
Laura Pattara
Loquacious from birth and nomadic by nature, Laura holds a BA in Interpreting and Translation, focusing on linguistics and cultures from Sydney, Australia. For the past 20 years, she has tour-guided overland trips through South America and southern Africa and independently explored northern Africa, the Middle East, and Central and Far East Asia. Laura's adventures include a six-year motorbike journey from Europe to Australia and exploring the Arabian Peninsula in an old postie van. When she's not uncovering our planet's hidden gems, Laura moonlights as a freelance travel writer.
Articles by Laura Pattara

As a living museum of Persian culture, history, art, and architecture, Shiraz is an unmissable stop on a tour through Iran.

Long, narrow, and bordered by the Pacific to the west and the Andean mountains to the east — Chile is one seriously quirky country, geographically speaking.
Long, narrow, and bordered by the Pacific to the west and the Andean mountains to the east — Chile is one seriously quirky country, geographically speaking.

South America is an archaeologist’s dream destination, filled with ancient wonders that reveal the lives and accomplishments of mighty civilizations.
South America is an archaeologist’s dream destination, filled with ancient wonders that reveal the lives and accomplishments of mighty civilizations.

Mexico is an outdoor lover’s dream destination, renowned for its world-class beaches and array of ancient Mesoamerican sites.
Mexico is an outdoor lover’s dream destination, renowned for its world-class beaches and array of ancient Mesoamerican sites.

Scotland’s windswept coast hides some of Europe’s oldest secrets: stone villages, burial chambers, and eerie circles that still hold stories from 5,000 years ago.
Scotland’s windswept coast hides some of Europe’s oldest secrets: stone villages, burial chambers, and eerie circles that still hold stories from 5,000 years ago.

Skip the Inca crowds and head north instead, where ancient temples, royal tombs, and hidden ruins reveal the fascinating heritage of Peru’s lesser-known Moche civilization.

Explore the Sacred Valley’s deep pre-Inca roots, from Wari cities to ancient trade routes that shaped Peru long before the rise of the Inca.
Explore the Sacred Valley’s deep pre-Inca roots, from Wari cities to ancient trade routes that shaped Peru long before the rise of the Inca.

Visiting medieval monasteries in Europe is a great way to explore the continent’s past through architecture, striking settings, and intriguing stories that shaped entire regions.

Greek temples once held gods, power, and pride, and their weathered stones still speak volumes about the people who built, used, and preserved them.
Greek temples once held gods, power, and pride, and their weathered stones still speak volumes about the people who built, used, and preserved them.

Aztec ruins across Mexico still hold stories of power, ceremony, and survival. Take a journey through what remains and what still resonates today.

South America is home to some of the most distinctive and extraordinary national parks on earth — discover eight of the best.
South America is home to some of the most distinctive and extraordinary national parks on earth — discover eight of the best.

Argentina and its immense world of natural, cultural, and historical wonders offers an eclectic array of fantastic travel experiences.
Argentina and its immense world of natural, cultural, and historical wonders offers an eclectic array of fantastic travel experiences.