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Where to stay in Geneva, Switzerland – best hotels and areas for a luxurious city break

If you’re looking for a luxurious city break, you can’t go wrong with Geneva.

Bright mornings treat you to a view of the lake and the alps, sparkling under the sun. A relaxing walk along the quay brings you to shopping streets lined with the world’s most luxurious brands, and lunch is a new opportunity to eat fondue. Afternoons are for exploring the old town’s alleys and discovering vintage shops and quiet cafes, while the evening is for dinner cruises onboard period ships.

Whether you’re on your way to the Alps, to a business meeting, or simply looking to unwind, a day or two in this cosmopolitan city is the perfect holiday. Here’s where to stay in Geneva. [Read more…] about Where to stay in Geneva, Switzerland – best hotels and areas for a luxurious city break

Spring in Japan – when and where to see the cherry blossoms in Japan

Asia, Japan, Travel Guides

Time to celebrate sakura-lovers – Japan’s annual cherry blossom forecast for 2020 is out! [Read more…] about Spring in Japan – when and where to see the cherry blossoms in Japan

Best things to do in Coron, Philippines – itinerary and travel guide

Asia, Philippines, Travel Guides

Waves crashing onto a sugar-white beach, palms swaying, a gentle breeze, and the most stunning blues you’ve ever seen… That’s the stuff our daydreams are made of – and exactly what’s in store for you when you visit Coron, one of the amazing destinations that have made Palawan the world’s best island* year after year.

Where to stay in Tallinn, Estonia – neighborhood guide and best hotels

Estonia, Europe, Travel Guides

Step into any of the world’s most exciting cities and you’re sure to find elements of the old and new.

The timeline begins in the historical center, showcasing the city’s oldest buildings and earliest traditions, perhaps the city’s oldest pub or a piece of cryptic medieval art. You hear the collective buzz of a hundred languages converged in one square, and make your way through people all looking for that perfect shot. As you walk outwards, a narrative unfolds. The buildings change gradually according to the city’s history – an era of opulence there, the dawn of a new artistic movement here. You fall in step with smartly-dressed locals all in a hurry to get somewhere – you’re the only one looking up at the buildings. You eventually reach a district that screams of the present – trendy restaurants, concept cafes, and brightly-lit shops with attractive displays of the latest styles, all punctuated by young people in pastels and bright colors, their faces hiding behind a laptop, a cup of coffee, or a phone.

In Tallinn, Estonia, the passage of time is not so linear. It’s as loopy and twisty as the streets of the city itself, winding through trees and buildings and time itself.

Where to stay in Brno, Czech Republic – best hotels in South Moravia’s exciting capital

Czech Republic, Europe, Travel Guides

Lying in the center of Prague, Vienna, and Budapest, it’s easy to miss Brno.

For most travelers, it’s a train stop between Central Europe’s most popular destinations. But if you’re looking for a break from the ultra-touristy (looking at you, Prague) and expensive (ahem, Vienna) cities, Brno is the perfect layover.

In Brno, you’ll get to enjoy magnificent architecture, a vibrant food and drinks scene, and a couple of quirky attractions – minus the crowds and hefty price tags. Plus, you’ll be a short train ride away from Czech Republic’s best wineries housed in castle towns and charming villages, making this the perfect laidback city break.

Take a break from your hectic Central European bucket list. Add a couple of days in Brno to your itinerary and recharge in its artsy cafes, cool wine cellars, and sprawling green spaces. Here’s where to stay in Brno.

Where to stay in Prague – a complete guide to the city’s best neighborhoods and hotels

Czech Republic, Europe, Travel Guides

“Prague won’t let you go, the little mother has claws,” so said Franz Kafka, the capital’s most famous son.

And while Franz Kafka obviously had a deeper connection with the city, once you’ve been to Prague, it doesn’t quite let you go. One moment you’re walking to work, running through your never-ending to-do list in your mind, when a sight of an old rusty street lamp brings you back to Prague’s narrow and dimly-lit cobbled streets, the smell of roasted duck intermingling with the sweet aroma of cinnamon, strains of classical music and that unmistakable sound of clinking beer mugs spilling out onto the streets.

There’s much to love about Prague. While it is certainly a grand example of an old medieval city, with centuries’ worth of Gothic, Romantic, and Baroque architectures splendidly preserved and standing proudly after world wars, fires, and natural calamities failed to bring them down, there’s also always something new going on in the city. It could be a new row of restaurants, a new edgy café in an up-and-coming neighborhood, or a new quirky art installation.

All these led to the Prague of today: a city that goes from medieval to modern, conventional to quirky, historic to hipster, and sacred to scandalous in a few blocks.

So it goes that your experiences in Prague can depend heavily on which neighborhood you choose to spend your days and nights. Whether you’re up for a crash course in European history and arts, a romantic holiday peppered with food and shopping trips, or you’re here for the beer, there’s a lovely Prague district that won’t let you go. [Read more…] about Where to stay in Prague – a complete guide to the city’s best neighborhoods and hotels