things to do

14 Things to do in Edinburgh

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I have to admit that I had a hard time writing the introduction for Edinburgh.  Not because there is nothing to say; quite the opposite in fact, there is so much to see and share that I didn’t quite know where to start. Our three days in Scotland’s capital city was filled with things to do, yet it never felt hectic.  The compact walkable city is filled with quirky nooks that just beg to be discovered. The combination of medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town with hidden gardens, neoclassical buildings,  and tiny windy alleys is what makes Edinburgh special. So special in fact that the whole city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.

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6 Things to do in Kuala Lumpur

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Kuala Lumpur was added to our itinerary when we found out that it was only a short flight from Singapore.  It didn’t hurt that there are also frequent and cheap flights between the two cities.  We decided that a two day trip was just enough time to visit the Petronas Towers and to get a quick taste of the city.  Compared to the high-costs in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur is a great destination for budget travel, with cheap food and reasonably priced accommodations. Continue reading →

5 Things to do in Singapore

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Singapore, the most developed and urbanized country in Asia where “Where East meets West”.  This relatively new city-country is where a confluence of diverse cultures meet to create a truly unique place.

Singapore is very safe and easy to get around with its ultra modern subway system. Coupled with the fact that most Singaporeans speak English, its not hard to see why this country is often the top choice for people who have not been to Asia before. Here you can enjoy the same food and culture, minus the chaos and language barriers that exist with other Asian countries.  The only drawback is that the costs are significantly higher than the rest of Southeast Asia. Continue reading →

10 things to do in Lisbon

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Europe’s westernmost capital has blossomed in recent years, attracting visitors to its world class restaurants as well as its culture and history. Despite the old-world feel with its network of antiquated trams, Lisbon definitely has a modern edge. 

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Portugal’s hilly capital, is a coastal city known for many things – from the blue-and-white azulejo architecture, to the spectacular views that can be seen from anywhere on top of the seven hills to the imposing São Jorge Castle. The rambling alleyway are lined with pastel colored houses covered in pretty flower boxes.  The sweet citrus smells drift over the walls, hiding a fruit-laden lemon tree in the courtyard.  Even though the streets are confusing, it’s definitely walk-able, just make sure you bring your running shoes along.  Here are a few places to explore in Lisbon’s labyrinthine streets: Continue reading →

6 Things to Do in Porto

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Porto was love at first sight for me, and even spring showers did not make the city any less beautiful.  Everything from the lively riverfront, to the quirky street art, to the colorful azulejos made me smile.  I loved wandering down old alleyways and looking up at charming apartments that were just a little rundown.  I loved relaxing on the bench at Jardim do Palácio de Cristal, taking in the sunshine and the view.  I loved sitting in the rickety tram, watching seagulls soar over the Atlantic and breathing in the bracing ocean air. There are many things to do in Porto, most of which are free:

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5 Things to do in Ngapali

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Ngapali is a beach paradise, not unlike those of Thailand or Vietnam; the only difference is that it is still relatively unknown and uncrowded – at least for now.  It is easily accessible from the major airport hubs around the country like Yangon, Bagan or Mandalay via a short domestic flight.  This untouched destination is known for its crystal clear water, fluffy white sand and fresh seafood.  For more information on Ngapali beach, check out our other post.  Below are five things to do while you’re in Ngapali Beach. Continue reading →

10 Things to do in Rio

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Rio de Janeiro is one of the largest cities in South America, known for many things:  its world famous beaches, magnificent natural landscapes, and its iconic landmarks. This sprawling metropolis has everything you’ll need for a good time.  Naturally, we were excited and looked forward to our first trip to Brazil.  We booked months in advance and planned out all the places we wanted to see.  Unfortunately all of that planning did not ensure a drama-free trip as we found out that our flight was canceled two hours before take-off and rescheduled to the next day – our already short trip became even shorter.  When we finally made it there, we were greeted with crappy weather.  Ironically, it rained every single day that we were there during the hottest and driest year in the country’s recent history.  Even with all the problems, we still had a great time.  Here are a few things that we did and a few things that we didn’t get to do due to weather:

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14 Things to do in Prague

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I am not going to lie, I waited a long time to visit Prague. I had heard so many good things about the city that it was a big disappointment when my first impression did not meet my expectations.  It is true that everything there is as beautiful as the photographs, but something felt off.  The thing was, I didn’t think I was the only one who felt conflicted by the city’s beauty and frustrated by the hoards of tourists that seem to be everywhere.  I was overwhelmed by the vendors trying to make a few bucks off of a gullible visitor.  I remembered being on the phone with Fausto on the first night telling him how let down I felt considering how excited I was about going there. The whole thing just didn’t feel authentic.

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11 Things To Do Around Sydney

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Sydney is a vibrant, multicultural city surrounding one of the world’s largest natural harbors. Unlike other metropolises, this easy going city is known for its idyllic beaches and rugged national parks as well as its lively food scene and culture. There are so many things to do and see in Sydney, that we had a very packed schedule during our 5 day stay.  Our goal was to see as many things as possible, from the sandy beaches to the mountains to the city.  Here are the highlights of some of the places we visited in Sydney:

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