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How Formal Are Viking Cruises? Dress Code Explained
Travel, Cruising Julia Mitchell Travel, Cruising Julia Mitchell

How Formal Are Viking Cruises? Dress Code Explained

If you’re not sure what to pack for a Viking cruise, then you’re in the right place.

Understanding Viking’s dress codes can be confusing, as they often differ from other mainstream cruise lines, with conflicting information shared by cruisers online.

Fear not! In this blog post I will outline the differences between a Viking river cruise and a Viking ocean cruise, and clarify which types of clothing are needed for each voyage.

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Is the Kitchen Table Worth It on Viking Cruises?
Travel, Cruising Julia Mitchell Travel, Cruising Julia Mitchell

Is the Kitchen Table Worth It on Viking Cruises?

Read my full review and learn what to expect from this excursion.

An onboard cooking experience offered by Viking Cruises, the Kitchen Table is available to book on their ocean ships. It’s a great way to liven up a relaxing day at sea, meet some new people, and learn how to cook a delicious three course meal from one of their onboard chefs.

I took part in one of these group cooking classes during a cruise around South East Asia onboard the Viking Venus in 2025, and found it to be a huge amount of fun.

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First Time On Viking Cruises? What to Expect + Essential Tips
Travel, Cruising Julia Mitchell Travel, Cruising Julia Mitchell

First Time On Viking Cruises? What to Expect + Essential Tips

If you’re thinking about booking a Viking cruise, then you’re in the right place.

I’ve sailed with Viking multiple times over the last few years and have absolutely loved each of my experiences. From travelling around South East Asia to sailing down the Seine at Christmas time, I’ve experienced what both their ocean and river ships have to offer.

This blog post will include tips for first time Viking cruisers, including what to expect on embarkation day, what’s included in the cost of your cruise, and how to get the most out of your holiday.

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Best Enemies to Lovers Books
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Best Enemies to Lovers Books

One of the romance genre’s most beloved tropes, enemies to lovers is a common relationship dynamic that follows a couple from loathing to love.

Best Enemies to Lovers Books

This blog post explores exactly what the enemies to lovers trope is, and suggests some of the very best romance books that use it.

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Do Shakti Mats Work: A Review
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Do Shakti Mats Work: A Review

If you’re interested in learning more about the ancient practice of acupressure, then this blog post is for you.

Learn how the Shakti Mat can impact on your wellbeing, with possible benefits including reduced pain, increased relaxation and better sleep. I also give my honest review of the Shakti Mat, including my experience of using it for the first time.

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7 Acupressure Mat Benefits
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7 Acupressure Mat Benefits

A current popular wellness trend, acupressure mats promise to deliver a variety of benefits. From increasing circulation to promoting relaxation and encouraging better quality sleep, there are many ways that these mats can benefit your body and mind.

Read on to learn how acupressure mats work, the benefits they can have and how they should be used.

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London Tilbury Cruise Port - A Complete Guide
Cruising, Travel Julia Mitchell Cruising, Travel Julia Mitchell

London Tilbury Cruise Port - A Complete Guide

If you’ve booked a cruise that sails from the UK, then you may find yourself embarking at London Tilbury.

Despite its deceptive name, this cruise port is actually located in Essex, in a town slightly to the east of Greater London. This means that your journey will require a bit of forward planning in order to make it as smooth as possible.

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The Hunger Games Simulator Guide
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The Hunger Games Simulator Guide

Here is my guide to selecting and playing a simulator based on the famous book and film franchise, The Hunger Games.

Based on the bestselling book series written by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games is easily one of the most popular dystopian stories written in the modern day.

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26 Sports Romance Novels
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26 Sports Romance Novels

There’s something irresistible about sports romance novels.

I’m not sure whether it’s the elite athletes or high stakes competition, but the combination of passion and ambition just hits different for me. In this post I’ve put together a list of some of the very best sports romance books, to help you decide which title to pick up next.

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Stay22 Affiliate Program - Referral Bonus and Review
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Stay22 Affiliate Program - Referral Bonus and Review

Here’s how I increased my affiliate income by 132% by switching from Travel Payouts to Stay22.

I registered with Stay22 in summer 2025 as a way to improve the income I was receiving from my blog. I liked the idea of diversifying my passive income streams, and was intrigued by their Nova tool which provides an additional way to get commission from bookings.

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What To Do In Edinburgh
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What To Do In Edinburgh

As one of the world’s most popular city break destinations, Edinburgh is a fantastic place to visit with a rich history and many things to see and do.

My guide highlights some of the city’s best landmarks and activities, with the aim of helping you to make the most of your trip.

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What to Do in Norway
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What to Do in Norway

One of my favourite countries that I’ve travelled to in recent years, read this article to learn more about Norway and the many things there are to see and do.

What to Do in Norway

Norway is known for its outstanding natural beauty and glistening natural fjords, with plenty of opportunities for hiking, water sports and winter activities. Rich in arts and culture, the country has strong ties to the Vikings and a number of bustling towns and cities to explore.

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Mariana Zapata Books in Order
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Mariana Zapata Books in Order

Known by her fans as the queen of slow burn romance, Mariana Zapata has been reading romance novels since she was old enough to sneak them off her aunt’s bookshelves.

Her writing career began in her teens, when she penned fan fiction about her favourite boy bands. She eventually started to write her own original stories when she was in her twenties, after much encouragement from her husband.

Mariana currently lives in Pagosa Springs, Colorado with her husband and their two Great Danes (also referred to as her children).

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Rhys Bowen Books in Order
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Rhys Bowen Books in Order

A New York Times bestselling author, Rhys Bowen is an enormously popular mystery/crime writer who’s real name is Janet Quin-Harkin.

To date she has sold around 10 million books in over 30 languages, and won a number of major prizes including the Agatha Awards, the Anthony Awards and the Macavity Awards.

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Heather Fawcett Books in Order
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Heather Fawcett Books in Order

A Canadian writer best known for her enchanting Emily Wilde series, Heather Fawcett writes fantasy stories that usually involve dragons and other fantastical creatures.

As both a New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller, her books are beloved and have been translated into more than twenty languages across the world.

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28 Books Like the Hunger Games
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28 Books Like the Hunger Games

When the very first Hunger Games book published in 2008, I doubt that Suzanne Collins expected it to become the worldwide phenomenon that it is today.

The original books have sold millions of copies, and although the trilogy was completed in 2012, the popularity of these stories has endured. Recent years have seen additional books published in the series, including prequels The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and Sunrise on the Reaping. A stage show even launched in London in 2025, which has been enormously popular.

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