Three Weeks in Northern Laos: An Itinerary and Budget Breakdown
I recently spent three weeks traveling around Northern Laos. Here is my itinerary, some notes and travel tips and my budget breakdown.
Subjects: Tourism (Places), Travel Guides
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Getting from Huay Xai or Luang Namtha to Chiang Mai (Laos to Thailand)
Getting from Luang Namtha, Laos to Chiang Mai, Thailand is not as straightforward as it might seem and can be a challenge to do in one day. Here are your transportation options.
Subjects: Tourism (Places), Travel Guides
Singapore Travel Guide
Singapore is a clean, green and modern city with a surprisingly large number of things to see and do. Here is my guide for what you need to know to make the most of your visit, including recommended sights, and information about transportation options, budgeting, how long to visit, staying connected, food options and more.
Subjects: Tourism (Places), Travel Guides
Changsha Travel Guide: My Travel Itinerary, Budget, Tips and Observations
About a year ago there was a big AirAsia sale and I got a great price on a direct flight from Chiang Mai to Changsha, China. I knew nothing about Changsha or the surrounding area (Hunan province) and this would be my first trip anywhere in China. As it turns out, the nearby cities of Wulingyuan, Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang make for a great 1-2 week … [ Read more ]
Subjects: Photos, Tourism (Places), Travel Guides
My Myanmar (Burma) Travel Guide: Itinerary, Tips and Budget Breakdown
I recently finished three weeks traveling in Myanmar and I thought it might be helpful to offer some helpful hints and observations, detail my itinerary and provide a detailed breakdown of my expenditures.
Subjects: Featured, Travel Guides
My Travel Costs in Philippines: Itinerary and Budget Breakdown
Since I recently finished a full month of traveling in the Philippines I thought it might be helpful to provide a detailed summary of my expenses there, along with my full itinerary and a few travel observations.
Subjects: Tourism (Places), Travel Guides
Saving on Travel in Japan with a JR Rail Pass: My Itinerary, Tips and Cost Savings
Japan has long been considered one of the more expensive countries to travel. Recently, thanks to a weakening currency and years of deflation, Japan is becoming more affordable. Getting around inside the country will, however, be one of your bigger expenses. If you aren’t too pressed for time or you are just planning to visit a few locations, the best prices will most likely be … [ Read more ]
Subjects: Tourism (Places), Travel Guides
My Travel Costs in South America: A Complete Budget Breakdown (with Spreadsheet)
Note: See the end of this post to see how you can get/use my expense tracking spreadsheet (free).
Many people are interested in how much around-the-world (RTW) or other long-term travel costs, especially as a budget traveler or backpacker. As I explained in my Central America cost breakdown, before I began my multi-year Latin America journey, I created a spreadsheet to … [ Read more ]
Subjects: Tourism (Places), Travel Guides
Travel Tips: Brazil Travel Guide
General Thoughts about Brazil
Like almost everyone I have met who has traveled to Brazil, I loved my experience here. It is a huge country, diverse in land, people, culture and even language. When I first started thinking of my South America plans I considered skipping Brazil precisely because it was so huge and because I wanted to concentrate on improving my Spanish, but as I … [ Read more ]
Subjects: Featured, Tourism (Places), Travel Guides
My Travel Costs in Central America: A Complete Budget Breakdown (with Spreadsheet)
Note: See the end of this post to see how you can get/use my expense tracking spreadsheet (free).
Many people are interested in how much around-the-world (RTW) or other long-term travel costs, especially as a budget traveler or backpacker. Latin America, generally being a fairly inexpensive destination, is popular for long-term itineraries. So, I bring you some good news and bad news. … [ Read more ]
Subjects: Tourism (Places), Travel Guides
Travel Tips: Antarctica (Antártida) Travel Guide
I am one of the fairly small number of travelers who has been fortunate enough take a tour to Antarctica. Unlike for others, it hasn’t been a specific goal of mine for a very long time. Rather, as I started contemplating my lengthy travels in Central and South America, I started hearing about Ushuaia, the “end of the world.” Then I started to hear … [ Read more ]
Subjects: Featured, Photos, Tourism (Places), Travel Guides, Video
Travel Tips: Argentina Travel Guide
Due to the fact that I spent more than four months in Buenos Aires and that it is in many ways a place unique and separate from Argentina as a whole, this guide will cover the parts of Argentina I visited outside of Buenos Aires (though be sure to check out my Buenos Aires travel tips as well). Basically, my route was from Bolivia to … [ Read more ]
Subjects: Featured, Tourism (Places), Travel Guides
Travel Tips: Buenos Aires Travel Guide
Here I will share some of the useful resources and, hopefully, insights I have into the popular South American city of Buenos Aires.
Subjects: Featured, Photos, Tourism (Places), Travel Guides
Travel Tips: Uruguay Travel Guide
I was in Uruguay in September 2011 for a relatively (for me) short trip, visiting Colonia del Sacramento, Montevideo, Punta del Este, Villa Serrana, Pueblo Eden, La Paloma, La Pedrera, Valizas, Cabo Polonio, and Punta del Diablo. I was there during the off season and apparently in summer the country is overrun with tourists, many from Argentina. Thus, anything you read here may be completely … [ Read more ]
Subjects: Photos, Tourism (Places), Travel Guides
Travel Tips: Chile Travel Guide
I crossed the Andes from Mendoza, Argentina arriving in Santiago. I then moved on to Valparaíso, Pucón, Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas (if you count spending the night in the airport), and finally Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine.
Subjects: Tourism (Places), Travel Guides
Travel Tips: Bolivia Travel Guide
Bolivia seems to be one of those countries that some people seem to really love while others think it is vastly overrated. Without a doubt, there is a lot of natural beauty on display in this country, with access to 6,000 meter mountains and the Amazon within hours of the impressive capital of La Paz. The Potosí mines are both impressive and deeply sad and … [ Read more ]
Subjects: Featured, Photos, Tourism (Places), Travel Guides
Travel Tips: Peru
General Thoughts on Perú
- Perú is a paradise for those, like myself, who are interested in archaeological sites. Of course, it’s most famous for Machu Picchu, but there are SO many more archaeological sites to visit besides MP and I encourage you to do so.
- Use iPerú, found in many tourist locations. It is a great source of unbiased information, including bus routes and schedules,
Subjects: Featured, Photos, Tourism (Places), Travel Guides
The Poor Man’s Route to Machu Picchu
Alternative Treks
For months I had been planning to do one of the alternative treks to Machu Picchu, having mostly decided on the Salkantay Trek after reading great reviews of it and hearing equally good first-person accounts as well. Of course, being a backpacker, plans change. Arriving in Cuzco in the low season I started looking for an agency to use for the trek. What I … [ Read more ]
Subjects: Photos, Tourism (Places), Travel Guides
Travel Tips: Ecuador
General Thoughts on Ecuador
I enjoyed my time in Ecuador, but if anything I write below sounds as though I didn’t it is probably because I went to Ecuador after spending three months in Colombia, a country I truly loved. Ecuador certainly has its own natural beauty and other charms, but what left me a bit cold were the people. It wasn’t that they are unfriendly, … [ Read more ]
Subjects: Photos, Tourism (Places), Travel Guides
Travel Tips: Colombia
General Thoughts on Colombia
I, along with everyone else I have ever met who has traveled Colombia, loved it. I spent a bit more than three months there. The people are great, the country is beautiful and there is plenty to see and do. Crime and the FARC aren’t the problems most people assume and, aside from the big cities, Colombia seemed safer than many places … [ Read more ]
Subjects: Tourism (Places), Travel Guides