Anda Arko, Author at Travel with Anda

Potovanje v New York – nasveti za začetnike (1. del)

December 17, 2018

New York je mesto številnih imen, turisti mu radi pravimo veliko jabolko, večini priseljencev predstavlja simbol svobode, nekaterim pa tudi mesto razočaranj. Tako kot vsako večje mesto, lahko tudi New York vzljubiš ali zasovražiš. Vendar ga moraš za to najprej doživeti. Razmišljate o “skoku čez lužo”, pa ne veste, kje začeti? Koliko stane letalska karta, kje rezervirati hotel in kako se znajti na Manhattnu? Če je potovanje v New York na spisku vaših želja, potem si preberite nasvete, ki vam bodo v pomoč pri načrtovanju vaše nove dogodivščine.

Kdaj je najboljši čas za potovanje v New York?

New York je eno najbolj obiskanih mest (in destinacij) na svetu, zato seveda velja, da se mu je najbolje izogniti v času državnih praznikov in počitnic. Nenazadnje je obisk New Yorka takrat tudi najdražji. Prav tako odsvetujem obisk mesta poleti, ko je v razgretem mestu (še posebej pa na podzemnih postajah) res težko dihati ter pozimi, ko lahko snežna neurja ohromijo promet in dogajanje v mestu. Za potovanje v New York sta pomlad in jesen vsekakor najboljša izbira.

Koliko stane letalska karta in kje jo kupiti

Če ste lahko fleksibilni in planirate več mesecev vnaprej, vam svetujem, da spremljate različne spletne portale (npr Posvetu.si ali Skyscanner). Ko se pojavi priložnost, jo zgrabite z obema rokama. Ugodna akcija pomeni, da letalska karta stane pod 500 € na osebo. Seveda se da dobiti tudi kak “error fare” za 300 €, ampak take akcije so redke in večinoma gre za odhode z oddaljenih letališč. Sama raje izberem odhod iz Ljubljane, saj se s tem izognem dodatnim stroškom za cestnine, gorivo in parkirnino na letališču. Poleg tega so lahko nočni leti (potovanje v ZDA pomeni tudi veliko časovno razliko) zelo naporni in včasih se je po pristanku kar težko spraviti za volan in peljati več ur proti domu. Karte lahko kupite neposredno prek katerega od portalov (sama najpogosteje uporabljam Skyscanner in Expedio), če potujete prvič, pa razmislite o nakupu prek agencije, ki vam bo v pomoč pri morebitnih zapletih (izgubljena prtljaga, zamude leta itd.).

Turistična viza (ESTA) in zdravstveno zavarovanje

Za potovanje v New York (oziroma ZDA na splošno) potrebujete veljavni potni list in turistično vizo (ESTA), ki stane 21 USD, pridobite in plačate pa jo kar prek spleta. Potrditev dobite zelo hitro (praviloma še isti dan), obrazec pa natisnite, saj ga boste morali pokazati na odhodnem letališču. Pri roki imejte še naslov vaše nastanitve v New Yorku, saj ga mora osebje letalske družbe ob “check-inu” vpisati. Toplo vam svetujem, da si uredite tudi zavarovanje za tujino, saj so stroški morebitnega zdravljenja v ZDA (tudi že najmanjših pregledov pri zdravniku) lahko izjemno visoki. Kako sem jih izkusila na lastni koži, lahko preberete tukaj.

Rezervacija prenočišča

New York je eno izmed najdražjih mest na svetu, a z malce iznajdljivosti in prilagajanja lahko vsak najde nekaj za svoj žep. Tisti z nizkim proračunom lahko najamete sobo izven Manhattna (npr. Queens ali New Jersey, do koder lahko pridete podzemno železnico), ali parezervirate sobo v hostlu (večinoma gre za skupinska ležišča in kopalnice). Malce dražji so moteli (pozor, standardi tu niso ravno evropski in ne pričakujte primerljive kvalitete), najdražji pa hoteli, za katere boste odšteli od 200 $ dalje za nočitev brez zajtrka. Naj omenim, da so doplačila za zajtrk v ZDA kar visoka in verjetno se vam bolj splača jesti zunaj – ponudbe »zajtrk za 10$« je na ulicah dovolj (če niste zahtevni, pa lahko pojeste topel obrok tudi za manj denarja). Cene hotelov zelo variirajo tudi glede na “sezono” – september je npr. znan po tem, da je zaradi nekaterih dogodkov (Fashion week, zasedanje ZN itd.) med dražjimi meseci. Pri končni izbiri bodite pozorni, da je v neposredni bližini postaja podzemne železnice, z vidika varnosti pa se raje izogibajte namestitvam severno od 130. ulice, torej v osrčju Harlema.

Kaj vzeti s sabo in česa ne smete prinesti v ZDA

Če imate namen kupovati (cene ameriških znamk oblačil in obutve so, kljub trenutno slabšemu tečaju, še vedno ugodnejše kot pri nas), potem pojdite v New York s čim bolj praznim kovčkom 😉 Če se sprašujete, kaj obleči za na pot in za raziskovanje mesta, naj vas ne skrbi – na ulicah New Yorka boste videli najbolj čudne modne kombinacije in prav nihče vas ne bo gledal postrani, če ne boste barvno usklajeni. Najpomembnejša je udobna obutev, saj boste OGROMNO prehodili. Poleg plačilne kartice in že omenjenih dokumentov vam svetujem, da s seboj vzamete tudi adapter, saj so ameriške vtičnice drugačne od evropskih. In pa pozor pri hrani – v ZDA ne smete prinesti določenega sadja, zelenjave in mesnih izdelkov.

Podaljšani vikend ali 5 dni v New Yorku – se splača?

Se, če se dobro organizirate in postavite prioritete. Vendar ne pozabite, da boste pri povratku izgubili en dan zaradi časovne razlike. Povprečen turist lahko v treh dneh obišče vse večje znamenitosti, seveda pa je vse odvisno od vaših navad in želja. “Shopaholiki” boste v Macy’s (najbolj znani veleblagovnici na svetu) lahko porabili tudi ves dan. Podobno velja za ljubitelje muzejev – teh je na Manhattnu ogromno. Največja izziva pri raziskovanju New Yorka sta logistika in čas, ki ga porabiš za premike. Postaje podzemne železnice niso ravno na vsakem koraku, poleg tega je treba pri prestopih med linijami hoditi včasih tudi po deset minut, da prideš na pravo postajo in potem še čakati na pravi vlak. Če prištejete še čas za orientacijo (niso redki, ki se zapeljejo v napačno smer), se lahko hitro zamudite.

Okvirni stroški potovanja v New York

Na tem mestu naj omenim, da so cene v dolarjih vedno brez davka, kar lahko na koncu znese tudi okoli 15% več, kot kaže na začetku. Tedenska karta za “Subway” (metro) stane 34 $ na osebo (ali 3 $ za eno vožnjo). Stroški hrane so odvisni od vaših navad: na ulici lahko dobite dober hot dog, burger ali tortiljo za manj kot 5 $, če boste jedli v restavracijah pa računajte na najmanj 20 $ po osebi. Opozarjam tudi na to, da je »zdrava« hrana v New Yorku precej dražja kot pri nas. Ne pozabite še na napitnine (vsaj 10%), ki se pričakujejo v vsakem, še tako »zakotnem« lokalu. Tudi vstopnine za glavne atrakcije so kar visoke, tako da se vam splača kupiti CityPASS – karto, ki vključuje 6 najpogosteje obiskanih znamenitosti in stane 146 $ za odrasle in 124 $ za otroke. Za prenos podatkov priporočam, da kupite Airalo e-sim, kjer lahko izkoristite kodo ANDA5890 za 3€ popusta.

Je New York varen?

New York naj bi bil eno najvarnejših večjih mest v ZDA. Kriminal v mestu vsako leto upada, a še vedno so številke grozljive – leta 2024 se je tam zgodilo kar 377 umorov. Večinoma gre za tragedije in obračune med domačini in te stvari do turistov skoraj ne pridejo. Sama se v New Yorku še nikoli doslej nisem počutila neprijetno, saj policija dejansko stoji na vsakem koraku. Upoštevajte pravilo, da se ponoči ne hodi v parke in pa v nevarnejše četrti, kot so Harlem, Union Square in Koreatown ter nekatere predele Bronxa in Brooklyna. Izogibajte se množičnim shodom, ki so lažja tarča za morebitne napade. Tako kot v vsakem večjem mestu na svetu. Ampak, če bi razmišljali samo o tem, potem verjetno nikoli ne bi zapustili svojega doma, mar ne? 😉

Drugi del članka, z nasveti “kako se znajti v New Yorku” lahko najdete tukaj. Ste že bili New Yorku in vas je kaj še posebej navdušilo? Imate še kakšno vprašanje ali komentar, ki bi ga radi delili z mano? Vaše komentarje lahko zapišete spodaj, z veseljem jih bom prebrala!

Things to see in Brisbane, Australia

Trips & Tricks

December 6, 2018

If you are thinking of visiting Australia, you will probably want to see Brisbane, the capital of Queensland and one of the oldest cities in the land down under. Not only has it got the benefits of any large city, but the weather is amazing, the people are friendly, and you can still experience much of the beauty offered by Australia’s natural world. You basically can’t go wrong with the so called ‘River City’, and in this post you will find 4 things to see in Brisbane, if you only have limited time to explore:

1. Brisbane Botanical Gardens

Nature lovers will definitely want to see Brisbane botanical gardens which are located just outside of Brisbane. It covers 52 hectares and whilst there are plenty of tours and events put on by those who work there, you can also take a peaceful look around this amazing place by yourself or with friends. A variety of beautiful plans from all over the world could keep you busy for a few hours. The entry to Brisbane botanical gardens is free!

2. Brisbane river cruise

There is no better way to see Brisbane than by water. To explore Brisbane from a boat, you have two options: either you go high end with private yacht hire, or stick to the basics with a regular cruise. However you choose to do it, enjoy the weather, and the sites of the River City from the water, and use this opportunity to see and photograph Brisbane’s skyline in all of its glory. If you really want a unique experience, look into Brisbane river cruises that depart at night, and see the lights of the city reflect onto the water.

3. Check out the nightlife

Brisbane has a great reputation when it comes to nightlife, and you can’t take a trip to Australia without partying with the locals. There are plenty of bars jam packed with live musicians, whether you’re into soul and jazz or you’d prefer a bit more of a bassline. They know how to party here, so finish the night off right if you want to experience everything that the city has to offer.

4. Go to a festival

Brisbane has many festivals throughout the year, such as Brisbane Festival in September. Around a million people go to the festival each year, and it includes a variety of theatre, music, dance and circus events. They profess that their aim is to help inspire a new way of thinking, so if you happen to arrive around this time period, then don’t give it a miss.

So, there are many exciting things to do in Brisbane, and this list would go on into infinity. But the best way to experience any city is to get out there, and see it for yourself. If you’re planning on going to Brisbane, have a great time, and let me know what else I need to see when I’m there!

(collaborative post; photo source: wikimedia)

My travel favorites

About me Trips & Tricks

November 27, 2018

I have visited 4 continents, 50 countries and 20 states in the past 15 years. Not bad for someone who only has 24 days off work per year, right? Well, there is simply not enough time to see everything (as I say in my Instagram bio: “someone has to pay the bills”), and some places are so wonderful that I just HAVE TO keep coming back. I have created a list of “My travel favorites”, where you can get the feeling what type of traveler I am and hopefully add one of them to your bucket list as well. After all, you are here to get some new travel tips, right? 😉 So, my travel favorites are …

1. MY FAVORITE ISLAND: MAHE (SEYCHELLES)

Ah, those huge granite rocks. It was love at first sight. I am definitely coming back, but next time probably to Praslin or La Digue. So I am expecting a small change here, because I heard they are even more gorgeous than Mahe!

2. MY FAVORITE CITY: NEW YORK CITY (USA)

Been there 5 times already and still loving it each time. Jaw dropping Central park in the middle of the concrete jungle with all types of skyscrapers, modern architecture and lovely Art Deco buildings… and romantic Brooklyn bridge with the majestic views of Manhattan and Statue of Liberty. Sorry Dubai, but New York City is much more genuine 😉

3. MY FAVORITE COUNTRY: SLOVENIA

Sure, Slovenia is my home and the only country with the word LOVE in its name, but it is also one of the best countries to live in. I am speaking from different points of views here: quality of life is really good, it is one of the safest countries in the world and Slovenia’s nature is fantastic as well. The only thing I miss is better airport connections, and I wouldn’t mind having summer all the time 😉

4. MY FAVORITE ROAD TRIP: NEVADA – UTAH – ARIZONA – CALIFORNIA (USA)

I’ve done it twice and it was not enough. Those wonderful US National parks can leave you speechless for days. It is a long road trip though, so it takes time and a lot of driving. But it’s worth it. And all those gorgeous cliffs and bays along the Highway 1 from San Francisco to San Diego… yep, I am definitely coming back!

5. MY FAVORITE BEACH VACATION: MALDIVES

Because Maldives NEVER disappoint and it doesn’t take much to pick a perfect spot for hassle free vacation. When I want to get away from everything, and don’t want any negative surprises, Maldives are always a good choice. I just hope they won’t disappear too soon.

6. MY FAVORITE NATURE DESTINATION: ALASKA (USA)

Speaking of getting away from all the hustle and bustle, here is also Alaska. Not as a country (it’s actually not much of a country, to be honest), or as an “ordinary” vacation destination. Alaska is more about wonderful landscapes and wildlife, and if you are a nature lover this is the place to be. It deserves a special category in my favorite travels’ list and I wonder what it will take to beat this beauty. I am actually thinking of visiting Alaska once more, but it’s too damn far away.

7. MY FAVORITE ROMANTIC GETAWAY: TAJ MAHAL (AGRA, INDIA)

Well, this is a tough one. It depends on a lot of things: is it a surprise getaway, is it with a special purpose (like anniversary), is it a place where you feel the most comfortable, is it a place where you fell in love…? a lot of “ifs”. But if I had to shoot, I’d say my favorite romantic getaway was visiting Taj Mahal. The story behind this magnificent piece of art is as romantic as it gets. And so is the building itself. I have visited in on my 40th birthday, so it also has a special place in my heart.

So this is it for now. I’ll probably add a category or two in the future. Which one would you add and which are your favorites? Scroll down for a comment 😉

Reasons to visit Cape Town, South Africa

Africa Trips & Tricks

November 19, 2018

Cape Town is South Africa’s most popular tourist destination – and for good reason. There’s so much to see and do in this city that you’ll never be lost for things to do. I have done some quick research and the following reasons to visit Cape Town have convinced me to immediately add this capital to my travel bucket list.

1. Cape Town can be budget friendly

You get a lot for your money in Cape Town. Accommodation can be expensive in the centre (as it is in most cities), but if you’re willing to venture out you’ll find plenty of bargains. In fact, you may be able to afford an upmarket apartment for your vacation if you’re willing to stay on the outskirts. Meanwhile, public transport is very affordable and there are lots of cheap places to eat and drink.

2. The beaches in Cape Town are beautiful

South Africa’s capital is also blessed with some beautiful beaches, which consist of large stretches of white sand (yay!). If you’re looking to catch a tan and mingle with the rich and trendy, the Atlantic Seaboard Beaches are the place to go. For a calmer setting with less crowds, the False Bay Beaches are a good choice. As for those that love their surfing, your best option is the Table Bay beaches where the waves attract people from around the world. South Africa’s year-round warm weather means that a trip to beach is always worthwhile. You can also spot various wildlife including penguins, seals and even sharks (but don’t worry – most the touristy beaches are shark-free).

3. Explore the rich history

There’s also a rich history to Cape Town for those that want a more cultural trip. Castle of Good Hope is one of the most popular historical attractions – this castle was built in the 1600s and is one of the oldest colonial structures in South Africa. For a modern historical sight, the prison of Robben Island is well worth a visit – here you can visit Nelson Mandela’s jail cell and take organised tours led by former inmates. There are meanwhile plenty of museums in the city for exploring Cape Town’s past including Iziko South African Museum (great for dinosaur lovers) and Cape Town Holocaust Centre (a humbling look into the genocide that once took place).

4. You can taste the local wine

The area around Cape Town is popular for wine growing and produces some of South Africa’s most famous and popular wines. Franschoek and Stellenbosch are two of the best regions in the area. There are plenty of opportunities for wine tasting, as well as vineyard tours for those that want to learn about the creation process behind these wines. Best thing to do is rent a car and organise your own handpicked tour of the vineyards.

5. The food is amazing

Cape Town is also an excellent city for foodies. It’s prime location on the former Dutch East India Company Spice Route helped the city to develop a number of unique spiced dishes such as biltong and boerewors. The markets are a great place to eat authentic South African food on the cheap, however there are also plenty of restaurants for those that want to treat themselves to some fine dining. There are also many other cosmopolitan flavours to be had in Cape Town from Chinese food to Italian. Famous places to eat in Cape Town include The Test Kitchen, Pot Luck Club and Bistro Bizerca Signal.

6. Climb a Table mountain

There are many natural sights to be found on the outskirts of Cape Town. Table Mountain is the most iconic of these natural sights – the 1055m mountain towers over the city and offers incredible views from its peak. You can take a two hour hike up it or you can take a more leisurely cable car ride. Adrenaline junkies can even abseil down the mountain!

7. It’s a shopper’s paradise

At last, but not the least, Cape Town also has plenty of places to shop. Long Street is one of the most popular destinations for shoppers – it’s long had a bohemian feel and is home to many unique fashion stores and book shops. The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront also offers a vibrant array of places to shop along with plenty of restaurants and bars to stop at when you get tired of shopping. On top of this the city has plenty of markets for buying traditional souvenirs such as ceramics and stylish handcrafted jewellery.

Have you been in Cape Town, or South Africa? Agree with these statements? Do share your experience with us, scroll below for a comment 😉

(collaborative post)

Hotel review: Boutique hotel Acacia (Lovran, Croatia)

Croatia Europe Hotel reviews

November 5, 2018

Have I told you lately that I love Opatija riviera? Well, more exactly, I love the whole riviera from Rijeka till Mosceniska draga, for many reasons. And I especially love Lovran, because it is quieter and less busy than Opatija, with some fantastic restaurants to enjoy the local Istrian cuisine. The only thing that is a bit disturbing in Lovran is the fact that most of the hotels are closed during low season, starting from November. So, I did some homework and I found this cute adults only and pet friendly hotel, rising above the coastline overlooking the Adriatic sea. Boutique hotel Acacia in Lovran is well worth the visit, and here are the reasons why.

Sveče gor ali dol, narava je ena sama

Kolumne Slovenski kotiček

November 1, 2018

Zdaj, ko je večina med vami že kupila in prižgala sveče, bom pa še jaz primaknila svojih 5 centov na temo, ki je zadnje dni spet uspela razdeliti Slovenijo na dva pola. Se mi je zdelo fer, da počakam, ker res ne bi želela v komu zbuditi slabe vesti pri tako intimnem dejanju, kot je obujanje spomina na bližnje.

Ampak ne bom razglabljala o tem, kako jaz žalujem ob svojih izgubah in na kak način se kosmatega bitjeca in ljubih oseb, ki jih ni več med nami, spominjam vsak dan. Ja, vsak dan. Verjetno še najmanj ravno na prvi november, saj sem bila vedno malce uporniška.

Tudi ne bom razglabljala o tem, kako daleč sega tradicija prižiganja sveč in kakšne »barve« je ta običaj. Mimogrede, ljudem, ki tudi v tem vidijo priložnost delitve na »bele in rdeče«, pošiljam en velik objem in upam, da globoko v sebi vseeno vedo, da barve niso pravi izvor njihovega nezadovoljstva. Upanje umre zadnje, pravijo.

Prav tako se ne bom spuščala v podrobnosti, kje in kako naj bi se reciklirale sveče. Sicer sem mnenja, da vsaka reciklaža za sabo potegne nove posledice za okolje in ljudi, lahko pa se seveda motim. Za raziskave, analize in interpretacijo dejstev so tu strokovnjaki, ki jim je pač treba zaupati.

Bom pa pristavila svoj lonček na temo nerazgradljivih in okolju škodljivih odpadkov, kamor, verjetno, sodijo tudi sveče. V različnih »argumentih« v prid kupovanju sveč sem namreč prebrala številne zaskrbljujoče komentarje, ki gotovo ne vodijo v konstruktivno razpravo in odgovorno ravnanje do narave. Tako sem, naprimer, v enem izmed zapisov zasledila poziv, da je prižiganje sveč naša tradicija in naj vendarle pustimo ljudem, da žalujejo po svoje. Nekdo drug je zapisal, da sveče niso naš največji problem, saj vsak dan zavržemo na tone plastike in kemikalij. Spet tretji je komentiral, da so naši »grehi« v primerjavi z Indijo ali Kitajsko pljunek v morje. Ko zmanjka razumnih argumentov, pa večina pristavi, da smo na temo varovanja okolja tako in tako najglasnejši tisti, ki vsakodnevno uporabljamo avtomobile ali potujemo z letali.

Žal moram priznati, da se v kontekstu odgovornega ravnanja do okolja nikakor ne morem šteti za vzor. Res je, skoraj vsak dan se vozim z avtomobilom, saj nimam te sreče, da bi živela v bližini svoje službe (verjemite, da bi mnogo raje hodila peš kot zapravljala čas in živce za vožnjo). Res je, kar precej potujem z letalom, a je več kot polovica teh poti službenih. V našem poslu je pač tako, da se pogodbe še vedno sklepajo z ljudmi, ne z računalniki. In res je tudi to, da včasih kakšno stvar odvržem v »splošne« smeti samo zato, ker se mi ne da ukvarjati s tem, kam sodi.

In ravno zato, ker vem, da je težko spremeniti miselnost, kaj šele dejanja, se trudim, da drugih ne obsojam preveč. Želim si le, da bi se namesto medsebojnega obtoževanja in izgovorov tipa »drugi so še hujši«, raje večkrat vprašali, zakaj ne bi bili boljši. In da se, vsaj na področju odgovornega ravnanja do okolja, ne bi želeli primerjati z Indijci ali Kitajci. Želim si, da bi vsak prispeval toliko, kot lahko in toliko, kot mu dovoli vest. Naj bodo to plastenke, sveče, slamice, plastične vrečke ali pa vožnja z avtomobilom in čezmerno ogrevanje.

Dejstvo je namreč, da se spremembe dogajajo in to hitreje, kot si lahko mislimo. Pred dnevi sem v pogovorni oddaji na Val 202 zasledila, da ima že 90% morskih ptic v želodcu plastiko. Da se je amazonski deževni gozd v zadnjih desetletjih skrčil za več kot 20% (tudi na račun živinoreje, ki je menda ena izmed največjih onesnaževalk okolja). O tem, da se ledeniki talijo in da živalske vrste izginjajo pa tako in tako poslušamo praktično vsak dan. Večina med nami za časa našega življenja morda res ne bo deležna neposrednih vplivov posledic globalnega segrevanja, a to še ne pomeni, da se ne dogajajo.

Mimogrede, ste si že ogledali kratek videoposnetek z naslovom “Nature is speaking”, za katerega glas je prispevala Julia Roberts? Če ne, ogled toplo priporočam. Če ja, si ga oglejte še enkrat. »I don’t really need people. But people need me«, pravi narava. Kaj pa pravite vi? Vam je res vseeno? Tudi za vaše otroke?

3 highlights for your first trip to Malaysia

Asia Trips & Tricks

October 23, 2018

Malaysia is one of the best countries in Southeast Asia because it’s got such a diverse mix of cultures. The combination of Malay, Chinese, European and Indian influences have created a varied, rich culture. It is also a very diverse country in terms of nature and landscape. You’ll find beautiful beaches to relax on, amazing rainforests packed with wildlife, and a very modern city of Kuala Lumpur. There is a little bit of something for everybody in Malaysia which is why it should be on everybody’s bucket list. But there’s so much going on that you might not know where to start if you do visit. As Malaysia is huge, you’re never going to do it all in one trip, but it is one of those countries that you could return to over and over again and still find something new. On a first trip, you might concentrate on one of these highlights.

Kuala Lumpur

On the first trip to any country, it’s always a good idea to visit its capital city. It will give you a taste of all of the different things that the country has to offer in one handy package. That’s why you should start your Malaysian adventure in Kuala Lumpur. This great city blends the modern with the traditional and it’s packed with amazing things to see and do. You’ve got a good choice of places to stay in Kuala Lumpur – from the high end expensive places to the more budget hotels, so even if you’re trying to keep costs low, you’ll still be able to find somewhere nice to stay. During my visit in 2017 I stayed in a 4 star Fraser Place hotel, however if you want to save money and have a bit more of your own space, you might want to go for an apartment instead. It’s not that hard to find an affordable and cozy studio for rent in kl which is often better than staying in a hotel. Having your own kitchen space means you can cook your own food instead of eating out all night and you’ll have a bit more independence.

There are all sorts of amazing things to do in Kuala Lumpur and you could easily spend your entire visit there. But if you want to see more of the country and you’re not staying in the capital for that long, there are a couple of places you’ve got to visit while you’re there. The architecture is one of the highlights in Kuala Lumpur and the crown jewels of the city are the impressive Petronas Towers. Taking a tour of these giant 88 story steel towers is the best way to get a great view of the city. You can find more photos from Kuala Lumpur in my Facebook album.

The Little India district is another great highlight of the city. This beautiful area of the city is packed with loads of shops selling traditional Indian spices, clothes, and crafts. There are also some well-known massage parlours in the area that are very popular with tourists and locals alike. If you love Indian cuisine, you’ll find loads of great restaurants in the area serving authentic food as well.

Penang

If you prefer more peaceful places or if you want a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, visit the island of Penang. Its beautiful gardens are really impressive. You’ll find this tropical spice garden in a secluded spot on the road that runs around the island. The plants are well cared for and you can take a tour with lots of interesting information about all of the plants and wildlife. There’s a nice gift shop there which sells nice handmade souvenirs instead of the normal tacky stuff you usually expect to get in a gift shop. The tours are incredibly cheap, coming in at about 5 $ per person so it’s a cheap way to escape the stress of the city for a while and enjoy the incredible natural features in Malaysia.

While you’re on the island of Penang, you should also check out the local street food. You’ll find some of the most exciting street food in the world here so it’s an absolute must while you’re in the area. The ray fish curry is a particular favourite in the area and you probably won’t find it anywhere else in the world. If you are into architecture and culture, you might want to visit something a little more traditional. The Kek Lok Si temple in Penang is one of the largest Buddhist temple complexes in SE Asia with some stunning pagoda temples and beautifully maintained gardens. If you want a taste of traditional Asian culture, this is the best place to find it.

Borneo

If you want to see some incredible wildlife, you absolutely have to visit the island of Borneo while you’re in Malaysia. The idyllic beaches on Sipadan Island are home to some incredible Hawksbill Turtles. They’ll swim through the crystal clear water right up to the beaches so you can get up close and personal with them. You can take to the waters with some scuba gear and see all sorts of other amazing wildlife as well. Under the sea, you’ll find over 3000 species of tropical fish including manta rays, barracuda and even some sharks.

The best way to get into the heart of the Borneo jungle is to take a boat trip up the Kinabatangan River. As you move toward the centre of the island, into the thick jungle, you’ll catch a glimpse of elephants and orangutans swinging in the trees. Just watch out for the crocodiles and large lizards along the banks. Look upward and you’ll find some incredible unique birds like the Kingfisher. You can stay in one of the luxury lodges nestled in the heart of the jungle and take a night tour to see another side of this mysterious and awe-inspiring landscape.

If you really want the best view of this amazing island, you need to climb to the top of Mount Kinabalu. This huge 4000 m mountain is a UNESCO world heritage site which is popular with tourists in the area. It’s a very accessible climb with a lot of well-maintained paths so you don’t need to be an expert to make it on top. Some people like to do the climb in one day but most people tend to stay in the Laban Rata, a luxury hut around two thirds of the way up. There are some great hot springs nearby where you can relax for the evening before climbing to the summit the next morning. The wildlife on Mount Kinabalu doesn’t disappoint either. There are over 5000 different species of plants here as well as orangutans and over 300 species of birds so, even though it’s important that you watch your footing as you climb, make sure to look around and take it all in on your way up. When you finally reach the top, you’ll have a beautiful view of the entire region. If it’s a particularly clear day, you can sometimes even see all the way to the Philippines.

Have you been to Malaysia? Have you seen Kuala Lumpur, or perhaps Borneo? Got some tips to share with us? Write down in a comment!