Forget the ‘freedom' of freelancing — give me back my 9-5
Lauren, who did not want her full name published, had anticipated that freelancing would be a dream flexible career when she left her employed role at a marketing agency last year.
'I'd got caught up in the Instagram posts; all the freelancers I knew seemed to be working from the beach, able to fit work into gaps around travel, kids or fitness. It appeared to be the best of all worlds,' she explained.
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The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
The best holidays to book for September 2025, from mountainous Montenegro to Sardinian beach breaks
You still have several more weeks of glorious summer weather to look forward to in September, and it's usually the best time of the year to visit parts of Europe where autumn takes its slow, sweet time in coming. Head south to Sardinia, where the sea is still like a bath, or stay in a hillside villa in Portugal that comes with wonderful Atlantic views. Montenegro's mountainous hinterland is a joy to explore on foot on a guided walking holiday before eventually reaching the coastal big-hitters. For something more exotic, stay in a boutique lodge on a private reserve in South Africa. Stick closer to home and treat yourself to a break in the Shropshire hills or check out the beaches and coastal footpaths in North Devon. Wherever you choose to go on holiday in September, you'll find some inspiration here. Enjoy superb views of Portugal's Costa Verde from the wide terrace of Casa Monte Santo Antão, a sleek, modern house on a hillside overlooking the waterside town of Caminha, north of Porto. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in plenty of light into the spacious living/dining room, which opens out into the shaded patio and garden with a large pool and barbecue. With three bedrooms and a single room with an extra bed, it sleeps up to eight people, but there's also a small-party rate for four people. Vintage Travel has seven nights' self-catering from 13 September, starting at £1,550 for up to eight people and £1,230 for four. South Africa Combine a safari with lazy luxury in a boutique lodge in South Africa's Kaingo private game reserve, the country's first savannah biosphere reserve. After arriving in Johannesburg, you'll have a week in this chic lodge beside the Mokolo River, with daily game drives and plenty of time to relax in the pool and on the riverside deck. Travelsphere still has availability on this 10-day holiday departing 9 September, with prices starting at £2,999pp. This includes flights, transfers, accommodation and 20 meals. Devon You'll be within a short walk of the beach at Watermouth Bay, as well as the South West Coast Path, when you stay at the Beach House on the North Devon coast near Combe Martin. Decked out like a log cabin, the three-bedroom house has cosy pine-clad walls, a fully equipped kitchen and a terrace with sea views. Helpful Holidays is offering a week's self-catering from 27 September for £521, down from £567, and one pet is welcome. Save £150pp on HF Holidays ' seven-night Montenegro Lakes & Mountains guided walking holiday that takes you into the tranquil heart of this small mountainous country. You'll start in the magnificent settings of Biogradska Gora National Park, the Prokletije mountains and Durmitor National Park before heading south towards Mount Lovćen and Lake Skadar and finishing in the gorgeous port of Kotor. Prices start at £1,779pp, for a 22 September departure, and include flights, transfers, half-board accommodation and guided walks. Sardinia Book by 10 August and save £940 per couple on a week's holiday in the laid-back Forte Village Resort's Hotel Bouganville along Sardinia's southern coast. You'll be a few minutes' walk from the long sandy beach of Santa Margherita di Pula and staying in a stylish bungalow with your own garden and terrace. There's much to keep you busy in the resort, with a large pool, waterpark, sports and a range of dining and bars. Fly on 13 September with Sardatur Holidays and pay from £1,665pp, including flights, transfers and half-board accommodation. Shropshire Make the most of the mellow Shropshire countryside from your base in the handsome 18th-century Castle Hotel in the town of Bishop's Castle. If you fancy a long weekend, book directly by phone or email and get the Sunday night for only an additional £60. It's pet-friendly too, and the town and surrounding area are packed with great places to eat, drink and hike. B&B doubles in September start at £140 a night, and there's also a dinner and B&B option from £216.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
I quit the UK for ‘luxury' life in Dubai but it left me at BREAKING point – reality is nothing like the Instagram pics
A WOMAN who ditched the UK for Dubai has returned home, after life in the city pushed her to breaking point. Natalie Goodall, now 32, made the decision to relocate to the UAE after she was offered a golf coaching job aged just 18. 6 6 She jumped at the chance - living with a friend then various family members before renting her own apartment in Damac Hills. Natalie lived in the seemingly idyllic and luxurious city for years until the Dubai lifestyle became too much - because the city's " business model" didn't allow for "work-life balance". After years of working 80 hour, six-day weeks, Natalie moved back to the UK in 2019 and has settled down in West Parley, Dorset. And, while she loved Dubai and says she'll go back for holidays, she said she's unlikely to relocate back there. As swathes of Brits opt to move out there with high expectations of luxurious living and endless fun, Natalie feels that Brits going with high expectations "may be disappointed." Natalie, now a self-employed PGA professional, said: "I never saw myself leaving Dubai - I was working at one of the best golf schools in the world. "And the city was absolutely stunning, on my day off I went down to the beach and when you let your hair down you could have a bloody good time. "But afterwards you'd look at your bank balance and think 'oh crap'. "But the business model out there - there is no work life balance. "I was coming home to my partner after 12 hour days, at 9pm, and I could barely hold a conversation because I'd be so tired. "In my last year I told him 'I can't do this' - you know when your time is up. "It's a very glamorous place and I can see moving there is a trend - but everywhere has their downfalls." At the time, she was making the equivalent of around £25-£30k a year - but the high costs in Dubai meant she couldn't enjoy the full extent of the luxurious lifestyle compared to what people assume. She said: "I was just making money to survive - in the service industry you were worked very hard. How easy is it to move abroad? Brexit means British citizens now have to apply for visas to move to countries within the EU. While some countries residency restrictions are easier than others, here's what you need to do at home before moving: Notify HMRC about your upcoming move. Let your local authority know and provide a forwarding address. Contact your mortgage and utility providers and bank before leaving. If you have paid enough UK national insurance contributions, you can qualify for a state pension abroad - contact the International Pension Centre. You can sign up to the Royal Mail's redirection service. If you have outstanding student loans, contact the Student Loans Centre. If you have children, give due notice to childcares and schools. "I was working six days a week and I couldn't afford to reduce my hours." After meeting her fellow expat partner Will Coan, 34, in 2017, while out there, the pair lived together but Natalie began to "spiral". She said: "You can feel yourself, your work and time management aren't as good, your diet goes out the window. " I never saw myself leaving Dubai but it's not sustainable - as I got older, I started to think, how the bloody hell will I have a life here? "It's not on an individual person - it's just the business model out there." In September 2019, she moved from Dubai back to the UK and got a job in Guernsey, once she had secured the necessary golf qualifications to be a coach. Nine months later, Will, who worked in a role in food manufacturing, finished his contract and moved back to the UK as well. They now own a home together in West Parley and are happier than ever. 6 6 6
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Mum who booked luxury cabin holiday for family discovers it's actually an unfurnished ‘shed'
HOL NO Mum who booked luxury cabin holiday for family discovers it's actually an unfurnished 'shed' A LUXURY cabin holiday sounds like a dream, right? But not for one mum who thought she'd bagged a great woodland getaway to discover it was just an empty 'shed'. Jade Rathbone and her family travelled to a holiday park in Nottinghamshire, where they were expecting to find a glorious wooden cabin. Advertisement 4 A mum-of-two book a luxury cabin to find out it was actually just a shed Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 4 Jade had not fully looked at the details of the stay Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media However, upon arrival, the 32-year-old was shocked to find a completely empty cabin. The mum-of-two, who had paid £116 for the cabin break, jumped back on the booking website and quickly realised the mistake she made. Jade admitted how she had seen one picture and "jumped to conclusions" of what it would look like inside and that she "didn't read the full description or look at the other pictures". The mum then posted a video to social media of the "world's smallest pod" adding "who left me in charge?". Advertisement The video has since gone viral with over 1.3million views. Jade bought two air mattresses for £32 to make the most out of the £348 trip, which ended up being more expensive than a hotel stay. She said: "I was shocked at first, and I thought it'd been ransacked, especially because we'd driven past ones that did have stuff inside. "When I went and looked at what I'd booked I thought 'oh dear, this is actually it'. Advertisement "We originally looked at camping but I saw there was an upgrade option for the pods. I spotted a bargain and thought I found a good deal so didn't research it anymore. "There was one main picture of the outside of the pod so in my head I jumped to conclusions of what would be inside." Inside the UK's first wild west-themed stay Instead, the description and the rest of the images showed that there was, in fact, nothing inside the cabin. She added: "We all just burst out laughing. I don't think I was too surprised because I see something and just go with it and don't really read all the details. Advertisement "[My partner] was just laughing about it, which was lucky for me. We made the best out of the situation. "The whole process of getting the airbeds [Pria] absolutely loved because we were all crammed in one room. My partner was pressed up against the wall most of the time. "It wasn't ideal when you're all coming back drenched after having a water day and cramming into the smallest pod in the world but it was all part of the adventure." 4 The trip ended up being more expensive than a stay at a hotel Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media Advertisement She also revealed that the trip ended up being more expensive than if they had stayed in a hotel. "In the future I'll spend a bit more time reading the description. I didn't realise pods like that existed with nothing in them so I'll be sure to check," she continued. "If it seems too good to be true it is." Many viewers of the video flocked to the comments, bemused at the situation. Advertisement One said: "Booked a literal shed." Another commented: "Hey, so that's a shed." A third commented: "So in essence it's a wooden tent." Stunning campsites in Britain from £10 a night HERE are some of the most stunning campsites in the country from just £10 per night... The Farm Camping, Norfolk: This pop-up campsite is on a working farm with an on-site microbrewery. It's close to the BeWILDerwood adventure park and has toilets, showers, and Wi-Fi. Pitches start at £15. Greystones Nawab, Derbyshire: Located near the Peak District National Park, this campsite is home to peacocks and rare-breed chickens. It's also next to a donkey sanctuary and a short drive from Go Ape Buxton. Pitches start at £10. Pepper Hall Campsite, Yorkshire: Only accessible by foot, this unique campsite is surrounded by Swaledale sheep and cattle. You have to cross a shallow stream on stepping stones to get to it, and the nearest pub is in Langthwaite village. Pitches start from £18. The Crown Inn and Campsite, North Wales: This family-run pub site is by the river Alwen, offering fishing and forest trails. It has an on-site pub with great food, and you can book an alpaca walking experience with the private alpaca paddock on-site. Pitches start at £12.50. The Green Dragon Inn, Buttington, Wales: Another pub campsite, this spot is near Offa's Dyke, the Shropshire Hills, and Snowdonia National Park. The pub serves home-cooked food and has a large garden. Pitches start at £15, with camping pods available from £60. Advertisement Fancy a cabin retreat? These are the best UK cabins with hot tubs from £29.50pp a night – in Devon, Norfolk & Cornwall. Plus, a UK holiday park has revealed a major £8.1million makeover plan with new holiday cabins and campsite.
