Look Everyone, I Did A Thing! A Thing Called A Book
My new book – The Travelling Ape: What Travelling (Nearly) Everywhere Taught Me about Humanity, Geopolitics, and Happiness – is out now.
An Interview With Matt Walker – Author of Europe United
What can watching a football match in 55 European countries in a year teach you?
Western Australia – Blissfully Isolated, A Touch Sharky
Few places on Earth are as isolated as Western Australia. For good and for bad.
The Canary Islands – Not Terrible, Surprisingly
My snobbish views about Lanzagrotty and Tenerife couldn’t have been more wrong. These islands are special.
Switzerland – Brilliantly Beautiful, Blissfully Boring
Switzerland has a reputation for being very boring indeed. But if beauty on this scale is boring, I’ll take it.
Scotland – Taking The High Road Never Felt So Good
Is there more to Scotland than haggis, lochs, kilts, and nationalist stereotypes? Overwhelmingly yes.
NomadMania Interview
Here’s a recent interview I did with NomadMania, a community for the world’s best-travelled people. I talk travel, coronavirus, meditation, and a bunch of other stuff.
Dromomania: A Blessing Or A Curse?
Dromomania – an exaggerated desire to wander – is a registered medical condition. But can you be addicted to travel? And if so, is it a good or bad thing?
Rwanda – Big Hopes And Great Apes
Rwanda has a tragic history. But a much brighter future. How have Rwandans managed to overcome the darkest instincts of the most dangerous of apes, humans?
Zimbabwe – Natural Wonders And Economic Woes
Travelling in Zimbabwe is not easy. But you will be rewarded with raw, barren, and beautiful natural scenery and incredible wildlife. And of course, the monumental Victoria Falls.
What’s In A Flag? A Journey To The Five Tallest Flags In The World
A quest to North Korea, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, and Saudi Arabia, home to the five tallest flags in the world. And not many other good things.
Portugal – Could Magnificent Madeira Be Europe’s Most Exotic Island?
The tiny, volcanic Portuguese island of Madeira packs a punch. A trip to Madeira will take you to perhaps the most enchanting island in Europe.
What Are The Five Best Countries To Travel To In The World?
What are the best travel destinations globally? While there are many contenders, here I outline my five favourites. Which country will take the number one spot?
Namibia – Empty, Eerie, And Astonishingly Beautiful
Namibia is one of my favourite African countries. It has raw, barren, and natural beauty unsurpassed anywhere else in Africa. If you don’t like heat and sand, it might not be for you.
UK – Hunting Cliffs And Castles On The Jurassic Coast
The Jurassic Coast is one of the best examples of the UK’s rich history and beautiful scenery. A trip to Dorset is well worth it, even when international travel is allowed again.
China – A Glimpse Into The Future, For Us All
The next global hegemon won’t be a democracy. While the West has been fighting among itself, China has been positioning itself as the world’s next leader. What is it like?
What Are The Five Greatest Cities In The World?
Here, I outline the five cities globally that give me the biggest sense of awe, excitement, and wonder. Which city takes top spot? Spoiler alert: The red bus above is a clue.
Ivory Coast – A Weekend In Abidjan, A True West African Metropolis
The Ivory Coast’s main metropolis is Abidjan. Nestled between lagoons and waterways, it doesn’t look like a city typical of West Africa. There is a sense that it’s going places.
Sierra Leone – Charming And Chaotic Freetown, A City Of Contrasts
Freetown is a wild and chaotic city. Yet beauty prevails. Stunning mountains give way to beautiful, palm tree-covered beaches, in one of the region’s most charismatic cities.
My Top Five Travel Tips
Want to know my top five travelling tips? In this post I share my top travel hacks and best travel advice from my adventures around the world.
Palau – A Pristine And Paradisiacal Pacific Island
The beaches of Palau are some of the most alluring on earth, as well as some of the most successfully protected. It’s as close to paradise as it’s possible to get.
Tasmania – Rugged And Remote Landscapes On The Edge Of The World
Tasmania is a remote, rugged island that feels more like Scotland than Australia. It offers a breathtaking alternative to nearby New Zealand, and for a Brit, feels like home.
Why Travel?
Travel broadens the mind. It is the antidote to bigotry and hatred. And most probably, is one of the most enjoyable pastimes that exists in the world.
Micronesia – Quaint And Serene Islands Bursting With Colour
Of over 600 islands in Micronesia, Pohnpei is one of the most beautiful. It’s simply bursting with life. It seemed like I was viewing everything in technicolour when I visited.
Marshall Islands – Tiny Slithers Of Humanity, Lost In Endless Blue
The Marshall Islands are tiny slithers of life, stranded in the middle of the seemingly endless Pacific Ocean. Few places on earth feel as remote; because few are.
Nauru & Kiribati – A Trip To Two Of The Least Visited Countries On Earth
The Pacific islands of Nauru and Kiribati are two of the most remote and least visited countries in the world. One is paradise. The other is a dystopian nightmare come to life.
Indonesia – Singing The Praises Of Beautiful Bali
The island of Bali is a complete travel destination. Surf, party, or get off the beaten track – there’s truly something for everyone. It’s popular for a reason.
Mauritius – One Of The World’s Best Paradise Islands
There are few beaches on earth as pristine as those in Mauritius. It really is paradise. But like many things in life, paradise doesn’t come cheap. Mauritius is hard to visit on a budget.
Australia – As Good As Australians Relentlessly Boast It Is
Australians love nothing more than to tell everyone how great Australia is. Many repeat the phrase “Australia is the greatest country in the world” like a broken record. Should they?
Saudi Arabia – Preconceptions Shattered In This Rapidly Changing Country
We all know about Saudi Arabia’s many shortcomings. But things are changing. The country is liberalising. It hopes to be a global tourist superpower. Will it succeed?
Madagascar – Dusty And Dramatic, A Truly Wild Island
Madagascar is not all lush rainforests and talking lemurs, which was a big surprise to me when I visited. It is dusty, red, and dry; a truly wild island.
Iraq – Kurdistan An Oasis Of Calm Amidst Regional Turmoil
When you tell people you are going to Iraq, they look at you funny. Perhaps rightly, given the troubles it has faced. Not so for the Kurdistan region, which is a pocket of calm.
India – 10-Day Silent Meditation Retreat: Pleasure, Pain, And The Rest
Ever tried a silent meditation retreat? I didn’t think so. Well, a ‘10-Day Silent Torture Prison’ would be more accurate name for it, as I discovered in Northern India.
Tajikistan – An Outstanding Week On The Roof Of The World
Tajikistan stands out in Central Asia for its dramatic mountain landscapes. Its scenery is breathtaking, rugged, and surprising. Who cares if most people haven’t heard of it?
Japan – A Love Letter To This Truly Enchanting Country
Japan is my favourite travel destination on the planet. My love for the country grows with each visit. There is something magical and mystical about this land. You have to visit.
Mongolia – Untouched, Vast Landscapes. And A Giant Orange Truck
Mongolia is both green and serene. In visiting this magical land, you are met with lush landscapes, dotted with ger huts (yurts) and horses. Lots of horses.
Portland, USA – America’s Greatest City? Almost Certainly, If You Are A Millennial
Portland, Oregon, is a millennial utopia. There are few places on earth with as many craft breweries, independent coffee shops, and kombucha brewers. It’s my favourite US city.
USA – A Sweaty Sojourn Through The Deep South
For a trip into the heart of America and the history of this “tremendous” nation, look no further than Trumpland, aka the Deep South of the United States. Visiting is quite a ride.
Colombia – The Awesome Andes Meet The Caribbean. It’s Predictably Wonderful
From the pristine Caribbean beaches of its northern coast, to the vibrant streets of Medellin, and trekking to the country’s ancient ‘Lost City’, Colombia packs a punch.
Faroe Islands – Europe’s Otherworldly Best Kept Secret, Until I Published This Article
The Faroe Islands are peppered with lush green valleys, imposing basalt cliffs, and waterfalls plunging into stormy oceans. If you like the scenery from Game of Thrones, visit.
Algeria – Blue Skies And Friendly Faces. And Huge Protests
Algeria is a hidden gem of a country. A two-hour hop from London transports you into a completely different culture and way of life. And introduces you to the friendliest people in the world.
Ethiopia – Alright Ge’ez?
Ethiopia is one of the most diverse countries on the planet, providing a combination of African, European, and Middle-Eastern influences. The result is breathtaking.
Bhutan – The Land Of The Thunder Dragon
Surrounded in mystery and isolation, the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan has only opened up its beauty to tourists in the last couple of decades. Anyone who visits is in for a treat.
Kazakhstan – Escaping Borat
It’s hard to talk about Kazakhstan without mentioning Borat, the character created by Sacha Baron Cohen. As the saying goes, any publicity is good publicity.
Uzbekistan – Desert, Delightful Architecture, and Dodgy Stomachs
Uzbekistan is one of the most underrated travel destinations in the world, with beautiful desert scenery and an abundance of historical artefacts. I’ll excuse the dodgy food.
Turkmenistan – My Personality Cult Is Better Than Yours
Turkmenistan is the lesser known of the world’s two main personality cults. The other being North Korea. It’s a stupendously weird nation. There is nowhere on earth quite like it.
Azerbaijan – Baku To The Future
Azerbaijan, the so-called ‘Land of Fire’, with its glittering capital Baku, is a nation trying to promote a new image for itself on the global stage. I’m not sure it will succeed.
The Pacific Islands – Tonga, Fiji, Samoa (Normal), and Samoa (American)
The stunning and curious Pacific Islands of Samoa, Fiji, and Tonga are rife with pretentious water, rugby, and sexism. And some nice beaches, to boot.