Travel like you’ve got a friend in every city.
Where to eat first, where to stay, what to skip — tested on the ground, city by city.
Every country we have eaten through
Pick a country and we will tell you what is worth the flight.
The latest eight guides
The eight most recent, straight from the site.
Written by one person, on the ground
Ten years in the travel industry, sixty-three countries and more meals than I can defend. House of Routes is where those notes live: where to eat first, where to stay, and what is honestly worth your time. No press trips, no borrowed photographs, no restaurant that paid to be here — if a place made the list I queued for it, paid for it, and would send my own family to the same table.
Four routes, already built
Fewer stops, longer lunches, and enough room left to change your mind.
10 days · Southeast AsiaThailand, city to sandThe capital, the mountains, then the islands.
Best Nov–Apr
9 days · IberiaLisbon, Porto & MadridTwo Portuguese cities and one Spanish one.
Best Apr–Jun · Sep–Oct
11 days · CaribbeanJamaica, DR & Puerto RicoJerk pits, doubles and a lechón route, island to island.
Best Dec–Apr
12 days · ColombiaMedellín, coffee & coastCity, green hills, then the Caribbean.
Best Dec–MarThe deals we picked for you
No coupon codes and no invented discounts. What we would book ourselves, and when.
Book Bali villas 6 to 8 weeks out for dry season. In Bangkok pay for the BTS line, not the view.
Backpacking guide →Food toursMorning market tours beat evening ones for heat and crowds. Classes are cheapest booked a day ahead.
Bangkok food guide →eSIMOne regional plan beats a SIM per country. Install before you fly, switch on when you land.
Travel apps we use →TransportThai sleeper berths sell out weeks ahead in season. Take the first island ferry of the day.
Best time to go →InsuranceCheck the scooter clause before you rent one. Clinics want payment up front.
Avoid the traps →Pick the destination. We'll help you find your way.
Every trip starts somewhere. Explore our free travel guides, or let us create a personalised itinerary built around your interests, your budget and the way you like to travel.
Explore at your own pace
FREE · INDEPENDENT TRAVEL GUIDESDiscover places to stay, local food spots, hidden gems and experiences worth making time for. Our guides give you everything you need to start planning your own adventure.
Explore destinationsA route made just for you
PERSONALISED ITINERARIES · PRICED UPFRONTTell us where you're going, when you're travelling and what you love. We'll create a detailed, day-by-day itinerary with ideas for where to stay, eat and explore, plus everything you need to bring your plans together.
Create my itineraryTell us where you are going
Three ways in. All of them reach one person, and all of them get an answer.