Holiday Post 1: Vegas to the Grand Canyon

It’s been just over two weeks since we got back from our holiday of a lifetime, and despite being desperate to share what we did and what we saw I’ve been struggling to put it in to words.

We started our adventure on the 31st of May when we headed up to The Hilton at Heathrow Terminal 5- we had booked a park and fly package which worked out brilliantly for us. It was only about £30 more to do it that way than it was to drive up in the early hours of the Saturday morning and park at Terminal 2 and it was a fantastic, luxury start to our holiday. Getting to Terminal 2 was a doddle in the morning and we were far more relaxed than if we’d had to leave our house at 3am!

We flew with United Airlines who were fantastic, we missed our connection to Las Vegas from Chicago due to a delay in London, but once we landed we found we only actually lost an hour and had been booked on to the next flight.

Landing in Las Vegas was insane- straight away you’re greeted with Slot Machines, and as first time visitors to the USA everything was larger than life. We were exhausted at this point and were desperate to get to our hotel. A short Uber ride later and we arrived at The Four Seasons where Bob had booked us a suite.

The Four Seasons is above the Mandalay Bay hotel and has it’s own private entrance, making it one of the few hotels on the strip where you don’t have to walk through a Casino. This was much welcomed after our first full day, and whilst we technically didn’t need a suite, it was a beautiful sanctuary after the heat and madness that is the strip!
The hotel is located at the far end of the strip (near the Luxor) making it a little quieter than some we saw. It’s so easy to get anywhere you want in Vegas- either using the monorail or Uber so we didn’t feel we had missed out by not being more central.

We only had two full days in Vegas, but it felt like enough. Evidently we took very few photos as we were just flat out overwhelmed by the sheer enormity of the place, and it felt like by whipping out the camera we were constantly in someone’s way.
Mostly we spent our days walking around various hotels and casinos, but we did take a short trip to the Las Vegas North Premium Outlets which we highly recommend for designer bargains. I picked up the Kate Spade bag and wallet you see above for a mere £103!

With so little time we didn’t get chance to really explore the culinary scene, and the restaurants within casinos were very pricey. We mostly stuck to chains- PF Changs was a hit, however we had an excellent meal in Citizens within the Mandalay Bay- the New York Strip steak and Fish Tacos were divine!

On our last morning in Vegas we picked up our rental car (highly recommend Sixt) and headed to our next destination- Flagstaff in Arizona.
Obviously we had to stop at the Hoover Dam on the way, although it was 40 degrees out so we limited our time there to an hour of very sweaty walking.
The Dam itself is a breathtaking sight, it’s entirely man made and mind-boggling to think about how it was achieved.

Driving in America was something we didn’t tire of the entire trip. 12 hours in the car was no big deal when there was so much to take in. We were blown away by the sheer amount of open space and just how much you can see!
The drive to Flagstaff was our first time on the road and the rules of the road took some getting used to. Once we settled in and got the music blaring we just enjoyed the crazy scenery.

We spent about four hours driving that day before we hit our home for the night- the Twin Arrows resort just outside of Flagstaff. We had already dined on the road – why is Chick-Fil-A not a thing in the UK? Their waffle fries are insane! We were exhausted at this point and after a brief explore turned in for the night ready to be up early the next day for a drive to see the Grand Canyon and then make the epic trek back down through Arizona and in to California.

The Grand Canyon is one of the most insane things I’ve ever seen in my life. It’s just breathtaking. We weren’t really prepared for how busy it would be though, and by the time we had parked and walk to the viewing point it was lunch time and heaving. We had to cut our visit short, with a ten hour drive ahead of us, but it was well worth the heat and the crowds. If we’d had more time in Vegas I think we’d definitely have done an organised trip to see more of it, but just the snippet we did see left us blow away.

We then hopped back in to our car and started driving. And driving, and driving. We spent much of the day going through Mojave desert which is somewhere I have wanted to see for the longest time. It was a balmy 44 degrees when the above photo was taken and I had just made the mistake of googling local wildlife (pro tip- don’t!)
After a USA sized bucket of icy cold drink it was back in the car and on to Ventura, California.

Stay tuned for the next installment!



I’m Engaged!

Just when I thought our dream holiday couldn’t get any more perfect (and rest assured, there are a few holiday re-cap posts in the works), Bob asked me to marry him in a secluded nook by the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail.

I didn’t hesitate in accepting. Tears (of joy) were shed.

It was the most perfect proposal, and a complete bolt out of the blue for me. He filled me on how he made it happen, which made some little bits of oour holiday suddenly make sense, but I honestly didn’t see this one coming (although it seems most of my friends and family had an inkling). He did such an amazing job pulling it off and for picking such a beautiful ring- you can’t see but it has a sapphire nestled under the diamond so I already have my “something blue”.

It happened almost ten days ago and it still feels very surreal, partly, I suspect to the four day jet-lag marathon we seem to be running.

I’m so excited to spend the rest of my life with this man.

Exploring The Algarve & my new favourite Bikini

I’m currently on week two of a much needed break from work, and whilst this week is filled with more practical things (like attempting to conjure up blog content and doing a block booking of driving lessons), last week Bob and I spent five glorious days exploring the Algarve.

Neither of us had been to Portugal before and weren’t entirely sure what to expect. It’s certainly a beautiful part of the world, and everyone we met was so friendly and welcoming.
We hired a car for the duration of our trip, which was essential as the villa we were staying it was in quite a remote location, but it gave us the freedom to explore many of the towns and cities along the coast and we certainly packed a lot in to our short trip. The Algarve Shopping centre was a great stop when seeking respite from the sun, and evening beach strolls might just be our new favourite activity.

We didn’t spend an awful lot of time on the beach, we were more keen to explore the area- and I managed to get epic sunburn on the first day which meant keeping covered was key (and yes, I was slathered in sun cream, but foolishly thought factor 30 would be ok on my english rose skin!). What time we did spend on the beach was mostly based at Praia dos Salgados, by far our favourite stretch of sand as it was somehow less crowded than the other beaches we tried and had a gorgeous nature reserve behind it were we wandered happily spotting turtles in the water.

It was here we photographed my new favourite bikini c/o UK Swimwear. Braving a bikini was a huge deal for me as this was the first time I’ve ever been abroad at anything even remotely resembling a healthy weight. Thankfully this beautifully detailed bikini by Piha helped persuade me. I love the unique back strap detail and the flattering crop top style. I wasn’t brave enough to go full bikini on the blog so slung on some ASOS jersey shorts at the last minute, but you get the idea.
This was my most worn bikini of the holiday, and whilst I might have once balked at nearly £60 for a set, this has convinced me it’s worth investing.

We’d definitely go back to The Algarve. There is so much more we want to see and do – and eat! We had some absolutely amazing food out there, and if anyone is planning on heading near Albufeira this year then both Bob and I 100% recommend taking a trip to Galé and having dinner at Massa Fina– it might not be traditional Portugese food, but this was hands down the best pasta (me) and Calzone (Bob) that we’ve ever had. You will need to book a table, but it’s 100% worth it.

Where have you been holidaying this year? I had intended to make more of this post by sharing a lot more photos, but it turns out we were so busy having fun and taking in our surroundings that we barely took any- what kind of blogger am I?

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Handy Hints for Handling Travel Delays and Cancellations*

Regardless of whether you travel regularly or not, there’s a good chance that you’ll end up experiencing a flight delay or cancellation at some point in your life. Unfortunately, though our airlines are currently more innovative, and well-organised than ever, they’re not immune to the everyday issues that can cause all of us a little trouble. Anything from a technology issue, to a strike, or even a sudden thunderstorm could leave your flight grounded.
There may be nothing that you can do to eliminate your chances of suffering from a flight delay or cancellation completely. However, the good news is that there are steps you can take to make sure that you come through the experience with as little stress as possible. Here are our top tips.

Photo by Michał Parzuchowski on Unsplash

Travel Light and keep your Info Handy

First up, although there are some trips that you’ll need to pack heavily for – a month-long vacation with the whole family or a gap year for example, but there are other journeys that you can take with less weight on your back. Not only will travelling light make your experience more comfortable but it could make it easier to hop onto the next available flight faster when yours is cancelled.
Ultimately, the airline reps are going to place people who don’t have baggage to find on flights first because they’re less hassle to deal with. Keep all your belongings in one place and you’ll be ready to go at a moment’s notice. Make sure you have all your flight information at hand too so that you can offer up your details in an instant.

Switch on Your Smartphone

Most of us go everywhere with our technology these days so making sure you have your smartphone with you for your next flight shouldn’t be too much of a hassle. However, it’s worth making sure that you have an extra battery pack or charger handy just in case you’re held up.
When you’re hit by a flight delay or cancellation a phone comes in handy by making sure that you’re not stuck in a long line of other people who are complaining about the same thing as you. Get in touch with the airline reps in a different way- by calling their number, or reaching out on social media instead. Some air companies will even have their own apps that you can download and use to get faster customer service.

Know Your Rights

In the UK and across Europe if the flight delay or cancellation you suffer from was caused by something that the airline could control, and it lasts longer than three hours then you should be eligible for some compensation. The best thing you can do is find out as much as you can about your airline’s compensation policy by checking out their website – you can even read up before your flight if it helps.
Additionally, make sure that you keep hold of all the information you might need to make a claim when you get back home – including the names of the people you speak to and any receipts for food or drinks you buy in the airport.

Research Your Options

If you’re going to be on your phone anyway, then you might as well use the time you have to learn as much as you can about what’s going on with your flight. Find out why your plane has been grounded, and whether the cause is going to impact any of the other airlines that come to your airport. If the reason for your cancellation or delay is something that has nothing to do with the weather or something similar then you might be able to find an alternative flight with another airline.
If you can’t wait around for your airline rep to find a solution for you then you can always present the option you have found to them and see whether they can help you out with it.

Keep Your Mind Occupied and Calm
Finally, if your flight has been delayed or cancelled it’s important not to let it ruin your entire trip. One little hiccup doesn’t spell disaster. Take the extra time you have to relax, explore the airport, or even make some new friends by talking to someone in the same situation as you. If you’re travelling a long way and you’re exhausted you could even catch up on some shut-eye if you can find a safe place to rest.
Keeping yourself calm and entertained will also mean that you’re less likely to throw a tantrum and ruin your chances of getting a quick solution to your problem too.

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Exploring Canada’s Eastern Lands*

Canada remains a relatively untouched country for UK travellers, ands somewhere I personally would love to visit. Perhaps it’s because the US is more familiar, or because Canada is so big, but it’s a trip that few some to make. But this should change, for one simple reason: Canada is amazing! From the wonders of the east, to the stunningly flat middle, to the mountains and vibe of the west, it’s a country that has something for everyone. And if you’re worried about the flight time, don’t be: the eastern coast is one of the shortest transatlantic flights available! Below, we take a look at some of the exciting destinations located in the eastern portion of the country.

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Big City Fun

Toronto isn’t really in keeping with the rest of Canada. It’s a big city…that acts and looks like a big city! Indeed, the skyscrapers of the city mean it’s often used as a shooting alternative to New York City. Take a trip there, and you’ll find there’s much to see and do, from theatre shows to art galleries to sports events. Beware, though, the temperatures can get pretty chilly in the winter time (which can last for five months).

French Influenced City

People tend to think that the coolest Canadian city is Vancouver, but those people clearly haven’t been to Montreal. This is where it’s at! This is the city that produced Arcade Fire, and where Kit Harrington (Jon Snow from Games of Thrones) parties during the summer. There’s plenty of attractions, galleries, and museums, but the best way to experience the city is just to wander around and soak up the atmosphere. There are plenty of cafes, craft beer pop-ups, and delicious restaurants to keep you busy, as well as plenty of live music.

The Eastern Coast

The Eastern Coast of Canada is filled with natural beauty gems, small towns, and cities. Book yourself into Delta Hotels Beausejour, and spend some time exploring the area. The region is noted for its delicious seafood, dunes, dramatic cliffs, and wildlife viewings. While you’re there, make sure you check out some live music; this part of Canada has an interesting musical heritage, and it’s uncommon to hear traditional Celtic songs. There’s also St. John’s, which is the oldest city in North America!


The Thousand Islands Region

Love nature, and want to spend as much time as possible in it? Then check out the Thousand Islands region. It’s best in the summer when the region looks at its best and is teeming with events and activities. There are some thirty miles of trails that pass through creeks, woodlands, and nature preserves, so don’t forget your hiking boots!

Natural Beauty

Finally, don’t think that all the grand examples of natural beauty are in the west! They’re not. Eastern Canada is of course home to one of the world’s great sights, Niagara Falls. Pay a visit, go for a walk, and get lost in the captivating beauty of this dramatic spectacle. It’s better in the summer, but impressive whenever you go!

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