You’ve landed in the Big Durian! Loads you wanna do but not sure if you can fit it all in? Have no fear! Here’s a handy 3-day guide for your big city needs so you can travel in style.

Credit: giphy

Day 1: Sight-see

Museum Fatahillah

Credit: Wonderful Indonesia

Start your day in Old Town or Kota Tua and be transported into pre-colonial Jakarta where the Dutch and British ruled Indonesia for 450 years. With a border canal and old refurbished buildings, the grand Jakarta History Museum sits where the former City Hall of Batavia used to. A history buff’s dream, there are a number of museums scattered around it displaying a collection of puppets, fine art and ceramic, maritime and treasured from their national bank. A big tourist pull, the main square is always vibrant with fire eaters, colourful bikes, souvenir stalls, buskers, living statues and more.

Take a spin around Fatahillah on some vintage bikes!

Credit: mirnarizka

Once the dust has settled and you’re hungry for some culture, I always recommend taking a break from the sweltering heat at the iconic Café Batavia for traditional drinks and desserts. But despite their assurance of halal meat and utensil separation, the do serve pork and alcohol. And it is quite bizarre to pray the Dzuhur in their modest musholla and later find photos of men and women in various state of undress when you go for a tinkle in the loo.

Swanky old European charm

Credit: marcus1987

So skip the mediocre and expensive food choices at Café Batavia (but not before you steal some good pictures!) for favour of lunch at the hidden gem of Kota Tua, the hipster and 100% halal Historia Food and Bar.

Kitschy and contemporary interior of the Historia

Credit: Culinary Bonanza

A specialist café in traditional Indonesian fare, you’ll find a range of local treats on their starter menu including lumpia (spring rolls), empek (fish cakes), tauhu (tofu) and tempe (fermented bean cake) giving you a taste of what every day Indonesians eat at home. For mains, you’ll find more Indonesian favourites with at least three types of Nasi Goreng, the evergreen steamed vegetable salad gado-gado with flavorful and rich peanut sauce and Soto Betawi – a Betawi-style beef soup made with coconut milk.

A selection of local dishes.

Credit: Ayo Jelajah Indonesia

They also present a pretty impressive drinks menu. Partnering with local coffee joint Tanamera coffee, you’ll get a taste of the local fare. And if you like mocktails, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Think mango, passion fruit and lemon; a lychee and apple mix with a slice of lime; and rootbeer with aloe vera. For something stronger, try the Wedang Jahe – a warm ginger drink with black sesame seeds and black pepper.

Historia’s Es Palu is cooling and refreshing on hot, sunny afternoons.

Credit: Historia Jakarta

Address: Jl Pintu Besar Utara No. 11, Kota Tua, Jakarta, Indonesia 1110
Directions:
Ask the taxi to take you to Kota Tua. Then find Historia on the map below:

Opening Hours: 10.00am – 10.00pm Monday to Friday; 8.00am – 10.00pm Saturday and Sunday
Price: ($) Rp 100-150k/person for a three course meal

After lunch, hop into a taxi (or take a tuk tuk if you’re braver) and head towards Bundaran HI – be sure to pronounce it ‘Ha-Ey’ – a part of the city known as the heart of Jakarta. Ask the driver to take the scenic route and drive by Monas, the short form for Monumen Nasional, for a quick selfie.

You will pass by the stunning Arjuna Wijaya statue depicting the Mahabhrata epic.

Credit: Asia Finest

#HHWT Fun Fact: You’ll see a number of statues and monuments scattered across the city. Wondered where the Sukarno and Hatta statues were pointing at when you drove out of the airport? A number of Indonesian national heroes are commemorated in monuments and apparently they all face or point to Bundaran, where legend says was the meeting point of hundreds and thousands of Indonesian revolutionists before they marched to Kota Tua to drive out the Dutch towards their Independence!

The Selamat Datang Monument

Credit: Tepi Horizon

Do a lap around the Bundaran and then head on to Plaza Thamrin for some souvenir shopping! Here’s where you find clothes being sold for wholesale so be ready for a good hunt. They’ve got a great collection of affordable abayas and hand-crafted kebaya nyonyas but you should also be able to pick up some of those ‘My kids went to Jakarta and all I got was this lousy’ t-shirts for your parents.

Indonesian batik is truly one of a kind!

Credit: Emma in Indonesia

It should be evening by the time you’re done, so take a 15-minute walk to up-scale shopping centre Plaza Indonesia for dinner. Nasi Padang is a must-have while you’re in town and if you had the luxury of time, the best is most definitely Nasi Padang Pagi Sore. But the closest branch is a while away so pop down to Sari Ratu which is equally as good and in a much more convenient location.

Ayam bakar, ayam pop and ayam goreng.

Credit: Bangsar Babe

Food is served hidang style which means that plates are laid out in front of you to allow a wide sample of their scrumptious selection. So don’t be shocked if you find a few dozen plates served on your table with waiters coming by to bring you more kitchen specials. Keep a note of what you eat and only pick out what you like because you’ll be charged according to the plates you eat from, even if it’s a small piece to taste.

My favourites are the telor gulai (boiled egg in gravy), paru goreng (fried beef lung) and ayam pop (steamed chicken) with white rice but you can generally never go wrong with one gravy dish paired with any sambal (chilli paste).

Address: Plaza Indonesia Lt. B No. 14-15, Jl Mh Thamrin Kav 28-30, Menteng, Jl. M.H. Thamrin No 28-30, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10350, Indonesia
Directions:
If you’re coming from Thamrin City, exit at the main entrance, turn right and walk for 15 minute.

Opening Hours: 10.00am – 10.00pm every day
Price: ($$) Expect to pay between Rp 15-30k per dish

The affluent Indonesians really know how to live well. So if shopping malls are your thing, Plaza Indonesia itself will be a little slice of terrible indulgence. As a luxury shopping mall, you’ll find a huge Dior store with its timepiece collection attached; a Zara home with a wide range of custom door handles; a Diane von Furstenburg and her gorgeous wrap dresses and Giuseppe Zanotti’s brave and bold luxury footwear.

The stunning atrium to Plaza Indonesia

Credit:  JKTGo

For mid-scale high street, Grand Indonesia is just across the Plaza and you can get lost for hours in one of South East Asia’s largest shopping centres.

The Dancing Fountain show at the Grand Indonesia West Mall is a replica of the Rockefeller Plaza fountain which comes on twice daily for an impressive demonstration of light and sound.

Credit: YouTube

After all that window-shopping, end your day at Jakarta’s SKYE Bar and Restaurant at Menara BCA attached to Grand Indonesia for a stunning view of the Jakarta skyline. The highest sky dining point in Jakarta, the Skye deck features an infinity pool on its terrace but the restaurant itself offers equally breath-taking views with a decent desserts menu. The restaurant is halal-friendly (meaning they serve pork and alcohol) but if you’re coming for the view, then a spot of tea at the terrace on a windy night really does the trick to wind down after a long day.

Jakarta’s sky dining scene is one-of-a-kind.

Day 2: Shop

Jakarta is famous for its textile trade so whether you’re looking to tailor dresses for your family’s next big celebration, buying fabric for your half a dozen bridesmaids or needing a good suit, this part of the trip will be a big highlight. Lots of people recommend Tanabang, which is the largest textile market in Southeast Asia. But skip the multi-complex madness for the more organized and trendier Mayestik.

The newly renovated Mayestik Market is comfortable and cleaner than the one before.

Credit: covalimawati

Start bright and early and begin with the outer fringes of the actual market where most of the textile traders have multi-story independent shops. You can easily spend a couple of hours in a single shop so best to pick one you like the most and settle in for a parade of fabric.

You will love the jasmine-flavoured Teh Botol Sosro

Credit: arditpg

If you’re planning to be a big spender, the shop owners are always happy to offer you a drink – bottled water or their popularly fragrant Teh Botol. Here’s another tip: if you purchase in bulk, you can negotiate with the store to get the goods delivered to your doorstep so you won’t have to lug things around.

Along the street, you get a proper market experience with a number of sellers along the street selling fruit, china, local delicacies and magazines. At the centre of the square, you’ll find a store called Toko Maju which is a crafts shop of sorts selling hooks, buttons, zips, ribbons, lace borders, pendants, decorative feathers, loose earrings and much more.

Credit: stumbleabroad

All that haggling will have built up an appetite so stop for some eats at this amazing Turkish kebab store in the Mayestik complex that has succulent and tender beef strips and veg wrapped in flatbread then pan-griddled to make it crisp and crunchy on the outside.

You won’t miss the AB Fresh stall, just follow your nose!

Credit: Foody

The refurbished complex has smaller independent vendors selling cheap ladies’ praying attire, hand-drawn batik and bedding so it’s a good spot for some exploring and souvenir shopping. There’s a wet market on the ground floor and some shops selling nuts in bulk. They’re cheaper than what it usually would be retailing at the supermarkets so it’s good deal to stock up if you snack on nuts! A bag of sunflower seeds would typically go for Rp 200-300k per kilo.

Credit: A Journey Bespoke

Address: Jl Kyai Maja, Kebayoran Baru, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12120
Directions:
Take a taxi to Pasar Mayestik in Kebayoran Baru

Go from common market to upscale dining in Senopati, a neighbourhood that is fast growing in popularity as one of the top culinary spots in town. A 15 minute taxi ride from Mayestik, you’ll pass by loads of restaurants on Jl Gunawarman and Jl Senopati Raya that will have you making mental notes of coming again. If you’re still full from the late morning munch, then opt for a light high tea at the French-styled tea room Cacaoté.

The grand exterior of the Patisserie and Brasserie.

Credit: Beauty + Full

As you enter through the gorgeous French doors, you’ll be thoroughly impressed by the elegant interior. From the white wicker sofas and the grand chandeliers to the gold-gilded mirrors and laid out silverware, the waiting room entrance open up to an elegant patisserie bar with an assortment of delicate pastries, cakes and macarons.

You start with selecting your cakes and then settle into your seats for the drinks menu. You’re truly spoilt for choice here but my absolute favourite is the Intense Dark, a layered cake of vanilla sablé, dark chocolate cremeux, chocolate glaze, dark chocolate chantilly and chocolate velvet. Otherwise, the salted caramel éclair, the hazelnut mille-fuille or the dark chocolate and hazelnut are just as sinful.

Credit: Jenzcorner

Depending on your mood, go for the French vanilla tea if you fancy something hot but for something chilled, the Sunny Breeze is a cool blend of orange, pineapple juice, passion fruit, blended peach and passion fruit syrup. The high tea is served in the classic collection of Royal Albert china which is simply grand.

Address: Jl Senopati Raya No. 80, Kebayoran Baru, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12110, Indonesia
Directions:
Get in a cab and ask the driver to head to Senopati. From there, look out the window on your right and spot the striking pink building along the street.

Opening Hours: 11.00am – 11.00pm Sunday to Friday; 11.00am – 1am on Saturday
Price: ($$$) Each cake is priced at Rp 30-50k and the drinks go for Rp 40-50k each

When you’ve filled up, flag another taxi and head out for some more shopping – this time in trendy Kemang. Hip and vibrant, you’ll get a feel like you’re in Seminyak, Bali, an upscale shopping district in everyone’s favourite Indonesian island.

Rare maps, prints and antiques and Bartele Kemang.

Credit: Bartele Gallery

Kemang is home to some top Indonesian designers, whether they make clothes or furniture, you’ll get to see some of the country’s top talents on display, with goodies you wish you could take home.

The Clea Flower Boutique is also a tea bar and lounge.

Credit: Travelshopa

A popular area for expats, Jl Kemang Raya is a nice street to walk down, with nooks and crannies to explore and generally soak in the feel of the locality. From indie brands to high end barbers, it’s a neighbourhood where you get the feel that this is where artists meet to have coffee or where the yuppies come to hang out after work.

Marista Santividya is a shoe designer with classy kicks that start from Rp 1.5 million.

Credit: Gogirl!

You’ll find loads of fancy places that you’ll want to stop to eat at like the Huize van Wely in the gorgeous glass Papilion building, or Gourmet Kemang in the large warehouse-looking building. But for a meal and a little something extra, look out for KOI Kemang which offers dining and a furniture and art gallery within its premises.

The Swiss burger at KOI Kemang – raclette cheese with dry-aged beef.

Credit: JKTGo

It’s more popular as a brunch place but dinner here is great too. Always look out for the monthly special. I’ve had a memorable Angus Roast Beef with Truffled Pudding with the latter being absolutely superb. Otherwise, the house special is the Rotisserie Chicken which is really more European than Indonesian.

When you’ve finished with your meal, take the stairs up to the KOI Gallery and take a look at some of the art, furniture, fabric and jewelry on display. Most of the products are locally sourced and manufactured but marketed abroad.

Eco-friendly furniture made out of reclaimed boats.

Credit: Culinary Bonanza

And finally, if you have space for a pick-me-up, then Anomali Coffee a few shops next door will be a real treat. As you enter, you’ll notice a huge roaster in the front of the shop. That’s right! They roast their own beans right there! That’s not the only thing that makes this café special, all their beans are sourced from different parts of the Indonesian archipelago and there’s a map on the wall that will tell you where it’s from and how its type influences the coffee flavour.

On some days, they offer free coffee appreciation classes, just ask at the counter!

Credit: Cerita Perut

Address: Jl Kemang Raya No 72, Kemang, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12730, Indonesia
Directions:
The cab driver should know where Kemang is but ask to be dropped at Jalan Kemang Raya if you’re starting your walk from one end to arrive at Koi which is somewhere nearer to the upper part of the street.

Opening Hours: 8.00am – 12.00am every day
Price: ($$) Expect to pay between Rp 150k-300k per person for a two course meal plus drinks

Day 3: Rest and Relax

After two full days, you are absolutely ready to just take it slow on your last day in the city. Start your day by taking a stroll down Jalan Surabaya, the city’s antique market. With over 180 shops selling batik, old coins and copperware, it’s a great place for having a looksee if there might be anything to add to your growing collection of knickknacks you’ve picked up while on the road.

Fine antiques on Jalan Surabaya

Credit: A Shutterbug Diary

From gramophones, ancient Chinese ceramic plates, old diving helmets, tribal masks and creepy golek puppets, there’s a plenty to see at this particular flea market. Chat with the store owner and you might find an interesting fact or two that could really an interesting-looking item to life.

Address: Jl Surabaya, Menteng, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibokota Jakarta 10310, Indonesia

For lunch, you simply must try Dapur Sunda, which is a Sundanese restaurant with a few locations to choose from. The closer one is along the Embassy Row on Jalan Rasuna Said in the Setiabudi complex. But the one in Pancoran on the busier Gatot Subroto highway, is in its own wooden building which feels more styled and authentic.

The Gurame goreng as pictured on the left is a national treasure!

The Gurame goreng is fried to such perfection that you can eat every bit of the fish from the tail to the head and then ask for more. The garam asam which is lemon, brown sugar and herb sauce is the best between the available options.

Jus alpukat is always served with chocolate sauce in Indonesia.

Credit: fussnote

There are at least 7 different types of sambal (chilli paste) on the menu which varies greatly in flavour so have a go at least 2 at a time. Be sure to order the lalap which is steamed vegetables to balance out all the protein.  And do not miss out on jus alpukat which is avocado juice but it’s usually served with an external coat of chocolate to taste which really is an Indonesian special.

Address: Kawasan Hanggar Teras MBAU, Jalan Jendral Gatot Subroto Kav 72, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12780, Indonesia
Directions:
The traffic in Jakarta is a little crazy and it’s likely you’ll be coming in from Rasuna Said. If you can brave the traffic, ask the taxi driver to head to Pancoran or Hotel Bidakara and as you approach Tugu Pancoran (you won’t miss the statue of the fellow in loincloth), do a U-turn on the right and immediately keep left. Enter into the first left and take another left into the parking compound where the restaurant is. To beat the traffic, sometimes it would be easier to hop off on the other side of the highway and take the overhead bridge and walk to the restaurant. Find it here on the map.

Opening Hours: 10.00am – 10.00pm every day
Price: ($) Great value for money. You would pay Rp 300k for two people and be absolutely stuffed.

You cannot come to Jakarta and not get a massage. It isn’t just cheap but unlike any other spa places you’re used to, you can get an absolute head to toe pampering in a one-stop drop. Sure there are the posh chains like Martha Tilaar Salon Day Spa or bare-bones massage parlors like Bersih Sehat. But if you’re already on Gatot Subroto, there’s a secret spa nearby called K-Link House of Beauty which I absolutely love.

It’s clean and bright, they put on wonderful classical music and the staff are super nice. Don’t expect any fancy chemical treatments like peels or dyes but you can get massages, facials, hair spa (another only-in-Indonesia special where your hair is put up in a mask and you get a head, neck, upper back and arms massage) and mani-pedis all in one place.

Nothing quite as pampering than having three people work on you at the same time!

They also do a mean blow-out for the ladies that like big, bouncy curls. And as for our head-scarfed sisters, Tuesdays and Thursday are only for ladies and if you call ahead and tell them you’re coming, they can be sure to block that time out to keep the men out. Here’s another tip: start with a basic facial and then to speed things up, ask to get a hair spa and mani-pedi at the same time and finish with a blowout. This would total to about 3 hours at least.

Address: K-Link Tower. Lantai 7, Jl. Gatot Subroto Kav 59 A, Jakarta Selatan 12950, Indonesia
Directions:
From Dapur Sunda, cross the highway at the nearest flyover along the flow of traffic, then walk against the traffic for about 15 minutes to arrive at K-Link Tower.

Opening Hours: 8.00am – 7.00pm Monday to Friday and 8.00am – 4.00pm on Saturday
Contact: 021 290 27 000 (call ahead to book an appointment especially if going in larger groups)
Price: ($) Very affordable. Rp 300k would get you a 3-hour pampering session with the works

Now that you’re all gussied up, spend your last night blowing the rest of your cash on a nice dinner to enjoy some of Jakarta’s upscale fine dining. From Harum Manis, Bunga Rampai or Dapur Babah Elite, each of these fine establishments provide that gastronomic delight that will make you feel like there are so much more culinary secrets in this city that you still have yet to discover.

Tugu Kunstring’s gorgeous interior.

Credit: FRV Bali

But one of the more impressive ones of the lot will easily be Tugu Kunstring Paleis You’ll order from an elaborate set menu that’s carefully thought out to balance textures and flavours but a waiter is always at hand to walk you through what you might like, how large your party is and what you’re in the mood for. And of course if you cannot collectively decide, there is always the a la carte menu that will let you pick and choose.

Credit: Kompas

And when the food is ready, it’s brought out in the Betawi yoke or pikul-pikulan which translates as baskets strung on two ends of a long stick carried over the shoulders and then laid out Grandrijsttafel style – a Dutch word to mean rice table.

Address: Kunstring Art Gallery. Jl Teuku Umar No. 1, Menteng, Central Jakarta City 10350 Indonesia
Directions:
Find it here on the map:

Opening Hours: 10.00am – 11.00pm everyday
Contact: 021 390 0899 (always call ahead for reservations as they sometimes close the restaurant for events and weddings)
Price: ($$$$) Expect to pay Rp 500k for 2 people

Finally, end the night in style and book a movie at Jakarta’s premiere cinema nearest to your location. Why the cinema, you ask? Because it’s just yet another experience that tells you that the Indonesians really know how to live well. Both Cinema XXI and Blitzmegaplex will have their own premiere theatres but XXI has more branches and are better furbished than the latter.

XXI Premiere

Credit: 21 Cineplex

Premiere movies have a separate ticket counter, seated and sealed in envelopes, access to its lounge and the best part: the seats. The seats are plush leather sofas you absolutely sink in and completely recline, with a little drawer in between the two seats with vacuum-packed blankets and a place to put your things. You also get a butler service which means you can order food before you come in and have them delivered to you at whichever point of the movie you choose. Service like this could easily cost 10 or 20 times more anywhere else in the world.

Price: $$ Prices are as low as Rp 50k Mondays to Thursdays and Rp 100k on weekends. Prices vary depending on the cinema.

Quick Tips:

• The public transport is unreliable. Only take the Bluebird taxi as they’re always metered, are well-governed and rarely cheat. Say if you accidentally left something in a cab, you can call the hotline and tell them where you were at which general time and they should be able to track your cab for you.
• Get a SIM card when you land at the airport and get a data pack. Always use waze on your phone so you know where you driver is going. Indonesia has a culture of not wanting to disappoint you so cabbies will sometimes agree to take you even if they don’t know the way.
• The water in Indonesia is untreated. Only drink bottled water with a sealed cap.
• Be wary of street food. See above.
• Stock up on meds just in case because it’s very easy to fall sick in Indonesia and the healthcare is generally poor. Bring something for fever, nausea, food poisoning and oral rehydration salts (ORS)
• Skip big attractions like the zoo, aquarium, amusement parks and taman mini. They tend to attract large crowds no matter the day or time. Between the congestion, poorly-maintained infrastructure, inadequate facilities and availability of better equivalents elsewhere, they’re rarely worth the hassle.
• There’s a tip culture. Don’t feel pressured to accept help but if you do, tip proportionately.
• Always research prices beforehand, especially if you’re planning to haggle.
• Be ready to sit in a lot of traffic. Like a lot. Of traffic.
• Have fun!

You’ve booked your tickets and now you’re looking for the best possible way to maximise your time in London town? This suggested itinerary covers the best of what London has to offer in 6 days! From pleasing culture buffs and bargain hunters to entertaining families and satisfying the tummies of hard core foodies, London has something for everyone.

Credit: Giphy

Traveling from Heathrow to your hotel

Heathrow International Airport provides great access to the city, whether you’re prioritizing time or a budget. Choose from the Heathrow Express, the Underground Tube, Rail, bus or taxi, with more information here. There are also plenty of Uber drivers that will take you at just about any time of day (which may be your only option on the rare occasion when all transport services are closed).

#HHWT Tip: Choose to stay in Zone 1 as no matter where you stay, it will have great access to the Tube and bus lines as well as the main attractions. Expect to pay a slight premium but save greatly on transport costs as you may be able to walk to loads of places for much of your stay.

Day 1

Start with seeing the sights on a river cruise (1 – 1.5 hours)

♪♫♪ We’re on a boat ♪♫♪ passing under Tower Bridge

• Take a circular cruise starting at the Westminster Pier and find yourself sandwiched between two of London’s most iconic structures which sits on opposite ends of the River Thames: the house of Parliament and the Big ben on the north bank and the London Eye on the South Bank.
• Cruise past Cleopatra’s Needle, the Millennium Bridge, Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tate Modern, the City and Tower of London, the Shard, HMS Belfast and Somerset House.

Explore Westminster (1.5 hours)

• Hop off at Westminster Pier and walk to Buckingham Palace 10 minutes away to witness the Changing of the Guard that happens at 11.30am every day in April – July and alternate dates otherwise.
• Like the big furry black hats worn by the British Foot Guards? Learn about the five regiments stationed at the Guards Museum (and the Bearskins they wear!)

Credit: Giphy

Be sure to check the timing of Changing of the Guard so you don’t end up like our friend, Mr Travolta here

Grab a sandwich and have lunch at St James Park (1 hour)

• Take away sandwiches and puff pastries from the Buckingham Coffee Lounge or any nearby sandwich bars (some in this area carry halal sandwiches).
• Have lunch by the Blue Bridge in St James Park with stunning views of the Duck Island and Horse Guards.

Eastern View from the Blue Bridge in St James Park in the Summer.

Credit: Neil Howard

Soak in a little WWII history (2 hours) – Optional

• Visit the Cabinet War Rooms which was the original bunker used by Churchill during WWII.
• Delve into the life and legacy of Britain’s wartime leader at the Churchill Museum.

Churchill War Room

Credit: Sightseeing Tours

See some of the sights up close (1.5 hours)

• Walk to the House of Parliament and take selfies with Big Ben.
• Stroll over to Westminster Abbey where the royal British coronations and burials are held. William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens and Geoffrey Chaucer are also buried here.

The intricate detail of the Westminster Abbey is breath-taking!

• Have dinner at Mango Tree for some contemporary Thai cuisine, just a 10-minute walk away. All meats are certified halal except for the duck.

Day 2

Window shop in the heart of London’s shopping district (3 hours)

If you come in December, Regent Street is illuminated with a beautiful light display.

Credit: By aurélien. [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

• Start at the Marble Arch which marks the beginning of Oxford Street famous for its large department stores and cheap brand names like Primark and H&M
• Veer off into Bond Street for the classic designer labels and then on to Regent Street which houses the world’s largest toy store Hamley’s
• Have lunch at Tinseltown on Great Portland Street or Bayswater.

Hang out with the Egyptian mummies at the British Museum (2 hours)

The grand stone carvings that make up the stunning interior.

Credit: Advisor Travel Guide

• Walk off the heavy lunch to the British Museum 15 minutes away.
• Revel in its stunning architecture and their extensive historic artefacts (think the Rosetta Stone, paintings and art from the different ages and old clocks).

Explore Camden (2 hours)

Colourful, hip and grunge.

Credit: Easy Roommate

• Hop on a bus and get off at Camden Town.
• Get your souvenirs here with great bargains for English Tea in inventive London-inspired biscuit tins.
• See the Camden Lock street market for independent designer stalls selling anything from handmade clothes, photographs, art and jewellery.
• Get some mouth-watering organic salted caramel fudge at the Global Food Kitchen!
• And before you go, have dinner at the nearby chippie Poppies.

Take a slow, sunset walk through Little Venice back home (1 hour)

Little Venice lights up through the night.

Credit: Zoltan Gabor

• Stroll along the romantic Regent’s Canal, with moored houseboats and the peaceful quiet to wind down the busy day.

Day 3

See the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London (1.5 hours)

See the Koh-i-Noor, the controversial diamond in the Queen Mother’s crown.

• Be blown away by the giant fortress surrounding the Tower of London which officially serves as The Queen’s Royal Palace.
• See a spectacular display of the magnificent crown jewels, a few still regularly used by the Queen including some of the most extraordinary diamonds in the world.

Explore the Tower Bridge up close (1.5 hours)

An exceptional vantage point of the Tower Bridge.

Credit: Guide and Go

• Enjoy stunning views of London 42 meters above the Thames.
• Experience an interactive exhibition with films and hands on displays.
• Gawk at the impressive Victorian engine rooms that operate the drawbridge.

Breathe in the local flavour of Borough Market (1 hour)

Variety of desserts to choose from.

Credit: By Diliff (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

• Take a short walk to visit one of London’s best markets to view the local traders in action.
• From fishmongers to butchers, florists and bakers, be spoilt for choice on what to have for lunch.

View some amazing contemporary art at Tate Modern (2 hours)

The Empty Lot sculpture in the Turbine Hall explores unpredictability and hope.

Credit: Standard UK

• Hailed as the second most popular museum after the Louvre, find common ground with the contemporary art on display at Tate Modern.
• If you’re a fan, look out for talks or lectures, music or performances and courses and workshops that you might be able to attend while you’re visiting.

Spend hours getting lost in the history of the Imperial War Museum (2 hours)

The atrium of the Imperial War Museum

Credit: All About London

• Explore one of my favourite museums in London, the Imperial War Museum, which welcomes you with two 15-inch naval guns, the newest, largest and most powerful used on the Royal Navy battleships.
• Immerse yourself in this multi-story museum which is woven with real life stories, historically accurate accounts on what it looked like on the front-lines as well as at home, poetry and original clips of the war. It begins with World War I on the ground floor and ends with the British involvement in today’s battles abroad on the top floor.

Credit: Zomato

• On the way home, stop by Tortilla for some of the best tortillas on the Southbank. Skip the mediocre tacos for tortillas or burritos and be sure to add the guacamole. Please note that only the chicken is certified halal.

Day 4

Start your day at the famous Trafalgar Square (1 hour)

#HHWT Tip: Be prepared for the fickle London weather! Always bring umbrellas!

• Visit the Trafalgar Square which was once famous for its pigeon flocks and the site for the Nelson’s Column, a monument commemorating the fallen hero.
• See the famous bronze lions at the base of the column and fountain with statues of mermaids, dolphins and tritons. Secret fact: there are also sharks in the fountain – see if you can spot them!

Show your appreciation for art at the National Gallery (1 – 1.5 hours)

The interior of the National Gallery.

• See one of the world’s greatest collection of paintings, dating back from the 1300s.
• Observe the work of some of history’s most celebrated artists like Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Turner, Renoir, Cezanne and Van Gogh.

Explore Covent Garden (3-4 hours)

Credit: goista

• Take a 7-minute walk to Dishoom for lunch, with vegetarian food so popular, it’s nearly impossible to get a table unless you call ahead to book.
• Go around trendy Covent Garden on the West End to soak in all the history and culture.
• See the Royal Opera House, independent designer stores, Jubilee and Apple Market and pay a few pounds to see some very talented street performers.

Be impressed by London’s history of transport at the Transport Museum (2 hours)

Vintage buses of the ages.

Credit: London Town

• If you’ve been taking the bus or tube to get around in the city, you’d truly be able appreciate the historical progression of how Londoners got around back in the day.
• With miniature models of the city, voice recordings and even a replica of an underground tunnel, get on old buses and trains, fiddle with the interactive displays and marvel at what London has planned for its next generation of transport.
• If you’re with toddlers, they’d love to run around the Under-5 play area and indulge in their love for things that go.

Scrumptious steak dinner.

Credit: Halal Gems

• Treat yourself to dinner at Christopher’s Grill (you’ll love the gorgeous spiral staircase) which serves up modern American fit for those with finer taste. Go for the hamburger with cheese made out of Wagyu beef and gooey cheddar with a side of truffle fries. Note: Call 48 hours in advance to request halal meat.

Day 5

Get star-struck at the World-Famous Wax Museum, Madame Tussauds (2.5 hours)

Visiting the Royal Family!

• Lay on the cheese and have a blast posing with wax figures of people you’d never get to see in real life!
• Find out if there are special exhibitions going on – there was a Star Wars and an Avengers special going on in December, which I loved!

Summon your inner detective and pay homage to the famous Sherlock Holmes in Baker Street (2.5 hours)

Credit: Giphy

• If you’re hungry, have a hearty lunch at Burgista Bros on Baker Street that serves up some really good halal burgers.
• Then visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum on 221b Baker Street which models the Victorian setting portrayed in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original books.

Spend the rest of the afternoon hitting up some major museums (3 hours)

The gorgeous façade of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Credit: e-architect

• Take a 20-minute Tube ride to South Kensington, switching at Green Park to get to the Albertopolis – the informal term for the museum-academic complex on Exhibition Road.
• Choose between the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum or the Science Museum depending on your interest.

The Royal Albert Hall, a concert hall of world-class performances and home of the BBC Proms.

Credit: Prestigious Venues

• Take a walk through Kensington Gardens passing by the Albert Memorial and exiting Bayswater Road to get to Tukdin for a tastes-just-like-home Malaysian dinner.

Day 6

Spend the morning in South Bank along the Thames (3-4 hours)

The Southbank Book Market beneath the Waterloo Bridge.

• Take a ride on the London Eye for breath-taking views of beautiful London city.
• Check out what’s on at Southbank Centre, one of Europe’s largest centre of the arts with plenty of free performances to check out every day.
• Stop by one of London’s best kept secrets: the Southbank Book Market to pick up some modern fiction for your plane ride home.
• Have lunch at Chilli Chutney, an Indian eatery with European fare in equal parts and portions.

Stroll along the Southbank (3 hours)

The Tube stations aren’t the only place for a display of talent!

Credit: Secret London

• Take a leisurely walk along the Southbank to see buskers and boats.
• Check out the Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret, which is an unusual museum showcasing surgical history, including one of the oldest surviving operating theatres.
• Visit Shakespeare’s Globe, the reconstruction of the Elizabethan-age Globe Theatre showing Shakespeare plays in open air.

Cross the Thames to see St Paul’s cathedral (1.5 hours)

The stunning gilded interior of St Paul’s cathedral.

Credit: The Association of English Cathedrals

• Take a walk along the Millennium Bridge and cross the Thames on an amazing steel suspension
• Visit the magnificent St Paul’s cathedral, the Anglican Baroque Church seating the Bishop of London.
• Finish with a some contemporary Middle-Eastern cuisine at a CERU pop-up on Cannon Street.

The Brits sure do know how to arrive in style. Now how do you plan to make your grand entrance?

Take a step back in time when you visit Angkor Wat and its surrounding temples, the jewel of the Khmer empire and explore the town of Siem Reap with its lively night markets and abundant fruit juices!

Credit: Giphy

Day 1 – Relax and explore!

• Depending on your time of arrival to Siem Reap, you might want to take it easy on the first day and get to know the surrounding areas of the hotel and rest up before more full on days.
• Take a 5-10 minute tuk tuk ride from the main Siem Reap town to the street where several Muslim-owned halal restaurants like Muslim Family Kitchen, Cambodian Muslim Restaurant, Wau Restaurant and Muslim Family Restaurant are located for lunch or dinner. If you’re at Muslim Family Kitchen, try out their Cambodian specialties, especially the Fish in Morning Glory Pond, Amok and Beef Climbing Mountain.

Muslim Family Kitchen

The Beef Climbing Mountain is prepared right at your table, and comes with two special dipping sauces.

The super yummy Fish in Morning Glory Pond. It’s not as spicy as it looks!

• Visit the An Neakmah Mosque and the small Islamic school located directly behind the mosque and say hello to the adorable children learning to recite the Quran The school is run by local teachers for students of the village, and is fully sponsored by the Muslim community of the village.

An Neakmah Mosque

The Islamic school located right behind the mosque :)

• If you’d like to start exploring the night markets, Angkor Orchid Central hotel is located only 10 steps away from Siem Reap Art Centre Night Market and a short 5 minutes walk to Psar Chas (the old market), Pub Street and other night markets.

The Art Centre Night Market is located right next to Angkor Orchid Central Hotel.

• Try the fruit shakes which are available almost anywhere. They’re super refreshing and cost only $1 for a cup. There’s also other street food that you can try like pancakes (which are basically like roti canai with chocolate / banana fillings) and ‘fried’ rolled ice cream. There are also stalls selling fried bugs and snakes that charge you $1 just for taking photos, so I’d suggest that you take a quick glance if you’re curious and move along!

The fruit shakes are just the thing to quench your thirst!

#HHWT Tip: If you’re allergic to peanuts, make sure you mention it to the folks at Muslim Family Kitchen as dishes like Fish in Morning Glory Pond and the sauce for their fresh spring rolls have peanuts in them.

Day 2 – Time to pretend you’re on the set of Tomb Raider

Credit: thousandwonders

No visit to Siem Reap is complete without visiting the temples of Angkor – but you don’t need us to tell you that! Angkor Wat is only one of over 50 temple ruins inside the Angkor Archaeological Park that covers 400 square kms of Khmer Empire ruins, dating back to the 9^th century. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1992, the park attracts millions of travellers so don’t be surprised to see throngs of people trying to get the same shots as you are!

Being able to see the sunrise is nothing short of magical!

• Visit Angkor Wat during sunrise – You may need to get up super early to be able to be in time to catch the sunrise, but it’s well worth the early wake-up call! Leave right after subuh prayers and grab a good spot to catch dawn. You can either sit along the banks of the moat outside the Angkor Wat complex to get a whole panoramic vie of the sunrise or walk in and catch the sunrise from across the pond.

Feel like Indiana Jones or Lara Croft when you visit the ruins of Ta Phrom, the site where the movie Tomb Raider was filmed!

• You could either start your tour of the surrounding temples, namely Ta Phrom, and Bayon right after your visit to Angkor Wat during sunrise or head back to the hotel to catch a wink and have some breakfast before heading out again.
• If you’re not much of an early bird, you always catch the sunset instead, but views will be different.
• Visiting the temples will take up most of your day! If you’re a big history buff, you can even stretch out your exploration of the ruins for up to 7 days, as the entire complex is huge. For most, 1 day would suffice.
• After a full day of temple visiting, treat yourself to some delicious gelato at Gelato Lab. Just be sure to ask them which flavours contain alcohol in them I’d suggest the dragon fruit gelato for a unique and refreshing dessert!

If you love chocolate, try the Gianduia but if you’re looking for something a little different, the Frutto del Drago (dragon fruit sorbet) is really really good!

If you’re traveling in a group of 4 or less, hire a tuk-tuk or get the hotel to help arrange for a tour. Prices range from $10-$20, depending on what temples you’d like to visit and whether or not you’d like to see the temples during sunrise / sunset. Getting to the park via tuk-tuk will take you around 20 minutes or so from the hotel. You can explore the ruins as long as you like, as the driver will be waiting for you til you’re done. They can also be a great source of local advice!

Tour and Ticket Prices:
Sunrise tour – $10
Tour around Angkor Archaeological Park – $20
Angkor Entrance Fees – $20 (1 day pass), $40 (3 days pass – You may visit 3 days/times in a one week period), $60 (7 days pass – You may visit 7 days/times in a one month period)

#HHWT Tip: Hire a guide at the temple entrances if you’d like a more immersive experience. It’s definitely worth it to understand the history of the amazing structures and the stories behind the intricate carvings.

Day 3 – Get cultured and visit museums

These are actual landmines that were laid in Cambodia, removed by the team behind the Landmine Museum.

• After breakfast, take a trip to the Cambodia Landmine Museum and Relief Center, which is located around an hour away from the hotel via tuk tuk. The ride is on the way is pretty interesting itself as you’ll be able to get a glimpse of the Siem Reap countryside. The museum itself is focused on education on the dangers of landmines, who laid them and the efforts that have been taken to remove them. The museum is also home to the Relief Center, which houses and supports at-risk Khmer children. Tickets cost $5 and proceeds go to maintaining the museum as well as for care for the children in the Relief Center. There are also free audio guides in English that you may use to navigate the small but informative museum.

• Next visit the War Museum, that offers insights on the wars that Cambodia faced during the last few decades of the 20^th Check out heavy artillery like tanks, guns, rocket launchers and more, used during the war! Ticket prices also cost $5, with free guides available.
• If you’ve worked up an appetite after indulging in Cambodia’s war history, ask your tuk-tuk driver to drop you off at one of the Cambodian Muslim restaurants to refuel.
• After lunch, visit the Angkor National Museum, which will take you back to the beginning of the Angkor civilization, with Khmer art, culture an architecture on display. Although tickets are steeper at $12 per person and an additional $3 for an audio guide, the museum is well worth a visit, with its impressive collection and usage of audio-visual multimedia technology.

• Relax and do some last minute shopping for the rest of the day! There are some halal Indian restaurants in town near Pub Street area if you don’t want to take a tuk-tuk ride to the area of the Cambodian Muslim restaurants.

Day 4 – Other experiences

If you’re more adventurous, have a little bit more time and money to spend or would rather use your legs for things other than walking, you can also explore Siem Reap with a bicycle tour, on a quad bike adventure or by taking a hot air balloon over the Angkor complex. You can also take a trip to Kompong Phluk, a village built on stilts and enjoy a breathtaking sunset over Tonle Sap lake. This also depends on the time of the year that you’re visiting.

Accommodation

This itinerary is based on staying at Angkor Orchid Central Hotel, which is in close proximity to town and serves halal breakfast which is prepared in-house. Although they have room service, the food is catered from a nearby café which is not halal, but does not use any pork or lard in their food preparations. Halal food for lunch and dinner is available at the hotel however for group bookings. The staff is familiar with halal restaurants in the area and would usually recommend lunch or dinner at Muslim Family Kitchen.

They also have sausages in the menu that are imported from Malaysia :D

I’d definitely recommend a stay at the hotel if you’re looking for fuss-free accommodation with convenient location and friendly staff. You can make your bookings here, and check out more photos on our Facebook page

General Tips

1. Make sure you change enough USD before your trip, as it is the preffered currency used in Siem Reap. They do accept Cambodian Riel but will quote prices in USD. 1 USD = 4000 Cambodian Riel.
2. The best time to visit Siem Reap according to the locals is generally between December – February, when the weather is cooler and water levels are higher for you to be able to enjoy a trip to Kompong Phluk and Tonle Sap lake.
3. Wear sunglasses if you get on a tuk tuk! The roads are pretty dusty and some eyewear would serve well as protection against unwanted foreign objects flying into your eyes.
4. If you’re visiting during the hotter months, make sure you drink plenty of water and bring a hand fan along with you to help beat the heat (or better yet, use the heat as an excuse to shop for essentials at the night markets )
5. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and pack a good pair of walking shoes. The temple complexes are huge and there’s a lot of walking and exploring to be done. You’d want to be at your most comfortable!
6. Bargaining is welcome (and necessary!) when shopping at the markets. Practice your haggling skills to get a good price.

We hope this itinerary is helpful for you to plan your trip to Siem Reap!

* The hotel stay was sponsored by Angkor Orchid Central Hotel but our opinions are entirely our own, as always

Singapore – aka FOOD PARADISE, is named the friendliest destination for Muslim travellers among non-Muslim countries. The only challenge you’ll probably have is deciding what to eat (but we’ve got you covered) One thing we love most about Singapore is the kaleidoscope of cultures! You’ll find several cultural celebrations throughout the year, from Chinese New Year to Thaipusam. It’s also where HHWT first started so we can’t wait for you to visit our sunny island

Credit: giphy

P.S. That’s the Singapore skyline during the Singapore Grand Prix. If you’re here in September, it’s the perfect time to experience the night race too!

Travelling From Changi Airport To The City

By train: If you’re taking the MRT (that’s what our trains are known as), you’ll be able to access the train station from Terminal 2 or Terminal 3. To get to the city, make a transfer at Tanah Merah station and take the train towards Joo Koon.

By bus: Bus stops are located at the basement bus bays of all terminals and you can take public bus service 36/36A to the city. Taking the bus would be slower as compared to the train but you’re more likely to get a seat on the bus!

#HHWT tip: Do purchase an EZ-link card (you can purchase this from Changi Airport station) so that it’ll be cheaper and more convenient for you when you travel about Singapore. This card can be used on both trains and buses!

Yup, ez-link cards come in different designs too!

Day 1

Have a traditional Singaporean breakfast (1 hour)

Credit: Heavenly Wang

• If your accommodation is near a hawker centre/coffee shop, have a prata (or 2!) and a cup of teh-tarik for the perfect comfort breakfast
• Alternatively, we highly recommend trying kaya toast (coconut jam spread on toast) with a side of soft-boiled eggs
  • Old Town White Coffee and Heavenly Wang are halal-certified
  • Note: You’ll probably find many Ya Kun outlets, which are well-known for their kaya toast sets. However, this store is not halal-certified so do dine at your discretion.

Visit Gardens By The Bay (2-3 hours)

Credit: Gardens By The Bay Facebook Page

• Take a stroll through the Flower Dome (flowers and plants from the Mediterranean and semi-arid regions, with seasonal collections such as Tulips), Cloud Forest (showcases plant life) and pretend that you’re in Avatar at the Supertree Grove
• If you’re at the Supertree Grove at night, look out for the Garden Rhapsody light show at 7.45pm and 8.45pm daily

#HHWT tip: It can get quite hot at the Supertree Grove so remember to put on a cap or carry an umbrella!

Visit Marina Bay Sands (2 hours)

Nasi Lemak

Credit: marinabaysands

• Have lunch at A Taste of Nanyang – a food court offering a wide selection of food from nasi lemak, Hainan chicken rice to nasi padang or Western food fare at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Beanstro
• Window-shop at Marina Bay Sands, one of Singapore’s largest luxury shopping malls, as well as one of the most spectacular hotels in the world.
• Rest your feet and enjoy a pot of tea at TWG (Note: TWG is not halal-certified so do dine at your own discretion)

Credit: jandyjean

• Note: Only hotel guests get to visit Marina Bay Sand’s impressive rooftop infinity pool. Breathtaking, isn’t it?

Credit: Chia Ming Chien

Go on an adventure at the Night Safari (3 hours)

Credit: Wildlife Reserves Singapore Instagram

• Visit the world’s first park for nocturnal animals at Night Safari – explore the walking trails, go on the guided tram ride that brings you across the 7 geographical zones of the world and don’t forget the Creatures of The Night show

#HHWT tip: There are different admission timings (7.15pm, 8.15pm, 9.15pm and 10.15pm) so it’ll be more convenient if you purchase your tickets online before heading down

Have a late dinner/supper (1 hour)

We're in LOVE with the golden sand bun (aka salted egg custard bun) at Tang Tea House So deliciously creamy! #hhwt #havehalalwilltravel #tangteahouse #halaldimsum #halalsg : Singapore

A photo posted by Have Halal, Will Travel (@havehalalwilltravel) on Sep 17, 2015 at 3:36am PDT

• Depending on what you’re craving for, visit Spize for some comfort food or Tang Tea House for dim sum or Chinese cuisine
• P.S. If you need more convincing, check out why Tang Tea House is one of our recommended eateries for every tourist who visits Singapore

Day 2

Channel your inner adrenaline junkie at Universal Studios Singapore (5 – 6 hours)

Credit: Resorts World At Sentosa Facebook

• You’ll find attractions, rides and entertainment for the whole family!
• Don’t worry about packing food because you’ll find several Halal food options – Mel’s Drive In, Friar’s, Goldilocks, Oasis Spice Café and Marty’s Casa Del Wild

Sentosa ( 4 – 5 hours) – If Universal Studios is not your thing, there’s a wide range of activities for you to choose from!

By Haakon S. Krohn (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

• Meet the legendary Merlion (a half-lion half-fish mythical creature)
• Explore the marine world at S.E.A. Aquarium
• Have a splashing good time at Adventure Cove Waterpark, don’t forget to check out Southeast Asia’s first hydro-magnetic coaster

Credit: rwsentosablog

• Always wanted to skydive? Experience it at iFly Singapore, the world’s largest themed wind tunnel for indoor skydiving
• Check out the rest of the activities available on Sentosa

Have dinner at the nearby shopping mall and shop too (1 – 2 hours)

• Halal food options at Vivo City mall

Day 3

Chinatown (1 – 2 hours)

• Haggle at Chinatown Street Market

Credit: Alan Samuel

• Enjoy some cat therapy at The Company Of Cats

Meringue looking sleepy

Sultan Mosque (1 hour)

• Visit the majestic Sultan Mosque, one of the most iconic mosques in Singapore

Have lunch at a cafe/ Zam Zam (1 – 2 hours)

• With so many Muslim-friendly cafes in the area to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Or just cafe-hop the afternoon away

• Alternatively, check out Zam Zam for one of the best murtabaks in Singapore. Don’t forget to wash it down with some teh-tarik (milk tea)

Bugis Street Shopping (1 – 2 hours)

Credit: David Yap

• Stock up on souvenirs and some really good bargains for your family and friends back home

Little India (1 – 2 hours)

• Find just about anything under the sun at Mustafa Centre and prices are really competitive too (P.S. It’s open 24/7)
• If there’s still room in your tummy, have a yummy prata for teatime

Orchard Road (2 – 3 hours)

• Shop till you drop along Asia’s most famous shopping street, you’ll find everything from high-end brands to awesome bargains

Credit: ionorchard

• Look out for an ice-cream cart along Orchard Road and order an ice-cream with bread (We used to eat this a lot when we were kids and it still tastes so good!)

Credit: icecreamjournal

• Have dinner at Far East Plaza, there are many halal eateries to choose from – For example, Chinese cuisine at Puncak Best Noodle Halal Muslim Food or Thai cuisine at Nana Thai 

Don’t forget to pack your sunglasses, an umbrella and apply lots of sunscreen because it’s summer every single day in Singapore with random bouts of rain! Now that you’ve your itinerary all set, it’s time to pay our island a visit

P.S. If you need more food recommendations, feel free to drop us a message on Facebook or Instagram. We’ll be more than happy to help!

So you’ve fiiiinally decided to book your trip to Seoul and you’re all ready to explore Kimchi-land. What’s next? Time to plan your itinerary of course!

Credit: Giphy

Many people think that Seoul is just all about shopping, but we beg to differ. So we’ve come up with an itinerary for 6 days in Seoul and included (what we hope is) a good mix of both shopping and sightseeing! Of course, you can definitely add to the list if you’re spending a longer time there.

#HHWT Tip: If you’re planning for a longer trip, we suggest adding Busan or Jeju to your itinerary as well!

P.S. Make your trip planning even easier! The HHWT Travel Planner app is now up on the Apple App Store and the Google Play store for Android

Travelling from Incheon

It’s pretty convenient getting from the airport to in Seoul! If you’re travelling light, the subway is really convenient but if you’re dragging your luggages, the airport limousine bus is a good alternative that’s not crazy expensive. Check out their website for the bus routes and timings or just head to the information counter when you land!

#HHWT Tip: We personally love staying in Hyehwa, as it has a pretty vibrant university crowd but isn’t overly noisy or rowdy. Other locations for your stay would include Itaewon (Muslim population with yummy halal Korean food and the Seoul Central Masjid nearby), Myeongdong (for the shopping addicts) and Hongdae.

Day 1

Take it easy on your first day and scope out the shopping scene at everyone’s favourite shopping area in Seoul – Myeongdong! Even if you’re not a shopaholic, it’s fun to experience the atmosphere.

Shop till you drop at Myeongdong (4 hours)

• Explore the main shopping area of Myeongdong
• Chill out with our favourite furballs at Cat’s Playground
• Grab a kebab or shwarma for lunch along the streets of Myeongdong if you want to shop somemore
• Or sit and enjoy a Korean seafood lunch at Eomeoni Jib (You can find it and add it to your trip on our HHWT Travel Planner app!)

Visit the iconic N Seoul (Namsan) Tower (2 hours)

• Skip the cable car and hike up Namsan to head to N Seoul tower or take a public bus.
• If you’re going by foot, enjoy the serene atmosphere at Namsan park – it’s beautiful in spring and autumn!
• Snap a shot at the iconic love locks
• Head up the N Seoul tower and get a bird’s eye view of Seoul

Try yummy halal Korean food in Itaewon (3 hours)

• Trek up the hill and visit the Seoul Central Masjid
• After you burn your calories, visit a halal Korean eatery and try authentic halal Korean food!

Yummy jjimdak at Eid Restaurant

Day 2

It’s time to put on your walking shoes and experience traditional Seoul (perhaps even try on a hanbok)!

Say hello to King Sejong (1 hour)

• Head over to Gwanghwamun square and ‘meet’ the King who created the Korean alphabet (along with many other inventions), King Sejong the Great.
• Learn more about Korean history in the exhibition hall below the square.

Learn about Korean royalty in Gyeongbukgung (2.5 hours)

• Before visiting Gyeongbukgung, check out the changing of guards right in front of the palace. Remember to check the timings
• Sign up for the free walking tour for Gyeongbukgung (2 hours). Trust us, it will make your experience a whole lot better when you learn about the history behind each of the different buildings and palaces!

Insadong (2.5 hours)

Credit: That Backpacker

• Head to the traditonal area of Seoul – Insadong and visit Ohsegyehyang, a Korean vegetarian eatery, for lunch.
• Walk down the past-meets-modern street and shop for little trinkets
• Take some time to visit the traditional teahouses and try a cup of Korean tea with rice cakes
• Visit Ssamziegil and pop by the ‘poop café’ if you have time to spare

Step into the past in Bukchon Village (2 hours)

Credit: RJ Koehler

• Try on a hanbok at the Bukchon Hanok Homestay Information Center
• Go trigger happy with your camera at the various photo spots

Walk down the streets of Samcheongdong (2 hours)

• Pop in the uniquely quaint shops and cafes in the traditional Korean houses
• End your day with dinner at Itaewon OR

Dongdaemun (2 hours / however long you think you can go)

• If you’ve got the stamina to keep going, check out the grilled fish alley in Dongdaemun and grab dinner there
• Experience late-night shopping like never before

#HHWT Tip: Download the HHWT Travel Planner and use our handy Korean language phrasebook to haggle when shopping in Dongdaemun!

Day 3

Experience Mother Nature in Nami Island (4 hours)

• Explore the island on a bike (it’ll take around an hour to cycle around the island) or hop on the electric tour car for a quick tour
• Take a leisure stroll down the different walking paths lined with trees for all seasons
• Go animal spotting
• Take your iconic Korean drama photos at the famous Winter Sonata photo spot
• Have lunch at Dongmun and try their halal Korean food OR take a taxi and try halal dakgalbi at Nami-0k!

Credit: @kiki_xii

#HHWT Tip: There’s a prayer room on the 2nd floor of the Baplex. Download the HHWT Travel Planner to get the directions and add it to your itinerary!

Get a taste of Europe at Garosugil (3 hours)

• Spend the rest of your day exploring the trendy Garosugil
• Window shop at the quirky indie fashion shops in the area (Pst, for the shopaholics, there’s a gigantic Forever21 outlet right at the start of the street)

Gangnam / Apgujeong (2 hours)

Credit: Radin Fadli

• If you’re looking to get some luxury shopping done, check out Galleria Department store in Apgujeong
• Alternatively, you can visit Gangnam for your k-pop fix
• End your day with a super yummy Korean BBQ dinner at Yang Good!

Day 4

Ilhwa Mural Art Village (2 hours)

• Wander around Ilhwa Mural Art Village to find the artworks on the wall but do keep your volume down as it’s a residential area
• Keep your eyes out for some small local stalls selling vegetarian or seafood pajeon (Korean pancakes)

Gwangjang Market

• Step back into the past and visit the nation’s first ever market
• Get a taste of Korean culture in the busy market with Korean ahjummas ushering you to their stalls
• Try their famous bindaetteok (mung bean pancake)*

*Do note that this is not halal-certified and the food stalls serve alcohol. Do consume at your own discretion.

Cheongyecheon (2 hours)

• Head to Dongdaemun Grilled Fish Alley for a yummy seafood lunch!
• Stroll along the Cheongyecheon stream and enjoy the tranquility of the area

Dongdaemun (2 – 4 hours)

• If design is your thing, visit the Dongdaemun Design Plaza and take some futuristic shots of the building while you’re at it.
• Shop till you drop at the many malls at Dongdaemun and experience late-night shopping like never before

Day 5

Noryangjin Fish Market (1.5 hours)

• Experience a Korean wet market at Noryangjin
• Grab an early lunch at one of the many restaurants where you get to try fresh seafood

Ehwa University – Edae (4 hours)

• Visit one of the most famous (and prettiest) university campus in Seoul
• Shopaholics alert, it’s time to head over to the Ewha Fashion Street and commence another round of intense shopping!

Hongik University – Hongdae (3 hours)

Credit: lifetoreset

• If you’re visiting on the weekends, head to the playground and check out the Hongdae Free Market for handcrafted artworks and trinkets
• Take in the artsy atmosphere at Hongdae and look out for quirky art installations
• Visit BoA Guesthouse for dinner – try their fried chicken!
• Hongdae comes alive at night, so keep a lookout for live music performances along the streets

Day 6

Get your last minute shopping fix at Myeongdong

Credit: korea.net

• If you have some time left on your last day in Seoul, head to Myeongdong to get the stuff you’ve missed out on
• You can also get your last minute souvenirs here
• Try the street food along Myeongdong if you haven’t had the chance to do so! (Egg bread, vegetarian pajeon, etc)

So there you go! A 6D5N itinerary for your Seoul adventure. If you’re all ready to plan your trip to Seoul, don’t forget to download the HHWT Travel Planner App for iOS and Android! You can find all the attractions in this article along with yummy halal food and prayer spaces near these attractions, so that you can easily plan out your itinerary for your trip! Visit www.hhwt.io to find out more  (And if you love the app, don’t forget to drop us a review too!)

You’ve landed safely. You’ve checked in to the hotel. Now, with so many things to do in Perth, where do you start? Here are some ideas of what you can do so you’ll maximise your time in this city of lights! 

Credit: giphy

P.S. Do you have $1 to spare? We’re currently crowdfunding to bring more travel guides and countries to our app and publication. If our blog or app has helped you on your travels or inspired you in any way, we would really appreciate your support!

Getting Around

The Perth CBD itself only takes a day for you to familiarise yourself with, and most of it is achievable on foot or by taking Perth’s free CAT buses (unfortunately there aren’t any actual cats on these buses ). The city is broken down into 3 main areas: Northbridge in the north, the city’s CBD and shopping street in the middle and Kings Park in the South. You can explore the city from north to south or south to north, but do bear in mind that most places close by 5pm, with the exception of late night shopping Thursdays when retail stores close at 9pm.

Another great option to explore Perth is by renting a car! It’s pretty easy to drive around the city and its surrounds, and it definitely gives you more freedom to explore.

[If you need reasons to visit Australia…here are 9!]

Day 1 – Warm up to the city

Start your day with the breakfast of champions! (1-2 hours)

• If you’re up for an early start to the day, have breakfast and a cup of coffee at one of Perth’s many cafes like the vegan and vegetarian friendly Flora & Fauna in Northbridge.

How insanely gorgeous is this spread?

Credit: Flora & Fauna

Warm up to the city at Kings Park or have a wet & wild time at Adventure World! (2-5 hours)

• I’m not sure about you, but when I travel to other countries, I’d like to start my day warming up to the country by exploring the city. For this, Kings Park & Botanic Garden is just the ticket.
• While you are there, take some time to wander around the lake and fountains, climb the DNA Tower, take the elevated treetop Federation Walkway, or simply have a picnic with families or friends on the green grass.

Credit: expedia

• During summer months, Kings Park also hosts Australia’s favourite outdoor cinema, the Moonlight Cinema, showing new and classic movies on the lawns of the park. Definitely an experience not to be missed, especially if you’re a movie buff!

Chilling out at the Moonlight Cinema

Credit: moonlight

• For adrenaline junkies, make your way to Perth’s Adventure World – the only theme/water park that you will find in Perth. It has the longest, tallest and steepest Tornado water slide and over 25 rides and attractions that are sure to make your adrenaline rush! If you’re planning a visit here, make sure to purchase the Fast Pass to bypass the queues, especially on summer, where the park is normally packed with crowds.

Credit: buggybuddys

• Once your tummy growls and you need some carbs to rev-up your day, head on to Insan’s Cafe for a taste of Malaysian cuisine in the heart of Perth city.

Fried rice definitely hits the spot!

Credit: @norzieabdthani

Walk around the CBD (2-3 hours)

• Explore the shopping streets of Hay St and Murray St, get transported to London at the quaint London Court, have a slice of Honey Cake in the city or hop on to Northbridge for Corica’s Apple Strudels!

Stroll down Ye Olde England in Perth!

Credit: landlopers

Day 2 – Be one with the animals

Swim with the dolphins or see the most adorable penguins at Rockingham(3-6 hours)

• This should be the highlight of your trip. If it’s not, make it one, as it’s guaranteed to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience you will never forget! Located just 40 minutes away from south of Perth, Rockingham‘s coastal waters are frequently visited by large pods of friendly wild dolphins. For AUD205 (snorkel gear and refreshments included), you get to go up-close and personal with these wild bottlenose dolphins, swim and interact with them in their natural environment. Tours operate daily from September to early June, and can last anything from three to six hours, depending on dolphin activity and sightings on the day.

Take a selfie with dolphins!

Credit: @rockinghamwild

• If you can’t swim but would still love to see dolphins AND penguins, fret not, as you can take a ferry or cruise to Penguin Island, which is home to the largest colony of Little Penguins, the smallest species of penguin in the world!

Aren’t they just the cutest?

Credit: alisonlouise

• All the swimming and excitement can make anyone hungry, but this can be fixed at Spices on Ocean restaurant, that serves halal Indian cuisine at Rockingham Beach Road. When you’re there, don’t forget to try their succulent lamb korma moglai, chicken makhani, and the onion bhaji that can get anyone drooling for sure!

Credit: zomato

#HHWT Tip: Fun fact! There’s also a Nando’s nearby that is halal. In fact, most of the Nando’s restaurants available in Australia are halal-certified. Just be sure to double check in case some outlets serve bacon in their menu.

Meet the koalas and feed the kangaroos at Caversham Wildlife Park (3-6 hours)

• If being near water is not your thing, hug cuddly animals at the wildlife park! You can hand-feed kangaroos, take photos with koalas, touch a lizard (if you’re not squeamish) or join in an interactive farm show – definitely a once in a lifetime experience to have, as most of these animals are native to Australia only.

Credit: exploretoursperth

#HHWT Tip: Caversham Wildlife Park serves halal food! You can find curry, rice and even pies. If you’re not up for eating there, you can also check out Makan 2 Cafe on your way back to the city for some good ol’ Malaysian food and teh tarik.

Day 3 – Take a selfie with rocks

See the legendary Pinnacles and eat succulent lobster (8 – 10 hours)

• Start your day early by driving to Cervantes (about 3 hours drive from Perth city) to visit the majestic Pinnacles, an otherworldly desert of stone pillars rising up out of the golden sand. On summer, the weather can get very hot around here, so be sure to arrive early in the morning or late evening for that perfect photo shots with these alien looking rocks!

Discover the ancient limestone pillars of the pinnacles.

Credit: pinnaclehelicopterflights

• For a hearty lunch, there’s no better place than The Lobster Shack, just 30 minutes away from The Pinnacles. Of course the succulent, exquisite flavour of the western rock lobster is a must-try meal when you’re here, alongside other dishes like the fish and chips, seafood burger, grilled fish and salads. The food here is a bit costly, but it’s so, so good, I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Credit: nfa-nfi

• If you’re not rushing for time, I’d also suggest that you linger around and go on the Lobster Shack boat tour at sunset to enjoy the most spectacular view of the sun melts into the Indian Ocean. While you’re there, do also keep an eye our for the local sea lions and dolphins in the ocean!

Day 4 – Get in touch with nature

Explore Swan Valley (6 – 8 hours)

• If you’re a nature person like me, you’d love the next visit – the Swan Valley, just 20 minutes from Perth CBD. Spend a good 1-2 hours just picking grapes, at Katich’s The Grape Place.

Sun-kissed grapes

Credit: dave2-gwewo

• Chocolate lovers can also head on to Margaret River Chocolate Factory nearby that boasts hundreds of delicious chocolate products. While you’re there, don’t forget to indulge yourself with the sumptuous range of cakes, desserts, chocolate fondues, drinks and chocolate inspired treats all day long.

Try not to drool over the selection of chocolates here!

Credit: big4

• For high tea, be sure to drop by Cape Lavender, a unique cafe that serves everything-lavender – from teas, scones, cakes, through to ice creams! The food there is always beautifully presented, tasty and most importantly, value for money. Other than that, the cafe is also filled with lavender-made products, from hand lotions, lip balms, lavender scent, soaps, etc you name it. No doubt, it is easily the best kept secret in Swan Valley!

Some lavender ice cream to go with your tea perhaps?

Credit: @jeanfilan

• If you have some time left, don’t forget to pop by the iconic Blue Boat House in Perth to get some gorgeous photos! It’s around a 29min drive from the Swan Valley visitor centre.

Day 5 – Shop till you drop

Take a trip down to Fremantle (5 – 6 hours)

• What better way to end the trip other than shop for Perth goodies! If you’re looking for cheap souvenirs to bring back home, head on to Fremantle Market, just 25 minutes from Perth CBD. Do note that the market is only open from Friday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm.

 Credit: fremantlewesternaustralia 

• When you’re here, don’t forget to drop by Kailis’ Fish Market Cafe, famous for their delicious fish and chips.

Award winning fish & chips!

Credit: tesyasblog

Shop your favourite brands (3 – 4 hours)

• Then, head on to Watertown Brand Outlet Centre to shop for your favourite brands like, Levi’s, Dangerfield, French Connection, Nine West, Nike, Esprit and much more, without burning a hole in your pocket!

Credit: pototravel

There’s a whole lot more to explore in Perth and Western Australia, like heading to the beaches where the sunsets are nothing short of spectacular and the ocean is a pristine blue. We definitely think it’s time for you to start planning your adventure down under!

P.S. Do you have $1 to spare? We’re currently crowdfunding to bring more travel guides and countries to our app and publication. If our blog or app has helped you on your travels or inspired you in any way, we would really appreciate your support!

Credit: Sacha Fernandez

Melbourne is packed with attractions, ranging from laid back laneways and lush parks to iconic landmarks and easy-going cafes. For those of you looking to spend your next holiday in Australia’s second most populous city, and would like to make the most of it, why not take a look at our 6-day itinerary? From crowd favourites to hidden gems, this packed program will take you all over the city – and don’t worry, we’ve got your halal meals covered!

Credit: giphy

Traveling from Melbourne Airport to your hotel

Depending on traffic, the journey from Melbourne’s main airport at Tullamarine to the city can take from 20 to 35 minutes. One of the cheapest ways to get to the city is via the SkyBus, an airport shuttle service that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can catch the SkyBus from Terminal 1, 3 and 4, and tickets are $19 one way/$38 return for adults (up to four kids travel free). Buses depart every 10 minutes, with on-board Wi-Fi and a complimentary shuttle service from Southern Cross Station to most hotels in the city, including Southbank and Docklands.

Alternatively, hop into a taxi for a faster journey to the city. However, expect to fork out between $55 and $65 per trip.

#HHWT Tip: Hotel stay in the city can carry a hefty price tag. We’re a fan of AirBnB because of the range of choices in terms of space, facilities, and even a more home-y feel… So, as long as it’s located near a tram station, you’re good to go!

Day 1

See Melbourne from the water on a Yarra River cruise (2 hours)

• Starting from Federation Square, take a cruise on Melbourne’s famous Yarra River.
• Sail upstream past the scenic Birrarung Marr Park, The Royal Botanic Gardens and Herring Island, as well as iconic sporting arenas such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Rod Laver Arena, and Olympic Park.

Credit: City River Cruises

Explore Federation Square (3 – 4 hours)

• For lunch, sink your teeth into halal flame-grilled chicken at Nando’s.
• Then discover the world of the moving image in the galleries, cinemas and studios at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image at Federation Square.
• While you’re at Federation Square, visit the Ian Potter Centre – a gallery that’s dedicated exclusively to Australian artists and has around 25,000 works of art in its collection.

Credit: australia.com

Wander around one of the busiest railway stations in the world (1 hour) 

• Stand beneath the clocks of Melbourne’s iconic Flinders Street Station, as tourists and locals have done for generations.
• Take a selfie at the 106-year-old station.
• Go underneath the station to see the changing exhibitions that line Campbell Arcade. 

Credit: Rob Deutscher

• Hankering for a juicy burger? At Royal Stacks, the burgers are halal, with King burger (stuffed with a mac and cheese croquette!) being their signature dish. Please note that there are two outlets in Melbourne, but only the Brunswick outlet serves halal burgers. 

 Credit: Royal Stacks

Day 2

Explore Queen Victoria Market (2 – 3 hours)

• Wander through the bustling halls to pick up artisan cheese, seasonal fruit and vegetables.
• Check out Melbourne-made apparel, jewellery, handicrafts, homewares and souvenirs.
• Get your caffeine fix from Market Lane Coffee, a company known for its high quality, seasonal beans.

Credit: Where is FatBoy?

Shop and grab a bite at QV Melbourne (1.5 – 2 hours)

• Shop at departmental store Big W for cheap souvenirs or head to Coles supermarket for groceries and essentials.
• For lunch, have a bite at PappaRich. Please note that while the restaurant itself doesn’t have a halal certification, the meats served here are halal-certified.

Credit: Melbourne Fresh Daily

• Treat yourself to churros and hot chocolate at San Churro.

Credit: Wanderlust Ele

Join a free guided tour (2.5 – 3 hours)

• Walk off lunch and dessert by exploring the city on foot with I’m Free Walking Tours Melbourne, which starts from the State Library of Victoria.
• The friendly and knowledgeable tour guides will cover the city’s history as you walk past Federation Square, laneways, Eureka Tower, Chinatown, Princess Theatre, State Parliament of Victoria, Royal Exhibition Centre and more.

[Check out other free thing to do in Melbourne that you can add to your itinerary!]

Reading Room at State Library of Victoria.

Credit: Chris Phutully

Take a stroll through the Treasury Gardens (1 hour)

• End the day with a break from the hustle and bustle.
• Before you go, have dinner at Mama Wong’s Kitchen which serves halal Chinese food just 5 minutes away from Treasury Gardens.

Credit: Steve Parish

Day 3

Put your bargaining hat on at Camberwell Sunday Market (2 – 3 hours)

• If you’re in the city on a Sunday, shop at this second hand and craft market that’s popular amongst Melbournians.

Credit: concreteplayground

• For the sweet-toothed, you can’t leave without trying some homemade jelly doughnuts from Richard & Faye’s Yummy Donuts truck.

Credit: Broadsheet

#HHWTip: Wait until the market is nearing the end and pick up some flowers at amazing prices. The car-booters will usually discount everything down to $1 or $2 then because unlike the regular stalls, they don’t plan on coming back.

Melbourne Museum (2 hours)

• Explore the wonder and fascination of natural history, science, culture and more at Melbourne Museum.
• Our favourite exhibits: ‘Dinosaur Walk’ (skeletons of the prehistoric animals!), ‘Wild’ (600+ taxidermy animals on display), and ‘The Human Body’ (a view of our body inside, outside and up close).

Credit: Victoria Tourism Industry Council

Pack a sandwich and have lunch at Carlton Gardens (1 – 1.5 hours)

• The 64-acre garden is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne Museum and IMAX Cinema.
• Let the kiddos burn off some steam at the garden’s children’s playground.
• Look out for the Victorian-era Hochgurtel Fountain and circular French Fountain, plantings in honour of the Dalai Lama and two ornamental lakes created in 1880.
• Take a picture in front of the avenue of oak trees at Carlton Gardens.

Explore the Little Italy of Melbourne (1.5 – 2 hours)

• Lygon Street is a picturesque and leafy street dotted with quaint shops and eateries.
• Have a cuppa at DOC Espresso and watch the world go by.
• Make a pit stop at Casa Del Gelato to sample delicious gelati made by award-winning gelato maker Ottorino Pace. With 170 flavours to choose from, you might end up like this:

Credit: Giphy

Day 4

Great Ocean Road (Entire Day)

• Drive along one the world’s most scenic roads to experience amazing coastal scenery at every turn.
  • Check out our Muslim-friendly travel guide to Melbourne’s Great Ocean Road!

Credit: pixabay

Day 5

Say hello to the animals at the Melbourne Zoo (Half Day)

• This beautifully landscaped zoo is home to over 300 species from around the world.
• Pack a picnic and plonk yourself on any of the grassy knolls at the zoo.

Credit: By Taken by fir0002 | flagstaffotos.com.au Canon 20D + Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L (Own work) [GFDL 1.2], via Wikimedia Commons

 See Melbourne sparkle from Eureka Skydeck 88 (1 hour)

• Time your visit for dusk and watch the city light up.
• For adrenaline junkies, opt for The Edge – a glass box that’s suspended nearly 300 metres over Melbourne.

Credit: See Melbourne Pass

Have halal Indonesian cuisine for dinner (1.5 hours)

• Take a 20-minute walk to Nelayan Indonesian Restaurant and try their ayam bakar perahu, which is grilled chicken with green chilli paste.

Turmeric rice served with chilli chicken, crispy fried anchovies, and braised tofu.

Credit: Alpha 

Tour Melbourne’s oldest prison – at night! (1.5 hours)

• If you’re feeling really brave, come along after dark to take a night tour with the hangman or an evening ghost tour.
• Most of Australia’s infamous characters, including bushranger Ned Kelly and gangster Squizzy Taylor, spent time at the Old Melbourne Gaol.
• The night tours aren’t recommended for children 12 years and under.

Credit: Thousand Wonders

Day 6

Kick up your heels by St Kilda – Melbourne’s fave beachside suburb (3 – 4 hours)

• Hop on a tram and head to St Kilda.
• Acland Street is famous for its cake shops. It’s also busy with cool cafes, fashion boutiques and independent music and book stores.
• Get an adrenaline rush on Luna Park’s exhilarating rides like the Scenic Railway Roller Coaster, Twin Dragon and the Coney Island Top Drop.

Credit: expedia

• Have lunch at Null Faur Indian Takeaway, a halal Indian restaurant just 5 minutes away from Luna Park.

Spot art in and around Melbourne’s famous laneways (2 – 3 hours)

• To see some of the city’s best street art locations, head to the following areas:
  • Hosier and Rutledge Lane, opposite Federation Square
  • Caledonian Lane, off Little Bourke Street
  • Union Lane, off Bourke Street Mall
  • Rear of 280 Queen Street in Finlay Avenue
  • 21 Degraves Street
  • Corner Flinders Lane and Cocker Alley
  • 122 Palmerston Street, Carlton
  • Centre Place, between Collins Street and Flinders Lane

Credit: Hostelling International

Get your last minute shopping done at Bourke Street Mall (2 – 3 hours)

• Shop at departmental stores Myers and David Jones or the flagships of Zara, Sportsgirl, H&M and Forever 21.

Credit: Alpha

• Walk to Melbourne Central Shopping Centre (8 minutes) for dinner at Simply Thai, a halal Thai restaurant on the second floor.

Now you’re all set for the perfect trip to Melbourne!

You noticed that if a public holiday falls on a Friday, there is nothing that you yearn more than to make use of the long weekend to get away from the reality that Singapore brings. “Anywhere will do”, you think, “I just need a stress free weekend getaway”. Credit: giphy

Well, if your idea of a short weekend getaway is hunting for good food, relaxing massages and amazing bargains, plus doing them all with a currency that benefits your bank account, then you’ve clicked on the right article!

Traveling from Suvarnabhumi/Don Mueang Airport to Your Accommodation

Suvarnabhumi Airport is a lot bigger and more developed as compared to Don Mueang and provides really easy access to the city via public transport. However, if your flight lands at Don Mueang, it is more convenient (and would make more sense) to travel via taxi as public transport isn’t as accessible compared to the former. Plan your route beforehand and make use of Google maps to find your way around.

As for me, I prefer to travel by the BTS because I like experiencing how locals commute and get by. Also, I always stay at either Bangkok City Hotel or find an Airbnb apartment that is around the same area. These two options would usually cost me around SGD20 – 50 per night, divide it among the number of pax and that would probably cost me only SGD10 for one night’s stay!

Day 0 – Thursday

Credit: Colin Tsoi

#HHWT Tip: Take an evening flight out if you’re working the day before!

Where I work (in the outdoor industry), we call this the Day 0 or advanced party – where you spend the night before the actual day to prep your mind and body. Same concept here. I would rather spend a few extra dollars on an additional night at the hotel and wake up all fresh, rather than rush for an early morning flight (that usually costs a few dollars more), spend on cab fare from my house to the airport just to reach at six in the morning, land at noon and waste a day feeling groggy from all the rush. If you do the math, you’re actually saving!

Explore The Neighbourhood (1 – 2 hours)

• If it’s still early evening, do this, especially if it’s your first time there!
  There are bound to be nooks and crannies that are waiting to be discovered.
• However, do remember to travel safely (and not alone in dark alleys) especially when night falls!

Relax & Unwind (1 – 2 hours)

Nothing like a good relaxing body scrub or traditional Thai massage (I am yearning for one as I’m typing this) after four busy days in the office and all the traveling that afternoon.

Have Supper (1 hour)

Enjoying authentic thai food right after a massage. Nothing like a good sweet and sour dish, along with a big glass of thick iced chocolate to end the night!

• Grab a bite at one of the street stalls / restaurants that you might’ve found from the exploration earlier.
• If you’re looking for something light, there are bound to be pushcarts selling highly craved Thai pancakes around.

[See if you can find any of these 10 must try Muslim-friendly street food in Bangkok!]

Day 1 – Friday

Grab A “Local” Breakfast (1 – 2 hours)

This is where you start going all out and enjoy the long weekend, so start the day right.

If you’ve made arrangements for a hotel breakfast, then don’t waste your money. But if you haven’t, then take a morning stroll around the neighbourhood you’re in. Eat what the locals eat for breakfast , taste how strong their coffee is and feel their morning rush. Follow this plan for breakfast on every morning of your trip, you’ll be pleasantly surprised

[If you’re a coffee lover, start your day with a cuppa at one of these 7 cafes every coffee addict has to visit in Bangkok]

Choose Something Uniquely Bangkok To Do

• Go temple hopping or cycle around the city
• Take a water taxi (not a cruise!) along Chao Praya river.
• Check out the insta famous Airplane Graveyard

Credit: Dax Ward

• Pay a visit to the Maeklong Railway Market or floating market

You could be adventurous and try these on your own or opt for a half/full day tour from agencies like these. If you do choose to go on an arranged day tour, be sure to check on the prices, what’s included and of course, try to ask for a discount if you can so you could possibly save there.

Platinum Fashion Mall (3 hours)

A great space for shopaholics, most definitely. There are two different buildings (connected with a bridge at level two) with seven stories filled with shops of different categories.

Grab Dinner from the Streets of Pratunam (1 – 2 hours)

Located around the alleys, Pratunam Street is where you can continue your shopping if you haven’t had enough from Platinum Fashion Mall. Within the alleys though, is where you can find the most unique of street food stalls and push carts.

Day 2 – Saturday

Chatuchak Market (4 – 5 hours)

Getting to Chatuchak Market is pretty straight forward but the easiest and cheapest option I’ve tried is to go by public transport. From wherever you are, hop on the BTS to Mo Chit and just follow the signage and/or the crowd.

As to when – I usually head on down either on Friday night (1900 – midnight) or super early on Saturday morning, but do bear in mind that all shops will only open on the weekends. Friday nights are more laid back so if you’re a shopaholic, go on Saturday morning.

[Want to check out other markets in Bangkok? Here are 10 of the best!]

Lunch & Unwind (2 – 3 hours)

After shopping til you (almost) drop at Chatuchak, it is only appropriate to have a break long enough to freshen up and re-energize yourself. I usually grab a cab from Chatuchak itself back to the hotel to:

1. dump all of the items I’ve splurged on
2. have a slow, draggy, lunch with a huge cooling drink
3. enjoy a mid day shower and feel refreshed
4. maybe even take a short nap in between

Talad Rod Fai Market (3 hours)

Credit: bangkok

A little under-hyped as compared to Chatuchak Market, Rod Fai is located off the beaten track right behind Seacon Square, this gem of a market is definitely worth the trip. Focusing more on its old school and vintage culture, you’ll have a hard time trying to keep your camera in your bag for this space.

Hands down, my favourite night market space in Thailand despite having to take a cab there.

Dinner at Meat & Greet (1 hour)

Located along the row of proper shops near the entrance, Meat & Greet will be the first and only halal restaurant that you will come across at Rod Fai Market. There are a couple of halal food stalls (and a quaint little cafe selling yummy murtabak) within the proximity of the market but here’s an option for proper restaurant based food and seating space.

[Or you can forget the restaurants and try these 5 halal street food in Bangkok instead!]

Day 3 – Sunday

Spend the whole day at MBK Center

Credit: Transformer18

After sleeping in, packing your luggage and checking out at eleven in the morning…

• Brunch at Yana Restaurant or Fifth Food Avenue

• Grab some ice cream from Shibuya Soft or Dairy Queen
• Catch a newly released movie or go bowling
• Shop for souvenirs or gifts for loved ones back home
• Stock up on goodies (for the flight too!) from Tokyu
• Relive your childhood memories at the arcade

I find MBK Center to be the best place to go to after you check out on the last day because it’s air conditioned, there are so many things to do, the mall provides free luggage storage for tourists, they have fixed prices for taxi rides to the airport from their taxi stand, there is a whole floor of shops selling Thai souvenirs and if you run out of cash… there’s a convenient ATM right beside the counter.

I hope this article have been useful for those of you who are either thinking of traveling to Bangkok for the first time or are trying to find a reason to go back because you ran out of things to do there. Now that you’re done scrolling to the end of the page, what are you waiting for? Stop eyeing that flight ticket and just, go

It’s a bright day in Sydney, you’ve unpacked your bags at the hotel and ready to wander through Sydney’s natural beauty and culture. Being the oldest and biggest city in Australia, Sydney offers a number of interesting attractions that can’t be found anywhere else in Australia.

Sydney has a plethora of public transportation options to help you get around, but the easiest way to explore the CBD is by taking the train or the bus. For convenience purposes, you can plan your trip at Transport NSW.

Credit: Giphy

[P.S. Check out 10 things to do in Sydney that are absolutely free!]

Day 1 – Saturday In the Park

Credit: David Berkowitz

Start your day with a walk in the park (1 or 2 hours if you love to take photographs)

• In a vast sprawling city like Sydney, it is advisable to start the day with a little island of peace and tranquility by wandering around the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens at Mrs Macquaries Road. There is a guided Aboriginal heritage tour of the gardens if you’re interested. Wander by the thousands of plants and catch a glimpse of water dragons, colourful birds, and fruit bats.

• Getting there: If you’re from the CBD, take the train to Circular Quay.

Lunch to get you through the day at Ipoh on York

Credit: Ipoh on York

• Sure, it gets pretty tiring from all the walking right? Take this opportunity to feast on classic Ipoh dishes at Ipoh on York, located on the bustling York Street. Learn the secrets behind good Ipoh Char Kuey Teow and Chicken Laksa. The best part is, this restaurant has received halal certification from Halal Australia

• Getting there: Head back to Circular Quay station and disembark at the St James Station.

• Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 10am – 4pm, Saturday, 11am – 3pm, closes on Sunday.

Catch a glimpse of Australia’s humble past at Bennelong Point

• Once you’re done nom-ing the colourful delicacies of Ipoh, time to glide along the city’s excellent attraction, none other than Sydney Opera House. Snap a selfie (or wefie) and stroll around its exterior. The best way to experience the magnificent structure is to take a one-hour guided tour or, you can even attend a performance. Worth trying!

• Getting there: Walk to Sydney Townhall from Ipoh York which will take about 7 minutes of walk (depending on your stamina ) and take the train from Campbell Town Station on the Bankstown Line and disembark at the Circular Quay station again. From the station, enjoy a breezy 10-minute walk and you’ll be able to see the majestic landmark right in front of you.

• Before dusk gradually settles over the city, make your way to the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge. Witness the magnificent city like never before with a ferry by gliding by on a harbour cruise where you can uncover Sydney’s ‘hidden gems’, starting from Circular Quay, Wharf 3, and all the way to the iconic Manly Cove. Twisting and turning your way down the incredible harbour, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to capture the highlights of Sydney as you pass the iconic and amazing landmarks.

• Once the sun sets, you’ll come face to face with the colourful and scenic view from the bridge at night time. All that water surrounding the harbour offers a breathtaking view of Sydney.

• Getting there: From Sydney Opera House, take a 10-minute walk through Macquarie Street, all the way to Moore Steps and you will be able to arrive at Circular Quay, the hub of Sydney Harbour.

Day 2 – Of colourful markets and crystal clear water

Stroll around the famous Rock Markets (1-2 hours)

Credit: See-ming Lee

• What is Sydney without its vibrant markets? Thanks to the wide open spaces and glorious weather, the cosmopolitan city offers various markets.

• Head to The Rocks Markets on a sunny Sunday to enjoy a spectacular market scene in the area. Sydney’s answer to our very own Publika, around 200 stalls are featured with arts, craft, leather goods, vintage items, and so much more. A frequent haunt among tourists and expatriates, this colourful market scene is worth a visit.

• Getting there: From CBD, walk to Kent Street After Market Street and take the bus via network 311 to Argyle Place at Lower Fort Street. From there, take a walk to The Rock Markets.

Have lunch at eco-friendly cafe, Funky Pies

Credit: broadsheet

• Escape the hustle and bustle of Sydney’s frantic CBD and get to a haven that has been gaining a reputation for unique brand of contemporary dining. Have lunch at Funky Pies, a vegan and eco-friendly cafe that serves planet friendly foods, ranging from classic pies to vegan rolls. Dishes such as the mushy peas, creamy mash and gravy have gained this cafe a reputation among locals.

• Getting there: From The Rocks Markets, head southeast on George Street towards Playfair Street where you can take the train at Circular Quay station, and disembark at Bondi Junction. From Bondi Junction, embark on a bus via network 389 for an 11-minute ride to the cafe.

• Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 7am – 8.30pm, Saturday and Sunday, 11am – 8.30pm.

Come down to Bondi Beach and refresh yourself

• Bondi Beach is undoubtedly one of Australia’s most famous beaches and it is well-known worldwide. The iconic beach attracts tourists and the likes with its huge café scene, great surfing spot and cosmopolitan vibe. For Instagram-worthy pictures, take a picturesque coastal walk along the cliffs from Bondi to Waverley Cemetery.

• However, bear in mind that there are six different sections of the walk. If you are looking for a short leisure walk, the Ben Buckler to Bondi Beach is a short-level walk. Don’t forget to bring a bottle of water with you just in case the weather gets too hot.

• Getting there: Take the train from Circular Quay station to Bondi Junction. From there, take network 380, 381, 382 or 333 bus for a 15-minute ride to the beach.

Credit: broadsheet

• Once you’re done immersing yourself in the scenic seaside charm of Bondi Beach, it’s time for early dinner (as most places in Sydney close at 5pm). Make your way to Sadhana Kitchen, a much-loved organic and raw foods cafe.

• Getting there: Just a 6 minute walk from Bondi Beach, you get to enjoy everything gluten-free and sugar-free.

• Operating hours: Monday to Sunday, 9am – 4pm.

Day 3 – Exploring mother nature at Blue Mountains

Credit: Wei Ti Chiang

• It is not a Sydney trip if you don’t take a tour to the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park. Witness the picturesque Three Sisters pinnacles as you arrive at the Echo Point where you can feast your eyes on the stunning views of the dramatic rocky cliffs over the Megalong Valley.

• You can also take a tour through the oldest open cave system in the world and Australia’s most impressive limestone caves, the Jenolan Caves.

Credit: dirtyblueshirt

• Be at awe with the dramatic lighting, cave formations and underground rivers in the show caves that are open to public every day. Psst! Be on the lookout for Australia’s wildlife such as the kangaroos when you come out of the caves.

• Getting there: Although there is an option of travelling via train, it is highly recommended to take a travel package at your selected Sydney hotels and travel on the road where you can sit back and relax as you enjoy a scenic view from central Sydney to the iconic Blue Mountains National Park. As you pass through the mountain township of Katoomba, you will be witnessing century-old guesthouses and cafes.

Credit: Weekend Notes

• You must be tired from all the hiking and exploring, now it’s time to wrap up your day and take a trip down to Leura Mall from Blue Mountains and head over to Rubyfruit, a boutique vegetarian cafe and bakery that serves tasty vegan staples such as burritos, baked goods, vegan burgers, sweets and light meals. Everything is egg-free and dairy-free!

• Getting there: From Blue Mountains Park, take a walk to Glenbrook Station and take the train via Blue Mountains Line and disembark at Leura Station. From the station, head to Leura Mall and you’ll see Rubyfruit.

• Operating hours: Monday to Sunday, 10am – 4pm.

Day 4 – A day with aquatic animals

Credit: Neptune Palace

• It’s Day 3, and you’ve covered most of the parts in Sydney. Why not chill at the CBD and head over to Neptune Palace Restaurant, an award winning Chinese and Malaysian restaurant located in the heart of Sydney’s Circular Quay. Of course, you can’t resist that right?

• Specialising in seafood, this halal-certified restaurant serves a wide variety of Malaysian and Singaporean staples such as the chilli mud crab, murtabak and the aromatic beef rendang.

• Getting there: From CBD, take the train to Circular Quay station. From the station, walk to Neptune Palace Restaurant.
• Operating hours: Monday to Sunday, 12pm – 3pm and 5pm – 10.30pm.
• Note: Alcohol is served at this restaurant, so do dine at your own discretion.

Credit: CameliaTWU

• Continue your day at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium! One of the largest aquariums in the world, SEA LIFE Sydney stores over 700 different species in its aquarium. Take on a journey of discovery through different zones and walk through the amazing tunnel where you can see sharks and other aquatic animals up close.

• Getting there: From Neptune Palace, take a walk to Lang Park, York St and take the bus via network 254 and disembark at King Street Wharf, Cuthbert St.

Credit: zaaffran

• Done with your discovery? Why not feed yourself with some good food? Try the authentic Indian food at Zaaffran. Situated on the waterfront close to the CBD, Zaaffran specialises in innovative Indian delights that takes the cuisine to another level. Enjoy the breath-taking skyline views as you dine.

• Getting there: Zaaffran is located at Darling Harbour therefore, it is best to take a walk (about 9 minutes) and head east.

• Operating hours: Lunch (Monday to Saturday, 12pm – 2.30pm), Dinner (Monday to Thursday, 6pm – 9.30pm, Friday to Sunday, 5.30pm – 10.15pm).
• Note: Alcohol is served at this restaurant, so do dine at your own discretion.

• End your day by just strolling around Darling Harbour where you can experience an array of indoor activities and drop by some fabulous places to stop and enjoy the breeze.

Day 5 – Taste the seafood of Sydney

Credit: Sydney Fish Market

• Save your tummy for some good seafood and head over to the famous Sydney Fish Market. Walk around the supermarket, witness the colourful delights and smell the freshness that of seafood that will make you drool. Varying from prawns, lobsters, oysters, salmon, sea urchins, and many more, this is definitely a seafood haven.

• Getting there: Catch the Sydney Light Rail from Central Station to the Fish Market stop which is located across the road from the market.

• Operating hours: Monday to Sunday, 7am – 4.30pm.

Explore rare exotic animals and learn of Australia’s naval history

• Still can’t get enough of Australia’s native wildlife? Head over to Taronga Zoo! Lively and interactive, the ferry to the famous zoo is just a 10-minute walk from Sydney’s CBD. Not only does the zoo offer interactive iPhone app that guides you around, you can even camp the night at the zoo on the Roar and Snore tour.

• Getting there: Catch a train to Circular Quay, then take a ferry to Taronga Zoo wharf. Ferries depart from Circular Quay every quarter-past and quarter-to the hour.

• Operating hours: Monday to Sunday, 9.30am to 4.30pm.

Credit: Chris Devers

• Once you’re done exploring the rare wildlife that Australia can offer, grab the opportunity to climb aboard tall ships and inspect inside a submarine at Australian National Maritime Museum where you can learn about the naval history and be amazed by the stories of daring adventures at sea.

• Getting there: From Taronga Zoo, take the bus via network 247 and disembark at Wynard Station. Head south from York St towards Pirrama Road and you’ll find the museum standing beautifully on your left.

Wrap up your day with Turkish food at Efendy

Credit: @lisasengg

• If you’re a fan of Turkish food, well this is the place for you! Walk through the spacious restaurant, relax, enjoy great food and a wonderful ambience with authentic Turkish cuisine at Efendy such as the charcoal-smoked eggplant babaganush.

• Getting there: From the museum, take the bus via network 501 at Harris Street near Pyrmont Bridge and drop at Victoria Road near Darling Street. From there, change to via network 444 and disembark at Darling Street near Elliott Street. Head southwest and you’ll arrive at Efendy on your right.
• Operating hours: Closes on Monday, Tuesday to Friday, 5pm – 10pm, Saturday to Sunday, 9am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm.
• Note: Alcohol is served at this restaurant, so do dine at your own discretion.

Day 6 – End your trip with a shopping spree

Credit: Nicki Mannix

• It’s your last day in Sydney, wrap up your trip by shopping at the Romanesque-style Queen Victoria Building where you can see Sydney’s finest fashion boutiques. Take a break from shopping at some of the delightful cafes and restaurants. Architecturally stunning and rich in history, the Queen Victoria Building is one of the most iconic landmarks that occupies the entire block on George Street.

• Getting there: From CBD, you can take any train and head towards Town Hall station. From the station, walk to Queen Victoria Building.

• Operating hours: Monday to Wednesday, 9am – 6pm. Thursday, 9am – 9pm. Friday, 9am – 6pm. Saturday, 10am – 4pm. Sunday, 11am – 4pm.

Credit: The Art of Dr. Seuss Gallery

• While you’re around the area, don’t forget to drop by the famous Art of Dr Seuss Gallery that takes you on a journey behind the scenes of Dr Seuss’ work. Here you can witness first-hand the imaginative mind of America’s most beloved and legendary author and illustrator.

• Getting there: From Queen Victoria Building, head south on York St towards Druitt St. Turn left onto Druitt St and left onto George St. You will see the art gallery on your left.

• Operating hours: Monday to Wednesday, 10am – 6pm. Thursday, 10am – 8pm. Friday to Saturday, 10am – 6pm. Sunday, 11am – 5pm.

Credit: Tony Fernandez

• Not far from The Art of Dr Seuss Gallery, walk over to Elizabeth Street and look for the Archibald Fountain. An art nouveau piece at its finest, the fountain was sculpted by French sculptor Francois Sicard, it is a masterpiece to commemorate the association between Australia and France in World War I. Take your time to appreciate the magnificent art that draws elements from the Greek ancient past, and of course, take lots of pictures!

• Getting there: From Art of Dr Seuss Gallery, take a walk via Market Street towards Elizabeth Street.

Explore the lower north shore of Sydney

Credit: Chatswood Mall Market

• Grab the opportunity to explore the lower north shore of Sydney on your last day and partake in the Chatswood Mall Market that are only held on Thursdays and Fridays. Besides the wide variety of market stalls providing the highest quality of arts, crafts, and fashion, the Chatswood Mall Market also features amazing musical entertainment in many styles between 12pm and 8pm. Sit back, relax and enjoy the performances.

• Getting there: Take a walk from Archibald Fountain to the Sheraton Park, embark on a bus via network 343 to Chatswood and stop at Victoria Avenue near Jacques St. Head west towards Chatswood Avenue. 

Get a taste of Sydney’s mamak food at Chatswood

Credit: Mamak

• Missing mamak food back home? Fret not, Sydney has its own mamak food too! Tucked behind Chatswood station, Mamak is situated among office buildings. Feast on the crunchy roti canai and rustic murtabak.

• Getting there: From Chatswood Avenue, walk via Nicholson Street to Archer Street, and continue on Daisy Street towards Railway Street.

• Operating hours: Monday to Sunday, 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 9.30pm.

Of course there is a lot more to explore in Sydney. If you’re a foodie, you can discover the many Muslim friendly restaurants around the CBD. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, you can opt for hikes at the jungles and water sports at the stunning beaches. If you’re just looking to explore the entire city, well, you may have a lot of options to choose from so better start planning now!

[Going to other cities in Australia? Check out our itineraries for Melbourne, Perth and our guide to Gold Coast!]

Still haven’t gotten enough of Japan? Pfft, how could we ever! You wanted more itineraries for Japan, and we totally hear you. This time? Let’s sample MORE parts of Japan in one trip!

Whether you’re a first-timer to Japan, or eager to return for Round 2 (or 3 or 4…), our suggested itinerary starts in the vibrant Tokyo metropolis, through the gorgeous peaceful mountains of Gifu, and easing back into the city with Kyoto and Osaka! It does go a little off the beaten path… and guess what? It’s totally worth it.

This itinerary is possible for a 9-10 days trip, but we highly recommend a slightly longer time so you could relax and enjoy the journey!

# HHWT Tip: Consider landing in Tokyo and departing from Osaka!

P.S. Don’t forget to download the HHWT Travel Planner app, available on Google Play for Android and iTunes Store for iOS, to make your trip to Tokyo even easier! You can find attractions as well as halal food and prayer spaces near these attractions, so no worries on not being able to find halal food anymore!

Tokyo

Tokyo truly is a gem of a place, where Muslims can easily fulfil their obligations while satisfying their wanderlust. We have some Tokyo guides up already for your planning pleasure, and we will offer brand new spankin’ ideas here as well!

Feel free to pick and choose what YOU want to do. Remember, the aim is to have the best time ever!

For the first day, we will be gallivanting around Tokyo, with the next two days in a little town out of Tokyo.

Day 1 – Explore Tokyo!

Start your day in Shimokitazawa (2-3 hours)

Credit: Sae Fujimura

If you’re a lover of charming places, look no further. Touted as one of the ‘hipster’ capitals of Tokyo, it is home to artsy stores, secondhand clothes, retro wares, and cosy cafes. The atmosphere in Shimokitazawa is lively yet exudes a casual laid-back persona, with less crowds than Shinjuku and Shibuya.

• Get lost in its narrow winding alleys
• Hunt for fashion bargains, whether it be clothes, shoes or accessories
• Fill your tummy at Nou-min Cafe, a healthy vegan cafe

Bear Pond Espresso

Credit: Chelsea Marie Hicks

• The area has many nooks for coffee, but if you’re a serious coffee enthusiast, give Bear Pond Espresso a try. Know your order before heading there, and be there at 11am if you want pure espresso shots. The owner is very particular with high quality control, and if the shots aren’t good that day, he won’t sell it. Otherwise, they would still serve Americanos, lattes and macchiatos. Be prepared for a strict, no-nonsense service – they expect all in a party to order at least one drink each!

Head on over to Akihabara (2-3 hours)

A trip to Tokyo is almost incomplete without a stopover at the centre of otaku culture.

Akihabara

Credit: haribote

• Get in touch with your inner geek and be dazzled with the selection of anime, manga, and electronics!
• Check out Don Quixote, a huge discount store for normal and odd things!

Shinjuku (2-3 hours)

Credit: Marc Buehler

• Prepare your wallet and visit the departmental stores!
• Slurp some ramen for dinner at  Shinjuku Gyoen Ramen Ouka
• End your day by admiring the city of Tokyo at night, from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (It’s free!)

#HHWT Tip: Check the closing times for the department stores to avoid disappointment!

Day 2 & 3: Trip to Kamakura (Overnight)

Paths right next to train tracks

An hour or so away from Tokyo, Kamakura is a chiisana machi (small town) with some political (former) bragging rights and many temples. It is utterly beautiful in its small town aesthetics; at times you may wonder if it’s real life or if you’ve walked into a manga/anime scene.

Day 2 – Journey onwards from Tokyo

Start your journey from Tokyo with a scenic ride on the Enoden Train. (1.5 – 2 hours)

• If you’re pressed for time, take the JR Yokosuka Line from Tokyo Station, which would take less than an hour.

Kenchoji Temple

• Go temple and shrine hopping (2-4 hours depending on how many you’d like to go)
  –  Explore the interesting little alleys that you may cross!

• Fill up your tummy at Beach Muffin, a vegan cafe or Shojin Ryori, that serves authentic vegetarian cuisine

Enoshima beach

Credit: Ryan McBride

• Chill and people watch over at the beach in Enoshima (1-3 hours)
• If you are on a budget and don’t mind gender-separated dormitories, stay a night in the very homey Kamakura Guesthouse; a traditional Japanese house with an authentic cooking hearth in the common room.

Day 3 – Back to nature

• Get in touch with nature and go hiking! (1-3 hours for each trail)
  • There are a couple of attractive trails, which connects to different temples. Plus, you’d get to check out Kamakura from a higher vantage point!

#HHWT Tip: As some hiking trails start and end at certain temples and shrines, you could try to coincide your hiking plans with the sights you’d like to visit!

• Take a refreshing shower back at your hotel/hostel before heading out again
• Replenish at Arkadas, a Turkish restaurant serving Halal meat (FYI, alcoholic beverages are served here)
• Walk around their Komachi-dori (Small Town Street) (1-2 hours)
  • Lined with plenty of shops with cafes and souvenir shopping opportunities, you may also be delighted to come across hidden places in alleys. (Shops in Japan closes early, so try to do this before 5pm!)
• Head back to Tokyo

Hida-Takayama

Credit: Chen Qu

And now we head down south to the Japan Alps! Passing by rural parts of Japan, we make a beeline towards Takayama, which is a great base to go to other areas!

Getting to Takayama from Tokyo

Nohi Bus offers a direct Shinjuku to Takayama route, which would roughly take 5.5 hours (6690 yen, as of April 2016). The bus is highly recommended as the seats are comfortable with good leg space, and you will also be rewarded with great views along the way!

#HHTW Tip: Another reason for Muslims to go to Takayama is that there are amazing people there running a ‘Muslim Friendly Project in Hida Takayama’!

Day 4 – Arriving in Takayama

Assuming that you have 3-5 hours left until 5pm after arriving, here’s what you could do!

Hida no Sato

• Travel back into time by going to Hida no Sato/Hida Folk Village!
  • Check the main website for monthly events that coincide with your visit!
• Get your ramen fix over at Ekimaeken. A prayer space is available on the 2^nd floor!

Day 5 –  Morning Markets, Takayama and Shirakawa-go

A street in Takayama

Experience the Morning Markets (1-2 hours)

• Wake up early and browse the local goods, open from 6.30am to noon
  • There are two markets there; Jinya-Mae Market and Miyagawa Market
  • If you have feline friends, ask around for Matatabi Your cat(s) will thank you for it!

Explore Takayama (2-3 hours)

Sanmachi

Credit: Yusuke Kawasaki

• Walk around the rows of merchant houses, Sanmachi in the old city
• Go to Takayama Jinya, a beautifully preserved (former) government building. Do take advantage of the free English tour!
• Have your lunch at  Thanyaporn restaurant, that serves Thai cuisines with halal beef/chicken. Veggie dishes are available as well!
• Walk a few metres to Takayama Station to wait for your bus to Shirakawa-go

Fill your afternoon with a day trip to Shirakawa-go!  (4 hours)

Shirakawa-go in winter

Credit: Roger Walch

Shirakawa-go is a gorgeous World Heritage Site, with houses over 300 years of age. They are known for their thick, steep thatched roofs called gassho-zukuri, which are all very well-preserved. Coming during different seasons would show a different side of it; winter wonderland during winter and beautiful, vibrant colours during the other three seasons!

• Take a day trip to Shirakawa-go, a gorgeous World Heritage Site (4400 yen, as of May 2016). If you could, try a farmhouse stay!

#HHTW Tip: Align your trips with the Takayama Festival! Considered one of Japan’s best festivals, it is held in spring and autumn.

Day 6 – Kamikochi

The beautiful scenery of Kamikochi

Credit: Stefan Rimaila

Fresh air, lush mountains, running clear waters… Particularly beautiful draped in autumn foliage, Kamikochi is still amazing during other seasons. You don’t need to be an experienced hiker to go here; in fact, unless you plan to head up to the peaks, the path is quite flat, and the routes are pretty picturesque! A great place for nature lovers.

Getting to Kamikochi from Takayama

Take a Nohi bus from Takayama to Hirayu Onsen (Takayama-Tokyo route; 60 minutes) and from Hirayu Onsen, take another bus to Kamikochi (Kamikochi Line; 25 minutes). As of May 2016, you could get a bundle round-trip ticket for 5040 yen. Remember to check the bus schedules so you get back to Takayama safely!

(Alternatively, when you reach Hirayu Onsen, 5 minutes away from the station is Hirayu no Mori, which is a spa resort with 16 open-air hot springs. You could opt to stay the night here instead of traveling back to Takayama.  Plus, it will only be 30 minutes away from Kamikochi…and hot springs after a hike? Perfect.)

#HHWT Tip: Kamikochi is closed during winter, and usually opened between mid/late April to mid November, so do check before going!

One of Kamikochi’s Trails

Credit: Stefan Rimaila

• Take a pick of your hiking trails! Most hikes start from the Kappabashi bridge, which is nearby (and walkable!) from the Kamikochi bus terminal.
  • Round trip to Myojin Lake (6.5km, 2-3 hours)
  • Round trip to Taisho pond (8km, ~2-3hours).
• These are the easy hikes. There are harder hikes, such as to Mount Yake and Mount Oku-hotaka (3^rd highest mountain in Japan!), however it can get very steep and dangerous (think snow covered steps and steel ladders!). It’s best for those with decent hiking experience!
• Pack some food before heading here!  There are some restaurants and a mountain hut serving food, but buy with your own discretion..
• You should be back at the Kamikochi bus terminal at 5pm latest to catch the last bus to Hirayu Onsen, and then to Takayama.
• Take a relaxing sunset walk around the river in Takayama.

Kyoto

Day 7-9 – Experience beautiful Kyoto

Credit: Jennifer

Getting to Kyoto from Takayama

Again, Nohi Bus offers a direct route, which would roughly take 4 hours (4200 yen, as of April 2016).

Day 7 – Downtown Kyoto Leisure

After emerging from a short foray into the Alps and its historical charms, we ease into another city known for its serene temples and graceful geishas; Kyoto.

You would have just arrived from Takayama, so the itinerary for today will be more relaxing.

Details on Nijo Castle

Credit: Albert

• Visit Nijo castle. A voice guidance system is available. (1-2 hours)
• Have a meal at Biotei – it’s not a halal establishment, but it serves vegetarian food, with vegan options on request. Or another option is Ganko Kyoto Sanjo Honten, with Muslim friendly menus
• Check out Nishiki Market before it closes at 5.30pm (1 hour)

Gion, Kyoto

Credit: Hansel and Regrettal

• Make your way to the little alleyways of Gion, and keep an eye out for the lovely maikos and geishas. If there are out and about, they are usually on an assignment and would not have time to stop and pose for photos. So make sure your camera trigger finger is fast, and remember to be respectful. (2-3 hours)
  • A great way to understand their customs more is to go on a Gion night walking tour!
• Slurp on some delicious miso ramen in Naritaya, Gion. Prayer space available.

Day 8 – Exploring Eastern Kyoto

Rich in history and grace, we recommend taking a look at 5 Ways You Can Experience Kyoto like a Japanese for a more immersive experience. Additionally, don’t leave Kyoto without trying halal Kaiseki!

View of Kyoto from Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Credit: bobthemagicdragon

• Arrive early in Kiyomizu-dera Temple to avoid the crowd
• Feed your tummy with Kyoto’s famous yodofu (simmered tofu in water) at Kiyomizu Junsei Okabeya.
• Stroll down to the shopping streets of Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka, where Kyoto style houses are in abundance

Credit: Carlos Donderis

• Pay a visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine.
• Drop by Maruyama Park during cherry blossom season!
• Head towards the other side of the city for Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji.

Path of the Philosopher

Credit: nate2b

• Reminisce your travel in Japan so far on the Path of the Philosopher

Day 9 – The Last Day in Kyoto

• Start early in Arashiyama, in Tenryu-ji Temple

Arashimaya’s Bamboo Grove… imagine that it’s you there.

Credit: Martyn White

• Take your mindful moments in its famous Bamboo Grove
• Take a short trip south to see snow monkeys at the Monkey Park Iwatayama
• Go over to Kyoto Station for some retail therapy
• Refuel with amazing chicken-broth ramen at Ayam-ya, near Kyoto Station

Day 10 – Osaka adventure

Credit: Reginald Pentinio

• Take the half an hour train ride to Osaka
• Pay the Osaka Mosque a visit, and fulfil your prayers too!
• Do last minute shopping over at Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi and Den Den Town. Even if not for shopping, it is great for exploring!
• Have your meal at Ali’s Kitchen (near Shinsaibashi Station) or Muqam (Nanba, and nearby Dotonbori), or better yet, check out one of these 13 halal Japanese eateries in Osaka!
• If shopping isn’t your thing, you could head to the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (great for kids!), Osaka Castle Park (for history), or the top of the Umeda Sky Building for a bird’s eye view of the city.
• Wind down before catching your flight back!

#HHWT Tip: If you’re hungry while in the Kansai airport, good news! Halal food can be found here, as well as prayer facilities!

We hope that you would find this helpful! What would you have considered an essential place to stop by in this route? Whether that place is written here or not, let us know in the comments! And if you’re planning your trip, don’t forget to download the HHWT Travel Planner available on both Google Play for Android and the iTunes Store for iOS. Our guides for Tokyo are also available on the app so you can easily access it and add these attractions to your itinerary

Some of you might be wondering – What is this “Jogja” that I speak of? Receiving far less attention that its well-known neighbours such as Bali and Bandung, the town of YOGYAKARTA (aka Jogja) boasts many sights that will keep you wanting more! What are you waiting for? Head on to the road less travelled and begin your 5D4N adventure in Jogja!

Credit: giphy

DAY 1

First look at Jogja (1 – 2 hours)

Credit: Johan Osman on Flickr

• Make a pit stop at one of the popular cultural heritage sites in Jogja (Prambanan Temple) and climb on top of ruins surrounding the complex!
• While you’re there, don’t forget to catch Ramayana ballet performances in the evenings!

Address: Raya Jogja, Solo Km 16, Prambanan, Sleman, Yogyakarta 55571
Operating hours: 06.00 am – 05.00 pm daily, Ramayana: 07.30 pm – 09.30pm (Tue, Thurs, Sat)
Admission fee: IDR 234,000, Ramayana ticket: IDR 125,000 – 375,000

#HHWT Tip: If you are intending to visit both Prambanan and Borobudur temple on consecutive days, do purchase a combined ticket for a cheaper price. Tickets can be bought at either venues.

Karaoke on wheels (1 hour)

Credit: Johan Osman on Flickr

• After a long day of airport transfers and light trekking around Prambanan, relax & unwind with a trip down to Alun Alun.
• Feast your eyes on the series of illuminated vehicles lined up by the pavement with oh-too-adorable designs [Hello Kitty fans, rejoice!!]. Be sure to crank up the volume and sing your heart out as you peddle your way around.
• After exercising your leg power, chill by the roadside with your loved one(s) in a dim-lit dinner while you watch the vehicles go past.

Address: ‪ Alun-alun Utara, Gondomanan, Kota Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa, Yogyakarta 55122

#HHWT Tip: It is highly recommended to survey the prices before settling on one vehicle. A single vehicle (4-pax) can range from IDR 30,000 – 80,000 (approx. SGD$3-8).

DAY 2

Experience the life of a Sultan (4 hours)

Credit: Seika on Flickr

• Step into Kraton or the Sultan Palace – the official residence of the Sultan of Jogja and also a living museum for the Javanese culture.
• Watch classical dances/wayang kulit at the inner pavilion or simply snap a pic with the staff spotted in traditional clothing!

Address: Rotowijayan Blok No. 1, Kota Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta
Operating hours: 09.00 am – 02.00 pm daily
Admission fee: IDR 15,000

#HHWT Tip: The venue may be closed to host international diplomats at the residence. Do check with your tour guide / driver before making your way there!

Credit: Johan Osman on Flickr

• Drop by Taman Sari Water Castle or what used to be of the Sultan’s royal garden. While it has since been left alone and abandoned, the venue still retains the grandeur of its past glory – waiting to be captured in photographs!

Address: Nogosari No.6, Patehan, Kraton, Kota Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55132
Operating hours: 09.00 am – 02.00 pm daily
Admission fee: IDR 15,000

Credit: Johan Osman on Flickr

• Make your way to the Underground Mosque – a short 10-minute walk from the compound. Explore into the catacombs and hidden chambers once used by the Sultan!
• Directions to the entrance (aka Sumur Gumuling):

Be one with nature (3 – 4 hours)

Credit: Johan Osman on Flickr

• If you are looking for a less-touristy place, Wisata Hutan Pinus is the place to be! It’s also great for photo shoots with the abundance of wooden benches and swings!
• While there are no admission fees, you may choose to rent a hammock and cradle to the sounds of the forest.

Address: Imogiri-Patuk KM.13, Dusun Gunungcilik, Desa Muntuk, Dlingo, Bantul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta
Operating hours: 05.00 am – 07.00 pm daily

Credit: Rukhshotul Izalah on Flickr

• Pantai Parangtritis is a popular destination when the night comes!
• Truly a beach packed with many amenities, one can r­ide an ATV, saddle in with the horses or simply catch the sunset while eating by the seaside!

Address: ‪ 28 Jln. Parangtritis, Parangtritis 55188

DAY 3

Go to greater heights (5 – 6 hours)

 
Credit: Badroe Zaman on Flickr

• Head out as early as 4am to catch the sunrise at Punthuk Setumbu! Dress lightly for a 15 – 20 minutes hike up to the peak.
• Get your breakfast fix at the small stores located near the viewing area!
• In its best conditions, you may catch glimpse of Borobudur emerging from the shadows! Even in times of cloud cover, the view at Punthuk Setumbu is still a sight to behold!
• Note: Magelang is an hour’s drive from Yogyakarta.

Address: Borobudur Ngadiharjo KM3 Kurahan, Karangrejo, Borobudur, Magelang, Central Java, Magelang 56553
Operating hours: 3.00 am – 11.00 pm daily
Admission fee: IDR 30,000 (cheaper alternative than sunrise tour at Borobudur)

#HHWT Tip: Musollah is conveniently located near the entrance of the hill.

Credit: Johan Osman on Flickr

• Cited as the number one tourist destination in Jogja, the Borobudur temple is not to be missed. Don’t forget to stretch it out before climbing the endless steep stairs in your quest to the top!
• Appropriate clothing to be advised (covering knees and shoulders) – sarong will be provided prior to entrance to the temple.

Address: ‪Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Borobudur, Magelang 56553
Operating hours: 06.00 am – 05.00 pm daily
Admission fee: IDR 260,000 

#HHWT Tip: Avoid weekends – the place can get a little too crowded!

Tour around Mount Merapi (2 – 3 hours)

Credit: Johan Osman on Flickr

• Not ready for a grueling 4-hour hike up Mount Merapi? Hitch a ride for an up-close encounter with Merapi from the comforts of a jeep.
• The jeep tour brings you through museums, ruins of houses, ‘Alien Stone’ and the Merapi Bunker. As there are plenty of shops along the hill offering similar jeep tours, advance reservation will not be required!
• Once you’re all set, hang on tight for a bumpy ride ahead! Not encouraged for those with motion sickness.

Address: Yogyakarta 55133
Tour fee: IDR 350,000 – 550,000 (for 1 vehicle, 4-pax)

DAY 4

Be an explorer at Gunungkidul (7 – 8 hours)

Credit: M Reza Faisal on Flickr

• A trip to Jogja is not complete without a visit to Jomblang cave for the thrill of a lifetime!
• Enjoy the breathtaking views as you are lowered down into a vertical abyss. Not to worry, safety harnesses and helmets are provided!
• The main highlight is the journey to Grubug cave, where rays of sunlight peaks in through the roof and into the tunnel. The view is drop-dead gorgeous (and definitely Instagram-worthy)!

Address: Desa Pacarejo, Kec. Semanu, Kabupaten Gunung Kidul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55893
Operating hours: 10.00 am – 02.00 pm daily (only one tour per day, max: 75-pax)
Admission fee: IDR 450,000 incl. of lunch provided

#HHWT Tip: Advanced reservations can be made through the owner of Jomblang Resort, Cahyo Alkantana (+62 811 117 010). Do bring along a torchlight to navigate through the dark!

Credit: @jhanuaro on Instagram

• After the muddy cave adventure, take a breather at Sri Gethuk Waterfall.
• Walk through rice fields or pay for a boat ride to reach the foot of the waterfall. This place is good for body-rafting or just playing under the waterfall! Be careful of your steps as it can get slippery.
• The best time to visit is during dry season when the river is clearer. Body-rafting is not offered in wet season.

Address: Jalan Air Terjun Sri Gethuk, Bleberan, Playen, Kabupaten Gunung Kidul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55861
Operating hours: 07.00 am – 05.00 pm daily
Admission fee: IDR 10,000, Boat ride (two-way): IDR 10,000

#HHWT Tip: The admission ticket gives you access to the Rancang Kencono Cave (5-min drive away). A volunteer will guide you through the cave and provide background stories on the historic cave.

Dine under the night skies (1 hour)

Credit: @henricosabastian on Instagram

• Bukit Bintang is the best place to end your day at Gunungkidul. Bask in the sunset while enjoying your dinner at the local restaurants available along the hillside.

Address: Patuk, Kabupaten Gunung Kidul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 55792

Shopping @ Malioboro Street (1 – 2 hours)

Credit: killerturnip on Flickr

• Spend the night shopping away @ Malioboro Street! The 1km long street comes alive at night, offering a variety of souvenirs (batik!!) at negotiable prices

Address: Jl. Malioboro, Kota Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta
Operating hours: 10.00 am – 09.00 pm daily

DAY 5

Reel in your artistic side (1 – 2 hours)

Credit: @dimas_radit on Instagram

• Step into the whimsical world of Indonesian art ‘maestro’, Affandi.
• The extravagant architecture filled with lush greenery makes for great photo opportunities like no other!

Address: Jl. Laksda Adisucipto 167, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
Operating hours: 09.00 am – 04.00pm daily
Admission fee: IDR 50,000

So there you go – a 5D4N itinerary to experience the best of Jogja! With the vast number of attractions available, we definitely think it’s time for you to consider the city as your next holiday destination! 

Early August this year, my friend and I traveled through five cities in Europe within 14 days. In this itinerary, you’ll find the list of places that we went along with a few handy tips. If you’re looking for a basic itinerary for a (not-much-of-a-budget) trip in Europe, then you have found one of them!

Credit: giphy

Day One: Guten tag, Berlin!

We set Berlin as our first destination as it was one of the cheapest entry price into Europe via flight. Honestly, we didn’t expect much from the city but it had so much to offer that we didn’t manage to enjoy all of them!

A part of the original Wall

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

• Begin your trip with a visit to the Berlin Wall Memorial. There, you will find interactive exhibits that tells and shows you the history behind the Berlin Wall.

#HHWT Tip: Take time to walk around the Nordbahnhof station as they have a mini exhibition on Border Stations and Ghost Stations in Divided Berlin.

A replica of the original sign now stands at Checkpoint Charlie

Credit: Wikipedia

• Next, we move on to Checkpoint Charlie, where it was once the dividing point between East and West Berlin.

Credit: musictour

• If you’re travelling in Berlin on a Tuesday, the Berlin Philharmonic holds a free concert at the Philharmonic Foyer starting at 1PM. So, come early and book your seats as it is said that every lunchtime concert attracts a large audience.
• Also, the concert is only held during certain seasons so check their schedule first!

 
Credit: panoramio

• Walk over to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, designed to remember the unfortunate deaths of the Jewish people during World War 2.
• Pay a visit to the Visitor Information Centre under the Memorial to further discover the history behind the Memorial free of charge.

Credit: freeimageslive

• Spend some time at the Brandenburg Gate,which is a must-visit for Berlin at both daytime and nighttime.

Credit: Wikipedia

• Continue your trip by visiting the Reichstag, a part Parliamantary building. The main attraction is the dome on of the building which delights visitors a 360º view of surrounding buildings.
• After spending a few hours walking around, spread your picnic blanket and rest your legs at the Platz der Republik just in front of the Reichstag.
• Have your late lunch at the Döner Kebap, just outside the Friedrichstraße Station.

Day Two: The other side of Berlin

• One of the best ways to drink in the transformation of a painful part of Berlin history into a more vibrant present is to visit the East Side Gallery.

#HHWT Tip: Get an irreplaceable souvenir by decorating your actual passport with entrance stamps to West Berlin for €4,00!

• In Ostkreuz station, there is a McDonalds where you can get a filet-o-fish, or even better, there is a halal restaurant just beside the ticketing area.
• If you’re coming from Warschauer Strauße station, take a 10-minute walk towards your right to the Pizzeria Alte Forno. The restaurant serves Italian food such as pizza and pasta at a reasonable price.

HHWT Tip: On the way to Pizzeria Alte Forno or at anywhere else in Berlin, you’ll pass by a Photoautomat, which is a vintage automated photobooth that takes a 4-frame, black-and-white photo for €2,00.

• Purchase a unique souvenir from Hard Rock Café Berlin or from the Ampelmann Café

 
Credit: alexanderplatz

• Then, head to one of the most visited square in Berlin’s Mitte district: Alexanderplatz. One of its biggest attraction is the World Time Clock which shows the accurate time of all the countries in the world.
• If you have the money: Ride 203m above Berlin and view the city from Berliner Fernsehturm (TV Tower). For the best views of the city you need to at least spend €13,00 for a standard ticket.

 
Credit: Wikimedia Commons

• The Berliner Dom is the largest church in the city and serves the Protestant church of Germany. With a grand exterior and an even more breathtaking interior, it’s definitely an attraction that you should not miss. You can even climb up to take in the sights from on top of the Cathedral.

 
Credit: keyword-suggestions

• Spend a few hours at the Museum Island, which is just across the Berliner Dom. The Island is dubbed as a UNESCO World Heritage and consists of five different museums.

Credit: pha.jhu.edu

• Spend the rest of your day strolling through Tiergarten Park. Tiergarten was previously a hunting ground, so there’s no telling how long you’ll take to cover everything.

Day Three: Hola, Colourful Barcelona!

Ahh, the land of tapas, flamenco, and Antoni Gaudi. To be frank, I was most excited to visit Barcelona due to the favourable reviews I’ve had heard about the flamboyant architecture and cheap, tasty tapas.

Olé olé olé Barcelona FC! (45 mins – 1 ½ hours)

Credit: openbuildings

• We began our trip in Barcelona with a visit to Camp Nou, home of the Barcelona FC.
• Fans of the team can pay for a tour inside the stadium, or if you’re just interested in buying their merchandise, there’s a three-floor shop dedicated to serve visitors.

Credit: tambiensomosasi

• Basilica La Sagrada Familia is one of Antoni Gaudi’s masterpiece. The temple has been in construction even before the architect took over in 1873, and is expected to finish in 20 years time.

Credit: giphy

#HHWT Tip: Purchase the tickets ahead from their online store to avoid lining up at the site. If you’re between 11 – 30 years old, spare your wallet by visiting the Basilica on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays as they have a 50% discount on tickets from 6.00PM until closing.

• A must stop for us, the Hard Rock Café Barcelona is situated at the starting point of La Rambla, a long stretch of concrete in between roads that makes for an interesting night walk.

Credit: suitelife 

• After sundown, La Rambla has a vibrant feel to it with the street performers and various dining places down the street although visitors are advised against dining at any of the roadside restaurants as most are tourist traps.

#HHWT Tip: For satisfying tapas, try to venture further into the alleyways at the side of La Rambla. Do not venture alone though!

Day Four: Falling Further in ❤ with Antoni Gaudi

• Although Basilica La Sagrada Familia is cheaper in the evening, in order to capture the exquisite façade and other breathtaking details on the surface of the temple you have to come in the morning where the light hits the masterpiece just right.

#HHWT Tip: To take a full photo of the Basilica, go around Plaza de Gaudi, which is just in front of the Basilica, and capture the building across the small pond in the Plaza.

Credit: travel.cosydo

• Continue your Gaudi appreciation by visiting La Pedrera – Casa Milà, a house along Passeig de Gracia which Gaudi was commissioned to build by Pere Milà.

Credit: suitelife

• While making your way from Casa Milà to Casa Batlló, take your time window shopping high-end brands along Passeig de Gracia!

Credit: geekprocamera

• Spend a few hours exploring the beautiful Casa Batlló, an actual residential house designed by Gaudì for the Batlló family with a bone-like exterior.

• End your day with a stroll along Port Vell, where you can find various attractions nearby for example The Christopher Columbus Monument, L’Aquàrium de Barcelona, and Museu d’Història de Catalunya.
• As for dinner, La Bombeta serves great tapas in a small restaurant.
• Alternatively, you can dine at Restaurante Siempreviva, and order garlic shrimp and a seafood spread for two.

Credit: designlive

• End your day by treating your eyes and ears to the magical light and water show at Font Magica.

Day Five: Time to Say Adéu

• Start your day with a short hike to Park Güell, another site Gaudì was commissioned to work on by Eusebi Güell as an estate for well-off families. Situated on top of Carmel Hill, visitors are treated to a dynamic view of Barcelona amidst colourful mosaics.

Credit: minitime

• For brunch, visit Mercado de Sant Josep La Boqueria. For hungry travelers, they have tapas bars towards the back of the market. I’d suggest trying one of their fresh fruit juices, costing €2 a cup.
• If you’re feeling famished, try a serving of seafood paella at a stall back of the market for €10 a serving.

Credit: John Hoke

• Walk off your lunch searching for the Catedral de Barcelona for walk through Gothic architecture. Nearby the Catedral, spot the BARCINO letter structures and snap a selfie with them!

#HHWT Tip: Plan your visit to the Catedral before 12.45PM and after 5.45PM to enter free!

Credit: planmusical

• Slip through alleys and find your self the beautiful pink building that is Palau de la Música Catalena. The interior concert hall is absolutely stunning, unlike the usual stark and minimalist design we usually see of musical halls.

#HHWT Tip: As souvenirs in Barcelona don’t usually go lower than €3 each, there are stalls around the Palau that sells keychains and magnets at €5 for 3, with considerable lower quality.

Day Six: Ciao, Roma!

Rome, where our whirlwind adventure in Italy begins with a daily gelato fix. Be sure to secure an accommodation within the city centre as Rome doesn’t have a lot of prayer spaces and there aren’t many shops you could duck in to borrow their changing rooms.

#HHWT Tip: Most museums and restaurants close on Monday, while shops tend to rest on Sundays.

Lunch and Prayer at Roma Termini (1 hour)

Credit: romafaschifo

• Wherever you’re staying, you’ll always find yourself at the termini at one point. Just outside of the Termini, there are a few halal restaurants with a decent menu of pizzas and biryani, and prayer spaces. To use the prayer spaces, just ask the servers.

Credit: hotelbarocco

• Walk through the romantic alleyways of Rome and take a seat at the Spanish Steps. The 135 steps were made famous by world-renowned actress Audrey Hepburn when she sat down and elegantly enjoyed her gelato in the movie Roman Holiday.
• Instead of a gelato, enjoy an alcohol-free tiramisu from Pompi for €4.50. Try the strawberry tiramisu!

• Do not leave Rome until you’ve visited the 2000 year-old Colosseum! Opt for a special tour around the Colosseum, the Third Ring and the Dungeon.
• Plan your visits for the first Sunday of the month as visitors enter free on the day.

Credit: showmeitaly

• Finally, finish your day with a sweet cone of gelato from La Dolce Vita for €2,00 each.

Day Seven: Discovering the Magic of Roman Streets

 
Credit: getyourguide

• Make a wish at Trevi Fountain whilst trying to fight other tourists for a decent picture at the fountain.

• After you’ve done fighting, find your way through the alley to find the Pantheon that you’ve only been able to see in your history textbooks. Entrance to the Pantheon is free but make sure to keep silent.
• On Sundays, the line to the Pantheon can crowd the plaza, so take your time by trying the melon-flavoured gelato from Ciuculla.

• Walking through Rome, you’ll always find your way to Piazza Venezia, situated at the heart of the ancient city. Stop for a while and take gorgeous pictures at the Piazza full of grandeur.

• Make use of your two-day Colosseum ticket by paying a visit to the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill in two different days.

The Roman Forum

Credit: lasmilmillas 

• The Palatine Hill is said to be the origin of Rome, and that original Romans had lived on the the hill. Meanwhile the Roman Forum is a site of ruins of ancient government buildings. Standing amongst all the relics, you wouldn’t believe that you’re in the 21^st century!

Day Eight: Of Blessings and Peach Gelato

 
Credit: historycooperative

• Take your time at the Vatican City, a city known as the smallest country in the world, roughly about the size of a football field. Although the Vatican City is considered a small country, there is plenty to explore with the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museum, and Vatican Garden, which are all paid attractions. Free attractions are St. Peter’s Square and St. Peter’s Basilica.

#HHWT Tip: On the last Sunday of the month, the Vatican museums offer free entrance. Meanwhile, the Pope holds his General Audience on Wednesday, so perhaps the museums wouldn’t be so crowded then.

• Taste the best peach-flavoured gelato at the Frigidarium and enjoy your treats whilst sitting at Piazza Navona.

Day Nine: To the Home of Renaissance Art: Florence

• Buy your tickets from Trenitalia and ride all the way to Florence. Tickets can be as cheap as €24 and the journey will take around 4 – 5 hours.
• When we arrived in Florence, it was late afternoon so we decided to just walk around the city centre. We started from the Firenze Santa Maria Novella (or Piazza Stazione) and passed by the Church of Santa Maria Novella.

Credit: museumsinflorence

• Santa Maria Novella is one of the most important Gothic churches in Tuscany. We were mostly attracted by the unique design on the main entrance.

Credit: turismo

• Next, we walked towards the Piazza Del Duomo. Within the Piazza there is the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, Giotto’s Bell Tower, Baptistery of St. John, and the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. If you’re here in the morning, you’ll see a long line around the Cathedral with visitors eager to enter.
• Saving the visit to the Cathedral for the next day, we walked past Piazza della Repubblica

Credit: polisquotidiano

• As usual, we made our detour to Hard Rock Café Florence, which was nearby Piazza della Repubblica.
• From there, we decided to make our way to Piazzale Michelangelo just before the sun sets, for a panoramic view of the city’s silhouette.

• End your day with a three-flavour gelato from Gelateria Cavini.

Credit: Urban Safari

Day Ten: Exploring the Art in Florence

 
Credit: bhmpics

• Line up at Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore to enter the cathedral for free. But you can also buy tickets to climb up the Dome, and the Bell Tower, which have 463 steps and 414 steps respectively (whew!).

Credit: reneu

• Stroll around Piazza della Signora, which was formerly the pinnacle of Florence’s political scene in the 14^th century, where gathering was usually held at and where rulers address their citizens.

#HHWT Tip: Fashion fanatics, prepare yourselves to visit the Gucci Museum at the Piazza!

• Walk among masterpieces at Galleria degli Uffizi. The Galleria houses an unbelievable amount of artworks from various artists such as Botticelli, Caravaggio, and Leonardo da Vinci.

#HHWT Tip: Galleria degli Uffizi, as other museums in Florence, offers free entrance on first Sunday of the month.

Credit: Good Tastes of Tuscany

• Visit the historical Ponte Vecchio for the splendid view of the Arno River in mid-afternoon. The bridge itself is flanked with shops selling gold, brooches and watches for those looking for an expensive gift.

Credit: Domenica Prinzivalli on Flickr

• Say ‘Hi’ to David, Michelangelo’s most prominent sculpture at Galleria dell’Accademia. Due to its proportions and lifelike details, visitors come all over the world to awe at the statue (whilst nonchalantly glancing over his lower part).
• Try a Sicilian-style gelato at Carabe, which is just a few steps away from the Galleria.
• Enjoy the taste of Florentine pizza at Fuoco Matto, where the pizza is said to be the best. Although not certified halal, majority of their pizza toppings are suitable for vegetarians.

Day Eleven: Such a Good Day for Day Trips

Have a Picnic at Pisa (2-3 hours/ ½ day)

Credit: McPig on Flickr

• Set yourself straight with a visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. It’s one of the magnificent buildings within Piazza dei Miracoli, which translates to Square of Miracles and consists of the four religious structures, which are the Pisa Cathedral, the Pisa Baptistery, the Campanile, and the Monumental Cemetary.

#HHWT Tip: Even though it receives many visitors, the Piazza is not overcrowded so pack a picnic blanket and spend a few hours here. You could even pray in the open and no one would so much blink at you.

Or visit All Five Villages of Cinque Terre (1/2 or 1 day)

Credit: danflyingsolo

• The colorful coastal villages of Cinque Terre is every wanderlust’s dream. What is not to love? You have the vibrant hues of the buildings, and then there’s the beach coupled with summer’s naked sun, and you have your perfect holiday.
• Cinque Terre comprises the fishing villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, Corniglia, and Monterosso el Mare. It will take you at least half a day to explore these quaint villages.

Day Twelve: Glide through the canals in Venice

The small island of Venice is jam-packed with culture and gorgeous architecture. Not to mention the romantic canals and exquisite festival masks. Venice certainly did not disappoint as our last stop.

• Like Rome, the beauty in Venice is best discovered on foot. Alleyways with shops selling intricate masks, smaller bridges over narrow canals, watching as a gondola pass by ridden by a lovesick couple; if you go by too fast, you just might miss it.
• We began our trip from the Venezia Santa Lucia Station, immediately coming across one of the three bridges crossing the Grand Canale: Ponte degli Scalzi.
• After taking a few pictures, we walked through Lista di Spagna where there was a lot of halal restaurants for those looking for something to start their day.

• Our next aim was the Rialto Bridge, so we just followed the signs and continue to walk along the streets that are occupied with shops selling intricate hand-made masks. We couldn’t resist and bought one (€6.99) from the first shop.

• Craving for a light snack, we stopped at Fried Land, an obscure shop selling mainly fried seafood and pasta dishes for cheap.

• We then walked up the second bridge crossing the Grand Canale: Rialto Bridge. With the crowd on, and around the bridge, it is undoubtedly a visitor favourite. Around the bridge, there are the typical stores you’d find in a shopping mall.

Credit: Wikipedia

• Next stop: Basilica San Marco. Heading towards the Basilica, you’ll pass by brand shops such as Tod’s and Gucci. Then, you’ll first arrive at the vast Piazza San Marco.

Credit: mrwallpaper

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

• Take advantage of the free entrance to the Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica San Marco.
• By late evening, we doubled back to the Stazione. On the way, we had dinner at SKK Restaurant. The restaurant is certified halal and serves mostly halal food.

Whew! That’s two weeks in Europe done. I hope that this itinerary plays as a useful guide for those of you looking forward to visit the countries we visited. We didn’t manage to do much and made tonnes of mistakes along the way but it was an adventure in our 20s that we could never forget. Now it’s time to go to an adventure of your own!☺️

Credit: Jennifer on Flickr

Let’s say you’re in Japan for only a week and you want to cover as many cities as you can before you have to go back to reality.. First up on your list is Kyoto and you only have 3 days to experience everything the city has to offer!

Credit: giphy

Now, don’t go crying in a corner! Anything is possible if you have the right resources We’ve put together a 3D2N itinerary that’ll cover all, if not most, of the top tourist hotspots just for YOU!

P.S. Don’t forget to download the HHWT Travel Planner app, available on Google Play for Android and App Store for iOS, to plan your trip to Kyoto 

Day 1 – Downtown Kyoto Leisure

A city known for its serene temples and graceful geishas, Kyoto is the perfect place for you to experience and assimilate into the local culture.

Details on Nijo Castle

Credit: Albert

• Visit Nijo castle. A voice guidance system is available. (1-2 hours)
• Have a meal at Biotei – it’s not a halal establishment, but it serves vegetarian food, with vegan options on request. Or another option is Ganko Kyoto Sanjo Honten, with Muslim friendly menus
• Check out Nishiki Market before it closes at 5.30pm (1 hour)

Gion, Kyoto

Credit: Hansel and Regrettal

• Make your way to the little alleyways of Gion, and keep an eye out for the lovely maikos and geishas. If there are out and about, they are usually on an assignment and would not have time to stop and pose for photos. So make sure your camera trigger finger is fast, and remember to be respectful. (2-3 hours)
  • A great way to understand their customs more is to go on a Gion night walking tour!
• Slurp on some delicious miso ramen in Naritaya, Gion. Prayer space available.

Day 2 – Exploring Eastern Kyoto

Rich in history and grace, we recommend taking a look at 5 Ways You Can Experience Kyoto like a Japanese for a more immersive experience. Additionally, don’t leave Kyoto without trying halal Kaiseki!

View of Kyoto from Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Credit: bobthemagicdragon

• Arrive early in Kiyomizu-dera Temple to avoid the crowd
• Feed your tummy with Kyoto’s famous yodofu (simmered tofu in water) at Kiyomizu Junsei Okabeya.
• Stroll down to the shopping streets of Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka, where Kyoto style houses are in abundance

Credit: Carlos Donderis

• Pay a visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine.
• Drop by Maruyama Park during cherry blossom season!
• Head towards the other side of the city for Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji.

Path of the Philosopher

Credit: nate2b

• Reminisce your travel in Japan so far on the Path of the Philosopher

Day 3 – The Last Day in Kyoto

• Start early in Arashiyama, in Tenryu-ji Temple

Arashimaya’s Bamboo Grove… imagine that it’s you there.

Credit: Martyn White

• Take your mindful moments in its famous Bamboo Grove
• Take a short trip south to see snow monkeys at the Monkey Park Iwatayama
• Go over to Kyoto Station for some retail therapy
• Refuel with amazing chicken-broth ramen at Ayam-ya, near Kyoto Station

With this itinerary, we hope that you’ll be able to cover as much of Kyoto as you can! If you have any recommendations or suggestions on how to improve this short itinerary, do let us know in the comments below

P.S. Don’t forget to download the HHWT Travel Planner app, available on Google Play for Android and App Store for iOS, to plan your trip to Kyoto

Planning your upcoming trip to Korea but don’t know which city to cover? Well, the obvious answer would be Seoul, Busan and Jeju of course! Not only are these cities packed full with amazing cultural sights, but they’re also home to yummy, Muslim-friendly Korean cuisine!

So, fret not, busy friends! We’ve put together an awesome itinerary so all you have to do is pack your luggage and take the next flight out✈️

Credit: giphy

P.S. Get $30 off your flight to Korea when you book through Cheaptickets.sg! Do note that this discount only applies to flights departing from Singapore.

Travelling from Incheon

It’s pretty easy getting from Incheon airport to Seoul! If you’re travelling light, the subway is really convenient but if you’re dragging your luggages, the airport limousine bus is a good alternative that’s not crazy expensive. Check out their website for the bus routes and timings or just head to the information counter when you land!

#HHWT Tip: Book your flight and accommodation through Cheaptickets.sg to receive a $100 cash rebate! Visit Cheaptickets.sg for more details.

Day 1

Take it easy on your first day and scope out the shopping scene at everyone’s favourite shopping area in Seoul – Myeongdong! Even if you’re not a shopaholic, it’s fun to experience the atmosphere.

Shop till you drop at Myeongdong (4 hours)

• Explore the main shopping area of Myeongdong
• Chill out with our favourite furballs at Cat’s Playground
• Grab a kebab or shawarma for lunch along the streets of Myeongdong if you want to shop some more
• Or sit and enjoy a Korean seafood lunch at Eomeoni Jib (You can find it and add it to your trip on our HHWT Travel Planner app!)

Visit the iconic N Seoul (Namsan) Tower (2 hours)

• Skip the cable car and hike up Namsan to head to N Seoul tower or take a public bus.
• If you’re going by foot, enjoy the serene atmosphere at Namsan park – it’s beautiful in spring and autumn!
• Snap a shot at the iconic love locks
• Head up the N Seoul tower and get a bird’s eye view of Seoul

Try yummy halal Korean food in Itaewon (3 hours)

• Trek up the hill and visit the Seoul Central Masjid
• After you burn off some calories, visit a halal Korean eatery and try authentic halal Korean food!

Yummy jjimdak at Eid Restaurant

Day 2

It’s time to put on your walking shoes and experience traditional Seoul (perhaps even try on a hanbok)!

Say hello to King Sejong (1 hour)

• Head over to Gwanghwamun square and ‘meet’ the King who created the Korean alphabet (along with many other inventions), King Sejong the Great.
• Learn more about Korean history in the exhibition hall below the square.

Learn about Korean royalty in Gyeongbukgung (2.5 hours)

• Before visiting Gyeongbukgung, check out the changing of guards right in front of the palace. Remember to check the timings.
• Sign up for the free walking tour for Gyeongbukgung (2 hours). Trust us, it will make your experience a whole lot better when you learn about the history behind each of the different buildings and palaces!

Insadong (2.5 hours)

Credit: That Backpacker

• Head to the traditonal area of Seoul – Insadong and visit Ohsegyehyang, a Korean vegetarian eatery, for lunch.
• Walk down the past-meets-modern street and shop for little trinkets
• Take some time to visit the traditional teahouses and try a cup of Korean tea with rice cakes
• Visit Ssamziegil and pop by the ‘poop café’ if you have time to spare

Step into the past in Bukchon Village (2 hours)

Credit: RJ Koehler

• Try on a hanbok at the Bukchon Hanok Homestay Information Center
• Go trigger happy with your camera at the various photo spots

Walk down the streets of Samcheongdong (2 hours)

• Pop in the uniquely quaint shops and cafes in the traditional Korean houses
• End your day with dinner at Itaewon OR

Dongdaemun (2 hours / however long you think you can go)

• If you’ve got the stamina to keep going, check out the grilled fish alley in Dongdaemun and grab dinner there
• Experience late-night shopping like never before

#HHWT Tip: Download the HHWT Travel Planner and use our handy Korean language phrasebook to haggle when shopping in Dongdaemun!

Day 3

Experience Mother Nature in Nami Island (4 hours)

• Explore the island on a bike (it’ll take around an hour to cycle around the island) or hop on the electric tour car for a quick tour
• Take a leisure stroll down the different walking paths lined with trees for all seasons
• Go animal spotting
• Take your iconic Korean drama photos at the famous Winter Sonata photo spot
• Have lunch at Dongmun and try their halal Korean food OR take a taxi and try halal dakgalbi at Nami-0k!

Credit: @kiki_xii

#HHWT Tip: There’s a prayer room on the 2nd floor of the Baplex.

Day 4

Get a taste of Europe at Garosugil (3 hours)

• Spend the rest of your day exploring the trendy Garosugil
• Window shop at the quirky indie fashion shops in the area (Psst, for the shopaholics, there’s a gigantic Forever21 outlet right at the start of the street!)

Gangnam / Apgujeong (2 hours)

Credit: Radin Fadli

• If you’re looking to get some luxury shopping done, check out Galleria Department store in Apgujeong
• Alternatively, you can visit Gangnam for your k-pop fix
• End your day with a super yummy Korean BBQ dinner at Yang Good!

Day 5

Noryangjin Fish Market (1.5 hours)

• Experience the hustle and bustle of a Korean wet market at Noryangjin
• Grab an early lunch at one of the many restaurants where you get to try fresh seafood

Ehwa University – Edae (4 hours)

• Visit one of the most famous (and prettiest) university campuses in Seoul
• Shopaholics alert, it’s time to head over to the Ewha Fashion Street and commence another round of intense shopping!

Hongik University – Hongdae (3 hours)

Credit: lifetoreset

• If you’re visiting on the weekends, head to the playground and check out the Hongdae Free Market for handcrafted artworks and trinkets
• Take in the artsy atmosphere at Hongdae and look out for quirky art installations
• Visit BoA Guesthouse for dinner – try their fried chicken and rabokki!
• Hongdae comes alive at night, so keep a lookout for live music performances along the streets

Day 6

Get your last minute shopping fix at Myeongdong

• If you have some time left on your last day in Seoul, head to Myeongdong to get the stuff you’ve missed out on
• You can also get your last minute souvenirs here
• Try the street food along Myeongdong if you haven’t had the chance to do so! (The egg bread is the perfect snack anytime of the day )
• Satisfied with your buys? Onwards to Busan!

Travelling to Busan from Seoul (3 hours)

• Take a train to Busan (preferably one without zombies ) from Seoul Station. The KTX (high-speed train) takes about 3 hours and the tickets are at 44,800 won. Find out more here.
• From Busan station, take the subway to Seomyeon Station (Line 1 Metro – Orange) and transfer to Line 2 Metro (Green) to get to Haeundae Station. (45 mins)
• Treat yourself to some delicious halal kebabs and hummus at Hello India Al-waha before checking into Indy House Hostel

Credit: indyhouse

Day 7

Catch the sunrise at Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (1-2 hours)

• Watch the sunrise at Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

Credit: Lee Phelps Photography on Flickr

• Check out the intricately designed Buddhist shrines and stone monuments
• Take a stroll around the temple and breathe in the calm, ocean breeze

Feast on seafood at Jagalchi Fish Market (1-2 hours)

• Know as Korea’s largest seafood stall market, you’ll find mackerel, sea squirts (ascidians), giant squids, whale meat and dried seafood here
• Head on inside to fill your rumbling tummies with seafood so fresh, it’s straight from the tank!

Chill out at Haeundae Beach (3-4 hours)

• Let your inner child out! Go for a quick swim, build towering sandcastles or even fly a kite.
• Or just kick back, relax and breathe in the cool sea breeze.

#HHWT Tip: The beach is open 24 hours, so you swing by whenever you want.

Day 8

Explore Yongdusan Park and the Busan Tower (2-3 hours)

Credit: Glenn Forbes on Flickr

• Nature lovers, you’ll love the lush greenery, which is in sharp constrast with the colorful fauna
• Catch a wonderful aerial view of the city from the top of the tower
• Pick up some souvenirs at the Japanese Building next door!

Visit the Gamcheon cultural village (3-4 hours)

Credit: @cai.meilin on Instagram

• Wander around for hours and soak in the serene vibes of the colorful village. Remember to wear comfy walking shoes!
• Take snapshots of the gorgeous, creatively drawn murals that fill the streets of Gamcheon

#HHWT Tip: Afraid of getting lost? Get yourself a map of the village for 2,000 won. You can even participate in the stamp scavenger hunt – visit the 9 listed locations, stamp your own card at each location, and return your card at any shop in the village to get a free postcard!

• Grab a bite at Star Kebab & Turkish Ice Cream back in Haeundae. Don’t forget to try the ice cream

Fly your way to Jeju Island (55 Mins)

• Busan, you’ve been wonderful but it’s time to catch your late flight to Jeju✈️
• Check into Yeha Guesthouse before crashing for the night. The guesthouse even provides utensils for Muslim guests!

Day 9

Wake up sleepyheads! It’s time to venture out to the peaceful island of Jeju

#HHWT Tip: With Jeju being 3 times the size of Seoul, we’d recommend renting a car as a means of transportation or hiring a local driver. Read more about travel hacks in Jeju here!

Sit down for a Korean vegetarian brunch (1-2 hours)

Credit: coupontong

• Have a hearty vegetarian brunch at Mulmaegol; the restaurant is famous for its lotus leaf rice

Spend time florlicking in the seas of Hyeopjae Beach (3-4 hours)

Credit: Brian Miller on Flickr

• One beach day isn’t enough! Take a dip in the calm waters; watch as they change colors from different shades of turquoise to blue
• Make a sand angel in the pristine sands of the beach or take a long therapeutic stroll along the shore
• Watch out for the volcanic rocks!

Day 10

Climb up the Seongsan Illchulbong Peak (2-3 hours)

• Go hiking on the east side of the island and enjoy the glorious scenery
• Hitch a ride from a Jeju pony!
• If you’re there in Spring, you’ll find the whole area abloom with yellow, vibrant flowers

Make a worthwhile trip to Jungmun Daepo Coast Jusangjeolli Cliff (2-3 hours)

• Marvel at unique, volcanic rock formations along the Jungmun Daepo Coastline
• Be hypnotized by the sights and sounds of crystal clear waves crashing below you
• Maybe snap some Instagram-worthy shots while you’re at it

Have a seafood hotpot as your last meal in Jeju (1-2 hours)

Credit: chibur

• Wrap up your last night in Jeju with haemul ttukbaegi (seafood hotpot) at Uribong Sikdang! Get ready to feast on a pot full of piping hot mussels and crab stew, yum
• Take some time to digest your meal before flying back to Seoul (1h5mins) and catching your flight home

P.S. Book all your travel needs from flights, hotel, travel insurance to car rental and even day tours and attraction tickets on CheapTickets.sg!

10 days truly isn’t enough to cover everything these 3 amazing Korean cities has to offer, so we hope our consolidated itinerary will suffice Oh, and don’t forget to download the HHWT Travel Planner available on both Google Play for Android and the iTunes Store for iOS to plan your Seoul stop! Have fun travelling to the land of kimchi

This article was brought to you by CheapTickets.sg.

Here we are at the land of bubble tea and night markets – Taipei!! This city has grown to be a very popular destination for DIY trips amongst the youths in the recent years. With many delicacies, shopping towns and breathtaking sceneries, Taipei offers a balance of hustle-bustle and tranquility.

Credit: Giphy

Before we go into the details of the itinerary, if you are deciding to do a DIY trip of your own, here’s the Taipei Metro website (for navigation within Taipei itself) and the Taiwan Railways Administration website (for navigation to other major cities). You can get their metro card known as EasyCard, from the counter at almost any metro stations. Do check with the Taiwan Tourism Bureau in Singapore for any promotional events!

To keep your social media updated at any time, check out Changi Recommends’ overseas WIFI router. Right now, there is a promotion for DBS cards for the Taiwan router rental at SGD $3/day (key in DBSWIFI3 at the checkout page). The promotion ends on 28^th February 2017 and validity for travel is until 31^st March 2017.

Day 1: Shop, Eat And Repeat

When you have just arrived in Taipei after long hours of travelling, shopping and eating are the best ways to refuel your body!

Shopping at Ximending (西门町)

• Do some light shopping

• Try out Taiwanese street food (Remember to opt for vegetarian options!)

Ximending at night

Credits: Cecil Lee on Flickr

Lunch

• Have a good bowl of beef noodles over at Muslim beef noodle restaurant

Look at this bowl of goodness~

Credits: Globalgoodfood

Taipei City Mall

• Shop at this underground mall regardless of any adverse weather!

Follow the directions from the streets or from the train station itself!

Credits: Antonio Tajuelo on Flickr

Dinner at Shilin Night Market (士林夜市)

• Muster your courage and try their stinky tofu!

Credits: Gavin Anderson on Flickr

• Queue for the barbeque corn on cob, deep fried crabs and many more (Just remember to look out for vegetarian sign (素), or check with the owners if they use vegetable oil for seafood)

• Head to their underground food street!

Day 2: Road trip to Houtong Cat Village (猴硐猫村)!

Breakfast

• TRA Bento on the train! (Opt for their vegetarian bento!)

Credit: Giphy

Houtong Cat Village (猴硐猫村):

• Play with the cats in the village

Is this Charlie Chaplin?

Credits: cotaro70s on Flickr

• Shop for souvenirs

• Have lunch at Hide and Seek Café (Desserts are vegetarian friendly!)

• Play with the cats in the cafe

This cat cream puff is so cute!

Credits: Hide & Seek Café Official Facebook Page

Wufenpu (五分埔)

• Shop till you drop!

Unique bags and shoes can also be found here

Credits: Jzee on Flickr

Dinner at Rao He Night Market (饶河夜市):

• Just a short 10-minute walk from Wufenpu!

The entrance to the night market

Credits: Jorge Gonzalez on Flickr

• Try their peanut ice cream popiah, grilled oysters, grill king oyster mushroom (personal favourite!), stinky tofu and shaved ice!

For people who love mushrooms, this is heavenly!

Credits: williamnyk on Flickr

Day 3: Day trip out to Hualien (花莲)!

TRA Bento breakfast on train:

Look at how yummy these are!

Credits: Wayde Nash on Facebook

Taroko Gorge National Park:

• You can embark on various trails here to see the amazing view offered in this park

• If you are looking for a jog with a view, you can do it here too!

Amazing isn’t it?

Credits: Alexander Synaptic on Flickr

Lunch at King of India Halal Restaurant:

• This halal restaurant serves all kinds of authentic Indian food (Psst! You can opt for vegetarian here too!)

Mao Kong (猫空):

You are able to see different trees blossoming at different timing of the year.

Credits: sama093 on Flickr

• Board the Maokong gondola towards Maokong to see the sunset over Taipei city

• Enjoy a cup of tea at the Maokong Teahouse while watching the day end and Instagram all those night views!!!

Spot Taipei’s iconic building Taipei 101

Credits: Christophe Delaere on Flickr

Dinner at Really Good Seafood:

Credit: Giphy

• Indulge in their nine-course Muslim-friendly set meals consisting of assorted sashimi, pan-fried scallops and ending with their homemade dessert!

Enjoy the sweetness of these fresh sashimi

Credits: live2makan

Day 4: Shifen, Sky lanterns and Elephant Mountain

Breakfast at Yong He Dou Jiang Da Wang (永和豆浆大王):

• Try their Shaobing Youtiao, or Sesame flatbread with doughstick (They have vegetarian choices of course)

• Enjoy a bowl of sweet or salty soya milk to go with their plain youtiao

Flat sesame bread with doughstick!

Credits: A hungry girl’s guide to taipei

If shaobing isn’t for you, get a bowl of sweet or salty soya milk to go with the crispy youtiao

Credits: A hungry girl’s guide to taipei

Day trip down to Shifen (十分):

• Instagram all the railway photos!!!

• Shop for souvenirs along the railway town

Cross freely through the tracks when there is no train

Credits: wsifrancis on Flickr

• Release the sky lantern (天灯) with your wishes written on it

Credit: Giphy

Write your wishes on the lantern and release it!

Credits: Andy Enero on Flickr

Shifen Waterfalls (十分大瀑布):

Look at this majestic view! Makes all the walking worthwhile~

Credits: Jennifer on Flickr

• As the waterfall splashes into the lake, try to catch the sight of a rainbow!

Dessert Time at Smoothie House:

The milk shaved ice will just melt in your mouth, perfect dessert for any weather!

Credits: The Perpetual Foreigner

Elephant Mountain (象山)

• A short hike of 15 to 20 minutes will get you to the top

#HHWT tip: Try to avoid weekends, as it is fairly crowded!

Watch the sunset at the platform when you have reached the peak

Credits: Guillaume Pelinski on Flickr

Credits: Kyle Wang on Flickr

#HHWT tip: If you visit Taipei during the year-end countdown, you can witness the amazing fireworks on the Taipei 101 building from Elephant Mountain!

Dinner at Dingxian 101 (顶鲜101):

• Order the Muslim-friendly set meals

• They serve a variety of main courses such as Taiwan oyster omelette, stir-fried rice with salmon, and steamed king prawns (All meals end with a homemade dessert)

Credits: eztable

#HHWT tip: Make reservations in advance!

Day 5: Last day in Taipei!

Breakfast at Chiba restaurant @ amba Hotel:

• Enjoy their Muslim-friendly buffet spread!

Credits: Amba Hotel

Honey directly dripping from the comb?! Where can you get fresh honey like this other than from farms?

Credits: Amba Hotel

Ximending (西门町) or Taipei Underground shopping mall:

• Do some last minute shopping for souvenirs and food products 

Credits: Giphy

Lunch at Chang Beef Noodle Soup:

• Enjoy a bowl of savoury beef noodles to end the trip!

Credits: thinzaroo

Taipei is definitely the next place to visit if you are looking for relaxation, indulgence and of course FOOD! We hope that this itinerary helps you to cover the major highlights of this beautiful city.

If you’ve been to Taipei, let us know of any other interesting attractions to visit in the comments below 

When we say South Korea, you’ll probably immediately think about Seoul, Jeju and Busan. But the truth is that there’s so much more to S. Korea than these three main tourist cities! As much as we love Seoul (halal Korean food, please), Suzana and I were super excited when we were given the chance to not just travel to Seoul, but also explore Gyeongju Of course, we just had to share our itinerary for both Gyeongju and Seoul, so that everyone can discover the beauty of Gyeongju for yourselves!

Day 1

We arrived bright and early at Incheon airport, grabbed breakfast and immediately boarded the bus bound for Gyeongju. No time to lose when you’re in Korea!

Arrive at Incheon Airport and Head to Gyeongju by Bus/Train (5hours/4hours)

• Thankfully, there’s a direct bus from Incheon Airport that stops at Gyeongju Intercity Bus Terminal. Check out the bus timings here. Bus fare is priced at 37,000won and the journey takes around 5 hours.
• Alternatively, take a direct train from the airport to Singyeongju Station. The fare is almost double the price of taking the bus.

Check-in at Your Hotel/Guesthouse (1 hour)

Hilton Gyeongju

• We stayed at Hilton Gyeongju, where we got an amazing view of the city from our room. Our double room was really spacious and comfy too! Plus the hotel is situated a short walk away from Bomun lake, perfect for an evening stroll.
• Take Bus no. 700 from Singyeongju station to Hilton Gyeongju. Journey takes around 40 mins.

Head to Shilla Millenium Park (2-3 hours)

Filming site of Queen Seondeok

• Take bus 10 from Hilton Gyeongju and alight 2 stops away, at Gyeongju World Culture Expo. Shilla Millenium Park is a short walk away.
• Step into the ancient kingdom of Shilla as you explore Shilla Millenium Park and immerse yourself in the architecture from the Shilla period
• There are a couple of short performances that you can catch at the park which highlight the lives of the Hwarang warriors
• If you love your Korean dramas, don’t forget to head to the filming site of Queen Seondeok!

Catch a Korean Performance – SILLA

• Walk over to Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park and catch the amazing Silla performance with intricate costumes and stunning stage sets!
• If you arrive slightly before the performance starts, the expo park is a pretty serene place to take a stroll and snap some photos.
• Don’t forget to snap a photo with the cast after the performance before you head back to the hotel!

Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park

Day 2

Time to put on your sightseeing glasses and strap on your cameras for a full day of adventure in Gyeongju!

Bulguksa Temple (1.5 hours)

• One of the three UNESCO World Heritage sites in Gyeongju, Bulguksa temple holds a number of national treasures including the two famous stone pagodas – Dabotap and Seokgatap
• Read up about the history of Bulguksa and its many treasures before heading down, so that you can understand and appreciate what you’re seeing!

Seokguram Grotto (1 hour)

• Located on top of Tohamsam Mountain, Seokguram Grotto is another UNESCO World Heritage Site housing a majestic Buddha carved in granite, also known as the Bonjon statue.
• As Buddhism is a huge part of the Korean culture, do be respectful when you’re visiting as the locals carry out their prayers at the grotto as well.

#HHWT Tip: Do pack your walking shoes as you’ll have a 10 to 15mins hike up the mountain!

Vegetarian Lunch at Yeonhwa Baru (2 hours)

• One of our favourite eateries in Gyeongju has got to be Yeonhwa Baru, which serves amazing temple cuisine
• Not only do they serve an amazing variety of dishes, they pride themselves on the seasonal ingredients
• Dishes served are cooked with local produce and no artificial spices are used

Cheomseongdae Observatory and Anapji Pond

View of Anapji Pond at night

• Built during Queen Seondeok’s reign, Cheomseongdae means star-gazing in Korean. The Cheomseongdae observatory is the oldest existing astronomical observatory in Asia and also the oldest surviving observatory in the world!
• The area is famous amongst locals and tourists alike for its night scenery.
• Just a short walk away lies the Daereungwon Tomb Complex, where the Cheonmachong tomb is located in. It’s
• While you’re there, don’t forget to head to Anapji pond (or Donggung Palace and Wolji) for one of the best night views in Gyeongju!
• Don’t forget to try the traditional snack – Gyeongju bread, which you can easily find in the bakeries nearby these sights.

When in Gyeongju, eat Gyeongju bread (also known as Hwangnam bread)! Handmade bread without preservatives and generous red bean filling, it's super hard to stop at one The one you see on the left is the traditional bread with a chrysanthemum pattern! – S & E #havehalalwilltravel #hhwt #ktosingapore #gyeongjubread #visitkorea #imagineyourkorea: Gyeongju, South Korea

A photo posted by Have Halal, Will Travel (@havehalalwilltravel) on Oct 13, 2016 at 3:08am PDT

#HHWT Tip: A day pass (4,000won for adults) will grant you access to all the above sites

Take the train back to Seoul

• When you’re done sightseeing, it’s time to head back to the hotel to grab your luggage and proceed on to Seoul!

#HHWT Tip: If you want to pace yourself, stay an extra night in Gyeongju and head to Seoul to following day.

Day 3 – Seoul

Check in to your hotel – Myeongdong (1 hour)

Yellow pillows!

• One of the perfect places to stay in Korea has got to be Myeongdong, especially if you’re a shopaholic
• For our trip, we were housed in Lotte Hotel L7 Myeongdong, a boutique hotel decked out in a cheery, bright yellow!
• The location is amazing, just a 5 mins walk from Myeongdong train station and we love the pop of yellow in the entire hotel

Visit K-Style Hub (2 hours)

What we learnt to cook during the cooking lesson – japchae and Korean pancake (jeon)!

• Take a stroll along Cheongyecheon to acquaintance yourself with the change in scenery of bustling Seoul while you head to your next destination – K-Style Hub!
• Newly revamped, K-Style Hub is Korea Tourism Organisation’s headquarters in Seoul and has tons of activities to keep you occupied.

Meet the ambassador for KTO!

• Take a virtual reality ski trip, snap photos in the VR photo booth with your k-pop idols, meet Song Joong Ki and more
• We even learnt how to cook Our cooking lesson was held by a really experienced masterchef, who has even published her own book. Do note that you’ll have to make a booking in advance and request for the vegetarian option

#HHWT Tip: Download the HHWT Travel Planner to find more prayer spaces, halal food and top attractions in Seoul!

Explore Hyehwa and Catch A Musical (3 hours)

• Immerse yourself in the bustling arts scene of Hyehwa (part of Daehakno, which means university street).
• There are hundreds of small theatres in the area where the locals
• Try super yummy Korean BBQ at Yang Good for dinner!

Myeongdong

Always a crowd in Myeongdong!

• Have some time left? End off your day with some late night shopping at Myeongdong!

#HHWT Tip: There’s a mart in Myeongdong that opens till midnight everyday.

Day 4

Pedicab Tour (2 hours)

• The L7 Hotel also provides pedicab services at a discounted rate – which means you get to see Seoul while riding a pedicab!
• The pedicab takes you to Cheongyecheon stream where you can alight and get a quick photo before zooming off to Bukchon Hanok Village and ending up

Changdeokgung Palace (3 hours)

• Gyeongbukgung may be the first palace that comes to mind when you think of Seoul, but Changdeokgung was actually the principal palace for many kings of the Joseon Dynasty, and is the most well-preserved of the five remaining royal Joseon palaces!
• Before your visit, remember to make a reservation for the Secret Garden tour!

Dongdaemun Design Plaza

• If design is your thing, visit the Dongdaemun Design Plaza and take some futuristic shots of the building while you’re at it.
• Catch a hologram k-pop concert at Lotte Fitin!

ELAND Cruise + Pang Show

• Before heading off to catch a musical, visit Dongdaemun Grilled Fish Alley for a yummy seafood dinner!
• Did we mention that there’s a hilarious Korean performance that takes place on a cruise?
• The Pang Show is a non-verbal performance

Day 5

Early Morning Shopping at Myeongdong (1 hour)

• If you’re up for it, rise bright and early for a round of morning shopping in Myeongdong!
• Get your photo taken with Brown at the LINE store – avoid the queue by heading there once the store opens

Seoul Central Masjid

• It’s always an experience to visit the local Muslim community in a foreign country, so head to Itaewon where the Seoul Central Masjid is located in
• Of course, when you’re at Itaewon, you absolutely have to try halal Korean food at the Eid and Makan Halal Korea!

Jjimdak at Eid

Visit Ewha (Edae)

• Visit one of the most famous (and prettiest) university campus in Seoul – Ewha Women’s University
• Shopaholics alert, it’s time to head over to the Ewha Fashion Street and commence another round of intense shopping!

Experience the Night Life in Hongdae

Credit: @this_is_aivy on Instagram

• Take in the artsy atmosphere at Hongdae and look out for quirky art installations
• Visit BoA Guesthouse for dinner – try their fried chicken and rabokki
• Hongdae comes alive at night, so keep a lookout for live music performances along the streets by indie performers!

Day 6

Get your last minute shopping fix at Myeongdong

• If you have some time left on your last day in Seoul, head to Myeongdong to get the stuff you’ve missed out on – you can also get your last minute souvenirs here
• Try the street food along Myeongdong if you haven’t had the chance to do so! (Egg bread, vegetarian pajeon, etc)

So there you go! A 6D5N itinerary for your off the beaten path Korean adventure. If you’re all ready to plan your trip to Seoul, don’t forget to download the HHWT Travel Planner App for iOS and Android! You can find all the attractions in this article along with yummy halal food and prayer spaces near these attractions, so that you can easily plan out your itinerary for your trip! Visit www.hhwt.io to find out more  (And if you love the app, don’t forget to drop us a review too!)

If you’ve been following us on Instagram and Facebook, you probably would have known that Suzana and I recently went on a trip to Amsterdam and Paris. Huge thanks to KLM and Air France for making this happen! We were really excited as we’ve heard so much about both cities and we just couldn’t wait to explore for ourselves. Plus we visited during one of our favourite seasons – autumn!

Launch of the Dreamliner from KL to Amsterdam

To add on to our excitement, we also witnessed the launch of the Dreamliner in KL and were amongst the first batch of passengers to take the plane straight from KL to Amsterdam! The crew were extremely friendly and took the time to chat with a number of passengers. As it was a long-haul flight (13 hours!), the Economy Comfort seats were a life-safer with extra legroom and recline. And the best part of it all? The Dreamliner is now available on three weekly day flights between Kuala Lumpur and Amsterdam! So you’ll board the flight at 8am in KL and land in Amsterdam in the afternoon

P.S. Did we also mention that there’s a sale going on from now till 30 Nov?
Check out KLM’s Oh My Deals for fares as low as RM 2,743 from Kuala Lumpur to Amsterdam! (Travel period – 15 Jan to 15 Jun 2017)

Our lunch onboard the KLM Dreamliner – loving the Dutch design of the tray!

Day 1 – Arrive at Amsterdam

• Take the train from Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam Central Station
• Collect your I amsterdam card from the I amsterdam store at central station. You can also purchase the card directly from the store.
• The card comes with a city map which was super handy in helping us navigate around the city. You also get free entry to more than 30 attractions/museums, free public transport and more!

Day 2 – Day Trip From Amsterdam

Start your second day in Amsterdam by heading to one of the most picturesque and charming area in Netherlands – Zaanse Schans!

Zaanse Schans (6 hours)

• Before you leave, snap a photo outside Amsterdam Central station
• Take a train (around 17mins) to Koog-Zaandijk and walk around 18mins from the station (there are directions along the way)
• Stroll along the charming town and snap lots of photos!

#HHWT Tip: There are a number of workshops, museums and windmills to check out in Zaanse Schans. Check out the website to plan your trip in advance as some of the attractions have admission fees and different opening hours. Extra perk if you got the I amsterdam card, as the admission for Zaanse Schans is covered under the card

• Visit the clogs museum (one of our favourites) and check out the long Dutch history of clogs. You can also get souvenirs and a pair of clogs to bring home

Snap a cute photo with the many giant clogs outside the museum!

• Pop by the cheese factory and watch how cheese gets made
• Make your own hot chocolate at the chocolate factory
• Visit De Kat (The Cat) – one of the last remaining paint windmill that’s still in operation! If you’re up for it, you can even climb up the extremeeely steep ladder for a pretty awesome view from the second level of the windmill.

Dinner + Anne Frank House (3 – 3.5 hours)

Credit: Pancakes Amsterdam

• Try local Dutch pancakes at Pancakes Amsterdam! Do note that there are seafood and vegetarian options available but the eatery is not halal-certified. Readers are advised to visit at your own discretion
• Get in the queue for Anne Frank House
• Set aside an least an hour for your visit (in addition to queuing, which will take around 45mins), and end off your visit by checking out the bookstore where you can get a copy of the diary

#HHWT Tip: Get your tickets in advance for Anne Frank House online as the queues are ALWAYS long and if you don’t reach there on time, you might not get in. This is especially so in winter, when the house closes at 7pm instead of 10pm. You can rearrange your itinerary by visiting Anne Frank House first before heading to Zaanse Schans, as booking your ticket online will ensure you a morning entry.

Day 3 – Explore the must-see sights in Amsterdam

Breakfast at a Local Cafe (1 hour)

Starting our morning with a super good cup of coffee It's our last day in Amsterdam and we need your help! Do you have any recommendations for food in #Amsterdam? Please share with us! #havehalalwilltravel #hhwt #klm #klm787 #dreamliner : Amsterdam

A photo posted by Have Halal, Will Travel (@havehalalwilltravel) on Nov 3, 2016 at 1:13am PDT

• Start your day with breakfast at a local cafe – we heard that Dutch coffee is really good, so don’t forget to grab a cuppa!
• Get a window seat and people watch if you have time to spare

Van Gogh Museum (2 hours)

• With the largest Van Gogh collection in the world, the Van Gogh museum is an absolute must-visit. If you have the I amsterdam card, you’ll get to skip the queues!
• Read about Van Gogh’s life, check out his letters, view his famous works – Sunflowers and Almond Blossoms, his self-portraits and countless other paintings. Do note that no photography is allowed in the museum, but there are selfie walls where you can snap a photo
• After your visit, take a 5min walk and get your mandatory photo at the iconic I amsterdam sign

This sign is always packed and it was really challenging to get a shot with even just one letter!

#HHWT Tip: Squeeze in a visit to the most popular museum in Netherlands – Rijksmuseum, if you have time, as it’s located pretty near the Van Gogh museum. You’ll get a discount with the I amsterdam card too!

Albert Cuyp Market (2.5 hours)

• Take a tram or enjoy a stroll as you head to where the locals go – the largest day market in Amsterdam – Albert Cuypmarket!
• This famous street market first started all the way back in 1904 and has pretty much everything from fresh fruits to clothes and bedding. If you’re visiting on a weekend, be prepared to face the crowds! Make sure you visit on an empty stomach because there’s lots to eat at the market.

• Our first stop was the Benny’s Chicken which serves halal chicken in all forms – sandwich, chicken wings, satay, whole grilled chicken and more. The chicken is marinated with their own special spice (but really, it’s not exactly spicy) and if you get the sandwich, it even comes with cheese! Not to mention, it’s really affordable with the price ranging from 2.50 to 5euros.
• Next up – raw herring! And because action speaks louder than words, click here to watch our video on this local delicacy.
• Finish off with freshly made stroopwaffles that taste waaaaaaay better than the packaged ones they sell in supermarkets. You can choose from the original (with caramel inside) or go all out and get the one with chocolate on it. (Or do what we did, and try both :P)

Piping hot stroopwaffles are a must-try!

P.S. We’ll be covering more street food in a separate article so stay tuned!

Flower Market (1 hour)

• Amsterdam is home to quite a number of street markets and the flower market is another must-visit!
• Although most of the flowers are for sale (and it might be reaaaally tempting to get some), it’s still fun to snap some shots and just bask in the colourful floral atmosphere!
• Don’t try buying the tulip bulbs home though, as they won’t be able to survive in the hot tropical weather

Dam Square (2 hours)

In Nov, the area is decorated with festive lighting and deco!

• Head to Dam Square if your inner shopaholic is begging to be unleashed. Not only is it home to the largest departmental store in the city, there are also a number of international brands
• On your way there, don’t forget to snap a photo of the Dam Square Monument and the Royal Palace
• Alternatively you can head towards the Central Station and board the canal cruise which comes free with the I amsterdam card!
• The cruise lasts around an hour and comes with a free audio guide, so take a seat, plug in your earphones, and learn more about the history of Amsterdam while enjoying the leisure ride!

Nothing screams Amsterdam like taking a cruise down the famous canals.

P.S. If we’ve convinced you to take a trip to Amsterdam, check out KLM’s Oh My Deals for fares as low as RM 2,743 from Kuala Lumpur to Amsterdam! Plus, the travel period is from 15 Jan to 15 Jun 2017 so you can visit Amsterdam in Spring Don’t forget to book by 30 Nov 2016!

Day 4 – Paris bound

It’s time to head to the city of love!

Take a Flight to Paris and Check-In to Your Hotel (3 hours)

The famous Champ Elysees

• Take a 1hr 20min flight on Air France from Amsterdam to Paris (we took a morning flight and arrived at around noon)
• From the airport, we took the Le Bus to Étoile Champs-Elysées where our hotel was located
• We checked in to our hotel – Hotel Royal Magda Etoile which had a really good location – just a short walk away from the subway

Galeries Lafayette (4 – 5 hours)

Credit: @angelina_paris

• Enjoy a tea break at Angelina, one of the well-known tea rooms in Paris and try a cup of their amazingly rich hot chocolate. Do note that Angelina is not halal-certified, but we’ve checked with the staff and their desserts do not contain alcohol. We advise readers to visit at your own discretion.
• Treat yourself to an amazing shopping experience at Galeries Lafayette, the famous departmental store chain which first started operations all the way back in 1895!
• Shop to your hearts content with the insane number of brands available, from Zara to Chanel. There’s something for everyone
• If you’re in a rush or not quite sure where to start, the departmental store also provides a personal shopper service completely free! Simply let them know your preference and budget and an experienced personal shopper will put together an outfit for you. Don’t forget to make an appointment in advance!
• Don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten about the guys. There’s a separate building – Galeries Lafayette Homme – dedicated to menswear and accessories – it’s accessible via a bridge in the main building.

• If you’re visiting in mid-November till the end of the year, you’re in luck! Admire the festive decor and get your cameras ready as the windows outside Galeries Lafayette get all dressed up for the festive season.
• Get a stunning view of Paris with Eiffel tower in the background, from La Terrasse, located on the 7th floor of the main building! The terrace opens at 9.30am and closes at 7.30pm or if weather conditions are adverse.

View of Paris from La Terrasse

• If you’re a big shopper, you’ll most likely receive an invitation to Le Concierge, a lounge especially for Galeries Lafayette VIP customers that provides the ultimate shopping experience. Escape the hustle and bustle of the shopping floor and take a break in La Suite. You’ll even be able to do your tax refund while enjoying a drink in comfort of the spacious lounge!

• Treat your sweet tooth with a wide-range of desserts at Lafayette Gourmet, a separate store dedicated to gourmet food and desserts

Macarons don’t just taste good, they’re photogenic too

• Get a box of the world famous Pierre Hermé macarons* (they make for a gorgeous photo too :P)
• And of course, when you’re in Paris, you absolutely have to try eclairs! Thankfully the gourmet hall has everything you need. L’ Eclair de Génie* is pretty much one of the best eclairs in Paris and there’s a wiiide range of flavours for you to choose from. We went with salted caramel and yuzu, which were both very different but equally good!

*Do note that the macarons and eclairs are not halal-certified, please consume at your own discretion. We’ve checked with the staff and while none of the macarons contain gelatine, some of the seasonal flavours may contain alcohol, so do check with them when you’re purchasing. The eclairs are also alcohol-free.

Day 5 – All Things Touristy in Paris

• Get a Paris Viste pass (1, 2, 3 or 5 days) which allows you onboard a number of public transport – RER, metro, bus, etc. Remember to check which zones the sights are located in as you’ll have to purchase this according to zone. For our trip, we got zone 3, which allows for unlimited travel within zone 1 and 3 during our trip.
• If you’re planning to hit a number of museums, definitely consider the Paris Museum Pass which not only gives you free access to over 50 monuments and museums, it also allows you to skip the queues!

Louvre (2.5 – 3 hours)

• A trip to Paris calls for a visit to the most enigmatic ladies of all time – the Mona Lisa! And to do that, you’ll have to pay a visit to one of the most iconic museums in the world of course
• Be sure to snag a museum map so that you can navigate your way around the exhibits.
• Being the most famous painting in the museum, you can also easily find your way to the Mona Lisa by following the numerous signs around the museum.

#HHWT Tip: The Paris Museum pass includes free entry to the Louvre and you also get access to a priority queue. Visit early in the day to avoid crowds.

Trocadéro + Eiffel Tower (1.5 – 2 hours)

• If you don’t have enough time to head up the Eiffel Tower, do the next best thing – alight at Trocadero and get an awesome view of the tower!

#HHWT  Tip: Do keep a lookout for your belongings as this place is packed with tourists and it can get pretty overwhelming.

• There are plenty of photo spots at Trocadero and even a carousel where you can get gorgeous shots of Eiffel Tower next to the carousel!
• Not only is this a popular tourist spot, you may also spot a couple or two taking their wedding shots in the area.

Dinner at Alcazar (2 hours)

Limousin beef steak – medium

• Located in the suburbs of Paris, Alcazar is one of the best French fine dining restaurants you could possibly hope to visit in Paris. The menu is constantly changing as the mains change according to the seasonal ingredients available and everything is prepared fresh
• During our visit, we tried a number of appetizers, beef cheek and a steak for mains. Their portions are really generous (we had a hard time finishing all the beef!) and the beef steak is absolutely amazing.
• Look out for our article on halal eateries in Paris coming very soon!

Day 6 – Exploring More of Paris

Arc de Triomphe (30 mins – 1 hour)

• Since our hotel was located just 5min away from Arc de Triomphe, we had to snap a few photos of the arch in the morning light!
• If you want an amazing view, do head up to the observation deck (opens at 10am) for stunning views of Champ Elysees and Eiffel Tower in the background.

Musee D’orsay (3 – 3.5hours)

• Take a longer route to Musee D’orsay by walking through the Tuileries Garden, a public park where you can spot locals walking their dogs and taking a morning run
• You can also chill at one of the many chairs encircling the huge fountain in the park
• Head on over to the museum and skip the queues if you have the museum pass.
• Being the largest museum in Europe, Musee D’orsay holds an impressive number of paintings by renowned painters including Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, Van Gogh… The list goes on. the interior of the museum is equally awe-inspiring!

Musee D’orsay

Vintage Car Tour (1 hour)

Look at the vintage car *__*

• After all the walking, it’s time to explore Paris in a whole new different way – onboard a vintage car!
• The car tour allows you to check out the popular sights in Paris such as the Eiffel Tower, Place de la Concorde, Pont Alexandre III and more!

The Luxor Obelisk was a gift from Egypt to Paris and currently stands in the middle of

Notre Dame (2 hours)

• We managed to hit another major sight after our car tour – Notre-Dame! The cathedral is widely considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture. We didn’t have time to head in as we wanted to

• Just a stone’s throw away from Notre Dame cathedral, Shakespeare and Company is definitely worth a visit even if you’re not in the market for a book.
• With its rustic interior and bookshelves, be temporarily transported to a quieter Paris of the past, the moment you enter the store.
• Don’t be put off by the queue when you arrive because it moves faster than it looks and it’s definitely worth the wait!

Dinner at Alambra (2 hours)

• To be honest, we’re still dreaming of the mouthwatering meal we had at Alambra. Where else can you get your own wedge of French cheese (minimum of 2 pax for a raclette order) melted to hot gooey perfection?
• Wait for the cheese to melt before spreading it over your steak and jacket potato. Even if you’re not a cheese person, you’ll change your mind after this meal

Day 7 – Next Stop: Disneyland (Hotel)!

• Take the RER to Marne La Vallee Chessy and head to Disneyland Paris. Depending on which Disney hotel you’re staying at, you can either take the free shuttle bus or a short walk to your hotel
• We checked in to Newport Bay Club, a nautical themed, 1920s New England-style hotel, located around a 15mins walk away from the train station. The room was pretty spacious and the beds were huuuuge.
• If you’re up for it, get more shopping done at the huge outlet shopping village – La Vallée village!
• Alternatively, walk around the Disney Village and browse the Disney merchandise to get yourself hyped up for your Disneyland visit the next day!

Day 8 – Paris Disneyland

• The only Disneyland in Europe needs no introduction
• Some of the highlights of the park in Paris includes the Sleeping Beauty Castle (which you can actually climb up!), Alice’s Curious Labyrinth – a hedge maze only found in Paris and Shanghai Disneyland, Phantom Manor with a French twist and the classic carousel!
• We’ll be covering more tips for Paris Disneyland, so look out for our upcoming article

Day 9 – Walt Disney Studios + Au Revoir Paris

• The best thing about staying in a Disney hotel is the extra time that you’ll get in the parks! Your stay comes with Extra Magic Hours that allows you to enter the Disney parks either one or two hours before it opens to the public.
• During our visit, we were able to enter Walt Disney Studio TWO whole hours before the official opening time.
• Some highlights of the Walt Disney Studios are the Ratatouille ride and Crush’s Coaster which are both unique to Paris! You’ll want to hit these two rides as soon as the park opens as the queue can get pretty crazy for Ratatouille.
• When you’re done with the park, take the Magic Shuttle straight from your Disney hotel to CDG airport. Be sure to arrive earlier for your tax refunds.

Air France Premium Economy From Paris to Singapore

• On our flight back, we were on Air France Premium Economy which comes with SkyPriority, giving you priority access from check-in and baggage drop-off all the way to security and boarding. It was amazing not having to face long queues and we saved so much time that we were able to do some last min gift shopping before we boarded the plane
• If you’re a Flying Blue member, or taking a long haul flight in the La Première and Business cabins, don’t forget to drop by the Air France lounge after you check-in!

• Yay for priority boarding We were allocated a cosy two-seater onboard Premium Economy – look at the comfy, stylish seats! Not only do the seats come with their own (adjustable) reading light, you also get a complimentary bottle of water and your own set of noise-cancelling headphones!

• Did we mentioned that we were also served halal French food? We were super excited when we saw that we had chicken ratatouille, plus it was really delicious too

And that sums up our Amsterdam/Paris adventure ❤ We’ve received a number of messages asking about the situation in Paris. We didn’t face any issues during our visit, alhamdulillah, but we did notice that security was really tight in all the touristy spots and shopping malls. Do take care of your belongings, especially in crowded areas. We had an amazing time in both cities and we definitely hope that our experience will benefit more travellers! Thank you to KLM and Air France for giving us the opportunity to cross these two cities off our travel bucket list!

If you’re tired of visiting mainland Malaysia, go off the path and visit Sabah! This hidden gem is located at the northern part of Borneo and home to one of the most famous hiking spots in the world, Mount Kinabalu.

Credit: GIPHY

If you’re not a fan of hiking though, fret not! Sabah has so much more to offer. With gorgeous beaches and pristine waters , take a much needed break from city life with this 3D2N itinerary.

Lankayan Island in Sabah

Credit: Bas Leenders on Flickr

Getting to your accommodation

Public transportation is not that well developed in Sabah. And although the taxis in Sabah use meters, some taxi drivers will still insist on charging you high rates. So, the best way to explore Sabah is to rent a car! Alternatively, if you dislike driving or unable to drive, Uber is here to save the day (yay technology) 

#HHWT Tip: Taxis departing from the airport have fixed rates. To avoid being overcharged, buy a coupon for your destination at the airport counter and hand that coupon directly to your taxi driver.

Day 1

Take an early flight and arrive at Kota Kinabalu airport in the late morning. We’d recommend to first check into your hotel and drop off your bags before heading off on your Sabahan adventure! 

Discover Sabah’s indigenous culture at Mari Mari Cultural Village (5 hours)

Credit: @iskndr.ibrhm on Instagram

Sabah is home to more than 35 ethnic groups, making the food and culture there so diverse! Experience what life was like as a native Bornean at Mari Mari Cultural Village (5 ethnicities are featured). Tours are available at 3 different timings and meals are included as part of the tours. Hotel pick up is also available. Check the website here for more details.

• Visit the houses of the 5 tribes
• Shoot from a blowdart

Ever dreamed of shooting from a blowpipe? Test your marksmanship skills with this native Sabahan weapon at Mari Mari Culture Village, and get a first hand experience of Sabah's many native cultures! #hhwt #havehalalwilltravel #aceqm2016 #tourismmalaysia #MariMariCulturalVillage

A video posted by Have Halal, Will Travel (@havehalalwilltravel) on Oct 9, 2016 at 11:29pm PDT

• Learn how to start a fire

#HHWT Tip: Remember to bring cash as credit cards are not accepted here.

Address: Inanam, 88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Have dinner at Kampung Nelayan (2 hours)

Credit: Fila Territory

Kampung Nelayan offers a unique dining experience like no other in Kota Kinabalu. Not only does the entire restaurant ‘float’ on a lake, it also has nightly cultural dance performances for their guests to enjoy!

Participate in cultural dances

Enjoy the freshest seafood while being entertained with cultural dances. Maybe participate in them too? 

Address: Jalan Bukit Padang Luyang, Taman Tun Fuad, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Day 2

Experience white water rafting at Kiulu River (5 hours)

Credit: @kilafaten on Instagram

If this is your first time trying out white water rafting, Kiulu river is the place for you! This rafting trip features rapids that are between grade 1 to 2 with a rafting distance of up to 15 kilometres. The rates are also very affordable so it’s perfect for your first rafting experience.

Address: Kampung Pukak Kiulu, 1 hour drive from Kota Kinabalu

Visit the Filipino Market (2 hours)

• Buy some local Sabahan keropok

Stalls selling keropok

• Buy some traditional handicrafts

Enjoy local food at the Filipino Market (2 hours)

Ayam percik – marinated chicken barbecued over an open flame

Credit: @mirul_rezza on Instagram

• Try local snacks like ayam percik! 

Address: Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Day 3

Island hop at Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (5 – 7 hours)

Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is a marine park that consists of 5 islands and is accessible via speedboat from Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal. The waters at these islands are so clear that you’ll think you’re in Maldives 

Scubadoo – See marine life without the hassle of scuba diving gear

Aside from dipping your toes in the crystal clear waters, you can also do water activities such as snorkelling! Do check out the rates at the respective islands if you’re interested. Also note that you need to have a booking with a dive centre if you wish to go diving at the islands.

#HHWT Tip: Island hop within the marine park if you have time to spare!

Shop at Suria Sabah Shopping Mall (2 hours)

Suria Sabah Shopping Mall

Credit: CEphoto, Uwe Aranas

While Sabah is known for nature tourism, that does not mean that the city is not well-developed. Suria Sabah AKA Suria KK is known for its iconic salad bowl design above its main entrance. The mall also faces the South China Sea and offers a scenic view of Tunku Abdul Rahman Park.

Address: 1, Tun Fuad Stephens Road, 88000

Have dinner and enjoy the sunset at Jesselton Point Waterfront (2 hours)

Sunset from Jesselton Point Waterfront

Credit: @asraf__ on Instagram

After all that exhausting shopping for cheap deals, you’re bound to get a little hungry. Head on over to Jesselton Point Waterfront for some much needed dinner! The place offers casual dining options with a magnificent view. Remember to catch the beautiful sunset while having dinner, before you leave Sabah and head home.

Address: Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

If you’re thinking of visiting Malaysia, why not choose Sabah? With its diverse culture and gorgeous beaches, this Malaysian state is definitely a destination that you should not miss!

Mumbai! The Bollywood capital of India and the city that never sleeps are the common phrases used to describe this city that goes beyond description. A little over 20 million people call this city their home. Despite its huge population and pollution, the city has its own charm.

For the adventurous travellers who are set to explore My City – Mumbai, here’s an itinerary to help you plan your trip. But remember, to take a detour and create your own memories in this very special city.

Credit: giphy

Day 1 – Explore the Down Town South of Mumbai

• Start your day with a visit to the Gateway of India, which is a prominent symbol of the city. The monument was built in 1924 and overlooks the Arabian Sea at one end and the luxurious Taj Mahal Palace Hotel at the other.

• Walk down the road from the Gateway of India and you will find yourself at Colaba Causeway, the city’s best location for cheap steals. Rows and rows of stalls selling everything from accessories, scarves, souvenirs, bags, shoes, books and clothes flank the arched sidewalk. Bargaining here is an absolute must This is also the sight for the famous Leopold Café, where you can take a coffee break. (Not halal certified, but loads of vegetarian options.)

#HHWT tip:  Replenish yourself with a good meal at Delhi Darbar or Koyla both serving Halal food.

Colour, colour, which colour do you want?

Credit: Reid Mac Donald on Flickr

• No trip to Mumbai is considered complete without a peak at the luxurious Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Unless you plan to stay a night here, take the time off to admire this superlative abode of grandeur! For decades the hotel has catered to global dignitaries and continues to do so even today. Get a taste of the Taj hospitality by enjoying a cuppa at their sea facing café.

The hotel is a beauty in itself!

Credit: Justin Gaurav Murgai on Flickr

• As the evening begins to set in, make your way further up toward Nariman Point and take a walk around Mumbai’s commercial district including distinct landmarks such Wankhede Stadium where many International cricket matches have been held. Before you end your day, make a stop at Marine Drive, Mumbai’s most loved sea facing promenade stretching over 3.5 km and ending straight at Chowpaty beach – famous for its street food stalls.

The city’s best sea-facing promenade

Credit: Parth Maniar on Flickr

#HHWT Tip: Experiment with some Mumbai street delights at the nearby Sukh Sagar restaurant for dinner and stop by  Bachelorr’s, for their famous chilli ice cream!

Day 2 – Let’s go to London today 

• Begin your second day by taking a ferry ride to the Elephanta Caves. The Elephanta Caves are a UNESCO world heritage site and are located 10km away from the coast of Mumbai, surrounded on all sides by the Arabian Sea. The caves span an area of 60,000 sq. feet and are considered to be the Abode of the Hindu God, Lord Shiva.

Lord Shiva statues at Elephanta caves

Credit: Christian Croft on Flickr

• After lunch, take a walking tour of Fort district. The area is rich in Victorian architecture and will really take you to the London of early 80s’.The main attractions would include:-
• Prince of Wales Museum and Kala Ghoda district and – Every art lovers dream come true
• Mumbai University – A sprawling Victorian building that houses the Rajabai Clock Tower
• Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) – A UNESCO world heritage site, this building is a revival of Gothic architecture and is also among the busiest train terminals in the city. The site attracts many tourists each year and is a representation of the true spirit of Mumbai

Night view of Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus formerly known as Victoria Terminal

Credit: GPS on Flickr

• A 10 min cab ride from CST will take to the Jyotiba Phule Market or Crawford Market as the locals call it. Covering an area of 24,000 sq. feet, the market sells everything from shampoos, skin care products, nuts, leather goods, luggage bags etc and is the liveliest markets of all.

Shop for some fragrant Indian spices at Crawford Market

Credit: Gioconda Beekman on Flickr

• Head over to the beautiful Jama Masjid for evening prayers. The mosque is located very close to Crawford market and is a double storied structure built in classical Islamic style, with high rise ceilings, plush carpeting and an indoor pond.

Jama Masjid, located in the heart of the city’s busiest districts

 Credit: Carol Mitchell on Flickr

• Head to Bademiya’s street food stall, located behind the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel (can’t get enough of that place) for kebabs and briyani (Halal) for a scrumptious dinner.

Beef seekh kebabs being cooked on the hot grill!

Credit:- Cishore^TM on Flickr

Day 3 – A day to experience Mumbai’s rich cultural diversity

• Give an early start to your day and start off by visiting the Haji Ali Dargah, which is constructed in memory of Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukahri and is located on an islet off the coast of Worli.

#HHWT Tip: The mosque is connected to the mainland by a stone pathway, which makes low tide the best time to visit the mosque.

Credit: Timothy Neesam on Flickr

• Hail a cab and go via the magnificent Bandra- Worli Sea Link bridge to take a trip around Mumbai’s suburb; Bandra (3- 4 hours).

Credit: Andrew Moore on Flickr

• Home to the famous Bollywood superstar, Shahrukh Khan <3, Bandra is one of the most happening and youth dominated neighbourhoods of Mumbai filled with boutique shops, themed cafés, street shops selling clothes, shoes, accessories and more. While you are here, check out some of these famous attractions;
• Mount Mary Church which is a Roman Catholic Basilica devoted to virgin Mother Mary and attracts millions of pilgrims every year.
• Linking road and Hill road for the amazing street shopping

Get  a pick of your favourite Indian tunic from Linking Road

Credit: Sudhamshu Hebbar on Flickr

• Head over to Carter road once you are done for the view of the Arabian Sea and wide array of food shops and restaurants.

Take some time off and relax at one of many Bandra’s hidden cafes

Credit: Satish Krishnamurthy on Flickr

DAY 4 – Get into the underbelly of Mumbai

• Have you ever witnessed a laundry with over 200 washers? Featured in many documentaries, Dhobi Ghat is Mumbai’s largest open man-powered laundry where thousands of kilograms of soiled linens from hotels and hospitals are washed, ironed and fended for.
• If you are curious traveller, then this is peculiar culture you must experience whilst in Mumbai and early mornings are the best time to visit.

Can you spot yours?

Credit: Dennis Jarvis on Flickr

• Make your way further downtown till you find yourself standing in the lanes of ‘Chor Bazaar’ or thieves market. This is one India’s largest flea markets famous for selling vintage and antique artefacts including glass lamps, metal statues, posters and several trinkets you will be happy to take back home.

#HHWT Tip: You can head over to the nearby Minara Masjid for afternoon prayers and grab lunch in the many Halal restaurants in the vicinity.

Vintage Lovers, this is where you should be!

Credit: Mathanki Kodavasal on Flickr

• On your last day in Mumbai, take a high end shopping trip at High Street Phoenix, which is one of the largest luxurious shopping mall in India. From Mango, Zara, Aldo, Burberry and Gucci, you will find your way lost in the maze of designer shops and well adorned divas.

Get ready for a fashion outburst

Credit: Rakesh on Flickr 

• Probably the best way to end your trip would be by capturing some panoramic views of the city’s dynamic skyline at the Hanging Gardens, located at Malabar Hill. The gardens remain open from 9am to 9 pm, but a stop here post sunset is the best time to say your Goodbyes to the city in some serenity and peace.

#HHWT Tip: Malabar Hill is a very posh and quiet neighbourhood of the city and if you have extra time on your hands, take a little walk around to get a sneak peak of this swanky stretch.

The city that truly never sleeps

Credit: Yohaan Daaruwala on Flickr

#HHWT Tip: If your adventure quotients feel particularly fine, then do try a ride on Mumbai’s local trains! They are the cheapest and fastest way to move around in the city, but the trains are very crowded, especially during peak office hours. Getting in and out of the trains at the desired stops takes a bit of determination and is not recommended for the faint-hearted! 

Try the ride at your own risk! 

Credit: Madhav Pai on Flickr

Encompassing Mumbai in just four days is perhaps a difficult travelling challenge. While there is so much the city offers, what makes the city special is the spirit of its people. It is the city, that teaches you to hope and hope is what keep us all bound together!

The weekend is here again, and it’s time you try something new! Strap on your seat belts, because you’re crossing the borders for a weekend adventure! Get excited because here are 10 places in JB to spend some cash and fill your tummies.

Credit: giphy

Getting around in JB:

1. Having your own transport is a plus when exploring the streets of JB, since the locations may be quite far from each other. You can rent a car to make your weekend getaway much more convenient.
2. The next best alternative to get around is using the Uber app, if you don’t know the routes to your destination. You can also take the taxis in JB, but be aware of the taxi fares to avoid them from being marked-up when you arrive at your destination.

DAY 1

Packing pastries from Salahuddin Bakery

Credit: @shermanthm on Instagram

This family-run business is one of the oldest bakeries in Johor Bahru (79 years to be exact!). They have the best and yummiest pastries you can find in town! Located at Jalan Dhoby where cafes are sprouting at such a quick rate, it’s a blessing to have this gem still going at it, providing us with their freshly baked goods!

Address: 26, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday 9:30AM – 5:30PM

Try “The Best Chicken Chop in Town’ at It Roo Café

Credit: @yamsarah on Instagram

Since you’re already there, why not have some classic chicken chop for lunch? The Hainanese cafe brings a nostalgic old JB vibe with its vintage-looking interior. The chicken chop is served either grilled or deep-fried, with potato wedges, coleslaw and a splash of black pepper or mushroom sauce. When you’re done, take your mandatory OOTD shot at the brightly-painted ‘Smile’ mural just outside of the cafe!

Credit: @nyhm on Instagram

Address: 17, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Monday –  Sunday 10:00AM – 9:30PM

Cool down with some soft serves at Koone

Credit: Koone on Facebook

One of the newest kids on the street, Koone is a soft-serve parlour with an array of flavours to tingle your taste buds. With specialty flavours like Japanese Matcha, Nano Yoghurt and Dark Chocolate with unique toppings, these soft-serves are presented in a double-cup with dry-ice fogging out! They are also always coming up with new flavours for you to try.

Credit: @_sarayip on Instagram

What’s convenient is how the layout of the place makes it so much easier to Instagram their soft-serves. They are great to eat especially after a hearty meal in the JB heat!

Address: 30, Jalan Dhoby Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday 12:00PM – 9:00PM, Friday – Sunday 1:00PM – 11:00PM
Website

#HHWT Tip: Look through this list for other fancy cafes worth checking out! Cafes at Jalan Dhoby

Scavenge through second-hand items at Pasar Karat

Credit: ruggedmom

If you only have time for a quick stop, make sure you make your way to Pasar Karat! The streets of JB’s City Hall is transformed into your classic pasar malam when the night hits town. Conveniently located right near the Causeway Checkpoint, Pasar Karat will surely satisfy for pasar malam shopping – from yummy food, second-hand items and fashion accessories! You can even catch a couple of buskers performing by the side. Pasar Karat started back in the 70s, so it feels like you’re transported back in time to experience the hustle and bustle of the night market with the coolest finds.

Credit: stellaronthestreets

Address: -26,, 20, Jalan Segget, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 6:00PM – 12:00AM, Saturday – Sunday 7:30PM – 12:00AM

DAY 2

Conquer the theme parks of Legoland Malaysia

Credit: @legolandmalaysia on Instagram

Maximise your weekend with your loved ones at Legoland Malaysia, where you can combine your love for Legos and theme parks all at one exciting place! Legoland has two parks to conquer: Water Park and Theme Park. You can explore the Lego Kingdoms, learn driving at Lego City and race down the slides at the Water Park! Bring extra clothes even if you’re not planning to stay the night because you’re sure to be soaked by the end of the day.

Credit: @legolandmalaysia on Instagram

#HHWT Tip: Visit their website for the park map and other ticket promotions!

Address: 7, Jalan Legoland, Medini, 79100 Nusajaya, Johor, Malaysia
Admission:
1 Day Combo Ticket for Theme Park and Water Park:
Adults RM196
Children (aged 3 -11) and Seniors (aged 60+) RM156
Opening Hours: Theme Park: 10:00AM – 7:30PM, Water Park: 10:00AM – 6:00PM
Website

Find good bargains at Johor Premium Outlets

Credit: business.simon

If you’re one who loves shopping, JPO is good for getting luxury branded goods at a discounted price! From bags to shoes and jewellery, the designer brands gracing the outlet site are aplenty – such as Coach, Armani Exchange and Michael Kors. You can even find something to buy for your children too! Catch a breath at the benches outside, and fuel your stomach at the restaurants nearby before you continue your retail therapy.

Credit: @c_mikhaila on Instagram

#HHWT Tip: Check out their website to see any on-going promotions to take note of.

Address: Jalan Premium Outlets Indahpura, 81000 Kulai, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday 10:00AM – 10:00PM
Website

Indulge in fresh seafood at Senibong Seafood Village

Credit: sinarcintaku

Senibong Seafood Village is where you can satisfy all of your seafood cravings at a great price. There are a couple of restaurants that you can choose to dine in – all of which caters to your seafood needs. Plus, they include a magical sea-view while you indulge in the savoury dishes! You can also catch a sight of Singapore if you pay close attention.

Credit: @nuryhan on Instagram

Address: Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, 81750 Masai, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday 4:00PM – 2:00AM, Sunday 4:00PM – 12:00AM

DAY 3

Stop by Pandan City for a quick haircut and some shopping!

Credit: zouldahanblog

If you’re coming into JB late into the night, head over to Pandan City for some thrifty shopping! Pandan City has a range of items like handbags, jerseys, sports shoes and even accessories. Pair your new finds with a good gentleman’s haircut and some late night supper! You can find freshly toasted naan, fried rice and your Ramly burger fix at the food stalls.

Address: Jalan Seri Purnama, Kawasan Perindustrian Seri Pernama, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Daily

Hang out under the fairy lights at Kilang Bateri

Taking after the name of its predecessor, Kilang Bateri is now transformed into a hangout spot for the foodies and shoppers in JB. It’s popular for the i-Shell Out seafood, where the messy yet delectable seafood is spread right in front of you and your loved ones. With retail outlets, unique cafes and live music playing, it doesn’t feel like you’re shopping and dining at JB at all.

Credit: @n.fidiana on Instagram

Address: Jalan Tampoi, Kawasan Perindustrian Tampoi, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday 12:00PM – 12:00AM, Friday – Sunday 12:00PM – 3:00AM

Share a platter with your loved ones at Bigdaddy’s Family Cafe

Credit: @bigdaddysfamilycafe on Instsgram

Having pisang goreng (fried banana fritters) cravings late at night? At Bigdaddy’s Family Cafe, the pisang goreng are drizzled in cheese, Oreo and topped with vanilla ice cream! If you’re having a hard time choosing what to eat here, the cafe also has a Bigkeboom Combo where you try a huge platter of its Western food! The cafe is nestled near to Kilang Bateri, so it’s pretty convenient to drop by too. With a barber shop service available right inside the cafe, you can chill with your friends after getting a fresh cut.

Credit: @visitjohor_ on Instagram

Address: 28, Jalan Padi Emas 6/1, Bandar Baru Uda, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Monday 2:00AM – 3:00AM, Monday – Sunday 5:00PM – 1:30AM

Now you definitely have something to do in JB, even if you’re spending the whole weekend or just a couple of hours there! Just a quick trip across the border will make you feel refreshed for the start of a new week. Share the love and bring along your loved ones!