Team Orelia's Travel Blog | Winter Holiday Edition

Lily's Grand Cayman Getaway

I went to Grand Cayman in the Caribbean in January. January is also their winter, but it was about 30 degrees every day! Grand Cayman is a beautiful place with the infamous 7-mile beach, a seven mile stretch of white sand and crystal-clear waters.

The Cayman Islands has amazing biodiversity with endangered blue iguanas, giant birds, turtles, stingrays and more. I would often come across turtles when swimming, watching them graze gently on sea grass.

Swimming with wild stingrays was a highlight. They densely populate a small area of ocean due to fishermen in the past cleaning their catch in the calm waters, leading to stingrays congregating, even to this day!

Tash's Australian East Coast Adventure

In February, my fiancé and I spent three unforgettable weeks traveling up the east coast of Australia - our ultimate bucket list trip. From buzzing cities to serene islands, every stop had its own magic.

Melbourne to Brisbane:
We started in Melbourne, soaking up the café culture, brunch spots, and city shopping. The Botanic Gardens were a peaceful escape, with views of the Australian Open stadium and punters on the lake. As a huge F1 fan, seeing the track being built and walking the finish line was surreal. In Brisbane, we loved the vibrant South Bank area, where bars and restaurants line the water. Just outside the city, we met Merlin the koala at Lone Pine Sanctuary - a total heart-melter!

Moreton Island Escape:
Just a short ferry ride from Brisbane, Moreton Island was a slice of paradise. We spent our time enjoying the beautiful beaches, soaking in stunning sunsets, and had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to feed wild dolphins as part of a conservation program. It was the perfect island getaway.

Byron Bay & Sydney:
Byron Bay brought a slower pace, with a laid-back vibe and gorgeous scenery. We hiked up to the lighthouse for sweeping views of the coastline, where the turquoise water meets untouched greenery. A peaceful, picture-perfect stop. We ended in Sydney, where we kayaked at sunrise in the Harbour, watching the Opera House and Harbour Bridge light up from the water. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable adventure.

Kayleigh's Swedish City Break

At the end of March, my family and I travelled to Stockholm to visit my husband's family. They live just 10 minutes outside the city centre, which makes it the perfect base for exploring. The first few days were all about family as we celebrated Eid - complete with lots of delicious food, of course!

We also spent some time sightseeing and visiting a couple of museums. First up was the ABBA Museum. As a huge fan, I couldn’t resist going again - it was my second visit! If you love ABBA and find yourself in Stockholm, it’s an absolute must. The museum is super interactive, entertaining, and just a really fun day out. Next, we visited the Viking Museum, which was good. We even got to try some traditional mead at the end, which was a fun touch.

We were lucky to have some beautiful weather, so we took full advantage of it. My daughter and her cousins had a great time playing in Hagaparken and feeding the ducks - it was a lovely, relaxed way to wrap up the trip.

Honey's Urban Escape

Back in March, my boyfriend and I went to New York to check out a music festival on the Lower East Side. It was the perfect excuse to spend some proper time in the city, so we made a whole week of it.

We did a mix of sightseeing and just wandering around different neighborhoods, and obviously ate loads of amazing food—everything from quick bites on the go to some really great little local restaurants. One of my favorite moments was walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. The views were beautiful, and we ended up spending the rest of the afternoon at this rooftop bar with the skyline behind us.

The festival itself was incredible. We got to see some amazing up-and-coming artists, and every night was in a different venue, all with their own vibe and atmosphere. It felt like a very unique way to experience the city’s music scene.

The whole trip just felt really special. We’ve already said we’ll go back—there’s still so much left to see, and something about New York just keeps you coming back.

Emma's Island-Hopping Retreat

We started our holiday on Mahé, home to the world’s smallest capital city, Victoria. We wandered its colorful streets before escaping into the lush Seychellois National Park, hiking through rainforest trails surrounded by towering palms and exotic wildlife.

Next, we sailed to Praslin, an island straight out of a postcard. We explored the unique Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site where ancient Coco de Mer Palms can be found and roaming giant tortoises!

Our favourite island was La Digue for its laid-back vibe. With no cars on the island, we explored by bicycle. We hiked to remote coves and the most beautiful beaches—powdery white sand, giant granite boulders, and turquoise waters. 

Along the way we found beach shacks where locals served up fresh BBQ and delicious rum punches!

One of the highlights was paddling out in a glass-bottomed kayak to a secluded island only accessible by sea—the very spot where Robinson Crusoe was filmed. It was pure Paradise!