The city of Kyoto, Japan is home to over 1600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines to visit. This is one of the main reasons it is a popular city to visit as it makes for a great place to learn about Japanese history and traditions. With so many different temples and shrines to visit, it can be difficult to choose which ones to visit during a short stay. The most popular ones are spread throughout the city and are best enjoyed earlier in the morning before the crowds come. You are best off planning to visit one popular temple or shrine along with a couple of smaller ones to…
Lanna Smile Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Trying a cooking class in Thailand is a must-do activity and Lanna Smile Thai Cooking is definitely one of the best options in Chiang Mai. The food in Thailand is so delicious and affordable that you’ll want to take a class and learn how to make the food traditionally. In this cooking class, you’ll make 5 traditional dishes and learn about the different ingredients and how to prepare them. After visiting Thailand and taking this class, Pad Thai and Spring Rolls have become dishes that I frequently make. While I can’t find all the ingredients where I live, I try to follow the cook book they gave us as closely…
The Ultimate Bangkok Bucket List
Bangkok is a bustling city full of activites for all ages and interests. Check out this list for awesome activities to add to your Bangkok bucket list!
6 Must-See Temples in Chiang Mai
It’s no secret that Chiang Mai is filled with gorgeous temples, boasting over 300 Buddhist temples around the small city. It is near impossible to go on a walk and not see any! The temples, referred to as Wats, typically have entrance fees for foreign visitors and a strict dress code. Read about my tips for temple attire in my blog here. As I mentioned in my Bangkok Temples post, if you’re like me and go to see as many as possible, you may experience something called “Wat Burnout”. This is when you have visited so many temples you get burned out from it (trust me it’s a real thing!).…
Tips for Your First Trip to Vietnam
Oh, Did I ever wish I read up on Vietnam tips prior to visiting the country! Vietnam is an incredible country filled with unique history and beautiful landscape. From the bustling main cities to the roaring limestone mountains in Halong Bay, there are fantastic places to explore that suit everyone’s travel preferences. Not to mention that an entire week in Vietnam can be cheaper than a single day in cities in Europe! Vietnam ranks top of my list for countries I’ve visited, due to the incredible scenery, food, friendly locals, and history that the country has to offer. But, there are definitely some things you should be aware of before…
10 of the Best and Must-See Temples in Bangkok
Bangkok is filled with so many must-see temples that it can be hard to choose which ones to visit! It’s no secret that Thailand is filled with beautiful Buddhist temples, with outstanding architecture from many different eras. Approximately 94% of the country is Buddhist, and there are over 41,000 Buddhist temples across Thailand, with over 33,000 still in use! The temples, referred to as Wats throughout the country, typically have entrance fees for foreign visitors and a strict dress code. In Bangkok, there are hundreds, if not thousands of temples throughout the city. If you’re like me and go to see as many as possible, you may experience something called…
Top Vegetarian Friendly Restaurants in Chiang Mai
Vegetarian restaurants can be hard to come across in Thailand, especially in cities like Chiang Mai! This beautiful city located in the North of Thailand, filled with gorgeous temples and activities for all ages. You can check out an elephant sanctuary, try out a cooking class, head out on a hike, or simply wander through the city and you will surely have an incredible time. The food was absolutely incredible everywhere I went, especially in Chiang Mai. From Khao Soi, to Pad Thai, to Spring Rolls hot and fresh – there were so many different dishes to try! As a vegetarian, it can be tricky to find good restaurants in…
Tips for Your First Trip to Thailand
Thailand is a hot tourist destination for people of all ages for a reason – the country is absolutely beautiful, affordable, and has incredible food. From island hopping in Phuket to temple hunting in Chiang Mai, to food tours and animal sanctuaries all over the country, there sure are a lot of adventures for all sorts of travel styles. As with travelling to any country, it is important to research customs and traditions to ensure you respect the country and the locals. And so, I’ve put together my list of things you should know before your first trip to the beautiful country of Thailand! **Please note that this blog post…
One Week Japan Itinerary
Japan was always a place that I wanted to experience, and I just so happened to splurge on a last minute ticket for a week-long getaway in Japan! Some of my friends had told me there was no way I could experience Japan in a single week, but I’d like to think I was able to see a lot of the sights and culture. From robot shows, to amazing food, to anime, and to bowing deer, I’m going to take you through my one-week itinerary to see the highlights that Japan has to offer. Day 1 – Arrival in Tokyo – Narita Airport If you’re flying from North America, you’re…
