Self Care
London has the potential to be overwhelming so when the opportunity arises, a trip to Kew Gardens is always a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of the city and working life. The gardens are just 30 minutes from the city centre but a world apart in terms of air quality and open space (things most Londoners crave, even if they don't realise it!). You feel transported and suddenly in touch with nature as you wander around the beautiful Victorian greenhouses and outdoor parks.
Entry is cheaper when booked online. An adult ticket costs £16.50, local residents pay slightly less and there are concessions and student tickets for £8.00 too. So if you're feeling overwhelmed, Kew is a really inexpensive day out and the perfect place to relax and reconnect with yourself. I decided to take a day off work a few weeks ago and visited Kew for the first time since I was a child. The trip did wonders for my mental state, so let these pictures inspire you to take some time off for yourself as well.
A Day in London's Royal Botanical Kew Gardens
Entry is cheaper when booked online. An adult ticket costs £16.50, local residents pay slightly less and there are concessions and student tickets for £8.00 too. So if you're feeling overwhelmed, Kew is a really inexpensive day out and the perfect place to relax and reconnect with yourself. I decided to take a day off work a few weeks ago and visited Kew for the first time since I was a child. The trip did wonders for my mental state, so let these pictures inspire you to take some time off for yourself as well.
Backpacking
Featured
Morocco
From the bustling hive of activity that is the central Medina in Marrakesh to the relaxed, cool surf scene of Essaouira, Morocco is perfect for backpackers. The cities are full to the brim with culture, delicious food and interesting architecture and surrounding them are pristine deserts and rugged mountain ranges ready to be explored. There is something for everyone in this North African jewel. I recommend keeping it simple on a 10 day trip, you want to see a lot but get a feel for the places you visit. So here is my 10 day backpacking itinerary for Morocco with a few extra stops which you can add if you are lucky enough to have a little longer to explore.
Morocco has a turbulent history. Constantly being invaded by different countries, each has left behind various influences. You will find a unique blend of Mediterranean, African, Berber, Arab, Jewish and French traditions and people speaking Arabic, Berber, French and Spanish! English is also widely understood and the friendly Moroccan hospitality means you're unlikely to feel out of your depth. However, the cities are an assault on the senses, bartering is expected and if you're blonde you will attract some unwanted attention. It took me a few days to get used to but once I had, I was able to enjoy everything Morocco has to offer!
BASE 1 - MARRAKESH
Marrakesh - this backpacking itinerary for Morocco starts in Marrakesh, where I started my trip. Most international flights, certainly the cheapest when coming from the UK, land in Marrakesh Menara Airport so it makes sense to explore the capital first. I recommend finding a beautiful traditional Riad in the centre of the city near the Medina so that everything is in walking distance. It also means you'll have an easily accessible escape from the intensity of this city.
Where to stay:
Riad Tamarrakecht - beautiful building and delicious breakfasts
Riad Alili - highest rated on Booking.com by guests
Les Trois Cours - amazing location
Ouzoud Waterfalls - The Atlas mountains are definitely worth exploring. From your base in Marrakesh, you can visit the Ouzoud Waterfalls as a day trip. I organised mine through my Riad. The trip, which included transport both ways, a guide for the day and lunch, cost £20. You could go without a guide but in this instance, I'd recommend one unless there is a particular hike you want to do. We stopped multiple times to swim in the rivers, paddled out under the huge waterfalls and saw plenty of beautiful views over the mountains.
Essaouira - especially important for Game of Thrones fans and surfers, you have to include Essaouira in your backpacking itinerary for Morocco! I visited the little port town as a day trip from Marrakesh as I didn't have any surfing planned. However, you could spend longer here and get a later bus back to Marrakesh or further up the coast depending on your plans. It was very beautiful and the fresh Atlantic air was amazing after the stifling heat of the city.
BASE 2 - TANGIER
Tangier - from Marrakesh you catch the overnight train to Tangier. Compartments contain four beds (two bunks) so if there are four of you it is ideal. The trains are really reliable, cheap and very fun. In Tangier, finding a traditional Riad is a little harder so here you either stay in a hostel or hotel depending on your budget. There is a lot to do and see in Tangier to keep you busy.
Where to stay:
Dar Chams Tanja - highest rated on Booking.com and almost a Riad
Hotel Continental - where I stayed! Reasonable price and great history
Baytalice - highest rated on Hostel World
Chefchaouen - this is a must do day trip from Tangier and any backpacking itinerary for Morocco. If you have time, it is worth an overnight stay so you can hike to Akchour Waterfalls. The town is located in the Rif Mountains of Northern Morocco and is famously painted entirely blue. In the centre is a small Kasbah which is surrounded by winding streets, souks and locals weavers on Berber looms.
Asilah - a day spent in Asilah is the perfect, most relaxing way to end the trip. It was built by colonial Portuguese and the Medina is entirely fortified, surrounded by 15th century, whitewashed walls. Here you can enjoy much cleaner beaches than in Tangier. There were also lots of camels cooling off in the sea and locals riding horses along the endless stretches of sand. It is a haven for art lovers as well. Artists from across the globe flock in to paint their murals on the walls of the town.
Clothing - Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country so it is best to cover your shoulders to be respectful especially when entering mosques. I went in September and it was sweltering so I covered up to stop getting burnt too.
Catcalling - As I mentioned before, it took me a few days to get used to all the unwanted attention I received from men during my time in Morocco. They were pretty relentless but you get used to brushing them off. Because I am blonde I also found people were quite interested in my hair but again I got used to it. Overall the catcalling was pretty harmless. Check out my post on dealing with unwanted attention if you are worried.
Morocco is a great place to backpack. In fact this was my first ever backpacking trip which I took with three school friends before starting university. It is well travelled and an exciting country to explore. I'm sure you'll have an amazing time, whatever route you take!
Simple 10 Day Backpacking Itinerary for Morocco
From the bustling hive of activity that is the central Medina in Marrakesh to the relaxed, cool surf scene of Essaouira, Morocco is perfect for backpackers. The cities are full to the brim with culture, delicious food and interesting architecture and surrounding them are pristine deserts and rugged mountain ranges ready to be explored. There is something for everyone in this North African jewel. I recommend keeping it simple on a 10 day trip, you want to see a lot but get a feel for the places you visit. So here is my 10 day backpacking itinerary for Morocco with a few extra stops which you can add if you are lucky enough to have a little longer to explore.
Morocco has a turbulent history. Constantly being invaded by different countries, each has left behind various influences. You will find a unique blend of Mediterranean, African, Berber, Arab, Jewish and French traditions and people speaking Arabic, Berber, French and Spanish! English is also widely understood and the friendly Moroccan hospitality means you're unlikely to feel out of your depth. However, the cities are an assault on the senses, bartering is expected and if you're blonde you will attract some unwanted attention. It took me a few days to get used to but once I had, I was able to enjoy everything Morocco has to offer!
SIMPLE 10 DAY BACKPACKING ITINERARY FOR MOROCCO!
BASE 1 - MARRAKESH
Marrakesh - this backpacking itinerary for Morocco starts in Marrakesh, where I started my trip. Most international flights, certainly the cheapest when coming from the UK, land in Marrakesh Menara Airport so it makes sense to explore the capital first. I recommend finding a beautiful traditional Riad in the centre of the city near the Medina so that everything is in walking distance. It also means you'll have an easily accessible escape from the intensity of this city.
Where to stay:
Riad Tamarrakecht - beautiful building and delicious breakfasts
Riad Alili - highest rated on Booking.com by guests
Les Trois Cours - amazing location
Ouzoud Waterfalls - The Atlas mountains are definitely worth exploring. From your base in Marrakesh, you can visit the Ouzoud Waterfalls as a day trip. I organised mine through my Riad. The trip, which included transport both ways, a guide for the day and lunch, cost £20. You could go without a guide but in this instance, I'd recommend one unless there is a particular hike you want to do. We stopped multiple times to swim in the rivers, paddled out under the huge waterfalls and saw plenty of beautiful views over the mountains.
Essaouira - especially important for Game of Thrones fans and surfers, you have to include Essaouira in your backpacking itinerary for Morocco! I visited the little port town as a day trip from Marrakesh as I didn't have any surfing planned. However, you could spend longer here and get a later bus back to Marrakesh or further up the coast depending on your plans. It was very beautiful and the fresh Atlantic air was amazing after the stifling heat of the city.
Tangier - from Marrakesh you catch the overnight train to Tangier. Compartments contain four beds (two bunks) so if there are four of you it is ideal. The trains are really reliable, cheap and very fun. In Tangier, finding a traditional Riad is a little harder so here you either stay in a hostel or hotel depending on your budget. There is a lot to do and see in Tangier to keep you busy.
Where to stay:
Dar Chams Tanja - highest rated on Booking.com and almost a Riad
Hotel Continental - where I stayed! Reasonable price and great history
Baytalice - highest rated on Hostel World
Chefchaouen - this is a must do day trip from Tangier and any backpacking itinerary for Morocco. If you have time, it is worth an overnight stay so you can hike to Akchour Waterfalls. The town is located in the Rif Mountains of Northern Morocco and is famously painted entirely blue. In the centre is a small Kasbah which is surrounded by winding streets, souks and locals weavers on Berber looms.
Asilah - a day spent in Asilah is the perfect, most relaxing way to end the trip. It was built by colonial Portuguese and the Medina is entirely fortified, surrounded by 15th century, whitewashed walls. Here you can enjoy much cleaner beaches than in Tangier. There were also lots of camels cooling off in the sea and locals riding horses along the endless stretches of sand. It is a haven for art lovers as well. Artists from across the globe flock in to paint their murals on the walls of the town.
OPTIONAL EXTRA STOPS
The Sahara Desert can be visited as a 2-3 night tour from Marrakesh. Most tours include staying in a Berber village, riding camels and all food. The overnight train from Marrakesh to Tangier travels along the Atlantic coast which means stopping in the famous town of Casablanca is very easy. Rabat is another easy stop on the overnight train. Generally, people seem to think there is more to do in Rabat than Casablanca.THINGS TO CONSIDER
Transport - travelling by train is by far the easiest option and a likelihood in any backpacking itinerary for Morocco. The overnight train I took cost 250 Dirhams which is about £50. I felt completely safe. There are women-only carriages if you prefer or you can buy all four beds in a carriage! I was travelling with three friends so it worked out really well. Travelling by bus is cheaper but would have taken too long from Marrakesh to Tangier. However, the day trips I did from both bases were all done via bus. You can book them through Riads, hotels or hostels.Clothing - Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country so it is best to cover your shoulders to be respectful especially when entering mosques. I went in September and it was sweltering so I covered up to stop getting burnt too.
Catcalling - As I mentioned before, it took me a few days to get used to all the unwanted attention I received from men during my time in Morocco. They were pretty relentless but you get used to brushing them off. Because I am blonde I also found people were quite interested in my hair but again I got used to it. Overall the catcalling was pretty harmless. Check out my post on dealing with unwanted attention if you are worried.
Featured
Sustainability
We are reminded daily in the news, on social media and by our surroundings that the climate crisis is a serious issue. So, the pressure is on to make small changes in the way we live, with the aim of becoming sustainability queens! Keeping the planet in mind, there are simple steps we can all take to be more sustainable in 2020 which won't break the bank or terrify those of us slightly set in our ways (myself included!).
Seven Worlds, One Planet is a BBC documentary exploring the diversity of life found on the seven continents and how it is being affected by climate change. I binge watched over Christmas and found the series incredibly eye-opening. It highlights how fragile environments are being destroyed all over the world due to destructive human activity. David Attenborough does offer a little hope at the end of the final episode, saying that if we determine to do so, we can make positive change. He talks about how extensive conservation efforts have grown gorilla population numbers to over 1,000 for the first time since records began. And the worldwide whaling ban has allowed whale populations to recover too.
So don't be struck down by climate anxiety! We can make a difference and we will. Here are 10 simple ways we can be more sustainable in 2020. (Can you tell, the series has left me feeling inspired!).
Walking more is great for so many reasons such as improving your health, saving money and benefiting the planet too. You get to know the area you live better as well. Public transport is the next best option as ride-sharing lowers your personal carbon footprint. If you're curious to see if your carbon footprint is below or above average, check out the WWF Carbon Footprint Calculator.
How To Be More Sustainable in 2020 - New Year Resolutions
We are reminded daily in the news, on social media and by our surroundings that the climate crisis is a serious issue. So, the pressure is on to make small changes in the way we live, with the aim of becoming sustainability queens! Keeping the planet in mind, there are simple steps we can all take to be more sustainable in 2020 which won't break the bank or terrify those of us slightly set in our ways (myself included!).
Seven Worlds, One Planet is a BBC documentary exploring the diversity of life found on the seven continents and how it is being affected by climate change. I binge watched over Christmas and found the series incredibly eye-opening. It highlights how fragile environments are being destroyed all over the world due to destructive human activity. David Attenborough does offer a little hope at the end of the final episode, saying that if we determine to do so, we can make positive change. He talks about how extensive conservation efforts have grown gorilla population numbers to over 1,000 for the first time since records began. And the worldwide whaling ban has allowed whale populations to recover too.
So don't be struck down by climate anxiety! We can make a difference and we will. Here are 10 simple ways we can be more sustainable in 2020. (Can you tell, the series has left me feeling inspired!).
1. Off-Set Your Flight Emissions
This might be a new one for many of you, the concept of off-setting flights is something I have only recently heard of too. By using an online emissions calculator you can work out how much CO2 was produced during a flight. Then using a charity like The Gold Standard you can donate to a project (such as reforesting in the Amazon) that lowers CO2 emissions, balancing out what was produced by your flight. The more you donate, the more CO2 you can off-set. Genius!
2. Walk or Use Public Transport
Walking more is great for so many reasons such as improving your health, saving money and benefiting the planet too. You get to know the area you live better as well. Public transport is the next best option as ride-sharing lowers your personal carbon footprint. If you're curious to see if your carbon footprint is below or above average, check out the WWF Carbon Footprint Calculator.3. Invest in Sustainable Period Products
Sustainable period products are easy to get your hands on. Mooncup offers free delivery in the UK and you can buy reusable sanitary pads on Amazon. Although they take a little while to get used to, it is worth the investment. Having a plastic-free period makes a huge difference for our oceans, currently 2.5million tampons are flushed down toilets in the UK every day.4. Reduce Plastic Packaging Consumption
Grocery shopping makes cutting back on plastic consumption very difficult, everything is wrapped in plastic! 2019 saw supermarkets using 900,000 tonnes more plastic despite promises to cut waste packaging. So if we can't rely on the supermarkets to do it for us, what can we do? Try to buy loose fruit and veg and even better, visit your local markets where it is normally much easier to buy plastic free. You can also find out if there is a zero waste shop in your area so you can take your own containers and pay for products by weight. Usually these shops sell washing up liquid, hair care products, laundry detergent and nuts, spices and grains.5. Switch to Shampoo & Conditioner Bars
Another step you can take towards reducing your plastic consumption is switching to shampoo and conditioner bars. You can get them in Lush, Holland & Barrett and many places online. Again, like the plastic free period products, they take a second to get used to but they're actually great and work out much cheaper than bottled products as the bars last 2+ months.
6. Reduce Meat & Dairy Consumption
Veganism is the single biggest way you can reduce your environmental impact on the plant. So even if you can't commit to a fully plant-based diet, reducing your meat and dairy consumption is really important if you want to live sustainably. Check out Game Changers on Netflix if you need the inspiration to go plant based for your health and check out Cowspiricy for inspiration to go plant based for the environment!
7. Reduce Household Energy Use
Turning the thermostat down in your house and popping a jumper on will not only save you a few pennies but is a great way to lower your carbon footprint. The same goes for turning lights off when you're not in the room, using energy saving bulbs and hanging your clothes up to dry instead of in the dryer. All of your household appliances use fossil fuels to run so minimising their impact is important.
8. Stop Buying Fast Fashion
The Fashion and Textile industry is the third largest contributor to climate change, behind agriculture and transport industries. 53 million tonnes of fibre is produced each year and 70% of this ends up in landfill. They are also the second largest industry to support the continuation of modern day slavery. So buying fast fashion and supporting these practises, simply put is bad for the planet and the people on it. Buying second hand and vintage is a great alternative as is upcycling and clothes swapping.
9. Use Less Water
Shorter showers, showers instead of baths, eco setting on your dishwasher and washing machine and turning the tap off while you brush your teeth are easy ways to use less water! Reducing your water usage saves on the energy required to deliver it to your home clean and processed. Droughts are a serious issue all over the world and the planets fresh water supplies are dwindling. It's a scary idea, a future without fresh water but it's one that eventually the planet will face.
10. Recycle
Last but not least, a way to be more sustainable in 2020 is to be a recycling queen! Separate and wash all of your recycling and do it right. Start a compost to recycle your food waste too and use nice jars for storage. Simple :)
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