I’m Hayley, a 40-something travel enthusiast from Kent aka The Garden of England. I started Quirky Little Planet to document my adventures, and over the years I’ve filled my passport and camera roll with many memories. Some of my travel highlights include road tripping around New Zealand, witnessing the Northern Lights in Iceland, meeting quokkas in Australia and experiencing cherry blossom season in Japan.
The Newest Chapter: Traveling with a Tot
Recently, my adventures have gained a tiny new teammate. While a lot of my favourite memories were made on holidays with my best travel buddy (aka my husband), I am now navigating the beautiful and chaotic world of family travel. I believe that becoming parents shouldn’t mean the end of our global adventures, it just means we might need a few more snacks and a slightly better flight plan!
This blog is a mix of adults only travels and family-friendly discoveries, proving that you don’t have to stop exploring just because life changes.
What You’ll Find Here
I pride myself on my honesty and authenticity. I will only write about places I have been myself. I’ve backpacked on a budget, relaxed at 5 star resorts and stayed at quirky accommodations across the world. And as much as I would love to just jet off whenever the mood strikes, all of my adventures have fitted in around work and other commitments. So contrary to what you see all over instagram these days, I’m not about to tell you that you’re ‘doing life wrong’ just because you aren’t a digital nomad!
Much of my content falls into these categories:
- Travel Guides and Itineraries: Honest reviews and practical advice for destinations across the UK, Europe and beyond. Whether it’s a 3-day guide to Seville or a Bucket List for Japan, I hope to inspire others pack their suitcases and explore this big, wide world.
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Quirky and Unique Travel: If it’s eccentric or colourful, it grabs my attention! I’m a big fan of a themed cafe, an unusual museum or an offbeat accommodation. Experiencing the unique and unconventional is kinda my thing, so if that’s you too then you’ve come to the right place!
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Animal Encounters: Ethical wildlife experiences are one of my favourite ways to spend a day. Some of my travel highlights include volunteering at a rescue centre in Costa Rica and visiting a famous kangaroo sanctuary in Australia. As someone who has spent a lot of time working with animals, I always try to share how to see animals responsibly and with kindness. Oh and expect cats!
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Family-Friendly Travel: Practical guides on how we are adapting our love for travel to fit a toddler, including villa life in Menorca, surviving city breaks with kids and, of course, the best places to holiday in the UK.
- Days Out in Kent and London: While my passport has seen plenty of action, some of my top discoveries are much closer to home. As a Kent-based traveller, I like to share experiences from my home county, as well as my closest city – London. From the artsy coastal charm of Folkestone to quirky afternoon teas in London, I love sharing the best of the UK.
Why the “Quirky” in Quirky Little Planet?
Despite my introverted nature, I’ve always been drawn to the things that stand out. Beyond visiting a destination’s famous landmarks, I love to stumble upon some colourful street art while exploring a new city, sip on a ridiculous looking cocktail at a quirky bar or immerse myself in a weird and wonderful museum. And then I share some of that here.
If you’re looking for some travel inspiration, here are a few of my favourite finds:
- Visiting the Lost in Translation Bar Tokyo – A movie moment in Japan and my most popular post.
- Quirky things to do in Amsterdam – Discover what the city has to offer beyond the Van Goghs and the Rembrandts.
- The Quirky Cat Sanctuary of Rome – I told you to expect cats!
- The day I attended Spy Academy – They even offered me a job!
Thanks for visiting my blog!
Not sure where to head first? Check out my Destinations page to see (most of) the places I’ve been. And if you’re looking for some ideas for what to do this weekend, then my Alphabet Dating series might be just the thing!
You can also find me on instagram or email me at: quirkylittleplanet@outlook.com