The Least Visited Capital in Europe? Two Days in Chișinău
In Europe, lesser-known places are always a better pick for me than tourist hotspots. Somehow I’m more attracted to countries you don’t hear much about, and Moldova fits right into that description. Its capital, Chișinău, doesn’t have the best opinion – but that’s exactly why it appealed to me! The least visited European capital? Sounds exciting! […]
Day Trip to Tiraspol, Transnistria – a Phantom Country
Some of the appeal of going to Moldova is visiting its eastern part called Transnistria, often described as a “country that doesn’t exist” and “the last bastion of the Soviet Union”. Yes, hardly sounds like a tourist hotspot. If anything, it will put some off. But not me! I was curious to see if it really […]
Hello from Banja Luka, an Underrated Bosnian City
It made me chuckle to see “Banja Luka” when browsing flights some time ago. The name sounds almost identical to the Polish word “banialuki” which means something absurd or nonsensical; tall tales and fanciful stories. I was intrigued and decided to visit it when I’m in the Balkans again. After 3 days in Banja Luka, […]
Boring or Underrated? My First Impression of Birmingham
It’s the second biggest British city, but hardly a tourist hotspot. Often described as uninteresting or even dull, Birmingham has a mixed reputation at best. But after years of living in the UK, and visiting over 10 cities, it was time to give this underdog a try. I went there with a friend who has also […]
Exploring Münster in One (Rainy) Day
You can hardly call Münster a popular tourist destination. Some of us know the name, but how many have actually thought of visiting? Or know someone who has? I decided to give this modest city a go, pairing it with Düsseldorf for an extended weekend trip. Main information Münster is located in the western part of Germany, […]
How Much I Spent in 2 Days in Oslo (as a Frugal Traveller)
Nordic countries are known for being some of the happiest, but also the most expensive, regardless of where you’re visiting from. Our walking tour guide in Oslo even joked that Munch’s Scream is the horrified expression tourists make when paying for coffee! 😄 I also found Oslo’s prices expensive, even more than I expected. So, I […]
First Time in Oslo, Norway – Better than I Expected!
Norway was never on my travel bucket list. But I kind of missed Scandinavia, and when I found a cheap flight to Oslo, I didn’t think too long before booking. I was more than happy to add the final Nordic country to my list! I spent less than 2 days in Oslo, but managed to see […]
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 […]