A Brief Insight into Glastonbury

Glastonbury in Somerset, UK is most commonly known for its iconic festival however, dig a little deeper than the muddy Somerset hills and you’ll discover a quirky, colourful town sprinkled with shops selling everything from crystals, healing ointment and incense sticks to Aladdin pants, tarot card readings and reiki.

“It’s a small town with a lot of attitude, which makes it a delight to explore!“

The Hut

After a day of mooching around the nooks and crannies of Glastonbury, we set off to find our accommodation for the night. Located around a half an hour drive from Glastonbury, ‘The Hut’ is accessed by snug countryside lanes hugged by rolling farmland. The Airbnb can be found nestled on the host, Sarah’s farm in the secluded village of Dinnington.

On arrival, we were greeted by the host, Sarah and her gang of guinea pigs, chickens, geese, ducks, sheep and the resident goats – Trigger, Dell Boy and Rodney. If you’re an animal lover, you will instantly fall in love with this place, before you’ve even laid eyes on your Shepherd’s Hut.

Sarah kindly showed us to our home for the night. Look at this beauty that Sarah built out of wood during lockdown for her son (she also built the Shepherd’s Hut – she’s one talented lady)!

The Hut is tucked away to the side of the field and cleverly faces the vast expanse of fields to the rear of the farm rather than the farmhouse, giving you the illusion that you have the views of rolling countryside to yourselves. Oh, and the goats of course!

As you approach The Hut the first thing you’ll notice is the adorable, gravelled seating area to the front. It’s a great size for two people and has all the amenities you could need for a summer’s evening – two sets of table and chairs, a BBQ, chiminea, logs, coal, umbrellas, herbs (for a Pimms?), a canopy in case the weather isn’t in your favour, solar powered fairy lights for when the sunsets and flower pots galore giving the area a pop of colour.

As soon as we laid eyes on this alfresco area we were so happy the restaurant at the end of the drive had been fully booked – we weren’t leaving this place until we were thrown out kicking and screaming at check out the next day. 

Décor and Amenities 

As we stepped into the Shepherd’s Hut the attention to detail from the outside area followed us through.

Sarah had very kindly gifted us a bottle of prosecco, a balloon and a box of chocolates as she’d remembered that Nicole had mentioned it was a trip for my birthday – it’s thoughtful surprises like these that really makes an Airbnb stand out from the rest! The décor was simple and cosy, with punches of yellow amongst the grey.

I LOVED these amazing brass pipe toilet/kitchen roll holders and the mosaic floor and tiles in the toilet, which both added a homely, charismatic feel to the hut. There was also an indoor log burner, dressing gowns and slippers for those chillier winter nights.  

The kitchen was kitted out with everything you could need for a weekend away. From an oven and hob, kettle and coffee plunger to bacon, bread, fresh coffee and eggs laid on the farm that day. 

I honestly can’t fault the amenities at The Hut and it was immaculately presented for our arrival. 

Food

Fear not on the food front! There are a few options for dinner at The Hut. If you plan ahead better than we did, you can book a table at the wonderful country pub, Dinnington Docks which is a stone’s throw away from the farm and offers up delicious pub classics as well as a few fancier dining options.

If like us, you’d rather a snug night in, dining alfresco under the stars with a bottle or two of wine and a takeaway, you’re in luck! There are a couple of Thai and Indian restaurants that deliver and all details and menus can be found in the handy visitors booklet in the hut. We placed our order at Lopen Raj and within half an hour we had an array of delicious Thai curries to compliment our New Zealand Sav.

After a spot of star gazing, it was time to hit the sack – we needed our beauty sleep for a day of exploring! The bed was a good size considering how compact the Shepherd’s Hut was and the bedding was fluffy, soft and warm. 

Brekkie

The next morning we awoke to the faint sound of the cockerels and sunshine. We enjoyed a freshly plunged coffee outside before setting to work on cooking a hearty breakfast from the ingredients Sarah had left in the fridge. I was excited to give the eggs from the farm a sample! 

Ready and fuelled for another day of exploring Glastonbury, we very reluctantly packed up our belongings, waved goodbye to the beautiful countryside, gave Trigger the goat one last slice of bread and headed off. Sarah was there to make sure we’d had a good night’s sleep and to wave us goodbye.

Verdict

We LOVED our night’s stay at The Hut and were gutted we couldn’t have stayed longer. It’s the perfect balance of on-point hospitality, amenities and seclusion. Thank you so much to Sarah and the gang for a wonderful night’s stay!

Fancy a stay in a gorgeous Shepherd’s Hut in the depths of Somerset, look no further! To book your stay at ‘The Hut’ (you won’t regret it) click here. 

We wanted a trip that would balance some much-needed relaxation in the sunshine with a chance to get a taste of Morocco’s captivating culture. We booked a 3-day, 3-night trip through Secret Escapes to Al Mendili Kasbah for a bargain £310 each. This price included flights, 3-nights’ accommodation, half board, a 30-minute massage in their hammam and transfers to and from the airport.

If you’re looking for an affordable getaway in tranquil surroundings, Al Mendili might just be the perfect place for you…

The location

Al Mendili is very much off-the-beaten-track. Located down a bumpy road around a 30-minute drive from both the airport and the medina, the accommodation offers its guests the perfect combination of spectacular views across the snow-capped Atlas Mountains with easy access to the city centre.

If you want to be based in the buzz of the city, Al Mendili isn’t for you. However, if you’re looking for a secret escape (soz, couldn’t help myself) with the option to explore Marrakesh as and when you fancy it, it’s a great spot to base yourself.

It’s peaceful, tranquil and homely and we loved the feeling of it being just us, the mountains and the resident peacock.

The grounds

The grounds of the Kasbah were manicured to perfection. Colourful flower beds and bushes were dotted throughout the garden and blankets of foliage hugged the terracotta walls of the hotel – it was wonderfully Moroccan. The sunbeds scattered around the pool were comfier than my bed at home, the pool area was spotlessly clean and the hammam and tranquil outdoor hot tub were very welcome additions. 

It is obvious the owners, Catherine and Alain take a lot of pride in their little oasis. 

The rooms

Our rooms were the perfect balance of comfort, cosiness and character.

All rooms had a terrace with impressive views across the pool area, gardens and Atlas Mountains and the attention to detail in the décor was amazing. Silver sheer fabric framed our squishy beds, rustic golden lamps and candles sat on our bed side tables and traditional Moroccan artwork hung on the walls. 

The bathroom was beautifully finished in silver (in keeping with the rest of our room) and had all necessary amenities. However, the bath/shower definitely needed a shower curtain. I spent a lot of my time in the shower trying not to flood the room…

The food

The cost of our stay included two meals a day – breakfast and then either lunch or dinner. Breakfast and lunch were served by the pool or on our balcony and dinner was served on the peaceful rooftop. 

We all agreed breakfast was our favourite meal of the day. A gorgeous wake up call of eggs, bread, fruit and pancakes teamed with freshly squeezed juice, excellent coffee and mint tea was the perfect fuel for a day of exploring the souks. 

Lunch and dinner were both three courses and were light, fresh and tasty. We were served everything from fish and tagine to omelettes and gazpacho. Although all the food was lovely, we didn’t get a choice of what we were served so if you’re a fussy eater, you might go hungry. We also found we were a little peckish after some meals so filled up on a lot of bread.

Please note: it is definitely important to note that there is no way of getting snacks at the Kasbah so if you can, stock up on snacks (and water!) at a shop beforehand.

The service

The service at Al Mendili was where it really shone. The staff were so welcoming, friendly and attentive. Hamid, the hotel’s taxi driver was an absolute babe. His infectious smile and enthusiasm to talk to us about his country was a real highlight of our trip and Moussain, the lovely gent who served us at lunch and dinner, was lovely. High praise goes to him for putting up with our constant demand for wine.

The owners Alain and Catherine were there during our stay (however, they live in France so aren’t there all year round) and welcomed us to their second home with open arms from the moment we stepped in. None of the staff are fluent in English so prepare to put your finest Franglish to the test. 

Cost

Overall, I feel our holiday to Al Mendili was very good value. The level of luxury we received for the price we paid was outstanding. Food and drink outside of what was included in our stay was rather pricey so we picked up bottles of water and snacks from a shop in the city to save a bit of dollar. We could get alcohol in the guesthouse between lunch and dinner times but not in between these hours (we were there during Ramadan, which may have affected this) so we were relieved we’d bought some bottles at duty free for those all important afternoon G&Ts on the balcony. 

Our Secret Escapes package also included a free 30 minute full body massage in their hammam, which was divine! I would highly recommend a massage here even if it’s not included in your booking as the prices are so reasonable (£20 for half an hour, £40 for 1 hour).

Overall, Al Mendili was the perfect setting for what we wanted – a long weekend of relaxation with a splash of culture thrown in. I would highly recommend staying here if you enjoy accommodation with a relaxed ‘guesthouse’ feel rather than a hotel with someone there to be at your beckon call 24/7. Its setting, hospitality and décor are exactly what you’d hope for from a Kasbah in Marrakesh! 

Surrounded by mountains, wildlife and colourful foliage, Love Earth Farm is a farm (funnily enough) that focuses on eco-friendly, remote accommodation with a personal touch.

If you enjoy getting off-the-beaten track, connecting with nature and disconnecting from the outside world (there’s no WiFi), then this is the place for you.

The host, Yasmin, has two quirky cabins situated around the corner from her own home – a log cabin (where we stayed) and a chalet, which have both been built using reusable resources from the farm. The cabins are located around a 15 minute drive from the entrance to the National Park, meaning you can enjoy a remote, off-the-beaten-track stay without being too far from the action of Tsitsikamma.

From the solid wooden worktops in the kitchen to the wooden honey coloured floorboards, the wilderness of Tsitsikamma is cleverly carried into the cabin through its structure and decor.

The cabin is entirely open plan and boasts a kitchen with all essential amenities, a shower room and two double beds – one on the ground floor and one vaulted above the kitchen, offering beautiful views through the window.

Knowing Love Earth Farm was going to be a bit out in the sticks, we came prepared – ingredients for dinner, plenty of wine and a pack of cards were all we needed for a relaxed evening in the wild.

Yasmin was even kind enough to let us raid her vegetable patch for additional ingredients for dins and bought us firewood for the outside fire pit.

As the dark clouds crept over the mountainside and the rain began to pour, Lizzie built us a fire any caveman would be proud of. Perfectly situated on the terrace next to the seating area, we revelled in the heat of the cosy fire whilst eating dinner, drinking wine and playing rummy.

The perfect end to a busy day on the road…

If you’re looking for a remote, unique and peaceful place to base yourself whilst exploring the wilderness of Tsitsikamma National Park, Love Earth Farm is the perfect spot for you. 

Have you ever stayed at Love Earth Farm? What was your favourite part of your stay?

Yes, the Galapagos Islands are a great reason to visit Ecuador however, there is also SO much more on offer in this country. Sacred snow peaked volcanoes, opalescent blue lagoons and intriguing indigenous communities, are just a few of the things that this tiny country boasts.

During my time in Ecuador, I decided to save the Galapagos Islands for when I could actually afford to do it properly and instead, went on a quest to uncover what the rest of Ecuador has to offer. Enter Cotopaxi National Park…

What is Cotopaxi National Park?

Cotopaxi National Park is a sprawling landscape of diverse scenery located around 2 hours South of the capital, Quito. Despite covering approximately 128 square miles, the main draw to this National Park is the impressive active volcano, Cotopaxi, which protrudes from the otherwise flat vista.

Standing at a staggering 5,897m above sea level, this snow peaked beauty can be reached by huffing and puffing your way up to the windy refuge or, can be enjoyed from afar with a cup of coffee and a slice of banana cake at The Secret Garden…

What is The Secret Garden, Cotopaxi?

The Secret Garden is accommodation located in the ass end of nowhere.

Owned and built by Australians, Tarquin and Katherine and run mostly by outdoorsy backpacking volunteers, this eco-friendly home is a cosy refuge where you can disconnect from the outside world (there’s no wifi – dum dum dummm) and reconnect with nature and other travellers.

The Secret Garden offers multiple room options to accommodate all visitors and budgets including dorm rooms, private cabañas, ‘birdhouses’ and their ridiculously cute hobbit holes. Nonetheless,  whichever room you go for, you will always benefit from the one running theme at The Secret Garden. THIS VIEW…

Oh, and the jacuzzi, cute puppies, amazing food and toasty fires…

How does it work?

The easiest way to book a stay at The Secret Garden, Cotopaxi is to book one of their packages online.

I booked a 3 day, 2 night package in a dorm room with a fireplace for $95. This included transport to The Secret Garden, Cotopaxi from their sister hostel in Quito, 2 nights accommodation, 3 meals per day including a two course dinner, snacks, unlimited coffee and banana bread, use of the jacuzzi/sunroom, a free 2 hour guided walk to nearby waterfalls, a free 6 hour guided trek to the summit of Pasochoa volcano and a free day to book onto any additional activities you may want to do.

If you opt not to book a package, it’ll cost $40 per night in a dorm excluding the transfer from Quito and any of the free activities.

The Secret Garden is like a home away from home and all guests eat, relax and socialise together in the living room and dining area.

How to get to The Secret Garden, Cotopaxi

The best way to reach The Secret Garden, Cotopaxi is to jump on the shuttle from The Secret Garden hostel in Quito, which is included when you book one of their package deals or, costs $5. This transfer leaves the hostel at 10am everyday and must be booked and confirmed in advance.

If you are travelling up from the South of Ecuador, hop on a bus to Quito and get off at Machachi. You will be able to organise for the shuttle to pick you up from here on its way from Quito.

Our dorm

Our dorm room was super cosy. Squeezing in around 10 people over two floors with one en suite, it was basic yet, had everything we could have needed for a comfy nights sleep – beams, blankets and a blazing hot fire.

Food

Brekkie, lunch and dinner were all served family-style at the dinner table in the main chalet-like lodge. Whilst I was there, we ate everything from pancakes, eggs and yoghurt to soup, sandwiches and sticky toffee pud. It was hearty, well-cooked grub and we never went hungry!

Activities

The two free treks included in The Secret Garden’s packages are well worth doing.

On our first afternoon, we followed one of the enthusiastic volunteers to explore the surrounding area of where the hostel is located. We visited multiple waterfalls, waded through pools of water and even had the opportunity to climb up the side of a waterfall – I was very grateful for the wellies they provided us with pre-trek!

The next day we set out to conquer the Pasochoa summit. Voted one of the best treks in Ecuador, this trip will take your breath away – in more ways than one. Standing at 4,220m above sea level, the altitude is tough however, when you make it to the summit, the gobsmacking view across Quito and beyond will make that pain melt away. I did this trek with a group of 40 – 60 year olds so don’t write it off straight away if you’re not the fittest, just keep in mind that it might take a bit longer than 5 hours (we did it in 8 LOL).

There are also additional activities you can book onto at an additional cost on your ‘free day’. These include trekking to the refuge at the top of Cotopaxi ($30/$35 if you want to bike back down) and horse riding ($35-40pp) and can be booked while you’re there.

Looking out over Cotopaxi everyday could never get old and The Secret Garden’s activities, food and homely feel are the perfect way to explore and experience this National Park to the full!

Please note: this is not a sponsored post and, as always, all thoughts and opinions are my own!

Welcome to Driftwood Glamping and Boutique Hotel…

Located in Nosara, a small hippie surf town on the west coast of the Nicoya peninsula in Costa Rica, Driftwood encapsulates all that is Nosara.

A maze of bumpy dust tracks swallowed by overgrown, dense jungle and peppered with boutique hotels, surf shacks and restaurants, this areas has a rustic, off-the-beaten-track feel and is the perfect spot to slow things down on any Costa Rican adventure.

Nosara’s two main beaches – Guiones and Pelada – offer long stretches of soft, golden sand lined with vibrant jungle and prime waves for avid surfers.

Delve a few minutes deeper into the jungle and you’ll be lead to Driftwood.

Nestled at the top of a bumpy, dirt track just off of the quieter of the two beaches – Pelada – Driftwood is new on the Nosara scene and offers two desirable options for your stay…

Either glamping in one of their unique bell tents equipped with squishy double bed (and single bed if you book a triple room), fluffy pillows, faux fur beanbag and en suite toilet (approx $38.50 a night).

Or, one of their wonderful, bright and airy boutique rooms fittingly strewn in driftwood and minimalistic decor (approx $68 a night).

We were originally booked into a tent however, after one night of being somewhat… hot, Mum made the executive decision to upgrade to a room with air con. The tents were lovely but in 35 degree heat the fan just didn’t cut it, so keep this in mind when booking.

The vibe at Driftwood was so relaxing we had no qualms in rolling out of bed and making the few steps from our room to the pool area in our PJs for a morning smoothie bowl from the juice bar.

Before spending the day floating around in the serene infinity pool only emerging in search of food.

The accommodation doesn’t serve food other than breakfast therefore, a walk along the beach is needed to find lunch and dinner. Luckily, there are a handful of restaurants within walking distance, one of which is a must visit – La Luna.

Hidden at the far end of Pelada Beach, La Luna hogs the best sunset spot on the beach and is the perfect place to stop off for a quick sunset cocktail or, a three course meal with bubbles.

Sprinkled with fairylights, palm trees and candles, La Luna’s outdoor patio area is where all the action happens and looks like it’s been lifted straight out of the wedding scene in Mamma Mia. Both Lizzie (sis) and I agreed it would be a dreamy wedding venue…

Triumphing in everything from simple Mediterranean platters and salads to gourmet pizzas and seafood, this restaurant won’t leave you disappointed. We ate here three times in seven days and each time we came away giddy with content (and prosecco).

You can walk from La Luna to Driftwood in around 20 minutes. And don’t worry about the darkness, the fireflies will guide the way to your room where you can sleep off your inevitable food baby.

Driftwood is a peaceful haven snuggled deep in the Costa Rican jungle. Its relaxing vibe, picture-perfect infinity pool and chic decor is unbeatable and comes at a bargain price in comparison to other accommodation options in Costa Rica. Book your glamping tent or boutique room now here.

However, when my parents flew out to Thailand to see me for a couple of weeks over Christmas, I definitely wasn’t complaining when they checked us into the lavish 4-star Twin Lotus Resort on Koh Lanta Island.

An oasis located on Klong Dao Beach in the North of the island, Twin Lotus Resort was the perfect place to rejuvenate and escape the festive turkey-cooking stress (for Mum).

Housing two infinity swimming pools – one overlooking the beach and the other in its own tranquil gardens, a beach bar and restaurant serving up a great menu of quality food and cocktails and a serene spa offering everything from traditional Thai massages to mani pedis, the Twin Lotus was definitely not short on facilities to ensure we had a fabulous holiday.

We stayed on a bed and breakfast basis in a garden view room (Lizzie and I in one, Mum and Dad in the other).

The rooms were divine.

Situated amongst colourful manicured gardens and a trickling lake, the garden view rooms had a wonderful, tranquil feel to them before we’d even set foot inside.

The rooms were set in a two-storey villa-esque building – one room upstairs, one room downstairs – all of which were in a circular position overlooking the pretty gardens.

Once inside the room, a huge squishy double bed stood in the centre with a flat screen TV and mahusive balcony as its view. The fridge was stocked with reasonably priced goodies and free water, the bathroom had an exotic, Mediterranean feel and the towel art was on point…

The breakfast included was just as impressive as the rooms and facilities. Fresh fruit, pastries, cereal, yoghurt, an egg station, curry, noodles, make-your-own smoothies – it had it all and was served up by the friendliest and smiliest staff members (especially Meow).

Despite the outstanding grounds, views and facilities, the thing, which really set this hotel apart from the rest was the attentive staff and added extras.

Each morning after breakfast,  as we settled down into our crazy comfortable beanbags by the pool, a member of staff would cycle around the complex and hand out skewers of fresh fruit – the perfect refreshing, juicy snack in the sunshine.

Whilst at night-time, just after sunset, ‘the flower man’ would pop into every room and place a beautiful scented flower on each bed.

The hotel also treated us to a free Thai massage, which was the best massage I’ve ever had, a free yoga class overlooking the lapping ocean and, even ordered us in a barrel of Leo beer at our request.

Our stay at Twin Lotus Resort and Spa was everything we could have wished for and more and I’m sure will be cherished in the family memory book for years and years to come.

Thank you Twin Lotus!