Lena Fischer
12 stories on farpacker
Visayas Island Hopping: Cebu, Siquijor and Bohol by Ferry
A two-week Visayas ferry loop: Moalboal's sardine run, Kawasan Falls canyoneering, Siquijor by motorbike, and Bohol's Chocolate Hills and tarsiers.
Oslo to Bergen the Long Way: Rails, Fjords and the Flåm Line
Doing Norway's famous Oslo-Bergen route on a budget: the mountain railway, the Flåm line, a ferry through the Nærøyfjord, and Bergen's wharf.
Rio to São Paulo the Slow Way: Ilha Grande and Paraty on the Costa Verde
Backpacking Brazil's Costa Verde from Rio to São Paulo via Ilha Grande and Paraty — boat schedules, hostel and camping costs, and the best months to go.
Ethiopia's Historic North: Lake Tana, the Simiens and the Churches of Lalibela
Two weeks on Ethiopia's northern circuit: Bahir Dar's monasteries, Gondar's castles, trekking the Simien Mountains, and the rock churches of Lalibela.
Yurts and High Passes: Song-Kul, Karakol and the Ala-Kul Trek in Kyrgyzstan
Ten days in Kyrgyzstan: marshrutkas from Bishkek, a yurt night on the Song-Kul plateau, and the Ala-Kul trek from Karakol to Altyn-Arashan's springs.
The Slow Boat to Luang Prabang: Two Days on the Mekong and Beyond
Riding the two-day slow boat from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang, an overnight in Pakbeng, Kuang Si falls, then the new railway to Vang Vieng and Vientiane.
Belize Top to Bottom: Caye Caulker, the ATM Cave and the Southern Coast
Two weeks in Belize by water taxi and chicken bus: Caye Caulker snorkelling, San Ignacio's ATM cave, Garifuna drumming in Hopkins, and Placencia's beaches.
Luxembourg on Free Transport: Castles, Gorges and the Ardennes
Backpacking Luxembourg on free nationwide transport: Vianden castle, Mullerthal's rock gorges from Echternach, Clervaux and the green Ardennes north.
Poland South to North: Kraków, the Tatras, and a Slow Roll to the Baltic
A two-week Poland backpacking route from Kraków through Zakopane, Wrocław and Warsaw to Gdańsk, with train costs, hostel prices and timing tips.
Bhutan on the New Rules: Paro to Phobjikha and Back to the Tiger's Nest
A week in Bhutan under the daily-fee system: Thimphu, Punakha's dzong, the Phobjikha crane valley and the Tiger's Nest climb, with real 2026 costs.
Porto and the Douro: Northern Portugal by Train and Riverboat
Backpacking northern Portugal: Porto, Guimarães, Braga and the Douro Valley wine train to Pinhão, ending in Coimbra. Routes, costs and when to go.
Budapest and Beyond: Thermal Baths, the Danube Bend and Eger Wine Country
Budapest on a budget plus the Danube Bend and Eger wine country: thermal baths, ruin bars, river boats and cheap trains, with realistic 2026 costs.
