Treat yourself
I make my way to Chowrasta in search of Penang’s famed street food and I’m confronted by this scene – a thick and long row of stalls with a colorful and curious assortment of fruits, fabrics and figurines; the cacophony of hawkers and musical trishaws; and droves of people and motorbikes and cats whizzing past.
Continue reading “3 days in Penang, Malaysia – home of great food, art, and culture”
Tokyo is an expensive city –it’s reliably always in the top 10 most expensive cities of any survey, both for locals and travelers. And while a lot of travelers shy away from visiting Tokyo because of this intimidating fact, there are affordable alternatives in the city that you can check out.
Here are 10 hotels in Tokyo that don’t cost an arm and a leg. It’s not all hostels and capsule hotels here! You can still stay in Tokyo in style even with a small budget.
Continue reading “Where to stay in Tokyo: budget hotels that won’t break the bank!”
Siargao, a small island in Northern Mindanao, used to be almost exclusively a surfer’s paradise. I remember hearing about it for the first time over a decade ago from an old college classmate who happened to be a surfing enthusiast, and thought she was just saying “Surigao” with a twang.
In the last few years though, a surfer somewhere let out the secret that ultimately changed the island’s fate: there’s more to Siargao than surfing! And so the island’s tourism picked up. Despite what the island purists may claim – that its popularity has led to its ruin – I think Siargao is taking its sudden fame in stride. I’d even go so far as to propose that if you’re visiting the Philippines for the first time, Siargao is the perfect “gateway” island.
Continue reading “Where to stay in Siargao – catching epic waves, amazing food, and island views”
Planning a trip to Seoul? Chances are, you have about 5 tabs open on your browser right now and probably pulling your hair out with all of the choices and information out there. Believe me – I’ve been there. There is no shortage of guides and blogs on Seoul and you have the city itself to blame.
If you think online information on Seoul is overwhelming, you should go to, well… Seoul! From the moment you land on Incheon and venture into the heart of the city, you’ll be bombarded by all sorts of curiosities and novelties and choices, choices, choices!
If you’re on a diet, forget about it. You’ll be eating your way around the city in no time. Not really planning to shop? Friendly (albeit unfashionable) tip: wear blinders. Thinking of taking it slow and having a relaxing trip? Wear your most comfortable shoes anyway, as you’ll be drawn from one street to the next and before you know it, you’re in the middle of an art village on top of a hill and you just want to keep on going.
Seoul’s vibrancy and life is just so infectious and there’s just so much you can do that the trip-planning stage can be so overwhelming. So here’s my part in helping you plan your little holiday and making it less of an information overload: I made a fun and quick quiz (5 minutes tops!) that will help you decide where to stay in Seoul!
If you’ve only ever been to Tokyo before, you’ll find a different side of Japan in Osaka. Compared to Tokyo, Osaka’s rhythm seems to be at half-time and its mood way chipper. The streets are filled with friendly faces and booming voices… and the mouthwatering smell of hearty, savory food. Welcome to Osaka!
Continue reading “Where to stay in Osaka – best places to stay in Kansai, Japan”
Life in South Korea has certainly gotten faster and flashier in the last few years, but come March, everyone stops to smell the flowers. Winter melts and spring takes over, splashing the cities and the countryside with brilliant colors and fragrant scents.
The most awaited of these blooms, of course, is the cherry blossom. While we all wait with bated breath for the forecasts and the festivals, get a head start on your travel plans with these top tips for savoring spring in South Korea.
Continue reading “Spring in South Korea – when and where to see the cherry blossoms”
When you think of a tropical paradise in the Philippines, you think of Palawan. And one of the gems of Palawan is Coron, a great base for exploring the Calamian Islands and reaching the whitest and finest sand beaches, most stunning karst formations, and cleanest lakes in the country. If you’re looking to quickly plan your trip, here are our best recommendations on where to stay in Coron. Continue reading “Where to stay in Coron – 5 chic resorts to check out”
South Korea is mostly known for being modern – even futuristic. And when you’re in the major cities like Seoul and Busan, this is highly evident in the towering buildings, ultra-bright city lights, and high-speed Internet. Even their tourism organizations highlight the country’s dynamism and rapid progress.
Despite this, however, there remain pockets of cultural destinations where visitors can catch a glimpse of Korea’s splendid past. One such destination is Gyeongju – the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Silla, home of some of the best Buddhist art in the Far East.
If you’re into ancient cultures and traditions – or just want a break from the fast cars and bright lights of South Korea’s cities – take a day trip to Gyeongju, South Korea’s ancient capital.
Continue reading “Gyeongju – a day trip to South Korea’s ancient capital”
Just a short train ride from Tokyo, you can visit two cultural sites in one day. Enoshima and Kamakura are beautiful adjacent cities in the Shonan area where you can escape from Tokyo’s constant, in-your-face energy and enjoy nature and history at a much slower, leisurely pace. Continue reading “Day trip from Tokyo – how to visit Enoshima and Kamakura”
Japan is an immensely fascinating country where endless arrays of adventures await all kinds of travelers. Tiffany of TOPSHELFMISCHIEF shares her adventures in Koyasan, Kansai. Continue reading “Discovering Koyasan – an offbeat cultural adventure in Japan”