Category: Guides

I once found myself standing in a chilly Amsterdam alleyway, shivering like a leaf in a storm. My so-called “ultimate packing list for Europe” had failed me miserably. There I was, layered up in clothes meant for a Mediterranean summer, while the biting autumn wind mocked my sartorial ignorance. It was a rookie mistake, one […]

I still remember the time I found myself in a tiny hostel in Lisbon, desperately clutching a soggy map in one hand and a bottle of cheap wine in the other. Some might call it a low point; I prefer to think of it as an educational experience. I sat there, half-listening to a group […]

I once thought I could conquer a new language through sheer will and the glowing screen of my smartphone. Picture this: me, sprawled on the couch, the faint chirp of Duolingo’s owl reminding me that my streak was about to die, much like my motivation. I was convinced that a few taps could replace the […]

I once found myself in a so-called eco-resort that promised the whole green package—solar panels, organic everything, and a composting toilet that supposedly saved the planet with every flush. Yet, as I sipped my “carbon-neutral” espresso, I couldn’t help but notice the plastic-wrapped bamboo cutlery and the diesel generator humming away in the background. Sustainable […]

I once found myself in a tiny café in Lisbon, staring at a menu that looked like it had been penned by a cryptic crossword enthusiast. My Portuguese was as non-existent as my talent for miming, and my phone was dead—of course. As I gestured wildly at what I hoped was the soup of the […]

Ever found yourself clinging to a metal pole on a swaying bus, trying desperately not to end up in a stranger’s lap while simultaneously questioning every life decision that led you there? Welcome to my world. My first foray into public transport was less of a graceful entrance and more of a chaotic tumble into […]

I once found myself in a dimly lit alley in Naples, trying to decipher an Italian street sign with the enthusiasm of a tourist who clearly took the wrong turn. My map app was as lost as I was. A local approached, babbling in rapid Italian, gesturing animatedly. Was he offering directions or demanding my […]

I remember the first time I tried to create a travel budget. It was a laughable exercise in futility, akin to trying to predict the weather in my hometown—utterly unpredictable and bound to end in chaos. I had grand visions of sipping espresso in Paris and hiking the Andes, all meticulously planned down to the […]

I once dragged a suitcase the size of a small car through the cobblestone streets of Lisbon. Each bump felt like a personal affront, and I cursed every overambitious packing decision—those “just in case” shoes, the full-size shampoo, the extra three books I never cracked open. My back has since forgiven me, but my cynicism […]