Exploring some pretty parts of Scotland during some time at home

Looks out for Local Events

Read your local newspaper, sign up to Facebook groups, follow interesting local people and groups on Twitter and look out for interesting local events that are coming up. It could be anything from a new exhibition, a new restaurant, a fun event or something completely new and exciting. I found out about Glasgow’s West End Festival through Twitter and subsequently attended one of their fundraising events at one of Glasgow’s fanciest hotels. Fun! I’ve also attended Holi celebrations in Glasgow, taken part in a little off-road Segway action, held some birds of prey and lots more all at home in Scotland. The experiences are out there, you just have to find them! 

Try Pop-Up Dining Experiences

New Glasgow experiences

Pop-up dining has been becoming increasingly popular over the last couple of years and you’ll find most places have these type of events if you look hard enough. I was lucky enough to find out about a Street Food Cartel pop-up event happening in Glasgow recently. I went along with a friend and had a great night doing something entirely different from just your normal meal in a restaurant.

Hit the Road

Why not just jump in your car and head off for a random drive. See where you end up and what you can discover. This works perfectly in Scotland where there’s so many beautiful, natural places within easy reaching distance but I’m sure you’ll be able to find something or somewhere new and exciting near you without having to go too far.

Be a Tourist for the Day

Checking out some of Glasgow’s beautiful Gothic architecture

Often we dismiss the tourist attractions in the place we live because we think they’re overrated, overrun with tourists or just not cool enough for us because we’re not actually visitors. Who says you have to be a tourist to enjoy them?! Visit the museums in your city, visit the art galleries, enjoy the architecture, take a walk in the parks and gardens and walk down streets you wouldn’t normally. You might just find something you love. I’ve had some of my best experiences in Glasgow when I’ve been showing around visitors which just goes to show that there’s always something new to see.

Notice what’s around you

We all love to catch a beautiful sunrise or sunset whilst we’re on a trip, but how often do you stop to notice one at home? Probably not very often I’m guessing. Take a second to notice things like the sunset, the flowers in the park, the street art in your city, the colours around you. It’s easy to miss these things because we’re too busy rushing around to get things done but it can really make all the difference if you take a second to stop and really notice things you’d otherwise ignore.

 These easy tips should help you discover new experiences and not get too caught up in the stagnant world of being at home in between travel adventures. Do you have any more tips to share? 

Spotting the sign which confirmed we were indeed in the right place was slightly reassuring. As we followed the direction of the sign’s arrow we came to an unmarked door. The only thing to give away that this was the right place was the sounds of funky soul music flitting through the walls.

Pushing open the door was like stepping into another world. The smoke from the food truck hung in the air and the hum of excited voices was audible over the vinyls being spun by the DJ. We had definitely found the right place.

This was Glasgow’s Street Food Cartel – a pop-up dining and drinking event being housed in a warehouse in the west end of the city. Unlike other places in the world where street food is both celebrated and popular, street food isn’t actually legal in Glasgow – hence the warehouse setting of the event.

The warehouse had been decked out with chairs, tables, a bar, and, of course the shiny silver food truck where much of the food was being prepared. The raw, industrial setting of the Street Food Cartel obviously aimed at mimicking an actual street setting, and whilst it did a good job it left me with the undeniable feeling that street food really does belong to the street, if only Glasgow City Council would allow it!

The food was being prepared by Lupe Pintos, Chile and Spice shop, and Scoop, a mobile kitchen which travels to events, and it was nothing short of delicious.

Before the event I wasn’t too sure what to expect, but when I sat down in the middle of a table surrounded by other diners chatting, laughing and tucking into plates of food that certainly wouldn’t have looked out of place in a trendy restaurant I was very pleasantly surprised.

As my friend and I looked over the menu we found ourselves with too many amazing sounding choices and not enough room in our bellies. We ordered a few dishes to share, as is the way at the Street Food Cartel, and sipped our drinks as we waited. The food arrived quickly, mirroring the pace at which you’d get food at a traditional street food stall.

All of the dishes we tried were divine. Lupe Pintos was serving up authentic Mexican street food dishes that all came with the necessary dips to top it off. Meanwhile, Scoop was serving imaginative dishes inspired by street food around the world. Our personal favourite was the Scoop dish – confit pork belly, smokey chorizo, black pudding and chickpea stew. It was mind blowingly good! (It was so good I tucked into it immediately without stopping to take a picture!). 

There were people lingering in the bar area after finishing their meals, enjoying the unconventional atmosphere and frisson of excitement that was permeating the unusual space. The vibe reminded me a lot of Berlin and its hipster, offbeat charm.

All in all, I’d definitely say that Street Food Cartel was a great success, with three sold out nights and plenty of happy people. If there’s another Street Food Cartel happening in Glasgow I’ll make sure I’m there to enjoy more mouth-watering creations in an alternative, unconventional setting with a fantastic atmosphere.

That also means I’ve been a full time travel blogger and writer for a year!

Towards the end of my degree I knew more than anything that 9-5 office life wasn’t for me. Offices are not for me. I couldn’t bear to have a job that would tie me to one place and not allow me to travel. That’s when I decided I’d make something out of this little thing you’re reading now – my travel blog.

After I finished my last exam I started putting all of my effort into my travel blog and my other freelance travel writing, and one year later I’m still doing it. But it hasn’t been easy, actually it’s been harder than I ever imagined. 

Most people assume that travel blogging and writing is easy. Everyone thinks it’s all glamour – planes, trains, automobiles and visiting new countries every week. Well, at times it is like that, but most of the time I’m sitting in front of my laptop working more hours than the majority of office staff do. It’s an exciting prospect for travel to be your work, but you have to remember that this includes finding time to work while you travel, which can be tough.

It might look to readers like all I do is write blog posts here, but actually I spend an incredible amount of time responding to emails from potential advertisers and clients, editing photos, pitching travel and tourism contacts, writing for other websites (I also have my other blog Emma on Board), working on my site design, budgeting, link building, doing keyword research, and building my social media following. It’s a time consuming business!

But whilst it’s time consuming and harder than I’d ever imagined, travel blogging and writing has opened up some of the best life opportunities for me.

In the past year I’ve met some of the most incredible people and made some great friendships. I’ve visited 12 different countries. I’ve been to a music festival in France, I’ve stayed in a castle in Scotland, I’ve seen some beautiful sunrises on the beach in Italy, driven Australia’s Great Ocean Road, seen dolphins frolicking off the coast of Perth, taken cooking classes in Lyon, taken part in a torchlight procession in Edinburgh, ridden a Segway and a beer bike through the centre of Berlin, been on a party boat on a lake in France, watched the sun set over Sydney Opera House and so much more. I’ve got thousands of memories and it’s definitely been the best year of my life so far.

Segway fun in Berlin with Nadine of The Nad Work and Sebastian of Off The Path

So, whilst I might not be earning as much money as I would in a steady, reliable, 9-5 office job, my metaphorical bank balance is consistently in the black , I’m happier than I ever could have imagined and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I followed my heart and, for now, I’m living my dream and that’s something money could never buy.

This old warehouse has been converted into a chic, New-York-loft-style apartment that simply exudes cool. It’s decorated in a modern, minimalist fashion, with exposed wires, beams and touches of metal all around.

It also had quirky artwork splashed throughout, which I felt mirrored the funky street art culture that Brighton itself has. One of the many features I loved about Vine Street Studios is the fact that you are able to buy absolutely ANYTHING you want that is in the apartment. Simply let the company know and they’ll source it for you. I was more than a bit tempted to get myself some of the funky tables and chairs that are dotted around the apartment. Serious restraint was required! 

The apartment is in a perfect location within the city, step outside its cosy confines and you’ll find yourself in the heart of eclectic Brighton. Within less than two minutes walk you’ll find cool cafes, intimate restaurants, welcoming pubs, boutique vintage shops and so much more. The seafront is only a five minute walk, and you’re only a few minutes from the main train station, making it perfect for rail breaks from London, and beyond.

With room for between 10 and 18 people, it’s definitely the perfect place for a big group of friends to base themselves within Brighton. When you’re travelling in a big group of friends you don’t want to be closed up in your separate hotel rooms, you want to be able to chill out in a relaxed space like this, laughing, drinking and enjoying being all together. 

One of the things I love most about finding a perfect apartment like this, is the ability to cook up a delicious meal and relax without having to go anywhere. And, trust me, you won’t want to leave this place!

The apartment is fully equipped with everything you could need to whip up a delicious meal and Dylan of The Travelling Editor Eats whipped us up this delectable feast during our stay.

Essential Info – Vine Street Studios Brighton

Vine Street Studios Brighton is available to rent via www.holidaylettings.co.uk. It costs just £37.50 per person, per night on weeknights, and £75 on Fridays and Saturdays and sleeps between 10 and 18 people. 

My stay at Vine Street Studios was complimentary however, all opinions are entirely my own. 

Blinding sunshine and a sharp, brisk wind greeted me as I walked out of the train station and onto the busy street. There was a bustle of people going about their daily business and I could hear a musician playing somewhere nearby. As I started to make my way through the maze of city centre streets towards my apartment I couldn’t help but notice the flashes of street art all around me. On street corners, shop fronts, gates, doors, and even cable boxes.

If you’re in Brighton look out for ‘Cassette Lord‘ putting his stamp on the city with some seriously retro cassette tapes of all different designs and colours.

The main areas where you’ll find street art within the city are in and around the famous Lanes. These are a collection of streets filled with funky shops, musicians and art absolutely everywhere. This is the perfect place to spend a day getting lost in the streets, shopping for vintage clothes and getting caught up in the relaxed, anything-goes atmosphere of Brighton.

The vibe here is welcoming, accepting and it appears as though Brighton celebrates the differences in life, rather than adhering to conformity as is so often found in other cities. It’s refreshing to walk around a city that doesn’t seem to be taking itself too seriously.

I found myself feeling really at home during the long weekend I spent in Brighton. Sure, I was still getting lost in the maze of streets around the Lanes, but I felt a sort of affinity with the city. I liked that it was different, I liked that the people of Brighton were different. The eclectic personality of the city was reflected in its residents, and I found myself enjoying it.

My feelings for Brighton were probably aided by the fact that we stayed in probably the best apartment Brighton has to offer, but more on that next time so stay tuned. It also probably helped that the sun shone incessantly, and everything always looks better when you’re guarding your eyes from the sun behind a pair of aviators. Sort of like rose tinted glasses, but for the 21st century.

Visiting Laggan Outdoor in Castle Douglas, home of what used to be the longest zip wire in the UK, I was left mesmorised by the view. Although it was sadly too windy for us to safely tackle the 820 metre zip wire, the view from the top was enough to leave me utterly contented.

The gently rolling green hills in this area are a far cry from the rocky, barren scenes I fell in love with in The Scottish Highlands, but by no means less beautiful. Visiting in April meant that we enjoyed the first signs of spring, in an area that suffered badly with severe snow even at the end of March.

The fluffy, newborn lambs around us were bouncing around with the simple joy of being alive, making the scene even more idyllic. The fact that we were scooting amongst them on futuristic off-road Segways didn’t seem to bother them in the slightest!

Heading north and further west, into the region of Ayrshire the landscape continued to delight me. The browns and greens of the fields whizzed past as we journeyed towards Culzean Castle, a grand and imposing clifftop castle which dates back to the late 18th century and enjoys breathtaking views over the Firth of Clyde, and the mysterious, volcanic, uninhabited island of Ailsa Craig.

The end of our trip found us exploring the more natural side of Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow. Perhaps you might be wondering what’s so natural about a city that was once a major industrial capital, and despite the fact I’ve lived only twenty minutes from the city for my whole life I was thinking the exact same thing.

Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens

The name Glasgow derives from the Gaelic ‘Ghlaschu’, which translates to mean dear green place. Glasgow is a city with over 90 parks and formal gardens, and I already knew there was plenty of green places to explore within the city limits. However, I was utterly surprised upon visiting west end restaurant Cail Bruich to find out that they forage for many of their ingredients from The Botanic Gardens across the road!

Who would have ever guessed foraging for food in the heart of Glasgow was even possible, let alone delicious and so colourful?! It just goes to show the places you think you know the best might just be the ones which surprise you the most.

I was a guest of Visit Scotland throughout the course of this trip however, all opinions and realisations about Scotland are entirely my own. 

With only seventeen bedrooms Glenapp Castle is preciously exclusive. Driving through the gates and up the narrow road, surrounded by trees and unspoilt countryside is where the magic first hits, and it only grows as you get your first glimpse of the castle’s imposing Victorian architecture.

Each of the guest bedrooms in Glenapp Castle are individually designed and decorated; I was intrigued to see which one I’d end up in. I was escorted to the Hunter Room, and pinched myself as I was led into one of the loveliest rooms I’ve ever had the pleasure of staying in.

A bed fit for a princess!

I had a bed big enough for about ten people, a massive bathroom, a completely separate living room, two fireplaces and a twinkling chandelier – and this was one of the smaller rooms in the castle! It was lovingly decorated in a wonderfully traditional manner, with tartan touches and quaint features, which made pretending to be a princess even easier.

Glenapp Castle was built in 1870, which meant that it almost had the air of being inside a museum. Everything around me seemed as though it should have a sign instructing me not to touch it in order to keep it in pristine condition. For this reason, I found it hard to relax at first, but after jumping onto my bed I couldn’t help settling into life as a princess.

Dinner was served in a private dining room that had been set up specially for our group. The food was deliciously indulgent, and made using as many fresh, local ingredients as possible. One of the friendly staff explained that many of the ingredients are grown in the 36 acres of land that the castle sits in; a fact which I loved, as I’m a huge fan of using the freshest most natural ingredients available.

After one of the most restful sleeps of my life in the gargantuan bed, a refreshing morning walk was in order. Glenapp Castle has it’s own little lake, a walled garden, multiple greenhouses, and is an idyllic spot for guests to relax and escape the normalities of everyday life.

When I stumbled upon a frog floating in one of the ponds I wondered for a second if he’d turn into the prince to my princess if I planted a kiss on his slimy lips. Needless to say I decided against trying it out!

By the end of my trip I was understandably more than a little reluctant to leave the cosy confines of the castle and return to life as a mere commoner. My princess fairy tale was all to easy to live out in a place as beautiful as Glenapp Castle, and I was definitely a way of life I could get used to!

 My stay at Glenapp Castle was complimentary however, all opinions and whimsical dreams of being a princess are entirely my own.

I’ll be honest, Benalmadena, where we stayed, wasn’t really like my usual travel destinations, but it fitted the bill for what we were looking for. There was a pretty beach, lots of shops, good nightlife and cocktails within easy reach at all times. That’s all you really require for a successful hen party, right?!

Benalmadena has a beautiful marina filled with lovely boats and luxury apartments. I spent a while walking around the marina daydreaming over which boat I’d pick should I ever hit the jackpot (despite the fact I don’t even play the lottery). The marina is lined with shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. At night it’s the perfect spot for a few drinks in one of the many bars.

Chilling in the ice bar!

We ventured into the chilly confines of Boal’s Ice Bar and loved it. I’d never been to an ice bar before, so it was a great experience. I also totally wanted to take the furry poncho style cover we got to wear. It was so cosy – perfect for cold winter nights in Scotland!
You can also take a number of boat trips leaving from the marina. There are fishing trips, whale and dolphin watching trips, leisure cruises and much more, all at reasonable prices. We took a short on hour trip around the bay and enjoyed the beautiful views.

In typical hen do fashion, we dressed our hen up in a silly hat, L plates and other amusing things we managed to lay our hands on and headed out to party. If you’re looking for a good night out then ‘24 hour square‘ is the place to be. It’s a square lined with pubs and bars where you can happily dance the night away. Don’t let the name confuse you though, this place isn’t actually open 24 hours a day, or else I’d probably still be there…
And just like that, it was adios Spain and back to reality…

Deep in thought during some alone time in Edinburgh…

Well, I survived, and I had a great time in the process, so I’ve prepared a little mini guide on how you can survive group travel…

Don’t be afraid to do your own thing

Just because everyone else in your group is going to visit X or Y doesn’t mean you have to join them. Don’t be afraid to say ‘hey guys, I’m going to sit this one out‘, and go off and do your own thing. Most of the time people would rather have you do something you’d actually enjoy, rather than just staying with the group doing and seeing things you might not be interested in. Don’t be scared to break from the group and go visit that UNESCO Heritage Site you’ve been dying to see or that boat trip you’ve wanted to take ever since you read about it, or anything else you really want to do. You shouldn’t miss out on things you really want to do just because nobody wants to go with you.

Compromise

I know this is kind of contradicting my above point, but you have to realise that when you’re travelling as part of a big group things aren’t always going to go your own way. People won’t want to go to that restaurant, this bar or that attraction and you have to be OK with that. Part of the beauty of travelling with other people is getting to go to places they’ve picked out, that you wouldn’t normally have gone to. Those can often end up being the best experiences!

A gorgeous view on one of my solo walks

Spend some time alone

If you’re a little anti-social like me then you’ll understand the importance of having some alone time, especially when travelling in a big group. For me, spending a little alone time each day means the difference between sanity and madness! Take a walk alone for half an hour, get lost in the streets, dip your toes in the sea or just sit with a good book and a great view – just take some time to do something you really enjoy. Being alone can be liberating and often makes returning to a group situation all the better.

Break into Smaller Groups

Just because there’s lots of people travelling together doesn’t mean smaller groups can’t break off and do their own thing. 3 people want to go to the museum, 5 want to go to the beach and the rest want to go shopping? Great, go for it. Just because you travel together doesn’t mean you all have to live in each others pockets.

Blissfully alone in Athens

Be flexible

If everyone has arranged to meet at a certain time then you can rest assured there will always be people who are late. This annoys me as I’m a stickler for being on time, but when travelling as part of a group I had to get used to people being late. Try not to let it bother you, and whatever you do, don’t be that one person who is late for everything! 

Play to your strengths…

…and let others use theirs. If you know you have a great sense of direction, don’t be afraid to take charge and lead people to where you’re supposed to be going. Similarly, you should let the others in your group do the same. If someone has fantastic organisational skills let them use their skills to plan things for your group. If everyone uses their individual strengths to help the group things will be easier for everyone.

Travelling The Great Ocean Road alone

Be sociable

As well as mixing with and getting to know everyone in your travel group I recommend talking to other people as well, whether they be locals or other travellers. Making friends with new people widens your social circle and can mean you learn about new places and experiences you weren’t previously aware of.

Have FUN!

This is my biggest and most important piece of advice. Smile, laugh and have as much fun as possible. If you go into a group travel experience with a positive attitude and an open mind you’ll most likely have a brilliant time.

Do you have any tips on how to survive group travel? I’d love to hear them! 

So, what is Holi?

Holi is a religious celebration of spring, which is usually observed by Hindus primarily in India and Nepal. The beginning of spring is marked by throwing coloured powders and water at everyone around them, as well as dancing, singing and other festivities. They believe it is a perfect way to welcome the colours of spring and a change in the weather.

So, after finding out there were Holi celebrations taking place in Scotland I was desperate to go. I headed down to Rouken Glen Country Park and followed the sound of the music to lead me to the celebrations.

When I arrived there was a dance workshop taking place with lots of people joining in and having so much fun, whether they were good at it or not! I definitely wished I’d got there earlier to take part so that I could be having as much fun as they were even though I’d almost certainly be rubbish at it!

When the dance workshop ended I walked around the other stalls taking it all in. There was kite making, face painting, tie-dying, and, my personal favourite, Henna.

I quickly joined the snaking queue to get some Henna done. As I waited in the queue I couldn’t help but notice how friendly everyone around me was. Everyone seemed to be in great spirits and were laughing, joking and talking to friends old and new.

While I waited in the queue for Henna it was growing close to time for the colour fight to begin. Eager people, who couldn’t quite wait for it to be time to begin, started to burst open the bags of brighly coloured powders and wipe them on their friends and family around them. A lady who was already covered in powder walked towards me smiling. “Happy Holi” she exclaimed brightly, as she swirled red and pink pigments onto my face. I couldn’t help but laugh and smile like the people around me.
By the time I had my hand adorned with beautiful Henna it was time for the colour fight to commence. I headed to the edge of the area where people were beginning to throw the powders and felt the pounding of the drums pulsing through my body. Watching everyone throwing powders, smiling, giggling and having the time of their lives was wonderfully infectious.

I took the plunge and headed into the middle of the colour fight. Random strangers threw powder at me, sprinkled it over my hair and all over my clothes. It was a dizzying collection of colours, people darting through the crowds and an air of general merriment that I absolutely adored. 

As large clouds of coloured powder began to rise above the people taking part I realised that everyone was joining in, smiling and enjoying themselves regardless of their race, age, gender or anything else. In the areas where Holi celebrations are widespread, it is said that the festival breaks down all of these barriers, and from witnessing this small celebration of Holi in a park in Scotland, I can well believe it.

It was refreshing to see so many people so happy. People were forgetting the things around them, any troubles they may have and being swept up in the euphoria of being able to act like children again. I left the Holi celebrations with a massive grin on my face and feeling absolutely on top of the world. It has made me even more determined to witness Holi celebrations in India, on a grander scale and with more people, more colours and more fun!

So, would you like to take part in Holi?