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Answered by Katy Editor Katy is a seasoned budget traveller who can't say "no" to a cheap city break. When she's not planning another trip, she's dreaming of Georgian Khachapuri.

Pre-emptive congratulations, reader! If ever there was an excuse for an exciting trip, a big birthday is definitely one. And I have certainly got a couple of places in mind that could help you out…

Guatemala

Guatemala City itself isn't much to write home about, but it's the main travel hub that’ll connect you to all corners of the country. You’ll likely want to stop over to see the Mayan artefacts at Museo Popol Vuh and the collection of indigenous dress at Museo Ixchel, but then we’d suggest hitting the road.

The easiest and safest way to travel is by tourist shuttle/minibus, which you can arrange to pick you up from your hotel or the airport and to take you where you want to go. GuateGo is a handy resource that lists a bunch of shuttle companies operating on the routes you're after.

The first stop outside Guatemala City, Antigua is only 50 minutes away and popular for a reason. It's bursting with colour, colonial architecture and tasty food, and it also happens to have a lively nightlife in case you want to relive your youth! Oh, and there’s also a whopping great volcano right there.

To get the full experience, join an overnight hike up Acatenango Volcano, camp on the summit and watch its neighbour, Fuego, erupt in all its glory. If you aren't a hardcore trekker, go for Pacaya Volcano instead—it's easier on the feet, or you can opt to go on horseback. And as a reward for all your hard work, you'll get to toast marshmallows in the lava!

En route to your next port of call, Lake Atitlán, make time to visit Iximche Mayan ruins. Smaller and much less crowded than some of Guatemala’s more famous sites, you’ll find it easy to explore the temples here in peace. Interestingly, it’s also one of the few sites that that is still used for Mayan ceremonies today.

Formed of a massive volcanic crater, Lake Atitlán actually sits on top of a sunken city and is around a 2.5-hour shuttle trip (and a bumpy tuk-tuk ride down a mountain) from Antigua. Surrounded by 3 brooding volcanoes, its shores are dotted with 11 eclectic villages that you can reach by taxi boat, each with their own character.

San Juan is a quiet village known for it's weaving co-operatives that specialize in naturally dyed textiles that align with the Mayan moon calendar. It's also the unofficial gateway to the sunrise Indian Nose Hike. Meanwhile, San Marcos is much busier and especially popular with yogis and holistic retreat types. It’s one of the area’s most beautiful towns and is a great spot for swimming.

This just scratches the surface of what Guatemala has to offer. From more volcano hiking and hot springs in Xela, to turquoise pools deep in the jungle at Semuc Champey, or surfing the Pacific coast, it’s hard to imagine running out of ideas.

Uzbekistan

At the beating heart of the old Silk Road, Uzbekistan has welcomed traders from across the globe for centuries. Visit today, and you'll witness a fusion of religions, crafts, cultures and food.

One distinct feature that makes this country so unique is the mind-boggling architecture dotted throughout the cities. The iconic Tilla-Kari Madrassah and stands alongside impressive citadels and huge Soviet modernist structures.

To give your senses a treat, you can't beat a trip to Tashkent's Chorsu Bazaar. The distinctive domed market hides a maze of towering spices and local produce, not to mention an abundance of carpet merchants spilling out onto the nearby streets.

If you've made it this far, a casual jaunt to a ship graveyard should be right up your alley. Conveniently connected with public transport, this once thriving fishing hub is now an eery ghost town. The rusty skeletal remains of stranded ships make an ideal playground for urban explorers. Plus, you can even stay the night…if you dare!

Now, it’s all very well focusing on the fill of culture that Uzbekistan is known for, but you might be wondering where the action comes in. How about sand dunes and yurt camping under a starry desert sky? Or you’ll find the complete opposite in the snowy peaks of the Chimgan Mountains near Tashkent, where snow sports, hiking and even paragliding are all on the table.

Below the heady heights of Chimgan, the Charvak Reservoir is ideal for cooling off at the beach in summer, or you can hop on a jet ski if you’re feeling adventurous. Make your way up to the northern end of the lake if you want to take in the views on a hike to the waterfalls of the Nanay Sharshara Nature Reserve.

Further west of Tashkent, around 5 hours’ drive instead of 2, you can ramble around Zaamin National Park. It’s the oldest nature preserve in the country, but the remoteness makes it even less frequented than the Chimgan area.

As well as more hiking trails with spectacular mountain views and a reservoir fit for a swim, keep your eyes peeled for snow leopards, lynx and black bears. The ancient juniper forests and 700-year-old walnut tree will probably be easier to spot, though, as is the rather conspicuous Zaamin Sanitorium in the middle of the park.

Now, if you’re not quite convinced by either of these options, then there are loads more where that came from. I’d suggest looking into Slovenia, combining a Ljubljana city break with hiking in the Julian Alps and raftin down the Soča river. Or perhaps a glorious beach break in Sri Lanka with a side of rainforest trekking and bird watching.

I hope I’ve given you some food for thought, reader! Do let us know where you decide to go, and don’t forget to send a few pics. Oh, and "Happy Birthday!" from everyone at JFC when it comes!

By Olivia Flight Finder and San Diego native. When she’s not at her local coffee shop writing about slow travel, you’ll find her hiking or road tripping along the West Coast.

This week we’re visiting the first US state to see each sunrise 🌅

Up in the far right-hand corner of the map, you’ll find the coastal New England state of Maine. It’s known for rocky shores and lighthouses, lobsters, and one demonic clown…

Okay, the clown is fictional, but it’s still a neat claim to fame. Horror legend Stephen King resides in Maine and several of his most popular books take place in the region, including Carrie, Pet Sematary, Salem’s Lot, and of course, IT. You might wonder what could possibly inspire such horror, but it’s easy, really—those downright frightening winters!

The cold does have a benefit, though — those chilly North Atlantic waters are home to some delicious crustaceans. Maine lobsters are bigger and sweeter (and maybe even healthier) than other varieties.

To say Maine loves lobster is an understatement. The whole region is drenched in lobster markets, lobster tours, lobster restaurants, and even lobster festivals. It’s like a lobster theme park, complete with lobster-flavoured ice cream (if you’re brave enough).

And now that we’ve said “lobster” so many times it doesn’t feel like a word any more, let’s head away from the fish markets and into the wilderness!

Located on Mount Desert Island, Acadia is one of the country’s most visited national parks, boasting a surprising 158 miles of hiking trails. Here you’ll catch the >classic New England coastal views, with gray rocks, pine trees, and of course, lighthouses. Visitors can admire the calm beauty of Jordan Pond, or get an adrenaline rush shimmying over a precipice.

Wherever Acadia takes you, most journeys to the park start and end in the little town of Bar Harbor — the last stop on our tour! The old Victorian-style buildings, local shops, and marinas are ideal for idle strolls. And eating more lobster.

Hey, when in Rome!

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from across the web this week.

• They may be a couple of years late to the game, but one airline has now joined the world of NFTs, allowing passengers to resell their tickets for a profit.
• The power of Taylor Swift knows no bounds. Now she’s even got airlines dropping their fees for Swifties in need!
• National Geographic’s pictures of the year for 2023 are here, sharing stunning and culturally relevant shots from all over the world. Winners include images of Svalbard’s only pastor, and cavers preparing to dive into Lago Verde in Lanzarote.
• And finally, you’ve heard of snakes on a plane. Well, how about a horse on a plane? Neither sound particularly fun, if you ask us. But thankfully, there weren’t any seat neighbours to worry about getting a hoof in the face here.
  The cargo plane flying from New York to Belgium had only been in the air for 30 minutes by the time the horse got loose. After a quick U-turn and dumping a massive 20 tons of fuel over the Atlantic, the aircraft returned to JFK, where it was met by a vet. What a 'mare that could have been!