Tag: Couples Travel

✈The Introvert’s Guide to Stress-Free Travel

Posted on by Travelling Wilbys

Travel is one of our greatest joys, but as two introverts with a love for exploring, we’ve learned that it can also feel overwhelming if we’re not mindful. Crowded airports, busy cities, and jam-packed itineraries can quickly drain our energy. Over the years, we’ve discovered small but powerful ways to make travel more enjoyable—and yes, even peaceful.

Whether we’re wandering along a quiet beach on Vancouver Island or catching a train through the English countryside, these are the introvert-friendly travel tips we swear by.

🌎 Planning with Peace of Mind

For us, a stress-free trip starts before we even leave home. Particularly, as one of us has anxiety when it comes to being late for anything, and the other is a little too laid back – “no hurry, no worry”. Arrgghhh. Needless to say, we’ve learned to work within each others parameters.

  • Book ahead when you can. Flights, trains, and accommodations always feel calmer when sorted in advance. We love knowing we don’t have to scramble last minute. While it’s nice to wing it once in awhile, or go with the flow, having a flexible or solid booking is peace of mind.
  • Choose quieter areas. In London, for example, we’ll stay in a neighborhood just outside the hustle. On Vancouver Island, we often escape to smaller towns or peaceful beaches. No matter where you are, you can always find a little out of the way place to escape for a few minutes, or as long as you need.
  • Schedule downtime. Our itineraries always include “nothing” time. A slow morning with coffee or an evening walk makes a world of difference.

✈ Airports & Transport Without the Overwhelm

Airports and train stations are some of the most stressful spots, but we’ve found a few introvert-friendly travel tricks:

  • Arrive early. It gives us time to breathe, people-watch, and not feel rushed. For anxiety, it’s a lifesaver! Take a minute for yourself if needed to bring things back under control. It’s worth the time taken.
  • Noise-canceling headphones are our best travel investment—they create an instant calm bubble. Cut out the noise and hopefully allow for a little sleep on a long international flight.
  • Apps save the day. Online check-ins, mobile boarding passes, and train ticket apps mean fewer lines and less small talk. It seems there is an app for everything nowadays, and we’ve found them to be a lifesaver at times. A few of the apps we use – British Airways (or whatever airline we are flying), BritRail (for our train pass), LNER (to make quick seat reservations on the train), Trainline (to check train schedules), Premier Inn (or any other hotel), and so many others. It is a techie world out there, if you’re comfortable with it, use it to your advantage!

We’ve found a similar rhythm on Vancouver Island ferries:

  • arriving early, grabbing a quiet seat, and settling in with a book makes the journey part of the adventure. Feeling a little more adventurous – walking the outside deck, breathing in the sea air, and whale watching are great ways to relax. Travelling with BC Ferries, save your peace of mind and reserve in advance. Nothing worse than sitting in line at the ferry terminal watching it sail without you.

🍃 Finding Quiet Moments in Busy Destinations

Even the most popular places have their hidden calm.

  • Go early or late. Visiting museums first thing in the morning is a game changer. We prefer early morning for the more popular places.
  • Seek out the quieter corners. Parks, libraries, and tucked-away cafés or pubs are perfect escapes.
  • Travel off-season. Scotland in autumn and the Island in spring are magical—beautiful weather, fewer people.

One of our favorite peaceful moments was standing at the Ring of Brodgar in Orkney with hardly anyone else around. A thing of beauty, with an amazing mystical quality. At home, it’s walking along a secluded beach at low tide, where the only sound is the sea. A sound which lightens our souls – islanders at heart. There are so many beautiful beaches on Vancouver Island.

🤝🏼 Socializing Without the Burnout

Travel can bring wonderful connections, but for introverts, it’s often about quality over quantity.

  • Stay in smaller B&Bs or Guest Houses. They’re friendlier without being overwhelming. And most serve up the most delicious breakfast. YUM!
  • Join small group tours. Instead of being in a crowd of 40, we prefer groups of 8–10 for a more personal experience. In Scotland, we’ve joined smaller coach tours with a maximum of 16 people, and they are perfect (especially when not full).
  • Pick your moments. A meaningful chat with a local barista or bartender, beats trying to talk to everyone all day.

🎒 Our “Comfort Kit” for Every Journey

We never travel without a few essentials that make us feel grounded:

  • Snacks & water (because being “hangry” is real). And travelling with a diabetic means being prepared for anything.
  • A book or e-reader for quiet downtime. One of us loves to read, while the other prefers to listen to music they have downloaded before the trip.
  • Offline maps & playlists, ready for when Wi-Fi disappears. Always a need for a back up plan, especially when you travel with someone with anxiety.
  • A cozy scarf or hoodie that feels like home on the go. Sometimes you just want to snuggle in, shut everything out, and enjoy.

🌿 Final Thoughts

Being introverts doesn’t mean we can’t love travel. It just means we experience it a little differently. By planning thoughtfully, building in quiet time, and carrying small comforts, we’ve learned to travel without feeling drained. That being said, sometimes we are looking for that more extroverted adventure. We are definitely not looking to miss out on anything!

Travel doesn’t have to be overwhelming—it can be deeply peaceful, restorative, and full of wonder. It all depends what you are looking for.

Are you an introverted traveler too? We’d love to hear your tips for stress-free travel! Leave a comment below or join us on Instagram @travellingwilbys.

  • Loch Lomond, Scotland
  • Ireland

🍺Whitby Brewery – A Pint with a View

Posted on by Travelling Wilbys

If you’re visiting the Yorkshire coast, there’s one stop we’ll always make time for – Whitby Brewery. Nestled right beside the hauntingly beautiful Whitby Abbey, this independent brewery is one of our favourites in all of England.

A Brewery in the Shadow of the Abbey

Few pubs or breweries can boast a backdrop quite like this one. From the outside terrace you can sip your pint while gazing up at the gothic ruins of Whitby Abbey, the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. It’s a view that makes every sip feel a little more special. And this is truly a special place.

What to Try

Whitby Brewery offers a rotating selection of their own craft beers, from crisp golden ales to rich stouts. Each brew is made on-site, and there’s something for everyone—whether you’re after a refreshing pint after a coastal walk or something darker to warm up with on a blustery Yorkshire day.

Why We Love It

We’ve visited Whitby several times, and this brewery has become a must-stop for us. There’s just something magical about enjoying a locally brewed beer in such a dramatic setting. It’s welcoming, relaxed, and feels like the heart of Whitby’s modern food and drink scene. Whitby has always been special to us, so much so that we named our first dog after it. Love having a wander through the town, then a hike up the stairs to the Abbey and Brewery. The view from the top is worth tackling the stairs. Take your time and enjoy the view.

Plan Your Visit

📍 Location: Whitby Brewery, next to Whitby Abbey

⏰ Opening times vary seasonally—check their website before you go.

🍺 Best for: A well-earned pint after exploring Whitby Abbey and the seaside town below. Plenty of walking and sightseeing to be had. The hike up the 199 stairs to the Abbey and Brewery is enough to make you thirsty. If you’re even more adventurous spend the day hiking the Cleveland Way to Robin Hood’s Bay, then stop in for a pint on the way back. The view from the cliffs is amazing.

Whether you’re a craft beer enthusiast or just looking for a unique place to relax, Whitby Brewery is a stop we can’t recommend enough. It’s beer with a view at its very best!

Visiting Tower Bridge: A Must-See Landmark in London

Posted on by Travelling Wilbys

No trip to London feels complete without standing beneath the towering Gothic arches of Tower Bridge. Often mistaken for “London Bridge,” this iconic structure has become one of the city’s most photographed spots. In this post, we’ll share a bit of history, the best ways to experience it, and our own impressions from our visit.

A Bit of History

  • Built in 1894, Tower Bridge was designed to ease traffic across the Thames while still allowing tall ships to pass.
  • Its Victorian Gothic style makes it instantly recognizable.
  • It is one of London’s most iconic landmarks.
  • Over 40,000 motorists, pedestrians and cyclists using it every day.
  • 500,000 tourists visit it each year.

Best Ways to Experience Tower Bridge

Walk across: Free and gives great views of the Thames, Tower of London, and City of London skyline.

When visiting London, our preferred way of getting to Tower Bridge is via the South Bank. Crossing over via the Millenium Bridge, make your way along the South Bank to Tower Bridge. You can’t miss it in the distance. There is plenty of sightseeing to do along the way, with no shortage of photo stops. Tate Modern, Borough Market, the Golden Hinde and HMS Belfast, just to name a few. Of course, we can’t forget the required pub stop for lunch, of which there are many choices. It’s the “carrot on the stick” to keep my husband moving.

Tower Bridge Exhibition: Inside, after a climb to the top, you can explore the glass-floored walkways and learn how the bridge was built. It was rather an eery feeling looking down at the cars below our feet. The ticket centre and entrance are located midspan along the bridge. You can climb the stairs to the top of the bridge or there is an elevator for those who need a lift. It is quite a climb to the top.

From the water: A Thames river cruise or boat ride gives you a dramatic view from below.

At night: When the bridge is lit up, it feels magical.

Photography Tips

  • Early morning or golden hour for fewer crowds and softer light.
  • Capture it with the Tower of London in the background for a classic London shot.
  • Don’t miss the reflections on the Thames if the water is still.

Our Impressions

The Tower Bridge is an iconic London sight. A beauty and a definite reminder that you are in London now! Something familiar, even if you haven’t been here before.

Truthfully, we are not big city people. We spent most of our lives living in Vancouver and couldn’t wait to move away. To find a quieter existence away from it all. BUT London is different. It’s hard to explain. We forget about the chaos of people and traffic, and are able to lose ourselves in the history around us. There is so much to see. London feels familiar to us. It brings the history to life.

Conclusion:

Tower Bridge isn’t just a way to cross the Thames – it’s a symbol of London’s history and resilience. Whether you stroll across, admire it from the banks of the river, or explore inside, it’s an experience that belongs on every London itinerary.

Walking in the Footsteps of 5,000 Years – Our Visit to the Ring of Brodgar, Orkney

Posted on by Travelling Wilbys
The wind carried whispers across the heather as we stepped into the circle. Standing among the ancient stones of the Ring of Brodgar, we weren’t just in Orkney — we were in another time.

Getting There

The Ring of Brodgar sits proudly on Orkney’s Mainland, surrounded by lochs and rolling moorland. We reached it after a scenic drive around Orkney; and a visit to Orkney’s other Neolithic sites. We had spent the night in Kirkwall (Orkney’s largest city) after arriving by ferry from the mainland the day before. The site is well signposted, with a small parking area just a short walk from the stones. Best of all, it’s free to visit year-round, and accessible for most, though the path can be muddy after rain.

A Little History

Dating back around 5,000 years, the Ring of Brodgar is part of Orkney’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. It’s one of the largest stone circles in the UK, thought to have been a ceremonial or ritual site. While the exact purpose is still shrouded in mystery, it’s linked to other ancient sites nearby, like the Stones of Stenness and the prehistoric village of Skara Brae.

Our Experience

The first thing we noticed was the wind. Orkney seems to have a special talent for it — the kind that sweeps through your hair and makes you feel alive. As we wandered between the towering stones, their weathered surfaces told silent stories of thousands of seasons gone by.

One moment, clouds cast dramatic shadows over the circle; the next, a burst of sunlight lit up the entire landscape. We felt small here — not in a bad way, but in the best possible way, as if we were part of something timeless.

Tips for Visitors

  • Best time to visit: Early morning or late evening for softer light and fewer visitors.
  • Weather: Dress for all seasons — even in summer, the wind can be fierce.
  • Combine your visit: Pair it with trips to the Stones of Stenness, Maeshowe, and Skara Brae for a full Neolithic experience. An experience I found overwhelming in so many ways, but in a good way. It is hard to fathom 5000 years ago, and there is so much more that they are still uncovering to this day.
  • Photography: Wide-angle shots capture the full circle, but don’t forget to zoom in on the beautiful stone textures.

Why We’ll Never Forget It

The Ring of Brodgar isn’t just a place you see — it’s a place you feel. It’s history you can walk through, touch, and hear in the rustle of the grass and the rush of the wind. Long after we left, we could still picture the stones standing silently against the Orkney sky, as they have for millennia.

If you ever find yourself in northern Scotland, let Orkney call you. And when it does, go stand in that circle and see what whispers the wind will carry to you. You won’t be disappointed.