Recent Tourist Deaths In South East Asia – Is It Really That Dangerous?

by Marc Valentine
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If you follow the media at all, you’ll be well aware there has been a string of recent tourist deaths in Southeast Asia Many of these deaths are shrouded in mystery, often with no facts or insights provided into the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The seemingly ineffective authorities in the countries where the deaths occur, […]

The Results Are In – Here Are The Worlds Top Ten Most Promiscuous Countries To Travel!

by Marc Valentine
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As a self respecting reader of this travel blog, you wouldn’t ever consider spending a passion-fuelled night with a stranger while overseas, now would you? Didn’t think so. So this post is not for you, this one is for the young single travellers out there, the liberal, free thinkers of todays world… What? it’s hardly […]

Latest Video – The Wonders Of Morocco

by Marc Valentine
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VIDEO – A short compilation of video we captured during our stay in Morocco… Enjoy! [leadplayer_vid id=”516E7E392D218″] From the colours and snake charmers of Marrakech’s infamous medina, to the religious hive of Fez and even a camel safari through the Sahara Desert, discover the wonders and be ‘wowed’ by Morocco’s ways. View our favourite travel […]

This One’s For The Haters, The Pessimists and The Tip Toer’s Among Us

by Marc Valentine
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It’s well documented that travel enriches the soul and expands the mind. Books aside, we all know someone who’s returned from extended overseas travel, and can’t stop raving about the amazing experiences waiting for them when they dared to leave whatever country they’ve been using as their global backyard. That said, some folks still talk […]

Which Are The Friendliest Countries To Visit?

by Marc Valentine
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  We like to think were pretty friendly here at Art of Absence, so when deciding which country to visit next, a major part of our decision rests with how welcoming & friendly the country is. Fact is, some countries are more welcoming, friendlier, and generally more accommodating to foreigners than others. These countries get the […]

Top 10 Things To Do In Barcelona – Art of Absence Travel Blog

by Marc Valentine
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Spain’s magical city of Barcelona is pure ‘travel cocaine’ for all poor nomadic souls out there, doomed to suffer throughout their live’s with periodical bought’s of travel cravings. With a lure so potent, even the most travel hardened vagabond struggles to wander Barcelona’s streets and leave without acquiring an addiction, & falling hopelessly in love […]

Pacsafe Review – Keep Your Travel Gear Safe During Your Next Backpacking Trip

by Marc Valentine
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[leadplayer_vid id=”516E7F4C3A438″] If you’ve ever had something lifted from your bag, or stolen from a hostel room while you’re travelling, you know it’s a damn right pain in the backside at best… But worse than that, it’s disappointing, frustrating, and can cost you a lot of money when it’s something valuable or important that’s stolen. […]

What To Expect From A Night In Morocco’s Sahara Desert

by Anna Lynch
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We had to remind ourselves more than once why yet again we were taking a long haul bus ride (12 hours from Marrakech to Merzouga) – packed to the brim with passengers – mostly locals, destined for their family homes in isolated Moroccan desert villages. The reason behind our painstaking journey was simple, & made […]

Surviving Pamplona’s Running Of The Bulls – The Infamous San Fermin Festival

by Marc Valentine
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Taking part in the festivities of San Fermin in Pamplona has long been a dream of mine From the moment I saw the Running of the Bulls on a travel show many years ago, I’ve yearned to tread on those cobbled streets in Spain & share a few adrenaline fuelled moments of chaos with the […]

Australian Slang 101… A Fast Start Guide To Speaking Fluent Aussie

by Marc Valentine
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As it’s my birthday today & I’m a little homesick – I decided to put something special out. After spying a cooking apron with Aussie slang emblazoned all over it in a kitchen in Barcelona a few days ago… It sparked a discussion with my Aussie friends about Australian slang… what we use & what […]

The Beaches of Normandy – Paying Your Respects During Your Travel To Europe

by Marc Valentine
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There’s a ton of stuff to keep you busy on your trip to France in Paris alone… but if you happen to run out of things to do in Paris, or you need a break from the city, there are some great day trips outside of paris that are guaranteed to breath some fresh air […]

Q. What’s the best impulse purchase I ever made? A. That’s easy It’s my Canon DSLR Camera

by Marc Valentine
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Why I think everyone should own a good camera. No Matter What. On a short trip to Hong Kong a while back… something weird happened to me. I suddenly felt the strong urge buy something I had never considered buying before… a DSLR camera. (I can almost hear all you girls thinking – that’s not […]

What’s Even Cooler Than Paris – Near Paris? (not a trick question)

by Marc Valentine
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When we first visited Paris back in 2010 it was cold… and wet… and miserable. You don’t have to be a genius to realise that we didn’t have an incredible time in Paris on that particular visit… …it’s hard to fall in love with a city when you’re wrapped up in a scarf & beanie […]

The Creepier Side Of Paris – Delving Below Street Level

by Marc Valentine
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  If we were to meet on the street tomorrow… and I mentioned to you in conversation that I had just traveled to Paris… I’d happily bet every dollar I had – that 1 of the following famous attractions people flock to Paris for, immediately popped into your mind… 1. The Eiffel Tower, 2. The […]

10 Things We Learnt From Backpacking In SE Asia

by Marc Valentine
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Sadly, we have now officially departed from Southeast Asia… Flying out of the region for the foreseeable future to persue some different, but equally rich & rewarding (hopefully) travel experiences in Europe… On our recent departure from Asia, we thought we’d share a few of the biggest lessons we discovered after spending an ultra fun […]

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