Category: Destinations

Visiting Pienza, a Cute Tuscan Town – Things to Do & Travel Guide

I went on a day tour of Tuscan towns and Pienza was on the itinerary. I didn’t know much about it before arriving, but it’s a small Renaissance town with beautiful views of the Tuscan countryside – the Val d’Orcia. We had about 2 hours there and I absolutely loved it. Even though the town is tiny, I would recommend a stay of longer than 2 hours.

The History of Pienza

Pienza’s original name was Corsignano and was established in the early medieval era. But Pienza’s history changed drastically when a man named Enea Silvio Piccolomini – popularly known as … Continue reading

A Quick Trip to Antwerp, a Beautiful Belgian City: Things to Do & Travel Guide

I’d been wanting to visit Antwerp for years and got the chance when I visited the Netherlands. Timing gave me only one day to enjoy this beautiful city, which I quickly learned would not nearly be enough to explore everything it had to offer. So in this post I’ll cover the things I did do (all of which are amazing) and the things I didn’t quite get to – with lots of reasons to visit in between.

A History of Antwerp

Antwerp’s history goes all the way back to the Franks, but its Golden Age came in the 16th century … Continue reading

A Former Local’s Travel Guide to Paris, France (Things to do & more)

I was lucky enough to study abroad in Paris, the city of love and light. Over several months, I got to explore the city and acquainted myself with it on a more intimate basis. I got to visit every section, visit a lot of museums, and eventually this place dug a hole in my heart. I’ve returned quite a few times since my term there. So I’d like to share with you my recommendations for Paris, from the obvious to the more obscure.

The Essential Sights of Paris

Of course you can’t go to Paris and miss out on the … Continue reading

Delft, the City of Vermeer & Royal Delftware: Things to Do & Travel Guide

Delft was one of the places I chose to visit in the Netherlands because it looked cute and had a history I wanted to learn more about. It’s the home of the beautiful Royal Delft Blue porcelain as well as Johannes Vermeer. I was excited to see, after hundreds of years, what the city is like today.

A Short History of Delft

Delft dates all the way back to around the 11th century. It grew to be a very large city with various trades in beer, textiles, printing, and the arts. Though it was destroyed by fire in 1536, William … Continue reading

The Lovely City of Leiden, Home of Rembrandt: Things to Do & Travel Guide

When I was deciding where to visit from Amsterdam, Leiden stood out as a charming place to visit with some interesting sites to see, particularly for the painter Rembrandt van Rijn. Though I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, I was excited to see what this city had to offer.

A Brief History of Leiden

Leiden is one of the oldest places I visited in the Netherlands, as it it first appeared in written record during the 9th century. Its history is also a lot richer since Leiden became known for various trades – particularly textiles like broadcloth, but also … Continue reading

Edam, Volendam, and Marken: 3 Charming Dutch Towns

One place I wanted to see was the Dutch countryside, and Edam, Volendam, and Marken were places that stood out to me. Each place is small and mostly residential, so they can be seen easily together on a day trip from Amsterdam. I happened to go on a cold and rainy day but still enjoyed these three charming places. Actually, I think it was one of my favourite parts of the Netherlands!

Edam

Edam is the oldest place on this trip. Due to the shipbuilding and fishing trades, Edam prospered in the 13th and 14th centuries. Flooding that occurred in … Continue reading

Admiring Art & More in Amsterdam: Things to Do & Travel Guide

I first went to Amsterdam several years ago as a day trip. I was sick that day so a bit disoriented, and I didn’t remember too much of my adventure. So going back to Amsterdam was a way of redeeming my relationship with the city. Amsterdam is home to many, many museums so I was excited to get to see those and dive deeper into the world of Dutch art. I’m very glad I went and now have a much clearer view of this beautiful, unique city.

A Short History of Amsterdam

You’ll see a few shirts and signs that … Continue reading

Visiting Keukenhof Gardens in March (& Getting Hit by Their Bus)

April in the Netherlands is tulip season, and Keukenhof Gardens is an excellent place to see the tulips and makes an easy day trip from Amsterdam. However, April in the Netherlands is also a bit more expensive, so I opted to visit in March. Keukenhof Gardens is open only a few weeks out of the year and I was lucky enough to go on opening day.

Of course the weather can change drastically but March usually isn’t peak tulip season. So if you find yourself in the same situation, what’s a visit to Keukenhof Gardens like in March? Is it … Continue reading

5+ Fun Things to Do on Cozumel Island

I’d wanted to visit Cozumel for a long time before I actually got to. Something struck me about the Caribbean island with some of the world’s best snorkelling and a strong Mayan heritage. I researched and found lots of things to do on the island so when the time came, I spent two days in Cozumel – a lot more time than many other tourists who come for a few hours on a cruise. It’s a very small place so I got to see a lot in these few days.

So, here’s a list of some fun places you can … Continue reading

3 Amazing Mayan Ruins in Mexico: Chichen Itza, Tulum & Coba

Mexico’s Mayan ruins are some of the best preserved and fascinating ancient ruins in the world, and I was eager to see as many as possible on my trip to the Yucatan Peninsula. Here’s an overview of what each Mayan ruin is like and the history behind each of them.

Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins

Chichen Itza is one of the “seven wonders of the modern world” and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And I have to say, all three Mayan ruins on this list are nice but in a comparison, the other two pale in the shadow of Chichen … Continue reading