A person with long hair and sunglasses smiles in front of a waterfront with boats, under a clear blue sky in Funchal, capturing the essence of their Madeira itinerary.

About Hazel’s Travels

Hi, I’m Hazel – a British writer, solo traveller, and former chef with a serious case of wanderlust.

Woman in a light blue dress walking along a sunlit Parisian street near the Louvre.

I’m based just outside London, but my heart is often somewhere sun-drenched, sea-splashed, or surrounded by olive trees.

Over the past decade, I’ve wandered solo through much of Europe – from the black cliffs of Madeira to the misty forests of Scotland – always with a book in one hand and a fork in the other.

This blog is where I share everything I’ve learned along the way: smart travel tips, soulful destinations, honest solo travel advice, and lots (and lots) of food posts.

🍽️ Food & Sun-Soaked Travels

Before this blog, I spent 20 years working in professional kitchens (eventually becoming a head chef), so food is more than a passion; it’s part of how I understand the world.

I’m always seeking out local dishes and unforgettable meals, and I’ve written food-focused guides for nearly every place I’ve explored.

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.

A woman is taking a selfie in front of a boat in Funchal, Madeira.

A woman in a blue dress stands next to a red telephone booth in London filled with colorful flowers beside a red post box. Flowers also spill from wooden crates on the ground.

📚 For Book Lovers

And if you’re a book lover like me, 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 lazy beach days.

You’ll find recommendations woven into my destination guides, plus full book lists like:

📚 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.

Woman in a blue dress standing by a wrought-iron railing overlooking pastel buildings in Montmartre, Paris

🧭 Solo Travel, European Escapes & Scottish Adventures

Solo travel is a special kind of adventure. It can be empowering, enriching, and occasionally a little nerve-wracking – especially at the start.

My goal is to help you feel confident, inspired, and prepared to explore the world on your own terms.

Whether you’re planning your very first solo trip, looking for tips as a woman travelling alone, or just trying to shake off travel burnout, I’ve got you covered.

Some of my most-read 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 that take the hassle out of planning.

✨ Places I Know Well

I only write about places I’ve explored thoroughly – places I’ve lingered in, got lost in, eaten far too much in. That includes southern Italy, the Canary Islands, Cyprus, Madeira, Malta, and Scotland.

Scotland, in particular, has a special place in my travel heart. I travel frequently between London and Edinburgh, and I’ve spent plenty of time exploring the Highlands and nearby islands like Mull and Iona.

If you’re after slow travel, dramatic landscapes, or cosy whisky-filled evenings, it’s one of my favourite places to recommend.

A woman in a dress walks barefoot on a sandy beach toward the sea, with sailboats anchored in the water under a clear blue sky. — 📍Iona Island, Scotland.

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.