Beautiful detours, small surprises, honest notes

First-hand travel guides for quieter places, nature escapes and road trips - with honest opinions and practical details from trips I actually take.

By Zane - travel agent, Sustainable Tourism graduate and passionate traveller.

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Special collections

Places with a particular feel

A mountain view over a river and town in the Aragonese Pyrenees

Special collection

Spain: Beautiful detours and nature

Quiet landscapes and nature stops.

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Wild horses grazing in the wetlands beside Lake Engure

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Latvia: Green, calm and worth finding

Historic towns, wildlife and slower days.

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From the journal

Recent posts

Elevated vantage point overlooking a turquoise Mediterranean bay and rugged green cliffs on the coast of Ibiza Europe

Balearic Islands, Spain

Things to Do in Ibiza Off-Season: Nature, Empty Calas & 4-Day Route

Ibiza off-season is a completely different island: empty calas, quiet hiking trails, and dramatic coastal views without the summer rush.

A 4-day off-season Ibiza guide focused on nature, empty calas, coastal hikes, Dalt Vila, Es Vedrà, and practical April road trip tips.

Published: September 27, 2026 Ibiza
Two Vietnamese women wearing conical non la hats row traditional metal boats across calm water beneath limestone karst mountains in Ninh Binh Asia

Red River Delta & Northern Highlands, Vietnam

Northern Vietnam in Two Weeks: A Complete Route

A realistic two-week Northern Vietnam itinerary balancing Hanoi, Lan Ha Bay, Ninh Binh, Mai Chau, and the Ha Giang Loop with honest budgets and transit tips.

Published: September 16, 2026 Northern Vietnam
Zane standing on a boat in front of a towering limestone cliff above green water in Lan Ha Bay Asia

Hai Phong, Vietnam

Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay: The Quieter Ha Long

Two quiet days on the water: limestone karsts, cave kayaking, a floating village and no crowds.

Why we based ourselves on Cat Ba Island, skipped the mainland cruises, and spent two quiet days cruising, kayaking and exploring Lan Ha Bay instead of Ha Long.

Published: September 14, 2026 Cat Ba
A traveller beside a calm pond beneath limestone karsts in Ninh Binh Asia

Ninh Binh, Vietnam

Two Days in Ninh Binh, by Bike and by Boat

Two slow days of bicycles, limestone mountains, temples, caves and a boat through Trang An.

Two days in Ninh Binh: cycling from Tam Coc to Bich Dong, Buffalo Cave and Mua Cave, with a quiet Trang An boat trip.

Published: September 9, 2026 Ninh Binh