

Author - Vin

On a mission to explore every country in the world from A to Z, one step at a time by 2030.

North Macedonia: Venturing off the chosen track

I didn’t know what to expect when I touched down in North Macedonia. I just knew that Lake Ohrid was a stunner and there was a long-running dispute with Greece over use of the name ‘Macedonia’. It’s far from a melting pot of Lonely Planet-carrying or fanny pack-toting tourists, but for me that made it all the more interesting.

Malta: The Islands of Gozo and Comino

A whole new world exists outside the main island of Malta. Here are my adventures from the islands of Gozo and Comino, in the middle of February, when there's barely anyone else visiting, and where history goes back thousands of years.

Exploring Malta: where Europe meets North Africa

I made three assumptions when I booked my ticket to Malta one grey Saturday in November. The first was that it was a single island in the Mediterranean. The second was that the only things to see were alluring beaches. And the third was that given its popularity with tourists, it might be hard to stick to my budget of £40 per day (including...

Kosovo: Where people’s spirit and warmth leave a lasting impression

"What do you know about Kosovo?" I remember asking a few friends before I set off. The responses were almost universally just that of the conflict in 1999 when Kosovo dominated the media. The Kosovo War was the first conflict I remember watching on the evening news, aged 10 when I secretly stayed up past bedtime with my grandfather. While its...

Monaco: Playground for the Rich and Famous?

"You're going to Monaco on a budget trip?" my friend asked incredulously. "Don't people just go there for yacht parties and to gamble in casinos? What on earth will you do?" There was still a chill in the air at 07:30AM as I stood on the promenade behind the Opera House, remembering this conversation. I regretted not bringing a thicker jacket - I...
