How Norway Made me Fall in Love with Winter

Hey Owlets,

For so many people, the nights drawing in and the temperature dropping is met with a feeling of dread. From as early as the end of August, I hear people talking about how they're not looking forward to the darker nights and shorter days. Honestly, I get it - the world just feels more alive in summer. There are festivals, weddings and social events every weekend, not to mention just feeling the sun on your skin is good for our mental health.

I think for a lot of people, the colder days and darker nights bring a feeling of loneliness, isolation, and maybe even a touch of cabin fever. I try to make the most of everyday, but I'd be lying if I said I hadn't felt the same.

Until I went to Northern Norway in winter.

Hamburg, Germany: The Inland City Obsessed with the Sea

Hey Owlets,

Every so often you happen to visit a city at exactly the right moment - the streets seem to be a hive of activity, everyone is in a good mood and the lights seem to sparkle a bit brighter. Every two years, that exact magic arrives in Hamburg, and I was lucky enough to spend a weekend soaking it all in. Hamburg is a city so obsessed with cruise ships that they host a festival every two years to celebrate. 

The city’s harbour bursts into life with the riverside full of stalls during the day, teaming with cruise lines offering special discounts for booking during the festival; Germans come from across the country to book their cruise at the show, and cruises that take part in the festivities on the river sell out years in advance. At night the harbour is bathed in blue light from the iconic art installation on the cranes, music plays, and people gather at the riverside to watch cruise ships illuminated by fireworks as they parade down the river Elbe.

Hamburg Cruise Days is a truly surreal experience and something that any cruise enthusiast has to experience at least once, but you'd be missing half of the magic if you didn't spend a few days exploring Hamburg while you're here. 

Hamburg is a city like no other. Set between two rivers, the Elbe and the Alster, the city hugs the banks of the rivers and places maritime culture at the heart of everything it does. Fresh seafood can be found in almost every restaurant, you'll be spoilt for choice when looking for a viewing platform, and there are more unique vessels offering boat trips than you could possibly experience in one weekend.

If you love travel, photography, or simply want to enjoy the buzz of a city that has yet to become a household name for tourism, Hamburg deserves a top spot on your 2025 travel bucket list.

Norway Travel Misconceptions: What Tourists Often Get Wrong

In recent years Norway has enjoyed quite the tourism boom. From cruise ships making weekly visits to regular flights to all parts of the country, it’s suddenly become impossible to scroll through your Instagram feed without finding at least one post about Norway. 

Norway’s sudden rise to fame has resulted in a wide variety of people being attracted to explore this beautiful country, which is a double-edged sword. If you are the kind of person that appreciates the beauty of nature and enjoys hiking up a hill to visit an impressive viewpoint then you’ll love Norway. If you’re the kind of person who likes to tick off tourist attractions like you’re catching Pokemon then you might find yourself feeling a little underwhelmed.

Four Unmissable Free Events in Bristol this Summer

The days are long, the sun is shining and Bristol is awake and ready to party!! 

I genuinely don’t think any UK city celebrates summer quite as well as Bristol does. It’s not just that there’s always something going on, it’s the fact that so many of the summer events in Bristol are completely free to attend! Whether you’re travelling alone or with family, you’ll always find something to do in Bristol without breaking the bank. There are so many smaller events to stumble upon throughout the summer months, but here are the four biggest events throughout summer in Bristol that you can’t afford to miss!

Can You use Your Phone on a Cruise Ship?

Can You Use Your Phone at Sea?

Like Christmas Eve, everything is packed and ready to go, the house is walking a fine line between show-home and organised chaos, and you're ready for an early night before the big day. But while you're getting ready to board your cruise ship, you might be wondering how to keep in touch with friends and family throughout your trip. It's common knowledge that cruise ship wifi packages are tantamount to daylight robbery - so can you just use your phone on board instead? The short answer is yes. You will be able to get a mobile phone signal while at sea but, before you breathe a sigh of relief, keep reading for the full story. If you don't, you could be liable for a phone bill worth several hundred pounds!