Author: No Road Back

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Berat, Albania: the city of a thousand windows

Judging esthetics Berat is probably the prettiest town in Albania. A wild history with extended occupational periods by both the Turks and the Romans has created a beautiful blend of ancient architectural styles. The river meandering through town and the rocky hills as a backdrop doesn’t hurt Berat’s looks either.

Berat is a perfect example of a place forgotten by time with over 400 of its residents still living within centuries old castle walls. But the modern times are slowly starting to catch up. And with tourism in Albania rising this UNESCO heritage sight is getting increasing attention. Let’s hope it will resist the seductive calls of developers money and stay the beautiful town it is today.

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The best hostels in Thailand: the coolest spots ranked

Finding the best hostels in Thailand can be quite overwhelming. With the country continuing to boom as a backpacker destination the offer is almost limited less. Luckily for you I visited the country over 5 times, and I am here to help. This read lists the best hostels in Thailand that fulfill all the No Road Back criteria.

All of these hostels are very social without being raunchy party hostels. All of them have good common rooms or big leafy backyards. Their locations are excellent, the beds are comfortable, they have comfortable boutique double rooms as well as dorms and the hostels are run in an environmentally conscious way without compromising on adventure or comfort. Whether you are looking for a hostel in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Ayutthaya or one of the Thai islands, we got you covered.

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Visit Berlin, a city guide to the capital of Germany

Even though I grew up close to the German border it was not until last week that I decided to visit Berlin. Even though my expectations were high, the capital of Germany did not disappoint. Berlin sightseeing means visiting old Habsburgean buildings but also learning about the second world war and coming eye to eye with its street art scene.

But a visit to Berlin isn’t limited to the things to see in Berlin, it is also a great destination to enjoy life. The city is filled with green parks and places to chill out, and on top of that it is uber hip. Berlin has uncountable good restaurants, cafe’s and hip bars and eateries. And I haven’t even started to talk about the world class underground clubbing scene that Berlin is famous for. I think it is save to say that if you visit Berlin you do not have to worry about running out of things to see. To help you focus on the things worth to visit I distilled the things worth visiting on your first trip.

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Antwerp: a city trip to the city of diamonds

Even though I visited many times, every new visit makes me like the city more. There are just so many things to do in Antwerp that you can keep on coming back. Charming crooked 17th century merchant houses determine the face of the old city centre with hip eateries and bars dotting the area. A bit further out red lights seduce lonely men to enter the brothels in the raunchy red light district. The contrast couldn’t be bigger. And this city is two-faced in many ways.

The architecture in the heart of town is beautifully polished while sharp and modern in the new harbor. Ultra trendy boutique shops make this a shopping Valhalla but in the same street you will probably also be able to find an old brown cafe that serves beer with sliced sausage and beer nuts.

Antwerp is called the city of diamonds because it owns much of its riches to the diamond industry. It’s the capital of the Flemish part of Belgium. If you would ask a random Belgian which city in its country you would have to visit if you could only visit one, the answer will almost certainly be Antwerp. Not only because of its beauty but also because there are just so many things to do in Antwerp, the second largest city of Belgium. I couldn’t agree more. 

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The best hostels in Peru: a complete guide

One of the most important things of planning a trip is finding the right places to stay. For Peru this is no different. Staying at the right places can make all the difference. The right location makes it easier to visit the local highlights, find nice places to eat or have a drink and it is easier to move around. Even more important for independent travelers looking to meet new people: the best hostels in Peru will help you meet the right people to share your adventures with. So to help you find these best hostels in Peru I decided to write this article. Not only listing a few cool hostels, but also explaining the difference between the different major hostel chains in Peru and why you should pick which.

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Tirana: a city guide to the capital of Albania

Tirana, the capital of the the only Balkan country that was never a part of Yugoslavia,ranked in the Top Ten Places To Visit In Europe For 2018 by Lonely Planet is just starting to open up to the public. Whether you want to visit it as part of a longer journey through Albania or just as a city trip, it is worth your time. Tirana offers an off-the-beaten-path destination with a wildly different history and sights compared to the more traditional European city-trip destinations. And because Tirana is quickly catching up with the Western world in terms of hip bars, restaurants you can get an insight into its communist past and still wind down with a cold one on a terrace after a busy day of sightseeing to soak it all in. Tourism is just starting to discover this gem of a city so with the prices still being mild it is time to make your move.

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Shkoder Albania, the gateway to the Accursed Mountains

High up in the North of the country, close to the Montenegrin border lies Shkoder Albania. The fourth largest city in Albania borders the Southern end of Lake Skadar and often visitors only see it as the gateway to the Accursed Mountains, the Albanian part of the Balkan mountain range. I originally planned my visit for the same reason, but decided on staying a few nights in town as well. I wanted to find out whether Shkoder is more than just a gateway to the mountains and if it possibly can be a tourist destination on itself.

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Marrakech Food guide: what to eat & where

One of the most cited reasons to visit Morocco is the food. Marrakech in particular is a foodies’ haven. As soon as you take one step out of the door of your hotel a heavy blend of spices penetrates your nostrils and convinces you it is time for the next meal. But with uncountable good restaurants in Marrakech it is easy to get lost in it all. For those unsure where to eat in Marrakech this food guide will help deciding on what to eat and where they serve the best versions of that dish. When in Marrakech I had lengthy conversations with Fabienne, who has been running food tours in the city for the past ten years. The following guide is a combination of his insights and my personal experiences.

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How to offset the carbon footprint of your flight

If you, like me, like to explore as much and often as possible but don’t want the environment to suffer from it you will sooner or later be faced with a dilemma. A dilemma called the carbon footprint of air travel. Traveling fast and far means taking flights, but taking flights means massively increasing your carbon footprint. Most people will be familiar with the huge carbon footprint air travel involves but can you actually do something about it? The easy answer: yes, fly less. But by not taking flights you make it very hard to reach far away destinations. In other words: this is compromising. And the whole idea behind No Road Back is green travel WITHOUT compromising. So is there another option? Yes there is. You can offset carbon emissions of your flight in various ways. Your flight will still be polluting but by the carbon offset it will have a net carbon exhaust of 0 grams. Let me explain how it works.

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Amsterdam Neighbourhoods: what is there to do in all the different areas?

Due to its long and rich history Amsterdam is more than a city. It is a collection of very distinct Amsterdam neighborhoods, each with its own vibe, highlights and history. If you visit Amsterdam and are only staying in and around the city centre you are certain to miss out. But with the world-renowned city centre canals and Red light district shouting for attention, it might be hard for an unsuspecting tourist to really get under the skin of it all. So whether you are looking for new places to visit in Amsterdam or the best places to stay in Amsterdam, this article will help you understand the city. Its layout. And the what there is to do in all the different neighborhoods of Amsterdam. 

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