DESTINATION GUIDES
The Ultimate Aswan Bucket List: Top Places to Visit and Explore
Aswan is a small city in southern Egypt, known for its temples, islands, and links to Nubian culture. It’s a common stop on Nile cruises and an easy base for visiting major sites like Philae Temple and Abu Simbel. The city is walkable, affordable, and less chaotic than Cairo or Alexandria, making it a good place to slow down while still seeing key parts of ancient Egypt. I wasn’t expecting Aswan to be so naturally beautiful—the Nile is wide and calm here, with rocky islands and desert landscapes on either side. The Nubian people are incredibly welcoming, and the food is fantastic. Life here feels simple, with small boats being the main way to get around.
Review: Staying at Marriott Mena House, Cairo
This isn't the result of a viral post making the rounds on social media - Marriott Mena House in Cairo has been captivating visitors for over a century. Nestled just down the road from the Great Pyramids of Giza, this iconic hotel is the pinnacle of ancient history and luxury, offering guests a front-row seat to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. If the Great Pyramids are on your bucket list - as they are for so many - then Mena House is the perfect place to stay, while you give this extraordinary wonder, one big tick.
Exploring Luxor: The World's Greatest Open-Air Museum
Nestled on the banks of the mighty Nile River, Luxor is often described as the world’s greatest open-air museum — and it’s easy to see why. This ancient city is a treasure trove of history, where every corner reveals stories carved in stone and echoes of a civilisation that shaped the course of human history. From the towering columns of Karnak Temple to the mysterious tombs hidden deep within the Valley of the Kings, Luxor offers an unforgettable journey through time.
The Ultimate Cairo Travel Guide: Best Places to Stay, Eat and Explore
Cairo is exactly what you expect — and yet, it still manages to surprise you. Loud, hot, completely alive. The kind of city that doesn’t ease you in gently, it just sweeps you up in its chaos and colour. One minute you’re weaving through traffic that somehow works without rules, the next you’re standing still beneath the Pyramids, barely believing they’re real. It’s gritty and grand all at once, with layers of history, street noise, spice and smoke. And somehow, it all just works. Whether it’s your first time or your fifth, Cairo always gives you something unexpected.
Best Beaches in Seychelles
Seychelles is known for having some of the clearest water, finest beaches, and most striking granite boulders in the world—a true island paradise scattered across the Indian Ocean. Whether tucked behind a luxury resort or hidden at the end of a hiking trail, every beach in Seychelles is public, meaning you’re free to explore them all. From postcard-perfect coves to long, shallow bays ideal for swimming, snorkelling and diving, the islands offer something for every kind of beachgoer.
Review: Riu Palace Zanzibar
Tucked away on the northwest coast of Zanzibar, Riu Palace Zanzibar is a luxurious adults-only, all-inclusive resort that looks out over the island’s iconic turquoise waters. We visited last July for our mini-moon, and it was exactly the kind of place we’d hoped for—peaceful, romantic, and effortlessly beautiful. Zanzibar itself feels like a tropical dream, with white sand beaches, crystal-clear shallows, and sunsets that light up the sky in every shade of gold. For honeymooners looking for a mix of laid-back luxury and postcard-perfect surroundings, this is an easy one to recommend.
Visiting Four Seasons Resort Seychelles for the Day
Perched above the turquoise curve of Petite Anse, nestled within Mahé’s lush jungle hills, Four Seasons Seychelles is one of the most exclusive resorts in the world. Known for its private hillside villas, impeccable service and £2,000+ per night price tag, this is the kind of place most only dream of staying. But what many don’t realise is that you don’t actually have to book a villa to enjoy it for the day.
Honeymoon Destinations for 2025
If you’re on the hunt for honeymoon inspiration, just like my hubby and I - then you’ve come to the right place. We got married in April 2024, and had our ‘mini-moon’ a few months later in July. We spent 4 nights in Zanzibar which was exactly what we needed after a long year of wedding planning. But we both said we would save our big honeymoon for 2025, with plans in place to spend 3 weeks exploring South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia. Sorry I don’t have inspiration for these destinations - yet! But watch this space! (I can’t wait!)
A Guide to Visiting The Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
On everyone’s bucket list - right? I studied Ancient Egypt in primary school and remember being completely obsessed with the subject. Pharaohs, Pyramids, Hieroglyphics, all of it. I was intrigued that artefacts and mummies are constantly being discovered and the Pyramids are still standing after 4,500 years.
A Guide to Visiting Seychelles
Seychelles is famous for its beautiful beaches, iconic boulders, scuba diving spots, mountainous hikes, and plus the native Seychellois people are incredible cooks! The country is made up of 115 islands, located off the coast of Kenya in the Indian Ocean. Just think of The Maldives - but way more fun!
Scuba Diving with Mirage Divers in Dahab, Egypt
I never thought in a million years I would ever scuba dive, let alone think my first experience would be in Egypt. We dived with Mirage Divers in Dahab, which are known for being one of the best diving companies in the country. Dahab is a small, laid-back, beach town on the southeast coast of the Sinai Peninsula and only an hours drive from Sharm el-Sheikh. It’s the perfect place to relax for a few days and to ‘get happy’.
10 Things I Didn’t Know Before Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is one of those trips which you can’t explain to anybody. Your own individual experience and journey will not be the same as anyone else’s. The feelings, emotions and the physical and mental torture that you have to put yourself through to get to the summit, will change the perspective of your entire life.
26 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Alexandria, Egypt
One of the oldest cities in the world and Egypt’s second largest after the capital, Cairo. Located in the north of the country, on the Mediterranean Sea. Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great - hence the name. The population of the city is only 5.3 million, compared to London’s 10 million. It may have half the number of people, but it certainly feels like WAY more.
A Packing Guide for Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
A packing guide that will save your life - quite literally.
After six months of planning, researching, training and spending all my mula on equipment and hiking gear, I felt ready to take on the roof of Africa. I remember my mum dragging me around all the typical sports and outdoor shops. ‘Soph, you’ll need a warm jacket, walking boots, gloves, backpack…’ - the list felt endless. To be fair, I was taking on my first, solo hiking challenge and I had to be ready.
42 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Egypt
I first travelled to Egypt back in August 2019 for a family wedding in Cairo. We then went on to explore Dahab which is a small ‘hippy’ coastal town, an hours drive from Sharm El Sheikh. Instantly, I was totally blown away by the country’s history, architecture and natural beauty.