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Bali: Return to Paradise
“Why did I ever leave Bali?” I was asking myself looking out of the window at London’s grey sky after returning from almost a 2-week holiday. This is probably a question many people ask themselves after visiting the Island of Gods. The more I spend time in Bali, the more I am falling in love with it and everything it has to offer to my wandering soul. From lazy sun lounging on a beach, swimming under the waterfalls and kayaking in fast rivers to rejuvenating at a yoga retreat and hiking mountains – Bali has it all! Having been to Bali once before (read my previous blog here), my husband and…
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72-Hour Guide to Spain: Lanzarote
Lanzarote is one of those places where you know you will have a good relaxing vacation thanks to its chilled vibe and balmy climate, with average temperatures around 22ºC. Unlike other, bigger Canary islands, such as Gran Canaria and Tenerife, Lanzarote is much quieter and friendlier for couples, families and retirees, and makes a perfect European getaway. Also, in my husband’s family, Lanzarote holds a special place as they have been spending summer vacations there for many years in a row and it feels more like a second home. Day 1 As we landed in Arrecife, Lanzarote’s small capital, we picked up our hired car and hit the road. The first…
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An Afternoon in Cinque Terre
Imagine spending an afternoon in Cinque Terre, one of the most picturesque spots in Italy and, probably, in the world? Cinque Terre (translated as ‘five lands’) is a colorful collection of five small fishing villages – Corniglia, Manarola, Monterosso, Riomaggiore, and Vernazza – nested on dramatic looking seaside cliffs. So, join me on an afternoon stroll through these medieval villages and explore their beauty and unique vibe. After a couple of hours driving from bustling Milan through Italy’s stunning countryside, my friend and I have arrived in La Spenzia, closest town to Cinque Terre. From there, we hopped on a local monorail that runs along the coast of Ligurian Sea…
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72-Hour Guide to Cambodia: Phnom Penh and Siem Reap (Part I)
Cambodia is one of those Southeast Asian countries that I have been wanting to visit for a long time and last year I got to go there twice. I rarely mention my work in my blog but my international development career often takes me to various places around the world. For two years I was overseeing a big initiative in Asia and Cambodia, thankfully, was one of the countries in my portfolio. Cambodia is a beautiful combination of spirituality and soulfulness, and is still less touristy and commercialized than neighboring Thailand. But it has lots to offer to international vagabonds such as myself. If you don’t have much free time like me (I was…
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London Gems: 2017 Magical Lantern Festival
January is such a dreary time, especially in grey and cold London. However, if you want a bit of sparkle in your post-holidays life – head to Chiswick House and Garden for the Magical Lantern Festival. It was my second year in a row and I absolutely loved it. Check out photos and video below to see why. Magical Lantern Festival has been running in London for two years now and marks annual celebrations of Chinese New Year. This year’s theme was the Silk Road, the ancient trade route from China to Europe. Having grown up in Central Asia, I was particularly excited and curious to see how the Silk…
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Salomat Ikat: Fashion With a Conscience
I am always on the look-out for smaller independent brands that offer something different and unique. So, when I heard that a friend of a friend started a fair-trade fashion and accessories brand that uses my favorite Ikat fabrics, I had to check it out! If you read one of my older blog posts on Ikat, you would know that I love this traditional Central Asian pattern weaving that produces beautiful and vibrant fabrics. These were typically used to making traditional clothing in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. But with western designers discovering Ikat and incorporating into their runway collections (just think Oscar de la Renta, Gucci and my beloved Tory Burch), this…
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12 Exotic Destinations to Visit in 2017
For many people January is time for making new year resolutions, but for me it’s time to look over my bucket list and make travel plans for the year ahead. I was recently checking a list of countries I already visited (36 countries so far!) and figuring out where to head next. I have been to some really cool and exotic places, from Bali and Morocco to Iceland and Central Asia. But today, I am sharing my and other travel bloggers’ top picks for exotic places you should put on your 2017 travel list. p.s. all photos belong to contributing bloggers (unless indicated otherwise) 1. KENYA I went to Kenya twice…
