As The Sparrow Flies
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Me
  • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Read the Archives
As The Sparrow Flies
As The Sparrow Flies
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • Belgium
      • Cyprus
      • Czech Republic
      • France
      • Germany
      • Italy
      • Norway
      • Poland
      • Portugal
      • Spain
      • The Netherlands
    • UK & Ireland
      • South East England
      • North West England
      • South West England
      • East of England
    • Rest of the World
      • Australia
      • Cuba
      • Mexico
      • Morocco
      • Philippines
  • Travel Advice
    • City Break Guides
    • Foodies Guides
    • Travel Tips
    • Travel Feels
  • Festivals
  • London Living
  • The Travelust Podcast
    • Podcast Episodes
    • Want to be a podcast guest?

Travel Advice

31 posts

I’ve been travelling for a while and in that time I’ve amassed tips on budgets, packing, travel survival and trip planning – all focussed around busy part time travellers.

Want to narrow down to full itineraries or lots of foodie tips instead? Or perhaps you’re looking for straight up destination inspiration – I’ve got that too!

Things to do on a City Break
View Post
  • 4 min
  • Travel Tips

5 things I do on every city break

  • bySam Sparrow
  • Posted on April 20, 2018February 18, 2018
  • No comments
City breaks are my my favourite way to travel. Here are five things to do on a City Break – make sure you add space for them in your itinerary!
View Post

Start To Walk
View Post
  • 5 min
  • Travel Tips

Use both your feet and start to walk!

  • bySam Sparrow
  • Posted on April 9, 2018April 8, 2018
  • No comments
We often lead very sedentary lifestyles, which can lead to lethargy, weight gain and poor health. I decided I needed to fix this – I decided to start to walk!
View Post

Work Trips Abroad
View Post
  • 5 min
  • Travel Tips

How to handle work trips abroad

  • bySam Sparrow
  • Posted on April 6, 2018January 3, 2018
  • No comments
Work trips abroad can be the best opportunity. But before you grab your passport and bikini, read these top tips from my time travelling the world for work.
View Post

My Worst Flight Experiences
View Post
  • 9 min
  • Travel Feels

A collection of my worst flight experiences to entertain

  • bySam Sparrow
  • Posted on March 30, 2018January 3, 2018
  • No comments
Have you ever had a really really terrible flight? You’re not alone. Here are my worst flight experiences to help get your through your own!
View Post

London Recommendations
  • Aldwych Station Tour
    The Aldwych station tour – London’s secret station
    • bySam Sparrow
    • Posted on December 8, 2016December 21, 2017
  • Down Street Station Tour
    Down Street Station Tour – Churchill’s Secret Station
    • bySam Sparrow
    • Posted on January 17, 2017September 23, 2017
  • London City Break
    5 ways to make a London city break a little more offbeat
    • bySam Sparrow
    • Posted on July 31, 2017July 30, 2017
  • A View From The Shard London
    • bySam Sparrow
    • Posted on February 14, 2017June 2, 2017
  • London Bucket List
    My London bucket list – 5 quirky things to do in the capital
    • bySam Sparrow
    • Posted on May 18, 2017May 25, 2017
Make the most of your weekends
View Post
  • 5 min
  • Travel Tips

5 ways to make the most of your weekends

  • bySam Sparrow
  • Posted on March 21, 2018March 21, 2018
  • No comments
We get two days of fun and rest every week, but it can be easy to squander them on admin and Netflix. Here’s how to make the most of your weekends!
View Post

View Post
  • 9 min
  • Travel Feels

Some of my most memorable travel experiences

  • bySam Sparrow
  • Posted on March 16, 2018March 18, 2018
  • No comments
Travel has given me so many opportunities that will stay with me for a lifetime – and now I want to share some of my most memorable travel experiences with you!
View Post

Traveller or a Tourist
View Post
  • 5 min
  • Travel Feels

Why I just don’t care whether I’m a traveller or a tourist

  • bySam Sparrow
  • Posted on February 21, 2018November 22, 2017
  • No comments
Call me a tourist, a holidaymaker, a traveller or that annoying girl with the camera. I don’t care whether I’m a traveller or a tourist – I’m just seeing the world in my own way. And you should too!
View Post

Packing Lightly
View Post
  • 4 min
  • Travel Tips

How to be a more responsible traveller

  • bySam Sparrow
  • Posted on February 15, 2018February 15, 2018
  • No comments
Want to know how you can be a more responsible traveller? Check out my helpful eco-packing tips to follow when travelling and do your bit to protect the environment.
View Post

Plan Your Next City Break!
  • Oslo City Break
    A weekend in Oslo (or how to do a city break in snow)
    • bySam Sparrow
    • Posted on December 6, 2016February 12, 2018
  • Krakow City Guide – a truly mythical destination
    • bySam Sparrow
    • Posted on March 16, 2017June 8, 2017
  • Lisbon City Break Guide – Or why Lisbon is the hottest European destination
    • bySam Sparrow
    • Posted on February 9, 2017August 19, 2017
  • How to spend 36 hours in Chester – a historic city
    • bySam Sparrow
    • Posted on October 17, 2017October 16, 2017
  • Prague City Guide
    A three day Prague itinerary – culture, castles and Czech charm
    • bySam Sparrow
    • Posted on January 5, 2017December 18, 2017
Travel Has To Stop
View Post
  • 5 min
  • Travel Tips

What to do when the travel has to stop

  • bySam Sparrow
  • Posted on February 12, 2018February 9, 2018
  • No comments
When your life ambitions are conflicted, you sometimes have to give something up. What happens when the travel has to stop, and you have to grow up?
View Post

Playlist to Pack Your Suitcase To
View Post
  • 7 min
  • Travel Tips

How a vinyl player and an awesome playlist can make packing your suitcase a breeze

  • bySam Sparrow
  • Posted on February 2, 2018February 2, 2018
  • 2 comments
Do you procrastinate with your packing and always leave it to the last minute? Me too. But I’ve got a way of making packing more fun – create a playlist to pack your suitcase to!
View Post

As The Sparrow Flies
Hi! I’m Sam Sparrow
I'm a part-time traveller, brunch hunter and lover of the quirky. Leopard print is my jam.
Read More
Listen to the Podcast!

Trips100 - Travel Blogs
Trips100
Where Next?

Feb 18 – Marrakech, Morocco 
Mar 18 – Gdansk, Poland 
Mar 18 – Munich, Germany
Apr 18 – Oxford, UK
May 18 – Lincolnshire, UK
July 18 – Warwickshire, UK
Aug 18 – Tunbridge Wells, UK

Looking for part-time travel, but full time fun?
Grammin’ Everyday
  • Happy Easter Monday to you! I hope you have an epic Bank Holiday planned, what a luxury to have such a long weekend! (For me, I’m unpacking from my mega-Munich trip and STILL trying to warm up from my trip to Neuschwanstein Castle - have you ever seen a colder person?!). 🐣 .
.
.
If you are looking for an awesome way to start your day, then I’m happy to tell you that it’s podcast day on #TheTravelust. This week I’m chatting to my pal @packyourpassport about Australia, solo travel and being brave and it’s such a stellar chat. Go grab the link in my bio or search in iTunes, Spotify + other podcast players.
.
.
. 
And super bonus - I’m a guest today on @fbarrows amazing podcast There Are Other Ways chatting all about female ambition, finding joy and balance in your career and hobbies! If you want to know how and why I prioritised travel, head to her profile or search for the podcast in iTunes! ❤️
    966 8
  • I’ve taken a magical couple of weeks off Instagram (although not stories), a magical few days in Munich and a magical trip to the fairytale castle of dreams, Neuschwanstein.
.
.
.
Even in the hail, fog and pouring rain this gorgeous castle didn’t disappoint. Throughly beautiful and crazy inside and out, you might recognise it as the actual inspiration for a certain Castle at Disney! Huge thanks to the wonderful @ver_eck from @sandemansnewmunich for revealing the magic on the worst of days.
.
.
.
Neuschwanstein was a highlight in a trip full of highlights these past five days. Munich has grabbed my heart - ignore it at your peril!
    936 32
  • I've had another huge weekend of celebrations, this time with Mr S turning 35 and my Auntie turning 75! Brewery tours and afternoon tea were just some of the shenanigans on offer, but I'll tell you about that another time...
.
.
.
Because it is only bloomin' podcast day! Another episode of #TheTravelust has landed, and this week I'm interviewing the wonderful @weekendcandy who is sharing all her amazing weekend break expertise!
.
.
.
We also chat about gin due to our shared passion for the good stuff, so in honour of this episode I thought I'd share a snap from The Resting Room, one of the restaurant/bars at gin haven @distilleryldn. Head to iTunes, Spotify or the link in my profile to listen!
    750 24
  • I'm talking about travel memories over on the blog today (link in my profile), but on the 'gram I thought I'd chat about a different type of memory. The memories you make with people, not places.
.
.
.
Poor old Mr S has been my long suffering travel partner for many years. Whether I'm dragging him round cities, barking orders at him to take my photo or gently encouraging him to see that we definitely need to try another brunch, so many of my feelings about the world have been made with him at my side.
.
.
.
I'm off on another solo trip next week and I can't wait, but I have loved making global memories with this one. Even if that involves playing board games in a Cypriot bar with really offensive cocktails 🤣
    855 30
  • What Sunday roast comes with a side order of pick and mix? A blimmin' amazing roast dinner at @OxboBankside is what!
.
.
.
I finally got to hit up OXBO's famous bottomless roast at the weekend for my Birthday celebrations and I've got to say it was worth the wait. Bottomless prosecco, unlimited starters (which included very tasty sashimi) and desserts (I had 9) served from the chefs tables and then a served roast dinner which was the biggest and best I've had in London.
.
.
.
I also helped myself to a few penny sweets on every trip up to the tables - this gorgeous display was on the dessert table. I think it was for the kids, but who can resist a gummy strawberry or 5?! 😋
    872 36
  • It was at this moment, looking out into the stillness and silence that I thought, just maybe I might not be a city girl after all. I'll never be a skier, or a competent hiker, but what I am is obsessed with the views and the feeling you get when you are deep into another world (and of course up really high).
.
.
.
Visiting the Atlas Mountains was such a dream, pinch me moment. I've rounded up my best photos and told the story of my day spent exploring them on the blog today :-)
    839 20
Follow Me
Twitter 9K
Instagram 7K
Facebook 2K
Pinterest 4K
Subscribe via Bloglovin
Subscribe via Feedly

Looking for part-time travel, but full time fun?

Subscribe, and every fortnight you'll receive inspiration for gorgeous city-breaks, UK travels and offbeat experiences, alongside my own musings and tips on travelling with a full time job.

  • Happy Easter Monday to you! I hope you have an epic Bank Holiday planned, what a luxury to have such a long weekend! (For me, I’m unpacking from my mega-Munich trip and STILL trying to warm up from my trip to Neuschwanstein Castle - have you ever seen a colder person?!). 🐣 .
.
.
If you are looking for an awesome way to start your day, then I’m happy to tell you that it’s podcast day on #TheTravelust. This week I’m chatting to my pal @packyourpassport about Australia, solo travel and being brave and it’s such a stellar chat. Go grab the link in my bio or search in iTunes, Spotify + other podcast players.
.
.
. 
And super bonus - I’m a guest today on @fbarrows amazing podcast There Are Other Ways chatting all about female ambition, finding joy and balance in your career and hobbies! If you want to know how and why I prioritised travel, head to her profile or search for the podcast in iTunes! ❤️
    966 8
  • I’ve taken a magical couple of weeks off Instagram (although not stories), a magical few days in Munich and a magical trip to the fairytale castle of dreams, Neuschwanstein.
.
.
.
Even in the hail, fog and pouring rain this gorgeous castle didn’t disappoint. Throughly beautiful and crazy inside and out, you might recognise it as the actual inspiration for a certain Castle at Disney! Huge thanks to the wonderful @ver_eck from @sandemansnewmunich for revealing the magic on the worst of days.
.
.
.
Neuschwanstein was a highlight in a trip full of highlights these past five days. Munich has grabbed my heart - ignore it at your peril!
    936 32
  • I've had another huge weekend of celebrations, this time with Mr S turning 35 and my Auntie turning 75! Brewery tours and afternoon tea were just some of the shenanigans on offer, but I'll tell you about that another time...
.
.
.
Because it is only bloomin' podcast day! Another episode of #TheTravelust has landed, and this week I'm interviewing the wonderful @weekendcandy who is sharing all her amazing weekend break expertise!
.
.
.
We also chat about gin due to our shared passion for the good stuff, so in honour of this episode I thought I'd share a snap from The Resting Room, one of the restaurant/bars at gin haven @distilleryldn. Head to iTunes, Spotify or the link in my profile to listen!
    750 24
  • I'm talking about travel memories over on the blog today (link in my profile), but on the 'gram I thought I'd chat about a different type of memory. The memories you make with people, not places.
.
.
.
Poor old Mr S has been my long suffering travel partner for many years. Whether I'm dragging him round cities, barking orders at him to take my photo or gently encouraging him to see that we definitely need to try another brunch, so many of my feelings about the world have been made with him at my side.
.
.
.
I'm off on another solo trip next week and I can't wait, but I have loved making global memories with this one. Even if that involves playing board games in a Cypriot bar with really offensive cocktails 🤣
    855 30
  • What Sunday roast comes with a side order of pick and mix? A blimmin' amazing roast dinner at @OxboBankside is what!
.
.
.
I finally got to hit up OXBO's famous bottomless roast at the weekend for my Birthday celebrations and I've got to say it was worth the wait. Bottomless prosecco, unlimited starters (which included very tasty sashimi) and desserts (I had 9) served from the chefs tables and then a served roast dinner which was the biggest and best I've had in London.
.
.
.
I also helped myself to a few penny sweets on every trip up to the tables - this gorgeous display was on the dessert table. I think it was for the kids, but who can resist a gummy strawberry or 5?! 😋
    872 36
  • It was at this moment, looking out into the stillness and silence that I thought, just maybe I might not be a city girl after all. I'll never be a skier, or a competent hiker, but what I am is obsessed with the views and the feeling you get when you are deep into another world (and of course up really high).
.
.
.
Visiting the Atlas Mountains was such a dream, pinch me moment. I've rounded up my best photos and told the story of my day spent exploring them on the blog today :-)
    839 20
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Me
  • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Read the Archives

Input your search keywords and press Enter.