Lattes, Luggage and Life

What happens when your love of travel meets your obsession with true crime? This week on Lattes, Luggage & Life , we’re exploring the darker side of travel — from infamous prisons and unsolved mysteries to witch trials, gangsters and destinations with some seriously fascinating history. We’re heading to Alcatraz in San Francisco, Jack the Ripper’s London, Salem’s witch-trial history, Edinburgh...

What if your perfect holiday isn’t about a packed itinerary… but finding somewhere beautiful, opening a book and being left completely alone? This week on Lattes, Luggage & Life , we’re travelling the world through books. From hotels filled with thousands of books and incredible libraries you can actually stay in, to literary escapes in Edinburgh, Bath, Paris, Porto and the Lake District. We’r...

Have you ever watched a film, binged a TV series or spent five minutes on TikTok and suddenly decided… I NEED to go there? This week on Lattes, Luggage & Life , we’re talking Main Character Holidays – the destinations that films, TV and social media have made us desperate to visit. From riding the Jacobite steam train across the Glenfinnan Viaduct for your Harry Potter moment, to living out Ma...

It’s been FOUR WEEKS since my last episode… so we have a lot to catch up on! This week I’m talking about what’s actually booking at Avandra Travel Services, from last-minute getaways and Disneyland Paris to the destinations filling my inbox right now — including Dubai for 2026 and the Maldives for 2027. I’m also chatting about what’s happening in the travel world, the reality of running a travel b...

School holiday prices are WILD… but there are ways to bring the cost down! ✈️☀️ In this week's episode of Lattes, Luggage and Life , I'm sharing my top tips for finding a cheaper family holiday during the school holidays — without taking the kids out of school. We’re talking flexible dates and airports, travelling outside a destination's peak season, cheaper countries such as Turkey an...

It's time for another Let's Have a Chat ! In this episode, I'm catching you up on what's been happening in my world of travel over the last couple of weeks. We'll chat about the destinations everyone seems to be booking, why Lapland and 2027 holidays are proving so popular, and what the release of easyJet's Summer 2027 flights means if you're thinking about booking. I&#...

Are travel agents really dying out... or is the industry simply changing? In this episode of Lattes, Luggage & Life , Holly from Avandra Travel Services is joined by fellow independent travel agent Katey from Booking the Bucket List to tackle one of the biggest questions in travel. We discuss whether travel agents are still relevant, the rise of MLM travel businesses, the differences between b...

Thinking about taking the family to Lapland? Before you hit the "book now" button, this episode is a must-listen. In this episode of Lattes, Luggage & Life , Holly shares why Lapland is one of the few holidays she'd always recommend booking as a package rather than doing it yourself. She covers: Why booking early is essential (and why holidays often sell out around a year in adva...

This episode, we are having a chat! Payday has been and the enquiries are rolling in... What is popular? What is booking quick? And why travel agents are your best option! We are also talking about pet peeves and how the struggles of being a travel agent can really question is all the hard work worth it? For any bookings and enquiries: Avandra Travel Services WhatsApp - 07442144889 Email - avandra...

This week on Lattes, Luggage and Life , I'm taking you back to one of the most incredible trips I've ever experienced – Peru with G Adventures . From flying via Rio de Janeiro and exploring the streets of Lima, to tackling the altitude in Cusco, meeting alpacas in the Sacred Valley and standing in awe at Machu Picchu , one of the Seven Wonders of the World, I'm sharing what group travel is really...

This week on Lattes, Luggage and Life , I've just returned from a week in Spain and I'm sharing why I've fallen back in love with villa holidays. From private pools and complete freedom to explore, to shopping like a local, day trips to Valencia and Benidorm, and even a rather expensive parking lesson that cost us €40, I'm giving my honest thoughts on villa holidays and whether I'd choose one over...

Ever wondered what it's really like to become a travel agent? In this episode of Lattes, Luggage & Life , I'm joined by Bowen & Co Travel to chat about the realities of starting out in the travel industry. We discuss how he got into travel, why he chose to specialise in sports travel and touring, what has surprised him most so far, and whether becoming a travel agent is really as g...

This week on Lattes, Luggage and Life, I’m taking a step away from the usual travel tips and holiday stories to share something much more personal. Following the recent loss of my grandad, Roy, I wanted to dedicate this episode to the man who helped shape so much of my life. From holidays to Disneyland Paris and Butlins, to long walks, lifts to auditions, college interviews and job interviews, Gra...

This week on Lattes, Luggage and Life , we’re talking about a different type of journey — travelling to Turkey for surgery. Joining me is my friend Samantha, who opens up about her personal experience of travelling abroad for a breast augmentation and uplift procedure. We’re having an honest and unbiased conversation about why people choose Turkey, the pros and cons, social media expectations, rec...

The chaos continues… and somehow we’ve now added Yacht Club luxury and Malta into the mix 😂 Join me for Part 2 of our Italian adventure as I chat about cruise life, Malta moments, Nan stories, unexpected memories and the bits that never make it into the perfectly filtered holiday photos. If you love travel stories, cruises, family adventures and a bit of unplanned chaos, grab your coffee and come...

Join me for Part 1 of my Italy adventure with my nan — the first holiday we’ve taken together in over 15 years 👀🇮🇹 From Venice canals and chaotic train journeys to Pisa, random travel friendships and the funniest shandy incident ever 😂 this episode is full of real travel moments, family memories and a little bit of chaos along the way. And next week… my nan experiences cruising for the first tim...

In this episode of Lattes, Luggage & Life , I’m talking all about the brand new cruise ships launching in 2027 and 2028 — and why cruising is changing more than ever. From huge, family-friendly ships carrying over 7,000 passengers to smaller luxury ships with under 1,000 onboard, there is now a cruise for every type of traveller. I’m breaking down some of the biggest new ships, where they’ll b...

In this episode of Lattes, Luggage & Life , I’m joined by my first guest, Alistair from BondVoyage by Alistair Bond , to talk all about LGBTQ+ travel . We dive into real experiences, how travel can feel different depending on where you go, what to consider when planning a trip, and how to feel more confident and informed when travelling. From destination tips to honest conversations about safe...

This week on Lattes, Luggage & Life , we’re talking about Universal UK — what’s been announced, where it’s going, what stage it’s at now, and all the rumours around what could be coming. Could this be the UK’s answer to Orlando? From major themed lands to coaster rumours, local reaction and what it could mean for UK travel, I’m getting into all of it. For help planning your next holiday: Email...

In this episode of Lattes, Luggage & Life , I’m sharing the story of when I went on holiday with someone I barely knew. What started as a travel buddy idea quickly turned into a lesson in different travel styles, expectations, and how important it is to be on the same page. This is an honest (but light-hearted) look at what happened, what I learned, and whether I’d do it again. ✨ New episodes...

In this episode of Lattes, Luggage & Life , Holly shares her experience researching car hire for her upcoming seven-night trip to Spain . What looked like a cheap £60 deal quickly turned into hours of research once hidden deposits and conditions started appearing. From excess deposits and insurance traps to fuel policies, mileage limits and credit card requirements, Holly breaks down the thing...

What happens when you go on a cruise completely alone? In this story time episode of Lattes, Luggage & Life , Holly shares her experience of taking her first solo cruise on MSC Poesia , celebrating her 30th birthday at sea , and meeting incredible people along the way. From exploring ports like Bruges, Hamburg and Rotterdam to making unexpected friendships onboard, this episode is all about st...

What are coach holidays really like? In this episode of Lattes, Luggage & Life , Holly shares her insider experience from working in the coach tourism industry – from planning itineraries and hosting tours to driving coaches herself. Learn how coach holidays work, what to look for when booking, and why they’re still a popular way to travel across the UK and Europe.

Thinking about your first cruise but not sure what to expect? In this episode of Lattes, Luggage & Life , Holly breaks down everything first-time cruisers should know – from embarkation day and cabin locations to onboard spending and avoiding the busiest buffet times. Grab a coffee and get ready to set sail.

In the very first episode of Lattes, Luggage & Life , Holly from Avandra Travel Services talks about travelling to Disneyland Paris with neurodiverse family members. From quieter areas in the parks and restaurant tips to choosing the right hotels and avoiding the busiest times of year, this episode is packed with helpful advice to make Disney a magical experience for everyone. Grab a coffee an...