Bakewell, Derbyshire, UK

Summer came then it left again, leaving only the faint lines of a fake tan which had been applied vigously for the only event I got to leave London for this year. A wedding in Matlock Bath, Derbyshire. Far enough away to warrant an overnight stay, but not enough holiday days from work to validate turning it in to an adventure. Over the past year I had to hang up my stylish travel gear and stay in London as I replace my day pack for a backpack filled with uni books. Actually that reminds me, have to renew them again.

With pressing dissertation deadlines while working part-time the wedding was a quick adventure, and never before have I packed so much for an over night trip. Leaving London with my hair in rollers and an leather holdall packed full with nothing but cosmetics for the wedding prep and my frock, I got a brief taste of the rest of the country operating outside the capital that I so often forget exsists. A great part of the world, that despite living in the UK for over three years, I’m yet to explore properly.

With a brief stop in Bakewell just long enough to pick up a few bakewell tarts and explore the farmers market the soles on my feet start to itch for new adventures and discoveries after being tied down for so long. For the first time in three years I begin to think… is it time to move on from London?

Paris, France

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From New York to Hong Kong, from Paris to Sydney, earthTV.com is bookmarked in my browser for the armchair travelling hits I need now that I’m so stick down to London. Read more about their competition here.

The Saturday morning sun shines through the lace curtains of our new room. With a sigh I remembered only six months ago a beautiful day like this would be enough for me to call a couple of friends, get on a train, and have a weekend adventure. But this weekend I was definately staying at home.

In part of my commitment to giving London a proper shot with my proper boyfriend I made a conscious decision this should mean less travel and more London. The problem was, the more I stayed in London, I realised the more I actually bought lovely things for travelling, like the perfect lightweight-yet-adorably-cute compact mirror, or the perfect size bag that only just meets the requirements for cabin baggage so I can fit in as much as possible on my next flight!

I’m saving for my yearly trip home so for the next couple months so these kind of issues are in the forefront of my mind. Itchy feet and empty wallet. Story of my life.

I pulled the dusty curtains to one side letting the light flood in our lovely Victorian bedroom and pulled up the bay windows. I put on my sunglasses and sit on the ledge, dangling my feet in the air. If I close my eyes and block out the sounds of the streets, I can pretend I’m sitting at the end of a jetty in a seaside town far away.

Soon..

Travel is not all about the best pizza in town, the big tourist attractions and the most sleek hotels. It’s about the people you meet along the way, the fights you have with your friends, the always returning food poisoning and the crazy things you do after leaving the night club at 5 am.

Now that’s what I call travelling.

I figured any website with an ethos for travel like that has got to be worth checking out. I had a little play on it myself and have to admit it’s pretty good. It’s a new wave in the social networking for travellers scene that just seems to keep on growing. If you’re travelling and looking for a way to stay in touch with your loved ones the internet does seem the most logical and inexpensive way to do it. Definately worth a try.

“So he starts to run his hand up my leg and whispers in my ear ‘I love the patterns on your stockings, they look like little ladders.’ and so I said “They aint ladders baby, they’re stairways to heaven.”

I thrust my hand into my backpack and scramble around for two things, a pen and a moleskin journal. Small enough to fit in most handbags and backpacks, I never leave home without it. Luckily they come in packs of three too, so you can take them all with you, and keep one for doodles and sketches, one for writing profound travel notes… and the third? Thats for writing down juicy conversations, pet.

 Moleskine Cahier  Pocket Plain Journal Notebook (Set of 3) @ $7.50

Passengers ponder which bags belongs to them, grabbing then replacing as they pull out the wrong bags and eventually grab theirs victoriously, or rather, leave with the wrong bag. Even worse is that all the confusion in the meantime could see your lovely luggage returned back to the airport only to be placed among the ‘unclaimed baggage‘ section.

Short of banning these black rectangular, suitcases with tiny wheels, there seems little else one can do. Many people have begun to flirt with the idea of different coloured and patterned luggage but the majority remain with the conformist black luggage that has started many an airport brawl.

If you’re determined to keep your black case, here’s some ideas on how to accessorize:

Luggage tags – stand out with funky shapes, rich colours and unique patterns. I’m loving these ones by MooMoDumpling

Scarf – Buy a unique patterned scarf from a charity store and tie it around the main handle

Ribbon – a small ribbon at the top just won’t make your bag stand out. Try cutting small lengths of thin ribbon and tying them on every zipper.

Get Crafty – if you’re handy with a needle and thread, cut out a shape of a fabric and sew it on to the front pocket of your bag.

If you think tying one of those hideous multicoloured belts around the middle of your case is going to solve your problem, think again. Unique, funky and stylish travel accessories plus your luggage equals easy to find luggage that no one would get away with ‘accidentally’ stealing!

When in Rome…” I say, for the millionth time since arriving in Rome.
“Can you get away with saying that in the Vatican?” Bec replies. I choose not to answer

The line crawls for five minutes before we get to a sign. Women aren’t allowed to wear sleeveless tops or skirts above their knees.

Sounds familiar? It’s something you could come across anywhere in the world, be it at a church, temple, shrine, even just venturing through a city. Some places you need to cover up, be it out of respect for the culture, unexpected temperature drop …or just to get people to stop eye balling you.

This is when the scarf comes in. A rectangular piece of lightweight material that you can fit in your handbag will become a travelling essential time and time again. As I waited in that line for over an hour, I saw many a woman – from teenagers to grandmas turned away for showing too much flesh and thanked my lucky stars that I’d figured out the scarf trick.

They don’t take up much space, nor do they weigh much. As long as it’s big enough to cover your shoulders and any cleavage you may or may not be showing, you’ll get away with doing all the touristy things you need when in a city that might not share your fashion sense. A travel accessory must-have.

Pictured: Flirt For ASOS Heart Wrap Scarf £10

If you’re addicted to facebook, myspace, or one of the million other social networking sites, you’ll be thrilled to know there’s a new network just for travellers. Driftr lets you share your travel experiences – from reviewing a destination, to posting your photos and your experiences.

I’m always skeptical of joining social networks, as there seems to be a new one popping up every five seconds – and lets be honest – there’s a certain ‘time wasting’ element to all of them. But, as a resource for finding great travel destinations and letting friends and family know how your traveling experiences are going, it seems like a pretty good idea to me.

Theres been plenty of discussion online about it, so check out these guys posts if you’re not going to take my word for it!
Somewhat Frank
Earn Blogger
Bloggertrail
DanLin

The ipod has become the travellers best friend. MyGloves stunning range of printed leather cases for ipods, mobiles, cameras, laptops and more will be sure to bring a smile to any travellers face.

Travel Journal

A travel journal can be anything from a beautiful leather bound book with recycled paper, to a slick notepad to a .. well.. travel journal. Paper is always necessary when your travelling and a great gift. Why? every time they pull it out of their bag no matter what city they’re in, they’ll be thinking of you. Aaawwwww..

Feet Treat

Travelling involves walking, walking involves feet, hence something for the feet is always good. Be it a pair of super thick thermal socks for someone venturing to colder climates, or a pair of Birkenstock sandels for the sun seeking traveller, having comfortable feet makes the world of difference to the traveller.

Stunning Luggage

Whether you’re backpacking in economy or holidaying in business class, it’s always nice to have one nice peice of luggage, be it your main suitcase or something nice to carry on. Check out Samsonites black label luggage. Beautifully made, the range features luggage designed by Alexander McQueen in glorious patterns and colours.

Travel Essentials

Get creative and make your favourite traveller a collection of essential travelling goodies, all inside a lovely (and useful) zip up bag they can use for cosmetics after. Some ideas on what to fill it with:

• Compact mirror
• Sewing kit
• Travel alarm clock
• Nail polish remover pads
• Sachets of face masks & small pampering products

The list could go on and on, but I’ve got my christmas shopping to do.. So best of luck – and Happy Holidays!

Need a mini sewing kit to take away with you? How ’bout making your own from a sexy matchbox? I saw this real simple contraption on… umm… Real Simple site and thought it was a small stroke of genius.

Just take your standard match box, or the slimline type given away by the more fashionable type bars, add a couple of needles, thread, safety pins and buttons and hey presto – instant travel sewing kit.

Definitely something I’ll be trying next time I travel!