Is an Altyn-Emel Day Trip from Almaty Worth It? My Experience

Is an Altyn-Emel Day Trip from Almaty Worth It? My Experience

When people think of day trips from Almaty, places like Big Almaty Lake, Kaindy Lake, and Charyn Canyon usually get all the love. But if you’re willing to endure an extremely early wake-up call, Altyn-Emel National Park offers some of the most unusual landscapes in Kazakhstan… with a tiny fraction of the crowds.  I joined…

11 Best Things to Do in Winter in Toulouse (2026)

11 Best Things to Do in Winter in Toulouse (2026)

If you’re planning a trip to France this winter but are not in the mood for the cold and hectic energy of Paris, head south and visit the beautiful city of Toulouse in winter instead! With its historic landmarks, renowned museums, and delicious Occitan food, Toulouse offers a variety of indoor and outdoor activities that…

Why Visiting Cité du Vin Is the Best Thing to Do in Bordeaux

Why Visiting Cité du Vin Is the Best Thing to Do in Bordeaux

I’ve always wanted to go to the Cité du Vin in Bordeaux. I’m deeply invested in wine (I’ve written so many posts about wine on this blog, sharing my nerdy oenophile knowledge with you!). So naturally, going to an entire museum completely dedicated to wine was basically the culmination of a decades-long obsession. My family…

11 Marvelous Things to Do in Montreux in Winter [2026]

11 Marvelous Things to Do in Montreux in Winter [2026]

I remember my first visit to Montreux like it was yesterday. It was one of my first stops on my Switzerland itinerary, having come straight from Geneva, I took the train to this town along the glittering Swiss Riviera just in time for their annual Montreux Jazz Festival. I remember it all so clearly: seemingly…

Rovaniemi in January: Is It Worth Visiting? My Experience & Tips

Rovaniemi in January: Is It Worth Visiting? My Experience & Tips

What happens to “Santa Claus’s hometown” when, well, Christmas is over? Luckily, quite a lot! While Christmas itself might be done and dusted, Rovaniemi in January is still very much in the festive spirit… and will be for the next few months. With the line for the Arctic Circle running through Santa Claus Village, Rovaniemi…