I’m Kirsty and I’m the personality behind type 1 travels.

I’m a 36-year-old travel junkie and type 1 diabetic who moved from a picture-perfect postcard town in the south of England to the world-famous city of Venice, Italy, for love.

Growing up, family holidays were always within the UK. Usually simple camping trips in other counties like Devon and Somerset. Quaint, and something I appreciate as an adult, but not all that fun as a teenager. So, as soon as I got my first paycheck, off I went on my own adventures abroad. My first ever ‘grown-up’ holiday was a 10-day adventure to Romania with a colleague I’d known for just 5 short weeks. It was the beginning of a long and expensive love affair.

In 2010 I nearly lost my life – I was in a coma, on life support for a month. I went into the hospital a perfectly healthy 19 year old and left a type 1 diabetic.

The next few years were rocky as I learned a completely new way of life, got to grips with the medical terminology, and basically became my own medical team overnight. I was afraid of doing anything because I felt limited by my condition. That is until I braved a group trip to Romania for the second time and had the time of my life. Thus, the travel thirst was born again.

Since that wonderful ‘rediscovery’ trip in 2013, I’ve travelled the bulk of Europe solo; I’ve hiked mountains in South Africa; I’ve partied the night away with locals in Nairobi, Kenya; I’ve snorkelled with wild dolphins off the shores of Tanzania; I’ve eaten the best hummus of my life in Istanbul, Turkey; I’ve learned to ski in the dolomites; I’ve visited every region in my new home country of Italy; and I’ve done it all whilst maintaning healthy blood sugars.

In 2015 I went on my first trip to Italy – it was a singles girly holiday with my best friend, to celebrate us both recently achieving freedom from long term relationships. I met my partner on the very first night. To this day I question his decision to ask for my number after he had to help me find my hotel because I couldn’t remember where it was or the name of it, and he had to check the keys in my hand to find out where to help me back to. Apparently though he knew it was love because of how animated I got talking about food – specifially wanting to try pesto.

In 2016 my then boyfriend asked me to move to Venice to live with him. Me and my dog, Bruiser, packed our stuff into a van and made the journey through Europe to our new home. I spent the next few years focusing my travels on exploring my new home country and trying to see every region, and travelling back home to the UK to keep in touch with family and friends. With the occasional international trip.

In 2021 I made my first solo tour of Europe, completely by myself, no tour group this time. And I loved every second! The freedom to do whatever you want, eat where you want, nap when you want and go to attractions or museums when you feel like it is truly addictive. I do love adventuring around the world with my partner but solo travel is by far my favourite way to explore the world.

In 2024 I decided it’s time to share my knowledge and so type1.travels was born as an Instagram page to share tricks, tips, guides and inspiration. I’m not sure content creation is for me though. I’m far more comfortable tapping away at a computer, putting my thoughts into words than I am fiddling with a camera, trying to work out angles and lighting so I can post shiny videos. But I am still trying – older dogs, new tricks and all that.

So, follow along for euro focused city guides, epic hiking destinations, my recommendations for all the best local dishes and delicasies, and of course where to get the best spritz!

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