History & Itinerary For Exploring the Former Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia always fascinated me as a child. I remember watching the contestants from this communist block play competitively in the Olympic games, and usually come out in the top 5. It was home to many different ethnic and cultural backgrounds (and still is). The very definition of a melting pot. Though they shared the same south Slavic language.

In the early 90’s I witnessed the breakaway of this huge communist block after Tito’s fall. For those not familiar with Tito, he was the first post world war communist leader of Yugoslavia. Some saw him as a tyrant, though others found the phrase “benevolent dictator” to be more fitting.

Visiting Yugoslavia was always on my bucket list, and that was something which not even a collapse of the country would change. In spring of 2015, I decided to visit the former Yugoslavian countries to get a first hand experience of their history, culture and religion. What connected them together also separated them apart.

Destination Ecuador: Transportation Tips for Travelers Ecuador is one of the most popular destinations for tourists in South America, and that is no surprise. With beautiful beaches, snow-capped mountains, lush rainforests, and historic cities, it is the destination that has it all. But how should you get around when you arrive in the country? Here are some of the...

Travel Photography Essentials

Photography Essentials in the Modern Day Digital photography has exploded in popularity in the last decade, and traditional film prints are now almost obsolete. Sharing your travel photos today is a simple click away thanks to how far photography technology has come, and gone are the days where you almost needed an advanced science degree to be able to capture...

Moving Abroad: Three Important Questions to Think About For many of us, moving abroad is a long-held dream. As we sit and stare out of our office windows, watching the rain fall endlessly from grey, cloud-covered skies, we look out and imagine being anywhere but here. For some of us, this is more than a fantasy. We know that we want to move abroad, that we can leave...

Great Spanish Drives: Discovering Andalucía by Car

Andalucía, in Spain’s south, is the country’s largest autonomous community and is well known as the land of bullfighting, siestas and passionate flamenco dancing.

For those travellers keen to see more of Andalucía, a rented or borrowed car allows you to reach those authentic, small town destinations without the hassle of trains and regional buses. There are so many little towns to visit, but if you do hire a car, you should definitely visit these five Andalucían gems.

10 Strangest Buildings in the World You Have to Visit   This isn’t any ordinary travel list, but then again, you’re not an ordinary traveler. For the unorthodox globe-trotter, no bucket list is complete without some of the strangest buildings the world has to offer. From Brazilian museums to amazing Las Vegas hotels, these architectural works are definitely not...

The Top 5 Things You Have To Do In Thailand

The glorious, mysterious, and (at times) ridiculous country of Thailand is a smorgasbord when it comes to things to do, places to visit, and experiences to be had. Although the country is relatively small in area, it’s impossible to take advantage of all it has to offer in a short vacation stay.

But no matter how long you intend to spend in Thailand, make sure that you at least manage to immerse yourself in most, if not all, of the following.

Day Tripping Quebec: Must-See Scenic Drives In any road trip, the journey is as memorable as the destination. And when you embark on one with your family, even a quick one-day road trip, you get to foster togetherness, as well as gain a newfound appreciation for the country you live in. In Alberta alone, there are already five UNESCO World Heritage Sites to satisfy...

Tips for Gambling in a Casino Abroad Casino tourism is becoming a popular new trend, and as more and more resorts begin to pop up all over the world, travelers are drawn like a moth to a flame to gamble in some of the most exotic locations in the world. For instance Australia recently reported that their 3 most popular tourist attractions were not the Sydney Harbor...

From Nice to Naughty: When Good Travelers Go Bad By: Hipmunk Staff Being in a foreign environment tends to provide travelers with a feeling of anonymity. It’s regarded as a space governed by different social rules, and while abroad people often engage in behavior that they would normally not allow. But we wanted to know just how naughty they would actually get—or at...

Leaf Peeping, Pumpkins and Corn Mazes: Colorado Foliage Drives for Families Autumn is just around the corner and, if you’re like most people, this is a time for celebration – especially if you plan on visiting Colorado. The leaves are bursting with color and the air is crisp and clean. From corn mazes to pumpkin festivals, here’s what you need to know about...

Tips for Organizing an International Stag Do Normally the pressure around putting together international plans for a wedding is up to the bride and groom when planning for their honeymoon, however if you’re looking to throw your mate an unforgettable, that pressure will often fall to the best man too. The following are tips for organizing an international stag...

Reminders of Nazi Germany in Berlin Berlin, the capital of Germany, holds a unique and sad chapter in the world history books. While the modern city is home to a plethora of cultural and educational institutions, Berlin during World War II was a significantly different place. When Hitler and the Nazi Party came to power in 1933, the republic that had been known for...

The Best Scenic Runs for Tourists in New York City Heading to the Big Apple? Sure, there are the must-see for any tourist, from The Empire State Building and The Statue of Liberty to the Museum of Modern Art and Central Park. But perhaps there are some even cooler things to see not only by foot, but by stride. Whether training for a marathon (marathon season is...

Hipmunk City Love: 4 Ways to Spoil Your Vacation in Cancun One of Central America’s most popular beach destinations, Cancun draws travelers from all over the globe with its energetic nightlife, popular restaurant scene, and close proximity to ancient Mayan ruins. With the perfect balance between natural and historic attractions which astound, and accessibility to...

Why I’m Comfortable With Traveling Solo as a Female I traveled solo from 2007 until 2010 when I met my now husband Mike – we now travel together as a couple. As a generally outgoing and confident person already, the decision for me was a fairly easy one to make when it came to traveling solo. I’ve always been of the mindset that I’m not going to rely on other...

Considering migrating to another country? Before you pack your bags, let’s discuss what you need to know before you go.

Any holiday brings about one particular problem – how do you pack for your time away? When it comes to packing for an action-filled holiday to Orlando, you need to remember all the necessities, simply because you won’t have time to be running around, trying to buy them once you’re there! Of course, you’re going to have to buy a few bits and bobs to take away with...

She Travels Without Sight: Crossing Ireland’s Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge Blind

It was on the second or third day of our Ireland tour when a particular opportunity arose; a chance at a totally new experience for me. We were traveling north from Dublin, and as was explained by our extremely outgoing and animated Irish tour guide, it was optional if any of us wished to try walking across the structure to be found at our next stop.

It was the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.

Suspended almost 100 ft above sea level, the rope bridge spans a dizzying gap over the North Atlantic from the mainland to a small island. Today it is a popular tourist destination, attracting thousands of thrill-seekers (and birdwatchers!) to the North Coast every year.

If you are bold enough to cross the 65 ft (20 m) bridge, stretching from the mainland to ‘Rocky Island’, you will be rewarded with fantastic views of Rathlin Island, Scotland and the Causeway Coast. Though legally blind, at least I didn’t have to worry about not looking down!

Alert Behind the Wheel: Eye-Opening Tips for Long Road Trips People who are in a hurry often neglect the one thing they shouldn’t: sleep. Here are the advantages of getting plenty of rest before getting behind the wheel and some eye-opening statistics that should cause you to give pause when those eyelids start to get heavy. The Stats According to some studies,...

Home for Holidays, But Which One? By: Hipmunk Staff Want to go home for the holidays but can’t decide whether to go for Thanksgiving or Christmas? If you’re like most travelers, price likely has a big impact on when you travel home for the holidays. So we compared historic airfare prices to the top 50 U.S. hometowns to see whether your best holiday budget bet is a...

11 Travel Accessories Every Adventurer Needs   The number of travel accessories designed to make life easier on the road just keeps growing. From electronic luggage scales to portable Bluetooth speakers, there are so many things that can come in handy while traveling. Take a look at these 11 travel accessories that help you no matter where you go. 1. Neck...

Hiking the Mighty El Yunque, Cuba

Cuba is an absolutely breathtaking country, one which leaves visitors both puzzled and captured at the same time. And while many head to Cuba and don’t wander far past Havana, I always feel that in order for my travels to be accomplishing something, I need to get down and dirty on a good, tiring hike. Cuba did not disappoint in this sense.

From UNESCO-Listed biosphere reserves, lush mountain ranges, protected landscapes and endemic wildlife, the diversity of Cuba’s ecosystems astounds and bewilders. Of the many amazing hiking trails throughout the country, some of them completely exhausting though a lot of fun, one which stands out is the El Yunque.

And while Cuba isn’t short on choice if you’re looking for things to do, I can highly recommend hiking as an activity which everyone can appreciate and enjoy.

Morocco is an ideal travel destination for city-breakers, adventure enthusiasts and those looking for a relaxing family holiday. Encompassing the staggeringly beautiful Atlas Mountains, the mesmerizing Sahara Desert and a range of busting cities, you’ll never have the same Moroccan holiday twice (unless you want too!).

Here are 7 places to visit on your next Moroccan vacation.

Hipmunk’s Guide to Free Hotel Wi-Fi   By: Hipmunk Staff Wi-Fi has become an amenity that guests expect from the hotels where they choose to stay. We asked our Twitter fans what they think of free Wi-Fi and they spoke loud and clear. Perhaps Susan Breslow ‏(@susanbreslow) said it best: ‘Hotel wi-fi is essential. Free wins loyalty and cred.’ But according to a...