Over the past few decades, Dubai has certainly captivated the world with its dazzling transformation from a small Arab town to a grand global city. From the spectacular skyscrapers and chic megamalls, to the charming local culture and the surrounding desert, Dubai has much to offer to the discerning traveler and the shopaholic. Dubai holidays Read more about Plan a Memorable Holiday in Dubai, UAE[…]
I arrived early morning into the city of Almaty in Kazakhstan after what had been a pretty intense few weeks of travel (I toured Chernobyl and Auschwitz in consecutive weeks). It was Christmas Eve, there was snow in the air and I needed a place to stay. Step in, the cosy, family run Almaty Backpackers, Read more about Backpacking in Kazakhstan: Staying at Almaty Backpackers/ Silk Road Hostel[…]
Before I decided on doing the border crossing between Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan, I did a bit of research into it. The reason being, I was travelling alone, it was my first time in this region and I wanted to make sure everything ran smoothly. In the winter time in the Stans, you also have to Read more about World Borders: How to Get From Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan (Almaty to Bishkek by Marshrutky)[…]
Ladakh is certainly one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, it is home to some of nature’s spectacular marvels and it also boasts of a rich legacy of Tibetan-Buddhist culture. The arid high-altitude desert is studded with ancient monasteries and stunning landscapes of snow-capped peaks. Read more about The Top Attractions and Places to Visit in Ladakh[…]
“You’re looking for somewhere to belong; you’re standing all alone.” – Jonas Berggren Dress it all up as glory, you’re fooling nobody. I sometimes write one hundred poems into my diary each week and the best of them, I preach on here somehow, somewhere. In my mind, the pen remains mightier than the sword. But Read more about Sunday’s Inspiration: It’s a Lonely World After All[…]
When backpacking in Ukraine, I organised a day tour of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone covers an area of 1,000 square miles and straddles the official land borders of Belarus and Ukraine. When I backpacked to the city of Bobruisck in Belarus in 2007, I remember reading about how close I was Read more about Backpacking in Ukraine: Chernobyl Exclusion Zone Tour Part 1 – Chicane Kiev[…]
After crossing the border by night train from Krakow in Poland, it was time to tour some parts of the Ukraine (Lviv, Kiev and the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone). I started off in the city of Lviv, which is the hardcore heartland of the Ukraine. This city lives and breathes the country’s nationalistic values and deserves Read more about Staying at the Fantastic Citadel Inn in Lviv, Ukraine[…]
My journey east took me by train from the gorgeous city of Lviv to the bustling Ukrainian capital city, Kiev. It was here that I was able to backpack round the sights of the city, learn more about Ukrainian culture and tour the Chernobyl Exclusion zone (some 29 years after the disaster in the area). Read more about Backpacking in Ukraine: Staying at the Tiu Kreschatik Hostel in Kiev[…]
“Arbeit Macht Frei” – Nazi German motto, taken from Lorenz Diefenbach. Before I get down to the business of writing about my tour to Auschwitz, it’s important to note that some people, including followers of my blog do not agree with visits to places this sensitive. While I understand the nature and the horrific aspect Read more about Day Tour of German Concentration Camps with Mosquito Hostel in Krakow, Poland: Part 1 – Touring Auschwitz I[…]
Kraków is an old school backpacker’s trail hang out. Most overland backpackers and inter-railers end up here on their journeys around Europe, it’s such a cliched stop over, some North Americans even think it’s the capital city. Some travellers make it their only stop in Poland. But despite my long travel adventures, until December 2015, Read more about Backpacking in Poland: Staying at the Highly Rated Mosquito Hostel in Kraków[…]