East Java Trip – From Jakarta to Ijen

Asia Destinations Indonesia

Indonesia enchanted us 4 years ago, when we were one of the few tourists in Lombok just days after the then devastating earthquake. As soon as the pandemic situation calmed down, I started planning our new trip to Indonesia. Java was on my bucket list for a while so we decided to combine a trip to East Java with vacation in Bali. In this post I will tell you about our East Java trip from Jakarta to Ijen, including a 5-day itinerary. Day by day, I will take you from Jakarta to Yogyakarta, Bromo, Ijen and finally Banjuwangi, where we took a ferry to Bali.

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10 bad things about Bali you should know before you start packing

Asia Indonesia Trips & Tricks

Bali is the most famous Indonesian island when it comes to tourism. It is full waterfalls, rice paddies, temples and affordable villas with private pools. While popular with backpackers and digital nomads, it is also a desired destination for families and honeymooners. But is Bali really worth the hype? Are there any bad things about Bali you should know before you book your “dream vacation”?

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Vacation in Maldives during Covid-19 pandemics

Asia Maldives Trips & Tricks

Shortly after having posted a photo from Maldives on my Instagram profile, I got hundreds of messages from friends and followers. The questions were pretty much the same: “Are you really in Maldives? Where did you fly from? Can you travel to Maldives during Covid-19 pandemics? Did you have any problems on the way?” Followed by typical questions about Maldives vacation: “Which island are you on? How much did you pay?” Since this was a well-deserved yet short winter escape, I didn’t want to spend my week answering all the questions. Hence my response: “After I return, I will write a blog post and tell you everything you need to know.”

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Resort Review: Veligandu Island Resort & Spa (Maldives)

Asia Hotel reviews Maldives

Maldives was not planned for this winter, however the covid-19 situation left us with not many safe travel choices. I desperately needed an escape to a tropical climate, even if just for a week, to warm up my bones and recover from all the stress in 2020. I have had my share of Maldives vacations, so I definitely know what to look for when choosing the right island. This time I decided to trust the photos and reviews of Veligandu Island Resort & Spa and go for the water villa. I couldn’t have made a better choice.

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Maldives Fairytale

Asia Destinations Maldives

Ah, Maldives. What can be written about this tropical paradise that hasn’t already been said? Are words even enough to describe this heaven on Earth? Well, for one thing, every island is unique and a little bit different and each traveler has his own idea of paradise. I have visited Maldives 5 times and since I added this destination to my travel favorites list I will definitely keep coming back. Maldives represent everything that a beach lover wants and needs to recover from everyday stress. If you are asking yourself how much does one week in Maldives cost, when is the best time to visit Maldives, which island should you choose and all the basic information for a hassle free […]

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Hotel Review: The Magnaura Palace Hotel (Istanbul, Turkey)

Asia Europe Hotel reviews

If you are traveling to Istanbul for the first time you will probably want to stay somewhere in the historical part of the city. While you cannot miss a lot with narrowing down your choice to Sultanahmed area, it is always great to aim for that cherry on the top of the cake. In my case that was the view from the terrace – I wanted the view of Hagia Sophia or the Blue Mosque. And since I stayed in a 3-star hotel in Istanbul a couple of months ago (I wasn’t happy with my choice), I wanted an upgrade this time. The Magnaura Palace hotel reviews promised to deliver it all, so I decided to give it a go.

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Lovely Cambodia

Asia Destinations

Oh, lovely Cambodia, where do I start? First, I need to say that Cambodia was never on my bucket list. At least until last year when a couple of friends told me about Angkor temples. It took me just a few clicks to realize I needed to see this UNESCO heritage site ASAP. The only question left was: what else to do in Cambodia for one week. Digging deeper for things to do in Cambodia I found a piece of paradise just a short flight away. The island of Koh Rong Sanloem seemed like a perfect choice to escape the European winter and extend Cambodian adventure.

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