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The 6 Best Hotels in Melbourne

Melbourne is my favorite city in Australia. It’s a vibrant, multicultural city known for its rich arts scene, world-class dining, and lively atmosphere. It’s a hub for backpackers and travelers too. The mix of old-world architecture and modern skyscrapers gives the city a unique charm. I especially love strolling through Melbourne’s iconic laneways, enjoying the colorful street art and popping into hidden bars. There’s so much to do here that you could easily spend a week and not get bored. No matter how long you have though, choosing a great hotel is paramount. There are a ton of hotels in the city, and not all of them are good. In fact, I’ve stayed in some that were downright terrible! So, to help you make the most of your visit down under, here is my list of the best hotels in Melbourne: 1. Treasury on Collins This four-star aparthotel is in the city’s CBD (central business district; the neighborhood in Melbourne I recommend for most travelers ). The building itself is a 19t

The Best Walking Tours in Melbourne

Posted : 3/16/23 | March 16th, 2023 Famed for its restaurant and coffee scene, Melbourne is popular with the backpacker crowd (hence why I vibe with it so much!). It has charming, funky neighborhoods, and streets lined with inspiring shops and cafés. You can tap into its amazing nightlife, from a sedate evening at a wine bar to dancing until sunrise at a thumping club. It’s also near the wine-centric Yarra Valley. There’s a lot to see and do here. Melbourne is considered the “cultural capital” of the country and the best way to find out why is to take a walking tour. I love walking tours. You’ll get to see the highlights and connect with a local guide that can answer all your questions. There are tours for every niche too, so regardless of your interests (or budget), you’ll be able to have fun and learn a lot about the city. Here’s my list of the best walking tours in Melbourne. BEST OVERALL TOUR Learn More MELTours Laneways Tour This tour gives you a great overview of

How to Eat Cheap Around the World

Last Updated : 3/17/23 | March 17th, 2023 I love to eat. In fact, eating is one of my favorite activities, and also one of my favorite aspects of traveling. Food is such an integral part of so many cultures that to skip out on meals when you travel is to miss out on a part of that culture. I’m always disappointed when I meet travelers who cook all their meals in a hostel kitchen. Why come to Italy and not have pasta? No sushi in Japan ? Avoiding steak in Argentina ? Skipping paella in Spain ? While you don’t need to eat every single dish when you visit a new country, it’s important to be as open as possible to their food culture. Of course, many travelers have a valid concern when it comes to food. For one, eating out all the time is expensive. Imagine if you ate out every day — your food budget would be astronomical! Additionally, many people have dietary concerns that prevent them from fully embracing new foods. And many travelers are vegan or vegetarian , as well, whic

The Best Walking Tours in Sydney

Posted : 3/10/2023 | March 10th, 2023 Sydney is the most popular and largest city in Ausrtralia. If you visit the country, you’re going to visit here. Home to five million inhabitants (about 20% of the entire population), it has a ton of things to see and do , from the iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge to its stunning beaches and plentiful museums (many of which are free). As the country’s biggest city and most popular destination for tourists, there is a lot to do here. Beyond the typical sites, museums, and activities, there are also a lot of incredible walking tours that give you a sense of the people and culture of the city. I love walking tours for this reason. Led by a local, they give you information you wouldn’t find by just wandering around on your own. You get someone who can answer your questions and share their insider tips. There are a lot of walking tours in Sydney to choose from. To help you avoid some of the less than great ones, here’s my list of the best wal

Where to Stay in Melbourne: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Posted : 3/7/2023 | March 7th, 2023 Melbourne is probably my favorite city in Australia . While Sydney boasts the more iconic tourist attractions, Melbourne is more laid-back and a hub for arts and culture. Home to over five million people, it has a diverse population and something of a European feel, home to plenty of festivals, art exhibitions, live music, stunning street art, chill bars and cafés, and delicious food. You could easily spend over a week here and only scratch the surface when it comes to things to see and do . While public transportation goes everywhere, Melbourne is a bit sprawled out, so it’s important to choose the area where you stay carefully, otherwise you’ll spend most of your trip in transit. To help you decide where to stay in Melbourne, in this post, I’ll highlight the best neighborhoods below so you can choose the area that suits your travel style and budget as the neighborhoods in this city all have their own feel. But, before I get to the specifics

Where to Stay in Auckland: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Posted : 3/5/2023 | March 5th, 2023 Boasting harbors galore and multiple boat-packed marinas, Auckland , the largest and most sophisticated urban area in New Zealand (though it’s not the capital), is nicknamed the “City of Sails.” In addition to its scenic seaside views and ample water activities, Auckland has an incredible food scene, insightful museums, verdant parks, third-wave coffee spots, and very welcoming locals. Home to almost two million people (almost 35% of the entire population of New Zealand), Auckland has a plethora of vibrant, colorful neighborhoods. And as the main airport hub in the country, this is where most travelers start their trip. To ensure you make the most of your visit (and that don’t spend all your time in transit between neighborhoods), it’s important to do some research to figure out the best place to stay while in this metropolis. To help you decide where to stay in Auckland, here are the best neighborhoods (according to me) so you can choose the

Where to Stay in Bogotá: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Posted : 2/24/2023 | February 24th, 2023 Located on a high Andean plateau at 2,640 meters (8,660 feet) above sea level, Bogotá is the third-highest capital city in the world (after Quito and La Paz). Most travelers usually bypass it in favor of the popular digital nomad hot spot of Medellín or the coastal city of Cartegena. Most travelers think that Bogotá is only worth spending a few days in. I think that’s a shame and does this vibrant destination a disservice. I loved my time in Bogotá and ended up extending my visit here! This city just feels more Colombian than some of the other bigger cities that have developed a larger expat and tourist population. There is a lot to do and see here from museums, parks, walking tours, amazing street art, great nightlife, and an incredible gastronomic scene. With that in mind, you’ll want to choose where to stay in Bogotá carefully. It’s a huge city, divided into different estratos , or zones, and there are a few “no-go” areas that you’l