Destinations
My travels through the continents
From Slovenia throughout Europe
Describing an entire continent poses significant challenges due to the considerable variety that exists within each one. Elements such as language, culture, history, geography, climate, fauna, levels of development, and the period during which I visited them play a crucial role in this complexity.
Being born and raised in Europe, it was a natural progression for me to first explore the countries surrounding my homeland.
My initial travels were with my parents, followed by adventures with friends, and ultimately, I ventured out on my own. Eventually, I found myself captivated by diverse cultures, which led me to shift my focus away from European nations, knowing they would always be close and accessible.
Travelling across various continents
The first international destination that drew my attention was Mexico. As I immersed myself in the study of pre-Columbian civilizations in Mesoamerica and admired the photographs of their awe-inspiring pyramids, I found it nearly impossible to resist the urge to spend my savings and take a flight to Central America.
However, the process of obtaining a visa and preparing for my arrival on the American continent would take several years. The journey encompasses the dynamic turbo-capitalism of the United States, with its vast mega cities and unique national parks, extending all the way to Argentina, the southernmost country on the continent. This extensive route reveals a wide spectrum of cultural diversity. The Spanish language acts as a pivotal connection that unifies numerous countries on the continent, representing the essence of the Latin lifestyle. This relationship among the nations is far more evident in America compared to other continents.
Asia arguably stands out as the most enriching continents for travel. It presents a wealth of experiences, including ancient sites, stunning natural beauty, beautiful beaches, delectable cuisine, ease of travel, reliable infrastructure, safety, and remarkable value for money. These attributes are evident in the numerous premier destinations that attract both backpackers and tourists.
The rise in mass tourism and improved accessibility have led many areas, especially in Southeast Asia, to convert into significant tourist attractions in recent years. This might be a key reason to focus more on Central and South Asia.
Although Africa is geographically close to Europe, I was not particularly interested in visiting it during the early part of my travel career. Limited resources, a perceived lack of attractions and bureaucratic challenges contributed to the postponement of my African Big Tour until 2005. While I had successfully traveled to many countries in both the American and Asian continents as part of my Big Tours, my journey in Africa was only halfway completed. The difficulties I encountered made it hard for me to proceed further south at that time.
Nevertheless, I believe it was wise to pause my travels and return to Africa years later, as I had gained a better understanding of what to expect. I thoroughly enjoyed my experiences in Africa in the 2020’s during relatively short trips, visiting several countries across each region.
Oceania stands out as the continent I have yet to explore extensively. My travels have only taken me to Australia as part of my Asian Big Tour. Although Australia is impressive, I find that the other smaller countries in the region, excluding New Zealand, do not provide the same variety of activities and attractions as those available on other continents. Furthermore, the significant travel expenses, the remoteness of these destinations, and their similarities have led me to place them lower on my list of travel priorities.
