John Morrison

John Morrison

John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip. His guides cover the logistics that matter: how to get there without a tour, where to stay without overpaying, and what to skip entirely. John specialises in offbeat beach destinations, budget-friendly ski country, and shoulder-season travel in places most guidebooks overlook. His work has helped hundreds of thousands of independent travellers plan smarter, cheaper, and more rewarding trips.

Cancun vs Tulum: Which is Right for Your Trip? (2026 Comparison)

Blog, Destinations, Latin America, North America / John Morrison

Cancun vs Tulum at a glance Cancun Tulum Best for Resorts, nightlife, easy beaches Boho-chic, ruins, cenotes Vibe Package-resort, party Trendy, low-key luxe Daily budget (mid-range) $100–220 $120–250 Best time Nov–Apr Nov–Apr (sargassum May–Oct) Don’t miss Isla Mujeres, hotel-zone beaches The ruins, cenotes, beach clubs The catch Touristy; spring-break crowds Pricey; rustic power; sargassum Cancun […]

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Paris vs Rome: Which to Visit First? (2026 Comparison)

Blog, Destinations, Europe / John Morrison

Paris vs Rome at a glance Paris Rome Best for Elegance, art, romance Ancient history, food, buzz Vibe Refined, classic Grand, lived-in Daily budget (mid-range) €130–200 €100–160 Best time Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct Don’t miss The Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Montmartre Colosseum, Vatican, Trastevere The catch Pricey; touristy Chaotic; scams Paris vs Rome: Which Should You

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Bali vs Thailand: Which is Better for Your Trip? (2026 Comparison)

Asia, Blog, Destinations / John Morrison

Bali vs Thailand at a glance Bali Thailand Best for One-island wellness, surf, culture Variety: beaches + cities + culture, value Vibe Spiritual, resort Diverse, lively Daily budget (budget) $40–90 $30–70 Best time Apr–Oct Nov–Mar Don’t miss Ubud, temples, surf breaks Bangkok, the islands, Chiang Mai The catch Southern traffic & overtourism Touristy hotspots Bali

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How to Plan a Trip to India (2026 Step-by-Step Guide)

Asia, Blog, Travel Planning / John Morrison

India is overwhelming + amazing + cheap. Here’s how to plan a 14-day India trip that’s manageable as a first-timer. 10-Step Plan for Your India Trip Step 1: Decide when to go October-March is dry + cool. Avoid May-September (monsoon + 100F+). October-November is best overall. Step 2: Book flights $700-1,300 round trip USA. Direct

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How to Plan a Trip to South Africa (2026 Step-by-Step Guide)

Africa, Blog, Travel Planning / John Morrison

South Africa offers world-class safari + Cape Town beauty + amazing value. Here’s how to plan a 12-day trip combining everything. 10-Step Plan for Your South Africa Trip Step 1: Decide when to go April-October dry season (best safari). Cape Town summer = Dec-Feb. April-May, Sept-Oct overall best. Step 2: Book flights $1,000-2,000 round trip

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How to Plan a Trip to Morocco (2026 Step-by-Step Guide)

Africa, Blog, Travel Planning / John Morrison

Morocco is a perfect combo of culture + landscapes + adventure. Here’s how to plan a 10-day Morocco trip that combines cities + desert + mountains. 10-Step Plan for Your Morocco Trip Step 1: Decide when to go March-May, September-November best – mild weather. Avoid June-August (100F+ in Marrakech + Sahara) and December-February (cold). Step

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How to Plan a Trip to Vietnam (2026 Step-by-Step Guide)

Asia, Blog, Travel Planning / John Morrison

Vietnam is a 1,000-mile country with 3 distinct regions. Here’s how to plan a 14-day Vietnam trip that covers north + central + south. 10-Step Plan for Your Vietnam Trip Step 1: Decide when to go Avoid central typhoons (Oct-Nov). North dry October-April. South dry December-April. March-April best overall. Step 2: Book flights $700-1,300 round

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How to Plan a Trip to Egypt (2026 Step-by-Step Guide)

Africa, Blog, Middle East, Travel Planning / John Morrison

Egypt is a bucket-list destination + intimidating to plan. Here’s how to plan a 10-day Egypt trip without the rookie mistakes. 10-Step Plan for Your Egypt Trip Step 1: Decide when to go (3-4 months ahead) October-April is dry + cool (60-80F Cairo, 70-90F Luxor). Avoid May-September – Luxor hits 115F+. Step 2: Book flights

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