Briefings on specific countries and kinds of place: what works, what surprises visitors, and what is quietly better a train ride away from the famous version.
10 published articles
Official Notes are destination briefings rather than lists of attractions. Each one assumes you have decided to go and now need the working knowledge: how transport is paid for, when restaurants actually open, what dress and greeting norms apply, which regional variation matters, and where the common visitor mistake lies. We update these when readers write in with corrections, and we say plainly when something is a matter of taste rather than fact.
Portugal is easier than most first international trips, but a handful of small details, from tipping to train tickets, make the difference between a smooth week and a frustrating one.
8 minute read
Japan rewards preparation more than most destinations. A little groundwork on transport passes, cash habits, and etiquette prevents most of the friction first-time visitors run into.
9 minute read
Beyond Rome, Florence, and Venice sits a version of Italy that moves at a different pace. These towns reward a slower visit and fewer crowds along the way.
7 minute read
Thailand is welcoming and inexpensive, which tempts visitors into doing far too much. The country works best when you pick two or three regions and let them breathe.
8 minute read
Morocco is a short flight from Europe and a long way from it in feel. Knowing how the medinas, guides and prices work makes the difference between overwhelmed and delighted.
8 minute read
Iceland is straightforward to travel and unforgiving of casual planning. Weather, distance and daylight decide almost everything about how your days go.
7 minute read
Altitude shapes a Peru trip more than any museum or ruin. Plan your first days around acclimatising and the rest becomes far easier.
8 minute read
There is no single Greek island experience. Picking the right two or three for your taste, and not island-hopping too hard, is the whole task.
7 minute read
Vietnam is long, and its regions have separate climates, kitchens and characters. How you sequence the country matters as much as what you see.
8 minute read
Switzerland is expensive and remarkably well organised. Using the transport system properly and eating a little differently is what keeps a trip affordable.
7 minute read
Notes tell you how a place works. Routes tell you what to do with the days. Most readers use them together, in that order.
Open World Routes