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How to Celebrate a Personal Goal With Something That Lasts
Graduation is one of life’s genuine milestone moments. Years of hard work, late nights, self-doubt overcome and potential realised — all culminating in a single day that deserves to be marked with something more than a card and a bottle of prosecco. The best graduation gifts celebrate not just the certificate, but the person who earned it. Here are 10 ideas that do exactly that. 1. A Storyteller Achievement Chapter A handcrafted, personalised Chapter marking the specific achievement — the degree subject, the institution, the date, a personal message. Something they’ll carry with them into the next chapter of their life, attached to their FlagMate as a permanent reminder of what they’re capable of. One of the most unique and meaningful graduation gifts available in the UK right now. [Shop Achievement Chapters here →] 2. An Experience to Mark the Next Chapter A gift voucher for an experience that symbolises what’s ahead — a solo travel experience, a professional development course, a creative workshop in something they’ve always wanted to try. The achievement is behind them; this gift looks forward. 3. A Personalised Leather Journal A quality journal embossed with their name, for the next chapter of their story. Choosing a beautiful, tactile journal signals that you believe their words and thoughts are worth capturing. Pair it with a note about why. 4. A Classic Timepiece A good watch is a rite of passage gift — something a graduate grows into and wears for decades. It doesn’t need to be expensive. It needs to be chosen with thought. 5. A First Home Starter Kit If they’re moving out for the first time, a curated kit of quality basics — a good coffee maker, a beautiful throw, a decent set of knives — signals that you’re celebrating not just the graduation but the independence that follows. 6. A Contribution to a Travel Fund The post-graduation trip is a rite of passage. A cash contribution towards their first solo adventure, paired with a Storyteller Travel Chapter collection to mark every destination, is a gift with real lasting value. 7. A Personalised Book of Letters Gather messages from the people who matter most — family, friends, mentors — and have them compiled into a small printed book. A NoteCube-style collection of voices celebrating the person they’ve become. 8. A Professional Development Investment A subscription to a learning platform, a ticket to a conference in their field, or a session with a career coach. Signals that you believe in their professional future as much as their academic past. 9. A Framed Personalised Print A custom illustrated print marking the university city, the course, the years attended. Beautiful as wall art for a first home and endlessly personal. 10. A Chapter Club Subscription Six or twelve months of the Storyteller Chapter Club — a monthly delivery of new Chapters themed around the seasons and moments of life. A gift that grows with them as they move into their next chapter. [Find out more →] The best graduation gifts say two things at once The first is: I see what you’ve achieved. The second is: I can’t wait to see what comes next. The gifts on this list do both — they honour the milestone without anchoring the person to it. [Shop Storyteller Achievement Chapters — and give a graduation gift worth keeping forever →]
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9 of the best global festivals and events for 2026!
At Storyteller we love festivals and events! They give us a new experience and help us visit a culture. Check out our awesome happy-mood festivals and events around the world! 1. Coachella Starting off with one of the biggest music festivals in the world. With the biggest names in music, Coachella is a great place for incredible music and a great atmosphere. In recent years, the likes of Frank Ocean and Ariana Grande have headlined which shows the level of artists who are here each year! Alongside the music, Coachella offers vintage markets, art studios and the tastiest food vendors.Where: California, USA When: 10 Apr 2026 – Sun, 19 Apr 2026 2. Rio Carnival Giant parades, colourful costumes and incredible best vibes - this must mean only one thing, Rio Carnival! Rio Carnival is one the world’s biggest festivals, with nearly 2 million people from all over the globe hitting the streets of Rio during the celebrations. Given it’s the largest celebration, it’s no surprise the party never stops. Where: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil When: 13-17 February 2026 3. Holi Colour Festival The most colourful festival you ever will see, Holi is one of the most celebrated festivals in India. Huge amounts of colour shower across India for the Holi Festival in celebration of positivity and the victory of good over bad. Communities around the whole of India unite to show the love and respect they have for one another, all showcased through the magic of these powdery colours.Our tip: Bring a change of clothes and be ready to rock some pink and yellow in your hair for a short while as it takes a while to wash out!Where: All over India When: 4 March 2026 4. St Patrick's Day A global day of celebrating true Irish culture, where do we sign up? Not only Ireland, but also most places in the world with an Irish community is sprinkled with green on a day which has guaranteed fun with street parties and fancy dress leprechauns aplenty. It usually also includes large quantities of Guinness!Where: Celebrated globally, but Dublin is a must When: 17th March 2026 5. BaliSpirit Festival BaliSpirit Festival is the ultimate positive vibes festival in the world. Set in the breathtaking rice fields, the BaliSpirit festival is guaranteed to help you re-energise and includes a whole host of experiences. The experiences include traditional Bhakti music concerts, breathing class and of course, plenty of yoga!Where? Ubud, Bali When? 15-19 April 2026 6. Edinburgh Fringe Festival Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival is all about the new faces and names in comedy and theatre. The streets are full of performers showing off their incredible talents – from comedy acts to tap dancing and plays. And if it couldn't get any better, it runs for a whole month in August each year!Where: Edinburgh, ScotlandWhen: August 2026 7. Glastonbury Festival There will be tents, mud and a long line to access the bathrooms, but despite this, Glastonbury is the ultimate music festival experience. Based in the beautiful English countryside, you will hear the most talented musicians along with the hottest comedy acts. An amazing 72 hours of everything!Where: Glastonbury, England When: TBC 8. Mardi Gras Vibrant and colourful, Mardi Gras in New Orleans is one you just have to experience. Mardi Gras means 'Fat Tuesday'. Parade celebrations and masquerade balls go on over two weeks and always finish on the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of lent. The celebration is in aid of eating the remaining rich foods before the Lent season of fasting begins.Where: New Orleans, USAWhen: 13-17 February 2026 9. La Tomatina Easily our favourite event of the year. La Tomatina dates back to 1945 and is dedicated to tomatoes! Each year 50,000 people hit the streets of Buñol and throw tomatoes at each other for the ultimate festival. Good vibes, great times and a street coloured red. P.S watch out for the huge trucks that follow the festival unleashing huge amounts of water to clean up the mess!Where: Buñol, Spain When: 26th August 2026
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15 Iconic street foods from around the world!
We LOVE street food and we know you do too! Whilst exploring new a new city, eating street food is a great energy boost, but also a great way to interact with locals and find out about the dishes and traditions behind them.To help you plan your next visit (of course food is super important) here's our list of iconic street foods you all have to try! 1. Pastel de Nata in PortugalMade from sugar, egg yolk and butter, this is Portugal's favourite street food! A great snack, but super dangerous as eating one, usually leads to a further 5!@Pastel_de_nata2. Pav Bhaji in IndiaMade from freshly cut vegetables mixed with a range of incredible Indian spices, this vegetable curry is amazing! You will find a cook on almost every street market in India cooking this fresh, and will come served with a soft, butter filled bread roll!@_thefoodiewiththebook_3. Halo Halo in the PhilippinesWell Hallo Hallo there! A beautiful mix of ice, fresh fruit, ice cream and a crunchy substance similar to puffed rice and evaporated milk! Looking for a colourful picture for the 'gram this is the one!@myronepo4. Chimney Cake in the Czech Republic or HungaryA spiral-shaped donut, which is cooked over a grill (like a BBQ), rolled in flavoured sugars and served with warm Nutella! The dish is argued to have originated from both Czech Republic and Hungary, so to be fair, you should try them in both places!@travellust_nl5. Pad Thai in ThailandThe original king and queen of street food! A stir-fried noodle dish mixed with vegetables/meat, this is one street food everybody must try in the street kitchens of Thailand!@grubhub6. Churros in SpainFreshly fried donut sticks served with warm hot, melted chocolate! Need we say anything more?P.S. not an Ad, but San Gines in Madrid, is definitely the most amazing place for chocolate and churros and, even better, it is open 24 hours a day!@unforgettable_treats7. Bao (or Baozi) buns in ChinaBow for the best little eat in China! Filled with savoury fillings such as vegetables or meat, a baozi bun is the perfect combination of a soft and sweet snack.@eat.n.repeatt8. Dango in JapanDANG- the most amazing tasting Japanese dumplings ever! Served on skewers and cooking over an open fire in a min BBQ style, these dumplings are made from rice flour and served with something sweet.@japan_dango9. Ceviche in PeruPeru is known for its fresh food and this is one of them! White fish marinated in citrus juice, spiced with chilli, the perfect combination of a tasty treat! 10. Poffertjes in the NetherlandsA traditional Dutch batter treat, resembling small fluffy pancakes! Made from yeast and buckwheat flour, Poffertjes are super spongy and a great sweet treat served with powdered sugar and butter.@rebrum11. Baklava in TurkeyLayers of pastry, oozing with syrup and pistachios- is there anything better? Baklava is a special food in Turkey and is used by many as a heavenly gift to a loved one.@funky.kitchen12. Blini in RussiaA blini is a Russian pancake traditionally made from wheat or buckwheat flour and served with smetana, tvorog, butter, caviar, and other garnishes.@izboltiz13. Pupusas in El SalvadorA traditional Salvadoran dish made from thick corn tortilla stuffed with savory filling, accompanied by curtido and tomato salsa.@offthefridgreenville @elsavadorenosd14. Arancini in ItalyDeep fried breadcrumbs filled with risotto rice, mozzarella and ragu. Dreams... 15. Malva Pudding in South AfricaA gooey sponge cake made with apricot jam and served warm with a creamy sauce or custard. The best type of warmth for a cold day in South Africa.
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The Top 10 Cities You Should Visit in 2026!
Copenhagen, Denmark If Carlsberg made cities... it would be Copenhagen.A city with a booming street-food scene on Refshaleøen, a former shipyard which is now a rebooted as a food and craft market. Amusement park Tivoli Gardens brings an incredible colour and beats the winter blues in the darker evenings (when it is dark!).Danish Architecture Centre has moved into Ellen van Loon’s buzz-inducing cultural centre BLOX, while the completion of the metro line means even easier cross-town adventures. Finally, the vibe, energy and incredibly happy people make this place an amazing atmosphere! Going in winter? Don’t worry bars come well equipped with heaters and blankets!Kotor, Montenegro Majestic mountains, breathtaking beaches and larger-than-life locals, Montenegro proves once again that all good things do indeed come in small packages. Although the country is rightfully revelling in the spotlight, the people remain as they've always been: candid, convivial and charming. The richness of its cultural history can be seen in the mosaic floors of Roman villas, monasteries, Catholic churches, and the strong fortresses. With its incredible winding streets, medieval old towns and one of the best coastlines in Europe, Kotor it is going to be the “it” location soon so get before everybody else! Shēnzhèn, China China’s most innovative city Shēnzhèn, is now well known as the ‘Silicon Valley’ of China. Drawn to its slew of new design openings and tech innovation, creatives are swarming to Shēnzhèn. With a strumming indie-music scene, cool cafes, contingent of craft brewers and incredible district of new art, Shēnzhèn is a must visit! Marrakesh, Morocco Morocco is the gateway to Africa. Ancient cities, incredible taste, smells and sounds make this destination a must visit for any traveller. A city with a local market culture makes sure that you can taste the local delights and get yourself some super detailed handicrafts on your adventures.The local culture in Morocco is really welcoming, so leave some time to sit, relax and grab a local tea with the locals for sure! Kathmandu, Nepal After the 2015 earthquake, there was a lot of reconstruction and rejuvenation required, but now the historic sites have returned better than ever to their former glory!Kathmandu is set around the Durbar Square at Basantapur, where the royal family lived until the 19th century. Along with walking around the famous square, a visit to the old city areas and Nepal's famous Buddhist temples (our favourite is Swayambhunath) are just some of the incredible things to see in this beautiful place. Mexico City, Mexico Centuries of architectural design, incredible art and modern wonders such as the Museo Soumaya make Mexico City the World Design Capital in 2018.Mexico really does embrace the influence of old traditions, proving that design is an effective tool for economic, social and cultural development. Oh and on top of all this, incredible beaches and sun, sun, sun makes this a must visit! Dakar, Senegal Probably a suprise to most, but this is definitely a must visit for us! A dynamic city in Africa, Dakar offers the ultimate mix of beautiful beaches, incredible markets and lit up nightclubs. Senegal’s seaside capital has long been overlooked by many travel hubs in West Africa but with a new, recently opened international airport, there are great signs for this to be the tropical paradise. Watch out for this city, we think it is going to be THE next must place! You heard it here first! Zadar, Croatia Zadar has risen from the ashes of its war-ridden past and blossomed into a spirited cosmopolitan city. Walk through the Old Town ’s bright marble streets to discover laidback cafes, ancient Roman ruins, innovative museums, and rustic restaurants. The true phoenix of Zadar’s transformation is its waterfront promenade, where huge amounts of locals gather to listen to the magical chimes of the Sea Organ or bask in the mesmeric illuminations of the Sun Salutation. When you arrive, you will have an immediate with the local life and culture, and incredible beauty that surrounds you.
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THE ULTIMATE PACKING LIST!
Packing mishaps range from inconvenience (heading to the Caribbean without a swimsuit) to disastrous (leaving your wallet at home), but most are preventable.That's why we’ve created the ultimate TRAVEL PACKING LIST to help you not only pack, but also complete all other checks before you leave for your trip!Click here to download your ULTIMATE TRAVEL LIST which you can save or print out.When packing for a holiday the most important things to keep in mind are the length of your trip, the weather, and any non-standard clothing or gear you might need.The first step when packing is to decide whether you will be taking a carry on board. If so, you might want to keep all of the important items in here just incase luggage is lost.If you’re packing more minimally, focus on packing layering clothes in more neutral colours, which is more versatile and you can wear these items more than once if needed.
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Why experiences in life have a richness beyond anything else- China Drewitt
Meet Our Storyteller China Drewitt from Worcestershire, UK. China is the Creative Director for an incredible start-up called FounderMade, who are based in New York and Los Angeles which does mean that if there is a summit, a trip to the office is 3,000 miles away!Having travelled and worked around the world, China really understands how constantly meeting new people and being in new environments can be challenging, but learning about how she overcame this will definitely help us learn about how we can also overcome such obstacles.Super excited to share this inspirational journey, so let's get to it!1) Tell us a little bit about yourself and FounderMade! Hi, my name is China and I am the Creative Director for an incredible start-up called FounderMade. Based in New York and Los Angeles, FounderMade is an entrepreneurial summit that helps startups build the business of their dreams through connectivity to retailers, investors & partners in their space. It does mean that I have to travel a lot for work and often I feel as if I am living two lives, my safe zone here in Worcestershire, and my unknown out there stateside, buts it's an amazing experience and I wouldn't change it for the world! Besides of my many trips to the states, I have visited 12 other countries.2) Everybody has a moment, which inspires them to start travelling, where and what was yours?I am naturally a very inquisitive person and I always have been. I love learning. It makes me nervous to imagine coming to the end of this precious life without having experienced all of the magic this earth has to offer. My desire to travel doesn’t come from the need to escape or even have fun, it’s much more about getting uncomfortable and having experiences that widen my comfort zone, to the point that I can go through anything and tolerate the extremes that life will present to me.I’m currently reading Principles by Ray Dalio and one of the things that it teaches is a good life is a fine art of ‘struggling well’, and reaching for something or going on a journey that grows you is the preferred human state. So yes… my trigger for travelling is discomfort and new horizons. Expansion of the mind! 3) Do you have any particular memories of your travels that stand out and how do you collect and remember them? I keep everything. I keep scrapbooks chronologically ordered from since I can remember, containing every detail of every memory that meant something to me, including diaries of my travels aboard. The memories that stand out are always those that contain particular people and I can't wait to preserve those memories, and have them always by my side with my very own personal Storyteller FlagMate! "I am a strong believer that it’s not where you are, it’s who you’re with. The places you get to see are only as significant as the people you got to share it with, otherwise, the meaning is different. I really believe that experiencing things together has a richness beyond anything else."One of my fondest memories more recently was visiting Cuba with my family. We stayed on the beach by the bluest water I had ever seen! There was an evening ceremony of traditional Cuban music where everyone from the hotel came together and my brother & I met a group of guys from Toronto. We all spend the evening together and honestly, I’ve never laughed so much. It fortified my belief that you can be in the most beautiful spot in the world, but ultimately it’s the people you get to share it with that make it unforgettable. 4) What is your favourite city/country that you have visited and why?My favourite city is Los Angeles. The first time I went there, it honestly felt like I was coming home. It was like everything just fell into place. It’s got this vibrant aura about it and you can almost feel everybody’s hopes & dreams hanging in the sky above you like a mystic haze. I know it sounds crazy… but from West Hollywood to the sweetheart boulevard of Abbott Kenney and Venice Beach, I am in love with this city!Not a day goes by you when you don’t meet a real STORYTELLER, who has a real and genuine story. Meeting people who have lived such creative lives really opens your heart & makes you feel like it’s possible for you too. I would move there in a heartbeat. As I am pretty much a local in LA, I highly recommend taking a surf lesson with Kapowui Surf Club. Not only was my surf instructor the beach babe of my dreams… but he even gave me a sunset tour of Venice afterwards on his scooter. I can’t promise you the same fortune, but hey it’s worth a try ;). Anything’s possible in the city of angels! 5) Favourite food and place for food!What a question, wow! Favourite food is definitely Thai. I can’t get enough. A king prawn Thai yellow curry, or my absolute favourite, the banh mi. Ok, so the banh mi is a Vietnamese sandwich, but it’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted hands down. The crunchy vegetables, kimchi, tender pork, hoisin and loads of cilantro all in a French baguette- amazing!.One amazing foodie experience I have to share was catching mackerel in the sea of the coast of Devon and eating them on the beach. The taste of fresh fish is totally different when it’s only just left the ocean. A little lemon & a bottle of beer to wash it down... welcome to the good life! 6) Event or festival that you would highly recommend everybody attends at least once! Such a difficult question! I guess I have to leave out the dozens on my wishlist (Burning Man, Coachella, Summit At Sea, Art Basel, Kalu Yala, Ondalinda, sorry – Tony Robbins Date with Destiny has to be in there even if not strictly travel!)… as for the one I’ve been to and recommend, that’s so tricky I’ll have to pick two. One is the Wilderness Festival in Oxfordshire. Never in my life have I witnessed anything like this… a wild forest carved out into a mile wide pit, literally shaking with thousands of people dancing with luminescent umbrellas & face paint. One of the best nights of my life.Second has to be the Cannes Lion festival in Cannes. Brands from all over the world, set up the most incredible experiences! I got to do brunch on the Vayner yacht… socialize with the Girls Lounge in their rooftop club and hang backstage at the Twitter Beach- the dream! 7) What life skills do you feel you have learnt whilst travelling and how has it helped shape your life and your career as Creative Director of FounderMade?I think the most influential humans in the world are those who understand people. If you understand what drives people’s behaviours and actions, you can really understand how humans operate. It is only by spending time with individuals from all walks of life, you can gain this understanding, and that is the of the fascinating things about travelling. The more people I meet, the closer I come to true self-awareness. You cannot learn anything if you are limited to your own thoughts, which is why everyone has something to teach you.This belief has allowed me to become very flexible in my relationships with others, especially when working with new co-workers at FounderMade. This practice also serves you well in relationships with people, because you learn to be pragmatic & communicative instead of irrational & emotional.8) Whether it is speaking to new people, setting up a new business or travelling alone, we all fear or find some things difficult, how do you best overcome these difficulties? Simple, you throw yourself in at the deepest end possible. There’s a philosophy by Mel Robbins called the 5-second rule. It’s self-explanatory, but basically, the rule is that you only have 5 seconds to make a decision. This overrules the flight brain state that we all default to when we feel fear because that’s the part that’s going to stop you from taking action. Either give yourself 5 seconds to decide, or go for my firm favourite, remove the option to fail.An example would be, working out what body fat percentage you want to have in a year’s time, and reverse-engineering that goal into daily actions. Having clarity on your daily goal as part of an annual goal is a powerful tool to overcome fear because usually, that fear is to do with not knowing HOW vs taking the action itself. If you can overcome fear in one part of your life however small, it’s amazing how that habit will ricochet into other areas. In other words, don’t think, JUST DO! 9) Everybody talks about the limelights of travel, but have you been in any difficult situations, and how did you overcome this?I personally take real issue with a lot of the social media content which show us that you can spend every day of your life having amazing experiences all over the world. Travel is happy, but it’s also extremely MESSY. And no one talks about the mess! When I was in Thailand last year, I got lost in a remote town at night, with no phone and not knowing how to get back to our hostel. A random male then tried to approach me but luckily I got away. It was a really scary time. By some miracle shortly after, a friend from the hostel came searching for me and we got back safely.Having been through some tough experiences while travelling, I have grown to be very street-wise and most importantly, learnt how to say no. I was always a YES person before, even if it could have been unsafe, but now if it feels unsafe, I won't think twice about saying no.10) While travelling shows us so many positives, it also gives us a first-hand perspective on the world’s problems. Millions of individuals around the world are still unable to obtain access to a quality education, how do you think we can work together in resolving this issue?First of all, I love that Storyteller wants to put this movement into place. I’m a firm believer that throwing money at the problem is not a permanent solution and that it’s only through education that we can dig out the root of the issue for communities around the world so that they can become self-sufficient & integrated into a reformed state of living. The dream would be that every human has equal opportunities & access to education to build their own future. I am acutely aware that here in the UK we are in a very small percentage of humans who are prosperous, at least in the monetary and opportunity sense of the word. It’s our duty to help everyone else.I think that access to education starts with education, here, now. If the government were to implement a curriculum to teach & enrol our children into programmes to help support world education in communities, that would result in an influx of human hands & attention to give to these people. I think right now, education in our schools doesn’t focus on philanthropy or the importance of working together to bridge the divide. If philanthropy & serving others became a fundamental state of mind for children growing up in schools today, in 10 years time we’d be looking at a totally different society. One that was dedicated to lasting change for millions of people.11) What’s the most important advice you would give to someone who wants to travel but feels too trapped by their job? I am extremely lucky in that I can pick up my computer and work remotely from anywhere in the world. Because my job is based in New York, being here in the UK is inconsequential. Remote working is becoming a huge movement & one of the key things that candidates looking for while job-hunting today. Companies are having to shift their structures to make room for a millennial generation who want flexible working from anywhere. With the surge in young entrepreneurs starting their own businesses, working on your own time & in your own space is more common than ever.If you feel trapped in a job, there are 100's of other opportunities out there for you to move to a company that’s a better cultural and lifestyle fit for you. There will be a company out there that shares your values, wants your skills, and is happy for you to work on a flexible contract, from anywhere in the world. Finding this company fit (working for a startup is your best bet) will give you the freedom to travel & work at the same time. There is also a huge trend at the moment for millennials creating passive income. Influencers do this through advertisement revenue on youtube, business people do it through making investments. Start thinking about extra ways to make money outside your 9-5, and start taking risks would be my advice. That way you can have a separate pot for your travels! 12) What are your future travel plans?So many places!Next on my travel list is to book a surfing retreat, possibly in Bali or Ecuador and an ecological retreat like Kalu Yala to help save wildlife. There is also a place called Dunton Hot Springs in an alpine valley, Colorado that’s firmly on my to do list, check it out!Having said that, at the top of my list is the open mic circuit in Nashville, Tennessee. I have a deep love affair with writing & singing country music, and so it will be a lifelong dream fulfilled to go and play over there. The rest of my plans? They’re secret! I’m a big believer that to say too much too soon is making too many bets against the universe!13) What would be the title of your future biography? "Self-love- the things I'll tell share with my daughter" 14) 3 philosophies- If there was a major disaster and everything you had written, posted and shared got destroyed, what three pieces of advice would you share?Be kind to others, even when it is uncomfortable for you or causes you suffering. Acting selflessly will unlock a piece of your heart that you haven’t found yet, and from this journey, you will gain riches greater than any you would find while self-serving.Take care of your emotional health before anything else. Exercise for 30 minutes a day, eat healthily & avoid processed foods & sugar, with 7 hours of super sleep. This will allow your body & brain to act & think clearly.Everything you do, do it with love, and you cannot go wrong. The universe rewards resilience, focus, so do everything big or small to the best of your ability.
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My journey walking around the world - Robin Aron Demmer
Meet OurStoryteller, Robin Aron Demmer from Germany who is on a mission to walk around the world! Yes you heard that correctly. After leaving Germany on 13 May 2017, Robin has so far walked through Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey and Georgia. Having met Robin during my travels in Bulgaria, he is one of the most inspiring and down to earth guys I have ever met. Get ready to be inspired, and never complain about taking that extra set of stairs again! Name: Robin Aron Demmer Birthplace: Lagos/Portugal Hometown: Castellar de la frontera (Spain) Nationality: GermanInstagram: Robin_oakheart What inspired you to start this adventure to walk around the world? I wanted to take part in an adventure where I could challenge myself, go outside of my comfort zone and accomplish something which was beyond normal limits. I wanted to feel totally free and there was no other way to do this than to walk for me. At the same time, I also wanted to create memories and experiences around the world whilst also seeing the smaller, hidden places around the world that most will never see.This idea grew on me after seeing inspirational documentaries and reading stories about Nacho Dean of Spain and Karl Bushby who both walked around the world. They did something amazing whilst travelling the world- it was the perfect combination. How did you train for this journey before leaving in May 2017? I did a lot of long distance walking and cycling whilst having minimal food and water as I knew there would be instances where I would neither of these, but would need to continue walking. I also did a lot of research to understand the body, what worked well to increase levels of energy such as carbohydrates and protein, and how best to maintain and reserve energy levels over a longer period of time. I spent months training and researching before finally embarking on this journey in May 2017.I also did a lot of mindset training and focused on understanding how the great people of the world achieved so much. This was important to allow me to get through difficult parts of this adventure. How do you plan your routes and how difficult has this been? I did a lot of planning before I left to make things a bit easier, but as routes would constantly change, I still had to continuously plan. When I reach a new city this is when I would plan the next route by speaking to local people, using my trusted map and the internet to work out the best route to take. The first thing I would as soon as I got to each country was to buy a new sim card so I had access to Google Maps, but only used this in emergencies- I prefer a good old map!Generally, I walk routes of between 300km and 500km which would usually be the difference from one big city to another. I am however really flexible, as I may come across something unique or different and would spend some extra time there, enjoying the moment. Best parts about your journey so far? The best parts I would say is two-fold. Firstly, the views and sights I have seen on route have been amazing. Walking through the Alps was just magical. I also discovered smaller cities and villages that I am sure I would never have visited had it not been for this adventure.The second are the people I have met. The hospitality of people has been amazing. I have been invited for food, drinks and stayed overnight in people’s homes who barely knew who I was. Even military officers at borders were really helpful and gave me fresh water and food. They were all so welcoming and it really showed me there is a lot of goodness in the world, which is overshadowed by a handful of bad.By speaking to these local people, I learnt so many truths about each country and also how similar people really are around the world, we all just want to be happy and be surrounded with good people.The messages on leaving these individuals will always stay with me. Beautiful, heart-warming and positive, I do not think I have ever experienced so much love and that too from complete strangers. What has been the best place you have visited so far? Walking through the Alps in Austria was magical, but also Cappadocia, in Turkey was amazing. I had never heard of this place before and suddenly whilst walking I came across tall rock clusters, I felt like I was on another planet- it was surreal. Have you come across any difficult situations, and how did you overcome them? Yes, so many where do I start ha!Whilst walking, I would feel my energy start to drop, which at times led to a lack of motivation to continue. I was in the middle of nowhere, I had to continue, but how did I overcome this? I would simply stop, rest and get my mindset right. Tomorrow was a new day, a new challenge, the sun was going to rise and bring me all of the energy I needed.There were many other difficult situations. Here is just a few of them: Sleeping in a tent whilst there was strong heat waves and thunderstorms. It took some time, but slowly I started to sleep through it as I was tired from the walking through the day. In Greece, whilst walking through one of the bewildered routes, a male approached me and asked me to have sex with him. I declined and immediately carried on walking. I was scared as there was not many people around, but luckily, he did not follow me. In Croatia, I was walking and all of a sudden I realised I was nearing a mine field! After speaking to some local people, I went around this area, otherwise I was heading right through the middle of it! In my last day in Turkey, I was making dinner on some rocks near the black sea when suddenly a group of people in cars turned up and started to have a party. This was no normal party however, they all had machine guns in hand and started shooting in to the sky. I did not know what to do, so I ran and hid behind a large rock. How did I feel? I actually was not scared which is slightly confusing now I look back, anything could have happened! Turkey is an amazing and beautiful place and I felt safe most of the time, but as with every country there are some bad people- I hope this doesn’t deter people from visiting though! What key life skills do you feel you have learnt so far in your journey? I have really learnt that there are things in life that are scary, difficult and make us anxious, but the mind is so powerful that it can help us overcome any circumstance in life. My experiences have also helped me realise how small other issues which had caused me stress before really were.I have also improved my intuition, within 10 seconds I can work out if somebody is trustworthy or not. If there is the smallest of thing about them that I am unsure about, I will walk away immediately- simple.I have really become a more confident and outgoing person. Having met so many different people, I now have the ability to talk to anybody! When do you expect to finish walking and in which country will you finish? How will you celebrate finishing the walk? This is a difficult question. My end goal is New Zealand but there are so many other places to pass until I reach this goal. My first goal was to get to Asia, which I have surpassed so anything from here is a bonus!Celebration?! I will definitely have a party with my family and friends, sharing good times and a cold beer with them of course! Once this adventure has finished, what are your future plans? There will be a book for sure, possibly called "My leap of faith". I have experienced so many emotions, seen so many things and met so many people that one conversation will never be enough! I have used my journal to collect my memories and would definitely ask all travellers to do the same! A journal is magical to write and also look back upon later in life.When I go back to Germany, I will enjoy moments with my family and friends and continue to pursue my passion for playing the guitar.I know I won’t be able to stay away from another adventure, so there will be something to follow for sure… but after a good rest! There is a lack of support in providing individuals with knowledge and educational around the world, how do you think we should work together in resolving these issues? I have seen a lot on this journey so far and in particular have seen that our environment is really suffering. Whilst walking past the black sea, I saw it was filled with plastic bottles, cigarettes etc, it was devastating to see such a natural beauty in this way.I see this as an educational issue and individuals should be made aware that this is not right, with the government, media and corporate companies leading the way to portray this.In terms of education, there are children in underprivileged countries who are unable to obtain access to this and years later, they will become illiterate adults. It is a cycle which has been going on for decades. I wish people came together more often to help make a change, as together we can make a difference to anything in the world. All it takes is one person to take the first step which I hope Storyteller has done and I would encourage everybody to try and help push this amazing initiative further. Together we can make a change. 3 philosophies- If there was a major disaster and everything you had wrote, posted and shared got destroyed, what three beliefs would you want to share? - Be open minded and never stop learning. This will allow you to constantly improve as a human being.- Always be grateful and appreciate the people in your life who would give everything to see you happy.- Don't hurt other people, animals or the environment. This will allow you to be at peace, and allow you to earn respect from others.- And four (sorry an additional one!) Never stop believing in yourself. Be brave, be the example for people around you and show that with passion and perseverance, you can achieve anything.
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Why I cycled across South America and you should too
Meet Our Storyteller, Robbie Brett, from Norwich, England, who recently cycled across South America, crossing over 2500 kilometres on the way!Having met Robbie in Bolivia during this trip, I can safely say his journey was one action-packed adventure with a mix of highs and lows. However, it is due to experiences like this that we grow as individuals and come back with a heap of stories to share and tell.Get ready guys, this is going to be a good one. Enjoy!Name: Robbie Brett, Norwich, England What inspired you to cycle around South America? I had so many ideas of where I wanted to go cycling, but South America was definitely top of the list. Although I wanted to travel I also wanted to challenge myself, enjoy the fresh air, local communities and uncover the hidden parts of South America. For me, there was no better way to do this than cycling!One evening after work I was reading an old cycling magazine and there was a contact in there who was based in Bogota, Colombia. We exchanged a few emails and he offered to host me at the start so I booked my flight and flew out a few weeks later! Yes, that was literally it, decision made.On the 25th of January, 2017 I left Heathrow Airport with my bike for Bogota, it was happening! How do you plan your routes and how difficult was this? Did you do a lot of planning in advance? I arrived in Bogota and spent a week there where I spent some time seeing the local sights and planning my cycle routes. The first part of my journey was to cycle from Bogata to Santiago, Chile, 6000 Kilmetres away.I planned the journey by speaking to my host and his local friends. For anybody planning something similar, I would highly recommend going out and speaking to the locals, there is nothing that beats local insights and knowledge, it saved me so much time!Once I left Bogata, my confidence grew as the trip progressed. Although I still had a plan it was not strict and I often took the smaller roads to see more of the rural parts of South America.From Chile I went to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and back to Colombia, followed by a week in the Galapagos. Throughout this journey, I rarely planed more than 2 or 3 days in advance, except when I was carrying a lot of food.I was cycling for for 10 days unsupported in Bolivia with no shops or hostels, so I really had to plan this well to ensure I had enough food to cover the journey. Did you come across any difficulties and how did you overcome them? The first few weeks of my trip were tough. It took a long time for me to adjust to being on my own, trying to find places to sleep where hostels were non-existent wasn’t easy and getting used to the different types of food was a big change.On my four and a half month cycling trip I had to be rescued twice, fell asleep while cycling a number of times and had to navigate around the far from conventional South American traffic.The first time I had to be rescued was in the north of Peru in an area drastically affected by flooding. The roads to the south were either destroyed by landslides or had rivers flowing across them. After around a week of being stuck with no water or electricity I ended up on a military evacuation with the Peruvian air force. Despite this not being part of the plan, it was an incredible experience and a first-hand insight into the impact of flooding can have on local communities.The second time I got stuck was in the south of Bolivia. I had been cycling for about 10 days , completely self-supported, sleeping in the tent, filtering water and carrying food. Suddenly, both me and my cycling partner (a cool guy I met during my travels doing something similar!) found ourselves unable to continue due to a metre of snow blocking our path. Having waited for four days in the wind and the snow at 4600metres, we ran out of food and had to literally beg one of the tourist jeeps to take us back to the nearest town, a seven hour drive away. We got the lift back. Not part of the plan, but it shows that no problem is forever and eventually things works out for the best. Also there are good people everywhere who are always willing to help a person in need. Best parts of the trip? Too many! Hitch hiking 250km in one day with two other cyclists, cycling around lake Titicaca- the world’s highest and largest navigable lake; climbing Huyna Potosí, a 6088m mountain in Bolivia and sleeping in the world’s largest salt flats in Bolivia just a few! The list is unlimited.The endless conversations with inquisitive locals asking about cycling in this incredible continent and also conversations with the people I met on this journey (including Mr Storyteller!) are priceless.Some of the places I visited were not full of tourists, but I am sure in a few years they will be as they are slowly uncovered. My advice would be to definitely go now! Best place you visited? Too many to choose but the silence of sleeping in the world’s biggest salt flat will stay with me forever. Other favourites are Huaraz in Peru for its mountains, Salento in Colombia for its stunning scenery, or Quito in Ecuador due to the amazing atmosphere.Generally though, South America is incredible and is made better by all of the welcoming people. It's a relatively easy place to get around and has a great network of hostels so you are never too far from a friendly face. Would you recommend cycling around South America to others? Definitely! Although I had some difficult experiences, this could happen anywhere and my story would very different had it not been for these experiences.By cycling you visit all of the small villages and local communities between the more touristy spots. This allows you to get much more of a sense of the country and meet some amazing local individuals rather than just seeing the developed and main tourist locations.Cycling isn’t just good for you but good for the planet to. It’s very flexible, giving you unlimited freedom as to where and when you want to go. And if you’re tired, just jump on a bus! What key life skills do you feel you have learnt from your journey? I learnt a whole host of things about another continent as well as about myself. I’ve picked up a new language, learnt about the incredibly diverse history of Latin America, as well how to travel safely, efficiently and maximise every opportunity. Before my trip I was very much reliant on other people in my everyday life. The first few weeks were tough but I got very used to never really having a plan and learning to go along with all kinds of situations. I became confident with talking to locals in their language as well as fellow travellers in hostels and on the road. I am now more than happy in my own company for days on end, but it’s always nice to have a chat in a hostel with fellow travellers. Before my trip I was a relaxed person, but having had an unpredictable 7 months I find that nothing really phases me anymore and I don’t get stressed. Things always work out in the end! What advice would you share with others who plan to do something similar? This was my first trip and the first few weeks I certainly felt I had jumped in at the deep end and was very overwhelmed. A combination of culture shock, missing home and feeling isolated was difficult to get through but I'm so pleased I stuck with it. Yes, you will have some incredibly tough days on the bike, whether it is loneliness, the weather, your stomach - anything can get you down! But having been through these low days you realise if you can do this you can do anything. With the lows come the highs and I have some incredible memories both on and off the bike. Travelling under your own steam brings a huge sense of satisfaction, having earned every high and survived every low. If you are thinking of cycling but are worried about some of the challenges of cycle touring you could start with something easier like Lands End to John O’Groats to see how you deal with the challenges that throws at you.I had very few possessions for my cycling tour but everything I carried I had for a reason. I would recommend people take a diary (or a Storyteller Travel Journal!). Even if you only write a few words a day it will be a great reminder of your trip. Reading mine back reminds me of conversations with locals, people I met and places I went. I have kept diaries from all of my childhood holidays and reading through them takes me straight back to each place.Be confident, be bold, push yourself, interact with the locals, try going solo for a few days, be flexible, and always say yes to opportunities! Future adventure based travel plans?! Having completed my first major cycling trip I have many more trips planned, some by bike and some by other means. These range from cycling to the southern Spain, Cycling from East of Africa to South Africa! I also plan to cycle from Norwich to France or Iceland on my bike.As well as cycling I would also love to travel by my other passion, paddling. I would love to kayak across the Irish Sea and around Ireland as well as short canoe trips in the broads in Norfolk.Lots planned and exciting times ahead! 3 philosophies- If there was a major disaster and everything you had wrote, posted and shared got destroyed, what three beliefs would you want to share? Don’t stress, look forward and continue to create and share new memories.
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