Celebrity Life
Travel with @LindsayJang
In our latest travel series, we journey the world with some of our favourite frequent fliers — from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, Changi to Heathrow — to find out what they’re like on the go. Warning: travel envy ensues.
Name: Lindsay Jang
Profession: Entrepreneur
Passport: Canadian
Countries Visited: 29
Where was your last destination?
Ireland for Christmas and New Year’s visiting friends who have relocated there for work.
What was the best and worst thing about it?
It’s my third time there in three years and I love everything about it. It reminds me of Canada — cozy, quiet, a little cold, and overall, super chill.
What do you never travel without?
What’s your favourite travel ensemble?
Lululemon leggings, an oversized hoodie, and long socks. All in black.
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I actually came here just to wear winter clothes. @canadagoose #cgbranta
Where is your favourite hotel?
This is ironic, but my favorite hotel in the world is the Upper House. There is nowhere I’ve been that has the same level of personal service. Other favorites (in no particular order) are — Park Hyatt Tokyo, Hollywood Roosevelt, Santa Monica Proper Hotel, Grand Hyatt Seoul, and the brand new Equinox Hotel NYC.
Who do you normally travel with?
Alone, with my boyfriend, with friends, with my kids, for work, for fun; I will go anywhere to explore!
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Missing this Niseko vacay. And these two brats. @experienceniseko @theluxenomad @skyeniseko
What’s your favourite airline and why?
Cathay Pacific. They treat me well.
Tell us your most memorable travel story.
I don’t really have one specifically. I’ve been left behind on a Shinkansen platform in Japan, I navigated rural roads in Nicaragua before Google Maps existed, I ate chicken on a beach in San Sebastian and almost died of food poisoning while on a 10-hour bus ride back to Madrid.
Where is your favourite airport and why?
Hong Kong International Airport and/or Singapore Terminal 4. They are beyond comparison when it comes to efficiency and lounge quality.
Tell us how you would deal with jet lag?
Stay busy.
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What item(s) do you carry on and use in-flight?
iPhone, AirPods, sleeping pills, and a pen.
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Where are you off to next?
- Bali, Kyoto, Osaka, LA, Tokyo, and Bali again!
The post Travel with @LindsayJang appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
Travel with Blogger @Danielhungryhk
In our latest travel series, we journey the world with some of our favourite frequent fliers — from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, Changi to Heathrow — to find out what they’re like on the go. Warning: travel envy ensues.
Name: Daniel Haddad
Profession: Travel Blogger
Passport: British
Countries Visited: Approximately 40
Where was your last destination? And what were you there for?
Phu Quoc, Vietnam. I was there working with a few resorts.
What was the best and worst thing about it?
The best thing was the beautiful beaches and delicious, fresh seafood.
The island is still relatively new to the tourist scene, so the only downside is that many of the staff (even in the larger hotels) don't speak any English. This can make communication during your stay a bit difficult, but I didn't find it a huge problem and I like to experience the local culture and charm.
What do you never travel without?
My family. My wife, two kids and I have been travelling together full time for the past 4 years. A trip would not be complete without them.
What’s your favourite travel ensemble ?
You will usually find me in comfortable clothes. Either jeans and a basic tee or shorts, t-shirts, and flip flops. I find it's the most comfortable for long days of exploring and seeing local markets and streets.
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Where is your favourite hotel ?
I am a huge supporter of the Soneva brand. Their hotels in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, are truly one of a kind. Not only are they luxurious, beautifully designed and in unforgettable locations, but they also put a huge emphasis on being kind to the environment. Everything from farming their own vegetables and recycling on site, to solar panels and ensuring the resorts are zero waste. Travelling all the time, we have become very aware of the effect on our Earth and brands like Soneva sets a great example of how we can appreciate a destination without leaving it in ruins.
What’s your favourite airline and why?
Cathay Pacific is comfortable, has amazing service, and their Business Class is always a decadent treat. It helps that they fly direct to so many destinations from Hong Kong, which is our priority.
Tell us your most memorable travel story .
Over the summer we spent a month in the Maldives and our children swam with stingrays, turtles, and dolphins. It was truly incredible to see our daughter who is only five become so comfortable in the ocean. She went snorkelling at a location that was completely out of her depth. We'll always remember her swimming beside a turtle and how brave she was in the new situation.
Show us your favourite travel photo!
This was a rainy day but we came to the beach and there were tons of stingrays swimming over to say hello. It was such a magical sight.
Where is your favourite airport and why?
Changi Airport in Singapore really has everything. You'll find lounges, hotels in the terminal during long layovers, a huge variety of restaurants and shops, and a kids play area which is essential for us.
Share your top travel tip(s) with us!
- Stay longer at a location to truly absorb the culture and dig deeper than the usual sights. Don't just check off a list of must sees and popular destinations.
- Return to your favourite cities and see more of what you loved, be adventurous with local food, converse with the people around you, and see each country's way of life.
- Make your travel experience richer than just a few famous landmarks and what's top of the list on TripAdvisor. Exploring is how you find all the best hidden spots.
How do you deal with jet lag?
Keep yourself as busy as possible in the day so you aren't tempted to take that nap. A glass of wine or two also helps in the evenings.
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What item(s) do you carry on and use in-flight?
Noise cancelling headphones, a neck pillow, and iPads to keep the kids occupied.
Where are you off to next?
Hokkaido for a few weeks. Sapporo is one of my favourite winter destinations and has amazing seafood and restaurants. We are spending a few days in Sapporo and then heading to Otaru for Christmas. We are taking the kids for ski lessons at Asari Ski Resort, which is a great option if you want to be near all the restaurants and shops in Sapporo, but still want to fit in a bit of skiing.
The post Travel with Blogger @Danielhungryhk appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
Travel with Instagram Influencer @furellie
In our latest travel series, we journey the world with some of our favourite frequent fliers — from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, Changi to Heathrow — to find out what they’re like on the go.
Warning: travel envy ensues.
Name: Ellie Furuya
Profession: Programmer & Social Media Manager at National Geographic Asia
Passport: Japan
Countries Visited: 31
Where was your last destination?
Skukuza, Cape Town and Stellenbosch in South Africa! Skukuza first for safari, Cape Town for food, and Stellenbosch for wine.
What was the best and worst thing about it?
The best – my birthday. My boyfriend surprised me with a treehouse staycation in the middle of the bush. Staying for one night in the solar-powered treehouse was incredible, being surrounded by wildlife on all sides, and of course no wifi. A 3-course fine dining meal was waiting for us, as well as a bottle of champagne, and iPads with stargazing apps for when the sun went down. Never felt so far from home, in a good way!
The worst – miscalculating my outfit for a freezing morning game drive (it was 4 degrees!), and getting a fever as a result. I was destroyed in bed for an entire day and missed out on a precious evening game drive.
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What do you never travel without?
My portable charger. I don’t remember the last time my phone ran out of battery.
What’s your favourite travel ensemble?
I like to appear more presentable whilst travelling. I’ll throw an oversized blazer on over a comfortable top, and always prefer my versatile Celine luggage bag for a classic look.
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Where is your favourite hotel?
Delaire Graff in Stellenbosch, a Relais & Chateaux property owned by diamond magnate Laurence Graff. It’s located in its own little enclave in the beautiful Cape wine lands, surrounded by lush greenery and rolling vineyards. Each room comes with a complimentary wine-tasting session, some of the best wines I’ve ever had. The suites are interior design heaven, with terrace and private heated infinity pool, as well as amenities by Aromatherapy Associates.
What’s your favourite airline and why?
Cathay Pacific. I’ve never really had issues flying with them, and service is always great. I also look forward to their various chef collaborations for the long-haul in-flight dining menus.
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Tell us your most memorable travel story.
In Skukuza on safari. It was our first day there and we had no idea what to expect. The aim was to see the big 5, but we ended up seeing all five on the first drive - and then some. The most incredible moment was my first time seeing a large male leopard close enough to touch from our open vehicle. He had just successfully killed an impala and dragged it up into a low-lying branch on a tree to protect it from hyenas. I’ve screened endless hours of leopard kills on wildlife documentaries over four years working at Nat Geo, and it was something else to see it all in real life.
Show us your favourite travel photo.
This is a picture of me having breakfast at San Antonio Hotel in Santorini, Greece. The pristine view of the Aegean sea and volcanic caldera in the distance turned my favourite meal of the day into an incredible experience every morning. Favourite hotel breakfast of all time!
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Where is your favourite airport and why?
JFK. It seems random but every memory I’ve associated with being there is brimming excitement. I just love New York so much, and it’s one of my favourite places in the entire world. Especially feels good being there after a killer 16-hour flight from the other side of the world.
Share your top travel tip(s) with us!
- How to deal with jet lag: power through it. Never nap. I’ve lost so many precious hours of daylight from my own terrible willpower and food coma-induced midday naps. Funnily enough, after bingeing on the Chip NYC cookies and Prince St Pizza from the below photo, I fell asleep for four hours and missed dinner!
- What items to carry on and use in-flight: for long-haul flights, I always carry makeup removal pads and Laura Mercier illuminating tinted moisturizer so I can clean and refresh my skin before landing. It’s infused with SPF+++ and micro-pearls so gives your skin a nice dewy look, instead of ashy and dried out after a flight.
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Where are you off to next?
I’m flying off to London for a few days next week, and Tokyo after that for Christmas.
The post Travel with Instagram Influencer @furellie appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
Travel with Photographer @Thomas_Fung
In our latest travel series, we journey the world with some of our favourite frequent fliers — from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, Changi to Heathrow — to find out what they’re like on the go.
Warning: travel envy ensues.
Name: Thomas Fung / @thomas_fung
Profession: Photographer
Passport: Hong Kong
Countries Visited: 20+
Where was your last destination?
California and the outskirts surrounding it. I was there to catch up with old friends. We went on a road trip through one of the state parks and sand dunes. We also spent nights on airstreams -- we were glamping. Some of these were new experiences for me.
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What was the best and worst thing about it?
I’ve always had a strong desire for freedom. Our road trip to the outskirts of California and Arizona was pretty last minute, and the whole idea was to jump behind the wheel and leave all cares behind. It was the feeling of being wild and free -- living on the open road -- that fuelled my excitement and gave me that sense of completeness. Staying in a vintage airstream up on the mountains turned out to be the highlight, too. With all the impressive retro designs I felt like I was travelling back in time. Hopefully, I can share all of that in my upcoming posts.
The worst thing was that I nearly missed my flight back to Hong Kong. I was stuck in really bad weeknight traffic in Los Angeles on my last day and arrived at the airport front desk just on time. I was lucky enough to meet some helpful staff and understanding passengers as I boarded the plane super last minute.
What do you never travel without?
Hats, and preferably Panama style. They are perfect for lazy hair days and are always timelessly stylish. I like taking photos with hats and it's become something of a signature look. I think the choice of hat speaks a lot about your personality and also conveys a visual message about your state of mind.
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What’s your favourite travel ensemble?
Apart from hats, I like the idea of tone-on-tone while working on photoshoot projects and taking portraits. It simply means dressing in the same colour spectrum as the background. Of course, it’s impossible to carry a whole wardrobe with you while travelling. So, I think wearing all white goes well with other colours and stands out elegantly.
Where is your favourite hotel?
The Ace Hotels. And if I were to choose one -- the one in Downtown Los Angeles. Their lofts go along the chic vintage line, with polished concrete walls, exposed ceilings and industrial-styled decors. Nothing luxurious but certainly down to earth. Make sure you spend some time at the lobby, take some snaps using their vintage photo booth and chat with the staff there. Lastly make sure you try the pancakes from Lucky Girl. They are delicious!
Who do you normally travel with?
My good friends usually. And if I travel alone I always spend time meeting up with local photographers I meet on Instagram. Sometimes we go to an Instagram spot and take photos for each other. It is inspiring to see how photos can be addressed in different perspectives.
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What’s your favourite airline and why?
Cathay Pacific will always have a special place in my heart. Why? Well it is based in Hong Kong -- where I was born and raised, relatively reliable and provides numerous direct flight destinations. And I still find that it's in-flight entertainment the most diverse, by far.
Show us your favourite travel photo!
Muralla Roja (meaning red wall in Spanish) is located along the Spanish coast just opposite to the well-known Ibiza. I first came across it in a magazine and was instantly attracted by the geometric designs and exuberant colours. The clever interplay of changing colour tones and shadowing creates special optical and spatial effects, and the same shot at different times of the day can appear differently. If you fancy a visit, do remember that it’s residential.
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Share your top travel tip(s) with us.
- For long haul flights, I usually choose to arrive at the destination in the morning or afternoon, so as to combat jet lag better.
- Take vitamins daily. Work trips, chasing schedules, and busy days can be physically draining, and it's worse when you're in a different time zone as your body clock still needs to adjust. Vitamins help with your body's metabolism and boosts your immunity.
- To take nice travel photographs, avoid peak seasons if possible. Then refer to photos online to decide what the best time to go is.
Where are you off to next?
Bali, hopefully! It’s my all-time favourite destination for a long weekend getaway. It has everything you need for a chilled beach break, and plenty of exciting activities to keep you entertained -- plus the clubs there are quality.
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The post Travel with Photographer @Thomas_Fung appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
Travel with Lifestyle Blogger @No3l
In our latest travel series, we journey the world with some of our favourite frequent fliers — from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, Changi to Heathrow — to find out what they’re like on the go.
Warning: travel envy ensues.
Name: Noël Li @no3l
Profession: Lifestyle Blogger
Passport: Hong Kong
Countries Visited: 30+
Where was your last destination?
My last destination was Tokyo, Japan. I went there just for fun but I also arranged a shoot with a photographer called @takvmi.jpg who is based in Tokyo. [While I was there] I shot some content for a project named Lost in Tokyo.
What was the best and worst thing about it?
The best thing about my Tokyo trip was how efficient it all was. The photographer and I captured various outfits with different backdrops in three hours. There was nothing bad about it at all. It’s Tokyo! A city which is so vibrant and exciting at all times.
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What do you never travel without?
My [Apple] AirPods and my camera.
What’s your favourite travel item?
My Dior Book Tote. It's perfect to carry onboard and for shopping!
Where is your favourite hotel?
It has to be The Palace Hotel in Tokyo. It’s super comfortable and luxurious, and their attention to detail is so good.
Who do you normally travel with?
I usually travel by myself. It’s a way for me to recharge as well as clear my mind. Travelling alone allows me to explore new opportunities and meet new people.
Tell us your most memorable travel story.
During my trip to New York, I was walking around the city looking for locations to take pictures. I came across this old-style laundromat that would be the perfect backdrop but the owner was a bit scary. I asked him if I could pay a one-time fee just so I could take pictures. In the end, we had such a great time. The owner even took out their clothes so that we could use them as props for my pics. That was an unexpected outcome!
Show us your favourite travel photo!
A long time ago, I read an article about the best activities you can do alone and one of them mentioned: "go to a theme park yourself". I found it very interesting and wanted to try it myself, so I made it happen. This photo was taken when I visited Universal Studios Japan by myself. It was actually not too bad at all. Especially as you can use all the single rider lines!
Theme parks are a great a place to leave your stress behind and be surrounded by kids and adults full of joy -- no matter if you are with your friends or by yourself!
Where is your favourite airport and why?
Tokyo Haneda Airport is my favourite. The airport is located very close to the city and the design is very modern, bright and clean. The Japanese service/culture is always warm and comforting.
Share your top travel tip(s) with us!
- To deal with jet lag: pick the correct flight schedule. Usually it's a long haul flight that results in jet lag, so pick a flight that arrives in the evening. Then, you can sleep at an appropriate time after landing and wake up fresh, early in the morning. It works for me.
- Items that I carry on and use in-flight: a pair of hotel slippers. Your body will bloat during the flight due to cabin pressure, which might make it difficult to take your shoes off. Having slippers will allow you to walk around the cabin easily.
- In addition, I always have body lotion and face cream with me. The cabin is super dry, so keeping myself hydrated and moisturised ensures that I feel great upon arrival. My go-to products include La Mer Creme De La Mer, which is perfect for the dry environment, and Bath and Body Work’s 'Sleep' body lotion. It’s infused with lavender which helps me fall asleep, too.
Where are you off to next?
I’m currently planning out my 2020 travels. Destinations include New York, Maldives, and Milan at the moment. Hopefully I'll be able to visit and add somewhere I haven’t been to as well. Too many places, too little time.
The post Travel with Lifestyle Blogger @No3l appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
Travel with @FoodandTravelHK
In our latest travel series, we journey the world with some of our favourite frequent fliers — from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, Changi to Heathrow — to find out what they’re like on the go. Warning: travel envy ensues.
Traveller: Gloria Chung @Foodandtravelhk
Profession: Food and travel writer / journalist / food stylist
Passport: Hong Kong
Countries visited: 40+
Where was your last destination?
Copenhagen. I was there to binge eat for four days and I managed to get a table at Restaurant 108 and had the best cardamon bun from Juno Bakery. Then I stopped by London for an assignment about Coal Drops Yard and a food styling course at Le Cordon Bleu.
What was the best and worst thing about it?
The weather was absolutely brilliant. Sunny and breezy Autumn weather. Can't complain! I took my time and enjoyed the sunshine at cafés. I love Monmouth Coffee as they serve pastry from my favourite bakery Little Bread Pedlar. Other cafés I like include Fingers Crossed and Jacob the Angel, but it really depends on which area of London I am in.
What do you never travel without?
I am quite minimal in terms of packing. I would say apart from all the essentials, I just wouldn’t travel without my false eyelashes. It takes no time to put on and makes me look sharp. Perfect for travelling.
What’s your favourite travel ensemble?
A striped tee, navy blazer and comfortable trousers. But I’d also bring a little black dress and probably a white shirt.
Where is your favourite hotel?
That's a tough question! There are many fantastic hotels and it really depends on where I travel to. But right now the top three hotels that come to mind are:
- Ryse Hotel in Seoul. It is in an impeccable location and the design is chic. It also attracts a cool crowd and most importantly, the service is fantastic. The staff are extremely helpful, professional and friendly; they even carried my suitcase and sent me to the bus station as I left!
- Hoshinoya in Tokyo is a ryokan [traditional Japanese inn] at its best. It holds Japanese design and service with an international viewpoint. Plus the staff make very good drip coffee!
- And The St. Regis in Kuala Lumpur because they make the best flat white ever.
Who do you normally travel with?
Myself mostly. 60-70% of the time I travel for work, so I do enjoy travelling alone. It's more efficient. I used to travel with a photographer, and maybe a model, but not anymore. I did however, enjoy a trip to Chiang Mai with friends and family not too long ago.
What’s your favourite airline and why?
Cathay Pacific. Because they always have Asian meal options on board.
Tell us your most memorable travel story.
I was on an assignment in London covering a bike tour but I fell off the bike and hurt my knees. I think I lost around a litre of blood from the injury. Everyone around me panicked but I insisted on finishing the whole tour (we were in the middle of it) before heading to the hospital. Thankfully, the nurses at NHS were extremely nice. I consider this experience very professional and heroic. Ha!
Show us your favourite travel photo.
This is my latest favourite! I just love the contrast of light and shadow in Coal Drops Yard, London. The architecture always fascinates me.
Share your top travel tip(s) with us!
- Think Marie Kondo when packing. Seriously you do not need extra bed sheets or a pillow.
- Make a compartment in your suitcase and sort things into different bags. I always imagine myself being checked at customs and needing to open my suitcase. I do not want my underwear on show!
- I always bring Pu’er [Chinese tea] with me. It’s good for digestion. I also bring chia seeds. It's light and fantastic for when you eat too much and feel bloated.
- Get a [mobile phone] SIM card instead of WiFi egg. It's light and does not need charging.
How do you deal with jet lag?
I adjust the time on the flight to the destination. For instance, when you board in Hong Kong, it's still day time in Paris, so you must not sleep until night time in Paris. It works quite well.
Where is your favourite airport and why?
Hong Kong! We have everything really. It’s very efficient, clean and spacious. My favourite area is near Gate 28 where you can get egg tarts and milk tea at King Bakery.
What item(s) do you carry on and use in-flight?
Again, I am really minimal in terms of what I bring on the flight with me, my items include:
- A thermos. I ask the flight attendants to fill it up so I don't need to waste plastic cups for water.
- Eye treatment roll on from Buly 1803. I don’t just use it for the eyes. I roll it on my arm to smell, as I find the scent really soothing.
- Hand cream from Artket.
- And lip balm.
Where are you off to next?
Ishigaki [a Japanese island west of Okinawa]. I went there for a summer holiday before. I can't wait to go back and see what it’s like in winter. I miss the Ishigaki beef!
The post Travel with @FoodandTravelHK appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
Travel with @SupertasterMel
In our latest travel series, we journey the world with some of our favourite frequent fliers — from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, Changi to Heathrow — to find out what they’re like on the go. Warning: travel envy ensues.
Traveller: Melissa Tse @SupertasterMel
Profession: Food & Travel Blogger
Passport: United States
Countries Visited: 36
Where was your last destination?
Alacati in Turkey.
What were you there for?
My husband is an avid windsurfer and Alacati on the west coast of Turkey is a famous world-class windsurfing spot. The seaside town also turned out to be very picturesque with beautiful stone houses and charming cobblestone streets with tons of little shops and alfresco restaurants.
What was the best and worst thing about it?
The best thing was finding a farm to table restaurant - OD Urla - in a nearby town that surpassed our expectations with its high quality of food and attention to details. The worst thing was accidentally sitting on gum while on the flight to Alacati - it was a nightmare to clean on my cotton pants!
What do you never travel without?
My camera. My love for photography started years before I started blogging about food, so besides taking pictures of food, I also like to take pictures of my travels.
What’s your travel ensemble?
It’s all about comfort. I wear comfortable shoes because I tend to walk around a lot when I am travelling and it allows me to be able to explore more places.
Where is your favourite hotel?
I just had a FANtastic stay at the Mandarin Oriental in Marrakech earlier this year. Most of the rooms are villas in contemporary riad style so there are lots of privacy and space - we even had our own private pool and fireplace!
Who do you normally travel with?
My husband. We have been together for 12 years and most of the travels I have done in my life have been with him. While we may have different interests sometimes, we both love eating so we end up doing a lot of eating trips together.
What’s your favourite airline and why?
I mostly fly with Cathay Pacific because it is our flagship carrier and there are more options for direct flights with them from Hong Kong to the rest of the world. I loved that they opened a new direct flight to Seattle (where my husband and I met) earlier this year.
Tell us your most memorable travel story.
I was in Cappadocia in Turkey for 1 night as part of a gastronomy conference and we were informed that the weather was not ideal for hot air ballooning. Still I set my alarm to wake up at sunrise the next morning just in case and ended up witnessing the most magical scene ever with dozens of hot air balloons floating in mid-air against a beautiful sunrise. Best decision ever!
Show us your favourite travel photo.
I was in Antwerp for a meal and didn't even know gorgeous the train station would be until I got there. I guess that's the best thing about traveling - being able to wander around in completely new places and discover things that you didn't even know existed.
Share a travel tip with us.
Pack light. I almost always just travel with a carry-on suitcase (yes even for long trips) and it’s just easier to be on the go when I’m travelling from country to country in Europe without the need to check in my luggage.
Where are you off to next?
Tokyo! I have a restaurant reservation that I made almost half a year ago so it's going to be an eating trip and catching up with friends.
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The many colors of Tokyo Tower. #supermelJapan #supermelTravel #supermelTokyo
The post Travel with @SupertasterMel appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.