Introduction

For many Frankfurt is a transit hub. You start or end your journey to Europe here. If you are traveling to Frankfurt from the end of November to 22 or 23 December, you will can discover that Frankfurt has many beautiful Christmas markets. Therefore, in this post you find a complete guide to every Frankfurt Christmas market, from the major ones to the smaller ones that off the radar of many.

Frankfurt Christmas market at Römerberg

Frankfurt Christmas Market on the Römerberg is the main Christmas market of Frankfurt. It is located in the heart of the city. here you will also find the Frankfurt’s main Christmas tree, a starge where diffent choirs or music groups perfom.

💡 Try here:

Feuerzangenbowle (Muled wine with added Rom and burned sugar)

Bethmänchen is the local Christmas cookie made of Marzipan, Almonds, and rose water.

🕒 Opening Times:

Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunday, 11 a.m to 9 p.m.

📍 Location: Römerberg 26, 60311 Frankfurt am Main

Christmas Market on Hauptwache

This Frankfurt Christmas market is located on the main shopping street in Frankfurt. Here you will find many handmade decorations, various food options, similar to the market at Römerberg.

💡 Try here: Honey at Wagner Imkerei. You can try here all the honey before buying as well as you can try honey spirits

🕒 Opening Times:

Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunday, 11 a.m to 9 p.m.

📍 Location: An der Hauptwache, 60313 Frankfurt am Main

Rosa Weihnacht (Pink Christmas Market)

This Christmas market is an LGBTQ+ Christmas market. All the decorations are pink: Pink Christmas trees, pink lights and everything else is pink. This Christmas market has amazing atmosphere, one of the hightlights is the live preparation of the Feuerzangenbowle.

💡 Try here: Pink muled Apple wine or Apfelglüwein Rose (Apple wine is local spesiality, and a pink version is spesial to Pink Christmas Market)

🕒 Opening Times:

Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunday, 11 a.m to 9 p.m.

📍 Location: Friedrich-Stolze-Platz, Bleidenstraße 6, 60547 Frankfurt am Main

CityAlm Christmas Market

This Frankfurt Christmas market is the highest Christmas Market of Germany. It is located on the Rooftop. From here opens up an amazing view of the Frankfurts Skyline.

💡 Try here: Flammkuchen . Here they offer many varieties of the Flammkuchen, with meat, salmon as well as vegiterian.

Glüwein Red or white (Muled wine) or Hot Aperol

🕒 Opening Times: Monday to Sunday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

📍 Location: Carl-Theodor-Reiffenstein-Platz 5, 60313 Frankfurt am Main (Go inside the building. it is a parking lot, go the 5 th floor, and from their you will see the starirs that lead to the market)

Rossmarkt Christmas Market

The Rossmarkt Christmas Market is right at the Frankfurt skyscrapers, which gives this Christmas market a unique look. In the middle of the market you will find a Christmas pyramid with light strings that go from the pyramid to all around the market.

💡 Try here: Wild Bratwurst made of wild pig with Cranberry mustard

🕒 Opening Times:

Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunday, 11 a.m to 9 p.m.

📍 Location: Roßmarkt

Christmas Market at Thurn und Taxis Palais (Weihnachtsmarkt im Thurn und Taxis Palais)

This one is a small but cool Christmas market, located next to the Zeil Shopping Mall. Usually this market is full during after work hours, but it is no wonder as it has a live DJ and open longer hours.

🕒 Opening Times:

Monday to Friday, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Saturday 2 p.m. to 11p.m

Sunday, 2 p.m to 9 p.m.

📍 Location: Große Eschenheimer Str. 10, 60313 Frankfurt am Main

Sachsenhäuser Weihnachtsmarkt am Goetheturm

Sachsenhäuser Weihnachtsmarkt am Goetheturm is Frankfurts Christmas market that is a bit further from the city. It is located underneath of the Goetheturm. This Market has fewer people, but it is very cozy. At the end of the market, there is a retro style Carusel. It looks very nostalgic.

💡 Try here: muled Apple wine or Apfelglüwein (Muled wine prepared on the spot using local apple wine)

🕒 Opening Times:

Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunday, 11 a.m to 9 p.m.

📍 Location: Am Goetheturm, 60599 Frankfurt am Main

Swedish Christmas Market (Schwedischer Weihnachtsbasar)

The Swedish Community organises the Swedish Christmas Market every year on the 1st Advent weekend only. The market is next to the Swedish church. Here you can taste swedish specialities, sweet as well as savoury. As well you can buy handmade items for home, as well as souvenirs.

💡 Try here: Swedish Glögg and open Sandwiches

🕒 Opening Times: 1st Advent Weekend

📍 Location: An der Wolfsweide 54, 60435 Frankfurt am Main

Finnish Christmas Market (Finnischer Weihnachtsbasar)

The Finnish Community as well organises the Finnish Christmas Market on the 1st Advent weekend. The market is indoors, so you get warm after being outside and try delicious Finnish food. And also buy popular finish sweets such as Fazer Chacolate.

💡 Try here: Finnish Glögg and Smoked Salmon

🕒 Opening Times: 1st Advent Weekend

📍 Location: Carl-Goerdeler-Str. 1, 60320 Frankfurt / Main

Conclusion

The markets outside of the city centre are a bit quiter and cozier. While the markets in the city are very vibrant, alive and full of people.

Which Frankfurt Christmas market would you like to visit?

If you are visiting Europe during Christmas time, you can read this Post to get an idea of what to do during this time.

The post The Ultimate Guide to every Frankfurt Christmas Market appeared first on Where are you Andres?.

Introduction

When thinking about Cristmas in Europe, you probably have in mind Christmas marktes: walking around wooden Stalls, the air is filled with the aroma of cinnamon and other spices, drinking mulled wine, eating delicious food, buying beautiful decorations. In this blog post you will find what to do in Europe in Christmas time between 24 December and 31 December in Europe.

Christmas Markets in Germany

This is what you can experience here in Germany before Christmas. As most Christmas markets are open from end of November until 22 or 23 December.
When you come to Germany at Christmas time you will probably only see the empty streets, with no sign of Christmas Markets and all the shops closed. Christmas time here is a family time, that people spend at home.
Shops will are closing on the 24th of December and and only open again on the 27of December.

Where to go in Europe during Christmas time?

If you plan to visit Europe at Christmas time or time between Christmas and New Year, your best bet is to visit some of the European capitals. This time we decided to go to Amsterdam for Christmas and then to Paris for the New Year.

Amsterdam and Paris are magical holiday destinations. At this time of the year it is especially obvious with all the Christmas decorations. Both cities has a lot of things to do at this time of the year. Here you will find Christmas markets, light installations, as well as many events.

Amsterdam at Christmas

Start your trip in Amsterdam. Many attractions in Amsterdam are open on Christmas Day. You can visit museums such as the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, the Moco Museum or the Ice*Village Christmas market.

If you want to have a traditional Dutch Christmas dinner you should book a restaurant well in advance. As this is popular among locals. Otherwise, there are many restaurants that are serving international Cuisine and are open so you will not stay hungury.

Top Things to Do in Amsterdam at Christmas time

1. Dam Square

The Dam Square and the surrounding streets are decorated with many Christmas lights, which all come together to form the main Christmas trees of Amsterdam. The Christmas tree on the Dam Square looks stunning. Definitely worth a visit.

2. Amsterdam Light Festival

Main attraction in the Amsterdam of this time of the year is Amsterdam Light Festival. Light installations are located along the channels of Amsterdam. The light festival has a different theme each year and all installations represent this theme

• Boat Cruise: The installations can be viewed from a boat cruise departing from Amsterdam Central Station and taking 75 minutes.
• Walking: Another way to see the installations is on foot. The route is about 7 km to see all the installations. You can buy a map from the Amsterdam Light Festival with all the locations of the light installations. On the other hand, the installations are easy to find without a map, once you see the first installation you will see the path and you can just follow it. Some of the installations are indoors, so you will definitely see more by walking.

🕒 Time: : Late November to mid-January, from 5 p.m.

3. Ice*Village Christmas Market

IceVillage is a Christmas market in Amsterdam. The IceVillage Christmas market is located on the Museumplein. The market is small but very cosy. You can buy drinks such as mulled wine or hot chocolate, souvenirs and Christmas decorations.
After visiting the Ice* Village, you can visit one of the museums nearby: Van Gogh Museum, Moco Museum, Rijksmuseum.

🕒 Time: : December 12th–26th
 📍 Location: Museumplein

Paris at Christmas

After visiting Amsterdam, head to Paris to catch the last days of Christmas decorations and celebrate the New Year.

How to get to Paris from Amsterdam

Amsterdam and Paris are well connected. The most convenient way is to take the train. The train journey takes 3.5 hours.

Top Things to Do in Paris at Christmas time

1. Galeries Lafayette

One of my favourite places to explore during the Christmas season in Paris. The Christmas decorations at the Galeries Lafayette are definitely a highlight and not to be missed. There is a huge Christmas tree in the middle of the Galeries. Each year the theme and decorations are completely different. It is worth a visit even if you have been there in previous years.

💡 Tip: Galleries Lafayette has a roof terrace from where you can see the Paris skyline, including the Opera Garnier and the Eiffel Tower.

2. Place Vendôme

Place Vendome has a beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the centre. And all around the square, the luxury boutiques have their Christmas decorations ranging from Christmas trees to large light installations on the buildings.

3. Place de la Madeleine

A few blocks from Place Vendome is Place de la Madeleine, famous for the Christmas decorations of the Dior and Channel boutiques.

4. Tuileries Christmas Market

The Tuileries Christmas Market is a traditional Christmas market where you can find delicious French food and mulled wine, as well as lots of sweets and decorations. This Christmas market also has a few rides, so you can spend a few hours here.

Travel and Practical Tips

1. Weather and Packing

The weather is usually grey, with some rain during the day in both Paris and Amsterdam.
Be sure to bring warm clothing such as a wool jumper and a good jacket to protect you from the wind and rain.

❄️ Temperature: +3°C to +8°C

2. Booking in Advance

Both Amsterdam and Paris are busy over the Christmas period, so it is advisable to book activities such as museum tickets well in advance.

3. Internet Access with an eSIM Card

Stay connected while exploring Amsterdam and Paris with a reliable eSIM card. Access maps, navigate public transport, and stay in touch effortlessly during your holiday.

Conclusion

Both Amsterdam and Paris are great destinations if you want to get into the Christmas spirit. Both cities are vibrant at this time of year and have a lot going on, so you are unlikely to be bored while enjoying the Christmas decorations.

The post What to do in Europe at Christmas? appeared first on Where are you Andres?.

Introduction

Just 2 hours from Tokyo lies the small town of Kawaguchiko, a perfect destination to experience Mount Fuji along with Japan’s beautiful nature, forests, and lakes. Kawaguchiko is also home to a few Instagram-famous photo spots featuring stunning views of Mount Fuji.

Why Visit Kawaguchiko?

People visit Kawaguchiko not only to see Mount Fuji but also to enjoy the five beautiful lakes, relax in traditional Japanese hot springs (onsen), and experience staying in a ryokan, a Japanese-style inn. If you’re planning to climb Mount Fuji, Kawaguchiko is where your journey begins. It’s also the best place to capture iconic photos with Mount Fuji in the background.

How to Get to Kawaguchiko from Tokyo

It’s easy to reach Kawaguchiko from Tokyo, with two public transport options: bus or train.

By Train:

For an experience on Japan’s fast trains (Shinkansen), take the JR Chuo Line or Fujikyu Line.

By Bus:

The bus is convenient, costing less while taking the same time. It’s recommended to book tickets in advance, especially during high season or if visiting for a day trip. Buses to Kawaguchiko depart from several stations:

• Shinjuku Station: Buy tickets here
• Tokyo Station: Buy tickets here
• Shibuya Station: Buy tickets here

Stay Connected with an eSIM Card While traveling in Japan, having reliable internet access is essential for navigating transport and accessing maps, especially in more rural areas like Kawaguchiko. Check out this eSiM card option* to stay connected on your journey.

How to Get to Kawaguchiko from Kyoto

Traveling from Kyoto to Kawaguchiko is a bit trickier. You’ll need to take a JR train to Mishima Station, then transfer to a bus from Mishima to Kawaguchiko.

🕒 Train Time: 2 hours

🕒 Bus Time: 2 hours

Book your bus tickets in advance here. Alternatively, if no bus tickets are available, you can travel via Tokyo, though it will take longer and cost more.

Top Things to Do in Kawaguchiko

1. Chureito Pagoda

Start your day by visiting Chureito Pagoda, which offers stunning views of Mount Fuji. Arrive early to avoid crowds.

How to Get to Chureito Pagoda: Take a train from Kawaguchiko to Shimoyoshida Station. From there, it’s a 10-15 minute walk and a climb up a few hundred stairs to the pagoda.

2. Yamanashi Street at Fujiyoshida

After visiting Chureito Pagoda, head to Yamanashi Street for an Instagram-famous photo spot. This street, lined with lanterns, perfectly frames Mount Fuji in the background.

💡 Tip: Be mindful of traffic and follow safety instructions from local guards. While you’re there, stop by Fab Cafe Fuji for coffee and carrot cake.

3. Lake Kawaguchiko

Lake Kawaguchiko is the center of Kawaguchiko, surrounded by attractions. You can explore the area on foot, bike, or by bus. Two bus lines circle the lake:

The red line covers Kawaguchiko Lake, and day tickets can be purchased at Kawaguchiko Station. On the lake, you can enjoy a boat cruise or rent a swan-shaped paddle boat.

4. Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum

Located by Lake Kawaguchiko, this museum is set in a beautiful garden with flowers, small bridges, and statues, all against the backdrop of Mount Fuji. There’s a fountain that “dances” to music every hour, and several buildings where you can listen to live music and view musical instruments.

5. Oishi Park

A short drive from the Music Forest Museum is Oishi Park, known for its flower fields set against Mount Fuji. The flowers change with the seasons, with lavender blooming in the summer. A small shop in the park sells local lavender products.

6. Hiking and Cycling Around Kawaguchi Lake

For a more active experience, rent a bike and cycle around Lake Kawaguchi or the nearby Saiko Lake. You can also hike up small mountains for panoramic views of the lakes and Mount Fuji. More information about hiking routes can be found here.

7. Hot Springs (Onsen)

The Kawaguchi area is famous for its hot springs. Some onsen offer baths with views of Mount Fuji, such as Fuji Yurari Hot Spring. Many hotels in the area also offer private onsen baths, though they may not have Fuji views.

Best Places to Eat in Kawaguchiko

• KANJYUKUYA: Located next to the Music Forest Museum, this restaurant is perfect for trying local hoto noodle soup
• Lake Bake Cafe: A pastry cafe near Oishi Park with beautiful views of Mount Fuji
• Beef Cutlet Restaurant Koushuya: A great spot for Japanese beef cutlet
• Cooliya: Enjoy sashimi or dinner by Kawaguchi Lake
• FabCafe Fuji: Coffee and cake next to Fuji Photo spot 

Tips for Planning Your Kawaguchiko Trip

Best Time to Visit Kawaguchiko

The best time to visit is during the cherry blossom season, but it’s also the busiest. Autumn, when the leaves turn vibrant red, is another great time with milder weather and fewer crowds. Summer may have cloud cover obscuring Mount Fuji, but it’s lavender season, offering unique photo opportunities.

How Much Time Do You Need in Kawaguchiko?

A day trip from Tokyo is possible, but staying for one or two nights allows you to explore at a more relaxed pace and fully enjoy the area’s natural beauty.

Looking to another day trip idea from Tokyo? Check my post about Kamakura Day Trip from Tokyo

Where to Stay in Kawaguchiko

Choose a hotel with a view of Mount Fuji or the lake. Many hotels have Onsens (hot spring) for their guests., Kawaguchiko is the perfect place to stay in traditional Japanese ryokan for a more authentic experience. 

Conclusion

Kawaguchiko is more than just a photo destination—it’s a peaceful retreat where you can experience Japan’s natural beauty. Have you visited Kawaguchiko? Share your favorite experiences or ask any questions in the comments!

*Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I personally use and trust, and that I believe will provide value to you during your travels. Thank you for your support!

The post Kawaguchiko Travel Guide: Mount Fuji Views, Lakes, and Best Photo Spots appeared first on Where are you Andres?.

Kamakura is a small town near Tokyo that once served as a political and cultural center of Japan and the birthplace of samurai society. Today, it is a popular day trip destination from Tokyo, offering a perfect escape from the city’s fast-paced environment. In Kamakura, you can explore not only its rich historical sites but also its beautiful natural surroundings.

Why Visit Kamakura?

If you’re looking to take a break from the hectic pace of Tokyo or dive deep into Japanese culture, a day trip to Kamakura is an excellent choice. Walk along Komachi Street to sample local Japanese specialties and buy handmade crafts.

Visit one of Japan’s largest Great Buddha statues at Kotoku-in Temple, or explore Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, where samurai society was born. For a more serene experience, head to Hokokuji Temple to explore its tranquil bamboo grove and Zen gardens. All of these experiences can be enjoyed during a single day trip to Kamakura.

How to Get to Kamakura from Tokyo

Reaching Kamakura from Tokyo is easy by train. Depending on your starting point, you can take the JR Yokosuka Line from Tokyo Station or the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku Station. The journey takes about an hour. You can use an IC card (like Suica or Pasmo) by tapping it when entering and exiting the stations.

Top Things to Do in Kamakura (Must-See Attractions)

1. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine

Our first stop was Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Kamakura’s most important shrine. This is where Japan’s samurai society was established centuries ago. The shrine is dedicated to Hachiman, the god of war, who was worshipped by the samurai.

As you enter the shrine, you pass by two ponds on either side. One pond, with three islands, represents the Minamoto Clan, while the other, with four islands, represents their arch-rivals, the Taira Clan. The number four is considered unlucky in Japanese culture because it sounds like the word for “death.” The entire city of Kamakura was built around this shrine.

2. Hokokuji Temple (Kamakura’s Bamboo Temple)

A short bus ride from Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine brings you to Hokokuji Temple, a small temple of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism.

The moment you enter, you can feel the uniqueness of this temple. Small gardens lead to a Zen garden, where sand represents water and stones represent mountains.

Beyond the Zen garden is a bamboo grove that leads to a small tea house, where you can enjoy matcha and sweets if you visit before 3 p.m. The entire atmosphere is soothing to the mind.

3. The Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kotoku-in Temple)

Just before closing time, we made it to our final destination: Kotoku-in Temple, home to the Great Buddha of Kamakura.

This is the second-largest Buddha statue in Japan; the largest is at Nara’s Todai-ji Temple (check out my post from Nara!). The pouring rain added a special charm, giving the place a calm and meditative atmosphere. Interestingly, the Great Buddha was initially housed inside a temple, but the structure was destroyed by typhoons, and now it stands in the open air.

Best Places to Eat in Kamakura

• Komachi Street offers a variety of restaurants serving local specialties and is also a great place to try Kamakura street food. Since Kamakura is located by the sea, the seafood options are especially fresh. One local specialty is shirasu (whitebait), which can be enjoyed raw.

• Wasai Yakura – For Whitebait fish bowl

 We dined at Wasai Yakura and ordered a fish bowl meal featuring whitebait along with a selection of other fish. The meal included miso soup, egg custard, and pickled vegetables. It was delicious and filling—a must-try when visiting Kamakura. 

• Sabo Kirara – For matcha and local desserts.
• Tsuki to Matsu – For local soba dishes.
• Cafe Yoridokoro – A breakfast spot with views of passing trains.
• Tomoya Kamakurakomachi – Daibutsu-yaki or Buddha Cake

Tips for Planning Your Kamakura Day Trip

Best Time to Visit Kamakura:

• Spring (Sakura season): The best time to visit Kamakura, as with much of Japan, is during the cherry blossom season (Sakura) when you can see Kamakura’s historical sights against the backdrop of blooming trees. However, be prepared for large crowds.
• Early summer (June): If you prefer to avoid crowds, consider visiting after the Sakura season and at the beginning of the rainy season in June, when there are fewer people and the weather is mild.
• Autumn (October-November): Another great time to visit Kamakura is in autumn (October to November) when the leaves turn vibrant shades of red. The weather is mild, warm, but not too hot, and generally sunny.
• Nevertheless, Kamakura can be visited year-round, but be aware that you may encounter inconveniences such as rain or hot temperatures. In these cases, you might need to adjust your plans.

For example, we visited Kamakura during the summer rainy season and experienced rain all day, which forced us to skip some attractions. Despite the weather, Kamakura was still worth visiting, so don’t let weather conditions deter you.

To make the most of your trip, start early in the morning to avoid the crowds from tour groups. Most attractions close around 5 p.m., so plan to visit your top spots before then.

How Much Time Do You Need in Kamakura?

One day is enough to see the main attractions of Kamakura. However, if you want to explore more leisurely or visit nearby Enoshima, consider staying overnight.

Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions about a day trip to Kamakura or if you’d like to share your own experiences visiting this historic town!

The post Day Trip to Kamakura: Top Attractions and Tips appeared first on Where are you Andres?.

Moalboal is located on Cebu Island, a few hours drive from Cebu City, the capital of Cebu Island. Moalboal is famous for its beautiful coral reef with thousands of different fish and sea creatures. Moalboal is also home to the famous sardine run. So the main activities here are snorkelling, scuba diving and free diving and on land activities like canyoneering.

Stay here for at least 5 days to have enough time to do all the activities at a relaxed pace.

What to do in Moal Boal

1. Scuba Diving

There are mare schools to learn scuba diving in Moalboal. Here you can choose PADI certified school https://www.padi.com/diving-in/philippines/moalboal/ Scuba diving beginner course will take 4 days. And after the course you should rest 1 day before flying to your next spot.

2. Free diving

If you are not into scuba diving but would like to dive a bit deeper to see the coral reef, I would recommend taking a free diving course. Scuba skills will come in very handy throughout your trip in the Philippines as there are many coral reefs and ship wrecks around.

Start your stay here with a free diving or scuba diving course. If you choose to do scuba diving, you can do an AIDA certified introductory course (1 full day), beginner level (2.5 – 3 days) or combined introductory and beginner level (3-3.5 days).  

I would recommend the combined introductory and beginner level as this will give you enough time to learn all the techniques and practice.

You can make the free diving course here at https://www.freediving-planet.com/ 

3. Snorkelling

If swimming underwater is not your thing, you can always go snorkelling. It is very easy, you just have to put on your mask and fins at your hotel or at the beach and go into the sea. A few metres from the beach the coral reef begins and you can start exploring.

4. Sardine run

Sardine Run is also very easy to find. Approximately 10m from the beach, as soon as the coral reef ends, you will see the famous sardine run. The sardines are a bit deeper, about 5-6 metres, so if you want to see them closer you will have to free dive. This is where your free diving skills will come in handy. 

5. Day trip: Whale sharks in Oslob

Should I stay in Oslob?

It is not necessary to stay in Oslob if you are staying in Moalboal. There are half day tours from Moalboal. The tour will pick you up very early in the morning so that you are in Oslob for the opening of the whale shark swim.

In Oslob there are not many activities other than whale shark swimming. The place is not touristically developed, there are not many restaurants or hotels.  So I would not recommend staying there if you just want to see the whale sharks.

How to get to Oslob

You can take a tour to see whale sharks in Oslob. The tour can be easily booked at your hotel or at the tour spots near the beach of Moalboal. The whale sharks are there all year round, from morning to midday. The whale sharks are fed at this time, so it is not ethical as they do not find food on their own. So it is up to you to decide if you want to participate in this activity. 

What to expect during the trip to Oslob

The tour starts very early in the morning. You will be picked up at 5 or 6 a.m. and driven for about 2.5 – 3 hours to Oslob. Once you arrive, you will be given your number in the queue. Expect a long wait. In the meantime you will listen to the rules of what to do and what not to do when swimming with whale sharks. (You cannot touch them as they are very sensitive and you cannot use sunscreen).

If the wait is long, your tour may have an option to go to the nearby waterfall.

When it is time to swim with the whale sharks, you will be taken on a small boat for a short trip of about 50-100m. You will be advised to stay within the area of your boat and the whale sharks will swim from boat to boat as they follow the boat with the food. 

This was an incredible experience to see the whale sharks in real life. They are majestic, huge creatures. Very peaceful.  However, the amount of people who have come to see them is huge. So it is quite a challenge to swim with them without getting hit by a fin. But it is still an incredible experience.   

6. Canyoneering in Kawasan falls

After exploring the underwater life of Moalboal, you can take part in another popular activity next to Moalboal, which is canyoneering at Kawasan Falls. This is a fun and adventurous activity. Here you will be hiking, climbing the rocks, jumping into the water while exploring the waterfalls.

The canyoneering can be booked as a tour at your hotel or other tour spots. The tour takes about 5-6 hours. All the necessary equipment like helmet, life jacket, water shoes will be provided by the tour.

7. Moalboal´s white beach

If you still have time and want to relax on the picturesque white beach, you can take a tricycle and in 20 minutes you will be at Moalboal’s white beach.

Getting around Moalboal

Most of your time in Moalboal will be spent on foot. Everything is within walking distance. If you do not feel like walking there are many tricycles that will take you to your destination.

Tricycles will also drive you to the Moalboal bus station or supermarkets, f.ex. Seven-Eleven.

Where to eat in Moalboal

There are many restaurants on the main street of Moalboal leading to the beach.

These are some restaurants where we have been and definitely recommend trying:

The post 7 Best activities to do in Moalboal appeared first on Where are you Andres?.

The Philippines has a lot to offer, from white sand beaches and rich marine life to mysterious landscapes and beautiful mountains. With so many destinations to choose from it can be overwhelming and difficult to create a route that suits you perfectly, especially if you only have 2 weeks to travel. Here I will describe the route we took and give some recommendations on how to make it even better, based on our experience.  

This route is for you if you want to see the main highlights of the Philippines without too many transfers.

Moalboal 

Make your first stop in Moalboal to discover the underwater world of the Philippines. Here you will see the unique coral reef sardine run, whale sharks.

Duration: 5 Days

How to get to Moalboal

Maolboal is a small coastal village on the island of Cebu. Cebu Island has an international airport in the city of Cebu. To get to Moalboal from Cebu airport you have two options: take a private transfer or take a public bus. The public bus option is a bit longer and more complicated but much cheaper then the private transfer.

Private transfer

If you want to take a private transfer, you should arrange it with your hotel in advance or at the airport you will find many drivers who can take you there. Make sure you check the current prices beforehand so you don’t overpay.  It should take about 3 hours, depending on traffic.

Bus

To catch a public bus to Moalboal, take a taxi to the South Bus Terminal. It takes about. You can also use the Grab app. 

From the south bus station, take a bus to Moalboal. Look for the bus that goes via Barili to Moalboal, Badian or Bato.  Tickets can be bought at the bus station.

From the Moalboal bus stop you will need to take a tricycle to get to your hotel.

Where to stay in Moalboal

You can stay anywhere near Panagsama Beach. There are many hotels to suit all budgets and many restaurants.

We stayed at the Maayong Hostel in the private bungalow. The hostel is about 10 minutes walk from the beach.

Book the Maayong Hostel

What to do in Moalboal

The main reason people come here is because of the Moalboal coral reef. The Moalboal coral reef is home to thousands of different fish and marine life. So the main activities here are snorkelling, scuba diving, free diving and on land activities like canyoneering.

• Scuba Diving/ Free diving – 3-4 Days
• Snorkelling/ Sardine run – half Day
• Tour: Whale sharks in Oslob – half Day. Start early Morning
• Tour: Canyoneering in Kawasan falls – half Day. Start any time
• Moalboal´s white beach – half Day
• You can combine half day activities as you wish

El Nido

Duration: 3-4 Days

El Nido is a small town in the north of Palawan Island. El Nido is the place to discover the unique nature of the Philippines: turquoise lagoons surrounded by limestone cliffs. This type of rock formation is unique to the Philippines and definitely a must see!

How to get to El Nido 

If you are travelling from Moalboal, Cebu airport to El Nido, you have 2 options:

Option 1

This option is cheaper but takes longer. You will fly to Puerto Princesa and then take a bus transfer to El Nido. The bus transfer is quite tiring as the road is bumpy.

Option 2

This option is more convenient and faster. A few times a week there is a direct flight from Cebu to El Nido. This option is more expensive. To get from the airport to the hotel in El Nido, you will need to take a tricycle (tricycle are waiting directly at the El Nido airport) which will take about 20 minutes to get to your hotel.

Where to stay in El Nido

I recommend to stay not far from El Nido. This way you will be close to walk everywhere in El Nido.

• Frendz Hostel El Nido
• South Anchorage Inn

What to do in El Nido

El Nido is famous for its island hopping tours to see the incredible nature and unique Avatar like landscapes. There are 4 tours available, Tour A, B, C, D. The most popular are Tour A and C. Each tour takes a full day. If you take Tour A and C you will see the most picturesque places of El Nido.

Other activities on land:

El Nido Via Ferrata Canopy Walk  – half day

Las Cabañas Beach – Perfect spot for a sunset – half day

Coron

Duration: 4-5 Days

Continue your exploration of Palawan Island in Coron. Coron offers more unique landscapes, lagoons, lakes, white sand beaches and underwater shipwrecks.

How to get to Coron

If you are travelling from El Nido, you have several options to get to Coron.

Option 1: By plane.

This is the fastest option.  Flights are operated by airSWIFT. You will need to book your ticket in advance as they only fly a few times a week. When you arrive at Coron airport, transfers will be waiting to take you to your hotel. They group people by the nearest hotels and take you there.

 Option 2: By speed boat.

The route between these two towns is very beautiful. It gives you the opportunity to see the different islands and the sea scenery all the way to Coron. However, this route will take some time.

Where to stay in Coron

We recommend that you stay in the town of Coron, this will make it easier to join the tours as you will be transferred to the starting point of the tour.

• Outpost Hostel – Coron

Or, if you prefer a quieter place, you can stay at this hotel, which has stunning views. Bear in mind, that it will take some time to get to the Coron itself from there:

• AL FARO Cosmio Hotel Palawan

What to do in Coron

As in El Nido, the main activity in Coron is island hopping tours. The tours are Ultimate Tour, Super Ultimate Tour, Tour A, B, Island Escapade Tour (white sand beaches).

Ultimate Tour and Super Ultimate Tour combine the main spots of Tour A and B and are therefore quite intense. Take Tour A and B if you want to see everything at a slower pace. Each tour takes a full day.

Other activities on land:

• Maquinit Hot Spring – half day
• Hiking Coron Hill (Mt. Tapyas) – Half day

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Palermo, a city in southern Italy and the capital of Sicily, is a unique mix of many cultures. The Romans, Greeks, Normans, Arabs, Spanish, North Africans and many others have enriched this city and transformed it into a very vibrant place. You can see it in the architecture, the food and even the people.

What to do in Palermo

There are plenty of things to do and see in Palermo. You can walk around and see ancient buildings, or try delicious Sicilian food at the markets. Plus, a quick drive will lead you to beautiful beaches with clear blue water!

1. Fontana Pretoria

It is a beautiful monument in the middle of a plaza. The Fontana Pretoria is known as the fountain of shame. At the time it was built the naked statues were scandalous to religious people. On the other hand the government charged 30 times the cost of building it, while the people of Palermo were starving. What a huge scam!

Apart from the interesting history of the fountain, it is also a good place to take a sharable selfie

2. Santa Caterina Church and Monastery

Next to the Fontana Pretoria, is the Santuario di Santa Rosalia, an impressive Catholic church with Renaissance and Baroque styles.

I loved the frescoes on the ceiling! They looked even better with the natural light coming from the dome and windows. The marble sculptures were a joy to look at!

In general, I was very pleased with the attention to detail and beauty that has been given to this place.

Through the church you can go to the monastery. Which has a café with delicious pastries, in my opinion one of the best in Palermo.

Next to the café is a comfy terrace with orange trees and benches, a very relaxing place to stay for a while.

There is as well a museum portraying the story of the monastery with objects and paintings.

Going up the stairs you can go to the cathedral’s rooftop. It has an amazing view of Palermo. You can see the mountains covered in sand fog. An astonishing contrast between the architecture and the sea in the distance.

I found the view from the top of the church really impressive, definitely a very good point to make photos!

3. Palermo Cathedral

This cathedral has a remarkable façade. A mix of Norman, Islamic, Gothic, Baroque and Neoclassical styles. Definitely something I have not seen before.

The cathedral was built in honour of “Santa Rosalia”, who according to the legend, saved Palermo from a tragedy. At the time of the plague, the spirit of Santa Rosalia appeared to a hunter on the top of a mountain. She asked him to make a procession with the remains of her body to save Palermo. After the hunter did as she asked, the plague disappeared from Palermo.

From my point of view, the nicest part of the Cathedral is the Façade. It has a lot of details that are worth admiring, it looks beautiful on a sunny day!

4. Villa Bonano

It used to be the garden of an Oligarch family. Now it is a park where you can rest from the noise of the city, enjoy at the nature and relax in the shade. It is located between the Palermo Cathedral and the Norman Palace.

5. Mercato di Ballarò

This market is really alive, vibrant, full of people, aromas and food! It can feel overwhelming, but it is also part of the experience.

This is the most popular market in Palermo, and offers traditional Sicilian food.

There is so much to choose from that it is difficult to decide what to eat. I could not miss the seafood and the cannoli, this time I tried one made with pistachio cream, it was amazing!

6. Church of San Cataldo

It is a very interesting place. My first impression was that it was Muslim architecture. To my surprise it was a Catholic church with Norman-Arab architecture.

The lighting in the church is very interesting, and definitely atypical. Not very similar to what I have seen in other Catholic churches.

Like many things in Palermo, it is a complete mix of cultures and art styles.

There is only one room, and it only took me only a few minutes to look around (even doing videos and photos). It is really up to you if it is worth to pay to enter, it is a really short visit.

7. Palazzo dei Normanni (Norman Palace)

Palermo is probably the most conquered city in history. The Norman palace was the seat of the city’s rulers, who over the time they added their own touches to the building. Blending styles from Islamic to Norman.

Inside the palace, the visit is divided into sections:

Palatine Chapel

In the interior of the palace is the Palatine Chapel, a room that just left my jaw on the floor! A completely golden room, where the more you see the more impressive it gets. Truly a place to lose yourself in the beauty of the art made in the 12th century.

Byzantine mosaics, medieval Islamic paintings and Mediterranean art. They all come together in this room, a real melting pot!

Look closely at the paintings on the walls. They tell the stories of musicians, drinkers, wrestlers and dancers. It is a very interesting place to visit!

Room of Ruggero

I felt like royalty just by being in this room, which in the past was used for court meetings.

Similar to the Palatine Chapel, it has golden walls with Byzantine mosaics. This time the paintings are of stylised animals.

Royal Apartments

The building also houses the Royal Apartments. Here you can see how luxuriously the Norman kings lived. The paintings and colours of the interiors are really beautiful!

Royal Gardens

At the end of your visit to the Royal Palace, you can visit the gardens. A truly peaceful place full of nature.

8. Short trip to Santa Flavia

Just 20 minutes by train from Palermo, there is a small town. It has a beautiful landscape, colourful houses, and very blue and transparent water!

It has a couple of traditional Italian restaurants, and a nice spot with cliffs for jumping into the sea. This is a nice place to spend a day if you have one in your itinerary.

Getting around Palermo

Walking

Most of the Palermo’s attractions are in the city centre and can be reached by walking.

There are some people who offer horse-drawn carriage rides. I am not really in favour of using them (also find it unnecessary, everything is very close together).

By bus

To get around the city, you can use the public buses, they have clear stops and timetables.

For the contrary, visiting attractions outside Palermo by bus is very challenging. The stops are not clear, and the staff at the stations do not know where the stops are or how to get to a particular place. 



For example, to get to the Temple of Segesta from Palermo by bus: there is a company called “Tarantolacuffaro”, but the stop is completely unclear. I arrived to the bus stop very early, and there was no information about where to wait for the bus. The staff at the station “Palermo (Via E. Basile)” had no idea about it (the language was also a barrier). Later I saw the bus stopping on a random place, about 4 blocks away from the stop indicated on the website. 


If you want to go to Segesta by bus, I recommend that you call the bus company beforehand on this number (+39) 0924 31020

. Here is the website of the bus company

The best way to get to the Temple of Segesta from Palermo is by car.

If you end up booking a tour to the Temple of Segesta the prices are very expensive. Compared to the €7 that the bus should cost.

By train

You can get to many nearby places by train. Just check the timetables on Google Maps and get to the Central Station early to buy your tickets.


There are fewer trains on Sundays and public holidays, so plan your trip accordingly.


By car

A car is only necessary to visit the attractions outside of the city.

Getting around car inside the city centre (where most of the attractions are) by car is difficult. There is too much traffic. there are not many places to park and the streets are very narrow. 


If you have a car when you arrive in Palermo, you can leave it outside the city centre and walk inside the city center.

Where to eat in Palermo

There is a lot of good food in Palermo! but there is as well a lot of tourist traps. With that said, this is some of the places where I had a good experience:

• Mortadeleria: For having sandwiches with good Italian ham in a couple of minutes.
• Caffè del Kassaro: Good coffee! in a very convenient location.
• Timilia: Very tasty pizza and craft beer.
• Sfrigola Via Maqueda: Delicious traditional Sicilian Arancini (Rice bowls).
• Cannoli: Typical Sicilian pastry in several flavours.
• I segreti del Chiostro: The bakery of Santa Caterina, my favourite cannoli in Palermo, and very good Italian coffee!

❌ Where not to eat:
Villena: In my opinion this is a tourist trap, the quality of the pasta and the wine did not fit with the Italian standards.

Where to swim in Palermo

If you want to go swimming at a nice beach near Palermo, you have to drive about 30 minutes. Some of my favourites are:

• Cefalu Beach
• Mondello Beach
• Riserva Naturale di Capo Gallo
• Caletta Sant’Elia

Best Time to Visit Palermo

The best time to visit Palermo is in late spring and early autumn, when it is sunny and nice to walk around.

Mid-summer (July and August) is also a good time to visit. But it will be hot and you will be sharing the city with more tourists than usual.

There are lots of things to do in Palermo, so no matter when you visit, you will have fun!

Is Palermo safe?

It is generally safe, but beware of pickpockets. Especially in crowded places and when eating outside in restaurants. Also be careful if you go out at night and avoid quiet streets.

The post 8 Best Things to Do in Palermo: A Complete Travel Guide appeared first on Where are you Andres?.

Are you ready for an adventure in a place where ancient temples meet cyberpunk like skyscrapers and traditional culture mix with the feeling of having traveled to the future?

In this post you will find a realistic schedule of what is possible to explore while visiting Hong Kong for 3 Days and have a good understanding of what to expect when you explore the city, get an idea of the traditions, taste the gastronomy and immerse yourself in this amazing place.

Day 1: Exploring Kowloon and Victoria Peak

On this day we will focus on get immerse into the most notorious aspect of the city since the Landing of the plane, off course I am talking about the Hong Kong’s skyline, we will see it from the inside and from far away. As well we will get to learn about Hong Kong history and cultural legacy.

Avenue of the Stars

The Avenue of the Stars is a promenade along the Victoria Harbour waterfront, and it is a tribute to the celebrities of the Film industry of Hong Kong. Everything from writers, to Actors and Actresses.

One of the highlights and probably the most known celebrity from Hong Kong is Bruce Lee, on this avenue you will find his statue standing on a water fountain. Of course I did the mandatory selfie with the statue.
Next to the walking path you find as well shops, restaurants and art installations.

Hong Kong Museum of Art

The Hong Kong Museum of Art allows is located directly next to the avenue of the stars.

This place allows you to immerse yourself in the culture and traditions of Hong Kong.

Some of the exhibitions include:

Love letters:
Here you can find paintings that share very emotional stories. It explains how artist used to motivate each other through the writing of poems.
One story that I found very interesting, was about one young man who walked for twenty thousand kilometers through the rural China, trying to find his lost parents. On the way he started painting the landscapes he found through his adventure.

China trade art in the 18th and 19th century:

There are pieces of everything that was traded through the silk road with Hong Honk as a main Harbour. From Silk clothing, to the silver coins that were used at the time.
You can experience the history through traditional physical objects, as well with interactive digital installations.

Chinese calligraphy:

You can find from traditional calligraphy made with Ink to more recent posters portraying Chinese typography made by graphic designers.

Each exhibition includes a Free Book with extra information about the art pieces, and you can put a stamp on each of the rooms that you visit. Definitely a nice souvenir!

If I were to come back, definitely I would bring a Jacket, the conditioned air feels a bit cold in contrast with the hot weather of the island.

Victoria Peak

Victoria Peak is the Highest point in the Hong Kong Island, the view from there is incredible, and it is something that definitely makes Hong Kong a unique place in this planet.

For arriving here, you need to arrive first to Central (it is located in front of the Avenue of the Stars).
You can take the metro, or as i did go by ferry. With this second option you also get an incredible view of the Hong Kong skyline in more perspectives, it is a fun ride and it cost the same as traveling by metro.

From central you can take the bus number 15 or X15 in direction to Victoria Peak. The Bus stop is located behind the shopping mall, there is a big parking lot and you will see the buses coming there. Do not get confuse with the metro station under the shopping mall.

You will need around 1 hour to do the trip, it is a very curvy and slow way due to the heavy traffic. On the positive side you will get to see a lot of nice places between the mountains and you understand a bit more of the lifestyle of the habitants of Hong Kong, there is about anything you can imagine builded around this path.

Other option is taking the The Peak Tram, it will bring you in straight line to the Victoria Peak. Return ticket price: HK$148 (≈17,42€) for 1 Adult

Victoria Peak Fees:

I found the free viewpoint very good but a bit crowded. It is up to you if you want to pay for the 360° viewpoint.

The fist day in Hong Kong was a bit calm, only to keep some energy for the adventure of the day 2, where we will travel to a close by Island and see a completely opposite viewpoint from the modern and futuristic side of Hong Kong.

Day 2: Lantau Island and exploring Hong Kong’s culture

For the second day we will get amazed by the importance of the Buddhism in the history of Hong Kong, and the beauty from the moment of arrival to the Lantau Island to the top of the hill where the Big Buddha is located.

Po Lin Monastery and Big Buddha

To arrive to the Po Lin Monastery you need to go to the Lantau Island. You can do this with the MRT: Tung Chung Line in direction Tung Chung.

From there you can take a cable car to the monastery. On the way there is a very impressive a beautiful view of the nature of the island and the main airport of Hong Kong.

If you are an extreme adventurer, you can hike to the monastery, we saw some people doing it, but it seems like a challenging route.

From the cable car stop you will walk for around 30 minutes before reaching the monastery, on the way there are many gift shops and restaurants. I recommend to bring some Hong Kong Dollars (HKD) because not all places accept cards here.

The monastery was founded In 1906, it has several astonishing buildings where you will find statues of Buddha, representing his previous, present and future life.

Big Buddha

There are 206 steps to get to the Big Buddha, they represent the enlightenment. It is a nice climb surrounded by a lot of nature.

In the top you will get to the Big Buddha, it is definitely a gigantic wonder. You can enjoy other sculptures in the terrace, as well to see a breathtaking view of the remarkable landscape full of small islands.

It is also possible to enter inside the Big Buddha, there is a museum with the history of the monastery.

After visiting the Monastery we wanted to relax a bit from activities until next day, which the agenda is full of really interesting things to do in Hong Kong.

Day 3: Getting the most of Hong Kong

For the last day in the island we well do a very diverse, fun and curious number of activities, from the Causeway district, the Man Mo temple and the Mid Level Sculptor, which honestly was something I have never seen anywhere else in the world.

Lee Tung Avenue


It is a pedestrian walkway famous for being a place its shops, restaurants and for having beautiful decorations. 
Definitely a place to visit and make a couple of selfies.


We went to the restaurant “Mansons Lot” which was close to the avenue, the food was delicious and the coffee was amazing! 


Hopewell Center

It is a shopping mall with a very interesting feature, you can go to the floor 57 and have an amazing view of Hong Kong through the glass of the elevator
In the floor 57 there is as well a restaurant with a view to the city, but you will need to reserve a spot with at least a month in advance. We decided not to eat here because the reviews of the food were not very promising, but going up with the elevator was definitely worth it.

The exact location of the place is the following:
Hopewell Centre
183號 Queen’s Rd E, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Google maps

Man Mo Temple

The Man Mo Temple is a Taoist temple build in 1847. It represent to “Man” the God of the Literature and “Mo” the god of War.In my opinion it has very good vibes and the figures, ornaments and colours inside the Temple are beautiful! 
There is a lot of smoke from the incense (it is part of the religious offering), so it is difficult to stay for extended periods of time.

Central–Mid-Levels escalator

It is the longest covered escalator system in the whole world! It really feels like it does not have an end.
We started the climb on Central Market. You put your feet up in the escalators, and they will bring you to really interesting places, museums, cafes, shops, massage centres, and many areas where you can stay and enjoy the time.
It is very alive and the feeling of climbing through the skyscrapers is really special.
The escalators end close almost by Victoria Peak (the highest point in Hong Kong).

Avenue of the Stars (At night)

Some places are worth repeating a visit at night time, there is a light show at 19:00 displayed in the skyline in front of the Avenue of the stars. Some lasers will dance in the top of the Buildings and the lights will move with the right of the music.

After that I cooled down from the heat of the day, walking next on the promenade enjoying the fresh wind and the nice view.
It was a nice and short activity to do conclude the last day in Hong Kong.

Conclusions

Staying for 3 days in Hong Kong can provide a lot of new experiences, from the most incredible skyline views at the top of Victoria Peak to the peace and beauty of the Po Lin Monastery. There is definitely no time to get bored in this culturally rich place, where you can go from sea level to the heights of the sky in the same day.

Hong Kong was a completely new experience for me and certainly a place I would love to visit again in the future, this 3 days only scratched the surface of what is there to do in Hong Kong.

Thank you for joining this experience with me through the blog. If you want to see more of this 3 days adventure in Hong Kong, I invite you to watch the video I posted on my Youtube channel at this Link.

Now is the time for you, have you been to Hong Kong? If so, feel free to share your experiences in the comments section. If you have not been to Hong Kong, I would love to know what places you would like to visit and why.

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