New Zealand is famous for its spectacular scenery and epic hiking opportunities. From mountains to fjords to glaciers to beaches to extinct volcanoes, New Zealand really has a diverse range of landscapes. And the best way to experience them is by walking – or tramping, as the Kiwis say. While long-distance trails like the Te Araroa… Read More 20 of the BEST Day Hikes in New Zealand
After leaving Australia and New Zealand and returning back to the UK at the end of March 2025, I became a full-time housesitter. I didn’t have a place to live – instead I traveled all over the country, taking care of other people’s pets and working remotely! Over approximately eight months, I did 14 housesits… Read More The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Full-Time Housesitter With Trusted Housesitters
Yorkshire is home to some truly amazing walks – I would know, I’ve done my fair few of them! This August, I set off for my first multi-day walk in Yorkshire, hiking the Minster Way between York and Beverley. Here’s my complete guide for doing the trail! What is the Minster Way? The Minster Way… Read More A Hiking Guide for the Minster Way in Yorkshire
I still can’t believe that I made my dream trip to Switzerland happen this summer. It was such an incredible 3.5 weeks! Hiking in the Swiss Alps was a phenomenal experience. One of my favorite days (possibly of my entire life!) was hiking from Kleine Scheidegg to Lauterbrunnen. This is a long hike, with a… Read More Spectacular Hikes in Switzerland: Kleine Scheidegg to Lauterbrunnen
I was determined to hike Stac Pollaidh when I first did the North Coast 500 back in 2020. But unfortunately, the weather had other plans. When I showed up to do the hike, there was no visibility – you couldn’t even see the hill! Thankfully, the weather was much better on my most recent trip… Read More Everything You Need to Know About Hiking Stac Pollaidh in Scotland
Switzerland is one of the most expensive destinations in the world. And largely because of this, it’s a country I still hadn’t been to until recently. To my greatest surprise, I managed to make the Switzerland trip of my dreams happen in July 2025 – for almost free! This felt like a true rags-to-riches fairytale.… Read More How I Made My Dream Trip to Switzerland Happen – For (Almost) Free!
During my year living in New Zealand, I took two epic road trips. Both were for approximately six weeks: the end of March to the beginning of May 2024, and the middle of February to the end of March 2025. I wrote a complete New Zealand budget guide for my 2024 trip, sharing exactly how… Read More New Zealand Road Trip Budget: 2025 Guide
Switzerland is famous around the world for its spectacular scenery and mountain landscapes. If you’re after a truly challenging hike in Interlaken, hike to the summit of Augstmatthorn. This mountain peak is 2137 meters above sea level, with unbelievable views over Lake Brienz. This was one of the best days of my entire trip to… Read More Hiking Augstmatthorn From Harder Kulm: Interlaken’s Spectacular Day Hike
This summer I spent 3.5 weeks in Switzerland. Switzerland has been an absolute dream of mine for years, but I’ve always been put off by how pricey it is. It’s one of the most expensive countries in the world! But it doesn’t have to be. I used the Swiss Travel Pass on my trip and… Read More Swiss Travel Pass: Is it Worth the Money?
The Coromandel Peninsula is known for its pristine beaches and beautiful coastline, with spots like Cathedral Cove. But there’s also one of the best hikes on the North Island of New Zealand here: the Pinnacles. This was one of my favorite hikes in the country – and while I did it as a day hike,… Read More Hiking the Pinnacles in the Coromandel, New Zealand
I honestly feel so lucky that I had so many incredible experiences during my year traveling around New Zealand. One of my top hikes in the entire country was Avalanche Peak, a prominent mountain in Arthur’s Pass. This is easily one of the best day hikes in all of New Zealand! Here’s everything you need… Read More Hiking Avalanche Peak: What to Know About This Epic Hike in Arthur’s Pass
Of all the epic experiences I had during my year in New Zealand, my hike on Franz Josef Glacier was one of the best. This included a helicopter ride to and from the glacier, and about two hours of hiking on the glacier itself. I’d never been on a glacier before and it’s such an… Read More Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike: What to Know Before You Go
Too many people visit Andorra for the day, to “tick off” the country on their Euro-list, to take advantage of the duty-free shopping, or for a ski trip in winter. But this small country – the sixth-smallest country in Europe! – is a fantastic destination for hiking and outdoor activities. While it’s easiest to get… Read More Hiking in Andorra: The Best Hikes to Do in Andorra Without a Car
New Zealand is best explored on a road trip, and vanlife is crazy popular here. What better way to explore the country on a budget when you sleep in your vehicle, traveling from Point A to Point B? A lot will be determined by whether you have a self-contained or non-self-contained vehicle. The laws around… Read More Free & Budget Campsites in New Zealand for Non-Self-Contained
I grew up going to the Boundary Waters in Northern Minnesota – my family went usually at least once a year throughout my childhood. This summer, I finally had the opportunity to do another trip as an adult. My family and I spent five days in the BWCAW, starting at Moose River. If you’re looking… Read More A Superb Five-Day Itinerary for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (Moose River)
A trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota is like no other. Motorized watercraft are prohibited in most of the area, so access is by canoe – you paddle through chains of lakes and rivers to explore and reach designated campsites. But a trip here is a lot of work. From… Read More Planning Your Trip to the Boundary Waters: What to Know & Top Packing Tips
I’ve spent most of my time in New Zealand living in Twizel, a small town in the Mackenzie region on the South Island. It’s a beautiful area, with so many good walks and hikes to do! As I haven’t had a car, I’ve done essentially every walk in Twizel that can be done without a… Read More The Best Walks in Twizel, New Zealand
The day I hiked the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand is one of my favorite travel days of my life. With poor weather forecast for the entirety of my time in the area, I’d given up hope that I’d be able to do this phenomenal hike. At 9pm before the first full day, the… Read More Tongariro Alpine Crossing: What to Know About New Zealand’s Most Epic Day Hike
UPDATED MARCH 2025! Abel Tasman National Park, on the northwestern edge of the South Island, was one of my favorite destinations of my six-week New Zealand road trip. This is truly a slice of paradise: pristine sandy beaches, epic hiking trails, a remote stillness and sense of peace. I had just a short amount of… Read More Kiwi Paradise: A Travel Guide for Abel Tasman National Park
New Zealand is a dream destination for many – myself included! But it ain’t cheap; New Zealand is one of the most expensive countries I’ve visited, let alone lived in. While there is a high minimum wage here that helps balance things out if you’re living in NZ, as a tourist/visitor the prices can be… Read More How to Save Money Traveling New Zealand on a Budget