Japan is a country that I never thought I’d ever visit. Especially in my early twenties. During my time working on a cruise ship, I was lucky enough to visit many cities and hidden gems within the country. Including Nagasaki, Osaka, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Kagoshima, Kobe and the Okinawan Islands.
There are many reasons why I call myself a water baby. I learned to swim at age 4 and stayed with the same company until I was swimming competitively for them at aged 16. I then became a lifeguard where I actively worked in the position for 9 years, including countless jobs that took me all over the world, from Japan, China and the USA. In 2014 I then qualified to be a swim coach which is the main reason why I’m now based in the United Arab Emirates.
I first travelled to Egypt back in August 2019 for a family wedding in Cairo. We then went on to explore Dahab which is a small ‘hippy’ coastal town, an hours drive from Sharm El Sheikh. Instantly, I was totally blown away by the country’s history, architecture and natural beauty.
Seychelles is famous for its beautiful beaches, iconic boulders, scuba diving spots, mountainous hikes, and plus the native Seychellois people are incredible cooks! The country is made up of 115 islands, located off the coast of Kenya in the Indian Ocean. Just think of The Maldives - but way more fun!
I always thought that I’d have to wait until my honeymoon or had to be super-rich to visit a place like Seychelles. But here I am, just starting my career in travel blogging, un-married and I’ve just got back from the most incredible six days in, you guessed it, THE SEYCHELLES! (insert crying face!)
One of my favourite countries in the world - Italy! A place that is dreamy from every aspect - the language, landscapes, culture, history and of course the cuisine. Italians are the kings at maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Which is something that the rest of the world can definitely benefit from.
On the whole, Croatia is undoubtedly the most beautiful country I’ve ever been to. The turquoise calm waters, lush greenery, dramatic landscapes, coastal roads, quaint villages and the historic city of Dubrovnik, are all you could possibly want from a European summer holiday. If I had the choice, I would move to the country in a heartbeat! I have nothing but fond memories of my 2018 trip.
Glencoe is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places on the planet. With towering mountains, calm lochs, clean air, cascading waterfalls and scenic routes that take your breath away at every angle. Glencoe is just a 30-minute drive away from Ben Nevis and the town of Fort William, in the Scottish Highlands.
Prague is the capital city of Czechia or most commonly known as the Czech Republic. The city is now one of Europe’s most famous and most visited, as millions of tourists visit each year. As part of my European road trip in January 2014, I managed to squeeze in a memorable 24 hours in the city. I remember falling in love instantly with the buildings, streets and that true European feel. I also remember being completely frozen - it was so cold! Hot chocolate, crepes and cosy pubs kept us going!
I’m only two years away from the big 30 and I’m absolutely terrified. How did this happen? My 21st birthday only feels like yesterday. Age scares me more than anything else in the world. Seizing every moment is how I’ve lived the beginning of my adult life and I’m not going to stop now. I’ve had so many incredible experiences in my twenties - I’ve worked on a cruise ship in Asia, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, moved to Dubai, road-tripped across the USA and backpacked around Italy.
Ever heard of The World Islands? I hadn’t either until moving to Dubai. The World Islands is an archipelago of small artificial islands in the Arabian Gulf. Dubai is famous for its man-made islands and land reclamation. The most famous examples of this are the Burj Al Arab and Palm Jumeirah, which are land extensions of the city connected to the mainland. This is where The World Islands are different. They’re located 4km off the coast of Dubai and the only way to get to them is by boat, helicopter or jet ski if you wish.
After partying in Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava for New Years Eve 2014. Instead of flying back to London, we decided that we would drive back through Europe, stopping off in various cities on the way.
The plan was to start off with breakfast in Bratislava, lunch in Vienna and dinner in Prague. Then spend a couple of days exploring Berlin and Bruges, and finally taking the Eurotunnel from Calais and drive up to London.
Whenever I visit a new country or city, my first port of call is always to see the view from the highest point. Majority of the time that’s from the tallest skyscraper or on top of a mountain. I love to figure out my bearings so I can navigate and plan a successful trip. I’m slightly obsessed with viewing decks and skylines - it’s always my favourite part of any new city that I visit.
There are so many reasons why The City of Love is on everyone’s bucket list and is always the most visited city in the world, year after year. The combination of the romantic streets, traditional architecture, famous museums, delicious cuisine and of course the language, draws tourists in all year long. Paris oozes culture, charm and history from every street corner. Whether it’s the al fresco dining, seeing the Mona Lisa at The Louvre or having a picnic under the Eiffel Tower, you will fall in love with it all. I know I did!
Have you ever wondered why so many people move to Dubai? It’s a baby compared to the other major cities in the world. However in recent years, it’s become a top destination for tourists and expats. It’s the most populous city in the UAE and boasts a luxurious lifestyle, of beautiful beaches, huge skyscrapers and most importantly, job opportunities. It is also in the top 10 of safest cities in the world.
I’m 31 & a British expat, currently living the dream in Dubai. I have a huge passion for travel, photography & have over 45 countries ticked off my bucket list. I used the 2020 lockdown to produce runawaysoph.com, which is now home to 50+ posts of my favourite experiences. Stay tuned to see where I travel to next…
