Who's behind this site
Hi, I'm Daniel, and I've spent more than 15 years travelling the world with a backpack, a notebook and a big appetite for discovery. I was born in Barcelona, but from my first trip to Albania at the age of 20 I knew my life would be tied to airports, maps and conversations with strangers.
So far I've visited 30 countries on six continents: from the temples of India to the beaches of the Caribbean, by way of mountain trails, chaotic cities and villages where you never see another tourist. I love travelling on a budget and authentically, eating where the locals eat and getting away from the usual spots whenever I can.
On this site I share everything I've learned along the way: destination guides, detailed itineraries, tricks for saving on flights and accommodation, and practical advice to make your trip easier, safer and more memorable. Everything I publish is based on my own experience, no fluff.
My goal is simple: to help you stop dreaming about that trip and start planning it.
Why start with the Balkans?
Albania was my first big trip, and Montenegro is right next door. The two countries share one of the most beautiful stretches of the Mediterranean, yet it's hard to find a fair, direct comparison of them — most articles cover only one, or are written to push a particular hotel or tour. So that's where The Curious Backpack begins: honest beach guides, a road trip that links both countries, and practical tips for each. More destinations will follow.
How we research
- First-hand experience: the beaches, routes and tips are based on visits to the places we write about.
- Official sources: entry rules, border crossings and transport details are checked against government, tourism-board and operator websites.
- Price checks: costs are reviewed every season, and we show ranges rather than single numbers because prices vary so much.
- Regular updates: every guide shows the date it was last updated.
How the site is funded
This site is free to read. It is funded by advertising, including Google AdSense. Advertisers have no influence over what we write, and we never accept payment for positive reviews. If we ever include affiliate links, we will label them clearly. See our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy for how ads use data.
Spotted a mistake?
Prices change, beaches get built up and ferry routes come and go. If you have been recently and something has changed, we would love to hear from you — please get in touch.
Photos
Many of the photos on this site are shared by photographers under Creative Commons licences on Wikimedia Commons. Each is credited next to the image and on our photo credits page.