We’re here to make your travel dreams not only possible but unforgettable.
About Us: Travel Done Clever
Hello and welcome to Travel Done Clever, a travel website created by Martina Kokesova and Andrej Kokes, partners in life and adventure. Our mission is simple: to help you travel smarter, deeper, and with purpose. We are culture enthusiasts and adventure seekers who believe travel is about more than ticking destinations off a list – it’s about understanding the places you visit, connecting with local culture, and discovering the stories that make each destination unique.
Travel has been a way of life for us since 2008. Together, we’ve personally explored over 35 countries across Europe, the Caribbean, Central America, Africa, and the Middle East. What started as curiosity and a shared love for discovery has grown into a long-term journey with a clear goal: to visit every country in the world and explore all 1,248 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It’s an ambitious dream, but one driven by passion for history, culture, and responsible exploration.
We know the road ahead is long, but every journey starts with a single step. Let’s take that step together.
What Makes Us Different?
Everything you see on Travel Done Clever is shaped by real journeys, not second-hand research. We balance full-time jobs with global adventures, proving that meaningful travel is possible without putting your life on hold. Every destination we write about has been personally explored – walked, photographed, researched, and experienced beyond the surface.
We don’t believe in travel that’s just about ticking boxes. For us, travel is about understanding a place – its history, culture, and stories that define it. Whether we’re wandering through the narrow alleys of Venice, discovering quiet Caribbean beaches, or standing in awe before UNESCO World Heritage Sites, we approach every journey with curiosity and purpose.
Our work combines firsthand travel experiences with careful historical research, allowing us to provide context, accuracy, and depth in every guide. We specialise in UNESCO World Heritage Sites, historic landmarks, and hidden cultural gems, sharing destinations that are worth more than a quick photo. As explorers and keen photographers, we focus on meaningful travel that goes beyond the obvious and stays with you long after the journey ends.
Our goal is to help you connect with destinations on a deeper level – to understand their past, appreciate their present, and experience them beyond the surface.
Meet Travel Done Clever
Hi, I’m Martina, the founder of Travel Done Clever and the person behind every article you read on this site. I’ve loved travelling for as long as I can remember. Even as a child, I was fascinated by maps, distant places, and the stories hidden behind them. That early curiosity grew into a lifelong passion, and eventually, into a travel website dedicated to exploring the world with depth and purpose.
Today, I’m a travel writer and editor with over seven years of experience and more than 150 published travel articles. My role at Travel Done Clever goes far beyond simply visiting destinations. When I’m not on the road, you’ll usually find me:
- Researching destinations and planning future trips (or five) in detail.
- Writing in-depth travel guides, itineraries, and cultural insights.
- Editing hundreds (okay, thousands) of photographs to accurately reflect each destination.
My travel content combines firsthand exploration with careful historical and cultural research. I focus on destinations that tell a story and deserve more than a quick visit. For me, travel isn’t just about seeing new places – it’s about learning, growing, and helping others understand the world a little better through thoughtful, experience-based travel.
And then there’s Andrej – the other half of Travel Done Clever. He’s my partner in life, travel, and (often) patience. While he may joke that he didn’t fully sign up for this adventure at first, he has become an essential part of everything we do.
Andrej is the person behind much of our on-the-ground documentation. He handles drone footage, logistics, and all the behind-the-scenes work that turns our trip into detailed, reliable travel content. His role often involves waiting for ‘just one more photo’, navigating unfamiliar terrain, and ensuring we capture destinations as they truly are – not just how they appear on social media.
Although he claims to be ‘the human selfie stick’, Andrej genuinely loves exploring new places. From hiking through ancient ruins to standing in awe of natural wonders, every journey pushes him beyond his comfort zone. Even though flying still terrifies him (every single time), Andrej never backs down from any adventure. His perspective adds balance, honesty, and humour to Travel Done Clever. Together, we bring passion and authenticity to every journey we share.
What You’ll Find at Travel Done Clever
We created this blog to share the incredible places we’ve personally explored and to inspire you to travel smarter, deeper, and with intention. Our content goes beyond surface-level recommendations. We focus not only on what to see, but why a place matters, how its history and culture shaped it, and what makes it truly worth experiencing.
We cover both iconic bucket-list favourites and lesser-known wonders, ensuring there’s something here for every type of traveller – whether you’re planning your first trip or returning to a destination with fresh eyes.
On our blog, you’ll find:
- Detailed Itineraries: Created from our personal travel experiences and designed to help you plan confidently and efficiently.
- City Guides: Packed with practical tips, cultural context, and carefully selected hidden gems.
- Cultural and Historical Guides: Exploring the history, facts, and significance behind destinations, monuments, and UNESCO sites.
- Hidden Gems: Featuring meaningful places that often go unnoticed but leave memorable experiences and a lasting impression.
Over the past 15+ years, we’ve learned how to maximise travel while balancing full-time jobs and limited annual leave. With just 30 days of holiday per year, we’ve explored multiple regions of the world, gaining practical insight into efficient planning, realistic itineraries, and meaningful travel experiences. We’ve experienced both the highs and challenges of travel, and we share those lessons openly to help you travel smarter.
Our Promise to You
We’re committed to providing honest, reliable, and experience-based travel advice you can trust. Everything we write is grounded in places we have personally visited, researched, and documented. We’ve walked the streets, explored historic sites, and taken the time to understand the cultural and historical context behind every destination we share.
We don’t publish guest posts, accept link swaps, or write about places we haven’t experienced ourselves. No shortcuts – just authentic stories, careful research, and practical guidance to help you travel beyond the surface. Whether you’re an armchair traveller or a seasoned explorer, our goal is to inspire meaningful travel that stays with you long after the journey ends.
Some journeys stay with you forever, not because they’re famous, but because of how they make you feel and what they teach you.
Adventures We’ll Never Forget
Over the years, travel has taken us to places that left a lasting mark on us – destinations that deepened our appreciation for history, nature, and the incredible diversity of our world. These are not just highlights on a map, but experiences that shaped how we travel and why we value meaningful exploration.
Among the experiences that left the strongest impression on us are:
- Visiting the ancient city of Chichen Itza in Mexico, exploring its history, cultural significance, and symbolism.
- Climbing the towering sand dunes of the Sahara Desert, surrounded by silence and endless horizons.
- Swimming under the stars in Jamaica’s glowing Luminous Lagoon, one of nature’s rare phenomena.
- Relaxing beneath a warm waterfall in Saint Lucia, surrounded by tropical landscapes.
- Exploring the inside of one of the Pyramids of Giza, gaining a deeper appreciation for ancient engineering and human ingenuity.
- Walking through the Nabataean city of Petra and stargazing in Wadi Rum, where we stayed in a desert camp and experienced the stillness of Jordan’s dramatic landscapes.
Each of these experiences reinforced our belief that travel is most rewarding when approached with curiosity, respect, and intention. These journeys inspire us not only to keep exploring but to engage with destinations responsibly.
Join Us on This Adventure
Our aim is to inspire you to travel with intention – whether that means supporting local guides, learning the stories behind historic landmarks, or respecting cultural heritage. We believe travel should give something back (beyond photos and a checklist) and leave a positive impact long after you return home.
If you would like to know the world a little better, don’t forget to subscribe to our blog for new guides, stories and insights from the road. Explore the world with us – thoughtfully, responsibly, and with curiosity.
Love,
Martina & Andrej
Travel Done Clever
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