LifePart2AndBeyond.com Travel Blog
A 2.5-Week Colombia Itinerary
My 2.5-Week Colombia Itinerary: Visiting Medellín, Salento, Bogotá, Villa de Leyva & Cartagena Colombia is full of contrasts: buzzing cities, colourful towns, lush coffee landscapes, colonial streets, Caribbean heat, and incredible food. In 2.5 weeks, I...
2.5 Days in Cartagena
2.5 Days in Cartagena: A Hot, Colourful End to My Colombia Trip Cartagena was the final stop on my two-and-a-half-week trip around Colombia. I arrived just after 2 pm, and the heat and humidity hit me immediately. It felt nothing like Bogotá. I stayed at Casa del...
A Relaxing Weekend Break in Villa de Leyva from Bogotá
If you’re looking for an easy weekend escape from busy Bogotá, the colonial town of Villa de Leyva is a great choice. I spent 1.5 days here and loved the slow pace, mountain views, and relaxed atmosphere. Getting to Villa de Leyva I booked my bus ticket to Villa de...
2 Days in Bogotá: What to See, Do and Eat in Colombia’s Capital
After enjoying the peaceful mountains of Salento in the coffee region, arriving in Bogotá felt like stepping into another world. The city is busy, energetic, and full of contrasts. To make things easy, I pre-booked an airport transfer. I based myself in La...
Two Relaxed Days in Salento, Colombia
Planning a trip to Colombia’s coffee region? Salento is a top destination. Its green valleys, colourful balconies, delicious food, and close access to the Cocora Valley make it a great addition to any Colombia itinerary. I spent two relaxed days here, found Salento...
3 Days in Medellín: A Solo Traveller’s First Taste of Colombia
If you’re planning a trip to Medellín and wondering how to spend a few days in the city, this post shares exactly what I did during my own three-day visit as a solo traveller. From exploring Comuna 13 to taking a day trip to Guatapé, here’s an...
How to Take an Easy Day Trip from Salerno to Paestum
If you’re staying in Salerno and want a simple, low-stress day trip, Paestum is an excellent and rewarding choice. With well-preserved Greek temples, a relaxed archaeological park atmosphere, and an excellent museum, it’s one of the easiest excursions you can do by...
Vietri sul Mare in Winter: An Easy Day Trip from Salerno
Vietri sul Mare is often treated as the start of the Amalfi Coast rather than a destination in its own right. In summer it can feel busy and rushed, but in winter it slows down. I visited in January, did the town in the morning and the beach in the afternoon, took the...
Best Things to Do in Salerno
If you’re drawn to the Amalfi Coast but want something more authentic, affordable, and less crowded, Salerno is an excellent alternative. Located at the eastern edge, it offers history, sea views, and everyday Italian life, without the inflated prices or crowds of...
Málaga in One Day
Málaga was the final stop on our six-day Andalusian road trip, which took us through Ronda, Cádiz, and Jerez before looping us back to the Mediterranean coast. I’ve always thought of Malaga as the “airport city,” but spending a day here changed my view completely. You...
One Day in Cádiz: A Slow Coastal Day in Southern Spain
Cádiz was one of our stops on our six-night road trip through southern Spain, and it turned out to be one of my favourites. I visited with a friend, and during the trip we also spent time in Ronda and Málaga. We stayed in Jerez de la Frontera and visited Cádiz for a...
Why I Love Using GPSmyCity When I Travel
Whenever I visit a new city, I love just wandering aimlessly around at leisure. Walking is one of the best ways to discover hidden corners, local cafés, and places I’d never find otherwise. But as much as I enjoy that freedom, there’s always a tiny part of me...
Best Things to Do in Ronda, Spain: A Simple, Real-Life Guide
Ronda was one of those places that caught me off guard in the best way. Within a few hours of wandering around, I found myself thinking, "Oooh, I could live here." Yes, I know I say that about many places, but the mix of dramatic scenery, easy walking streets, and a...
A Day Trip to Hradec Králové
During my house sit in nearby Týniště nad Orlicí, I took a day trip to Hradec Králové — and it turned out to be a real highlight. I hadn’t known much about the city beforehand, but it surprised me with its elegance, calm atmosphere, and wonderful mix of old and modern...
24 Hours in Olomouc: History, Coffee, and Quiet Charm
When most people think of the Czech Republic, they picture Prague’s spires, Charles Bridge, and the crowds that come with them. However, a few hours east lies Olomouc, a smaller city rich in history, charm, and excellent coffee. It’s relaxed, walkable, and full of...
What You Need to Know Before Visiting Northern Pakistan
When I told friends and family that I was going to Pakistan, the reactions were… dramatic, to say the least. Some were horrified, warning me I’d be kidnapped, or murdered. The reality? None of that happened. Instead, I met some of the kindest, most polite, and...
House Sitting from a Homeowner’s Perspective
In my last post, I shared my experiences and tips as a house sitter. Now, I'd like to share the homeowner's perspective — what it's like to welcome someone into your home and care for your pets while you're away. I'm both a homeowner and a house sitter, so I...
The Beginner’s Guide to House Sitting
I love house sitting. Over the past few years, I've looked after pets and homes in various locations around the world — from New York City and Hong Kong to charming European cities in Norway, Switzerland, Denmark, France, Turkey and Italy, among others. People...
Ullapool – A Highlight on the NC500
Ullapool was one of my favourite stops along the NC500. In fact, it gave me one of those “ooh, I could live here” moments – that is, until I remembered the reality of the long, dark Highland winters. Two minutes into endless gloomy afternoons, and I’d be packing my...
Meeting Krampus: Austria’s Terrifying Christmas Tradition
House-sitting in Austria last December, I stumbled upon a sign for a family Christmas fair. Anticipating the usual festive scene of twinkling lights and carol singers, I strolled along with a sense of holiday cheer. Little did I know that I was about to be thrust into...
Jon & Sarah
It seemed almost inevitable that we, Jonathan and Sarah, would one day meet: two independent travellers from different corners of the globe, we shared a bond that many travellers experience, a mutual love of adventure and a belief that the planet is a better place when people leave their comfort zones and discover new lands and cultures. So, when our paths finally