I'm currently at an airport in SEA and so many people have their phones on speaker. From calls to music to prayer stuff to videos. I know in some cultures it's completely normal and I have my ANC headphones but I'm still baffled how anyone would just accept that. It is extremely annoying to have 24/7 noise around you and I really cannot understand how people just live like that. I have a few more hours to deal with the noise pollution before being back in a place where it's considered rude to have your phone on speaker or yell around. I'm not hating on the culture, just saying I don't understand it.

I dream of traversing the globe, lens in hand, capturing the kaleidoscope of beauty this world has to offer. from sun-kissed mountains to bustling city streets, from quiet moments in hidden villages to the vibrant pulse of life in far-off lands. These photographs will be more than just images, they’ll be windows into a world of wonder, stories I’ll one day share with my children. I want them to see, through my eyes, that life is a masterpiece waiting to be explored, a canvas painted with endless possibilities. I often think about the next generation, growing up in a world that sometimes feels heavy with uncertainty. It’s as if they’re standing at the edge of a vast ocean, afraid to dive in, unaware of the treasures that lie beneath the surface. I want my kids to know that life, despite its challenges, is a breathtaking adventure. a symphony of experiences waiting to be lived. I want to show them that hope isn’t just a word, it’s a compass that can guide them through the storms. But time feels like sand slipping through my fingers. The world is changing fast, and I can’t ignore the whispers of borders closing and doors tightening. That’s why I’m racing against the clock, determined to turn this dream into reality sooner rather than later. I want to gather these moments, these fragments of beauty, and hold them close, not just for me, but for the people I love. Because if I can give my children even a glimpse of the magic this world holds, I’ll know I’ve done something meaningful with my time here.

https://preview.redd.it/j8qssjdz53he1.png?width=1185&format=png&auto=webp&s=74d1283341b0f2a9eac4746c539082b258476f54

Hello! I was just wondering, on the Vietnam EVisa application, there is a part of the application that says “Do you have relatives who currently reside in Vietnam?”. The problem is, I have a ton of relatives in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Can I put down just one relative in Hanoi and one relative from Ho Chi Minh City instead of writing down ALL of my relatives which seems quite tedious to do?

Thank you for any information in advance!

Is there a kind of service where you rent a storage locker for long periods of time (e.g. yearly) instead of hourly in Taiwan? I tried googling it but didn't find anything.

Hi everyone!

My partner and I (from Bucharest) are planning a 3-4 day spring getaway on a budget of 800-1000 EUR (flights, accommodation, food, sightseeing) for late March/early April.

We're aiming for warm weather, nice walks & cultural or historical experiences, and good public transport (no car needed).

We've been to Budapest, Sofia, Malta, Antalya, and Crete, and now we're really struggling to choose between Valencia and Malaga they're both beautiful but we also consider Phaphos, Larnaca, and Krakow.

Are there any other budget-friendly destinations we should consider?

Any recommendations or personal experiences to help us choose are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I’ll be flying from Europe to US with Lufthansa and going back with Delta, and I’ll fly premium economy. And I am not sure whether to go with regular premium economy food or get kosher instead. What are your experiences with premium economy meals in these airlines?

(I am not religious, I just take kosher meals not to eat regular economy foods)

I want to talk about the extraordinary, strong women, the so-called Haenyeo, who are part of the country's culture and history, especially the island where we stayed.

Will be travelling from Mar 22-30. Appreciate if you could give me sample itineraries for 7 days. I’ve already booked an accommodation in Ximending and we’re open for Day Tours from Taipei. There’s a lot to choose from, what’s the best option to go to?

Taichung is definitely on the list and we’re planning to DIY it. Will be using the high speed train. Is this possible?

What other parts of Taiwan that we could visit in a day? What’s the best place to visit for the cherry blossoms?

Question to Pakistan travel experts.

I am a seasoned foreign traveller trying to understand the context. Never been to Pakistan.

I am aware Pakistan is not a very safe place, know that Islamabad is relatively okay while, for example, Karachi is a wrong place to go unless you have someone you trust there or hire a security escort.

Tried to do some research on GB online, can see that Hunza Valley and Skardu are kind of fancy, house luxurious resorts and attract some foreigners. Also found out that a flexible itinerary is desirable due to frequent weather-related disruptions of flights, which is no wonder as it is Himalayas.

Tried chatting to some Pakistanis in the country of my residence (UAE) but what they say does not sound very reliable as for their standpoint even Peshawar is a perfectly safe place to visit. What works for locals, or those of Pakistani origin, will very likely not work for me, as a foreigner who has no personal connections in the country .

Hence questions to foreign travellers who has been there:

• How safe is GB overall?
• Is it a good idea to take my family with me?
• Any other suggestions/advice?

Thanks in advance.

I have traveled to 37 countries in the last five years. I am often told i should start a blog, or people ask for recommendations. I do a mix of going with the flow and hitting tourist sites. I’d love to share my experiences in a meaningful way, but worry that a blog may become inauthentic because it’s equally about what people want to see vs. what I recommend. Plus that market is pretty saturated. Suggestions on how I can share my experiences in a meaningful and useful way?

I am visiting Manila and Cebu soon and looking for places to get great street food. Prefer not shopping malls or chains if there are other options.

My husband and I got our Canadian passports renewed in person. They were voided and given back to us. We still haven’t received our new passports but the clerk at the office said that we would be able to use our voided passports to travel by land into the USA along with the receipt for the new passports as proof that we were waiting on our new passports. Since then, my husbands voided passport has expired. We’re planning to go over to the USA within the next few days but it doesn’t seem like our passports will be in. I can’t find any information online about being able to use it to cross land borders whatsoever and I’m nervous.

Hi guys. So I’ve been traveling long-term in SEA and now my money is starting to run low. I arrived in Malaysia about a week ago and I’m currently in Georgetown, but I’d like to head somewhere cheaper as I’m finding it a little too expensive here for my liking. (Can’t wait to come back when I can though, I’m liking it a lot). Having been to Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and cambodia, Indonesia sounds like the obvious next place to visit, but I don’t know which island(s) to visit. The criteria I would factor into this decision are the following (and in order from most to least important)

1. Cost. The cheaper the better. I’ve heard that prices in many parts of Indonesia are comparable to Vietnam. Is that true (it would be awesome if it was true 🙏🙏)?

2. It’s not that I dislike nature per se, but it’s not something I prioritize. I like interesting architecture, food, and other cultural things and just to see how people are living around the world. So a big ish island with lots of different places to visit would be nice and I can hop to other islands depending on how much money I have

3. Ease of access

Based on what I’ve seen on the internet, I think Sumatra, Java, or Sulawesi would best suit me. For those of you that have been, are these good choices? Does anyone have a better suggestion?

Ps: question about Sumatra specifically: is vaguely aware that there is a part of Sumatra that’s run by sharia law or something? If I were to go there as a male american citizen, is there anything I should consider or would I be able to exist as I usually do so long as I wear enough clothes?

PSs: I’m applying for my visa later today. I’d love if someone could tell me how long it took for theirs to get processed + approved. Google says around 5 business days but I’ve looked this up for other visas and had it be way inaccurate so it’s something I’d like to know to be able to plan around.

Thanks in advance to everyone 🙏🙏

I applied for Vietnam 90 days single entry VISA 8 days ago , the status still shows its under processing , last time when i applied i got it in 4 working days , is this normal ? is anyone facing the problem

FYI i have an Indian passport

Im planning to use a backpack for my carry-on and another backpack for my personal item with a small sling pouch, would that be okay?

And im also using a balikbayan box for my check ins, is it expected for PAL to open my box for inspection because its a box?

Hello. We are traveling by Delta from IS to Korea with a 7 month old baby who is too big and long for the free cabin bassinet. We bought him his own seat...so expensive but now we need to know how we can keep him safe while he sleeps. Any recommendations for what we need to bring with us into the flight? Car seat? Stroller? Belt? Inflatable mattresses?

Mid 20s and parents going to Rome for the first time and need help filling in our 7 day itinerary. Any advice would be appreciated a lot! For reference we will be staying at the best western plus hotel universo and this will take place mid May. We’re trying to check the main boxes off in the early days, and then just soak everything in with little stress afterward. Keep in mind this is our first time out of the US so this is all pretty new to us:

———————————————————————

Day 1 (Friday): check in at 3. Visit the Santa Maria Maggiore (visit rooftop). Get food and settle in

Day 2 (Saturday): Vatican City (guided tour) in the morning and Castel Sant’Angelo. Maybe stay and explore around this area for the day? Would appreciate suggestions.

Day 3 (Sunday): Colosseum tour, Roman forums, Palatine hill, Trajan’s Market, Arch of Constantine. Where to explore from here?

Day 4 (Monday): Pantheon in the morning. Rest of this day is open for whatever

Day 5 (Tuesday): Galleria Borghese, then explore this area for the day? Unless there’s better options.

Day 6 (Wednesday): Day trip (Pompeii/Ostia/etc?)

Day 7 (Thursday): completely open.

———————————————————————

Some notable places we’ve noted as places we’d like to see but don’t know the most efficient way to fit in include: Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, Trastevere, Capitoline Hill, Piazza de Poppolo, Piazza Venezia, any of the catacombs.

Advice on literally anything, whether it be food, transportation, areas that are too touristy, common mistakes to avoid, anything at all would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to ask any questions if I haven’t provided enough info, tried to keep this short. Thank you so much in advanced!!

Hello Everyone! I am a 22 year old female solo traveler planning my trip to Italy in late May through early June. I am planning on going to Rome Positano and Florence. I need to buy my ticket and the one I am seeing is an Iberia flight from JFK to Barcelona. I would have either a 2 or 3 hour layover in Barcelona and a 2 hour flight to Rome. My question is has anyone done this flight route? If so what was your experience and how reliable is it? I am not picky about airlines. I am just scared of lost luggage, major delays, and check in problems. This is my first solo trip like this and I don’t want to be stranded in a country with little to no resources. If you guys have flown this route should do you recommend it or should I bite the bullet and go with a more well known airline like Delta. Thank you so much!

I’m planning a trip to the U.S. in early May and looking for a place to stay for about 12 days. Right now, I’m torn between LA and San Diego. I’ve been to LA before in the spring, and one of the things I loved was the weather. But with the wildfire happening in Palisades, I’m concerned about air quality, businesses operating with reduced hours or staff, and possibly needing to wear a mask for outdoor activities, which would make traveling less enjoyable. That said, I don’t know how bad the situation truly is since my info comes from the news, and I’m holding onto hope that things will improve by May because I really want to go to LA.

However, San Diego recently crossed my mind, and after looking into it, it seems like a great, chill, laid-back place. My only hesitation is that I’m a city person—I grew up in a big, busy metropolitan area like NYC (I stayed there for about four months) and want to experience a new place, but I also don’t want to feel like it’s too slow-paced. LA, while more relaxed than NYC, still has that city vibe, whereas San Diego seems more like a beach town with a slower pace. Since I’ve never been to SD, I’m unsure if it would suit me.

One thing to note: I’m looking to stay in one place for the entire 12 days. I don’t want to split my time between LA and San Diego, so I’m trying to decide which one would be the better choice.

So, I have a few questions:

1. Does San Diego have a city vibe like LA, or is it noticeably more relaxed?
2. How does public transportation in San Diego compare to LA? (I don’t have a driver’s license, so renting a car isn’t an option.)
3. Do you think LA’s air quality will improve by May, and will businesses be back to normal? I was considering staying around Santa Monica if LA turns out to be okay.
4. I love good cafes. My travel style isn’t about visiting all the tourist attractions—I prefer blending in, spending time at cafes for hours, going for walks, and enjoying the local atmosphere. Considering that, would LA or San Diego be a better fit?

Would love to hear your thoughts!

Hi all! I am wondering if anyone has been to Oaxaca, and recommended any birthday cake bakeries that can hopefully deliver? A few friends and I are celebrating our girlfriends 30 and we want to make it special! Thank you!

Hi fellow travelers,

My partner and I are planning a trip this summer through some of the balkans in between some hiking trips. Some things are fixed: we will start this leg of the trip after finishing a hike in the dolomites (leaving from Belluno, Italy) and want to end up in Plav, Montenegro to hike the peaks of the balkans trail about 15 days later.

We are very into the outdoors, but will be spending a good amount of hiking regardless. We enjoy wandering around cities, eating good food, and catching hidden gems. What would you do to improve this itinerary?

Travel (1 day)

- going from Belluno all the way to Lake Bled or stopping for one night in Uldine/Goricia

Lake Bled/Alps (2 days)

- one day spending time around the lake, one day hiking

Ljubljana (2 days)

- relaxation in the city, museums

Zagreb (1 day) (pick up rental car?)

- added in this day to break up travel from Slovenia to Croatian coast. I am open to renting a car here for the next week or two if it makes sense and would make our travel more enjoyable

Travel and Plivitce (2 days)

- Spending time at the waterfall and hiking, could change these days for Sibenik/Krka National park

Split (2 days)

- wandering the city, day hike from town

Mostar and surrounding (2 days)

- want to see Mostar, Blagaj, Pocitelj, and Kravice Waterfall

Dubrovnik (2 days) (drop off rental car)

- walk around old town, do the cable car

Travel to Kotor/Podgorica (1 day)

- need to get to Montenegro from Dubrovnik, Kotor seems easiest?

Travel to Plav (1 day)

- make our way to Plav to get ready for the hike

Thanks for taking the time to read and share your experiences/thoughts!

Hello everyone, my friend and I are going to Yucatan Peninsula (arriving CUN) for two weeks in mid-March. I wanted to do multi-day tour with moderate/intense physical activities such as trekking in the forest. We will depend on public transportation. I wanted something similar to summiting Acatenango in Guatemala. I am not looking for a 1 mile hike to a tourist-filled ruins or cenotes or stuff like that. I am talking about like summit something or achieving something that requires physical activity. It can be anything, kayaking or whatever. We are college student so it has to be not too costly. Let me know if there is anything like that in Yucatan peninsula. Thanks.

Hello. So first time in the USA (work trip). I'm in Pennsylvania right now. The only day when I'm going to be free is on friday, and on saturday I'm leaving to my home country. So wondering is it worth to go to new york. Because is 3 hours drive for me. Don't know what traffic is in new york, and what I can see in such a short time.

Anyone who been, or live in new york help me.

Is it worth it, can I find where to park a car and what places I can see.

Hi, All: I am coordinating booking an Alaskan Cruise for my family this summer with a land excursion to Denali National Park. Denali is something my dad is really excited about. Other than air temperature and hours of daylight, what other differences might there be between a) second and third weeks of August and b) second and third weeks of September? Is wildlife viewing in Denali going to be worse in September? Crowds less in September? General weather condition differences? Tell me anything that might influence my decision. Please and thank you in advance. :)

I am going to Portugal for six days and was wondering if I should spend three days in Lisbon (with one of those days as a day trip to Sintra) and three days in Madeira. We would lose some time traveling to Madeira, but it looks so beautiful and unique. Do you think it would be better to spend the entire trip in Madeira or should I do Lisbon and the Algarve instead? Any advice would be appreciated!

I applied for a Vietnam e-visa almost 2 weeks ago (25th Jan) and it still hasn’t come through. I’m due to arrive in Vietnam on the 9th of February.

I’m Aware that there are some delays because of Tet

Should I start thinking about applying for an emergency one?

hi everyone! I just booked a 5 day, 4 night trip to Iceland for April and can’t wait.

since I’m booking somewhat last minute, I’m not finding a ton of options for where to stay.

does anyone have any recommendations for clean/well located hostels or hotels? I’d prefer a private room and bathroom if possible but am also fine with a shared bathroom. looking to spend < $150 a night if possible and access to some sort of kitchen or at least fridge/microwave.

thanks in advance!!!

Good day!

I am planning a week long trip to New York in December, including over New Years, with my father who's never been to New York before. I've been to the city before, so this is more to fulfil my dads dream of seeing the city in Christmas time, and to try to fit in as much things he wants to see.

We currently have the residence inn jersey city booked, as its right next to the PATH station and gives me a really good military discount.

Please let me know what you think of my itinerary, and if there's anything you would recommend!

December 27**^(th)** Saturday

-Catch flight to JFK Airport

-Buy two MetroCard’s at airport, fill with a 7-day unlimited pass, and $60 USD value for AirTrain and PATH service.

-Head to Residence Inn Jersey City

-Death N Co / Amor Y Amargo for late night drinks

December 28**^(th)** Sunday

-Central Park

-lunch at Central Park Boathouse

-Skating at Woolman’s Rink

-Walk down 5^(th) Avenue to see Bergdorf goodman Christmas windows display, Saks 5^(th) Avenue, Rockefeller Plaza Christmas tree, FAO Schwarz toy store.

-Bryant park Winter market

-Macy’s department store

-Dinner at Keens Steakhouse

December 29**^(th)** Monday

-Russ and daughters for breakfast

-Walk to Washington Square Park, then down Thompson street, and Bleeker street/Hudson street to the Chelsea Market.

-Bronx zoo in the afternoon

-Arthur Avenue to explore little Italy, and have dinner at Enzo's

- NYC Botanical Gardens in the evening for ‘Train night’ and to explore the gardens

December 30**^(th)** Tuesday

-Circle City Cruise tour of Manhattan

-MET Museum (I've already been, so just browsing for a couple hours)

-Rockefeller center for Top of the rock (VIP tickets to skip the line)

-Hadestown production

December 31**^(st)** Wednesday

-Radio City Hall for the Rockettes

- NYC Ballet's ‘The Nutcracker’

-Roosevelt Island Tramway

-NYE Dinner at Olive Garden in Times Square or somewhere else in view of the Ball drop (I know its super expensive, but figure this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for my dad and I)

January 1**^(st)** Thursday

-Joe's Pizza Broadway for lunch

-Salute to Vienna concert

- 9/11 Memorial

-The Dead rabbit for dinner

January 2**^(nd)** Friday

-Liberty state park.

-Katz's Delicatessen for lunch

-Head back to JFK Airport to catch flight home

I may take my first solo trip this summer for probably around 2-3 weeks, and I think I'm set on visiting Mexico, specifically central Mexico, where the elevation is higher, temperatures are cooler, and weather is apparently more predictable (rains primarily limited to afternoon/evening, cooler temperatures, cleaner air, etc.)

That said, I think I'll be limited to the month of July and early August. I plan on visiting CDMX for at least a week but I'm on a dispute on where to go from there. I'm thinking of either heading southeast into Puebla and Oaxaca, or heading northwest primarily into Guanajuato, but also Michoacan and maybe another neighboring state like San Luis Potosi, Guerrero, etc.

I'm not sure how well I could manage visiting both Guanajuato and Oaxaca in a timeframe like 2-3 weeks given that I'm not a seasoned traveler, and I'd like to take my time visiting these areas rather than rushing. That's why I'd like to limit myself to either Guanajuato/Michoacan or Puebla/Oaxaca if possible. If anyone has any recommendations of fitting these areas into 2-3 weeks though, then please share and provide any recommendations!

My interests/goals are:

1. Delicious, diverse, unique tasty food. I'm a major foodie and I've heard that Oaxaca and Puebla have the best food in Mexico, which is driving me towards there.
2. Beautiful historical sites & unique architecture. This is where I'm torn between Oaxaca and Guanajuato. While Oaxaca and Puebla look absolutely beautiful and the historical architecture looks stunning, Guanajuato genuinely looks like another world with winding streets and colorful colonial buildings that seemingly rise above each other. I'm not saying that Oaxaca/Puebla aren't absolutely beautiful however I'm drawn to how stunning Guanajuato looks.
3. Beautiful, stunning nature that is easily accessible. I love nature and hiking and while I'm not sure how much I'll hike in Mexico, I've heard that Oaxaca is much better for nature since it's literally surrounded by mountains and I can go down to Puerto Escondido or Huatulco if I want some beach time.
4. Experiencing Indigenous Mexican culture & tradition. I've heard that Oaxaca absolutely takes the edge on this, not just for Guanajuato but for Mexico as a whole. However, please correct if I'm wrong for I'd love to experience indigenous Mexican culture, tradition, cuisine, etc. as much as possible regardless of where I go.
5. Many fun or unique cultural experiences and activities. I think I've read on various threads that Oaxaca takes the edge on this, however I've also heard of fun things and events in Guanajuato and other areas as well that I'm willing to explore as well.
6. Cooler & less humid temperatures if possible. I don't mind humidity however I don't think I could deal with hot, humid weather like in Cancun or the coastal lowlands. I know that the central highlands aren't really that hot or humid but I was wondering if there's a major temperature difference between say, Oaxaca and Guanajuato considering their locations.

Based on this description, it appears that Puebla/Oaxaca would be suited better for me, however I would LOVE to visit Guanajuato and Michoacan as well and so I'm a bit torn. As alluring as Oaxaca and Puebla seem, I have a soft spot for places like Guanajuato City, San Miguel de Allende, Morelia, Xilitla, etc.

That said, I won't be taking a car and will be using public transportation and buses to get around. This will also be my first time traveling and I have heard that Guanajuato can be a bit dangerous. I know that places like Guanajuato City & San Miguel de Allende are very safe for foreign tourists however, I will not travel anywhere that's too dangerous. I also don't speak any Spanish, though I do plan on learning very basic Spanish or at the very least, basic Spanish phrases if I go.

Which way would you rather go, and why? Thank you in advance!