TRAVEL GUIDES

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

The Day-Tripper’s Travel Guide to Macau (from Hong Kong)

MACAU / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jun 12, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

Because of its multitude of mega hotels and casinos, Macau has been called the "Las Vegas of Asia". It's the gambling capital of the world, generating more gambling revenue than anywhere else on the planet.

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

MALAYSIA / Penang / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jun 1, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

We had often heard Penang described as the street food capital of Malaysia so it was only a matter of time before we travel-ate our way here. The food is reason enough to go, but if you appreciate interesting architecture and urban art, then you're going to LOVE Penang.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Pamukkale, Turkey

Denizli / TRAVEL GUIDES / TURKEY / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jun 1, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

Pamukkale is an area in Denizli province in Southwestern Turkey. It's famous for its white terraces made of travertine, a sedimentary rock deposited by water from the seventeen naturally occurring hot springs in the area.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to La Union, Philippines

La Union / PHILIPPINES / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jun 13, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

San Juan in La Union has been making waves lately as a hip surfing destination in Northern Luzon. Its proximity to Manila makes it a popular weekend getaway, especially for people looking to do a little more than lay around on a beach.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Hong Kong

HONG KONG / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jun 1, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

For people my age or older, Hong Kong had always been a colony of the British Empire until it was handed back to China in 1997. It's been a major tourist destination for as long as I can remember and one of the most important hubs for business and trade in Asia.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Cappadocia, Turkey

Nevsehir / TRAVEL GUIDES / TURKEY / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jun 13, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

Cappadocia is an area in Central Anatolia in Turkey. It's best known for its unique moon-like landscape and strange rock formations called fairy chimneys. For centuries, people have utilized the region’s soft volcanic rock to carve houses, cave churches, and monasteries, even underground cities going hundreds of feet deep.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul / TRAVEL GUIDES / TURKEY / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jun 12, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

Istanbul is a city steeped in history and culture so there is much to see and do there. From its Byzantine churches adorned with mosaics and frescoes to its magnificent mosques decorated by sky-high minarets, Istanbul is a city that will mesmerize you at every turn.

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

Taichung / TAIWAN / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jul 3, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

According to an article from CNN, Taichung was found by locals to be Taiwan's most livable city. Many Taiwanese prefer it to Taipei for its milder weather and laid back vibe. It's regarded as an arts and cultural hub of Taiwan with its many interesting museums, art installations, and design boutiques.

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

Taipei / TAIWAN / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jul 3, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

There are many things to love about Taipei like its night markets and many museums. But beyond its attractions, what makes Taipei so alluring for me, is the city itself. With conveniences like a cheap but incredibly efficient metro system, and its plethora of well-maintained public parks, it's a city that clearly puts its people first.

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

Kaohsiung / TAIWAN / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jul 3, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

One of the things I loved most about Kaohsiung is its vibe. It may be a big cosmopolitan city but it's more laid back than its counterparts in the north. Kaohsiung is also known for being one of the country's most bicycle-friendly cities, boasting numerous designated bike paths running through the city's many parks.

Plan Your Trip with the Will Fly for Food Travel Planner!

TRAVEL GEAR / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jun 1, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

With the Will Fly for Food Travel Planner, you can easily create your own vacation itinerary to any destination in the world. You can make day-by-day itineraries neatly laid out on an interactive map as well as book hotels and tours directly from the planner.

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

Tainan / TAIWAN / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jul 3, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

Truth be told, Tainan isn't as much fun as Taipei. It isn't as naturally beautiful as Hualien or as laid-back as Kaohsiung, but it has a character all its own that makes it interesting and unique. I like to think of it as the eldest sibling in the family, the one with all the stories to tell and the one you could learn the most from.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Jiufen & Shifen in Taiwan

New Taipei City / TAIWAN / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jul 3, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

There's a character to this preserved mountain town that's unlike any we experienced in Taiwan. It's a character you can appreciate in its architecture, its tight alleyways, and of course, in its food. If you're looking to visit Shifen and Jiufen on your next trip to Taipei, then I hope this guide can help you plan your trip.

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

Hualien / TAIWAN / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jul 3, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

Just a day after our tour of Taroko Gorge and we were already talking about coming back. There's so much natural beauty to be found here that the two days we spent in Hualien felt hardly enough. But as breathtaking as Hualien is, it wasn't just its natural beauty that resonated with us. We fell in love with the atmosphere too, and its vibe.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Bohol, the Philippines

Bohol / PHILIPPINES / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jun 12, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

As beautiful as the Philippines is, many destinations offer mostly sand and surf. But not Bohol. Apart from its many white sand beaches and world-class dive sites, Bohol is known for unique attractions that you can't find anywhere else in the Philippines. Curiosities like the Chocolate Hills and the Philippine Tarsier come foremost to mind.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai / THAILAND / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: Jun 29, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

Chiang Mai is the largest city in Northern Thailand. It was once the capital of the Lanna Kingdom and is considered one of the most culturally significant cities in the region. But don't let its historical and cultural appeal fool you. Chiang Mai has modernized in many ways and expanded far beyond the walls of the Old City. In fact, it's become a haven for backpackers and digital nomads in recent years.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Chiang Rai, Thailand

Chiang Rai / THAILAND / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: May 31, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

Chiang Rai is regarded as the northernmost "large city" in Thailand, though it isn't actually that big. It's much smaller and less developed as a tourist destination than neighboring Chiang Mai. It's perhaps best known for Wat Rong Khun, a striking all-white structure that serves as both a Buddhist temple and an art exhibition.