Often described as a hidden treasure, Luxembourg is being discovered by more and more discerning visitors looking for a rich history and contemporary culture, for tranquil nature and a vibrant social scene. It is a city and country of delightful contrasts. Luxembourg’s verdant and striking landscapes once inspired Victor Hugo, Wolfgang von Goethe and William …
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MI 153 JOG-SIN Sunday 12 Aug 2018 Plane: B738 There are two daily flights between Yogyakarta (JOG) and Singapore, one on AirAsia and the other on Silkair. The Airasia flight leaves JOG really early, at 7.35am, leaving you with the last day of your trip wasted as basically you are just waking up to catch …
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Just a 90-minute drive from Kalibo is the Philippine’s paradise island, where everything is bright, gaudy and tourist-friendly. Imagine Bali but Filipino style. In light of the island under closure, I have prepared a 3-day itinerary that you can refer to once the island opens up to tourists again. Perhaps prices may go up, but …
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On the surface, Hanoi’s food scene seems to be changing rapidly, with new venues rising and, in many cases, promptly sinking like a souffle. Restaurants, bars and cafes pop up and just as quickly it seems, shift to new locations, change hands or pull down their shutters for good. On the other hand, there are …
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Located some 150km southeast of Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia’s West Java province has a quaint atmosphere that suits the tastes of the adventurous. With a population of approximately 2.6 million, Bandung has a laid-back lifestyle that is different from the country’s capital with all its hustle and bustle. Just a two-hour drive (if there …
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Far North Queenand’s vibrant capital is a kaleidoscope of tropical colour, with the Great Barrier Reef on its doorstep. Here is the rough itinerary of what to do in Cairns from dusk to dawn if you only have one day in this city. 7am: Get an early start from your hotel and take a leisurely …
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Borobudur Fun fact – did you know that Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim country, yet it is also home to the largest Buddhist temple complex in the world? This is testament of how various religions can co-exist in one country. Borobudur: This famous Buddhist temple, dating from the 8th and 9th centuries, is located …
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For those who have seen my Instagram posts about the hand structure overlooking the valley, this is the new Instagram place to be for those who are visiting Yogyakarta. Situated about an hour away from the city and a winding ride up the mountainous roads, Pinus Pengger in Bantul is a pine forest area with …
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Flight: GA855 from Singapore to Surabaya 8 Aug 2018 19:30 SIN – 20:55 SUB Plane: B738 It was my second time flying with Garuda. With a one-way ticket at $100 to Surabaya, it was a good deal as it was around the same price as Scoot and it had in-flight services. The previous time, I …
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An absolute “must visit” day trip for those in Medellin, located just two hours away on bus, you can find the marvel that is Guatapé and the infamous rock, La Piedra. Combine the spectacular 360 degree views from the rock with a beautifully preserved colonial town and you have a formidable Colombian day trip. Although Medellin …
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For those who are tired of exploring Bangkok and want a city break, do head over to Phetchaburi, a small, tranquil town about 2-3 hours away from the bustling capital. It has temples, palaces and cave shrines, and is a convenient stop on your way to the beach. Best of all, Phetburi, as it’s usually called, …
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Since Scoot launched their 4 times weekly flight to Pekanbaru, it has been much easier to visit this capital city of Riau province. The economy was originally built on coffee and coal but now relies on oil. The Riau Province produces half of the crude oil for all of Indonesia, 650,000 barrels per year. Pekanbaru is …
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29 June SL105 SIN – DMK 2 July SL104 DMK – SIN It was our second time this year flying to Bangkok. The first trip was in April during Songkran, where we took Malaysia airlines. This time, we booked with Thai Lion air because they had a promotion and with free 20kg baggage allowance, it …
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The pretty little coffee town of Jardin in the mountains of southern Antioquia department is one of Colombia’s Heritage Towns and arguably one of the nicest small towns to visit in the whole country. A charming mix of traditional architecture, stunning natural scenery and friendly local people, Jardin is worth visiting for at least a …
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**Update** Colombia will lift the “Reciprocity Fee” for all Canadian tourists entering Colombia, effective 1 May 2019, so there will not be any payment of COP200 000 for Canadian passport holders. Cartagena de Indias is the undisputed queen of the Caribbean coast, a fairy-tale city of romance, legends and superbly preserved beauty lying within an …
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Colombia’s capital city of Bogota is a vast, sprawling place with a population of over 8 million people, and concrete as far as the eye can see. It’s a great city to visit,cradled by the chilly Andean peaks on one side and steeped in sophisticated urban cool on the other. The city’s cultural epicenter is La …
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Welcome to Toronto, the most multiculturally diverse city on the planet: over 140 languages are spoken. It’s estimated that over half of Toronto’s residents were born outside Canada, and despite its complex makeup, Torontonians generally get along. When the weather is fine, Toronto is a blast: a vibrant, big-time city abuzz with activity. Some of …
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Walkable neighborhoods, drink-and-dine delights and memorable cultural and outdoor activities framed by dramatic vistas – there’s a glassful of great reasons to love this lotusland metropolis. Since we had a five hour stopover at Vancouver airport and this was my first time on Canadian soil, we decided to head out to the city. By the …
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Hong Kong airlines had a promotion fare from Hong Kong to Toronto for around $850 round-trip, so we decided to fly with them. I had checked Cathay and other carriers, but they were all priced above $1000. Our flight HX080 (HKG-YVR) left Hong Kong on time and we waited around 15 minutes on the runway …
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Port wine has always conjured up an image of old Englishmen puffing cigars and drinking at the table after dinner. My myth was dispelled after I became acquainted with its numerous flavours in Porto – home to port wine. Oporto, or Porto to the Portuguese, is the second largest city in Portugal and the third …
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Usually I would go to Johor Bahru (JB), Malaysia for a day trip and be back in Singapore by night time. However, this time it was different, it was a family trip so we decided to stay over in JB for two nights. We stayed at the Amari hotel, not to be confused with Amara …
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It is not hard to see why Jeju Island was picked as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. After all, the natural landscape of this egg-shaped volcanic island is both lush and diverse. Other noteworthy seven wonders of nature that I have visited are: 1) Halong Bay, Vietnam, 2) Iguazu Falls, Argentina/Brazil, 3) …
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The capital of Argentina is often compared to New York, Madrid or Paris – but Buenos Aires has a soul of its own. The city is seductive and fervent, best known for its guilty pleasure, its streaks and tango saunter. As the birthplace of tango, Buenos Aires pulsates with a passionate rhythm. The fiery dance …
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If there is one place on earth that truly offers a unique experience with nature, that would be Patagonia, a region that straddles both Argentina and Chile in South America. From getting up close and personal with massive penguin and cormorant colonies, to standing in the shadows of spectacular glaciers and towering mountain peaks, this …
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