About HindlesWorld
Travel | Explore | Discover
Welcome to About HindlesWorld: Our Travel Blog.
We believe travel is more than ticking boxes on a bucket list.
It’s more about crafting journeys that change you.
Our Story
Hi, we’re Jez & Mel: independent travellers, storytellers, and creators of HindlesWorld.
We’ve been travelling and creating memories together since we met. To the left is a photo from a night in Santorini I’d still rather forget. Having caught the ferry from Paros that afternoon, we ended up being marooned on the dock at Santorini that night, as we lost the fight trying to get our rucksacks (and us) on the last bus to town up the cliff.
We tried to sleep in the open, until new ferries arrived the following morning with accompanying transport. I got sun stroke by the time we finally found a lodging. Since then, we’ve stayed in a variety of dire, good and amazing places.
From Costa Rica’s rainforests to the less-well-known islands of Thailand and the Maldives, we’ve spent the last decade or so, building tailor-made journeys that mix adventure with comfort.
We started HindlesWorld Travel Blog to share them here through cinematic films and detailed guides.
And we also created our unique (and FREE!) Holiday Cost of Enjoyment Index (HCEI) to help YOU get more from your travels.
What HindlesWorld Stands For
HindlesWorld is where independent explorers can find ways to achieve DIY Luxury Travel Adventures.
We believe travel doesn’t have to be cheap-and-cheerful (or worse, cheerless!) or blow-the-budget luxury. The sweet spot is travelling as often as possible, but still enjoying the special touches that make each trip memorable. Sure, save the Maldives for that really special occasion (we did), but no one wants to end up in a soulless or dreary resort surrounded by screaming crowds either!
Our Travel Philosophy
At HindlesWorld, we believe travel should feel indulgent without being reckless. Luxury doesn’t have to mean marble lobbies or Michelin stars; sometimes it’s as simple as a sea-view balcony, a private driver for a day, or the joy of discovering a hidden café that feels like yours alone. It could even be a clean room, kitted out as a tailor’s workshop (see 24 Hours in Bangkok).
We call it DIY Luxury Travel: taking control of your own adventures, keeping the flexibility of independent travel, while adding just the right touches of comfort. It’s about saying yes to experiences that feel special, without handing over your entire budget to a tour operator. After all, who wants to spend days in a shared mini-bus when you can figure out the logistics yourself?
What You'll Find Here
In my former business life, I was lucky to travel extensively to most of the world’s major cities. Since retiring, we’ve travelled independently, and now I’ve visited 55 countries across six continents. HindlesWorld is our way of sharing that experience and helping others find the balance between adventure and indulgence.
- Destination Guides: In-depth looks at places we’ve loved — from Costa Rica’s coastlines and wildlife to Thailand’s island hideaways.
- Travel Tools: Our original and unique Holiday Cost of Enjoyment Index, which compares destinations not just on price but on the value of the experience.
- Stories From the Road: The unpolished side of travel — the magical sunsets and the missed buses.
Each article is designed to help you plan smarter, travel deeper, and add a touch of luxury you’ll actually remember.
Why Trust Us?
Every guide and article you’ll find here is based on trips we’ve taken ourselves. We’ve eaten the street food, driven the wrong roads, and stayed in boutique hotels that booking sites often overlook. Over time, we’ve built up the expertise that only comes from first-hand experience.
We also believe in transparency: if we recommend something, it’s because we’ve tried it or trust it, not because someone paid us to. HindlesWorld is our way of paying forward the tips, lessons, and inspiration that have shaped our own adventures
We make of point of reaching out to the hotel staff we meet, to get to know them and their stories. These “artists of connections” in return make our stays just that bit more special. This could mean extended late check-outs or simple gestures in the restaurants. It’s amazing what a little kindness and empathy can do to enhance your stay.
The HindlesWorld Way
HindlesWorld stimulates you to:
What Makes Us Different?
[apart from being free!]
We don’t just review a place — we bring it to life. Shot on DJI Mini 4 Pro drone, GoPro, iPhone, and DSLR, our vlogs and guides focus on feeling as much as facts.
DIY Luxury (Without the Price Tag)
We reverse-engineer high-end itineraries and show the DIY version — the same wow, fewer zeros. Think boutique stays, standout experiences, and the best value at each step.
Ethical Choices That Matter
From eco-resorts to responsible elephant sanctuaries, we seek trips that do good as they feel good — and we spotlight partners who put people and planet first.
Join the Journey
Be part of the HindlesWorld community — explore smarter, discover deeper, and craft trips you’ll remember forever.
If you want see what About HindlesWorld Travel Blog has been up to recently, then try some of the links below:
“Travel better. Spend wisely. Feel more. Return refreshed. That’s the HindlesWorld way.”