Offbeat Travelling

Fascinating travel adventures in 'difficult' countries

  • Destinations
    • Africa
    • Balkans
    • Middle East
    • Post-Soviet
    • Other destinations
  • Latest Posts
  • Photos
  • About
  • Contact
  • More…
    • Publications
    • Travel Tips
    • Countries spreadsheet

Inspiration

Top

Get inspired for your next adventure with this quick selection of great articles!

Counting Countries like a Pro with This Awesome Excel Spreadsheet

March 3, 2022

Counting countries globe

Curious to know how many countries you visited, yet confused by all the different definitions used? Use this Excel tool to find the definite answer!

Year in Review: revisiting Iraq and other exciting places in 2021

January 29, 2022

Collage 2021 Review

From hiking in a remote corner of Georgia to visiting Mesopotamia and Mosul in Iraq. Read here why this was yet another year of exciting travel adventures.

The Longest Overland Route in a Straight Line

January 14, 2022

The longest distance overland in a straight line is 13,589 kilometers long and crosses 18 countries and territories in 9 different time zones.

An epic journey across two entire continents, straight through some of the most complicated and dangerous places on Earth.

Year in Review: 2020 was a difficult year for travel (8 countries visited)

December 29, 2020

Despite Covid-19 ruining much of my travel plans, I can still look back on several exciting places visited in 2020. Here is a quick summary.

Year in Review: 2019 was an EPIC year for travel

December 29, 2019

Travel year in Review

I’m looking back on the most adventurous travel year of my life. Check out some of my highlights!

11-day Travel Itinerary for Iraqi Kurdistan (and Epic Photos)

September 15, 2019

Iraq battle tank

Going to Iraq, not as a terrorist but as a tourist. Not many would consider it a safe travel destination, but you would be surprised by my 11-day itinerary!

Riding the Iron Ore Train across the Sahara in Mauritania

June 16, 2019

Iron Ore Train Mauritania

Hitching a free ride on top of the longest train in the world. It was a 15-hour journey that I will never forget.

Year in Review: the 17 Best Places I Visited in 2017

January 14, 2018

Bethlehem

From Panama to Palestine, in 2017 I travelled to some fascinating places once again. Check out my year’s highlights and learn more about my plans for 2018!

Forbidden Hitchhiking to the ‘Door to Hell’ in Turkmenistan

November 19, 2017

Turkmenistan

A detailled account of me trying to reach a giant burning hole in the middle of nowhere in the Karakum desert in Turkmenistan.

The Ultimate Bucket List: Things to Do in Minsk

September 13, 2017

Grafitti at

Belarus, one of the least visited countries in Europe, now allows for 5-day visa free travel. Check out my bucket list to see what cool things there are to do in the capital Minsk!

Year in Review: Travel Achievements in 2016 and Plans for 2017

December 25, 2016

Africa 2CV adventure

While looking back on some good travelling in 2016, I am revealing my adventure plans for the upcoming year.

Kick-Ass Route Ideas to Travel the World: Part II

December 7, 2016

Featured route ideas

I have continued my quest to find for you the most amazing and inspiring route ideas. Can you guess which ones they are?

12 Kick-Ass Route Ideas to Travel the World

February 7, 2016

When you’re out of ideas to travel the world, check this out. I have gathered 12 route ideas that will surely make for some kick-ass adventures!

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »

Newsletter

Never miss a thing!

Here is the best way to stay connected:

Make a selection, hit subscribe and confirm through the link in your mailbox! Check your spam folder if cannot find it.

Your data is safe. By subscribing you agree with my privacy policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. No spam, I promise!

WAIT! Almost done! Check your inbox (or spam folder) now to confirm your subscription. Don't forget or you will still be missing out!

About Bart

"My name is Bart and I travel to some of the world’s most fascinating places"

Follow me on my social media pages (below) if you want to tag along!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Top Posts & Pages

  • 12 Kick-Ass Route Ideas to Travel the World
  • Riding the Iron Ore Train across the Sahara in Mauritania
  • Inside the World's Most Secretive Ship-Breaking Yards
  • The Longest Overland Route in a Straight Line
  • Is It Safe to Visit the Baalbek Ruins in Lebanon?

Instagram

Chasing the micro states of Europe, here’s anoth Chasing the micro states of Europe, here’s another one visited: San Marino, one of the world’s oldest republics. It is home to just 33,000 people and is completely surrounded by Italy.

Have you ever heard of this place before? Have you visited?

#sanmarino #unesco #unescoheritage #micronation #travel #happyeaster #instatravel #backpacker #solotravel #mountain #castle #globetrotter #eps #everycountry #wanderlust #passionpassport #everypassportstamp #adventure #italy #enclave #tourism #tourist #natgeo
I visited Ukraine several times, heartbreaking to I visited Ukraine several times, heartbreaking to see what is happening now. Hoping for better days and for all hostilities to end asap…

#ukraine #kyiv #travel #peace
Back in 2014 I visited, by myself, the Ukrainian-c Back in 2014 I visited, by myself, the Ukrainian-controlled part of eastern province Donetsk to see the direct aftermath of the 2014 war.

I’m shocked to learn that a full scale war has now returned to Ukraine.

Places that I visited back then, Kharkiv, Slovyansk and Kramatorsk are now under attack by Russia. My thoughts are with all people affected.

Pray for Ukraine.
Exploring ancient lands in a forgotten corner of t Exploring ancient lands in a forgotten corner of the world. 

This is Alinja castle, the Machu Picchu of Azerbaijan but without the visitors. It’s hidden within the mountains of Nakhchivan, an autonomous region and exclave of Azerbaijan that hardly sees any visitors.

Have you heard of this place before?

#azerbaijan #nakhchivan #naxcivan #azeri #alinjafortress #alinjagala #asia #caucasus #globetrotter #nomadmania #everycountry #adventure #wanderlust #exploretheworld #travelstoke #lonelyplanet #lp #everypassportstamp #voyage #travel #instatravel #explorer #machupicchu #landscape #mountain #hiking #nature #passionpassport #backpacker #goexplore
Secret picture inside a militia checkpoint in Iraq Secret picture inside a militia checkpoint in Iraq.

Reliving my 2021 experience travelling independently through Iraq (backpacking style)

#iraq #samarra #middleeast #solotravel #traveller #instatravel #traveler #travel #tourist #tourism #visitiraq #passionpassport #adventure #wanderlust #globetrotter #everycountry #everypassportstamp #backpacker #beautifuldestinations #postcardsfromtheworld #postcardplaces #exploremore #traveladdict #roamtheplanet
Is this the most beautiful monument in the world? Is this the most beautiful monument in the world?

It has the most mesmerising curved shape, two carefully positioned pieces in dreamy and heavenly colours. An oasis of beauty and peace in a city so hectic, congested and scarred by years of conflict. 

This is the Al-Shaheed (Martyr’s) monument, completed in 1983 and dedicated to the Iraqi soldiers who died in the Iraq Iran war of the 1980s. 

#iraq #visitiraq #baghdad #middleeast #history #martyr #art #monument #eastereggs #onion #traveler #instatravel #travel #tourist #tourism #natgeo #passionpassport #wanderlust #globetrotter #traveladdict #solotravel #adventure #backpacker #beautifuldestinations #postcardsfromtheworld #postcardplaces #everycountry #eps #blue #exploremore
Mysterious ancient Roman arch found in middle of n Mysterious ancient Roman arch found in middle of nowhere near Mosul, Iraq.

#iraq #middleeast #history #ancient #mosul #bridge #arch #traveler #instatravel #travel #tourist #tourism #natgeo #nationalgeographic #mesopotamia #roman #romanempire #passionpassport #everycountry #traveladdict #adventure #visitiraq #solotravel #backpacker #wanderlust #beautifulworld #postcardsfromtheworld #postcardplaces
Iraq, where you can have ancient Mesopotamian wond Iraq, where you can have ancient Mesopotamian wonders (dating back 4,000 years) all to yourself.

#iraq #nasiriyah #mesopotamia #ziggurat #ur #uruk #visitiraq #middleeast #architecture #history #ruins #tourist #traveler #travel #instatravel #archeology #exploretheworld #natgeo #everycountryintheworld #everypassportstamp #eps #everycountry #passionpassport #wanderlust #offbeat #traveladdict #globetrotter #happy #everydaymiddleeast #postcardsfromtheworld
Follow on Instagram

© 2016–2022 Offbeat Travelling - All rights reserved PRIVACY POLICY | COPYRIGHT | CONTACT