The Journal
Stories from the long way round.
Field notes, route guides and honest essays from travellers spending a year — or a lifetime — circling the world.
13 results found
Planning a Year Around the World: The Honest Guide
Budgets, routes, visas, vaccines and the small choices that make a 12-month trip feel effortless rather than chaotic.
12 January 2026 · 9 min read
Round-the-World Tickets vs One-Way Hopping: What Actually Saves Money
The classic RTW fare is not dead, but it is rarely the cheapest option anymore. Here is how to choose.
22 January 2026 · 7 min
Vietnam North to South by Motorbike: The Complete Route
From Ha Giang's limestone loops to the Mekong Delta, riding Vietnam end to end is the journey of a lifetime. Here is how to do it safely.
2 March 2026 · 11 min
Kyoto on a Budget: Temples, Tea and 500-Yen Lunches
Japan's ancient capital has a reputation for expense. Locals know better — here is how to do Kyoto for less than 60 euros a day.
14 March 2026 · 7 min
Laos by Slow Boat: Two Days Down the Mekong
The Huay Xai to Luang Prabang slow boat is Southeast Asia's most beautiful commute. Here is what to expect, hour by hour.
3 April 2026 · 6 min
Taiwan's East Coast: The Road Trip Nobody Told You About
Marble gorges, indigenous villages and empty Pacific beaches — a five-day loop from Taipei down the wild side.
5 May 2026 · 8 min
Uzbekistan: Walking the Silk Road Through Samarkand and Bukhara
Turquoise domes, desert caravanserais and the friendliest bazaars in Central Asia — the Silk Road is open and easier than ever.
12 May 2026 · 9 min
Is It Ethical to Travel to Myanmar? An Honest Assessment
The temples of Bagan are open, but the country is in crisis. What responsible travellers need to weigh before booking.
26 May 2026 · 7 min
George Town, Penang: Asia's Most Delicious Small City
Street art, clan jetties and the hawker stalls that food writers cross oceans for — a long weekend guide.
23 June 2026 · 7 min
Kyrgyzstan: Horse Trekking to Song-Kul Lake
Three days on horseback to a 3,000-metre alpine lake, sleeping in yurts with shepherd families. The ultimate Central Asia adventure.
30 June 2026 · 8 min
Yunnan: Backpacking China's Most Beautiful Province
Lijiang's old town, Tiger Leaping Gorge and Shangri-La — the route through China's southwest that feels like another country.
7 July 2026 · 9 min
Colombia in Two Weeks: From Cartagena to Medellín
A practical route through Colombia's Caribbean coast, coffee hills, and mountain cities — with safety tips and budget notes.
8 December 2026 · 9 min
Uzbekistan: Following the Silk Road Through Samarkand and Bukhara
Central Asia's most accessible country, where turquoise domes, ancient madrasas, and warm hospitality come at a low price.
5 January 2027 · 9 min
New routes, fresh stories — straight to your inbox.
One email when a new post drops. No roundups, no noise.