Why I Started The Unhurried Travellers (And Why You're in the Right Place)
It happens more often than you'd think. A friend mentions they've booked a cruise, and the messages start coming. What should I pack? Which excursions are worth booking? What actually happens on embarkation day? I love it, I mean honestly, there is nothing I enjoy more than helping someone get the most out of their trip.
I just love talking about travel.
So when the same conversation happens for what feels like the hundredth time, and someone says,"Jill, you should write this all down somewhere" you start to think: maybe they have a point.
And that's how The Unhurried Travellers was born.
A Bit About Me
A few years ago, I took early retirement. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and one of the things I was most looking forward to? Time. Real, proper, unhurried time to actually enjoy life.
The other half and I had always loved our holidays and trips away, but retirement opened up a whole new world of possibility. Longer trips. More spontaneous plans. The freedom to say yes when an opportunity comes up, without having to check how much annual leave I had left.
And it turns out, when you have that kind of time freedom, you travel more.
How I Fell in Love with Cruising
I'll be honest — I wasn't sure about cruises at first. I had my reservations. Would it feel too regimented? Too touristy? Would we be bored?
Then we took our first one. And I was completely, utterly hooked.
There's something about waking up in a different port every morning, with everything you need right there on board, that just works for us. No packing and unpacking at every hotel. No stressing about transfers. Just step off the ship, explore somewhere beautiful, and step back on again.
Since then, we've been on four cruises — with another one already booked for next year. And every single time, I come home absolutely buzzing to talk about it.
Why This Blog, Why Now
love reading travel content. I've spent hours lost in travel blogs, articles, and guides, and there's so much wonderful stuff out there. But I also know that the people who askmefor advice aren't always looking for the same kind of travel I see covered everywhere.
They're not planning gap year adventures or backpacking across continents. They're more like us — they want a proper holiday. Comfortable, enjoyable, well-planned, without the faff. They want to come back feeling genuinely relaxed, not like they need a holiday to recover from their holiday.
And they keep asking me the same kinds of questions. What cruise line do you recommend? What's worth seeing in this port? How do you pack without overpacking? What's the best way to plan without getting overwhelmed?
So instead of answering the same questions over a cup of tea each time (not that I mind the cup of tea), I thought: let me put it all somewhere useful.
Many tourists get lured into free or incredibly cheap tour deals, only to find themselves pressured into overpriced souvenir shops, hidden fees, or even pickpocketing traps. Some scammers even demand additional payments once the tour begins.
Who This Blog is For
The Unhurried Travellers is for people who want to travel well, but without the stress.
Maybe you're in your 40s or 50s. Maybe you've recently retired, or you're starting to think about it. Maybe you've got more time on your hands now than you used to, and you're finally ready to make the most of it. Or maybe you've always just preferred a more relaxed style of holiday — the kind where you're not rushing from one must-see to the next with a packed itinerary and aching feet.
This isn't the blog for extreme adventures or budget backpacking. It's for people who want a comfortable, enjoyable, stress-free travel experience — and a little help planning it.
Think cruises. Relaxing city breaks. Beautiful destinations explored at your own pace. Practical tips that actually make a difference. No faff, no fuss.
What You Can Expect Here
Over time, I'll be sharing:
Cruise tips and honest reviews— everything I've learned from four cruises (and counting), from choosing the right ship to making the most of every port
Destination guides— the places we've been, what we loved, and what you actually need to know before you go
Packing and practical advice— because good preparation is the difference between a stressful holiday and a brilliant one
Ideas and inspiration— for when you know you want to go somewhere, you're just not sure where yet
All of it written from experience, with a straightforward and practical approach, and hopefully a little personality along the way.
Welcome Aboard
If you've found your way here, I suspect you might be my kind of traveller. Someone who loves holidays, loves learning about new places, and just wants a little help taking the stress out of the whole thing.
I'm so glad you're here. Pull up a chair, have a browse, and feel free to get in touch any time — whether you've got a question, a suggestion, or you just want to talk travel.
After all, that's my favourite subject.
Jill x