Travel with Rachael

Must-See Destinations ❤️🌍

This one is a little more personal than my usual travel posts…

In 2022, my life changed completely.

I was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour. I was told it was the worst type of brain tumour you could have, and that I potentially had just 12–18 months.

At the time, my daughter was just 4 years old and my son was only 3 months old.

It is difficult to put into words what it feels like to be told that when you have two tiny children who need you.

Thankfully, I have been incredibly fortunate. I have remained in remission for far longer than anyone initially expected, and we are now approaching five years since my diagnosis. ❤️

From that moment, I decided that I didn’t want to keep putting things off.

I wanted to see more of the world.
Not just family holidays, although those are incredibly important to me, but also those special trips with my husband. Time just the two of us.

Because while being a mum and making memories with my children is everything to me, I also think it is so important to make time for your relationship and create memories together as a couple.

I didn’t know how long I had, and I still don’t know what the future holds, so I made myself a bucket list.

I put the destinations in order of priority and decided that, whenever possible, I was going to start ticking them off.

And looking back now, I’ve actually managed to tick off quite a few…

🇫🇷 Disneyland Paris – DONE! ✨
This was at the top of my list because I wanted to experience the magic of Disney with my children.
We’ve been once… and then managed to go back again!

And because apparently once is never enough, we’re already planning our third trip this summer. 😂

Watching the children experience the magic is something I will never get tired of.

🇮🇹 Venice – DONE! ❤️
Venice was one of those places that I had always dreamed of seeing.
It really is like nowhere else.

The canals, the beautiful buildings, the tiny winding streets and the fact that you can simply wander around and discover something beautiful around every corner.

And yes… you absolutely have to do the gondola ride!

On the grand canal

🇫🇷 Paris – DONE! 🗼

We visited Paris as part of one of our Disneyland trips and managed to fit so much into our time there.

We climbed the Eiffel Tower, had dinner with a view of it and visited an incredibly impressive church.

There is something so special about seeing the Eiffel Tower lit up at night.

Paris definitely has that romantic feel that makes it perfect for a couples’ getaway.

🇫🇷 Versailles – DONE! 👑

Versailles was a huge one for me because I absolutely love history.
And honestly, photographs don’t prepare you for the scale of it.

The palace, the gardens, the opulence… everything is on such a massive scale that you almost can’t comprehend how people actually lived like that.

It’s one of those places that really makes you appreciate being able to travel and see these incredible pieces of history for yourself.

🇬🇧 Blenheim Palace – DONE! 🏰

I’m including this one because you really don’t have to leave the UK to experience somewhere spectacular.

Another one for the history-and-grand-buildings list!

Blenheim Palace is still a family home and is currently inhabited by the Duke of Marlborough. During our visit, we even happened to see him leaving in a Volkswagen Golf!

It was such a random little moment, but one I’ll always remember. 😂

🇬🇧 Bath – DONE! 🏛️

Bath was another place I had always wanted to visit, mainly because of its incredible history and architecture.

The Roman Baths are fascinating, and one of the things I loved most was being able to see the natural hot springs that are still running beneath the city today. You can even taste the spa water, which has been associated with healing properties for centuries.

Walking around Bath, surrounded by the beautiful Georgian architecture and so much history, was exactly my kind of trip.

Another reminder that you don’t always have to travel far to discover somewhere truly special. ❤️

🇮🇹 Rome – DONE! 🇮🇹

I actually visited Rome in my twenties, before my diagnosis and before I had children.
The Vatican is something else entirely. The architecture, the artwork and the sheer history surrounding you make it a place that really stays with you.

It’s somewhere I’d happily return to one day, and take my children, and experience Rome in a very different way.

🇲🇹 Valletta – DONE! ✨

I’ve also visited Valletta with my family.

It’s often referred to as the City of Gold, and you can understand why when you see the warm limestone buildings glowing in the sunshine.
It’s another destination where you can combine beautiful scenery with so much history, which is definitely my kind of holiday!

🇮🇹 Florence – COMING SOON! 🥂

This one is particularly special.
I’m visiting Florence soon for my 40th birthday.

Reaching 40 is a huge milestone for me. After everything I’ve been through, being able to celebrate another decade of life, with my husband, in one of the places I’ve always wanted to visit, feels incredibly meaningful.

Florence is full of art, history, beautiful architecture and incredible food… so I can’t wait to explore it properly.

🇪🇬 Egypt – STILL ON THE LIST ☀️

Egypt is definitely one I want to tick off.

The pyramids, ancient temples, the Nile and thousands of years of history make it such a fascinating destination.

And after all the history-focused destinations I’ve already loved, I think it’s a pretty obvious addition to my list!

🇲🇻 Maldives – STILL ON THE LIST 🌴

The Maldives is the romantic getaway dream.

Beautiful beaches, turquoise water, overwater villas and that feeling of being completely away from everyday life.

This is definitely one I’d love to experience with my husband.

🇺🇸 Walt Disney World, Florida – STILL ON THE LIST ✨

And then there’s the big one…
Walt Disney World with my children.

We’ve already made so many Disney memories at Disneyland Paris, but I’d love to take them to Florida one day and experience the magic on a much bigger scale.
It’s definitely still on the bucket list.
—
Every four months, I have an MRI.
So, in many ways, my life has been lived in four-month increments.

Over time, I’ve learned to live with that uncertainty. It has become my new normal, although that doesn’t mean I don’t still think about it.

And perhaps that’s why travel means so much to me.
It’s not just about getting on a plane and visiting somewhere new.
It’s about making memories while you can.

It’s about having something to look forward to.
It’s about taking that romantic break with your husband, even when life is busy.

It’s about taking your children somewhere magical and watching their faces light up.
It’s about saying “one day” and then actually trying to make that day happen.

My list will keep growing, and hopefully I’ll keep ticking destinations off it for many years to come. ❤️

So now I want to know…
What’s on your travel bucket list? Where would you recommend I add to mine? 🌍

And this is also a big part of why having a flexible business based around travel is so important to me.

It allows me to invest in future travel and build my business, while still being at home with my family and making the most of the life I have.

If you’d like to support my little business, I’d love to help you plan your next adventure too. ❤️

Whether it’s a romantic getaway, a family holiday, a bucket-list trip or simply somewhere you’ve always wanted to visit, send me a message or email and we can start planning it together.

My service comes at no extra cost to you — I’m paid by the supplier.

Because if I’ve learned anything, it’s that there really is no point in waiting forever to make those travel dreams happen. ✈️❤️

Happy Tomorrow

Rachael