TRAVEL GUIDES

I’m not an expert, but I’ve learned a few things from our trips that I wish I had known beforehand. Here are a few travel guides that I hope can benefit first-time travelers to these destinations.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Batad Rice Terraces, Banaue, Ifugao, Philippines

Ifugao / PHILIPPINES / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER 15 Sep 2017 JB Macatulad

Batad is a remote village of around 1,500 people in Ifugao province. It's said to be home to the best and most well-preserved rice terraces in the Cordillera region. These terraces are between 2,000-6,000 years old and have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines

Mountain Province / PHILIPPINES / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: 15 Sep 2017 JB Macatulad

A small mountain town of a little over 11,000 people, the first time I visited Sagada was fifteen years ago. My sister and I took a backpacking trip up north and this sleepy town famous for its hanging coffins was one of our first stops. I've always preferred mountains over beaches so I instantly fell in love with the place.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City / TRAVEL GUIDES / VIETNAM / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: 25 Sep 2017 JB Macatulad

Saigon's pulsating nightlife didn't appeal to us. What we did find appealing, was the city's vibrant street food culture that exceeded every other destination we had visited in Vietnam. Despite spending little more than two full days in Ho Chi Minh City, we left with some of the most memorable dining experiences from our trip.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An / TRAVEL GUIDES / VIETNAM / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: 25 Sep 2017 JB Macatulad

Hoi An is a city in Quảng Nam Province in Central Vietnam. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was one of the most heavily-frequented trading ports in Southeast Asia from the 17th to the 18th centuries.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi / Ha Long Bay / TRAVEL GUIDES / VIETNAM / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: 25 Sep 2017 JB Macatulad

As chaotic and busy as Hanoi can be, its also a city teeming with character. Walk around the Old Quarter for a day and you'll see what I mean. An eclectic mix of foreign influences, you get the sense that this city has seen a lot in its thousand year history. Stick around long enough, and you may just get to hear its stories.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Nagasaki, Japan

JAPAN / Nagasaki / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: 31 Aug 2017 JB Macatulad

Nagasaki is a strange city in the sense that in many ways, it feels very “un-Japanese”. Much of this has to do with it’s prominence as a port city. From the 16th to the 19th centuries, it was the only port in Japan open to foreign trade hence the proliferation of foreign influences.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Kurokawa Onsen, Japan

JAPAN / Kumamoto / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: 21 Jun 2017 JB Macatulad

Kurokawa Onsen is a hot spring town high up in the mountains of Kumamoto prefecture in Kyushu. Set in a forested valley with a river running through it, Kurokawa Onsen is widely considered to be one the most scenic onsen towns in Japan.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Osaka, Japan

JAPAN / Osaka / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: 21 Sep 2017 JB Macatulad

I love Osaka. I love everything about it – the atmosphere, the weather, the shopping, the food. Often referred to as the "Nation's Kitchen", it's one of the best cities in Japan to visit for food. If you travel for food like we do, then you're going to love Osaka too.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Kyoto, Japan

JAPAN / Kyoto / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: 21 Sep 2017 JB Macatulad

Kyoto is a special place for all Japanese. When you're there, you feel it. An historical and culturally significant city, there is a mystique and reverence unique to Kyoto, one that I haven't felt in other parts of Japan.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Taipei, Taiwan

TAIWAN / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: 25 Sep 2017 JB Macatulad

I have a list of countries I want to revisit and Taiwan sits at the very top of that list. We’ve only been there once, for three days in Taipei, but we fell in love with it instantly. It surprised us on so many levels. The people were warm and friendly, the prices were surprisingly affordable, especially for a developed Asian country, and the street food? Phenomenal!

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Langkawi, Malaysia

MALAYSIA / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: 25 Sep 2017 JB Macatulad

Known as the "Jewel of Kedah", Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands about 30 km off the coast of northwestern Malaysia. It was awarded UNESCO World Geopark status in 2007 and is home to lush forests, white sand beaches, waterfalls, caves, limestone cliffs, and mangroves.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Siem Reap, Cambodia

CAMBODIA / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: 25 Sep 2017 JB Macatulad

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Angkor Wat is the biggest religious monument in the world and probably the reason why you're visiting Siem Reap in the first place. With its five intricately-carved spires, it's an impressive sight, especially at sunrise, and is just one of several temples you can explore in Angkor Archaeological Park.