Travel Newsletter: 12 January 2024

Johor Bahru Metro, surprising Sydney, armchair explorers of Google Maps, and more travel reads.

Jan 12, 2024

Welcome to the Nomadic Notes Travel Newsletter, where I curate the best travel reads of the week.

It’s been a transit-oriented week for me as I have been riding around on the new metro lines of Bangkok. I also posted a report for a future Johor Bahru transit system which took more time than I thought. I have linked to that below, as well as the usual round-up of travel reads.

Travel reads

• Johor Bahru Metro Concept Map

Johor Bahru (opposite Singapore in Malaysia) is planning a transit system, so I made a map of what a future JB Metro could/should look like.

• Seven surprising things about Sydney

• MapLab: the armchair explorers of Google Maps

• Central Asia's glittering new Silk Road jewel

“Samarkand was a major Silk Road trading hub for more than 2,500 years. Now, the Uzbek city has a major new tourism complex, which it hopes will reflect its former glories.”

• Off the beaten track: Swap overtourism-blighted destinations for these under-the-radar spots in 2024

• When in Borneo, don't be afraid to head underground

• The world’s most powerful passports for 2024

• Resident Travel Writer Vs Visiting Travel Writer

• Alps-style hut-to-hut travel is on its way to Alaska

• Medellín was one of the world’s most dangerous cities. Now, it's trying to grapple with an influx of tourists.