Red Hat Barn Travels

Slow trips, good places to stay — unhurried guides to Southeast Asia, Bali and the trips worth slowing down for.

Hidden Corners of Northern Thailand Worth the Detour
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First Time in Bali: What I Wish I'd Known
Destinations

First Time in Bali: What I Wish I'd Known

Bali is easier and more varied than the clichés suggest. A few honest pointers for making a first visit feel less overwhelming.

By Marnie Ellison · February 3, 2026
Planning a Multi-City Southeast Asia Trip Without Burning Out
Trip Planning

Planning a Multi-City Southeast Asia Trip Without Burning Out

Three countries in three weeks sounds romantic until you're living out of a rolling suitcase. Here's how to pace a regional trip so it stays fun.

By Marnie Ellison · February 19, 2026
Packing Light for Tropical Travel: A Carry-On Guide
Trip Planning

Packing Light for Tropical Travel: A Carry-On Guide

You need far less than you think for a warm-weather trip. Here's the short, tested list that fits a carry-on and covers three weeks.

By Marnie Ellison · March 9, 2026
Where to Stay in Seminyak for a Big Group Trip
Where to Stay

Where to Stay in Seminyak for a Big Group Trip

Planning a Bali getaway for twenty people? The accommodation decision shapes the whole trip. Here's how we approached it.

By Marnie Ellison · March 26, 2026
Chiang Mai for Slow Travellers Who Want to Stay a While
Destinations

Chiang Mai for Slow Travellers Who Want to Stay a While

If you have a month rather than a weekend, Chiang Mai is one of the easiest places in Asia to settle into. Here's how to do it.

By Marnie Ellison · April 12, 2026
Travelling with Kids in Southeast Asia: An Honest Take
Group Travel

Travelling with Kids in Southeast Asia: An Honest Take

The region is far more family-friendly than nervous first-timers expect. What actually helps, and what to stop worrying about.

By Marnie Ellison · April 28, 2026
The Best Neighbourhoods to Stay in Bali, Compared
Where to Stay

The Best Neighbourhoods to Stay in Bali, Compared

Seminyak, Canggu, Ubud or Uluwatu? Where you base yourself decides what kind of Bali trip you'll have. A plain-English comparison.

By Marnie Ellison · May 15, 2026
How to Organise a Group Trip Without Losing Your Mind
Group Travel

How to Organise a Group Trip Without Losing Your Mind

Someone always ends up herding the group. Here's the system I use to plan trips for eight-plus people that keeps everyone happy.

By Marnie Ellison · June 2, 2026
A Weekend City Break in Singapore: The Perfect 48 Hours
Trip Planning

A Weekend City Break in Singapore: The Perfect 48 Hours

Singapore is made for a short, sharp stopover. Here's how to spend a well-paced two days without trying to do it all.

By Marnie Ellison · June 18, 2026