Author Profile: Summer Buckley

Easter Island can be an expensive place to visit however you can save pennies by cutting your trip from the traditional 7 days to 5 days instead. We packed everything into 5 days easily without breaking the bank, it just takes a little forward thinking and planning to cram all the following activities...   view more

This walking tour should take about 2 hours and covers most of the major sites in central Curitiba. After completing the tour you could grab something to eat or drink in Largo da Ordem or head to the Passeio Publico to check out the avian...   view more

Tunis is a thriving, bustling city but as with all major capital cities, we found it wasn’t necessarily the best place to connect with locals and it definitely wasn’t an accurate representation of Tunisia as a...   view more

We found in particular in Tataouine that locals were in equal measure inquisitive and eager/excited to help wherever they could. Children often stared at us as we walked past and the eyes of coffee-drinking men also followed us as we passed by. On one occasion we were walking back from Castello restaurant in the dark when a car idled next to us and the driver (a young boy-racer type guy) said hello and asked us if we needed any help. This level of friendliness isn’t what we usually encounter...   view more

Panama City is a playground for international businessmen, it’s situated along the ocean waterfront giving it a distinctly Miami-like feel. Once the sun goes down, the best views of the financial district can be seen from a rooftop bar in Casco Viejo. Panama City is ranked 27th in the world for the city with the most skyscrapers, just after Miami (26th). Beware that prices in Panama City, especially in Casco Viejo, are inflated for...   view more

Most people visiting Monteverde are likely to actually stay in or near to the town of Santa Elena. This area is home to more popular national parks and cloud forests. Santa Elena is located in the mountains and has a cooler climate than La Fortuna and coastal areas. We found it again to be a very touristic place, with many hotels, hostels and restaurants catering mostly for...   view more

The oldest colonial settlement in Nicaragua, this city was founded by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba in 1524, swiftly followed by Leon Viejo in the same year. The city boasts a rich colonial heritage as evidenced by the exquisite architecture still present to this day. Its network of streets and plazas follows the archetypal block layout as seen over and over again, replicated in every colonial city. One of the most iconic buildings in the city is La Catedral de Granada, a neoclassical...   view more

Tegucigalpa is not for the faint hearted, at all. It has a reputation as one of the most dangerous capital cities in the world and you really need to consider carefully and weigh up the risks of visiting. I probably wouldn’t advise it for most people. We decided to spend a night in Tegucigalpa because we like to try to see all aspects of a country, not just the cherry-picked highlights. We traveled around exclusively by Uber and limited the amount of time spent walking the...   view more

Leon is a charming colonial city in the north-west of Nicaragua. Despite its many historical buildings, the current city of Leon isn’t actually the original Leon – the city was originally founded on a different site which is known today as Leon Viejo. Leon as we know it today was only settled in 1610 after the Momotombo volcano erupted and destroyed the old city of Leon. The modern city of Leon and Leon Viejo are around 30 km apart in distance. Leon Viejo has been named a UNESCO World...   view more

It’s the largest and most populous city in Nicaragua. Managua has been the capital of the country since 1852 after a compromise was reached between the two rival cities of Leon and Granada. A catastrophic earthquake destroyed 90% of the downtown area of Managua in 1972 which means that the city has few historic buildings. Only the Cathedral, National Palace of Culture and Ruben Dario theater survived with varying levels of damage sustained. Managua is a modern city with multi-lane highways...   view more

This charming town is memorable for its cobblestone streets, local indigenous population and proximity to the large Mayan archaeological site nearby, which is also called Copan Ruinas. The town has a smattering of hostels and restaurants catering to international and domestic...   view more

La Fortuna lies in the shadow of Arenal volcano; wherever you are in the town you can look over your shoulder and spot Arenal to the west. On some days all you can see is the mysterious outline of the volcano vanishing amongst cloud cover, but on a clear day you can see the perfectly-conical volcano rising up just outside the town limits. If someone asked a child to draw a volcano, Arenal is exactly what the child would draw, from its wide base up to its smoking...   view more

If you’re fed up with following the well-worn tourist trail in Costa Rica and looking for somewhere other tourists don’t go to, consider exploring the mysterious stone spheres at Palmar! These perfectly-spherical stone balls are between 500 and 1500 years old, the last vestiges of a thriving, complex civilisation based in the Diquís Delta. They have become a symbol of Costa Rica and remain the only cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site in the country. They are incredibly unique and...   view more

Despite being North Macedonia’s second largest city, Bitola surprisingly flies under the radar compared to the more popular destinations of Skopje and Ohrid. I’m not sure why this is as Bitola has a lot to offer. As well as being the gateway to Pelister National Park, Bitola has a rich history, a vibrant city centre and an impressive archaeological site right on its doorstep. Check out my quick walking tour of the main sights of the...   view more

With its strong Berber influence and isolated desert location in the south-west of the country, Tozeur is a unique and interesting destination in Tunisia. Many visitors are drawn to Tozeur as a base to explore nearby natural wonders such as Chebika, Mides, Ong Jemal and Chott el Djerid. However the city centre is also worth exploring, filled with intricate brickwork buildings a history dating back to Roman times. Check out my short self-guided walking tour of some of the...   view more

Monastir is mostly known to foreign visitors as a resort destination, with many large commercial hotel complexes along the coastline catering mainly to package holiday tourists. Outside of that, however, Monastir is a pleasant, liberal seafront city with some interesting sights that can easily be explored on foot. Monastir is the birthplace of Tunisia’s first president, as well as boasting the largest and grandest fortress in the region. Explore central Monastir with this quick and easy...   view more

The capital of Chile’s Magallanes region, the southernmost city in the continental Americas and one of the southernmost cities in the world, Punta Arenas is a unique place. The city has a storied maritime history. Prior to the construction of the Panama Canal, the Megellan Strait was the quickest way for ships to travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and so became a crucial trade route. As the main settlement along the strait, Punta Arenas became a prosperous outpost for vessels...   view more

Despite often being overlooked by tourists, Querétaro (full name Santiago de Querétaro) has a lot to offer. One of the most prominent cities in Mexico during the colonial period, it is here that the first rumblings of independence and rebellion against the Spanish crown were stirred. Querétaro later went on to have a key involvement in two subsequent revolutions, playing a significant role in shaping the history and future of the...   view more

Samarkand is a city full of emblematic and historical sites. As the third largest city in Uzbekistan, one of the oldest continually-inhabited cities in the world and best known as the capital of the Timurid Empire, there is plenty to see and do. Although they are geographically spread out, it is possible to cover all of the city’s main sites on foot in a single day. Alternatively, you can break this tour up into several days and spend longer at some of the major attractions. Either way, check...   view more

Ultra-modern Astana is a planned city. While it is spread across a relatively big area, most of its monumental buildings are located along an east-west axis and the main sites can be covered on foot in a day; there is plenty of walking involved but it’s doable – trust me, we did it! Check out our Astana self-guided walking tour...   view more

By far the most intact colonial fortified city in Sri Lanka, Galle marks the location of the first Portuguese landing on Sri Lanka in the early 1500s. Following its capture by the Dutch in the 1640s, Galle was heavily fortified, briefly functioning as the capital and then becoming the major port of the Dutch East India Company...   view more

As the closest city to the nation’s main international airport, Negombo is a popular entry or exit point for visitors to Sri Lanka. With its touristic strip featuring a plethora of seafood restaurants and beachfront hotels, the city is favoured by many as a laid-back alternative to the bustling metropolis of Colombo. While it is often seen as a beach destination, Negombo also has an interesting cultural heritage. It is a majority Catholic Christian area and has a few impressive churches, while...   view more

Formerly known as Madras, the metropolis that is now Chennai has played a key role in India’s history and has a strong cultural and religious heritage. This self-guided walking tour takes in some of the notable sites around the seafront area. I recommend completing this walk in the morning, as temperatures can get quite hot during the day. Additionally, some of the sites may be closed in the middle of the...   view more

Known today as a modern tech hub, Bengaluru is the capital of Karnataka state and one of the largest cities in India. Having once been a part of the Mysore kingdom under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, it later became the regional capital when the British took control and moved administrative functions to the area in 1831. And the rest is history. Check out our tried-and-tested walking tour of the areas surrounding Cubbon...   view more

As the former capital of British India, Kolkata has a special place in India’s history. Formerly known as Calcutta, the city gained prominence in the early 1700s after the establishment of Fort William by the British and became the centre of operations for the British East India Trading Company, which later developed into Company rule over India and the British...   view more

If you find yourself at a loose end or looking for something to do after dark in Buenos Aires, going to a tango show is something I can highly recommend. I fully caught the tango bug in Buenos Aires and ended up attending two tango shows during my short time there. Based on my experiences and observations at Tango Porteno and El Querandi, I’ve compiled some info about what to expect and most importantly what to avoid in order to have a better experience and save...   view more

Located just over an hour from Agra by train, Gwalior is a classic northern Indian city. With a rich cultural heritage, it also boasts one of the country’s largest and most iconic forts. Despite this, Gwalior is way off the established tourist trail for most visitors to India. Check out this self-guided walking tour which takes in the highlights of this lesser-visited Indian...   view more

Bolivia’s Isla Del Sol is a bucolic, pastoral haven with pigs on the beach, donkeys on the stepped terraces and a slow, relaxed pace of life for the residents. You can expect beautiful, secluded beaches and impressive views of Lake Titicaca. Isla Del Sol is said to be the birthplace of the Incan Sun god, Inti, meaning that the island is dotted with the archaeological remains of temples, stepped terraces and relics from the Incan...   view more

India’s 5th largest city, Ahmedabad is the focal point of Gujarat state. Ideally located on the route between Mumbai and Rajasthan, the city does not see the same levels of tourism as these popular hotspots but it has plenty to offer to visitors. Ahmedabad has played a key role in India’s recent history due to its association with Mahatma Gandhi, while the atmospheric and wildly chaotic old town provides a classic north Indian experience if you’re brave...   view more

Originally developed by the British during the 1800s as the summer capital of the British Raj, Shimla’s cool mountainous climate meant that it became a popular retreat from the oppressive heat of the lowlands for many British officers, enlisted personnel, administrators and their wives during the sweltering summer...   view more

For an authentic and hassle-free Rajasthan experience, look no further than Bundi! The former capital of a small princely state, Bundi boasts classic Rajasthani architecture and history without the over-tourism, scams and hustlers that plague some of its more well-known neighbours. This walking tour covers the main attractions – you can choose to do it in one day, or split into two if you want to go at a more leisurely...   view more

You wouldn’t realise at first glance but the small, quiet town of Hiraizumi in northern Honshu was once the political and cultural focal point of northern Japan, rivalling Kyoto in size and importance. Check out this self-guided walking tour of the sleepy town’s main...   view more

At the foot of Mount Iwate, Morioka is the largest city in Iwate Prefecture and a provincial city within the Tohoku region which makes an ideal stopping point for those heading north to Aomori and Hokkaido, or for visitors traveling to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hiraizumi. Although it lacks the obvious major attractions of some of its neighbours, Morioka has plenty to offer for visitors – from lush mountainous scenery and local history to architecture and art. Check out this self-guided...   view more

Long before the age of shoguns and samurai, Japan’s first capital was Asuka. Today this sleepy village barely registers among the nation’s more spectacular and high-profile attractions, but look just below the surface and you can find a treasure trove of interesting history mixed in with delightful rural scenery that seems a world away from the bustling city life of modern...   view more

Said to be one of the 3 most scenic places in Japan, Matsushima (meaning Pine Islands) has captivated visitors for centuries. Filled with around 260 pine tree-covered islets, Matsushima Bay and the surrounding areas are almost a mirage of natural beauty. Today, Matsushima is one of the most popular and renowned spots in this part of the country. Check out this self-guided walking tour of the main...   view more

Unlike its esteemed Kansai neighbours of Osaka, Nara and Kyoto, Kobe is a relatively modern city which developed during the late 19th and early 20th century – Japan’s Meiji era. This was one of the Five Ports of Japan – the designated ports which were opened to foreign ships following the Meiji Restoration in 1868, ending the nation’s centuries of isolation. This self-guided tour takes in some of the main sites around the waterfront area and former foreign...   view more

Like Kyoto, Kamakura developed as a hotbed of culture, with artisans, scholars, palaces and dozens upon dozens of shrines being established in the area. Today, the plethora of shrines and religious buildings are more or less all that remains of the days when power was concentrated in this small coastal town. This self-guided walking tour takes in some of the main highlights, starting from Kamakura station and following part of the famous Daibutsu hiking...   view more