Yaya Onalaja-Aliu
Yaya Onalaja-Aliu is the travel writer, photographer and co-founder behind Hand Luggage Only, sharing destination guides, food finds and travel stories with Lloyd Griffiths.
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Yaya’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus his backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
Hardie Grant
Hand Luggage Only
Hand Luggage OnlyOverview
- Known as
- One half of Hand Luggage Only, with Lloyd Griffiths
- Started
- April 2014, at the University of Cambridge
- Work
- Travel writing, photography and destination guides
- Book
- Hand Luggage Only: Great Britain (2021)
- Early recognition
- Best Travel Blog, Vuelio Blog Awards 2017
Mini bio
How it started.
Yaya and Lloyd launched Hand Luggage Only in April 2014 from Yaya’s college room at Cambridge. They had been swapping travel stories and photographs on Facebook and wanted a place to talk with other travellers. Their blog went live within hours.
Finding an audience.
Their mix of photography, personal travel journals and practical advice earned Hand Luggage Only Best Travel Blog at the 2017 Vuelio Blog Awards. In 2018, it topped Vuelio’s UK travel blog ranking. Their work has also included partnerships with Visit England and Apple.
From the blog to a book.
In 2021, Yaya and Lloyd published Hand Luggage Only: Great Britain with Hardie Grant. It draws on their own travels through England, Scotland and Wales, sharing coastal walks, castles, road trips and city stops. Their agency also lists them among the 2026 TIME100 Creators.
Creditschronological, newest first
Books
- 2021Hand Luggage Only: Great BritainCo-author with Lloyd Griffiths
Travel publishing
- 2014Hand Luggage OnlyCo-founder with Lloyd Griffiths
Interviews and appearances
- 2023bCreator: Serious Influence, Series 6, Episode 1Guest with Lloyd Griffiths; recorded live at the bCreator Travel Show
Awards
Quotes
I plan on sharing my travels on here, giving you some insight into my experiences and hopefully help you plan your travel too!Yaya, “Welcome to Hand Luggage Only!”
Yaya introducing what he hoped to share in his first blog post.
Trivia
- The blog began in Yaya’s Cambridge college room.
- He has lived in Singapore.
- He describes himself as a dog person who would also like a cat.
- Strawberry flavours are a favourite; chocolate is less his thing.
Find Yaya
Follow Yaya and Lloyd’s shared Hand Luggage Only accounts.
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