One of Lisbon’s best day trip locations, Sintra is a magical place with its fairytale castles perched atop sharp peaks overlooking the forests and valleys below. Exploring this charming region’s palaces, gardens, and museums is one of the top things to do in Portugal. In this article, I’ll show you how to plan a great day trip to Sintra from Lisbon and prepare you for what to expect.
Java, a volcano-dotted island just west of Bali, is the cultural and economic hub of Indonesia. This beautiful island is a mix of boisterous cities, stunning landscapes of rice fields and volcanoes, as well as ancient temples that have survived for centuries. In this Java itinerary and guide, I’ll show you why Java is not to be missed when you want to fully experience Indonesia.
Mount Telomoyo is a local gem in Central Java that is still mostly undiscovered by foreign tourists. Driving through the lush jungle to see incredible views of the surrounding volcanoes at picturesque overlooks, it’s easy to see why locals love it. In this article, I’ll share the best way to visit Mount Telomoyo as a foreign tourist as well as tips for your trip to Central Java.
One of Indonesia’s most important archaeological sites, Borobudur Temple is an important cultural icon of Southeast Asia and should not be missed on a trip to Java. Borobudur’s beautiful landscapes and peaceful countryside vibes also make it an ideal spot to spend a couple of nights. In this guide, I’ll share you tips for visiting Borobudur Temple as well as how to enjoy a relaxing getaway in Borobudur.
Often regarded as the cultural heart of Java, Yogyakarta is a city that relishes its traditions and heritage while embracing modern touches. This juxtaposition makes Yogya a fascinating place to visit. Given its location near Central Java, it’s also a perfect base for exploring the region. In this article, I’ll share our quick 2-day itinerary to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting Yogyakarta.
Java, the fifth largest island in Indonesia, is a beautiful island with incredible scenery, including massive volcanoes, green rice fields, palm trees, and quaint villages. If you’re not keen to rent a car, then traveling around Java by train is the best way to appreciate these incredible landscapes. In this article, I’ll share what you need to know to book a train as well as what it’s like to ride the train across Java.
Jakarta, Indonesia’s chaotic capital city, is not usually what you dream of when planning a trip to Indonesia. Well-known for its traffic jams and pollution, Jakarta won’t lure you in with beaches and tranquil vibes. However, as a powerhouse in Southeast Asia with a rich history and delicious food scene, it’s worth spending a couple
A dynamic and vibrant place unlike any other in the world, Hong Kong, and its many contrasts, are fascinating to explore. Despite its small size, you can experience both the chaotic energy of a densely-populated city, but can also get away from all of that in its country parks to enjoy incredible natural beauty. Living in Hong Kong for 6.5 years, I’ve played tour guide to lots of friends and family. Now, I’m sharing this 5-day Hong Kong itinerary and complete guide to help you fall in love with this amazing city.
A majestic city rising up from the Mondego River, Coimbra is a not only picturesque, but has a rich history and cultural importance in Portugal. You may have stumbled across this article by wondering, is Coimbra worth visiting? My answer is, absolutely! During our trip, I fell in love with this charming city. In this article, I’ll share a few reasons why I think you visit Coimbra. Plus, I’ve included our full 1-day itinerary in Coimbra for inspiration.
The Douro Valley, with its beautiful vineyard-terraced hills cradling the winding Douro River, is a magnificent gem in Portugal. Most visitors are drawn to this area for the delicious wine and port produced in the region. However, driving through this incredible landscape, you’ll be in awe of the views and fall in love with its charming villages as well. In this article, I’ll share tips for planning a trip to the Douro Valley, as well as a sample itinerary to give you ideas for your next holiday.
For port wine enthusiasts, spending a couple of days in beautiful Porto is a must on a trip to Portugal. This charming, medieval city looks like it’s straight out of a fairy tale and boasts stunning architecture, delicious cuisine, and of course, lots of port wine. Even if you don’t drink port, I believe this lovely city will captivate you. In this article, I’ll share some of the wonderful things you can do for 2 fun-filled days in Porto.
Planning a holiday to Koh Samui, one of Thailand’s lush tropical islands, is an exciting task and choosing the perfect place to stay is a large part of it. Whether you’re looking for a 5-star luxury resort, affordable beach hotel, or a secluded jungle hideaway, Koh Samui has plenty of beautiful accommodations from which to choose. With so many options, it can be an overwhelming search. To help you get started, I’ve curated a list of highly-rated Samui accommodations, with a few options for every budget.
When visiting Portugal, Lisbon should be at the top of your list of places to see. With a rich history, plus stunning architecture and tilework, charming alleyways, and gorgeous viewpoints around the city, it’s an aesthetically lovely place. Its delicious gastronomy and welcoming atmosphere further enhance the city’s appeal and made it a fantastic place to spend a few days. In this article, I’ll walk you through our Lisbon itinerary and give plenty of food and drink recommendations to inspire you.
When you think of Koh Samui, you most likely picture tropical beaches or sipping a Mai Tai by the pool at a fancy resort. And while Samui is a great place to indulge in those things, if you head inland to the lush jungle, you can also discover many beautiful waterfalls. In this article, I’ll show you how to get to the 4 incredible waterfalls we visited on our last trip to Koh Samui.
Known as the “Las Vegas of the East” with its glitzy casinos, Macau is a famous gambling destination. If casinos are your thing, then you’ll enjoy exploring that side of Macau. As for me, I prefer exploring its historic streets. Wandering through the small cobblestoned streets, admiring the architecture, and sampling delicious food is my favorite way to see Macau on a day trip from Hong Kong. In this article, I’ll share my one-day itinerary for discovering historic Macau.
When I sat down to plan a fairly last-minute trip to Portugal this summer, I didn’t realize it had become such a popular destination. With its incredible architecture and tiled buildings, gorgeous beaches, and stunning wine country, it’s easy to see why people are drawn to the country. In this article, I’ll share some tips that I picked up while planning a trip to Portugal as well as what we learned once we got there. Hopefully, they will help you as you plan your next trip.
With miles of beautiful porticoes and delicious cuisine, Bologna is a fantastic city to add to your Italy itinerary. Here, you can visit the oldest university in the world, climb its leaning tower for stunning views, and taste the rich dishes for which Bologna is famous. Though, perhaps avoid going during a summer heat wave. In this article, I’ll take you through our three days visiting Bologna to inspire your next trip.
With picturesque landscapes of vineyards and Italian cypress trees peppered over its rolling hills, Tuscany is one of the most beautiful regions in Italy. Driving through the Tuscan countryside, you’ll encounter many medieval towns gracing the hilltops. In this post, I’ll recommend four beautiful hill towns that I don’t think you should miss on your visit to Tuscany. During your visit, admire the architecture, taste the local wine, and soak in the historic feel of these charming towns and you won’t regret it!
For years, the beautiful island of Bali, Indonesia has been on my bucket list. The bright green rice field terraces, ancient temples, and plethora of beaches beckoned me to visit. Due to its popularity, Bali is also home to some incredibly luxurious resorts and spas. So, when I found out I was pregnant, Bali seemed like the perfect destination for a grand babymoon adventure.
Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon, is a bustling and vibrant Southeast Asian city with beautiful architecture and delicious food. A fascinating mix of modern development and historic charm provides a fun adventure as you explore this dynamic place. In this article, I’ll share some of the great things you can do on your next trip to Ho Chi Minh City.
With its variety of museums and historic sights, charming streets, and delicious restaurants, Florence is a city in which you could easily spend days. So, on your first trip to Florence, be prepared that you will not see everything. Simply soak in as much of this magnificent city as you can and know that you can always come back! In this post, I’ll share our itinerary, some delicious places to eat, as well as some of the lessons we learned from misadventures on our first trip to Florence.
The iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa is a sight that you can’t help wanting to see when you’re visiting Italy. If you’re crunched for time, it’s easy to add a train stopover in Pisa to your itinerary. This will allow you to not only see the Leaning Tower, but also to admire Pisa’s beautiful architecture. In this article, I’ll show you how to maximize your visit to Pisa during a 6-hour train stopover, including a walking tour and useful tips.
Situated along the stunning Ligurian coastline, Cinque Terre National Park is an ideal place to lace up your sneakers for a scenic hike. And a hike on the Sentiero Azzurro is the best place to start. This coastline trail connects the historic villages that climb the steep hills rising up from the sea. With stunning views of the sea, vineyards, and the towns, this hike is an activity you won’t want to miss in Cinque Terre.
Cinque Terre’s brightly-colored villages built into the dramatic cliffside on the sea make it a visually stunning destination you won’t want to miss. Explore the narrow alleyways of these historic towns, swim in the crystal clear sea, or hike along the cliffs to enjoy sweeping views. In this post, I’ll share all you need to know to spend a couple days in beautiful Cinque Terre on your next trip to Italy.
The economic and fashion capital of Italy, Milan is a dynamic city with a unique vibe. This summer, we kicked off our 3-week Italy adventure with a weekend in Milan. In this article, I’ll show you how we spent our fun, yet jet-lagged weekend in Milan, including tips for booking attractions and recommendations for delicious food.
Sitting down to plan our adventure in Italy, I realized that I’d forgotten how overwhelming planning a trip can be! Over the past couple of years, we’ve only traveled in order to visit family back in the US. So, I was out of practice when it came to planning a big international trip. If you’re in the same boat that I was, I hope this article will help guide you as you plan your own exciting holiday in Italy.