Category: Destinations

Things to Do in Warsaw, Poland’s Underrated Capital

Krakow is the most popular destination in Poland, but Warsaw is the country’s capital and it has a lot to offer. I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect before visiting but I actually really liked it. It’s a great place to spend a few days and such an overlooked vacation destination.

The History of Warsaw

Warsaw is relatively new, with continuous settlement estimated since around the 13th century. However it became more important towards the end of the medieval ages. It became the capital of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1596 due to its central location, and continued serving as capital … Continue reading

The Porcelain City of Dresden – Things to Do & Travel Guide

When people think of Germany, they think of Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich. But in my case, Dresden was on the top of my German bucket list because it’s a baroque masterpiece in its own right. It’s the capital of Saxony and can be an easy day trip from places like Berlin, Prague and Wroclaw. What I found is it’s a great city to visit and even spend a little more time in.

A Short History of Dresden

Dresden has been a settlement since the mid-late middle ages. Its heyday actually came under Polish rule, when Polish King Augustus II (also … Continue reading

Puerto Rico’s Colorful Old San Juan: Things to Do & Travel Guide (Updated 2023)

Old San Juan is known for its charming houses and fort, and it used to be a popular destination for vacationers. Other bloggers reported that even after Hurricane Maria, it had revived itself. Considering that they needed the tourist money and it was only a 3.5-hour plane ride from home, I decided to spend a long weekend there and see it for myself.

And oh my goodness – San Juan is gorgeous! I even ventured back a few years later just to see it again.

The History of Old San Juan

Before colonisation, San Juan was inhabited by the Taino … Continue reading

Things to Do in Krakow: Discovering a Medieval Beauty

Even though there’s lots of things to do in Krakow, it is by far the most popular area of Poland for tourists just because of its proximity to Auschwitz. Because it was minimally destroyed in the war and it’s close to Auschwitz, it makes an excellent trip for people who want to visit Poland. It was the last stop on my Poland trip and I have to say that it was a fantastic place to be.

Krakow’s History

Krakow first started over a thousand years ago, around the 9th century, on what is today Wawel Hill (which you can visit). … Continue reading

The Ancient Japanese City of Kyoto – Things to Do & Travel Guide

Kyoto used to be the capital of Japan and now it’s one of the country’s largest and most visited cities. Since it wasn’t destroyed during WWII, it still retains a lot of its historic Japanese character, which draws people in from around the world. It’s a great city to visit in Japan and it is huge, with a tonne of things to see and do.

Kyoto’s History

Even though Tokyo is now the capital of Japan, it’s only been that way since 1868. For over a thousand years before, it was Kyoto. Kyoto’s history goes back farther but it was … Continue reading

The Beautiful Port City of Gdansk – Things to Do & Travel Guide

Gdansk is a city in the north of Poland, and it only made it to my list because of the reviews other travel bloggers gave it. I wasn’t sure about its size or charm. However it ended up being the city I enjoyed most in Poland! It was completely rebuilt after World War II and it is so colourful and gorgeous. I was blown away by its beauty. Most people post pictures of the riverside and the old gate, but that’s a small part of the Old Town Gdansk has to offer. It was definitely a highlight of my trip … Continue reading

Torun, Poland’s Gingerbread Town: Things to Do & Travel Guide

You’ve heard of Warsaw and Krakow, but have you ever heard of the medieval Polish town called Torun? It’s a great stop on your tour of Poland and also makes a great day trip from Gdansk or Poznan. It’s also known for its gingerbread, so if you love gingerbread like me, it’s an interesting stop.

Some History of Torun

It’s been inhabited for millennia but its prime time was in the medieval era. Torun as it is today was established by Teutonic Knights in the 13th century – at a site that’s still standing! It became an import trade route … Continue reading

A Quick Look at Osaka – Things to Do & Travel Guide

Osaka is one of Japan’s largest cities and is a popular tourist destination. As it is very near Kyoto and also has an international airport, it’s a good place to fly to for visiting central/southern Japan. It’s actually the gastronomical capital of Japan so since my brother’s a foodie, we decided to spend a day in Osaka and subsequently went almost every night for dinner.

Unfortunately, this Highlight post is a bit different from the others. I did not really want to go to Osaka so only reserved a day. My big mistake with Osaka was thinking I could see … Continue reading

14 Easy Day Trips from Washington, DC (Updated 2023)

There are lots of places to visit in and around the immediate DC area, but also many day trips from Washington, DC to be explored in the areas surrounding the nation’s capital. Many of them are easily done and you can cover a wide range of activities in doing so. So whether you live here or are looking to take a day trip on your vacation, here’s a select of the best places to visit from Washington, DC.

Public Transit: How do you Day Trip from Washington, DC?

To be honest, many routes are best done by driving your own … Continue reading

The Splendor of Miyajima Island (Itsukushima) – Things to Do & Travel Guide

Miyajima is one of the most beautiful places in Japan according to locals, but it’s also someplace that a lot of tourists from abroad skip over. However if you have more time to spend in Japan, Miyajima is definitely worth a visit. It was personally one of my favourite stops in Japan.

A History of Miyajima

Miyajima has been a pilgrimage site for the Japanese for over 1000 years and is still seen as a pilgrimage today. The giant torii gate and the tall pagodas aren’t an incidental part of Miyajima’s architecture; the island is set up as a Shinto … Continue reading