Warning, rant incoming. This might get a bit heated, so if you’re sensitive to strong language, you might want to skip this post. We’ve taught you how to survive a long-haul flight, and now we’re here to teach you some basic plane etiquette which we assumed would be common sense. Turns out, plenty of people have no idea how to behave on flights in 2024. After our recent experience on a 9-hour … [Read more...]
Essential India: the highs and lows of our two-week tour
From the rush and thrill of New Delhi to the pyres of Varanasi, we share the highs and lows of our Essential India tour “India is not a holiday; it’s an experience,” says our guide in what sounds like a promise but might also be a warning. India, she’s trying to say, is unpredictable – not easily tamed and packaged for the average tourist. I can sense the nervousness in our motley … [Read more...]
12 of the Best Places to Visit in Central and South Italy
So, what are the best places to visit in Italy? Such a big question needs more than one article to answer. We’ve already covered some of the best places to see in Northern Italy here. Let’s continue discussing the best places to visit in Italy, this time focusing on Central and Southern Italy. Italy is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It’s also one that we have … [Read more...]
Poorest countries in the world 2024 – ranked
African nations continue to dominate the ranking of the poorest countries in the world based on the latest data from the World Bank We all have preconceptions about places. Take Ethiopia, for example. As children of the eighties, Kia and I were only too aware of the struggles Ethiopia has faced historically: political unrest, civil war and, of course, famine. It was easy then to imagine a … [Read more...]
Countries where you can see tigers in the wild
From the Russian taiga to the Indonesian island of Sumatra, we profile the places and countries where you can see tigers in the wild A century ago, as many as 100,000 wild tigers stalked the planet but by the dawn of the 21st century, that figure had plummeted by around 95% largely due to habitat loss and poaching. Current numbers are hard to confirm – tigers are masters of camouflage after … [Read more...]
Tips for visiting Jim Corbett National Park: 12 dos and don’ts
Our essential tips for visiting Jim Corbett National Park, India’s legendary tiger reserve in the foothills of the Himalayas The state of Uttarakhand in India, bordering China and Nepal, takes its name from the Sanskrit words uttara meaning ‘north’ and khaṇḍa meaning ‘land’. To Hindus, it’s known as Devbhoomi – the land of the gods – because of its cluster of high-altitude shrines shrouded in … [Read more...]
9 US national parks that require a reservation in 2024
America’s outdoor spaces are becoming increasingly congested, so more US national parks will require a reservation in 2024 In 1872, the US established Yellowstone National Park, the first protected site in the country and only the second in the world after Bogd Khan Uul in Mongolia. Yellowstone soon became the international standard for the preservation of biodiversity and cultural history; a … [Read more...]
Atlas & Boots’ top 10 posts of 2023
After a hiatus from the blog, Kia looks back at our top 10 posts of the year There’s a slight break from tradition this year here at Atlas & Boots. Our top posts of the year are usually a balanced mix of articles by me (Kia) and Peter. This year, however, all but one are by Peter thanks to my hiatus from the blog. I had to take a step back this year as I’ve been busy with my … [Read more...]
30 best books about Antarctica: updated for 2024
From harrowing accounts of survival to a heartwarming tale of a rescued penguin, we list our favourite books about Antarctica The most inhospitable place on Earth is an engrossing setting for any story, be it fictional or factual. Unsurprisingly, Antarctica’s literary canon is filled with tales of tragedy and/or survival against the odds. It would be easy, then, to fill this list with … [Read more...]
Poles of inaccessibility: the middle of nowhere
The poles of inaccessibility are arguably the true last frontiers for explorers. But what and where are they? I’ve long been fascinated with the most remote places on Earth and the epic journeys of discovery to reach them. I’ve spent countless long mornings in bed leafing through giant reference books on the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration and even longer afternoons poring over … [Read more...]
Sicily in Winter and Fall – Why You Should Visit Sicily in Offseason
Is Sicily a good destination in winter and fall? We took a trip to Sicily in the second half of November to find out! Sicily is a dream destination for millions of people. And with good reason. The island is filled with history, ambiance, natural beauty, architecture, and delicious food. A visit to Sicily at ANY time of the year is a good idea. But a visit in the winter? Well, fellow traveler, … [Read more...]
The best beaches we’ve ever seen
After visiting 100 countries and seven continents, we share the best beaches we’ve seen on our travels When I first went on holiday, I was 18 years old and on the lookout for the perfect beach. You know the sort: powdery white sand and clear turquoise water set against a blazing blue sky. In those early years of travel, I saw beautiful beaches in Barbados, Tunisia, Thailand, Mexico … [Read more...]
Snorkelling Baros Reef in the Maldives
Snorkelling Baros Reef in the Maldives offers encounters with turtles, sharks and octopuses just steps away from powdery white sand The private island of Baros in the North Male atoll of the Maldives is one of our favourite places on Earth. We first visited in 2012 on a press trip with flights, accommodation and all excursions included. We dined on a private sandbank, sailed with … [Read more...]
17 Yummiest and Best Breakfast and Brunch Places in Barcelona
Are you looking for an American style breakfast or brunch in Barcelona? Brunch might be stereotypically American, but let’s be real: it’s become a universal concept. No matter where we are in the world, we’re always in search of the best brunch. Whether it’s giving you life after a night out or giving you fuel for a full day of exploring, brunch can be whatever you want (or need) it to … [Read more...]
Not for novices: America’s most dangerous hikes
From an exposed ridge on a Colorado fourteener to a remote Hawaiian jungle trail, these are America’s most dangerous hikes While most will – and do – complete these hikes unscathed, the trails can be perilous enough that a spot of bad luck, small mistake or slight miscalculation can leave you seriously injured, or even dead. Exposure, crevasses, avalanches – all the usual threats can be … [Read more...]
What Should You Do Before Going on Vacation or a Long Trip?
A good travel experience starts at home. So, what should you do before going on a long trip? We’re glad you asked. Planning for a long-term trip overseas can be a protracted and daunting endeavor. We know, we’ve done it dozens of times, and to this day there are things we sometimes forget to do. For first-timers planning a long trip, the logistics can get a bit overwhelming. There is … [Read more...]
Most active volcanoes in the world
From stewing lava lakes to fatal eruptions, we chart the most active volcanoes in the world Nature has many fearsome wonders – earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis – but none so fearsome as the most active volcanoes in the world. These hellish peaks feature in tales of ardour and heroism, loom over humble settlements and whisper threats of violence and destruction. Though potentially lethal, … [Read more...]
21 most beautiful mountains in the US
The most beautiful mountains in the US are a contentious subject, for this is a land that brims with beauty. We scoured the states and whittled them down to a list of 21 Legendary climber Reinhold Messner said that there are three rules of mountaineering: “It’s always further than it looks. It’s always taller than it looks. And it’s always harder than it looks.” Messner was the … [Read more...]
12 Christmas gifts for travellers
Our tried-and-tested list of Christmas gifts for travellers be they hikers, shutterbugs, adrenaline junkies or culture vultures This year has been a bit of a transitional year at Atlas & Boots. We are now settled in our new home in East London and happier than we’ve ever been, despite the change in our finances (hello, London prices). Things feel settled, but that’s not to say it hasn’t … [Read more...]
20 best travel apps to download in 2024
A curated list of the best travel apps, from the latest tools that keep us connected to old favourites we’ve used for years As travel writers who have been to over a hundred countries, we are often asked about the best travel apps that we can’t do without. For a long time, we stuck to old and reliable apps that performed basic functions like looking up locations or booking … [Read more...]