Author: Jess Elford
-
Vietnam: Epic 2-Week North & Central Itinerary
Vietnam is one of those destinations that was never really on my bucket list until these incredible videos of coconut boat rides, crazy streets and beautiful lantern covered streets started popping up on my Instagram. The next thing I knew, I was planning my 30th birthday solo trip to go there! One minute you’re sipping…
-
Top Day Trips from Hobart, Tasmania
Hobart might be small, but don’t let that fool you – it’s the perfect launchpad for some of Tasmania’s most jaw-dropping day trips. Within a couple of hours of the city, you can be hiking alpine mountains, wandering historic convict towns, sipping cool-climate wine, or spotting wildlife in the wild. Whether you’re visiting Hobart for…
-
Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi is loud, chaotic, charming, historic, and completely unforgettable all at once. If you’re visiting Hanoi for the first time, prepare for a city where scooters rule the roads, street food is king, and every corner seems to tell a story. It can feel a little overwhelming at first, but trust me: once you settle…
-
Top 10 Things to Do in Hanoi, Vietnam: A First-Timer’s Guide
Hanoi is chaotic, charming, loud, peaceful, and completely unforgettable all at once. Vietnam’s capital is a city where scooters buzz past ancient temples, lakeside strolls turn into late-night street food feasts, and coffee is taken very seriously. I spent several days exploring Hanoi and quickly realized: this city is SO FUN and has so much…
-
Contract 10: The One Where We Launched the Disney Treasure
Some contracts change you.And then there are contracts that become part of who you are. My tenth contract working at sea was the once-in-a-lifetime experience of being chosen as part of the opening team for the Disney Treasure – a brand-new Disney Cruise Line ship, built from the ground up and brought to life by…
-
Contract 9: Working Onboard the Disney Dream in Northern Europe
My ninth contract working at sea was unlike anything I had ever experienced before – and honestly? It might have been the best one yet. This was my shortest contract to date, just four weeks onboard the Disney Dream… but it was also my very first contract outside of the Caribbean. Sometimes, medical emergencies happen,…
-
Ultimate Guide to Visiting Noosa National Park, Australia
If you’re heading to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Noosa National Park is an absolute must-visit – honestly, it’s one of my all-time favourite places in Australia. With stunning coastal trails, hidden beaches, and the chance to spot wild koalas snoozing in the treetops, this place feels like pure Aussie magic (and that’s coming from an Aussie!).…
-
Best Day Trips From Sapporo, Japan (According to a Solo Traveler)
Sapporo might be best known for its winter snow festival, legendary ramen, and crisp Hokkaido beer – but this lively city is also the perfect launching point for exploring more of northern Japan. With charming port towns, steaming hot springs, scenic canals, and dramatic coastal views just a short train ride away, there are so…
-
Top Day Trips From Hakuba, Japan: Adventures Beyond the Slopes
Hakuba might be best known for its world-class ski resorts and epic alpine scenery, but this mountain town in the Japanese Alps is also an incredible base for exploring more of Nagano Prefecture. Whether you’re visiting in winter for powder days or in summer for hiking and fresh mountain air, there are so many unforgettable…
-
Iceland in 10 Days: An Epic Summer Road Trip Itinerary
If there’s one place that rewires your sense of wonder, it’s Iceland. Think steaming geothermal fields, thundering waterfalls, black-sand beaches, and coastlines so dramatic they look straight out of a fantasy film. This is a country built for road trippers – every corner is a new “wait, is this even real?” moment. This 10-day Iceland…
Jess at Sea 