When I first decided to come backpacking in New Zealand, I never expected to find a temporary home in the Land of the Long White Cloud. New Zealand seemingly has this effect on many – especially my current home of Queenstown. This bustling little resort town tucked into the Southern Alps seems to be home [...]

Athens, as of late, thanks to the atrocious international reportage, conjures up images of rioting pensioners alongside hooded youths, baton wielding fascist policemen and you can almost smell the teargas and hear the cries of the people with raised fists. Yes, riots do occur – the Greeks are, luckily, not a nation to take things lightly and moan about things, yet do nothing about them. However there is more to this capital city than what is portrayed of late.

If you’re considering a backpacking trip to Australia, chances are you’ll have heaps of things on your mind. This post by contributing author Lauren Fritsky nails out 15 fantastic tips to consider before your trip down under.

Twelve months ago, I hopped on a borrowed bike with essentially zero training and rode in the Rail Trail Classic 100 – a 100 mile (150 km) bike race across Central Otago on New Zealand’s South Island. Most cycle tourists in New Zealand tackle the Otago Rail Trail over the course of three or four [...]

I’ve based myself in New Zealand for the past 22 months – give or take, that’s about 660 days. The time just slips away. They say that happens the older you get, and while I don’t doubt this is true, I’m confident the happier you are someplace and the more content you are with your [...]

Using eco-friendly products, recycling and eating locally-grown food can be easy — at home. Yet if you’re on a RTW trip backpacking in Thailand, Sydney or Vancouver, you might find it difficult to keep up with your environmentally-conscious lifestyle. To help you stay green while backpacking around the world, we asked some globetrotters for their tips on staying green on the road.

Most months throughout the year, the highlight of a trip to Queenstown is centered around hiking Great Walks like the Routeburn track, jumping off bridges, out of planes or barreling down rivers in New Zealand-invented jet boats. Come winter when the White Gold arrives, Queenstown goes from being a bustling summer resort to an alpine [...]

….oh, hey there! Sorry, I’m a bit late to the party. Things have been slightly crazy down here in Queenstown. Sometimes I forget that while I’m tucked away on the bottom of New Zealand’s South Island on the bottom of the world enjoying the start of winter, chances are it’s pretty warm where you are. [...]

Last week I posted a photos of one of my favorite day hikes near Queenstown New Zealand. Hiking is a fantastic way to get a feel for wherever it is you’ve traveled to – plus, it’s budget friendly; as they say, views are nearly always free. Today, contributing writer and Australia based Lauren Fritsky (@laurenfritsky) [...]

Most travelers who come to Queenstown stop after taking in the staples of this epic little resort town on New Zealand’s South Island. Bungy jumping. Check. Jetboating. Check. Skydiving. Check. It seems everything Queenstown has to offer will simultaneously tempt fate, defy gravity, and break the bank. While these activities (and more) are on offer [...]