Yearly Archives: 2018

December 31, 2018 Travel Diary

2018 – My Year in Numbers

As 2018 is in its final hours, it is time to take stock and review these past twelve months.

I’ve added up all my flights and trips and nights away and 2018 has been a very busy year. It didn’t just feel like this, the numbers do actually confirm that.

And I have added plenty of new countries to my travel map. Back in April I asked myself whether I would be able to visit 40 countries before turning 40. But the count only came up to 21 at the time. Meanwhile I have added another 5 countries (Poland, Hungary, Israel, Slovenia and Serbia), so a 50 before 50 goal looks a little more doable.

December 22, 2018 Travel Diary

Evening Walk through Belgrade

I made it. The last trip of the year is over. Well, when I say last travel, I mean last work related travel. By the time this post goes live, I have done one more trip, this time back home for Christmas.

This last travel now saw me venture out to yet another new country, this time Serbia. Which is new country number 5 for this year (well on track for that 50 before 50 challenge since I so miserably failed the 40 before 40).

I was really excited about going to Belgrade, as I’ve never been, but then I got a terrible cold the day before and all I really wanted was to stay in bed.

December 12, 2018 Frequent Flyer, Travel Tips & Advice 12 Comments

Security at Tel Aviv Airport – is it really that bad?

I have already giving you some travel advise on how to prepare for your first trip to Tel Aviv. And my ‘Top Things to do in Tel Aviv’. But the one thing I only briefly touched on yet was the ordeal we had actually leaving Tel Aviv during our first trip. So now is the time to tell you all about our experience with security at Tel Aviv airport.

When flying out to Tel Aviv, we expected questioning and tighter security and the works. And were a little surprised when realising that it was pretty much business as usual. Yes, we were asked two quick questions at border control in Tel Aviv, but that was it. No extra security check or interview before boarding in Heathrow.

December 10, 2018 Travel Diary

An endless Journey through Germany

Some business trips are straightforward, appointment near a major airport and in and out in a day without a problem. Others aren’t as easy. Two weeks ago was a prime example of that. I had a trip to the North East coast of Germany planned, which could have been done fairly easy with one overnight stay. Then a second meeting made it onto the agenda and what should have been a quick trip ended in a four-day spree across Germany.

So let’s start at the beginning (for those of you hoping for some useful travel information, sorry to disappoint, but this is not going to happen, this is me writing my diary instead. So don’t say I didn’t warn you).

December 5, 2018 Sightseeing, Destinations, London

Carnaby Street Christmas Lights 2018

Visit London to see the stunning Christmas Lights on Carnaby Street - Travel for a Living.

After I’ve shared with you all the beautiful Christmas lights in Vienna, I thought it was only fair to also show some of London’s Christmas lights.

If you are heading to London for your Christmas shopping, take the time to pause, look up and enjoy the lights around you (well if you do so anywhere near the shopping streets, ensure you also stay alert, otherwise you might be trampled down by the stampede of Christmas shoppers).

December 4, 2018 Travel Diary 14 Comments

Christmas Markets in Vienna

Visiting Vienna during Christmas Time - Travel for a Living

I just love Christmas and everything to go with it. And one of the things I miss most now that I live in the UK is Christmas markets. Yes, we do have the odd Christmas market in London (and a nice big one in Birmingham). But they are not quite the same as the traditional Christmas markets you’ll find in other parts of Europe. Whenever I get the chance, I love to go and explore some of the best Christmas markets whilst out and about. In the last few years I’ve been to the Christmas markets in Nuremberg, Hamburg and Vienna.

So, in time for the first Advent weekend, I took the opportunity and visited not just one, but eight of Vienna’s Christmas markets with my mum.
Yes, you heard right. EIGHT! And those weren’t even all the Christmas markets Vienna has to offer. There are still some left that we did not manage. Or that weren’t open yet, as it was very early in the season.

But let’s start at the beginning.

November 13, 2018 Travel Diary

Monday Travel – Disaster strikes again

Who doesn’t love getting up on a Monday morning after a lovely weekend? And how about getting up extra early, so that you could catch the first flight out? Yep, the stuff dreams are made off. Especially if we are talking work trip, not heading to some remote dream island for a week by the sea.

I generally don’t mind getting up early and since I always ‘lose’ an hour heading to mainland Europe, I am used to going for the first available flight out. But getting up on a Monday morning is just that little bit harder than any other day of the week.

So this week’s Monday morning meant catching the 7.05 am British Airways flight from City Airport to Frankfurt for a short notice meeting. And flying back at 5.55 pm the same day. In theory that should give me plenty of time, what could probably go wrong? Well loads as it turned out.

November 11, 2018 Sightseeing 12 Comments

Top 5 Things to Do and See in Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv = Top 5 Things to do and see - Travel for a Living

Truth to be told, before this year I never considered Tel Aviv a holiday destination. But I have been fortunate enough to visit Tel Aviv not just once, but three times this year, a whole week each time. Yes these were work trips, so sightseeing was limited, but nevertheless we managed to squeeze some in. Allowing me to share with you my Top 5 things to do and see in Tel Aviv.

With less than half a million inhabitants, Tel Aviv isn’t huge, in fact it is only number 2 in Israel, after Jerusalem. And with barely a hundred years of history under its belt, it isn’t ancient either (losing hands down to Jerusalem with over 6000 years). But Tel Aviv is a very vibrant city and an up and coming party location and sure worth a visit.

With my last work trip over, I can’t wait to come back one day. I’d love to get a chance to actually show Mr T Tel Aviv and beyond.

Enough of the introduction. Here are my Top 5 things to do and see in Tel Aviv:

October 24, 2018 Travel Diary, Germany

Exploring Germany – Radolfzell am Bodensee

It must have been more than 20 years since I have last been to Lake Constance (Bodensee). So I was delighted to get a chance for an overnight stay here during a recent trip.

To get there, I flew into Zurich and took a train (well three trains actually) to Radolfzell. My time here was fairly limited, as I was being picked up the next morning for a meeting nearby, before travelling to Stuttgart to catch my afternoon flight back to London.

October 6, 2018 Sightseeing, New York City 23 Comments

Things to see and do in Central Park

10+ things to see + do in Central Park - Travel for a Living

Visiting New York without visiting Central Park? Unthinkable. I mean you only need to look at a map of Manhattan or check the subway map and there it is: A big green blob slap bang in the middle.

So next time you visit New York, make sure you set aside enough time to explore Central Park properly. Because there are loads of things to do, despite the obvious ‘Going for a walk’.

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