Recent content by Jackson Hayes

Get Alipay or WeChat Pay set up before you go and link your card, cash and foreign cards are accepted in more places now but not nearly everywhere like the apps.

I only have one full day in Beijing and want to see the main sights, can I really manage the whole Palace Museum or should I prioritize certain halls.

Shinjuku is perfect, so much happening, easy access everywhere, and the views from the free government building observation deck are great.

Planning my first trip and feeling overwhelmed about the train costs, should I just get the 14-day pass or stick to single tickets and an IC card for Tokyo and Kyoto?

Grab is super convenient and cheap, especially for short hops or late night. But the trains are fast for covering long distances, maybe a mix of both.

Only have seven days but want to see the main city and the food island, is that too rushed a schedule for a first trip

Forget the currywurst for a day and try a proper Döner Kebab in Berlin; the Turkish influence on the street food scene is strong and delicious. Have you found a better non-currywurst dish?

Everyone talks about Skye and Glencoe, but curious about places in Scotland that are maybe less swamped with tourists. Thinking about somewhere with amazing coastal views or history. What smaller, incredible location would you recommend visiting?

Walking through the ruins of Ephesus and seeing the Celsus Library facade was like stepping back into ancient Roman times. A guide is really necessary to appreciate the history fully. What are your thoughts on the self-guided audio tour option?

Walking a section of the Camino in early September meant perfect weather and not too many crowds; the quiet stretches were so peaceful and reflective. I would recommend this timing. What are your thoughts on this?

Standing by the gorge looking at the Puente Nuevo bridge was breathtakingly beautiful, the scenery is dramatic and powerful. The views from below were just as impressive. What's your favourite viewpoint?

Picking up a few basic phrases like 'Hola' and 'Gracias' really helped smooth interactions, even in big cities. Locals seemed to appreciate the effort. Did you find this made a difference?

Found the food scene in Bologna to be incredible, especially the fresh tagliatelle al ragù and the local meats; it felt authentic and less tourist-driven than other big cities. Worth the detour just for the pasta alone. Does this match your experience?

The view from the top of Brunelleschi's Dome was absolutely breathtaking, offering a full 360-degree panorama of Florence's terracotta rooftops. The cramped, narrow climb between the inner and outer shells was part of the fun, truly feeling the history of the architecture. What are your thoughts...