Hanoi to Phong Nha. How To Do It.
We have just spent 6 weeks backpacking through Vietnam as a family and we absolutely loved it. We flew into Hanoi, took the bus to Mai Chai and then took a sleeper train from Hanoi to Phong Nha. (more…)
How Travel Changes You (and makes you far more interesting)
If you are thinking of travelling, be it around the world or on a two-week holiday, then know that not only will you need to make room in your case for a change of clothes but you’ll also have to accommodate a new set of views.
Travel changes your perspective of the world in the most incredible ways imaginable. (more…)
Couchsurfing. What If I’m Murdered in My Bed & Other FAQ
What is Couchsurfing? How does it work? Is it free? Is it safe? Can I do it with my family?
These are the most common questions I hear when I tell people I couch surfed around the world with my kids for a year.
Rather than give you a boring old review like every other blog post you can find online, I thought I’d simply answer every question I can think of about Couchsurfing in 2021.
If you can listen while you read then why not check out our couchsurfing podcast where my teenage son and I talk about Couchsurfing around the world!
That way you get the truth.
And yes.
My Mother did actually say she thought we’d all be murdered in our beds. Your mum will do too.
More on safety with Couchsurfing later.
11 Foods to Eat in Japan (+ 1 BONUS For When You Can’t Face Noodles)
Japan has some of the best food in the world. Eating, along with many other everyday Japanese life rituals, is one of the things that makes this beautiful country as exciting and intriguing as it is.
But you may be wondering what to eat in Japan when you just can’t face another piece of sushi.
Tell people you are travelling in Japan, and they will first advise you to fill your face with street food. In fact, if you don’t eat noodles swimming in broth at least nine times a day, then you are just a big fat fake, and you aren’t doing the other hardcore backpackers proud.
We have just spent two weeks in Japan where we backpacked and couchsurfed for a big chunk of the time.
Thankfully, both our budgets (and our train journeys) were made all the lighter because of a little known Japanese food secret.
Japan Two Week Itinerary – Without Blowing A Fuse Or Your Budget.
I hate doing the same as everyone else. For this reason, we didn’t follow a standard Japan two week itinerary when we backpacked around Japan with our two kids.
We were tempted I’ll admit, but the trouble was, nearly every Japan travel blog with a suggested two-week itinerary all seemed to point in the same direction.
The ‘to do’ cities.
Everyone was suggesting the same predictable route that looks like this: Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Tokyo.
Nah. (more…)
Best Travel Toothbrush 2025. No More Furry Teeth.
Picking the best toothbrush for travel is a tricky business and a very personal one.
Your choice will depend on many factors. The length of your trip, your budget, and how much weight you are prepared to carry to the airport
And then there’s the decision to go for an electric or manual toothbrush. How about a portable travel toothbrush or a disposable toothbrush?
If you choose a manual toothbrush, then you will have to be particularly thorough when cleaning. If you go for the electric option, you will be carrying extra batteries or an adapter to charge it.
Decisions, decisions.
Hello!
I’m Liz, and this is my family.
I do Travel. I do Wine. I do being a mum to big kids. Sometimes I do all three at the same time.
I don’t do hormones. Or looking perfect for Instagram. Or dieting.
Read more about who I am and why we should be friends on our about us page.