9 books on my lockdown and Summer reading list

picture of lockdown reading - 9 books

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links I’ll receive a small commission, which I use to help keep this website up and running. It doesn’t cost you any extra. Thank you for your support 🙂 What does a travel blogger do when they can’t travel? Reading is up there […]

What’s it like to do the Red Bull ski jump run?

ski jump run Red Bull 400 Lahti Finland

“OMG we’ve GOT to do this!” I enthused, simultaneously holding a glass of wine and shoving the screen of my phone in my husband’s direction. I’d just shown Andrew this … the Red Bull 400. Red Bull 400. Image by Victor Engström and used with permission from the Red Bull Content Pool. It may “only” be […]

25 (more) experiences I’m going to have before I die … updated!

Outside York Minster in a tuk tuk!

Three years after first committing this list of my 25 must-do experiences to my hard drive, here’s my light-hearted look at what’s been accomplished, what’s still “on the list”, and what’s been ditched … Why I put my 25 experiences list in writing When I was in Bologna, I met Judy. Judy introduced me to […]

The Gap Year Edit Alternative Travel Awards

The Gap Year Edit Alternative Travel Awards

Welcome! Hi, I’m Julie, a York (UK)-based travel blogger and comfort-zone pusher. Join me as I bring you pics and musings from my mildly adventurous travels around the globe. My mission is to hear you say, “I”m so glad I did it!” instead of, “I wish I could, BUT …” Use the links here and […]

Seven reasons I’m excited to be going back to the Balkans

Back to the Balkans - Zagreb, Croatia

From the time my train pulled into Zagreb station at 9pm on 29 September 2014, the Balkans had already made a good impression on me. And not just because I was ever-so-slightly drunk. My gut feel – despite my gut being full of sangria following an impromptu train party with three fellow passengers – was […]

Gap year reflections – a year of discovery

the gap year edit anniversary

The Gap Year Edit is one year old! The significance for me is not in the anniversary of a website, but the celebration of a year of change. Time for some gap year reflections on this period of discovery – things I’ve given myself a pat on the back for, stuff I’d do differently, where it’s taken me, and – excitingly – what’s […]

Lava, lingo, literature and light – “experiences before I die” progress

experiences before I die - reading Hemingway on the Florida Keys

The first few months of 2015 have been pretty eventful. I spent two months travelling in Nicaragua, lapping up its spirit and diversity. I negotiated countless chicken buses, and fended off several questions about my solo travel status. I found new contract and freelance work back in the UK. And I met someone I thought I’d […]