Travel and About Me – RexyEdventures Travel Blog

The new look RexyEdventures.com

After rebranding RexyEdventures.com, I was still in the position of being a Digital Marketer. I began to think whether a return to full time travel blogger was really for me. Here I was about to turn 30 this year as January rolled around and you know what? I decided to go for it one last time, when the time was right.

Still in Hull, my hometown, it didn’t mean I would stop travelling, hell no. I began January off with a visit to London, my very own capital for just a bite to eat. I just had a hankering for the Beigal Bagel that could be found on Brick Lane and it was the very first video I shot on my brand new GoPro after coming runner up in the Papua New Guinea Tourism Board competition.

See more: Grabbing a bite in London

As February rolled around, I had in my mind to visit 15 European destinations in 2015. And where better than to go than mainland Spain’s most popular destination: Barcelona.

But first, as I hightailed it down to London yet again, I had an early morning flight and reviewed my very first luxury budget travel accommodation the is the Premium cabin in Yotel in Gatwick Airport.

See more: Review: Yotel Premium Room, Gatwick Airport

Before I knew it, it was time to go to Barcelona. I had reserved expectations of this Spanish destination as I completely adored Madrid and would I be betraying my beloved Spanish capital even as I’m going off peak in Winter? I needn’t have worried. The Rainbow Barcelona Tour was a complete revelation as they showed me the local and unexpected aspects of that destination. I won a competition with Two Bad Tourists to tour with them and I was pretty glad to have done so. Check out the articles here:

See more: Would you go to Barcelona in Winter?

See more: Why Barcelona could be better than Madrid

See more: Review: Rainbow Barcelona Tours

See more: Review: TOC Hostels, Barcelona

As I was still working as a digital marketer in Hull, I couldn’t get enough time to go travelling in February, but I still continued to use my weekends away to promote British destinations. One such favourite weekend was back down to London again to undertake a Jack the Ripper walking tour for a good friend’s birthday but also to stay in a prison in Kings Cross that has now been converted into a luxury hostel. Namely, the Clink78 Hostel. This is where I actually got to stay in a prison cell!

See more: Review: Clink78 Hostel, London

Soon, March rolled round and I began to make preparations for the Spring and Summer ahead. After all, it’s when there’s warmer weather! The first weekend of March offered this as I meandered across the country to see Manchester finally. This north western powerhouse city has always been on the cards to visit properly. I had been there quite a few times but for some reason I always fell ill. Perhaps it’s because I’m betraying my Yorkshire roots! But at least this time, I didn’t and got to explore a full weekend in Manchester after staying in the Palace Hotel, right in the middle of the city.

See more: A quick weekend guide to Manchester, UK

Hull still remains to be one of my favourite destinations. It’s my home town of course and I just know there’s lots of unexpected delights in this under-rated city. One such case is the exclusive Al Porto restaurant on the side of the marina and set in a converted shipping warehouse. You should definitely go. And what better time than to take your own Mum there on Mother’s Day!

See more: A taste of Italy in Kingston Upon Hull for Mother’s Day

By the end of March, I finally handed in my notice to give one last go to travelling full-time. I knew in myself that it would be the last time in a long while I could go this so I was determined to make the most of it. To celebrate, I went to pay my yearly homage to my spiritual capital that is York. Going there with a close family friend, we skipped a plenty on the castle walls and played on the fun fair on this Easter weekend.

See more: An Easter Saturday in York

So, what do you do if you finish work and looking for inspiration to go full-time in travel blogging? To Traverse Conference, of course! I had already been to the previous two years in Brighton and Newcastle but this time it was set in Kingston Upon Thames. Little did I know that Kingston Upon Thames held an unexpected secret that I simply had to write about. That article actually won the competition ran by the local tourism board for me to come back to Kingston Upon Thames and stay in luxury at Warren House Hotel and use the vouchers within the city.

See more: How Kingston Upon Thames shaped the world

Making preparations and finding myself with free time to kill, I began a series of escapades in my local region, East Yorkshire, with the family dog. We hightailed it in my car across the Holderness district visiting the local beach, Withernsea, and exploring the stately Burton Constable and the market town of Hedon.

See more: Wet n Wild Dog at Withernsea

May would be the intense month of travelling. First of all, I kicked off May Bank Holiday weekend with a visit to one of Britain’s home countries where I never been before: Northern Ireland. Steeped rich in recent British history, it was interesting to see how Belfast shaped to being after a flight with Flybe from Leeds Bradford airport to land at Belfast City airport. With a quick visit to the Titanic Museum, the infamous prison and walking through the city, my friends and I took a wander through the Dark Hedges (famed for Game of Thrones), Giant’s Causeway, Port Rush and Bangor. I couldn’t believe it. Just why did I leave it so long to come to Northern Ireland? It’s beautiful!

See more: Why didn’t I come to Northern Ireland before?!

Afterwards, I also took a quick visit to Liverpool, another north western city, to check out one of my favourite bands who reunited for a series of one off concerts. I’m not ashamed to say it, it was S Club 7! But their performance was just the icing on the cake after exploring the city that I truly believe is extremely handsome. Hence, why I shot a view detailed ‘Why Liverpool is Handsome like me!’

But there was no time to lose as I was ready to get my adventure travels started. This meant travelling to my sixth continent to explore and that was the United States of America with Trek America! Boarding on a Virgin Atlantic flight (still remains to this day as my favourite airline) I undertook a series of trekking adventures through the national parks in Nevada, Utah and Arizona, topped with a helicopter flight over and trekking in the Canyon as well as enjoying the VIP experience in Las Vegas. It was fantastically amazing travelling with like minded travel bloggers, YouTubers and fashion bloggers on this thrilling press trip with Trek America. Check out the posts below:

See more: iTrekHere: The Longest Sunday of my life

See more: iTrekHere: This Rex is in Jurassic Park at Zion National Park

See more: iTrekHere: The scariest ride of my life!

See more: iTrekHere: Travelling across Utah (Warning: Contains delicious pies!)

See more: iTrekHere: Living like a Native American in Monument Valley

See more: iTrekHere: Hiking the Grand Canyon

See more: iTrekHere: The Las Vegas VIP Experience

But while I was away, I was given an amazing opportunity. You see, I knew in my heart that I wasn’t ready to be a full-time travel blogger again even though I totally LOVED the adventures I’ve taken this year. I was offered the position to be a Marketing Manager for a UK wide charity that was close to my heart. I simply jumped on it and moved my base from Hull to London…again.

See more: A Londoner again!

But cheekily, after four days in my new job, I was on a plane again to go out of the country for a long weekend. This time to return to one of my very first destinations in Europe that is Munich in Germany. I returned there as one of my best friends was getting married and wanted to have a Stag Do there. A Stag Do is the men in the wedding party to go and have one last freedom of activity together before shackling to the wife. (Actually, his marriage is really rather sweet.) So, what happened? Read on to find out more:

See more: A Stag Do in Munich

When you get to my age in my late twenties, you’ll find that wedding invitations arrive on your doorstep by the dozen. Your friends and family are getting married and despite that I live to travel, it was such a pleasure to see them tie the knot and also in great locations too! The first one of the summer was set in the rolling beautiful hills of the Cotswolds in the heart of England.

See more: A wedding in the Cotswolds

Throughout June and July, I focussed on living in London, enjoying different and quirky activities including taking a Unity Boat trip down the River Thames, partying in the Soho District and taking a multitude of walking tours. But my favourite thing was to observe the long-term Londoners. They are a character unto themselves and I couldn’t stop laughing every time I took the London tube.

See more: Waterloo & City Line: London’s Open Secret

The summer was in full swing and the weddings and stag dos still flowed on. One of my favourite stag dos had to be a trip up to the North York Moors in the beginning of August. Hiking, tippling at the local pubs and relaxing in the hot tubs in the middle of the woods certainly kept me out of trouble!

See more: How North York Moors can keep you out of trouble!

It was time to take advantage of the prizes that I won in the competition earlier on in the year with the local tourism board in Kingston Upon Thames. i return to the town yet again but this time to stay in the swanky Warren House and exploring the town in great detail. I certainly got my pose on!

See more: Why you should be staying at Warren House in kingston Upon Thames

But while I was there, as a lover of Royal British history, I knew I had to visit Hampton Court Palace, one of the historic Royal Palaces of London. The residence of many Kings and Queens past, it was also Hampton Court Palaces’ 500th anniversary. To celebrate they put on ‘time plays’ where you could get a glimpse of what significant events happened there that shaped the course of history. Well worth the experience!

See more: Meeting the Royals at Hampton Court Palace

As August finished, it was yet time to review another hostel in London but this time with Astor Hostels. I wouldn’t say it was a luxury hostel but well worth the value if you looking to stay in London on the cheap.

See more: Review: Astor Hostels: Queensway London

As I began to be very familiar with London, friends came down to visit me. It was my prerogative to act as a tour guide for them. Sadly, I completely failed and entered in a series of blunders never to be forgotten!

See more: How to be a Bad Tour Guide in London

Also, I played host to an aspiring deaf photographer who I’ve been mentoring for a number of years. He’s still at university but I can see a very bright future for him. Check out his photography skills and what’s more, he’s got fantastic photos of me!

See more: Sightseeing London with Millman Photography

Still settled in London, I began to work more and more with travel brands based here. Including getting invited to exclusive launch events that showcased new and up-coming destinations and travel features. Just be warned that the Tenerife carnival post has photos of me like a drag queen. Eeeep!

See more: OK Google becomes eyes free on your travels

See more: Let’s get Carnival Fiesta style for Tenerife!

Ah, but I wouldn’t be in London for too long as I was bound to Spain yet again but with a intrigued expectation. Yes, I was going to Benidorm, famed for bad British tourists who prefer to get sunburnt and drunk. However, i was very pleasantly surprised as I explored the activities and the local aspect of this destination.

See more: Why this British guy changed his mind about Benidorm, Spain

Before long, I swapped the sunny beaches for the architectural playground that is Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Working with KLM UK and King Kong Hostel, another luxury hostel, I spent a weekend exploring the Dutch delights particularly as I looked for food. I even made a video too!

See more: 28 Reasons why you should visit Rotterdam

See more: Review: King Kong Hostel, Rotterdam

Then dum dum dum! It was my birthday! Not any old birthday, it was my 30th birthday! Inviting a bunch of my best mates down, we had a quirky tour of London led by a brash Scottish guy before retiring for wine at London’s oldest wine bar, Gordon’s Wine Bar. It was a special day and I simply loved it.

See more: How to have an amazing birthday in London!

As travel blogging is always on the move, it’s always interesting to see what new marketing trends are happening. One of my favourites in 2015 has to be the work I’ve done with Hotels.com about unrooming hotels where we film the first minute as soon as you enter your room (mine was in Pullman Hotels in St Pancras) and upload to YouTube to be shared.

See more: Unrooming Hotels with Pullman Hotel, St Pancras

As December rolled around, I was soon ensconced in London living the commuter lifestyle. But on the weekends, I would shoot off to day trips in England particularly as I revisited Stratford Upon Avon to make a pilgrimage to the bard himself, William Shakespeare.

See more: Stratford Upon Avon: A fleeting visit to Shakespeare

Knowing me, I love a challenge particularly in London. So, when I was offered the chance to run up one of London’s most secretive buildings for charity, I knew I simply had to do it. The views at the top was completely worth it!

See more: The London Skyrace

Scraping in one more luxury hostel review before I decamped to Yorkshire for Christmas to spend the time with the family, it was the turn of another Astor Hostel showing, this time in the London district of Victoria.

See more: Review: Astor Hostels Victoria

There you have it! That was 2015 for you. It’s definitely been a topsy turvy kind of year with life situations changing. But it’s been grand. Find out more about my thoughts about 2015 here. It;s a bit of a rollercoaster!

See more: 2015 RexyEdventures Travels: The Review