If you’re backpacking South East Asia and start talking about Laos, you’ll generally get asked just the one question: did you go to Vang Vieng? My answer: Yep, I hated it. Honestly. I hated the most popular tourist destination in Laos. Vang Vieng is a tourist hotspot, the busiest place in Laos without a shadow […]
Author Archives: Claire
02
Jun
Jun
Laos is remote and takes a long time to travel around in. Northern Laos (north of Luang Prabang) is remoter than remote and takes a few years to get anywhere. The mountainous destinations of Luang Namtha and the Nam Ou River are absolutely stunning and promise adventure, but you’ll want to tack on a few […]
30
May
May
Not so fun fact: I’m terrified of driving a motorbike. I only learnt to ride a bicycle properly very recently, and although I managed to drive around the whole of Australia in a car, the thought of controlling a bike going at 60-70 kmph is absolutely terrifying. But in Asia, everyone rides motorbikes. It’s just […]
26
May
May
If you’re planning on travelling through Vietnam this year, then Hoi An is a stop that you simply cannot miss. We spent 3 weeks travelling through this spectacular country, and found Hoi An to be one of the most culturally significant and exciting spots you could wish to visit. It houses a number of buildings […]
23
May
May
This ain’t my first time writing posts about backpacking Australia. I’ve got budget travel guides, road trip itineraries, and so much more on the Australia section of my website. But if you’re just about to leave Australia, you might have less of a use for these Australia travel guides, and just be wanting something to […]
22
May
May
Thanks to some gorgeous scenery, Central Asia is slowly getting a name as one of the most fascinating trekking destinations in the world. From hiking among the soaring mountain peaks of Kyrgzstan to passing through the many scenic lakes in Tajikistan, hiking in this part of the world is wonderful. Add to it the excellent […]
19
May
May
Sometimes my travel tastes can be a bit alternative. For example, I hated Vang Vieng, Laos’ most popular tourist destination (read about my failed hiking expedition here). I also wasn’t wild about Pai, a mountainous town in London that the world and his wife rave about. But Vientiane, the sleepy capital of Laos? Bloody loved […]
16
May
May
Endless stretches of white sandy beaches, twisting salt marshes, ancient forests and the tranquil shallow lakes of the Broads; Norfolk has some of the most beautiful natural landscapes, and therefore some of the best scenic views in the country. You could spend a day inhaling the fresh sea air along Norfolk’s coastline, an Area of […]
12
May
May
Sitting to the east of the mainland of Central America, Caye Caulker is a Belizean island located in the Caribbean Sea. It has the well-deserved reputation of an island paradise: there’s an island motto of ‘go slow’, it’s a place to kick back, sunbathe on an Ocean Voyager, chill out, and enjoy a cocktail at […]
09
May
May
When the after dinner conversation turns to great road trips of the world, Australia’s Great Ocean Road almost always gets a mention. And so it should. It’s not just another road trip, but a full-on sensory experience that embraces stunning ocean scenery, beautiful little towns that have a charm all their own and the friendly […]