TRAVEL BLOG

Vietnam, Southeast Asia, Asia Christopher Kane Vietnam, Southeast Asia, Asia Christopher Kane

A Guide to Vietnam

Vietnam is located on the mainland edge of Southeast Asia with a population of over 100 million. It has an extremely eventful and tumultuous history over the entirety of its existence but has recently become a popular tourist destination while in Southeast Asia. Some cities to check out while in Vietnam include Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, and Hoi An as well as Ha Long Bay and the Mekong Delta.

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Vietnam, Southeast Asia, Asia Christopher Kane Vietnam, Southeast Asia, Asia Christopher Kane

A Guide to Vietnam: Ha Long Bay

Hạ Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Quảng Ninh province in Northern Vietnam. The name Hạ Long means "descending dragon" in Vietnamese. The bay if full of thousands of karsts made of limestone and contain large amounts of vegetation on their tops. It is said that these cliffs have undergone 500 million years of formation in their lifetimes. Nonetheless, visiting Ha Long Bay is essential when it this part of Vietnam and is often a stop when visiting Hanoi.

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Vietnam, Southeast Asia, Asia Christopher Kane Vietnam, Southeast Asia, Asia Christopher Kane

A Guide to Vietnam: Hue

Hue is located in the Thura Thien Hue Province in North Central Vietnam. After Vietnamese conquest in 1307, Hue served as an Imperial City through the Nguyen dynasty. Today is is home to the Hue Citadel and Complex of Hue Monuments (a UNESCO Designated Site). Perched along the Perfume River there are plenty of attractions to see in Hue such as the Tự Đức and Thiên Mụ Temples along with the Hue Citadel.

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Vietnam, Southeast Asia, Asia Christopher Kane Vietnam, Southeast Asia, Asia Christopher Kane

A Guide to Vietnam: Hoi An

Hoi An was by far my favorite place I visited in Southeast Asia. Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and located in central Vietnam. It is a quintessential example of a 15th century Southeast Asian trading port. It plays host to the Hoi An Lantern Festival held on the 14th day of each Lunar month. On your trip here, don't miss seeing the Japanese Bridge, or take a cooking class, or even purchase custom clothing/jewelry and lanterns to take back home.

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Japan, Asia, Hiroshima Christopher Kane Japan, Asia, Hiroshima Christopher Kane

Exploring Miyajima Island while in Hiroshima, Japan

Miyajima Island, also known as Itsukushima, which translated to 'Shrine Island' is located in Hiroshima Bay in Japan. It is most known for the Itsukushima Shrine and is home to a number of temples like the Toyokuni Shrine and Daiganji Temple. There are also plentiful cherry blossoms and maple trees that bloom in the spring and fall, respectively, bringing in many foreign and domestic visitors to the island.

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Sweden, Stockholm, Europe, Nordic Christopher Kane Sweden, Stockholm, Europe, Nordic Christopher Kane

A Tour of Gamla Stan in Stockholm, Sweden

Gamla Stan, which translates to 'The Old Town', sits in the center of Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. It is a quintessential example of old Swedish architecture, especially in the main square of Stortorget. The island itself is home to landmarks such the Stockholm Cathedral, the Nobel Museum, and the Riddarholm church, as well as the Royal Palace. Gamla Stan is an absolute must see while you are visiting Stockholm

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Iceland, Vik, Europe, Nordic Christopher Kane Iceland, Vik, Europe, Nordic Christopher Kane

A tour of Vík í Mýrdal on Iceland’s South Coast

Vík í Mýrdal, also known as Vik, is the Southernmost village in Iceland. It is a common stop on a road trip through the Southern coast of Iceland. It is known for its black sand beach and rock formation off its coastline called Reynisdrangar. Around these sea stacks also sits Reynisfjara beach, a popular tourist site. It faces a constant threat of volcanic eruption from the nearby volcano called Katla. Vik is a must see village while on your trip to Iceland.

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Mexico, North America Christopher Kane Mexico, North America Christopher Kane

Exploring the Ancient Mayan Ruins of Chichén Itzá in Mexico

Chichén Itzá was one of the largest Mayan cities in their empire most prominent between 600-900 AD. Situated on the Yucatan Peninsula, the name translates to 'At the mouth of the well of the Itza'. Many of the buildings on the site have been restored in the traditional Puuc and Chenes styles of the time. It is a popular destination for tourists while visiting this part of Mexico.

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Slovenia, Sveti Tomaž, Road Trip Christopher Kane Slovenia, Sveti Tomaž, Road Trip Christopher Kane

A Journey to the Slovenian Village of Sveti Tomaž

Sveti Tomaž is a small settlement located about an hour away from the Slovenian capital city of Ljubljana. The name of the village translates to 'Saint Thomas', which refers to the church that sits atop the settlement. The church features Romanesque and Gothic architecture dating back to the 1500s. My journey here was during sunrise and above the clouds, which made for quite the spectacle!

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Slovenia, Europe, Road Trip Christopher Kane Slovenia, Europe, Road Trip Christopher Kane

The Castles of Slovenia

Slovenia is a country that boasts more than 500 castles due to its long and storied history. The best way to see many of them is to take a road trip through the country, orchestrating stop offs to see each one. Some of the castles I managed to see in my travels include Ljubljana Castle, Ptuj Castle, Maribor Castle, Žovnek Castle, Celje Castle, and Branik/Rihemberk Castle.

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Iceland, Europe, Nordic Christopher Kane Iceland, Europe, Nordic Christopher Kane

Exploring Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Fellsfjara in Iceland

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is one of the most popular spots in Iceland. It sits near the Vatnajökull National Park in southeastern Iceland. It is known for having icebergs of various sizes from the Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier flowing in and out of the Atlantic Ocean. Fellsfjara is the nearby black sand beach where you will find many of these icebergs beached. This is a must see in Iceland!

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Stockholm, Sweden, Scandinavia, Europe, Nordic Christopher Kane Stockholm, Sweden, Scandinavia, Europe, Nordic Christopher Kane

Exploring the island of Djurgården in Stockholm, Sweden

The Swedish capital of Stockholm is situated accross a 14-island archipelago. The island of Djurgården, translated to 'Animal Garden', was once where the Royal Family kept their animals. In fact, King John III in the 16th century kept deer, elk and reindeer there. The island is also home to the Gröna Lund amusement park, as well as the ABBA and Vasa Museums that are worth seeing.

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Laos, Southeast Asia, Vientiane Christopher Kane Laos, Southeast Asia, Vientiane Christopher Kane

Exploring Vientiane, the Capital City of Laos

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.

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Cambodia, Southeast Asia Christopher Kane Cambodia, Southeast Asia Christopher Kane

Exploring Tonlé Sap Lake in Cambodia

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.

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Peru, South America Christopher Kane Peru, South America Christopher Kane

A Journey to the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru

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.

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Seixal, Europe, Portugal, Madeira Christopher Kane Seixal, Europe, Portugal, Madeira Christopher Kane

Check out the Seaside village of Seixal in Madeira

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.

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Denmark, Scandinavia, Nordic, Odense Christopher Kane Denmark, Scandinavia, Nordic, Odense Christopher Kane

Exploring Odense, Denmark: The Birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen

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.

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