to bring in more readers. Be it via newspaper ads, partnerships, related fairs, business cards, speaking events, or simply just word-of-mouth, getting people talking about your work in the real world is one of the best forms of marketing.

Personally, I leave my business cards wherever I go – on friend’s fridges, in Airbnb fruit bowls, in books in libraries… 

It can cost as little as a tenner to buy 200 business cards, and you can find the best company suited to your needs online. It’s always good to carry a card on you – you never know who you’ll meet!

In addition to using business cards as a promotional tool, you can also design Enamel Pins Canada that reflect your personal style. You can feature your work’s logo, core IP image, or iconic lines.

Pins are more likely to stay with readers long-term, constantly stimulating their memories of your work. Customizing pins is quick and easy, and comes at a competitive price. Furthermore, they are suitable for a wider range of situations than business cards, allowing them to be given and used anywhere.

WHAT IS GUEST POSTING? WHY SHOULD I DO IT?

Guest posting is such an underestimated way of reaching new audiences, but along with widening your market reach, you’re also able to improve your Domain Authority by getting loads of healthy, organic links to your site. Especially as you progress and write for bigger and better blogs, these links are going to be invaluable for growing your own, truly getting into that SEO headset.

A guest post is basically where you hop on over to another blog that isn’t yours, and produce content for it. In return, expect links and mentions back to your own blog. To get involved in guest posting, simply reach out to other bloggers or post in Facebook groups, asking if they would be interested in a guest post from you. Sometimes, they may then ask to do a guest post on yours – and then everyone gets exactly the same thing, and it works out perfectly.

If you go down the lane of emailing or messaging other bloggers on social media, start it by stating exactly why you want to guest post on them. They need to know that you appreciate their content and that your values are the same – if you’re a travel blog aimed at mothers who travel the world with their kids, you’re probably not going to be the right fit for a young male travel blogger who only writes about bachelor-hood and all the ladies he gets with abroad. Make sure that your audience is their audience, and draw them in.

Along with that, you should send over a link to your current blog, along with any examples of past guest posts.

To find blogs that widely accept guest posts, you can easily do a Google search for the primary keyword, e.g. South Korea or Solo Travel, plus the words “write for us”, or “guest post guidelines.” Then you can work your way down the results, starting with the most popular blog with the best SEO and working your way down.

As mentioned earlier, some Facebook groups offer guest posts and link swaps, so be sure to take advantage of them when you can!

GET AUTHENTIC COMMENTS

Along with everything mentioned above, you should be constantly connecting with other blogs and bloggers. Find blogs similar to your own niche and comment on them, leaving genuine comments that they will appreciate receiving. If you think their photographs are beautiful, tell them! If you want to go to the restaurant they’ve mentioned because they serve what the blogger called ‘the best dumplings in the world’, then let them know!

Commenting on other blogs not only lets other bloggers out there know of your presence, but it means that you can get into the community. This will create a long-term relationship with other bloggers across the world – and that can only be a good thing!

Bear in mind that when you leave comments on other blogs, avoid leaving generic comments such as, ‘Great post, visit my blog!’ or ‘Nice pictures. Check out my latest post about the top ten reasons to take a road trip around Warsaw this Christmas.’ Because not only is it annoying for the person receiving these comments, but it also makes it more likely that those are the only types of comments you will receive, too.

GIVE AWAY FREE STUFF

Because who doesn’t love free stuff?! For example, hosting giveaways can be a brilliant way of reaching new audiences and expanding your current audience. By hosting giveaways where the applicants have to follow rules such as, ‘comment on two other posts, share to Twitter and Instagram, and follow me on Pinterest to enter’, your blog will be seen by many new eyes!

This can build brand awareness, drive traffic to your blog, increase engagement, improve sales of any items you may already be selling on your blog – and best of all, it can improve your readership!

Also on the topic of free stuff – one great way to build readership trust and let your readers know that you have created a blog to serve their needs rather than yours, is to have free things readily available on your blog. For example, I have a free guide to Wales and another comprehensive free guide to Victoria that you can access easily on my blog. I give away this content in exchange for things such as them joining my email subscription list – meaning that I get more subscribers, my work is being seen by more people, and my audience trusts me just that little bit more because they know I have their best interests at heart. It’s a win-win!

And so, I hope that you have enjoyed the second part of this Blog Masterclass series – believe me, there’s plenty more to come!

Stay tuned for the third part of this four-part series: How to Get Paid for Blogging. And then, whilst you’re waiting, why not read my previous post on how to build a better blog, or check out my interviews with successful travel bloggers?

WHILST YOU’RE AT IT, WHY NOT SHARE THE LOVE AND PIN THIS POST?