Truffle hunting in Motovun, Croatia
We took a quick 1 hour drive from Rovinj for a day trip to Motovun. Motovun is renowned for its truffles, and that is the main reason why we are exploring Motovun. In fact, the world’s heaviest truffle is found right here in Motovun at 1.31 kg, discovered by Giancarlo Zigante in year 1999 together with his dog. It entered into the Guinness World Records as the largest white truffle ever found at the time. Truffle hunting We wandered into the forests of Motovun, along with our guide and his two dogs and our truffle hunting adventure begins. Our local guide shared that truffle hunting is a tradition in Motovun, and…
Rovinj, Istria’s photogenic town
Perched on the edge of the Adriatic, Rovinj is easily one of Istria’s most picturesque escapes. We stayed 3 nights in Rovinj, to explore what this town has to offer. The town’s identity was shaped by over five centuries under the Republic of Venice, followed by a period as part of Italy in the early 20th century. You can see the history today – many people speak Italian, and the street signages and restaurant menus have both Croatian and Italian words. It’s a place where ‘Rovinj’ (Croatian) and ‘Rovigno’ (Italian) exist in parallel. Trg Marsala Tita At the central square, there are many restaurants surrounding and overlooking the harbor. The…
Two days in Shanghai: Where old streets meet new skylines
Shanghai is a tier one metropolis, the pace of life here feels fast, and it’s city’s skyline filled with skyscrapers. Yet, the city retains many historic buildings that showcase a blend of Eastern and Western cultural influences that takes you back in time. If you are spending two days in Shanghai, here are four spots you can consider to add to your itinerary. Wukang Mansion 武康大楼 A visit to the Wukang Mansion feels like peeking through a window into what life looked like in the city’s earlier days. Completed in 1924, this eight-storey building was the first apartment building in Shanghai with a veranda. Designed by the renowned Hungarian-Slovak architect László…
One day in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia
Our two weeks trip to Croatia begins in Zagreb, the capital city. Croatia is home to many interesting inventions, from truffles, olive oil to many interesting inventions, such as the fingerprinting system and neckties (more about this in the later part of the post). Zagreb is divided into the “upper town” and the “lower town”. During our one day trip in Zagreb, we explored most of the “upper town”, and here are some of the top spots we visited. Zagreb Main Square / Ban Jelačić Square The city’s main square, and the most happening place in Zagreb. Just a few steps away, you’ll find the Dolac Market with many stalls selling…
Hangzhou West Lake by day, Skyline by night
After Suzhou, the next city I visited was Hangzhou. From the peacefulness of the West Lake to viewing the dancing lights of the city’s skyline, Hangzhou invited me to slow down and be in the present moment. Here are a spots I visited in Hangzhou during this short trip. West Lake (西湖) When people think of Hangzhou, West Lake comes to mind. It’s a central element of Hangzhou’s identity, and the inspiration for Chinese poets and artists, and source of many Chinese legends. Spanning a surface area of 6.5 square kilometres (2.5 square miles), West Lake is huge its almost endless borders are embraced by surrounding mountains. You can stroll…
Suzhou – Venice of the East
There is a Chinese saying that goes 上有天堂，下有苏杭 , which translates to above there is the heavens, on earth there is Suzhou and Hangzhou, which symbolises the beauty of both cities. Indeed it's true. In this post, I will share more about my trip to Suzhou.
A Full Moon at Xi An
After Beijing, my journey continued west to Xi An, a city that feels both ancient and modern at the same time.
My First Glimpse of China – Beijing
There is a Chinese saying that goes “百闻不如一见”, which means seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times. My first trip to China took me to it’s capital, Beijing.
