Category: Reviews

I once found myself in Rome, map in hand, lured in by the siren song of a “free” walking tour. Fresh off the plane, I was wide-eyed, optimistic, and blissfully unaware of the hidden economics behind these seemingly benevolent offerings. As I joined the group, the guide—an exuberant history major—spun tales of gladiators and emperors […]

I once booked a “local experience” through GetYourGuide that promised an authentic cultural immersion into the heart of the city. Instead, I found myself trapped in a bus full of sunburned tourists, listening to a guide regurgitate Wikipedia facts while we crawled past landmarks I could barely see through the tinted windows. Viator, on the […]

I once found myself in a creaky Airbnb, tucked away in a neighborhood that Google Maps seemed to have forgotten. The host’s promises of “authentic local charm” translated to a leaky faucet and a mattress that felt like it had seen the better side of the last century. But there I was, trying to convince […]

I once found myself in the heart of Berlin, lured by the promise of vibrant nightlife and a “boutique hostel experience”. What I got at Generator Hostels was a crash course in how far one can stretch the definition of ‘personal space’. Picture this: a room the size of a shoebox, shared with three other […]

As I sat on the porch of my Costa Rican casita, surrounded by the lush greenery of the jungle, I couldn’t help but think about the simple joys of mindful living. I had just finished sweeping the floors with a trusty cordless stick vacuum, and it got me thinking about how often we overlook the […]

I once found myself in the heart of Florence, clutching a rental car contract that seemed more like an elaborate work of fiction than a straightforward agreement. The agent had smiled with the kind of charm that promises nothing but mischief, and I, in my naïveté, believed the roads would be mine to conquer. Instead, […]

Ever tried navigating the European rail system armed with a Eurail Pass, a map, and a sense of adventure? I did, once, and it felt like an elaborate game of roulette. You’d think a pass would simplify things, right? Wrong. I found myself standing on a chilly platform in Vienna, staring at a train schedule […]

I once found myself wedged between a snoring stranger and a broken armrest on a Turkish Airlines flight, questioning not just my travel choices but also the very essence of my existence. The air smelled vaguely of reheated mystery meat, and the seat pocket contained a magazine that seemed to have taken editorial inspiration from […]

Ah, Ryanair. Just saying the name conjures memories of cramped seats and the distinct sensation of being herded like cattle. I remember my first flight with them vividly. A naive mountain girl, I was lured by the siren song of cheap fares, only to find myself wedged between a malfunctioning tray table and a particularly […]

I used to be the kind of traveler who tried to cram the entire wardrobe into a single suitcase. You know the type—overpackers, always prepared for every possible weather condition, yet somehow never ready for the actual trip. My luggage was bursting with clothes I didn’t need, while I cursed myself for forgetting the essentials. […]