Note: This post was originally written for a trip I took in 2024. In 2026, I'm planning another trip to Thailand, and have updated this post with the process as it is today. The overnight sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is pretty much a rite of passage for...

A trip to Hakone is a popular part of many Japan itineraries, and for good reason: You get to see a beautiful town, stay in a traditional ryokan, get a glimpse of Mount Fuji, and see some gorgeous nature - and all within a short distance of Tokyo. But what...

Venice is indisputably one of the most beautiful and unique places on Earth. It's a city built and living entirely on water. It's got a rich history, once home to one of the most powerful naval and commercial republics in Europe, before being conquered by Napoleon. And it's been perennially...

Everyone knows the stereotype of an Awful Tourist: the loud, boorish figure causing a pile up at the bottom of an escalator, dragging too many bags into rush hour public transport, or speaking English really loudly in the hopes that it magically translates into the local language. Having lived in...

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...

Verona is easily one of my favourite cities in Italy. It's sometimes overlooked by its more famous neighbour of Venice, but it still pulls in about 3 million visitors every year. If you only have one day in Verona, the goal is to navigate the crowds, skip the tourist traps,...

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...

In early October this year, I found myself sitting on a bike on top of a 4km long suspension bridge, nothing but water below me. I was soaking wet, my waterproof jacket having long given up on doing its job. My legs ached, one of my backpack straps was digging...

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: 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...