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Jaillan Yehia

Author Archive


Weekend Shortcut: Drawing Inspiration From An Artist Retreat In Kent

Written by Jaillan Yehia

The last time I wrote about going on a retreat, I started by talking about crying in a yoga class on a beach in Mexico. At the risk of making it seem like all retreats – be they yoga or artist retreats – involve crying, I’m going to start this review of a UK artist […]

The Travel Tipping Point: 4 Reasons To Visit New Zealand

Written by Jaillan Yehia

New Zealand is one of those destinations which has steadily climbed up my wishlist over the years and has now finally reached the very top. When I was in my early 20’s I visited Australia –  I spent a couple of months on the well-trodden East Coast route beloved of so many backpackers. I knew […]

A Day Trip To Boulogne & Le Touquet

Written by Jaillan Yehia

The humble day trip, whether at home or abroad, has untold powers to invigorate and inspire us: it offers us all the joys and refreshment of a new place compacted down into a short time frame, and without any of the stresses and hassles of organising a full blown holiday. In short, the day trip is the travel equivalent of a power nap. […]

Engagement Photo Trends Around The World

Written by Jaillan Yehia

Last time there was a royal wedding, the whole world went absolutely mad for all things Kate Middleton, and a new pop culture craze was created in the form of her sister Pippa and that famous posterior. It’s amazing to think that it’s almost a decade since Wills and Kate announced their engagement in 2010. […]

10 Ways To Learn From Solo Travel

Written by Jaillan Yehia

Solo travel is a totally different experience to your average holiday, weekend away with a partner or week’s vacation in the sun with a group of friends. When you’re on the road alone you have the most incredible sense of freedom and endless possibilities  – it’s probably the one time in your life when you […]

Walk Like An Egyptian In London – Bring Cairo To The Capital

Written by Jaillan Yehia

London is incredibly multicultural, meaning it’s packed with cool and curious cross-cultural ideas on every corner. But Egyptian influences in the city are not always immediately obvious – unless you know where to look – so you may wonder if it’s possible to enjoy an entire Egyptian itinerary while out and about in the British […]

The Perfect Place to Stay in San Ramon, Costa Rica – Casa Amanecer

Written by Jaillan Yehia

I was deciding where to stay before flying out of San Jose airport following a trip through Nicaragua and Costa Rica. I considered taking in Costa Rica’s capital city but like many travellers, I decided that with just an overnight visit I couldn’t do San Jose justice. Instead I plumped for a relaxing night in […]

Travel Tattoo Stories: Going Dutch On Tattoos in Japan

Written by Jaillan Yehia

Savoir Ink is a new section where I meet real travellers who got inked in international locations, and hear the true story behind their travel tattoo… This week to kick off the series, and as it’s ♥ Valentine’s week ♥ we meet cute travel blogging couple Roxanne and Maartje, the Dutch duo behind Once Upon A […]

WIN A STAY WITH YOTELAIR HOTELS – CHOOSE EITHER AMSTERDAM OR LONDON!

Written by Jaillan Yehia

If you’ve got early morning flight, are landing late, or just want to stay somewhere fun and functional without too much fuss, then you need to know about YotelAir hotels. Yotel, invented by the same people who started the conveyor belt sushi chain YO! Sushi, have taken another Japanese idea – the concept of making […]

Around The World Via Holland – An Alternative Layover In Amsterdam

Written by Jaillan Yehia

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is one of the busiest travel hubs in the world. Dutch national airline KLM flew more than 32 million passengers in 2017 and plenty of those people took advantage of the opportunity to sneak in a little layover in Amsterdam. If you’re one of the 60 million passengers who are set to […]

How To Fix a Hole in Your UGGs: A Step By Step Guide To Patching UGG Boots

Written by Jaillan Yehia

*This post may contain affiliate links, for the cookie consent, privacy policy and affiliate disclosure click here* I’ve got 23 pairs of boots. Yes that’s a lot I know! What can I tell you, I’m addicted to buying shoes wherever I go. Always have been, always will be. But the funny thing is that no matter […]

How To Avoid 3 Travel Insurance Pitfalls In Just 3 Minutes

Written by Jaillan Yehia

This post centres around the topic of insurance when travelling. I know, exciting, right? When we think about booking travel, we’re usually focused on the joy of the open road, the relaxation of lying on a beach and the excitement of meeting new people, trying different foods and seeing the sights – we’re not thinking […]

5 Perfect Places For Winter Sun

Written by Jaillan Yehia

I wonder what prompted you to read a post about finding perfect places for winter sun? Maybe it’s the start of January and you’re looking for hot holiday ideas to get you through the month? Perhaps you’ve stumbled on this post in mid-March having suffered an entire English Winter? Or are you actually in Australia […]

Pho The Win: The Best Asian Food In Vancouver

Written by Jaillan Yehia

I recently wrote a post about the best places to find British food in Vancouver, because during my four years living in Canada’s cool West Coast city, I was continually determined to find a taste of Europe – and by that I basically mean I was always on the hunt for good cheese. This post […]

My Guide To Eating British Food In Vancouver, BC (without going bankrupt)

Written by Jaillan Yehia

After four amazing – and sometimes challenging – years living in Vancouver, British Columbia, I moved back to the UK. When people ask me why I left Canada – a dream destination for many – the answer I give is simple but may seem trite: I couldn’t live without good cheddar cheese. Of course there […]

Planes, Trains & Automobiles: 6 Tips For Saving On Christmas Travel

Written by Jaillan Yehia

It comes around once a year  – yet every Christmas is totally unique, isn’t it? Some years you get into the Christmas spirit by mid-November and find yourself eating mince pies, watching Elf and drowning in gift wrap weeks before the big day. Other holiday seasons sneak up on you  – and before you know […]

5 Things I Love To Pack For A Spa Weekend

Written by Jaillan Yehia

I’m obsessed with swimming and spas while away on trips and I always have been. There’s nothing as relaxing as soaking in hot tubs, sweating it out in the sauna and reclining in a relaxation room, especially after spending a few days sightseeing. After years of long haul travel to spa hotels, multiple gym memberships […]

5 Of The Strangest Places In The World To Go Swimming

Written by Jaillan Yehia

The classic summer holiday is that cliche of sun, sand and sea – and that’s when most people tend to do most of their swimming. But as well as lazing on a sun lounger on our precious days off, many of us enjoy exploration and adventure while overseas, and to immerse ourselves in something new. […]

Weekend Shortcut: 48 Hours In Glasgow For Foodies

Written by Jaillan Yehia

I go to Glasgow for 48 hours. It’s no exaggeration to say that all I do during that time is eat – as well as learn just why Glasgow is an urban paradise for foodies. But judging by the reactions of people who hear about my Glasgow foodie weekend, it seems that generally speaking, expectations […]

Discover Scottish Munro Bagging + WIN A SCOTLAND SCRATCH PRINT

Written by Jaillan Yehia

Think you’ve heard of every travel trend going? Well think again. Because there’s a niche new travel trend for keen walkers and hikers who love exploring north of the border: and it’s called Munro bagging. For the uninitiated, Scotland’s Munros are mini-mountains and high hills (3,000 ft or taller) with amazing views of the lochs […]

What’s On My Desk? Freelancer Favourites

Written by Jaillan Yehia

The clocks have gone back and that means it really is Autumn, so it’s time for me to pull something out of hibernation to put back on my desk; my Oreo cookie-shaped heated coaster to keep my tea warm while I’m working (while simultaneously making me want a biscuit). It spurred me on to write […]

The Travel Tipping Point: Air Passenger Rights

Written by Jaillan Yehia

Right after the UK voted for Brexit, my Canadian partner moved to England with me; both of us giving up life in beautiful British Columbia for a totally different type of life in Blighty  – a country that I wasn’t even sure I was on board with anymore given the result of the vote. Yet […]

My Canada A-Z

Written by Jaillan Yehia

After living in Canada for over 3 years I became endlessly fascinated by the little differences in language and culture I came across – and I finally understood why Brits living in North America seem to develop that strange hybrid speech pattern that’s so easy to ridicule. Living overseas taught me a lot about life but it […]

Skiing In Cortina Vs Skiing In Canada

Written by Jaillan Yehia

This guest post is a real departure – I’ve let my Canadian fiancé get a word in for once – to share his experience of travelling to Europe for the first time since moving to the UK:  a weekend skiing in Cortina. He explains what skiing and snowboarding in the Dolomites feels like from the perspective […]

Calling All Carat Collectors: 3 Diamond Destinations For Geezers & Gals

Written by Jaillan Yehia

They’re a girl’s best friend, they’re forever, and they’re timeless. You find diamonds appearing everywhere in our language as well as our jewellery boxes; they’re ‘in the rough’ as well as on the soles of your shoes. They’re the only precious stones which have had world famous slogans invented about them and to which countless well-known terms […]

The Travel Tipping Point: Do We Have Travel App-athy?

Written by Jaillan Yehia

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about just how much the travel tech landscape has changed in a few short years  – and where it will go next. Where once the idea behind apps like Airbnb or Uber had to be explained to most outside the travel industry, today the concept of the sharing economy […]

The Travel Tipping point: Backpacking In Australia

Written by Jaillan Yehia

The travel tipping point is the section where I talk about a worldwide destination or travel theme which seems to be having a moment. 3 is the magic number and I often find that good things come in threes – and that goes for travel too: if somewhere comes to my attention 3 times or […]

4 of The Best Places To Buy Avarcas In Menorca

Written by Jaillan Yehia

Maybe you call them avarcas or abarcas, menorquinas or Menorcan sandals –  or perhaps you didn’t really know this special style of sandal had their own name  – I certainly didn’t before I visited Menorca for the first time. Either way we both know that these shoes are super cute. So when I discovered that the Balearic island of […]

Is 2 Months In Thailand Too Long For A First Time Traveller To Asia?

Written by Jaillan Yehia

Savoir Solves is a new section where I answer readers and friends travel questions and dilemmas. This week the question is from friend and reader Andrea, from Vancouver, Canada, who has booked her first trip to Thailand and is feeling apprehensive. She asks whether 2 months is too long to spend in Thailand. Travel Question About […]

London Pho Finder: Moc Kitchen Review

Written by Jaillan Yehia

I review the pho at central London’s Moc Kitchen in my pursuit for Vancouver-grade Vietnamese food here in the UK.

The Travel Tipping Point: River Cruises

Written by Jaillan Yehia

The travel tipping point is my regular column on travel trends, types and themes which seem to be ‘having a moment’ and have achieved critical mass  – meaning that wherever you look, this way of travel, destination or style of service seems to suddenly be popping up everywhere. Whether it be a new way of booking […]

Looking 4 Parking Review: Meet & Greet Parking at Heathrow

Written by Jaillan Yehia

After the excitement of booking a holiday comes the bit nobody enjoys – the pre-holiday chores. From figuring out who’s going to look after the house/kids/dog/cat, to charging your electronic devices, packing, getting currency sorted and reading the latest rules on hand luggage, there’s a million and one things to do before you fly. Deciding […]

Why Cycling For Your Supper Is Super – My Bicycle Holiday To Provence

Written by Jaillan Yehia

I discover a totally different kind of holiday – one where I burn off calories bicycling by day and tuck into decadent suppers without a worry by night, on a self-guided bicycle holiday in Provence. It’s all about wandering through wine country, meandering down country lanes lined with vines and taking time to taste vintages and […]

Things To Do In Thanet: 10 Reasons To Be A Tourist In East Kent

Written by Jaillan Yehia

As well as writing about travel on this very website, I’m the travel editor of a print magazine published in Thanet, a part of England that’s close to my heart. I often find myself bragging about what I consider to be the best corner of my own country to the people I meet when travelling […]

Which Mexican Resort On The Mayan Riviera Is Right For You?

Written by Jaillan Yehia

Mexico’s Mayan Riviera is the go-to holiday destination for North Americans looking for winter sun. But as a Brit who was unfamiliar with the different resorts in this part of Mexico, I wrote this guide to help other Mexican resort newbies pick a place that’s right for them.

In Photos: Brunei’s Beautiful Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque

Written by Jaillan Yehia

On a day trip to the Brunei capital I was wowed by a selection of Bandar Seri Begawan’s highlights, from mosques and floating villages to food markets and museums. But the country’s largest mosque, which was built by the current Sultan was undoubtedly the most impressive thing I saw during my short visit to the tiny […]

Antiques & Ales: A Day Out Near Farnham By Bike

Written by Jaillan Yehia

I recently moved to Farnham, Surrey, a pretty market town less than an hour’s train ride from London. Since the move I’ve been to Egypt, Italy, Menorca, the list goes on, but I’ve not made enough time to explore the area in which I actually live, until now. I decided to get out my trusty […]

Weekend Shortcut: A Weekend Of Culture & Consumerism In Cardiff

Written by Jaillan Yehia

Weekend Shortcuts are complete guides to weekends away, written to help you enjoy a perfect short break without needing to do any additional research.  If a weekend in Wales isn’t for you, gorge yourself on my weekend guide to Devon for foodies or slope off to read Cortina, Italy for non-skiers – or simply scroll down for a in-depth weekend guide […]

Signs Of The Times: 6 Of The Best Cardiff Coffee Shops

Written by Jaillan Yehia

During my recent weekend in Cardiff  – my first ever visit to the Welsh capital – I noticed one thing right off the bat; this city is crazy about quality coffee. This list of 6 seriously good Cardiff coffee shops will help you stay sharp while you shop in the city centre, and the signage […]

My Multicultural London: 5 Ways To Experience London’s Diversity

Written by Jaillan Yehia

I just couldn’t concentrate on anything or anywhere but London this weekend, for obvious reasons. So I decided to write my own little post of defiance, to give the tiniest of glimpses, from own my personal perspective, on why London’s AMAZING multicultural energy won’t change no matter how many times we are the focus of attack by those […]

5 Things You Must Try On Mexico’s Mayan Riviera

Written by Jaillan Yehia

Mexico has a well-deserved reputation as a real beach paradise. While living in Canada I realised that vacations to Cancun are, for Western Canadians, what holidays in Spain are for us Brits. In other words, it’s totally normal to go to Mexico and spend a week (or two) at an All Inclusive Resort eating, drinking and […]

Talk Like An Egyptian – Will Tourism To Egypt Ever Change?

Written by Jaillan Yehia

I have at least 8 stories to write by Monday about my recent travels, including some blog posts on my 2017 trip to Egypt. So, like any good procrastinator I naturally sat down at my desk today to do an entirely unrelated task. I stumbled on a piece I wrote for the travel industry magazine Travel […]

Tech 21 Macbook Pro Case: My Laptop Ban BFF

Written by Jaillan Yehia

The laptop ban on flights is being extended. Ugh. It was bad enough when I had to put my beloved Macbook Pro into my suitcase on a recent flight home from Cairo, but now even when flying between Europe and the US, we’ll probably all have to put our most prized possessions into the hold. I already had a […]

The Travel Tipping Point: UK Summer Staycations

Written by Jaillan Yehia

New research shows that with the effects of Brexit – and the exchange rate for the Pound plummeting overseas – staying at home in the UK this summer is officially the new going abroad. But once summer hits I’ve always been a fan of staying home – and my UK summer staycations season undoubtedly starts […]

Weekend Shortcut: A Weekend In Cortina, Italy For Skiers & Non Skiers

Written by Jaillan Yehia

Weekend Shortcuts are complete guides to weekends away, written specifically to help you enjoy a perfect mini break without needing to do any additional research. This weekend shortcut tells you EVERYTHING you need to know to plan a perfect weekend in the town they call the Queen of the Dolomites; Cortina d’Ampezzo, in Northern Italy. Despite being best known as […]

Days Out In Surrey: Winkworth Arboretum

Written by Jaillan Yehia

Winter had well and truly arrived in the south of England on the day I went for a snowy walk at Surrey’s Winkworth Arboretum. This 149 acre woodland, set around a lake and boathouse, has around 1000 different species of trees, shrub, plants and flowers, with textbook idyllic views of the surrounding Surrey countryside…

Let Me Tell You About Tel Aviv (especially if you’re vegan)

Written by Jaillan Yehia

This guide to Tel Aviv comes from fellow freelance travel writer Rachel Rigby, who explored the vegan cafes, diamond exchanges and biblical connections of the Tel Aviv area of Israel…

Feeling Listless: Using Mind Maps to Plan Your Travels (And Everything Else)

Written by Jaillan Yehia

Are you a list queen like me? Or, I guess, king. But I don’t really believe most men make lists compulsively like women do.  Well in 2017 I started planning my travels (as well as a whole heap of other stuff) with a mind map instead of a list  – and I am a total convert. Here’s […]

Passing On The Travel Baton In Bali

Written by Jaillan Yehia

There’s bound to be a special place in anyone’s heart for the first exotic holiday location to which they ever travel. While my first foreign holiday was to Greece (in typically British style) my first ever experience of a long haul destination was landing in Denpasar airport, Bali, more years ago than I care to admit […]

Travel Blogger or digital nomad? Don’t use Microsoft Office 365 Until You Read This

Written by Jaillan Yehia

First off, apologies for that rather clickbaity headline. I wanted to be sure to get your attention if you have subscribed to Microsoft Office 365 (as I did) or are considering it. Maybe you use Microsoft Office 365 for your email hosting, or use Office software like Word, Excel, Sharepoint, One Drive or any of the […]

Fancy Learning to fly a 737 in Devon?

Written by Jaillan Yehia

I went to Devon for a weekend of cream teas and beach walks. But ever one for adventure when I discovered that the UK’s best flight simulator is right here on the south coast, I set aside a couple of hours to try it out. This is the story of learning to fly a 737 in […]

Weekend Shortcut: A Weekend In Devon For Foodies

Written by Jaillan Yehia

Weekend Shortcuts are posts written to help you put together a perfect weekend away without tearing your hair out during the research phase. This weekend shortcut covers everything you need to know for a food-filled 2- day break in Devon, a truly delightful part of South West England that’s simultaneously easily accessible yet somehow feels unhurried and […]

Christmas Travel: Does Devon Have The UK’s Most Historic Mince Pies?

Written by Jaillan Yehia

Munch on mince pies made with flour dating back to the Domesday Book I travelled to Devon this December to discover the festive history behind the first Christmas card ever designed. But while in the southerly English county, famous for its beautiful beaches and picture postcard villages, I discovered the area has another incredible – […]

Travel To The Home Of The First Christmas Card

Written by Jaillan Yehia

Christmas crackers, the Queen’s speech, mince pies, Boxing Day, Christmas pudding – England has plenty of festive traditions which are regarded with complete puzzlement by the rest of the world. England also has an even bigger Christmas claim to fame – one that is somewhat of a secret. The first Christmas card was invented right here, conceived and designed in the English county of Devon. […]

Find Your Sea Legs With These 4 Marvellous Maritime Museums

Written by Jaillan Yehia

Let’s face it the idea of visiting maritime museums on your travels could make you feel a little bit sea sick. I love all kinds of museums and galleries, and have been to plenty with nautical themes, but while some are leagues ahead of the competition giving a fantastic insight into travel by boat, others make you want […]

Tobago Time: My Memories Of The Happy Island

Written by Jaillan Yehia

Ever since the British winter took hold, I’ve been reminiscing more than ever about my time on the Caribbean Islands. The ultra laid-back – and happiest  – of all the Caribbean islands is Tobago and even thinking about my time there makes me smile. These are my personal highlights of being on Tobago time…

Discerning Traveller’s Guide to Visiting Mallorca In Winter

Written by Jaillan Yehia

As Autumn turns to Winter, it may not be the most popular time to take to the skies for a flight to the Balearic Islands, which are of course better known as summer holiday spots – but for the discerning traveller that very fact makes it perfect. I share a few thoughts on why I think an […]

Going Glamping: A South East Safari At Kent’s Port Lympne

Written by Jaillan Yehia

I’ve been looking forward to writing about my short break safari at Kent’s Port Lympne Reserve ever since I got home. But every time I sit down to tell you about the experience, I end up getting distracted by all my photos of the cute baby rhino, ickle giraffe and all the other animals they have roaming around […]

Road Trip Checklist: 6 Practical Things To Know Before You Go

Written by Jaillan Yehia

I’ve just bought my first car, and for a traveller like me, that must mean more road trips! It may not be anything fancy but it is the first car that’s ever had my name on the registration papers, so I’m pretty keen to take good care of it. And I’m also keen to take […]

Tips For Visiting Antigua In Winter

Written by Jaillan Yehia

When the clocks go back and winter draws in, my mind turns to dreams of escape – preferably to a paradise island. Like many Brits, the Caribbean is what I imagine when I think of palm-fringed beaches and the last time I took a winter break to a Caribbean island I chose Antigua. Here are […]