Whether you're a novice hiker or an experienced trekker, the historic Nakasendo trail offers a unique journey through Japan's fascinating past and picturesque landscapes. If you're lucky, you may even encounter Japanese macaques on the path. Our in-depth travel guide...
All our blog posts in one spot
Need inspiration and direction to create the life they love? Looking for affordable travel experiences that are gentle on our planet and the communities you visit? Dive right in with a list of all the posts we’ve ever written – in chronological order. Have a look around and check out anything that piques your interest.
Ready to hike the Nakasendo? Here are the best itineraries for 1, 2 and 3 days
Whether you're a novice looking for a pleasant day hike or an expert seeking a more challenging multi-day hike with a variety of features, the Nakasendo in Japan offers a range of options to suit different interests and abilities. We have collated 1, 2 and 3-day...
Want to run a marathon in Japan? Here is your Nagano Marathon guide
Would you like to run a marathon in Japan but don't qualify for Tokyo and are not keen to join the crowds in Osaka? Well, come to Nagano. Framed by the snow-capped Japanese Alps and with on-course entertainment that puts many majors to shame, the Nagano Marathon makes...
Lisbon + Sintra: 9 low-cost experiences you won’t find in every guidebook
Our plane has started to descend. Below us, a river meanders through the landscape. In the haze ahead of us, the first features of the city appear. Strangely familiar, we have seen these features before, on different continents though: First, there is a bridge,...
Explore St Vincent and the Grenadines as an independent traveller
St Vincent and the Grenadines was our Caribbean destination number five, following Curacao, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Grenada. This exotically named archipelago is 200km west of Barbados and less than 100km north of Grenada. It consists of 32 islands and cays,...
Criteria to consider when selecting the right travel pack
Recently, one of our readers contacted us about items on my packing list – specifically about my travel pack and my Turkish towel. Her questions made me realise I had never actually gotten around to writing an article on my travel pack and why I chose it. So, if you...
Beyond the famous beef: How to spend 24 hours in Kobe
The name Kobe is synonymous with the famous Wagyu from this region. But there's so much more to Japan's sixth-largest city than a melt-in-your-mouth piece of meat. In this article, we'll take you on a 24-hour journey through Kobe, showcasing the best experiences this...
Nara’s hidden treasures: A 1-3 day itinerary for the offbeat traveller
Usually overlooked in favour of its more famous neighbours Kyoto and Osaka, people who do visit Nara usually come to see just the attractions around Nara Park - including its famous deer. But there is so much more to see and do in Japan's ancient capital. From the...
One Day in Himeji: The Perfect Itinerary for First-Timers
Known for its majestic 17th-century castle, Himeji offers a unique glimpse into Japan's rich history and culture. In this article, we present the perfect itinerary for those who have just one day to explore Himeji. From a visit to the famous castle to strolling...
Experience the Best of Hiroshima and Miyajima in three days
Hiroshima and nearby Miyajima Island should be on every traveller's Japanese bucket list. From the iconic A-Bomb Dome [Official website, Google Maps location] in Hiroshima to the giant floating vermilion-coloured Torii off Miyajima [Official website, Google Maps...
One Day in Porto: An itinerary that will make you fall in love with this city
Before we started our first ever Camino de Santiago (we chose the Camino Portuguese), we spent a few days in and around Portugal’s capital Lisbon, followed by a few days in Porto (Portus Cale in Roman times), the city that lent the country its name. If you are in...
Five simple tips to avoid the tourist crowds in Dubrovnik
We were in two minds whether we should visit Dubrovnik or not. Our curiosity and professional ethos won in the end: we want to experience the things we write about first-hand. And promoting sustainable travel also entails visiting destinations that suffer from too...
The best views over Dubrovnik and where to catch them (largely) for free
It’s crazy: people pay HRK200 (EUR27/USD30) and more to walk in blazing sunshine and over 30 degrees heat on top of a 2-kilometre long wall made of highly reflective, light-coloured stone. Now and then, the flow of people grinds to a halt, and they patiently wait in...
How much does it cost to explore Santiago de Compostela AND Barcelona?
Our daily expenses to explore two famous cities in Spain were USD58.44 / EUR52.04 per person per day. Our budget as always is USD50.00 so we were well over. We spent the whole of April in Spain, actually a little more: 31 days to be correct. First, we walked the...
How to protect your personal data and avoid online identity fraud
The cybersecurity statistics are astonishing: According to The Identity Theft Research Center (ITRC) Annual Data Breach Report, 2022 had the second-highest number of data compromises in the USA alone in a single year. At least 422 million individuals were impacted. ...
One week in Western Slovenia: Cool things to see and do beyond Lake Bled
As a true Kiwi, there are few countries in the world Paul considers on par with or surpassing New Zealand when it comes to natural beauty. Iceland, Norway and Ecuador are strong contenders. And now we’re adding another one: Slovenia. We’d even argue that New Zealand...
How much does it cost to explore Trinidad and Tobago?
Have you ever wondered whether you could afford to visit the Caribbean? Below is our financial spend for our journey around Trinidad and Tobago in March 2017. Check out what we did during the nine days we explored Trinidad and Tobago.Sign up to receive our email...
How much money do you need to travel?
Travel can cost as much or as little as you like. How much money you need (to budget) for your next trip largely depends on how much comfort do you want how much time you’ve got; and where you are travelling. You see, a two-week vacation at a luxury resort in the...
Kumano Kodo/Nakahechi Route: Choose your perfect self-guided itinerary from 2 to 5 days
Keen to hike the ancient pilgrimage trails of the Kumano Kodo? Why not walk in the footsteps of emperors and other Japanese nobility, and choose the Nakahechi route (also known as the Imperial Route)? Whether you have five days (or more) or only two, are a beginner...
Budget like a pro: How much does it cost to hike the Kumano Kodo?
If you are looking to explore the natural beauty of Japan, the Kumano Kodo should be a must-do on your itinerary. In this article, we will break down the expenses associated with hiking the Nakahechi route of the Kumano Kodo - including transportation, accommodation,...
Kumano Kodo Guide: All you need to know to hike Japan’s ancient pilgrimage trails
Whether you're after a rewarding outdoor experience or an enriching spiritual journey with one-of-a-kind hospitality, the Kumano Kodo has it all. Hiking the Kumano Kodo was one of our absolute favourite experiences in Japan (and indeed, of all times). In this guide,...
40+ ways to cut your spending and reduce your household budget
You may have been made redundant and face financial hardship. Or you work towards achieving financial independence. Whatever your financial goal, cutting your spending is (almost) always part of the equation – at least temporarily. We’ve helped you take (and stay in)...
What to do if you are robbed while travelling
Recently on a Facebook group for digital nomads, someone posted they had just been robbed in Thailand. All their gear was stolen, and they wanted advice on what to do. The post got us thinking: (Almost) all we own is in our travel packs, each and every item has value...
10 Essential Travel Safety Tips for the Independent Traveller
How often do you use the expression safe travels to farewell a loved one? And how many times have you had someone else wish you a safe trip? Whether you take a two-week vacation, go on a business trip or explore around the world for a year, there is no checklist that...