by admin | Apr 8, 2025 | children, children and families, education, Travel, vacations
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In 2023, Chris and Tamira relocated with their three children: Olivia, who is 11; Scarlett, aged 9; and Bella, 5 years old.
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EXPLORE FURTHER: I have journeyed across the globe with my family of six and managed to save £41,000 on lodging expenses throughout the years using a hidden vacation tip.
Many individuals long for a vacation, seeking a place that’s warm and bright merely to escape everything momentarily, with the understanding that this respite will be short-lived.
However, for certain courageous individuals, they choose to dive in and transform their lives entirely for fresh starts.
That’s precisely what the Hutchinson family did two years back, when they sold their home and left their careers to embark on global travels.
A five-member household from Corby, Northamptonshire, has departed the UK and adopted a contemporary nomadic lifestyle.
In 2023, Chris and Tamira moved away with their children — Olivia, who is 11, Scarlett, aged 9, and Bella, 5 years old.
Following that, they have made visits to
Thailand
,
China
and
Malaysia
, and are presently investigating
Dubai
– all while educating their three daughters at home.
In a video posted to their family channel
TikTok
account (
@thehutchinsons
In January 2023, Tamira disclosed that they put their house on the market and by May, they embarked on an around-the-world journey with their family.
She informed her audience: “Indeed, we sold our family residence where we resided for a decade. We listed it for sale in August of 2022, which turned out to be quite a challenging time as we were uncertain about finding a buyer. Finally, in January 2023, we received an offer, and everything was finalized by May.”
She stated that she harbors no remorse over the choice and proceeded to elaborate that she feels her kids will thrive more by venturing into the world.
“So yes, we sold our ancestral home, left our permanent positions, removed the children from their educational institutions, and we’ve been on the move continuously as a unit, and collectively, we certainly do not regret this decision,” she stated.
In an alternate clip, the mother of three shared her approach to educating her kids following her explanation that they do not attend conventional schools and she does not support the UK educational framework.
“No, our kids aren’t enrolled in school. We decided to remove them from the educational system as we believed it wasn’t providing what they truly required,” explained Tamira.
The nomad mentioned that she desired her children to receive greater attention, adding that exploring various cultures would be far more beneficial for them compared to being seated in a classroom in the UK.
‘I found myself trapped in a classroom daily with over 30 students, and this experience led me to observe how certain health issues affected my loved ones. This situation deeply concerned us and motivated us to want to provide our children with the finest opportunities possible. We aspired not only to expose them to the wider world but also to take charge of their education personally.’
She stated, “In the mornings, we homeschool them and during our travels, we engage in world schooling – exploring various countries, understanding diverse cultures, and discovering different cuisines.”
However, Tamira mentioned that she adheres to the UK national curriculum for her daughters’ education, ensuring they do not miss out on fundamental knowledge.
She mentioned, “We handle homeschooling, and I continue to adhere to the English curriculum.”
We document our experiences and continue to engage with them, so indeed, they do not go to any school. However, we ensure their education aligns with the National Curriculum of England.
But no, since attending school isn’t required, we can travel all the time.
In response to a question from one of her followers regarding her kids struggling with forming lasting friendships, Tamira stated that this notion was incorrect. She explained that in the UK, even though her oldest child’s group of friends would be separated as they move on to various secondary schools, everything was fine.
The TikToker further explained that Olivia’s friend circles were already disintegrating, noting that the educational system disrupts connections and merely relocates students to entirely different institutions.
‘Switching schools and losing that circle of friends can be a deeply distressing transition, particularly when the child has no say in the matter,’ she said additionally.
The couple have also
as mentioned in earlier videos, they had multiple reasons for deciding to pack up and depart from the UK
.
In an excerpt from one video, Chris the first cited the cost of living crisis in the UK as a reason, stating: “You must work all day long merely to cover basic needs and maintain shelter over your head. There’s simply no space left for leisure.”
Previously, on their TikTok page, Tamira shared details about how the family manages their budget during trips.
She mentioned that they allocate approximately £35 per night for lodging, and up to £40 for daily expenses such as food and beverages.
This differs from the family who spent approximately a month prior to leaving, taking care of their mortgage, utilities, food purchases, fuel, and various other costs.
The significant expense of daily life was another reason behind the family’s departure from Britain. The parents acknowledged that they were missing crucial moments of their daughters’ growth and hardly saw each other due to the long hours they worked just to make ends meet.
Chris went on to disclose that the second rationale behind his decision not to go back to the UK revolved around the ‘wokeness ideology’.
He stated: “You can’t even utter ‘boo’ to a goose these days. Everyone gets offended, everyone is shocked, which makes people feel uneasy and too frightened to speak up.”
The third point he raised was related to the weather.
Unfortunately, this is something that cannot be altered,” he stated.
If getting out of town for some sunshine becomes unaffordable even just once annually, it might lead to feelings of sadness.
We experience approximately nine months of the year shrouded in darkness and dreariness. When what we call ‘summer’ arrives, it often feels like it rains non-stop; however, occasionally, there can be that exceptional scorching day.
Read more
by admin | Apr 7, 2025 | adventure travel, Travel, travel destinations, travel planning and tips, vacations
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Silvi and Lucas have discovered an amazing loophole to bypass hotel expenses.
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They claim the hack has enabled them to travel to some of the most expensive countries around the globe.
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EXPLORE MORE: Top nations for migrants to relocate to in 2025 unveiled
A pair of individuals shared their story about leaving their careers behind for twelve months to explore different parts of the globe, thanks to an effective financial strategy they employed.
Silvi Drebenstedt and Lucas Roth successfully ticked off their dream travel locations without emptying their wallets.
The duo, at ages 29 and 33, have managed to save significant sums of money by steering clear of expensive accommodations.
Rather, they take care of houses or pets — a responsibility that once included tending to a group of alpacas.
Hawaii
, spend time with a budgie in Australia and assist fishermen in
Indonesia
.
‘Silvi mentioned that accommodation typically tends to be one of the largest costs when traveling; consequently, house sitting significantly reduced our expenditures.’
Luxury Travel Daily
.
‘Looking after the alpacas in Hawaii was definitely the highlight of our pet-sitting journey so far.
The proprietor, Christine, was exceptionally friendly and provided us with an extensive orientation on how to care for the alpacas.
Dorothy, the eldest alpaca, held a special place in our hearts – she needed specially prepared soft food and possessed an incredibly serene and sagacious demeanor.
‘A memorable instance was assisting in weighing Rose, a new-born alpaca, as Lucas held her in his arms on the scales.’
‘Christine also showed us how to spin wool, and it was incredibly intriguing.’
We undoubtedly saved quite a bit through house-sitting — although it’s difficult to provide an precise figure, I’m certain it amounted to multiple thousands of euros.
The pair — who paused their careers in an office setting to go traveling — utilized the app for assistance.
Trusted Housesitters
To assist in pairing them with individuals who needed someone to manage their homes and pet-sit while they were absent.
Apart from their exciting journey with alpacas, they also had a memorable experience dog-sitting in New York during Christmastime. They explored glaciers while visiting Argentina and relished travels to Mexico, Taiwan, and Switzerland as well.
They have returned to their homeland of Germany but continue to relish periodic housesitting escapades.
Silvi stated, “That particular year kept us without work.”
We paused our work temporarily to dive deeply into the adventure.
We still like to stay in hotels occasionally, but house sitting is a significant aspect of our travels.
We have since had a delightful stay in Switzerland, which was a marvelous experience.
As we typically housesit in pricier nations such as the United States, Australia, and Switzerland, the financial benefits have indeed been significant.
‘Housesitting has enabled us to explore these locations without continually stressing over accommodation expenses – something that frequently hinders travelers.’
Read more
by admin | Apr 2, 2025 | incident, safety, tourists, Travel, vacations
When organizing a holiday, many tourists create highly detailed travel plans, bring along an excess of clothing items that they probably won’t require, and investigate the securest areas as well as the top-rated pubs and eateries to check out.
Nevertheless, only a small number of people take precautions to protect themselves against carbon monoxide poisoning during their stays at hotels.
Airbnb
rentals, and that, according to Kris Hauschildt, founder of the Jenkins Foundation, needs to change urgently.
After her parents, Daryl and Shirley Jenkins, succumbed to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning at a hotel in Boone, Hauschildt founded the Jenkins Foundation.
North Carolina
In April 2013, she began advocating for reforms related to carbon monoxide detectors in hotels and rentals. She also informs travelers about the risks posed by this “silent killer” gas.
Each year, CO poisoning leads to the deaths of more than 400 Americans and causes illness in over 100,000 others, according to data.
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention shows.
The danger of the gas lies in its difficulty to be detected, as Hauschildt explained to SANGGRALOKA.
Carbon monoxide is undetectable by smell, taste, or sight. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similarly hard to identify because they frequently resemble those of other ailments, like common flu-like illnesses.
flu
Or food poisoning, which travelers frequently hesitate to get treated for, Hauschildt mentioned.
In recent weeks, two cases of suspected carbon monoxide poisoning involving American tourists overseas have come to light.
Last month, Miller Gardner, who is 14 years old and the son of ex-New York Yankees player Brett Gardner, was discovered deceased in a hotel room in Costa Rica. Local authorities have preliminarily indicated that carbon monoxide poisoning may be the cause, suggesting it appears to match such an incident.
In late February, three female tourists visiting San Pedro, Belize—Kaoutar Naqqad aged 23, Imane Mallah aged 24, and Wafae El Arar aged 26—were discovered deceased within their accommodations at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort. The cause of death was determined to be carbon monoxide poisoning.
Hauschildt mentioned that she feels constant anguish whenever she hears about new deaths caused by carbon monoxide, noting it’s heartbreaking to witness these incidents continuing when they could be so readily prevented.
“I have been tracking this issue over the past 12 years, and it remains significantly misconstrued. Moreover, it’s a concern that most travelers remain oblivious to,” she stated.
We lack the innate capability to identify the poison directly, hence as individuals who frequently move from one place to another, we should equip ourselves with knowledge on the most effective ways to safeguard against it irrespective of your destination—be it a hotel, a holiday rental, or perhaps even a family member’s residence.
Carbon monoxide poisoning happens when significant amounts of CO fumes are breathed in, leading to an oxygen deficiency in the body that can result in harm to the brain, heart, and other crucial organs.
Common adverse effects may encompass migraines, lightheadedness, impaired eyesight, nausea, loss of strength, thoracic discomfort, and disorientation.
CO is generated when fuels such as gasoline, wood, propane, or charcoal are burned. This leads to many unintentional poisoning cases, frequently due to faulty equipment like heating systems, air conditioners, and generators.
Hauschildt stated that victims are particularly defenseless when they are asleep.
Regarding Miller Gardner’s situation, local authorities stated on Monday that a ‘machinery area’ next to the family’s hotel room experienced an unidentified contamination and was found to have elevated levels of the gas.
The hotel has contested the official conclusions, and Gardner’s family is awaiting a toxicology report to determine the reason behind the teen’s demise.
In Belize, authorities stated that they think the fatalities of Naqqad, Mallah, and El Arar resulted from a faulty water heater located within the ladies’ restroom.
Two visitors staying at the Royal Kahal following the discovery of the deceased women felt ill due to carbon monoxide exposure. They informed SANGGRALOKA that although thankful to have avoided a similar tragic end, they now regret not recognizing the signs sooner and taking additional precautions to safeguard themselves. This realization left them feeling somewhat foolish.
Hauschildt suggested that the most effective method to protect yourself is by carrying a portable carbon monoxide alarm and understanding how it works prior to starting your journey.
The sole method to detect carbon monoxide exposure is through a detector, hence it’s crucial to carry one when traveling. This ensures you can become alerted, leave your surroundings immediately, and contact 911, especially if located within a public facility, thus preventing potential fatalities and injuries to others.
We often believe that when we stay in hotels or other public buildings, we are secure and adequate safeguards are already provided. However, the absence of regulations for installing carbon monoxide detectors poses a significant issue. Therefore, it’s crucial to take matters into our own hands.
Hauschildt added: “This genuinely is a widespread issue, and it should be acknowledged as such.”
We should not treat carbon monoxide as if its behavior changes based on the type of building it’s in.
Carbon monoxide exhibits consistent behavior, and the most effective way to counteract it is by installing carbon monoxide detectors in suitable locations—ensuring these regulations are upheld regardless of geographical location.
The two visitors staying at the Royal Kahal following the fatalities of Naqqad, Mallah, and El Arar—whom Sanggraloka recognizes as ‘Jane’ and ‘Alice’—mentioned that they carried a carbon monoxide detector but were uncertain about using it correctly.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggests placing a portable detector close to sleeping zones inside hotels or rented properties, making sure the alert is sufficiently loud to rouse you during slumber.
Hauschildt mentioned that despite hotels or rentals having carbon monoxide detectors, it’s crucial to carry your own when traveling internationally since the destination country might lack adequate safety protocols.
Following the media coverage of the three fatalities in Belize within the United States, Jane and Alice contacted the Royal Kahal to inquire whether it remained secure for them to continue their stay at the seaside resort.
On February 25, a worried Jane messaged the hotel via Facebook, querying, “Is it safe to visit?” These messages were provided to SANGGRALOKAshow.
In reply, a spokesperson named ‘Daniel’ confirmed that she should not worry about any safety concerns at the Royal Kahal. He stated that the ‘unfortunate event’ with Naqqad, Mallah, and El Arar was beyond their jurisdiction.
“Although we’re still awaiting an official statement from the authorities, all indications suggest this was likely due to a drug overdose,” penned Daniel.
‘Although these conditions are regrettable, the hotel had no means of avoiding these fatalities.’
The hotel representative additionally guaranteed Jane that each suite at the Royal Kahal was equipped with both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, further stating: “you can be confident that your visit here will be entirely worry-free.”
Alice sent an identical message to the hotel but did not get any reply.
The pair of women, together with their circle of friends, proceeded with their plans and reached the island of San Pedro on March 1 – exactly seven days following the discovery of Naqqad, Mallah, and El Arar’s lifeless bodies.
Right away, Jane and Alice mentioned, they noticed something amiss.
Although the employees were friendly, numerous notices were posted throughout the hotel indicating that they would be performing smoke detector inspections the next day from 9 AM to 3 PM.
The women did not hear any fire drill alarms during their stay, but upon returning to their room on the second day of their trip, they discovered that all the smoke detectors had been taken off the walls.
At that point, inquiries regarding the fatalities of Naqqad, Mallah, and El Arar were continuing; however, regional authorities had declared in public that carbon monoxide was not likely involved, stating that preliminary examinations did not reveal anything suspicious at the site.
Intrigued about the removal of the detectors, Alice contacted the reception to inquire if they needed to be reinstalled. However, she was informed not to do so and was asked to place them on the countertop instead, where they stayed throughout her entire visit.
On March 5th, and most of the following day, March 6th, both the gas supply and hot water were discontinued. The gas service faced another cutoff on March 8th.
Given subsequent events, the women think that shutting off the gas and water was the hotel’s way of trying to manage the high carbon monoxide levels found within the resort, which local authorities were said to have discovered later.
“I genuinely hope we had scrutinized it more back then, but we truly didn’t believe there was anything amiss,” stated Alice.
It was a pleasant place to stay, and when you’re on vacation, you don’t expect to worry about things like carbon monoxide poisoning or strange accidents ruining your sleep for the next day.
I mean, we were already aware of not consuming tap water or being cautious with specific foods sold on the streets, so we weren’t entirely uninformed.
However, we were informed that the hotel was the latest addition to the island and came equipped with state-of-the-art amenities. Given how expensive the suite was, we simply assumed it would be secure.
After five days into the journey, Jane experienced a fright.
Early in the morning, she woke up to discover that her left leg had become entirely numb, accompanied by feelings of dizziness, blurry vision, and a persistent headache.
When trying to stand up to head to the bathroom, Jane mentioned that she fell onto the floor and remained there for about 40 minutes, paralyzed and unable to move.
Following this, she remained beside the open window for another three hours until she could move freely once more.
Jane mentioned that her symptoms lasted for a week after she got back home.
Alice and her fellow travelers were also encountering unusual symptoms such as blurry sight, weariness, and persistent migraines — indicators commonly associated with carbon monoxide intoxication.
“My symptoms weren’t as severe as Jane’s; I mainly experienced headaches along with some blurry vision,” explained Alice.
It was terrible; I recall saying to my spouse that I had to locate my glasses, and they responded that they were already perched on my nose.
Only upon returning home, following a string of reports from SANGGRALOKA, did the two women connect their symptoms to potential carbon monoxide poisoning.
They simply thought they were experiencing typical exhaustion associated with travel overseas and excessive exposure to sunlight.
Alice carried a portable carbon monoxide detector but admitted she didn’t know how to use it since she hadn’t tested it prior to their departure.
She maintained the detector in her bedroom, positioned as far as possible from the suite’s kitchen and water heater.
Alice mentioned that as she was preparing herself one morning, she glanced down and noticed the phrase “three digits” displayed on the CO detector’s screen.
“I can’t recall whether it was in the hundreds, two hundreds, or three hundreds, or something else,” said Alice.
However, it wasn’t until I returned home, emptied my suitcase, and noticed it said 0 that I understood something must have been amiss at the hotel.
Now I feel incredibly foolish because we should have been more cautious. However, we were informed that the other visitors had succumbed to an overdose, which led us not to consider carbon monoxide at all.
The text message from the U.S. Embassy they received on March 7th, the final evening of their trip, was what truly unsettled Jane, Alice, and their companions.
The team had spent the day drinking aboard a boat circling the island when they got back to land and noticed multiple missed calls along with a voicemail urgently asking them to contact the embassy immediately.
A guy friend called, and he was informed that it would be ‘in their best interest to exit the hotel and look for another place to spend the night.’
When the male friend inquired about the reason, the embassy declined to provide further details, stating that it was solely for their safety considerations.
Jane, Alice, and their party went back to the hotel only to discover multiple people in suits stationed in the hotel’s lobby.
A person whom Jane thinks served as Royal Kahal’s general manager told them that the hotel would close for the week. However, they were given the choice to remain until their last night if they deemed it safe enough to stay.
After spending the entire day out partying and having limited options left on such short notice, they opted to spend the night at the hotel.
They were the sole occupants of the premises that evening and departed for the United States the following day.
Alice mentioned that upon returning home, she contacted the embassy and learned that multiple rooms at the hotel had been discovered to have elevated levels of carbon monoxide.
The embassy chose not to comment and directed SANGGRALOKA inquiries to local authorities, who received several requests for clarification.
Over the past few weeks, a toxicology report has verified that Naqqad, Mallah, and El Arar all succumbed to acute pulmonary edema—a buildup of fluid in their lungs—caused by inhaling excessive amounts of carbon monoxide.
The local authorities suspect that a faulty water heater in the ladies’ restroom was responsible for causing their fatalities.
Every woman who was tested showed carbon monoxide saturation levels of approximately 60 percent. Levels as low as 40 percent can be fatal.
In a statement to SANGGRALOKA, a representative from Royal Kahal stated that the fatalities were considered an ‘isolated incident.’ They also mentioned that the hotel has resumed its operations.
The statement, dated March 26, indicated that although the official cause of the tragic incident had not yet been announced by the authorities, early signs suggested that the toxicology report would likely attribute the deaths to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Since the moment this secluded incident came to light, we have taken every conceivable measure to guarantee the safety of the Resort. It has been open to visitors again starting from March 19th.
‘We have collaborated with the Belizean government, and local authorities have carried out several thorough evaluations of each section of the premises. All these inspections confirmed that none of the areas exhibit hazardous concentrations of carbon monoxide.’
This tragedy has profoundly impacted everyone at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort. Our thoughts are with the families and beloved ones of the young women during this immensely challenging period.
The Chief Medical Examiner’s office in the women’s home state of Massachusetts is carrying out a second autopsy for the three individuals, with the process still continuing.
The hotel has yet to comment on what Jane and Alice have claimed.
A comment posted on the hotel’s TripAdvisor page mentioned that another visitor reported “alarmingly high” carbon monoxide levels during their stay in February.
Jane and Alice express feeling immensely fortunate to have experienced just slight symptoms, yet their hearts ache for the families of Naqqad, Mallah, and El Arar.
Their hearts also ache for the family of Miller Gardner.
‘It’s just all so tragic,’ said Jane.
Read more
by admin | Apr 1, 2025 | hotels, tourist attractions, Travel, travel destinations, vacations
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Chris Mooney checks in to the adult-only TUI Blue Seno hotel in Turkey
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EXPLORE FURTHER: Understanding the secret messages embedded in check-in passcodes
Carved into the rockface of the Turquoise Coast in Turkey, the perfectly manicured hotel grounds careen from the top of a secluded cliff to the golden sands below.
At the end of a winding path that curves softly to both sides, a tranquil beach comes into view, nestled securely inside its own secluded bay. A mild wind from the Aegean Sea rustles through as visitors bask in the ideal climate here (approximately 20-25°C during April/May; even warmer during summertime).
This is the adult-only
T
UI Blue Seno hotel, near the town of Sarigerme on Turkey’s southwest coast, a slice of perfection in an area of breathtaking natural beauty.
The approach into the nearby Dalaman Airport – just a 20-minute bus trip away from the small town of Sarigerme – offers a breathtaking dive into an area rich with vegetation and mountains that remains mostly unaltered by contemporary development.
The TUI Blue Seno, too, is a perfect example of conformity to its surroundings. It manages to blend the ancient with the contemporary seamlessly, with its 34 two-storey accommodation buildings, numerous swimming pools and glamorous dining facilities only just discernible in an explosion of colourful blooms and woodland.
During our initial visit to an all-inclusive resort, the Seno went above and beyond to convince us that we had been missing out significantly throughout all those years of managing everything ourselves.
Displaying a masterclass in customer service, exceptional levels of cleanliness and a varied choice of food and drink, it felt like a steal for the price.
Whether you want to just sit and relax on the beach or at any one of the resort’s four pools, or five bars for that matter, or find something more adventurous, Seno has it. The resort also features a spa and a gym.
A range of aquatic activities can be enjoyed here, such as canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, and waterskiing, alongside boat tours to discover the series of coves, bays, and shores scattered along the beautiful Dalaman coastline.
If you are more comfortable on dry land, the hotel has a dedicated entertainment team providing games throughout the day – the regular afternoon volleyball match was a must watch – as well as those which require a little less physical enthusiasm, like seated darts. There are even cooking classes for those not content with being waited on hand and foot.
Maybe you’d rather take a trip to the Blue Lagoon in neighboring Olu Deniz, where a beautiful sandy spit extends into the sapphire waters of the Mediterranean, surrounded by eateries, pubs, and opportunities for even more aquatic activities.
If you’re historically inclined, consider taking a day trip to the archaeological site of Kaunos, which boasts ancient baths and an amphitheater, located approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes away.
Ephesus, formerly the second-largest metropolis of the Roman Empire and regarded as Europe’s most intact ancient city, offers substantial rewards; however, it requires a more extensive trip north along the coastline toward Kuşadası.
For us? This meant a week off from work and an opportunity to rejuvenate. Whether at the beach, the bar, the restaurant, or back in our room, we wandered about freely.
The accommodation, part of the 314 available at the location, was cozy and spotless, situated high up on the cliff face offering breathtaking vistas over the bay.
Regarding the food, those loose-fitting clothes weren’t as spacious when returning home.
The primary buffet restaurant provided an array of delights limited only by imagination: freshly caught seafood, aromatic curries, crisp salads, artisanal pizzas, and even roasted specialties—all prepared just for you upon request.
Even though we were told that nearly all the rooms were reserved, it didn’t feel crowded at all, and the service remained outstanding.
On the shore, plenty of complimentary beds were available, and the Beach Snack restaurant once more provided an extensive selection of pasta, fish, and meat dishes all day long, prepared fresh upon request.
Do not let the sharp incline deter you; a team member was available to transport both us and our baggage between the room and reception using a golf cart.
Additionally, there is a frequent minibus service that operates in a circular route from the top of the resort to the bottom, approximately every 10 minutes, allowing you to disembark at your desired location.
Even the gardeners halted their carts to provide rides if they noticed a guest having difficulty.
The cliffside path is quite steep. Walking down to the main restaurant posed no problem, but ascending back up after enjoying a fulfilling dinner and several glasses of wine proved to be an entirely different challenge.
We were never left without options for getting back to our place of stay.
Additionally, guests could enjoy à la carte meals at the Culinarium restaurant and the Grill House, though reservations were required for both. The panoramic vistas from the Culinarium’s terrace stood out as exceptionally beautiful.
Additionally, the Starlight bar adjacent offers entertainment, and we had a fantastic time when we visited as the group of three singers had filled up the (outdoor) venue.
However, if you’re planning a getaway similar to ours, aimed at escaping the urban chaos and filth for a bit of calm rest, evenings typically wind down early – midnight marks the end of lively activities – and peace is readily available.
It’s obvious really; we’re already making reservations for next year.
TRAVEL FACTS
TUI provides a 7-day beach vacation for two adults at the 4-star resort.
TUI BLUE Seno
In Sarigerme, Turkey, starting at £1,116 per person for departures on June 1, 2025, from London Stansted Airport.
This comprises flights along with accommodation in a double room featuring a balcony, transportation services, and up to 20kg of baggage allowance.
Prices are accurate as of 01/04/2025.
Read more
by admin | Mar 21, 2025 | tourists, Travel, travel destinations, travel recommendations, vacations
To many individuals, spending time off overseas entails filling up a suitcase and staying away for a minimum of a few days, possibly extending to a week or longer.
However, for Monica Stott, just one day is sufficient to travel to another nation, discover its sights, and be back home well before nightfall.
The individual hailing from Wrexham, who is 37 years old, delights in participating in what are now called extreme day trips. They have managed to visit Milan, Bergamo, Lisbon, Amsterdam, and even Reykjavik all within a span of one day each.
Monica remarked, “I believe people are often astonished to discover that you genuinely end up feeling as though you’ve taken a vacation.”
Monica, a dedicated travel blogger, mentioned that the concept of an intense day trip initially came to her mind when she was traveling for her job.
She mentioned that her initial several intense day trips were to Ireland when she had clients in that region.
Often, I would drop by for a one or two-hour meeting and return home. Later, I realized I could extend my visit and turn it into a full-day affair.
Monica subsequently found several Facebook groups where individuals shared their stories about intense day trips, which motivated her to begin scheduling some for herself during her free time.
![]()
Research indicates that many of your greatest vacation memories tend to occur within the initial one or two days. Upon reflection, I concurred with this notion. Often, the finest experiences take place right after arriving.
You make it just in time for breakfast, pack in as much as humanly possible, and then head back home in the evening. It turns into an action-packed, hectic, wild day.
Monica thrives on bustling days spent in a single place, whereas Luka Chijutomi-Ghosh, an 18-year-old student hailing from Cardiff, has pushed the envelope even more.
“On Christmas Eve, I stumbled upon a return flight to Prague for less than £15. I promptly reserved my spot, only to realize later that the flight arrived in Prague at 21:00 and departed back to the UK at 09:00,” explained Luka.
Therefore, I considered treating it like daytime, sleeping during the day and roaming the city at night.
Luka mentioned that he discovered he required just six hours to explore a city.
Several weeks afterward, during his vacation in Paris, he resolved to find out how far he could reach into neighboring nations via train within one day.
He mentioned that he traveled to Luxembourg, Brussels, and Amsterdam, only to return to Paris all in one day.
Luka reasoned that he would likely spend similar amounts of time traveling even if he were on a day trip within the UK.
Communities on Facebook where individuals exchange stories about undertaking intense day trips have garnered hundreds of thousands of members, including some groups dedicated exclusively to local UK airports.
Monica and Luka mentioned that their travels proved to be efficient, cost-effective, and served as welcome interruptions to their daily routines without requiring them to take time off for an entire week.
Monica stated, “People often express their desire to explore locations such as Paris or Rome, yet they lack the resources or leisure time for an extended journey. There’s a solution for this issue.”
For Luka, it’s also a sensible decision.
When I consider my spending on a night out with students, it often reaches as high as £60 or even £70. But if I could secure a round-trip flight for less than £20 and explore an entirely new city, why wouldn’t I do that instead?
Even though Monika and Luka are excited about them, extreme day trips have faced backlash due to their negative effect on the environment.
Aircraft travel contributes to 2.4% of worldwide greenhouse gases and accounts for 8% of the United Kingdom’s emissions.
These gases heat up the atmosphere, playing a role in global warming and climate change.
Monica and Luka both recognize this problem.
Monica stated, “If this leads to significantly more people traveling by air and airlines increasing their flight frequencies, I consider that to have a detrimental effect.”
“But a lot of people doing extreme day trips are doing it because they either can’t afford to take a longer holiday or don’t have time.
It isn’t right to claim that someone else’s vacation is more significant just because their trip lasts longer.
Luka contended that the trips usually proceeded irrespective of circumstances.
He mentioned that the seat would be taken by another person.
Additionally, if an alternative mode of transportation is available, it would be wise to consider it. For instance, during my journey through three different cities, I opted not to fly at all.
Both also said that extreme day trips were appealing due to the high cost of public transport within the UK.
Monica mentioned that her journeys needed thorough preparation.
I generally opt for locations within a two-hour flight duration. Beyond that, the journey tends to feel excessively lengthy.
She also said she tried to stay calm at the airport to avoid unnecessary stress.
“A lot of people get really excited or anxious at the airport, and that can be exhausting,” she said.
Just approach it as you would boarding a train or a bus, and you won’t expend all your energy on pre-holiday jitters.
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The extreme day-trip organizer conquering Europe
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A woman embarks on a journey to Manchester through Spain to cut costs.
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Is climate change causing more severe turbulence?
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A woman journeys to Manchester through Spain to cut costs.
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The extreme day-trip organizer conquering Europe
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Are flights truly set to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and what will this mean for travelers in terms of costs?
by admin | Mar 18, 2025 | home and property, tourist attractions, travel destinations, vacation rentals, vacations
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Vrbo’s Holiday Homes of the Year were chosen based on their impressive facilities and outstanding guest reviews.
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EXPLORE FURTHER: I tested a fully inclusive vacation to determine whether it truly costs less than paying as you go.
The top-tier vacation rentals around the globe have been revealed in a thrilling fresh list.
Chosen by
accommodation provider, Vrbo, the
2025 Top Holiday Houses of the Year
are sure to make you eager to reserve your next adventure.
The houses were chosen due to their ‘remarkable guest reviews’ and ‘unique features’. Every home includes a minimum of three bedrooms ensuring ‘everyone can reside comfortably’, and they are managed by hosts with a history of delivering ‘superior guest services’.
Larry Plawsky, who leads Vrbo as the general manager, states: “Each year, the Vrbo Holiday Homes of the Year motivate travelers to plan their upcoming family vacation, and this 2025 lineup is just as inspiring.”
The vacation rentals featured this year showcase locations with outstanding guest reviews, skilled and committed hosts, as well as impressive spaces that provide highly sought-after features on Vrbo, ranging from private swimming pools to comprehensive entertainment areas.
If you’re searching for a magical Scottish castle, a charming thatched-roof countryside cottage, or perhaps an infinity pool villa, simply browse through to catch a peek at some of the globe’s most extraordinary vacation retreats…
Check out the complete information for all the properties and reserve your spot here:
www.vrbo.com/en-gb/holiday-homes-of-the-year
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