Believe it or not but 101 countries in, 709 cities and towns backpacked through on my journeys yet Madrid in Spain had somehow escaped me until 2015. Along with my time in Rome (Italy), it seemed that two of Europe’s most famous cities had failed to entice me thus far. But after my Tunisian and Read more about Backpacking in Spain: Staying at Cat’s Hostel in Madrid[…]
Some fellow travellers hadn’t even heard of Gibraltar when I told them I was heading here. Gibraltar was the newest country on my target list, having become a member of UEFA in 2014, meaning its national football team were competing in the Euro 2016 qualifiers for the first time. Gibraltar was always on my list Read more about Backpacking in Gibraltar: My Lovely Stay at the Cannon Hotel[…]
I recently found myself backpacking in Spain and headed to the capital city Madrid. Madrid is famous for a lot of different things down the years such as Real Madrid, the gay scene, Franco’s parades but did you know that Madrid has the world’s oldest restaurant? Neither did I until I turned up here, neither Read more about Friday’s Featured Food: Lunch in the Sobrino de Botin, the Oldest Restaurant in the World in Madrid, Spain[…]
After my 100th country celebration and a mini African jaunt to Tunisia and Algeria, the cheapest flight out of Algiers was to Barcelona, so I decided I would head from Barcelona up north to the Basque Country for the first time. I had never been to the Basque Country despite having met quite a few Read more about Backpacking in the Basque Country: Staying at the Urban House Hostel in Donostia (San Sebastian)[…]
My unexpected Basque Country adventure was surprising, spontaneous and satisfying. A country often forgotten by backpackers, many succumbing to the fact that it’s been swallowed by the Kingdom of Spain. After my previous 5 trips to Spain, it was the political and cultural differences of flambouyant Barcelona (Catalonia), dreamy Donostia and inspiring Valencia that gave Read more about Backpacking in the Basque Country: Staying at Akelarre Hostel, Bilbao[…]
Recently I had the honour of becoming the first ever tourist to visit the Empire of Austenasia, which declared independence from the United Kingdom back in 2008 and is a small country of 75 residents. After crossing the border from the English town of Carshalton into Wrythe, capital of Austenasia I was greeted by Emperor Read more about Backpacking in Austenasia🟡🔴: Guided Tour of the Protected State of Orly[…]
When backpacking in the Vatican City State, I decided to get a full grasp over what on earth this mini-country within a country is all about. It has to be one of the oddest places I have visited and so I decided to do a complete Vatican City Tour with Walks of Italy. Visiting the Read more about Backpacking in The Vatican City State: The Complete Vatican Tour with Walks of Italy[…]
Have you ever had your passport stamped in Frestonia? Have you ever received a letter in the post with a stamp of the nation of Frestonia on it? If so, I’m mildly jealous. But also aware that I was too young (or not born) when the self declared republic of Frestonia was declared back in Read more about Backpacking in the Former Republic of Frestonia🕊️🗽🙌: Latimer Road, London, England[…]
Finland is world famous for the sauna, so after arriving by ferry into Helsinki and I met up with my backpacking friends Sofia and Karoliina after a gap of over 5 years when we partied together in Sydney while staying at Chilli Blue Backpackers. The whole thing seemed to fit in so spookily together and for Read more about Suomi Sauna and Naked Snow Diving in Jarvenpaa, Finland[…]
My recent adventure backpacking in Italy saw my return to this country for the first time since my Venice trip in 2009. It was a long overdue visit to a country I have dipped in and out of some six times now on my journeys. However, I hadn’t yet been to Rome and it made Read more about Backpacking in Italy🇮🇹: Staying at the Hotel Papa Germano in Rome[…]