Four Days in Rome – First Impressions of the Eternal City

For years, I was reluctant to travel to Italy, worried that my Italian won’t hold up. Although I did go to Milan back in 2020, it was a compromise due to Covid, and not exactly my own choice of destination. But I have really wanted to see a concert of my favourite Italian singer, Patty […]

Dublin City Break: The Spire, Carly Rae Jepsen, Cute Cafés

Dublin was never high on my travel bucket list. As a non-drinker, I was slightly put off by some of its top attractions. This famous brewery, that historical pub… I don’t care! 😃 But then, Carly Rae Jepsen announced her 2023 tour, and guess where she was going to launch it! First time seeing Carly live, and visiting […]

My Strange Encounter with Falun Gong in Dublin

My first ever trip to Dublin was just for the Carly Rae Jepsen concert, plus some sightseeing around it. I was strolling up the bustling O’Connell Street, towards the Spire, when I walked into two political manifestations. One of them was by Falun Gong, a Chinese religious movement founded in the early 1990s, also known as […]

A Day Trip from Baku: Flame Mountain, Fire Temple & More!

Baku is wonderful and you can spend days exploring it. But make sure you also carve out a full day to see the attractions outside the city. Azerbaijan has some natural wonders and historical sites that can’t be missed! They’re easily accessible by car, but instead of driving, I recommend booking on an organized group […]

Pristina, Kosovo: 10 Things to See

This may surprise you, but Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, really is one of my favourite cities. No, there aren’t many things to do for a tourist, and yes, it may be one of the least beautiful European capitals, in a conventional sense. But there is something about its energy and character that hooked me […]

My Travel Year in Review – 2024 Wrapped

After travelling obsessively for over two years (no doubt as a shock response to the pandemic!), I went for a slightly different approach in 2024. This meant fewer ad hoc trips and a more intentional selection. I prioritised some of my favourite destinations over going somewhere just for the sake of being away every month, […]

Hotel room; bed in the foreground, desk with TV set in the background; big windows in both walls

Old City Inn Hotel in Baku, Azerbaijan (Review)

You might have heard that the Old City isn’t the best place to stay in Baku. But I found it just right! Although much quieter than the Fountains Square area (the actual centre and heart of Baku), it still has lots to do. And the rates are significantly lower! Old City Inn Hotel is in […]

Baku, Azerbaijan – Useful Info and Travel Advice

I spent a nice few days in Baku earlier this year, and I also want you to give this underrated place a try! This is a quick post with tips, heads-ups and recommendations. Baku Main Information Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan, a transcontinental country in the Caucasus. Until 1991, Azerbaijan was part of the […]

Man in green jacket and with a black backpack standing at a white marble balcony, looking at a bay and the city below

First Time in Baku, Azerbaijan. My New Favourite City?

On my way to work, I used to walk past the Azerbaijan Visa Centre in London. “That’s an obscure place to visit. I wonder if many people go there,” I remember thinking. I wasn’t even quite sure where it is… And little did I know that a few years later, one of those people will […]

What to See in Tirana – Top 10 Attractions

I love Albania so much that my trips there are now a yearly tradition. I can honestly say that its capital, Tirana, is one of my very favourite cities in the world. Not sure what it is exactly, but I feel at home there, every single time. Even though tourism in Albania is shooting up, […]

Green mountains in Albania, with a curving road in the bottom right corner; 'Ohrid to Tirana by bus' written in yellow and red letters at the top

Getting from Ohrid to Tirana by Bus

Taking a bus in the Balkans is the most efficient and economical way of getting around. Whatever your itinerary, there’s likely to be a suitable connection available. But when I went online before my trip from Lake Ohrid in Macedonia to Albania’s capital city of Tirana, I found scarce information and contradictory timetables. My journey […]

Neo-Baroque building, with columns and a dome, and huge yellow letters spelling BELFAST in front of it

2 Days in Belfast: Titanic, Murals and More

I don’t usually celebrate birthdays, but this year, I wanted to treat myself to a solo weekend trip. Belfast seemed like a good option, it being not far from London and small enough to explore in a weekend. And it’s been on my UK travel bucket list for quite some time! This is what I […]