Joseph "Rich" Francis is a travel writer and full-time traveler of more than 10 years. He's lived on multiple continents and in a hodgepodge of different destinations, from the beach towns of the Mexican Pacific to the idyllic isles of southern Thailand, the ski centers of the Alps to the historic cities of Central Europe. He's a niche expert in surf-travel and adventure travel, and has published work in leading travel brands like Lonely Planet, The Culture Trip, and Seeker.
Today, you can find him blogging about the latest in surf destinations over on The Surf Atlas or about the latest bars in Krakow on KrakowBuzz. You can also find his portfolio site at JosephRichardFrancis.com.
Small and oft-overlooked on the European tourist route, the teardrop-shaped nation of Liechtenstein offers up a surprising diversity of destinations, going from remote Alpine villages on the plateaus of the Rakiton to up-and-coming cities with industry, modern art and regal castles alike. Let’s explore the 15 best places to visit in Liechtenstein: 1. Vaduz This …
The first stop on the Baltic trio has a whole load of must-sees and must-do sites up its sleeve. Forged by long alliances with Poland to the west, conflicts with Russia and Sweden and the Teutonic Knights, and shaped by Slavic builders and Orthodox faiths to name just some of the influences, it’s hardly surprising …
Pueblos and palm trees, Pacific beaches and Carib charm, potent tequila and taste-bud-tingling margaritas all meet between the borders of Mexico; a land of passion and beauty, where sprawling mega cities rub shoulders with the ruins of ancient Maya and the like. Here, we take a look at 15 of the top spots that should …
Set right in the heart of South America, Paraguay is a land formed from the interfaces of Europe and Guarani Indians, where traces of earthy indigenous life still lurk in the jungles, colonial megacities rise on the winding rivers, and the Gran Chaco dominates the north. It’s a truly fascinating place. Let’s explore the best …
One of the most coveted destinations in all of South America comes complete with breathtaking fortresses built by the Incas, soaring cloud forests, the snow-topped Andes, the dusty Atacama and the misty Amazon rainforest alike. No wonder there’s a veritable wealth of must-see spots between its borders. Let’s explore the best places to visit in …
From the alabaster-white beaches of Bermuda in the north to the cactus-topped desert inland of the ABC Islands in the south, the windswept coves and surfing reefs of Dominica in the east to the jungle-dressed tips of Cuba and the Antilles in the west, the Caribbean has long been a treasure trove of things to …
A liveable and lovely town that buts up to the banks of Lake Erie, Buffalo looks directly across the waters to Canada. One of the northernmost cities in New York State, it’s famed for its long history of Polish and German immigration; two cultural strands that still pop up with the lively festivals of Dyngus …
Sprawled out along the western banks of the Hudson River and Upper Bay, Jersey City is the Garden State’s bite out of the famed Big Apple. It’s connected to mighty New York by ferries and subways, and boasts some of the finest broadside views of Manhattan and Brooklyn in the world. You can see the …
Picturesque and well-to-do, Kentucky’s most richly adorned town still rarely makes it onto the mainstream traveler’s itinerary through the Bluegrass State. Why is something of a mystery. There’s plenty to do and see here, whether it’s wondering at the elegant Victorian and Greek Revival homes of plantation owners from centuries gone by, tasting hearty country …
A post-industrial, Rust Belt town that has only the fourth highest population in Ohio and sits sprawled out over old docklands and riversides on the very edge of the Great Lakes, it’s perhaps hardly surprising that Toledo is so often overlooked by travelers making their way through the Midwest. But those who do opt to …