Archive
Detours, routes, and travel posts for deciding quickly and judging elegantly.
published posts
countries covered
destinations with first-hand details
Europe Vidzeme, Latvia
A local guide to Riga and beyond in December: Dome Square Christmas Market, Latvian food, concerts and other events, Bastejkalns lights, and Ropaži Church's magical Gaismas dārzs.
Europe Valencian Community, Spain
A firsthand local guide to Valencia, Spain. From historic El Carmen alleys and biking the Turia riverbed to the City of Arts and Sciences, beach days, and real paella.
Europe Valencian Community, Spain
From limestone river canyons and Roman aqueducts to medieval hill castles and sunset lagoons, here are the 10 best day trips from Valencia, Spain.
Europe Balearic Islands, Spain
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.
Europe Vidzeme, Kurzeme & Zemgale, Latvia
Discover the best places to visit in Latvia beyond Riga with flexible road trip routes and day trips: Gauja National Park, Cēsis, Ķemeri Bog, Kuldīga, and the Baltic coast.
Asia Red River Delta & Northern Highlands, Vietnam
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.
Asia Hai Phong, Vietnam
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.
Asia Hanoi, Vietnam
A four-day Hanoi guide to Hoan Kiem Lake, water puppets, the Old and French Quarters, temples, Train Street, food and a day in Đường Lâm.
Asia Ninh Binh, Vietnam
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.
Asia Northern Vietnam, Vietnam
Three days on the Ha Giang loop with an easy rider: what it cost, what the route covers, what to bring, and the Sunday market at Dong Van worth waking for.
Asia Hòa Bình, Vietnam
A place for riding slowly through rice fields and letting the valley set the pace.
Mai Chau is a quiet rice valley in northern Vietnam, with bike rides through bright green fields, White Thai village life and waterfalls beyond the valley.
Europe Vidzeme, Latvia
A medieval Latvian town where a real flame in a candle lantern turns a castle visit into something you remember.
A practical guide to Cēsis: its candle-lit medieval castle, old town, parks and an easy day trip from Riga.
Europe Basilicata, Italy
A cave city, a national disgrace and a European Capital of Culture - all within the lifetime of the city.
I lived in Matera during its year as European Capital of Culture. A guide to the Sassi, and to a city that went from national shame to UNESCO in a lifetime.
Europe Canary Islands, Spain
Gran Canaria is far more than its beaches: a week of cloud forest, volcanic mountains, quiet villages and Atlantic coast.
A week exploring Gran Canaria beyond the resorts, from Agaete and Las Palmas to Roque Nublo, Artenara, Maspalomas and Barranco de las Vacas.
Europe Valencian Community, Spain
Puntal dels Llops is a small Iberian fortress from the fifth century BC, on a hilltop above Olocau.
Europe Kurzeme, Latvia
A Baltic city where blown-up forts, a prison hotel, music and a wide beach make for an unexpectedly versatile coastal break.
A Liepāja city guide with the Northern Forts, Karosta Prison, Art Nouveau architecture, street art, music, beaches and practical tips.
Europe Valencian Community, Spain
From a dragon-shaped house on a rust-red hillside to Iberian ruins and a mountaintop viewpoint, these are the Sierra Calderona day trips worth leaving Valencia's beach for.
Europe Aragón, Spain
A guide to Teruel, Spain, with Mudéjar towers, the Escalinata del Óvalo, the Lovers of Teruel, local food, parking and practical tips.
Europe Kurzeme, Latvia
Between Jūrkalne's high sandy banks and the little harbour town of Pāvilosta lies one of the quietest, wildest stretches of Latvia's Baltic coast.
Europe Kurzeme, Latvia
Two short stops filled with poetry, wine, handmade dolls and the quiet character of the Abava Valley.
Kandava and Sabile are two easy, characterful stops in the Abava Valley that make any drive west from Riga feel like part of the trip.
Europe Kurzeme, Latvia
A beautiful day spent between Kuldīga's old wooden streets, the Venta River and Europe's widest waterfall.
Kuldīga is a striking town, and if you happen to be in Latvia, I would say it is a must.
Europe Castellón, Spain
Peñíscola's castle makes the first impression, but the wild Sierra de Irta coastline is what makes the journey memorable.
A practical guide to Peñíscola and Sierra de Irta Natural Park, with the castle, old town, beaches, coastal walking routes, Torre Badum, coves and 2026 summer parking rules.
Europe Jūrmala, Latvia
A quiet wooden path through a landscape that looks like a forest paused halfway through growing.
A practical guide to the Great Ķemeri Bog Boardwalk in Ķemeri National Park, with loop lengths, transport, wildlife, the observation tower and the best time to visit.
Asia Tochigi, Japan
A personal Nikko winter travel guide with temples, frozen waterfalls, Lake Chūzenji, mountain buses and tips for seeing Nikko.
Europe Castellón, Spain
A flat coastal escape where an old railway line keeps the Mediterranean within reach.
A practical guide to the Vía Verde del Mar between Oropesa del Mar and Benicàssim, with the railway history, train access, coves, tunnel, swimming spots and summer advice.
Europe Kurzeme, Latvia
Grazing horses, a medieval manor and a barefoot walk in one Latvian day.
A day trip from Riga to Engures Lake, Šlokenbeka Manor and Valguma Pasaule's barefoot trail, with grazing horses, nature and practical tips.
Latvia Kurzeme, Latvia
A barefoot walk where every step tells a story.
A sensory guide to Valguma Pasaule, with mud, stones, water and forest underfoot.
Europe Vidzeme, Latvia
A perfect Latvia day trip, provided you respect the hills.
A day in Sigulda, Latvia, by bike: castles, caves, adventure parks, Gauja Valley views, practical transport tips and the hill that beat us.
Europe Aragón, Spain
Ordesa is spectacular and unmissable, but Valle de Otal is the quieter memory.
A personal three-day summer trip through the Aragonese Pyrenees, with Ordesa, Valle de Otal, the Benasque Valley and practical hiking advice.
Europe Navarra, Spain
A strange, cinematic desert stop that makes Spain feel like another planet.
A practical guide to visiting Bardenas Reales in Navarra, Spain, with Castildetierra, the main driving loop, desert landscapes, heat advice, where to stay and tips for planning a road trip.
Europe Aragón, Spain
A hidden waterfall detour that feels like a small paradise in dry Aragón.
A summer visit to Monasterio de Piedra in Aragón, Spain, with waterfalls, caves, monastery history, practical tips and why it is worth the detour from Zaragoza.
Europe Madeira, Portugal
A mountain holiday with an ocean around it.
A personal Madeira travel guide for a nature-first week in November, with Funchal, Cabo Girão, Ponta de São Lourenço, levada walks, Porto Moniz and Pico do Areeiro.
Europe North Holland, Netherlands
Canals, crooked houses, free ferries, expensive water and one very memorable winter city break.
A personal Amsterdam winter travel guide with canals, Amsterdam Noord, Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, markets, Dutch food, Moco Museum and practical February tips.
Europe Norte, Portugal
Porto gives you the city. The Douro Valley gives you the reason to leave it.
A personal Douro Valley travel guide from Porto, with Lamego, Pinhão, the N222, a Douro River boat trip, Quinta do Seixo, Amarante and Citânia de Sanfins.
Europe Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
Steep streets, one river, many tiles, and one pastry lost to a seagull.
A Porto travel guide for a long weekend: Gaia viewpoints, azulejos, Francesinha, Aveiro, a sea chapel, Livraria Lello, markets, gardens and practical tips.
Africa Marrakech-Safi, Morocco
I came for one day. The ocean had other plans.
A personal Essaouira travel guide from Marrakech, with the medina, port, beach winds, argan oil, hidden gardens, galleries and practical tips.
Africa Fez, Marrakech, Sahara and Essaouira, Morocco
8 days, 3 cities, one desert tour, and a few lessons learned.
My practical Morocco itinerary and trip-planning guide: route, budget, Ramadan, desert tours, transport, safety, accommodation and what I would change.
Africa Fez-Meknes and Marrakech-Safi, Morocco
Marrakech overwhelmed, but Fez felt more authentic and memorable.
A personal Morocco itinerary comparing Fez and Marrakech, from medina streets and tanneries to palaces, rooftop cafes and practical tips.
