A nice medium-size city. Feels small and walkable yet also big enough to have everything, and also several areas for you to explore.
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Johnny
Greece – quick travel guide
The famous country of ancient mythical gods and present-day picturesque beaches.
Greece to me is a mix between Italy and Turkey. And in so many ways. Culturally, historically, architecturally, ethnically…it’s a mix of the Italian Mediterranean vibes of Turkish Arabian influences. Personalities of the people are also a bit similar to me…something between Italian warmth and Turkish fire/sassiness. Pricewise, it’s also in the middle of those 2.
I haven’t spent enough time to really know all about Greece but can suggest you look carefully at why you’re going. I think back in the days, Greece was considered as a cheaper beach alternative to Italy. Today…if you’re really looking for a cheap beach destination, maybe Montenegro or Albania is for you. Greece is indeed still cheaper than Italy in general but not like it used to be. But if you know that what you really seek is specifically Greek culture and greek things, then yes of course…go to Greece.
Greece needs a minimum of 5-7 days. So you can do a couple days in Athens (seeing historic stuff), then check out the beach life on some islands. If you wanted to do more, 10-15 days should be solid to see a variety of places.
France – quick travel guide
Learn about the most romantic country in the world. It’s sights and culture.
France reminds me a lot about Italy. In that it’s a place many people already know about, long before they get there. French culture is everywhere in pop culture and media. It’s repeatedly romanticized (and for good reason) and imitated, and inspired by.
Sweden – quick travel guide
Beautiful island country (over 200,000), blending modern minimalist technology with old fashion homesteading lifestyle.
To someone who isn’t familiar with Sweden or Nordic European countries…Sweden is ultra-modern and minimalist. In architecture, general design of how all Swedish things look. The culture is somewhat like a more futuristic Germany (as I would say is typical with nordic countries). Landscape-wise, the country is made of many little islands all connected to each other. Imagine like a mix of a more minimalist Germany and Netherlands put together.
The lifestyle is very much homesteading. If you ever wanted to have big city comforts but still be in touch with nature, growing your own food, biking everywhere, and being surrounded with trees and green, Sweden is the spot for you. I think outsiders imagine Sweden as a country of technology and minimalism, but it’s very much a nature place as well.
You could easily see a couple main cities in Sweden within 10 days. 5 days is minimum to get a vibe. Stay longer to enjoy different towns. I would say Swedish cities are not so drastically different from each other like in other countries (Rome vs Venice).
Paris vs London – which city is better
Deciding between these 2 popular capital cities?
I don’t blame you. Both have many to offer, and also share many similarities. However, there are still many distinctions that can set them apart.
Of course…I recommend you to visit both and see for yourself, but I’ll still make this guide in case you want to hear more opinions beforehand.
Kazbegi (Stepantsminda) – quick travel guide
One of Georgia’s many beautiful mountain towns.
Is it Kazbegi or Stepantsminda? Stepantsminda is the town, Kazbegi is the mountain. But people just call the whole area Kazbegi (its old name). It’s not just the mountains that are beautiful but also the ride on the way here (from Tbilisi).
The big question is should you stay here or just do a 1-day tour from Tbilisi. I will absolutely recommend staying here. It’s beautiful and you need to see the sunrise and sunset for the full experience. Also being able to go around and take your time to take in the views. Instead of being rushed to take photos and jump back on the bus.
Weekend stay would be perfect. 2 nights for sure. I usually stay 3 and could do even more.
How to send money abroad (international transfer)
Revolut & Wise are the most convenient and lowest fees.
- PayPal is a mega ripoff. Big fee and also they rip you off on the exchange rate.
- Western Union, WorldRemit, Cobra, Megatone, etc…the fees can be good and reasonable but they run a different scam. Money isn’t available for pickup in volatile countries (like Argentina) unless rates are favorable during pickup. At least that’s how I suspect they operate.
- For this reason…many countries have their own regional transfer institution in their countries (like PIX for Brazil).
Germany – quick travel guide
Beautiful modern country…clean, safe, high quality of life, and with wide range of cultures.
The German vibe as best described to me as clean and polite. Perhaps Germans and German culture is not so extroverted and outwardly charmy as say the Spanish or Italians, but indeed it has a lot of its own charms. Look past the stereotypes of beer-drinking polite people, and you’ll find so much more to explore.
I would say Germany is the most multi-cultural country in Europe. Does it have more ethnic groups than say England? Probably not. But it feels in Germany, there are more cultural groups staying true to their culture (and not assimilating so much into German culture). Depending on who you talk to, this can be a good or a bad thing. As a tourist, I’d say it’s a good thing since you get to see many flavors of people in one place.
Germany is known for having great economic power and quality of life, making it an ideal place for immigrants and visitors to be. It’s beautiful, charmy. Has old school way of things, but also modern way of things. Well-functioning infrastructure in every way.
As for the cities themselves. Germany is definitely a big country in that there are many cities worth visiting. 1 week is enough to say you saw Germany, 2 weeks is better to get some range, and 3-4 weeks if you really like it and want to explore more of what Germany has to offer.
Hotel & AirBnB review – bad hosts, scammers
Will start listing here all the bad hosts I encounter all over the world.
I’m well-travelled and tolerant of varying degrees of hospitality around the world. What I won’t tolerate is completely unacceptable business ethics. I hope you never have to deal with them.
Will keep adding to this list over time.
United States – quick travel guide
The world’s greatest pop culture powerhouse. The land of the infamous “American dream”. Everything you’ve seen in TV and movies.
This is a country of many big cities, big space, big cars, big companies, big celebrities. Many things you’ve always heard of, and heard about this place, they’re all here.
Why come to America?
Kazakhstan – quick travel guide
Lovely mountain country with westernized people of Asian descent, but Russian language and Muslim religion. The culture is also a hybrid of Asian, Russian, and Muslim.
Kazahkstan was my first country in the “STANS” and I loved it. Friendly people, interesting nature/landscapes, nice tourist sites, good food, their culture new and exotic but also relatable at the same time. Very cheap costs. Interesting architecture. It’s a strange mix of Turkish, Asian, and Slavic influences all at the same time.
You could definitely see the 2 main cities in a week. But I’d recommend an extra week so you can visit the nature as well. I thought the nature was beautiful but could also be similar to what you’ve seen before in Switzerland, Canada, America, or Peru.
Astana – quick travel guide
Capital city with modern architecture, government buildings, new apartments, and huge open squares with space, cooler fresher air (than Almaty).
Just about everyone in Astana will tell you that you should go visit Almaty because it’s cooler, it more green, has more nature, more culture, more history, more tourist things, and just overall better than Astana in every way. You might also hear claims that Astana people are nicer and more down to earth compared to Almaty people. And also that Astana people “love sky”. Since there’s a whole lot of that. It seems people only come to Astana for school, work, or career. Outside of that, they’d much prefer a life in Almaty.
I’ve been to both cities and appreciate both. Astana stood out for me by its architecture. I’m not talking about the many new modern apartment buildings constantly in development throughout the city. I’m talking about the gold and teal colored ones in the government area. Other than that, Astana stands out with its large city of flat ground and open air where you can see lots of sky and feel cooler/colder fresh air blow around you all day long. This is distinct from Almaty which is kind of like a city in the mountains where the valley traps all the hot air, humidity, and clouds.
All of Astana could be seen in 2-3 days. But you really could get a feel of it (and nice photos) within 1 day, 2 tops. Generally if you’re short on time, everybody (including Astana people themselves) will beg you to go to Almaty instead.
Taxco – quick travel guide
Beautiful cute all-white tourist mountain town, with endless terraces.
Is like a terrace in a terrace in a terrace. like the inception of terraces
Cluj-Napoca – quick travel guide
Probably my favorite Romanian chill city. Beautiful, good mid-size.
Cluj is a beautiful small-mid city, and I definitely prefer it over Bucharest (which is also cool and vibey). Cluj just seems more convenient and properly sized, it’s also a university town with lots of young folks and affordable housing. Bucharest offers much more nightlife options and more areas to hang out, also more upscale style type of places.
But overall, there’s very little tourist value here. And if you’re looking for fun exciting unique things to do and see, Cluj may seem boring or not having any unique quality.
2 days would be enough to see all tourist things and live the chill life of eating and hanging outdoors.
Timisoara – quick travel guide
A cute, colorful, small Romanian city…that’s beautiful and not too small. (But it is small).
Enjoy the nice vibes, eating and drinking outside. Walking around the beautiful old town. 2 days would be the right amount to enjoy it.
Bogota – quick travel guide
My favorite big city in Colombia (its biggest), with many areas to explore.
While many travelers claim Medellin as their favorite city in Colombia, I personally found Bogota to be better in every way. Medellin is small and hip, with a convenient pretty and foreigner-friendly party area in El Poblado, and many beautiful people all congregated into this area. But IMO, it’s boring if you’re looking to do anything other than partying and going to restaurants, bars, cafes.
Bogota actually has lots more to do. A charmy colorful old town area, big squares and corners where people hang out, museums, much bigger and fancier party districts, much more shopping options, and multiple foreigner-friendly neighborhoods. I personally think Medellin is attractive for being small, cute, and cheap…and perhaps with a certain lifestyle vibe. But comparing every metric, Bogota feels superior in every way.
4 days is enough to cover the old town Candeleria area and Monserrate mountain, key museums, and also party/explore in the Zona Rosa area. Stay couple days longer if you want to enjoy the life, and perhaps visit the Zipaquira salt mine.
Sacred Valley (Peru) – quick travel guide
Southern region of Peru, with great historical significance to Peruvian history due to it being the center of the Incan empire.
Many beautiful and historically significant sights and tourist destinations to see here. Pretty much the #1 tourist destination in Peru and also #1 expat haven. Fun, charmy, lots to do and see. The Sacred Valley is also home to many medicinal and (alternative) healing centers, hippies, and spiritual retreat type of places.
Of course, it all depends on what cities/towns you’re visiting, and what sights you see. But regardless, there’s lots to do for everyone.
Florianopolis – quick travel guide
Beautiful beach town with slow chill vibe. Nice beaches with rocks, solid nightlife options.
Florianopolis is a cool beach town that most people spend 1 week when visiting. Sure, you could dip in and out within 3 days but feel like you’re missing the slowdown vibe as everyone else is settling for longer and building closer friendships.
Peru – quick travel guide
Mountainous, safe, more evolved country in South America.
Parts of Peru and Brazil, along with Venezuela, Panama, Ecuador, and modern-day Colombia…were all part of the Gran Colombia (“Greater Colombia”). Since they were broken up, each country evolved (culturally and politically) in a different way. Compared to Colombia and Ecuador, Peru seems much safer and perhaps more civilized. Peru is also one of the 6 original civilizations on earth, as you can see its technological and cultural advancements in museums. If you’re searching for a latin american country with rich and more advanced cultural history, rich diversity of food, and interesting mountain or jungle landscapes (instead of the usual beach destinations)…Peru would be a perfect choice.
I really like Peru’s vibe. I think due to the country’s geographic placement (being far out to the side), and not known as a beach or summer party destination, it’s often overlooked for more iconic touristy destinations like Colombia or Brazil. But this being overlooked means the type of people you meet there are very different. Instead of so many casual weekend tourists or party-backpackers, you get more hardcore adventure trekkers, those seeking spiritual healing, and expats living far off-the-beaten path. The travelers you meet tend to be nicer, more respectful of the culture, speak Spanish. A more immersed travel experience, rather than foreigners who want to stay “foreign”.
The main highlights of Peru (Lima, Cusco, and some treks like Machu Picchu) could be done in 2 weeks. But those who really enjoy the vibe and mountainous landscapes will spend extra weeks…more commonly in the south. The more curious travelers will cover all the small destinatinos in between and also venture (and stay) to the less popular destinations up north. I’d say a month could comprehensively cover far more areas.
Cusco – quick travel guide
Iconic mountain city with lots of trekking tours, historical sites, and other outdoor adventures.
Cusco is Peru’s favorite spot for backpackers and expats. It’s got lots of unique Peruvian cultural destinations and doesn’t feel like another typical big city the way Lima does. A fun spot to be and explore the many picturesque treks. Come here prepared to trek and hike your way up mountains. This is the place for adventure! (Or you can be like the laidback expats who are just here to relax and chill.)
Reminds me of something between San Cristobal de las Casas and San Miguel de Allende. Hills and boutiques, local mountain people living amongst city tourists.
5 days is a good amount of time to explore the city and at least do 1 popular trek. Just about everybody comes here for Machu Picchu. But you could also skip that if it’s too expensive and touristy for you. There tons of other great ones like Rainbow Mountain, Lake Humantay, Sacred Valley, and on and on. Look up photos online to see what I mean. If you wanted to do every trek to the fullest…could easily be a month (maybe more).