Travel Lightbulb

If being eco friendly is important to you, then you're going to love today's post. Built on an island right off the Finnish capital Helsinki is a beautiful little cabin that has a minimal environmental impact.  Designed by Finnish designer Robin Falck, the cabin has been built from sustainable materials, and designed for a simple lifestyle with almost no emissions. The great thing is, it also takes into account the stunning surroundings.  The cabin is only a 20 minute boat ride from the Helsinki market square, and will be there until the end of September. It's the size of a small bedroom and can be assembled and transported without heavy machinery, leaving its environment nearly untouched. The Nolla cabin has been enlisted for booking a two-night stay during September through Airbnb, offering accommodation for two. Why not book and experience something a little bit different!

Did you know that watching the sunset has been proven to relieve stress? To me, that's just the best excuse to take a few moments to sit and enjoy the wonder of the world! The best thing is no two sunsets will ever be the same; and when I return from travelling, I find my photos are full of stunning sunsets all full of different colours. This one was taken in the Caribbean this June and was one of the most amazing sunsets I've ever seen - the white cloud glowed a fiery red after the sun went down, and it almost looked like an alien spaceship hovering overhead! If you're having a rough day, take a moment to appreciate the sunset and let your worries drift away - it always works for me.

I'm a very positive person, but I start this blog post on a negative note! I'm not a fan of whoever said all good things must come to an end, because my summer of fun has just finished! I had an absolute ball discovering new places in the Caribbean, and Portugal - two of my favourite destinations.  However it's now time to return to reality, and get back to the day job I love! The good thing is, I have some wonderful places to share with you over the coming months, from funky beach bars to a stunning part of Portugal with no tourists. I hope you'll keep following my blog, and if you have any suggestions of your own from your summer travels, I'd love to hear about them. 

Who would have thought that my little travel blog would reach the grand old age of seven! It's been such a great journey and I'm proud to have had lovely reactions to my travel musings with those of you who take time to read it each week.  Thanks so much for your support, and keep travelling!

In just four days time, I'll be finishing work for a couple of months and heading off on my travels. Not only do I plan to find more amazing places to feature on my blog, but I also need a bit of downtime, so forgive me if I don't post for a few weeks - I'll be back with some holiday ramblings very soon!  In the meantime I'd love to hear where you plan to go this summer, whether you're planning an exotic trip or staying at home to explore the delights your own country has to offer. Whatever your plans, let me know them, and if you find anywhere I should be featuring on my blog....please get in touch. Happy travelling, and don't worry.....the 'lightbulb' will be switched on again soon! 

The Greek island of Skyros is so picturesque that I really struggled to pick one photo to feature - I could have used a whole lot more, but to me, this one sums up what the Greek islands are all about. Baking heat; stunning scenery and beautiful islands in the distance longing to be explored!  If you've got a top tip for a particular Greek island you've enjoyed visiting, I'd love to hear all about it! 

If you find yourself on the subway in New York City, then make a special trip to Eighth Avenue station because you will find a surprising little collection of permanent art.   'Life Underground' is a cartoon inspired project by Tom Otterness that was commissioned when the station was renovated in the 1990's.  He was inspired by going through old photos of the construction of the subway in the 1890s, which showed workers carrying giant tools. Another source of inspiration was the work of 19th century political cartoonist Thomas Nest.   Whatever the inspiration though, I loved discovering the little figures - and it could take you quite a while, because there are around 130 sculptures hidden all over the station - and too many to include in one blog post, so you'll have to go and discover them for yourself!  Some of the sculptures are shiny having been touched by commuters, so it's easy to spot the most popular ones! If you wa...

The 22nd of April is Earth Day 2018. This environmental movement began in 1970, and has been been bringing conservational issues to the forefront of the minds of the public ever since. This year, they're highlighting an issue that many of us are becoming more aware of - plastic pollution.  When I travel I spend a lot of time by the sea, and I hate to think of the effect that our plastic waste is having on our beaches, streams and landscapes. Let's do our bit to try and make a difference, whether it be ditching a plastic straw in a cocktail whilst on holiday, to refusing a plastic bag and taking your own to the shops. We all want our seas to be as clear and beautiful as the one above....every little move we make could make a big difference.