Tucked away on the blue shores of Loch Fyne, Portavadie is a hidden gem on Scotland’s West Coast, offering a satisfying blend of luxury and nature. Regardless of whether you’re seeking a peaceful retreat or an outdoor Scottish adventure, Portavadie caters to all tastes with its modern accommodations and beautiful surroundings. From the infinity pool overlooking the loch (famed for being the largest outdoor infinity pool in Scotland), to the slick port-view apartments, this destination is great for those looking to unwind. In this review, I’ll be covering why Portavadie stands out as one of Sco ..read more

I’ve mentioned in previous posts that I lived in Ao Nang for two years (and have been going back every year since). So, I’ve had plenty of time to explore its accommodation scene and watch it expand in favour of its tourists. I’ve stayed in all sorts of places here, from top-rated hotels, to rented private bungalows and local guesthouses. Having opened its doors in 2018, Panan Krabi Resort had little time to promote itself before the pandemic brought a screeching hault to Thai tourism. Nestled down a lane of lush greenery, just a few minutes walk from the beaches of Aonang, Panan Krabi Resort ..read more

As a Scot, I’m more than familiar with the harrowing tales of Scotland’s persecution of ‘witches’ (mostly women), which hit its peak between the late 16th to the early 18th century. However, it was only recently that I learned of Lillias Aidie’s grave; the ‘only known named witch’s grave in all of Scotland’. To keep the trolls at bay, I might add that this was heavily disputed in my TikTok video comments. However (I am told), the explanation for this claim was that it is the only one that a) had a body b) was confirmed to have a body in it c) had a name attached to it. In this article, I ..read more

Smailholm Tower is a peel tower located near Kelso in the Scottish Borders. It sits on a little crag called Lady Hill, keeping watch across the Scottish countryside. Built in the 15th century, like all Scottish peel towers, it was designed to protect occupants from English raids. Despite its violent past, it is now one of the best-preserved peel towers in Scotland. Here’s everything you need to know about Smailholm Tower: Smailholm Tower History Dating back to the 15th century, Smailholm Tower was originally constructed as a defensive stronghold during a turbulent era of border conflicts by th ..read more

The North Coast 500 in Scotland is a 500-mile route that loops road-trippers around the very top of the Highland coastline. It is celebrated for its diverse scenery and sense of remoteness; while the east part of the journey takes on a flat ‘English countryside’ feel, the rugged west coast winds through steep mountains and paradise beaches. Read my full NC500 Scotland 4-Day Itinerary, which includes my favourite things to see on the route. Factors to consider when choosing hotels on the North Coast 500 The famous scenic route offers a wide range of accommodations to travellers. From historic c ..read more

I’ve been coming back and forth to Aonang, Krabi since I was 28 (I’d tell you how many years that’s been, but I’m not quite ready to accept how old I am now!). Whilst a lot of the places I visited during my first trip to Thailand have drastically changed, Aonang has someone managed to maintain a lot of its ‘authentic’ Thai feeling, albeit, with a lot more walking streets and overpriced air-con coffee shops. Outside of the busy, farang-filled main street, you’ll find soi (street) after soi of green jungle roads, dotted with the small concrete homes of locals, roosters freely kicking up the dust ..read more

Krabi, Thailand is a tropical paradise that is often overlooked by tourists in favour of more popular destinations like Phuket and Bangkok. But this particular province holds a special place in my heart – so much so that I chose to make it my home for over 2 years. Krabi is not somewhere you fall in love with immediately. At first glance, it looks like your standard gateway stop point – offering connections to a lot of the paradise islands seen across movies and social media accounts (are we too far along to be referencing ‘The Beach’ nowadays?) However, scratch the surface and you’ll find som ..read more

Looking for the most Instagramable café in Athens? I’ve got you covered! One of the first things I do when heading to a new city is hop on TikTok and search for ‘Hidden gems’ and ‘Unusual things to do’ in that area. And that’s how I found Little Kook in Athens. This café is undeniably the most Instagram-able coffee spot in the entire city. Once you step foot into Little Kook, you’ll understand why it has gained such a dedicated following of locals and tourists alike. It’s not just a café; it’s an experience. So, make sure your phone is fully charged and your filters are on point because your f ..read more

It’s been a while since I’ve flown with EasyJet but, much like the larger airlines, the last time I took a trip with them, vegan food options on the flight were frustratingly limited. My biggest plant-based in-flight bugbear? We’re way past 2020, but vegan milk alternatives still appear to bamboozle airline menu teams. HOWEVER, on my recent flight between Edinburgh and Athens, I was pleasantly surprised by the non-dairy glow-up that the EasyJet offering has been through. Here’s a detailed list of all the vegan food options on EasyJet flights (as of June 2023). Easyjet Vegan Hot Food And Mains ..read more

I LOVE seeking out a city’s lesser-known hidden gems, and so I am thrilled to share one that has recently emerged in the heart of Edinburgh. Prepare to be delighted as we step into the enchanting world of the BirdsNest Gallery Meadows, a miniature art haven nestled along the edges of the beautiful Meadows Park. Picture this: a petite 1930s police box transformed into a captivating art gallery, exuding charm and creativity in every inch. The BirdsNest Meadows is a project born from the vision of its larger (private) sister gallery on Edinburgh St Clerk St. But what makes this gallery truly rema ..read more