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 […]
How to pack for backpacking Central America
From T-shirts to travel towels, torches to trousers, read on to find out how to pack for backpacking Central America and other tropical destinations. I’ve got you covered … Tips on how to pack for backpacking Save space – and the hassle of trying to find an iron – by rolling your clothes instead of folding […]
Reverse culture shock: Why aren’t complete strangers talking to me, and where are all the chickens?
From chickens to clothes to children, strangers to straighteners to Spanglish … after two months in Nicaragua, I’m experiencing a little dose of reverse culture shock back here in the UK. Reverse culture shock 1: From morning person to night owl I’m quite happy not being woken up by chickens, monkeys and the 6am bus […]
How to visit volcanoes in Nicaragua without breaking (much of) a sweat
If you’re after large dose of volcano without an overdose of activity, here’s how to visit volcanoes in Nicaragua without breaking (too much of) a sweat. If volcanoes are your world then Nicaragua is your oyster. Situated where the Caribbean and Cocos tectonic plates collide, the country is home to some 19 volcanoes, at least […]
My top 9 travel tips for Nicaragua
Grab a cuppa coffee – or a fine batido (smoothie) – and read my top 9 travel tips for Nicaragua, an often-overlooked slice of Central America. Nicaragua has a spirit you can feel. World-class wildlife and a growing eco-tourism movement combine with a cacophony of noise, and locals who aren’t afraid to talk politics. It makes for a destination with more fire and passion than […]
Is Spanish language school worth it?
To try and communicate better with local people when travelling, I enrolled in two weeks of Spanish language school in Nicaragua. Was it worth the effort? Seven years after first mastering enough Spanish to be able to order food, work out which bus I needed to be on, and make small talk about how cold it was in my […]
Hopes and fears for long-term travel: Miami, Nicaragua and Colombia
“I must be more nervous about this trip than I thought.” That’s what’s going through my mind at 3am this morning. I’m wide awake, random thoughts churning through my head. I only do this when I’m worried about something. Normally me and sleep are very happy bedtime buddies. Tomorrow I travel to Miami, the start […]