ExploBlog
Travel notes from Explo
Practical guides on mapping where you've been, understanding entry rules, picking the right month and planning what's next.
How to map every country you've visited
Decide what counts as visited, build your list from photos and bookings, and keep your travel map up to date with a method that survives your next trip.
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Maps
How many countries are there in the world?
There are 193 UN member states, but many counts land on 195 or 197. See how the lists differ, which places are left out and how to count what you've visited.
Entry rules
Visa-free, visa on arrival, e-visa, eTA: what each means
Five entry rules look alike but work very differently. Learn what visa-free, visa on arrival, eTA, e-visa and visa required mean, and when you need to act.
Entry rules
How to check visa requirements before you book a trip
A step-by-step way to check entry rules for your passport: what to look up, which sources to trust, and the details people only discover at the airport.
Entry rules
How strong is your passport? What visa-free scores tell you
We counted how many countries each of 197 passports can enter without an embassy visit. The spread is huge, and the number is still not the whole story.
Planning
How to choose the best time to visit anywhere
Weather is only one part of it. Learn how to weigh seasons, crowds, prices and events, with real examples of the best months for popular destinations.
Planning
Public holidays and travel: how to plan around them
Local holidays can close shops, fill trains and raise prices, or give you the best week of your trip. Here is how to check them and what to do about them.
Practical
Travel plug types explained: A to O and what you need
Plug shape and voltage are two different problems. Learn the main plug types, where they are used, and when a simple adapter is enough.
Planning
How to build a travel bucket list you'll actually use
Turn a long wish list into a short plan: sort places by ease, season and effort, pick your next three, and keep the list alive after every trip.
Practical
International trip checklist: what to sort before you go
A practical checklist for international travel: passport, entry rules, health, money, phone, power and documents, on a timeline from three months out.
Entry rules
The six-month passport rule explained
Many countries want months of validity left on your passport. Learn what the six-month rule means, how the months are counted and when to renew.
Entry rules
Schengen 90/180 rule explained, with examples
How the Schengen 90 days in 180 days rule works, which countries are in the area, how to count your days and what to do if you need longer.
Maps
Fewer passport stamps? How to keep a travel record
Automatic gates and digital entry systems mean many trips leave no stamp. Here is how to rebuild and keep a reliable record of where you have been.
Maps
How many continents have you visited? A counting guide
Five, six or seven? The answer depends on the model. See how continents are counted, which countries sit on two, and how to finish the set.
Practical
Jet lag and time zones: how to plan your first days
A practical plan for jet lag: how much time you will lose, what to do before you fly, on the plane and in the first days at your destination.