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.
11 results found
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 read
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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