The UK, our home, and the place we missed so much whilst on the road for two and a half years. But now, with a base in London, we're ready to discover it all - and share it with you. From the highlands of Scotland, to England's south coast and all the bits in between.

With a healthy dose of London magic from a pair of locals.

London

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Spending the Night in the UK's First Capsule Hostel
Spending the Night in the UK's First Capsule Hostel

Ever wanted to stay in a capsule hotel but can’t afford the plane fare to Japan? Now’s your chance! Check out our review of St Christopher’s Village - the UK’s first capsule hostel in London.

why you need a day in brick lane
why you need a day in brick lane

Wandering around Brick Lane is one of our favourite ways to spend a day in London.  This post is full of our personal recommendations on things to do, eat and discover there. 

Columbia road flower market: a colourful Sunday in East London
Columbia road flower market: a colourful Sunday in East London

One of our favourite things to do on a sunny London Sunday? Grab a canvas bag and head down to Columbia Road Flower Market to pick up a gorgeous bunch of flowers and eavesdrop on the proper East End market traders. 

finding the best of camden's street art
finding the best of camden's street art

Street art is a medium we fell in love with in South America, so we couldn't wait to learn more about the scene in London on a tour through Camden. 

six landmarks in london you simply can't miss
six landmarks in london you simply can't miss

Although the London that we love isn't necessarily found in the centre, as with any major city, there are several landmarks that any first-time visitor simply has to visit. Here are our top six!

Scotland

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how we fell in love with the Scottish Highlands
how we fell in love with the Scottish Highlands

Travelling the North Coast 500 revealed a hidden Scotland to us, one whose beauty is perhaps unrivalled elsewhere in Europe and which is slowly revealing itself to the world.

The Definitive North Coast 500 Guide
The Definitive North Coast 500 Guide

From tips on driving and sights you can't miss, we'll help you plan the perfect NC500 itinerary - with our definitive North Coast 500 guide.

12 reasons to make the Scottish Highlands your next adventure
12 reasons to make the Scottish Highlands your next adventure

The Scottish Highlands is perhaps the most beautiful region in the UK and is perfect for a road trip.  Here are twelve reasons why you simply have to go there.

England

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wonderful whitstable: the perfect seaside day trip
wonderful whitstable: the perfect seaside day trip

Want to escape London for a day trip to the seaside? Then you definitely should take the train to Whitstable - oysters, beach time and vintage shopping await! Here are our favourite things to do in Whitstable. 

glamping in sussex with the original hut company
glamping in sussex with the original hut company

We had our first taste of glamping in the UK at beautiful hideaway in Sussex. Old village pubs, picture-perfect countryside and friendly locals - a perfect weekend at The Original Hut Company. 

Your next weekend break: Awesome things to do in Brighton
Your next weekend break: Awesome things to do in Brighton

Brighton is a seaside town quite unlike others in the UK. In fact, its an ideal weekend getaway. Discover where to find the best fish and chips, the prettiest streets, a night out you won't forget and why Brighton is a city you'll want to return to over and over again!

WE MAY USE BLOGS TO PLAN MOST OF OUR TRIPS, BUT WE ALWAYS HAVE A BEATEN UP GUIDEBOOK IN OUR bag! BUY YOURS NOW.

 

 

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Colo ____ You've all probably heard about how great Colombia is before. On our last trip in South America, it was the word-of-mouth sensation of every hostel chat when asked about a favourite country, the best place to travel, or where the most magical memories were made. It really is true; believe the hype. We spent three months here before, and were so excited to return for another couple of months. Not simply because Emily's arepa addiction would be fed, but because there were so many parts of the country we weren't able to visit or experience properly last time around. Not only is Colombia big, but its diverse and offers something for your senses and smiles north, south, east, and west; we think we could spend another six months here before we've truly got to grips with it all. We've written before, and will write a lot more on the blog, about how this is a country that has its scars and a reputation which will take a long time to change. There are undoubtedly a worryingly high number of backpackers who arrive here to purely seek out its villains and its vices. For some, they won't focus or experience so many of the elements which make us truly love travelling in Colombia. However, whilst sitting on rocking chairs in the afternoon sun with the owner of our guesthouse in San Andres, we realised that that isn't something to get too despondent about - because the majority of travellers who arrive here with stereotypes in their head and Narcos downloaded on Netflix, will be exposed to somewhere wonderful. And each of them that goes home will tell everyone else that Colombia really is so different to what they may think, and that travelling here should not be based around a fixation on coke, cartels and man called Pablo. #TheConstantlyCurious #Colombia #FeelTheRhythm ____ #suitcasetravels #lightzine #thewildnesstonic #goexplore #searchwandercollect #postcardplaces #folkscenery #peoplewhoadventure #folktravel #speechlessplaces  #mydomainetravels #roamtheplanet #modernoutdoors #thediscoverer #anotherescape #exploreobserveshare #stayandwander #chasingthelight #inspiringwanderers #cntraveler #sheisnotlost #girlsborntotravel #ladiesgoneglobal #shewhowanders
Veggie ____ A couple of days ago I realised I had an important anniversary coming up - 12 years of being vegetarian (plus a fair amount of time dabbling with veganism). When I'm back home in the UK, I don't even consider it a limitation on my diet; I eat what I want, when I want, have a cupboard full of over-priced Wholefoods plant-based alternatives and have no problems feeling sated. South America on the other hand is most definitely not all sunshine and lollipops. This is a part of the world where the concept of having a meal without an animal thrown into the mix is as foreign as, well, probably half of those overpriced plant-based alternatives. I've had apparently veggie soups turn up with chicken feet as decoration, have learnt not to be a stickler for separate cooking facilities (or, if I'm really hungry, question the source of the broth), have had to remind people more often than I'd like that yes, chicken is a meat and explained that I'd prefer if you didn't simply pick the pieces of beef out of my meal. Of course, there are some truly excellent vegetarian and vegan restaurants in the bigger cities, places that pride themselves on cruelty-free meals but they're definitely the exception rather than the rule. Instead, I've learnt that if I want more greens than a sad wilted salad on my plate - or yet another plate of bad pasta - I need to cook it for myself. Remarkably, for countries that pride themselves on fried carbs (I'm looking at you, Colombia) the fresh produce out here is exceptional. The trick is finding a hostel with more than one pan to cook it in - and the odd box of soya protein! This is Andrew's first big trip as a 99% vegetarian, and he's definitely got more empathy for some of my frustrations than he did last time. How do you find travelling as a veggie? #TheConstantlyCurious
Sunset ____ The extra night we chose to spend in the gorgeous Colombian pueblo of Jericó meant we could go a little slower and savour being there. Tasting local coffees in the day, wandering around with our cameras, chatting to local men about increasing tourism here, and drinks with a handful of other backpackers into the wee hours of the evening (something that's been pretty rare on this trip). On the last evening, we walked to Las Nubes with only a few lines of instruction on the way to go. At the top, we savoured the shafts of golden light cast through the Colombian hills. There was nobody else there. When a town is low on 'things to do', it often means that you can actually do more of the things that you want to do, in the way you want to do them. #TheConstantlyCurious #Colombia #ColombiaTravel ____ #suitcasetravels #freshairclub #lightzine #thewildnesstonic #goexplore #searchwandercollect #postcardplaces #jerico #folkscenery #passionpassport #mytinyatlas #peoplewhoadventure #folktravel #folkcreative #speechlessplaces  #mydomainetravels #roamtheplanet #modernoutdoors #forgeyourownpath #thediscoverer #anotherescape #exploreobserveshare #stayandwander #chasingthelight #thebestescapes #inspiringwanderers #cntraveler
Snap ____ Remember that place in Ecuador where we went on a hike for about eight hours accompanied by three dogs the whole way, got lost a bunch of times and had to follow donkey shit to find our way back? Well, that place was called Alausi. And we kind of liked it. Famed for once being home to the most dangerous train ride in the world - that is until two two people lost their heads (literally) riding on the roof - Alausi has seen fewer and fewer tourists over the last decade. We arrived with low expectations, but found a lovely proud little town with the sort of streets we love to walk, friendly locals, and a relatively gringo-free (apart from us, obvs) experience. Where was the last place that surprised you on your travels? #TheConstantlyCurious #EcuadorAmaLaVida #Alausi ____ #discoversouthamerica #visitsouthamerica #thediscoverer #letswander #suitcasetravels #seetheworld #exploretocreate #justgoshoot #chasing_facades #doortrait #visitecuador #ecuadorisallyouneed #theprettycities #urbanromantics #iwalkedthisstreet #facadeporn #mydomainetravels #iamatraveler #stayandwander #livetotraveltraveltolive #forahappymoment #huffposttravel #travelon #speechlessplaces #passportcollective #goseetheworld #happytravels
Plans ____ You're probably as bored as we are of hearing about the constant changes to our itinerary? Well, sorry, but we're talking about the constant changes to our itinerary again. Travelling for more than a couple of weeks somewhere means that you have the incredible luxury of time and a degree of flexibility, but with a 'degree of flexibility' comes great responsibility too. The temptation to spread yourself thin is definitely there, but so is the offer of settling down in one place for a week or so. As we write about the places we travel to help out you guys (hey, go read our blog!), we also have to factor in time to do more stuff than some others so we can tell you if it's actually worth doing something or not. The frustrating thing is sometimes feeling that you're spending too much of your time planning ahead rather than making the most of where you are. This is a very long-winded way of saying that we were up until 1 a.m. last night here in San Gil working on our seventh bloody re-write of our Colombia route, booking transport and beds, and getting excited about old and new destinations. Perhaps because we know the region so well, we've been a bit 'drifty' in January. If we're going to make the absolute most off the last six weeks (for us, and for you) then we needed a more rigid plan. Every re-write brings an argument, but we are now golden - at least until that eighth version rears its ugly head in about, oh, four days. ps, we know we've completely disappeared off stories for the last week - we promise to be back up and running soon. Blame it on the drifting... #TheConstantlyCurious #Mindo #EcuadorAmaLaVida #AllYouNeedIsEcuador ____ #suitcasetravels #freshairclub #palepalmcollective #lightzine #thewildnesstonic #goexplore #searchwandercollect #postcardplaces #folkscenery #passionpassport #mytinyatlas #whatisee #peoplewhoadventure #folktravel #modernoutdoors #forgeyourownpath #thediscoverer #weloveadventures #welivetoexplore #wildernessculture #nextstopnature #seeyououtthere #goneoutdoors #wildernessnation #wearestillwild #chasingwaterfalls
Street Food ____ Sometimes before you set off on a big trip, you will read lots of earnest comments from people saying to avoid street food. On some blogs and forums, we've seen people go so far as to say that you should bring your own bowl and cutlery to markets, provide your own purified water to any woman making a smoothie, and refuse all ice cubes. No joke. Now, we have both had our fair dose of the shits when we travel (and unfortunately it usually coincides when we're staying in the cheapest room available with the toilet only separated from the bedroom by a flimsy shower curtain); we know how horrible it can be, and how much it can ruin days which should be spent adventuring. However, there is an inevitability to getting a bit of a dodgy stomach on a long term trip - and in certain countries there are absolutely some cast-iron no-nos to avoid due to health concerns - but following that ridiculously cautious advice about avoiding everything cooked or prepared on the streets or in markets is not only quite impossible and impractical to follow, but also seems a little insulting. If it's good enough for Anthony Bourdain, it's good enough for us... "Do we really want to travel in hermetically sealed popemobiles through the rural provinces of France, Mexico and the Far East, eating only in Hard Rock Cafes and McDonald’s? Or do we want to eat without fear, tearing into the local stew, the humble taqueria’s mystery meat, the sincerely offered gift of a lightly grilled fish head?” #TheConstantlyCurious ____ #quito #letswander #suitcasetravels #visualscollective #seetheworld #exploretocreate #flashesofdelight #justgoshoot #peoplephotography #thephotosociety #lensculture #liveforthestory #visualsoflife #passionpassport #mytinyatlas #worldcaptures #natgeoyourshot #eclectic_shots #goexplore #searchwandercollect #passionpassport #whatisee #roamtheplanet #thediscoverer #exploreobserveshare #stayandwander #discoversouthamerica #visitsouthamerica