Hey Reader,

Can you believe we're already midway through the year? It's time to hit the refresh button and gear up for the second half of 2024! ✨

Whether you're aiming to conquer new milestones, master a hobby, or simply enjoy the journey, now's the perfect moment to revisit those resolutions and set new, exciting goals.

Goals don't have to be anything dramatic and it's ok if you're not where you thought you would be at this stage in the year. The great thing about goal setting is it helps you make the first steps and even if you don't hit your target, no doubt you've at least made some progress towards it. 📈

But even if you haven't, there are almost six months left of the year to make some inroads.

Our goals, like our travel plans, are kept reasonably flexible. We thought we'd be testing out Vanlife in North America right now and instead, we're enjoying Beach Life in Thailand.

I (TA) haven't hit all of my goals for this stage in the year, but I'm focusing on the ones I have hit. Like regular early starts, regular exercise, slowing down and hitting my reading target. I set myself the goal of reading 52 books this year, I hit that target on the 1st of July!

That's an insane amount of books 🤯

How?! Well, for me, it was easier than you think. As I don't spend much time on social media and regularly have the apps blocked on my phone (I'm a chronic doom scroller), I spend idle time reading via apps. 📱

I read first thing in the morning with a coffee, I have audiobooks to keep me company throughout the day when I'm doing easy tasks and I read before going to sleep at night. But most importantly I prioritise reading. Now that I have hit my target early, I'll slow down as I'd like to carve out some time to listen to podcasts.

What are your goals going to be for the second half of 2024? 🦹‍♀️

Adventure Awaits!

Now that summer is in full swing, here are our top travel destinations for July and August:

Europe - The French and Swiss Alps Here's Why 👇

Last summer we spent 3 months between France and Switzerland, living Vanlife, searching for great hikes, via ferratas and mountains to climb. It is one of our favourite trips to date! France is very Vanlife friendly, although Vanlife in Switzerland is a little trickier unless you book campsites in advance. 🚐

This gave us the chance to go back to Zermatt and tick off some of the summer activities we never got around to when we lived there. The Alps are great for weekend breaks and long-term travel.

Asia - Thailand Here's Why 👇

Although it is now monsoon season, the great thing about this time of year is that it's quieter. There are great deals to be had on accommodation and tours! Even with the heavy downpours, there are still plenty of sunny days, the temperature sits at a very warm 26-30ºC during the day. April to October is also the best time of year for surfing. 🏄‍♀️

Thailand is a great destination for digital nomads and remote workers, with super fast wifi and affordable cost of living, it makes a great location to call home for a few months.

Oceania - Australia Here's Why 👇

While the northern hemisphere is heating up, Aussies are settling into their cooler months. You'll find heavy coats and mittens in part of the country, while others are still enjoying beach days. An Australian Winter has lots to offer no matter what kind of adventure you're looking for. 🎿

Backpackers, City Lovers, Skiers, Surfers and Vanlifers can all find something to keep them occupied down under.

TA's Travel Bookclub

📖 🚐 🎧

As an avid reader, I like to share what I’ve been reading/listening to each month and how I find new books or pick new topics.

Audiobooks are also an excellent journey companion! I use Bookshop.org (to support local bookshops and charities), Kindle Unlimited, Spotify Premium and my local library app Borrow Box to devour as many books as possible.

Bookmark our online store for inspiration and future reads. If you're looking for something special for a fellow bookworm, look no further than a Bookshop Gift Card.

My favourite book this month was:

​The Lost Bookshop - by Evie Woods 📚

I'm always drawn to books about bookshops, book lovers, writers and libraries. This one did not disappoint. The Lost Bookshop blends historical fiction, contemporary romance, and magical realism. Set in Dublin, the story alternates between the 1920s and the present day.

In the past, Opaline Carlisle escapes an arranged marriage and becomes involved in the rare book trade. ☘️

In the present, Martha, fleeing an abusive relationship, meets Henry, a PhD student searching for a lost Emily Brontë manuscript. Their lives intertwine with the mysteries of a magical bookshop and Opaline's past​.

Where We Roam

No matter where our travels take us, I immerse myself in at least one book that originates from our current location or is penned by a local author. This month, here's the literary gem inspired by our surroundings in India:

​The God of Small Things - by Arundhati Roy 🇮🇳

The God of Small Things is set in the Indian state of Kerala. It tells the story of fraternal twins Rahel and Estha, whose lives are irrevocably altered by the tragic consequences of forbidden love and the oppressive social norms of their time. 💔

The narrative shifts between their childhood in the late 1960s and their reunion as adults in the 1990s, revealing the impact of a series of events stemming from their family's attempts to transcend traditional societal boundaries.

Reimaginings

This month I chose to read retellings of popular tales. Exploring reimaginings of old stories can offer a fresh perspective on familiar tales, breathing new life into classic narratives.

​What Moves The Dead - by T. Kingfisher 🍄

As a fan of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher" and the recent Netflix miniseries adaptation, I was eager to read a reimagining of this famous horror story.

Alex Easton is a retired soldier from the Gallacian army. Called to the ancestral home of their childhood friends, the Ushers, Easton finds Madeline Usher gravely ill and her brother Roderick nervous and frail. ☠️

As Easton investigates the strange happenings around the mansion, they notice unsettling behaviour in the local wildlife and uncover a disturbing fungal infestation.

​A Touch of Darkness - by Scarlett St. Clair 🥀

I've always been fascinated by Greek mythology. This is a modern retelling of the myth of Hades and Persephone. The story centres on Persephone, a young journalist living in New Athens. She seeks independence and a normal life away from her overprotective mother, Demeter. However, her life changes dramatically when she meets Hades, the God of the Underworld, and is drawn into a dangerous game with him.

The novel explores themes of self-discovery, love, and the struggle between destiny and free will. St. Clair's reimagining adds a contemporary twist to the classic myth, making it accessible and engaging for modern readers, with the right amount of smut. 😉

Have you set yourself a reading target for this year? Do you have any great book recommendations? Reply to this email and let us know!

See you in a couple of weeks with July's Travel Journal xox

Traveling Soon? Use our favourite resources to plan your next trip:

🏨 Score the lowest accommodation prices on Booking.com​

✈️ Save a huge amount on flights with FareDrop​

❤️ Use our discounted link for the best travel insurance with HeyMondo​

🥾 Choose from tonnes of tours on Viator​

🚗 Get the best deals on car hire at Discover Cars​

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