The Journal
Stories from the long way round.
Field notes, route guides and honest essays from travellers spending a year — or a lifetime — circling the world.
Planning a Year Around the World: The Honest Guide
Budgets, routes, visas, vaccines and the small choices that make a 12-month trip feel effortless rather than chaotic.
12 January 2026 · 9 min read
Round-the-World Tickets vs One-Way Hopping: What Actually Saves Money
The classic RTW fare is not dead, but it is rarely the cheapest option anymore. Here is how to choose.
22 January 2026 · 7 min
Packing for Every Climate in a Single Carry-On
From Icelandic wind to Bornean humidity, one 40-litre bag really is enough. Here is the system that works.
3 February 2026 · 6 min
Southeast Asia Overland: Bangkok to Bali Without Flying
Trains, buses, slow boats and ferries through five countries — the route, the timings, and what to skip.
18 February 2026 · 10 min
Patagonia on a Shoestring: Hiking the W Without Breaking the Bank
Torres del Paine has a reputation for being expensive. With the right timing and logistics, it does not have to be.
4 March 2026 · 8 min
Is the Japan Rail Pass Still Worth It in 2026?
After the 2023 price hike, the math changed. Here is when the JR Pass still pays off and when it does not.
19 March 2026 · 5 min
Solo Female Travel: Safety Without Paranoia
Practical habits that lower risk in any country, written by women who have travelled in most of them.
2 April 2026 · 7 min
Morocco by Rail and Grand Taxi: A Two-Week Loop
Tangier, Fes, the Sahara, Marrakech and the Atlantic coast — without renting a car.
21 April 2026 · 9 min
Money While Travelling: Cards, Cash and Avoiding Fees
The dull topic that quietly costs travellers hundreds of euros per trip. Fix it in an afternoon.
5 May 2026 · 6 min
Coming Home After a Long Trip (And Why It Is Harder Than Leaving)
Reverse culture shock is real. Here is how to land softly without losing what the road gave you.
26 May 2026 · 6 min
Vietnam North to South by Motorbike: The Complete Route
From Ha Giang's limestone loops to the Mekong Delta, riding Vietnam end to end is the journey of a lifetime. Here is how to do it safely.
2 March 2026 · 11 min
Thailand's Islands Beyond Phuket: Where to Go Instead
Koh Lanta, Koh Kood, Koh Phayam and the quiet islands where the longtail boats still outnumber the speedboats.
8 March 2026 · 8 min
Kyoto on a Budget: Temples, Tea and 500-Yen Lunches
Japan's ancient capital has a reputation for expense. Locals know better — here is how to do Kyoto for less than 60 euros a day.
14 March 2026 · 7 min
Bali Beyond the Brochure: Sidemen, Munduk and the Quiet North
Skip the Canggu traffic and the Seminyak beach clubs. The real Bali starts where the tour buses stop.
20 March 2026 · 8 min
Angkor Wat: The Three-Day Itinerary That Beats the Crowds
Everyone sees the same five temples in the same order. Here is the counter-clockwise strategy that leaves them empty for you.
27 March 2026 · 9 min
Laos by Slow Boat: Two Days Down the Mekong
The Huay Xai to Luang Prabang slow boat is Southeast Asia's most beautiful commute. Here is what to expect, hour by hour.
3 April 2026 · 6 min
Hanoi Street Food: What to Eat and Where the Locals Eat It
Pho for breakfast, bun cha for lunch, egg coffee whenever. A district-by-district guide to eating the Vietnamese capital.
10 April 2026 · 7 min
Annapurna vs Everest Base Camp: Which Nepal Trek Is Right for You
Both are legendary. One might break you. An honest comparison of cost, altitude, crowds and reward.
16 April 2026 · 10 min
Seoul Beyond the Hype: Palaces, Markets and Mountain Temples
K-dramas brought you here. The 600-year-old city behind them will keep you.
22 April 2026 · 8 min
Sri Lanka's Hill Country Train: Kandy to Ella, the World's Prettiest Ride
Seven hours, tea country, and the Nine Arches Bridge. How to book, which side to sit, and where to break the journey.
28 April 2026 · 7 min
Taiwan's East Coast: The Road Trip Nobody Told You About
Marble gorges, indigenous villages and empty Pacific beaches — a five-day loop from Taipei down the wild side.
5 May 2026 · 8 min
Uzbekistan: Walking the Silk Road Through Samarkand and Bukhara
Turquoise domes, desert caravanserais and the friendliest bazaars in Central Asia — the Silk Road is open and easier than ever.
12 May 2026 · 9 min
Hokkaido: Japan's Wild North by Car and Onsen
Volcanoes, drifting ice, and the best seafood in Japan — a one-week loop through the island Tokyo forgot.
19 May 2026 · 8 min
Is It Ethical to Travel to Myanmar? An Honest Assessment
The temples of Bagan are open, but the country is in crisis. What responsible travellers need to weigh before booking.
26 May 2026 · 7 min
Palawan: Island-Hopping the Philippines' Last Frontier
El Nido's lagoons, Coron WWII wrecks and the underground river — planning a week on the world's best island.
2 June 2026 · 8 min
Mongolia: Sleeping in a Ger During the Naadam Festival
Wrestling, horse racing and archery on the steppe — plus how to arrange a homestay with nomad families.
9 June 2026 · 8 min
Rajasthan in Two Weeks: Forts, Deserts and the Perfect Circuit
Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Udaipur — the classic northern India route, day by day, with the trains that connect it.
16 June 2026 · 10 min
George Town, Penang: Asia's Most Delicious Small City
Street art, clan jetties and the hawker stalls that food writers cross oceans for — a long weekend guide.
23 June 2026 · 7 min
Kyrgyzstan: Horse Trekking to Song-Kul Lake
Three days on horseback to a 3,000-metre alpine lake, sleeping in yurts with shepherd families. The ultimate Central Asia adventure.
30 June 2026 · 8 min
Yunnan: Backpacking China's Most Beautiful Province
Lijiang's old town, Tiger Leaping Gorge and Shangri-La — the route through China's southwest that feels like another country.
7 July 2026 · 9 min
Asia for First-Timers: Where to Start and What to Skip
Thailand or Vietnam? Japan or India? The honest starter guide to picking your first Asian adventure.
14 July 2026 · 8 min
Marrakech Medina: A First-Timer's Survival Guide
How to navigate the souks, find the best riads, and avoid the scams that catch new arrivals in Morocco's red city.
21 July 2026 · 8 min
Into the Sahara: A Night in the Merzouga Dunes
Everything you need to know about camel treks, desert camps, and watching the sunrise from the top of Erg Chebbi.
28 July 2026 · 9 min
The Pyramids of Giza: Practical Tips for Cairo
How to beat the crowds, avoid the scams, and actually enjoy Egypt's most famous ancient site.
4 August 2026 · 8 min
Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan: What to Expect
Temples, tombs, and river sunsets: a realistic guide to choosing and enjoying a Nile cruise in Egypt.
11 August 2026 · 9 min
Serengeti Safari Planning: Timing, Camps and Budget
How to time the wildebeest migration, choose between lodges and mobile camps, and build a Serengeti trip that fits your budget.
18 August 2026 · 10 min
Zanzibar: Stone Town Alleys and Spice-Coast Beaches
Where to stay, what to eat, and how to escape the crowds on Tanzania's legendary spice island.
25 August 2026 · 8 min
The Great Migration in the Masai Mara
When to go, where to stay, and how to watch a million wildebeest cross the Mara River without losing your mind.
1 September 2026 · 9 min
Nairobi to Mombasa by Train and Bus
A practical guide to the SGR railway, long-distance buses, and the overland route between Kenya's two biggest cities.
8 September 2026 · 7 min
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi: What It Really Takes
Permits, fitness, packing, and etiquette for one of Africa's most profound wildlife encounters.
15 September 2026 · 9 min
Rwanda: Kigali's Calm and the Volcanoes Gorillas
Why Rwanda is the easiest entry point for gorilla trekking, and how to spend a few days in one of Africa's cleanest capitals.
22 September 2026 · 8 min
Ethiopia's Historical Route: Lalibela and Beyond
Rock-hewn churches, ancient kingdoms, and highland landscapes on one of Africa's most underrated cultural journeys.
29 September 2026 · 10 min
Namibia Road Trip: Sossusvlei, Swakopmund and Etosha
A two-week self-drive itinerary through deserts, coastlines, and wildlife parks in southern Africa's most surreal landscape.
6 October 2026 · 10 min
Okavango Delta: A Mokoro Safari in Botswana
Why the world's largest inland delta is best explored by dugout canoe, and how to plan a low-impact trip.
13 October 2026 · 9 min
Cape Town on a Backpacker Budget
How to enjoy South Africa's most beautiful city for under 60 euros a day, from hostels to hiking trails.
20 October 2026 · 8 min
South Africa's Garden Route: A Self-Drive Guide
From Mossel Bay to Storms River, the Garden Route is one of the world's great coastal road trips. Here is the itinerary.
27 October 2026 · 9 min
Victoria Falls: Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Best Views
How to see the Smoke That Thunders from both sides of the border, and what to do beyond the viewpoints.
3 November 2026 · 8 min
Madagascar: Avenue of the Baobabs and Lemur Country
Why Madagascar feels like another planet, and how to plan a route from the baobab avenue to the rainforest reserves.
10 November 2026 · 10 min
Dakar and Gorée Island: A Cultural Introduction to West Africa
Music, markets, and history in Senegal's energetic capital and the nearby island that remembers the Atlantic slave trade.
17 November 2026 · 8 min
Tunisia: From Roman Carthage to the Sahara
A compact country where ancient ruins, Mediterranean beaches, and desert oases fit into a single itinerary.
24 November 2026 · 9 min
Africa for First-Timers: Where to Start and How to Stay Safe
The honest starter guide for travellers planning their first trip to Africa: countries, vaccines, money, and mindset.
1 December 2026 · 10 min
Colombia in Two Weeks: From Cartagena to Medellín
A practical route through Colombia's Caribbean coast, coffee hills, and mountain cities — with safety tips and budget notes.
8 December 2026 · 9 min
Portugal Road Trip: Lisbon to the Algarve in Ten Days
A relaxed driving itinerary through historic cities, surf towns, wine valleys, and the dramatic southern coast.
15 December 2026 · 8 min
Jordan: Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea
How to see Jordan's greatest hits without rushing, including the best Petra entrances and desert camps.
22 December 2026 · 8 min
New Zealand South Island: A Road Trip from Christchurch to Queenstown
Mountains, glaciers, fjords, and lakes — the ultimate two-week South Island itinerary for first-time visitors.
29 December 2026 · 10 min
Uzbekistan: Following the Silk Road Through Samarkand and Bukhara
Central Asia's most accessible country, where turquoise domes, ancient madrasas, and warm hospitality come at a low price.
5 January 2027 · 9 min
The Case for Slow Travel: Moving Less and Seeing More
Why spending a week in one place can teach you more than a month of sightseeing — and how to do it well.
12 January 2027 · 6 min
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