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Logo for Freedom Years Travel featuring a blue airplane icon in motion above the words “FREEDOM YEARS” in bold font and “TRAVEL” in smaller text below.
Welcome to

FREEDOM YEARS TRAVEL

Exploring the World Your Way….

What will you find here?

About the blog

Freedom Years Travel is your guide to culturally rich, independent travel—for curious travellers who’ve been around the block and aren’t done yet!

I share thoughtful itineraries and practical tips shaped by decades of travel and a lifelong obsession with history and food.

Whether you’re planning a short city break or a longer journey, you’ll find honest insights, carefully chosen recommendations, and a touch of personal reflection. If that sounds like your kind of trip—you’re in the right place.

Learn More Here!
Alison & Wayne seated in front of Fort Lovrijenac in Dubrovnik.
Where are you going?

Travel By Destination

Close-up of a koala clinging to a tree in Australia, showcasing its fluffy ears and grey fur

Australia
– Coming Soon

Prison Tower in Gdańsk’s Old Town, with its ornate spire and colorful facades, framed by historic buildings under a bright blue sky.

Poland

Traditional wooden church in Maramureș, Romania, with a tall steeple, steep roofs, and carved details, surrounded by flowers and a stone path

Romania

Panoramic view of Dubrovnik’s terracotta rooftops enclosed by medieval stone walls, with the Adriatic Sea shimmering in the foreground under a clear blue sky

Croatia
– Coming Soon

What’s new?

START HERE!

  • A fortified medieval church complex with red-tiled roofs and multiple towers, surrounded by stone walls. The structure sits on a grassy rise, framed by trees under an overcast sky.

    Romania 2025 Budget Guide: 14 Day Road Trip Costs

    Posted onOctober 9, 2025October 9, 2025 UpdatedOctober 9, 2025
  • Snow-dusted cemetery in rural Maramureș, Romania, with traditional gravestones set against rolling hills and scattered trees under a partly cloudy sky.

    Best Time to Visit Romania – Weather, Festivals and Seasons

    Posted onOctober 3, 2025October 3, 2025 UpdatedOctober 3, 2025
  • A serene monastery complex in Maramureș, Romania, featuring steeply pitched wooden roofs, carved timber structures, and blooming gardens. Stone paths wind through the lush greenery, connecting churches, gazebos, and traditional buildings

    Why Visit Romania? 9 Reasons It Belongs on Your Europe Itinerary

    Posted onSeptember 29, 2025September 29, 2025 UpdatedSeptember 29, 2025
  • View of Gdańsk’s historic waterfront along the Motława River, featuring colorful gabled buildings, the medieval crane Żuraw, and a docked ship under a clear blue sky.

    Where to stay in Gdańsk for First-Timers

    Posted onSeptember 21, 2025September 21, 2025 UpdatedSeptember 21, 2025
  • Sigismund’s Column in Warsaw’s Castle Square, featuring King Sigismund III Vasa holding a sword and cross atop a tall pedestal, surrounded by pastel-hued historic buildings under a partly cloudy sky.

    Where to Stay in Warsaw for First-Timers

    Posted onSeptember 14, 2025September 14, 2025 UpdatedSeptember 14, 2025
  • Historic street scene in Kraków’s Old Town, featuring colorful townhouses with ornate facades, outdoor café seating under white umbrellas, and the iconic spire of St. Mary's Basilica rising in the background beneath a partly cloudy sky

    Where to Stay in Kraków for First-Timers

    Posted onSeptember 8, 2025September 8, 2025 UpdatedSeptember 8, 2025
Explore

Poland

Poland surprised me—in the best possible way. Its cities blend medieval architecture with powerful modern history, the food is hearty and delicious, and it offers excellent value.

I’ve explored Kraków, Warsaw, Gdańsk, and beyond—each with its own story to tell. If Poland’s not yet on your list, it might be time to take a closer look!

Explore Poland!
The Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw rises above the skyline, its iconic spire framed by leafy trees and modern buildings under clear skies.
Warsaw
Gdansk
Discover

Affordable Europe

Europe has a reputation for being expensive—but it doesn’t have to be.

After a trip to the USA left us feeling like we were haemorrhaging money—thanks in no small part to the AUD–USD exchange rate—my husband was hesitant about planning another big overseas holiday.

So when I suggested Europe, his answer came with a challenge: prove we could do it without blowing the budget. I took that challenge seriously. What followed was a deep dive into how to experience Europe affordably—without resorting to bunk beds or instant noodles.

It is possible to travel well in Europe without sacrificing comfort, and I’ll show you how.

This section is still taking shape. I’m adding affordable Europe tips, itineraries, and destination guides as I go, so things might look a little sparse for now. But I’ve got plenty to share and new posts are on the way. Check back soon!

Affordable Ways to Explore Europe!
  • A fortified medieval church complex with red-tiled roofs and multiple towers, surrounded by stone walls. The structure sits on a grassy rise, framed by trees under an overcast sky.

    Romania 2025 Budget Guide: 14 Day Road Trip Costs

    Posted onOctober 9, 2025October 9, 2025
  • A serene monastery complex in Maramureș, Romania, featuring steeply pitched wooden roofs, carved timber structures, and blooming gardens. Stone paths wind through the lush greenery, connecting churches, gazebos, and traditional buildings

    Why Visit Romania? 9 Reasons It Belongs on Your Europe Itinerary

    Posted onSeptember 29, 2025September 29, 2025
  • Early evening street scene in Kraków, Poland, featuring historic buildings with ornate facades, outdoor cafés with white umbrellas, and people strolling or dining.

    Poland 2025 Travel Costs: Daily Budget Guide for Mid-Range Trips

    Posted onAugust 1, 2025September 22, 2025
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