Who we are
Welcome to Travel42 – a couples travel blog created by ainarsbl, photographer, vlogger and travel writer.
We travel as a couple, documenting experience-rich journeys designed for independent, curious travellers who value depth over speed. Every guide on this website is based on personal visits, honest impressions and practical planning experience.
Travel is not just a hobby for us – it has been a consistent part of our lives since 1997. Over the years, our style has evolved from family road trips across Europe to slower, longer journeys focused on culture, landscapes and meaningful experiences.
Beyond this website, I am a Level 7 Google Local Guide, Master Reviewer and Expert Photographer, with over 1,000 contributions, 200 reviews and more than 600 published photos that have generated over eight million views as of early 2026. This experience sharpens how we evaluate destinations – with attention to detail, authenticity and what genuinely matters on the ground.
Travel42 is where that experience comes together in carefully written guides for couples planning their own adventures.
You can follow our journeys here:
- Website: travel42.uk
- Google Maps: ainarsbl profile
- Instagram: @ainarsbl
- YouTube: ainarsbl channel
How We Travel Today
Our early travel years were shaped by family adventures – road trips, practical itineraries and discovering Europe one region at a time. As our children grew older and independent, our approach naturally changed.
Today, we travel primarily as a couple.
We prefer:
- Scenic road trips through varied landscapes
- National parks and mountain regions
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Coastal drives and lesser-known towns
- Longer stays that allow genuine immersion
Rather than racing between landmarks, we choose slower travel that allows space for experience. That might mean renting a car to explore remote areas, using local public transport to understand daily rhythms, or staying several weeks in one region to move beyond surface impressions.
We frequently book self-catering apartments – not only for flexibility, but for the pleasure of visiting local markets, cooking regional produce and experiencing everyday life beyond tourist façades.
Our travels are built around balance: structure without rigidity, planning without over-scheduling.
Our Travel Philosophy
We believe the best trips evolve naturally.
A scenic drive becomes a mountain hike. A coastal walk leads to a hidden restaurant. A day of exploration ends with a quiet evening overlooking the water.
Our travel style moves between adventure and reflection, wild landscapes and refined stays – always experienced together.
Travel42 is about balance: freedom, discovery, comfort, and connection.
What Makes Travel42 Different
Travel42 is not a bucket-list blog.
It is a couples travel blog focused on:
- Realistic itineraries
- Scenic routes and road networks
- Nature-focused destinations
- Historic cities with character
- Practical transport advice
- Honest reflections on what works – and what doesn’t
Every destination guide is written after personal visits. We do not publish generic overviews or AI-assembled summaries. If we recommend a place, we have been there.
Our content is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect current conditions, pricing changes and practical travel realities. During 2024 and 2025, I refreshed the majority of content from my previous travel blog to ensure accuracy and relevance.
The result is a growing resource hub designed specifically for couples planning independent trips across Europe and beyond.
Where We’ve Travelled
Since 1997, we have explored more than fifty countries and two US states.
While we maintain full-time professional careers, we prioritise travel throughout the year – typically taking two or three trips annually. These range from carefully structured long weekends to two-week explorations.
Longer journeys hold a special place in our story. We have completed:
- Three-week road trips through France
- Extended travel across Zanzibar and mainland Tanzania
- Nearly three months exploring Morocco
- Longer stays in Japan and China
- Multi-country journeys across Southeast Asia including Myanmar and Thailand
These slower experiences shaped our philosophy: depth creates better travel memories than speed.
Who Travel42 Is For
Travel42 is designed primarily for:
- Couples planning scenic road trips
- Independent travellers seeking thoughtful itineraries
- Nature lovers drawn to mountains, coasts and national parks
- Travellers who appreciate local culture without overwhelming crowds
- Professionals who travel several times a year and want structured yet flexible planning
If you are looking for fast “top 10” lists, this may not be the right place.
If you are planning meaningful journeys together – this blog is for you.
Join Us
Our growing Instagram community travels with us virtually, and we continue expanding destination coverage through YouTube video guides.
We believe travel should inspire, educate and ground you – not overwhelm you.
We hope Travel42 helps you plan journeys that are memorable, balanced and genuinely enriching.
Explore the destination guides, follow our road trips and start planning your next adventure together.
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Exploring the planet together – from wild roads to quiet evenings