In case you didn’t already know, I’m a writer. I write things. Right now, I’m working as a freelance travel writer and editor, but my real passion is storytelling.

I’m currently working on a novel set in San Francisco during the period between the 1906 earthquake and the start of World War I. I’ve always found this era fascinating, what with all the social and technological changes taking place.

In a hopefully worthwhile fit of distraction, I created a Tumblr page updating the progress of my novel while providing motivational and useful resources for other writers. Please follow me there if you’re on Tumblr, and I’ll follow you back!

(Also, the irony of cutting into writing time to create a blog dedicated to keeping me on track with writing isn’t lost on me.)

As far as cheap holidays are concerned, you can’t get a better value than with all-inclusive vacations, and capitalizing on your trip will mean that you get the most for your cash. Whether you head for the sandy shores of the Spanish Costas or you decide to explore the volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands, all-inclusive breaks are as good a value as you make them. read more »

What do Gondor-esque castles, Duff Beer and vintage Fiats have in common?

They can all be found in the Republic of San Marino!

Located within Italy along the border shared by the regions of Emilia-Romagna and Marche, the Republic of San Marino is an independent microstate that rises high into the sky. Constituted in part by the Apennine mountain range, its capital city, the City of San Marino, offers breathtaking views and quite the bit of exercise. read more »

If you’ve got a Greek island getaway in mind this summer, you can’t go too wrong with Crete. Whether you choose to do it yourself or opt for package holidays in Crete, there are stacks of wonderful holiday experiences offered.

As the largest of the Greek islands, Crete certainly puts diversity on the menu. It’s got bags of character too. If you’ve got nothing else on your agenda other than lazing on a beach all day, this fabulous island is happy to oblige. You’ll find mile upon mile of golden sands melting into stunning secluded coves and pebbly bays, serving up the perfect beach territory whether you like your sunbathing spot loud and lively, or hushed and hidden away. read more »

Are you ready for Russia?
Immersing yourself in the local culture is the best way to learn about a new country, but sometimes knowing what not to do is more important if you want to fit in. If you’re going to be visiting Russia sometime soon, or you’d like to go there in the future, here are some handy hints and tips to stop you making a faux pas!

Come bearing gifts
If you get invited to someone’s house, don’t go empty handed. The gift doesn’t have to be big or expensive – a toy for a child or a simple bunch of flowers will do. Russian people go to a lot of effort when they invite someone to their house, and turning up empty handed implies you don’t care about the work they’ve put in. read more »