Every traveller seems to have one. There’s not always a reason for it, but most people will pick a similar place every time they fly. Hubby and I clash because he likes to sit on the left of the plane and I prefer the right. There’s no rhyme or reason as to why we prefer these sides… it just is what it is. So what are you? A window or an aisle person? On the wing for less turbulence? Toward the back because statistically that part of the plane is more likely to remain intact upon impact? (I’d be lying if I said the thought had never crossed my mind) All I can say is that it really does seem to come down to personal preference.
Continue readingTravel
Travelling for work – it’s great… but….
I remember the first time I flew for work. It involved a day trip from Melbourne to Sydney. I was super excited. I felt professional and oh-so glamourous. I wore business-attire (even though it wasn’t at all necessary) and I carried only a handbag.
And the bubble popped.
Continue reading10 surprising things that might happen to you on a group tour

Group tours – love em or hate em – they definitely have their positive and negative attributes. I personally love group tours for exploring countries less travelled or conquering a lot of distance in a short time period. But I understand they’re not for everyone. Still, regardless of what side of the fence you sit on, some surprising things can happen when you’re actually in the moment – so if you’re thinking about embarking on group travel, take care to beware the following things: Continue reading
Group Tours – Survival Tips
I have a friend who is a seasoned solo traveller, and only recently embarked on her first group tour. While most people are anxious about the thought of travelling alone, she was more concerned about problems that might arise from being stuck in a group!

Group travel can be wonderful (Jorden/Syria/Turkey 2011… unforgettable), but it can also be challenging (Egypt 2011 shortly after the revolution). Whether you’re put in a group you feel you have nothing in common with, your roomie is particularly annoying, or when group dynamics just don’t work. Tours are the perfect solution for places that are a little more difficult to navigate, or if you just want guaranteed company. But they’re not always peachy. So here’s some tips on how to make the best of one.
Homeward bound – the push and pull of ‘the new’ over ‘the familiar’

The lead-up to any holiday is exciting, the lead-up to a trip home when you live overseas is something else entirely.
On one hand, you’re super excited to be heading back into familiar territory, to have the chance to talk properly to people who have known you your whole life and understand your subtle nuances … and just the opportunity, to put it simply… to feel less isolated.
On the other hand, you’re just going home. You’ve been there before – many times. You grew up there. It can hardly be called a holiday, right?
Short Trips – Paris – two strikes and you’re out
Paris – the romantic capital of the world, right?
Sorry, not for this chick!
It’s not like I had an especially bad time in Paris the first time I was there, it just wasn’t overly memorable compared to all the other amazing cities I’d seen.

When the opportunity came up to go there again, just for the weekend, I originally baulked at the idea. See, I guess I’ve become part-European. I thought to myself, it seems like a lot of hard work, driving 10 minutes to the airport to go to Paris just for two nights. Of course, I soon realised my mistake – any opportunity to do these things shouldn’t be passed up – who knows how long I’ll be here!

