When I arrived in the city of Kraków in Poland, it was time to delve into some Jewish history. Yes, I have spent a hat-trick of weeks backpacking through Israel and Palestine, but here, Jewish history is a huge thing, for sad reasons. Kraków has always had a large Jewish population and a Jewish neighbourhood. Read more about Backpacking in Poland: Top 5 Sights in Kazimierz, Kraków’s Jewish Quarter[…]
The fact that Lviv Ukraine is brimmed full of wacky themed bars is enough to make any keen pub go-er enjoy this thriving nationalistic city with some style and panache. And let me tell you, it ain’t no glammed up pretentious place either. Italians, leave your Ferraris behind; mainland Brits, forget trying to be a Read more about Thirsty Thursdays: Top 5 Bars in Lviv, Ukraine[…]
I’ve hiked in every continent so far, yes even Antarctica – we hiked up Cuverville Island back in 2010. But my home continent of Europe has some surprisingly high peaks in places, all with tremendous views and some extreme hiking and ski-ing opportunities. An excellent infographic recently released shows all these peaks in an easy Read more about Hiking in Europe: Highest Peaks in the Continent[…]
When you travel around the world so much, it becomes second nature to sometimes drift into constant English speaking. However, on my travels I always tried to delve into some of the languages that I need to speak to get by. Admittedly I am not a great language expert, despite learning Cantonese in Hong Kong Read more about How to Be an International Master of Saying Hello[…]
Back in 2013, I made my first trip to Turkey and ended up staying for three weeks. There were some pure fire highlights along the way and I still rave about the cities of Trabzon and Ankara and the lonely town of Dogubayazit! We started off in mysterious Istanbul, before overlanding through Ankara and Cappadocia Read more about 12 Cool Landmarks to Check out in Turkey[…]
Following on from my incredible morning hiking to the Alpine Cemetery in Ala Archa National Park in Kyrgyzstan, I decide on the easier waterfall and gorge trail in the afternoon. I say easier because the trail is obvious and even has better markings on route, plus a clear path. This was in my first week Read more about Backpacking in Kyrgyzstan: Hiking in Ala Archa National Park Part 2 – The Gorge and Ak Sai Waterfall Trail[…]
“We’re in the army. Now. Woah oh we’re in the army.” – Status Quo. I find it hard to believe that it has been nine years since I backpacked my way to the unknown and non-touristy city of Bobruisk in Belarus. This obscure journey was the story I wrote for Shaun Schofield’s book “Albania to Read more about Backpacking in Belarus🇧🇾: Top 5 Sights in Bobruisk[…]
I kind of forget some of the travel experiences I have had down the years. Something that sticks from my time working and living in Hong Kong is the amount of visits I went on to neighbouring China and Macau. Macau is a country in its own right and I toured it many times. You Read more about Backpacking in Macau: Touring the Casinos of This Beast[…]
“It’s easy to fall into something new that shines” – Ben Paulley (2005). So a week ago yesterday I arrived in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan having crossed overland from Kazakhstan. On arrival I received a 60 day entry visa stamp, so yes I can stay legally as a tourist here for a brace of months. At the Read more about Why I’m Spending at Least a Month in Bishkek, Magnetic Kyrgyzstan🇰🇬[…]
The country of Kyrgyzstan seems to hide shyly in the back streets of the backpacking world. It’s not so much a “sleeping giant”, but an “awake baby”. It’s crying to be found, and sometime it will be. While the “self-professed cool crowd” backpack their way through Bangkok, Ulun Danu, Siem Reap and Chiang Mai on Read more about Backpacking in Kyrgyzstan: Hiking in Ala Archa National Park Part 1 – The Alpine Cemetery Trail[…]