The 10 most-read travel articles on Passport Symphony

Another year is coming to its end and it’s time to look back and make a summary. It was a very special year for Passport Symphony. I started the blog in September and we just hit the milestone of 10,000 unique users today! And it’s always a nice way to revive the travel memories of this wonderful year by making a compilation of our top 10 most-read travel articles.

I hope you enjoyed reading our blog so far and that you’ll stick around for many more adventures in the years to come. If you want to stay tuned for the articles I publish then sign up for the newsletter at the bottom of the page. Now, let’s see what did you guys liked reading about the most in the past year!

10) How to recognize ladyboys in Thailand

This was actually one of my very first articles. I was just trying to write something different and have some fun. And it worked. The article doesn’t have a lot to do with travel as it is; it only gives you tips on how to recognize ladyboys when you’re in Thailand. Whether because you want to avoid them or because you want to find them. I have a lot of experience in this field. Please don’t ask how just listen to the pro.

9) 23 bucket list destinations you should go to before you die

The bucket list post. Every travel blog has at least one. A bit cliche, I know. But I can guarantee my bucket list isn’t the typical ‘7 wonders of the world & Co.’ type. If you like getting lost off the beaten track, then this bucket list can give you some great suggestions. Our planet is, indeed, a magnificent place with countless breathtaking sights waiting to be discovered. Oh boy, was it hard to put only 23 places on this bucket list.

8) The 13 most common scams in Southeast Asia and how to avoid them

Practically all countries in SE Asia (maybe except Singapore) can be nicknamed the ‘backpacking paradise’. All countries in the region (again except Singapore) are really cheap for accommodation and traveling, have amazing food, and are really safe. However, that doesn’t mean that they are crime-free. Everywhere in the world where there are tourists, there will be scammers too. And people that make a living out of tricking tourists. If you want to visit SE Asia next year, make sure you read this article about the 13 most common scams in Southeast Asia.

7) 28 rookie mistakes all travelers do

Humans make mistakes. Especially when traveling. Even the most experienced ones. That’s why travel blogs like Passport Symphony are here for. To remind of some things you might forget to do. Or to tell you about some things you should do but didn’t know. When you’re planning your next trip take a look at this comprehensive list of rooky mistakes people do when traveling. Learn from other people’s experience and make sure to make the most out of your trip by not repeating the same mistakes.

6) Travel Hacking 101- What Is It And Can You Do It?

Flight hacks, booking hacks, money exchange hacks, banking hacks, technology hacks. This article has it all. If you don’t believe, go ahead and apply some of these tips on your next trip. You’ll be thanking me later. The quote ‘Traveling is expensive’ is slowly becoming a myth in the 21^st century. You can travel anywhere by spending a lot less money than you think. How? Go ahead and read the article. You won’t regret it.

5) Hanoi: a story about the city of lakes, bikes and beautiful chaos

I honestly didn’t think that a guide about a city will be so high on the list and this comes as a surprise to me too but the Hanoi travel guide made it to top 5. Vietnam is an amazing country, different than anything you saw before. And Hanoi is one of the major reasons why. The city of 8 million people and 8 million bikes. After I visited I think there are even more bikes than people. Some amazing things happened to me in Hanoi. So this guide covers not only the places to see, where to eat, and how to commute but also the best and worst thing that can happen to you in Hanoi, both of which happened to me.

4) Kashmir tales part 4: Pangong Tso and how sleeping in saved my life

Kashmir was probably my most exciting travel adventure ever. I became the first Macedonian to climb Stok Kangri (6,153 m). Saw some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in the world. Rode a Bactrian (triple-hump) camel. Got lost in the cold desert. I almost died. Yes! If I didn’t sleep in and miss my bus, I would have gone to Srinagar with the bus that was eventually held captive by the armed rebels in the surroundings of Srinagar. If you’re a fan of adventure, you’ll simply love this article.

3) A few things I wish I knew before traveling to Vietnam

Surprisingly, this is the second article in the top 5 that’s about Vietnam. Vietnam really is an amazing country different than the rest of SE Asia. Simply, there’s no country like it anywhere in the world. Vietnam isn’t so touristy like some of its neighbors but it has some amazing places. Charming village tourism, breathtaking caves, rocky bays, and amazing food. However, be prepared for a massive culture shock. And mastering the art of crossing the street. I’m not joking. You need to be an expert to cross the street. Remember the 8 million bikes of Hanoi? Anyway, I wrote this article to share some important things about Vietnam with people that plan to visit this amazing country in the future. So, good luck.

2) Choosing the best backpacking route in Southeast Asia

The title of this article was too sensational and I always expected to bring a lot of views. And this article didn’t disappoint. It was the second most read article of the year and it brought me a lot of positive comments. If Southeast Asia is part of your plans for the next year make sure to read this article before you go. It will help you save a lot of money and make the most out of your trip.

1) 9 important life lessons India taught me

To be honest, this is one of my all-time favorite articles too. And I’m glad it got the most reads. India has and always will have a special hart in my heart. I spent a year living as an expat in India. And if Vietnam is a completely different country than anything you ever saw before, I could say India is an entirely different planet. This country was a great challenge for me, but also a great teacher. I went through thick and thin and grew a lot as a person. And no, it’s not a clickbait: India actually taught me some important life lessons. A strongly recommended read for people that want to visit India next year, especially future (and present) expats.