Nowadays it feels like every other person is making a second income in some sort of way, and social media has made it easier than ever to create a second revenue stream, and to promote it! I'm lucky that through my blog it has allowed me to earn money in different ways, but that didn't come until after 2 years of establishing myself as a blogger and building up my SEO and following. If you're looking for a way to earn money from the comfort of your own home (mostly), here are 5 side hustles to consider to increase your income. 

1. Monetise your blog 

Dubrovnik has been on my bucket list for years, the interest was probably sparked when I heard Game of Thrones had been filmed there. The city has definitely milked this as you'll find GOT merch, tours and experiences everywhere. Nevertheless it is a beautiful city and it is the perfect place for a weekend escape or as part of a trip around Croatia! I'd love to explore Split, Zagreb and Hvar another time. Here is my itinerary for things to do and where to eat on a 3 day trip to Dubrovnik, Croatia. 

Day 1 

Breakfast: Cele

AM - Walk around the city walls

Lunch: Barba

PM: Kayaking Tour

Dinner: Taj Mahal (Bosnian Food)

I definitely recommend reserving your tables in advance for dinner because most of the popular places will be fully booked on the night. Don't let the name fool you, as Taj Mahal is actually a Bosnian restaurant! If you have any vegetarians travelling in your party then this probably isn't the restaurant for you as their menu is very meat heavy. We opted for the 'genghis khan plate' which consisted of cevapi, chicken kebab, pljeskavica, suđukica, rumsteak and chicken. The food was delicious, my only complaint was that they gave us the table right at the end of the alley way and there wasn't even a street light beside. So as the picture depicts, we basically ate in darkness! 

Day 2 

AM: Game of Thrones Walking Tour 

PM: Visit Lokrum Island

The small island of Lokrum is only a 30 minute boat ride away from Dubrovnik, and there isn't much to do there except for seeing the peacocks, an Iron Throne replica and a lake that you can sunbathe by and swim in. During your stay you will probably hear how the island is haunted because of a curse that was placed by the Benedictine monks. I'll leave that story for you to find our for yourselves!

DINNER: Gradska Kavana Arsenal

Day 3

As I mentioned Dubrovnik is a relatively small city, which means that it gives you the chance to explore neighbouring cities, or even countries. There are day trips available to Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina. We decided on B&H because it's somewhere we wouldn't necessarily do an exclusive trip to. 

Day trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina 

For me the highlight of this tour was our driver, our pick up was at 7:30am so safe to say we were half asleep but he made the tour so entertaining and interesting. We drove for around an hour and a half before reaching a waterfall where we had an hour of free time, and then we continued on to the city of Mostar. 

I didn’t have any prior knowledge of Mostar or the Bosnian war in the 90s, so it was interesting to get the perspective from our Croat tour guide, and our Bosnian guide in Mostar. You definitely get the sense that people still feel very strongly and divided about what happened. 

Lunch: Restaurant Sadrvan 

This place was recommended to us by our guide, and a plate of meat, pita bread and chips cost us less than a fiver. They had a terrace so we got a great view of the bridge and river.

Mostar Day Trip from Dubrovnik (£41) 

Dinner: Mex Cantina 

The tour will have you back in Dubrovnik for dinner time, and if you fancy a change of cuisine then I recommend Mex Cantina. Half the menu was mexican and half was pizza, so we got a bit of everything and thoroughly enjoyed it.

If you have extra time...

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• If you need a pick me up on the go, try the coffee and a pastry (spinach and cheese burek) from Barcaffe in the main street. 
• Head to Buza Bar, a cliffside bar that's a popular spot to enjoy a wine or beer and see the sunset. Note that this place only takes cash. 
• If you fancy doing something alternative, try the 'Haunted Dubrovnik' Ghost Tour in the evening. 

We visited Dubrovnik at the end of September and we had perfect weather, aside from 20 minutes of light rain but that was the perfect opportunity to get photos with nobody in the background! I'd recommend going at the end of spring or at the end of summer as the heat can be unbearable in peak summer. 

I hope you've found this guide useful, and if you have any other questions about Dubrovnik, feel free to send me a message on my socials! 

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Thailand has officially removed all of its restrictions for vaccinated tourists, so If you have been itching for a big trip this year, you’re in luck! The great thing about Thailand is that it suits every type of traveller. Whether you’re looking to go with your partner, with a group of friends, with your family or on your own, Thailand has something for everyone. If you’re not sure where to start, here’s my guide on where to consider going on your trip depending on your interests.

Bangkok

This will no doubt be in your itinerary for the simple fact that it’s the easiest and cheapest airport in Thailand to fly into. People have mixed opinions about Bangkok, and personally I wouldn’t recommend spending more than 2-3 days there, but there are a lot of things to do in the area. Temperatures in Bangkok can soar, so I recommend starting your day early and then relaxing by the pool in the afternoon. If you plan on temple hopping, my top recommendations are The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Muang and Wat Arun. 

We also took part in a thai cooking class, where we got the chance to make pad thai, sticky mango rice, tom yum soup and a thai green curry. Had we done this at the beginning of our trip, I'm certain I wouldn't have added 3 chillies inside my curry. In the evening, head to Cielo rooftop bar for great food, cocktails and amazing views of the Bangkok skyline. To end the night, walk through Khaosan road which is very popular with backpackers. Just expect it to be loud and very crowded!

Ko Samui

Ko Samui is the second largest island in Thailand, and is a popular choice for families as there are a lot of resorts in the area. Personally I don’t think it’s the nicest island, but we did have the best excursions from Ko Samui and we loved the night market in Chaweng. Who wouldn’t love a pad thai and dumplings for £3? During your time there I recommend a day trip to Mu Ko Ang Thong Park, where you’ll get the chance to snorkel, kayak and visit the blue lagoon. Other sites of interest are the Wat Plai Laem Temple, and the Overlap Stone. Just make sure your Grab driver fills up the tank before heading up there!

Koh Phangan

There is one primary reason why people go to Koh Phangan, and that’s for the monthly Full Moon Party. To get here you can get a 30 minute speedboat from Ko Samui, which I recommend buying in advance from 12go asia because the boats do fill up. My advice for the full moon party is not to go with the expectation that it is going to be great music and a sophisticated atmosphere. Buy yourself a famous bucket drink and try to make the most of the experience! In terms of dining, our hotel restaurant Sand & Tan is situated right on Haad Rin beach and has the best Pad Thai I have ever tasted.

Koh Tao

Koh Tao is the best spot for adventurous travellers who want to have a go at scuba diving.There are plenty of diving schools scattered around the island, but if you would rather just snorkel at your own leisure then I recommend heading to Shark Bay, Freedom Beach or Sairee Beach. You will also find some great viewpoints in Koh Tao, my favourite being the John Suwan Viewpoint.

Phuket

Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, and arguably the most famous. It is also the gateway to the Phi Phi islands, which was the filming location for The Beach, which Leonardo Dicaprio starred in. When in Phuket, explore the Sunday Walking Street Market for some cheap food and to purchase some buddhas and bracelets to bring back for your friends and family. When you’ve had enough of tanning on Pa Tong beach, you can climb a hill for 5 minutes to see the 45 metre tall White Buddha.

Chiang Mai

Once you are done exploring the south, fly north to experience a different side of Thailand. Chiang Mai is a great place for street food, and one of the typical dishes in northern Thailand to try here is khao soi. It consists of either chicken or beef, in a coconut curry broth with boiled and fried noodles. Here is where you will also get the chance to visit an Elephant Sanctuary. We gave the elephants a mud bath, fed them tons of bananas and made medicine balls for them.The company we went with were called Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, who have a no riding policy. You could genuinely tell the elephants were happy here. From Chiang Mai you can also take a

day trip to the nearby city of Chiang Rai, where you can visit the famous White Temple.

Pai

From Chiang Mai, you can take a 3 hour minivan ride to the town of Pai for a real authentic Thai experience. Word of warning, I suggest taking an anti sickness tablet because there are more than 750 twists and turns to get there. You won’t need more than two nights in Pai but we loved the fact that you could walk everywhere, and it is also a great place to meet other travellers.

Here you can visit the Pai canyon, try ‘tipsy tubing’ down the river, visit the hot springs and swim in the Pam Bok waterfall. Note trying to drink a beer whilst also avoiding scraping your bum on a rock or crashing against a bush was hard work, but fun. Another traditional Thai dish you can try here is the Kaeng Hang Lei, which is a slightly spicy pork curry.

Thailand is known as ‘The Land of Smiles’ for a reason, and you will find the locals to be so friendly and helpful. It’s definitely a place that I will visit again in the future, and if you have the time and annual leave, you can definitely see all these places in the space of a month! 

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Sikkim is a state that personifies the beauty of nature. It is surrounded by beautiful and majestic mountains, misty hills, lush greenery, and semi-frozen lakes that make the state a frequent spot of recreation for tourists both in India and internationally.

Besides getting lost in the dreamy landscape, you can also indulge in a lot of activities around the state that should make up for your time there. People who visit Sikkim have time and time clarified that they never want to return. Not only is it a nature lover’s paradise, but Sikkim is also equally exciting for adventure enthusiasts. So, if you are planning to Sikkim, do it in a planned manner with eSikkimTourism for the best travel experience. This article will explore the top 7 things that you can do in Sikkim in the year 2022 with a cost breakdown so you can plan ahead of time.

1. Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek

Before we describe it further, be assured that this isn’t for the faint of heart. You do need proper medical documents and verification before you are allowed to even start this trek. Although it is just until the Kanchenjunga Base Camp, the paths leading up to the final destination aren’t the simplest.

It is a 90 km long trek and takes around 10 days to finish. Now, you must be wondering why does it take so long for a meager 90km trek? Well, the distance isn’t the factor; the trekking trail is very jagged and needs to be treated with utmost caution. A single wrong move can be very dangerous.

The trail initiates from Yuksom and ends at the Bakkhim point, where the trekkers finally get to take in the beautiful and mesmerizing view of the surroundings.

Cost per person – Rs. 14,700.

2. Camping

Sounds boring, doesn’t it? But, that’s the beauty of Sikkim. Even in the snow-capped mountains, the tourists have the option to wrap their things up and go out for a camping adventure. Camping is a massive revenue source for the locals during the winter months. Yes, you heard it right – During the WINTER MONTHS.

The experience is one of a kind, something that you will never want to indulge in quite frequently and without any questions asked. The backdrop of the wildflowers with the blazing heat from the fit pit in the middle is bound to take you to a whole different dimension.

The cost per person – varies and depends on the camping site.

3. Take Nature Tours

We aren’t saying that Sikkim doesn’t have its staple sightseeing spots, including temples, monasteries, and the local markets. But, if you want to do something off-beat, we’d recommend signing up for the Nature Tours instead. They are fun, enthralling, and are the perfect thing that your inner child needs to explore.

The nature tours are also perfect for the tourists who enjoy a quick trek but don’t want the steep and high-altitude treks. Some of the most popular nature tour trails include Varsey Trail, Kasturi Orar Trail, etc. 

Cost per person – Depends on the trail.

4. Bungee Jumping

Now, we had to include a good adventure sport to the list of things to do in Sikkim, right? So, why not start with the most heart-pounding one? Can you even imagine taking a free-fall plunge from a 200m height into the abyss, letting go of all your inhibitions, and taking in the thrill and adrenaline rush?

The experience is one of a kind, something that you are going to want to experience at least once in your life. Freefalling like a bird with the backdrop of the scenic view and the lush greenery is something you need to tick off your bucket list.

The cost per person – Starts from INR 500.

5. Visit the Caves

If you are an explorer, you are going to love exploring the hidden mysteries inside the various caves that are popular in Sikkim. While you are looking for a popular spot, go for North Lha-Ri-Nying Phu. It has a range of history and local traditions associated with it. It is believed to be home to a holy aura, which is one of the reasons why tourists frequent this spot.

Although it might look easy to explore, the caves contain a lot of steep terrains, which are quite difficult to walk through. So, planning your trip ahead of time is crucial for a safe travel experience.

Cost per person – INR 4500.

6. Visit the Local Monasteries

No Sikkim trip is complete without a quick visit to the local monasteries. There are quite a few that you can look around. However, we’d highly recommend that you explore the underrated spots. Visiting a monastery and taking in the peace and calm in the surroundings is something you can only experience once you are there.

Some of the best monasteries to explore in Sikkim are Pemayangtse Gompa, Rumtek, and Enchey. They are a little farther out from the main city but worth the travel.

Cost per person – Entry is free of cost.

7. Explore the National Parks

Lastly, you can’t forget to explore the natural wildlife of Sikkim, now, can you? Kewzing and Khangchendzonga are the two most popular national parks in the state that you can visit and explore. The biodiversity in these parks is stunning and you might cross paths with certain wildlife that you didn’t expect to.

It houses a lot of unique wildlife like red pandas, musk deer, snow leopards, and even the Himalayan tahr. Also, the flora in the area is unique and one of a kind as well. So, don’t forget to add it to your itinerary.

The cost per person – Starts from INR 350.

Conclusion

Sikkim is a blast of nature, one that has to offer a bit of everything for its visitors to explore. If you are sitting here confused as to what you can do and explore around the state, we hope this article gives you all the details that you are on the lookout for.

Yvette High Support Running Bra

1. Progress isn't linear

2. You can eat chocolate everyday and still reach your goals

I'm not suggesting you eat a mars bar for tea every afternoon, as there are probably things with more nutritional value that you can opt for and that will keep you fuller for longer. That being said, I do have a sweet tooth and I know if I cut sweets and chocolate out completely during the week I'm just going to pig out on the weekend instead. So I do have a few squares of chocolate here and there to curb the cravings! As long as you are eating in a calorie deficit, you don't have to eat clean all the time to reach your goals. 

3. Weights can be just as good as cardio for fat loss

I think a common thing for people to do when they want to lose weight is start running for an hour on the treadmill every day to see results. Even though cardio is good for you, it's even more effective when combined with weight training. This won't make you suddenly bulk up and get bigger, in fact the more muscle mass you have, the more calories you will burn whilst resting. If you're just starting out, I suggest starting with 10 minutes on a cardio machine, followed by 4-5 weight exercises on a particular body part (i.e. upper body or lower body) and then finish with 10-15 minutes on the treadmill. 

4. Progressively overloading is key 

Being a beginner at the gym can be daunting, but unless you're doing some wacko exercise throwing dumbbells around the gym, no one is going to be watching you! Everyone is too focused on themselves and their own form. My advice for feeling confident at the gym is to get yourself a good pair of noise cancelling headphones,  look up movements on Youtube if you feel like you need practice, and make yourself a fire playlist for your workout. 

For me personally, I also like wearing a nice co-ordinated gym outfit as it makes me feel more confident and subconsciously I feel like I have a better workout if I feel comfortable and good in what I'm wearing. A brand I am loving lately is Yvette which specialises in high impact sports bras. I've found that on the market a lot of high impact sports bras aren't as pretty as low support ones, which is why I was so impressed with the range of colours and design of the Yvette collection. Another feature I like about them is that they have non-removable moulded cups. There's nothing worse than the padding moving around in the washing machine and then having to try and get them in the proper place again! I also purchased some matching green leggings which passed the gym test - they don't fall down, they're squat proof and they even have a pocket for you to fit your keys, phone or Airpod case in. 

Wherever you are in your fitness journey, I think it's important to reflect back and see ways that you can improve but also how far you've come. I may not be as 'fit' as I was 4 years ago when I was 23, but I love my curves now and still feel strong and healthy. 

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* this post contains gifted items but all words and opinions are my own *

If you are planning to relocate to Washington state, you will want to do a little research on the options for cities you are considering. You will need to think about things like cost-of-living, weather, location in the state, and so much more.

When you begin to plan your move, think of the job opportunities in your new city, as well as the housing options. Consider other things like your hobbies and whether you prefer a larger city or a smaller one. Take in account all the variables of your life when considering which city you want to call home, and consider the following best cities in Washington state.

Seattle

The most obvious city, and the city you probably think of first when you think of Washington state, is Seattle. If you are hoping to move to a big city, Seattle is your pick for Washington state. While it is not the capital of the state, it is the largest city in the state and actually all of the Pacific Northwest.

If you are looking for a job, you are in luck in Seattle. There are many companies with headquarters in the city, including Amazon, Starbucks, and Microsoft. For sports fans, Seattle is home to the NFL’s Seahawks, MLB’s Mariners, and the NHL’s the Kraken. 

Seattle also has amazing art, culture, and music scenes, and is even considered the birthplace of grunge. Seattle has a lot of things going for it, and if you are looking for a great big city in Washington, Seattle is the obvious choice. 

Spokane

If you are looking for a city in the eastern part of the state, consider Spokane. The eastern part of the state is significantly different from the west, where most of the major cities you associate with Washington are located. Notably, western Washington is very rainy, while eastern Washington has a warmer and drier climate. Spokane specifically is protected on either side by mountain ranges, making the weather unique for the region.

If you love to be outside and relish outdoor recreation, Spokane is a great Washington city for you. You can ski in the winter, and hike and raft in the summer. There are several local ski resorts to enjoy. Spokane is a departure from the rainy western part of the state if you are looking for something different.

Bellevue

If you want to be near Seattle in a city with a similar feel, think about a move to Bellevue. Bellevue is situated right across Lake Washington from Seattle and can be considered a suburb or satellite city of Seattle. 

The city is known as a technology hub and has a bustling downtown for big city-lovers. If this sounds appealing to you, there are plenty of Bellevue houses for sale. If you like the idea of living in a busy city without actually being right in Seattle, give Bellevue a try.

There are many exciting cities to consider if you are planning a move to Washington state. From Seattle and Bellevue in the west to Spokane in the east, there are options that can meet everyone’s needs.