The Ryokan: Traditional Japanese Inns
As part of his recent visit to Japan, Mike East stayed at two uniquely Japanese types of accommodation. One was the capsule hotel and the other was the ryokan, which…
Tokyo Travel Guide Discover Shinjuku Shibuya and Neon Magic
Tokyo is a massive, mesmerising city with so much to offer visitors, yet it remains one of the most accessible capitals in Asia. Despite the different alphabet and unfamiliar sounds…
Kyoto Japan: The City of Tranquility
Kyoto is a place where there is never enough time to see all the marvels that the city has to offer; however, by being organised and using the transport options…
Two Nights in a Capsule Hotel in Shinjuko Tokyo
We get to try all sorts of things as travel writers. Before I snuggled into my capsule hotel in Shinjuko Tokyo, Japan, I thought that it would be an experience…
Taking the Bullet Train in Japan
The bullet train is a Japanese cultural phenomenon that is only going to grow in the public imagination now that Hollywood has had Brad Pitt and Bad Bunny shooting it…
Bangkok Parks Hidden Among the Concrete
With the massive bulk of the Skytrain, the incessant traffic on Bangkok’s streets and the soaring glass towers, you could be forgiven for thinking that there are no green spaces…
Holiday to Boracay Philippines Revisited
Early this century Mike East went on a holiday to Boracay Philippines. He returns to see how it has changed. On my previous visit to Boracay in the Philippines, the…
East Asian Countries Switching to Digital Arrival Cards
A number of popular destinations are adopting obligatory, though often free, Digital Arrival Cards. It is important to know if you need one and to avoid scrabbling around in the…
Architecture in Barcelona (Gaudi Excluded)
Mike East explores two examples of the wonderful architecture in Barcelona Spain giving Gaudi a miss. Let me start with a disclaimer: go and see all the marvellous works of…
Visiting the Medellin Flower Festival Colombia 2025
Mike East revisits the Medellin Flower Festival in Colombia to discover a bigger, more ambitious event. As the festival approaches you can feel a change in the energy level around…
Exploring Medellin Parks and a Great Coffee Shop Too
Mike East explores Medellin parks and discovers a great coffee shop along the way. Winning rightful praise for being both a great place to live in and a great place…
Murder Mindfully: Mindfulness and Vicious Drug Gangs
What happens when you mix the skills of being mindful with trying to survive in a world of violent crime. Björn Diemal finds out in the series Murder Mindfully by Netflix…
Nothing Else Like It : Andres Carne de Res Chia Review
From humble beginnings in Bogota´s dormitory town of Chia, Andres Carne de Res Chia has rapidly become a Colombian cultural phenomenon. It mixes tasty, filling food with a Carnivalesque energy…
Montserrate, Bogota’s Mountain, Colombia
At 3,152 metres, the mountain of Montserrate dominates the high plateau (already at a height of 2,640 metres) on which Bogota, the capital of Colombia, is built. It is a…
What To Do in Santo Domingo Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo Dominican Republic lies on the south coast of the Caribbean nation. The greater metropolitan area is home to 3.8 million people, making it the largest city in the…
Catching a Dominican Republic Baseball Game on Holiday
When we visit a foreign country, we think nothing of lying on the beaches, strolling through the streets or climbing the mountains. Often overlooked though are sports, writes Mike East…
A Tour of Comuna 13 Medellin Colombia
On his visit to the Colombian city, Mike East takes a tour of Comuna 13 Medellin (la comuna 13 Medellin), and discovers it to be a wonderful example of community-based…
Things To Do in Medellin Colombia
On his trip to Colombia, Mike East experiences the wonderful things to do in Medellin, a city reborn from its troublesome past. Located in the Western Andes, Medellin Colombia enjoys…
Celebrating the Local at the InterContinental Cartagena de Indias
Mike East stays at the InterContinental Cartagena de Indias Hotel, Bocagrande Colombia and is impressed by the hotel’s celebration of the local. The Intercontinental Hotel InterContinental Cartagena de Indias is…
Pereira Colombia: Coffee and Hot Springs
Located in the western Andes, Pereira Colombia is a pleasant city to explore, in the midst of the coffee region. Nearby, and not to be missed, are the waterfall and…
Historical Festivals: Controversy or Political Correctness?
The vast majority of festivals around the world are thoroughly fun; however, some may give us pause to think. So, how do you avoid the questionable ones? Mike East opens…
10 Things To Do in Nevada Besides Las Vegas
Las Vegas is known as the Entertainment Capital of the World because of its entertainment options including nightlife, shows and exhibits. It is also famous for its mega-casinos. Majority of…
7 Ancient Peru Sites Away From Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu and Cusco are rightly world famous, but how many other sites of ancient Peru can you visit? Many, says Mike East. Remnants of Peru’s ancient civilisation abound throughout…
Things To Do in Maastricht in a Day
After visiting Rotterdam, Mike East planned to spend just a few rushed hours in Maastricht; however, the city trapped him with unexpected charms. It was supposed to be a hop…
