Favourite Destinations by our Favourite Travel Bloggers – Part 2

Jade
January 31st, 2021
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Whats your favourite destination - Part 2

We all need a little travel inspiration at the moment, and who better to ask than some awesome travel bloggers?

This next list by our favourite travel bloggers traverses the globe; from sipping coffee in Thailand, exploring Israel’s capital, relaxing on the beach in Andalusia, to meeting Japanese geisha’s, and road tripping in Canada.

Read on and let us know what inspires you : )

Happy armchair travels!

(And dont forget to read Part 1 for more inspiration)

Roadtrip the Sea to Sky Highway Canada

The lovely Meggie of Mindful Meggie shows how mental illness does not have to be a barrier to exploring the world.

Driving from Vancouver to Whistler on the Sea to Sky Highway, you’ll see beautiful coastal rainforests and the mountain ranges of the Pacific Northwest.

On the first leg of the journey, the road hugs along the intimate coast of Howe Sound. Large islands and mountains form boundaries around the watery expanse. Leaving Lake Howe, you climb through the mountain ranges to the snowy hillsides. Mother Nature’s grandeur on this highway is undeniable and easily accessible.

I felt so alive during this drive, and I’m sure you will, too. So, put down your phone (unless you are snapping photos) and enjoy!

What to do:

During your drive, play Said the Whale’s Cascadia This small Vancouver band shares their love of British Colombia’s beauty with raw, rustic songs.
Stop #1: West Vancouver’s Lighthouse Park. Lush hiking trails with fir trees and ferns lead to the old 1914 Point Atkinson Lighthouse, which is still active today. It overlooks Howe Sound in a picturesque setting.
Stop #2: Brandywine Falls Provincial Park. An easy, inland trail leads to a mighty waterfall vista point. The hike is 0.6 miles out-and-back.
Stop #3: Whistler Train Wreck Trail. A timber train sped off the tracks in 1956. Workers used logging machines to push the wrecked cars aside. Today, the wreckage is a beloved attraction. Graffiti enthusiasts have turned the damaged cars into a colorful art display. Hikers are welcome to visit the marvelous sight of artsy wreckage submerged in a thick forest. The hike is 1.24 miles out-and-back.

Time: The drive from Vancouver to Whistler takes almost two hours. One day is plenty for this drive (either one-way or out-and-back) and its suggested stops. Slow down. No need to rush.

Best time to visit: During the summer (Jun-Aug) you can wear light clothes and drive through calmer weather conditions.

Shireen of The Happy Days Travels entices us Eastward with her recollections of Chiang Mai, Thailand.

My favourite place is Chiang Mai, a popular city on the classic South East Asia route, nestled between the mountains of Northern Thailand. I first arrived in Chiang Mai by bus and as we pulled into the city, I had a feeling of comfort that overwhelmed me, and I knew that this place was special. After that initial visit, I have returned three times and stayed in Chiang Mai for a total of 8 weeks. It’s my favourite place because there is a homely atmosphere created by the sweet locals, the walled Old City, and the street food aromas, all protected by the grand mountains overarching the city.

What to do: There’s loads to experience in Chiang Mai, but I urge you to connect with locals and sample the Northern Thai lifestyle.

One of the best things to do in Chiang Mai is visit the 14^th century Buddhist temple, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep which overlooks the city. You can hire a local guide to drive you to the top for sunrise or hike the Monk’s trail for a gorgeous sunset.
Other attractions to visit are Night Markets, Thai Cinema, and Muay Thai shows, not to mention a cookery class is always fun.

Then be sure to scour the streets looking for the best Khao Soi which is the local dish Chiang Mai and my favourite!

Finally try all the coffee. Iced coffee, sweet coffee, dung coffee, egg coffee – you name it you can get it in Thailand. Sample all the local coffee shops and get chatting to the locals for an authentic experience.

Stay: I’d suggest staying for at least four days to get a glimpse in to what makes Chiang Mai so adoring.

Top Tip is to stay in Santitham, it’s a local suburb that is just a 10 minute walk but gives you a truly authentic experience.. Read my ultimate guide to Santitham

Best time to visit: For the best times of year to visit you could visit during Sonkran in April which is basically a city-wide water fight, or November for the lantern festival.

But trust me, no matter when you visit Chiang Mai, it will deeply scratch that wanderlust itch.

Andalusia Region, Spain

Britt from www.travelxbritt.com gives us her take on Andalusia

Andalusia is a very interesting region that includes a few Autonomous Communities. It’s on my favorite list because the region is so beautiful, has many different landscapes from mountains to beaches. Not to mention it also has a lot of very interesting history.

The name ‘Andalusia; comes from Al-Andalus, an Arabic name given by the Muslims or “Moors.” The name initially described the whole Spanish Peninsula. In the 11th century, after the Christians took over Spain, Al-Andalus was used only for the area that was within Muslim control. You can feel a definite Arabic and African influence. There is a very relaxed vibe, and you’ll notice the difference in pace of life all over the region compared to fast-paced Madrid or Barcelona.

What to do:

There is so much to do in Andalusia, and one of the funnest is exploring the culture. To start off, you have to try the traditional foods, such as salmorejo, gazpacho, bellota ham, shrimp tortilla, and much more.
You can then go to the beach because Andalusia is infamous for being super hot!
Go to Parque Donana in Huelva for hiking and spotting exotic animals.
Andalusia is also the birthplace of Flamenco, specifically the community of Cadiz. So check out a performance, Ole!

Stay: You can stay in Andalusia to truly get a taste for 5 days to a week, anything shorter than that is a bit rushed.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit is in early June or Early September to avoid the scorching hot weathers and hectic tourist crowds. Summers are very busy.

Kyoto, Japan

Xavier and Coralee from Pasion a Ventura y Cultura (Passion for Adventure and Culture) take us to Japan, where ancient traditions meet science fiction.

Xavier says I was always fascinated by Japanese culture since I was young. From its martial arts and feudal history to their discipline and organization as a society. Japan is an excellent blend of ancient traditions and advanced technological breakthroughs.

What to do in Kyoto:

We enjoyed the contrast of old and new, especially with our robot concierge at our hotel!
Meet one of the few remaining Katana swordsmiths. Read more here.
You can also meet a maiko (apprentice geisha) in the famous Gion district
See Himeji, an ancient castle that will transport you to Japan’s Sengoku or Warring States Period. It also was used in Kurosawa movies, and in the Bond film ‘You Only Live Twice’.
Kinkakuji Temple – the famous golden temple is absolutely stunning and shouldn’t be missed.
Be cleansed as you walk the path of the red torii gates up to Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine.

There are so many more temples and sites to see including Kiyomizudera Temple, Nijo Castle and the Imperial Palace you’ll be spoilt for choice.

But do not forget to sample the food. Enjoy local specialties like okonomiyaki (savory pancakes) in Hiroshima to Unadon (Eel) in Yaita and Kyoto.

Stay: We suggest you stay 5 days, to give yourself time to visit the main temples, palaces and then partake in local shopping and day trips to Nara to see the deers!

When to go: Kyoto is busy all year around, but we suggest you try April/May during the cherry blossom season. There will be lots of great festivities to see and experience.

Jerusalem, Israel

Moshe of the The Top Ten Traveler tells us about his most beautiful city in the world.

My favorite place, and the most beautiful city in the world for me, is Jerusalem, Israel. From the moment you step foot in it, there is something special and spiritual about this city. Being the religious centre for three major monotheistic religions has a great influence on the city life and the people who visit it.

The history of Jerusalem goes back 3000 years, and there are many archeological sites in the city where ancient coins, tools, and buildings were excavated.

What to see:

The old city of Jerusalem, still located within its walls, is the most interesting place to visit. It is divided into 4 quarters – Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Armenian, each with its own characteristics, style, and food.
Eating: Don’t miss Falafel in the Jewish quarter and Hummus or Knafeh (dessert) in the Muslim quarter.
Enter the old city through Jaffa Gate and continue to the Arab Market.
Then you can visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (where Jesus was buried and resurrected) which leads to the main square of the Western Wall.
From here you have access to the Western Wall tunnels and Al Aqsa Mosque on Temple Mount.

Outside of the walls is the new city of Jerusalem, which has unique architecture and is a microcosm of Israel. Don’t miss:

Mount Olives
Machne Yehuda Market
Ben Yehuda street mall.

Stay: We suggest 3-4 days for a thorough visit to Jerusalem

Best time to visit: During the hot season from May to September. FYI: September-October is the High Holiday season, and many places may be closed.

Also every Saturday is a holy day, so plan your visit accordingly.

In Conclusion

We really hope you got inspired by our friends’ suggestions.

If you enjoyed this post, please do leave us a message below and tell us what YOUR favourite destination is and why!