Ubon Ratchathani (translating to ‘Royal Lotus City’) is a pleasant city in the south-eastern Isan Region, far off Thailand’s tourist circuit. Those who make it to this sleepy corner of the country are rewarded with a pretty townscape dominated by the Mae Nam Mun River, idyllic parks and some unusual temples. Originally, I only meant…
The Five Best Ways to Travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Thailand
In my opinion, Bangkok and Chiang Mai should both be on every Thailand Itinerary. Different as they are, both cities present essential aspects of Thai society, and combining the two on a trip gives you a chance to both explore the cosmopolitan modernity of the country’s capital and the more historic atmosphere of Thailand’s laid-back…
Top or Bottom Bunk? The Eternal Question in Every Hostel Dormitory
When it comes to staying in a hostel, you’re confronted with some recurring questions: Why do people feel the need to use their snooze button more than twice at 5am? How do I get that guy to finally stop snoring without accidentally suffocating him? And of course: Should I pick the top or the bottom…
Taking the Secret Itineraries Tour of the Doge’s Palace in Venice, Italy – What to Know
Venice’s magnificent Doge’s Palace is one of the most famous sights in the city and a fascinating reminder of its history and former political significance. As such, the stunning building with its intricate Gothic-era architecture should be on every first-time visitor’s itinerary. While the elaborate council rooms with their amazing paintings can be visited independently,…
How to Visit Venice on a Small Budget – 6 Tips for a Cheap but Enjoyable Stay
Beautiful Venice, with its romantic canals, tiny alleyways and impressive architecture, seems to be a dream destination for many travelers. At the same time it’s certainly not the most budget-friendly city, so you might wonder whether you can actually afford the charms of the Serenissima. Don’t worry – it may require a bit of pre-planning,…
Exploring the Filming Locations of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade in Venice, Italy
Venice is not only home to some of the most iconic sights in Italy, but has also served as the setting of many popular films, from Nicolas Roeg’s eerie Mystery-Drama Don’t Look Now to recent blockbusters like Spiderman: Far from Home. One of my favourite movies that was shot in the lagoon city is Indiana…
A Perfect 10-Day Itinerary for the Veneto Region and Venice, Italy
Northern Italy’s pretty Veneto Region really brings together everything I love about the country. With exciting cities full of culture and history and medieval villages set amid picturesque vineyards, for me this is Italy at its most quintessential. We recently spend some time exploring the area in-depth and realized that, instead of rushing around to…
9 Fantastic Things to Do in Pretty Bassano del Grappa, Italy
Sprawling along the banks of the pretty Brenta River, quaint Bassano del Grappa is one of the Veneto Region’s true hidden gems. It manages to exude the quintessential charm of an Italian small town, and at the same time lacks the crowds of tourists that some bigger cities in Northern Italy draw. We hadn’t heard…
What to Know About Visiting the Eerie WW1 Cemetery at Monte Grappa, Italy
Slap-dash in the centre of the Venetian Prealps in north-eastern Italy sits Monte Grappa, an attractive 1776m high mountain, whose serenity betrays its dark history. Scene to some of the most devastating battles of World War I, the mountain top is now home to an eerie memorial and ossuary. While military history isn’t exactly our…
6 Fun Things to Do in Charming Conegliano, Italy
Sitting in the heart of northern Italy’s picturesque Prosecco Hills, Conegliano is a delightful small town well off the Veneto Region’s tourist trail. We came across it while driving the Prosecco Road through the surrounding area and were immediately enamoured with the interesting historic sites in town as well as the scenic setting amid the…