I’m Hazel, a British writer and solo traveller based just outside London. Whenever I get the chance, I’m off somewhere in Europe, chasing good coffee, beautiful old streets, and attempting to absorb as much history, food and atmosphere as humanly possible.
Over the past decade, I’ve wandered solo through much of Europe – from the black cliffs of Madeira to the misty forests of Scotland.
This blog is where I share everything I’ve learned along the way: thoughtful travel tips, soulful destinations, honest solo travel advice, and plenty of food posts. I used to be a chef, and food still shapes how I experience the world.
Solo Travel & European Escapes 💁♀️
Solo travel is a special kind of adventure. It can be empowering and deeply enriching, and yes, sometimes a little nerve-wracking, especially at the beginning.
My goal is simple: to help you feel confident, inspired and fully prepared to explore the world on your own terms.
Whether you’re planning your first solo trip, looking for practical advice about travelling alone as a woman, or trying to shake off travel burnout, you’ll find grounded, real-world guidance here.
Some of my most-read solo travel posts include:
💬 Solo travel myths debunked.
🧳 How to plan your first solo trip.
🗺️ Best destinations in Europe for solo travellers.
💡 Tips for overcoming loneliness on the road.
📚 Inspiring travel books and memoirs.
You’ll also find detailed itineraries, road trip guides, and walking maps designed to make planning feel manageable rather than overwhelming.
Food & Sun-Soaked Travels 🍽️
I’m always seeking out local dishes and memorable meals, and I try to create at least one food-focused guide for every destination I visit.
Reader favourites include:
🍤 Food From Puglia: 15 Must-Try Dishes & Local Specialities.
🍊 Food of Mallorca: What to Eat and Drink on the Island.
🌮 Bari Street Food: A Culinary Tour of Puglia’s Capital.
🥘 Food in Cyprus: 12 Delicious Dishes and Drinks You Need to Try.
👉 See all my food guides here: Food Archives.
For Book Lovers 📚
If you’re a book lover, you’re in good company.
I share curated reading lists with a focus on travel memoirs, historical fiction, and novels that bring a destination to life – perfect for long flights or slow beach days.
You’ll find recommendations woven into my destination guides, alongside dedicated lists such as:
📚 The Best Travel and Adventure Books of All Time.
🌍 Best Travel Fiction: Books To Inspire Your Next Trip.
✈️ Historical Travel Books by Female Explorers Through The Ages.
👉 Browse all travel book lists here: Travel Book Lists.
Places I Know Well ✨
I mostly write about places I’ve explored properly – places I’ve lingered in, got lost in, and probably eaten far too much in.
That includes southern Italy, the Canary Islands, Cyprus, Madeira, Malta, and Scotland.
Scotland, in particular, has become a regular rhythm in my life. I travel frequently between London and Edinburgh, and I’ve spent years exploring the Highlands and islands like Mull and Iona.
But I’m also a big believer that you don’t need weeks to form an opinion. Some cities reveal themselves in a day – and I’ve written honest, experience-led guides on whether places like Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Belgrade are worth visiting even on a short trip.
Not every destination needs a long stay. Sometimes all you have is 24 hours – and that’s more often than not better than nothing!
Moments That Stayed With Me ✨
Not every post I write is a guide.
Some are about standing in a place and really noticing it – whether that’s the Shoes on the Danube in Budapest, the blackened slopes of Cumbre Vieja after the eruption in La Palma, or the sharp glass-and-steel contrasts of Canary Wharf in London.
Travel isn’t just about ticking sights off a list. Sometimes it’s about pausing long enough to feel the weight of a place; its history, its atmosphere, its contradictions.
I write about those moments too.
Because the places that stay with you aren’t always the prettiest ones. They’re the ones that made you think.
Travel Tools & Support 🌍
✈️ Need help with booking?
My Resources Page lists the websites and tools I actually use – for flights, stays, insurance, and more.
🗺️ Want done-for-you planning?
My itineraries and road trips come with pre-built Google Maps so you can skip the planning stress and hit the ground running.
✉️ Fancy a monthly dose of travel ideas?
You can subscribe to my newsletter via the sign-up box on this page.
☕ Want to support my work?
You can Buy Me a Coffee – it helps keep this blog caffeine-fuelled and independent.
🏆 Proud moment:
Hazel’s Travels was named one of the Top UK Solo Female Travel Blogs by Feedspot in both 2024 and 2025.
🗞️ Press & media enquiries:
For press and media requests, please email: hazel@hazelstravels.co.uk.
Photo Policy 📸
Most of the photos you see on Hazel’s Travels are my own – taken, edited, and carefully chosen to reflect the feel of each destination. Occasionally, I use licensed stock images to illustrate places I haven’t photographed myself (yet!).
Please don’t reuse any images without permission. If you’d like to license a photo or collaborate, feel free to get in touch.
