May 25, 2024

Where to Stay in Vienna for First Time Visitors in 2024

Having explored 15-plus European cities since relocating to Munich, Germany, I unequivocally declare Vienna as my favorite, next to Prague. This imperial jewel along the Danube orchestrates a symphony of culture, history, and elegance. Opulent palaces, a classical music legacy, and charming coffeehouse culture contribute to its timeless allure. I […]
May 24, 2024

Your Ultimate Ninh Binh Travel Guide: 17 Best Things to Do in Ninh Binh, Vietnam

With my four years in Vietnam, Ninh Binh singularly took the number one spot as the most visited. I regularly visited this place on my own especially during the pandemic since it is just 1 hour and 30-min away from Hanoi by limousine—the locals’ word for spacious shared van. When […]
May 22, 2024

Where to Stay in Ninh Binh for Your First Visit

Living in Hanoi made me long for the vast quietness of the countryside. Ninh Binh was always my weekend fix during my four-year stint in Vietnam’s capital. Ninh Binh’s huge rafts of farmed white ducks wallowing in its many waterways, with the expanse of rice fields in different shades of […]
May 21, 2024

Where to Stay in Salzburg for First-time Visitors

Wasn’t Mozart white-washed? He was supposed to be black, no? My husband chuckled upon hearing this. We were walking towards the house where Mozart was born in Salzburg. What?! I read something about it, I said. I didn’t verify whatever I read online. But no, Mozart is white as white […]
May 13, 2024

Where to Stay in Paris for First-time Visitors + Places to Avoid

Paris, like to many of us, first came to me as an idea. Its images conjured in my head were the ones fed by the literatis who lived in this city, from Victor Hugo to Simone de Beauvoir. Hmm, okay, I majored in literature. Before there is Emily in Paris, […]
May 13, 2024

Where to Stay in Trieste for First-time Visitors

I’m always partial for European destinations that have coastal lines. So when I learned that there is an Italian coast near Ljubljana, Slovenia, I did not really waste any time and booked a trip to this city. And I did not regret my decision at all. Trieste, may not have […]
May 5, 2024

The Best Resorts in Tulum for Couples on Honeymoon

Nestled along pristine beaches or the contradictory manicured jungle, Tulum evokes images of abundance, romance, and adventure. And with that, I personally curated the best resorts in Tulum for couples , especially those who are on their honeymoon, based on actual guest reviews scoured on the Internet. This curated list […]
May 3, 2024

Affordable Tulum Hotels under $80

Welcome to Tulum, where the sun-kissed shores meet the charm of imperfect plumbing and a thriving iguana community. This coastal haven, just an hour and a half from Cancún, has evolved beyond its quaint past. While traffic and waiting lists now dot the scene, fear not – Tulum’s allure persists. […]
April 29, 2024

MALAYSIA BUDGET TRAVEL GUIDE | Budget, Itinerary, and Accommodation

MALAYSIA BUDGET TRAVEL GUIDE | Hello there! A version of this guide is posted on Rappler. You see, Malaysia is often my jumpoff point for my past trips (Indonesia, India, Australia) since it has the biggest airport hub from Cebu, Philippines. I’be been there five times already. During my recent […]
April 9, 2024

Where to Stay in Ljubljana: The Best Places for First-Time Visitors + Areas to Avoid

I actually did not know what to expect with Ljubljana. I had no actual affinity with Slovenia except for a brief encounter with a backpacking couple in the camping grounds in Ellenborough Falls in NSW, Australia way back in 2017. I remember asking the stupid question, is it part of […]
April 7, 2024

How to Squeeze One Day in Vienna: The Best Things to Do

No, I didn’t not stay in Vienna for one day. Rather I stayed for three nights and spread the sightseeing across those three days since museums and bookstores can really take up time. But there was indeed one full day where I did most of the sightseeing. I have to […]
April 5, 2024

Where to Stay in Lake Bled for First-time Visitors

I was in a pursuit. Visiting one European city once a month. That’s how I found myself in Ljubljana and Bled Lake one gorgeous April. Bled Lake, despite me living in Bavaria, which is known for its lakes and mountains, left me in awe. Julian Alps draping behind the lake […]