Melbourne to Qingdao: What to Expect on Beijing Capital Airlines’ 11-Hour Journey

This year, we have flown twice with a Chinese airline from Melbourne, Australia, to Qingdao, China. The latest airline we used is Beijing Capital Airlines. My family’s recent flight on Beijing Capital Airlines’ Melbourne-Qingdao route offered a glimpse into what budget Chinese carriers bring to the table. Beijing Capital Airlines, the low-cost subsidiary of Hainan … Read more

The reality of having a daughter who lives overseas

Willow, our daughter, bounded into the lounge room one evening announcing that when she finished high school she wanted to move overseas and be an aupair. Bec and I looked at each other, thinking this was just another idea Willow had devised. It started with Italy being her preferred destination, but 12 months later we … Read more

Stop Travel Shaming: Why do we have be a Tourist or a Traveler

The traveller vs. tourist debate is always raised on social media. This so-called debate only ever appears on Facebook and Instagram, where viral travel quotes and graphics constantly compare the two types of travel against each other. These posts typically portray travellers as adventurous people getting off the beaten track and immersing themselves in culture. … Read more

Trying to build an effective strategy for podcast growth

Recording and publishing a podcast is the easy part, you sit down and talk about something you know and are passionate about. The hard part is establishing your brand and getting people to listen. 6 weeks after I launched the Southern Summers and Northern Winters podcast with my friend in Germany, I have tried to … Read more

Should I switch airplane seats for a family

In 2023, airlines collected over 181 billion dollars in extra fees from all us flyers. A large part of those fees came from having to pay for seat selection. These extra fees have pushed some families to take the change and not book seats to sit together. The online war about giving up your allocated … Read more

Should you be staying in a hotel or Airbnb

Picture this: On one trip, you’re greeted by a smiling, welcoming concierge in a warm, well-lit lobby. On another, you’re deciphering a lockbox code on a mobile phone in the dark while trying to read parking instructions. Welcome to a delimma many traveler’s have, hotel or Airbnb?” In the last two weeks, we have had … Read more