About me

I'm Vaughan Van den berg, a traveller at heart dedicated to helping people see the world clearly — beyond the hype, fear, or misconceptions.

Where I've been: Raised in Cape Town, South Africa, aged 25 my wanderlust took me to the UK. I spent 20 years in the UK (mostly London) and now live in Vienna, Austria. I stay in daily contact with friends and associates in Cape Town and London, and I visit these cities whenever I can.

What I've seen: I don't do weekend trips, I do in-depth exploration of places, often months at a time. In my 50+ years I've travelled to and around more than 40 countries, including the US (four times), Canada, Australia (twice), Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and almost all of Europe. I know what people from all around the world are used to. I know how and where expectations and reality often don't match when people travel. I notice the small details that make trips truly enjoyable. I'm not afraid to spell out the uncomfortable truths — those little surprises that can catch tourists off guard — so you know what to really expect.

Why this site exists: With a background in software development for mission-critical systems for famous companies, I bring an eye for extreme detail to travel insights. I was travelling before the internet was popular, but I am seeing that nowadays so much travel information online is either wrong or out-of-date. I'm creating and maintaining this site as a resource I wish existed when I started travelling. My goal is simple: provide honest, balanced guidance so you can explore safely, confidently, informed, prepared and with realistic expectations.

Your next step: Browse the cities that are my hometowns. Read my guides, take in what I share, make your plans and enjoy your trip. If you have questions, reach out — I'm happy to help. If you have a tip that you think I should know about, please let me know. You can reach me at: admin(at)preparedtraveller.com