I've been incredibly lucky over the past few years to have visited over twenty countries in Europe, and without a doubt Portugal is one of my favourite European destinations. The cities are beautiful, and the atmosphere wherever I went was amazing. The food was also great, and it's home to some out-of-this-world castles. Plus it's affordable to visit! What more could you ask for?
For such a small city, Amsterdam is packed full of amazing things to see and do. This capital city is famous for its expansive network of canals, beautiful narrow houses, and cyclists wherever you look. Indeed, Amsterdam is well-known for those coffee shops and the Red Light district, but it's also a place full of incredible museums, parks, and great food.
No matter what you're after in a European destination, whether it's a weekend away partying with friends, or a more quiet cultural trip, Amsterdam will have something for you. This liberal Dutch capital has an incredibly chilled out vibe, making it one of the most popular cities to visit in Europe.
If you only have a short amount of time in Norway and want to experience the famous Norwegian fjords, then your best option is one of the 'Norway in a Nutshell' tours. Whichever tour you choose, you're guaranteed to experience an incredible cruise through the Norwegian fjords, as well as stunning bus and train journeys through gorgeous scenery.
There are different tour variations depending on where you're starting from (e.g. Bergen or Oslo), and the tour can either be a day trip or extended across multiple days. We did a day trip starting and finishing in Bergen, which included a trip on the Flam railway.
If you're not convinced and need some photo evidence, here are 10 photos that will make you want to visit the Norwegian fjords...
Greece is a country that's been on my bucket list for years now. I'd always wanted to explore Athens or visit some of the Greece islands, and in March 2017 I finally made it happen. Greece is an amazing country to explore as it's rich in history, tradition and culture. It's home to beautiful beaches, rugged green scenery, and a bustling capital city.
Throughout my week long trip I went on day trips to Central Greece, visited Santorini, and also explored Athens. I spent the first two days visiting Ancient Delphi and Meteora, using Athens as my base each night. I then flew to Santorini where I spent the following two days exploring the island. After flying back to Santorini I then had 2.5 days to finally discover everything that Athens had to offer.
Porto is an awesome city with plenty of things to see and do. There's a beautiful, but bustling, riverfront with plenty of restaurants and bars, along with companies offering river boat cruises. The city is full of buildings and churches covered in the traditional Portuguese 'azulejo' tiles, and the Luis I Bridge is a sight not to be missed.
Stavanger is Norway’s fourth
largest city and is used as a base for many hikes in the region, including the
famous Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock). This coastal town is surrounded by
incredible fjords and mountains making it a great place to see some of Norway’s
natural beauty. The city itself is compact, and so it’s really easy to explore
on foot when you’re not hiking in the outer regions. As the city is fairly
small, you only need one day to see the
main sights. However, many people stay for 3-4 days to complete the main
hikes in the area.
Luxembourg is a place that not many people consider to visit as neighboring countries such as Belgium and France usually take priority for travellers. However, Luxembourg is an incredible country to visit with so many things to see and do! The capital Luxembourg City may be small but it's full to the brim of beautiful cobbled streets, museums and history.
I visited in February 2017 in the winter and although I had an amazing time, I would recommend visiting in the summer months instead. This is because more of the main tourist attractions are open in the summer, and the weather will most certainly be a lot warmer and sunnier.
Luxembourg is a great place for a weekend break. You can spend one day (or a day and a half) exploring the capital, and then the remainder of the weekend taking a trip to visit Vianden castle.
If there's one thing I love in life besides travelling, it's food. At home I'm a constant grazer, and when I'm visiting somewhere new I definitely don't like to go hungry! When I recently spent a weekend in Amsterdam I did a lot of walking, and as life is all about balance.. a lot of eating too. Burgers, cheese, sweet treats, you name it!
Here are 5 foods you should find in Amsterdam!
When I first saw photographs of Sintra, I didn't believe the town was real. How could such a fairy tale town with so many magnificent palaces and castles actually exist? It looked too good to be true. When I then found out that Sintra was super close to Lisbon it was just another reason to book my flights and head to Portugal.
Sintra is a small town, just 40 minutes outside of Lisbon, and I don't think it would come as a surprise to anyone that the whole town has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Besides the colourful and elegant palaces, Sintra is also full of lush forests, mountains and beautiful gardens. It's an ideal place for hikers, not just people who love castles and architecture! The town itself is also well-known for its pastel-coloured houses, quaint shops and cobbled streets.
Pulpit Rock, also known as Preikestolen, is one of Norway's most famous landmarks. It's a steep cliff that towers 600 metres over the Lysefjorden fjord, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Climbing to the top is one of the country's most famous walks as it's a beautiful attraction and one of the shortest hikes available in Norway.
Vianden Castle in the north of Luxembourg may be one of Europe's most underrated castles. Perched up on the hillside overlooking the small town of Vianden, this castle really is a place worth visiting. If you're spending a weekend in Luxembourg, then you can't go far wrong from spending one day exploring the capital, and the second day exploring Vianden.
Considering I've now visited over twenty European cities, it surprises even myself that it's taken me this long to visit Amsterdam. Amsterdam needs very little introduction as it's been incredibly popular with tourists for decades now. However, if you need that extra piece of persuasion to book your flights to the Netherlands, here are 14 photos that will definitely make you want to visit Amsterdam!
We all know from either first
hand, or reading about other people’s experiences, that solo travelling is
incredible. It can be invigorating, rewarding, and often life-changing.
However, travelling is also one of the most amazing things you can do with your
significant other. A trip with your partner can be beautiful, it can be
educational, and it can be down-right fun and exciting. It can also be just as
equally (if not more) life-changing than solo travel, as it brings you as a
couple closer together whilst experiencing the world.
Not long after my other half and
I started dating we decided to backpack around SE Asia together for a month. I’m
sure many people thought we were crazy and that it wasn’t going to end well,
but we came back home from that trip more sure of ourselves and as a couple
than ever before. Since then, my partner has taught me to ski in Andorra, we’ve
road-tripped around the UK in my tiny 1 litre engine car, and we’ve recently
just come back from a trip to Norway.
You Might Like: 1 Month Itinerary South East Asia
You Might Like: 1 Month Itinerary South East Asia
Travelling with your partner can
help keep your sense of adventure alive rather than getting too comfortable
with your day-to-day lives. It can also
help keep your relationship feeling fresh, new and exciting. What’s more is
that some travel experiences are just simply best shared.
If you're planning a trip to Porto soon, you absolutely cannot miss seeing the numerous churches and buildings decorated in traditional tiles. Known as 'azulejo' tiles - these ordinarily blue and white tiles can be found all over Portugal, but are definitely a major sight in the city of Porto. You'll find them on the outsides of cathedrals, restaurants, ordinary houses, and even on the walls of train stations.
The 'azulejo' tiles are an iconic part of Portuguese architecture, which is why you should definitely add these 5 buildings to your Porto itinerary!
Alongside tapas and gorgeous weather, Barcelona is also well-known for its distinctive architecture. One person that's responsible for several of these famous attractions and buildings is Antoni Gaudi - an architect renowned for his unique style. In fact, you'd struggle to wander through the city and not see at least one piece of his work!
Take a look at these 3 incredible places and buildings to find Gaudi's work!
Lisbon is without a doubt one of Europe's top destinations to visit. There are beautiful terraces all over the city to take in the views, a Moorish castle, and stunning main plazas. The houses are gorgeous; either painted in vibrant colours or decorated with intricate tiles. This Portuguese city has a great atmosphere wherever you go, and it's full to the brim of things to see and do. Give yourself 2-3 days to allow yourself enough time to visit the main attractions.
Luxembourg is a country that often gets over-looked by its more well-known neighbours - Belgium, France and Germany. However, even in the cold and grey month of February, the capital city of Luxembourg was still impossibly quaint. With charming buildings everywhere you look, cobbled streets and a balcony that's considered to be 'Europe's most beautiful balcony', it's hard not to love Luxembourg city.
Like the whole country, Luxembourg city is incredibly small and really easy to walk around on foot. Although just because the city is tiny, that doesn't mean there isn't plenty to see and do! Here are 8 must-see places in Luxembourg:
The capital of Ireland is a popular European destination, and I've been lucky enough to visit the city several times over the past few years. It's home to the original brewery of Guinness, one of the most beautiful libraries in the world at Trinity College, and is famous for its St. Patrick's day celebrations.
Dublin is incredibly easy to get to, with regular affordable flights from airlines such as RyanAir and Aer Lingus. Seriously, you can find return flights from London for as little as £30. There are so many things to see and do in this Irish city, but here are six places you definitely shouldn't miss!
If anyone asks me how my recent trip to Portugal was, my instant reply is "It was amazing! Have you heard of the town called Sintra?"
Just 40 minutes outside of Lisbon, Sintra quite literally looks like it's been taken straight out of a fairy tale. The town is impossibly charming and it has castles and palaces galore. Perfect for the girl who has an obsession with dreamy castles!
So if you haven't heard of this little Portuguese town before, here are 12 photos that will make you want to add Sintra to your travel bucket list!
Rich in tradition and culture, Athens is a great city to visit. It's famous for hosting the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, and is home to the Acropolis, one of the eight man-made wonders of the world. Athens, the capital city of Greece, is well-known for its art and architecture, and is full of history and stories that date back over thousands of years.
Here are 15 things you need to see in Athens, Greece!
If there's one thing I love to do when I explore a new city - it's to find a view point to see the city from above. There's just something about seeing the rooftops and the layout of a town from up high that I really enjoy. From the Empire State Building in NYC to the UFO Bridge in Bratislava, if there's an observation deck in a city that I haven't already visited, it'll probably be on my travel bucket list.
My recent trip to Lisbon was no exception, and the views certainly didn't disappoint. This Portuguese city is full to the brim of 'miradouros'; small terraces that overlook the town and are completely free to visit. There are also several well-known landmarks in Lisbon that provide incredible panoramic views of the capital city.
Here are 9 places with incredible views in Lisbon!
Greece is full to the brim of tourist attractions, incredible historic sites, and countless gorgeous beaches and islands. With so many things to see and do in Greece, it can be daunting deciding where to go. Many visitors stick to visiting the likes of Athens or Corfu, or they decide to go island-hopping in the South, but did you know that there are some amazing places to visit in Central Greece as well?
Even with financial troubles, Greece's tourism industry is still booming. Holiday-makers flock to the country in the summer months, and the number of visitors each year continues to grow. If you're visiting Athens for anything longer than a weekend, it couldn't be easier to spend the day visiting a new region or famous historical site. There are multiple tour companies offering day trips, or you could even organise a trip yourself using public transport.
Here are two awesome day trip ideas from Athens!
Although I've lived in the southeast of England ever since I was born, and I even work in London on the odd occasion, London is never somewhere I usually opt to explore. Sure, I know where most of the main attractions are, and I go to the theatre on the West End a few times a year, but really that's about it. Instead, I'd choose to visit new cities and new countries, and essentially ignore an amazing city just because it was on my doorstep.
Santorini is one of those places that many of us dream of visiting at least once in our lifetime. We've all scrolled through our Instagram feeds and seen beautiful photographs of idyllic white and blue houses and quaint, domed churches. Most likely at the worst possible time when you're feeling the winter blues as it rains like no one's business outside...
Earlier on in the year when I was planning my trip to Greece, I knew that I wanted to visit at least one of the Greek islands. After going back and fourth with a few ideas, we decided to spend two days in Santorini, and it definitely didn't disappoint. The island is gorgeous, really well-kept, and the locals were incredibly friendly and welcoming. It was everything I could have asked for in a first visit to a Greek island.
Everywhere you look there are incredible photo opportunities. So much so that it's hard to know when to stop! However, if you're short on time on the island, perhaps you're only visiting for the day as part of a wider tour, here are some of the best spots to take those beloved Instagram-worthy photographs:
It's a known fact that Europe isn't the cheapest region in the world to visit. In peak season hotel prices can hike up, and flights can cost over double what they would at a different time of the year. However, many destinations can still be super affordable, and with a few savvy tips and tricks visiting Europe doesn't need to break the bank.
I've spent a lot of time in
Europe. I've been on over ten weekend trips to cities such as Berlin, Brussels,
Paris and Edinburgh. I also spent three weeks interrailing around central
Europe last summer, travelling through Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and
Czech Republic. With each and every one of these trips I've learnt new ways to
save money when visiting the continent.
Here's how you can save money when travelling
in Europe:
Famous for its beautiful Georgian buildings, Roman-built baths and Jane Austin, it's no wonder that Bath is a popular city for tourists. The gorgeous buildings made from honey-coloured stone help make Bath so well-known. It's full of old English charm that means visiting the city almost feels like stepping back in time. It's even so well preserved and beautiful, the whole city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. As part of our road trip through the southwest of England, we recently spent two days exploring the historic city, and absolutely loved it.
Although we spent two days in Bath, it's definitely possible to see most of the main attractions in one day, making it a great place for a day out if you're in London. By train, it's 1 hour and 30 minutes from London Paddington to Bath Spa station, or 2 hours and 30 minutes by car along the M4.
When trying to find a base for our English road trip, we originally wanted to stay in Bath. However, after finding a great AirBnB in Bradford-On-Avon, which was within our budget, that idea quickly changed! Bradford-On-Avon is a small town in Wiltshire and is only a twenty minute car journey (or a fifteen minute train ride) into Bath. It turned out to be an amazing place to stay as it was within easy reach of The Cotswolds as well.
On the second day of our English road trip, after having spent the morning exploring Lacock Abbey, we drove 10 miles up the road to our next Cotswolds Village - Castle Combe! Just when I was thinking that nowhere could be more beautiful than Lacock Village... Castle Combe may have stolen the show. This small village is arguably one of the sweetest places in England!
You Might Like: A Morning In The Picturesque Cotswolds Village Of Lacock
On the second day of our English road trip we decided to spend it exploring beautiful villages in The Cotswolds. The Cotswolds is an area in the west of England famous for its gorgeous countryside, quaint little villages with thatched cottages, and beautiful old manor houses.
You Might Like: Day 1 Of Our English Road Trip: The New Forest And Stonehenge
Our mini road trip around (mostly) the southwest of England had been in the works for months. Although I've now visited over 25 countries, I'd been neglecting beautiful areas that were only a mere three hour drive away. All of that changed this week! My other half and I packed up the car, left Brighton, and went on a four day adventure around the south of England.
Having grown up in the South East of England, we drove west and decided to focus our time on Wiltshire, The Cotswolds and Bath. Our first proper stop (besides Arundel castle which we discovered was closed on Mondays!) was The New Forest National Park.
Northern Ireland is a country that has a mixture of everything. Belfast, the capital city that's famous for being the birthplace of the Titanic, has plenty of museums and restaurants to keep any city lover busy. Also, if you fancy getting outdoors and into the fresh air, Northern Ireland definitely isn't short of rugged and dramatic coastlines to explore.
Northern Ireland shares its border with the Republic of Ireland, but since the 1920s has been part of the United Kingdom. Unfortunately the country experienced decades of violence between the late 1960s and 1998 known as 'The Troubles'. This was where conflicts arose between 'Unionists', people who wanted to stay within the United Kingdom, and 'Nationalists', people who wanted a united Ireland. In the late 1990s, the Good Friday Agreement was made. This agreement concluded that Northern Ireland would remain part of the United Kingdom, unless a majority in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland vote otherwise.
Northern Ireland is home to some of the most beautiful and dramatic coastlines in the United Kingdom. The Causeway Coast runs between Belfast and Derry/Londonderry, and with a mixture of gorgeous beaches and historical sites, it's easy to see why the route attracts thousands of visitors each year.
With the aim of seeing more of the UK in mind, we decided to make a day trip from Belfast and see what else Northern Ireland had to offer. We focused on the Causeway Coast specifically between the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge and Castlerock and had the greatest time. Having access to a car is probably the easiest method of getting around, but there are also tour companies that offer day trip excursions that visit the main sights along the route.
Edinburgh is the capital and the second largest city in Scotland. It attracts thousands of visitors each year as there is so much to see and do. Exploring the Old Town feels like you're taking a step back in time due to the stunning architecture, narrow lanes, and cobbled streets. Therefore, it's no surprise that the Old Town and New Town combined have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.
Edinburgh is fairly compact and so it's easy to explore the city on foot. Although it's a town full of steep hills and beautiful green gardens so bring comfortable shoes! If you're interested in travelling further afield to the surrounding areas, there are plenty of tour companies offering trips to explore the Scottish Highlands.
It's safe to say that almost all of us will have taken a family trip with our parents as kids at some point. But how many of us continue to do this as adults? As we grow older, and begin our own separate adult lives, we spend less and less time with our parents. Perhaps without even realising it, work, hobbies, significant others, and busy social lives can mean our parents can sometimes get put to the side. However, it's only a fact of life that none of us are going to be around forever so it's important to spend quality time with them.
Since exploring the world is a huge passion of mine, it felt like a good move to start taking trips with my parents. I enjoy travelling the most when I'm doing it with people I love. I frequently travel with my sister, my partner, and my friends. So why hadn't I considered my parents before? Up until the end of last year, I'd never really travelled with my parents as an adult. I either wrongly assumed that they wouldn't be interested in the idea, or that it just wouldn't be fun. How wrong was I?!
Fast forward to now, and it's one of my favourite ways to travel. I've been on several trips now with my Mum and Dad, both together and on separate trips, and I've loved every single one. I've been on a road trip around Northern Ireland with my Dad, I've spent a weekend exploring Luxembourg with my Mum, and we have plans to visit Amsterdam together in the summer.
Here are five reasons why you should travel with your parents:
Southeast Asia is one of the most popular destinations for backpackers. It's easy to travel through, and the region is generally very cheap and budget-friendly. The food is amazing, the temples are beautiful, and there are so many activities to get involved with. From zip-lining in the jungle, hot air balloon rides, kayaking, caring for elephants or riding scooters through lush paddy fields - the choices are practically limitless. No matter what your interests are, there's something in SE Asia for everyone.
However, with countless places to see and things to do, if you're limited on time (and/or money!) how do you decide where to go?
However, with countless places to see and things to do, if you're limited on time (and/or money!) how do you decide where to go?
Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country
split in half by the South China Sea into two parts, and is one of the most
well developed countries in Asia. One half is known as Peninsular-Malaysia which shares a border with Thailand,
and the other half is Malaysian-Borneo which has neighbouring countries
Indonesia and Brunei. What makes Malaysia so exciting to travel around is how
multi-cultural it is. The country is full of diversity and has an amazing mix
of different ethnicities and religions, namely Islam, Budhism, Christianity
and Hinduism.
Malaysia is also world-famous for its
incredible food. Influenced heavily by Indian and Chinese cuisine, you can't
visit the country (especially Peninsular Malaysia) without trying their curries
and noodle dishes. My favourite dish throughout my visit was Wanton Mee, a noodle dish
served in a hot broth with wonton dumplings and barbequed pork. The best way to
taste lots of dishes is to visit a street food market, especially if you're
visiting Penang.
If you've been struggling with the Southeast Asian heat and humidity, visiting the Cameron Highlands will be a welcome change. The weather here is completely different to that of everywhere else in Malaysia. In fact, as the temperature rarely climbs above 20 degrees Celsius it was almost like being back in the UK. So remember to bring a jacket!
The Cameron Highlands is a unique place to visit and ideal if you're interested in trekking as there are a number of different trails in the area. Visiting the lush green tea plantations and the strawberry fields are also must-dos. Although, not-so-fun fact, if you're from England the strawberries may be a slight let down. This is because 90% of those grown in the Cameron Highlands are actually completely sour.
So the travel bug has officially hit you? You love exploring new (and old!) destinations, and you can't imagine your love for seeing the world going away anytime soon... Here are 25 signs you're addicted to travelling!
Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of Malaysia, and is a great starting point for any first-timer visiting Peninsular Malaysia. The city is vibrant with several well-known tourist attractions, including the world-famous Petronas Towers. It's also famous for being a shopaholic's heaven with its impressive shopping malls and markets.
Getting There & Around
Kuala Lumpur has one main international airport with two terminals, KLIA1 and KLIA2, which are connected via ERL's high-speed train. Getting into the city centre from either terminal is incredibly easy, and takes just under 30 minutes via the express train. Once you've reached the centre, visitors can then get around on foot, hop in a taxi, or use the monorail to get from place to place.
Bordered by Thailand, Laos and Vietnam,
Cambodia is a firm favourite on the South East Asian backpacker route. With
cheap, frequent bus services and affordable hostels, Cambodia is easy for
travellers to visit. It's a country rich in culture with plenty of history
to learn about, and Cambodian beaches and islands could easily rival those of
Southern Thailand. If that wasn't enough, it's also home to the eighth wonder
of the world - Angkor Wat.
It would be impossible to explore an
entire country in the space of one month, let alone nine days. However, this
itinerary covers most of the highlights including the temples of Angkor, the
Khmer Rouge Killing Fields, Sihanoukville and Koh Rong
Sanloem island. It starts in Siem Reap and finishes off in Phnom Penh,
the capital of Cambodia.
Siem Reap is best known for being the base town for visiting the temples of Angkor, the eighth man-made wonder of the world. Most visitors only stay for a day, explore the temples, and then move on. However, Siem Reap has plenty of other things to offer those who choose to stay a little longer.
Siem Reap is a small town in the north-west of Cambodia. As a popular stopping point on the backpacker route through SE Asia, it has a whole host of budget-friendly hostels and hotels to choose from. There are also plenty of amazing cafes and restaurants serving up traditional Khmer cuisine.
Putting Angkor Wat aside, here are six things to see and do in Siem Reap:
Putting Angkor Wat aside, here are six things to see and do in Siem Reap:
It's often a misconception with people that you need to be rich to travel the world. Let me tell you now... you don't have to be a millionaire to travel! You also definitely don't need to have wealthy parents that will fund your travels either. Instead, you simply need to be willing to work hard and make a few sacrifices in other aspects of your life. You'll be surprised at how easy it is after you start!
I've always been good at saving. I started saving for my first car when I was 16 by working throughout the summer on a farm. I then saved for my three-month backpacking trip around Central Europe and Asia by putting money aside from my internship and scholarships whilst studying at university.
If you're planning a trip soon and don't know how to start, here are my 10 top tips for saving money to travel:
Angkor Wat is a complex of temples in the North West of Cambodia. It spans over 400 acres, and was built in the 12th century for the Khmer Empire. It's the largest religious monument on the planet and is also the 8th man-made wonder of the world. These accolades mean it's no surprise that Angkor Wat is the most visited UNESCO World Heritage Site, with over 2 million visitors each year.
Getting Around The Temples
As the temples are so spread out it's impossible to walk between each one. Therefore you're going to need a different mode of transport besides your own two feet! There are several options for visitors to choose from: tour buses, bicycles, scooters... even a private helicopter tour! There's something to suit all budgets.
A popular option is to hire a tuk-tuk driver to pick you up from your accommodation in Siem Reap (the base town for seeing the temples) and drive you around to the various temples of interest. It sounds expensive, but it only costs around $15 for an entire day. The driver will wait at each temple whilst you go off and explore, and then drop you back at your hotel or hostel at the end of the day.
Don't worry about booking ahead weeks in advance. You can arrange this with almost any tuk-tuk driver (or one of his mates if he's busy) in Siem Reap the day before you want to visit.
Landlocked between Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, Laos is a country that often gets overlooked by its more well-known neighbouring countries. However, it's arguably SE Asia's most underrated country as it's rich in culture and breathtaking landscapes. With traditional stilt houses, paddy fields, and the Mekong River with a backdrop of rugged mountains - you would be hard pressed not to fall in love with Laos' charm. It truly is one of the greenest and lushest countries you will ever find. If this wasn't enough, Laos has a laid back attitude to life, and the people who live there are as friendly as they come.
This itinerary will take you from charming Luang Prabang, through Vang Vieng, Vientiane and Kong Lor Caves, and finishing of in the 4000 Islands. You'll climb waterfalls, travel 7 kilometres through a cave, go kayaking, and eat delicious food.
Here's my ten day itinerary for seeing the best of Laos:
Vang Vieng is a small, backpacker-oriented town in Northern Laos on the Nam Song River. The town is directly between Luang Prabang and Vientiane, so it's incredibly easy to get to. It's surrounded by beautiful scenery, with a backdrop of gorgeous mountains and lush green paddy fields. Once known as a party town full of drunken tourists, the town now has a much more relaxed atmosphere. After heavy drinking resulted in several tourists drowning, by 2012 the Lao government cracked down and removed the riverside bars. Today visitors can still go inner tubing down the Nam Song River, but it's a much safer and calmer affair than it once was.
I spent two nights in Vang Vieng during my one month trip throughout SE Asia, and it was hands down my favourite place I visited. This wasn't because of any world-class temples, or an impressive historical site though. I fell in love with Vang Vieng because it was peaceful, beautiful and just plain fun. I went there with no expectations, and left feeling blissfully happy. Isn't that what travelling is all about?
Luang Prabang is often the first town that visitors head to whilst travelling through Laos. Although not the capital, this sleepy city is popular with travellers because of its impressive waterfalls and Pak Ou caves. Situated in Northern Laos, this old French town is famous for the daily giving of alms to the Buddhist monks in their bright orange ropes. Every morning locals line the streets to offer cooked rice to the monks before they head off to start their day.
The city has a population of just over 400,000 people, and has been a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. It's incredibly easy to travel to, with many travellers arriving from Thailand through the Huay Xai border crossing, or from Vang Vieng or Vientiane in Laos.
Here are ten things you must do whilst visiting Luang Prabang!
Chiang Mai is the largest city in Northern Thailand, and is an amazing place to spend a few relaxed days after the noise and chaos of Bangkok. In fact, it was one of my favourite towns I visited during my month long trip through SE Asia. There are tens of beautiful temples, an incredible night market, and the most delicious street food. Most of the places to see and things to do are inside the walls of the Old City. This makes Chiang Mai a great city to walk through and explore on foot, as everything is reasonably close together.
Where To Stay
There are plenty of cheap and clean guest houses in Chiang Mai. We stayed at the Lanna Place Guesthouse, which provided everything we needed. The bed was comfortable, we had a private bathroom with hot water, and good air-conditioning. Breakfast was also included each morning, and the owner was incredibly helpful and friendly. A double room cost us 585 Baht (around £13 / $17) per night.
If there's one excursion you should do
whilst visiting Chiang Mai, it's to spend a day at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. It's a once
in a lifetime experience, and one that I'm not going to forget anytime soon.
The Elephant Jungle Sanctuary is made up of nine locations in Chiang Mai and
Phuket, and all provide homes for rescued elephants that were formerly
mistreated or tortured. They provide a safe and sustainable environment for
visitors to interact with the elephants, whilst most importantly making sure
the animals are well looked after.
One of the main reasons we decided to visit Chiang Mai was to see elephants for the first time, and the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary ticked all of our boxes. The elephants were safe and loved, and the full day experience was within our budget. I definitely didn't want to put my money into an establishment where riding was part of the itinerary. At the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, they aim to teach people why elephants shouldn't be ridden or overworked.
You Might Like: 3 Amazing Days In Chiang Mai, Thailand
One of the main reasons we decided to visit Chiang Mai was to see elephants for the first time, and the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary ticked all of our boxes. The elephants were safe and loved, and the full day experience was within our budget. I definitely didn't want to put my money into an establishment where riding was part of the itinerary. At the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, they aim to teach people why elephants shouldn't be ridden or overworked.
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Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is one of the most populated cities within South East Asia, and also has one of the largest airports in the region. Therefore, if you're planning a trip to the area, the chances are you're probably going to fly into the city! Bangkok can be overwhelming, and if it's your first visit to SE Asia, prepare for a culture shock. The sights, the food, the change of culture - it can be very different to what you're used to. But needless to say, this Thai capital (however noisy and busy it gets!) can be an amazing place to explore. The food is delicious, the temples are beautiful, and it's easy to get around.
If you're planning a full backpacking trip across multiple countries, or maybe you're simply heading to the beaches, Bangkok is definitely worth at least a day of your time. For me, the city marked the beginning of my month long trip around SE Asia. I spent one chilled day exploring Bangkok, before getting the overnight train north to Chiang Mai, and this worked really well. It eased me in perfectly to the rest of my trip.
Here's how I would recommend spending your first (and perhaps only) day in Bangkok:
Hong Kong is bordered by mainland China in the North, and because of its location between Europe and Australasia it's a popular destination for stopovers. The city itself is vibrant and exciting, with a world famous skyline and an amazing mixture of architecture. Hong Kong has so much to offer, it's hard to know where to begin.
I spent one day exploring the city at the end of my G Adventures Tour, Beijing to Hong Kong Express, and so here are four places I would recommend for any first time visitor: