Colourful houses line a cobblestone street in Sighisoara Romania.

14 Incredible Day Trips from Brasov, Romania

Mark Stewart Destinations 6 Comments

Brasov is a great place to base yourself when travelling through Romania. Although many use Bucharest, it then takes quite a bit of additional time to reach many sights that are 15 mins to 2 hours away from Brasov. Brasov day trips are the simplest way to explore the best of Transylvania. With the convenient trains and buses running from two different stations, you will be well-connected to one of the most amazing regions in Romania.  We would suggest to …

Colourful bee hives in a field in Maramures Romania

11 Unique Things to Do in Maramures, Romania

Mark Stewart Destinations 12 Comments

The vast majority of visitors to Romania tend to stay in the more well-known parts of the country – with Transylvania being the most popular. Although there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, as it’s a spectacular region to visit, way up in the far north of the country, lies the magnificent county of Maramures – one of our favourite places to visit in Romania. Visiting the amazing Maramures area is like stepping back in time. The entire landscape is made …

Volcano on the edge of a lake with a village on the bottom.

Where to Stay at Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

Mark Stewart Destinations 10 Comments

Many who visit Guatemala often struggle with deciding where in the country to visit and for how long. This is especially true when planning a visit to the magical Lake Atitlan. With so many wonderful villages to choose from, deciding on which one(s) fit your style can get overwhelming. So before you make your final decision, read through the guide we put together to help you choose where to stay at Lake Atitlan! Keep in mind, all the Lake Atitlan …

Rolling green hills in a deep valley with dark rain clouds in the sky.

Colombia Itinerary: 1, 2 or 3 Weeks in Colombia

Mark Stewart Destinations 7 Comments

So you’re planning a trip to Colombia. First off, congratulations, you’ve made a great decision. There are few countries we’ve ever visited that offer such outstanding diversity and beauty. From idyllic Caribbean beaches and colourful villages strewn about Andean jungles, to cities overcoming their tragic past. Our Colombia travel itinerary will touch a little of everything that makes this country so amazing. How to Use this Colombia Itinerary: This Colombia travel itinerary builds on itself depending on how long you …

Chocolate making supplies. Experiences in San Juan Lake Atitlan Guatemala

10 Unique Experiences in San Juan, Lake Atitlan

Mark Stewart Destinations Leave a Comment

San Juan la Laguna. Of all the Maya villages surrounding the brilliant Lake Atitlan, it’s here that tradition reigns supreme. From ancient Mayan rituals and indigenous cultivation, to colourful artwork and a plethora of high-quality hand-woven fabrics; here are some of the most incredible experiences in San Juan, Lake Atitlan. Unique Activities and Things to Do in San Juan la Laguna Contents Kiaq’Aiswaan Observation Deck Mayan Stingless Bees and Honey Farm Herbal Medicine Workshop Organic Coffee Tour Mayan Painting Class …

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 …

An old castle on top of a rocky mountain.

More than Dracula’s Castle: Things to do in Bran, Romania

Mark Stewart Destinations 4 Comments

In the heart of Transylvania, nuzzled in the foothills of the Bucegi mountains, is Bran. Less than an hour by bus from Brasov, this picturesque village is one of the most popular destinations in Romania. However, it’s not the hillside houses or the gorgeous green valley that draw in the crowds. That can be found across this wonderful country. It’s the spectacular Bran Castle that has visitors arriving by the busload. But before you plan a mere day trip to …

Empty baggage carousel at the airport. What to do if you need to deal with Aeromexico lost luggage

Has AeroMexico Lost your Luggage? Here’s What to Do!

Mark Stewart Opinions 15 Comments

Updated with new contacts and tracking methods! We arrived red-eyed and exhausted into Guatemala City, after 16 hours of travel paired with a good amount of airport beers. Clearing customs is a breeze, and we’re excited to get this trip going. As we reach the baggage claim, it appears that one of our bags isn’t on the carousel. We’re frantic, searching the entire baggage claim area. But the truth quickly sank in, somewhere en route, AeroMexico lost our luggage. Does …

Red bus with flashy decals and stickers passing a blue building. This is one of the buses that can take you from Antigua to Panajachel

How to Get from Antigua to Panajachel, Lake Atitlan

Mark Stewart Destinations 2 Comments

If you’re visiting Guatemala for any length of time, you’re almost guaranteed to be spending some of it in both Antigua and at Lake Atitlan. Many visitors come to Guatemala specifically for these two incredible destinations! And once you arrive, you’ll understand why. Regardless of your budget or travel style, here are some of our favourite ways to get from Antigua to Panajachel, the gateway to Lake Atitlan. As a major backpacker and tourist hub, getting to Antigua is easy from almost …

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 …