English 
Updated on September 3rd, 2025
I have just had to reschedule my planned overland trip from London to Singapore.
The idea was sparked by the TV show Race Across the World.
My husband and I had mapped out three whole months to make our way from London to Singapore, traveling only by public transport. No flights. No rushing. Just the joy (and chaos!) of moving across continents step by step.
I had imagined the exhilaration, exhaustion and sheer sense of achievement of finally arriving in Singapore. It brought back memories of the last time I was there for the Formula 1 Grand Prix, a fantastic Hawker Centre Food Tour (one of my most popular videos over on YouTube), the obligatory Singapore Sling at Raffles Hotel and my favourite, the Super Trees at Gardens by the Bay.
The biggest challenge of this journey, however, would be getting from Europe into Kazakhstan. You can’t currently enter Azerbaijan by land, Russia is off-limits (and one we wanted to avoid anyway), so the puzzle pieces just weren’t fitting together. I’d spent hours researching possible routes, only to find roadblocks at every turn.
And then life threw us something unexpected—but wonderful.
We recently became the proud owners of a new property. This time, inspired by Grand Designs! (Clearly, I need to watch less TV…) But the truth is, building our dream forever home felt like an adventure in its own right. So, the trip has been shelved for now. The distraction would be too much, and the house won’t build itself. For those interested in what it takes to convert an old 1950s underground reservoir into a home, stay tuned. I have no doubt I will be sharing a few of the triumphs and heartache along the way!
But having to postpone this ultimate adventure, it made me reflect on just how important research and planning are when it comes to any trip—whether it’s three months across continents, a pilgrimage like the Camino de Santiago, or even just a weekend away.
When I walked the Camino, I organised 26 nights of accommodation in advance. That meant researching, prioritising, and then keeping my fingers crossed that I’d made the right choices. Most of the time, the gamble paid off. A few times, it didn’t—but then we regrouped, shifted our attitude, or simply moved somewhere else. That flexibility became part of the transformation.
So, what does all this mean if you’re sitting at home, dreaming about your next big adventure, wondering where on earth to start?
Here are my top trip-planning essentials to help turn that fantasy into something real:
Start with the why
Why do you want this trip? Escape? Discovery? Connection? A milestone? Knowing your “why” shapes every decision you’ll make.
Break it down
A three-month overland trip might sound impossible until you break it into smaller chunks: borders, regions, weeks, days. Even a weekend away gets better when you’ve thought about how much time you actually want to spend resting, exploring, or just getting lost.
Research the non-negotiables
Visas, borders, transport, vaccinations, accommodation—all the practicalities. They might not be the sexy part of trip planning, but they’re what make the adventure possible.
Plan, but don’t over-plan
There’s a fine line between being prepared and strangling spontaneity. I’ve learned on practically EVERY trip that sometimes the unexpected becomes the highlight. So yes, book the bed. But leave room for surprises.
Keep perspective
Not every choice will be perfect. That hotel room might be noisy. That train may get cancelled. But each twist becomes part of the story—and often the most transformational part.
For me, trip planning is as much a part of the journey as the trip itself. It’s where dreams start to take shape. And while our London-to-Singapore adventure is on pause, I know that all the research I’ve done won’t be wasted. The journey WILL happen someday. And until then, I’ll be building a very different kind of dream—brick by brick.
So, whether you’re mapping out a Camino, planning a far-flung odyssey, or just eyeing up a weekend away, remember – planning is the first step of the adventure.
So, what’s your next big trip? And more importantly—where will you start? Hit reply to this email to let me know or connect via your social method of choice (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads or LinkedIn) to give me all the details.
This week is a big one for me over on YouTube.
First, you can get a quick fix of jungle with my 90 second whistle-stop tour of the Amazon Rainforest in Peru. Hop on a boat with me through winding jungle rivers, try your hand at feeding piranhas (spoiler: they’re quick!), head out on a night safari to spot Amazon wildlife, see exactly where Brazil nuts come from, and watch as I get my face painted in traditional style — which magically attracted some curious butterflies! You can see it all for yourself via the link HERE.
In addition, this week I start a very different series (for me at least) over on YouTube. As you know (have I mentioned it enough during this Newsletter?!), I recently walked the Camino Frances for my honeymoon and starting yesterday, I am sharing every step of the journey in real time.
Every weekday, in less than 2 minutes, you can join me step by step on the Camino Francés — from Burgos to Santiago. The views, the challenges, the breakthroughs… it’s all going to be there. If you miss any at all you can check them all out, day by day, on the playlist via THIS LINK.
I was honoured last week to get a full feature under the banner of Inspirational Women in Woman and Home online magazine. It charts the story from losing my husband to starting again as a travel blogger. I have had some amazing feedback from those who have read the article so far. Click HERE to read it for yourself.
And it was a bumper week for media features (with me, they seem to be like buses – nothing for ages, then two in the same week!) as I also got featured in an article by HuffPost titled “11 Mistakes Solo Travellers Make”. For mine and many other seasoned solo travellers words of wisdom, check out the full article HERE.
Did you find this email useful? If so, why not forward it to a friend?
Until next time,
Safe Travels
Sue x
This newsletter may contain affiliate links. By using these, Sue Where Why What may receive a small commission for which I say thank you, but you will not pay any extra charges for this. My opinions remain my own.
More of my Adventures…
Video – Amazon Rainforest Peru – Feeding Piranhas & More!
Video – Sampling Local Singapore Food: A Fantastic Hawker Centre Tour in Chinatown
Video – Walking the Camino Francés: A Transformational Journey
And finally, just for you…Receive a small commission for which I say thank you, but you will not pay any extra charges for this. My opinions remain my own., but you will not pay any extra charges for this. My opinions remain my own.
🏠 For accommodation, I use Booking.com. They have their Genius loyalty scheme which is easy to progress through the levels for better discounts and inclusions.
🚍 For tours and activities, my preferred supplier is Get Your Guide.
🗺️ For multi day or week tours, check out G Adventures. I used them for trips in Costa Rica, Peru, and Galapagos.
🤞 I would never leave home without travel insurance. With Safety Wing you can take out an annual policy and pay monthly. This takes the hassle out of having to remember for us regular travellers.
🛫 For cheap flights, check out Skyscanner or join Jacks Flight Club which scans the internet for error fares (UK only).
🧳 For luggage storage on your travels, I recommend the service by Bounce.
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