Seth Barham
@sethbarham.bsky.social
Self-employed localization writer & designer escaping outdoors and abroad.
Lived in 🇸🇪 🇮🇸 🇨🇳 🇦🇱 | In 🇺🇸 | Next 🇹🇼
sethbarham.com | bio.site/sethbarham
Lived in 🇸🇪 🇮🇸 🇨🇳 🇦🇱 | In 🇺🇸 | Next 🇹🇼
sethbarham.com | bio.site/sethbarham
Pinned
Seth Barham
@sethbarham.bsky.social
· Nov 15
The Comedown | The Low After the High of Slow Travel — Seth Barham
Extended travel offers amazing opportunities to enrich yourself with new experiences and relationships, but there's a low after the high of slow travel: prepare yourself for the Comedown.
sethbarham.com
In my latest dispatch, I talk about the dreaded Comedown: the low after the high of slow #travel.
You spend time experiencing a new place, building relationships there, feeling like you're home...then what?
I'm sure many of you can relate to this. ✈️🗺️
sethbarham.com/blog/the-com...
You spend time experiencing a new place, building relationships there, feeling like you're home...then what?
I'm sure many of you can relate to this. ✈️🗺️
sethbarham.com/blog/the-com...
Attention all travelers perpetually in search of the perfect pack for onebag travel: I think I found it.
Join me for an extensive look at one of the newest bags on the market, the Voyager Travel35 from Western Rise.
After two weeks in Hawaii, it’s my new go-to!
sethbarham.com/blog/onebag-...
Join me for an extensive look at one of the newest bags on the market, the Voyager Travel35 from Western Rise.
After two weeks in Hawaii, it’s my new go-to!
sethbarham.com/blog/onebag-...
Onebag Travel | Western Rise Voyager Travel35 Backpack Review — Seth Barham
I unzip the Western Rise Voyager Travel35 backpack, which surprised me with its evenly balanced comfort and versatility, along with thoughtful features perfect for travelers that want to be light on t...
sethbarham.com
June 4, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Attention all travelers perpetually in search of the perfect pack for onebag travel: I think I found it.
Join me for an extensive look at one of the newest bags on the market, the Voyager Travel35 from Western Rise.
After two weeks in Hawaii, it’s my new go-to!
sethbarham.com/blog/onebag-...
Join me for an extensive look at one of the newest bags on the market, the Voyager Travel35 from Western Rise.
After two weeks in Hawaii, it’s my new go-to!
sethbarham.com/blog/onebag-...
I would say guess where I am based on the statue but the background kind of gives away the game…
Anyway, very much looking forward to exploring 🇽🇰 Kosovo. After starting this trip in 🇦🇱 Albania, feels like I’m coming full circle a bit.
Happy to say “Gëzuar!” again. 🍻
#Travel #TravelAddicts ✈️🗺️
Anyway, very much looking forward to exploring 🇽🇰 Kosovo. After starting this trip in 🇦🇱 Albania, feels like I’m coming full circle a bit.
Happy to say “Gëzuar!” again. 🍻
#Travel #TravelAddicts ✈️🗺️
February 24, 2025 at 10:24 PM
I would say guess where I am based on the statue but the background kind of gives away the game…
Anyway, very much looking forward to exploring 🇽🇰 Kosovo. After starting this trip in 🇦🇱 Albania, feels like I’m coming full circle a bit.
Happy to say “Gëzuar!” again. 🍻
#Travel #TravelAddicts ✈️🗺️
Anyway, very much looking forward to exploring 🇽🇰 Kosovo. After starting this trip in 🇦🇱 Albania, feels like I’m coming full circle a bit.
Happy to say “Gëzuar!” again. 🍻
#Travel #TravelAddicts ✈️🗺️
Greetings from 🇲🇰 Skopje!
I don’t know what I expected, but I instantly vibed with this city in a similar way to 🇧🇦 Sarajevo.
Yeah, the center is a bit odd, but works in a weird Balkan kind of way. And the locals are so friendly! Welcome change from 🇧🇬 Sofia if I’m honest.
#Travel #TravelAddicts ✈️🗺️
I don’t know what I expected, but I instantly vibed with this city in a similar way to 🇧🇦 Sarajevo.
Yeah, the center is a bit odd, but works in a weird Balkan kind of way. And the locals are so friendly! Welcome change from 🇧🇬 Sofia if I’m honest.
#Travel #TravelAddicts ✈️🗺️
February 6, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Greetings from 🇲🇰 Skopje!
I don’t know what I expected, but I instantly vibed with this city in a similar way to 🇧🇦 Sarajevo.
Yeah, the center is a bit odd, but works in a weird Balkan kind of way. And the locals are so friendly! Welcome change from 🇧🇬 Sofia if I’m honest.
#Travel #TravelAddicts ✈️🗺️
I don’t know what I expected, but I instantly vibed with this city in a similar way to 🇧🇦 Sarajevo.
Yeah, the center is a bit odd, but works in a weird Balkan kind of way. And the locals are so friendly! Welcome change from 🇧🇬 Sofia if I’m honest.
#Travel #TravelAddicts ✈️🗺️
After a year in the Balkans, I’ve seen a lot.
Bin bags measured in centimeters rather than litres is certainly one of them.
Like, dafuq?
Bin bags measured in centimeters rather than litres is certainly one of them.
Like, dafuq?
January 31, 2025 at 10:33 AM
After a year in the Balkans, I’ve seen a lot.
Bin bags measured in centimeters rather than litres is certainly one of them.
Like, dafuq?
Bin bags measured in centimeters rather than litres is certainly one of them.
Like, dafuq?
If you’re in Sofia 🇧🇬 definitely don’t waste too many days in the city. Spend one at Rila Monastery. Established by St. Ivan of Rila in 927, it’s one of Bulgaria’s most important national symbols.
The current frescoes are not that old, but still incredibly impressive.
#Travel #TravelAddicts ✈️🗺️
The current frescoes are not that old, but still incredibly impressive.
#Travel #TravelAddicts ✈️🗺️
January 28, 2025 at 1:36 PM
If you’re in Sofia 🇧🇬 definitely don’t waste too many days in the city. Spend one at Rila Monastery. Established by St. Ivan of Rila in 927, it’s one of Bulgaria’s most important national symbols.
The current frescoes are not that old, but still incredibly impressive.
#Travel #TravelAddicts ✈️🗺️
The current frescoes are not that old, but still incredibly impressive.
#Travel #TravelAddicts ✈️🗺️
Are you the kind of person that needs to eat at a different place every day to “make the most of” your travels, or do you find a spot you love and patronize it throughout the trip?
For me it depends but in Istanbul where a lot of places can be tourist traps, I tend to do the latter.
#TravelAddicts
For me it depends but in Istanbul where a lot of places can be tourist traps, I tend to do the latter.
#TravelAddicts
January 18, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Are you the kind of person that needs to eat at a different place every day to “make the most of” your travels, or do you find a spot you love and patronize it throughout the trip?
For me it depends but in Istanbul where a lot of places can be tourist traps, I tend to do the latter.
#TravelAddicts
For me it depends but in Istanbul where a lot of places can be tourist traps, I tend to do the latter.
#TravelAddicts
Well, Istanbul 🇹🇷 via the Sophia 🇧🇬 night train is booked. If anyone has any advice, I’m all ears. Particularly for decent restaurants that don’t scam tourists (seems to be an issue based on my research).
Very close to the Blue Mosque if that helps 👍
#Travel #TravelAddicts
Very close to the Blue Mosque if that helps 👍
#Travel #TravelAddicts
January 10, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Well, Istanbul 🇹🇷 via the Sophia 🇧🇬 night train is booked. If anyone has any advice, I’m all ears. Particularly for decent restaurants that don’t scam tourists (seems to be an issue based on my research).
Very close to the Blue Mosque if that helps 👍
#Travel #TravelAddicts
Very close to the Blue Mosque if that helps 👍
#Travel #TravelAddicts
I thought I might miss Romania 🇷🇴 on this Balkan adventure due to trips I already have planned while my home base is in Sofia 🇧🇬 and work and general travel burnout.
BUT.
Cheap flights to Bucharest 🇷🇴 from Tirana 🇦🇱 where I’m planning to swing back to in April to end the journey where it began.
BUT.
Cheap flights to Bucharest 🇷🇴 from Tirana 🇦🇱 where I’m planning to swing back to in April to end the journey where it began.
January 7, 2025 at 11:26 AM
I thought I might miss Romania 🇷🇴 on this Balkan adventure due to trips I already have planned while my home base is in Sofia 🇧🇬 and work and general travel burnout.
BUT.
Cheap flights to Bucharest 🇷🇴 from Tirana 🇦🇱 where I’m planning to swing back to in April to end the journey where it began.
BUT.
Cheap flights to Bucharest 🇷🇴 from Tirana 🇦🇱 where I’m planning to swing back to in April to end the journey where it began.
Took a day trip from Plovdiv 🇧🇬 to Asenovgrad (30 min train ride) to walk up to Asen’s Fortress (2.5 mile from the station). Totally worth it.
Possibly first built upon by the Thracians, the strategic cliff has changed hands among every major empire in the region.
#Travel #TravelAddicts ✈️🗺️
Possibly first built upon by the Thracians, the strategic cliff has changed hands among every major empire in the region.
#Travel #TravelAddicts ✈️🗺️
January 5, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Took a day trip from Plovdiv 🇧🇬 to Asenovgrad (30 min train ride) to walk up to Asen’s Fortress (2.5 mile from the station). Totally worth it.
Possibly first built upon by the Thracians, the strategic cliff has changed hands among every major empire in the region.
#Travel #TravelAddicts ✈️🗺️
Possibly first built upon by the Thracians, the strategic cliff has changed hands among every major empire in the region.
#Travel #TravelAddicts ✈️🗺️
On the subject of friendly vibes, which capital do you think has the friendliest locals towards tourists?
For me, it has easily been Sarajevo, BiH 🇧🇦
I never had trouble finding people to talk to or hang out with as a solo traveler in my 3 months there.
#Travel #TravelAddicts
For me, it has easily been Sarajevo, BiH 🇧🇦
I never had trouble finding people to talk to or hang out with as a solo traveler in my 3 months there.
#Travel #TravelAddicts
January 5, 2025 at 11:15 AM
On the subject of friendly vibes, which capital do you think has the friendliest locals towards tourists?
For me, it has easily been Sarajevo, BiH 🇧🇦
I never had trouble finding people to talk to or hang out with as a solo traveler in my 3 months there.
#Travel #TravelAddicts
For me, it has easily been Sarajevo, BiH 🇧🇦
I never had trouble finding people to talk to or hang out with as a solo traveler in my 3 months there.
#Travel #TravelAddicts
And so it begins again. Just posting some of Plovdiv’s gorgeous mosaics, but to Instagram that’s “spam”. Not sure what I did to get on their shitlist, but this has been happening for most of my stories.
Increasingly this app is the only platform that I will care to put the effort into…
Increasingly this app is the only platform that I will care to put the effort into…
January 5, 2025 at 9:04 AM
And so it begins again. Just posting some of Plovdiv’s gorgeous mosaics, but to Instagram that’s “spam”. Not sure what I did to get on their shitlist, but this has been happening for most of my stories.
Increasingly this app is the only platform that I will care to put the effort into…
Increasingly this app is the only platform that I will care to put the effort into…
My biggest mistake in my year in the Balkans so far was choosing Sofia over Plovdiv as my home base.
Only been in Plovdiv a couple days, but I’m impressed. Beautiful, clean, loads of history, friendly people, much better quality food and service than grumpy Sophia.
#Travel #TravelAddicts ✈️🗺️
Only been in Plovdiv a couple days, but I’m impressed. Beautiful, clean, loads of history, friendly people, much better quality food and service than grumpy Sophia.
#Travel #TravelAddicts ✈️🗺️
January 5, 2025 at 8:17 AM
My biggest mistake in my year in the Balkans so far was choosing Sofia over Plovdiv as my home base.
Only been in Plovdiv a couple days, but I’m impressed. Beautiful, clean, loads of history, friendly people, much better quality food and service than grumpy Sophia.
#Travel #TravelAddicts ✈️🗺️
Only been in Plovdiv a couple days, but I’m impressed. Beautiful, clean, loads of history, friendly people, much better quality food and service than grumpy Sophia.
#Travel #TravelAddicts ✈️🗺️
Art nouveau building spotted in 🇧🇬 Sofia? @solotravelstory.bsky.social
December 28, 2024 at 3:30 PM
Art nouveau building spotted in 🇧🇬 Sofia? @solotravelstory.bsky.social
So it seems so far that “no” is the favorite word in Sofia.
Can I buy a metro card here? (At metro desk where cards are advertised)
No. Buy it at the mobility office.
Can I buy a metro card here? (At said mobility office)
No.
No explanation of why or where I can get one, just no.
Can I buy a metro card here? (At metro desk where cards are advertised)
No. Buy it at the mobility office.
Can I buy a metro card here? (At said mobility office)
No.
No explanation of why or where I can get one, just no.
December 26, 2024 at 1:30 PM
So it seems so far that “no” is the favorite word in Sofia.
Can I buy a metro card here? (At metro desk where cards are advertised)
No. Buy it at the mobility office.
Can I buy a metro card here? (At said mobility office)
No.
No explanation of why or where I can get one, just no.
Can I buy a metro card here? (At metro desk where cards are advertised)
No. Buy it at the mobility office.
Can I buy a metro card here? (At said mobility office)
No.
No explanation of why or where I can get one, just no.
I feel like a good unspoken rule for AirBnBs is leave some pasta behind. It’s saved me so many times after a long travel day and arriving late in a city I don’t want to figure out at night. I’ve started doing it too.
#Travel #TravelAddicts
#Travel #TravelAddicts
December 22, 2024 at 8:11 PM
I feel like a good unspoken rule for AirBnBs is leave some pasta behind. It’s saved me so many times after a long travel day and arriving late in a city I don’t want to figure out at night. I’ve started doing it too.
#Travel #TravelAddicts
#Travel #TravelAddicts
Whichever Brit was at my Sofia 🇧🇬 AirBnB last, you’re a saint.
December 22, 2024 at 6:39 PM
Whichever Brit was at my Sofia 🇧🇬 AirBnB last, you’re a saint.
Farewell Belgrade 🇷🇸👋
December 20, 2024 at 11:08 AM
Farewell Belgrade 🇷🇸👋
Reposted by Seth Barham
Somehow, in 2024, I ended up writing five guidebooks at the same time. I wouldn't recommend this, to be honest, but I am ...quite ...proud? One is published, three are with their publishers, and one I'll still be working on until May 2025.
Here is a photo for each...
Here is a photo for each...
December 17, 2024 at 9:16 AM
Somehow, in 2024, I ended up writing five guidebooks at the same time. I wouldn't recommend this, to be honest, but I am ...quite ...proud? One is published, three are with their publishers, and one I'll still be working on until May 2025.
Here is a photo for each...
Here is a photo for each...
I haven’t fully processed how exactly I feel about Belgrade yet. I guess that means I’m not in love with it.
It’s an excellent place to party, but if you have other interests… 🤔
Since it’s such a big city, I have been enjoying the intl food scene. Boy have I missed good Asian food…
#TravelAddicts
It’s an excellent place to party, but if you have other interests… 🤔
Since it’s such a big city, I have been enjoying the intl food scene. Boy have I missed good Asian food…
#TravelAddicts
December 11, 2024 at 11:13 AM
I haven’t fully processed how exactly I feel about Belgrade yet. I guess that means I’m not in love with it.
It’s an excellent place to party, but if you have other interests… 🤔
Since it’s such a big city, I have been enjoying the intl food scene. Boy have I missed good Asian food…
#TravelAddicts
It’s an excellent place to party, but if you have other interests… 🤔
Since it’s such a big city, I have been enjoying the intl food scene. Boy have I missed good Asian food…
#TravelAddicts
Anyone on here do much hiking in Hawaii, specifically on Oahu and the Big Island?
That’s my next trip after the Balkans in May, and boy do I deserve it 🍹🏝️
Just kidding, I love the Balkans, but the change of pace is going to be nice!
That’s my next trip after the Balkans in May, and boy do I deserve it 🍹🏝️
Just kidding, I love the Balkans, but the change of pace is going to be nice!
December 5, 2024 at 1:32 PM
Anyone on here do much hiking in Hawaii, specifically on Oahu and the Big Island?
That’s my next trip after the Balkans in May, and boy do I deserve it 🍹🏝️
Just kidding, I love the Balkans, but the change of pace is going to be nice!
That’s my next trip after the Balkans in May, and boy do I deserve it 🍹🏝️
Just kidding, I love the Balkans, but the change of pace is going to be nice!
So far in the Balkans, Belgrade is the only place I’ve had this problem.
Some restaurants seem to just charge whatever the hell they want here. The price will end up being €2-4 more expensive than what’s on the menu.
When challenged, the waiter will suddenly be like “oh, my mistake.” 🙄
Some restaurants seem to just charge whatever the hell they want here. The price will end up being €2-4 more expensive than what’s on the menu.
When challenged, the waiter will suddenly be like “oh, my mistake.” 🙄
December 4, 2024 at 4:36 PM
So far in the Balkans, Belgrade is the only place I’ve had this problem.
Some restaurants seem to just charge whatever the hell they want here. The price will end up being €2-4 more expensive than what’s on the menu.
When challenged, the waiter will suddenly be like “oh, my mistake.” 🙄
Some restaurants seem to just charge whatever the hell they want here. The price will end up being €2-4 more expensive than what’s on the menu.
When challenged, the waiter will suddenly be like “oh, my mistake.” 🙄
The mighty Danube in Belgrade: night vs. day.
December 4, 2024 at 10:35 AM
The mighty Danube in Belgrade: night vs. day.
Anyone having Thanksgiving abroad, post your meals.
I went to Etno Restoran Zlatar in Belgrade. Had the roast veal and potatoes, pickled cabbage, and a 15-yo rakija.
Cleared all of it. They might need to wheel me out of here.
This isn’t an ad, but seriously, make the effort to come here.
I went to Etno Restoran Zlatar in Belgrade. Had the roast veal and potatoes, pickled cabbage, and a 15-yo rakija.
Cleared all of it. They might need to wheel me out of here.
This isn’t an ad, but seriously, make the effort to come here.
November 28, 2024 at 8:14 PM
Anyone having Thanksgiving abroad, post your meals.
I went to Etno Restoran Zlatar in Belgrade. Had the roast veal and potatoes, pickled cabbage, and a 15-yo rakija.
Cleared all of it. They might need to wheel me out of here.
This isn’t an ad, but seriously, make the effort to come here.
I went to Etno Restoran Zlatar in Belgrade. Had the roast veal and potatoes, pickled cabbage, and a 15-yo rakija.
Cleared all of it. They might need to wheel me out of here.
This isn’t an ad, but seriously, make the effort to come here.
- Go to Chinese restaurant across the street in Belgrade.
- Order in Mandarin since you don’t have many chances to practice.
- Chinese solo traveler overhears and invites you to his table.
- Go on a road trip to Sremski Karlovci together a couple days later.
This is what travel is all about!
- Order in Mandarin since you don’t have many chances to practice.
- Chinese solo traveler overhears and invites you to his table.
- Go on a road trip to Sremski Karlovci together a couple days later.
This is what travel is all about!
November 28, 2024 at 11:10 AM
- Go to Chinese restaurant across the street in Belgrade.
- Order in Mandarin since you don’t have many chances to practice.
- Chinese solo traveler overhears and invites you to his table.
- Go on a road trip to Sremski Karlovci together a couple days later.
This is what travel is all about!
- Order in Mandarin since you don’t have many chances to practice.
- Chinese solo traveler overhears and invites you to his table.
- Go on a road trip to Sremski Karlovci together a couple days later.
This is what travel is all about!