Backpacking in Riga, Latvia

I’m quickly falling in love with these Baltic countries, after an enchanting 5 days in Estonia I just spent another 5 great days in Latvia. I took the bus from Tallinn, Estonia to Riga, Latvia (4 hours, 11 Euro/$14). The bus station is only...

A Great Couchsurfing Experience in Estonia

Couchsurfing is not about saving money, that’s not the essence of it at all, it’s about meeting like-minded people; it’s about sharing stories and learning cultures; it’s about paying it forward and it’s about making new friends. I couchsur...

How to Get a Belarus Visa in Tallinn, Estonia

Just cos you’re in Europe doesn’t mean backpacking is always easy. I’ve been fighting for visas across the world for years, and getting a visa for Belarus is no different. You can get your Belarus visa in Estonia though, here’s how: 1) Th...

A Walking Tour in Tallinn, Estonia

A Walking Tour in Tallinn, Estonia I’ve been anticipating my arrival in the Baltic states for months. I’d heard that Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were steeped in history, dripping with culture and that their cities were full of the most am...

Crossing the Arctic Circle, Private Saunas, and Chasing Northern Lights in Finland

So finally I’m backpacking in Europe. The rest of the world has been good to me, but now it’s time to visit my own back yard, and Finland is up first. I made it to Helsinki, partied for Vappu there (you can search for that in my Finland sec...

Partying for Vappu in Helsinki

My mission from Asia to Europe by land is now officially complete. I made it to Europe, jumped on the bus from St Petersburg to Helsinki. I actually left Russia one day early in order to reach Finland for the 30th April, because I had heard...

Packing for the Trans Siberian Train – Essentials

The most epic train journey of them all, and one which every traveler has on their bucket list, the Trans Siberian conjures images on Soviet train carriages, drinking Vodka with people in your cabin, vast landscapes and huge distance – it’s...

Studying Martial Arts Around the World – Interview

Traveling means a lot more than ticking a few boxes in a whistle stop 3 day tour of a country, if you really want to get to know a place, you need to stay there, get off the tourist trail and really immerse yourself in the culture. Studying...

The 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Cyprus

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Cyprus UPDATED APRIL 2020. Cyprus, 1 of 49 countries in Europe, and the third-largest island in the Mediterranean is quite difficult to define. Half the island is under rule from the Greek Cypriot government a...

Motivational Monday: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask

I’m currently writing this on a train from Beijing to Ulaan Baator, Mongolia on the first leg of the Trans Siberian Express. I’m in a 4 bed carriage with 2 guys that are fast becoming close friends of mine, I didn’t even know these dudes...

Tuesday Travel Rant: I’ve been to more countries than you

My dad could beat up your dad and that’s the end of it. “So, how many countries have you been to?” This one-upmanship exists in every backpacking corner of the globe and it truly, truly baffles me. In order to grasp if a person has seen a t...

5 Crazy Destinations I’ll Visit in 2012

Following up my article about 5 of the most obscure places I’ve ever visited, I thought I’d follow up it up 5 crazy places I’ll be heading this year. I’m off on my Tibet to Ireland by land trip in less than 3 weeks, and although my plans on...