Welcome to the Blog
Real trips. Real costs. And all the stories in between.
Right so you’ve found the blog!
This is where I share our travels, how I plan them, what they actually cost and everything that happens along the way.
Some posts are practical. I’ll tell you where we stayed, what we spent, what I’d recommend and what I’d probably do differently next time.
Others are a bit more personal. The moments that stayed with me long after we unpacked, the things travelling has taught me and occasionally something that’s been playing on my mind.
I love a good itinerary. I also love sitting somewhere beautiful doing absolutely nothing. And I firmly believe you don’t need unlimited money, endless annual leave or a perfectly curated holiday to have an incredible experience.
That’s really what Suitcases & Stories is about.
Making more of the time and money we’ve got, travelling in ways that suit us, and collecting a few bloody good stories along the way.
So have a nose around. Hopefully you’ll find something useful, something that makes you laugh or somewhere that gets you thinking about your next trip.
Zo x
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Blog categories
Featured
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Maybe She’s Been Here All Along
A reflection on travel, slowing down and realising that the version of myself in Bali might have been here all along. Read More
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The Walk That Brought Me Back to Myself | Walking to Clear Your Mind
I spent most of yesterday waiting. Waiting for an answer that felt like it held far more weight than it probably should have. I refreshed my emails more times than I’d like to admit. I couldn’t settle. I couldn’t concentrate. I wandered from room to room, trying to… Read More
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How to Choose the Right Eurocamp Site
If you’ve ever sat staring at the Eurocamp website thinking, “How on earth do I choose?” trust me, you’re not alone. There are so many amazing campsites across Europe that it’s easy to get caught up comparing pools, restaurants and water slides until they all start blending into… Read More
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How to Visit the French Riviera on a Budget (Without Feeling Like You Missed Out)
How we explored the French Riviera on a budget using Eurocamp, Ryanair and a hire car—plus practical tips, costs and our favourite day trips. Read More
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What Birmingham Gave Me | A Social Work Reflection
A few years ago, I wrote the words below. I wasn’t trying to inspire anyone. I wasn’t trying to explain social work to people who’d never done it. I simply needed to remind myself why, despite everything, I stayed. Today is different. Yesterday, I walked out of Birmingham… Read More
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The Day I Was Offered a Job I Wasn’t Allowed to Have
Between a leaking washing machine, a mystery hose connector, and a job interview that ended in the most unexpected way, yesterday reminded me why I started writing in the first place. Read More