Краткое описание: The movie Pulp Fiction was right: the thing about Europe is the little differences. Thanks to the continent’s huge global influence, newcomers find it foreign and, at the same time, reassuringly familiar. Often dubbed a ‘living museum’, this is a place rich in history and tradition. Fairy-tale castles cast their shadows over lush green valleys and Gothic churches stand proudly amid beautifully preserved medieval towns. Galleries overflow with masterpieces from the likes of Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rodin, Van Gogh and Picasso. Festivals have evolved from ancient pagan rituals. Hell, even beer drinking has a time-honoured track record, especially in countries such as Belgium, the Czech Republic and Germany.

Краткое описание: There’s no denying that travelling in Ethiopia and Eritrea is not easy going. The roads, though improving, still batter your bottom for hours on end and hotels (both budget and midrange) are known to host a flea or two. Cheap internal flights can add years to your backside’s life, but they can’t save you from everything. Expecting to see the sights between lazing in first-class hotels? Please put this book gently back on the shelf for those willing to take some doses of displeasure with the bounty of treasure these countries have to offer.

Краткое описание: Astonishingly few people can pinpoint these three countries on a map, giving Baltic-bound travellers an instant head start. Accommodation is relatively easy to find (bar the capitals in July and August, which do get tourist-busy) and is still a steal compared with many other European countries. Dining is another unexpectedly tasty experience, in the capitals at least, with many meals at laughable prices. To top it all off, the arts scene is hot, young and vibrant.

Краткое описание: Throughout its long history, it’s been a green and pleasant land, a sceptred isle and a nation of shopkeepers. It’s stood as a beacon of democracy and a bastion of ideological freedom, as well as a crucible of empire and a cradle of class oppression. The Magna Carta, the King James Bible and the welfare state were all dreamt up here, but then again so were beer bellies, Bovril and Mr Bean. It’s a nation of tea-tippling eccentrics and train spotters, of dog lovers and footy fanatics, of punk rockers, gardeners, gnome collectors, free-wheeling city traders, pigeon fanciers, cricket bores and part-time Morris Dancers.

Краткое описание: A land of magnificent World Heritage Sites and a thousand tourist clichés, Egypt was enticing visitors millennia before Thomas Cook sailed his steamers up the Nile. It was here that the Holy Family sheltered, Alexander conquered and Mark Antony flirted. Napoleon stopped long enough to pilfer a few obelisks, the Ottomans paused to prop up the great and barbarous pasha Mohammed Au, and the British stayed around to get the train system running and furnish every spare nook of the British Museum.

Краткое описание: One of the most rewarding things about travelling through Eastern Europe is the rich variety of cuisine, customs, architecture and history. The flipside of course is that you’ll encounter a number of very different languages. Most languages spoken in Eastern Europe belong to what’s known as the Indo-European language family, believed to have originally developed from one language spoken thousands of years ago. Luckily for English speakers, most of these languages also use Roman script.

Краткое описание: You’ve bought this book, you’ve doubtless got lots of places you’d like to see, but what to do now? Whether you plan your trip from start to finish before leaving home or prefer to wait and see how you feel each morning before deciding what to do, there are some things you should definitely take into account beforehand. While Eastern Europe is a joy to travel round these days compared to how it was just a decade ago, you’ll still find a number of bureaucratic hurdles, largely manifesting themselves more clearly the further east you go.

Краткое описание: Among the many things East Timor doesn’t have is a beaten path. Whether it’s the relentless news coverage of its challenges or the hoops you have to jump through to get there, not a lot of people are visiting; maybe three or four a day.

And that’s just a shame because it is actually one of the most welcoming places you can visit. People are genuinely touched by your interest, and your greatest risk of injury travelling around the beautiful countryside will be hand fatigue from waving back to people waving at you.

Краткое описание: If you’re undecided about whether or not to bring an item from home, you can probably just leave it at home. It’s hard to imagine a more traveller- friendly place than Australia’s East Coast. You can get anything you need (including sunscreen to replace the big tube you had that was seized at the airport), prices are not outrageous, it’s easy to get around and if you can read this, they speak your language (at least in some form). Plus it’s amazingly gorgeous, a whole lot of fun and you’ll meet lots of people whose dispositions match the weather: sunny.

Краткое описание: East Africa has a wide selection of hotels and restaurants in tourist areas and major towns, plus some of Africa’s most elite safari lodges and luxury tented camps. If you re on a midrange or top-end budget, travel here is Africa made easy, with just enough adventure to keep things satisfying.

If you’re travelling on a shoestring, things get more rugged. Expect to stay in basic guesthouses, and to put in time bumping over rough roads on crowded buses. The rewards: getting into the pulse of East Africa, and seeing how most locals live.