Pick a Place! Travel Destinations
Our world is a big and exciting place. During our life, we can touch just a little of it, taste just a smidgeon, and interact with so few of the creatures who wander around it.
There’s always more to explore: in our back yards, and on the far sides of oceans.
Below, we’ve pulled together resources based on places: continents and lines on the map. Pick your favourites, and know that we’re working on getting to (or writing up) the others.
We hope you get to your dream destination, and we hope you leave with lasting memories and friendships.
North America
United States of America – USA Travel
City Focus: San Francisco San Francisco takes pride in its rough-and-tumble Barbary Coast history from the 1849 Gold Rush. Back then, rough-and-ready privateers, ladies of the night, and fortune seekers landed on the muddy wharves to seek their fortunes in the goldfields of the nearby Sierra foothills. Today, a different kind of fortune-seeker populates the…
North America
Stretching from the Arctic Ocean almost to the equator, North America is a land of extremes. The great lakes of Canada, the iconic cities of the United States, the Aztec and Mayan cultures of Mexico: there’s plenty to draw your attention even if you only consider the three largest countries on the continent. Quite where…
Europe
Austria travel
Austria is an amazing country that is sometimes hidden in the shadow of its more well-known neighbours Germany and Switzerland. Its days as a superpower may be over, but the green spaces, the gorgeous architecture, and the wine all make Austria travel well worthwhile. Austria is landlocked in central Europe, and shares borders with Switzerland,…
Baltics travel
The Baltics are one of our favourite areas in Europe, and we’re super excited about the three countries that make up the region: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Located in north-east Europe, you’ll find the Baltics to the west of Russia and to the south of Finland. Craig recently did a trip through the region, which…
Bulgaria travel
First-class ski slopes, picturesque seaside, magic-filled mountains and crazy nightlife –- Bulgaria is becoming a hotspot in the Balkans. The Republic of Bulgaria is a small country in Eastern Europe that shares a border with Romania, Serbia, Macedonia, Greece and Turkey. The fascinating coastline on the Black Sea serves as the eastern border of the…
Denmark travel
Denmark always ranks high on quality-of-life lists and is just behind Disneyland as “the happiest place on Earth”, according to Google. Is the home of Hans Christian Anderson truly a fairy tale? Denmark is the smallest of the three Scandinavian countries. It consists of one large peninsula (Jutland) and 443 islands, the largest of which…
England travel
Thoughts of England lead to London, Manchester, Oxford and Bath. While its cities are stunning, there’s nothing wrong with picking up a backpack and hitting the hiking trails to explore the England seldom seen by tourists. Whatever you are looking for, you’re likely to find it while travelling in England… unless you’re looking for somewhere…
France travel
Vive la France! From the rugged Atlantic shores of Brittany to the glittering coastline of the French Riviera; from the majestic Alps to the little-explored Pyrenees; from the elegant avenues of Paris to the lavender fields of Provence, there is literally something for everyone who wishes to visit France. France shares its borders with Switzerland,…
Germany travel
In recent years, tourism to Germany has boomed, and for good reason! The Vaterland’s kaleidoscope of natural beauty, urban traditionalism merged with modernity, and its historical importance, make Germany an excellent choice for a short — or long — European break. Germany lies at the geographic epicenter of Europe, and is bordered by nine countries…
Greece travel
Imagine many small beautiful islands surrounded by an emerald sea and warmed by the Mediterranean sun; imagine white houses and traditional taverns on the coast; imagine the ruins of ancient Greece and the mind-blowingly tasty food –- you are almost certainly thinking about Greece. Greece is located in the south of the Balkan Peninsula in…
Italy travel
Food, wine, coffee, uber-stylish cities and pastoral countryside. There’s a reason Italy is one of the world’s most-visited tourism destinations. Although internet access sucks, there’s plenty of beautiful sights and tastes to experience. Italy is bordered by the Mediterranean sea to the west and south with Malta sitting below Sicily. France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia…
Malta travel
The Europeans know what they’re doing when they take their summer holidays in Malta. This Mediterranean island nation boasts more days of sun than any other European country, and is packed full of history for travelers who want more than just a beach holiday. Malta is made up of three larger islands and a collection…
Netherlands travel
The Netherlands is a country known around the world for its liberal attitudes, its tolerance towards other people, and its impact on European history. Small villages, scenic canals and hard-partying University towns make the Netherlands a perfect mix for travellers. The Netherlands is situated in western Europe, bordering Germany to the east and Belgium to…
Norway travel
The land of the Midnight Sun and of the elusive Aurora Borealis (aka the Northern Lights) Norway is a nature-lover’s paradise. While the country isn’t exactly a budget destination, there’s no charge to enjoy nature. Courtesy of allemannsretten (right of access), you can also camp for free. Norway is part of Scandinavia and of the…
Russia travel
Russia, the biggest country on the planet, remains a mythical place years after the fall of the Iron Curtain. Bears walking down the streets, people drinking vodka from dawn till dusk and in-between, fascinating natural scenery, snow and low temperatures year-round; how much of this is true? From northwest to southeast, Russia is bordered by…
Scotland travel
Chances are that the name Scotland evokes certain images in your mind: kilts, tartan, bagpipers, sheep and rain. Dig deeper, though, and you will find a complex nation with a rich, fascinating heritage and (when the sun shines) some of the most beautiful scenery on earth. Scotland occupies one third of the island of Great…
Spain travel
With its beaches and mountains, its cities and farmland, Spain has plenty more to offer than the coastal package holidays most people are familiar with. In fact, we’d recommend not going near the resort towns – avoid them and you’ll have a much better Spanish experience. Spain sits in the westernmost part of Europe, connected…
Wales travel
Wales is a tiny country with a big personality. Though only 20,000 square kilometers in size, Wales manages to pack in epic castles, rugged shorelines, sprawling national parks, and a village named Llanfairpwllgwygyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogoch. Though technically part of the United Kingdom, Wales retains a distinct Celtic heritage that includes the Welsh language and yes, welsh rarebit….
Europe
Europe stretches from Africa and the Atlantic in the west, to the Arctic and Pacific in the east. From the popular, metropolitan cities of London, Paris, Amsterdam and Istanbul to the un-mapped hinterlands of Russia or the step back in time to Moldova, Europe really does dazzle with diversity. Highly developed infrastructure in most of…
Latin America
Argentina travel
The name “Argentina” elicits a mix of sensations: the flavour of Argentinian barbecue accompanied by a good wine, the intensity of tango, the fervour of football and rugby supporters or political protesters. The immense size of the country (it’s the second-largest in South America and the largest Spanish-speaking nation) means that there’s always something to…
Bolivia travel
Bolivia seems to be the unvisited relative of Chile, Argentina and Peru, but there are plenty of reasons to visit the altiplano and Bolivia’s share of the Amazon. Then there’s the stunningly beautiful southern deserts … Bolivia sits near the middle of South America, bordered by Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Chile. There are border…
Brazil travel
Vast and exotic, engaging and vibrant, Brazil has long been a playground for travellers from around the world. White-sand beaches and bright tree-studded islands dot the coastline from north to south. Inland, the intensity of natural wonder and the vibrancy of human activity will mean that, in Brazil, you are never too far from adventure….
Chile travel
Chile stretches from its northern border with Peru, through the arid, desolate Atacama Desert, down to the frozen tip of Patagonia encompassing mountains, lakes and a friendly, generous spirit along the way. The “New Zealand of South America” offers adventure sports, wonderful outdoor opportunities and the most majestic night sky you might ever see. Chile…
Colombia travel
After years of being closed off by internal conflict and drug-related crime, Colombia is now South America’s rising star of the travel scene. With the security situation having improved dramatically, even many Colombians are just starting to discover their own country for the first time. And what a country it is. Colombia has a reputation…
Ecuador travel
Ecuador isn’t a travel destination for the indecisive; from the Galapagos Islands to volcanic mountains, you’ll have a hard time deciding what to do first. Whether you’re an eco-friendly traveller looking to explore a tropical cloud forest or an adventurous spirit with a penchant for mountaineering, you’ll love the diverse landscapes and wildlife that Ecuador…
Uruguay travel
Sandwiched between Brazil and Argentina, the two largest countries in South America, Uruguay is sometimes overlooked. But the “Switzerland of South America” offers more than meets the eye: you can spend time with the cowboys on an estancia or head off-road for a gaucho adventure; hang out in Punta del Este, the playground of models…
Peru travel
Peru is home to some of the most stunning and accessible ruins and relics from the pre-European age. From Kuelap and Chan Chan in the north to mystic Machu Picchu in the south, the jungles and deserts of Peru are filled with a seemingly unending supply of artefacts from the Inca, the Mapuche and other…
Venezuela travel
2022 update: travel to Venezuela is currently not advised due to civil unrest. Take a bold step off the beaten backpacker trail and travel to Venezuela, where gas is cheaper than water, warm guesthouses replace your usual hostels, and incredibly diverse scenery will give you goosebumps all over. You can enjoy the beautiful Caribbean beaches…
Suriname travel
Suriname is a South American country with a Caribbean feel, Dutch as its national language and an ethnic mix of Creoles, Javanese, Amerindians, Hindustani and Afro-Surinamese. Boats take you deep into virgin rainforest where age-old traditions are part of life, while the capital city of Paramaribo charms you with white wooden colonial mansions for which…
South America
Travelling through South America South America is home to the world’s largest remaining rainforest, driest desert, longest river, and some of the highest waterfalls. In amongst natural splendour you’ll find large urban centres where millions live in poverty and billionaires live in walled compounds: South America is — to abuse a cliché — ripe with…
Asia
Cambodia travel
Angkor Wat rises from the jungle and its image flies everywhere on the Cambodian flag. This country has been hard-hit by years of civil war, but is a rising star in Asia’s tourism portfolio along with its South East Asian neighbours Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. There’s plenty more than temples rising from the jungle ……
China travel
We currently cover two cities in China: Shanghai travel information Suzhou travel information
Japan travel
Ah, Japan. The place where tropical white-sand beaches, thousands of years of culture and tradition, and snow to die for if you’re a seasoned snowboarder or skiier, meet in one country. And there’s plenty more where that came from: think festivals, manga, food, and bullet trains. Think unique and you’re getting there… So what’s so…
Laos travel
Laos has only been open to tourism since the mid-90s and it shows. Relaxed, friendly, and a touch kooky at times, Laos can throw up surprises. If you’re hoping to find yourself in a land with few home comforts, eating animals you’d never touch at home, and meeting people who don’t view you as walking…
Thailand travel
Sparkling white-sand beaches, verdant jungles and bustling cities mean Thailand is an amazing destination for the party-goer, nature-lover and beach bum. And there’s no avoiding it: Bangkok is a shopping paradise with multilevel malls and unlimited street markets. Thailand meets Myanmar (also known as Burma) on the west, with Vietnam and Cambodia to the east….
Asia
Asia stretches the imagination and your reflexes as you pass from ultra-modern cities like Tokyo and Singapore through to tiny isolated villages in forests or mountains. Drop south from gargantuan China into the Indian subcontinent or venture through South East Asia’s beautiful countryside and beaches instead. Considering that more than half the world’s population lives…
Oceania
Australia travel
Australia’s iconic southern charm contrasts with hard outback life in this huge country of red dust and cosmopolitan cities. Party along the east coast cities while spending your days at the beach, or head ‘cross country to dodge kangaroos, explore opal mines and walk around Uluru (Ayers Rock). And, of course, there’s plenty of wine…
New Zealand travel
New Zealand, Aotearoa, Land of the Long White Cloud. Whatever you call it, travelling New Zealand is an adventurous, nature-loving, cultural tour de force through some of the finest countryside you’ll find in the world. Be a beach bum during the long summer evenings or ski your heart out during the northern hemisphere summer —…
Tonga travel
Tonga is a country of many parts, many of them relaxed, beautiful and enjoyable. Get caught up in a resort complete with swim-up bar, or island-hop by plane, ferry or yacht. Along with the top line, there’s plenty for budget travellers, with seaside backpackers along with cheaper inland finds. Above all though, you’ll enjoy having…
Oceania Travel
Whether you call this continent Oceania, Australasia, or just Australia, this watery region is an amazing place to travel. It includes thousands of islands scattered throughout the South Pacific Ocean and comprises about a dozen independent nations, including the larger countries of Australia and New Zealand, in addition to many other dependent territories. Life here…