2 Weeks in UK @ 3 Days in Edinburgh - Walking Through the City & One Day Filming Spots

After all the driving, countryside, small towns and day trips, we finally reached the part of the trip I had been looking forward to the most, three full days exploring Edinburgh.
Although this wasn’t my first time in Edinburgh, it felt completely different coming back with my family. 
The last time I was here, I explored the city in a different way, but this time I wanted to take things a little slower and simply enjoy the city together.
Edinburgh is one of those cities where you don't really need to rush from one attraction to another.
Just walking through the streets is already an experience.
The old stone buildings, narrow lanes, grand architecture and little corners around the city make you feel like you have stepped into another era.
And of course, having my friend, Zay with us made the two days even more enjoyable.
Since she knew Glasgow and the surrounding area well, it was nice having someone familiar to help us navigate around and share little stories and recommendations along the way.
With eight of us travelling together, our days were naturally a mixture of sightseeing, walking, eating, shopping and taking plenty of family photos.
My parents were also surprisingly easy-going throughout the trip, so we could pretty much follow whatever plan we had without too much complaining. 
We had three full days in the city, which gave us enough time to see some of Edinburgh's most famous landmarks while still leaving room to wander around without feeling too rushed.
So, let's finally explore Edinburgh; from the iconic Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle to the beautiful streets, viewpoints, food and all the little moments we enjoyed along the way.


2 Weeks in the UK @ A Perfect Edinburgh Airbnb & Glasgow Day Trip

After spending a few beautiful days surrounded by lakes, mountains, and endless greenery in the Lake District, it was finally time to continue our road trip towards Scotland.
We left the peaceful countryside behind and started our drive north towards Edinburgh.
This was another long stretch of driving, and unlike some of the previous travel days, we actually didn’t make any sightseeing stops along the way. 
Everyone was still feeling relaxed after our time in the Lake District, so we simply enjoyed the journey itself.
As the miles passed by, we chatted, listened to music, snacked in the car, and watched the scenery slowly change outside the windows.
Road trips like this can sometimes be tiring, but they also give you the opportunity to spend quality time together.
Looking back, some of the conversations and laughter shared in the car became just as memorable as the places we visited.
It was also quite exciting knowing that we were crossing into another part of the UK.
After spending so much time exploring England, this felt like the start of a brand-new chapter in our adventure.
Scotland had always been one of the places I was most looking forward to visiting on this trip.
This was actually my second time visiting Scotland, but it felt just as exciting as the first. 
What made it even more special was being able to return with my family. 
There is something different about revisiting a place you enjoy and sharing it with the people you love. 
I was looking forward to showing them the city, its beautiful architecture, and the unique atmosphere that made me fall in love with Edinburgh during my first visit.
For this part of the trip, we decided not to stay right in Edinburgh city centre. 
Instead, we booked a house located about 15–20 minutes' drive from the city. 
It gave us a little more space, a quieter environment, and better value for a group of seven.
As it turned out, this Airbnb became one of our favourite accommodations of the entire UK road trip. 
But before exploring Edinburgh itself, let me first show you where we stayed, because this house definitely deserves its own little introduction.


2 Weeks in the UK @ Entering the Beauty of Lake District

After exploring cities filled with history, beautiful architecture, and charming old streets, our UK journey was finally taking us somewhere completely different, the peaceful and breathtaking Lake District.
This was actually the only nature-focused destination in our entire UK itinerary. 
Most of our previous stops were about exploring cities, historical landmarks, and villages, so I was really looking forward to slowing down, enjoying the scenery, and experiencing a different side of England.
From York and Leeds, we left the busy city atmosphere behind and started driving towards the countryside. 
The roads became quieter, the views became wider, and slowly, the scenery changed from buildings and streets to mountains, lakes, and endless greenery.
I have always heard so much about the beauty of Lake District, and many people told me that it is one of the must-visit places in the UK. 
So including this destination in our family road trip was something I really wanted to do, not just for myself, but also for my parents to experience the peaceful beauty of England’s nature.
This chapter will be about our Lake District journey; the scenic drives, beautiful viewpoints, charming villages, and the moments where we simply stopped, looked around, and appreciated how beautiful nature can be.
So let’s continue our UK road trip and explore the place where England’s landscapes truly shine.


2 Weeks in the UK @ The Cities That Surprised Me: York & Leeds

Hey guys, welcome back to Part 5 of my 2 Weeks in the UK journey! 
After exploring Stonehenge, Bath, and Gloucester Cathedral in the previous post, it was finally time to leave the southwest of England and continue our road trip towards the north.
This part of the journey brought us to Yorkshire, where we explored two very different but equally charming cities; York and Leeds.
York had always been on my UK bucket list. 
Whenever people mention beautiful historic cities in England, York is always one of the first places that comes up. With its medieval streets, ancient city walls, and stunning cathedral, I was really excited to finally see this city in person.
For this part of the trip, we decided to stay in Leeds instead of York. 
The reason was simple; Leeds was a more convenient base for us to explore both cities. 
From Leeds, it was easy to drive to York, which took around 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on traffic. 
At the same time, we could also spend some time exploring Leeds itself, rather than just using it as a place to sleep.
In this post, I’ll also be sharing about our stay in Leeds, why we chose this location, and how it worked out for our family road trip.
Compared to the peaceful countryside villages and historical landmarks we had visited earlier in the journey, this chapter brought us a different side of England; medieval charm, city life, beautiful architecture, and a glimpse of northern England.
So let's continue our journey and head north to discover York and Leeds.

2 Weeks in the UK @ Exploring Stonehenge, Bath & Harry Potter's Gloucester Cathedral

Hey guys, welcome back to Part 4 of my 2 Weeks in the UK journey!
In the previous post, I shared one of my favourite parts of the trip; exploring the beautiful villages of the Cotswolds. 
From the storybook charm of Bibury to the peaceful riverside views of Bourton-on-the-Water, it was a day filled with beautiful countryside scenery and unforgettable moments.
You can read the full post at HERE.
But our UK adventure wasn't over yet.
In this post, we'll be leaving the charming villages behind and heading to some of England's most iconic landmarks.
First up is Stonehenge, one of the world's most famous prehistoric monuments and a place I've always been curious to see in person.
After that, we'll continue to the beautiful city of Bath, known for its stunning Georgian architecture, Roman history, and elegant streets.
And before ending the day, we'll make a stop at one of Gloucester's most famous landmarks, Gloucester Cathedral, a place that Harry Potter fans will instantly recognize as one of the filming locations from the movies.
It's going to be a day filled with history, beautiful architecture, and a little bit of movie magic, so let's get started!


2 Weeks in the UK @ Exploring the Cotswolds Countryside

Hey guys, welcome back to Part 3 of my UK road trip series! 
If you've been following along, we've already explored London, stopped by Bicester Village for a little shopping, wandered through the historic streets of Oxford, and settled into our cosy Airbnb in Gloucester.
Check out the post at HERE...
But today, we're finally getting to the part that I had been looking forward to the most throughout this entire trip, the Cotswolds.
To be honest, the Cotswolds was one of the main reasons I wanted to do a UK road trip in the first place.
Long before this trip happened, I had seen countless photos of charming stone cottages, peaceful rivers, flower-filled gardens, and picturesque villages that looked like they belonged in a storybook.
It always seemed like one of those places that couldn't possibly be as beautiful as the photos.
Well... I was wrong. The reality was somehow even better.
Over the next few days, we explored several villages across the Cotswolds, each with its own unique charm and character.
Some were lively and filled with visitors, while others felt quiet and untouched.
But what they all had in common was that magical countryside atmosphere that made us want to slow down and simply enjoy the moment.
So grab a cup of coffee or tea, and let's start exploring some of my favourite places from the entire UK trip.


California Wines celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Judgment of Paris and its Golden State of Mind

As someone who enjoys wine, I’m always excited whenever I get the opportunity to attend a wine tasting event.
Every bottle tells a different story, from the vineyard where the grapes were grown to the people behind the winemaking process. 
What I love most about wine tasting is that there is always something new to discover. 
Sometimes it's a wine region I've never explored before, and other times it's a grape variety or flavor profile that completely surprises me.
Over the years, I've learned that wine is much more than just a drink. 
It's a reflection of culture, history, craftsmanship, and passion. 
That's why I was particularly excited to attend an event celebrating one of the most important moments in modern wine history, the 50th anniversary of the legendary Judgment of Paris.


2 Weeks in the UK @ Bicester Village, Historic Oxford & Our Gloucester Airbnb

Hey guys! Welcome back to my UK road trip blog!
I started jotting down this journey last week, mainly so I can keep everything here and look back on it in the future, like a little time capsule of this trip.
If you haven’t read the London part of my UK trip yet, you can catch up HERE.  
I shared everything from our arrival in London, how we planned our city days, plus some really useful tips on renting a car in the UK and one accommodation that I genuinely think was worth every penny.
And today’s post is where the real road trip begins.
After a few days in London, we finally picked up our rental car and officially started our journey.
It honestly felt a little surreal at first, going from taking the Tube everywhere to suddenly sitting in the driver’s seat, adjusting to driving on the opposite side, and trying to get used to roundabouts that seem to come out of nowhere.
Everything felt new again in the best way.
London was amazing, but this was a different kind of excitement, more freedom, more spontaneity, and a lot more “let’s just see where the road takes us.”
There was also this quiet moment right before we left the city, like a small mental shift.
No fixed train schedules, no rushing to catch lines, just us, the car, and a map full of places we wanted to slowly explore.
And just like that, the road trip officially started. 
So without sharing too much at once, let’s get into day one of the journey now…

2 Weeks in the UK @ First Stop in LONDON

It’s been a year since our 2-week family trip to the UK, but I still find myself going back to those memories from time to time.
Just the other day, I was scrolling through my phone photo album and suddenly came across our UK pictures again. It brought back so many memories at once, I guess I really miss that time.
I know this post is long overdue, but I still want to jot it down here, especially because this was one of those rare trips where I got to travel with my family for an extended period.
Nothing rushed, nothing overly planned, just days spent together in a completely different country, sharing small moments that feel even more precious as time passes.
So I’m writing this not just to document the places we went, but to keep a little archive of how it felt, to travel with them, laugh with them, get tired together, and simply be together away from our usual routines.
The kind of memories that don’t always stand out in the moment, but somehow stay with you quietly afterward.
Hopefully one day, I can look back and remember it all again, just as clearly.
We started from London, then went on a road trip through Oxford, the Cotswolds, Bath, York, Leeds, Windermere, and all the way up to Scotland.
It was a 2-week journey that slowly unfolded with every stop, each place carrying its own mood and pace.
There’s honestly so much I want to share; from how we managed accommodation for the seven of us, to the long drives in between cities, and even the little challenges we faced along the way that made the trip feel more real and memorable.
I’ll be slowly sharing each part of the journey here, hope you’ll stay for the rest of it.


Kyushu Road Trip Part 2: Exploring Yufuin and Best Ryokan Stays at Ryokan Yufuin Sansuikan

In Part 1 of my Kyushu road trip, I shared about our first arrival in Fukuoka, where we spent two relaxing days exploring the city.
From wandering around Kawabata and discovering hidden food spots, visiting beautiful temples like Tōchō-ji and Kushida Shrine, to enjoying the night view near Fukuoka Tower, it was a really nice and easy start to the trip.
We then picked up our rental car and officially started our road trip across Kyushu.
Our first stop was the famous onsen town of Beppu, where we explored several of the unique hot springs, including Umi Jigoku, Oniishi Bozu Jigoku, and Kamado Jigoku.
We also ended the day with the beautiful panoramic view from Yukemuri Observation Deck, watching steam rise across the entire city as the sun slowly set.
After a full day exploring Beppu, it was finally time to continue our road trip deeper into Kyushu.
Our next destination was Yufuin, a place we had been really looking forward to visiting.
It was highly recommended by our friends, who are very familiar with Japan and travel here almost every year.
In fact, Fukuoka was already their third time visiting, so we trusted their recommendations quite a lot.
They told us that Yufuin has a completely different atmosphere compared to the bigger cities, much quieter, surrounded by mountains, and known for its relaxing countryside charm.
After hearing so many good things about it, we were honestly very excited to finally see it for ourselves.
We arrived in Yufuin quite late at night after having dinner in Beppu.
The drive from Beppu to Yufuin goes through mountain roads, and along the journey it was very dark, which honestly felt a little scary for us at times.
Some parts of the road were also quite narrow, so we had to drive extra carefully.
Because of that, I would definitely recommend starting the journey earlier in the day if you’re planning to drive to Yufuin.
The drive itself is actually beautiful, but it would probably be much nicer, and less nerve-wracking if you could enjoy the mountain scenery during daylight instead of navigating the roads in the dark. 


Kyushu Road Trip Part 1: From Fukuoka City Vibes to Beppu Hot Springs

Hey guys! Welcome back to my travel blog.
It’s been a while since my last travel post, I think the previous one was back in August. Time really flies! So this time, I’m excited to finally share something a little special: my first ever trip to Japan.
Yes, you read that right....my first trip.
Many people were actually quite surprised when they found out I had never been to Japan before. Considering I’ve traveled to quite a number of countries over the years, Japan somehow just never made it onto my itinerary.
But I guess good things are worth the wait, because I finally made it there in December 2025.
For this trip, I traveled with my girlfriend, Stella.
When we were planning the itinerary, we both agreed on one thing: we didn’t want a rushed, city-hopping type of trip. Instead, we were craving something slower and more relaxing, a place where we could just drive, enjoy the scenery, and end the year on a peaceful note.
That’s how we decided on Fukuoka.
Compared to the more popular cities like Tokyo or Osaka, Fukuoka felt like the perfect balance.
It has the convenience of a city, but at the same time, it’s surrounded by beautiful countryside, coastal drives, and quiet towns that are perfect for a road trip.
Exactly the kind of vibe we were looking for.
Our plan was simple, rent a car, take things slow, explore the outskirts, and hopefully experience a different side of Japan that’s a little more calm and local.
No packed schedules, no rushing from one attraction to another, just enjoying the journey along the way.
And honestly, it turned out to be one of the most relaxing trips I’ve had in a long time.
So in this blog, I’ll be sharing our Fukuoka road trip itinerary, some beautiful countryside spots, food we tried, and a few memorable moments along the way.
If you’re someone who prefers slow travel and scenic drives instead of busy city crowds, this trip might just give you some ideas for your next Japan adventure.


Is the LUMOS EVOKE Digital Camera Worth It For Me?

As a self-proclaimed camera girl, I’ve always preferred capturing moments with a proper camera rather than just using my phone.
There’s something about holding a camera in your hands; the feel, the focus, the control, that makes photography feel more intentional and creative.
Don’t get me wrong, though...phones nowadays are seriously impressive.
They fit right in your pocket, the photos they produce can be stunning, and sometimes, let’s face it, they’re just the easiest way to snap a quick shot.
But for me, nothing compares to a real camera.
The resolution, the depth, the image quality, it’s just on another level. 
The only catch? Cameras can be bulky, heavy, and sometimes quite expensive, which makes it hard to carry them everywhere.
That’s why I’m genuinely excited to introduce the LUMOS EVOKE Digital Camera.
It manages to strike the perfect balance: light enough to take anywhere, small enough to carry without hassle, and affordable without compromising on quality. 
Today, I want to share why this little camera might just be a game-changer for anyone who loves photography, whether you’re a seasoned shooter or just starting your camera journey.


Little Moments That Made My 2025

I almost forgot to write my 2025 recap.
I just got back from Japan, and everything still feels a little all over the place.
The house needs cleaning, work is piling up, schedules need to be rearranged, there’s always something waiting to be done.
Life doesn’t really pause just because you were away.
This morning, it suddenly hit me: I haven’t written my blog for the last day of 2025 yet.
As usual, the year passed incredibly fast.
It feels like I was just sitting down to write the previous recap not long ago, reflecting on another ending, another beginning.
And now, somehow, I’m here again, turning the page to a new chapter.
Sometimes, I really wish time could slow down...Just a little.
So I wouldn’t have to grow up so quickly, and the people I look up to around me wouldn’t grow older so fast either.
I wish there were moments I could pause, to stay a bit longer in the present, before everything quietly moves on.
And maybe that’s why I’m writing this now.
To hold on, even briefly, to what this year meant to me.