The Reality of Chiang Mai: The Lanna Capital Behind the Tourist Boom
Walk along the edge of the old-city moat in the early evening, and the geometry of the place becomes clear. The square…
Regional Guide
Countries
Explore the best of Countries: sights, culture, routes and travel tips from PenguFly, plus cheap flights to plan an unforgettable trip to Countries.
Cheap flights to Athens: the airport far from everything, the two-ferry-ports trap, and why your flight is only half the routing
On my first island-hopping trip in Greece, I booked a cheap late-night flight to Athens and a dawn ferry to Mykonos departing…
The Reality of Sarajevo: The Crossroads City of Empires
Walk into the Baščaršija in the morning, and the air smells strongly of wood smoke from the ćevapi grills and the dark…
Cheap flights to Istanbul: two airports on two continents, the Turkish Airlines megahub, and the transfer that eats your day
On my first trip to Istanbul, I booked a cheap ticket that landed at Sabiha Gökçen Airport on the Asian side of…
The Reality of Matera: From National Shame to Boutique Showcase
Stand on the edge of the plateau at first light and look down into the Sassi. The two great bowls of stacked…
Cheap flights to London: six airports, which “London” isn’t, and how the Elizabeth Line changed the answer
On my first trip to London after the railway updates, I landed at Heathrow and automatically bought a ticket for the highly…
The Reality of Samarkand: Timur’s Conqueror Capital
Stand in the centre of the Registan at first light, before the crowds arrive. Three vast, heavily tiled madrasahs frame the empty…
Cheap flights to Rome: Fiumicino vs Ciampino, the train question, and the ZTL that fines you by mail
On my first landing in Rome, I automatically purchased a ticket for the highly advertised Leonardo Express train to Termini Station. I…
The Reality of Tbilisi: Empires, Sulphur Baths, and Ancient Wine
Walk through the Abanotubani district at dawn, and you will see the low, brick domes of the sulphur bathhouses steaming in the…
Cheap flights to Paris: three airports, the Beauvais trap, and why you take the train, not a taxi tout
On my first landing at Charles de Gaulle Airport, I walked into the arrivals hall carrying a heavy backpack. A polite man…
The Reality of Luang Prabang: The Royal City on the Mekong
Stand on the peninsula between the Mekong and the Nam Khan rivers at dawn, and the mist rolling off the water obscures…
Cheap Flights to Hoi An: Fly into Da Nang, Then the Car-Free Old Town
On my first visit to Hoi An, I booked a boutique hotel located deep inside the historic center. I arrived by taxi…