Asiangirl

This aquarium is massive and gives you the impression that you are visiting the ocean, not just looking at simple observation tanks. There is notably a tunnel over 100 meters long that runs alongside a reef. It is as if the animals were out in the wild.

From the outside, the building looks almost plain. Once you are inside, it is a whole different story. The auditorium is a work of art in itself. I didn't see an opera there, just visited, and it is impressive.

Yes, I know, it sounds like a cliché to say that. But it is still striking to me. If you have a few euros to spend, treat yourself to a few days and evenings to try out the beautiful restaurants, nice hotels, and lovely walks in the beautiful neighborhoods with your partner. It is pretty magical!

Hong Kong is a city unlike any other in China. Having remained under British authority for a long time before being reintegrated into the Chinese republic recently (in 1997!), this port megalopolis opened up to the world long before the rest of the country. And you can really feel it. The urban planning, the cultural life, the professional scene, everything is more open, more welcoming, and very different from a city like Beijing, for example. In short, it is the city to see in China. It is just too bad that accommodations are so expensive.

When you think about the United States, two contradictory stereotypes often come to mind: the narrow-minded guy who spends his time eating in front of the TV and knows nothing about the world, or on the contrary, the hyperactive, dynamic, curious, go-getter, and enterprising person. Well, it is very simplistic to split 300 million Americans like that. Just keep in mind that New York concentrates the best sides of the USA :)

For anyone passionate about Japanese culture, visiting Tokyo is like a mandatory pilgrimage. I was absolutely not disappointed. It is truly a super active and hyper-modern capital. At the same time, it is completely different from European cities. We are far from the standardization that makes the same shops, clothes, restaurants, and cuisines appear everywhere. A real trip to take, with discoveries and a culture shock that happens at every moment.

A very pleasant destination in the spring, during the Easter holidays. You can easily count on swimming in your riad's pool (so make sure to pick a riad that has one!). The food is great, and the people are lovely. The one downside I noticed is that there is a city for tourists, with the prices to match, and that layer of paint that makes you believe everything is perfect, and then there is the other side of things, for the locals, who live in less comfortable conditions.

With just one site, I was able to book my train tickets for a little tour of Central Europe, starting in Prague, heading to Vienna, then on to Budapest. Super convenient. I admit I am not sure if you might save money by booking directly with the local companies, but hey, when you are traveling through several countries, you have to know who to deal with! In any case, I had zero problems using my tickets!

Surrounded by a beautiful, quiet garden, in nice rooms (maybe a little dark, but hey, you will likely have better things to do than stay in your room during the day), and very pleasant service from the staff