Like so many islands, Maui is full of natural wonders. From the pristine, sigh-inspiring beaches it’s famous for to the volcanic crater that looks like another planet, spending time on Maui is like moving from one world to another. Here’s a perfect 5 day Maui itinerary for anyone looking to escape to island bliss. Day… Read More The Perfect 5 Day Maui Itinerary
Let’s face it, Hong Kong is expensive. So after you’ve shelled out more than you care to for a hotel or hostel, having some more affordable options for your activities is probably well-appreciated if your budget was anything like mine. You can certainly shell out for a day at Hong Kong Disneyland or ferry over… Read More 18 Cheap or Free Things to Do in Hong Kong
I’ve always wanted to go to Chiang Rai, but it wasn’t until I got there that I realized just how sad it was that I hadn’t been there before. I absolutely fell in love with Chiang Rai. So many people go to Chiang Rai as a day trip from Chiang Mai or as a stopover… Read More The Best Things to Do in Chiang Rai: Why It’s Worth More than a Day Trip
One of my most poignant observations when I was in China in spring 2012 was how the state of the Chinese rail system reflected the country’s growing wealth gap. As I rode a variety of trains in China between September and November 2017, this disparity only became clearer. There are extremely old trains that rattle… Read More A Guide to Trains in China, from the Old-School to the High-Speed
This is a guest post from Neha of DubaiWikia. Interested in guest posting for A Nomad on the Loose? Send me a message with your ideas — you don’t have to be a travel blogger, you just have to have tips and recs or a story to tell! Headed to Dubai and looking to fit… Read More The Best of Dubai in 4 Days
The first time I went to Thailand in 2014, I made a compromise with my friend and went down to the islands after we hit up Bangkok. But northern Thailand, and specifically Chiang Mai, remained at the top of my bucket list. So after I wrapped up my tour of China last fall, I immediately flew… Read More Ultimate Guide to Chiang Mai: What to Do, See, and Eat
The largest city in northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is home to literally hundreds of temples (wats). One of my favorite things to do in Chiang Mai is to walk around and explore new wats that I haven’t been to before, but the sheer number of them can be overwhelming to someone visiting Chiang Mai for… Read More The Best Temples in Chiang Mai that You Must Visit
One of the ancient capitals of China, Nanjing literally means “southern capital.” While not as metropolitan as Shanghai (accessible in 90 minutes via the high-speed trains) and not as beautiful as its neighbors, the proclaimed “heavens on earth” cities of Suzhou and Hangzhou, Nanjing is a city filled with landmarks and artifacts that showcase China’s… Read More 1 Day in Nanjing: What to Do and Eat
Hangzhou is one of the two cities named as “heaven on earth” in the old Chinese saying. The other is the nearby city of Suzhou. Like Hangzhou, Suzhou has long been a source of inspiration for poets and painters. Follow this list of Suzhou things to do to explore and admire this place that’s long… Read More Heaven on Earth: The Gardens of Suzhou
If I’m to be honest, there really wasn’t all that much that drew me to Shanghai. Big cities with their tall skyscrapers don’t appeal to me that much, and what historical and cultural goods the city housed paled in comparison with what’s in cities like Beijing. But since I was headed out to the region,… Read More 1 Day in Shanghai: What to Do and See