HONG KONG NEIGHBOURHOOD GUIDE: MUST VISIT AREAS OF HONG KONG

Surrounded by the South China sea and bordered by mainland China in the North, Hong Kong is a bustling city with so much diversity that it can be overwhleming for not only first time visitors, but for many who have visited a number of times! Being my fifth visit to Hong Kong, I decided to venture beyond the norm and find the best neighbourhoods for both first time visitors and those looking to get off the beaten track. Here are the top 8 must visit areas of Hong Kong:

Start Here: Central

Central is home to many of the city’s most distinct skyscrapers and architectural highlights, so it’s a good place to start for the first time visitor and anyone wanting to get a taste of typical Hong Kong in the 21st Century. This area is also home to many (if not most) of the cities’ expats, so if you want to mingle with people from all around the world head to one of the popular cafes or bars in this area and you will be spoiled for choice – and nationalities!

Tourists love: Tsim Sha Tsui

Just across the harbour on the Kowloon side is the popular Tsim Sha Tsui. TST is home to most of Hong Kong’s markets, many of the best shopping malls are here, and there are oodles of dining options to choose from throughout this area. The Intercontinental has the best harbour views and is a superb luxury hotel, while the Peninsula is a typical choice for a fancy lunch or spa treatment.

Shopping in Causeway Bay

Causeway Bay is THE shopping destination for Hong Kong locals – so be sure to drop by and see/understand why. This area is densely compact, so be sure to expect to forgo personal space and don’t be surprised when you get smacked into by a person passing by – it is inevitable! Some of the biggest landmark shopping areas in the area include Sogo, Times Square Mall, and IKEA is also here.

The hustle and bustle of Mongkok

Flashing neon lights in abundance? This must be Mongkok. It is here where one will find the busy streets, horrible smells, and something new around every corner. The relatively new Landmark Place Hotel Mongkok is positively changing the area by bringing a luxury hotel and world-renowned spa to the area, so be sure to consider staying here if you’re looking for authentic Hong Kong with a modern flair.

Wan Chai

As the oldest district in Hong Kong, Wan Chai has changed dramatically over the years. Especially over recent years, Wan Chai’s old and shanty buildings have been replaced by an urban revival. While it was once known for being ‘that’ part of town offering Asian girls in abundance (for a fee), it has really come a long way in recent years and is an interesting ‘one to watch’ neighbourhood – just don’t blink, it’s changing constantly!

Sheung Wan

This is perhaps one of the most exciting up and coming neighbourhoods in Hong Kong. Traditionally this was a cheaper part of town to live, but recently has become more and more expensive as locals are forever looking to relocate with the never-ending rent price hikes. The area around Hollywood Road and Cat street is perfect for antique shopping and treasure hunting.

Lamma Island

Hipsters, hippies, the ‘hip’ area of town is where you will least expect it – Lamma island! Catch the ferry to Lamma island for a really different look into Hong Kong life. It’s also a great part of town for hiking and outdoor activities – true bliss to escape the city!

Lantau Island

Another one of the outlying islands to visit is the tourist-popular Lantau island. Here one will find the Big Buddha, Tai O fishing village, Ngong Ping 360 cable car, and Hong Kong Disneyland. While a more popular island for tourists (okay, it is over-saturated with tourists), it really is a must visit once whilst in Hong Kong.

VISITING RUSSIA FOR THE FIRST TIME – RUSSIAN VISAS & TRAVEL TIPS

SO you want to visit Russia… how hard can it be? Maybe the most difficult and time consuming visa process you will encounter in the Northern Hemisphere, but it’s totally worth it… here’s your guide to visiting Russia for the first time.

Visiting Russia For the First Time

Did you know Russia has 9 time zones, deadly climates and more billionaires than anywhere else in the world? It may surprise you that tourism has been booming in Russia since the fall of the iron curtain, but there is still much to discover in Russia for the budding tourist. Yes, there is vodka. Yes, there is a unique culture. Yes, there are traditions so far removed from the West that will leave you wanting to discover more. But for the first time visitor, Russia can seem a little overwhelming. Here’s a guide to get you by on your first visit Russia…

Know Before you Go

Cyrillic – Don’t expect to come to Russia and see signs offering an English translation – it’s perhaps even offensive to expect this would be the case. 99.9% of signs will be in Cyrillic, so it’s a good idea to learn the basics such as ‘exit’ ‘entrance’ and ‘restrooms’.

Traffic Jams – Particularly in Moscow but also in St Petersburg, tourists should expect traffic jams and lots of them. When in Moscow, avoid being on the roads during peak hour as it is not only timely but also considerably more dangerous to be in traffic during these times.

Russian Rubles – The currency of Russia is the Ruble. You can exchange money once you are here, but remember US dollars and Euros are preferable.

Weather – Russia is renowned for its’ harsh climates. If you’re visiting in winter, don’t expect to be able to do everything you have planned – it can be crazy cold! The weather is also very temperamental so be sure to pack some warmer items even for Spring or Autumn.

Food – You will find many options beyond Russian traditional food so rest assured, there will be something for even the fussiest eater.

Tourists will pay more – It is common for locals to charge tourists more – from cab fares to sales on the street. You should expect this and accept it as part of your trip to avoid having an argument with a local.

Safety – As with anywhere else in the world, safety should always be of concern. That doesn’t mean you have to wear a tourist purse around your neck but if you are worried, why not? Go with your gut feeling.

A Guide to the Russian Visa

Ahhh, the ominous Russian Visa.

As a brief introduction, know that there are 6 types of Russian visas. If you are visiting for less than 30 days, you will be concerned with the tourist visa.

The tourist visa is the best option in terms of price, processing speed and flexibility.

The Tourist Visa

• Valid for double and single entry, up to 30 days in Russia
• Usually takes 1-10 days to process by the Russian Consulate
• Costs from $50-$150 USD
• To obtain this visa, you need a tourist invitation – issued by your hotel or Russian travel agency
• It is not as difficult as it sounds, you just need to consult your countries’ Russian consulate and follow the step-by-step guide

Where to go in Russia for your first time

 For first time visitors, it’s important not to miss both Moscow and St Petersburg. Many first timers will also include the trans-Siberian railway.

Moscow – First time visitors should not miss a visit to the Russian capital. The Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral, the Kremlin…. there really is so much to see here in Moscow and these highlights just scratch the surface. If you’re a history buff, you won’t pass up the offer to have an insight into Russian history by visiting the capital.

St Petersburg – Often regarded as the more touristy city to visit in Russia (which it is), St Petersburg is a true gem that should certainly be visited on your first visit to Russia. It will feel as though you have stepped inside a time warp with the most incredible architecture, sunny summers, and fantastic palaces to visit.

RITZ CARLTON SOUTH BEACH REVIEW

If you want to make the most of your visit to South Beach, a stay at the Ritz Carlton is a sure enough way to guarantee you will have a holiday to remember. There are a number of luxury properties located on this strip of Miami coastline and this is undeniably one of the premier choices made available to visitors to Miami.

Located on the beach itself, the hotel is one of the collections’ more contemporary hotels on offer. With a younger and more relaxed clientele, the Ritz Carlton South Beach have mastered the art of ensuring guests enjoy a comfortable luxury hotel experience – something that can often be hard to achieve in the hotel industry.

But the experience is indeed very relaxed. From the moment you walk through the doors of this hotel, you are treated as a friend of the staff who make every endeavor to ensure you enjoy your stay. After checking in, I was escorted to my room by a bellboy who ensured I knew the ins and outs of the hotel as well as my room, a Lanai room with a pool view on the third floor. If you plan to spend a great deal of your time poolside, this side of the hotel is the place for you to be.

The beach is also directly accessible from the hotel and just a mere few steps away. Each room is offered up to four sun loungers, but you will have to pay extra for an umbrella and in the Miami heat, this is quite a necessity! Wi-fi is also only offered to guests at an extra charge, so be prepared to pay a little extra for extras instead of having all of these little luxuries included in your room rate.

The dining options available inside the hotel are plentiful so if you don’t desire to venture elsewhere in South Beach, you really will not need to. Should you be interested in experiencing more of what the city has to offer, the concierge are extremely knowledgeable and happy to assist

25 SECRET SMALL TOWNS IN EUROPE

1. Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

There’s no other town in the world that I am more fond of than the quaint, charming, fairytale-like town of Cesky Krumlov in southern Bohemia. It’s as if you have stepped into a time warp – small cobblestone roads, bridges every which way you look, and no, there’s no McDonalds! It’s a great short day trip from Prague if you find yourself there but for the best experience, visit Krumlov in the summer season and raft down the Vltavy River.

2. Colmar, France

Situated in Alsace, Colmar is a unique blend of French and Germany architecture, culture and spirit. It’s as colourful in real life as it looks to be in the photos and is one of France’s true hidden gems.

3. Marsaxlokk, Malta

This town in Malta is the main fishing village for the entire country. It’s colourful, playful, and filled with Maltese spirit.

4. Hallstatt, Austria

The lakeside town of Hallstatt is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has even been dubbed the prettiest lakeside village in the entire world. Whether you visit at summer or winter time, you are sure to fall in love with what will always be one of Europe’s most charming small towns.

5. Bruges, Belgium

Bruges has become incredibly popular for travellers looking to photograph the lego-like houses in the city centre (pictured above). It still remains to be one of Europe’s prettiest little towns, but is now more popular than ever.

6. Bled, Slovenia

There’s much to see and do in Bled, however the greatest attraction is undeniably Lake Bled – one of the world’s most stunning lakes and a favourite for visitors to Slovenia.

Image: handmade-saratov.ru

7. Bibury, England

This would indeed have to be the most photographed street in Bibury, England. This small town is filled with old world charm and could very well be the most charming town in England!

Image: Wikicommons

8. Albarracin, Spain

Some would say Albarracin is the most charming village in all of Spain. It’s just a two hour journey from Valencia and a 30 minute train ride from Teruel.

 Image: Wikimedia.com

9. Pucisca, Croatia

 Croatia has well and truly opened itself up to tourism in recent years so it may not be as much a secret as it once was, however a visit to the Dalmation coast once in your life is an absolute must. It’s little gems like Pucisca that explain why!

10. Eze, France

 Not too far from Nice is the Southeast town of Eze, France – a great little getaway!

11. Annecy, France

Annecy is built around a 14th Century Chateau and is arguably more charming than any other French town you will find. The town is also surrounded by the French Alps, making it even more picturesque!

 Image: twicsy.com

12. Manarola, Italy

The image says it all – Manarola would have to be one of Italy’s most charming little towns on the coast. But there are so many more! Italy is filled with hidden gems to discover – be sure to take your time in this beautiful country!

13. Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland

Think it’s difficult to say? It’s just as difficult to get here. This small town in Greenland can only be reched by taking a once-per-week flight from Iceland, then a helicopter ride to this small galacial town in Greenland. But of course, it looks to be worth it!

14. Reine, Norway

This small fishing village in Norway is SO picturesque – if a picture tells a thousand words, this would have to tell double. Stunning!

15. Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

 The small town of Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina has got to be one of the most underrated destinations in Europe. If you find yourself here, be sure to visit nearby Blagaj – another charmer!

16. Odense, Denmark

 Although it is the third largest city in Denmark, Odense has a small town charm that can’t be found elsewhere in Denmark – a true treasure!

 Image: Dooneyscafe.com

17. Freiburg, Germany

Freiburg is home to around 230,000 people and is located in the Southwest of Germany – the picture says more than enough.

Image: reversehomesickness.com

18. Goreme, Turkey

This town was first built by the Romans and was carved into the hard rock – truly incredible!

19. Ghent, Belgium

Ghent is one of Flanders’ two hidden delights (alongside Bruges). Just a short 20 minute train ride from its’ more popular neighbour, Ghent is equally charming however in a completely different way – be sure to visit to see why!

20. Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana is indeed the capital of Slovenia and thus a city as opposed to a small town, however it simple has to be included due to its’ small town charm – it is one of Europe’s most understated capitals!

21. Toruń, Poland

Situated in Northern Poland, this is one of the countries’ most charming towns (indeed, there are many of them). If you’re looking to get off the beaten path in Poland and away from popular Warsaw and Krakow, this would be a good place to start.

Image: Berthold Werner/Wikimedia Commons

22. Rothenberg, Germany

Look familiar? Walt Disney used Rothenberg as the inspiration for his film Pinocchio!

23. Arosa, Switzerland

Arosa will indeed always be a special place to me as it is where I shot the cover of my book, “The World of Wanderlust Story”. The reliatively small town in the Swiss Alps is a hot favourite of the English Royal family, so if it’s good enough for them I’m sure it’s good enough for all of us!

24. Bergen, Norway

Bergen is arguably Norway’s most charming, picturesque town. Situated on the West Coast of the country, Bergen was established before 1070 AD!

25. Leavenworth, USA

I just had to throw this one in for good measure. Yes, you read correctly – Leavenworth is in fact in the United States, not in Europe. The town is modeled on a Bavarian village and thus, I decided to include it in the list. If you’re in the States and craving a little European culture without the price of an airfare ticket, perhaps this one is for you!

WHERE TO STAY IN ST BARTHS

After 10 days resort hopping between the best hotels and resorts on the island, I can say with complete certainty that I can recommend where to stay in St Barths if only the best will do. I visited the highly renowned island as a guest of Ultimate Jet Vacations to highlight the crème de la crème of luxury accommodations on offer her in Saint Barthélemy.

So you’re wondering where to stay in St Barths? Here’s my top picks on the island and why you will love them:

Hotel St Barth Isle de France

Best For: An intimate hotel with a small team of highly dedicated staff, excellent service, the most fashionable hotel on the island.

The Isle de France is one of the island’s most opulent hotels. The hotel is indeed so decadent that it feels you are walking in a living painting. The rooms are equally impressive, spacious, and completely decked head to toe in white furnishings.

Hotel Guanahani & Spa

Best For: Families, honeymooners wanting a large beach at their fingertips, Mingling with other guests to the island

The Hotel Guanahani is the island’s largest resort, so it is perfect for families and larger groups or those who wish to mingle and meet other guests. For something a little extra special, be sure to book a private pool villa and enjoy the best of both worlds.

  

Eden Rock

Best For: 20s-30s-40s and the young at heart – this is the place to ‘see and be seen’

Chances are you heard about Eden Rock before you heard about St Barthelemy – it really is the island’s most talked about hotel. Yes, many celebrities have stayed here… but there’s much more to the hotel than it’s rockstar reputation. This is the island’s most conveniently located hotel – just a stones throw away from the airport and right beside St Barth’s most popular beach; Nikki beach.

Hotel Christopher

Best For: Best pool, contemporary design, best spa views

 The Christopher is a great choice for travellers who enjoy a modern and contemporary design with simple but refined furnishings. Here you will find arguably the best hotel pool on the island, as well as a renowned spa that locals say is their favourite!

 

Le Toiny

Best For: Honeymooners, Privacy, Private pools, Lots of freebies

This is a clear stand-out property on the island. With only 15 private pool villas, this is the most intimate and private hotel in St Barthelemy and the perfect choice for honeymooners and couples looking to escape reality and enjoy their private vacation away from the crowds.

  

Le Sereno

Best For: Active travellers, modern and contemporary design, low-key relaxation

This is one of the island’s more understated hotels, ensuring a comfortable island getaway. Be sure to try the watersports on offer – they’re all inclusive!

WOTIFIA

To celebrate the launch of the world of Wotifia, Wotif.com have asked me to describe my ideal Wotifia travel experience. Well… I wonder if they’ve underestimated my imagination? Apparently not. Wotifia describes itself as a travel utopia… right up my alley considering I have a wild and vivid imagination!

As Wotifia will now become a hub for travel inspiration, I’m going to take this in a quite literal sense and describe my ideal vacation in every sense of the word.

It would start off in the Caribbean with a mojito in hand, waves rolling into tide in the background, perhaps even a little tropical music to set the tone. All of this is of course taking place on my private island with a pet monkey by my side and a parrot that is capable of reciting the phrase “life is a dream”.

Wotifia has described itself as being the utopia of travel where you can now indulge in not just the act of travelling but also everything involved with it, such as food, wine, activities… etc.

So then, Wotifia, I wonder if you could arrange a bell to ring so that a smoking hot pool boy in his 20’s can serve said mojito? Once I’m finished lazing around by the pool I should imagine there would be a jetski waiting for me, of course, which could only be topped off by an early evening massage before I make my way to a lovely evening meal – thanks to you, Wotifia!

Told you I was just getting started.

But in all seriousness, Wotif.com is offering travellers booking services for flights and hotels in 118 countries – pretty much everywhere is therefore covered. They’re also claiming to offer the lowest rates in Australia & New Zealand, so if getting more bang for your buck is also of interest, I believe they’ve got it covered. But for any reason you don’t feel as though all has gone according to plan, there’s a 24/7 customer support team on hand to ensure your tropical getaway runs as smoothly and effortlessly as the scenario described above (pool boy perhaps not included). It’s also going to be possible to book every aspect of your trip I have described – flights, hotels, restaurants, activities… the list is endless and of course only limited by your own imagination!

Take a look at the new Wotifia campaign to see for yourself and please let me know in the comments below what your ultimate travel destination looks like!

To celebrate the new Wotif.com.au, they’re also giving away a ‘Golden Passport to Wotifia’ which will give one lucky winner a prize worth over $50k to spend on travel – so be sure to check out the campaign as my mother always said ‘you’ve got to be in it to win it’!!!

FROM BUENOS AIRES TO RIO DE JANEIRO WITH CONTIKI

Hola Latin America!

As my last unexplored continent (aside from Antarctica), it should go without saying that I was giddy with excitement when the opportunity to travel to South America for my first time arrived. It would be a trip of firsts, as I would also be experiencing my first ever Contiki.

For those who don’t know (though I’m sure you’re few and far between),Contiki is a travel company arranging group tours for people aged between 18-35. Contiki is therefore a great opportunity to meet and travel with like minded people around the same age, and a great way to break up solo travel by joining a group, as I did for 10 days travelling from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro with Contiki.

The tour kicked off in the capitol of Argentina; Buenos Aires. This city is renowned for being South America’s most cosmopolitan city, with heavy Spanish influence seen throughout the architecture, culture and of course as the native language in Argentina. But there was much more diversity than I would have expected with noticeably a large Italian influence throughout the city – as well as German, Slavic and Syrian influence. Put simply – this city is a multicultural hub and this creates a city with a unique and distinct flair.

After an orientation meeting in the morning, the tour began immediately, as we all boarded the bus to depart on a city tour at noon. The half-day tour covered all of the hot spots; the historic center, San Telmo, La Boca, Puerto Madero, and others.

Highlights of the day included meandering the streets of colourful La Boca, drinking mette and eating churros like a local, and visiting the famous La Recoleta Cemetery.

But the day didn’t end there. In the evening we made our way to a local Tango restaurant and dance school to enjoy local Argentine cuisine, watch a Tango show and even learn the dance ourselves! This was a great way to ease into being part of a tour group, as it allowed everyone to enjoy an informal evening and get to know one another over food, all you can drink wine, and Argentine culture. Following that, some of the tour called it a night and some when to one of the cities’ most popular night clubs with entry pre-arranged by our tour guide, Gabby. This is one of the highlights of being on a pre-arranged group tour, with everything arranged for you but still having the choice on whether to attend or not. It was great to have the options available but should something not take your fancy, you always have the option to go and do your own thing.

It was great to have the options available but should something not take your fancy, you always have the option to go and do your own thing.

Speaking of options, the entire second day in Buenos Aires was left up to the individual. We could choose between an optional day tour or to spend the day discovering Buenos Aires by ourselves. As it turns out the entire group opted to join the Argentina Polo Day – one of the many highlights of the trip.

After Buenos Aires we took a short regional flight to Iguassu Falls – a bucket list item for many. Once there, we crossed the border to Brazil and spent a couple of days exploring both sides of the falls (which lie in both Argentina and Brazil). This was not without a slight hiccup for myself and one other Australian on the tour – to prevent it happening to you please read here!

After Iguassu falls we again took a flight to our following destination – Buzios, a popular beach/resort town in Brazil. For a couple of days we enjoyed the low key beach lifestyle, also trying surfing for the first time and beach hopping by water taxi.

Although it was incredibly good to escape the city and relax for a couple of days, I was more than ready for the final destination of the trip — RIO!

I’m not sure what it is about Rio that entices me quite so much, but in my mind Contiki definitely saved the best for last. We arrived in Rio after a 3 hour bus journey from Buzios and immediately began a city tour with our local guide, Alexandre. In the same day we made our way to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, Sugar loaf mountain, and finally checked-in to our hotel located right on Rio’s second most popular beach, Ipanema. Although Rio is renowned for its’ Copacabana beach, I was pleasantly surprised to be staying at Ipanema beach as it is safer and in a much more residential area – perfect for an authentic stay in Rio!

Our days in Rio were jam packed with exciting activities from a local Soccer match through to a Favela tour, boat trip, and many great Brazilian meals.

Why I would Recommend a Contiki in South America

As mentioned earlier, this is my first ever Contiki.

Visiting South America for the first time can be somewhat daunting, particularly as a solo female traveller. The region is still quite difficult to travel throughout on your own (especially if you don’t speak Spanish or Portuguese), so most travellers opt for the safe and secure option of a group tour.

But why Contiki above all other options?

The Latin America Contiki tours are in my opinion the best product on the market. After doing a great deal of research on South American tour groups, this was the best value for money tour group to join. Contiki are slightly more expensive than their competitors, but offer a lot more comfort and value for money by doing things other tour operators don’t. These tours run in a private luxury coach in each city and instead of long overnight buses, you are flown between each destination. The longest bus journey for the entire trip was 3 hours.

The accommodation is also at a much higher standard in comparison with the other tour operators. Each hotel was 3 stars or higher, with very clean modern rooms that were also spacious and centrally located.

There’s also a lot more included with Contiki in comparison to others – elaborate dinners, activities, and not one single tourist attraction is missed.

On a Favella Tour with Contiki

 Would I do it again?

Absolutely. I had a fantastic time on my first Contiki and it was undeniably the best way to get a grasp on the Latin American region. While I would definitely recommend the tours in South America, I would highly suggest you combine this 10 day tour with the Peru tour or even look at the complete Latin America tour. This is because the 10 day tour was primarily in between cities and to truly get the feel for Latin America, one should definitely visit countries like Peru and Ecuador (next on my list to visit!!!!).

…And most importantly, it was a great chance to make new friends!

 Buenos Aires to Rio De Janeiro Tour Specifics:

• 10 days
• From US $2992 per person, twin share
• 2 world heritage sites visited
• “Backstage Pass” – tour inclusions such as Christ the Redeemer, Buenos Aires city tour & more
• 9 nights in 3 star hotel accommodation
• 2 flights (BA to Iguassu, Iguassu to Rio)
• Transport from start to finish in private air-conditioned coach or mini coach
• Sightseeing tours in each location
• A FANTASTIC Tour Manager – by the name of Gabby
• 13 meals included – all breakfasts, 4 dinners
• “ME TIME” – optional extras – Argentinan culinary experience, polo day, helicopter, surf lesson, hang gliding, sugar loaf, etc.
• = $300 US per day without food, extra activities, tips