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 First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Cappadocia, Turkey

Nevsehir / TRAVEL GUIDES / TURKEY / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: May 25, 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: May 27, 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: May 25, 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: May 25, 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: May 25, 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: May 23, 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: May 25, 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: May 25, 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: May 25, 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: May 25, 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: May 25, 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 25, 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.

The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Manila, Philippines (from a Local)

Metro Manila / PHILIPPINES / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: May 25, 2019 JB & Renée Macatulad

Many travel bloggers have come to Manila and fallen in love with my city and its people, so much so that some of them are actually considering moving here. And they all said the same thing – when you're here, you're family.

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

Ifugao / PHILIPPINES / TRAVEL GUIDES / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: May 25, 2019 JB & Renée 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 Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City / TRAVEL GUIDES / VIETNAM / WHEN WE WANDER Last Updated: May 25, 2019 JB & Renée 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: May 25, 2019 JB & Renée 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: May 25, 2019 JB & Renée 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.