I truly cannot believe that I get to write this post – that I have been so lucky and so fortunate as to be able to have lived in my beautiful city of York for five years, and to get to live here indefinitely. Five years ago today, on 13 October 2016, I landed in… Read More 5 Years in England: Why I Love Living in York
After a fantastic trip to Dumfries and Galloway in May, I decided I needed to get back to Scotland ASAP, and made up my mind to (finally) visit the Isle of Mull in June! It is a truly phenomenal part of Scotland, and I cannot recommend it enough. Real talk? I decided to go here… Read More What to See on the Isle of Mull and Iona in Scotland
UPDATED JULY 2023! The second half of August is one of the best times to visit Yorkshire, this beautiful region in the North of England that I’ve been lucky enough to call home for over 6 years. Heather blooms around the moors, covering the landscapes in a blanket of purple as far as the eye… Read More The Best Places to See Heather in Bloom in Yorkshire
Hiking Hadrian’s Wall was such an amazing experience, and one of my biggest accomplishments to date. It was hard but so so worth it! I had a lot of questions about how much something like this costs – is it possible to do on a budget? How expensive does it need to be? So here… Read More How Much Does it Cost to Hike Hadrian’s Wall?
Hiking Hadrian’s Wall, the 84-mile, long-distance trail across the north of England, is probably my greatest achievement to date. After experiencing so much pain and trauma in the last year, this walk became my Everest. I needed to do it. I had to do it – to prove to myself, and everyone else, that I… Read More What You Need to Know About Hiking Hadrian’s Wall
My first trip to Scotland of the year was a success! I spent four days in Dumfries and Galloway, the southwestern part of Scotland, and absolutely loved it. I can imagine that I’m not the only one who has neglected this region—I’ve driven through here so many times on the way north to the Scottish… Read More What to See and Do in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
As I started planning my trip to Dumfries and Galloway, the main walk I knew I wanted to do was to hike the Merrick. Located in Galloway Forest Park, this is the highest peak in southern Scotland at 843 meters. It’s a great walk and the views are absolutely phenomenal. There are so many great… Read More Hiking the Merrick: The Highest Mountain in Southern Scotland
Wensleydale is a popular destination to visit in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. With rolling green fields dotted with sheep, it’s best known as the home of Wensleydale cheese. The area is so picturesque and charming, and there’s some good walks and pretty waterfalls to explore. Aysgarth Falls is a great place to visit, but… Read More Hawes, Hardraw Force, and More: Waterfalls in Wensleydale
Having driven through Dumfries and Galloway so many times on my way north to the Scottish Highlands, I’m so glad that I finally made an effort to explore the area properly in May. This is a beautiful part of Scotland, and so underrated! I did a lot of hiking on this trip and if you’re… Read More The Best Walks In Dumfries And Galloway, Scotland
I may be a bit biased as I live here, but I think Yorkshire is one of the greatest parts of the world. There is so much to see and do here! Yorkshire also has so much history to explore – from the wonderful city of York, to castles and cathedrals and historic sites all… Read More The Best Abbeys in Yorkshire, England
UPDATED MAY 2024! Glasgow is all too frequently neglected as tourists flock to the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. While I love Edinburgh and think it’s a fantastic destination, I felt like it was time to pay a visit to Glasgow. Glasgow is a larger city (both in terms of area and population), and definitely one to… Read More How to Spend 48 Hours in Glasgow
Inverness is often referred to as the “Capital of the Highlands,” and has a good central location in the north of Scotland! There is a lot to see and do both in Inverness itself, and around the city like Loch Ness. Whether you’re looking for a Scottish weekend away, or passing through as part of… Read More What to See and Do in and Around Inverness
One of the biggest surprises to me on my trip around Scotland’s North Coast 500 was the beaches. While there’s a lot of things to know about the North Coast 500 before you go, did you have any idea Scotland’s coast was dotted with incredibly picturesque, beautiful, white sandy beaches?! While I’d seen a few… Read More The Best Beaches on Scotland’s North Coast 500 Route
How far would you walk to see the most beautiful beach in the country? Well, after having done the hike to Sandwood Bay, I can say that I’d walk at least 4 miles to see the best beach in Britain. I heard about this beach two years ago in an article listing it as one… Read More Sandwood Bay: Hiking to Britain’s Most Beautiful Beach
UPDATED JULY 2023! The North Coast 500 was one of the most incredible trips I’ve ever done. During the shitshow that was 2020, it was a real highlight and I’m so glad I went! I’ve always wondered how much exactly it costs to do a trip like this – so in my true budget travel… Read More How Much Does it Cost to Do the North Coast 500 in Scotland?
The Lake District is one of my favorite places in the world. My most recent trip last month was my ninth time visiting this spectacular national park, which to me is simply heaven on earth. As the UK gradually eases restrictions and domestic tourism opens, the Lake District (also known as ‘the Lakes’) is undoubtedly… Read More Why You Should Visit The Lake District This Year
While a lot of my trips last year were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, I ended up doing a fantastic week-long road trip around the very north of Scotland, the North Coast 500. One of the best parts of the trip was the spectacular scenery of these remote northern regions. I loved all the… Read More Hiking Ben Hope: Scotland’s Most Northern Munro
The North Coast 500 was one of the most phenomenal experiences I’ve had in the UK so far, and one trip that definitely should be on your bucket list. However, you will need to do some prep before you go! This trip takes you to some of the most remote places in Scotland—there might not… Read More What To Pack For The North Coast 500 In Scotland
I first visited the Brecon Beacons National Park on a rainy weekend back in December 2013. And to be totally honest, I only spent a few hours in the actual national park limits. It took me a while, but I finally made it back for a proper trip to the Brecon Beacons last summer! This… Read More How to Spend a Weekend in the Brecon Beacons in Wales
UPDATED JULY 2023! While so many of my travel plans for 2020 were canceled due to the pandemic, I tried to make the most of the year and find the silver lining. For me, the silver lining of last summer (when I should have been spending a month in Minnesota with my family) was definitely… Read More A 7-Day Itinerary For Scotland’s North Coast 500 Road Trip