Amy Aed
(She/ They)
As seen in:
Wandering Everywhere,
BuzzFeed,
Metro (UK),
Odyssey,
The Mighty,
Go World Travel Magazine,
World Tea News,
Trill,
able magazine
Covers:
Travel, adventure, exploration, solo travel, female travel, Crohn's Disease, tea
welsh travel writer wondering everywhere + wandering everything ✨
1st person to walk the Danube river 🏞
Articles by Amy Aed
From Poolside Relaxation to Desert Adventures: The Perfect Arizona Getaway
There’s more to a vacation than sunshine, but a vacation isn’t complete without it. Which is why Scottsdale, Arizona annually tops the list of leading vacation destinations in the United States. Perfect climate? Check. However, Scottsdale offers a world of additional possibilities for making a desert getaway unforgettable. Elite accommodations. Endless outdoor opportunities. Stunning spas. Rich culture.
An Exploration of Taiwan's Enduring Tea Practices
After having spent many years living and travelling in Taiwan, I have come to the conclusion that Taiwan’s tea culture is, easily, one of the best in the world.
Ultimate Guide on Where to Eat and What to Do in Corsica, France
Corsica, France is a gorgeous little island located in the Mediterranean Sea. Located a mere hour from Sardinia, Corsica features the best aspects of French and Italian culture. Covering around 8,680 square km, this is the fourth largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily, Sardinia and Cyprus. The island is renowned for its beautiful landscapes with rugged mountains, dense forests and glistening beaches.
10 Things to Know Before You Visit Mexico City
In 2022, I made the decision to move to Mexico City, however, upon arriving in the city, I felt incredibly overwhelmed. Suddenly, I’d swapped out the small towns of Wales for a city which had significantly more people than my whole country. People stared at me when I walked, everyone warned me to never go anywhere alone, and I kept getting insanely overcharged for food. But over one year later, México City has become my safe space.
A Fun-Filled Itinerary For 3 Days in Dublin
Dublin is a beautiful city with a friendly and inviting atmosphere. It is celebrated for the amiable nature of its residents and renowned for its lively craic (“crack”) – a blend of banter, wit and intelligence. The city feels almost familiar and is filled with so many wonderful things to do you could spend days or even weeks exploring and getting to know Ireland’s lively capitol. But what if you only have 3 days in Dublin?
Lakeside Charm and Alpine Views
This wouldn't be a weekend guide to Lucerne if I didn't mention the iconic Lake Lucerne. Renowned for being crystal-clear and overlooking the Alps mountain range, it is quite possibly one of the most beautiful things you will ever see. Spend a couple of hours meandering beside the lake and feed some swans, dip your toes in, and lose yourself in the unsurmountable beauty around you.
TRAVELLING TO CHICAGO FOR DEEP DISH PIZZA
Yes, you read the title right: I travelled all the way to Chicago just to spend a few hours in the city sampling pizza. And I loved every second. First off, let’s talk about the reason why I flew all the way from Wales to Chicago: the pizza. And namely, the little curiosities that make up a Chicago-style deep dish pizza. To begin with, there’s the crust: thick, sturdy, and ready to carry the weight of all your pizza dreams.
18-Day Colombia Road Trip Itinerary by Bus or Car
Two months ago, I moved to Colombia. When I first arrived, I was slightly disorientated and overwhelmed - but slowly, the country began to win over my heart. From delicious food to warm-hearted people and gorgeous vistas, I quickly realised that there was a lot to love about Colombia. If you would like to join me in falling in love with Colombia, a road trip around the country is a great option.
Food in the Amazon Rainforest
Go World Travel is reader-supported and may earn a commission from purchases made through links in this piece. Two months ago, I went to the Ecuadorean Amazon Rainforest to write about cacao. As it happens, the villagers didn’t eat a lot of cacao. But, they did eat a lot of incredible food that just happened to be growing around them. Over the course of my stay, I went from foreigner to chef, quickly learning about their many delicious traditional dishes.
INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR AND ADVENTURER SARAH OUTEN
Sarah Outen is a British adventurer best known for being the first woman and the youngest person ever to row solo across the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean from Japan to Alaska. Not only that, but she has realised a number of books (my personal favourite is Dare to Do) about her epic journeys, and is a huge inspiration to many across the globe. Frankly, I am absolutely chuffed to be sharing this interview with you.
THE COMPLETE FOOD GUIDE TO ISTANBUL, TURKEY
As y’all may or not know, three months ago I finally bit the bullet and moved to Istanbul, Turkey. Before renting out my neat little apartment in Kadıköy I’d never even stepped foot on Istanbulian soil, so I was pretty relieved to find that the city is one of the prettiest, warmest, and most exciting places that I’d ever been to. Not just that, but Istanbul truly is a foodie haven – I don’t know how they do it, but every single morsel produced in the city is incredibly delicious.
THE WORLD'S BEST TEA BUSINESS: EISA TEA CO.
As you all know, I’ve been writing about tea for quite some time now. Not only that, but I’ve been tasting tea, inspecting tea, even – heck, I’ll say it – eating tea for longer than someone my age reasonably should. I’ve released online courses about tea, I’ve travelled to the best tea rooms in every local country, I’ve attended tea ceremonies run by both novices and international masters…. Needless to say, I think I now know a thing or two about the beverage.
COMMUNITY’S BEST… CHOCOLATIER IN ISTANBUL
Do you love specialty handcrafted chocolate? Or are you currently seeking out Istanbul’s finest vegan hot coco? Either way, I bring to you Made By Mari, my favourite place for chocolate in the whole world. Last month, I made the plunge and moved to Kadıköy in Istanbul. Quite frankly, this was one of the best decisions of my life – the city is so beautiful and vibrant, has some of the best food I’ve ever tasted (hello, simit and kaymak!), and is filled with the nicest people.
TOP 10 STREET FOODS IN FEZ MEDINA
Fez is the oldest imperial city in Morocco, with the medina being a UNESCO world heritage site. As you can imagine, the Fez medina has some of the best street food in the world. I have spent a considerable amount of time in the city, simply whiling away the hours eating good food and sitting at roadside stalls drinking tea. Frankly, it’s one of my favourite things to do, and I’m super chuffed to be able to share the best street food in the Fez medina with you. 1.
PHOTO DIARY: WORKING AS A GOAT HERDER IN THE RURAL GALICIAN MOUNTAINS
I’ll be honest, when I first left home to become a goat herder in the rural Galician mountains, I didn’t think I’d fall in love with it as much as I did. I also didn’t think that I’d get my first ever feature in a big travel magazine, and yet that happened too. All in all, it was pretty sick; but now I’m left with no more words, just pictures.
The River Danube Explored on Foot
Go World Travel is reader-supported and may earn a commission from purchases made through links in this piece. The Danube is one of the greatest rivers in Europe, with an unrivalled cultural history. Beginning in the Black Forest in Germany and ending at the Black Sea by Romania, this mighty river spans over 1,777 miles, ten countries and numerous civilizations. Arguably, the most incredible part of the Danube is in the East.
20 ULTIMATE FEEL-GOOD TRAVEL FILMS
I recently landed back in the UK from the Canary Islands, and am already missing the sun, sea, and – most importantly – the mountains. As such, to combat the inevitable post-travel blues until the next grand adventure, you can bet your bottom dollar that I’m going to binge a whole load of feel-good travel films. And so, for your own future reference, here’s the top 20! Letters to Juliet Everybody knows of Letters to Juliet, and yet, it’s still super underrated as a feel-good travel classic.
WHY NEW JERSEY IS BETTER THAN NEW YORK
Share this post Amy Aed July 9, 2022August 3, 2022 0 Don’t get me wrong, I like New York as a city. However, after a while, I find New York too noisy and too full, and there’s never enough privacy. By contrast, I could have stayed in New Jersey forever. It is difficult to compare New York to New Jersey because they’re both so incredibly different… but I’m going to do it anyway. 1. The bagels in New Jersey are a million times better than the ones in New York. 2.
DOCUMENTARY INTERVIEW WITH LEGENDARY CAVER MARTYN FARR
Last year, I was given the honour of being able to meet the legendary cave diver Martyn Farr. I had been following Martyn’s work for a while, being a bit of a caving weeb myself, and loved being able to learn about his caving career and listen to the many stories that he had gathered from it. Stepping into his home, I was surrounded by all of these beautiful underwater photographs – it was like being in Wales’ most beautiful gallery.
EASTER TEA AND CHOCOLATE TASTING
As we all know, chocolate and tea are a match made in heaven. It’s easy to appreciate the two delicacies side by side – especially when it just so happens to be Easter and you can over-indulge however much you want to. Not to mention when you’re pairing two incredible brands Montezuma’s and Tease Tea.
NEIGHBOURHOOD GUIDE TO LONDON
People will tell you that London is a city – but they’re wrong. In fact, London is an area made up of hundreds of unique, tiny cities, all working together in unity. If you’re into over-priced shopping sprees, Chelsea is the place to go. If you appreciate good dim sum, Chinatown is your man. For the museum district, head to Kensington. For Buddhist Temples, there’s nowhere better than Wimbledon. With London, there’s always a little something for everyone… and here’s what each neighbourhood offers.
TEN REASONS TO GET INVOLVED IN LAMBING SEASON
As you may or may not know, it is almost March – meaning that in Wales, it is lambing season. One of my favourite things to do this time of year is help out on a local farm. It’s fun, it’s educational, and is definitely something that everyone should get involved in at least once. As such, here’s 10 reasons why you should help out on your local farm this year. 1. You get to ride fun farm vehicles.
Best Towns to Visit in Austria’s Wachau Valley
Durnstein The Wachau Valley is a true Austrian gem with Europe’s mightiest river, the Danube, at its core. Located an hour from Vienna, this UNESCO World Heritage site is filled with abbeys, vineyards and magic, and seems to have sprung right out of a fairytale. There are two main towns that people know in the Wachau Valley: Dürnstein and Melk. Whilst impressive in their own right, these are just two of the many beautiful towns within the valley. To begin with, there’s Emmersdorf an der Donau.
WHAT IS YERBA MATE?
Yerba mate is made from the holly genus Ilex plant, and is consumed all across South America. With a history that spans back thousands of years across many varied cultures, it sure is one helluva drink. WHAT IS YERBA MATE? Yerba mate is a popular herbal tea from South America, where it is drank from a hollow gourd and bamboo bombilla. In countries such as Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, it is more popular than coffee, and each culture has their own unique way of drinking it.
INTERVIEW WITH TRAVEL BLOGGER ADVENTUROUS KATE
I started travel blogging the same way everyone else did – with no idea about how to do anything. I was able to learn about the industry though both trial and error, along with constantly looking up to popular blogs that had already been established. One of my favourite bloggers when I first entered the game was Adventurous Kate – I loved her energy, her travels, and her writing.
10 BOOKS TO BRING OUT YOUR INNER EXPLORER
Finally, after nearly two years of almost constant lockdown, Wales has finally opened back up. After all this time, we are now allowed to drink in cafes, sit inside restaurants, visit indoor skateparks, live our lives as we were able to before. Honestly, it feels like a weird, hushed type of freedom.
10 MORE THINGS I WISH I’D KNOWN WHEN I WAS DIAGNOSED
Share this post Amy Aed 2 mins agoAugust 15, 2021 0 I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease when I was 15, and boy, has it been one helluva journey. Thankfully, since then I have come to terms with my diagnosis and actually been able to understand what it is and what it means, so that now, I can live a relatively normal life with it.
AMY AED IS THE FIRST PERSON TO WALK THE DANUBE RIVER
…is probably what the news articles will say once I finally reach the Black River this December. If anyone even cares that such an expedition ever occurred. This September, I began walking along the river Danube, with the hope that I might just become the first person to walk its entirety from source to sea. For some reason, no one had tried to walk all 2,850km of the river before, so I thought that I may as well attempt it myself.
THE ULTIMATE TRAVEL BUCKET LIST
I’ll be honest and say that the main thing I’ve been doing for the past 10 years is perfecting my bucket list. Ignore everything else – my bucket list has always been the most important. I don’t know what it is about researching the world’s furthest flung places and jotting them in a little faux-leather notebook, but man, I love it.
HOW TO BUILD A BLOG AUDIENCE - BLOG MASTERCLASS 2
One of the most important aspects of starting a travel blog is building an audience – which unfortunately, is much easier said than done. Luckily for you, I’ve spent the past ten years working as a travel blogger, figuring out all of the nooks and crannies, and I’m now ready to share all of my little tips and tricks. Before you learn all about the mastery of audience building, be sure to check out the first instalment of my blog masterclass.
TRAVEL GUIDE TO WEST WALES: GWYNEDD, CEREDIGION, AND SNOWDONIA
I don’t mean to be biased, but Wales is easily one of the most beautiful places in the world. It offers everything from rugged coastlines to snow-capped mountains, rural farmland to bustling cityscapes. Despite its small size, it packs one helluva punch. West Wales (specifically Gwynedd, Snowdonia, and Ceredigion) is a truly wonderful slice of the UK’s best country, but surprisingly, there aren’t that many travel guides written about the area.
TRAVEL GUIDE TO SUSA, ITALY
Susa is the sort of place that, had I not found myself living with a lovely Italian family and two young Spaniards in northern Piemonte, I absolutely would have never discovered myself. One spare afternoon, one of the sons suggested that we spend a day or two exploring the local town of Susa. I asked him what exactly there was to do in the area, to which he responded, “Nothing. It is just, cómo se dice? Pretty.” I was sold.
HOW TO TASTE TEA LIKE A PROFESSIONAL
I was recently given the opportunity to attend Mona Jhunjhnuwala’s Taste Tea Like a Professional online course. Within this, I was taught all about the magical world of tea tasting, how to distinguish flavour profiles and lesser known taste palates, and how to mark it all down in a clear and concise way, worthy of a tea master. Considering I’m certified by the International Tea Academy, you’d think I’d already had this sort of training.
INTERVIEW WITH ENDURANCE CYCLIST MARK BEAUMONT
Whilst the Scottish adventurer Mark Beaumont is probably best known for his circumnavigation of the world by bike in less than 79 days, he has dedicated pretty much all of his life to endurance travel. He cycled across the Americas in 2010, rowed from Resolute Bay in Canada to the 1996 location of the North Magnetic Pole, and broke the world record for fastest solo ride for the length of Africa; and has been the face of many BBC documentaries.
FEMALE EXPLORERS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD
I recently read a book made up of 300 pages about the great achievements of male explorers, with a two-page afterword briefly mentioning the minor feats that female explorers have accomplished over the years. I was pretty shocked, because female explorers have contributed an incredible amount to the history of exploration – and as such, I read as much as I could about influential female travellers, so that I could bring you their incredible stories.
PAIRING BRUU TEA AND CHOCOLATE
If there’s anything that a gal appreciates more than just tea, it’s tea and chocolate. Rather conveniently, I recently received a subscription box from Bruu Tea which was filled to the brim with goodies. It featured little themed surprises, beautifully illustrated cards with gilded clips, and information on their ‘plantation of the month’ – something I had never seen before in a tea subscription box.
A FIRST TIMERS' GUIDE TO MANCHESTER
What comes to your mind when you think of Manchester? Is it Coronation Street? Football? Socialism? Vimto? Alternatively, perhaps the words ‘industrial revolution’ and ‘Gallagher’ jump out at you? Regardless, Manchester wins the award for most overlooked British city – after all, who in their right mind chooses London over this Northern gem? The land of the Mancs is rich with culture, history, science, and art (how do, Lowry!), and honestly, I wasn’t expecting to fall for it the way I did.
BLOG MASTERCLASS 1 - HOW TO START A TRAVEL BLOG
Not a week goes by where I’m not asked the age old question, ‘How can I start a travel blog?’ Of course, there’s always the additional question surrounding how they would then get paid for travelling the world – and whilst it is absolutely possible to do (after all, look at me!) it is by no means an easy journey. But luckily for you, you have me to tell you the answers. We will begin this blog masterclass with the first of this four-part series: How to actually start a travel blog.
Redefining Luxury on the Croatian Island of Čiovo
Editor’s Note: We’re all dreaming of travel ahead. Here’s some inspiration for future adventures. We share places, products and activities we recommend. If you make a purchase using a link on our site, we may earn a commission. Breathtaking views in Croatia.
How To Prepare For Travel With A Chronic Disease
Living with a chronic illness has become more commonplace in recent times. A 2018 study revealed that more than 2 million Brits would live with four or more chronic diseases in the next 20 years. When you have a chronic illness, it affects your life in ways you don’t expect. Travelling is a fun experience for people that love exploring new locations and destinations, but it quickly becomes a problem for people with chronic illnesses.
PERFECT TWO WEEK ROAD TRIP ITINERARY FOR CENTRAL SPAIN
Spain is easily one of my favourite places in the world – after all, what’s not to love?! With delicious food, gorgeous landscapes, and a pretty neat language to top it off, Spain will forever be up there with the best places to travel. Three years ago, I actually moved to Madrid for a short while – and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. I’ve used this time in Wales’ third lockdown to come up with the perfect two-week itinerary for a Spanish road trip. You’re welcome.
hidden europe 63
Editorial hidden europe 63 Is there not a measure of absurdity in all our lives today? We have discovered that it’s hardly possible to plan anything. And yet there is a certain liberation in simply not trying to plan, in just receiving with simplicity all that might come our ... Vintage pleasures: a taste of Alsace If Alsace has a regional watchword, it is balance. It is as true of Alsace’s complex history, deftly melding French and German interests, as of the region’s remarkable wines.
The goat keeper: life in rural Galicia
As they often say in Spanish, la cabra tira al monte — ‘the goat is drawn to the mountains’. And in the mountains was where I found Juan. I was standing on the side of the road near the tiny town of A Fonsagrada in eastern Galicia, surrounded by sunshine and sweet air and locals who grinned at my pale complexion. A tanned, dreadlocked guy pulled up to the side of the road in his beat-up, old car and asked me where I was going. “The goat farm” I replied apprehensively.
HOW TO MAKE MATCHA CHOCOLATE FROM SCRATCH
My obsession with matcha chocolate began after watching an episode of the Apprentice, where one of the competitors spoke about her childhood as a self-taught chocolatier. I was sat there for an hour as she spoke about how wonderful a skill it was, wondering why the heck I’d never tried it before. I love chocolate (God knows I eat enough of it), so it truly didn’t make any sense that I’d never tried to make it before. That’s where Elements for Life comes in.
TRAVEL DURING LOCKDOWN WITH JING VIRTUAL TEA FLIGHT
For the past three months, Wales has been in lockdown. Three months! Isn’t that crazy? It’s been almost six months since the last time I ventured out of the country, and as such, I’ve been missing travel immensely. Especially the freedom of being able to drive more than five miles away from my house, which I haven’t been able to do since December. But thankfully, that’s where the JING Virtual Tea Flight comes in.
INTERVIEW WITH LOCAL EXPLORER VEDANGI KULKARNI
Probably best known for circumnavigating the world by bike at the ripe old age of 20, Vedangi Kulkarni is an adventurer, business-owner, and writer – and is such a cool gal. On her infamous journey across the world, Vedangi faced a truly impressive amount of hurdles, such as being chased by a bear, hit by a minibus, robbed at knifepoint, stalked, and catching a couple stomach bugs and lung infections along the way. And yet she made it through, returned safely home, and is here with me today.
LOMBARDY MEETS BIRMINGHAM: THE NIGHTMARE
After spending my summer on a goat farm in rural Galicia, I thought that it would be a wonderful and well-deserved treat to then hop across to Italy and live with a lovely Englishwoman and her Italian husband in their country house. I scored this utopian non-paying job with a wealthy Brummie who, for all intents and purposes, shall hereby be referred to as Karen. Even reflecting back on my time with Karen, my fight or flight instinct is triggered.
BASEL FOR BIBLIOPHILES: BEST BOOKSTORES IN BASEL
Basel is hands down one of my favourite places in the world, and its bookstores are especially divine. With the city’s medieval old town, red-sandstone town hall, its incredible food – everything about it lures you in.
2020: A YEAR OF GROWTH
Well, what a year, eh? I went into it – perhaps a little naively – believing that this would be the year I embarked on my dream career, maybe buying a house or two as I went along, with my first novel ready for publication at the end of December. Well, how wrong I was! Personally, 2020 was the messiest year I’ve ever had – and yet, it really wasn’t too bad in the grand scheme of things.
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