elias

[Thomas Sargis Travels @Thomas_Sargis_]

2-Budget Japan - A modern cost analysis to convince you Japan is your next travel spot:

Seeing Japan is a dream for many, but it's rumored to be very pricey -

WRONG (dramatic pause)

Here's a cost breakdown for a 2 week moderate & deluxe cost Japan trip (less than you'd think):

[Thomas Sargis Travels @Thomas_Sargis_]

The island of Svalbard feels like the edge of civilization - because it is.

This Norwegian territory is the northernmost permanent settlement on Earth:

Other destinations boast their huge numbers and chaotic gatherings - But Svalbard is perfectly happy with the pristine quiet of its Arctic Circle.

Make no mistake, locals are very welcoming - but life is different here.

In the capital, Longyearbyen, you'll find colorful houses, cozy cafés, and polar bear warning signs!

The town is small but amazing: full of cool museums and historic settlements from the town's history.

And the surrounding nature is one of a kind:

Snow-covered peaks, glaciers, and frozen fjords populated by polar bears, arctic foxes, reindeer, and walruses, all dancing under Northern Lights....

Look: Svalbard isn't for every traveler.

But if you want something special - that you can't find anywhere else.

Svalbard is your place. A true, bona fide winter wonderland.

[Thomas Sargis Travels @Thomas_Sargis_]

On the banks of the Teuk Chhou River in Cambodia, a town waits, perfect for your slow investigation...

Kampot is a mystical place, amid many unusual and fascinating landmarks:

Mountains that home ancient temples in their foliage, endless pepper fields that lead to hidden caves, and waterfalls whose mist swallows up ruins from forgotten eras.

This is THE place to rent a motorcycle and go find your own adventure.

Afterwards, the town offers a lot of comfort for the end of tired days...

A small downtown that moves at a slow pace and enjoys a nice drink;

Whether that's coffee in an art cafe, or local beer at a rooftop bar...

And a beachside who's firefly-lit sunsets are not to be compared.

Kampot is a real choose-your-own-adventure destination for travelers looking for a unique thrill but can also soak in the scenery with no rush.

[Thomas Sargis Travels @Thomas_Sargis_]

Top 8 MOST walkable travel cities in 2025:

Walkable cities make for much better travels, and it's no coincidence...

You meet way more people, get a better feel for the culture, and tend to see way more too...

Here's the list:

[Thomas Sargis Travels @Thomas_Sargis_]

Legendary Adventures (PART 4):

The Vivek Express

This isn’t just a train ride - it's a true journey, across each and every inch of India, from top to bottom.

This comprehensive trek passes through over 2,600 miles and 5 different states for a bona fide adventure of a lifetime.

You start in Kerala, where palm forests and ocean views color the experience.

But nothing stays the same for long in this journey, as your compartment window turns to a theatre screen for all of India's best offerings:

Tea plantations, neon cities, coconut groves, ancient temple towns, thick jungles, and foggy mangroves.

Meanwhile, food vendors hop on the train at each stop, serving their region's specialty dishes - dosas in the south, biryanis in the middle, and momos near the end.

You'll sit with people from all different backgrounds, and make friends -

Merchants, monks, students, families, farmers - some of the regular crowd.

This is for lovers of slow travel, long-hauls, and the feeling of being part of something bigger.

India is too big for one trip. But this is the closest you’ll get -

A true odyssey for the fearless traveler.

[Thomas Sargis Travels @Thomas_Sargis_]

Kickass photo ops, omnipresent culture, and killer vibes -

Street art cities are some of the coolest, most memorable places to visit...

Street performances, live music, and colorful local art:

Here's your top 7 street art cities to travel in 2025:

[Thomas Sargis Travels @Thomas_Sargis_]

Everything free to do in Barcelona (only the awesome stuff):

Sights: Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar (700 y/o gothic marvel), Magic Fountain (water show), Summer festivals, Basilica of Sant Just i Pastor

Markets: La Boqueria (#1 food market), Los Encantes (#1 flea market), Santa Caterina, San Antoni, Barceloneta

Neighborhoods: Gothic Quarter (old town, architecture), Gracia (trendy meets tradition), Barceloneta (beaches), El Born (artsy), L'Eixample (modern)

Parks/Plazas: Plaza Catalunya, Montjuic Park (city/sea view), Ciutadella Park (44 acres of art & architecture), Plaza of Spain, Parc del laberint, Arc de Triomf, University Plaza

Museums: Born Cultural Center / All these museums are free once a week; MNAC, Picasso Museum, Barcelona History Museum, Palau Guell, MACBA, Barcelona Maritime Museum, The Botanical Gardens, Museum of Music

I'm doing Rome, Istanbul, and Chicago soon so be sure to follow @Thomas_Sargis_ for more daily travel secrets!

[Thomas Sargis Travels @Thomas_Sargis_]

I talk a lot about "fairytale-ish" places but this one takes the cake:

45 minutes from Lisbon, Sintra is Portugal’s most whimsical escape:

Fairytale castles sit on hilltops, secret tunnels wind through gardens, and centuries-old secrets make Sintra feel like a real storybook...

Famous for their wildly colorful facades, the castles here are unparalleled.

Pena Palace, pictured below, is an unmissable highlight with its flashy colors and insane architecture.

The Moorish Castle offers amazing city views, and Quinta da Regaleira lets you hike down a moss-masked spiral staircase into an underground well.

After a day's exploration, you'll unwind at one of the many bakeries...

Devouring all the famous local pastries and recharging with coffee or cocoa.

Perfectly put, Sintra is a trip back to childhood, and one of those places that reminds you why you love traveling.

[Thomas Sargis Travels @Thomas_Sargis_]

Legendary Adventures (PART 5) -

THE greatest underwater action scene on Earth...

And you get a front-row seat:

The Sardine Run, South Africa’s legendary marine spectacle -

BILLIONS of sardines, dolphins, sharks, and whales flood the coastline in waves, triggering the most intense feeding frenzy in the animal kingdom.

Diving here means plunging straight into the chaos...

Sharks ripping through swarms, dolphins trapping fish in swirling bait balls, humpback whales swallowing thousands in one gulp.

Very few humans in history will get to see the ocean like this.

Divers catch the billions of sardines mid-migration, heading to eastern South Africa, and watch as their numbers create a feast for the record books.

First, it’s a quiet, empty blue - then, a violent explosion of fight or flight.

A once in a lifetime experience for wildlife lovers and marine enthusiasts.

[Thomas Sargis Travels @Thomas_Sargis_]

Kotor is medieval town wedged between towering mountains and the glassy Bay of Kotor, making for one of Europe’s most visually stunning small towns...

Old Town is a maze of stone alleys, Venetian palaces, hidden squares, and ancient churches...

Safe as it is affordable, rooms can easily be found for under $100 a night.

By night, candlelit wine bars consume the small, ivy-draped courtyards, where locals and travelers share their love for the famous local Vranac wine.

Then, 1400 steps up, San Giovanni offers a famous view of city and sea.

And outside of town, is the cinematic Lovćen National Park, and the Our Lady of the Rocks Island, a man-made escape full of local lore...

For travelers who love history, atmosphere, and a bit of a climb, Kotor delivers.

[Thomas Sargis Travels @Thomas_Sargis_]

SUPER short hiatus - back in full action tomorrow.

Sorry for the few posts today and yesterday, tomorrow we're back on!

[Thomas Sargis Travels @Thomas_Sargis_]

Day Trip Ranker Bangkok:

All of the Thai capital's best day trips ranked for your convenience:

[Thomas Sargis Travels @Thomas_Sargis_]

This is Lamu Island.

An ancient Swahili trade town, still intact, on the Indian Ocean…

On Lamu there are no roads, no cars, and no hurry -

Just donkeys trotting through alleyways of coral stone houses.

This is the oldest and best-preserved Swahili settlement in all of East Africa...

A maze of quiet streets where carved wooden doors, spice-scented markets, and centuries-old mosques tell a story older than Kenya itself.

Dhow boats conduct business and leisure in the surrounding turquoise waters,

While the UNESCO-site Old Town enjoys seafood and Dawa vodka in their traditional Swahili rooftop terraces and shaded courtyards.

Take a sunset sail, feast on fresh-grilled meats, and get lost on the magical Swahili vibes.

For peace, fun, and the heart of the Swahili culture - Lamu is number one.

[Thomas Sargis Travels @Thomas_Sargis_]

Why you should spend more time traveling one country:

A deep sense of appreciation and joy comes with exploring any one single region persistently and it’s a shame it’s not how more people travel:

Digging away at a city, state, or district and finding its sweetest fruits.

I moved to Oklahoma 1.5 years ago and have met so many people who love traveling but haven’t been on a plane in their lives -

Don’t laugh, because they’re the type who can show you the hidden wonders of the regions YOU visit.

They're the locals you seek on your 5 day stay in Bali. They hold the keys.

Repeat visits teach you the street language - your ticket to the local haunts, secret spots, hidden gems.

Making even one good friend on-site opens up the heart of the city for you to find a nice, warm corner the locals enjoy - but it’s rare on first visit.

Extended travel and repeat trips are among the best experiences in travel -

But with our numbers-obsessed, IG-posting ways, also among the rarest.

I encourage every traveler to spend a month in one country, or to return to an old favorite more than once...

It's slower at times, but the memories you do make will be deeper and more meaningful.

And the depth in which you'll know the country, its culture, and the friends you made there, will all be truly unmatched.

[Thomas Sargis Travels @Thomas_Sargis_]

Tasmania is Australia’s wild, oft-forgotten island...

Where the nature is untouched, food world-class, and adventure tops the to-do list.

Hobart is the capital, a buzzing little city with great food and markets...

But Tasmania is all about what’s outside the city.

Cradle Mountain is the most famous, with dramatic peaks and pristine alpine lakes, and the Overland Track, Bay of Fires, and Walls of Jerusalem make for some of the best hikes in the whole country.

Tasmania also has amazing coasts in Bruny Island and Wineglass Bay...

And a whole rainforest of its own that looks like its from Jurassic times.

The food is insane, too - Ocean-fresh oysters, iconic local cheese and wine, and the best whiskey in Australia. Every tiny town has a surprise.

Tasmania is heaven for the explorer and the enjoyer of finer things -

Rugged and lavish, both at the same time.

If you like relaxation, exploration, and roads that lead to nowhere—this is the island for you.

[Thomas Sargis Travels @Thomas_Sargis_]

Top 7 Solo-Travel Countries in 2025:

There's nothing like solo travel -

Ultimate freedom, adventure, and immersion in new scenes.

But some countries make it way easier, safer, and more fun.

Here they are:

[Thomas Sargis Travels @Thomas_Sargis_]

This is Český Krumlov.

A medieval town that looks like a Renaissance painting…

This village of 12,000 is a popular tourist spot in Czechia, so it's outfitted with all the staple comforts you hope for in Europe -

Lively pubs, great restaurants, and all kinds of fun tours and activities.

The scene is brilliant; red-roofed houses curving 'round the moat-like River, their walls unchanged for centuries, all holding in the amazing State Castle -

The second largest in Czechia, outfitted with picturesque bridges, gardens, and a 17th-century theater that's still used today.

Tourists come for the looks, but it's even better when the crowds are gone.

Stay the night, walk the empty streets, and watch the town glow under lantern light.

Cesky Krumlov is close as you’ll ever get to stepping into another century.

[Thomas Sargis Travels @Thomas_Sargis_]

Top 5 countries to roadtrip in 2025!

Some countries are made for the open road.

No schedules, no limits—just you, the car, and endless adventure.

Top spots:

[Thomas Sargis Travels @Thomas_Sargis_]

Dilijan is a misty, forested village stowed deep in the Armenian highlands.

Old stone monasteries hide in the woods, cold mountain air rolls through the valleys, and the water is so pure it's said to make you live longer.

Armenia’s "Little Switzerland" is a quiet alpine town in a national park;

A land of hidden trails, medieval bridges, and bears roaming the deep forest.

The architecture is as old as the trees - The Haghartsin and Goshavank monasteries sit, tucked away in the hills, covered in ancient carvings.

Stroll the historic Sharambeyan Street, where old wooden balconies overlook craft shops and tea houses.

And Hike to Parz Lake, whose water is mirror-still and air is all pine.

Dilijan is slow, peaceful, and untouched—a place where ancient nature, history, and tradition are all connected and intact.

If you want to see a different side of Armenia, this is where you go.

[Thomas Sargis Travels @Thomas_Sargis_]

Day trip Ranker Madrid:

One of the best day trip cities EVER, so here's a list of the best ones!

1. Toledo

Spain's old capital and one of the best, most intact medieval cities.

A city of Christian, Muslim, AND Jewish culture with the histories of each on full display.