Allie Goes Global

I’m starting this blog because I’m a yapper. I’ve been told that I talk too much about my trips (and in general). I have caught myself on too many occasions saying, “On my trip to [insert destination here]…” So, in the interest of salvaging my friendships and not being *that person*, this is where I’ll do my yapping. And who knows? Maybe this is something that will actually interest someone other than me.

I am a solo traveler, and I didn’t really start traveling until I was in my mid-30s. I’m not a backpacker, or a hostel-sleeper. I’m a tired woman rapidly approaching middle age, but I don’t think this is something that should keep me from seeing the world. All of this keeps my budget higher and my days shorter, but it also means that I don’t waste time on things I don’t enjoy. It seems like a good balance.

I took my first international trip in February 2024, to England. Yes, England, specifically. Not Great Britain, not the United Kingdom. Just England. Being an American, and working for an American company, my vacation time was pretty limited. I wanted to make sure that, if I was going to do a country, I was going to do it right. As much as I would have loved to throw in some time in Scotland and Wales, I wanted to do more than just step over the border and say, “I’m here.” I had to concentrate my trip into very specific areas in order to really have the full experience, knowing that I would be saving the other places for other trips.

My trip was planned to the minute, months in advance. Of course, you know what they say about the best-laid plans. Some things on my trip couldn’t have been predicted, such as a late-in-the-game injury, and a hotel so bad that I had to skip town a day early. But all those details and more will come in the individual posts.

That’s right, I have a lot to say, and I intend to break this trip down into day-by-day posts, including some of the best photos from my trip. I will be complaining, I will be celebrating, and, where appropriate, I’ll be giving suggestions for some of the best places and activities. Don’t worry, I’m not affiliated with anyone, so I’ll be giving my real and honest opinion with no compensation. The posts will be as follows:

Day 1: Arrival and Watford
Day 2: Harry Potter Studio and travel to Bath
Day 3: Bath
Day 4: Bourton-on-the-Water
Day 5: Chester
Day 6: Chester, Part 2, Electric Boogaloo
Day 7: York
Day 8: NOT York, aka Things Fall Apart
Day 9: Nottingham
Day 10: Cambridge
Day 11: Wimpole Estate
Day 12: London Arrival
Day 13: London, aka Things Fall Apart Again
Day 14: London by Bus, and the NHS
Day 15: London via Museum
Day 16: Travel and Home

I’ll be trying to remember to come back and add the links as I complete them. For now, enjoy my highly professional video of some of my best photos from the trip.

Hope to see you back soon!