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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
With its fishing villages, lush green parks full of hiking trails, and pristine beaches, Sai Kung is a world away from Central Hong Kong. As a result, it’s a perfect spot for Hong Kong residents and visitors alike to get outside the urban core and discover some of Hong Kong’s hidden gems. In this 3-day itinerary, I’ll show you what to do and where to eat in Sai Kung to have a fun-filled trip!
Despite living in Hong Kong for almost three years, until recently, I still hadn’t been to the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery in Sha Tin. A few weeks ago, Jeremy and I decided to fix that and take a day trip up to Sha Tin to explore. In this post, I’ll share our day trip itinerary, as well as what to expect when visiting the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery.
Vibrant and colorful, George Town, Penang is a city with a multicultural heritage and laid-back vibe that is sure to charm you. Exploring George Town, I was hooked by the colorful street art and historic buildings. Plus, its plentiful street food and hawker centers means you can always find something delicious to eat!
Nong Khiaw is a perfect destination to get you off-the-beaten tourist path in Laos. Nestled among beautiful mountains and right along the Nam Ou River, it’s a great jumping off spot for trekking, boat trips, and other outdoor activities. But it’s also an ideal spot to sit back, relax, and enjoy gorgeous views!