Find your perfect getaway: Matching destinations to your ideal holiday experiences

Find your perfect getaway: Matching destinations to your ideal holiday experiences

Planning a holiday can be both exciting and overwhelming. The world is full of incredible places, each offering a unique experience. To ensure your next trip is precisely what you’re looking for, it’s crucial to consider what kind of holiday you truly envision. Are you craving adventure, tranquillity, cultural immersion or maybe a bit of everything? Let’s explore some destinations tailored to different ideal holiday desires.

Volcanic mountain in Costa Rica

For the adventure seeker

If your soul yearns for adrenaline rushes and pushing your limits, you need a destination that offers action-packed itineraries. Consider:

  • Queenstown, New Zealand: This adventure capital is a haven for thrill-seekers. You can bungee jump, white-water raft, skydive, go canyon swinging or hike scenic trails with breathtaking views. The rugged terrain and stunning landscapes create the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable adventure.
  • Costa Rica: From zip-lining through the rainforest canopy to surfing world-class waves and exploring active volcanoes, Costa Rica is packed with options for those who love to move. You’ll find incredible biodiversity and an abundance of opportunities to challenge yourself.
  • Nepal: Trek to Everest Base Camp or explore other Himalayan trails for a truly epic experience. The mountains offer not just physical challenges, but spiritual ones as well. You’ll return home with stories to tell and a sense of profound accomplishment.

Santorini skyline

For the relaxation and rejuvenation enthusiast

Sometimes, your soul simply needs a break. If you’re looking to unwind, disconnect and recharge, these destinations offer serenity and tranquillity:

  • The Maldives: Picture-perfect white sand beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters and luxurious overwater bungalows. The Maldives is the epitome of relaxation, offering spa days, gentle swimming and incredible sunsets.
  • Bali, Indonesia: This island paradise offers a blend of spiritual practices, yoga retreats, stunning rice paddies and beautiful beaches. You can find inner peace through meditation, indulge in spa treatments and reconnect with nature.
  • Santorini, Greece: The iconic whitewashed villages perched on volcanic cliffs overlooking the Aegean Sea provide a serene and picturesque setting. You can enjoy leisurely meals, admire breathtaking sunsets and embrace the slower pace of island life.

Kyoto train station with two geishas walking down stairs

For the culture connoisseur

If you’re passionate about history, art and local traditions, these destinations will immerse you in rich cultures and captivating stories:

  • Kyoto, Japan: Explore ancient temples, serene gardens and traditional tea houses in this cultural heart of Japan. You’ll be transported back in time as you witness the unique traditions that have shaped the nation.
  • Rome, Italy: Walk through the ruins of the Roman Empire, visit iconic landmarks like the Colosseum and the Pantheon and savour the delicious Italian cuisine. Rome is a living museum filled with art, history and vibrant culture.
  • Marrakech, Morocco: Experience the vibrant souks, intricate architecture and the bustling atmosphere of this North African gem. You’ll be enchanted by the colours, smells and sounds of this captivating city.

Pintxos in San Sebastian, Spain

For the foodie explorer

If your travels are guided by your taste buds, these destinations offer unforgettable gastronomic adventures:

  • Tuscany, Italy: Immerse yourself in the heart of Italian cuisine, enjoy local wine tastings and explore charming villages. You can take cooking classes and indulge in fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
  • Bangkok, Thailand: Experience the explosion of flavours at bustling street food markets and explore the diverse culinary landscape of this Southeast Asian metropolis. You’ll be tempted by exotic spices and fresh ingredients at every turn.
  • San Sebastian, Spain: Indulge in world-class pintxos (Basque tapas) and discover the rich culinary heritage of the Basque Country. You can experience Michelin-starred restaurants and local cafés, as well as fresh seafood.

Open passport with multiple visa stamps

The choice is yours

The key to a truly memorable holiday lies in choosing a destination that aligns with your individual desires and expectations. Whether you’re seeking adrenaline, relaxation, cultural engagement or culinary delights, the world is your oyster. By carefully considering the type of experience you crave, you can curate a journey that leaves you feeling fulfilled and renewed. So, what’s your ideal holiday? The adventure awaits you!

Summer holiday carry-on essentials

Summer holiday carry-on essentials | H is for Home

We all love foreign holidays – long weekend city breaks, festive trips to visit the Christmas markets, skiing & snow-boarding, culinary or cultural experiences. My all time favourite holidays, though, will always be ones that consist of hot sun, clear blue sea and white sandy beaches. To (almost) guarantee I get all three of these pre-requisites, I need to travel somewhere pretty far away… via an aeroplane.

I don’t like spending ages at airports – queuing to check in… waiting for bags to appear on the carousel. Travelling light, i.e. hand luggage only, cuts out lots of the stress and waiting around.  These are my summer holiday carry-on essentials that ensure I get to my destination in a good mood, with minimum of fuss, looking forward to some R&R.

GB passport

Documents

Everyone knows the age old situation of getting to the airport and realising you’ve forgotten your passport. As well as your passport (and those of the rest of your family) don’t forget all the other important paperwork you’re going to need. Before you set off, make sure you’ve scanned your important documents and put e-copies into a Dropbox folder. – just in case they get lost, stolen or destroyed while you’re abroad. Include your passport, driver’s license, travel insurance certificate, flight tickets and car and hotel booking confirmations.

Dropbox folders

If you have a smart phone you can also save copies of certain booking confirmations to your Apple Wallet or Wallet Passes (Android). Companies that are already signed up to these services include Booking.com, British Airways, Easy Jet and Airbnb.

Halifax Clarity Mastercard

Having some local currency prior to your arrival at a destination is always a necessity; you’ll always need cash for things like paying for a taxi or tipping a porter. It’s advisable, however, to not have all your spending money in bank notes. Taking plastic is a safe and convenient way of paying for things in hotels, shops and restaurants. The Halifax Clarity credit card is the most recommended card for using abroad. Unlike debit cards and most other credit cards, you don’t get charged fees for cash withdrawals or for using it to pay bills in a foreign currency. Just make sure you pay the balance in full when you return home or you’ll begin to accrue interest on the balance.

Airplane wing at sunset

For the journey

We’ve spoken about carry-on cabin bags and their weight & dimension restrictions in a previous post. In addition to this hand luggage ‘case’ that goes in the overhead locker, you’re also allowed one other small carry-on bag that can fit under the aircraft seat.

Pacsafe Venturesafe X Sling Pack

We recommend the Pacsafe Venturesafe X Sling Pack. It’s the perfect bag for when you’re going out & about exploring or hitting the beach. It’s compact but roomy with lots of different compartments; it can hold a 10-inch tablet, phone, compact camera, passports, money, credit cards, keys etc. Most important of all is that it keeps all these items safe & secure. It has an anti-slash strap and extra secure PopNLock fasteners to prevent pick-pocketers and bag snatchers. It also has a locking system that allows you to tether it to an immovable object and it’s made of RFID blocking material which stops your credit/debit cards from being ‘skimmed‘ (although the jury’s out on the prevalence of this type of theft).

Cabeau Evolution memory foam travel pillow

I find any flight over about an hour’s duration really uncomfortable. After a while, the seat seems to shrink and my legs grow! As for thinking I’m going to get any kip on a trans-Atlantic trip – forget it!  That is, unless I’ve brought some support like this Cabeau Evolution memory foam travel pillow.  It has a little pocket for slipping your smart phone into (helpful if you’re listening to soothing music or an audio book to pass the time in-flight), it can be used if you like lying face down on your sun lounger and it come in kids’ size too! It rolls up into a little pouch so doesn’t take up too much room. Combine this with one of the sleep masks that we featured last week – and I’m in dreamland!

Go Travel flight socks

If you’re travelling long-haul – 4 hours or longer – compression socks are recommended to avoid swelling in the feet, ankles and lower legs (oedema) as well as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Open suitcase on the floor

Clothes

I won’t go into detail about the need to pack hot weather clothes such as swimming cossies, shorts, t-shirts etc. But what I will say is, as space in your hand luggage is tight, pick out what you’re taking carefully; then edit it down, and then edit it some more. Choose tops & bottoms that can mix & match with several other pieces of clothing; ditto any footwear and accessories that you pack.

Fit-Flip microfibre towels

The thing that will take up the most space in your carry-on luggage will be towels. Check prior to flying if they’re provided by your hotel, cottage or villa accommodation; if they are – bonus – more space for clothes! If they’re not, microfibre towel Microfibre towels take up a lot less space and are a lot lighter in weight than traditional cotton terry towels. They’re also anti-bacterial, dirt repellent and amazingly absorbent. The Fit-Flip microfibre towel comes in its own bag, is available in 12 colours and a variety of sizes from 50x30cm to 200x100cm.

Collection of cosmetics

Toiletries & cosmetics

With the strict hand luggage liquid restrictions, try to take as many of your toiletries & cosmetics as possible in solid form. It gives you more flexibility when you have vital items such as contact lens solution or medicines (or that bottle of HP sauce!) that cannot be substituted.

L'Occitane citrus verbena deodorant stick

This citrus verbena deodorant stick contains no alcohol, parabens or aluminium salts. With its fresh lemony scent, it may even help repel the mozzies!

Mini perfume atomisers

In addition to deodorant, I’ve invested in a few mini perfume atomisers into which I’ve decanted some of my favourite eaux-de-cologne.

Sun tan products

If you’re going somewhere hot & sunny your going to need sun protection products. Depending on your skin tone and how well or badly you tan, you’re going to need sun tan oil/lotion, sun block, after-sun. Justin and I need completely different products as he burns much more easily than me. I love the Hawaiian Tropic range as it smells so… tropical! Justin is less fussy than me so this Malibu 3-in-one set is perfect for him.

Bottles of Lush Toothy tabs

Toothpaste and mouthwash will eat into your liquid allowance; take a bottle of Toothy Tabs instead, they’re available in various flavours and contain 100% vegetarian ingredients such as essential oils, baking soda, green tea powder, charcoal and menthol crystals.

Friendly Soap natural shampoo bar - lavender & tea tree

Shampoo is another product that can come in solid form.  Friendly Soap natural shampoo bar – lavender & tea tree is hand-made, cruelty-free and contains no parabens, SLS or palm oil.

Leakproof silicone travel containers TSA approved, 4 pack

For things you just need to take in liquid, gel or lotion form. So many sun tan oils and lotions (I’m looking at you Hawaiian Tropic!) come in bottles larger than the 100ml limit. Decant them into these containers, safe in the knowledge that your expensive moisturisers and other precious unguents won’t be confiscated at the gate.

Snopake flight air bag zip pull, 200x200mm - pack of 5

Not only do your liquids need to be in 100ml containers, the containers need to be stored in a transparent, resealable bag no larger than 20cm x 20cm nor hold no more than 1 litre. To be on the safe side, I’ve bought a pack of these special flight bags.

Various bits of computere and other tech hardware

Tech

Tropical holidays are a time for reading the latest bestseller on a sun lounger on the beach or beside the pool. Swap your heavy, bulky paperbacks for a tablet. With the Amazon Fire you can read books, listen to music, watch TV & films take photos and give orders to Alexa.

Amazon Fire 7 tablet

When you’re self-employed like us, you still have to check in from time to time and do a few hours work. That means that the ‘office’ needs to fit in our carry-on bags. Thankfully that simply entails packing our trusty old MacBook Pro. Have a look at some of our other tech travel essentials.

What are some of the summer holiday essentials that you just need to carry with you?