It doesn’t get much more crazy than heading on a backpacking journey to “Reactor Number 4”. Indeed, the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone attracts less tourists per year than Antarctica, North Korea and Iraq. Here there are 13,000 tourists per year. That’s only 35 people per day on average! And I mentioned in parts 1 and 2…
Read More“I can feel the warning signs running around my mind” – Noel Gallagher. So far the day tour of Chernobyl has the mind constantly churning with thoughts. Against a dirty, smoggy, swollen sky it hardly seems appropriate to smile at any point. It’s easy to know that something bad happened here. You just sense it…
Read MoreThis article might actually need a quick introduction. Mainly because most people I have met have never heard of a “country” called Gorno Badakhshan. In fact, even some Kyrgyzs people I have met this week were unaware of the existence of this disputed state, an autonomous region that has been claimed by China, Russia and…
Read MoreSo I arrived into “the Stans” in late December 2015 after a brief spell in southern Kazakhstan, where I toured Ile Alatau, Almaty and a few bars, then I crossed the border into Kyrgyzstan. I didn’t need a visa for Kazakhstan (15 days on arrival on a British passport) nor for Kyrgyzstan (60 days on arrival…
Read MoreAt the end of December 2015, I crossed the border from the Kazakhstani town of Korday into the magical world of Kyrgyzstan. After initially touring some cool sights in the north of the country, like Ruh Ordo, Ala Archa National Park and the Petroglyphs at Cholpon Ata, it became obvious that I would use the…
Read MoreIf you have followed my travel blog the last few years, you will have seen that I follow Nomadic Matt AKA Matt Kepnes. Matt owns the number one travel blog on the internet, where he uses his expertise to help you travel Better Cheaper Longer. He knows how to plan trips, how to save you money…
Read MoreAlmaty is a massive city, spreading far and wide in its elevation beneath the mountains of southern Kazakhstan. At first, finding a bar seemed like a difficult task for the walking backpacker. So I used my maps and advice from the staff at the Almaty Backpackers hostel and soon I knew I was able to…
Read MoreI don’t write about Italy as much, despite having visited the country seven times on my travels. I’m planning to visit Italy again this year, in June on route to France for the Euro 2016 football tournament to watch Northern Ireland in. Italy is one of the best countries for food. I love pizza, any…
Read MoreCasinos around the world are growing in popularity and there are many cities now enjoying the benefits of these hugely revenue generating venues. Thankfully where there are great casino-based venues there is also great entertainment as well as places to eat, drink and be merry. We take a look at just some of the top…
Read MoreWhen you head to the United States on a backpacking mission, Iowa may not be the first state that springs to mind. However, here is a best of list to get you in the mood for it. Before arriving here, try and secure your United States visa and get a decent Iowa Hotel booked. The state…
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