Travel

Join me on some of my favourite adventures.

After only a few days on Tinos island in Greece, it quickly became one of my favourite travel spots. The food is delicious; there are lots of clean and beautiful beaches; and it is full of culture and history. 

I highly recommend visiting Tinos the next time you are in Greece. Download The Essential Guide to Tinos to take with you on your adventure. 

I have probably visited to Athens, Greece around 20 times in my life. As a result, I have figured out the stops and landmarks that are absolutely essential. This is my Essential Guide to Athens, Greece.

Download The Essential Travel Guide to Athens Greece pdf to have for your travels.

Growing up, I always imagined Australia as an arid desert land surrounded by beaches. I never would have guessed that it had semi-tropical and tropical areas like those in Southern and Central Queensland. 

On my recent trip to Australia, I revisited the first place I ever visited there – Noosa Heads and Noosa National Park. 

Noosa is among the most beautiful and peaceful places that I have ever visited. If you are looking to enjoy a lavish breakfast on the beach watching dolphins jump and swim alongside unsuspecting surfers and swimmers, it is the place to be. This sleepy surfer and resort town is nestled below the expansive National Park.

If you have the opportunity to visit, take advantage of the many walking trails within the park. Schedule at least one to two hours to do this and take in the breathtaking ocean views from the top of Hells Gates. If you are in the mood for a little more exploring and taking different trails, be sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen and wear running shoes.

One great thing about adventuring beneath the trees is how you can see some unique Australian flora and landscapes while catching a breeze and staying (relatively) cool.

The Greek Cycladic Islands never get old. There is so much more to see than the typical tourist destinations. When travelling there, schedule in ample time to explore without an itinerary. Some of the best sights, restaurants, adventures and views have been found there by “getting lost.” 

My trip to Tinos was last minute and ill-prepared – unlike how I usually travel. I figured that an island heavily populated by priests and pious travellers on a pilgrimage to see the Panagia Evangelista church, was safe for a girl travelling alone. I was right about that, and I was blown away by how much I loved the island. Yes, it was beautiful (but aren’t all the Cycladic Islands beautiful?), but there was so much more to it than just “a church.” 

The food was amazing and reasonably priced (not just for the Cyclades – like Santorini and Mykonos – but for anywhere); the people were kind and generous; the water was clear and warm; the sand was oh so soft; and the views were spectacular. The worst part about my adventure there was leaving after only two days.

I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a beautiful, relaxing Greek getaway to explore Tinos.

First, you can rent a car or utilize the bus system – it is a huge island with lots of great beaches, towns and villages.

Second, I had a great experience staying near the boat port – everything you need, including night life, restaurants, grocers and bakeries were around the corner.  

Third, bring a t-shirt or a shawl with you on your explorations – there are so many incredible monasteries and churches on the island that deserve to be seen (when dressed respectfully, of course). The Panagia was by far one of the most impressive churches I have ever stepped into – everywhere you look silver icons and ornamentation hang from the ceiling and drip from the walls. Tip: Skip the long line of tourists during the midday sun and scope it out in the evening or at night. 

Nothing could have prepared me for the mayhem or the epic scale of the world-renowned Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo, Japan.

Despite making our way to Tsukiji before sunrise, the energy of the fish mongers, restauranteurs and shoppers quickly wakes you up. You try to take in everything around you – the enormous market packed tightly with vendors, the giant fish being carried and portioned around you, the tanks of live fish and almost prehistoric looking creatures – and then you are forced to jump out of the way of the trolleys zipping around in every direction. 

Although it was incredible, the sheer magnitude of the Tsukiji Fish Market left me feeling a little bit guilty and concerned for the sustainability of our ocean resources. In the largest fish market in the world, I barely saw one quarter of the vendors after more than half an hour of exploring.  The most incredible thing about travelling is that it puts you in situations where you are forced to think and reflect on things that you might not otherwise pay any attention to. 

That being said, our 6.30am sushi breakfast next to Tsukiji was probably one of the most memorable meals of my life. There is nothing like the taste or texture of fish that fresh. 

Fresh Tuna being portioned at the Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo, Japan.

Fresh Tuna being portioned at the Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo, Japan.

 

Below are some memorable moments from the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. 

I love spending time at this animal sanctuary. It is an educational experience that teaches you about native Australian and Tasmanian animals and does an excellent job creating natural environments for the animals. You can hug a koala, but my favourite park is the open Kangaroo, Wallaby and Emu pen. You can observe the animals as they sleep in their protected “homes” or, if they choose to roam, you can feed and pet them.