Travel Charm

30/10/2020

One year ago today I left St Jean Pied de Port, France setting out on the Camino Frances. It was pouring rain. Little did I know the rain would be a common theme throughout the 800km trek to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. I knew the journey would change me in some way. I just didn't know what how incredibly hard, painful, inspiring and life changing it would actually be. I am still overwhelmed by the experience. I am so grateful to have done it.

27/05/2020

Hi all, I hope you are well and coping as best as you can during these strange times. For me, life has not changed too much for which I am very grateful. When ceasing activity on Travel Charm I promised to unlock all the travel resource downloads so you can directly download them and not sign in or subscribe. So, if you are thinking of planning a trip in preparation for the world reopening then please go ahead and download. I am so happy to no longer have to think about this from a business perspective and just give away my travel planning tools. Enjoy!

Free downloads of invaluable travel planning resources to help you plan your next trip with ease and avoid overwhelm.

22/04/2020

Hi there, my sincerest apologies that it has been so long since I have posted.

A lot has happened in our world, but also with me. I have made a decision I never thought I would, and that is to no longer actively continue with Travel Charm.

It is a decision I made quickly, but not lightly, prior to the world going into lockdown. I had been wrestling with some lessons I had learnt on the Camino and quite frankly, had no idea the direction they would lead me.

Firstly, I want to say the biggest thank you from the bottom of my heart for those of you who have followed along with me on my travels and who have been a part of my Travel Charm family for the last nine years.

I cannot put into words how much I appreciate you.

Even though I am passionate about travel, and will continue to do so when I can, I am also passionate about home. I have struggled to combine the two.

My new website allows me to do it all, so to speak. It combines all my passions and for now, will be a blog where I can share what I'm up to.

If you would like to take a look you at the website, you can click the link below which will take you to the blog post that explains all. I also have a new page Life Outside the Box

Feel free to like the page if it resonates with you.

For now, the Travel Charm website is still up. Ironically, I finally love how it looks! All the resources are still there and over time I will take away the sign up pages and allow direct downloads of all the itineraries, guides and checklists.

Once you read the blog post you will understand that I am a little busy at the moment working outside.

Thank you, it means a lot that you have been here, and I hope to see some of you on the other side.

No. But it sure feels like I am heading in the right direction. My decision to become a full-time gardener and explore permaculture and self-sufficiency.

16/03/2020

Looks like an amazing place to get away from it all!

Manshausen Island's glass hotel room, Norway sounds pretty good right about now. Manshausen Island is a private island sitting above the Arctic Circle, and the resort that's been built on it features a series of stunning seacabins that give a whole new meaning to the phrase "room with a view."

09/03/2020

Do you have a dream or a plan?

08/03/2020

We had such a great day at the Tiny House Carnival at St Ives today. Food for thought. The simple things in life seem to be calling me a lot lately.

07/03/2020

A gorgeous town on the Rhine.

Time spent in Bacharach, Germany a beautiful medieval town on the Rhine. A guide to staying in Bacharach with suggestions of what to do and see.

06/03/2020

A special weekend for me. A close friend I met on the Camino has come to visit. The friendships made on the Camino are unlike any other. She is a huge part of my journey. Travelling solo has been hard to do and I was frightened to make the jump. But, travelling solo makes you connect with people in a way you might not otherwise do.

06/03/2020

I love this photo. Sadly, I didn't explore the town of Portomarin because I had been too sick (gastro bug kept me in my room) but the location on the river is gorgeous. I was finally well enough to walk on this morning and as I walked away from the town the colours of the sky and river just got me. It ended up being a tough day, but I met a lovely Italian man, Adelchi, who I walked on and off with for the last days into Santiago. It is one of my favourite photos. Do you have a favourite that sparks joy? Please share, I would love to see.

04/03/2020

Food for thought if you are wondering whether you should cancel your travel plans. Everyone needs to decide for themselves, of course. But I do think things need to be put into perspective. The media has a lot to answer for and one of the reasons I stopped watching mainstream media years ago. And after the toilet paper fiasco here in Australia I really think things are getting out of hand. Find out the facts and make decisions based on those. Not what the media is reporting.

04/03/2020

What is the most important thing for you when researching accommodation? For me, it close proximity to things so I can walk and don't have to catch public transport, cheap but clean, and if I can get something where I have access to a kitchen so I can prepare a lot of my meals, even better. I have found hotels with a kitchenette, or apartments and recently hostels. I stayed in a fabulous hostel in Leon, Spain that was mere steps from the cathedral, had a communal kitchen and very comfortable beds. So, what are your priorities and why?

03/03/2020

What do you think? Assuming you could book one, would you pay the extra for a few hours laying down? I would have to see how much extra it would be, but it's tempting.

Air New Zealand has filed patent and trademark applications for the "Economy Skynest" -- the result of three years of research, development and testing. Here's a first look at what passengers can expect.

02/03/2020

One from the archives when I mastered the art of Packing Light. Who knew I would go on the pack just carry on only! https://bit.ly/2I8Nyuv/

02/03/2020

When I talked about the things I dreamed of doing or the places I wanted to go, my Mum would always say, "How are you going to do that?". It always quashed my daydreams. These days I don't know or care how I will achieve my dreams. I just keep dreaming and somehow they keep happening. :)

29/02/2020

Live with no excuses and travel with no regrets.

29/02/2020

An oldie but a goody. We still laugh over this experience. Have you been glamping? Was it better than our experience?

Our weekend experience "glamping".

29/02/2020

Love it. If you think that people would prefer company if they had the choice, read the comments on the original post. So many travellers who love being on their own. I have to say I am a convert. Though there are benefits to travelling with others too.

For anyone who feels uncomfortable dining alone, consider this. ;)

28/02/2020

My friend is moving to Edinburgh. I think I will have to go and visit her :) Safe travels Sandy x

27/02/2020

What dreams are you chasing this year?

26/02/2020

A number of years ago we spent a week in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. It rained a lot of the week but we were cosy in a cabin at the Camping Jungfrau. On one of the better days, we took the cable car up to Murren then another cable car back down to the other end of the valley. Lauterbrunnen is known as the valley of 72 waterfalls. On our walk back we visited Trummelbach falls, huge falls inside the cliff, watched base jumpers (about 4 of them) - scary to watch, and walked back through the fields. It is a glorious place and one I would highly recommend. If you like hiking there are many trails to explore.

26/02/2020

The delightful town of St Jean Pied de Port. Also the start for many walking the Camino. Regardless, it is worth exploring.

A gorgeous town nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees and starting point for many walking the Camino Frances.

25/02/2020

Ok. They are done. The Meetup Groups have been created, I am just waiting on the Sutherland area one to be approved. I have created a Blue Mountains Travel Club, Illawarra/South Coast Travel Club and a Sutherland Travel Club. You can follow the link below to my member profile and find the three groups below. I would love it if you joined one! I am working out dates for the first events. They should be posted in the next week. https://bit.ly/3a2eVSJ

Find Meetups and meet people in your local community who share your interests.

25/02/2020

In case you missed it, My Winter Camino Experience.

Walking a Winter Camino is very different from Summer. Find out what you need to know as a solo female traveller before you walk in winter.

24/02/2020

It's a glorious day! Went for a bigger than usual walk (now I need a nap!). Ended up at Govetts Leap. No surprise there. I was feeling a need for some quiet contemplation but two girls and a drone put an end to that. Guess I'm not meant to get into deep thought today.

24/02/2020

Tuscany is filled with quaint villages and beautiful cities like Florence. But have you been to Arezzo? The perfect day trip from Florence but also a wonderful city to stay in and explore.

A day spent exploring Arezzo in Tuscany. A 15 minute train ride from Cortona and under an hour from Florence. A city with a modern vibe yet an ancient past.

23/02/2020

I see people asking about safety when they travel, a lot. Here are my 10 ways I stay safe when travelling.

Learn how to stay safe when you travel and overcome those nerves and worries.

20/02/2020

I met Caro Ryan from Lotsafreshair a few weeks ago and since then I have been reading her blog posts and watching her Youtube videos. They are fantastic! So, as you may know if you've been following this page for a while, I was not a walker or hiker. But since walking the Camino I am much more interested in getting out there. So, although I don't have confidence in the bush, apart from walking some of the trails, I am slowly coming around to hiking, and camping overnight. Not sure when, but slowly, slowly. For now, I will keep educating myself by watching Caro's videos. Take a look and let me know what you think.

Bushwalking and Hiking Tips from an Unexpected Outdoors Chick. LotsaFreshAir is all about the ‘how to’ of having adventures in the great outdoors.

20/02/2020

I need your help! I am almost organised with my Meetups. I have venues in mind in the Blue Mountains, Sutherland and Illawarra/South Coast areas (more can be added). At first, I will keep the topic general, we can talk about anything travel-related, but I am keen to dive deeper into some topics. I have had an interest in a Camino Meetup but I understand that is not relevant to everyone. So please let me know what topics interest you. I can do demonstrations, provide information and handouts. I will also post the topics discussed online either here on the page, in a FB group or via email.

19/02/2020

I have been cleaning up my photos and have found myself lingering over my Italian folder. So many photos. I really would love to get back, but there are so many other places in the world I want to visit as well. Oh, and there are the two other Caminos that I am considering! Crazy! But anyway, I love this one of the rooftops in Orvieto. Would love to see any favourite Italian photos you have. Future inspiration for all of us.