We love to travel, not as tourists, but to understand culture through people, food, music, and everyday life. Born in the UK, our journeys have taken us across Europe and beyond, including Italy, Spain, Turkey, Egypt, Greece, and parts of Asia. What stays with us isn’t landmarks, but how culture shows up in everyday life. These experiences shape how we think and build. Travel isn’t separate from the business; it’s part of how we learn, choose what to share, and decide what’s worth preserving and teaching especially when it comes to how music is played, shared, and passed down across cultures. This page is a growing archive of our travels. As we visit new places, we add short reflections here
Our Trip to Spain (Menorca)
Our flight to Menorca left early from Gatwick, and despite being tired, I was immediately struck on the coach transfer by the abundance of greenery, natural rocks, Mediterranean plants, trees, and rural-looking buildings. On our second day we went to the beach and stepped into what felt like paradise with clean sand, crystal-clear sea water, and exotic trees providing shade. The sea was warmer than the hotel pools, someone nearby carefully caught a jellyfish to stop it stinging others, and another person found a starfish. The locals were very friendly and enjoyed teaching us words like muchas gracias, de nada, and adios. Music was played out loud all day, and the hotel offered constant activities and evening entertainment including musicians, violinists, fire dancing, belly dancing, karaoke, and shows for the kids.
The hotel experience itself was mixed. The room didn’t match the pictures, the all-inclusive deal came with hidden extras, and the food catered mainly to fussy English tastes—pizzas, burgers, chips—with paella being one of the few cultural dishes. The food became repetitive, and I missed eating healthy, natural snacks. That said, there was plenty to do for children: kids’ clubs, water activities, games, and entertainment, which gave me and Sadie some quality time together. One of the highlights was hiring a pedalo on the sea for €15, complete with a slide, despite the choppy water and jellyfish. I would recommend it for families with older children.
Our trip to Italy (Sorrento)
We arrived in Naples and despite long airport queues, the huge fragrant lemons instantly made Italy feel real. On the coach transfer along the Amalfi Coast we saw Mount Vesuvius and views that felt unreal. Our hotel room overlooked Mount Vesuvius and the pool, and after settling in we headed out for food. Dinner was a highlight, followed by amaretto coffee with a marzipan biscuit.
The next day we ate breakfast in the sunshine, sat by the pool, and went searching for real Italian pizza. Watching a local chef cook fresh tomato, mozzarella, and basil in a stone oven, then eating it with red wine in the sun, was unforgettable. We wandered into Sorrento town past olive trees and jasmine, finding a lively centre full of restaurants, live music, and limoncello shops.
One evening, a man played a ukulele and sang Can’t Help Falling in Love, making the moment feel especially romantic. On our final day we shared one last Italian meal and left in the rain, which somehow made saying goodbye easier. Italy changed how we saw travel, food, and music, and it’s a place we know we’ll return to.
Our trip to Greece (Corfu)
We stayed at Messonghi Beach Hotel, and the journey came with challenges, including long airport waits and a pre-flight panic attack from Sadie. We arrived safely and arranged a private transfer to the hotel, but by midnight no food was available beyond takeaway frozen pizza and microwave fries. The rooms were uncomfortable, with weak air conditioning, mosquitoes, thin walls, and noise from other guests. While the resort offered many facilities such as pools, a beach, gym, sauna, and plenty of greenery there was a strong sewage smell, early-reserved sun loungers, and extra charges for basics reduced comfort.
Food was available throughout the day, with breakfast and fresh nectarines and figs being the highlight, but meals quickly became repetitive and several guests, including our family, became ill. The staff stood out, especially Panagiotis the lifeguard, who engaged with the children and shared Greek phrases. Eating outside the resort made a huge difference—local restaurants served authentic Greek food like baked feta, real Greek salad, and gyros at far better quality and lower prices than England. We visited Corfu Old Town and nearby shops selling olive oil, pastes, marmalade, and handmade items. If I returned to Corfu, I’d rely far less on all-inclusive resorts, as the island itself, its people, and its food were the strongest part of the experience.
Our Trip to France (Dieppe)
We travelled to Dieppe for a short weekend to celebrate Olivia’s birthday, crossing by ferry and spending time exploring the town together. When we arrived, we stopped at a local bakery and, being hungry, bought a French baguette for each of us. We walked along the street eating them on the go, which earned us a few amused looks from locals—it didn’t feel like the “proper” French way, but it’s exactly how we do it in England. We also bought a simple chocolate orange cake from the bakery, which was inexpensive and perfect for surprising Olivia on her birthday. Later, we ate out and enjoyed delicious, authentic French food. The meal was expensive, and speaking French felt challenging; although we had practised on Duolingo before the trip, I ended up doing all the talking as the rest of the family didn’t want to try.
What stood out culturally was how different daily rhythms felt compared to the UK. Many shops closed early or weren’t open on certain days, which made finding places to eat or shop harder at times. In England, shops are usually open every day, with Sunday being the only slower day, so this took some adjustment. France felt similar to England in many ways, especially in Dieppe where the differences were subtle, but staying just outside the town felt more rural and countryside-like. It rained a lot, which made it feel familiar, yet those small differences in food, language, and pace of life were enough to make the trip feel distinct. Even on a short weekend, celebrating a birthday in another country turned everyday moments into lasting memories.
My Trip to Indonesia (Bali)
I travelled to Bali alone to explore the culture and search for new musical instrument suppliers. The journey was long and intense, with stopovers in Bangkok and Singapore before finally arriving in Bali. Travelling solo in Asia was a big step for me and initially overwhelming, especially navigating the airport and transport late at night. After a delayed taxi and some confusion, I eventually reached my accommodation and met Sham, our social media manager. We shared a simple local meal of chicken saté skewers and fresh coconut, which cost only a few pounds. The traffic felt chaotic, the pollution was strong, but despite the initial shock, Bali immediately revealed its beauty and depth.
Over the next few days, I explored local music shops, including Ana Music, made new contacts, and visited rice fields and traditional craft areas. A Balinese cooking class stood out, where we learned to prepare dishes wrapped in banana leaf, traditional noodle dishes, saté with peanut sauce, and sticky rice cake filled with melted palm sugar. We travelled to Ubud, visited the sacred monkey forest, tea and coffee plantations, and experienced water rafting, which was one of the most surreal moments of the trip. We also spent time in handicraft shops filled with hand-carved wood, bamboo instruments, wind chimes, and items very similar to what we sell at Carved Culture. Bali felt intense and chaotic at first, but through conversations with locals, drivers, and makers, it became a place of deep learning. Sitting in a taxi and asking questions taught me more about people and culture than any guidebook ever could.
