Chiapas is often overlooked by tourists in favor of more popular destinations like Cancun or Mexico City. But if you’re a bit of an explorer, you may well consider it one of the most fascinating regions of Mexico. Nestled in the southernmost part of Mexico close to Guatemala, Chiapas offers a unique blend of adventure, culture, and natural beauty. Although it’s one of the poorest and least … [Read more...]
10 Of The Top Things To Do In Gjirokastër, Albania
The southern Albanian gem of Gjirokastër is steeped in history and bursting with charm. With a picturesque Old Town filled with Ottoman-era buildings, a bustling bazaar, and beautifully preserved 17th-century homes, Gjirokaster feels like it came straight from a fairytale. This hillside city has a long and storied past and was once a part of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires, though … [Read more...]
An Insider’s Bangkok Itinerary For 2, 3, Or 4 Days
As someone who has been uncovering Bangkok since 2015 when I first touched down in The Big Mango to study abroad, I’ve had the opportunity to experience Bangkok like a local. Ever since that first visit, I’ve returned to my favorite city in the world year after year to continue exploring and immersing myself in its vibrant energy. Bangkok has become a second home to me and I’m excited to share all … [Read more...]
Guide To The Oaxacan Coast: Best Beaches For Every Vibe
The Pacific Coast in Mexico has rather blown up in popularity over the last five years. What used to be sleepy surf villages has now become everyone’s favorite Mexican escape, and it’s got every kind of beach vibe you could possibly want. Despite the Oaxacan coast finding a larger audience post-pandemic, it remains a laidback alternative to commercial tourist spots like Cabo and Cancun. With … [Read more...]
Yucatan vs. Oaxaca: Which Mexican Region Is Best For You?
There are two regions in Mexico that are especially ideal for any first-time trip (or second or third time!)… the Yucatan Peninsula and Oaxaca State. However, both offer unique experiences, which can make it difficult to choose between them. While there is never a true answer when it comes to whether one place is “better” than another, there are some definite differences between these two regions … [Read more...]
Road Trip In Portugal: 3 Incredible Routes + Tips
With Lisbon and Porto receiving all the hype in recent years, you’d almost forget there is still the whole of Portugal to explore… Road tripping along the rugged coast or winding through the mildly mountainous interior of Portugal is actually one of the true delights of discovering this beautiful country. Away from the large-scale tourism in the cities, you can explore small historical towns, … [Read more...]
A Backpacker’s Guide To Nicaragua
Nicaragua is getting steadily discovered by intrepid surfers and backpackers, drawn by its rock-bottom prices, local vibe, and nascent ecotourism. It’s an under-the-radar destination that is not to be skipped. When I first visited Nicaragua, it seemed like an overlooked tourist destination in Central America. It even felt like a bit of a new frontier. Case in point: my Lonely Planet guidebook … [Read more...]
Is Vietnam Actually… Underrated? Pros And Cons Of Visiting Vietnam
Vietnam can be rather love-it-or-hate-it, maybe even controversial among travel buffs. It actually happens to be one of my favorite destinations to talk about, exactly because I’ve had such dramatically different experiences there. There were times when I thought Vietnam must be the most overrated country in Southeast Asia. Other times, I thought it was the epitome of adventure travel, making me … [Read more...]
The Not-Your-Usual Guide to Tam Coc
The spectacular karst mountains near Ninh Binh are sometimes called the ‘Ha Long Bay on land’. While not at sea, these limestone peaks are set amid bright green rice fields, beautiful wetlands, and many ancient temples. It is well worth making a stop — ideally for a couple of nights! Most guides to Ninh Binh (or the town of Tam Coc) seem to mention the same tips, often based on a day trip or … [Read more...]
Hidden Hanoi: Best Things To Do Beyond The Usual Sights
If you’re going to Hanoi for the first time then you’re in for a treat. This big beehive of a city is a place you’ll not soon forget. When I first arrived in the Vietnamese capital several years ago, my eyes just widened with pure excitement… The honking, the thousands of motorbikes. The women in conical hats and flowery shirts hawking fruits to passers-by. The noise and thick polluted air… but … [Read more...]
10 Must-Try Dishes, Drinks & Street Foods Of Vietnam
The Vietnamese fashion designer is looking at me skeptically. His friends are absorbed in the plate of dried squid on the table between us. But this forty-something balding man with his nicely-tailored shirt and black slacks is shocked when I gesture that they can finish the dish of pale pink strips. The man has also had four or five Sài Gòn Special beers in the last hour. (I promise I only bought … [Read more...]
Phong Nha Ke-Bang: Guide To The Caves & Other Activities
Phong Nha-Ke Bang is a must-visit in Vietnam — at least if you’d like to explore some of the most stunning caves in all of Asia. UNESCO World Heritage-listed since 2003, it is home to the world’s largest cave and Asia’s oldest karst mountains and it’s located conveniently midway between Hue and Hanoi. There are over 500 caves in Phong Nha, of which around 30 are made accessible to visitors. While … [Read more...]
Quy Nhon Travel Guide: A Hidden Gem On Vietnam’s Coast
I have a confession to make: I don’t think Vietnam’s beaches are all that great. Not usually, anyway. During my trips to Vietnam I visited the popular beaches of Mui Ne, Nha Trang, Hoi An, and all the rest of it — and often came away feeling a little disappointed. The beaches are often soullessly developed with big hotels aimed at Chinese or Russian package tourists, or they’re just too crowded or … [Read more...]
Best Places To Go In Thailand (For Different Travelers)
Thailand is one of the world’s top travel destinations, famed for its tropical beaches, exquisite cuisine, and golden temples. While the pandemic resulted in its borders being closed for 18 months, Thailand is now open to tourists again, giving you the perfect chance to visit the Land of a Thousand Smiles once again. With Chinese tourism still on hold, you can see Thailand with much fewer … [Read more...]
Ho Chi Minh City Travel Guide (With Top Things To Do)
Often called the commercial capital of Vietnam, the chaotic and dynamic city of Ho Chi Minh is the country’s largest. But there is no need to feel overwhelmed, as our Ho Chi Minh City travel guide will help you navigate this bustling metropolis. Plan your trip to Ho Chi Minh City Visiting Ho Chi Minh: What to Expect Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, is a city with big … [Read more...]
1 Week in Morocco Itinerary: The Classic Route (With Extensions)
With everything that there is to see in Morocco, you might be wondering how you can possibly do it if you only have 1 week… Well, let me come to your rescue with this 1 week in Morocco itinerary. And if you have 10 days to spend in Morocco, I’ll suggest how to extend it. The following is a varied travel route giving you some of the best of Morocco. You’ll explore vibrant cities home … [Read more...]
Is Albania Worth Visiting? Some Honest Pros and Cons
Compared to other countries in Europe, Albania doesn’t get as much attention as it should. Some people may feel uneasy about traveling to somewhere they know nothing about, but that’s part of what makes this Balkan nation so endearing. Albania found its way onto the tourist map a little more during the pandemic; when there were fewer travel restrictions in place compared to other countries at the … [Read more...]
How To See The Monarch Butterfly Colonies In Mexico
Mexico is home to one of the most spectacular natural phenomena in the world: the monarch butterfly migration. Every year, millions of monarch butterflies travel over 3,000 miles from the United States and Canada to the forests of Mexico. Witnessing the millions of overwintering Monarchs is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you definitely shouldn’t miss if you’re in Mexico at the right time of … [Read more...]
2 Weeks in Peru: The Classic Itinerary (With Alternatives)
Peru is one of the most thrilling destinations in Latin America — and a personal favorite of mine. If you have at least 2 weeks in Peru, you can plan an epic action-packed trip to this Andean nation. Here’s exactly how. From the lush Amazon rainforest to the dry deserts of the coast, from the high Andean mountains to the picturesque colonial cities, Peru seriously ticks every box. It’s also one of … [Read more...]
First-Time Bangkok Travel Guide: Top Things to Do & Eat
Some travelers feel a bit overwhelmed by the traffic and chaos of Bangkok, but there’s something special about the energy that characterizes this busy city. Bangkok is kind of a love-it-or-hate-it affair, and that’s where I come in. My own Southeast Asia backpacking adventure kicked off in the vibrant streets of Bangkok. Fast forward a couple of years, and now I live part-time in Thailand! This … [Read more...]