Hi! Lovely to see you here! I’m Bea, the founder of Bea Adventurous, and I am here to help you discover our wonderful world as authentically as possible. I want to inspire you to explore beyond the highlights, to discover the real gems and to connect with the people and the culture of the places you visit.

You will enjoy my blog if:

• You prefer the idea of an adventure rather than a holiday
• You are looking to connect with locals to truly understand the essence of a destination
• You like the idea of off-the-beaten-path travel but don’t know where to start
• You are looking for inspiration to find hidden gems
• You want practical advice to stay safe, save money and get the most out of your experience

If you are looking for funny travel tales and personal stories then I recommend you sign up to my newsletter! Every month I send a recap of my travel mishaps! From nearly being eaten by a hippo, to the realities of picking up hitchhikers in South Africa.

Where did my fascination for the world come from?

I’m a third culture kid. My British parents moved to Spain before I was born, separating when I was 3 and then re-marrying a Basque farmer and a Spanish witch. I will forever be grateful for my multicultural upbringing as it lit in me an unquenchable curiosity to understand others.

I live to question the media and to shatter misconceptions. I am like a small child that spends their life asking why! I’m not content with simply seeing, I want to understand the meaning of everything. This thirst for knowledge leads me to places where tourists don’t usually go, where I inevitably always meet the most incredible, inspiring and humbling individuals.

I have been lucky enough to live in 4 different countries:

• In the Basque Country in Spain, where I grew up
• Near Dublin, where I spent a year working for an Olympic showjumper
• Aberystwyth, in Wales, where I spent 5 years completing a degree and a masters at university
• And for the last decade I have called the Cotswolds, in England, my home.

Why do I like exploring beyond the highlights?

It is my time in Spain and the Cotswolds that really emphasized the importance of exploring beyond the highlights. Spain is the second most visited country in Europe, yet hardly anybody seems to know about the lush green landscapes of the North. Meanwhile the Cotswolds is the third most visited tourist destination outside of London, and yet most people claim to “know it” because they spent a couple of hours in one of the villages as part of a day trip. I’m going to let you into a little secret. I’ve been exploring the Cotswolds for over a decade and I still have more to discover! And that is exactly why I promote slow, immersive travel, so that you can discover the true hidden gems that not even the locals know about.

From corporate workaholic to full time travel blogger

Up until April 2024 I was living most people’s dream: my own detached home in the Cotswolds, a loving husband, a prosperous career, a cat and a dog. And top that off, I spent all my annual leave on epic adventures around the globe. It can’t get better than that, can it?

The reality is that I was living someone else’s dream, not mine. I had been busy climbing a ladder that was pitched against the wrong wall. It took a stress induced mental breakdown to make me realize just how unhappy I was. So after a lot of consideration I quit my job, said goodbye to my husband (now ex), sold all my belongings, and set out with one mission: to live a fulfilled life!

And that is what I have been doing. I’m travelling the world slowly, without a set plan, while allowing myself the time and flexibility to truly experience and get to know each destination. My focus is very much on sub-Saharan Africa at the moment, a continent that I am finding truly fascinating! If a safari is on your bucket list then look no further, I have you covered!

What is the purpose of Bea Adventurous?

My mission is to help you step outside your comfort zone and explore the world in the most authentic way possible. Regardless of your destination, I want to encourage you to look beyond the highlights and to truly immerse yourself in the culture of a location. I do this in three ways:

1. By providing you with in depth destination guides packed with useful information to help you plan your dream trip
2. By sharing the contact details of the amazing guides and businesses that have helped make my travels truly memorable
3. By organising small group tours for like minded travellers who want a truly immersive experience. Each one of my trips is designed to be a life-affirming journey that brings to light the good and the challenges of each destination. I pour hours into each itinerary, drawing from my experiences on the road, to make sure that every journey is special, educational and above all a lot of fun!

Leaving a lasting impact

From as young as I remember I’ve always wanted to have a positive impact on the people around me. Call me a people pleaser, but that is me. As a kid I believed I was an angle that had been put on this planet to make peoples days better, and it is an attitude that I have carried with me ever since.

In day to day life that could be as simple and sharing a smile. I still remember an encounter with an old man as I walked down Pier Street in Aberystwyth. He was walking towards me, looking sad, so I gave him my best smile.

He stopped and looked at me. His eyes began to fill with tears as a weak smile crossed his lips. He reached out his hand and placed it on my arm. “Dioch yn fawr” he said, meaning thank you very much in Welsh. He continued in his thick sing song accent. “I’ve not had reason to smile until today, but I see my beloved Carys in you. You have the same smile.” He proceeded to explain that he had lost his wife of 50+ years just a couple of months ago and was gripped by grief. But as he walked away that day, he had big smile plastered across his face.

How does this apply to travel?

This same principle applies to my travels. A smile is universal and has the capacity changing the course of someone’s day. I don’t have the means to shower people with gifts and money (and neither do I think it is appropriate), but I make a concerted effort to ensure I have a positive impact, that the money I do spend supports the local economy and that the content I produce drives business.

In the words of Liam Neeson, I have a particular set of skills, those gained from over a decade in sales and management, and I often find them helpful as I meet incredible individuals throughout my journeys. I’ve found myself setting up Airbnb listings for my hosts, teaching someone how to register on Tripadvisor, or doing impromptu excel training while on safari!

Whether you choose to travel with me on a group tour, you plan a journey through one of my contacts, or simply are here for the travel stories, there is one thing I can promise you: you are helping me make a difference, so thank you!

Street Child

There is one final aspect of my travels that is particularly important to me, and that is supporting the work of Street Child. Street Child works across the most challenging countries in the world making sure the most vulnerable children have access to education. I have been privileged enough to travel to a number of their projects across various countries, where I was able to see first hand the work that they do.

You can learn more about the work they do on my fundraising page.

Wildlife and Safaris

There is one thing I love as much as people and cultural experiences, and that is wildlife! I’ve been lucky enough to go on safari in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and South Africa. I’ve spent over 50 days on game drives in some of the most popular and least known parks across those countries and in doing so I have met some of the best safari guides and businesses. I share their contact details throughout my posts.

I worry about overtourism in certain national parks, which is why I am also an advocate for off-the-beaten-path safaris where you can enjoy the great wilderness away from all the other trucks. Everyone I recommend shares the same values as me.

If you are dreaming of a safari, then please get in touch. I’d love to help you plan it!

You will spot that many of the photos on my safari posts are credit to Doug Pinnegar (my ex-husband). He is a fantastic photographer and I would urge you to check out his gallery!

Travel with me

Think we would get along? Why don’t you join me next trip!

Looking for inspiration?

Check out the following posts for your next travel inspiration!

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