Category Archives: Travel Diary

Travel Diary, Sightseeing 6 Comments

4 Nights up North – Things to do in Tyne and Wear

What to do in Tyne and Wear - Travel for a Living

In the current situation, travel options are a tad limited. So, when thinking about destinations for our late summer holiday, it was clear that it would be within the UK. No way would I risk having to quarantine for a fortnight.  It was just the question of where to go. One favourite was Cornwall, as we originally planned to go there in July, then had to cancel for family reasons. Alternatively, maybe another trip to the Isle of Wight? After all, it’s been a year and a half again, since we last went (and as some of you might remember, thanks to me getting stuck in Paris, that weekend was a little shorter than planned). But in the end, we decided to head up north and stay in Sunderland for four nights. We’ve never actually been there, but for sure there’d be plenty of things to do in Tyne and Wear?

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Travel Diary, London

London after Lockdown – What’s it like?

What's it like visiting London after Lockdown - Travel for a Living

Up until March, heading into London was a normal thing to do. After all, I might not live there anymore, but I still work in London. Whether it was my daily commute into the office, meeting up with friends, shopping or simply exploring town, London was only ever a 45-minute train ride away. Occasionally a little longer, if train services were disrupted. But never ever could I imagine not being able to actually get to London for weeks on end. But then, it happened. The whole world came to a brief stop, the UK (and many other countries) went into lockdown. Although we are now gradually getting back to some form of normality, the new normal feels a million miles away from the old normal.
And the same goes for trips to London.

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Travel Diary, Travel Tips & Advice

What’s it like on the ferry from Dover to Dunkirk during Covid

What's it like on ferry Dover to Dunkirk during Covid - Travel for a Living

I guess I am not alone in saying it’s been months since I last travelled. But, with lock down restrictions gradually relaxing in the UK and around Europe, I am slowly easing back into the idea of travelling.

To be honest, I haven’t quite decided yet how comfortable I am with the idea of flying again. So, when the time came last week to finally go over to Germany again, we opted for a car journey instead.

Obviously, we’ve taken ferries to mainland Europe numerous times over the years. And therefore, know exactly what to usually expect. But how different would the ferry from Dover to Dunkirk be during Covid? Well, let me share with you my experience with the DFDS ferry, to give you an idea of what to expect (just to be clear, this is not a sponsored post. We paid for our ticket and I did not receive any incentive to write about my experience).

Read more What’s it like on the ferry from Dover to Dunkirk during Covid
Travel Diary 9 Comments

Côte Sauvage Quiberon – A photographic tour of Brittany’s Wild Coast

Photographic Tour of Côte Sauvage Quiberon - Brittany's Wild Coast - Travel for a Living

Tell me, am I the only one with a serious case of wanderlust at the moment? As we all sit at home and dream of travelling, how about I take you on a little photo tour? To one of my favourite places in the world. No, not New York for once… and no other major city either. Instead, how would you feel about nature, beaches and waves? Sounds good? Come with me to the Côte Sauvage in Quiberon / Brittany.

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Travel Diary, Paris 8 Comments

How to cope with a Train Strike in Paris

As we are wrapping up the year, let me tell you about my last work trip of 2019. Yes, to Paris again, how did you guess? By now, I obviously know what to expect from a trip to Paris. What I didn’t quite know was what to expect from a train strike in Paris. Don’t get me wrong, we do have tube strikes in London as well from time to time. But they usually last a day or two, not weeks on end.

You might have heard in the news, that there was a train strike in Paris ever since beginning of December. So far, I had been lucky to miss it, as I skipped a week visiting Paris. And I had high hopes that all that strike action would be over and done with by the time I went back. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. Far from it. The train strike was still in full swing in Paris.

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Travel Diary, Sightseeing 3 Comments

Review of the ‘Little American Guesthouse’ in Wemeldinge / Zeeland

Review of the 'Little American Guesthouse' in Wemeldinge Zealand (NL) - Travel for a Living

We’ve recently returned from a week’s holiday in Zeeland, Netherlands. Instead of going for a hotel, we decided to book ourselves a little guesthouse via Airbnb. And I’m delighted to say, we’ve picked an absolute gem this time, the ‘Little American Guesthouse’. So, read on for my review of this guesthouse in Wemeldinge.

I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve never heard of Wemeldinge before. To be honest, neither had I. We didn’t specifically look for a guesthouse in Wemeldinge, we were looking for nice accommodation in Zeeland in general.

Read more Review of the ‘Little American Guesthouse’ in Wemeldinge / Zeeland
Travel Diary, Paris 17 Comments

Paris before Tourists – early mornings in Paris

Early mornings in Paris - Travel for a Living

As I have recently started a new work project, I am now commuting between London and Paris on a weekly basis. Having weekly travels isn’t new to me, after all I’ve been on the road for the best part of six years. But having the same destination every week? That is kind of a novelty. With the added benefit of exploring Paris a little more every time I visit. Obviously, Paris is a very popular tourist destination. I mean who would say no to a romantic weekend for two in Paris? But let’s take off those rose-tinted spectacles. The reality of visiting Paris on business is a little different. First and foremost, I am in Paris to get some work done, not to stroll down Champs-Élysées and visit the Eiffel Tower. But that doesn’t mean I can’t make the most of my evenings and early mornings in Paris, does it?

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Travel Diary 9 Comments

Cycle Touring in the UK – 3 Days from Cambridge to Norfolk

Cycle Touring in the UK - Travel for a Living

Ever thought about cycle touring in the UK? No? Well me neither. I mean, I have started a tiny bit of cycling last year and have done a few rides with Mr T at home and on holiday (like our day trip from San Francisco to Sausalito for example). But sitting on my bike for days on end? I don’t think so.

Let me be straight with you here. Yes, it is me writing this post, but it wasn’t me actually doing the 3-day bike tour from Cambridge to Norfolk. It was Mr T putting in the effort. I am just here to tell you all about his first ever cycling tour.

So, if you are thinking of cycle touring in the UK, maybe this will help you a little.

Read more Cycle Touring in the UK – 3 Days from Cambridge to Norfolk