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I found myself with a few days to spend in Aosta after hiking the Gran Paradiso Circuit Trek and before summiting Gran Paradiso. Although the Aosta Valley is most popular during the winter for snow sports, I visited in the middle of July, so here are some of the best things to do in Aosta, Italy in summer. Aosta is the capital of the Aosta Valley and sometimes referred to as Little Rome of the Alps due to its large collection of well preserved Roman heritage. Surrounded by mountains and with ancient ruins scattered throughout the city, it is the perfect mix of Italian history and Alpine scenery. I stayed in the Gressan area at a lovely apartment called Villa Kate. The host was incredible and could not have done anything more to help, there was epic mountain views from your window and only around a 30 minute walk into the capital city, Aosta. I would definitely stay there again if I find myself back in the area. Things To Do In Aosta: These are the things I managed to squeeze in to my short stay in Aosta, and the places I'd recommend during a summer visit. Explore Aosta Old Town The first thing I would suggest is simply taking a walk around Aosta's historic centre to familiarise yourself with the city. The cobbled streets are lined with little cafes, bakeries, traditional shops and colourful buildings. Reminders of Aosta's Roman past seem to pop up around every corner. The old town is very compact and easy to explore on foot, while the mountains provide a pretty impressive backdrop. Discover Aosta's Roman History Teatro Romano - One of Aosta's most impressive Roman sites, Teatro Romano was built shortly after the city was founded as Augusta Praetoria. The Southern side of the theatre still stands at an impressive 22 metres high which shows the grand scale of the building, and you can see the remains of the seating area, orchestra pit and stage. The theatre is thought to have held around 3,000 - 4,000 spectators which gives you an idea of just how important Aosta was during that period. Entry fee applies - please check current opening times and prices before visiting. Porta Praetoria - Standing for over 2,000 years, Porta Praetoria was the grand entrance to Augusta Praetoria - modern day Aosta. Built in 25 B.C, this massive gate once had three archways, a fortified corridor and marble-clad walls. Today you can walk straight through it whilst exploring the old town, which is slightly surreal as this Roman gateway just casually sits amongst modern cafes and shops. Arco di Augusto - Built in 25 B.C. to celebrate a victory over the Salassi, the Arch of Augustus is now one of Aosta's most recognisable landmarks. Found at the eastern end of the old town, it is an impressive introduction to the city and another reminder of just how much of Roman Aosta remains today. Pont de Pierre (Stone Bridge) - Continue past the Arch of Augustus and you'll find Aosta's ancient Roman stone bridge. It once crossed the Buthier river, although later the river changed course, leaving the bridge sitting over dry land - oops. It's a quick stop that should only take you a few minutes, but a great reminder of the Roman footprint that is still visible throughout the town of Aosta. Church of Saint Stephen I actually stumbled across this beautiful little church by chance, whilst I was exploring. The church sits just outside the walls of the city and I ended up wandering inside. I am not religious in the slightest, but throughout my travels there is something that always draws me inside. This one was nothing short of spectacular, with a number of alters and even an underground crypt that you could access. I am always in awe of the beauty of the interior in the churches I have found on my adventures across Europe, and there is always such a calming feeling. I always like to light a candle for my mum when I find myself inside a church somewhere new, so this became an unexpected little stop that meant a lot more to me than planned. Piazza Émile Chanoux Piazza Émile Chanoux is main square in the heart of Aosta that gives you a nice natural stopping point between sightseeing. Surrounded by historic buildings, cafés and restaurants. It is perfect for grabbing a coffee, gazing at the mountain views and people watching before you carry on exploring. Stop for Coffee & a Sweet Treat Italy needs no introduction when it comes to coffee and pastries, and Aosta's old town is full of bakeries and pasticceria that look and smell incredible. There is a high chance you'll get sucked in, so make sure you leave some room for a sweet treat. As amazing as the bakeries were, my greatest discovery was crema al caffe - I'm genuinely not sure why these aren't a thing all over the world. Picture a cold, whipped, creamy espresso that's somewhere between an iced coffee and a dessert - lush. You'll find them in cafés around Italy during the summer, usually served in a little glass, and they are insanely good. Take the Cable Car from Aosta to Pila One of the easiest ways to swap the city for the mountains is to take the gondola from Aosta up to Pila. Better known as a ski resort during winter, Pila becomes an outdoor playground in summer, with hiking trails, mountain biking and huge Alpine views over the Aosta Valley. Even if you don't have a big hike planned, the journey up is worth it for the scenery and it's an easy way to add a mountain day to a stay in Aosta - it was so windy when I was in the cable car on the way up which definitely made my heart flutter a bit. There are some cafe's up the top with outdoor seating areas where it is nice to take a break and admire the city views. 2026 price: €8 return for adults. Prices and seasonal opening dates can change, so check before travelling. Visit Gran Paradiso National Park If you have some extra time in the Aosta Valley, it would be criminal not to head into the mountains to explore. Gran Paradiso National Park is a dream for hikers, with more than 500km of trails running through five valleys and routes ranging from accessible day walks to challenging multi-day adventures. Expect dramatic mountain scenery, waterfalls, alpine meadows and plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife including ibex, chamois and marmots. I spent several days hiking the Gran Paradiso Circuit Trek before returning to the area to climb Gran Paradiso itself, so this part of Italy deserves far more than a quick day trip if hiking is your thing. Is Aosta Worth Visiting in Summer? Aosta offered me a lot more than just a few days to spend resting between hikes. I loved the contrast of being surrounded by Roman ruins but looking up to see the mountains towering in the background. If you are visiting the Aosta capital in the summer then I would definitely give yourself a day or to to explore the city instead of bypassing on your way to the mountains.

Where is Nguuni Nature Sanctuary? Nguuni Nature Sanctuary can be found in the Nguu Tatu Hills, close to the Nyali/Bamburi area of Mombasa, Kenya. It is not too far from the Bamburi Cement Factory. What is Nguuni Nature Sanctuary in Mombasa? Nguuni Nature Sanctuary is way more than just a place to see cool animals. Hidden away on the outskirts of Mombasa, this former limestone quarry has been transformed into a peaceful wildlife reserve where giraffes, ostriches, antelope and hundreds of bird species can roam freely. giving you an up close and personal experience of Mombasa wildlife. The transformation was led by Swiss environmentalist Dr Rene Haller, whose pioneering restoration work turned what was once barren unused land into a thriving ecosystem. Today, Nguuni stands as a reminder that when community and conservation work together, incredible things can happen. This makes the sanctuary one of the most unique experiences in Mombasa. How Much Does Nguuni Nature Sanctuary Cost? 1,000 KES for tourists 400 KES for residents Prices are correct at the time of writing but may change, so it is always worth checking before you visit. How to Get to Nguuni Nature Sanctuary? Nguuni Nature Sanctuary is around 10 minute drive from Bamburi Beach in Mombasa. We booked an Uber through the app which cost us around 500 KES (approx. £3) Animals You Can See at Nguuni Nature Sanctuary Giraffes Ostriches Oryx Waterbuck Antelope Butterflies Squirrels Around 300 different species of birds During our visit we were lucky enough to meet Farah and Lois, two of the parks oldest giraffes, up close. And we even got to see Faraha's new born baby. Things to Do at Nguuni Nature Sanctuary Walk The Grail Trail A 1.2km walk that takes you from the entrance to the viewpoint through the wilderness. We knew the animals could free roam in the park (we didn't realise that they would all be at the viewpoint) so we spent the whole time convinced we were going to bump into an ostrich on the walk. The trail leads you past the butterfly house which you can enter but I will be honest, I saw more butterflies outside the house than inside - nice plants though, it gives a bit of a greenhouse vibe. Feed the Giraffes This takes place daily at around 4pm, which is a big hit with everyone. The hungry giraffes come right up to the viewpoint whilst the guides feed them and you stand looking up and marvelling at how tall they are. As you can imagine, this creates one of the best photo opportunities in Mombasa. If you wanted to get a bit closer to the giraffes, you can buy specialised pellets from the reception where with the assistance of a guide you can hand feed them. Meeting Faraha and Lois I appreciate that this experience isn't going to be something that everyone will get the chance to do but I enjoyed it so much that it needs to be mentioned. Our guide allowed us to walk with him up to where the two oldest giraffes in the park were grazing for the day. We met Faraha and Lois and learned that Faraha had recently given birth to a baby giraffe, we got to see the baby and learned that the mother carries them for 14 months. Take a Picnic There is nowhere to buy food or snacks at Nguuni, but you are more than welcome to take your own. You can buy water and juice from the Kiosk at the viewpoint. There are plenty of tables, sheltered from the sun where you can enjoy your picnic whilst taking in the surroundings, but beware - the animals seem to become extremely inquisitive as soon as food comes out and it might not be long before you have a cheeky ostrich hoping for a bit of your sandwich. Wildlife Photography If you are a budding photographer, this is the perfect place to test your skills. The combination of free roaming wildlife, open viewpoints, abundance of plants and flowers, and golden afternoon light makes it one of the best photography spots in Mombasa. Sunset Sundowner Experience You can visit the sanctuary for sunset. Now, everything online says that you must book in advance, however when we were there we were told to arrive around 4pm, pay entry to the park and then inform one of the guides that we would like to stay. This should cost an extra 3500 KES for up to 20 people and you can request to have a bonfire and some snacks and drinks provided as part of your experience. It was quite busy when we were there as there was a birthday party having a BBQ, however there is enough space for it not to feel too crowded and for everyone to enjoy watching the animals. The giraffes will disappear shortly after sunset but the ostriches will stick around in the hope of snagging some food. Is Nguuni Nature Sanctuary Worth Visiting? If animals and natural surroundings are your thing then 100% yes. Although Haller Park is more well known and everyone seems to flock there, I actually loved how peaceful Nguuni felt. The lack of crowds, the free roaming animals and the chance to get so close to the giraffes made it one of my favourite wildlife experiences in Mombasa. Top Tips for Visiting Nguuni Nature Sanctuary: Arrive before 4pm if you want to see the giraffe feeding Bring a picnic as there is nowhere to buy food once inside (only drinks at the kiosk) Don't forget your camera - you have so much opportunity for incredible photographs Stay for sunset or book the sundowner experience if you have the time Don't get too close to the ostriches even if they are curious - they are used to people but they are still wild animals and deserve respect Bring water and sun protection, there are shaded areas at the viewpoint but not much elsewhere There are toilets at the viewpoint Looking for more ideas? Check out my guide to the best Things to do in Mombasa for more wildlife, beaches and hidden gems.

The Italian Dolomites is without a shadow of a doubt one of the most breath-taking places I have visited. There really is something for everyone - hiking, climbing, mountain biking, beautiful scenery and all activities to suit various skill levels. I have put together a list of what I think are the best hikes & things to do in the Dolomites. I have included links to some of the Alltrails hiking routes for you to use on your adventures. For 30% off Alltrails+ you can use this link - this is my go to app for exploring in different countries. Getting To The Dolomites - Each time I have visited I have flew carrying only hand luggage to Venice Marco Polo then rented a car at the airport to continue the drive down into the Dolomites. Depending on what time you land it is worth considering whether you would prefer to stay overnight near the airport to continue the drive the next morning or whether to continue the same evening. When to Go - In my opinion, the best months to visit the Dolomites are May, early June, or September, when tourist numbers are lower. However, one should be ready for unpredictable weather, including storms and potential snow. While July and August offer warmer temperatures and a higher likelihood of pleasant weather, I find these months excessively crowded for a truly enjoyable visit. Things to Do in the Dolomites - There is an abundance of activities to experience in the Dolomites, and this little guide highlights my personal favourites - from epic hiking trails to quirky leisure pursuits, and even some thrilling via ferrata routes for the daredevils among us. These lists are presented in no specific ranking order. Hikes & Viewpoints - Cadini Di Misurina Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint This is really one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the Dolomites and with only around a 30 minute hike from the parking area it really is maximum reward for minimum effort. I'd also recommend combining this with number 4 as you are in the same area. There is parking for the start of this hike at the Rifugio Auronzo (this fills up quickly during the busy months) and you are required to pay €30 for the toll road entry. * This route is incredibly popular with tourists and can sometimes be overcrowded with long queues so I would aim to get there as early as possible. And if you don't like crowds maybe best to sit this one out. You can use Alltrails route - https://www.alltrails.com/trail/italy/veneto/rifugio-auronzo-cadini-di-misurina?u=i&sh=uvmy9w 2. Lago di Sorapis Starting from Cortina area, this is a pretty challenging hike to a beautiful blue alpine lake surrounded by the mountains. The route up is pretty exposed and has steep stairs so make sure you have a head for heights and appropriate footwear. Once you have visited the lake you have two options - you can either retrace your steps back the way you came or complete the circle route which takes you down a rather steep and scree path (pictured below) . I'd suggest the loop solely for more experienced hikers (also optional to do the steep scree path on this route first then come down from the lake via the out & back) * Be aware that there are signs prohibiting swimming in the lake here. Out & back route 7.1 miles - https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/italy/veneto/passo-tre-croci-lago-sorapis?u=i&sh=uvmy9w Looped route 8.4 miles - https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/italy/veneto/passo-tre-croci-lago-di-sorapis-forcella-marcuoira?u=i&sh=uvmy9w 3. Lago di Braies Lago Di Braies Undoubtedly one of the most renowned lakes in the Dolomites. The hike around the lake is straightforward and should take you no more than 2 hours. Parking is available at the P2 or P3 carparks for approximately €8. It's important to note that the car parks reach capacity quickly, so I suggest arriving early in the morning or later in the day - after 4pm to avoid the crowds. Our visit during sunset was truly breath-taking, with the mountains bathed in a mesmerizing golden hue. For a different experience, consider renting a rowboat for €25-€30 to explore the lake. While the starting point of the hike can be crowded, as you progress along the loop, you'll find fewer fellow hikers. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/italy/south-tyrol/lago-di-braies-pragser-wildsee?u=i&sh=uvmy9w 4. Tre Cime di Lavaredo Hike. This is a 7-mile relatively easy hike around the famous three peaks, a super popular trail that can be pretty busy, but totally worth it. You'll see tons of amazing views along the way, making it a really satisfying adventure without being too hard. Don't forget you can stop for lunch and some refreshments at the rifugios along the route (note that some may be closed during winter, so it's advisable to confirm in advance and carry cash). Aim to get to the trail as early as possible for parking (6am or 7am) and be prepared to wait in a queue at the tolls. As per number 1 in this list the parking for the start of this hike is at the Rifugio Auronzo (this can fill up completely) and you are required to pay €30 for the toll road entry. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/italy/veneto/tre-cime-di-lavaredo-laghi-dei-piani?u=i&sh=uvmy9w 5. Piz Boe Piz Boe summit This exhilarating hike will take you to the summit of Piz Boe, a wonderful rocky mountain towering over 3000 meters (10,000 ft) above sea level. The rugged terrain made me feel like I was in Arizona or something which was a welcomed contrast to the green pastures I has been surrounded with previously. The panoramic views of the surrounding grey, rocky mountains stretching for miles will leave you in awe. The final ascent to the summit is challenging, with steep inclines, scrambling sections, some ferrata holds, and wire ropes. However, this is absolutely do-able without specialized ferrata equipment. Just exercise caution, maintain sure footing, and face the heights with confidence. There are two hiking routes that I know of to lead to this pinnacle: The trail from Pordoi Pass is better for those who want a challenge there is a particularly demanding final stretch before you reach Rifugio Forcella Pordoi (you might really need that beer by the time you get there). You will come a steep ascent over loose scree, but you can navigate through this by using the zigzagging path. Note that passing other hikers on the scree section might be challenging, and trekking poles could prove beneficial for extra support (although not essential, as I don't have them). You will merge onto the same path as the chairlift option before continuing on towards the ultimate summit. Alternatively, for a simpler ascent, consider taking the chairlift from Pordoi Pass, priced at around €26, ascending to Rifugio Maria, followed by a scenic hour-long walk to the summit. Hike to the summit - https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/italy/veneto/passo-pordoi-piz-boe?sh=uvmy9w&u=i Chair lift - https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/italy/trentino/piz-boe-via-sasso-pordoi?sh=uvmy9w&u=i 6. Tofana di Mezzo This is the third highest summit in the Dolomites, standing proudly at 3244 meters (10,643 feet) in the Cortina area, on a clear day, you will be rewarded with awesome 360-degree view of the Dolomites from up there. The last 5 minutes to the top involve a bit of a scramble and a narrow path. Unfortunately, I didn't get many pictures from the summit because it was super cloudy when I went and I couldn't see much. If you're not up for the scramble, there's a viewpoint lower down where you can still enjoy some epic views. For around 40 euros, you can hop on the Funiva Tofano cable car (it's a quick hike from there). On your way back down, I suggest checking out Lago Ghedina, a beautiful heart-shaped lake nestled among the mountains. If you take the cable car up, you can reach the lake with a short hike from the first station. There is also a via ferrata here if you fancied a more adrenaline fuelled journey to the top. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/italy/veneto/tofana-di-mezzo-via-rifugio-tofana?u=i&sh=uvmy9w 7. Seceda Hike The Seceda ridgeline is absolutely stunning - with the paragliders flying around when I visited, I could have easily spent hours just taking it all in. You can start this hike from Ortisei, but many people choose to take the cable car to Col Raiser (that's what I did) to skip the forest walk and start the rest of the hike from there (which still takes about three hours, but it's a pretty straightforward hike). Along the way, you'll find plenty of beautiful spots for photos and nice places to stop for lunch. Plus, there are many other trails and side adventures if you're up for some exploring - the signs make it easy to find your way. This route can get quite crowded since it's easily accessible, and I think there's another cable car that can take you even closer to the top. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/italy/south-tyrol/col-raiser-seceda-forcella-pana-rifugio-firenze?u=i&sh=uvmy9w 8. Lago di Carezza Take a quick and easy hike around a gorgeous mountain lake. Just 0.8 miles, so it's super chill and totally worth it. Perfect if you're looking for a laid-back day or have some extra time to kill. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/italy/south-tyrol/lago-di-carezza?u=i&sh=uvmy9w If you want to include Lago di mezzo you can extend this to a 2.5 mile hike to take in both beautiful lakes. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/italy/south-tyrol/largo-di-carezza-lago-di-mezzo?u=i&sh=uvmy9w 9. Adolf Munkel Trail If you're up for an epic day hike, this one's a winner. You'll stroll through forests and alpine meadows, taking in the epic views of the Odle/Geizler peaks. It's a pretty easy trek, but the scenery is like something straight out of a movie. If you time it just right, catching the sunset here is magic – those peaks turn golden! Trust me, it's breath-taking enough during the day, but a sunset here is a must-do for me when I come back. Top tip: go anti-clockwise for the best views of the peaks. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/italy/south-tyrol/via-delle-odle-zanser-alm-rifugio-delle-odle-malga-dusler?u=i&sh=uvmy9w 10. Alpe di Siusi Check out the biggest alpine meadow in Europe. This 4-mile easy hike offers amazing views of the meadow. It's a simple walk where you can chill and enjoy the scenery. Great for a family stroll or a laid-back day of hiking. Keep an eye out for the adorable cows. I recommend bringing a picnic to relax and take in the views, or grab a snack at one of the nearby rifugios. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/italy/south-tyrol/giro-per-famiglie-alpe-di-siusi-val-gardena?u=i&sh=uvmy9w 11. Cinque Torri loop Also known as the five pillars, this 7.1 mile loop near Cortina offers breath-taking views and a chance to immerse yourself in Italy's history. Along the way, you can venture off the path briefly to explore bunkers and trenches dating back to WW1. It is also worth taking the paths to Rifugio Averau and Rifugio Nuvolau for some refreshments and unique views. I am desperate to get back and do this one for sunrise. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/italy/veneto/anello-cinque-torri-nuvolau-via-baita-bai-de-dones?u=i&sh=uvmy9w It is also possible to get the ski lift for around €18 https://www.alltrails.com/trail/italy/veneto/cinque-torri-rifugio-averau-nuvolau?u=i&sh=uvmy9w Additional Places to visit / things to do Stay overnight in an Alpine Hut On our short trip we stayed in Rifugio Sandro Pertini, Rifugio Forcella Del Pordoi (near Piz Boe) and Rifugio Viel Del Pan. But there are lots of options to choose from as you will see these mountain huts scattered all across the Dolomites. There is something really special about waking up in the mountains and we were lucky enough to see a cloud inversion one morning making it even more amazing. The accommodation must be booked well in advance, and they often close during the off-season. Private dorms can be requested for an additional cost; if they are fully booked or you prefer not to, then you will be in a shared dorm. It is essential to bring a sleeping bag or liner, as the bedding may not be washed as frequently as in hotels. Stays typically include breakfast and dinner on a half board basis. I'm such a fussy eater so I was a bit nervous about the food, but the meals provided were surprisingly good, considering the remote location with limited resources. The huts offered fantastic dinners such as ribs, stews, pesto pasta, dumplings, and strudel. You also have the option to buy cakes and snacks or to eat there during the day when they are open to the public. Sassolungo Coffin Lift from Passo Sella, Val Gardena This unique chair lift is made for only two people (although usually taken solo), has no seats, is shaped like a coffin and will not wait for anyone to get on it - you basically take a run and get shoved on. So if you're scared of heights, small spaces or being trapped in a coffin I'd maybe sit this one out, but if you can brave it you will be rewarded with incredible views and a thrill-seeking ride up the mountain Sound like fun? Then try it out for yourself. Book into a spa for some relaxation We booked into Croce Bianca Leisure & Spa in Canazei and got an incredible deal (like £70 but we did book last minute). For this we were treated to mountain views, full spa access, the best buffet breakfast I've ever had and a comfy night's sleep. This is one of the many spas in the Dolomites and after several days spent hiking and roughing it in the mountains it was 100% worth it. https://www.hotelcrocebianca.com/en/ View my experience here Food Glorious Food There are lots of incredible places to eat in the dolomites but I can't not mention Medal in Gardena. The interior was incredible (I felt a bit underdressed at first in my hiking gear but honestly there was a huge mix of people). This was possibly one of the best places I've eaten, they do pizzas, steaks and even sushi on Thursdays. https://www.gardenahotels.com/en/restaurants/medel/ Val del Mis & Lago del Mis This is located in Belluno national park and if you are driving from Venice to the Dolomites and have time it's worth stopping off or even spending the night if you have a van. You will be treated to waterfalls, lakes, rock pools and can even go for a swim in the lake. There are loads of hiking trails to explore and various cafes. I could have easily spent the full day here. https://maps.app.goo.gl/xdDYdmN29Hn57FeB6 Via Ferattas The Dolomites offer an abundance of Via Ferrata routes, providing an option for every adventurer. From complete beginners to expert climbers conquering vertical cliff faces, there is a route suited for every skill level. The Via Ferrata 365 website is basically the via ferrata bible - https://www.ferrate365.it/en/. If you prefer not to carry your own gear during your journey, worry not - equipment can be easily rented from sports stores in all the nearest towns. Here are some that I have done or are on my hit list. Via Feratta Ivano Dibona Via Feratta Monte Paterno Via Feratta Oskar Schuster Via Feratta Lipella to Tofano di Rozes Whether you're planning epic via ferratas, chasing alpine lakes or simply driving through the mountains with a camera in hand, I hope this guide has given you some inspiration for your own Dolomites adventure. If you have any favourite hikes or hiden gems that I've missed, I would love to har about them in the comments. Looking for another Italian Adventure? You might also enjoy my guide to the Gran Paradiso Circuit Trek, a scenic multi-day hike through Italy's oldest national park or Climbing Gran Paradiso.

After beginning my Moroccan adventure by climbing Mount Toubkal, I caught the bus from Marrakech down to Agadir before continuing on to the small surf town of Tamraght. The bus journey cost 140 MAD (around £11.50) and took roughly 4 hours. Once I arrived in Agadir, I used the InDrive taxi app to get to Tamraght and found it surprisingly easy to use. I had actually won this surf trip and accommodation through an Instagram competition, which feels surreal to say out loud - I'm never usually so lucky to win anything. I arrived in Tamraght a day early, and had actually planned to book another hotel for a night, but the owners of Wave Chaser Surfhouse kindly allowed me to stay an additional evening there instead. From the moment I arrived everything instantly felt warm and welcoming, I was greeted by a beaming smiley face by Sukina, the receptionist, who instantly made sure I was comfortable and even brought me a cappuccino and home made cakes. Throughout the trip she was endlessly kind, helpful and genuinely one of the loveliest woman I have met during my time in Morocco - she really would do anything to help you. Unfortunately, my arrival in Tamraght also coincided with me still recovering from the stomach bug I had picked up after climbing Toubkal. Safe to say I was not exactly thriving at life at this point. I skipped dinner in the surf house on my first night and went for a gentle walk instead, eventually deciding to try to eat something and ordering a burger from Pueblo Social Club . Although the food was lovely, my stomach was still against me at this point and I ended being sick multiple times on the walk home which was humbling. Moroccan food poisoning is no joke 😅. Day 1 of surfing in Tamraght My first morning started off with rooftop yoga overlooking Tamraght, this cost 150 MAD. Despite still feeling pretty rough, this was a beautiful way to start the day and just what I needed before surfing (little did I know just how much this would work your upper body). Breakfast was fresh fruit, pancakes, yoghurt, muesli, omelette, smoothies and pancakes - a breakfast fit for a queen!! And it was all made fresh on site. I found myself sitting with a group of Muslim women who were also staying at the surf house on a retreat. One of my favourite things about travelling is how quickly complete strangers from all different backgrounds can become a vital part of your experience. Because I had arrived early, I ended up getting an additional surf lesson that day and got to join their group, which I wasn't expecting. I met Meryam, one of the co owners and literally the coolest person ever - her surf skills are on point and she came out to join us on the beach. We got ready in our wetsuits and drove out to Crocro point, named so because the landscape behind looks like the outline of a crocodile - but I've heard it on good faith that there are no crocodiles in these waters... I hope 😅🤞🏻. We passed another famous surf point along the way called Devil's Rock, but the conditions weren't too good for us to go there on this trip. I should add that all of your surf equipment, wetsuits and boards etc are included. The first session was mainly focused on learning the basics and safety - how to lay on your board properly, safely manoeuvre it in the water and how to try to stand up without face planting in the Atlantic every five seconds. We walked the boards out through the waves to Waleed - our helpful surf instructor, who would help us to get on the board, give us time to position ourselves properly as a wave came in. As we started moving, he would encourage us to try to stand up and ride the wave for as long as possible (which in my case was not very long😅). This was really helpful to get a feel for what it should feel like before trying it out on our own. The wind was fierce today and made surfing conditions pretty tricky, but that also somehow made it more fun. No matter how fit and sprightly you think you are, the ocean has a very quick way of putting you back in your place. Every time I thought I had figured it out, I was immediately humbled by an approaching wave. I won't lie, I do think I swallowed quite a large amount of the Atlantic. The beaches here are bustling with activity from fruit sellers, people offering horse back rides, keen surfers and an abundance of friendly stray dogs who were absolutely adorable and mostly just wanted some love, attention and the occasional spare snack if you had any. Lunch was beautiful but I was still really struggling to eat from being unwell, so I only managed a pitiful amount but I can appreciate how lovely it was and how much effort went in to preparing and making it. I also tried Aryan, a traditional yoghurt based drink popular in the Middle East and North Africa. I'll be honest, I'm not 100% sold on it yet. By the afternoon my stomach was still struggling and, due to not having eaten much, my energy was depleted. I spent most of the day relaxing around the surf house and trying to recover. Just before dinner I was introduced to two of the other girls who had won the same competition as me, and we quickly got chatting over dinner and getting to know one another. Dinner that evening was a full three course meal with lamb tagine, pasta and lemon cake. All homemade and honestly incredible, I don't know how these women do it, but I take my hat off to them. Later that evening, Angy arrived and our little surf tribe was complete for the next few days. Day 2 of surfing in Tamraght Day two began a little earlier than the previous day, as we left at 7am to catch the best surf conditions before the wind picked up. Who knew Morocco could be so windy? It was a different spot we went to this day but I can't for the life of me remember the name of this one, but I do know that it was on a long stretch of golden sands near the Hilton in Taghazout. The water felt much colder that morning, maybe because it was so early. But having spent most of the previous day face planting into the sea, I actually managed to stand up on the board today - even if it was only for a split second. Both of our groups combined today so there was eight of us, out giving surfing our best go until it was time to retreat back to the apartments. After another delicious breakfast we spent time up on the rooftop in the sunshine, chatting, painting and learning more about each other's cultures and beliefs. This was such a beautiful part of the trip, there is something special about listening to the call of prayer echo through Tamaraght whilst sharing stories with women from completely different backgrounds and countries. It reminded me how much you can learn from people whose lives look completely different from your own in you take some time to just listen. One of the girls, Fatima even gave me one of their paintings to take home, which was such a thoughtful gesture and something that I will keep in my memory box at home. Although the food continued to be amazing, my stomach still wasn't completely back to normal, so most of my day was a balance between finding the energy to surf, resting and trying not to offend the chefs by eating like a sickly Victorian orphan. Dinner that evening was fish and calamari, and we had another relaxing evening chatting before bed. It was supposed to be a live Gnawa band this evening with a rooftop party around the firepit but this had to be cancelled due to high winds. I honestly think I must have picked the windiest time to travel to Morocco. Day 3 of surfing in Tamraght By day 3, surf lessons were starting to become a bit more challenging. We paddled further out beyond the breaking waves into deeper water, which was both exciting and equally terrifying for me as you could no longer touch the bottom. Falling off suddenly felt a little different out there in the deeper water. Although this was challenging, it felt like a step up from the previous days and a little closer to proper surfing. Paddling out on the board and floating on top of the water was really fun. This would be my last surf lesson of the trip and I have to say although it was something completely new to me and a little out my comfort zone, it's something I'd really like to keep up, I'm going to try to take a few lessons back home in Scotland. We were lucky to see some really cute playful puppies in the car park as we were packing up our surf stuff. After a delicious breakfast back at the surf house, some of us went for coffee and a walk through Tamraght. We originally tried to go to Hey Yallah but it was far too busy so we ended up going to NOUR instead. Both of these are really cute coffee shops that are definitely worth a visit. I ended up going for an ube latte, this purple yam based drink is becoming increasingly popular in the coffee shop community, is this the next matcha craze? I decided to skip dinner that evening and decided to take a trip to the skate park in Taghazout that I had been hearing so much about. I tried to time this for sunset and arrived in by Indrive to the centre of Taghazout, from there there is a bit of a hill you have to climb up to the skate park (I felt like I was climbing Toubkal all over again 😅) but it is worth it. The skating happens in the middle while everyone sits up high on the surrounding walls watching. It is very busy, but watching the skaters is very impressive and honestly this could be my next mid life crisis hobby 😂 it looks so cool. There was music playing, people gathered along the walls and a really nice relaxed atmosphere as the sun went down - a perfect way to spend my last night. After all the fun of the skate park I went back to Tamraght and gave in to my ongoing illness recovery cravings and ordered a burger and chips for dinner. At this point I had survived Toubkal, surfing AND food poisoning so I deserved the chips - don't judge. I had an early flight to catch in the morning so went back to the room to make sure all my stuff was packed. One piece of advice from someone who absolutely did not do this - book your airport taxi in advance. I ended up panicking and roaming the streets trying to find a taxi, but thankfully meeting a lovely Irish girl at the coffee shop who was also going to the airport and let me share her taxi which I am extremely grateful for, because who knows, I may have still been in Morocco. Staying at Wave Chaser Surfhouse Wave Chase Surf House felt more like a family than just accommodation, by the end of the trip it felt less like checking out of a surf camp and more like I was saying goodbye to friends. Run by two sisters, Fatima and Meryam, they have created a lovely family atmosphere where you genuinely feel like you have been invited into their home. It's welcoming, comfortable and incredibly easy to settle into. The surf house offers: shared and private rooms a gym work spaces rooftop yoga daily surf lessons rooftop terrace all inclusive traditional Moroccan dining cooked fresh on site coffee and water machines cultural activities that you can add to your trip The interiors are beautifully designed with a relaxed, social atmosphere that makes it particularly welcoming for solo female travellers. As someone travelling alone, I never once felt uncomfortable there. Final Thoughts Tamraght is somewhere I had never been before and that hadn't even crossed my mind, but I loved it. Between the surfing, rooftop mornings, ocean sunsets, conversations with strangers and the general chilled out vibe and slower pace of life, it became somewhere that was incredibly easy to settle into. If you are looking for somewhere with good surfing, a social atmosphere and a slower, more grounding pace of travel, then Tamraght is definitely worth adding to your Morocco itinerary. Useful Arabic Words Salam - hello Shukran - thank you Yalla - come on / let's go Inshallah - god willing Habibi - my friend / my dear

In May 2026, I travelled to Morocco to summit Mount Toubkal - North Africa's Highest peak. Standing at 4,167 metres (13,671 ft), Toubkal sits in the Atlas mountains in Morocco and is one of the most accessible 4000m peaks in the world. This mountain has been in my sights for a long time now, as I've wanted to start climbing higher mountains and it is a relatively easy 4000m peak to tick off and gain some experience. Mount Toubkal Quick Facts 📍Location: Atlas Mountains, Morocco ⛰️Height: 4,167m / 13,671ft 🥾Duration: 2 days 😎Difficulty: Moderate 🗺️Guide Required: Mandatory 🛏️Accommodation: Imlil & Mountain Refuge 📅Best time to climb: May-October I booked this trip with Skyhook Adventures who organise your guide, all your food and accommodation. ** I did previously look into doing this without a guide however, due to an attack on tourists back in 2018 it is not possible to summit the mountain without a guide present. Is Mount Toubkal Difficult? - If you are used to hiking regularly and have a decent level of hill fitness, then I think most people would manage Mount Toubkal without too many complications. The trek takes place over two days with most of the distance being covered on the first day. Although parts of the route are a little steep, there are no technical climbing sections or areas of high exposure, making it one of the most accessible peaks in the world. That being said, altitude can affect people differently. At 4,167m, the summit of Mount Toubkal has roughly 50% less oxygen than at sea level, which can leave you feeling short of breath, fatigued or lightheaded. Taking your time, staying hydrated and maintaining a steady pace will make the experience more enjoyable. How To Get There - The easiest option is to fly into Marrakech, the closest airport to the Atlas mountains. Flights from Scotland were extremely cheap, which was a nice surprise. Most organised tour companies will arrange transfers directly from Marrakech to Imlil, but you also have the option to make your own way to Imlil if you would like to spend more time there. After arriving at Marrakech airport, I took the airport bus into the city centre. Tickets cost 30 MAD (around £2.40)and the journey takes about 20 minutes. Mount Toubkal Packing List - Temperatuers in the Atlas mountains can change quickly, especially overnight and on the summit. Here are the things I am glad that I packed: Warm layers Hiking boots or trail trainers Gloves waterproofs Snacks - you will be thankful for these on summit day sleeping bag or liner ear plugs head torch portable charger sunscreen sunglasses basic toiletries You can rent various items from the tour guides including hiking poles, sleeping bags and even crampons. We didn't realise we would even need crampons in May, as it is usually summer hiking season and they weren't part of the packing list, but the snowfall this season has been much heavier than previous years. Accommodation - This was all pre organised through the tour company. We spent two nights in Imlil (the first and last nights) at Riad Bab Imlil, which was fairly pleasantand felt just like being welcomed into someones home. There were only 12 people in our group, plus a separate group from Germany. We had warm showers, a lovely rooftop terrace where you could see the mountains and shared a room between five of us girls who were on the trip. We stayed in Refuge de Toubkal on the night before the summit. I just want to manage your expectations of the refuge - there's no polite way to put it, but it's pretty grim and crowded but at least it is warm and safe. There must be around 60-80 people staying there at any one time. The dining area on the ground floor, while the toilets and showers are down in the basement. There can often be a queue for the toilets especially first thing in the morning which was round about the same time that all of the toilets became blocked whilst I was there. There is a high chance that you will be sharing sleeping dorms with other groups and find that most of them have bunk beds. There was 26 of us to one dorm when we were there so as you can imagine it can be quite noisy and also quite warm with all the bodies. Arrival Day My flight from Scotland was pretty early, so I arrived in Marrakech at about mid day. This gave me 7 hours to explore a little. I wandered around Jemaa el-Fnaae - the lively square full of street performers, snake handlers, monkeys and countless fruit juice stalls. I then walked to Koutoubia Mosque before finding a peaceful park to escape the heat and crowds for a while. This was Cyber Parc Arsat Mouley Abdeslam and is definitely worth a visit if you have some time to kill and want something free to do. I had met up with two others from the group now, we were scheduled to meet our guides for pickup at 7.30pm at the shell garage. Traffic here was pretty chaotic and we accidentally got into the wrong taxi (he looked keen & as if he was waiting for us 😅) so we ended up doing a nice little lap around the block before finally finding the correct pickup. We were then on our way to Imlil, after swinging by the airport to pick up four more from our group. The journey takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes, and the roads are incredibly windy but this went quick as we were all chatting and getting to know each other. We couldn't see much by this point as it was already dark, but I have it on good faith that there are mountains out there somewhere. We reached our mountain lodge at 9.45pm, just in time for dinner, where we were treated to Harira soup - a mix of lentils and pasta (good mountain food), chicken tagine, and melon. We met our guide for the trip, Jawad, and after this we were pretty sleepy, so we headed off to our rooms to prepare for the next day. Day 1 of Climbing Toubkal Hooray we woke this morning to views of the mountains (see I knew they were out there somewhere 😅). We met for breakfast at 8 which was mainly breads, cake and spreads and the traditional Moroccan tea. We were instructed to pack a sack for the mules to carry to the refuge - I originally felt bad about this and wanted to carry all my own stuff but then realised that this is what they were traditionally used for, they are well cared for and they were going up anyway regardless of whether they had my extra bag or not. Mules are the lifeline of Toubkal - the main form of transport for supplies, equipment, everything the mountain needs. They are the main way to support the mountain. The journey starts by taking you through the village and then past the fields before you enter the national park and you start to feel like you are getting further from civilisation. I was surprised to find plenty of cafes & shops along the way to the refuge, where you could buy snacks and souvenirs. Be sure to have some change for these and in my experience any snack or drink is priced at 20 MAD just to keep things easy 😅. One thing I did notice was how dusty the lower parts of the trail felt, I was definitely drinking more water to compensate for the dry and dusty air. At about 4.5km from the village you will reach the sign for Toubkal national park which is definitely worth a wee photo stop. Then at around 6k we stopped for a break just before the steep part of the day. At this point there was a hut to buy snacks, a café and a nice running river that you could dip your feet in - beware this was icy cold as it was running straight from the mountains. Lunch came at around 8km into the hike (roughly the half way point of the whole trek). There are snacks available to buy here, and a bottle of juice is about £2. Oh my days, lunch was delicious - Pasta, cheeses, vegetables, lamb tagine and a banana for dessert. So tasty. We also had some more Moroccan tea, which is poured from a great height to enhance the flavour and show good hospitality to guests. By this point I had realised that the pace of the group was definitely a bit slower than I am used to. The guide keeps everyone together and prioritises acclimatisation, so there were plenty of stops along the route. And although this tested my patience a little😅, it definitely helped to conserve energy for summit day. From the lunch spot, it was a further 4km to the refuge, which actually seemed to go much quicker than the first half, although it became significantly colder and we came across our first ice patch. Eventually the refuge appeared in the distance looking tiny against the mountains. When we arrived at the refuge, the snowline was still present and the warm sunny sunshine from early had disappeared. We got shown to our dorm for the night, which we were sharing with another few groups (coincidentally, one was the German group from Imlil). I think it total there were about 26 people - this is why you will be thankful if you bring earplugs. The dorms are pretty basic with bunk beds - I slept on top bunk which was quite the climb to get into. We then met downstairs for some snacks of popcorn & biscuits before fitting our crampons to our boots ready for the next day. More and more people kept on arriving as we were fitting our crampons, this refuge clearly holds A LOT of people. We had our dinner at around 7pm and then it was time to make sure our things were organised for the early start the next day. I opted to wash and change in the evening and sleep in my summit clothes so that I didn't need to get ready in the morning. One last thing that was very important - I stood out on the rooftop to watch the sunset and then got into bed to try to get some sleep. Day 2 of Climbing Mount Toubkal We had an early wake up call (that's if you could say we even slept) at 3am to get some breakfast. Over night the room was soooo stuffy and warm, so I was glad to get out of it for some fresh air. From the refuge to the summit it is around 5k but you will cover just under 1000 metres of ascent. We set off in the pitch black with our headtorches on. Looking up, you could see a trail of lights heading up the mountain from all the climbers ahead, like little ants in the darkness. Now, we had to wear our crampons from the refuge as unexpectedly, it was mild winter conditions. Top tip if you have never worn crampons before - walk with your legs a little further apart so you don't catch your trousers or stab your legs. Also trust them, the best thing to do is find a patch of ice and practice on it. You need to feel sure that they will hold you and your weight - and they will. We were not expecting winter conditions but the Altas Mountains has had excessive snowfall this year. The first path from the refuge was pretty steep, and became a slow slog through slushy snow. With wind gusts of 40mph, often you found yourself having to brace against the wind in order to keep from blowing over. For me, the wind was probably the worst part of it as it just came unannounced and often picked up loose bits of snow and ice which when it hit your legs hurt quite a bit!! About half way to the summit, two people in our group made the difficult decision to turn back after feeling unwell. It is always a sad thing to see, but at that altitude you really do have to listen to your body and make the right decision for your own safety. Unfortunately, due to the pace of our group, we didn't quite make it to the summit in time for sunrise. However, watching the sky turn pink and orange over the Altas Mountains was pretty incredible. Looking back down the steep slopes we had just hiked up made me realise just how far we had come in the dark. Once you reach the plateau, there is still a final ridge line (it should be around another hour from here) to reach the summit. This was pretty rocky ground but we kept our crampons on due to a snow patch further on (and truthfully it probably would have took longer for the whole group to take them off & put them on again). This section was absolutely freezing. The wind was brutal and despite wearing thick sealskin gloves there was times where I could hardly feel my fingers. But eventually - we made it!!!!! Standing at the summit of North Africa's highest mountain honestly felt surreal. There was snow capped mountains in every direction as far as the eye could see. There is a large metal structure on the summit of Toubkal (love it or hate it) that marks the highest point and this is where everyone takes their classic summit photos before trying to warm up again. The descent was long!! Tired legs, loose rocks and slushy snow meant taking extra care on the way back down, although parts of the snow were so soft that you could sort of slide like you were skiing for little sections of it which was really fun. We stopped back the refuge for a short break and some lunch before continuing the long walk back down to Imlil - which felt like the longest descent ever at this point!! That evening we had one last meal together where everyone shared stories from the climb and celebrated making it to the summit. Unfortunately, a few of us had picked up a stomach bug somewhere along the way, so the night quickly went downhill from there. Nothing bonds a group faster than all being violently ill together after climbing a mountain😂😭. I can't comment much more about the rest of the evening or the morning after as I was floored but I know I was safely transported back to Marrakech by our guide. Tips We were approached by our guide before leaving the refuge about if we wanted to give our porters and chefs something, which we were happy to do so, as it is only fair that they should be recognised for the hard work they have carried out. It can't be easy to provide meals for everyone at that height with limited facilities. We also gave our guides tips as a group before leaving, to thank them for leading us up the mountain safely. Climbing Mount Toubkal is a short but incredibly rewarding way to experience a 4000m summit. Despite the strong winds, freezing temperatures and unexpected stomach situation at the end, I'm really glad I did it. I also completely struck gold with my group - every single person was so lovely and definitely people I will keep in touch with. If you enjoyed my Mount Toubkal Guide, and you'd like to read about some more mountains I've climbed over 4000m, check out my guides to Gran Paradiso in the Italian Alps and Kilimanjaro.

Saudi Arabia wasn't somewhere I ever imagined I'd be going for a hiking trip, but after a few days in the Aseer region, that quickly changed. In November, I flew to Abha to take part in a 3day hiking adventure through the Sarawat Mountains with HIGHLANDER. Located in the southwest of Saudi Arabia, the Aseer region is home to some of the country's most iconic landscapes, including Jabal Soudah - the highest peak in Saudi Arabia. Arriving in Saudi: Getting into Saudi was surprisingly straightforward, I applied for a tourist visa online, I think it cost around £80 and it was approved very quickly. After around 15 hours of travel (and two flights) from Scotland I landed in Abha. We made it through security seamlessly and booked an Uber via the app to take us to our hotel (the uber cost around £8). After a short journey we arrived at the Abha Palace Hotel which was absolutely beautiful, where we were greeted with dates & Arabic coffee on arrival. I have to confess that by the time I left Saudi I had eaten my own body weight in dates 😅 - they are just so delicious here. Visiting Saudi as a Woman: One of the most asked questions I got before travelling here was what it would be like for a solo female traveller. And honestly, I felt completely safe the entire time. Everyone I met was kind, welcoming and respectful. Things are changing very quickly in Saudi, and while it is still important to dress modestly and carry yourself with respect, I never felt uncomfortable or restricted at all during my time in the country. Top Tips dress modestly - keep shoulders, knees/ankles and cleavage covered. I avoided tight gym-style clothing and felt much more comfortable doing so small cultural things go a long way - like using your right hand for eating, shaking and giving and receiving items alcohol is forbidden in Saudi - do not attempt to bring or buy any ask permission before taking photographs of any locals carry a scarf or something to cover your head for visiting religious sites mirror the behaviour of locals - Saudis value respect never offer your hand to the opposite gender, wait until they offer you. You should smile and nod if unsure act courteous and respectful - avoid swearing and shouting Adventure Diary: Arrival Day After a long flight we finally arrived at Abha Regional Airport and made our way through security which was surprisingly simple and efficient. After grabbing our luggage, and ordering an Uber we were on our way to our hotel for the evening - The Abha Palace Hotel. Upon our arrival at reception we were treated to hot tea and dates (this would be the first of many for me), as we waited for our rooms we observed the beautiful architecture and traditional Saudi décor of the hotel. The afternoon was ours to do as we liked, so a few of us went for a wander around the hotel to try to get a feel for this new and exciting country. One thing I did notice straight away is that the locals are extremely friendly and proud - everyone seemed very keen to welcome us and to tell us about their country. That afternoon, the whole team met for a welcome briefing, where we also picked up our bibs, food supplies and found out the information for the days ahead. This was a great opportunity to meet everyone who would become my hiking buddies over the next few days. We finished off the evening by getting to know each other over a delicious buffet dinner in the hotel. The choices were brilliant - beef wellington, mixed grill, and I even tried ugali for desert and everything was cooked well and tasted great. Then it was time to grab an early night ahead of our adventure tomorrow. Day 1 We awoke for an early morning breakfast, which was just as delicious as the buffet dinner the night before with so much choice - I could really get used to this way of eating but it was time for us to head off to the mountains. We left the hotel and drove to Husaak Tabab - a clifftop accommodation site with insane views and rows of glamping lodges (which unfortunately we were not staying in). The first thing that hit me was the wind, like literally it was so windy up on the clifftop which was not what I expected at all. From there we started the hike, descending a steep scree path into a deep valley and out of the wind. This was one of those sections where you had to properly focus on your footing but at the same time I couldn't help myself from looking up and gazing in awe at the landscape. Again this was completely different to what I had imagined it would be like in Saudi Arabia, rocky and rugged and almost prehistoric in parts. As we moved through the valley a local on the hike was sharing his knowledge with us of the extensive wildlife that lives in these mountains - wolves, leopards, monkeys... it was interesting to hear what kind of creatures call this landscape home. One of the coolest things we did find was porcupine spikes (pictured), these fascinated me as they were a lot bigger and sharper than I had imagined. As we continued, we passed by old crumbling buildings as we weaved through the valley which made it feel like we had stepped back in time, passing juniper covered slopes and jagged rock formations. The area was also home to darkling beetles, these big black bugs were pretty epic - one even caught my attention for a closer look. By the time we made it back to Camp Husaak we had covered about 10km for the day, not too far but in that heat we were all feeling a satisfying tiredness. We pitched our tents, watched the sunset over the mountains and then after dinner we got to spend the evening making Ugali and making our own flower crown at a workshop held by locals. A perfect end to the first day - good food, good people and a good sunset. Day 2 Day two felt so much hotter - like seriously melting. Us Scottish people aren't used to this kind of heat at all, and as there was no breeze in the air to cool us down. We made our way along the ridgelines and over the rugged terrain, regularly stopping to admire the wild beauty surrounding us. As we continued on the trek, the views along the way just kept on getting better: big open drops, endless layers of mountains and a feeling of being very small in a very vast space. At one point it made me feel as though we were walking on the moon. As we kept climbing, we spotted a golden eagle soaring in the sky, high above the cliffs. Its huge wings were stretched out as it flew above us. Watching it loop around made me feel super connected to nature and the wildlife that was all around us (even the ones we couldn't spot). After about 10km the finish line came into view and we made our way towards a cliff edge. Reaching the finish line felt like a proper celebration, a reward for our effort under the sweltering sun. The views from the cliff edge here were phenomenal, and as the sun started to set the sky began to develop a warm golden glow. We pitched our tents as the sun started to make its way down and the air cooled. Feeling a wonderful sense of accomplishment as our hiking adventure was coming to an end. Abha That evening, back in Abha, we swapped our hiking boots for a traditional Saudi dinner experience at Bab Al Turath. We sat on the floor, ate with our hands and were served a whole cooked lamb which was placed in front of us (bones and all). It felt like a first hand glimpse into Saudi dining and culture. We ended the night by swapping stories and reminiscing on the past few days. A group of people who barely knew each other 48 hours ago, now laughing and joking like close friends. Once again, the HIGHLANDER delivered - new friendships, unforgettable memories and a unique experience that took me by surprise in the best way possible.

On Sunday, February 22nd, I jumped on a mystery bus tour with Loch Lomond Travel . I'd never done anything like a mystery tour before, so I was pretty excited to see where we would end up. This was a bit of a last-minute plan, and I bagged one of the few remaining seats for £20 from Dundee Bus Station just a few days before. When booking, you can pick your preferred seat on the coach, and there are pickup spots all over Scotland. The coach was super nice and comfy, with USB ports on the back of the seats in front and toilets on board. You were also welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks on board (just be mindful to clean up your rubbish after you). For this particular trip, there were three pickup spots: Dundee, Perth & Halbeath, and we were expecting two surprise stops. Obviously this will vary with each trip, but just to give you an idea of timings - I got on the bus at 9am at the first pickup spot and reached the first mystery stop around two hours later. Shout out to Brendan our bus driver for the day. Mystery Stop One Our driver Brendan gave us a few hints on the approach to the first location. The clue was "it's not too far from here (here being Halbeath), there are mythical creatures but don't get carried away..." Did you guess? It was the Helix Park in Falkirk, home of the Kelpies. If you haven't heard of the Kelpies, they're two giant steel horse head sculptures, each standing at 30 metres tall. The sculptures honour the Clydesdale horses that once powered Scotland's industry. But behind the iconic sculptures there lies a dark myth. In Scottish folklore. kelpies are shape-shifting water spirits that often appear as horses to trick people to ride them. Once the rider is on their back, they become trapped and the kelpie drags the rider down into the water, drowning them and eating them leaving only their liver to wash ashore. Now, some might say that is just a spooky story told to keep young children away from large bodies of water... But I will let you make up your own mind. I know I certainly won't be taking any chances. We had 45 minutes here, which was just enough time to admire the sculptures, walk by the canal, check out the cafes and gift shop, and soak up some sunshine before returning to the bus and heading onwards to stop 2. Mystery Stop Two On the way to the second stop we once again got some hints from Brendan about where we were going. The clue for this location was "wearing helmets with horns on the side, robbing and pillaging people and sailing round in a large boat is a big part of the culture here" Did you guess? Of course it was the seaside town of Largs, just over an hours drive from our first destination. Largs is a popular seaside resort on the West coast of Scotland, famous for its rich Viking history. We had just over two hours to explore the area. Here are some of the things we can do on your visit: Visit Viking exhibition at Vikingar, which takes around an hour. This is advisable to book in advance See the Viking Magnus sculpture, a 16ft statue on the seafront commemorating the 750th anniversary of The Battle of Largs Walk along the seafront to the Pencil Monument, a 20-30 minute walk to reach the sculpture Take a ferry over to Cumbrae, but be sure to check the schedule to ensure you are back at the bus on time Try the various seafront restaurants and ice cream parlours I chose to walk along the seafront to the Pencil Monument before enjoying a chippy from The Fish Works, which was stunning. The curry sauce was so incredible I could have drunk it 😅🤤. Time to head back to the bus with a full belly, ready for the long journey home. It was about three hours from Largs to Dundee, including other drop-off points, but I couldn't really tell you as I slept through most of it. Overall, it was a fantastic day out, and I would definitely do it again in the future. Any likes comments or shares are much appreciated :). And if you have any questions please pop them in the comments box. Happy Adventuring

Distance - 7.25 miles (11.5km) Estimated Time - 3-3.5 hours Parking - Small car park on main street by the beach Travel - good bus service connects the whole FCP Route - Fife Coastal Path 4: East Wemyss to Lower Largo A short and simple section of the coastal path. With the start and end being the most exciting points with exciting caves, seaside town, ruined castles and sandy beaches. But with a rather uneventful mid section through the built up industrial towns of Methil and Buckhaven. It was New Years Eve and a beautiful sunny winters day so we decided to make the most of it and go to hike a section of the Fife Coastal Path. Starting off in East Wemyss at the famous caves, we love cave exploring, however we were a bit disappointed to find that they were all locked up and the only way to access them at the moment is by booking a tour here . Something I will need to return to do. There was one cave that you could walk into that wasn't too deep - the Doo Cave where it is still possible to see the carved out doves nests within the walls. A short bit further along you will find some steep stairs up to Macduff's Tower (I won't lie these took my breath away a little - I'll blame the cold winter air 😅). The ruins are deemed as unsafe and there is a gate to stop you ascending the steps any further into the tower, however you can stand in the middle and gaze up at what is left of the 14th century tower. That in itself is pretty spectacular. Near the tower there is a path taking you to a viewpoint where you get extensive views across the North Sea - we spent some time there hoping to catch sight of the humpback whale that has been spotted around here in the last few weeks - but we fell short of luck. From the castle the path gives you the option to detour down to the shore where you can visit the rest of the Wemyss Caves from here on continue on the high path along the side of the castle. We opted for the high path where we could look down onto the sea and we were even lucky enough to spot a buzzard perched on the trees looking to score some lunch - it was huge!! On your approach to Buckhaven be careful not to follow the path through the wooden tusks towards the wind turbine (it is a bit misleading here). The path you actually want takes you straight up to a street with houses. We followed what we thought looked like the path and ended up at a dead end, tried to scaled a hill and I basically ended up in someone's back garden with thorns in my leg and had to retrace my steps 😅. Ok so after getting lost we finally made it back to the route and came into the town. Now. the section between Buckhaven and Methil is erm... not so scenic. Or to put it bluntly it's p*sh 😅. You might be lucky enough to catch some local wildlife or a lone abandoned bath tub at the side of the road like we did. After quite a while of industrial views you will eventually cross a bridge over River Leven and arrive in Leven, passing the swimming pool and ending up on the promenade where you regain the feeling of being on a coastal walk again. The beach here is beautiful and spans for miles, there are also a few coffee houses and cafe's on the other side of the road. On a good day you will be able to see across the water to Berwick Law and Bass rock. The path then passes a number of golf courses before arriving in Lower Largo. The path takes you past the iconic Crusoe hotel , with an outdoor beer garden looking onto the harbour - this is the perfect place to wet your whistle and get a tasty pub lunch while you're at it. Fun fact - Lower Largo is the birth place of Alexander Selkirk, the original Robinson Crusoe. There is a statue dedicated to him in Main Street. A little further on you will find "Malagan", a well-known wooden totem pole sculpture. The sculpture was created by local artist Alan Faulds, taking inspiration from Papua New Guinea, the sculpture is designed to be viewed as a round piece of art and incorporates images from the sea and mythology. This section took us just under 3 hours, so we decided to keep moving on and tackle the next section Lower Largo to St Monans. Sections of the Fife Coastal Path 1. Kincardine to North Queensferry 2. N Queensferry to Burntisland 3. Burntisland to East Wemyss 4. East Wemyss to Lower Largo 5. Lower Largo to St Monans 6. St Monans to Anstruther 7. Anstruther to Crail 8. Crail to Kingsbarns 9. Kingsbarns to St Andrews 10. St Andrews to Newport 11. Newport to Newburgh

Distance - 8.75 miles (14km) Estimated Time - 3-4 hours Parking - Small car park on main street by the beach Travel - good bus service connects the whole FCP Route - Fife Coastal Path 5: Lower Largo to St Monans A shorter part of the coastal path passing over long sandy beaches, through the dunes, a nature reserve and with the opportunity to add on a thrilling side quest of the Elie chain walk. Ruby Bay at Elie is a good detour spot to take in Lady's Tower and the Elie Ness Lighthouse. We completed this section on New Years Eve 2025 in some lovely weather. We added this on to the section before this - East Wemyss to Lower Largo, to make this a bigger day out to make the most of the nice weather at that time of year. Usually you would start this route from the harbour or the beach car park, there is a well-known wooden totem pole sculpture named 'Malagan' near the shore, that is worth a quick detour. The sculpture was created by local artist Alan Faulds, taking inspiration from Papua New Guinea, the sculpture is designed to be viewed as a round piece of art and incorporates images from the sea and mythology. We continued walked along the beach which was gorgeous golden sands with lots of interesting shells, but then we hopped up into the path through the Dumbarnie Dunes to allow us to pick up the pace. We passed a "clootie tree" which is a tree with coloured ribbons tied to it, I'm not sure the exact reason but they're often said to be for remembrance, wishing or hope. Now, I can't guarantee that this will be there when you do your walk but it was nice to see. Goose thing? The path leads you onto a boardwalk section, curving in land at Largo Bay and bridging over the Cocklemouth Burn. We thoroughly enjoyed this part as it allowed you to walk across the marshes and I feel like at this point we spotted a lot of wildlife, including a big goose thing which I think is a Greylag Goose (pictured - please correct me if I'm wrong). From here, you can take a small detour to do some birdwatching at Ruddons Point or continue on through Shell Bay Caravan Park. Upon leaving the caravan park you will spot a lovely wood fired sauna in the bay, where we spotted some dippers braving it for their NYE swims. This is one of several Wild Scottish Sauna locations and is bookable if you feel up to a wee sauna and swim to break up your journey. After a short section along by the beach you will start to ascend up a little hill. From here the views of Kincraig Head are epic, with the waves crashing down below onto the basalt cliffs - really dramatic. There is an option to descend a rather steep path that will take you down onto the cliffs where you can do the Elie Chain walk - you should ensure the tide is out and that you have suitable footwear on. We were pushed for time and it was really windy so on this occasion we chose to continue on the path along the high cliffs. This can be quite narrow in places with a steep hill down so do be mindful of your footing. Before long you will come to the quaint seaside town of Elie, which is likely to be busy with seaside revellers. Providing golden beaches, tasty snacks and friendly pubs, it would be a nice idea to spend some time here soaking up the vibes. We were lucky to catch a gorgeous sunset here across the bay, which stopped us in our tracks for a while. From here, I would recommend a short detour from the signposted path into Ruby Bay where you can see the ruins of Lady's tower and Elie Ness Lighthouse. Then the path continues along the edge of the coastline passing Ardross Farm and Bowhouse which are further in land but a possible place to pick up some snacks if you should need to. The final part of this section takes you past the ruins of Newark Castle before arriving at St Monans Kirk, where this section comes to an end. From here you can enjoy an evening in the town or hop on the bus back to your starting point. Happy Adventuring As usual any shares, comments or likes are always appreciated Sections of the Fife Coastal Path 1. Kincardine to North Queensferry 2. N Queensferry to Burntisland 3. Burntisland to East Wemyss 4. East Wemyss to Lower Largo 5. Lower Largo to St Monans 6. St Monans to Anstruther 7. Anstruther to Crail 8. Crail to Kingsbarns 9. Kingsbarns to St Andrews 10. St Andrews to Newport 11. Newport to Newburgh

Distance - 19 miles (30km) Estimated Time - 6 - 8 hours Parking - West Sands car park Travel - the 95 stagecoach service connects you along this route Route - Fife Coastal Path 10: St Andrews to Newport on Tay A long stretch of the Fife Coastal Path - that starts off pretty uneventful, walking along by the road and through some towns but then leads on to some incredibly scenic sections across a boardwalk at Tayport heath and through Tentsmuir forest. I started this one by getting the bus into St Andrews, but there is parking at West Sands (paid). If you have time on your side it is always worth a wee wander around St Andrews town. I also completely misjudged my timings on this section and I started pretty late mid winter, so I was in a bit of a rush trying to get as much done before the sun set. For context - I gave myself less than 4 hours of daylight when the walk is estimated to take 6-8 hours - oopsie 😅. When you are leaving St Andrews, the first section takes you past the famous golf course - the old course with it's fancy hotel, you might find that this is pretty busy in the summer as it is a tourist hot spot. I deviated from the route slightly here (I'm going to pretend that it was on purpose 😅) and ended up walking directly through the golf course which you absolutely would not be able to do in the summer. This detour was quite nice as the actual path is alongside the road. To be honest, I personally found the first 3km of this route slightly boring, as the path continues to hug the road which doesn't give a very remote wilderness feeling. Although I was treated to two fighter jets flying over the Eden Estuary prior to them landing at Leuchars. After what feels like forever walking a long stretch of road you will arrive in Guardbridge which is home to a historical 15th century bridge over the River Eden and a past resting stop for the pilgrimage to St Andrews. If you look carefully from the bridge you can often spot otters frolicking around in the river. The town is now home to The Guardbridge Inn pub, coffee shop and a banging taco stand in the industrial estate across the road - Box Tacos . As I was approaching Leuchars Army Base I noticed quite a few plane spotters lined up outside the gates then to my surprise the two fighter jets that I had spotted earlier took off from the runway right above my head. This was really pretty special. After Leuchars the path becomes a lot more secluded and away from the roads which is much nicer, leading on to a boardwalk section to help you cross the bogs and marshes on the way to Tentsmuir Forest. Tentsmuir is gorgeous and worth a visit on its own accord - with long beaches, sandy dunes, dense woodland and extensive plants and wildlife. There is also Salt & Pine  situated just off the car park who do delicious crepes. You should definitely spend some time here if you have the privilege of time being on your side, which I definitely did not as it was already starting to get dark and I was just about to head into the forest - I've seen the Blair Witch Project so I wasn't taking any chances and I was out to the other side of the woods as fast as I could be. The path through Tentsmuir takes you directly past the Ice House which was used back in the day to store ice from local lakes and to store salmon there before sending it elsewhere - I guess it was like a very early version of a fridge. Walking along the Tay side of Tentsmuir you will notice that all the trees that were once there have been felled and it is much more open walking alongside the dunes under the moonlight which was very welcomed (I also have to add that I forgot to pack a headtorch - terrible planning on my behalf). *some of these pictures are taken on a different day just so you can see what Tentsmuir looks like when it's not dark Thankfully the walk through Tayport provided me with plenty of street lights, through caravan park, along the seafront and into Tayport Harbour. By this time it was completely dark but it was nice to see the bright lights of the city of Dundee twinkling in the distance. As the path continues you can see the high lighthouse flashing. The rest of the path becomes a bit of a blur as there was no longer any street lights and it was dark and a bit scary especially running alongside the graveyard! But after a short while I made it to the Tay bridge car park where I am parked at the beginning of the day. I have never been more thankful to see the car. A really good day but I wish I had given myself more time to enjoy the latter half of the walk. This took me just under 6 hours with a detour into Leuchars for the bathroom and some lunch. Happy Adventuring Youtube Video Sections of the Fife Coastal Path 1. Kincardine to North Queensferry 2. N Queensferry to Burntisland 3. Burntisland to East Wemyss 4. East Wemyss to Lower Largo 5. Lower Largo to St Monans 6. St Monans to Anstruther 7. Anstruther to Crail 8. Crail to Kingsbarns 9. Kingsbarns to St Andrews 10. St Andrews to Newport 11. Newport to Newburgh

Distance - 8.5 miles (13.5km) Estimated Time - 3 - 4 hours Parking - paid parking at Kingsbarns beach Travel - the 95 stagecoach service connects you along this route Route - Fife Coastal Path 9: Kingsbarns to St Andrews A lovely scenic section of the Fife Coastal Path passing some iconic rock formations such as Buddo Rock and the Rock and Spindle. Varying terrain from rocky scrambling, woodland dens and long sandy beaches. ** Please note - there are parts of the coastal path that would be impassable at high tide, so check this before you go You will start off your journey from the Kingsbarns carpark (a short walk from the bus stop in town) which costs £2 per day. If you are feeling peckish you can start off with a wee visit to Harbour Burgers who do tasty loaded fries, burgers and hot dogs. Kingsbarns is a beautiful starting point with a long stunning beach with golden sands. Take the path past the bird watching hut and make your way along by the golf course and onto the narrow path down onto the shore. Walking on the shore always slows me down when walking as I end up looking for rocks & shells. After you pass the ruined fisherman's cottage at Babbet Ness, the path continues towards Boarhills through a wooded den and alongside the Kenly Burn, I enjoyed this part as it gave a nice variety from the beaches and coastal paths. In the den you will come across the ruins of Hillhead Mill, the way that nature has taken it back and it is now overgrown with ivy and plants creates a mysterious atmosphere, which very much reminded me of A Secret Garden. You can explore here but with great care as the ruins can be unstable. Continue by crossing a wee bridge over the burn, passing the farmhouse and through the fields back towards the shore. On your journey back towards the shore Buddo Rock will come into view - a distinct sandstone rock formation standing tall with the North Sea as a backdrop. Buddo Rock is popular with climbers, photographers and wildlife spotters. There is a path leading up the middle of the rock where you can climb up on top of it - but please be careful. Shortly after Buddo Rock, as the trail continues, if you look carefully you may be able to spot a faint path in the grass. This will lead you to a secret underground bunker from World War 2 - Boarhills Bunker. This has two pillboxes connected by an underground tunnels - if you do plan to explore this, I would recommend a head torch. From here the path continues on and becomes a little more strenuous than previous parts with lots of stairs up and then right back down again - but it was good to get the heart pumping and blood flowing 😅. It is shortly after this point that if the tide was high it would be impossible to pass and you would have to wait until the tide is on the way out again. There is some gentle scrambling on the rocks here but nothing extreme. The next iconic rock formation that you will encounter is the Rock and spindle - the remains of a volcanic vent that was part of volcanic activity around 290-300 millions years ago. The rock is a sea stack made of basalt that stands tall, whilst the spindle has wheel like basalt columns at the base. And since nobody else will say it, I will... it also looks suspiciously phallic like earning it the nickname of "the geological willy" from locals. Soon you will pass the caravan park and spot the tall buildings of St Andrews in the distance. Come rain or shine East Sands beach will likely still be quite busy, when I arrived there was a hive of activity even although it was cold and rainy with people dog-walking, playing football and having beach fires. It really does give off a lovely atmosphere of people enjoying the outdoors. I was pretty peckish when I reached this point and spotted Caffe Bomboloni  a cute little café with wooden huts complete with fairy lights looking out onto the beach. The smell of fresh donuts lured me in, so I stopped and devoured 8 mini donuts covered with nutella and coconut sprinkles. The route continues along beside the beach and into the harbour before ascending up the hill and into St Andrews town, you will see the ruins of St Andrews cathedral and model cannons replicating where they would have been stationed back in the day. *Fun fact - the pier that protects St Andrews harbour that you just walked past is built from stones taken from the ruins of the cathedral. I'd recommend giving yourself some time here to explore the town and historic sites of St Andrews. This section took me around 2 hours and 50 minutes, and then I hopped on the 95 bus back to Kingsbarns where I started. Any comments, shares or likes it would be much appreciated Happy Adventuring Youtube Video Sections of the Fife Coastal Path 1. Kincardine to North Queensferry 2. N Queensferry to Burntisland 3. Burntisland to East Wemyss 4. East Wemyss to Lower Largo 5. Lower Largo to St Monans 6. St Monans to Anstruther 7. Anstruther to Crail 8. Crail to Kingsbarns 9. Kingsbarns to St Andrews 10. St Andrews to Newport 11. Newport to Newburgh

Distance - 6 miles (9.5 km) Estimated Time - 3 hours Parking - on the high street or shoregate Travel - the 95 stagecoach bus connects most of this section of the route Route - Fife Coastal Path 8: Crail to Kingsbarns A little more demanding than previous sections but equally as beautiful, with long sandy beaches and a route that takes you to Fife Ness - the most Easternly point of Fife. The route is remote and rugged and there are warnings that some sections cannot be passed easily on a high tide - so consider this in your planning. Upon arrival, whether by car or bus, I would highly recommend making a detour to Crail harbour - one of the most picturesque fishing villages and still very much a working harbour with jolly fishermen returning with their catches of lobsters and crabs. From here the trail leads you through the village with very unique architecture from the other villages in Fife with many of the houses having red tiled roofs - an unusual sight but a result of the historic market trading with the Netherlands. Before the path leads you towards the beach, you will pass by the priory doocot - a 16th century preserved building. This was used to house pigeons that provided meat and eggs for the local community. It might not look much from the outside but if it's unlocked then you should definitely pop in to have a quick look, but be prepared as there are interactive pigeons in there and the noise is enough to startle you (speaking from my own experience😅). The trail continues through Sauchope links caravan park which has some beautiful lodges and static homes, but this makes for a bit of a boring walk so we opted to leave the path and walk down onto the beach until we reached the end of the caravan park. A short while after re-joining the path, you will pass Kilminning Wildlife Reserve - where you may be lucky enough to spot some nesting birds or sea birds. After around an hours walking, you will reach Fife Ness - the most easternly point of Fife and an extremely popular spot for bird watching. If you look out into the water you may be able to spot metallic remnants of a beacon, where they had tried and failed to build a lighthouse on the rocks in 1821, the sea proved too powerful for the structure to stand and it was destructed and washed away leaving a few metal prongs in its departure. There is now a lighthouse on shore which has been there since 1975. You will pass by Constantine's Cave, which according to legend states that this is where King Constantine was killed in battle with the Danes in 874. Bones, tools and roman pottery have been found here suggesting that this cave has been used on and off since the prehistoric period. On the approach to Kingsbarns you will pass a few more golf courses and if you choose to stray from the path for a beach walk you should keep your eyes peeled for fossilised shells & fossilised tree ferns present in the rocks. The best place to spot these is just before you reach Cambo Estate - if you have time I would recommend walking around here as the gardens are lovely, especially in the spring when the bulbs are out. The route finishes off at Kingsbarns where you can have a swim in the sea, grab a bite from harbour burger, take a sauna with Wild Scottish Saunas or simply just enjoy the beach. Some people may choose to continue the walk on to St Andrews which adds on another 8.5 miles (13.5k). This section took me 2.5 hours in total. Happy Adventuring. Youtube Video Sections of the Fife Coastal Path 1. Kincardine to North Queensferry 2. N Queensferry to Burntisland 3. Burntisland to East Wemyss 4. East Wemyss to Lower Largo 5. Lower Largo to St Monans 6. St Monans to Anstruther 7. Anstruther to Crail 8. Crail to Kingsbarns 9. Kingsbarns to St Andrews 10. St Andrews to Newport 11. Newport to Newburgh