BLOG

Best Beaches in Seychelles

Best Beaches in Seychelles

Seychelles is known for having some of the clearest water, finest beaches, and most striking granite boulders in the worldβ€”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.

Read More
Review: Caravan AlUla by Our Habitas

Review: Caravan AlUla by Our Habitas

There’s something cinematic about arriving in AlUla for the first time. Set deep within the Ashar Valley, this design-led retreat brings a new kind of luxury to the desert: 45 gleaming Airstream caravans, each thoughtfully placed to blend into the Mars-like surroundings. The site itself is more than a place to sleepβ€”it’s a communal experience. Food trucks serve up regional flavours, gathering spaces encourage connection, and activities draw on local Bedouin traditions. For those chasing something different, Caravan AlUla captures the wild beauty of the desert without compromising on comfort.

Read More
Visiting Four Seasons Resort Seychelles for the Day
Seychelles, Africa, Once In A Lifetime, Hotel Reviews Sophie Alexander Seychelles, Africa, Once In A Lifetime, Hotel Reviews Sophie Alexander

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 Β£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.

Read More
50 Photos to Inspire You to Visit AlUla

50 Photos to Inspire You to Visit AlUla

My husband and I were sitting in the otherworldly Our Habitas pool, discussing our top five favourite places we’d ever been. Less than 24 hours in, and we both agreedβ€”this Arabian gem was already at the top of our lists. With the likes of Mount Kilimanjaro, Monument Valley, Four Seasons Seychelles, and Iceland, one thing ties them all together: untouched natural beauty. And AlUla is no exception. It’s as if Monument Valley had a Middle Eastern twin.

Read More
Honeymoon Destinations for 2025

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 β€˜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!)

Read More
Villa Nautica: Luxury Island Resort in The Maldives

Villa Nautica: Luxury Island Resort in The Maldives

As of 2024 there are nearly 200 resorts in The Maldives, so choosing where to stay can be extremely overwhelming. Especially for the honeymooners who have meticulously planned in advance and saved thousands, to go on the most special trip of their life - they don’t want to be disappointed when they arrive.

I was lucky enough to visit The Maldives for my 30th birthday in 2023 - I still can’t believe I can say that! We stayed at the newly upgraded Villa Nautica on the North MalΓ© Atoll, which has been voted the number 1 resort on TripAdvisor for 2024.

Read More
Paradise Islands of Japan
Asia, Japan, Once In A Lifetime Sophie Alexander Asia, Japan, Once In A Lifetime Sophie Alexander

Paradise Islands of Japan

Japan has way more to offer than just bustling cities, culture and incredible food. The country is made up of over 6,000 islands and is surrounded by some of the clearest water in the world. Whilst travelling and working on a cruise ship in 2017, one of our main routes was sailing to three islands in the East China Sea between Taiwan and Japan's mainland. Okinawa, Miyakojima and Ishigaki are all in the Okinawa Prefecture.

Read More
A Guide to Visiting The Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

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.

Read More
A Guide to Visiting Seychelles

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!

Read More
10 Things I Didn’t Know Before Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

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.

Read More
How to Get Your PADI Open Water Scuba Diving Certification

How to Get Your PADI Open Water Scuba Diving Certification

There are many reasons why I call myself a water baby. I learned to swim at age 4 and stayed with the same company until I was swimming competitively for them at aged 16. I then became a lifeguard where I actively worked in the position for 9 years, including countless jobs that took me all over the world, from Japan, China and the USA. In 2014 I then qualified to be a swim coach which is the main reason why I’m now based in the United Arab Emirates.

Read More
A Packing Guide for Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

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. β€˜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.

Read More
Staying in a Bubble Tent in Wadi Rum, Jordan
Jordan, Middle East, Once In A Lifetime, Hotel Reviews Sophie Alexander Jordan, Middle East, Once In A Lifetime, Hotel Reviews Sophie Alexander

Staying in a Bubble Tent in Wadi Rum, Jordan

Have you ever wondered where the movies Martian, Transformers and Lawrence of Arabia were filmed? Wadi Rum is the answer - a Mars-like valley in southern Jordan. The whole landscape makes you feel like you’ve been transported to another planet. The red sand, giant rocks and the crisp starry skies are the stuff of dreams. To get the full experience of Wadi Rum, you can stay at glamping sites tucked away in the extensive desert - managed by Bedouins.

Read More
Jordan 4 Day Itinerary

Jordan 4 Day Itinerary

I’m not going to lie, I didn’t know Jordan existed until a couple of years ago. But now it’s one of the most incredible places I’ve ever visited! I spent 4 nights in Jordan with my partner at the end of November 2019, staying in a different place each night - The Dead Sea, Wadi Rum, Petra and Amman. Our trip consisted of staying in a bubble tent in the middle of the desert, walking 25,000 steps around Petra, floating at the lowest point on earth covered in mud and staying in a 4000-year-old cave.

Read More
A Night in a 4000 Year Old Cave, in Petra Jordan

A Night in a 4000 Year Old Cave, in Petra Jordan

Are you wanting to visit Petra and not sure where to stay? Instead of booking one of the many over-priced hotels, why not add a little adventure to your trip. For only around Β£20 a night, I have the perfect solution for you! The Hakuna Matata Cave in Little Petra is a 15-minute drive away from Petra’s main entrance.

Read More