Helene Sula - Travel Blogger

I’d literally never heard of this tradition until I saw it first hand! The tradition is you form a circle, cross arms and pull the Christmas Cracker. There is a banger inside the cracker, two strips of chemically infused paper that react with friction so that when the cracker is pulled apart by two people, the cracker makes a loud bang. Inside the cracker there is a paper crown made from tissue paper, a motto or joke on a slip of paper and a little gift. The tradition dates back to Victorian times and you wear the paper hats at dinner. I love this idea! Cute and fun. They sell the crackers everywhere and they can be super cheap (a few pounds for a dozen) or more expensive with fancy gifts inside. I’d literally never heard of this tradition until I saw it first hand! #cultureshock #expat #americaninengland #americanintheuk #unitedkingdom #england #christmastraditions #christmascrackers #expatlife #cultureshocks

Here’s how to see the best of Christmas in London in ONE DAY! Of course, this is... intense! So you could easily stretch this out and add in museums! 🎡you don’t see Hyde Park Winter Wonderland wonderland on the list ebcause I find it cheesy and extremely overpriced. Very bad food but if you like rides you might like it. #london #christmas #londonchristmas #londonchristmas #christmaslights #londonengland #uk #visitengland #europe #christmasmarket #christmasmarketsineurope #england #christmasinengland

I’ve lived in Germany, USA and The UK and I’m not gonna lie… the USA wins 😂 it’s just not a big deal here! 🇬🇧In the UK, if you want trick-or-treaters you put a pumpkin outside your door 🎃 so they know to come! But last year the only thing that happened was ours got smashed 😂 🇩🇪in Germany they do have some parties (we would go to one in frankenstein’s castle!!) and everyone dresses up SO SCARY! 🇺🇸 the USA, most people I know dress up and it can be anything: topical, trendy, funny! And there are lots of costume parties! I do miss that! How are you celebrating this year? Tomorrow we are going to Halloween at Blenheim Palace outside of oxford and I’m pumped!🏰 #halloween #expat #lifeabroad #england #uk #theuk #cultureshock #halloween #halloweentraditions #oxford #trickortreat

Cotswold Way starts NOW!!! 4 months ago I decided to do it, walk 100+ miles and get in better shape. I am so excited and nervous but cannot wait to take y'all along for this epic journey in England! Let me know what questions you have or what you want to see along the way! AND... thank you for your support #helenelovesengland #cotswold #cotswoldway #walking #Hiking #throughhike #cotswoldlife #cotswolds #england #uk #100miles #chippingcamden

The idea of Biscuits go back to Neolithic times BUT, in the 14th century, the English would have a biscuit at the end of meals (aka a digestive!) 🍪 The word ‘biscuit’ comes from the Latin ‘bis coctus,’ meaning ‘twice-baked,’ because early biscuits were baked twice to make them dry and long-lasting—perfect for long journeys! 🫖In the UK, biscuits became a tea-time staple during the Victorian era, when afternoon tea grew popular. Iconic biscuits like the Digestive and Rich Tea biscuits have been around for over a century! In fact, Digestives were created in 1892 as a ‘health food’ to aid digestion. Meanwhile, in the US, biscuits evolved into the soft, fluffy rolls we know today, with origins in Southern kitchens. Originally made with buttermilk, these biscuits became a comfort food, served with everything from fried chicken to gravy. 🥣 Which do you prefer? #cultureshock #expat #americaninengland #americanintheuk #unitedkingdom #england #biscuits #cultureshocks

Fresh pie? Save me a slice! Do you like mince pie? #mince #mincepie #christmas #uk #christmastraditions #cultureshock #expat #expatlife #england

We did it! 🎄🚢We chartered a river cruise ship to bring people to christmas markets in europe! This has been years in the making and we start tpdsy in Colognr, Germany! #christmas #christmasmarkets #christmasmarketsineurope #xmas #rivercruise #luxurytravel

Christmad in the UK vs the USA: which do you prefer?! #cultureshock #expat #americanabroad #christmas

Day 2 and l'm a bit emotional...🥹 Hi l'm Helene! And I'm an American living in England (Oxford) and l've been unhealthy for a long time. 4 months ago I decided to tackle this walk and it's given me so much excitement and also helped me get in shape. 🥾Today's walk has lots of gorgeous stops: starting in Broadway, stopping in Stanton (for a pub lunch!), then Stanway (bathroom break!) and ending in Winchcombe. ☀️Watch the day get progressively nicer as I walk!! #cotswoldsway #walk #hike #100miles #cotswolds #england #englishcountryside #ruralengland #broadwaycotswolds #stantoncotswolds #winchcombe #cotswold #cotswoldlife #uk #hiketok #walktok

Cotswold Way Day 3! Today was lonnnnngggg but glorious. I’m so glad I trained for this! And by training, I mean I spent 4 months ramping up walking long distances plus adding in strength training, swimming, HIIT workouts and more. 🍎As for food, some days there are pubs and cafes on the route, other days I eat the snacks I brought. But I always carry water and snacks just in case I don’t find anything or I get hungry! 🌅Today was my longest yet but with views like this it was SO worth it. I also stayed in a GORGEOUS hotel. #cotswold #cotswolds #cotswoldway #throughhike #100miles #sheisnotlost #england #winchcombe #sudeleycastle #castle #england #uk #unitedkingdom #solohike #hiketok #walktok

HOW MANY MILES WILL I ACTUALLY DO? Best day yet!!! Who even am I? Wait until you see how many miles I did today! This is definitely getting more hilly but so worth it for these views. And I truly am shocked at myself. 4 months ago I wouldn't have dreamed of being able to do this. Today is day 7 of the Cotswold Way and absolutely insane! I PROMISE I will be sharing the training plan I used for the past 4 months after I do this walk! #cotswolds #cotswoldlife #cotswoldway #walking #throughhike #Hiking #100miles #solohiking #sheisnotlost #englishcountryside #england #ruralengland #uk #cotswoldslife

I FREAKING DID IT! 10 Days, over 100 miles, I did the Cotswold Way! I am so emotional that this is coming to a close but it's been absolutely epic in so many ways. Lots to come, including my entire itinerary and thoughts. And... some exciting news!!!!! ®* !! I finally have the training plan ready for y'all! Comment "PLAN" and I'll send it to you! This is the exact schedule Michael made for me for training for 4 months leading up to the Cotswold Way!!! #cotswold #cotswoldway #throughhike #100miles #Hiking #cotswolds #cotswoldlife #sheisnotlost #bath #uk #unitedkingdom #england #englishcountryside #ruralengland #hikingszn #hikingtok #hikingadventures #walking #walkingtok

Its been a wild year! And i cant eait to see whats to come❤️ #expat #lifeabroad #expatlife #americanabroad #americaninengland #england #oxford #oxfordengland #oxforduniversity #uk #unitedkingdom

An announcement you probably did not see coming. The reason, truly, is that we want to bring Millie along 🐶 and, we are trying to figure out where to live and want to travel more of Europe. We plan to hop around Europe a bit more and want to be able to bring Millie with us along the way. Truly, we adore the UK and the life we created in Oxford. I could see us even coming back one day. But it’s time for us to get out of our comfort zone and explore. If you’re new, here’s a VERY brief backstory: 2005 high school sweethearts from Texas 2016 Moved to Heidelberg, Germany (having never been before!) 2019 Move back to Dallas, Texas 2023 Moved to Oxford, England So many incredible (and difficult) things happened here in England. I published my first book📖, we lost our dog, Hugo🪽, I completed a 100+ mile hike🥾 (the Cotswold Way - and lost 35 pounds training for it), and we are about to host our first-ever Christmas market river cruise trips. This has been a glorious time❤️ I adore the UK, I feel so connected here. I know a piece of my heart will always be here. #expat #americanabroad #sheisnotlost #france #england #uk

I got to stay in a castle?!? Day 6 of the Cotswold Way! And here's the info about my bag!! ! definitely do not carry it with me on the trail- it's huge. This is quite literally the biggest bag l've ever traveled with. In fact... this is the bag I loved abroad with usually just carry a backpack 🎒but I wanted to have all my stuff! I brought new clothes for everyday! #cotswold #cotswoldway #throughhike #100miles #sheisnotlost #england #americanabroad #expat #americaninengland #englishcountryside #uk #uktravel #painswick #stonehouse

Day 5... featuring a special guest!!! Safety- this is one of the top questions I get about walking the Cotswold Way alone. " I chose to walk by myself and wanted to! I like spending time by myself and I wanted to tackle this on my own. I'm loving it and really enjoying myself. I live and work with Michael and it's nice to spend some time apart every now and then I've met tons of lovely people on the trail, everyday I meet someone new! It's been truly one of my favorite parts! Se I also listen to books along the way and sometimes music! I've listened to 3 books so far! If you have any book recs let me know! #cotswolds #cotswoldway #cotswold #england #englishcountryside #ruralengland #uk #uktravel #sheisnotlost #throughhike #100miles #england #birdlip #painswick

Ive been to over 100 christmas markets! Here are the best cheistmas markets in Europe. #christmas #christmasmarket

What to eat and drink at Christmas market in europe! #christmas #christmasmarket #christmasmarkets #christmasmarketsofeurope #europechristmas #europeanchristmas #europeanchristmasmarket #europe

Day 4 walking the Cotswold Way! I feel like I'm getting the logistics down!! •• In an effort to keep it real, it was an emergency and I had to pee immediately. I finally found a spot, but there was blackberry brambles absolutely everywhere which I stumbled through, and hid behind a bush. Or so l thought. As I was peeing, I heard a cracking noise and I thought someone was coming, and I fell with my pants down in the blackberry bush. It was a bird. And I found a thorn in my leggings After 4 days I can safely say... this is truly amazing and well worth it. I'm also so glad I trained because I have O pain! #cotswoldway #cotswold #cotswolds #cotswoldlife #cotswoldcottage #cheltenham #birdlip #uk #english #solohike #100miles #england #british #englishcountryside #hiketok #walktok #hotgorlwalk #walking

Almost to the end, can you believe it?! This house was right on the route and I don't know if it was from walking or it was just really that good but that scone was EVERYTHING. I will admit I am sad this is coming to a close so soon-this has been truly incredible. I'm already thinking I should do another... if you have recommendations let me know!? •I am telling y'all... if I can do this so can you I for sure want to do "luxury" walking like the Cotswold Way- I'm spoiled for life I think! I love not carrying my stuff and staying in cute b&bs along the way! Tomorrow is the last day (6 #cotswolds #cotswoldway #100miles #throughhike #october #sheisnotlost #Hiking #england #cotswoldlife #englishcountryside #ruralengland #coldashton #dyrhampark #oldsodbury #hikingtok #walktok #hiker