It’s hard to believe that we’re nearly at the end of 2025. And what a year it’s been. From swashbuckling adventures on the Cutty Sark to Martian slaying at the War of the Worlds Immersive Experience. And from the sizzling Sicilian town of Taormina to the emerald seas of the Greek islands. Read on to find out more about my escapades in my year in review.
A swashbuckling afternoon on the Cutty Sark
The year kicked off to a great start with adventures on the high seas of Royal Greenwich. The Cutty Sark’s credentials are made all the more impressive by its near destruction by fire in 2007. As an ideal office escape, it transports you from London to Australia on a sea-faring adventure of epic proportions. And the hardships endured will give you a whole new respect for the comforts of the office.
Martian slaying at the War of the Worlds Immersive Experience
An evening of martian slaying certainly hit the spot after a hard day’s slog on the spreadsheets. The War of the Worlds Immersive experience takes you on an adrenalin-fuelled journey through intergalactic war zones where aliens rule the earth. From crawling through tunnels to battling invaders on the high seas – this was an evening never to be forgotten of my year in review.
A sizzling mini break to Sicily
From alien invasions to erupting volcanoes, May was certainly an action-packed month of my year in review. While not blessed with the best weather, we still managed to catch a bird’s eye view of Etna in full lava flow from our hotel balcony. I was also blown away by the giant succulents which pop up across the island below. Sicily was also my first attempt at snorkelling. And despite the freezing water, it opened up a whole new world of wonder under the sea.
A hell-raising afternoon at the hellfire caves
The hell fire caves have been on my list for some time so I grabbed the opportunity to take a peek inside in July. Originally developed as a chalk mine in the 18th century, it didn’t take long for these cavernous tunnels to become a hideaway for the Hellfire Club’s dubious activities. Unsurprisingly, the caves are a brilliant sanctuary on a hot summer’s day. Let your mind run riot as you encounter the surreal River Styx and the ominous Great Banqueting Hall. Only an hour from London, it’s a must-see.
Portsmouth Kite Festival
The Portsmouth Kite Festival is one of the biggest kite festivals in the UK and attracts kite flyers from across the world. Swooping and swirling across the skies, it’s a two-day extravaganza of kite choreography at its best. As a child of the seventies, it was amazing to see the range of kites now available and how easy they are to fly. If you’re looking for an alternative free festival with a twist, this’s the one to put in your calendar.
Discovering Captain Corelli’s Kefalonia
My final mini break of the year was back to Captain Corelli’s Kefalonia – last visited 25 years ago. Blessed with wall-to-wall sunshine this time and warm seas, it was a perfect spot for combining hiking with water sports. I had my first taste of sea kayaking and paddle boarding – both with mixed results. Hiking up to the top of Mount Aenos and snorkelling amidst crowds of translucent fish were two highlights of my year in review.
So what next? 2026 offers a whole new blank canvas for adventures far from the confines of the office. My current wish list includes mud larking on the Thames, a visit to the UK’s only puppet barge and a possible hiking trip to Crete – the home of the Greek legends. What adventures will you end up doing next year? Wishing you an amazing Christmas and the most fun-packed, adventurous 2026!