"Live, laugh, love" Benson35's Profile


My name's Benson and I'm now a virtual tourist!

Well hello there!
I think to start from the beginning, I've always had a travel bug in me!
I'm now in my twenties and have travelled far more than I ever could have imagined.

As a child we mainly holidayed in Spain. Then as my sister and I grew too old to qualify for free child places, we holidayed in the UK.
I've had the most amazing holidays in the Yorkshire Dales and Northumberland. A lot of people don't realise how beautiful our country is; they don't apreciate what's on the doorstep.

When I left college and went out into the big wide working world, I discovered the most amazing thing - I could afford to travel!!

At 18 years of age I packed a backpack and went to explore some of Europe with a friend after saving every penny I earned. We travelled through Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy and Spain, staying in Youth Hostels, B&Bs, Hotels and even on a suitcase trolley outside an airport!

Since then, I've had the most amazing time discovering my own little wonders of the world and am always planning my next trip!!

Why VT?

I was sat one afternoon in January 2012 researching San Francisco on my laptop. I wanted advice on hotels, locations, people's experiences and tips. I'd not long since come back from a 5 day trip there and wanted to go back for about a month! I'd fallen in love!

I came across Virtual Tourist.

I was amazed. I started to read through members pages on San Francisco and their experiences and tips were just what I was looking for.
I wrote a status on my facebook page telling people about the site and the fact that REAL PEOPLE write the reviews and share their experiences! I couldn't believe that a site like this existed! I was so excited!!
A facebook friend then commented on my status and told me that she was a member of VT. I knew she was a member of a cyber travel community, but I didn't realise it was this one!
Gillybob then went on to tell me how fabulous VT was, how she has made so many friends all over the world and travelled far and wide. She told me before long I'd be hooked . . . . . and she was right!!

I think you need to know . . .

I am a mad Manchester City fan and will never, ever change!

I'm an active member of the Reddish Blues supporters branch. I have recently been accepted onto the committee as Charities Officer and have the most fun with the committee members planning, organising, implementing and taking part in various events!

I go to all of the matches I can - home and away.
This has led me to travel more of europe (with our recent sucess!). It's a completely different experience and view of a place when you are with football fans. Don't always believe what you hear - the majority of us are a very friendly bunch, who enjoy supporting our team and having fun meeting people.

I've been lucky enough to watch the Super Blues play Juventus in Turin (Italy) and Porto (Portugal)!
There is always a small group of us, of varying ages, that travel together. Collectively, we love the football, we love Man City, we enjoy a drink (or five!), we enjoy appreciating the culture and exploring where we are.

So thank you Man City, another reason why I feel you in my heart - travel!
CTID

My first mini VT meet!

Well, after feeling rather nervous all day, I did it! I've been to my first VT meet!! Granted it was only a small one, but it was great fun meeting people. It was organised as Malena (MelenaN) was in Manchester for a day and night from Sweden.
We sat and shared a meal and a few drinks together. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be - I really don't know why I was so nervous! Everybody made me feel so comfortable and welcome. I had a great time! So, my first ever VT meet to go down in my VT history book, Monday 27th February 2012! Woo hoo! Can't wait for the Halifax meet now!

Thanks to Sue (suvanki), Gillian (Gillybob), Malena (MalenaN), Gareth (Balam), Evan (Evenith666) and Alyson (alyf1961), I had a brilliant night!!!

  • Intro Updated Mar 26, 2012
  • Report Abuse

Comments (46)

Post a Comment   Submit Comment  
  • Paulm1987's Profile Photo

    welldone to your team man city

  • Gillybob's Profile Photo

    For some - yes. Another few hours for others! :-P Gillybob greetings

  • vichatherly's Profile Photo
    vichatherly May 16, 2012 at 1:20 AM Report Abuse

    Congratulations to City on a well played season.

    It was a close run thing, not sure you can get any closer, and for a fleeting moment at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, I thought that we might just pull off a smash and grab.

    We’ll give you another run for your money next season

  • spidermiss's Profile Photo
    spidermiss May 13, 2012 at 2:21 PM Report Abuse

    Congratulations for today:D x

  • Waalewiener's Profile Photo
    Waalewiener May 10, 2012 at 5:41 AM Report Abuse

    Hi there Hayley Okidoki no problem you are going to have a great time I can guarantee it
    Just be yourself that is what I al
    ways do and it is the best way to be

  • nhcram's Profile Photo
    nhcram May 9, 2012 at 4:02 PM Report Abuse

    Hi Hayley, just popping in to say hi. How are you? Bergamo should be fun. Hope you meet lots of lovely people x

  • suvanki's Profile Photo
    suvanki Apr 29, 2012 at 1:38 PM Report Abuse

    Cheers!

  • SONG's Profile Photo
    SONG Apr 27, 2012 at 6:52 PM Report Abuse

    Bet you had a fun birthday.....happy birthday belatedly.
    Kathy

  • mavl's Profile Photo
    mavl Apr 26, 2012 at 3:23 AM Report Abuse

    belated happy birthday hayley! hope you had a good one. looking forward to going around with you in bergamo!

  • Donna_in_India's Profile Photo
    Donna_in_India Apr 25, 2012 at 6:06 PM Report Abuse

    Hi Hayley - wishing you a very happy birthday!

Share your travels with the world!

Join Now!
Benson35's Profile Photo

Benson35

“Decide, explore, have fun, love”

Online Now

Female

Top 5,000 Travel Writer
Member Rank:
0 2 3 4 0
Real Name
Hayley
Location
Manchester, United Kingdom
Member Since
Jan 16, 2012

Badges & Stats

  • 117 Reviews
  • 505 Photos
  • 4,534PageViews
  • 11 Countries
  • 34 Cities

Latest Activity

See All Activity

Travel Interests

See All Travel Interests (4)

Top hotels

Paris Hotels
26625 Reviews - 51992 Photos
New York City Hotels
19517 Reviews - 30170 Photos
London Hotels
26553 Reviews - 43839 Photos
Orlando Hotels
3818 Reviews - 5652 Photos
Las Vegas Hotels
9801 Reviews - 16221 Photos
Rome Hotels
14029 Reviews - 24802 Photos
Dubai Hotels
2642 Reviews - 5910 Photos
Sharm El Sheikh Hotels
1513 Reviews - 2285 Photos
Barcelona Hotels
11812 Reviews - 20912 Photos
Myrtle Beach Hotels
387 Reviews - 422 Photos
Kuala Lumpur Hotels
7102 Reviews - 12683 Photos
Goa Hotels
2324 Reviews - 3734 Photos
Istanbul Hotels
8964 Reviews - 18401 Photos
Bangkok Hotels
11752 Reviews - 20953 Photos
Panama City Beach Hotels
219 Reviews - 281 Photos