Buildings on a hillside. A long wall is covered in vibrant graffiti.

The Evolution of the Notorious Comuna 13 in Medellin

Mark Stewart Destinations 9 Comments

For years, Medellin was the most dangerous city in the world. Between Pablo Escobar and the drug cartels vying for control, and the military attempting to control them; to leftist revolutionary guerrillas and the privately funded right-wing paramilitary groups locked in conflict. Car bombs, shootings, kidnappings and outright war were commonplace in the region. While the city itself stood amongst the most violent on earth, until as recently as 2010; one neighbourhood in particular ranked deadliest of all. The neighbourhood …

Blue Jeep parked in a town square in front of a church.

How to get from Salento to Bogota, Colombia

Mark Stewart Destinations 8 Comments

Given Salento’s popularity with visitors and its proximity to Bogota, we were quite surprised at the lack of information on how to actually get there. We found dozens of posts on bus routes coming towards Salento, just nothing explaining how to get from Salento to Bogota. Although common sense suggests simply following one of those routes in opposite order would suffice, we’ve had some unfortunate experiences where it just wasn’t the case. After a bit of digging and several questions …

A busy street with many souvenirs in stalls along the side, with the minaret of a Mosque in the background.

Navigating the Chaos: What to Do in Fes, Morocco

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Visiting Fes is absolutely one of the must-do activities while in Morocco. And yes, it’s spelled Fes, not Fez – the second one is a type of hat. Wandering the narrow, chaotic streets of the Medina is one of the most exciting things to do in Fes, and an experience hard to find anywhere else. The smell of grilling meats, colours of every hue, and the call to prayer echoing through the stone corridors; these are constants. But no sensation …

Fortress wall surrounding a city outside Tangier, Morocco

Things to Do in Tangier, the Gateway to Morocco

Mark Stewart Destinations 4 Comments

At the mouth of the Mediterranean, across the straight of Gibraltar from Spain, is Tangier. The ancient port city is the gateway to Africa for many Europeans, and has been a valued strategic location for centuries. Booming with recent business ventures and investments, Tangier is shedding its once seedy image. And while many travellers simply pass through or skip this coastal gem altogether, Tangier is entirely worth a visit. From its buzzing media and ancient Kasbah to some of Moroccos …

Fish and Chips and peas on a plate with beer mugs beside it. From one of the Best Restaurants in Bristol

The Best Restaurants in Bristol

Mark Stewart Destinations 10 Comments

Bristol is one of our favourite cities in the world. Well-known for its fascinating history, laid-back locals, and a world-class street art scene; what caught us off-guard was the food. There is so much great food in Bristol! Whatever you fancy, from English classics to fiery Sichuan street food; these are some of the best restaurants Bristol has to offer! Our Favourite Bristol Restaurants Considering the money we were saving by housesitting during our visit, we ate everywhere we could. …

The Best of Bristol: What to See and Do in the Incredible Harbour City

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Bristol is a fantastic city. I mean really, truly phenomenal. Over the entire month we spent in Bristol, there was hardly a day we weren’t out exploring. We’d eat at outstanding restaurants, drink cider in centuries-old pubs, check out unique museums and galleries, and then drink some stout — in centuries-old pubs. Initially, we were going to write a full-on Best of Bristol article here, but favourite restaurants alone make up their own (soon to arrive) post. So we’ll stick …

9 Reasons that Bristol is a Perfect Alternative to London

Mark Stewart Destinations 11 Comments

Look, we love London. It’s up there with some of our favourite cities in the world. Every time we’re in the country, we spend time in London. Recently, however, our attention was pulled west, to Bristol. And I gotta say, after a month living in the harbour city, I can confidently say that Bristol is the perfect alternative to visiting London. I’m not saying Bristol is better than London (I can’t imagine the hate-mail we’d receive by that statement); though …

North Street Bristol’s Best Restaurants, Cafes and Pubs

Mark Stewart Destinations 1 Comment

Before arriving in Bristol, North Street was simply part of an address where we’d be housesitting for a month. It was a street on a map, a short walk from Spike island and the Bristol harbour. The homeowners had assured us that we’d have no issue finding a place to eat nearby. This turned out to be a bit of an understatement. As it turned out, there are dozens of North Street Bristol restaurants – all within 20 minutes by …

Van Gogh-like street art on the side of a building near a playground.

The World’s Best Street Art Cities, According to Awesome Travellers

Mark Stewart Opinions 11 Comments

We love street art. What began as mere curiosity, many years ago, soon became a deep appreciation, and occasional obsession. There’s something so impressive about artists pouring themselves into works that in all likelihood will be removed or destroyed. Brushed away like a Tibetan sand mandala. Even in those street art cities that are friendly towards the scene, even commissioned pieces often fall victim to some deplorable vandal. Aside from the more technical aspects, it’s simply a beautiful way to …

21 Unique and Fun things to do in Bucharest

Mark Stewart Destinations 5 Comments

Bucharest is one of those cities that doesn’t strike everyone the same. Though it’s been called “Little Paris” for over a century, it’s far from it; nor does it have the picturesque, polished architecture of Vienna. Instead, more like Sarajevo, Budapest or Belgrade, the cities gritty presence hums with vibrant life. From colourful street art to our favourite restaurants and the best tours, here are 21 unique and fun things to do in Bucharest. Jump to: Sights Tours Food Photo …