Italy's largest lake, Lake Garda, is well known for its gorgeous scenery, pretty lakeside towns, and a refreshing, relaxing pace of life. If you've visited the lake before, you'll have seen plenty of tourists from other parts of Italy, Austria or Germany - usually with a car that's bursting with...

If you've decided to swap the peak of the Shard for the peaks of the Dolomites, you've made an excellent choice. Getting from London to Bolzano is pretty easy, but it can seem a little complicated at first glance. I've lived in London since 2010, and over the years, I've...

In my earlier post, a guide to the JR Pass, I was pretty upfront with my opinion on "is the JR pass worth it?". But now I want to put my money where my mouth is and show you what the maths looked like for both of my trips to...

Japan is an incredible country, with so much to offer. From the bright lights of Tokyo, the serene temples of Kyoto, the late night convenience store runs, and the iconic Shinkansen that spirits you across the country with speed and efficiency that would make even Germany jealous. Seriously, for an...

You've booked your bike, you've stuffed your packing cube, you've planned your stopover and now you're asking: How do I get to the Shimanami Kaido? Japan's famous cycle route runs between Onomichi and Imabari, and most cyclists start at either end. I've put together this Shimanami Kaido access guide to...

Introduction If you've ever spent time scrolling through Instagram Reels about Japan, you've probably come across the videos of adorable deer bowing in exchange for crackers. This is Nara, Japan's ancient capital. From Osaka or Kyoto, a Nara day trip is a wonderful way to venture out of the cities,...

Introduction: Why Take the Sleeper Train? Taking the sleeper train in Thailand is a bit of a rite of passage for travellers in the country. Every year, millions of people use Thailand’s rail network, not just to get from A to B, but as part of the journey itself. When...

Note: This post was originally written on my previous blog and reflects the process as of July 2024. I've updated it slightly in April 2025 where needed, but always double-check official sources when booking! I have just spent the last 45 minutes trying to book a Bangkok to Chiang Mai...