Hi there! I’m Riley and you’re going to be seeing a lot more of me around here. I’m a Denver-based travel blogger, former corporate marketing girlie, and the kind of person who thinks building the perfect Google Map for a trip is… a hobby. If we met in real life, I’d probably ask you where you’re travelling next within the first five minutes, and then start sketching out a rough itinerary on a napkin.
So, consider this post my “hi, hello, I brought snacks” moment as I join the womens.travel crew.
How I Went From PowerPoint Decks to Plane Tickets
For a long time, I did the very normal, very responsible thing: business degree, full-time job in digital marketing, two weeks of vacation a year. I had a desk plant and a favourite coffee mug and a calendar packed with meetings that could’ve been emails.
Travel was the thing I squeezed in around the edges. Long weekends to New York, a rushed girls’ trip to Mexico, a once-a-year “big” vacation that I spent months overplanning and then blinked through in ten days.
Then one day, after a spectacularly long week and yet another “we’ll need you to move your vacation dates” conversation, something in me just snapped a little. I booked a three-month ticket to Europe, opened a blank blog, and told myself, “Worst case, you come home with a lot of stories and a maxed-out credit card.”
The blog started as a way to update friends and family. Somewhere between a missed train in Italy and my first solo dinner in Lisbon, other women started finding my posts. Women asking the exact questions I always had:
Where should I actually stay?
Is this neighbourhood safe at night?
Do I really need hiking boots or will sneakers be fine?
What would you do if you only had three days?
I realised I loved answering those questions just as much as I loved the trips themselves.
Fast forward a few years: I turned that scrappy little blog into my full-time job, swapped my office badge for a slightly battered suitcase, and learned how to build trips that feel exciting and doable — not like a military operation with jet lag.
What You Can Expect From Me Here
If you like travel content that’s equal parts pretty and practical, we’re going to get along great.
Here’s what you’ll mostly see from me on womens.travel:
Plug-and-play itineraries Think “3 Days in Copenhagen”, “One Perfect Week in Portugal”, “Long Weekend in New York for First-Timers”. I’ll walk you through where to stay, what to prioritise, and what you can skip without FOMO.
Area and hotel breakdowns that make sense Not just “this neighbourhood is cool” but “stay here if you like quiet streets and cafés; avoid if nightlife is your thing.” I’ll always be honest about price, vibe and convenience.
Packing lists that actually work in real life I’m big on carry-on when possible and clothes you can walk in all day and still feel cute in at dinner. Expect realistic suggestions, not 47 “must-have” items you’ll never wear.
Calm, clear safety talk I’m not here to scare anyone away from travel, but I won’t pretend every destination is a magical bubble either. I’ll share what I genuinely do as a solo-travelling woman, from choosing accommodation to getting home at night.
Soft adventure & city breaks I’m happiest on a scenic hike I can do in sneakers, a kayak trip with a solid lunch afterwards, or a city wander that ends at a great wine bar. So if you like that balance of active and comfortable, you’re in my zone.
A lot of my perspective is shaped by being American — juggling PTO, long-haul flights, and the joy that is a red-eye economy seat — but everything I share is meant to be useful no matter where you’re flying in from.
Who I’m Writing For (That’s You)
If any of these sound like you, I’ve basically been writing in your direction for years:
You’re planning your first solo trip and want someone to walk you through it like a friend.
You’ve got a girls’ trip on the horizon and you’d love for someone else to test-drive the itinerary first.
You want nice hotels and cute cafés, but you still care about your bank account.
You enjoy a good rooftop bar, but you’re equally excited about a quiet morning walk and a bakery run.
You’re tired of 3,000-word guides that never actually say, “Stay here, on this side of the river, for your first time.”
If you’re nodding along, we are absolutely on the same page.
Let’s Travel Together (Digitally, for Now)
Over the next few months you’ll see my name pop up on all sorts of posts: city guides, weekend itineraries, packing lists and little deep-dives into things like “how I choose a safe place to stay” and “mistakes I made on my first solo trip that you don’t have to repeat”.
If you’ve got a destination you’re nervous about or a trip you’re stuck planning, tell me the team through the contact form — they keep a running list of “real reader problems” and build future guides around them.
In the meantime, feel free to treat me like that friend who has already gone, taken notes, and is now sending you the “here’s what actually worked” version.
Save this post so you remember who this random Riley person is when you see my face all over your next trip-planning rabbit hole.
Talk soon — we’ve got a lot of places to go together. ✈️💬
I’m Jess, school-lunch packer, chief organiser of all things “Muuuum, I’m bored!” and come Summer in Australia … cricket tragic.
When the Ashes 2025 fixtures dropped, I was ridiculously excited – as usual. Five Tests, five cities, one very overstimulated Australian mum trying to work out how to fit in as much as possible. The Ashes first Test is in Perth this year – a huge change from the usual Gabba opener – and I honestly feel so lucky we’re heading over for it. Perth is a beautiful city and their new stadium is amazing.
I’m especially pumped because we’ll get to see Jake Weatherald and Brendan Doggett make their Test debuts in that Perth opener – it’s the first time since 2019 that Australia has handed two baggy greens out in one hit. As a long-time fan, watching new players walk out for the first time gives me goosebumps… and maybe a couple of misty-eyed moments I blame on “sunscreen in my eyes.”
And while all-rounder Beau Webster has to wait for his chance after missing selection for the opener, I’m still quietly hoping we’ll see him at some point across the Ashes 2025 Summer.
But as any parent knows, loving Test cricket is one thing. Loving five days in a plastic seat with fidgety kids is another. So this is my mum’s guide to:
What to do in each Ashes 2025 Test city
How to keep kids happy before, after and even during play
A few links and resources if you’re planning your own Ashes family adventure
The Big Picture: Ashes 2025 Test Cities & Dates
The men’s 2025–26 Ashes runs from 21 November 2025 to 8 January 2026, with five Tests in: (Cricket Australia)
Perth Stadium (Optus Stadium), Perth – 21–25 November
This year the Ashes first Test heads west, with Perth Stadium (Optus Stadium) hosting an Ashes match for the very first time. It’s a gorgeous modern ground, easy to navigate with kids, has toilets that you can actually get to easily and the light over the Swan River as the day goes on is magic.
Add in Jake Weatherald opening and Brendan Doggett steaming in for his first Test, and it feels like such a special game to be at as a family. My eldest is already practising his chants and stretches like he’s in the slips cordon.
Kid-Friendly Things To Do Around Perth
On rest days (or if the kids hit their limit by tea on day three…), Perth is a dream:
Kings Park & Botanic Garden – One of the world’s biggest inner-city parks. You get skyline views for the adults and epic nature play areas for the kids – think treetop walkways and proper climbable stuff, not just one sad slide.
Swan River foreshore – Hire bikes, scoot or just walk along the river from Elizabeth Quay. Pack a picnic and give everyone a break from stadium chips.
Cottesloe Beach – Classic Perth: soft sand, family-friendly waves, and if you hang back for sunset, you’ll get that fiery Indian Ocean glow.
Fremantle – Markets, street performers, coffee for you, ice-cream for them. Plenty of shady nooks when the day gets hot.
Rottnest Island (Wadjemup) – If you’ve got a full day spare, jump on the ferry for bikes, beaches and quokkas. It’s a splurge, but the kids will talk about the quokka selfies for years.
Destination Perth has a handy family fun guide that’s basically a menu of “tire them out before stumps” ideas.
I’ll be honest: I can’t wait for the match in Brisbane. I guess because it’s our home town but the Gabba under lights is such a mood, and this time it’s hosting the second Test, not the first. The day-night format means we can squeeze in a proper morning adventure before heading to the ground for the first ball in the afternoon.
Brisbane With Kids During the Ashes
South Bank & Streets Beach – Free lagoon, playgrounds, ice-cream, and wide paths perfect for scooters. If my kids could vote, they’d spend the entire tour right here.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary – Only about 12km from the CBD, this is the world’s largest koala sanctuary and basically a guaranteed kid-crowd-pleaser. Kangaroos to hand-feed, koalas to gaze at, and loads of wildlife talks that secretly count as “school”.
CityCat Ferries – Jump on a CityCat along the Brisbane River. It’s cheap, breezy and you can pretend it’s “transport” rather than “ride number three of the day.”
Mount Coot-tha Lookout – Great for a pre-Test coffee with city views and short bush walks.
Adelaide Oval is one of my favourite grounds – beautiful, easy to walk around, and close to the river and city. The third Test lands in mid-December, when everything feels festive but not yet “I forgot to buy the teacher’s present” frantic. Sadly we won’t be there (some of us have to don’t you know) but you can bet I’ll be glued to the TV or listening to ABC Sport every chance I get. If you are lucky enough to be there give the following a try:
Adelaide With Kids Around the Ashes
Tram to Glenelg – From the city straight to the beach. At the Glenelg end you’ve got a big foreshore playground, Moseley Square fountains, cafes and that classic holiday feeling.
The Beachouse – A full family entertainment centre right at Glenelg: waterslides, arcade games, rides. This is my “break glass in case of sibling warfare” card.
Adelaide Zoo – Over 250 species, including the only giant pandas in the Southern Hemisphere. It’s walkable from the city and perfect for a non-cricket day.
Coastal boardwalks – South of the city, there are beautiful, accessible trails like the Witton Bluff Base Trail that are perfect for a sunset wander with older kids.
The Boxing Day Test at the MCG is peak cricket-tragic Christmas for me. By this point in the series, the kids are fully invested in who’s scoring runs and who’s dropping catches, this is truly a special day and the city is buzzing.
If you’re in town for a few days, Melbourne is brilliant for mixing cricket with culture.
Melbourne With Kids
Free trams in the CBD – My kids think the trams are an attraction on their own. The free tram zone makes it easy to hop around between laneways, museums and the MCG.
Scienceworks – Interactive science museum with loads of buttons, levers, and exhibits that make you feel clever and give you 90 minutes of solid kid focus.
Melbourne Museum & IMAX – Dinosaurs, First Nations history, an excellent children’s gallery, plus the option of a giant-screen movie if everyone needs to sit quietly in the dark for a bit.
NGV (National Gallery of Victoria) – Great kids’ programs and free entry to the main collection. You can dip in for an hour between meals or showers.
The Ashes wrap up at the SCG in Sydney in early January – perfect timing to roll Test cricket into a Summer family break. We’re hoping Australia will have it in the bag by this stage though I like most cricket fans are hoping for a tough showing from the Poms and maybe a few nail biting finishes.. with Australia winning of course.
Sydney With Kids During the SCG Test
Taronga Zoo – You get there by ferry (cool), it has epic harbour views (also cool), and it’s packed with animals and shows to keep kids bouncing between enclosures.
Darling Harbour – Big playgrounds, water features, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo, plus plenty of food options. It’s a good “everyone’s happy, nobody’s walking too far” hub.
Royal Botanic Garden & Opera House foreshore – An easy, pram-friendly wander with space for kids to run off steam while you soak in the postcard views.
Australian Museum (Hyde Park) – Free entry, loads of hands-on exhibits, and an amazing play space that works beautifully on hot or rainy days.
I could talk city itineraries all day, but the real magic is in figuring out how to actually do the cricket with childrenwithout needing a third coffee by the first drinks break. Here’s what’s worked for us.
1. Pick Your Sessions
Five full days at the ground is a lot, even for grown-ups. We usually:
Do one “big day” (often day one or two) where we commit to most of the play
Choose shorter stints on other days – e.g. morning session only, or just come in after tea for the last session under lights (especially in Brisbane)
That way the kids feel like they’ve “been to the Ashes” a bunch of times without burning out.
2. Make the Cricket a Game
We turn the Test into a running family game:
Everyone picks a batter and a bowler for the day
You get points for runs, wickets, catches, and even just surviving a tricky session
Extra points if Jake Weatherald, Brendan Doggett or Beau Webster (if/when he plays) does something special – because we love cheering the “new guys” as a family.
Suddenly the kids are begging to check the scoreboard.
3. Pack Like You’re Going Camping
My cricket day bag looks suspiciously like my camping gear:
Refillable water bottles
Sunscreen, hats, light long sleeves
Simple snacks (things that don’t melt instantly)
A small pack of cards or a mini notebook and pencils for when play slows down
Noise-reducing headphones for little ones, especially at louder grounds
Tying It All Together: Road Trips, Rest Days & Future Dreams
If you’re stringing multiple Tests together – or even doing a big family loop between a couple of cities – this is the kind of trip that can become part of your family story.
On womens.travel, we’ve got a couple of pieces that fit beautifully with an Ashes-themed holiday:
And if the Ashes sparks bigger travel dreams, I love our Greenland with kids slow-travel guide – proof that you can chase big, cold-weather adventures with little humans in tow too.
Final Over: Why I’m Dragging the Kids to the Ashes (Again)
Yes, travelling for Ashes 2025 with kids takes planning. There will be meltdowns, spilled drinks, wrong-gate moments and at least one argument about who gets the aisle seat.
But there will also be:
The roar when a debutant like Jake Weatherald gets his first boundary or Brendan Doggett claims his first Test wicket.
Late-afternoon light on the Swan River in Perth, city lights flickering on around the Gabba, warm evenings on the Glenelg foreshore.
Boxing Day at the ‘G, kids clutching their own little scorecards, and that feeling that you’re part of something that stretches back generations.
Sydney ferries, Brisbane koalas, Melbourne laneways and the simple joy of watching your kids fall in love with both cricket and travel.
For me, that’s the heart of it.
We’re not just ticking off stadiums. We’re building stories – city by city, Test by Test – that my kids will tell one day when they’re dragging their own little cricket tragics around the country.
And if along the way we see Beaufinally get his chance in the middle, well… I might even let the kids stay up past lights-out for that one.
More Manila–LA flights? Yes please, Philippine Airlines 💛
I had to read it twice to make sure I wasn’t dreaming: Philippine Airlines is ramping up its flagship Manila–Los Angeles nonstop route from 14 to 18 flights a week starting June 1, 2026.
For anyone trying to juggle annual leave, kids’ school dates, or that tiny window between work projects, this is seriously good news. More flights mean more chances to actually get the dates you want – instead of watching your dream trip disappear because everything sold out or the only available seat was at a painful o’clock.
As a woman who loves long-haul adventures but also obsesses over connection times, daylight arrivals and sane layovers, I’m genuinely excited about what this change means for trips between Asia, the Philippines and the US West Coast.
What Philippine Airlines is changing from June 1, 2026
Here’s the heart of the announcement in plain language:
Manila–Los Angeles nonstop flights jump from 14 to 18 per week.
Right now, PAL flies twice daily between Manila and L.A. using Boeing 777 aircraft.
From June 2026, there’ll be three flights a day on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, while the other days stay at two.
In other words: more seats, more departure times, and a lot more flexibility on one of PAL’s busiest long-haul routes.
The airline has also framed this as part of a bigger North America push. Alongside the extra LAX flights, PAL is:
Boosting Manila–Seattle from three to five weekly flights from November 25, 2025.
Continuing daily flights to San Francisco and Guam, thrice-weekly services to New York, and five-times-weekly flights to Honolulu.
Adding thrice-weekly Cebu–Guam flights from December 16, 2025 – the only direct air link between those two destinations.
So this isn’t just one extra flight here and there; it’s Philippine Airlines doubling down on its role as a bridge between Asia, the Philippines and North America.
With 18 flights every week, it gets much easier to:
Find flights that fit school holidays or limited annual leave.
Choose departure and arrival times that feel safer and more comfortable if you’re travelling solo.
Avoid those horrible overnight airport marathons by picking connections with decent layover windows.
Philippine Airlines has been clear that this expansion is about meeting strong demand, but it also means less “sorry, that date is sold out” stress for the rest of us.
2. Smoother connections across the Philippines and Asia
PAL’s president, Richard Nuttall, has highlighted that increasing capacity on Manila–L.A. doesn’t just help one route – it plugs straight into PAL’s domestic and regional network, making it easier to connect from other parts of the Philippines and Asia.
That’s a big deal if you’re:
Flying from somewhere like Cebu, Davao, Palawan or Perth, Western Australia and using Manila as your long-haul springboard.
Planning a “two-in-one” trip: a few days island-hopping in the Philippines, then onward to Los Angeles or beyond.
Visiting family in both the Philippines and the US and trying to stitch all of that into one itinerary without losing your mind.
More Philippine Airlines flights to Los Angeles also mean better onward links through PAL’s airline partners once you hit the US, so it’s easier to string together routes to other American cities.
3. Better odds for deals and redemptions
More capacity doesn’t automatically mean bargain-basement fares, but it does usually help:
Open up more fare buckets, especially outside absolute peak dates.
Increase the chances of snagging reward seats if you’re playing the points game.
Give you options if you need to switch dates due to work, health or family curveballs.
For anyone who has ever watched a carefully saved-up trip fall over because everything to LAX was full, this is quietly huge.
Philippine Airlines as a bridge between the Philippines and the US
In the original announcement, PAL describes the move as “opening doors” for travellers to experience its signature service while also supporting the economic relationship between the Philippines and the US.OnlineBalita news+1
That shows up in a couple of ways:
People: Filipino communities in the US (especially in California) get more options to fly home, and travellers from around Asia get another reliable way to reach the US West Coast.
Places: With those added LAX flights sitting alongside services to Seattle, San Francisco, New York, Guam and Honolulu, PAL is clearly positioning Manila as a serious hub for trans-Pacific travel.
Cargo: PAL says the changes will boost cargo capacity by up to 60 tons per week between Manila, the rest of Asia and Los Angeles, which is great news for small businesses shipping products across the Pacific too.
For us as travellers, we mostly feel this as: more routes, more frequencies, more choice.
How to make the most of the new Manila–Los Angeles flights
A few ways I’d play it once these extra Philippine Airlines flights kick in:
Plan early for mid-2026 onwards If you’re dreaming of a big US trip, especially around northern summer 2026 or year-end holidays, start sketching dates now so you can pounce when good fares appear.
Use Manila as a smart stopover Break the long haul with a couple of nights in Manila or another Philippine destination – it’s kinder on your body and way more fun than a jet-lag fog at baggage claim.
Consider multi-city bookings Think: LAX → Manila → Cebu/Palawan → home. With more Manila–LAX frequencies, you’ll have more freedom to arrange neat, efficient loops instead of awkward backtracking.
Watch for sales once capacity grows Airlines often run promos when they add capacity on a headline route. Keep an eye on Philippine Airlines newsletters and fare alerts around late 2025 and early 2026.
For me, the extra flights basically translate to one thing: more chances to say yes to a big trip instead of filing it under “maybe next year”.
It’s a little easier to grab the dates you want, line things up with real life, and pick flight times that feel safe and comfortable – especially if you’re travelling solo or meeting friends and family on the other side.
I’m already picturing it: lazy coffee mornings in LA, a road trip up the coast, then looping back through Manila for a few days of sunshine and cheap, delicious food before heading home. If you’ve been sitting on a US–Philippines trip for a while, this might be your sign.
1) Open your airline app and jump into rebooking immediately—good seats go fast.
2) If the new plan doesn’t suit you, request a cash refund to your original payment method.
3) If you’re stuck overnight, ask for meal/hotel vouchers (when the disruption is within the airline’s control) and use your credit-card’s trip delay benefits for anything the airline won’t cover.
4) Travel light: a focused carry-on makes same-day rebooking way easier—use our 5-4-3-2-1 packing method.
First Steps (Especially for Flight Cancellations Today)
1. Check your airline app/website for live alternatives. During widespread flight cancellations, airlines usually open free rebooking options.
2. Search the exact flights you want (same carrier or partners) and bring those flight numbers to an agent in chat or at the desk.
3. Decide: rebook or refund. If the new routing is too late or too long, say: “I’d like a refund to my original form of payment.”
Solo or traveling with kids? Choose flights earlier in the day and seats near the aisle for fast deplaning. If you get rebooked overnight, ask for a hotel on-airport or with frequent, well-lit shuttle pickup.
How To Check Flight Cancellations Fast
Airline level: Use your carrier’s status page/app. Search phrases like Delta flight cancellations, United flight cancellations, Southwest flight cancellations, American Airlines flight cancellations, or Alaska Airlines flight cancellations to jump right to each airline’s advisory page or status board. For quick overviews, you’ll sometimes see “list of United flight cancellations” or “delta cancelled flights” trend.
Airport level: If you suspect a local issue, look at the airport’s status and social feeds. This is helpful for spikes like Friday flight cancellations or city-specific weather.
National airspace: The FAA doesn’t cancel individual flights (airlines do), but it can implement traffic management programs that cause delays and knock-on cancellations—hence searches like FAA flight cancellations or FAA flight reductions. News roundups (think CNN flight cancellations) help during large events.
Money saver while you wait: When you’re replanning a trip later in the week, tools in our guide to cheap flight tools can find better fares or more reliable routings.
The Rebooking Playbook
1) Grab the best acceptable option you see in the app right now; you can improve it later.
2) Ask about partners/alliance options during major disruptions—agents can sometimes reissue on partners at no charge.
3) If you’re overnighted: request meal + hotel vouchers when the cause is airline-controlled (e.g., crew/maintenance). For weather/ATC issues, lean on your card’s trip delay coverage.
Canceled flight and you don’t accept the alternative? You can request a refund to your original form of payment.
Vouchers vs. cash: Cash/original payment doesn’t expire and gives maximum flexibility. Take a voucher only if you’ll use it soon and understand restrictions.
Baggage fee refunds: If checked bags are significantly delayed or lost, you can request those fees back.
EU/UK flights (EU261/UK261): If your trip departs the EU/EEA/UK (any airline) or arrives there on an EU/UK carrier, additional compensation rules may apply alongside rerouting/refunds.
Agent/Chat Script:“Hi! Flight [#] to [CITY] was canceled. I can take [FLIGHT X] at [TIME]—could you please rebook me on that? If not available, I’d like a refund to my original form of payment. Thank you.”
Women-Centric Safety & Comfort Tips
Hotels: Prefer on-airport hotels or those with frequent, well-lit shuttle stops. Ask for a room near elevators.
Navigation: Share live location with a trusted contact.
Packing: Keep meds, charger, a spare top, and minimal toiletries in your personal item. Our 5-4-3-2-1 packing method keeps it simple.
Mindset: If you’re new to solo travel (or coming back after a break), this piece on finding yourself on the road is a comforting reset.
Hikers/climbers rerouted by cancellations? Review these solo hiking safety tips before heading onto trails at your alternate destination.
FAQ
When will airlines announce flight cancellations?
Often in overnight schedule sweeps for the next day or in rolling waves during storms/ATC limitations. Turn on push alerts and recheck the app early morning and mid-afternoon.
When will Delta/United/Southwest/American/Alaska announce flight cancellations?
Each carrier prioritizes its app/advisory page. If you’re anxious, search the carrier-specific status (e.g., Delta flight cancellations, United Airlines cancellations) and keep your preferred alternates handy.
How do I see a list of flight cancellations?
Use your airline’s status board with filters for airport/date/flight number. For broader context during large events, news dashboards (e.g., CNN flight cancellations) can be useful.
Are Friday flight cancellations more common?
High volume + weather can make Fridays bumpy. Book the first flight of the day, avoid tight connections, and go carry-on only—see our 5-4-3-2-1 packing method above.
Best way to save money if I must delay my trip?
Use the tools in our cheap flight guide to re-shop fares; consider shifting one day earlier/later.
