https://www.rayawelsh.comRSS Feed for Raya WelshenWed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://open.substack.com/pub/rayawelsh/p/a-journey-from-coast-to-casscade?r=8nq8zt&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=trueAfter attempting to squeeze my (seemingly neverending) itinerary into my four day trip to Alicante, I thought I was content knowing I had ticked off rock climbing, coastal walks and ocean swims, heritage sites, pub crawls and trying the Spanish cuisine. Apparently, I hadn’t seen and done it all when a tour to Guadalest and Algar caught my eye on a faded poster in the reception of my hostel which had clearly seen better days. It hung on a board by a singular pin, the corners had ripped throughout...Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://open.substack.com/pub/rayawelsh/p/a-journey-from-coast-to-casscade?r=8nq8zt&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=truehttps://open.substack.com/pub/rayawelsh/p/me-myself-and-morocco?r=8nq8zt&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=trueThe first thing I noticed about Agadir was the stillness. I found myself comparing this city to Marrakech in the first few hours I had arrived. For most travellers, a trip to Morocco begins and ends in Marrakech - that was also me before I decided to see what Agadir was about for myself. It was not the same Morocco I had envisioned before coming here. Rows palm trees neatly lined on the sides of roads replaced crowded, narrow streets. The roar of waves crashing on the coastline traded the consta...Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://open.substack.com/pub/rayawelsh/p/me-myself-and-morocco?r=8nq8zt&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=truehttps://open.substack.com/pub/rayawelsh/p/the-calm-identity-of-pornic?r=8nq8zt&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=trueWed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://open.substack.com/pub/rayawelsh/p/the-calm-identity-of-pornic?r=8nq8zt&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=truehttps://rayawelsh.substack.com/p/travelling-at-walking-paceBy late afternoon, I had already walked for nearly 9 hours. Waves crashed against rugged cliffs, distant voices drifted from fishing villages a little inland, and the Atlantic Ocean extended endlessly to my right. Each new stretch of coastline blended seamlessly into the last. Of course, the physical endurance alongside the sun relentlessly beating down on me since dawn was harsh enough, but there was nothing to compare with the mental game I forced myself to compete in. The physical exhaustion...Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://rayawelsh.substack.com/p/travelling-at-walking-pacehttps://rayawelsh.substack.com/p/the-calm-identity-of-pornicPornic doesn’t arrive loudly or demand anything from you, except that you match its pace. This western French coastal town simply moves to its own slow rhythm, as though it has never known any other way of being. The quiet atmosphere proves it has no need to compete for attention. That subtle confidence is what gives Pornic its understated charm.In many seaside towns, the waterfront often feels separate from day to day life, existing mainly for visitors. In Pornic, it feels woven into the town i...Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://rayawelsh.substack.com/p/the-calm-identity-of-pornichttps://open.substack.com/pub/rayawelsh/p/a-city-of-layers-culture-and-politics?r=8nq8zt&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=trueCommonly recognised as Europe’s political capital, Brussels has a lot more to reveal than reputation implies. Beyond government organisations and modern, business-oriented buildings, is a city rich with history, culture and community often overlooked and waiting to be brought back to life.Brussels does not reveal its true identity upon first impression. It has gained its international reputation for being the capital of the continent. Upon first speculation, it appears to be a city defined by po...Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://open.substack.com/pub/rayawelsh/p/a-city-of-layers-culture-and-politics?r=8nq8zt&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=truehttps://open.substack.com/pub/rayawelsh/p/travelling-at-walking-pace?r=8nq8zt&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=trueBy late afternoon, I had already walked for nearly 9 hours. Waves crashed against rugged cliffs, distant voices drifted from fishing villages a little inland, and the Atlantic Ocean extended endlessly to my right. Each new stretch of coastline blended seamlessly into the last. Of course, the physical endurance alongside the sun relentlessly beating down on me since dawn was harsh enough, but there was nothing to compare with the mental game I forced myself to compete in. The physical exhaustion...Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://open.substack.com/pub/rayawelsh/p/travelling-at-walking-pace?r=8nq8zt&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=truehttps://rayawelsh.substack.com/p/10-things-instagram-doesnt-revealWe see it all of the time - people waiting hours to take a flawless photograph, others scrolling miles with their fingers to live through posts from social media’s biggest travel influencers. All across Instagram, the post-card style photos of Hallstatt, don’t get me wrong, look undeniably impressive and would struggle to disappoint anybody. A calm energy surrounding the Parish of the Assumption Church, the mountains in the background, the Alpine Houses neatly in rows but somehow still rustic an...Sun, 28 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://rayawelsh.substack.com/p/10-things-instagram-doesnt-revealhttps://rayawelsh.substack.com/p/10-things-instagram-doesnt-revealWe see it all of the time - people waiting hours to take a flawless photograph, others scrolling miles with their fingers to live through posts from social media’s biggest travel influencers. All across Instagram, the post-card style photos of Hallstatt, don’t get me wrong, look undeniably impressive and would struggle to disappoint anybody. A calm energy surrounding the Parish of the Assumption Church, the mountains in the background, the Alpine Houses neatly in rows but somehow still rustic an...Sun, 28 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://rayawelsh.substack.com/p/10-things-instagram-doesnt-revealhttps://open.substack.com/pub/rayawelsh/p/10-things-instagram-doesnt-reveal?r=8nq8zt&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=trueSun, 28 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://open.substack.com/pub/rayawelsh/p/10-things-instagram-doesnt-reveal?r=8nq8zt&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=truehttps://rayawelsh.substack.com/p/solo-at-the-summitZakopane, Poland is named as the “Winter Capital of Poland”, known for its distinctive wooden huts, hand crafted leather clothing, and dim, fire-lit pubs. But I didn’t come all this way for cozy evenings and comforting homemade meals. I came for the summit.I am a young woman travelling solo in a new country. Everything screams excitement to me - different smells, diverse foods, unfamiliar languages and navigating foreign bus timetables, to name a few new experiences! Although learning as I go is...Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://rayawelsh.substack.com/p/solo-at-the-summithttps://open.substack.com/pub/rayawelsh/p/list-story?r=8nq8zt&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true10 things Instagram doesn’t reveal about Hallstatt. We see it all of the time - people waiting hours to take a flawless photograph, others scrolling miles with their fingers to live through posts from social media’s biggest travel influencers. All across Instagram, the post-card style photos of Hallstatt, don’t get me wrong, look undeniably impressive and would struggle to disappoint anybody. A calm energy surrounding the Parish of the Assumption Church, the mountains in the background, the Alpine...Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://open.substack.com/pub/rayawelsh/p/list-story?r=8nq8zt&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=truehttps://rayawelsh.substack.com/p/solo-at-the-summit?r=8nq8ztZakopane, Poland is named as the “Winter Capital of Poland”, known for its distinctive wooden huts, hand crafted leather clothing, and dim, fire-lit pubs. But I didn’t come all this way for cozy evenings and comforting homemade meals. I came for the summit. I am a young woman travelling solo in a new country. Everything screams excitement to me - different smells, diverse foods, unfamiliar languages and navigating foreign bus timetables, to name a few new experiences! Although learning as I go is...Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://rayawelsh.substack.com/p/solo-at-the-summit?r=8nq8zt