Amanda Cottingham and her travel tales

We kick off our series of travel blogger tales with Amanda Cottingham. She’ll be telling you all about her favourite trips, her worst trip and where she would most like to visit.  Over to Amanda…

About me

Hi, my name is Amanda and I’m a lifestyle and travel blogger from the UK. I’ve been blogging for over 8 years and in that time,  I’ve been lucky enough to have gone on press trips around the world. I blog at The Ana Mum Diary and We Blog Travel

 

 

Where was your favourite ever trip?

This is such a hard question, if it was with my family, I would hand down say Florida, which we have visited 10 times over the years. We have so many memories that are tied up to the place.I have written about our family trips to Florida, including blogs about visiting Walt Disney World in Orlando. Because we’ve been so many times, I do have lots of hints and tips on visiting Florida that you may find useful including what to do outside of the parks

However, if t was a press trip, I would have to say Israel.  I went along with 4 other international bloggers to experience the country first hand. I found the experience totally life-changing.

 

What made you choose to go there and who did you go with?

Florida – We first went whilst my husband and I were on honeymoon, as part of a multi-stop trip which included Boston and New Orleans. The other destinations were busy cities, and so we tagged Sarasota Florida at the end for a week so we could just chill and relax. It was then we fell in love with the area, the people and the food

Israel – I was chosen by the company (Vibe Israel) and had to have an interview making sure I was the right person for the trip. Travelling with 3 American ladies and one from Australia. I was intrigued and that why I said yes. I’d read so much about The Dead Sea, Jerusalem and Nazareth I wanted to experience it myself. I wrote a post with a day by day journal of my time in Israel We ate at some of the coolest places whilst there, do pop over to We Blog Travel and have a read if you are interested in finding out more :

 

 

What made it so special?

 

The people! It’s always about the people for me, when it comes to a trip.  I love photography and experiencing new places and the food but the thing that always stays with me is the people I’ve met.

 

 

In the case, if Israel it was the bloggers I went with, the organisers of the tour and all the people who wanted to show us the beautiful country that is Israel. I was blown away, so determined, passionate and entrepreneurial. I don’t think I will ever forget my experience.

The Dead Sea was just incredible. I’m not a strong swimmer but lying in the sea floating I honestly felt like a mermaid it was such a crazy experience.

 

 

Where was your least favourite trip and why?

One of the first trips abroad I went on with my husband was to Fuerteventura. We went blind, so it was a bit of a mystery where we were staying.  Never again, it made me realise that I am a planner and I work better by doing research about what I can do whilst there. We made the best of it, but we really were in the middle of nowhere and we prefer to be around people and able to explore.

 

What destination is on your Bukit list

Top of my list is to see the Northern lights, but if it was a family holiday, I really would love to visit Australia and New Zealand.

 

Thank you so much Amanda for sharing your travel blogger tales

 

Come and take a peek at my Bukit List