A few years ago you needed to go to the bookshop and buy some expensive books about a country you wanted to visit. Today you can do it online, for free as we are living the long tail online. I visit official tourism offices, read stories and recommendations from strangers, can do a price-check and book online, without leaving my seat. I love to be living in 2008.

In May or June I’m planning to leave the Netherlands for two weeks or so. I like to do things I normally never do. Like walking in the nature, enjoy silence, breath fresh air, be in another country with other habits, languages, food and appearances. I prefer no luxury hotels, but hostels or tents. And public travelling through the country to observe the real life and not the Branded (pretty much romanced) life of the people. Internet provides you, before actually leaving, enough information to travel around the world this way.

Countries that have my attention are Norway (rout: Oslo, Trondheim, Bergen, Oslo), Spain (route: Valencia - Malaga), Russia (St. Petersburg) or Croatia (coast with islands, dolphins etc.). Luckily I don’t have to decide today, but somewhere in March or so (to book a cheap plane ticket). Till then I’ll explore the destinations online.