Photo of the Day - Iguazu Falls, Argentina

Iguazu Falls, Argentinian side, as taken in the dry season in April/May

Eleanor Roosevelt is alleged to have uttered the words “Poor Niagara!” upon seeing the Iguazú Falls for the first time, and it's not hard to see why. These vast and powerful falls are tucked up in the far north-east of the country, bordering both Paraguay and Brazil and are a breathtakingly spectacular sight. Spend a few days exploring the falls by both foot and boat (to get up close and personal) and we promise you'll not tire of their grandeur and majesty. There are some great nature trails in the national park, and Puerto Iguazú makes a pleasant stopping off point on your way to or from Brazil or Paraguay – relax for a few days and enjoy the tropical warmth.

Click here for a free guide to backpacking in Argentina.

Photo of the Day - Rickshaws in Jaisalmer Fort

Rickshaws galore in Jaisalmer Fort, Rajasthan, India

When we last visited Jaisalmer it hadn't rained for seven years and this will tell you a lot about what to expect from this oasis in the Rajasthani desert near the Pakistani border. Many tourists come to visit the giant sand-castle that is Jaisalmer Fort, which is a fascinating experience in itself, but the one thing that you shouldn't leave here without doing is a camel safari out into the Thar desert (expect a tout to approach you selling a safari about once every five minutes...). You'll feel like Lawrence of Arabia as you head out into the dunes, eat a delicious dinner as the sun sets and count the shooting stars as you drift off to sleep – fantastic.


Click here for our free guide to travelling in India.

Photo of the Day - Sydney Harbour Bridge

View of the Harbour Bridge from North Sydney

Although we've chosen to show it here, Sydney is more than just a bridge and an opera house! With world class beaches, dining, attractions and nightlife, miss it at your peril! One of the most naturally beautiful cities in the world, it should be part of every backpacker's itinerary in Oz, whether you fancy surfing in Bondi, drinking in edgy King's Cross, holding Koalas in Taronga Zoo or (yes, we know...) climbing the Harbour Bridge, you will never forget your trip to Sydney.

Click here for our free guide to travelling in Australia.

Photo of the Day: Isla del Pescado, Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Whether you chose to explore the area from Uynui or Tupiza, you will see more incredible landscapes on your trip to south west Bolivia than you could ever imagine. Stunningly beautiful in a very barren and rugged way; expect to see volcanoes, flamingos, geysers, hot springs, and of course the world famous salt plains (the Salar) themselves. Most backpackers touring the area choose to take a trip in 4X4 complete with local driver/guide and cook – prepare yourself for a few days where you will be constantly wowed by the scenery and also by just how brain-numbingly cold it can get at 5000m above see level!


Click here for our free guide to Bolivia.

Photo of the Day - Huacachina Sand Dunes, Peru

Vast sand dunes near Huacachina, Peru - great for sandboarding!

Lacking historical importance and cultural charm, Huacachina is the kind of place to kick back, pass a couple of days under the sun and replenish your travelling zest. Near the city of Ica (where the buses will bring you) and on the road between Lima and Arequipa, Huacachina is a small village of hotels and backpacker hostels built around a manmade lake and in the midst of colossal sand dunes. The ‘oasis’ feel may be a bit contrived, but this is a town built for travellers, with plenty of activities of the adrenaline-boosting (dune buggies and sandboarding amongst others) or more sedate (vineyard tours) variety, as well as the option of just sitting by the pool all day. It is also a great base for exploring the enigmatic Nazca Lines carved into the sand about 60 miles south – the nerve-racking plane ride is the best way to marvel at the bizarreness of these pre-Incan drawings.

For our free guide to travelling in Peru, please click here.

Photo of the Day - Beach scene in Langkawi, Malaysia

Beautiful Pantai Cenang beach, Langkawi Malaysia

We loved the beautiful beaches on modern Langkawi, but not necessarily the rampant development in parts of it. Most of the budget islands are on or around the pretty beach at Pantai Cenang (as well as quieter Pantai Tengah), so bring your sunscreen and enjoy the duty-free beer. It's a beautiful island, with plenty on offer from mangrove tours and eagle feeding as well as diving, island hopping and the chance to take a trip up the Langkawi cable car to admire views over the mountains and beaches.

Click here for our free guide to Malaysia.

Photo of the Day - Colca Canyon, Peru

Trekking in magnificent Colca Canyon, near Arequipa, Peru

Although not officially the deepest canyon in the world (that accolade goes the Cañon del Cotahuasi, about 50 miles to the west), the Cañon del Colca is the second deepest and the more accessible, and certainly worth the trip out of Arequipa. Organised tours are not everyone’s idea of adventure, but the tour firms in Arequipa provide the simplest way of visiting the canyon in one/two/three night packages, including varying degrees of hiking and sometimes rafting. Tours pass through the barren Parque Nacional de Salinas, where you’ll see wild alpacas, llamas and vicuñas foraging, before descending into the canyon. Although itineraries vary, the highlight of most people’s trip is rising early to see the condors soaring off the thermals at Cruz del Condor. The sight of the world’s largest bird swooping overhead (sometimes a little too close for comfort) is worth the trip alone.


Click here for our free guide to Peru!

Photo of the Day - Sunset in Vang Vieng, Laos

Sunset in Laos's party destination, Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng


Love it or hate it , this Disneyland for backpackers has it become one of the 'it' destinations of South East Asia. A small village set in some incredible mountain scenery, full of bars showing Friends and The Simpsons on loop while flipping out burgers and fries, Vang Vieng is not an authentic experience. But it is a hell of a lot of fun. Floating down the river in a tractor tube stopping at bars and taking on some ridiculous rope swings (aka tubing) is the must-do activity in this part of the world – yes it's shamelessly tacky and more than a little dangerous but for a lot of people it's the highlight of their trip. If you can't beat them, join them!


Click here for our free guide to Laos.

Photo of the Day - Banjul, the Gambia

Young entrepreneurs, ferry port, Banjul, the Gambia

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Photo of the Day - Plaza de Armas, Salta, Argentina

Pretty Plaza de Armas in swinging Salta, Argentina

Salta
We loved this beautiful, fun and friendly city in the north west of the country, which is fast becoming a must visit for backpackers in Argentina. With its position as a perfect stop going to or coming from Bolivia, the city has seen a boom in backpacker hostels and has brilliant nightlife, particular in the 'zona viva' – the party area of town. Salta is compact and gorgeous, particularly around the cathedral and Plaza 9 de Julio. To get a feel for the city and the surrounding area from above, we recommend heading up to Cerro San Bernardo in the cable car. Take advantage of the cheap rates on offer to hire a car and take the road out to pretty Cachi – it's one of the greatest road trips in Argentina and you'll see the raw, barren beauty of the north west in all of its glory.

Click here for our free guide to Argentina.

Photo of the Day - Luna Park, Sydney

The iconic entrance to Luna Park in Sydney Harbour, Australia

Sydney is more than just a bridge and an opera house! With world class beaches, dining, attractions and nightlife, miss it at your peril! One of the most naturally beautiful cities in the world, it should be part of every backpacker's itinerary in Oz, whether you fancy surfing in Bondi, drinking in edgy King's Cross, holding Koalas in Taronga Zoo or (yes, we know...) climbing the Harbour Bridge, you will never forget your trip to Sydney.


Click here for our free online guide to Australia.

Happy New Year! Photo of the Day

Stunning Maya Beach, Ko Phi Phi, Thailand

Ko Phi Phi
This island of stunning natural beauty has recovered incredibly well from the tsunami that devastated it in December 2004. Ever since Leonardo di Caprio set fictional foot here for the film 'The Beach' based on the seminal novel by Alex Garland, Ko Phi Phi has been one of Thailand's tourist hotspots. Come here for some decent beaches, heaps of other backpackers (as well as an increasingly upmarket crowd), incredible mountainous landscape (take a walk to the viewpoint on Phi Phi Don for picture-perfect views), and some pumping nightlife. You will disappointed if you come here expecting the pristine and unexplored scenes from The Beach, but if you want some fun and cracking scenery then this is a great place to visit.


Click here for our free guide to Thailand.

Photo of the Day - Flinders Street, Melbourne

Under the clocks, Flinders Street Station:  A Melbourne icon (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

Melbourne: scene of England's recent Ashes triumph and probably the most liveable city in the world. Go to marvellous Melbourne for fantastic food, pumping nightlife, world-class sporting events by the bucket load, some great beaches within easy reach and Australia's best cultural scene. OK the weather's not the easiest to predict (prepare yourself for the infamous 'four seasons in one day'), but the longer you stay the harder it is to leave this buzzing, fun city.


Click here to read our free guide to travelling in Oz!

Photo of the Day - Old Quarter, Hanoi

Amazing Bia Hoi ("fresh beer") corner in the Old Quarter, Hanoi, Vietnam (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

Hanoi
Vietnam's French and Chinese influences are both heavily felt in the nation's slightly more conservative capital city. With some beautiful sights (including the peaceful Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, and the hustle and bustle of the Old Quarter), the relative tranquillity of a wander around Hoan Kiem lake and 'Bia Hoi' (fresh beer – trust us it's wonderful and cheap) on every corner, Hanoi is a great place to visit. A brilliant mix of the old and new, Hanoi is developing a vibrant nightlife and the speciality shopping streets will keep you coming back for more.


Click here for our FREE guide to travelling in Vietnam.

Photo of the Day 8 December 2010

Buzzing Plaza de Armas, Cusco, Peru (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

The gateway to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, Cusco is so much more than a departure point. The ancient Incan capital, and the scene of the some of the Spanish conquistadores more brutal repressions, Cusco still bares the marks of those who have fought for it. Around the majestic Plaza de Armas, the colonial cathedral and porticos vie with original Incan masonry, still supporting the town walls hundreds of years later. There is no question which one the locals will tell you is the better handicraft. Wandering the streets of Cusco, with excellent shopping, restaurants and bars as well as the artisan barrio up the hill in San Blas, you could easily lose a day or two. And you’ll need to, to acclimatise to the altitude (3,500m) before going any further – soroche (altitude sickness) is a common complaint for those not planning time to relax and take it all in.

Click here for our guide to Peru.

Photo of the Day 6 December 2010

The winding road between Cachi and Salta in northern Argentina (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

Click here for our guide to Argentina

Photo of the Day 5 December 2010

The Atlas Mountains viewed from the Ourika Valley, Morocco (CLICK TO ENLARGE)