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Em

I’m a solo traveller in my late 30s with a degree in history and an insatiable curiosity about the world. I’ve been travelling alone for over 15 years and have visited 52 countries—25 in Europe and 10 in Asia (and counting). I focus on uncovering lesser-known destinations and cultural insights, particularly across Southeast Asia and Europe. My goal is to help independent travellers navigate new places with confidence, curiosity, and respect. Right now, I’m exploring the Balkans after a ten-month journey through Southeast Asia, living out of a backpack and chasing hidden gems one destination at a time.

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Front view of the Painted Mosque in Tetovo, North Macedonia, known for its elaborately painted façade, decorative columns, and surrounding garden, a standout among Balkan religious landmarks.
Destinations: Europe Albania Bulgaria Kosovo North Macedonia

Balkans Religious Landmarks: Mosques, Monasteries & Churches to Visit

The Balkans are often called a crossroads of civilizations, and nowhere is that more visible than in the region’s religious landmarks. From Ottoman-era mosques with dazzling painted interiors, to centuries-old Orthodox monasteries clinging to hillsides, to Catholic cathedrals and Jewish synagogues that speak to diverse communities past and present — every town seems to hold …

A Kindle open to The Shadow Land by Elizabeth Kostova leans beside a brown cup of coffee and a dessert-topped doughnut. The exposed brick and quiet café ambiance set the tone for diving into one of the best novels set in Bulgaria.
Destinations: Europe Books about Travel Bulgaria

4 Powerful Books to Read Before You Visit Bulgaria

Bulgaria is a country full of contrasts — ancient and modern, joyful and melancholic, vividly present and haunted by the past. I spent six weeks exploring it, from the Roman ruins of Plovdiv (where I lived for a month) to the fortress town of Veliko Tarnovo, the spa waters of Hisarya, and the quiet charm …