I fell in love with Florence over the years without ever having set foot in the city. Through books, movies, video games, and more, Florence captivated my imagination. It felt like I knew the city before I ever went, yet nothing prepared me for seeing the city for the first time. I cried actual tears… Read More The Backpacker’s Travel Guide to Florence, Italy | 2026
24 years ago, I was born in a little town about an hour away from the bustling town of Kalibo. My family moved to the United States shortly after. 24 years later, I came home to make it to one of the world’s most unique and colorful festivals. Every January, the Mother of all Philippine… Read More Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival: The Colorful Philippine Fiesta in Photos
While Barcelona has built a reputation as a tourist trap and even overrated, I am the furthest thing from one of those people. Perhaps I hold a fondness or nostalgia towards Barcelona as the first European city I ever visited, but it is a destination that I love coming back to time and time again.… Read More The Backpacker’s Travel Guide to Barcelona, Spain | 2026
One of the most surreal experiences you can ever witness takes place every winter in the mountains of Michoacan, Mexico. Visiting the winter home of the monarch butterflies in Mexico is nothing short of magic. It felt like I was in a fairy-tale, wandering through the forest while surrounded by tens of thousands of these… Read More How To See the Monarch Butterfly Migration in Michoacan, Mexico
So… I smoked the poison of the Mexican frog, Bufo Alvarius. I knew very little about it going in, and honestly, that was probably for the best. No amount of research or prior knowledge could have prepared me for what was literally the most mind-blowing experience of my life. I’ve taken loads of psychedelics before,… Read More Bufo Alvarius: My Experience With The Psychedelic Mexican Frog
Hidden gems have become increasingly hard to come by, especially in this region of the world where cruise ships make their unceasing rounds and streams of backpackers lug their Ospreys north and south like parades of ants. My expectations were fairly tempered as I boarded my flight to El Salvador. I was excited to set… Read More The Backpacker’s Crash Course Travel Guide to El Salvador | 2026
El Salvador is rapidly emerging as a top travel destination. With picturesque landscapes, vibrant towns, and rich culture, it offers diverse experiences for backpackers. Highlights include San Salvador, the Ruta de las Flores, Santa Ana’s volcanoes, and the coastal towns El Tunco and El Zonte, perfect for relaxation and adventure.… Read More Two Weeks in El Salvador: The Ultimate Backpacking Itinerary
Few places in the world offer the variety of landscapes, cultures, and experiences that Tanzania possesses in abundance. From the sparkling waters and white sand beaches of Zanzibar to the snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro and everything in between, Tanzania has got range, y’all. One could argue that it is the best country in Africa for… Read More The Ultimate Backpacker’s Travel Guide to Tanzania | 2026
Despite what you might see on Instagram, Bali is more than just one gigantic infinity pool filled with influencers. Bali is an island rich with culture, heritage, and many ancient traditions that are still practiced to this day. Throughout the year, one will inevitably stumble upon dozens and dozens of religious processions, traditional performances, and… Read More The Complete Guide to Bali’s Ogoh-Ogoh Festival and Nyepi
Oh, Cape Town. A city where the sizzling African sun clashes with the violent ocean. A place whose iconic mountains are omnipresent and unwavering in their defense of the Mother City. The howling winds and unceasing waves have led many to crash ashore. It’s up to you whether you decide to become a shipwreck or… Read More Cape Town: The Backpacker’s Ultimate Travel Guide | 2026