Are you staring at a map of the San Francisco Bay Area and feeling overwhelmed about which places to visit? I’ve had so much fun adventuring around the bay as a local, and here’s my insider’s guide to the top spots for your next trip. When I first visited San Francisco as a tourist, I assumed that most of the Bay Area was just one big suburb. Now that I live here, I’m constantly finding new and fun places to explore. Besides San Francisco, the Bay Area is known for having lots of natural spaces like hiking trails and beaches. You’ll also find the famous Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) runnin ..read more

The Grand Circle road trip (USA) has always been a dream of mine. With spectacular road trip scenery and cool rocks that tell the story of the land’s history, this 1 week Grand Circle road trip itinerary is the best way to explore several national parks from Las Vegas. My family was visiting from abroad and had only 7 days to explore the region around Las Vegas. The full Grand Circle road trip typically takes about 2 weeks, which we weren’t able to commit to at the time. We would rather create our own version of a smaller Grand Circle loop than to rush through it, and we found this version of ..read more

I love Jeju Island so much! Even in winter it is so beautiful and much warmer than Seoul. My favorite memories were of the Seafood Ramen place near Woljeongri beach, after our first hike in Jeju. I was very committed to plan the perfect Jeju itinerary for us, something full of food adventures and nature encounters. This plan does not include Jeju city museums because we wanted to spend more time outdoors. It is centred around activities in south Jeju/Seogwipo, known for scenic natural landscapes. If you are a food and nature lover, you will love this 4-day Jeju itinerary. Phone numbers of each ..read more

Snowy peaks, calm waters, and cozy cabins. That’s what Lake Tahoe reminds me of in winter, with so many unique things to do even during the colder seasons. Ever since my recent trips to the Lake Tahoe area in winter, I discovered a new love for snowy landscapes here and the outdoor adventures it brings. The best part is that Lake Tahoe never gets too cold, and road conditions are relatively easy to drive in even in winter. Although Lake Tahoe is most well known for world-class ski resorts, there are lots of other things to do in the Lake Tahoe area that are unique to winter. Some of them are n ..read more

When you think Yosemite, you think bears. However, is bear spray legal in Yosemite? Surprisingly, the answer is no. It leaves you wondering why, and how are people supposed to stay safe from potential bear encounters? I’ve camped and hiked in Yosemite National Park multiple times, and also visited other California parks known to have bear activity. There was only once where we possibly came close to a bear encounter in Lake Tahoe – and that was in the middle of the night in our campground vicinity. One question that always came to mind was – why is bear spray illegal or banned in Yosemite? Peo ..read more

Why does it feel like every “hiking gear checklist” is as long as a shopping list? It can feel overwhelming when you’re just looking for the essential hiking gear for beginners, but it just seems like there’s so much you need to prepare. Over the years, I’ve experienced various terrains, distances, and weather conditions all over the world. Much of that was when I had the budget of a college student who tried to make the bare minimum work. As my budget gear wore down, I invested in higher quality and more versatile equipment that’ll take me from coast to peak for years to come. It doesn’t take ..read more

Why are the hotel prices so high, or why can’t I see the Golden Gate Bridge? When choosing the best time to visit San Francisco we can look at the weather, hotel cost, crowds, events, and road trip ideas in each month. There’s not really a one-season-fits-all answer, so I hope to share more about traveling in each season. Perhaps you’ve already picked a date or have personal limitations, and just want to know if you picked a good time. No matter when you visit, there’s no shortage of things to do in and around San Francisco. Having traveled around the San Francisco Bay Area (and beyond) in all ..read more

Are you wondering where to stay in Rovaniemi for the perfect Finnish Lapland experience? Let me show you the best areas, resorts, and hotels to suit your preferences. Rovaniemi is the gateway and capital of Finland’s Lapland, and it wasn’t enough for me to visit just once. In fact, I’ve visited Rovaniemi during both fall and winter – both very pretty seasons. In this guide, I’ll share where the best areas to stay in Rovaniemi are and the activities you can expect there. Whether you’re looking for something iconic, romantic, or large enough for a family, I’ve got a recommendation for you. Cli ..read more

The most generous all-inclusive resorts in Maldives – what does that even mean? In this review, we’re going to break down what it’s like staying in the Pullman Maldives all-inclusive resort to help you decide if it’s worth it. Since we chose Maldives as our honeymoon destination, I know how overwhelming it can be deciding between so many different resorts. We were prepared to splurge a little to get a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and wanted everything to be perfect. It took us a while to decide on our selection criteria, but eventually decided that we wanted an all-inclusive resort so that w ..read more

Are you ready for the highlight of your California trip? It’s time to trade the vibrant San Francisco streets for the mind-blowing landscapes of Yosemite National Park. If you’re confused about the best way to get to Yosemite from San Francisco, this guide is just for you! Having visited Yosemite several times across various seasons, I learnt that some things may require your own discretion (instead of just Google Maps). This could be depending on the weather or your personal preference. By weighing the pros and cons of each route and tour option, we can make the best use of our time to get th ..read more