Travel blog
Travel ideas, planning notes and journeys beyond the obvious
Thoughts, destination ideas, cruise insight and travel planning notes from Off The Beaten Track Travel.
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A travel blog for better planning decisions
The Off The Beaten Track Travel blog shares practical travel ideas, destination thoughts, cruise and expedition insight, and planning notes from Richard Muff’s work as a founder-led travel advisor.
This travel blog is not designed to be a daily news feed. It is a collection of useful articles, observations and destination ideas that help travellers think more clearly about where to go, how to travel and what kind of journey fits.
Some posts are useful starting points for future journeys. Some look at destinations, ships or travel styles in more detail. Others are simply notes from the wider world of travel planning.
Use the blog for ideas. When you are ready to turn those ideas into a properly planned journey, Richard can help shape the route, pace, suppliers and practical details.
Travel blog destination ideas
Places, regions and travel styles that suit travellers looking beyond the most obvious options.
Cruise and expedition notes
Small ships, expedition cruising, remote regions and the decisions that matter before booking.
Planning perspective
Thoughts on how to pace, structure and approach travel so the finished journey feels right.
For structured planning support, start with Travel Planning Services, explore the Travel Guides, or contact Richard.
For broader travel advice and official destination information, you can also check Smartraveller.
Easter Island Travel Guide: Rapa Nui, Moai and Remote Pacific Planning
Journey to Easter Island, where ancient mysteries, breathtaking landscapes, and rich Polynesian culture await. Discover the iconic moai statues, hike volcanic craters, and connect with Rapa Nui traditions.
Coral Triangle Photo Essay
Coral Triangle Photo Essay Coral Triangle Photo Essay: Raja Ampat, West Papua and Remote Indonesia by Expedition Ship A visual look at expedition cruising through Indonesia’s Coral Triangle, from Raja Ampat’s limestone islands and turquoise lagoons to remote West Papua shorelines, tender landings and life aboard a small expedition ship.
Expedition Life – West Papua
Coral Triangle Expedition Insight Expedition Life in West Papua: What Remote Coral Triangle Cruising Really Feels Like Expedition life in West Papua is not about rushing from one famous sight to the next. It is about remote islands, tender landings, changing conditions, expedition briefings, quiet anchorages, marine life and days
Remote Islands – Raja Ampat
Coral Triangle Expedition Insight Remote Islands of Raja Ampat and Papua: Expedition Cruising in Indonesia’s Coral Triangle The remote islands of Raja Ampat and Papua are the kind of places that make expedition cruising feel worthwhile: limestone peaks, quiet anchorages, turquoise lagoons, tender landings, marine life and a sense of
SH Minerva Expedition Cruise Ship
Coral Triangle Expedition Insight Life Aboard SH Minerva: Swan Hellenic Expedition Cruising in the Coral Triangle SH Minerva is a small expedition ship designed for remote-region cruising, where the experience is shaped as much by the daily rhythm on board as by the islands, wildlife and shore landings along the
Diving Raja Ampat On A Expedition Cruise
Coral Triangle Expedition Insight Diving Raja Ampat by Expedition Cruise: Reefs, Remote Islands and the Coral Triangle Diving Raja Ampat by expedition cruise brings travellers into one of the world’s richest marine regions, where remote islands, reef systems, tender operations and small-ship logistics shape the experience as much as the
Whale Sharks in Cenderawasih Bay: A Rare Coral Triangle Encounter
Coral Triangle Expedition Insight Whale Sharks in Cenderawasih Bay: A Rare Coral Triangle Encounter Whale sharks in Cenderawasih Bay are one of Indonesia’s most remarkable marine encounters — not because the experience is loud or theatrical, but because it can feel calm, surreal and deeply humbling. Cenderawasih Bay is known
Central Asia Hidden Gems
Cultural Travel Guide Central Asia Hidden Gems: A Traveller’s Guide to the Silk Road Beyond the Obvious Central Asia hidden gems are rarely about one famous sight. The real appeal lies in layered Silk Road cities, mountain villages, desert landscapes, local markets, family hospitality and the feeling of travelling through
Bungle Bungle Range: A Traveller’s Guide to Purnululu National Park
Australia Travel Guide Bungle Bungle Range: A Traveller’s Guide to Purnululu National Park The Bungle Bungle Range is one of Western Australia’s most remarkable landscapes — a remote Kimberley icon of striped sandstone domes, narrow chasms, ancient cultural connections and dramatic outback scenery. The distinctive striped sandstone domes of the
Why good trips still go wrong — and how proper travel design prevents it
Why good trips still go wrong — and how proper travel design prevents it | Off The Beaten Track Travel Good trips still go wrong Most trips aren’t bad. They’re badly structured. Talk to us about a better plan Most disappointing trips aren’t bad trips. They’re often full of wonderful
How I’m Planning 2026 Travel Differently for Clients
How I’m Planning 2026 Travel Differently for Clients Luxury travel planning for 2026 is already well underway — and it looks very different to how trips were coming together even a few years ago. Thoughtful luxury travel planning is increasingly about timing, pacing, and choosing the right experiences rather than
Saudi Arabia 19-Day Journey: What a Longer Trip Can Look Like
First-Hand Saudi Arabia Travel Notes Saudi Arabia 19-Day Journey: First-Hand Notes From a Cultural Trip A 19-day journey through Saudi Arabia offers a very different view of the country: modern cities, desert landscapes, heritage sites, mountain regions, coastal history and the realities of travelling in a destination still developing for