The best way to explore an off-beat destination

This time TWO months ago I was boarding a plane, absolutely terrified, seriously considering changing my mind, turning around and going back to the safety and security of my home. I wondered if I was making a huge mistake.  Today, I’ve just come back from spending the day sunbathing on a tropical beach in Southern Taiwan, thinking how incredibly lucky I am and how I’ve never felt happier. The second month of my trip has been a million times better than the first month. During the first month I was still finding my feet and freaked out about everything. Although I was having lots of fun, I didn’t realise how much more fun I could have been having until the second month. I’ve now settled into a routine and feel much more comfortable travelling and have learnt to relax and enjoy the ride. I spent the first half of this month finishing up the Europe part of my trip by visiting Hungary, Ukraine and Russia. It was at this point that I started having problems w...

Interested? PIN NOW, read later! Whenever the topic of “coolest cities in Europe” is brought up, backpacking Budapest is almost always mentioned. In addition to its beautiful and historic central area, the Hungarian capital is also home to countless thermal baths and ruin bars, two things that really help it stand out from its other Central European neighbors. Once upon a time, Budapest was actually two different cities on either side of the Danube River: Buda and Pest. Although the two were combined way back in 1873, you’ll still hear locals refer to the opposite sides as if they’re still different cities. They really are quite different, giving Budapest somewhat of a split personality. Buda refers to the area on the west side of the river. It’s a quiet, hilly area that’s home to the famous Buda Castle. On the other side of the river, Pest is the bustling city centre. Here you’ll find the stunning Hungarian Parliament Building as well as th...