Travel guides and inspiration
Curated travel ideas for journeys worth planning properly
Browse destination guides, cruise resources and travel inspiration used to help shape thoughtful holidays, bespoke journeys and off-the-beaten-track adventures.
Start a conversation Travel planning servicesA better way to use travel inspiration
These guides are starting points, not finished itineraries
Travel guides are useful when they help you think more clearly: where you might go, what style of journey suits you, how much structure you want and whether a destination deserves more time than the obvious highlights.
The resources below are curated as inspiration. Some are destination-focused, some are cruise or expedition focused, and some are useful for travellers who are still deciding what kind of trip feels right.
When you are ready to turn ideas into a real journey, Richard can help shape the route, pace, timing, suppliers and practical details.
How to use this page
Dream first, then plan properly
Browse a few guides, notice what draws you in, then use that as a starting point for a more personal conversation.
For the planning approach, visit Founder-Led Travel Advisory.
Featured destination guides
Culture, cities, food, wildlife and private journeys
These guides are useful for travellers considering city stays, cultural journeys, food-focused travel, road trips, wildlife experiences or private touring.
Cartagena
Colour, colonial history, Caribbean energy and a strong add-on for South America journeys.
Route 66 road trip
A classic American road journey with history, local character and open-road appeal.
Istanbul
A layered city of empires, architecture, food, faith and culture across two continents.
Regional food guide
A food-focused starting point for travellers who want Italy to be planned around flavour, region and rhythm.
The wonders of Costa Rica
Rainforest, wildlife, coastline, conservation and nature-rich travel with plenty of ways to shape the pace.
Japan’s cultural tapestry
Tradition, cities, landscapes, food and culture for travellers who want Japan planned with care.
The Paris experience
A classic city stay that can be shaped around art, food, neighbourhoods, hotels and onward travel.
Singapore rising
A polished stopover or destination in its own right, with food, design, gardens and strong hotel options.
Coastal Croatia
Coast, islands, old towns and small ship possibilities across one of Europe’s best sea-facing journeys.
Legendary Irish landscapes
Scenery, stories, coastlines, castles and slower touring possibilities across Ireland.
Remarkable Rwanda
Conservation, gorillas, history and a powerful destination for thoughtful Africa travel.
Tours and experiences
A practical resource for browsing tours and activities that may form part of a larger journey.
Islands, wilderness and wildlife
Guides for travellers drawn to nature and place
These guides suit travellers who are drawn to landscape, wildlife, conservation, islands and places where the destination itself is the reason to go.
Maasai culture in Tanzania and Kenya
A cultural lens for East Africa journeys and safari travel shaped with more context.
Baby elephants
A short wildlife inspiration piece for travellers dreaming of Africa and animal encounters.
The Caribbean experience
Island stays, beaches, culture and cruising possibilities across the Caribbean.
Eastern Canada’s natural wonders
Nature, coastline, culture and scenic touring possibilities in Eastern Canada.
Stunning Southeast Alaska
Wildlife, culture, glaciers and Inside Passage possibilities by land, sea or small ship.
Barcelona art and architecture
A useful guide for travellers who want Europe shaped around art, design and culture.
Cruise and expedition resources
Small ships, expedition voyages and cruise inspiration
These resources are especially useful if you are comparing cruise styles, polar voyages, small ships, expedition operators or yacht-style travel.
Svalbard in depth
Aurora Expeditions Arctic inspiration for travellers considering Svalbard and polar wildlife.
Wild Antarctica
A polar expedition resource for travellers considering the Weddell Sea and deeper Antarctic routes.
Galápagos expeditions
Wildlife, volcanic islands and expedition cruising in one of the world’s most distinctive regions.
Costa Rica with Aurora Expeditions
A Central America expedition-style resource for travellers looking beyond standard beach stays.
Unique boutique resort
A resort-style inspiration piece for travellers interested in more distinctive stays.
Mediterranean wonder
A useful starting point for coastal cruising, small ships and European sea journeys.
Svalbard Line
Norwegian coastal and Arctic-style inspiration for travellers drawn to northern landscapes.
Spirit of Norway
Fjords, coastlines and northern journeys for travellers considering Norway by sea.
PONANT Explorations
Boutique expedition and small ship cruising with a French approach to style and exploration.
Regent Seven Seas
Ultra-luxury cruising with generous inclusions, larger suites and a refined ocean cruise style.
Featured journeys to Alaska
A cruise and expedition region where ship size, season and route choice matter.
Lindblad Expeditions
Expedition depth, naturalists, photographers and a strong learning-led small ship style.
For help choosing between cruise styles, visit Cruise Travel Planning or Luxury Expedition Cruising.
Planning support
Turn inspiration into a journey that actually works
The guide that catches your eye is only the beginning. The real planning happens when the destination, season, route, travel style, budget, flights, accommodation and pace start to come together.
Richard can help with familiar holidays, cruises, private journeys, small ship travel, luxury escapes and more complex off-the-beaten-track itineraries.
Use this page to explore ideas. Use the planning conversation to decide what is worth building properly.
Off The Beaten Track Travel is based near Beaudesert in Queensland’s Scenic Rim and works with clients across Australia.
Where to go next
Choose your next step
Start the conversation
Seen something that feels like your kind of trip?
Bring the idea to Richard and turn it into a journey with the right route, pace, suppliers and support.
Start a conversation