This cute teahouse and restaurant is located about a 20 minute drive from the center of Chiang Rai. Established in 2022, this restaurant combines wild tea, local food, and regional culture into one calm, yet vibrant space. Created by a Kengtung family who once focused solely on foraging and producing wild Bansai tea (gushu cha), it has grown into a teahouse‑eatery that still feels deeply personal. The menu celebrates local ingredients through … [Read more...]
Stylish Outfit Ideas for Travel and Everyday Exploration
Finding the right balance between style and functionality can feel tricky—especially when you’re dressing for both everyday life and travel. When you’re constantly on the move, comfort matters, but not at the expense of feeling put-together. Whether you’re packing for a long trip or planning your weekly wardrobe, a few smart choices can go a long way. Here are some stylish outfit ideas to help you move seamlessly between travel and everyday … [Read more...]
Leveling Up in Benguet: A 2026 Guide to the Mt. Kotkot Traverse
Hey trail chasers, Welcome back to the blog. If you have spent any time scrolling through outdoor community feeds lately, you have undoubtedly paused on those sweeping, cinematic shots of the Benguet ridges. The endless rolling hills, the golden hour light hitting the pine trees, the sea of clouds in the distance—it all makes you think, “I need to be there immediately.” Mt. Kotkot in Itogon, Benguet is having a massive moment right now in … [Read more...]
Best Beginner Hikes in the Philippines 2026
If you’ve been thinking about hiking but keep telling yourself, “Baka hindi ko kaya,” this is your sign to start. Your first mountain doesn’t need to be extreme. It doesn’t have to be a multi-day expedition with tents, heavy packs, and survival-mode energy either. In fact, the best way to fall in love with hiking in the Philippines is to begin with a minor climb—the kind of trail that challenges you just enough, gives you a beautiful summit … [Read more...]
Why Mt. Daraitan is the Ultimate Wake-Up Call for New Hikers
In the Philippine mountaineering community, there is a notorious concept known as the budol climb. It usually starts with a friend messaging you: "Let's hike this weekend! It’s just a minor climb, rated 4/9. We’ll be down by lunch." For thousands of unsuspecting beginners, that budol happens at Mt. Daraitan. Sitting on the windward edge of the Sierra Madre range in Tanay, Rizal, Mt. Daraitan has built a reputation that heavily contradicts its … [Read more...]
Chasing Football Through Cities That Never Sit Still
Chasing football, especially during a World Cup Summer, through cities that never sit still has a way of rearranging priorities. I have missed trains, missed meetings and once slept on a bench because a last minute stoppage time goal kept me rooted to a terrace until dawn. The payoff is always the same though, a feeling that the game is less a contest and more a way of reading a city, its rhythms and its people. In Sarajevo a long throw-in became … [Read more...]
Ultimate Guide to Mt. Tapulao 2026 | 36KM Challenge
There is a specific sound that haunts every hiker who has set foot in Palauig, Zambales. It isn’t the howling wind of the Cordilleras or the rushing water of a river trek. It is the rhythmic, hollow crunch-clack-crunch of hiking boots striking loose stones. For 18 kilometers going up and 18 kilometers coming down, this sound is your soundtrack. Welcome to Mt. Tapulao, the "High Peak" of the Zambales Mountain Range. Standing at 2,037 meters … [Read more...]
Hungary in a Hurry: A Quick Adventure through Enchantment
Soon after landing in Budapest, a friend and I were promptly held in one of several contiguous rooms. People from other flights kept arriving, ultimately packing us in like sardines. One of the more curious souls decided to go talk to the well-armed security guards. Apparently we were under a lockdown due to a bomb threat and we were being held until security until bomb sniffing dogs had made a careful assessment of the situation. After about … [Read more...]
Lisa Steinmann, Minnesota Writer and Journalist on Nordic Sauna Culture
Lisa Steinmann is a textile artist, educator, writer, and student of fiber arts. She authors Bad Sauna/Good Stories, a blog exploring sauna as sanctuary and daily practice. She is developing a book examining how textiles have been integral to sauna throughout history -- as functional, sensual and creatively considered materials. Sauna bathing and textile-making are intertwined practices rooted in the natural environment and ancestral ways of … [Read more...]
Plan Your Dream Egypt Vacation with Our Packages
Are you ready to discover the land of the pharaohs at your own pace? Our Egypt Vacation Packages are thoughtfully designed to help you experience Egypt’s rich history and living culture with ease and comfort. From iconic ancient sites to vibrant modern cities, every journey offers a balanced and meaningful experience. Whether your interests lean toward history, culture, or adventure, these all-inclusive trips bring together carefully selected … [Read more...]