Vientiane is the capital city of Laos, located along the Mekong river, on the border with Thailand. Laos gained independence in 1953 after Japanese occupation in WWII and previous French rule starting in 1899. Significant monuments such as Pha That Luang and the Buddhist Temple Haw Phra Kaew are excellent places to visit during your time here.

Lake Tonlé Sap is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and can be found in Cambodia. Its name translates to 'Great Lake' and belongs to the Mekong River Delta. Many of the 1.2 million residents of the lake live in floating villages working as fisherman, most of which are of Vietnamese descent. Day trips to Tonlé Sap can be organized from Penom Penh.

Machu Picchu is a 15th century Incan ruin located in the Sacred Valley, 80 km away from the city of Cusco. It is one of the NEW 7 Wonders of the World and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Described as the 'Lost City of the Incas', it is one of the most visited sites in South America. The site also features another mountain village nearby referred to as Huayna Picchu.

Seixal is a small town on the Northern Coast of Madeira, an autonomous region of Portugal. The seaside village is perched on a peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. Home to a population of just 656, its beach, Porto de Abrigo do Seixal beach, is well known. Natural swimming pools can also be found here and kayaks are able to be rented out.

Odense, Denmark is the birthplace of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, who wrote the Little Mermaid (among other tales). Odense is the 3rd largest city in Denmark and started off as a settlement 4,000 years ago. The city is small and cozy with plenty of landmarks like Odense Castle, H.C. Andersen House, Munke Mose, Ansgar Kirke, St. Canute's Cathedral, Eventyrhaven, and Møntergården.

Southeast Asia typically refers to the peninsular region in Asia comprising the countries of Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, and West Malaysia, though it is often known to include many small islands in the region as well. All countries comprise about 8.5% of the world's population and 3% of Earth's total land area. SE Asia is the most culturally diverse region of the world.

Malta is an archipelago in Southern Europe and has been inhabited since 5900 BC. Its location in the Mediterranean has made it a historically significant site of strategic important. It has a population of half a million and is the 10th smallest country by area. Use this guide as a crash course into the cities of Valletta and Mdina, as well as Gozo, Comino, and Malta Islands.

Mdina is a fortified city located in the Northern part of Malta and served as the capital until the medieval period. No cars are allowed in Mdina, giving it the nickname the 'Silent City'. In addition to the city walls, other attractions in Mdina that are worth seeing include Mdina Gate, St. Paul's Cathedral and Catacombs, Palazzo Vilhena and Falson, and St. Agatha's and St. Nicholas' Chapels.

Valletta is the capital city of Malta and the Southernmost European capital. The city was successfully defended in the 16th century from the Ottoman Empire by Jean Parisot de Valette, with whom the city is named after. The city boasts elements of Baroque, Mannerist, Neo-Classical and Modern architecture. Be sure to check out Fort Manoel, the Grand Harbor, and the Upper Barrakka Gardens.

Japan is quite a large country with many different cities. Each place offers a wide variety of temples, markets, and landmarks to see. Use this guide as a crash course into the more popular cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Hakone with an overview of Mt. Fuji viewing points. All these areas are easily accessible by the famous Shinkansen Bullet Train with a Japan Rail Pass.

Galway is the 4th largest city in Ireland whose origins date back to 1124. Popularized by the Ed Sheeran song 'Galway Girl', the city is located on the western coast of Ireland and is perfect for a weekend getaway. Notable attractions include Galway Cathedral, Galway River Corrib Quay, the Spanish Arch, Eyre Square, Menlo Castle, the Claddagh, the Long Walk.

My time in Brussels was too short. I tried to see as much as I could. Some of my favorite places were Royal Palace of Brussels and Brussels Park, Atomium, the Castles of Laeken and Karreveld, the Chinese and Japanese Pagodas, Pannenhuis, the Triumphal Arch, and the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert. recommend three days in Brussels and also taking day trips to the nearby cities of Bruges and Lille!

The Balkan Peninsula, or the Balkans, are a geographic area in Southern Europe, composed of countries with geographical and historical ties. The countries that make up the Balkans are generally noted to be Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Turkey, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, and Slovenia.

Albania is located in Southeastern Europe, next to the Adriatic and Ionian seas, and share borders with Greece, North Macedonia, and Montenegro. Initially settled by Greek colonies, Albania became independent in 1912. As a developing country, it is an official candidate for European Union membership. My time here took me through Tirana, Shkodër, Theth, Berat, Vlorë, Borsh, and Gjirokaster.

Italy is located in Southern/Western Europe, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea and sharing borders with France, Switzerland, Slovenia, and Austria. A country with such a rich history is surely to be at the top of most peoples' travel lists. This is a guide to my trips in Italy that have taken me to Venice, Rome, Florence, Trieste, Cinque Terre, the Amalfi Coast, and even to Vatican City.

Pompeii is an ancient Roman city, located near Naples in Italy, at the foot of volcano Mt. Vesuvius dating back to 8th century BC. It is most known for its demise by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD. Currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was once a city of 11,000 before the eruption. Serious excavations of the city started in the 1920s and work is ongoing for preserving the site.

The island of Capri is located just off the Amalfi Coast on the Sorrentine Peninsula in Southern Italy. It is a part of the Naples municipality and has been known to be a resort town since its founding. Popular spots include the town of Anacapri, the Blue Grotto, the Belvedere of Tragara, and the Marina Piccola.

The island of Procida is located among the Phlegraean Island archipelago, off the coast of Naples, Italy, along with Ischia, Vivara, and Nisida. Created by the eruption of four volcanoes, it was visited by Greek settlers back in 8th century BC. Winner of the Italian Capital of Culture in 2022, it is best known for its colorful building facade on the southeastern side of the island.