Travel Tips - LIFE OF SHAL

Coffee Talk: Adventures be calling – don’t ignore it

Some places inspire you… others perhaps not so much. It’s funny how much life can happen in the space of a few days… months… and even a year.

Exploring Table Mountain

Overlooking the beautiful city of Cape Town is one of South Africa’s most visited attractions. In fact, you can’t really visit the Mother City without visiting Table Mountain.

Situated just 30 minutes outside of the city center, Hout Bay forms one of the best sea-side neighborhoods in Cape Town. A short 20 kilometer drive outside of Cape Town city you’ll find long sandy beaches perfect for swimming and water sports. Located on the northern side of Chapman’s Peak…

Best Places To Visit In April

April is one of those in between seasons which can make planning a wanderlust-filled vacation a little difficult. Some places may be filled with endless sunshine, others with sporadic rainfall. While it is an odd time of year to travel, many do so because of the reasonable prices. Planning a…

Best Places To Visit In March

March is the perfect time for a quick vacation getaway. As the Northern Hemisphere drifts into spring and the Southern Hemisphere creeps into autumn, this month forms the ideal time to travel. The hustle and bustle of the busy season slows down making it the ideal time to explore Europe…

A Beginner’s Guide To Chinese New Year

Xin Nian Kuai Le my dear readers! The year of the Dog is upon us and the Chinese New Year celebrations have begun! Having lived in China for two and a half years, I thought it would be a great idea to write a post about one of my favourite Chinese…

The SFIWoman’s Guide to a Table for One

Traveling alone means that sometimes you’re going to have to sit down at a restaurant alone. Sigh. The dreaded “table for one, please” line is enough to send even a strong, free-thinking independent (SFI) woman huddling off under her hotel room bed sheets, scouring away at a boring room service…

10 Simple Scuba Diving Tips for Beginners

You can’t do an island vacation without trying out the myriad of water sports available and if you find yourself on a beach with crystal clear waters, you can be sure there are some great dive spots nearby. If you’ve never been diving before, the thought of jumping into unknown…

Top 15 Chinese cities you should visit

The traditions and culture of China overflow in a merry mix of past to present that spread out over the great size of this beautiful country. Forming the fourth largest country in the world, many visitors tend to stick to the larger and more popular cities that are often more…

How to travel the world as a SFIWoman

The world can be a dangerous place but that doesn’t mean it should stop us from doing the things we love. Traveling to over 20 countries has certainly taught me that being a strong, free-thinking independent (SFI) woman isn’t always as easy as it looks. Whether it be riding a…

Foreign Exchange 101: Travel Tips and Tricks

While traveling abroad gives you tons of life experience, what it doesn’t prepare you for is those high bank charges and conversion fees. Sigh! It’s a sad reality that traveling can be very expensive. After the flights are booked and accommodation is secured one of the biggest concerns of many…

A Quick Guide To St Thomas, USVI

There’s nothing better than an island vacation but if I’m honest, St Thomas was never really on my must visit Caribbean island bucket list but with over 7000 individual islands, it’s easy to see how one can end up exploring unheard of places and hiking through lush emerald green nature.…

20 Things to know before visiting the U.S. Virgin Islands

If you’re planning a Caribbean vacation then the United States Virgin Islands (USVIs) is the perfect destination. Full of gorgeous beaches, crystal clear waters, soft white sand and beautiful marine life; these charming islands located just southeast of Puerto Rico guarantees rest, relaxation and beach side adventures! Here are 20…

Exploring The U.S. Virgin Islands: Part 2

The best thing about road tripping with someone who has a similar travel style to you is that you don’t have to worry about randomly saying “Pull over!” because you saw something beautiful. That’s often the very best part of road trips – wandering with someone you feel so comfortable…

Pretty Girl. Beautiful Mind.

It seems in today’s day and age, it’s so easy to forget who we are, what we want, and what we, as strong free thinking independent woman stand for. Everyone seems to know the answers when in actual fact we don’t even know what the questions are that are being…

Exploring the U.S. Virgin Islands: Part 1

There’s nothing better than knocking another destination of your bucket list. Sometimes however, life unexpectedly takes you to beautiful places that never really were on your list to begin with. That’s what I love about travel. You visit new places and meet new people… form bonds and make friendships… learn…

The Night Before Christmas at Heathrow

The night before Christmas is one of the most magical times of the year. Christmas trees are glistening; presents have been wrapped and sleepy children leave out cookies and milk for Santa before crawling into warm beds. It really is my favorite time of the year. The anticipation of Christmas…

10 Unique places to spend the winter holidays

Winter is here! While it may seem easy to relax in the comfort of a cozy home with a lit fire, the truth is all round the northern hemisphere, winter is one of those times when the beauty of some cities shines through. There are many places to explore -…

How travel will change your life in the littlest off ways

My first big adventure began in 2011 when I moved to a little city in The Netherlands. At the time I was terrified! Moving to a new city half way across the world and starting a new life there seemed like an overwhelming thought at the time but deep down,…

Solo Travel Tips For Every Woman

If there’s one thing solo travel has taught me, it’s how to be fearless. The world is a big place and yes, it is pretty scary out there all by your lonesome with no one to have your back and no one to catch you when you fall. But does…

20 Instagram captions for every wanderluster

If you’re reading this, chances are you don’t really need much more convincing to take that next trip. If you’ve booked your tickets and are counting down the months… days… and even hours… then you’ve come to the right place. Wherever your travels may take you, capturing the magic in…

10 Travel Inspired Bedroom Ideas

Moving into my new apartment has been pretty fun because I now have a whole new space to decorate! With travel still playing such a dominant role in my life, you can be certain that much of my decor is going to have a travel theme! I’ve recently moved things…

6 Life-changing Habits for Every Thirty Something

Turning thirty is pretty scary. While I still feel like the same whimsical travel-loving Gemini I was in my twenties, the start of my thirties have been centered around a different set of thoughts. All of a sudden there are more responsibilities, less time and an endless list of tasks that…

Top 10 tips for visiting Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea

You can’t visit Tokyo without scheduling some time aside to visit Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. While Tokyo Disneyland has many unique features; the star of these parks really is Tokyo DisneySea which is the only of its kind in the world. Even if you arrive before opening and stay…

20 photos that will make you want to visit Tokyo DisneySea RIGHT NOW

I’ve loved Disney ever since I can remember. There’s something about that magical wondrous feeling you get, whether it be watching your favorite Disney movie, reading your best Disney book or visiting a Disney park. You know… that feeling that everything is going to be okay and that life should…

Indispensable tips to know before visiting Kyoto

Kyoto forms one of those quaint Japanese cities that everyone should visit at least once. Forming the capital of Japan over a thousand years ago and now the country’s seventh largest city, Kyoto is home to thousands of breathtaking architectural wonders. From the mysterious geisha district to the endless temples and shrines;…

Top 10 Beaches in Bali

Beach vacations are one of the best ways to disconnect from the fast paced monotony of everyday life. The tropical island of Bali forms a perfect family destination filled with rich culture, spirituality and friendly locals, not to mention some of the freshest and most delicious Indonesian food around! Tucked…

Arashiyama Bamboo Groves

If you’re thinking of doing something a little different from the typical city sightseeing when visiting Kyoto then make your way to the Arashiyama Bamboo Groves. Located in the far west of Kyoto, the Bamboo Groves are like no other forest you’ve ever seen. With tall stalks stretching upwards to…

Ten must-do things when visiting Arashiyama, Kyoto

Located on the western outskirts of Kyoto and tucked away at the base of the storm mountains, you will find Arashiyama. Filled with temples and shrines and of course the famous Bamboo Grooves, it’s easy to see why this is one of the most popular districts in Kyoto that just…

Dotonbori, Osaka

Osaka is known as the culinary capital of Japan with Dotonobori forming one of the best places to fuel your gastronomical Asian journey. The name Dotonbori comes from the merchant Doton Yasui who actually began construction of the river in 1612. The area is now known as one of the…

A quick guide to Osaka

While the streets of Tokyo are usually at the top of any tourist’s Japan bucket list, Japan’s third largest metropolitan city – Osaka – is just as, if not more entertaining. Neighboring Kyoto and Kobe; the cosmopolitan atmosphere, weather and especially the food, is what I loved the most when visiting…

Finding The Bo-Kaap and My Heart

The thing about moving to a new town is that you never know how your life is going to change. Perhaps it will be a move for the better. Perhaps it will mean a difficult change, one in which you will learn tremendous lessons from the unforeseen challenges thrown by…

The Japan Rail Pass: Is it worth it?

After spending a week in Japan, I can easily say that it is one of my favorite Asian countries to explore! This month, as I continue to share more and more of my trip around Japan with you, I thought it only practical to share some tips that helped us along…

The Kimono Forest, Kyoto

Hidden away at the Randen Tram Station in Arashiyama is one of Kyoto’s best kept secrets. While from the outskirts, it may seem like just brightly colored cylindrical pillars, it really is so much more than that. If you’re brave enough to trek just a little bit off the beaten path…

10 Local Foods To Try In Japan

TAKOYAKI A popular Japanese snack, takoyaki is usually made out of wheat flour batter, tempura scraps, green onions and the diced tako (octopus), brushed with takoyaki sauce and topped with dried bonito fish flakes. Served hot, these octopus balls are absolutely delicious! image TAMOGOYAKI Grilled egg is delicious in any…

A quick guide to Hiroshima, Japan

Hiroshima is mostly known as a small city in Japan where the first two atomic bombs were dropped. Truth be told, it’s so much more than that. Filled with a vibrant culture, endless history, festivals, bars and museums, it’s clear that this beautiful city has since recovered from its tragic…

How to see Hiroshima in one day

I have a soft spot for historical cities so it’s no surprise that when visiting the beautiful country of Japan, I insisted on spending some time in Hiroshima. After landing in Tokyo the night before, we did some quick planning only to realize that Hiroshima was at least, a five…

LoS Book Club: Sadako and the thousand paper cranes

It’s easy to forget brutal histories and hurtful historical pasts in our quest as travel bloggers to share with our readers the beauty of the world. But that shouldn’t be the case. As a traveler, my aim is to not only show you how beautiful the world is but to…

Nagata-Ya, Japan

After a long day in Hiroshima we stopped for dinner at the famous Nagata-Ya Japanese restaurant. Nagata-Ya is a Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki restaurant located on Hondori Road next to the Memorial Peace Park. It’s the perfect place to sit down and try some traditional okonomiyaki in a city that is famous…

Tasting okonomiyaki

During preparations for my trip to Japan I did a lot of pre-reading about the things I wanted to see and do. I knew Japan was famous for sushi and octopus dumplings (takoyaki), so naturally that was on my culinary bucket list. But upon arrival I soon realized that each…

How to travel with other people

If you’re used to doing things solo when you adventure, then traveling with other people can be a daunting thought. The idea of having to compromise your own sightseeing as you explore on someone else’s time is enough to put any friendship, relationship or acquaintance to the test. It can…

Why you should chase experiences and not things

While most people are chasing cars, steady jobs (and perhaps even lovers) you’ve never felt the same calling. Sure, you know you should be doing it. It’s what everyone has been saying to you for who knows how long. Perhaps you’ve even tried it but after a while found that…

Why You Should Travel In Your Twenties

Just the other day I read an article being shared on social media explaining why millennials should not travel in their twenties. Now let me start by saying that while I’m not opposed to hearing all sides of any story and love a good discussion with opposing views, I somehow…

Ten picturesque locations you must visit in Beijing

What I love the most when visiting a new place is the endless amount of exploring I get to fill my time with! Exploring and capturing what I see has become another one of my traveling hobbies leaving me with folders and folders of snaps! I can’t claim to be…

8 Essential snorkeling tips for Bali

The crystal blue waters of Bali make for some of the best snorkeling spots in the world but if this is your first time floating out in the open ocean it can be quite a scary experience. I’m no expert but after spending some time snorkeling off the island of…

Snow at The Forbidden City: A Photo Diary

When snow blankets Beijing, it’ easy to make a cup of coffee and stay indoors. I’ll tell you a secret though, it’s one of the best times to be out. Not only is the city covered in fluffy whiteness but it’s also a rare opportunity to visit some of the…

Essential Tips to help you maneuver the Chinese subway at rush hour

If you really want to see if you can survive China, then your first test should be traversing the subway through peak hour traffic. With around 10 million people traversing the subway every day, it’s certainly not for faint-hearted. The sea of people stream along and subway officials eagerly push…

Ten Travel lessons I learnt from The Hobbit

The Hobbit is an inspiring tale about the adventures of Bilbo Baggins. While it is not set in a particular country or place that we can directly relate too, it is certainly one of the timeless travel books that can be read on almost any kind of trip because it…

Why Every Traveller Should Read The Hobbit

There can be no better book to read on your travels than a timeless adventure involving a little hobbit from Middle Earth. A tale of something unexpected and perhaps even unwanted. Something that leaves him (and you) changed just as any adventure into the unknown would. My first real adventure…

15 signs that you’re a wanderluster

You’ve just got back from a trip and exhausted as you are, you’re almost ready for the next one. You look around and everything seems to remind you of being on the road again. You pull out your laptop and what starts out as checking your email ends with checking…

Cantonese Morning Tea

Cantonese morning tea, or zao cha (zao meaning morning and cha meaning tea) is a beautiful tradition in the Southern lying areas of China, forming an essential part of local daily life. Whether it be drinking a cup of refreshing oolong tea with family or sitting down together with friends,…

10 great travel mantras to live by every day

One of the things I love about travelling is that you don’t just get to see new places. Instead, you get to make amazing memories. Whether it be tasting exotic foods, diving in marine parks or just doing some sort of extraordinary activity, there’s something about travel that makes us…

A Simple Guide To Trying Local Street Food In China

I was never a girl to try local street food but truth be told: my perception of street food soon changed after living in China for two and half years. Street food is not just food in China, it’s a culture. In fact, I’d be so bold as to say,…

Cafes Around The World – Cafe Confucius

Situated near the Confucius Temple in Dongcheng is a little Buddhist inspired coffee shop. Its mention in many China inspired guidebooks made me fairly curious as to how a little roadside café nestled in the heart of a hutong could be named after one of the most famous temples in…

20 Photos that will make you want to get on a microlight (like right now!)

If you haven’t realized yet, I’m crazy. I do all sorts of strangely weird things on my travels and I absolutely love it. Who was it that said – life is a daring adventure or nothing at all -ah yes! Helen Keller. She was on to something, you know. Recently my…

Tai O Fishing Village, Hong Kong

Two hours outside of central Hong Kong and a short bus ride away from the Tian Tan Buddha, you will find a quiet stilted fishing village. Tai O Fishing Village is named after the same outlying island from which it is located, is found on the north western coastline of…

Cafes Around The World – Gelato Pique

Nestled in the heart of Beijing’s Sanlitun, Taikoo Li shopping district is a cute little Japanese café – Gelato Pique. So little that you most likely will walk past without even knowing it’s there. In fact, I spent almost a year in Beijing without even tasting their delectable French-style pancakes…

A Guide to surviving Asian monsoons

You never know what adventures you’ll experience when travelling through south-east Asia. Maybe you’ll taste some exotic dishes that will have your friends squirming back home, maybe you’ll see a UNESCO world heritage site and uncover some historical secrets or maybe you’ll unexpectedly get stuck in the middle of a…

How I survived a monsoon in Guangdong, China

My first year in China was filled with all sorts of adventures. From unknowingly tasting shark fin soup at a teacher’s dinner to trekking to the 10th tower of the Great Wall – the adventures were endless. But I guess that is why we travel… to push ourselves to the…

Tasting Peking Duck In Beijing

China is famous for many kinds of exotic foods however depending on which city you visit; there will always be a specialty dish that is characteristic of that area. For Beijing, that dish is traditional Peking duck. The Chinese themselves have a famous saying that no visit to China is complete…

Gala Dinners At Gosford House, Scotland

There’s something special about old Scottish castles housing beautiful artworks from the classical era. It takes you back on a historical journey of a time that once was. On our last night in Scotland, we attended a gala dinner at the wondrous Gosford House near Longniddry, in East Lothian. At the…

Hongqiao Pearl Market, Beijing

One of my favorite things to do when traveling is visit the markets. It’s one of the quickest ways to learn about the culture of a city and get acquainted with locals while picking up some souvenirs of the place you’re visiting. The Hongqiao Pearl market is one of Beijing’s…

A Quick Guide To Edinburgh

The medieval Scottish capital of Edinburgh is filled with neoclassical buildings, rolling hills and an endless history that engulfs the city (and you!) no matter where you stand. From the top of the Scott Monument to the colorful antique stores, here is a quick guide to Edinburgh. FAST FIVE FACTS…

The Great Chinese Firewall

Oh yes. You read right. There really is such a thing as the Great Chinese Firewall and while you may not be able to see it, or even climb to the tenth tower to prove your manhood (or womanhood, for that matter), it certainly is bigger than anything you’ve ever…

Tasting Bullfrog in China

One of the things I love about China is the endless opportunities to try new and exotic foods. The Chinese love their food and eating a meal is a tradition that should be done both on time and with large numbers of people. Chinese dining etiquette is very different to…

Wine Tasting In Stellenbosch

After receiving a complimentary wine tasting at the Spier Hotel, Vineyard and Spa, I thought it best to share some of the simple wine tasting tips I learnt with you. Turns out it’s not that difficult to really taste your wine and know what’s in it! By applying these simple…

Simple packing mistakes you’re probably making

It’s pretty hard to pack for a trip abroad. You start out with a medium sized suitcase and tell yourself that you’re going to pack light. You want to leave room for your shopping trips, souvenirs and gifts… but before you know it you’re sitting with a pile of t-shirts,…

Spier Hotel, Vineyard and Spa, Stellenbosch

On a recent Erasmus conference in Stellenbosch, I had the pleasure of spending a night at the four star Spier Hotel, Vineyard and Spa. Comfortably nestled within the Stellenbosch Winelands, Spier is one of South Africa’s oldest wine farms with a proud history that was established somewhere in 1962. With…

Take That Erasmus Exchange: What You’ll Learn

If you’re at university and are contemplating a study abroad trip then my advice is to just go! Six years ago I embarked on an Erasmus exchange program to The Netherlands and I can honestly say that I’ve never been the same since. Sure, there were a few moments (both…

Venturing Through Scotland: Tasting Haggis

One of the things I love doing while exploring different cities is tasting local foods. You can learn so much about a country and its culture through food so you can bet that I’m always at the front line to taste anything! Whilst on vacation in Edinburgh, mum and I…

Your Guide to biking the Ancient City Walls of Xian

Xian is the capital of the Shaanxi province in China. While it is most famous for its army of terracotta warriors and exotic foods at the Muslim quarter, it is also more popularly known for the ancient walls which were originally built in the Tang dynasty to protect the inner…

Adventures At The Chinese Grocery Store: Exploring New Chinese Foods

Whilst I’m always up for a good adventure, wandering different countries and exploring new cities, walking down the aisles of a Chinese grocery store often proves to be a whole new adventure in itself. I often smell things long before I see them and hear the frantic splashing of the…

How to Survive Getting Sick in China

Whilst venturing out into the unknown can be a life-changing experience, at some point, you might get sick. Amidst reading up on local food and culture sometimes we forget about the important stuff, like how to handle a medical emergency or getting sick in a new city. Perhaps one of the scariest…

Climbing to the Tenth Tower of the Great Wall: Badaling

The Chinese have a famous saying, “You aren’t a man until you’ve climbed the Great Wall of China.” Being a strong independent woman, my first thought upon hearing this, was I sure as hell will be hiking up that Great Wall and not just up the wall, but to the tenth…

The Great Wall: Badaling

Spanning a distance of 21 000 kilometers across Northern China, it’s no secret that The Great Wall forms one of Asia’s oldest wonders. Built more than 2300 years ago by a range of Emperors, its main purpose was to prevent invasion and protect trading along the Silk Road. Today, it…

How to Avoid China’s Crowds and Chaos

China is a traveler’s paradise. Being one of the world’s oldest civilizations, it’s definitely a place that every travelista should explore, at least once in her life. Walk through clouds of incense at the Lama Temple, run your hands amidst bright red prayer wheels, wander along the glistening Kunming Lake…

Visiting the Tian Tan Buddha, Lantau Island

The Tian Tan Buddha is one of the largest seated Buddha statues in the world. It’s no surprise that this was at the top of my Hong Kong bucket list in 2009 and while I didn’t get to see it on my first trip to Hong Kong, I was sure…

Hong Kong’s Top Markets

Hong Kong is well known for its street markets that run till the early hours of the morning. Filled with cheap fashionable clothing, antiques, accessories and electronics, it forms the essence of local life on the island and is definitely worth the visit. Be prepared for bustling crowds, inflated prices…

How to Deal with Delayed, Damaged, or Lost Luggage

You’ve just arrived in a new city. Everything around you is foreign. Nobody speaks English and after a sixteen hour flight, all you want to do is check into your hotel, take a nice long bath and get a good night’s rest. As you arrive at the baggage carousel, you…

Restaurants Around The World: Burgerman

If you’re ever in Hong Kong and looking for a good burger, then head over to the Burgerman joint in Tai Kok Tsui, Mongkok. Claiming to serve Hong Kong’s top 10 burgers, it’s easy to see (and smell) why. While it originated in the United States as one of the…

Why I’ll continue to travel

We travel the world and spend most of our days in the quiet comforts of our own company, exploring the unknown. We wander around cities and learn more about the local people and their problems than any news broadcast could ever show. For some of us, travelling solo and not…

Chinese Dining Etiquette: 15 Rules for Eating in China

Dining etiquette in China, whether it be a friendly dinner or formal business meeting, is built on strong traditions and whilst it may seem that all you need is to master the use of your chopsticks, it’s important to remember that table manners are more ritualized in the Eastern world…

10 BARGAINING MISHAPS EVERY BEGINNER MAKES AT A STREET MARKET

So you’ve picked up some great street market bargaining tips and are ready to hit the late night stalls and haggle your way to some great buys. Everybody knows that sellers will inevitably set their prices high enough in anticipation of haggling tourists. While it can be a fun experience and…

Street Market Bargaining Tips

So you’ve browsed the markets in India and wandered through the markets in Africa. You know that the first price isn’t always the best price but sometimes it can be difficult or feel down right strange to haggle someone into giving you something for a fraction of their original price.…

Shanghai In 48 Hours

Shanghai is one of China’s most popular cities. Filled with crowded streets and soaring skyscrapers, it forms a modern economical hub. With only 48 hours to spend here, it can seem like a mammoth task to explore this beautiful city so I’ve narrowed it down to a simple easy to…

5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD MEET LOCALS WHEN TRAVELING TO NEW PLACES

So you’ve finally packed your bags and planned that much awaited solo adventure. Being new in a foreign land with so many strange people that you don’t know and can’t understand can make socializing a difficult experience. If you’re looking for a few tips on how to get acquainted with locals…

13 Interesting Facts About Shanghai

With a population of over 23 million people, Shanghai forms one of the largest and most developed cities in mainland China. Filled with endless history, mystic and a cosmopolitan vibe that blends traditional and modern styles from east to west, Shanghai still hold many secrets. Shanghai was once a fishing village known as…

Must Know Travel Facts Before Visiting The Bund, Shanghai

Forming the cultural and economic hub of Shanghai, the mile-long bund area is a must see spot in this beautiful city. Situated alongside the Huangpu River, the range of vast architectural styles attract many tourists day in and day out. Here are some essential travel facts that you should know…

12 Whimsical Tips For Your First Solo Adventure

Your’re finally doing it. You’ve quit your job… or scheduled some long overdue leave and planned an adventure to some exotic destination… by yourself. You have a million thoughts running through your head and none of them seem to be good ones. What if something goes wrong? What if you need…

LOS Global Kitchen: Dutch Poffertjes

On my six month journey through the Netherlands, I fell in love with Dutch culture and more so with one of their best kept secrets – food. The Dutch are well known for many things and doing my research before arriving, it never really occurred to me that there would…

A Quick Guide to Shanghai

Shanghai is one of China’s biggest metropolitan cities. Situated on the estuary of the Yangtze River, Shanghai serves as East China’s most influential financial, economic, and cultural center. For many international travelers, it also serves as the first port of entry due to its modernization and blend of eastern and…

Getting Acquainted With Locals In A Foreign Land

Living away from home is hard but living in a strange land where hardly anyone around you speaks English and you can barely read the words on the street is a pretty difficult adventure to embark on. How do you make friends? How do you ask for that essential item…

Restaurants Around The World: Hai Di Lao Hot Pot

If you’re in China and are looking for an authentic Chinese hot pot experience then visiting Hai Di Lao is a must. Hai Di Lao is a chain of hot pot restaurants that was initially founded in the Sichuan Province in 1994. Today, there are over 80 locations in and…

The Best Ways To Explore An Off The Beaten Track Destination

You’ve traveled to many popular destinations and as the number of tourists seem to increase annually you’ve now decided to go somewhere off the beaten track – somewhere different, unheard off, unusual or just down right outside of your comfort zone. Exploring a foreign city and discovering its hidden secrets…

A Brief History of the Summer Palace

China is home to many architectural wonders filled with deep history and cultural design. The Summer Palace forms one of the largest and most well preserved imperial gardens. First built in 1750, it covers an area of 2.9 square kilometers and is dominated by Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake which covers…

The best walking routes within the Summer Palace

The Summer Palace is one of the largest and best preserved Imperial Gardens in the world. Its Chinese name, Yiheyuan translates into the ‘Garden of Nurtured Harmony’ and that is exactly what this vast ensemble of lakes, gardens and palaces nestled among the surrounding landscape forms. First designated a UNESCO world…

Essential Tips For Visiting the Summer Palace

The Summer Palace is one of the best preserved masterpieces of Chinese landscape and design. Filled with lakes, gardens, pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges, it all comes together to form a harmonious ensemble of calming aesthetic pleasure. It’s also one of the largest imperial gardens in China. Wandering around,…

Top 16 Things to do at the Summer Palace

One of the best preserved imperial gardens in the world can be found to the northwest of Beijing, just 15 km outside of the city center. Yiheyuan which means The Garden of Restful Peace is also more popularly known as The Summer Palace and was initially built in 1750 by…

8 Tips to Protect Your Skin While Flying

I love flying to exotic bucket-list destinations but if I’m honest, the toll it takes on my body and skin make me wonder if these long haul flights are actually worth it. Really? No. Who am I kidding? Of course it’s worth it. I love to travel and wander around…

A Quick Guide To The Seychelles

The Seychelles is an island cluster located in the Indian Ocean just off East Africa. There are over 100 islands making up the archipelago of which the vast majority still remain uninhabited. Here’s a quick guide to this pristine holiday destination. FAST FIVE FACTS: Population: approximately 92 000 Capital: Victoria…