UPDATED JUNE 2024! 2021 brought me to Scotland for some amazing road trips around the country. One of the best experiences I had was getting to take my dad on a trip around Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park! We had an amazing few days camping, hiking, and taking in the sights (and thankfully… Read More A Travel Guide for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, Scotland
Having lived in Yorkshire for over 5 years, I’ve been fortunate enough to see a lot of this amazing area. While places like Whitby, Robin Hood’s Bay, and Scarborough (and even more in the North York Moors) are very popular, there are a few gems just a bit further north. Having visited Staithes just once… Read More The Yorkshire Coast: Staithes and Runswick Bay
Last summer, I had the adventure of a lifetime hiking Hadrian’s Wall, an 84-mile, long-distance trail through Northumberland and across England. Having visited Northumberland pre-rona in 2020 (roadtripping along the coast), I fell totally in love with this underrated part of the north of England. After hiking Hadrian’s Wall, I set off to visit Alnwick… Read More Why You Should Visit Alnwick, Northumberland
For far too long, I’ve been guilty of driving through the North Pennines without stopping on my way to the Lake District. Last summer I decided that needed to change! I had a fantastic weekend exploring this underrated and beautiful part of the north of England. The North Pennines AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty)… Read More A Guide to the North Pennines AONB: What to See and Do
I loved hiking Hadrian’s Wall! It was my first long-distance hike, and one of my biggest accomplishments to date. There are a lot of things I wish I had known before I went, including what to pack – and more importantly, what not to pack. If you’re thinking about doing Hadrian’s Wall, here’s my packing… Read More Hadrian’s Wall Packing List: What to Pack For Hiking Hadrian’s Wall
6 years ago today, I sat down and bought this space on the internet. I wanted to share my travels with more people, to offer tips and advice, and to let other people around the world go away with Maja. I’ve written these reflection posts every year since I started blogging. You can catch up… Read More My 6-Year Blog-A-Versary!
I planned my entire trip to the Isle of Mull around one experience – or really, just around a couple of hours. I wanted to see puffins on Lunga, and so off I went to Scotland in June. The best time to see puffins is between April and July, before they fly off in August.… Read More Isle of Mull Daytrip: Staffa and Puffin-Watching on Lunga
Swaledale was one of my favorite discoveries of 2020, both in Yorkshire and in the UK in general. This is a beautiful, scenic, and quiet part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and now one of my favorite places in Yorkshire. There are so many good walks to do in the area, but it’s also… Read More The Prettiest Villages to See in Swaledale
Last week I was lucky enough to attend the Jet2’s Christmas Event in Leeds! This was my first blogger event in ages – the first proper one I’ve been to since the pandemic hit. It was such a great event with fun activities, plus the chance to learn more about Jet2’s winter breaks! The event… Read More Event: Christmas Cheer With Jet2
There is a lot of planning, preparation, and training before setting off to do something like Hadrian’s Wall. I am so proud of myself for walking Hadrian’s Wall – especially because I did it all on my own! I planned it, booked it, prepped it, navigated it, and walked it all on my own, basically… Read More A 6-Day Itinerary For Hiking Hadrian’s Wall
A year ago I thought my life was over. My marriage ended and I thought I was done. The reality was that my life was only just beginning. Somehow I’ve made it through a year of hell – somehow, I’ve survived. This last year has taught me so much. The fact that I’m still alive… Read More What I’ve Learned About Life After Surviving A Year Of Hell
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
