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Published : Sep, 2024

How to get there | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Self drive | Historical sites | Solo woman
Achill Island | Aran Islands | Connemara National Park | County Clare | Cycling the Wild Atlantic Way | Dingle | Fanad Lighthouse | Slieve League | Wild Atlantic Way Map | Wild Atlantic Way Route
As Irelandโ€™s most famous tourist trail, boasting rugged cliffs and stunning coastlines, there is plenty to be seen along the Wild Atlantic Way and there are plenty of places to add to your Wild Atlantic Way route, however you decide to travel it!

From historic ruins to rugged cliffs, beautiful beaches to sleepy islands, here are the ten best places to visit on Irelandโ€™s Wild Atlantic Way.

Brimming with natural beauty, traditional pubs, epic adventures, and more, thereโ€™s nowhere quite like the Wild Atlantic Way, and thereโ€™s nothing better than a full Wild Atlantic Way trip to see the very best part of Ireland!

Whether youโ€™re planning on driving the Wild Atlantic Way or cycling the Wild Atlantic Way, let me tell you the best places to stop on the Wild Atlantic Way so you can get your trip booked, hire a car and get on the road in Ireland!

Published : Sep, 2024

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Historical sites | Hiking or trekking | Nature and wildlife
Dingle | Doolin | Dublin | FAQs | Kilkenny | Resources for Booking
You have the dream trip planned for a week in Ireland finally coming up, and now all you have to do is figure out where to go. Your first thought might be, โ€œI have to see Dublin! Itโ€™s the capital and the heart of the country!โ€

Youโ€™re right, it is the capital, but it is definitely not the beating heart of Ireland. For that, you have to get away from Dublin. Go out into Irelandโ€™s beautiful and sometimes mysterious countryside to experience its everything it has to offer. Itโ€™s here where youโ€™ll get up close with wild coastlines, mystical ruins, green landscapes, world-famous trad music, cozy towns and, of course, all the Guinness-soaked pubs you can handle.

But where exactly should you go with your week in Ireland, then? You canโ€™t cover a ton of space in only one week. Donโ€™t worry, I have you covered. In this guide, Iโ€™ll take you to my three favorite stops in Ireland. By the time youโ€™re done, theyโ€™re likely to become your favorites, too!

Local creator

Published : Sep, 2024

When to visit | How to get there | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Clothing and gear | Long distance transport | Local transport | Any price accom | Any food | Museums | Historical sites | Arts and artisans | Day tour | Other cultural | Water sports | Hiking or trekking
With car | Without car | Dublin | Glendalough and Kilkenny | Thomastown - Waterford - Lismore | Killarney National Park | Dingle Peninsula | Cliffs of Moher | Doolin and the Burren
Explore Ireland like a local with my 7-day itinerary: uncover hidden gems and beloved spots in a thoughtful guide crafted with love for my homeland.

Published : Jul, 2024

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Self drive | Bars and pubs | Historical sites | Religious sites or events
Dublin | Cliffs of Moher | Galway | Killarney | Adare | Killorglin | Ring of Kerry | Killarney National Park | Macroom | Cobh | Rock of Cashel | Kilkenny Castle | Sligo
The Emerald Isle. A lush, green country that most travelers aim to visit at some point in time. Irelandโ€™s local culture, traditions, history, and nature certainly draw you inโ€ฆ or is it the pubs?

Reminiscent of our Scotland road trip, this journey is filled with scenic stops as you go. After some trial and error, here is my 10 day Ireland itinerary- perfect for a self guided and independent road trip!

Published : Jul, 2024

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Local transport | Any price accom | Bars and pubs | Museums | Day tour
Dublin | Galway | Cork | Ring of Kerry | Wild Atlantic | Donegal | Causeway Coast to Derry | Belfast
Todayโ€™s epic post is a one week Ireland itinerary and itโ€™s by Sian from Ireland Before you Die. Ireland is such an amazing place for a road trip so Iโ€™m really excited to share this action packed itinerary! I actually did a similar solo road trip a couple of years ago so Iโ€™ve left some links below if youโ€™d like to read more!

From enjoying a pint of Guinness in Dublin to taking in the sights of the Wild Atlantic Way, you can see a lot with just seven days in Ireland. Here is our one week Ireland itinerary.

At only 32,599 square miles (for reference, the state of Indiana is 35,910 square miles), Irelandโ€™s compact size makes it entirely possible to explore the highlights of the Emerald Isle in just one week, as long as you are up for a jam-packed week of activities and a lot of driving.

While extending your stay will allow you to explore at a much slower pace and afford you the opportunity to explore Irelandโ€™s hidden gems, there is still plenty you can do if youโ€™re restricted to just seven days.

So, if youโ€™re wondering how to make the most of your seven days in Ireland, here is our suggestion for a one week Ireland itinerary.

Published : Jun, 2024

When to visit | How long to spend | How to get there | Suggested itinerary | Other logistics | Self drive | Any food | Museums | Historical sites | Live performances | Arts and artisans | Day tour | Urban parks | Beaches | Water sports | Bicycle | Nature and wildlife
Dublin | Cliffs of Moher | Galway | Dublin Bay | Enniscorthy | Copper Coast & Mahon Falls | Waterford City | Killarney | Ring of Kerry | Limerick | Inishmore
The Republic of Ireland is a beautiful country with a fascinating history, super-friendly people, and SO much to see and do. I had 2 weeks in Ireland to explore by car and was determined to make the most of the time.

If youโ€™re planning your own Ireland road trip, hopefully, the highlights of my epic journey will inspire you. From bumpy boat trips to islands inhabited only by seals, birds and the brutal Irish weather to the exploration of UNESCO Geoparks and dramatic coast paths high above the Atlantic Ocean, thereโ€™s something to delight everyone.

Published : Jun, 2024

When to visit | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Local transport | Self drive | Museums | Historical sites | Religious sites or events | Day tour | Hiking or trekking | Nature and wildlife
Dublin | Rock of Cashel | Blarney Castle | Dingle Peninsula | Killarney National Park | Cliffs of Moher | Kylemore Abbey | Glendalough | Wicklow Mountains
The Emerald Isle is a paradise of idyllic rolling farmland, rugged coastlines, manicured homesteads, historic castles, and an unassuming and friendly population. This 10 day Ireland itinerary will help you navigate the small but vibrant island and see all of the highlights in a short amount of time.

Once upon a time, Ireland was a country that everyone wanted to leave โ€“ it had no wealth, no political freedom, no prospects. But times have certainly changed, for the Ireland of today is Europeโ€™s wealthiest and fastest growing nation. Free from its economic and political woes of the past, Irelandโ€™s natural charms are able to shine through. Its pristine emerald countryside, rugged and wild coastlines, irresistible foot-tapping music, and a rich spiritual history, from the Druids at Newgrange to the monks at Glendalough โ€“ the Ireland of today is a magical island that enchants everyone who visits.

As an Irish dancer and with a last name like โ€œMcKneely,โ€ Ireland was the first country I ever wanted to visit. I never would have guessed that Iโ€™d travel to far flung places like Egypt before setting foot on Irelandโ€™s green shore, but no matter โ€“ I finally made it happen! After 10 days roadtripping around this small but spectacular island, I can affirm that it lives up to the hype. To help you plan your own adventure, hereโ€™s a perfect 10 day Ireland itinerary to help you make the most of your time there.

Published : May, 2024

Sites and attractions | Historical sites | Suggested itinerary | Local transport | Self drive | Bicycle | Cheap accom | Midrange accom | Luxury accom | Any food | Bars and pubs | Shopping | Solo woman
Dublin | Galway | Cliffs of Moher | County Clare & the Burren | Aran Islands | Northern Ireland
Ireland was always one of those European vacations that I thought โ€œIโ€™ll get to it eventually.โ€ It didnโ€™t feel like a big priority, because it is a destination that is easily accessible and navigable at any age or lifestyle. But when the opportunity to visit Ireland presented itself in 2022, I jumped on it! And wow am I happy I did, because Ireland turned out to be one of those rare places that truly surprised me. I really loved my 7 day trip in Ireland!

Since my first visit to Ireland in 2022, I have returned 5 more times as a trip leader and tour guide. I am here to share all my insider tips with you in this 7 day itinerary for Ireland.

There is so much to love about the Emerald Isle! In the Irish language, there is a common greeting which says Cead Mile Failte. It translates as โ€˜a hundred thousand welcomes,โ€™ which I find to be a rather fitting phrase for Ireland.

You will feel welcome and invited from the second you arrive because Irish people are incredibly friendly and hospitable! Rolling green hills, lively young cities, a loveable pub culture, and jaw-dropping scenery are just a few of things youโ€™ll love about Ireland. Ireland is really a place that has a hundred thousand reasons to visit.

Published : Apr, 2024

How to get there | Suggested itinerary | Health | Other logistics | Local transport | Districts to stay | Any price accom | Vegetarian or Vegan | Beaches | Day trips away
Lio Beach | Las Cabanas Beach | Island hopping | Tour booking | El Nido town | Nacpan Beach | Massage | ATMs | Too touristy?
El Nido is phenomenal. We spent 3 days and 4 nights here in El Nido and it blew me away. The stunning white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, beautiful coral reefs, towering limestone mountains, incredible lagoons, unspoiled nature and the bustling, trendy downtown.

This island has such a variety of offerings to travellers and can easily be explored with a perfect 4 day El Nido itinerary.

Published : Mar, 2024

How to get there | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Self drive | Museums | Historical sites | Religious sites or events | Hiking or trekking | Nature and wildlife | Solo woman
Ring of Kerry | Wicklow Mountains | Glendalough | Kilkenny Castle | Rock of Cashel | Blarney Castle | Hore Abbey | Killarney National Park | Gap o f Dunloe | Skellig Ring | Dingle | Road Trip Map | Hits and Misses
Iโ€™ve never met anyone whoโ€™s done a road trip in Ireland and not loved it. After spending 2 weeks in Ireland, I am now one of those people.

My 2 week road trip in Ireland had it all: postcard-worthy landscapes, fascinating ancient sites, evocative ruins, gratifying outdoor adventures, colourful small towns, delicious food, lively music, fun legends and welcoming, friendly locals.

There was only one thing missing- good weather.

No, you definitely donโ€™t go to Ireland for the weather. In late September/early October I experienced a lot of rain, strong winds, even some hail.

But with all that rain came some of the prettiest rainbows, arching over a patchwork of green fields and rugged coastlines. I couldnโ€™t help but smile because that is exactly what I was hoping Ireland would look like!

The itinerary I put together for my solo road trip around Ireland had a specific theme- beautiful landscapes, outdoor activities and archaeological sites.

If youโ€™re interested in Irelandโ€™s historic sites and diverse landscapes, then this itinerary should be a good source of inspiration. I hope it helps you plan your own 2 week road trip in Ireland!

Published : Mar, 2024

How to get there | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Local transport | Districts to stay | Historical sites | Religious sites or events | Day tour | Shopping
Dublin | Belfast | Derry | Westport or Galway | Dingle Peninsula | Causeway Coast
Are you itching to visit the Emerald Isle but only have a week to explore? Itโ€™s a relatively small country, so itโ€™s doable. This Ireland itinerary for 7 days will show you how to enjoy the natural beauty of the countryside and lively Irish culture in a one-week Ireland road trip.

For most travelers, starting and ending your Irish road trip at Dublin Airport makes logical (and financial) sense. But for those who can start their trip in Dublin and end it at Shannon Airport, there are other destinations in this beautiful country you can squeeze into your 7-day Ireland itinerary.

My detailed guide below suggests two different routes for both options. Either way, youโ€™ll have an epic and memorable time in Ireland! Itโ€™s one of my favorite countries! Keep in mind, this itinerary does not take into account travel time, most flights from the US will depart in the evening and arrive the next morning.

Published : Mar, 2024

When to visit | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Any price accom | Any food | Historical sites | Nature and wildlife
Dublin | Cliffs of Moher | Galway | Connemara | Sky Road Atlantic | Creative Quarter
As part of our annual, whatโ€™s a place that is cheap to fly to from the US and easy to do within 4 days trip, we stumbled across Ireland. People always rave about Irelandโ€™s raw beauty, but pictures didnโ€™t necessarily sway me. It was always grey and a lot of wet, dark hills and fields. What is this โ€œraw beautyโ€ people keep referring to that makes it one of the most beautiful places in the world? Itโ€™s hard to describe. Once there, you realize what everyone means. Itโ€™s not something that can be put into words, itโ€™s something that you need to see for yourself to understand. If youโ€™re not convinced, like I wasnโ€™t, all it takes is a quick 4 days in Ireland to get a taste of this island (and yes โ€“ Ireland is an island!). Itโ€™s non-committal, itโ€™s easy, and itโ€™ll have you swayed to visit again.

The below is an example of an iconic, standard, first-timers 4 days in Ireland. Itโ€™s a travel itinerary that gives you a taste of city, coast and countryside manors filled with castles and mountains. It gives you a taste of everything in Ireland, which is why I like this itinerary so much.

Published : Mar, 2024

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Self drive | Any price accom | Bars and pubs | Museums | Historical sites
Dublin | Cliffs of Moher | Blarney Castle | Cork | Killarney | Killarney National Park
When I first started planning my 3-day Ireland itinerary, I had two primary bucket list goals: see the Cliffs of Moher and visit the Guinness Factory. Now that Iโ€™ve completed my trip, I am confident that everything on my itinerary is worth its own bucket list checkbox! From exploring the historic streets of Dublin to winding through the picturesque landscapes of Cork to experiencing the majestic views of Killarney, this 3 day Ireland itinerary is the perfect introduction to an amazing country that deserves even more time to visit.

Published : Feb, 2024

When to visit | Suggested itinerary | Long distance transport | Local transport | Any price accom | Museums | Historical sites | Arts and artisans | Day tour | Rural or marine parks | Family
Dublin | Glendalough and Wicklow Mtns | Crystal factory | Rock of Cashel | Titanic history | Blarney Stone | Ring of Kerry | Cliffs of Moher | Westport and Galway | Staying in castle | Car rental
Ireland runs in my veins โ€“ quite literally, considering that my ancestry is 25% Irish. I've been to the country several times, and even celebrated a birthday once in Dublin. But one major item on my Ireland bucket list remained unchecked until recently: going on an Ireland road trip.

Along with believing that Ireland is the perfect destination for a family vacation, I also think that Ireland is a great destination for a road trip. It's a relatively small country with short driving times, and there are interesting things to see and do around every bend.

I finally got the chance to take my dream Ireland road trip with my mom and sister. And, while the tiny roads did make me nervous at times, I absolutely loved the overall experience and highly recommend it as the best way to explore Ireland.

If you're thinking that you might want to plan an Ireland road trip of your own, here's a great 10-day itinerary you can feel free to use!

This itinerary hits up a lot of the highlights on the Emerald Isle, but also includes some cool spots that you may not have heard of before.

Highlights of this Ireland itinerary include:

Time to explore the Irish capital of Dublin
Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains
Touring the crystal factory in Waterford
Visiting the Rock of Cashel
Soaking up Titanic history in Cobh
Kissing the Blarney Stone
Driving the Ring of Kerry or Dingle Peninsula
Seeing the Cliffs of Moher
Exploring Westport and Galway
Staying in a castle
And more!

Local creator

Published : Jan, 2024

Suggested itinerary | Sites and attractions | When to visit | Long distance transport | Historical sites | Nature and wildlife | Day tour | Hiking or trekking | Bicycle
Rock of Cashel | Blarney Stone | Cobh | Kinsale | Kenmare | Killarney National Park | Molls Gap | Ladies View | Torc Waterfall | Muckross Abbey | Ross Castle | Gap of Dunloe | Dingle | Dunmore Head | Conor Pass | Doolin
Planning a trip to Ireland can be a lengthy task. One that leaves many scratching their head or pulling their hair out. But, lucky for you, Iโ€™ve come to your rescue. Hi, Iโ€™m Laura, your local guide. Itโ€™s my goal to make your trip to Ireland as carefree as possible. I love seeing visitors fall in love with my home country. Ireland is a magical place, and I understand just how much the trip means to you. Itโ€™s a once in a lifetime experience and I canโ€™t wait to help you plan it. Now, letโ€™s go on a road trip, an Ireland 7 day itinerary exploring the countries most iconic cliffs, beautiful national parks and we will even take a journey out to one of Irelandโ€™s most scenic islands.

But first, we need to address the big question.

IS 7 DAYS IN IRELAND ENOUGH TIME?

To put it simply, no. 7 days is not nearly enough to see all there is to do in Ireland. In fact, a whole month would only allow you to scratch the service of what the country has to offer. However, with that being said, oftentimes one week in Ireland is all most tourists have. And, while itโ€™s not a huge amount of time, it is enough to see some of the countries major highlights.

Local creator

Published : Nov, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Local transport | Any food | Bars and pubs | Museums | Historical sites | Day tour | Shopping
Trinity College | National History Museum | National Gallery | National Museum | St. Stephens Green | Dublin Castle | Chester Beatty Library | Dublinia | Christ Church Cathedral | St. Patricks Cathedral | Hugh Lane Gallery | Dublin Writers Museum | Kilmainham Gaol
Ready to explore the Irish capital? Hereโ€™s how to make the most of 3 days in Dublin.

As the largest city in Ireland, creating the perfect Dublin in 3 days itinerary can be daunting. However, it doesnโ€™t have to be.

How do I know? I am a Dubliner, and Iโ€™m going to share all my best travel tips with you to plan an epic itinerary for your visit.

There is no end to the things to do in Dublin but with my local knowledge of the city, you will soon be planning your perfect stay in the Irish capital and maximising your time.

Ready to get to this ultimate guide to seeing Dublin in 3 days? Letโ€™s dive in!

Published : Oct, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Self drive | Bars and pubs | Live performances | Day tour | Shopping
Dublin | Galway | Connemara & Kylemore Abbey | Cork | Ring of Kerry | Killarney National Park | Jameson Midleton Distillery
Every time someone asks me what my favorite country is, Ireland is always at the top of the list. Itโ€™s such a magical, special place. Thereโ€™s a feeling of acceptance and simplicity combined with excitement and jovial cheer. I love love love Dublin, and I could totally see myself living there. But I also love the quiet countryside. Roadtripping through Ireland is absolutely essential to truly grasp the spirit of the country. The first time I drove through the country, I only had a week and it definitely wasnโ€™t enough. So this time, I made sure I added a few days and zeroed in on the most important things I wanted to do for our 10 day Ireland itinerary. Although this was my third visit, it was Ryanโ€™s first, so I put together an itinerary that showcases all the musts, but also a few things we discovered along the way.

Published : Oct, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Self drive | Historical sites | Religious sites or events | Solo woman
Dublin | Galway | Killarney | Shannon | Doolin | Aran Islands | Oughterard | Clonmacnoise | Kilkenny | Cork | Kinsale | Dingle | Ring of Kerry
Ireland is one of my favorite countries in the world and anytime I hear that someone is going there on vacation I canโ€™t help but rattle off a list of things for them to do! Iโ€™ve been 4 times now and each time it gets better and better. You may have already seen my post about the 20 Reasons Why You Should Roadtrip Through Ireland or my Top 10 Views in Ireland post and can probably tell how obsessed I am with the country.

Because of my love for the Emerald Isle and the fact that two of my really good friends live in Dublin, Iโ€™ve decided to create the Ultimate Ireland 2 Week Itinerary for anyone looking to go! I did this same itinerary with my family in our rental car and we had the most wonderful trip to Ireland.

Published : Oct, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Cultural Activities | Nature and wildlife
Sinaia Monastery | Carpathian Mountains | Brasov | Bran Castle | Black Church | Bucharest | Museum of Ethnography | Sinaia | Sighiศ™oara | Bussegi Mountains | Mystical Transylvania Museum | Peles Castle | Cluj | Pelesor Castle | Turda Salt Mines
Hear about things to do in Transylvania in Romania as the Amateur Traveler talks to Ela Palmer from WhereNextNomad.com about this historic and beautiful place that has much more to offer than Dracula stories.

Ela starts this itinerary in Bucharest but immediately hops a train to Sinaia, a beautiful mountain town in the Bussegi Mountains. Sinaia is known for its stunning fall colors and is home to two magnificent castles from the Romanticism movement of the 1800s, Peles Castle and Pelesor Castle. You can explore these castles, enjoy the charming town, and visit the 17th-century Sinaia Monastery.

After Sinaia, you can take a train to Brasov, a city in Transylvania that Ela fell in love with.

Published : Sep, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Low budget | Any price accom | Nature and wildlife
Activities: $30 | Hostels: $20-40 | Travel Daily Expenses: $290 | Table Mtn. Cableway Ticket: $24 | Accom: $150 | Transpo: $40 | Food: $70
South Africa sits high on the bucket list of most adventurous travelers.
Itโ€™s a wonderful country; one that that everyone should aim experience at least once in their lives (although most, like me, end up coming back for more).

Located at the southern tip of Africa (the clueโ€™s in the name!), South Africa offers up a fascinating blend of culture and history, wild animals and exquisite landscapes, friendly people and delicious food, creating what Nelson Mandela called a Rainbow Nation.

Most tourists head straight to Cape Town, chasing the cityโ€™s vibrant sunsets, bright-white beaches, world-class food scene, and begging-to-be-hiked mountains. While Iโ€™m arguably Cape Townโ€™s biggest fan, thereโ€™s so many other places worth exploring in South Africa.

Published : Sep, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Any price accom
Luderitz | Own Transport -needed | Where is Namibia | Roads are so bad | Sparsely populated | Get a SIM Card | Windhoek | Best Road Signs | Etosha Natl. Park | Bradt Namibia Guide -invaluable | Swakopmund | Sesriem
My road trip around Namibia is the best travel experience Iโ€™ve ever had.

Hands down.

I canโ€™t even find the words to describe how fantastic my time in the country was. Namibia has everything. Itโ€™s easy to explore independently, itโ€™s safe, itโ€™s beautiful, the locals are lovely, the landscapes are diverse, the wildlife is exciting, and there are so. few. tourists.

Iโ€™ve got a dozen posts planned about my time in this amazing country, so brace yourself for an onslaught of information! By the end of the month, youโ€™ll have everything you need to book a trip to this kickass country. And hopefully youโ€™ll decide to do exactly that.

This is what itโ€™s like to travel in Namibia.

Published : Sep, 2023

When to visit | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Health
Gapyeong County | Dongdaemun Design Plaza | Bamdokkaebi | Myeongdong | Namdaemun | Hanbok | Gwangjang | Seoul | Noryangjin | JSA | Nanta Show
One of my recent adventures was to the dynamic metropolis of Seoul in South Korea โ€” a bustling city that not only holds a strong presence in Asia but also in the rest of the world. To date, this influence is largely due to Seoulโ€™s cutting-edge technology, a strong economy, and vibrant culture (Iโ€™m sure that a majority of you have encountered K-pop, K-dramas, Korean cosmetics, and Korean food among many others at least once in your life!)

Published : Sep, 2023

How to get there | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary
Uummannaq | Eqip Sermia Glacier | Sarfannguit | Sisimiut | Ilulissat | Kingirlasuak | Ocean Albatross | Qeqertarsuaq
Hear about a cruise to Greenland as the Amateur Traveler talks to Rebecca Merrell from manopause.com about this rugged and rapidly changing country.

Why should someone do a cruise to Greenland?

Rebecca succinctly says, โ€œSomeone should do a cruise to Greenland if theyโ€™re looking to go somewhere remote without a lot of people and if they have an interest in the Arctic.โ€

Published : Sep, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Cultural Activities | Nature and wildlife
Plettenberg Bay | Cape Town | Oudtshoorn | Johannesburg | Stellenbosch | Kruger National Park | Hermanus | Port Elizabeth | Jeffreys Bay | Natureโ€™s Valley | Knysna
South Africa is one of my top 3 favorite countries in the world. I truly believe that this country can be anyoneโ€™s favorite despite different preferences, as it can attract adventure seekers, luxury lovers as well as backpackers.

I used to live in Cape Town and traveled around South Africa extensively.

I suggest visiting South Africa for at least a month, because you donโ€™t want to be rushed or forced to skip some amazing activities on the way. However, if you donโ€™t have that much time off I prepared different itineraries.

Published : Sep, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Cultural Activities | Photography or video
Arthur^s Seat | Avebury | Bath | Calton Hill | Cardiff | Cotswolds | Dr. Who Tour | Edinburgh | Glasgow | Kelpies | Lake District | Liverpool | London | Principality Stadium | Salisbury Cathedral | Stonehenge | York
Hear about a UK two-week itinerary by train as the Amateur Traveler talks to Tracy Collins from UKTravelPlanning.com about a train trip in the country that invented trains.

Published : Sep, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Any food | Bars and pubs | Cultural Activities | Nightlife | Day tour
View of Old Town Hall Tower | Charles Bridge | Spanish Synagogue | Prague Castle (Guiness World Records -largest ancient castle) | 280 Museums | Prague River Cruise | Wenceslas Square | 3-hr. beer tour | Scrooser e-scooter grand city tour | Vltava River cruise | famous nightlife
Prague is easily one of our favorite cities in Europe, and with every visit, we fall more in love and find more and more things to do in Prague.

Weโ€™ve visited during all four seasons, and itโ€™s safe to say there isnโ€™t a bad time to visit Prague. We created this guide after spending a lot of time in Prague during many long visits to this amazing city.

When we visit, this is what we do. Here are our favorite things to do in Prague...

Published : Sep, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Local transport | Cultural Activities | Nature and wildlife
Paleis Het Loo | Kinderdijk | Muiderslot Castle | Hoorn | River Vecht | Enkhuizen | Naarden | Muiden | Zaanse Schans | Castle Groeneveld | Volendam | Giethoorn | Edam | Feiluwa National Park
Hear about day trips from Amsterdam as the Amateur Traveler talks to Gopinath from greetingsfromeurope.com about his adopted country.

Gopinath argues that too many people only spend a couple of the Netherlands before traveling on to see more of Europe. He lays out a weekโ€™s worth of day trips that one can make from Amsterdam. He recommends the following places to visit:

Published : Sep, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Outdoor Activities | Nature and wildlife | Photography or video
Grindelwald Glacier | Rockstock | Trummelbach Falls | Tanzbodeli | Chrinnerhorn summit | Obersteinberg | Bachalpsee Lake | Schreckhorn | Lauterbrunnen Valley | Schilthorn | Piz Gloria summit | "Valley of 72 Waterfalls" | Eiger Trail
Lauterbrunnen is one of my favorite regions in Switzerland with possibly the most picturesque valley in the entire world. I visited this region for a week and barely had enough time to see all of the amazing hikes in Lauterbrunnen. Throughout my time hiking in and nearby Lauterbrunnen, I experienced some beautiful trails and Iโ€™ve put together this Lauterbrunnen Hiking Guide so that you can choose a hike or two (or ten) for your visit to Lauterbrunnen. Iโ€™m sure you will find a great adventure on this list of my TEN favorite hikes in Lauterbrunnen...

Published : Aug, 2023

Suggested itinerary | Cultural Activities
1-2. Colombo | _12. Yala Safari | 3: Dambulla | _13-14. Galle | 4. Sigiriya | 9. Highlands | 5. Anuradhapura | 6. Polonnaruwa | 7-8. Kandy | _10. Adamโ€™s Peak | _11. Horton Plains
Literally meaning โ€˜Resplendent Island,โ€™ Sri Lanka has been a popular holiday destination for just over a decade now. The country has a complex cultural history, stretching back thousands of years. Even today, you can visit incredible remnants of ancient kingdoms scattered across the nationโ€™s interior, enveloped by lush jungle.

Sri Lankaโ€™s spices, gems and most importantly location made it an attractive target for successive European colonization, beginning with the Portuguese (of which little evidence remains) and continuing with the Dutch and British, who have left behind remarkable if problematic remnants of their occupation. Up in the highlands, acres of tea plantations cover the hills, producing enough tea to make Sri Lanka the fourth-largest tea maker in the world.

Published : Aug, 2023

When to visit | How to get there | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Any price accom | Cultural Activities | Outdoor Activities | Nature and wildlife
Tirta Gangga | Mt. Rinjani | Taman Ujung Water Palace | best Beaches | Sidemen Valley | Mt. Batur | Pratical Tips | Amed (Underwater Wonderland) | Gates of Heaven (temple) | Candidasa | Besakih Temple | Mt. Agung
Welcome to our adventure-packed journey through the mesmerizing landscapes of East Bali! In this comprehensive travel guide, weโ€™ll take you on a tour of this culturally rich and naturally diverse region. From stunning beaches to lush rice terraces, and from ancient temples to vibrant local markets, East Bali has something to offer every traveler. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and letโ€™s dive into the enchanting charms of East Bali!

Published : Aug, 2023

How to get there | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Cultural Activities | Day tour | Outdoor Activities | Nature and wildlife
ATV quad-bike safari tour | Castles:Uchisar-Cavusin-Ortahisar | Cavusin: church-castle-valley | Dervis Evi sunset view | flying in hot-air balloons at sunrise | mountain-bike | Valleys: Ihlara-Love-Meskindir-Pigeon-Red-Rose-Zemi
Cappadocia is a beautiful region in central Turkey famous for its fairytale scenery, cave dwellings, remarkable rock formations, and, of course, the hundreds of hot air balloons that soar in the sky during sunrise each morning. There is also so much awesome hiking in Cappadocia, that it will take you at least a week to explore all of the diverse hiking trails in the region. I spent ten days in Cappadocia adventuring on all of the hiking trails, exploring the ancient valleys and of course, being mesmerized by the hot air balloons. Iโ€™ve created this list of all the top things to do in Cappadocia to help you explore this beautiful region...

Published : Aug, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Cultural Activities | Nature and wildlife
Yaxha | Caye Caulker | Belize Barrier Reef | Mayan ruins | Caracol | Flores | San Ignacio | Tikal
Hear about travel to Belize and Guatemala on the G Adventures โ€œClassic Belize and Tikalโ€ week-long small group tour: Mayan pyramids, cave tubing, and snorkeling on the Barrier Reef.

Published : Aug, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Local transport | Cultural Activities | Day tour | Outdoor Activities
Belize City | Belmopan | Caracol Mayan Ruins | Cave Tubing | Caye Caulker | Flores Guatemala | Golden Bay Belize Hotel | Hotel Peten | Rafting | San Ignacio | Snorkeling | Tikal | Yaxha | Ziplines
After a great trip, certain moments will stand out in your memory. For this trip, it could easily have been standing atop a Mayan Pyramid in the middle of the jungle, or snorkeling with sharks, rays, and a manatee, but the moment that stands out in my mind was floating through a cave on a raft of inner tubes, with my headlamp playing off the roof of the cave.

If you are looking for adventure, this might just be the itinerary for you.

Published : Aug, 2023

When to visit | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Health
Shibuya Crossing | Hachiko Statue | Meiji Shrine | Yoyogi Park | Kyoto | Takeshita Dori | Tokyo | Cat Street | Osaka | Omotesando | Hiroshima | Kawaii Cafe
Home ยป Blog ยป Travel & Adventure ยป Itineraries ยป Japan Itinerary for First-Time Visitors: 4 to 21 Days or More (Ultimate Travel Guide)

Iโ€™ve managed to travel to all 7 continents now, and from all of my adventures, one of the countries that I will never get tired of revisiting multiple times would be Japan! (Japan Itinerary)

As a timeless destination, I am forever enamored by Japanโ€™s ancient traditions that are perfectly fused with its vibrant modernity. Not to mention the lush nature and exquisite cuisine that it has and Iโ€™m sure that Iโ€™ll still barely โ€˜scratch the surfaceโ€˜ even if I spend my life exploring it in its entirety.

With that said, it does seem daunting to whip up a Japan itinerary โ€” but then again, not really! The country may be vast but itโ€™s totally possible to make the most of it with whatever time you have.

Published : Aug, 2023

Suggested itinerary | Other logistics | Any food | Day tour | Outdoor Activities
3. Enjoy Hanalei Beach | Hit up Secret Beach (do not swim) | 5. Travel South to Poipu | 6. Drive to observe Wailua Falls | 7. Rent boogie boards or hit Brenneke Beach or hotel pool | Addl. Reading | Foods to Eat (Day 1-7) | 1. Arrival at Lihue Airport | 2. Head north to Princeville
This is a sample guideline to get your planning started.
Modify depending on where you are staying or how long you are visiting...

Published : Aug, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Cultural Activities | Outdoor Activities | Nature and wildlife
Bandipur | Annapurna | Pokhara | Uluru Village | Trekking | Poon Hill | Kathmandu | Patan Durbar Square | Boudhanath Stupa
Hear about a 10-day itinerary for travel to Nepal as the Amateur Traveler talks to Sean Hira about this beautiful country.

Why should someone go to Nepal?

Sean says, โ€œNepalโ€™s a little bit of an underrated destination. Itโ€™s a landlocked country in the Himalayas sandwiched between two powerhouses, China. In India. My favorite part about Nepal is really the harmony between Hinduism and Buddhism and seeing those cultures coexist so peacefully from a tourist perspective.

A lot of people go there for the trekking and the intense base camp trekking and the first thing that probably comes to your mind is Mount Everest, but there is so much more to Nepal than Mount Everest or Annapurna.

The Himalayas are ingrained in the culture there, but you can see so much more than just trekking in Everest.โ€

Published : Aug, 2023

Suggested itinerary | Cultural Activities
Budapest at a Glance | Best Time to Visit | Besta Areas to stay | Visa | Pts. of Interest (Map) | Food | Day trips | Travelling | Places to Visit | Travel Tips & Restrictions
Budapest is cool. You wonโ€™t know it when you first arrive but spend 24 hours there and youโ€™ll soon realize what a hip and trendy city Budapest really is...

Spend a day exploring the Pest side and youโ€™ll quickly realize that there is so much more to Budapest than its gargoyles and complex past. Its classical facade belies an energy and grit that we didnโ€™t feel in other European cities.

The cool fonts on storefronts, the funky boutiques, the innovative restaurant scene, and exciting bar concepts reveal an edgy side to Budapest often overshadowed by its gothic exterior.

Itโ€™s funny, only after our trip did I start reading about this cool side of Budapest. Many people describe it as one of the most exciting cities in Europe.

Published : Aug, 2023

When to visit | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Health | Local transport | Cultural Activities | Wellness
Antalya | Bergama | Blue Mosque | Hagia Sophia | Istanbul | Kayseri Airport | Konya | Pamukkale | Pergamum | Topkapi | Troy
Turkey has been one of the most popular options for a holiday package over the last few years. However, you might not want to buy an expensive holiday package and instead pursue a road trip around Turkey on your own by creating your own Turkey itinerary.

Donโ€™t worry if you donโ€™t have much time, as Iโ€™ve seen the most popular spots in the country in just 10 days. Here I can tell you how you can do it yourself. Iโ€™ve done it a few times and let me tell you that itโ€™s perfectly safe:

When booking your flights to Turkey you might consider getting to Cappadocia first and returning from Istanbul, instead of getting a return flight to Istanbul (alternatively booking a domestic flight separately). Arranging your trip this way can save you a lot of time on driving.

Published : Aug, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Any price accom | Cultural Activities | Nature and wildlife
Heritance Tea Factory | Yala National Park | Sitamata temple | Ravana Falls | Colombo-capital city | Wildlife Safari | Kandy-cultural capital | Mahaweli River | Tea Gardens of Nuwara Eliya
Embark on a captivating 7-day journey through the beauty and culture of Sri Lanka. Discover diverse landscapes, from misty tea plantations to serene coastal havens, and delve into rich traditions and captivating wildlife. Explore top attractions, learn about travel safety, and indulge in unique experiences that define this enchanting island.

Sri Lanka holds a cherished spot in my heart within South Asia, and despite frequent visits in the past, each return feels like a rediscovery of its magic. So, when an invitation from Sri Lanka Tourism for a week-long escapade landed in my inbox, I leapt at the opportunity. I wanted to ascertain if it was safe to explore this gem again after the harsh economic crisis it suffered in 2022. In this narrative, I shall weave my personal voyage through this land, traversing its breadth and width...

Published : Aug, 2023

How to get there | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Cultural Activities | Outdoor Activities | Nature and wildlife
Mirabell Palace & Gardens | Bergisel Ski Jump | Hallstatt Skywalk | Hallstatt: lake & salt mine | Schmittenhรถhe Mountain | Schรถnbrunn Palace | Kitzsteinhorn Glacier | Top 5 must-visit places: Vienna-Salzburg-Hallstatt-Zell am See-Innsbruck | Lake Zell | Hofburg Palace | Ambras Castle | Hohensalzburg Fortress | Nordkette Cable Car
"Austria: Where the hills are alive with the sound of music, and the puns are just as melodious."

This is not just a saying but a solid fact about Austria โ€“ a land of picturesque landscapes, rich history, and cultural treasures waiting to be explored! If you are a first-time traveller to this enchanting country, youโ€™re in for an unforgettable experience. Having visited Austria five times, my love for this Central European gem multiplies with each visit. Situated in the heart of the Alps, Austria might be a favourite destination for skiers and hikers, but it also boasts an exceptional musical legacy โ€“ from Mozart, Haydn, Liszt, and Mahler to the Von Trapp family, whose life inspired the movie โ€œThe Sound of Music.โ€ On a map, pear-shaped Austria might appear small, but it packs a punch when it comes to attractions...

Published : Aug, 2023

Suggested itinerary | Low budget | Day tour
4 Best Attractions | Adult (13+): $99.25 CAD | Casa Loma | Child (4-12): $74.25 CAD | City Cruises | CN Tower | Ontario Science Ctr. | Royal Ontario Museum | Save 42% - $71.59 CAD | Toronto Zoo
If youโ€™re visiting Canadaโ€™s largest city, you wonโ€™t be disappointed. Toronto is a vibrant, multicultural city with impressive sightseeing, restaurant, nightlife, art, and shopping scenes.

If youโ€™re on a budget, there are lots of interesting neighborhoods, markets, and parks you can explore for free. Like in any big city, however, the most sought-after sightseeing experiences (like the view from the CN Tower) come with a hefty price tag.

Luckily, you donโ€™t have to pay the gate price for many of the top tourist attractions. The Toronto CityPASS can save you up to 42% on your sightseeing adventures.
Interested in learning more? Youโ€™re in the right place.

Published : Jul, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Local transport | Any food | Cultural Activities | Outdoor Activities
Gabala | Nakhchivan | Flame Towers | Machu Picchu | Esher Esher | Alinjagala Fortress | Hiking | Shivan Shah Palace | Kynalik | Skiing | Heydar Aliyev Center | Palace of the Shekhi Khan | Baku | Gobustan | Quba | Fire Temple of Ateshgah | Lahic | Yanadag
Hear about an itinerary for travel to Azerbaijan as the Amateur Traveler talks to Australian journalist Emily Lush who is based in nearby Kutaisi, Georgia.

Why should you visit Azerbaijan?

Emily says, โ€œItโ€™s really fascinating from a cultural point of view. Being in the Caucasus, itโ€™s got those great mountain areas for hiking. Itโ€™s a misunderstood country in a lot of ways. Itโ€™s quite young and it has this really Interesting history with all different influences.โ€

Published : Jul, 2023

How to get there | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Any price accom | Cultural Activities | Outdoor Activities | Nature and wildlife
Blarney Stone | Derry | Mizen Head | Slieve League | Skellig Michael | DArk Hedges | Cliffs of Moher | Belfast | Dublin | Galway | Silent Valley Reservoir | Road trip itinerary | Kylemore Abbey/Connemara National Park | Rock of Cashel | Aran Islands | Cork | Donegal
Ireland, and an Irish road trip, should be on everyoneโ€™s bucket list. Lots of Guinness, friendly people, rugged scenery, green fields and lots of Guinness (that was intentional). And the best way to explore Ireland by driving it. Iโ€™ve just finished an epic Ireland road trip so let me help you guys out with an awesome 2-week itinerary to make sure you hit all the top spots!

Published : Jul, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Outdoor Activities
Helicopter Ride | Valley of Fire | Lake Mead | Diving | Rhylite Ghost Town | Hiking | International Car Forest | Stargazing | Tonopah | Las Vegas | Eureka | Seven Magic Mountains
An epic Nevada road trip itinerary that includes the must-sees and some local favorite spots!

After living and exploring Nevada in the past 3 years, here are some of my favorite spots that you must see on an epic road trip. If you like solitude, nature and all things quirky and amazing, Nevada is the perfect road trip destination for you.

Published : Jul, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Any food | Cultural Activities | Outdoor Activities | Nature and wildlife
Gifu City | Washinary | Ukai Cormorant Fishing | Nagaragawa Ukai | Hikone | Nagaragawa River | Hikone Castle | washi | Chikubu Island | Mt. Kinka | Sekigahara | Mino | Battlefield Memorial Museum | Seki
Hear about travel to Hikone and Gifu in Central Japan as the Amateur Traveler talks to Miyuki Seguchi from the Japan Experts Podcast about he home region of Japan where she is a tour guide.

Why should you visit Central Japan?

Miyuki says, โ€œA lot of travelers from North America or the West when they travel to Japan, they will stay in Japan for two to three weeks, and they usually travel from the eastern part of Japan to the western part of Japan or vice versa, but most of them do not stop off at the central region especially the southern part of Gifu to the eastern part of Shiga.

So this part of Japan is simply not as well known as major tourist destinations, but there are a lot of places to visit, and these places are usually less busy and easy to access by public transport. If you want to explore some unique local areas with hidden gems that give you a great idea of authentic local life.โ€

Published : Jul, 2023

How to get there | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Any price accom | Cultural Activities | Outdoor Activities | Nature and wildlife
Arc de Triomphe | Monet`s Water Lilies | Sainte Chapelle | Montmartre | Palais Garnier | Seine river | Grand Canal | Versailles | รŽle de la Citรฉ | Montparnasse Tower | Eiffel Tower | Notre Dame | Trocadero | The Louvre | Le Marais | Place Dauphine
Paris is a place that many people dream of one day visiting โ€“ which is probably why it's such a popular city in Europe. In fact, it's second only after London in terms of the most-visited cities in Europe.

Paris is romantic. It's historic. It's fashionable. It's stunning in so many ways. But Paris is also really big...

How much time should you spend in Paris? What are the absolute must-do things? How do you get around, and where should you stay? I'll answer all of these questions and more in this 5-day Paris itinerary, which I think is perfect for a first visit to the City of Light...

Published : Jul, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Any price accom | Cultural Activities | Day tour | Shopping
4 statues of Ramses II | Abu Simbel | Agilika Island | Aswan | Cairo | Egyptian Museum | Horus Temple at Edfu | Hurghada | Luxor | Nile Felucca Cruise | Philae Temple | Saqqara | Valley of the Kings | Zhoserโ€™s step pyramid
We have just finished up on one of the most epic adventures we have ever done - two weeks exploring Egypt!
Since we were kids we had always dreamt of visiting this magical place. Learning about ancient Egypt, pharaohs and the Nile back in primary school helped spark our desire to travel - and here we are years later finally ticking off this major bucket list country.

For this trip of a lifetime we decided to visit on a tour and after a little googling we found On The Go Tours King Ramses 13 day tour ... it was exactly what we were looking for!

Published : Jul, 2023

How to get there | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Day tour | Outdoor Activities | Nature and wildlife
Zurich City | Matterhorn | Lucerne City | Gornergrat mountain | cogwheel train to top of Mt. Pilatus | Interlaken | Grindelwald | Lucerne to Alpnachstad boat ride | Switzerland: paradise for road trippers | Jungfraujoch | cable car to Kriens | Zermatt | Frรคkmรผntegg | Chapel Bridge | St. Moritz | Schilthorn | Swiss Alps
Switzerland is a country that is known for its stunning landscapes, picturesque towns, and plenty of outdoor activities. One of the best ways to explore the country is by embarking on a road trip that takes you through some of its most scenic routes. In this guide, we will take you on an unforgettable journey through Switzerland, starting from the cosmopolitan city of Zurich and ending in the charming village of Grindelwald...

Published : Jul, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Health | Any food | Cultural Activities | Nightlife | Outdoor Activities | Nature and wildlife
Walking Tour | Cafe del Mar Cartagena | Pozo Azul | Cartagena | Minca | Rosario Islands | El Paraiso de Tuki B&B Cafe y Cacao Farm | Santa Marta | Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona | Barrio Getsemani | Playa Blanca | Parque del Centenario | San Andrรฉs | Plaza de la Trinidad
Hear about travel to Cartagena and Northern Colombia as the Amateur Traveler talks to Inge from DestinationExplorer.world about this South American country that her family fell in love with.

Why should you go to Colombia?

Inge says, โ€œI think first of all, if you are a nature lover, you should go to Colombia because itโ€™s amazing nature you will find there. Itโ€™s still quite authentic. You have amazing wildlife. If you like bird watching itโ€™s the country to go to. You have mountains, beaches, desert, jungle.โ€

Published : Jul, 2023

How to get there | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Cultural Activities | Outdoor Activities | Nature and wildlife
Zenkov Cathedral | Talgar Pass | Big Almaty Lake | Kok-Tobe Hill | central mosque | Central State Museum | Almaty -birthplace of modern apple | Green Bazaar | Panfilov Park | Arbat Street | Kazak Museum of Instruments | Abay Opera House | Medeu Skating Rink | Bogdanovich glacier | Shymbulak Ski Resort
Discover the top things to do in Almaty, Kazakhstan, including its connection to apples, cultural treasures, snowy adventures at Shymbulak, and deeper insights into Almatyโ€™s cultural tapestry. Plan your trip with this comprehensive Almaty travel guide.

Largely untouched by mass tourism, Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, offers a remarkable journey through the seasons. This Central Asian gem is a land of obscure corners yet to be mentioned in travel guides and villages so remote that even Google Maps will give up. But thatโ€™s what makes it so alluring for offbeat travellers like me. The โ€˜stans have seduced great explorers and merchants for over two millennia through Silk Route. In this travel guide, Iโ€™ll share the fantastic things to do in Almaty, discover its fascinating history, and delve into its cultural tapestry...

Published : Jul, 2023

How to get there | Suggested itinerary
Stargazing | Massacre Rim | Black Rock Desert | Soldier Meadows
I ventured out solo to one of the darkest places on Planet Earth, Massacre Rim in the Black Rock Desert of Northern Nevada. It's one of just 17 dark sky sanctuaries in the world, with the potential of seeing the Milky Way in all its glory. But it wasn't without its mishaps and adventures getting there. This is the story.

Special thanks to Travel Nevada for sponsoring this video! Check them out: / travelnevada

Itinerary and tips here โ†  https://www.bemytravelmuse.com/massacre-rim-nevada-stargazing/

Published : Jul, 2023

How to get there | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Any food | Cultural Activities | Outdoor Activities | Wellness | Photography or video
Corfu | Ksamil | Llogara Pass | Tirana | Vlorรซ | Sarandรซ | Vergo | Ionian Sea | Navaricรซ | Taverna Pshkatari | Ohrid | Hiking | Lรซkurรซsi Castle | Durrรซs | Gjirokaster | Butrint
Hear about travel to Albania as the Amateur Traveler talks to Norm Bour from travelyounger.com about the country where they spent nearly 6 months as expats.

Why should you go to Albania?

Norm says,

โ€œTravel is back. I think anyone whoโ€™s listening to this is either a wannabe or a real traveler, and unfortunately, along with the fact that travel is back comes everything that goes with it, including the crowds and including the fact that everything is [more expensive]. There are certain countries, primarily Eastern Europe where the affordability factor is really strong. Turkey being one where we spent about eight or nine months, and Albania being the second one.โ€

Published : Jul, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Cultural Activities | Day tour | Outdoor Activities | Nature and wildlife
Princes Street Gardens | get ghostly or go underground | Scott Monument | try Scotch whisky | Greyfriars Kirkyard | Scottish Natl. Gallery | watch sunset from Calton Hill | take a Harry Potter tour | George St. | Edinburgh | Dean Village | Grassmarket | Royal Botanic Garden | Calton Hill | stroll the Royal Mile | Victoria Street | Arthur^s Seat | walk to Royal Mile | St. Giles Cathedral | Natl. Museum of Scotland | Forth Bridge | Edinburgh Castle | State Apartments | Museum of Edinburgh | Palace
Edinburgh, Scotland is one of my favorite European capital cities (it's the capital of Scotland, in case you didn't know!). It has everything that I love in a city, including gorgeous architecture, access to nature, good transport links, and of course lots of interesting history.

Edinburgh as a city dates back to at least the 1100s, though the area was inhabited by different groups for centuries before that, and there was some sort of fortification atop Castle Rock since before the Romans arrived in the 1st century. Both the Old Town AND New Town of Edinburgh are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which is pretty impressive...

Published : Jul, 2023

How to get there | Suggested itinerary | Any price accom | Cultural Activities | Outdoor Activities | Nature and wildlife
Canoe Ride | Scuba Diving | Magical Funzi Island | beaches | Kaya Kinondo Sacred Forest | Wildlife Park | Sailing | Kitesurf | swimming | Local Lifestyle
The best things to do in Diani typically involve hitting the beach or exploring the areaโ€™s beautiful natural environment. This beach resort town along the south coast of Kenya is an incredible destination with so many exciting things to do and see.

Diani is home to luxurious resorts, beach villas, white sands, and other attractions popular with families, backpackers, honeymooners, and solo travelers.

If you love strolling along sandy beaches, swimming with dolphins, or taking nature walks, youโ€™ll find many wonderful things to see in Diani. Itโ€™s also located close to small islands and coral gardens, making it a haven for water sports lovers.

Published : Jun, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Outdoor Activities
Venice | Modena | San Gimignano | Parma | Pisa | Genoa | Florence | Portofino | Cinque Terre | Siena | Lake Como | Bologna | Verona | Milan | Dolomites
From the romantic canals of Venice to the best things to do in Florence, and the vibrant energy of Milan, these 10-day Italian journeys promise an unforgettable experience for the curious traveler. So, pack your wanderlust, grab a map, and let these be your guide as we unlock the treasures of this remarkable destination.

Published : Jun, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Cheap accom | Luxury accom | Beaches | Hiking or trekking | Water sports | Day trips away
Island hopping | Taraw Peak | Cadlao Island | Seven Commando Beach | Big Lagoon | Shimizu Island | Secret Lagoon | Cudugnon Cave | Cathedral Cave | Matinloc Shrine | Snorkelling | Nacpan Beach | Surf Duli Beach
Palawan is the crown jewel of the Philippines and El Nido is arguably the most impressive spot in Palawan. With itโ€™s dramatic, enormous limestone cliffs, unbelievable lagoons, and pristine beaches it truly is paradise on earth.

What makes El Nido even more appealing is that it can be done on a very tight budget for a backpacker or you can enjoy luxury hotels. Either way, the island-hopping tours, the key feature of an El Nido experience, are $15-$20 per day no matter what your budget is. The town itself of El Nido has a simple charm with reggae bars, beach restaurants, and a low-key atmosphere.

Published : Jun, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Long distance transport | Local transport
Ferries | Jeepneys | Kawasan Falls | Moalboal | Oslob | Siquijor | Snorkeling
This is how to travel Cebu Philippines. From the best things to do to the hidden gems in Oslob, Siquijor, Kawasan Falls and Moalboal, this 2023 Philippines travel itinerary is unbeatable.

Published : Jun, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Outdoor Activities
Transpo: $30 | Food: $30 | Activities: $40 | Travel Expenses/day: $180 | Guided Tour: $97 | Lux. Yacht Cruise: $48 | Walking Tour& Boat Ride: $30 | Accom: $80
The United Arab Emirates is an amazing country to travel to for those wanting to experience the true essence of Middle Eastern hospitality, culture, and lifestyle.

Dubai is all about its dazzling lights, skyscrapers, beaches, and expensive toys. Abu Dhabi, the capital and crown jewel of the country, is home to lavish palaces and enormous mega-malls. Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm al Qaiwain are all scenic destinations with plenty of adventure activities, while Sharjah and Ajman are best known for their religious and cultural attractions.

In the UAE, there is something to do for every type of traveler, no matter the type of vacation or adventure they may be craving...

Published : Jun, 2023

When to visit | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Cultural Activities | Outdoor Activities
Wakhan Corridor Trekking | Afghan afghani | The Grand Tour of Afghanistan | Kabul | Bamiyan | Mazar-i-Sharif | Herat | Kandahar | Buzkashi
A Disclaimer on Visiting Afghanistan

This piece may seem outdated โ€“ or even reckless โ€“ in light of the Talibanโ€™s consolidation of power. However, The Broke Backpacker believes itโ€™s still important to pay homage to the Afghan people โ€“ a people vastly overlooked by the tourism industry.

Travel is about connecting human beings; itโ€™s about breaking down the barriers of cultural division that separate us. The world is complex: it exists in many shades of grey.

The Broke Backpacker does not outright condone travel to Afghanistan in its current state, but neither will we stay silent on the beauty of the country for the sake of a terrorist takeover. Speak truth and love what deserves to be loved. The only thing it takes for evil to win is for good people to remain silent. And there are still many good people in Afghanistan that need a voice.

Published : Jun, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Cultural Activities
Lahic | Caspian Sea | Gabala | Lake Goygol | Lankaran | Baku | Gobustan National Park | Ganja | Ateshgah | Sheki | Absheron National Park | Quba | Goygol National Park
Ask a random passerby on the street what they know about Azerbaijan and youโ€™re likely to get a blank stare back. Azerbaijan who? For years, this little nation in the Caucasus has flown under the radar of most backpackers, but as both travellers and digital nomads have started making eyes at its northerly neighbour Georgia, Azerbaijan is now getting more attention than ever.

Known as the Land of Oil and Fire, Azerbaijan has capitalised its unique geological ground and made big bucks on drilling oil, but this new-found wealth is not the only reason for its nickname. The arid, desert landscape hides reserves of natural gas underneath, bubbling up with ever-burning fire in the most unlikely places. From naturally burning blaze on the mountains to Bakuโ€™s emblematic Flame Towers, your trip to Azerbaijan is definitely going be, as kool kids would say, lit.

Published : Jun, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Outdoor Activities | Nature and wildlife
Five Lakes Hike | Zermatlantis (Matterhorn Museum) | Charles Kuonen suspension bridge | Bahnhofstrasse | Kirchbrรผcke Bridge | Gornergrat train ride | Klein Matterhorn Aerial Tramway (highest cable car in Europe) | Crystal Ride | Matterhorn Glacier Paradise-offers hikes in the summers-skiing-snowboarding-snow tubing
Discover the enchantment of Zermatt in just 2 days! Explore the car-free village, enjoy the day excursions to Gornegrat and Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, immerse yourself in breathtaking sightseeing, and uncover essential tips for an unforgettable trip. Learn from the mistakes I made for a flawless trip. Let Zermatt weave its magic and create lasting memories in this captivating Swiss village.

Zermatt was the destination I was most excited about. Despite visiting Switzerland 4-5 times in the past, somehow, I never got around to seeing this touristy place. When I told my friends I was planning a trip to Switzerland, they forced me to add Zermatt to my itinerary. They acted as if they were Zermattโ€™s ambassadors, whose sole purpose was to market the village. Their enthusiasm rubbed off on me, kindling excitement in me...

Published : Jun, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Photography or video
Dublin | Cliffs of Moher | Galway | Northern Ireland | Castlewellan | Causeway Coastal Route
Erin Go Bragh. Thatโ€™s where I got my name from. It took 30 years for me to visit my namesake. If youโ€™re planning a trip to Ireland and only have five days to explore, youโ€™re in for a treat! The island of Ireland is only about the size of South Carolina. From the bustling capital city of Dublin to the stunning natural landscapes of the west coast, thereโ€™s so much to see and do in this beautiful country. Whether youโ€™re interested in exploring the rich history and culture of Ireland or just want to take in the breathtaking views, thereโ€™s something for everyone.

For me, finally visiting Ireland was part of an end-of-year mad dash where I went to as many destinations as possible within three months. During this time period, I also went back to Taiwan, Malaysia, and Arizona. If youโ€™re planning your first trip to Ireland and arenโ€™t sure where to start, this 5-day itinerary is a great place to begin!

Published : Jun, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Nightlife | Outdoor Activities | Nature and wildlife
La Paz | Playa Balandra | Loreto | Malecรณn | Playa El Tecolote | Bahรญa Concepciรณn | Bird Watching | Isla Espiritu Santo | Todos Santos | Cabo San Lucas | Museo de Antropologia e Historia de Baja California Sur | Diving | Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park | Magdalena Bay | Snorkeling | San Dionisio Canyon | La Ventana | Hiking | Hotsprings | Rancho Cacachilas | Santiago | Waterslides | Punta Gorda Trail
Hear about travel to Baja California Sur in Mexico as the Amateur Traveler talks to Rebecca Agiewich, the Ambivalent Part-time Expat, about her recent road trip south of the border.

Why should you go to Baja California Sur?

Rebecca says, โ€œSomeone should go to Baja California Sur for the beautiful nature and outdoor activities that are available, especially if youโ€™re interested in water-related activities. So weโ€™re talking diving, snorkeling, sailing, fishing, swimming, boat tours, and seeing all kinds of marine life. On the Sea of Cortez side, although now itโ€™s called the Gulf of California, you have this amazing and unique juxtaposition of the sea on one side and then the desert on the other side, and itโ€™s so striking and so austerely beautiful.โ€

Published : Jun, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Low budget | Any price accom
Jongmyo Shrine | Budget Tips | Lotte World | Jimjilbang | Everland | Namsan Tower | Korean Demilitarized Zone | Five Grand Palaces | Suwon Hwaseong Fortress | Gyeongbokgung | Changdeokgung | Changgyeonggung
Seoul is a city of excess: itโ€™s a city turned up to eleven. My first time backpacking in Seoul was on a visa-run from Japan. Despite coming from the other East Asian land of efficient and highly-technical cities, I was unprepared for Seoulโ€™s modern wonders and efficiency.

I was on a mission to find a jimjilbang (bathhouse): a mission that took me through twisting, rainswept alleys decked with blinkering neon lights, and I found myself walking into the cyberpunk metropolis Iโ€™d always hoped to see.

When the sun came out the next day I climbed Mountain Namsan, trailing one of the ancient fortress walls of Seoul; thatโ€™s when I got the scope of just how impressive the city of Seoul is.

Seoul is a city over 2000-years-old, but itโ€™s also a city that has evolved into a futuristic metropolis. One day, when weโ€™re doing the โ€˜flying cars amongst shadowy skyscrapersโ€™ thing, I reckon Seoul will lead the charge.

If youโ€™re visiting Seoul on a budget then you have to be smart. South Korea isnโ€™t crushingly expensive, but you should prepare for the drawbacks of visiting a highly economized city.

Luckily, weโ€™re all about that frugal living and affordable travel.

Published : Jun, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Low budget | Cheap accom | Cultural Activities
Vernissage market | Erebuni Fortress | Parks | Genocide Museum | Blue Mosque | The Cascade | Cafesijan Center for the Arts | Republic Square | Childrenโ€™s Railway
Mean Girls wear pink on Wednesday. Yerevan does that every day.

Known as the โ€œPink Cityโ€, the capital of Armenia is a glistening, glittering metropolis that tourists and backpackers alike are just starting to discover.

If the Caucasus region is under-travelled, then Yerevan surely is even more so. As the bigger influx of travellers crowd to Armeniaโ€™s northern neighbour Georgia, this country and its awaiting capital are left with too little love.

Well, thatโ€™s good news for a backpacker that likes exploring without hordes of tourists.

Whether youโ€™re planning a backpacking trip to Armenia or just planning to visit Yerevan as a weekend trip from Georgia, this epic Yerevan travel guide is a great intro to all the things that make Yerevan so unique. Find out where to wine and dine, how to get around, the best attractions in Yerevan โ€“ and where all the cool kidz hang.

And by the end of the trip you might find yourself completely unprepared to leave. This is just the beginning of the Armenian adventure!

Published : Jun, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Low budget | Any price accom
La Candelaria | Cerro Monserrate | Botanical Gardens | Ciclovia | Chapinero
Located high up in the Andes, Bogota is the massive capital of Colombia, and thanks to its mountainous surroundings and vibrant culture, Bogota is a fascinating city to explore.

When backpacking Bogota, youโ€™ll quickly notice that this is a city of contrasts, with century-old cathedrals and shiny new skyscrapers on the same block, and tranquil parks chaotic main streets.

There is plenty to see and do in Bogota to keep you busy for a few days. You can discover the cityโ€™s history, dive into the amazing street art scene, go for a hike up in the hills, and so much more. Once night falls, the cityโ€™s excellent restaurants, bars, and music venues fill with locals and travelers alike.

Make the most out of your trip to Bogota with this massive guide. Weโ€™ll cover daily costs and money saving tips, give you a kickass 3-day Bogota itinerary, and help you figure out where to stay and how to get around the urban sprawl.

Published : Jun, 2023

When to visit | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary
Royal Palace | Mekong River | Silver Pagoda | Chez Gaston | Sora Skybar | National Museum | Choeung Ek Genocidal Center | White Mansion Botique | Daughters of Cambodia Cafe | VMansion Botique | Tuol Sleng | Wat Phnom | Russian Market
โ€œGuys, how many days should I stay in Phnom Penh?โ€

โ€ฆis a question we get asked a lot by our readers. And the answer is, it really depends on how much time you have on your hands to explore Cambodia. We came here expecting to stay for a few days but ended up staying for a few weeks!

Phnom Penh is the capital city and main transport hub of Cambodia. It's famous for the Killing Fields โ€“ a harrowing memorial dedicated to the victims of the Khmer Rouge regime. Most come to visit this then quickly move on to Siem Reap to visit Angkor Wat. For us, we extended our trip here because we quickly fell in love with the bustling Cambodian capital. It's a very cool, modern, city, similar to Bangkok but on a much smaller scale.

At the end of the day, it depends on how long you've got for your Cambodia trip. We think you could easily spend a week (or two!) in Phnom Penh and never be bored. However, for those pushed for time, we think two days is more than enough to get a flavor of the city and learn about the country's sad history.

Published : Jun, 2023

When to visit | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Cultural Activities | Outdoor Activities | Nature and wildlife
Sri Lanka Tours | Rental Car | Sunset Hikkaduwa | beaches | Travel Tips | Popular Attractions | Things to Do | Things to Know Before Visiting Sri Lanka
Are you looking for an unforgettable vacation in Sri Lanka? Look no further than Hikkaduwa! This beautiful beach town offers a wide range of activities and attractions for all types of travelers. From snorkeling and surfing to exploring the local culture and cuisine, Hikkaduwa has something for everyone. In this comprehensive guide to visiting Hikkaduwa, weโ€™ll provide you with all the information you need to plan the perfect trip. Weโ€™ll cover everything from the best time to visit, to the top attractions and activities, to the best places to stay and eat. So, if youโ€™re ready to start planning your dream vacation to Hikkaduwa, read on!

Published : Jun, 2023

When to visit | How to get there | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Any price accom | Cultural Activities | Outdoor Activities
Top Attractions & Landmarks | Travel Regulations | Practical Info. | Transportation Options | Dos & Dont`s | Local Currency | Historical Background | Payment methods | Cultural Significance | 3 Best Daily Trips | Planning Your Trip | Different Areas to Stay | Visa Requirements
Welcome to Taipei, a vibrant and captivating city that serves as Taiwanโ€™s cultural hub. In this comprehensive travel guide, we, as seasoned travel bloggers and storytellers, will take you on an immersive journey through Taipeiโ€™s rich history, diverse cultural heritage, top attractions, local cuisine, and much more. Get ready to explore the hidden gems, indulge in delicious street food, and immerse yourself in the warmth of Taiwanese hospitality. Letโ€™s dive into the wonders of Taipei!

Published : May, 2023

When to visit | How to get there | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Day tour | Nature and wildlife
Ice Caving in Iceland | snorkelling between 2 continental plates | snowmobiles | watefalls | glacier hike tour | Mรฝrdalsjรถkull glacier | Skaftafell National Park
Having been to every country in Europe, I can understand why people can get a little jaded with European travel, all the 49 countries can seem a little samey. A church here, a museum there. But then comes Iceland. Iceland, in my opinion, is the best country to travel through in all of Europe, with Malta probably coming second. Northern lights, snorkelling between two continental plates, waterfalls, snow-mobiles and one of my favourite activities Iโ€™ve ever done, ice caving in Iceland...

For me though the real highlight is getting to the ice caves. Once you enter the cave though โ€“ WOW. The most brilliant electric blue colours come shooting out from huge solid ice walls, the sun shines in through the mouth of the cave illuminating the entire place with colours you thought you could only see through an Instagram filter. Itโ€™s truly one of the most beautiful sites Iโ€™ve ever seen. Again, you donโ€™t spend too long in the caves as there have been tragic occurrences of caves collapsing, so we probably got around fifteen minutes inside. And what a fifteen minutes it was.

After that, on our tour, it was a walk across a glacier back to the main road and my tour was over, checking your photos at night brings it all right back though. What a day. This is what you earn your money for. I hope you guys make it to Iceland, and if you have a choice, go in the Winter. Ice caves and Northern Lights will be two of your best travel experiences ever, you should add them to your travel bucket lists, I promise you that. Happy travels.

Published : May, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Any food | Bars and pubs | Cultural Activities | Nightlife | Day tour | Outdoor Activities | Nature and wildlife
Little Italy | Rady Shell | LEGOland | Petco Park | Sesame Place San Diego | Barrio Logan | Escondido | Chicano Park | surfing | San Diego Seal Tour | Tijuana | Skiing | La Jolla | Valle de Guadalupe | Balboa Park | Oceanside | Anza-Borrego Desert State Park | San Diego Zoo | Carlsbad
Hear about things to do in San Diego California as the Amateur Traveler talks to Maria Hasse from SanDiegoExplorer.com about her adopted hometown.

Why should you go to San Diego?

Maria says, โ€œBecause itโ€™s the best city in the world. No, seriously. The weatherโ€™s always perfect. It doesnโ€™t get much colder than 55 degrees in the winter. And it doesnโ€™t get really hot in the summer. Usually, it stays around 75 to 85 degrees depending on where youโ€™re at in the county. And the sunโ€™s always shining except for this winter, of course. And thereโ€™s just so much to do. Thereโ€™s so much variety. You can go literally surfing and skiing in one day and that is something that not a lot of places offer. It is one of my favorite places and I travel a lot, so that means something.โ€

Published : May, 2023

How to get there | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Any price accom | Cultural Activities | Nature and wildlife
Toorji ka Jhalra Stepwell | Sardar Govt. Museum | Jaswant Thada | Osian | Mehrangarh -"Fort of the Sun" | Umaid Bhawan Palace | Palaces of Mehrangarh Fort | Murals of Umaid Palace | Chamunda Temple | Oriental or Throne Room | Walk from the fort to Blue City | Ghantaghar or Clock Tower | Khas Bagh | Pal Haveli (heritage hotels) | Mandore Garden
I always look forward to traveling to Rajasthan for the love of its food, language, music, enterprising people, and โ€˜dhoraโ€™ or sand dunes. Jodhpur had been on my travel list for a long time.

The best part of flying to Jodhpur is that the airport is very close to the city center, thanks to Maharaja Umaid Singh. I did not see sand dunes from the window seat, but it was fun spotting the fort and the palace from the plane.

We had enough time on the day we landed to explore the Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum which closes by 5 pm. It was good to find it open for visitors on republic day. In the city, we mostly used auto-rickshaws and Uber when available.

Published : May, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Nature and wildlife
changing faces of Plitvice Lakes Park | Fall Foliage: Natureโ€™s Canvas of Colours | like a Hypermarket of waterfalls & lakes | 16 cascading lakes & more than 90 waterfalls | stunning natural beauty | lush green forests
The democratisation of travel and the trend of ticking off bucket lists have made all of us Ibn Battuta. Looking to visit the most exotic, most Instagramable places on Earth, we religiously collect immigration stamps on our passports. Expectedly, most of us never want to revisit the same destination simply because there is so much to see in the world, and we have little money and time in hand, so why would we want to revisit the same place weโ€™ve already seen?

I used to think this way, too, until circumstances required me to return to destinations Iโ€™d already visited โ€” and these trips turned out to be some of the best trips of my life...

Published : May, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Nature and wildlife
challenge schedule | Challenge Record | Ben Nevis -Scafell Pike - Mount Snowdon | Logistics: the best/cheapest way to do the 3 Peaks Challenge | Active Mountaineering | 3 Peaks Challenge -how to do under 24 hrs. | route map
The 3 Peaks Challenge in the UK is a hiking adventure that most people can do with a little bit of training. It can be done either in under 24 hours (thatโ€™s the real challenge!) or leisurely at your own pace. When you call it the โ€œNational Three Peak Challengeโ€™ however, that means youโ€™re setting out to do it in under 24 hours, climbing each mountain then hopping in transport, driving to the next one, climbing it and coming down, then driving to the 3rd and final one and getting up and down it. All within 24 hours. And thatโ€™s exactly what I recently did!

So Iโ€™m going to give you guys the lowdown on how to do it as cheap as possible, as easy as possible (but not THAT easy), and how to ensure you come in under the 24-hour mark. So letโ€™s get to it!

Published : May, 2023

Suggested itinerary | Cultural Activities | Outdoor Activities | Nature and wildlife
Art Museum | County Blossom | Tower Theatre | Woodward Park | Shinzen Friendship Garden | Forestiere Underground Gardens | Discovery Ctr. | Chaffee Zoo | Island Waterpark | Chukchansi Park
Fresno is Californiaโ€™s fifth most populated city and a destination you should add to your travel list! You will be surprised by all the fun things to do in Fresno CA, that is for sure!

It may not have the big city vibe of San Diego, the glamour of Malibu, or the ocean views of Pismo Beach, but Fresno city has its own list of appeals, many types of activities and places to visit.

Published : May, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Cultural Activities | Outdoor Activities | Nature and wildlife | Shopping
Coffee Farm | Elephant Sanctuary | Gikomba Market | Hiking | Kenyan Culture | Maasai Market | Nairobi National Museum | Nairobi National Park
Also known as the Green City under the Sun, Nairobi is one of the top tourist destinations in Africa. Itโ€™s a vibrant capital thatโ€™s home to a mixture of wildlife, nature, and cultural heritage.

With a national park situated on its outskirts and a Giraffe Centre and Elephant Sanctuary nearby, itโ€™s easy to see why so many visitors are drawn to this city. Besides visiting museums, you can also take a walk along the busy streets and experience the Green Cityโ€™s historical, cultural, and business side.

As a Kenyan native and someone whoโ€™s lived in Nairobi for many years, I love sharing my city and Nairobi secrets. Although some of my favorite spots include tourist attractions, Iโ€™ll also share with you some local places, superb nightlife joints, and hidden gems.

Hereโ€™s my list of some of the most exciting things to do while in Nairobi.

Published : Apr, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Health | Cultural Activities | Nature and wildlife
Juba | central mosque | Boma National Park | John Gaeang Mausoleum | Nimule National Park | Mundari tribe | History | Kidepo Valley National Park | Cultural Diversity | The Sudd | Natural Beauty | Torit | REAL adventure | Konya Konya market
South Sudan travel can be tricky, but visiting the Mundari tribe makes it so, so rewarding. Over the years, Iโ€™ve made a lot of friends in the more obscure countries in our beautiful planet, traveling to all 197 countries will do that! And with these friends, itโ€™s allow me to run blog trips to places like Syria, Yemen, Central African Republic, Iraq, Turkmenistan, Mali and Mauritania. Most recently this list includes South Sudan, both one of the least visited countries in the world, and the newest country in the world;

I organised a group of me and my followers to take a few days in South Sudan (including bringing my mum!). Exploring Juba, the capital, but even better โ€“ visiting the Mundari Tribe in the savannas of the worldโ€™s youngest country. The Mundari went viral recently when a Nat Geo photographer took some epic photos with some of their wrestlers and their cattle. So letโ€™s have a look at all things South Sudan travel related, including a recount of my travels with my onestep4ward trip recently...

Published : Apr, 2023

Suggested itinerary | Any price accom | Day tour
Casa Milรก | Chocolate Museum | Las Ramblas | Gothic Quarter | La Boqueria | Montjuรฏc Hill | Mirador de Colom | Las Golondrinas Boat Tour | Sagrada Familia | Gaudi Experince 4D | Casa Batllรณ | park Gรผell
Barcelona is one of Europeโ€™s most popular cities for visitors, and one of our favourite cities too. Thereโ€™s loads to see and do, from the incredible architecture of Anton Gaudรญ, through to museums, UNESCO world heritage sites, markets, delicious tapas โ€“ and even a beach.

As you might imagine, it is not hard to fill your time when visiting Barcelona, even with three full days to play with. Weโ€™ve visited multiple times, and are always coming across new sites and things to do.

You should be aware that Barcelona is a fairly big city, with a number of fairly distinct areas. It does have a good public transport system, but obviously you want to spend more of your time sightseeing and less of your time on a bus or metro.

With that in mind, Iโ€™ve put together what I think is a good overview of some of the cityโ€™s main sights that will help you spend 3 days in Barcelona, either as part of a long weekend, or a longer European itinerary like this.

Iโ€™ve ordered the sights for each day by a logical order of how you might want to visit them and also put those sights first that you should visit earlier in the day before the crowds arrive, where possible.

Barcelona is very popular with visitors, and especially in the summer months attractions can become very crowded, so booking ahead where possible and turning up early are the key to a frustration free trip.

You might also want to consider looking into the Go Barcelona Pass, Barcelona City Pass, or Barcelona Card for your visit. These offer free and discounted admission, as well as skip the line access, travel options and various other perks that might make your visit easier.

For each attraction, Iโ€™ve highlighted which pass is best, and thereโ€™s a section on passes for Barcelona towards the end of the post. Jess has also written a comprehensive review and guide to using the Go Barcelona Pass, as well as a comparison of the main discount passes available in Barcelona, which are both worth a read.

Of course, an itinerary like this should just be a starting point for your plans, and at the end Iโ€™ve also added some optional sights that you might want to add in. You could also extend this itinerary over some more days if you really want to take your time exploring Barcelona.

Published : Apr, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary
Siargao | Boracay | Romblon Island | Manila | Coron | Siquijor | El Nido | North Luzon | Cebu | Sagada | Donsol | Baguio City | Bantayan Island
Itโ€™s tough to think of a more beautiful corner of the world than the Philippines, with white sand beaches, bath-temperature water, and incredibly friendly locals.

These islands, 7,107 of them to be exact, are worth a departure from the typical banana pancake trail in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam! The beaches are regarded as some of the best in the world, as are the diving opportunities, and the welcoming nature of the Filipino people is unwavering.

But with so many islets to choose from offering up various culture, adventure and culinary delights, where do you even start to plan an itinerary and figure out where to go in the Philippines? Well luckily enough, Charlotte and I have spent roughly two months in the Philippines and have wrapped up our experiences into one neat little package below. Letโ€™s get to planning your perfect Philippines itinerary:

Published : Apr, 2023

How to get there | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Any price accom | Any food | Cultural Activities
Classical Music VIenna | Schlossberg | Restaurant Pick/Hotels | Murinsel | City Tour | Visit Schonbrunn Palace | Head to Salzburg | Mozartโ€™s Residence | Hohensalzburg Fortress | Nonnberg Abbey | Vienna | Eagleโ€™s Nest | Vienna by Hollywood | Graz
Austria is often underrated. It can be so closely associated with Germany that it often gets left behind as a must-see European country.

This is such a shame as when it comes to what to do in Austria there are so many fantastic options. I have now visited Austria 6 times and am always finding new and outstanding places to visit in Austria...

Published : Apr, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Outdoor Activities | Nature and wildlife
Murchison Falls National Park | Freedom Falls | Chimpanzee trek | Hiking | Queen Elizabeth National Park | Safari | Bwindi Impenetrable National Park | Boat Safari | Entebbe | Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Hear about going on safari in Uganda as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jagdeep Sahni about his recent trip to this East African country.

Why should you go to Uganda?

Jagdeep says, โ€œItโ€™s really the big selection of landscapes and natural beauty. If youโ€™re a wildlife or nature enthusiast, it packs a big punch with a broad selection. you see the Savannah wetland swamps lakes. The Nile River has a big presence. And of course, the rainforest with wildlife Uganda is most famous, for primate viewing, especially the endangered mountain gorillas in the rainforest.โ€

Published : Mar, 2023

When to visit | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Health | Cultural Activities
Luxor Pass | Red Sea Beach Resorts | Cairo Pass | Mt. Sinai | Where to Stay/Eat | White Desert | Abydos & Dendera | Pyramids of Egypt | GIZA | Travel Tips | Aswan & Abu Simbel | Cairo | Nile River Cruise | Saqqara | Alexandria
In 1922, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon was present when Howard Carter first peeped into Tutankhamenโ€™s tomb. When Lord Carnarvon asked him what he could see, Carter famously replied: โ€˜Wonderful things.โ€
That is quite the understatement. Youโ€™ll find this comprehensive Egypt Tavel Guide, the Ten Day Egypt Itinerary and my many posts on the treasures of ancient Egypt, liberally peppered with superlatives. I am yet to visit another destination that can boast such a vast array of extraordinary heritage sites. And certainly none as steeped in antiquity.

Is Egypt safe for tourists? This guide addresses that principal concern and many other questions related to Egypt travel โ€“ including all you need to know about Luxor Pass and Cairo Pass โ€“ that have been raised by readers and friends ever since our visit.

Published : Mar, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Any food | Cultural Activities | Outdoor Activities | Nature and wildlife
Green Bay | Peninsula State Park | Wisconsin Veterans Museum | Eau Claire | Door County Fish Boil | Door County | Title Town Park | Hiking | Sheboygan | Blue Harbor Resort | Kayaking | Chippewa River | Kohler-Andrae State Park | Wisconsin Dells | Paul Bunyon | Bookworm Gardens | Milwaukee | Babe the Blue Ox statues | Marcus Performing Arts Center | Madison | Root Beer Museum | Wisconsin State Capital Building
Hear about travel to the state of Wisconsin as the Amateur Traveler talks to Dannelle Gay from TravelingCheesehead.com about her home state.

Why should you go to Wisconsin?

Dannelle says, โ€œIt is a great place to explore. Itโ€™s got its stunning natural beauty unique history and just a vibrant culture. From the great outdoors to lively cities, thereโ€™s literally something for everyone. If you are a foodie, this is a mecca of flavor for your palate. Just because so many different ethnicities settled here. When you tie in the farm to fork community, it is amazing. So outdoor experiences, urban attractions, whatever youโ€™re looking for. Wisconsin has it all.โ€

Published : Mar, 2023

When to visit | How to get there | Suggested itinerary | Long distance transport | Any price accom
Bologna | Milan | Venice | Map | Rome | Florence & Tuscany
Italy is one of our favourite European countries to travel in. Weโ€™ve visited, and written about, many of the towns and cities across the country.

One thing we are often asked for is a suggested Italy itinerary. And whilst weโ€™ve written extensive itineraries for a few of the individual cities in Italy, we havenโ€™t as yet put together a detailed itinerary for Italy.

So, starting with this post, weโ€™re going to change that! This 10 day Italy itinerary covers some of our favourite cities and sights, and would make for the perfect trip, especially if this is a first time visit to Italy.

This itinerary has a focus on the cities we think first time visitors will enjoy, plus it makes the travel part of the trip that much easier. Whilst you can rent a car in Italy of course, we think using the high speed rail network to get between locations on this itinerary is going to be easier.

Speaking of getting around, as well as the detailed day by day itinerary of sights and attractions, the itinerary has tips for getting around Italy, advice on saving money, and general planning advice for your trip.

Published : Mar, 2023

How to get there | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Self drive | Historical sites | Religious sites or events | Day tour | Couple
Dublin | Celtic ruins | Countryside | Powerscourt & Dublin distilleries | Belfast & Portrush | Antrim Coast | Derry | Donegal & Lough Eske | Slieve League & Sligo | Back to Dublin | Travel Recommendations
Ireland is a magical place full of striking landscapes, beautiful coastline, and the nicest people weโ€™ve met anywhere in the world. Thereโ€™s a reason itโ€™s on so many peopleโ€™s bucket lists. During our first Ireland trip, we hadnโ€™t even left before we began talking about when we could return to see other parts of the country plus Northern Ireland, too. We finally had the opportunity to make our 11-day trip to the Emerald Isle a reality. Hereโ€™s our Northern Ireland and Ireland road trip itinerary to help you plan your travels.

Published : Mar, 2023

How to get there | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Cultural Activities | Day tour | Outdoor Activities | Nature and wildlife | Shopping
ATV tours | The Wall | Viti Levu | Cageless Shark Diving | Cabbage Patch | Nadi | Suva | Lavena Coastal Walk | Sri Siva Subramaniya Hindu Temple | Thurston Gardens | Bouma National Heritage Park | Garden of the Sleeping Giant | Fiji Museum | Pearl Farm | Pacific Harbor | Colo-i-Suva Forest Reserve | Waterfall Hikes | Taveuni | Zip lines | Rainbow Reef
Hear about travel to Fiji (the islands of Viti Levu and Taveuni) as the Amateur Traveler talks to Justin Barnes about his recent trip to this island nation including some pretty amazing scuba diving experiences.

When asked why someone should go to Fiji, Justin says, โ€œLots of sunshine, lots of green forests, lots of blue ocean, and very kind people. Some of the nicest people weโ€™ve met anywhere on our travels around.โ€

When a trip to Tonga was canceled by a volcanic eruption and a COVID surge, Justin and his wife Crystal used their tickets on Fiji Airlines to visit two islands in the nation of Fiji instead.

Published : Mar, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Any price accom | Any food | Cultural Activities | Shopping | Photography or video
Glico Running Man | Shinsekai | Amerika Mura | Dotonbori | Tsutenkaku Tower | Get an ICOCA card | takoyaki squid ball | Osaka Park | Osaka Amazing Pass | Okonomiyaki | Castle & Museum | Namba Station | Osaka Mascots | HEP 5 Ferris wheel | Capsule hotel | "City of Laughs" | Umeda Sky Bldg. | Dotonbori River walk | Namba Grand Kagetsu | Floating Garden | Tombori River Cruise | Kuromon Market | Aquarium Kaiyukan
Osaka is the third largest city in Japan. It is known as the Kitchen of Japan with hearty street food, a friendly spirit, and unique and quirky character. I like to think of it as the wild child of Japan. This is one city, you wonโ€™t wanna miss! Iโ€™m going to take you through things to know before going to Osaka...

Published : Mar, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary
Tenku no Torii | Tokyo | Prince Gallery Kioicho Hotel | Arashiyama bamboo forest | Hie Shrine | Kaiser | Meiji Jingu | Fushimi Inari Taisha | Nakano Broadway | Takayama | Shirakawago | Kozantei Ubuya | Kyoto | Chureito Pagoda
For our first big international trip as a family, we chose Japan! We'll explore the best things to do in Kyoto, Takayama, Kawaguchiko, and Tokyo, from the shrines and temples of Kyoto, to the amazing food.

Featuring a food tour with Viator, our sponsor for this video. Whether it's a traditional tea ceremony, street food tour, bar hopping, or historical walking tour with meal like we did, they have tons of options all around Japan and the world!

Published : Mar, 2023

How to get there | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Cultural Activities | Day tour | Nature and wildlife
Age of Dinosaurs museum | Dinosaur Stampede | Longreach | Qantas Founders Museum | Royal Flying Doctors | School of the Air | Stockmans Hall Of Fame | Waltzing Matilda Centre | Winton
Hear about travel to the Queensland Outback as the Amateur Traveler talks to Melissa from Queensland about a destination she discovered during the pandemic when she could not leave her home state.

Why should you go to the Queensland Outback?

Melissa says, โ€œFirstly, I think when most people think of Queensland or plan a visit to Queensland, theyโ€™re thinking Great Barrier Reef, maybe Gold Coast, theme parks, beautiful beaches, and I just find people arenโ€™t thinking about the outback. I donโ€™t know why, really, because itโ€™s amazingโ€ฆ I think particularly perhaps for your North American listeners.โ€

Published : Feb, 2023

Suggested itinerary | Outdoor Activities | Nature and wildlife
1. Stone Town | 2. Spice tour | 3. Changuu Isl. | 4. Nungwi | 5. Turtles & Dhow Cruise | 6. Kiwengwa Caves | 7. Kiwengwa | 9. Kizimkazi | 8. Jozani Forest | _10Blue Safari
My trip to Zanzibar was quite unlike anything else Iโ€™ve experienced before. Iโ€™d read a lot about the plethora of things to see and do, ranging from visiting the old slave market in Stone Town to swimming with dolphins off the north-eastern coast of the main island. However, when I was finally able to do these things myself, I found myself in awe of how incredibly multifaceted Zanzibar is as a holiday destination.

The hustle and bustle of the busiest parts of Stone Town make you feel like youโ€™re in a North African riad, while the white sandy beaches of the east coast are comparable to the picture-perfect honeymoon locations of Mauritius and the Seychelles โ€“ just quieter and a little more authentic!

But the best part of all is that Zanzibar is relatively cheap. Whether youโ€™re looking for a budget holiday or a middle-of-the-road type of trip, Zanzibar is a holiday destination thatโ€™ll allow you to have an epic experience and do plenty of activities without having to break the bank. I wrote a detailed guide on how to visit Zanzibar on a budget, if youโ€™re interested.

Local creator

Published : Feb, 2023

Long distance transport | Suggested itinerary | Sites and attractions | Any price accom | Any food | Museums | Historical sites | Live performances | Day tour | Hiking or trekking
Dublin | Bru na Boinne | Clonmacnoise | Galway | Doolin | Kenmare | Adare Pitstop | Ring of Kerry | Cobh | Waterford
Are you planning a visit to Ireland for the first time?

If so, youโ€™ll need some type of itinerary to guide you.

And while Ireland is small, thereโ€™s a lot of ground to cover.

In fact, you wonโ€™t see everything in 10 days, but with this guide you will see some of the countryโ€™s most popular attractions โ€” and a few quirky hidden gems thrown in for good measure.

When designing an itinerary for a first time visit to Ireland, itโ€™s always advisable to draw a line across the country from say Dublin to Galway and then decide which half of the country you want to explore.

With this 10 days in Ireland itinerary, youโ€™ll get to visit some of the popular attractions with tourists in addition to other, lesser-known ones.

This itinerary is geared toward the southern half of Ireland and includes attractions like Galway, the Cliffs of Moher, Doolin, the Ring of Kerry, the Dingle Peninsula, Waterford City, and more.

Published : Feb, 2023

When to visit | Suggested itinerary | Local transport | Midrange accom | Day tour
Mahe | Driving | Praslin | La Digue | Currency | Electricity | Internet | Drinking Water | Vaccinations
The Seychelles are a small island nation around a thousand miles off the coast of Kenya in the Indian Ocean. For a long time, these islands were also my home, and Iโ€™m proud to be half Seychellois! I spent a lot of my youth in the islands, but hadnโ€™t visited with Jess โ€“ something we changed on a recent trip.

On that trip, Jess and I spent some time exploring the islands. I was excited to show her all my favourite beaches, eat my favourite Seychelles dishes, and of course do a lot of sight-seeing. From this trip, and my previous experience living in the Seychelles, weโ€™re going to be sharing a number of posts to help you plan your own visit to the Seychelles, starting off with our guide to how to spend 1 week in the Seychelles.

We think 1 week in the Seychelles is about the minimum amount of time to visit the islands for, as it will let you see a number of different islands, and see a fair few sights.

If you have time and budget, weโ€™ll also be putting together a two week itinerary which will cover a bit more, and let you spend more time exploring the islands.

As well as a 1 week Seychelles itinerary, this post will also cover a number of practicalities, including when to visit the Seychelles, how to get around the Seychelles, tips for your time on the islands, and much more! Letโ€™s get started.

Published : Feb, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Outdoor Activities | Nature and wildlife
Packing List | Expedition Schedule | Why I climbed Denali | Final Thoughts on Experience Climbing | Denali FAQs
I spent this summer training for, and then climbing Denali. Denali is tough for a number of reasons. Firstly, you have to drag 25kg (55lbs) on a sled thatโ€™s attached to your waist, and another 25kgs (55lbs) strapped in a backpack to your back, for up to 12 hours a day, at altitude There is no base camp so you have to do this regularly. Breaking down camp and then setting camp up from zero again each time.

Also Denali is often referred to as โ€˜the coldest mountain in the worldโ€™. Iโ€™m not sure if thatโ€™s the case, but I can confirm itโ€™s seriously cold!

Published : Feb, 2023

How to get there | Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Health | Any food | Cultural Activities | Nature and wildlife | Photography or video
TV Hill | Istalif | Kabul | Qargah Resevoir | Bala Hisar Palace-remains | Mausoleum of Amir Abdur Rahman | Masjid-e-Pule Kheshti | Masjid-e-Shahe Du Shamshira | Old Bazaar
My mum is 60 something, she was diagnosed with Parkinsonโ€™s disease 3 years ago, but she loves to visit me as I travel to every country in the world. As Iโ€™ve got closer to finishing my dream, itโ€™s been getting a little trickier to find places that are โ€˜mother-friendlyโ€™, I thought Iโ€™d got myself off the hook by taking her to Morocco in December. Wrong. Next up, Afghanistan Travel!

Note, my 2023 edit is at the bottom. TLDR? If you want to join my AFGHANISTAN TOUR IN 2024, click the link and come join us!

Published : Feb, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Any price accom
Pack Light | Prioritize Your Safety | Read about German culture | Shared Accommodation
Germany is a fantastic destination. It is the home of deep thinkers, poets, musicals, and art. It has a rich history and the national treasures are well protected. It is one of the most incredible countries in the world.

Going on a solo trip to Germany is just as exciting as it is scary. Even though you may enjoy the beautiful sights and pleasant people, you must prepare. When traveling alone, no one is responsible for you. If you arenโ€™t careful, your trip is likely to flop. Here are a few tips for surviving your solo trip to Germany...

Published : Jan, 2023

Suggested itinerary | Any price accom | Cultural Activities | Nature and wildlife
Merdeka Square | KL Forest Eco Park | Guan Di Temple | Petronas Towers | Old Chinatown St. food | Petaling St. or Chinatown | Batu Caves | Thean Hou Temple | Masjid Wilayah Mosque | Brickfields | National Mosque | Bukit Bintang
When youโ€™re in Malaysia, you simply canโ€™t miss Kuala Lumpur! Like most of Southeast Asia, Kuala Lumpur has its authentic markets, city skyline views, temples, and some iconic landmarks recognized globally. Keep a couple of days aside on your Malaysia trip to Kuala Lumpur.

I visited Kuala Lumpur as a kid and I wished I had visited more places. If you have more time to stay in Kuala Lumpur longer, there are a good number of places to check out. But for those visiting for just 2 days, hereโ€™s my itinerary to Kuala Lumpur...

Published : Jan, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Day tour | Outdoor Activities | Nature and wildlife
Hatcher Pass | wildlife watching | Kodiak | Denali National Park | Juneau | North Pole | Lake Clark | Fairbanks | Anchorage | Kenai Fjords National Park | Gates of Arctic Park | Ketchikan | Wildlife Conservation Center | Sitka | Skagway | D\og sledding | Whittier | Snowmobiling | cross-country skiing | Valdez | Homer | Seward | Haines | Talkeetna | Glacier cruises | Prince William Sound
Are you planning a trip to Alaska and want to put together an amazing Alaska itinerary that includes some of the best places to visit in Alaska? Look no further!

On our first visit to Alaska, we drove from Wisconsin. Yes, you read that right, and we spent a ton of time exploring interior Alaska. On our most recent trip to Alaska, we spent on the water. We were on a Holland America Alaska cruise visiting some of the best places in Alaska that are much easier to visit via boat.

There are so many amazing things to do in Alaska and places to visit it is hard to narrow it down, but here are our personal favorite places to visit in Alaska...

Published : Jan, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Any food | Cultural Activities | Day tour | Photography or video
Tower of the Winds | Church of the Holy Apostles | Parthenon | Bath House of the winds | Parthenon Museum | Lake Vouliagmeni | Roman Agora | Church of Agios Sostis | Ancient Agora | Piraeus | Pnyx | Mikrolimano Harbor | Agios Demetrios Loumbardiaris church
Hear about travel to Athens, Greece as the Amateur Traveler talks to travel writer Sally Jane Smith about Athens as a stop on the way to the Peloponnese Peninsula.

Sally Jane says, โ€œAthens isnโ€™t the focus of the itinerary, but it would be a terrible pity if you went to Greece and didnโ€™t see Athens, especially if it was your own visit, your first visit. โ€

How many days should you spend in Athens? Sally says:

You could happily spend a week there without running out of things to do. But Iโ€™ve given us two days in Athens, and Iโ€™m not going to detail blow by blow everything that you would see there because you already have two episodes that talk about Athens in some depth.โ€

Published : Jan, 2023

Sites and attractions | Suggested itinerary | Any price accom | Cultural Activities
Navoi Theatre | museums & galleries | Tashkent Islamic University | Independence Square | Druzhba Narodov Square | Monument of Courage | Navoi Park | Khast Imam | Central Tashkent | Kolkouz Canal | Islam Karimov Museum | Minor Mosque | Amir timur Square
From exploring imposing Soviet Architecture to marvelling at gorgeous mosques and museums, hereโ€™s our list of the best things to do in Tashkent.

The biggest city in Central Asia has never received much love from the travelling community.

Articles on Uzbekistan tend to focus on the countriesโ€™ big hitters and more well-known destinations like Samarkand, Bukhara or the fabled Aral Sea.

Even when compared to other Central Asia cities, Tashkent is usually trailing behind the regions big hitters; Ashgabat and Astana.

Most travellers blast through on their way in or out of Uzbekistan and this really is a crying shame...

Published : Jan, 2023

Suggested itinerary | Health | Other logistics
Safety Travel Tips | Are Taxis Safe? | Travel Scams | Is it Safe to Travel to China? | Is China Safe to Visit Now? | Drinking Water | Food Safety | Is it Safe to Live in China? | solo female travel | Is it Dangerous in China?
China is a vast and wild country with a seemingly endless number of regions to explore. But is it safe to travel in China? Here's everything you should know about traveling to this country full of iconic landmarks and natural wonders...