Thrive Architect


UK family travel blog

It may surprise you to know that we are actually a UK family travel blog. I am British, I was born and raised in Wales and my kids were born in London. We left the UK to travel and have returned for long trips and visits many times. This is our UK travel blog, guide, and tips section. It will help you plan your trip or UK itinerary. You can jump straight to a place, attraction, or destination in the UK from the links below.

UK beach. Beautiful sandy beach in the UK
The UK has some beautiful beaches and we do, indeed, swim from them and otherwise enjoy them. I love UK beaches in winter, rough seas and stormy skies on the British coastline are something you should experience. For me a deserted winter beach is far more beautiful that a crowded summer seaside scene.

All of our UK travel blog posts are in one place here. (we are updating today, somr parts are temporarily removed – sorry!)

Wales and London have their own separate sections because the volume we have on London is just too huge.

You may find our post on the UK with kids useful too, if you’re first time family travellers.

The United Kingdom is more correctly known as The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The UK or U.K. It is a sovereign country separated from the main European continent by water.

It is a part of the continent of Europe, but Brexit is yet to determine if it will remain part of the European Union.

UK beautiful rivers and mountains river in Scotland Balmoral Castle
What a beautiful place the UK is. There are many remote, unspoiled, wild places in the UK. This one is in Scotland and is[……]

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11 Best Things To Do In Dubai

Dubai is one of those cities that’s so much more than meets the eye. Beyond the glossy building exteriors, there’s a wealth of award-winning restaurants, cultural hubs and incredible souks that you have to see. Honestly, there’s just so many of the best things to do in Dubai that are dotted all across the city.

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For the longest time, I’d always disregarded Dubai as just another city, one that’s glitz and the shiny cityscape is lacking in culture somehow. If you’ve ever been to Dubai, you might know what I mean? It can be too shiny for its own good if that makes sense?

Now, this isn’t bad, but for some reason, I assumed that would mean it’s missing that jigsaw piece that makes up other cities like; Tokyo, London or New York.

Best Things To Do In Dubai (26)
How wrong I was, you just need to scratch the surface to uncover a treasure-trove of culture, art and food that dreams are made of.

Take a look at some of the very best things to do in Dubai. And, with all our posts, if you need any tips or advice, just pop us a message. We’re always happy to help.

Best things to do in Dubai

1.) See the historic fishing town of Al Bastakiya

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Before Dubai was, well… Dubai, the area was scattered with small fishing villages that dotted the shoreline. I’m all for the glossiness of Dubai but I equally love to see some of the older parts of the city.

Take a moment from the towering city and head over to the Bastakiya Quarter, which has stood the test of time (even if this mega-metropolis of a city has grown around it).[……]

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Top 5 Most Underrated Yet Beautiful Places To See In Brazil

There’re loads of beautiful cities scattered all through the country of Brazil, yet they don’t often grab the attention they ought to have. If you’re planning a Brazil tour and you just want to try something different instead of the usual tourist focused cities that are just as exquisite but with a lot lesser crowd, then you should keep reading this post till the end.

1. Salvador, Bahia:

Sits comfortably in Brazil’s northeastern state of Bahia the city of Salvador was the 1st colonial capital of Brazil. The vibrant regal architectures add to its reputation as a destination of happiness & celebration. The street carnival of the city is also known to be the largest on Earth.

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2. Curitiba, Parana:

Unlike numerous renowned cities in Brazil, Curitiba sits away from the shoreline and as a result, the beaches that make the country so popular. Besides this, the city has a lot to offer in respect of attractions, particularly if you love exploring art & culture. Curitiba’s Botanical Garden is the best place to visit if you want an unruffled French-inspired nature escape. Also, the Oscar Niemeyer Museum, which emphasizes on architecture, design and visual arts worth a visit.

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3. Florianopolis, Santa Catarina:

Brazilian magazine Veja has already mentioned the city of Florianopolis as the best place to live in Brazil, so as a tourist you’d wish to see what all the excitement is about. The seaside proximity & plenty of beaches (42 in numbers) are the main draw for travele[……]

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5 stunning ways to step off the beaten path in Vietnam

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Does Vietnam tickle your travel taste buds? If so, you’ve got great taste. This country is mesmerizing and addictive (trust me, I’m on my fifth visit).

And you’re not alone – there were 13 million international visitors in 2017, and the numbers are rising. But don’t let the crowds put you off – this country has so much to offer that there’s plenty to go around. You needn’t be overwhelmed by queues or have to jostle for photo ops in competition with other tourists, instead you can delight in undisturbed villages, hidden (I mean seriously difficult to find) coffee shops and stunning landscapes as if you were the first person there.

Cruise through Lan Ha Bay

Ha Long Bay is a, if not the, Vietnamese icon. It’s really quite a phenomenal experience to cruise among the 1600 limestone islands and islets of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. But I insist on trying an alternative – Lan Ha Bay. This is actually the less crowded, southern section of Ha Long Bay.

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Lan Ha Bay

Just as stunning, it is easier to appreciate nature’s beauty here thanks to the reduced number of boats cruising around. Oh, and there’s the added bonus of white sand beaches among the limestone towers, as well as many floating fishing villages (and spot the adorable dogs that live on these tiny floating homes).

When we cruised through Lan Ha, it felt notably calmer than Ha Long, and cleaner. With warnings spiking this year about the environmental impact of Ha Long Bay’s crowds, you’ll not only be seeing somewher[……]

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THE COMPLETE TRAVEL GUIDE TO PARIS, FRANCE

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To call our recent trip to Paris spontaneous is a bit of an understatement.

We had been in Sibenik, Croatia for three weeks, and while we loved the small coastal city, we were starting to feel the grass grow beneath our feet.

Travis and I were just one month in to our new full-time travel lifestyle, and as much as we hated to admit it, we were bored. We had done everything in the area multiple times, and we were on a first name basis with the waiters at the restaurant around the corner.

It was time to shake things up.

After some blanket “Europe” searches on Google Flights we narrowed it down to two cities where we could fly to that day: Paris and Berlin.

Torn at the prospect of both destinations, we turned the decision over to fate and flipped a coin.

Heads: Paris. Tails: Berlin.

We landed in Paris that night with no plans, no lodging and no expectations, and a week later we left with a newfound love and appreciation for the beautiful city.

While Paris is by no means an uncharted destination, here’s my take on the city of lights…

Where to Stay

This sounds obvious, but Paris is a huge city, and where you plant yourself is crucial to maximizing your time, money and energy. The city is divided into arrondissements, or districts, each with a different flavor and ambiance.

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Paris by Arrondissements (Credit: Paris Discovery Guide)

There are a million and one hotels in the city, many that are quite pricey, so I would recommend utilizing Airbnb to stay in an apartment in[……]

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14 Secret Spots and Hidden Gems in Copenhagen You Must Visit for your next Denmark trip

Get ready to embark on a whimsical journey through the enchanting streets of Copenhagen, where hidden gems await your discovery.

While iconic landmarks like the Little Mermaid and Tivoli Gardens are undoubtedly captivating, beyond the well-known attractions lies a treasure trove of vibrant, cheery, and off-the-beaten-path wonders just waiting to be explored in the city of Copenhagen. From colourful canal side houses, charming cobblestone streets, cosy cafe scene, contagious energy fills the air with these must-see hidden gems in Copenhagen. Copenhagen, the Danish capital, is renowned for its captivating landmarks, but it’s time to dig deeper and uncover the hidden gems that make this city truly shine.

As we dive into the heart of this Nordic wonderland, get ready to be dazzled by the unexpected, enchanted by local traditions, and captivated by the joy that radiates from every corner. These hidden gems are not just about ticking off a checklist, but about immersing yourself in the unique charm and cheery spirit of Copenhagen. So, put on your explorer’s hat and let’s embark on this journey of delightful surprises!

Copenhagen hidden gems:

Nyboder

Stepping into Nyboder is like stepping into a living piece of Copenhagen’s history. This quaint neighbourhood, with its charming yellow houses and cobblestone streets, exudes a sense of nostalgia. It’s a Copenhagen hidden gem that allows you to immerse yourself in the city’s rich maritime heritage and imagine the lives of sailors w[……]

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Colombia: The Best Kept Secret In Travel

When Patrick from The Cali Adventurer blog approached me to pen a few guest posts about the travel hot-spots in Colombia, naturally I was delighted. As co-founder of Amakuna, a luxury travel company which specialises in creating tailor-made holidays in Colombia, there’s nothing I like doing more than sharing my top tips for travelling around this magical country. The team at Amakuna has travelled the length and breadth of the country. We know every boutique hotel bolt-hole, the best lobster shacks, the most picture-postcard perfect coffee fincas and the liveliest salsa bars. Dying for an innovative cocktail in Cartagena? Easy, El Baron is the place for you. Ask for Noah, he won’t disappoint. Gasping for a wonderfully creamy, velvety cappuccino? Simply head to Azahar Coffee in Bogota. Single origin heaven awaits. But before I give away all the secrets (and there are many) of this little-discovered country, it’s worth reflecting first on a bit of Colombia’s history and what makes it now such an attractive tourist destination.

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It is almost eleven years ago exactly since I stepped off the plane in Cartagena, arriving from Panama City. Looking at a map, you wonder why you can’t simply drive it. It looks like it would make a wonderful road-trip, hugging the Caribbean coast the whole way, the type of trip perfect for an old Land Rover Discovery. Unfortunately, that stretch of land known as the Darien Gap is one of the least accessible by vehicle in the world, not to mention pretty[……]

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