![Travelling solo on Valentine’s Day: Five tips to enjoy the day](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_470,h_140/https://thegrown-upgapyear.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/love-life-3-275x140.jpg)
Updated: 30/01/24 Travelling solo on Valentine’s Day can be a weird feeling. In the past it was easy enough to ignore such events. But nowadays,…
![Colombia Turbodown™ Hooded Jacket](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_470,h_140/https://thegrown-upgapyear.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/coat-300x140.jpg)
On a recent weekend break to Haworth in Yorkshire, UK, Mr A went off to do a photography course, while I explored the small village…
![Yosemite National Park](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_470,h_140/https://thegrown-upgapyear.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/20140611_170534-470x140.jpg)
I don’t think I’ve ever told the story of how Mr A and I met on this blog. That’s mainly because he likes to remain…
I met the lovely Lucy from Absolutely Lucy via Twitter and was immediately swept away by her enthusiasm for her upcoming trip (and, ok, I’ll…
A New Year always brings with it new resolutions and if you’re planning to travel more in 2014, especially if you’re thinking about travelling solo,…
It has now been a year since I landed back at Heathrow and returned home to a London that was in love with the Olympics. …
![I smile because I am different](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_470,h_140/https://thegrown-upgapyear.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/dscf0759-470x140.jpg)
I got thinking about this post after reading something a fellow traveller had written on Facebook about being laughed at by locals. Although this is…
![Why I support the #WeGoSolo movement](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_470,h_140/https://thegrown-upgapyear.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/dscf0639-470x140.jpg)
When I arrived at university at the age of 19 I was quickly given the nickname Sandra Dee by my new friends. Unfortunately it had…
![Burma: Stars In My Eyes](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_470,h_140/https://thegrown-upgapyear.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/dscf1375-470x140.jpg)
I think travelling solo in Burma is the closest I will ever get to knowing what it’s like to be a celebrity. Everywhere you go,…
![Too old to backpack it?](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_470,h_140/https://thegrown-upgapyear.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/dscf3837-470x140.jpg)
At home among some of my friends I’m affectionately (at least I like to think so) known as Granny Annie on account of my love…