Fun, Free, and Cheap Things to do in Singapore

Singapore is one of my favorite cities in the world. Other than the fact that it has the bestest airport, coolest attractions, and super organized transportation system, Singapore was my very first out of the country destination, that is why it holds a place in my heart.

Whether a quick layover or a proper holiday, I wouldn't mind visiting Singapore over and over.  However, it can be costly!

It was named as the world's most expensive city to live in for several years, and probably one of the priciest holiday destinations. Hence, spending a few days in Singapore has always been a challenge for budget travelers like me.

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10 Instagrammable Spots in Tbilisi

Did I mention how much I fell in love with Tbilisi when Ed and I visited last Autumn?

Tbilisi, they say is "the city that loves you", and it's definitely not hard to love back. The city, especially the old town, is so charming that I felt welcome the moment I arrived. It is also too colorful - homes are dainty and drenched in pastel tones - that I immediately felt I belong!

Wahhh! It looks too perfect for my Instagram theme!

Don't get me wrong. Ed and I don't travel just for the 'gram. But I can't deny that I really swooned over Tbilisi's cute and colorful corners because it's like my Instagram grid came to life!  

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Short Break in Tbilisi: Travel Itinerary and Expenses

Georgia, the country, is one of the places I haven't heard about until it became a popular vacation spot for Filipinos in the UAE. Being a budget-friendly destination situated at the intersection of Europe and Asia, I often hear my friends rave about it. 

Those raves did spark curiosity, so one day, I found myself spontaneously booking a flight to Georgia's capital - Tbilisi. 

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Seychelles on a Budget: Travel Itinerary, Expenses and Things To Know Before You Go

For Filipinos living in the Middle East, Seychelles is one of the best destinations for long weekends. One, because of its location; only a 4-hour flight away from Dubai. Two, because it is visa-free!

However, as budget travelers, Ed and I never thought of visiting Seychelles. It is known to be an expensive romantic destination; a posh natural playground and a favorite honeymoon hideaway of royalties and celebrities. 

It was only last year when we heard budget-savvy and independent travelers talk about Seychelles. A lot of "normal" people have visited the islands without costing them an arm, a leg, and a kidney! Pun intended! :)

So, when we came to know that traveling to Seychelles on a budget is possible, we placed it in our dream destinations list! And we finally crossed it off during a long-weekend last year!

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7 Best Things To Do in Mahe Island in Seychelles

The Seychelles is made up of 115 paradise islands. The largest of which is Mahe, where the nation's capital and the international airport are located. Mahe basically connects the world to the exotic islands and the popular honeymooners' haven. However, it shouldn't be considered as merely a gateway.

Mahe is a destination on its own.

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How to Explore Mahe Island in Seychelles by Public Bus

When Ed and I thought about travelling to Seychelles during the long weekend, the first question that came into our minds was "Can we afford it?"

We knew Seychelles could instantly dry up our travel funds if we choose to stay in a resort and rent a chauffer-driven car (We don't drive). So the first thing that we looked up in the internet was Mahe's public transportation system - the cheapest way to move around the island. We found a few information in travel blogs and vlogs, but a lot of questions were left unanswered until we arrived and experienced the bus rides ourselves.

So for those who are planning to travel to Seychelles, but are not keen on spending a fortune, here is a quick guide on using the public buses in Mahe island.

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Premier Inn: Budget Stay in Dubai with a Passport to Discounts

Apologies for the month-long silence on this blog. Once in a while, I do some blogger detox to focus on more important things in life; priceless things like spending time with my family. :)

Last month, my parents visited me in my second home - Dubai - for the third time. This time, I wanted them to experience the finer things this city can offer. But you know me, I always find ways to see/eat/do more while spending less, and I have a new discovery! It's the Premier Inn Passport!

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Mykonos: 2 Days Itinerary for Non-Partygoers

Mykonos is one of the most-visited islands in Greece.  It is popularly known for its sunbath-all-day, party-all-night atmosphere. But what if you're an old soul who just doesn't care about beach parties and nightlife, will the island make you feel at home?

Ed and I have no interest in Mykonos' party scene. We simply wanted to see the island. I've seen breathtaking photos of it on Instagram and I wondered if it does have a unique modern-meets-rustic vibe in person. So, we dropped by Mykonos for two days before heading back to Athens.

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Reasons why Naxos should be on your Greek Isle Itinerary

When talking about dreamy Greek islands, you would probably hear Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, and Skopelos in the conversation. But, Naxos?  Close to never. 

Naxos was also not on my radar; not until the time we were about to purchase ferry tickets. I often get seasick and I fear that the Aegean Sea would be rough during Autumn. So, to prepare myself, I read articles about surviving ferry rides in the Greek islands. One advice that I found useful is to take shorter journeys. The islands are interconnected by ferry routes, which means we can have a stopover in between Santorini and Mykonos to take a breather!  

And that's how I came across Naxos. Our visit was random; purely because of my fear of getting seasick. But, I'll tell you a secret: It was a fortunate stroke of serendipity!

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Santorini on a Budget: Is it Possible?

Santorini.

How do I even begin to describe Santorini? I still get lost for words whenever I think about this beautiful Greek island and the days we spent in it. 

I know my words won't give justice to this piece of paradise no matter how I try. So, this article will not focus on the reasons why Santorini is one of my dream destinations and why it should be yours too. But rather on how we managed to have a comfortable holiday on a low travel budget in this dreamy and luxurious Greek island!

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A Quick Guide to Siem Reap: Itinerary, Expenses and Travel Tips

Being the gateway to Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap is a quaint little town in Cambodia that has become a major tourist destination. Travelers set their home base in Siem Reap when exploring the world-renowned Angkot Wat and other famous Khmer temples.

Ed and I spent three days in Siem Reap during our #SweetEscapesinIndochina trip last April 2017. I could say that a 3-day itinerary is perfect for first time visitors. We were able to see the popular temples in the Angkor complex, ventured out to an off-beat attraction, and experienced non-Angkor-related activities!

Here is a basic travel guide for Siem Reap: 

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How to Survive a Long-Haul Flight on a Budget Airline

Last week, I flew to the Philippines (and back) via a budget airline for the 3rd time. Some of my friends couldn't help but ask why. Well, I say, why not? I don't really mind traveling on low-cost carriers, especially when I have to stretch our travel fund a little bit farther! But human as I am, I also have the tendency to compare.

Having experienced flying with some of the bests in the aviation industry, I know I'm missing a lot of things when I'm in a cheap flight. Yet I don't have the heart to loathe low-cost carriers because when I get to see the whole picture, what they offer is exactly what I paid for!

Instead of being disappointed, I learned how to make flying on a budget less excruciating. Here are some ways...

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A Stylish and Affordable Staycation at Centro Barsha

Dubai can sometimes be overwhelming for budget-savvy travelers. With world-famous attractions and lavish hotels scattered all over the city, one can easily label Dubai as an expensive place to visit. But living here for nearly a decade, I have learned that this melting pot is not just for those who have money to burn.

Beyond the fancy lifestyle, Dubai has a string of affordable hotels fit for the new generation of travelers - basically, for those who want to see more, spend less and stay comfortable. Ed and I, being budget-conscious travelers ourselves, can pretty much relate to this!    

Here in the UAE, one of the hotel brands that we adore is Centro. It is an affordable lifestyle hotel brand of Rotana - a trusted name in the hospitality industry. We have stayed in two Centro hotels in Abu Dhabi and one in Sharjah a long time ago, and last weekend, we were in Centro Barsha in Dubai.  

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Hanoi: Itinerary, Expenses and Things to Know Before You Go

Whether you love to travel on a budget, go into a culinary journey, or discover dynamic cities, I highly recommend visiting Hanoi! The bustling capital of Vietnam is guaranteed to impress you. 

Spending three to four days in Hanoi will allow you to visit the top attractions, go on a food hunt, and take a short trip to Halong Bay. But mind you, this quick visit will leave you wanting for more! It is actually one of the few cities I wouldn't mind getting lost at for a week or two!

Here are some travel tips, sample itinerary and budget guide to help you plan for your trip! 

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7 Foodie Spots to Love in Hanoi

If you can still remember my 20 before 2020 list, you'll know that food is the very reason why I wanted to travel to Hanoi. Yes, FOOD, particularly the savory Vietnamese noodle dish called Pho! I have eaten pho many times in Manila, in Bacolod and in Dubai, and I always thought: if this tastes good, then how much more in its birthplace - Hanoi!

So, during our short trip to the capital of Vietnam, I devoured five bowls of pho. That's almost two bowls per day. Hahah! Ed and I also got to sample other delectable Vietnamese dishes, and concluded that if you are into gastronomic journeys, Hanoi is the perfect place to go as it is a foodie wonderland!

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Coming Up: A 9-day Sweet Escape in Indochina!

Selamat Datang! Xin Chao! Jumreap Soa!

I will be using those words frequently over the next few days! Ed and I will embark on a sweet escape tonight. We are traveling to 3 countries in Indochina (3 cities, actually) in 9 days. We will start and end the trip in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We will spend 3 days in Hanoi, Vietnam and another 3 days in Siem Reap, Cambodia!

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5 Days in Paris Itinerary and Expenses

Paris on a Budget sounds impossible that I, myself, was shocked when I laid out all the possible itinerary and expenses to my husband. We were both in disbelief when we realized that traveling to one of the most romantic cities in the world could only cost a little more than our expenses in the Golden Triangle of India!

Yeah, I know I have been talking about this budget trip for quite awhile now and a lot have been waiting for me to spill the beans. So, here we go!

How much can one budget traveler spend for a 5-day trip to Paris? Roughly 3,500 AED or even less! 

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Sleek Budget Hotel in Paris

Paris is an expensive city. 

I heard that all the time, but still, Ed and I were keen on traveling to Paris on a budget. We believed that it's not impossible, we just have to make smart choices. So, when  I started looking for a place to stay for our 5-day trip, I let go of the thought of waking up a stone's throw away from the Eiffel Tower and focused on essentials - comfort and convenience at a cheap rate!

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What to Pack for an Autumn Trip to Turkey

Last year, around this month, I was totally confused on what clothes should I bring for a 12-day travel in Turkey. It was the first time that we're heading out for an Autumn Holiday. And since we're flying on a budget airline, I had to squeeze everything that I wanted to wear in my carry-on... which is clearly impossible!

I wasted hours googling what to pack, how to create a travel capsule wardrobe and the like. All because I'm OC when it comes to travel outfits! Uhhm. I'm not a fashion blogger and I don't see myself venturing into the fashion scene, but hey I'm a girl! I love to dress up! 

Yep, this post is focused on travel wardrobe; a topic which I should have included in this blog way way back! :)

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How We Save Money for Our Travel Fund

Ever since Ed and I got married, traveling has become an essential part of our life. We have different personalities, yet we share the same perspective when it comes to travel. 

Traveling, for us, is more than seeing new places, more than learning about the world we live in. It has been our favorite way to bond and get know more about each other. When we're out of our comfort zone, our strengths and weaknesses are revealed. When we're on the road, we learn how to communicate better. And when we share wonderful moments, we appreciate our marriage even more! 

That's why we make sure to go somewhere we have never been once or twice a year. But how do we make our travels happen? 

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