World Borders: How to get to San Marino from Italy

In my ongoing series of World Borders, I aim to provide essential tips for crossing borders and immigration checkpoints all over the world. Today we look at the “border” between Italy and San Marino. Yes, San Marino is a landlocked country which is completely inside Italy. Italy seems to like these types of places as Read more about World Borders: How to get to San Marino from Italy[…]

5 ‘Fake Countries’ to Visit When Backpacking the World

As travellers we visit a lot of countries, but it’s also nice to get out there and experience some places that are often called “countries” but yet they are not. It’s actually a huge topic for debate amongst travellers as to what is a country and what is not, I mean is Podjistan a country? Read more about 5 ‘Fake Countries’ to Visit When Backpacking the World[…]

Jonny Blair going snorkelling in the Philippines

Snorkelling at Balicasag Island, The Philippines

I first went snorkelling when I was about 6 or 7 and growing up in Northern Ireland. But all there was to see in places like Castlerock, Portrush and Cloughy were crabs and shells. Here in Balicasag Island off the coast of Bohol and Pangalo Islands in the Philippines you can get a really good Read more about Snorkelling at Balicasag Island, The Philippines[…]

Jonny Blair making notes at a travel conference in Hong Kong - 5 tips to earn money on your travels

5 Tips to Earn Money on Your Travels ;-)

It’s time to get inspired on Don’t Stop Living!! If you are sitting in a dull office job right now, or working on the till in a supermarket, stop for a moment and think – is this really how you want to spend your life?? I’m guessing it’s not!! So in an attempt to get Read more about 5 Tips to Earn Money on Your Travels 😉[…]

Jonny Blair partying at the Happy J Pub Crawl

Thirsty Thursdays: Happy J Pub Crawl – Kiwi Style!!

Today my Thirsty Thursdays feature comes from New Zealand. They know how to party there as I found out!! After settling into my new “home for 2 days”, I had noticed a flier advertising a Pub Crawl of Christchurch that very night – there’s one every Friday. The flier was in the visitors guide brochure Read more about Thirsty Thursdays: Happy J Pub Crawl – Kiwi Style!![…]

Jonny Blair of Dont Stop Living featured in the County Down Spectator in Bangor in January 2013

Working Wednesdays: Journalist for my Local Newspaper!

My Working Wednesdays series covers stories from my constantly changing career. For today’s post we head back to January 1998, exactly 15 years ago this week I was working for the local newspaper, the County Down Spectator in Bangor, Northern Ireland. Now obviously writing is something I love doing, so this seemed an obvious job Read more about Working Wednesdays: Journalist for my Local Newspaper![…]

keeping up to date with football while you travel jonny blair

How To Keep Up To Date With Football On Your Travels!!

I was once described as a “football nut” and I’m not sure what that entails, but basically I LOVE football. Ever since I saw Norman Whiteside score for Northern Ireland against Algeria in the 1986 World Cup I have been a football fan. Firstly I played it – at any given moment. At some point Read more about How To Keep Up To Date With Football On Your Travels!![…]

Jonny Blair of Dont Stop Living recommends the Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire, England

Backpacking in England: Touring Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire

OK, so in travelling the world, it’s always nice to reflect back to your homeland. Although I was born and bred in Northern Ireland, I also have an affinity with the south of England. I spent 6 years living in Bournemouth, London and Dartford and loved every minute of my time there. Back in the Read more about Backpacking in England: Touring Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire[…]