About Me

Meet Hala

Hi, and welcome to touroclock – I’m so happy you’re here.

If you’re someone who dreams of traveling but worries about costs, logistics, or “where do I even start?”, you’re exactly who I created this space for.

I’m Hala – the planner, storyteller, and slightly over-obsessed itinerary maker behind touroclock.

This blog was born from late-night travel research, budget spreadsheets, and one life-changing trip that made me realize… planning travel is just as exciting to me as the trip itself.

From Pakistan to the World

Long before I ever boarded an international flight, I had already explored almost every corner of Pakistan. Mountains, cities, quiet towns – I was always ready for the next road trip.

Travel was never just a vacation for me.

It was curiosity. It was learning. It was feeling alive in new places.

I started traveling internationally in 2017, and over the years, I’ve been fortunate to explore 40+ destinations and counting, alongside extensively traveling across Pakistan.

But while travel had already become a big part of my life, 2021 changed everything.

That year, I went on a honeymoon trip to Turkey with my husband, and something clicked.

I planned that trip entirely on my own. From visas to flight deals, Airbnbs to daily routes, restaurant lists to transport research – I handled it all. And somewhere between comparing hotel locations and mapping out walking routes, I realized something:

I didn’t just love traveling. I loved building the journey.

That trip didn’t just give me memories.

It gave me direction.

So the same year, I started this blog.

How do I Travel?

Travel is something I intentionally make space for in my life.

My husband and I usually plan two international trips every year together, carefully budgeting, researching, and planning them in advance. We love meaningful travel, the kind where you actually experience a place instead of rushing through a checklist.

Not luxury travel.
Not rushed travel.
Just well-planned, meaningful travel.

We plan our trips together – the dreaming, the decision-making, the “should we really do this?” conversations – but I’m the one behind this website. I write the guides, share the budgets, explain the logistics, and tell the honest stories behind each trip.

Because of my husband’s job as a civil servant, we have moved often over the years, which also shaped many of my career decisions. While travel is something we genuinely love, Touroclock has given me an even bigger reason to keep exploring.

Apart from the trips I take with my husband, I also take additional international trips on my own. Travel is not just something I enjoy anymore, it has become a meaningful part of what I do.

Touroclock is built around real travel, real planning, and real experiences, which means everything you read here comes from genuine research, firsthand experiences, and an honest love for travel writing.

Why I Started This Travel Blog?

I created touroclock for travelers who:

want to travel smart, not expensively
feel overwhelmed by planning
love detailed itineraries
want real experiences beyond basic tourist lists
appreciate honesty, including what went wrong

I share what worked, what didn’t, what was worth the money, and what wasn’t. Because travel doesn’t have to be perfect to be unforgettable, it just needs to be planned with intention.

My Life Beyond Travel

Professionally, I’m a Chemical Engineer – which probably explains why I naturally love research, details, and structured planning (very useful skills when building travel itineraries). I worked in the field, but life had other plans. Because of my husband’s job (Civil Servant), we moved often, and staying in a traditional role became difficult.

So I shifted gears.

I taught myself SEO from the ground up and slowly built my career in SEO. It wasn’t an overnight shift, but a step-by-step journey of learning, experimenting, and growing – the same way I plan my travels.

When I’m not traveling, I’m usually writing detailed travel guides, researching destinations, updating itineraries, or working as a freelance SEO specialist.

And yes, I’m a full-time travel planner even when I’m not traveling 😄

Meet My Travel Planning Assistants

Behind every itinerary, packing list, and late-night travel guide… there’s a high chance I had company.

Our home – and especially our post-travel recovery days villa – is lovingly supervised by three tiny personalities with very big opinions:

Charlie – Our fluffy Maltese and Chief Welcome-Home Officer, always ready with tail wags and dramatic excitement
Mylo – another Maltese princess, Head of Security (barks first, investigates later)
Claire – Our cutie, moody Persian cat, quiet observer, full-time CCTV camera, loves sleeping, but then she is afraid we might eat something without her

We’re huge animal lovers, and life at home is a mix of travel planning, pet cuddles, and negotiating for laptop space. So if a post ever takes a little longer than expected… there’s a good chance one of them claimed my lap, my keyboard, or my full attention.

And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Where I’ve Been So Far?

So far, I’ve traveled to 40+ Destinations and countries, and counting, along with extensively exploring Pakistan. Each place has taught me something new – about travel, culture, people, and even myself.

Here’s a list of the countries I’ve visited so far:

Every trip eventually turns into practical guides, itineraries, and honest stories here on the travel blog – so you can plan your next adventure with confidence.

Why Trust Touroclock?

Travel planning can feel overwhelming, especially when every website tells you something different. That’s exactly why I created Touroclock: to share practical, honest, and genuinely helpful travel advice based on real planning and real experiences.

Here’s what you can expect from me:

✔ Personally Researched Itineraries
Every guide is carefully researched, planned, and written with practical details in mind, from transport and budgeting to realistic daily routes.

✔ Real Travel Experience
I only write about destinations I’ve personally visited or extensively researched, sharing the kind of information I wish I had before my own trips.

✔ Honest Recommendations
If something is worth your time and money, I’ll tell you. If something feels overrated, confusing, or not worth the effort, I’ll be honest about that too.

✔ Regularly Updated Travel Guides
Travel information changes all the time. I regularly review and update guides to keep details as accurate and helpful as possible.

My goal is simple: to help you travel smarter, plan easier, and feel more confident about seeing the world.

If something is overrated, I’ll tell you.
If something is magical, I’ll make sure you don’t miss it.

Thank you for being here. Truly. I hope this blog helps you travel more confidently, plan more easily, and realize that seeing the world is more possible than it seems.

— Hala

How to Get in Touch?

Want to say hi? My inbox is always open! You can reach me directly through the contact form on my website – I try to respond to almost every message I receive.

I’m also active on social media! If you prefer a quicker note or just want to follow along, you can find me on Instagram and Pinterest, where I share real-time travel updates and am happy to chat.

Moreover, you can check my frequently asked questions if you are still curious about me;)