November 2025

Hanoi is an incredible city with plenty of things to see and do. In my opinion this is one of the liveliest cities In Vietnam with incredible street food, markets, culture, and shopping. I’ve been to Hanoi twice now, once during my first solo trip in 2017 and during my 2023/24 world tour. Each time it has never failed to impress me and each time I find something new to do! 

This list just brushes the surface of all the things you could possibly do in this incredible city, but I still wanted to create this post to help others discover some things of the things you could do in Hanoi. So, less chatter, let’s get to it! 

This blog contains affiliate links, I may receive a small compensation if you use them – don’t worry at no extra cost to you! Thank you for your continued support. 

1. Eat!

I know what you are thinking, eat? That’s basic information. However, Hanoi has some of the best street food and restaurants in Vietnam. With a large range of different cuisines and incredible authentic Vietnamese food. I would highly recommend checking out the street markets on walking street and trying from multiple vendors. You also must experience eating at the iconic tiny chair and tables. 

You also must try the egg coffee! A beautifully creamy coffee, with excellent consistency. It is one of my all-time favourites while in Vietnam. 

Some of my favourite restaurants and cafes;

• Bamichao – A popular place amongst locals and tourist. Their dishes are almost like a de constructed Banh mi. 
• Vegan Bread – A great Banh Mi place with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. It incredible how many meat alternatives they have here, and each does not lack flavour! 
• Bahn Mi 25 – Very popular with tourists, but they do incredible Banh Mis 
• Hidden Gem Coffee – A hidden spot indeed, that does beautiful coffee and offers great vibes.
• Note Café – I have a special place on this list of this café, so I will get into this one later one. 

2. Thrift Shops

I love thrift shopping, especially in other countries and Vietnam has some unique clothing/thrift shops. If you are only heading to Hanoi and love to shop, pack light and go out and explore the shopping scene! There are quite a few thrift shops located in Hanoi old quarter. Some of my favourites are listed below. 

• XOM Vintage 
• The Twenty-Seven Klub 

This is a very popular tourist spot and there is some information you need to know before visiting here. Train street is essentially a street which is lined with restaurants and bars, which the local train runs through each day. You can easily find this location on google maps by searching “train street”.

To access here, you need to be invited in by an owner from a local restaurant. They will then guide you safely to their restaurant where you can sit and order a drink/meal. DON’T try to access this street alone, as they have guards who will shout at you. You can find the train times online (these are an estimate), and its best to get to the street 30mins prior to the train time. 

This is a unique experience in Hanoi – although very touristy! It is still a great thing to experience the train coming through and being so close to it. It can be scary but also exhilarating! 

I mentioned early that this place was going to earn a special place on this list. This little café is exactly what you think, it’s a café covered in sticky notes from travellers all over the world! It has several stories, with walls, fans, ceilings, and seats – covered in sticky notes. There are love letter, poems, words of wisdom or people just making their mark. I spent an hour just going through reading all the notes from all the travellers. This felt like a very special place, and I loved my visit here. 

You will have to buy something to access the café, they do amazing egg coffee here and croissants! 

5. Women’s Museum 

I will admit I am not much of a history buff, but visiting here was truly eye opening and informational (as well as confronting). This museum is multiple stories, with each floor having a different theme around women’s culture in Vietnam. Whether this is the history and significance of their clothing, childbirth, or their contribution to the war. I found it fascinating, as this isn’t something I ever learnt about in school. If you are even remotely interested in history, I highly recommend visiting here! 

It will take you about 2hrs to complete the museum, especially if you buy an audio guide (recommended). It costs 80,000 dong to enter here. 

I love doing this in any city, but Hanoi is an incredible place to do it, as there are multiple different quarters. The Old Quarter and French Quarter were my favourites, and they are close to each other. You can also walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, where you will find multiple vendors and historic landmarks. 

If you want to experience Hanoi in an easy way, book a free walking tour! Most hostels and hotels offer this, which usually run for 2-4hrs. It’s much better than doing it alone as you will have a guide with you, which makes it much easy to learn about the significance of the landmarks. 

7. Take a Day Trip to Ha Long Bay 

This is something I highly recommend everyone does in Vietnam! I booked a 3D/2N cruise with Hideaway tours and spent a few nights on the bay itself. However, if you are short on time, you can book a tour straight from Hanoi. A full day excursion will take about 12-14 hours, but it’s a bucket list activity!

If you do have time, I’d recommend spending a night or two on the Bay, to truly take in the beauty of the bay. I would also keep an eye on the weather because this will greatly impact your trip! I have listed a few tours below which I recommend. 

8. Take a Day trip to Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh was one of my favourite places I visited in Vietnam, and I did spend 2 days here. However, you can do day trips from Hanoi if you are short on time. The best way I can describe the scenery in Ninh Binh is Vietnam country crossed with Ha Long Bay on land. It is breathtaking here, and much more laid back then other Vietnamese towns. 

I highly recommend booking a tour which includes Bich Dong Pgoda, Trang An Boat tour (better then Tam Coc), Mua Cave and Hoa Lu. I have listed some suitable tours below. 

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Jordan is a beautiful country, full of history, culture, and incredible landmarks. I spent one week travelling through Jordan on a tour with Travel Talk tours. We visited some incredible places, but these 5 places were the highlights. 

Was one-week enough time? In short, it was to see the main attractions. As my guide said, ‘you are seeing the tourist attractions, but you are not seeing Jordan’. There are of course many other attractions to see throughout Jordan. 

You can find some essential travel information for Jordan here. 

1. Petra 

I would be surprised if Petra wasn’t high on your bucket list for Jordan! This is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is spectacular in person. 

Petra is located roughly 3-4hrs from Amman, the capital or Jordan. It is just simply somewhere you need to visit on your travels to Jordan. I would recommend visiting here over 2 days, if possible, because it will take you roughly 8-10hrs to explore the whole area, with about 25-30km of walking (well according to my watch). 

You can find a full detailed guide to Petra here. 

Places in Petra you MUST visit: 

• The Treasury 
• The Treasury high viewpoint
• The Monastery
• The theatre 
• The Royal Tombs 

2. Wadi Rum 

Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon – a valley cut into sandstone and granite rock in the South of Jordan. Covering 74 000 hectare, this area is just gorgeous. Its rich red sand, vast dessert landscapes and towering granite peaks. Makes you feel like you are walking on Mars. 

Although there isn’t much to do in Wadi Rum itself, expect for camel rides, Jeep safaris and star gazing. I do recommend you spend at least 2 nights here. As I photographer I loved it, I will stand by saying nothing beats a desert sunrise/sunset. This would also be a special place to unwind for a few days. There are some incredible accommodations in this area, which can make your stay very special. 

I stayed at the Wadi Rum Captains Camp, which was a lovely little spot. Close to some cliffs to explore in the evening! The BBQ Baquet for dinner was delicious and had a great variety. 

Captains Camp

3. Dead Sea 

You MUST go to the Dead Sea if you are in Jordan! This was the most fun I had on my Jordan trip. Floating in the dead sea and it being impossible to touch the ground, was such a unique experience. 

You have the choice of covering yourself in the therapeutic mud, which I was recommended to do at least twice. I do recommend you patch test this before covering yourself in it, as a few people from my group had a reaction. You will know if you do as you will feel the area heat up and get itchy. The mud is said to have benefits such as healing, anti-aging, and moisturizing affects.

The mud does also stain your skin, so don’t wear it for longer than 20mins – unless you want an orange tan! 

A few tips to visiting the Dead Sea:

• It’s extremely salty, don’t get it on your face or in your eyes – it burns! 
• Test the mud before covering yourself. 
• Cover yourself in mud at least twice. 
• Don’t shave at least 3 days prior to your visit.
• Cover small sores with Vaseline. 
• Wear water shoes into the water, it does have sharp rocks at the bottom. 

4. Jerash

Jersah is one of the favourite destinations to visit in Jordan, and honestly this wasn’t somewhere I was extremely excited for. Once I visited though, it all made sense! 

The ancient city of Jerash dates back 6500 years, located about 45km from Amman. This cities golden age came under Roman rule and is now acknowledged as one of the best preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy. It was hidden for centuries in sand, before being excavated and restored over the past 70 years. 

How to get here? Jerash is best explored via a day trip from Amman, which will take about 40 minutes of driving. I’d recommend at least 3 hours to walk around the area, in order to fully explore it. 

5. Aqaba

Aqaba is one of the places I unfortunately didn’t get to visit on my travels through Jordan, but I’ve heard its beautiful. This city is rich in history and dates back to pre-biblical times. It was ruled by Romans, Mamluks and Ottmans. An important trading port in the region. 

The city is situated 15 minutes from the Wadi-Araba border with Israel. You can take a taxi or public bus from the Aqaba international airport. 

There are several things to do here from visiting Old town, wilderness areas, water sports and more. Being based on the Red Sea it has some of the most spectacular aquatic wildlife, making it the perfect place for scuba diving.  

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All of West Australia is beautiful, but the North West…is something else. There is a vast variety of landscapes and natural wonders you can experience. Gorges, waterfalls, natural phenomenons, mountains, spectacular reefs, unique coastlines and white sand beaches. This road trip guide will be focusing on some of the best spots in the Pilbara and Kimberley. This guide doesn’t nearly cover the half of what you can see and do, so do a bit more research because there is so much more to explore.

If you have the time, you could easily spend a month of two just in this part of the North West. I’ll definitely be driving up again when i have the time, would love to do the Gibb River Road! This isn’t an itinerary, rather more a road trip guide. However, you can drive this in the order listed. Ill give a couple of tips at the end of the blog on how you can change it to suit your plans.

Karijini National Park

Karijini National Park can be found about 1380 km from Perth. It offers waterfalls, gorges, swimming holes, mountains and impressive hikes. A visit to Karijini should definitely be on the list for your Pilbara and Kimberley travels. There is plenty to do in the National Park, so I’m going to narrow it down to what I think is a must. If you want a more in depth guide about Karijini National Park, visit my blog here. This park has entry fees.

Must Sees:

• Hamersley Gorge: Multiple swimming holes and the famous ‘spa’ pool, found on instagram. The walk to the waterfall can be slippery and requires rock scrambling. Do not attempt his if you are not physically able and wear suitable shoes!
• Mount Bruce: A 9 km hike to the summit, with spectacular views. The second highest peak in West Australia. I’d recommend this to experienced hikers and to be completed in the morning.
• Joffre Falls: They recently made this easier to access the pool by adding staircases. A short 1.5km walk to the bottom of the pool.
• Hancock Gorge and Kermit pool: A beautiful walk through the gorge, some swimming or rock scrambling is required. Be careful with this walk, it can be very slippery, hiking experience is recommended.
• Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool: Located near Dales campground and the most impressive falls in the National Park.

Accommodation:

• Dales Campground: A DPAW campsite, with multiple spots. Can be booked online or on arrival. I do recommend booking in advance as it does book out during peak times. Priced at $11 per night per person.
• Karijini Eco Resort: Offering unpowered campsites, eco cabins and eco tents with or without private ensuites. Prices ranging from $22 for campsites and $220 for eco cabins/tents.
• Rest stops: There are two rest stops that are close to the park, these are the cheapest options if your happy to drive into the park each day. There is a rest stop on the corner of Karijini Dr and Tom Price-Paraburdoo Rd, it is close to the trains but it is a good spot to camp for the night (no bathrooms). The last one is, Albert Tognilini rest area, the most scenic rest stop in WA. This has plenty of spots to stay, and you can leave your locked caravan (wouldn’t recommend leaving a tent). This rest stop doesn’t have toilets.

Millstream National Park

Located 1520 km from Perth and 286 km (roughly 4hr drive) from Karijini. This National Park is usually missed by many travellers, Karijini being the more prefered park. Such a shame as Millstream has so many beautiful places to explore! Covering approximately 200 000 hectares around the Fortescue River, offering stunning gorges and rock pools. Similar to Karijini, there are many things to see and do, these sites are at the top of my list. This park has entry fees.

Must Sees:

• Python Pool: The most popular pool, with bbq area and several walks. Venture up to the top of Python pool to experience an infinity pool with impressive views.
• Deep Reach Pool: Another large swimming hole, great for kayaking, swimming or canoeing.
• The Camel Trail: The walk starts at Python Pool and takes you along the Chichester Ranges, McKenzie Spring and to the base of Mt Herbert. This trail is 8 km one way, and will take roughly 6 hrs for a return trip. Be sure the bring plenty of water with you.

Accommodation:

• Stargazers DPAW campgrounds: As you probably guessed by the name, a great place to see the stars. This campground requires bookings. Non flush toilets, BBQs and picnic tables are available. This campground is generator free and not suitable for large vehicles.
• Miliyanha DPAW campgrounds: This campground is close to Millstream creek and is suitable for all vehicle types (generators permitted). Non flush toilets, BBQs, picnic tables and dishwashing facilities can be found at this campground. Bookings required.

Cape Keraudren/Pardoo station

This is a great little stopping point to enjoy the North West coast for a day or two. It is on the way to broome, so it’s a great place to stop to break up the driving. Cape Keraudren is roughly 440 km from Millstream (about 5.5hrs) and Pardoo station is 407 km (about 5 hrs).

Cape Keraudren

Entry fee into Cape Keraudren is $12 per vehicle and $10 per adult per night. I stayed here on my most recent trip and how would I explain my stay? Well..first of all get yourself some sandfly protection because I got eaten alive and had to deal with super itchy legs for the rest of my trip. It wasn’t pleasant. Second, the weather was a bit temperamental during my 1 night stay. When I arrived it was super hot and humid, then cooled down heaps at night. In the morning it was blowing a gale, I got woken up by the wind!

Would I still recommend stopping here? If you are happy to drive all the way to Broome, I wouldn’t bother. I’m not saying its a bad place but I’m not saying it’s the best. There are a few camping spots available, I stayed at the top of grassed area and got great views of the ocean all to myself.
TIP: Try stay away from the mangroves, you WILL get eaten alive.

Pardoo Station

I haven’t had the pleasure of staying at Pardoo Station, but have heard good things. The only accomodation available here are powered sites, priced at $40 a night. You can access some great beaches via vehicle from this station. I’d recommend staying here if you have a caravan.

Broome

Wouldn’t be a North West trip without a visit to Broome! A great place to relax and explore. This is going to be controversial, but I think you only really need 1-3 days in Broome to see everything. Spend the other time exploring the Dampier Peninsula. If your not like me and like to spend some time doing absolutely nothing, you could easily spend longer and just relax in the sun.

Must Sees:

• Gantheaume point and dinosaur footprints: Only 10 mins from Broomes town centre a good little day trip. You can only see the dinosaur footprints at very low tide, preserved in reef rock. Just after high tide, go for an explore around the point and you might be lucky enough to find some secret rock pools. TIP: look for the chimney and follow it down to the ocean.
• Reddell beach: Unusual rock formations along a white sand beach, great spot to relax for the day.
• Willie Creek: Go and check out the Pearl farm or even go on a tour. During low tide is a great time to fly the drone and get some unique shots of the sandbanks. You will need a 4WD to get here as the roads are sandy and corrugated.
• Town beach: Another good spot to fly the drone and get some instagram shots. The different colours of the mangroves, sand and ocean make for a unique colour palette.
• Coulomb point: This is out on the Dampier Peninsula and can be a little hard to find. You will need a 4WD to get here. Visit during low tide and you will be rewarded with rock pools to swim in! Another good spot to fly to drone.
• Coconut wells: Another one to visit just after low tide for some drone shots. This is one of those spots you’re going to have to go to and do a little wondering to find. Google maps will take you to a car park via a sealed road, from here you will need to take the 4WD tracks to the beach. I can’t give you an exact point where you’ll find them so you’ll just have to go do a little exploring!
• Dampier Peninsula: A must do! I only went a little further then James Price Point (description below), but you could easily spend 2-3 days out here exploring. You can drive via 2WD to Cape Leveque, you will need a 4WD to do the off roads towards the coastline. I definitely recommend doing this if you have the time.

James Price Point

One of my favourite places I’ve visited in the North West. The contrast of the red cliffs meeting the blue ocean is something needed to be seen in person. Getting to James Price Point will require a high clearance 4WD as the tracks in are corrugated and sandy in some spots. I’ll take about 1-2 hrs to drive from broome, depending on how fast you drive along the corrugations.

James Price has some camping spots with the best views and they are all free! Take the time to drive to different parts of the cliffs to find one that suits you, you can camp on the beach or on top of the cliffs. You need to be fully self contained, so make sure you bring and take everything with you after you’ve visited. I’d recommend staying 1-3 days out here, or stay 1 night and explore the rest of the Dampier Peninsula.

Wolfe Creek Crater

Wolfe Creek Crater is 2780 km from Perth, or 843 km from James Price if you follow this list. The road to Wolfe Creek Crater is rough corrugation and has the worst bull dust I have ever experienced, I’m still finding it in all the crevices of my car. If you decide to trek out to the crater, beware it is literally in the middle of nowhere. Bring plenty of water and supplies with you. How would I describe the crater? I’ll be honest..it’s one of those places you go visit once and check off your bucket list. I’m not saying the crater isn’t very impressive to see in person and walk around, just that’s the only thing to do out there so once you’ve done it, well…you’ve done it.

Accommodation:

Wolfe Creek Crater, DPAW campsite: This was one of my favourite campsites. It is that silent out there, you can hear the desert and the sky is full of stars. A campers dream really. This campsite just has drop loo toilets, with a mixture of large and small campsites. There are no bookings for this campsite, it is a first come first serve basis and will cost you $8 for the night.

Purnululu National Park

My all time favourite National Park (so far). You will find Purnululu National Park roughly 2820 km from Perth, 300 km (4.5hr drive) from Wolfe Creek Crater or 291km from Kununurra. This is where you will find the famous beehive domes and all I’ve got to say is it’s a MUST visit. I’ve written a more indepth blog about Purnululu National Park, so I’m going to keep this one short. If you’d like to read the blog you can access it here.

Must Sees:

• Echidna Chasm: An impressive 2km return walk which leads you through the gorges. If you complete this walk at the correct time of day you will be rewarded with the gorge filling with sunlight, creating a remarkable glow. Check with the visitor centre for times.
• Mini Palms Gorge: A bit of a longer walk, 4.4km return from the carpark. On this walk you will be rewarded with contrasting colours from the palms and the gorges. This walk follows a river bed, so it can be uneven and uncomfortable on the feet.
• Cathedral Gorge: The most popular walk in the National Park. A 2km return walk from Piccaninny car park, the Piccaninny and gorge trail is accessible via this track. At the end of this walk you will get to experience a beautiful natural amphitheatre which was created by rushing water over time. The acoustics are fantastic.
• Kungkalanayi lookout: This is the best lookout to watch sunset. I recommend going to Piccaninny car park for sunrise.

Kununurra

I’ve put Kununurra on this list because it is a great place to base yourself if you are planning on flying up and renting a car. This is aso the best place to make base if you plan on doing tours and not self driving into any of the National Parks. Majority of the tours going to El Questro, Purnululu National Park, Lake Argyle and others leave from here. You will also find some of the best helicopter flights depart from here. I only stopped in Kununurra for 1 night as it made it easier to do my helicopter flight in the morning. That not saying there are places to explore here!

Must Sees:

• Mirima National Park: This National Park is only 2 km outside Kununurra. It is locally known as the mini Bungle Bungles. It has some impressive walks with great views, and I do recommended visiting for an hour or so if you are up there.
• Ivanhoe Crossing: This is the old crossing over the Ord River, you will need a 4WD. This is a great place to fly the drone for some impressive shots. There are crocs in this area so beware when getting out of your car/crossing. Unfortunately I could not cross when I was up in Kununurra as it was too deep, and I currently don’t have a snorkel on my car. Next time!
• Black Rock Falls: Only a short 35min drive (32 km) from Kununurra, you will find this beautiful waterfall and swimming hole. You will need a 4WD to access this falls.

Recommended Activity:

Helispirit Scenic Flight: This is a great way to see the Kimberley’s from above! From Kununurra you have a variety of flight options from, waterfalls, Lake Argyle, Bungle Bungles and croc spotting. I booked the private waterfall swim and picnic helicopter flight. It was amazing! Had a great pilot who knew heaps about the area, we flew over lake Argyle and the ranges before landing at our very own private waterfall. The waterfall was freezing, but it was nice to have it all to ourselves. If you’re happy to slurg a bit, definitely go on a helicopter flight!

El Questro

A hikers and nature lovers paradise. El Questro has some of the best hikes in the Kimberley’s, and some of the best scenery. Located 103 km (about 1.5hrs) from Kununurra, you will need a 4WD to access El Questro, after the wet season expect some river crossings. I spent 2 days here but could easily of spent up to 5 days. I was very unfortunate that when I visited a lot of the hikes were closed due to flooding. Due to this reason I would recommend going later in the dry season, only downside is the waterfalls may not be running.

If you are not into hiking, there is still plenty to do. 4WD’ing, fishing, helicopter flights and other adventures are all available to experience at El Questro. Check upon arrival about where you can swim or not. After a heavy wet season saltwater crocs can make their way down to El Questro. A visitor permit is needed to visit El questro, $22 per adult and $11 per child.

Must Sees:

• Zebedee springs: The best spot to visit in my opinion and my dads (he didn’t want to leave). These springs are a short walk from the car park and are so relaxing after you’ve done a lot of hiking. These springs are only open to the public from 7am- 12pm, so make sure you plan right so you don’t miss out. I recommend either going first thing in the morning or just before closing. It does get busy, you are very unlikely to have these to yourself. I may of been the first to arrive at the gate before opening (6.30am), done a sneaky run once in to secure a good spot for my dad and I. Worth it, we go a little pool to ourselves for almost 2 hrs.
• Emma gorge: Just a note that this walk doesn’t actually start in El Questro, it starts at Emma Gorge resort. Best to do this walk on your way in or out of El Questro. A very picturesque 3.2 km return walk. You will walk by crystal clear watering holes into the rugged cockburn ranges, to be rewarded with a fresh waterfall at the end. Suitable footwear is recommend, as you will need to scramble over some rocks which may be slippery.
• Amalia gorge: This trail is a bit more difficult then the Emma gorge trail. I’d definitely recommend some hiking experience, suitable footwear and to be at least a little bit fit (then again my 63 yr old dad could do it). One this walk you will need to climb around a large boulder (there is a chain to hold onto), climb up a few different rock faces and scramble across a few rocks. At the end you will be rewarded with a beautiful waterfall and swimming hole! I will say, I am an experienced hiker and I found some of the climbs a bit hairy, especially the one after Ochre pool. There are plenty of swimming holes along this walk, apparently there is a freshwater croc that lives here, but I didn’t see him!
• Pigeon Hole 4WD track: A fairly easy 4WD track with a few river crossings. This is a great place to come and watch the sunset.
• Saddleback Ridge 4WD track: I do not recommend this track if you have little to no 4WD’ing experience. This track is very steep and has multiple switch backs which can make it difficult to navigate if you have on coming traffic. If you have to pick one track to do I recommend Pigeon hole, it has better views.

Other suggestions:

• Champagne springs: Closed when I visited.
• Moonshine gorge circuit: A 5km return hike, closed when I visited.
• El Questro gorge trail: A 7.2 km return hike. I didn’t complete this hike as the road was extremely flooded.
• Helispirit helicopter flights: If you have the money I recommend going on a helicopter flight. You will get to see some parts of El questro which are not accessible via car.

Accommodation:

• El Questro Homestead: The most expensive option with rooms prices from $2155 per night. If you can afford that, this would be such a nice place to stay. You get your meals, drinks, and tours included with this accommodation.
• EL Questro Station: The station offers garden or river view rooms starting from $485 a night. There are multiple camping options, including camping tents, private riverside camping, powered or unpowered campsites. These campgrounds have a kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities. I stayed at this campground, and the sites are really small. There is a tall sprinkler right in the middle of each campsite which is super annoying and inconvenient. The Station has a pub and entertainment, so it does have a good vibe. I’ll be honest, this was probably my least favourite campsite on my Kimberley’s trip.
• Emma Gorge Resort: Prices start at $350 per night. Accommodation includes 60 powered safari style tents with ensuites.

Lake Argyle

Lake Argyle is WA’s largest freshwater reservoir, part of the Ord River Irrigation System. Located very close the Northern Territory border, 173 km (roughly 2hrs) from El Questro and 71 km (roughly 1 hr) from Kununurra. There are plenty of things you can do in Lake Argyle from boat cruises, helicopter flights, scuba diving, water sports, hiking, mountain biking, the list goes on! I only got to spend 1 night at Lake Argyle, so I spent that time enjoying the view from the famous instagramable infinity pool. Take it from me it has the BEST views, absolutely freezing cold though. The coldest pool I’ve ever been in, it’s worth it for the views. I didn’t have time to explore any other parts of the lake which was unfortunate, however you could easily spend 2-5 days here.

Accommodation:

Lake Argyle Caravan Park: This place has the BEST vibes, hands down best caravan park I’ve stayed at. A range of accommodation is on offer from lake view villas from $399 per night, cabins from $299 per night, powered campsites from $31.50 per night and unpowered campsites from $19.50 per night. The park comes with facilities including bathroom, laundry, restaurant, pub and the famous infinity pool. If you do not wish to stay at the caravan park you can purchase a day visitor pass.

TIP: If you want to save time on driving and don’t mind renting a car, fly to Kununurra and rent a car to drop off in Perth. This means you can do this road-trip backwards and save a few long days of driving. Another option is visiting Karijini and Millstream on your way back to Perth. This means instead of a 3 day drive home you will only have a 15 hr drive.

TIP*: If you are planning on visiting more than 1 National Park on any of your trips, I recommend buying a Park Pass from the DPAW website.

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If you are planning a trip to the Philippines and are looking for pristine quiet beaches, untouched nature, and crystal-clear water. You NEED to visit the Balabac islands! 

As beautiful as popular tourist places like El Nido and Coron are, they don’t even compare to how beautiful the Balabac Islands are. I believe these are the most beautiful islands that I am ever going to see in my lifetime. 

Balabac is a group of 31 islands, which many are uninhabited. They have vibrant corals, plenty of marine life, pristine beaches, and friendly locals. The Balabac Islands currently aren’t extremely popular with tourists (written in 2024), due to its off-the-beaten-path location. This however may change in the coming years as they are planning on building an airport in the area.

• The Balabac islands are NOT a luxury get away – the accommodation, transport and food are very basic.
• You will be spending a lot of time on a boat island hopping, so if you don’t like being on the ocean, this isn’t for you. 
• The Balabac islands are very remote. There might not be reception, no access to shops and limited medical care. 
• The tours are a lot of beaches, swimming, and snorkelling. You will also be in the elements quite a bit. 
• You will be on Filipino time – so not everything might run smoothly or to schedule. 

At the time of writing this blog, it is nearly impossible to visit the Balabac islands independently. It is not like other places in the Philippines where you can easily island hop and rent a scooter to visit spots on your own. You will need to have a boat to take you to the islands, the coast guard is also extremely strict, there are no regular ferries, and you will need permission to visit most of the islands. For this reason, I recommend you book a tour if you wish to explore this slice of paradise. 

I booked my tour with Lagum Adventures, and I can highly recommend them. Lagum Adventures has a 3D/2N, 4D/3N AND 5D/4N tour. I completed the 4D/3N tour which I found to be plenty of time to explore the islands. I wouldn’t recommend a shorter expedition, as you have a bit of travel to and from the port.

What is the tour like? 

There are only a few tour companies that currently operate in the Balabac Islands, and they all run the same itinerary, but on different days of the week. This means you and your tour group will be the only ones on each island you visit. This is of course unless it is another groups basecamp island (each company has a different one). 

I found the tour to be very well organised and the crew were excellent. As I mentioned before there is a lot of time spent on a boat during the island-hopping days. You will also spend a lot of time in a van on the first and last day with travel between Puerto Princesa and the port (about 6-7 hours). I should also mention the 2-4am pick up time on the first day, as I know some people might struggle with this! Overall, this is the best activity I have done so far on my travels for my World Tour, it was the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. 

The tour from Lagum Adventures includes. 

• Tour Guide 
• Pick up and drop off in PPS
• Boat rentals and fuel 
• Environmental Fees 
• Full board meals (Except breakfast day 1) 
• Drinking water 
• All entrance fees to the islands 
• A beachfront campsite 
• Tent with thin sheet
• Use of generator between 6-7am (to charge electronics such as phone/drone) 
• Tour insurance 
• Life Vest 

How much did it cost?

The 4D/3N expedition cost me 15,500 Pesos which is around $415 AUD. I didn’t buy any snacks or alcohol on the islands which does cost extra. In saying that, a Smirnoff Mule, cider, or beer cost around 50-80 pesos $1.50-$2.50 AUD. Snacks were $1-$5 AUD and a bottle of rum was around $10 AUD. 

If you want to drink on the islands, I would budget a total of around $500 AUD for the whole experience. This will also give you enough for tips, which are expected at the end of the trip. 

What is the accommodation like? 

The accommodation is VERY basic, but if you have camped before, you will quite enjoy it. There were two types of accommodation on my expedition – tents and huts. The huts were for the bigger groups of 3-4 people and the tents for couples or solo travellers. Both accommodations had thin mattresses, a thin blanket, pillow, and fans. There were also plugs to charge your electronics either outside your tent or in the huts. 

As the camping is on the beach, I found the tents to not get too hot during my stay. I also wasn’t equipped with a fan in my ‘singles tent’, but still slept extremely well for the duration of my trip. 

There are bucket showers and toilets on the island. If you’ve never had a bucket shower, it is exactly what it sounds like – you use a bucket to wash yourself. You also use a bucket to flush the toilets. You will need to bring your own toilet paper and dispose of it in the bins NOT the toilet. 

There were also plenty of seating areas for meals and relaxing at my campsite island. 

What was the food like? 

Even though the food was basic, it was still delicious! It contained a lot of freshly caught seafood, so if you are allergic, you may have a slight issue with food on this trip. I am a vegetarian mostly when I travel, and they did cater to my needs. This was mainly stir-fried vegetables, rice, and fruit – which is fine to me because I am not a fussy eater.

Do not expect luxury meals on this trip, there are very limited supplies on the islands, so they must use what they have. 

• Sunscreen 
• Insect repellent 
• Hat and sunglasses
• Bathers, 2 pairs 
• Pyjamas 
• Dry Bag 
• Snorkel (can also rent on the island) 
• Flip Flops, Teva’s, water shoes – something easy to take on and off (or your walk around barefoot like I did)
• Light clothing, preferably one pair of light pants to protect from mosquitos at night.
• Toiletries 
• Sea Sickness tablets 
• Lightweight towel
• Toilet paper 
• Portable chargers 
• Camera or drone 

Most of the accommodations in Puerto Princesa will allow you to leave your big luggage at the accommodation for the duration of your expedition. I do recommend packing light and if you can pack it all into a small backpacker or dry bag, this will be the best option. Trust me you don’t want to be lugging your big backpack around, so make sure to book accommodation before and after your trip. 

Best time to visit the Balabac Islands? 

The best time to visit the Balabac Islands is during the dry season which is between October and May. However, like most tropical destinations, the weather can be unpredictable. I completed my trip in March, and we had perfect weather for the 4 Days, it was very hot during the day, but clear at night. 

Best Islands in my Opinion!

Although all the islands in this region are beautiful, there are defiantly a few that stand out and if you are thinking of doing a shorter expedition, I highly recommend seeing if your tour includes these. 

The BEST Island by far. This is one of the islands that was furthest away from our campsite, taking 2 hours to reach. Once approaching this island, we all knew it was going to be worth it. The water was a vibrant crystal-clear blue, you could see so many turtles swimming just from the boat. The island itself was the definition of a tropical paradise. 

A small sandbar with hundreds of star fish. It wasn’t a complete sandbar when we visited, but it was still a beautiful experience to see that many star fish in one spot. It also looked beautiful from above! 

Another sandbar that wasn’t quite a sandbar but was still a fun place to go for a dip. There was a slight current when we visited, but this just brought out our inner child, racing each other and seeing who the current brought to the end quickest. Don’t worry it wasn’t a super strong current that you were going to get swept to sea, but I would recommend knowing how to swim for this one. 

This island had pristine beaches with shallow waters for swimming. There were also a few good snorkelling spots. The island also had a bar and small shop if you wanted to relax with a beverage in hand. It was also beautiful from above. 

This was our basecamp island, and it was beautiful. There were bioluminescent algae at night, incredible sunsets, white beaches with shallow waters. It was the perfect place to start and end each day. 

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If you are planning a trip to the Philippines and are looking for pristine quiet beaches, untouched nature, and crystal-clear water. You NEED to visit the Balabac islands! 

As beautiful as popular tourist places like El Nido and Coron are, they don’t even compare to how beautiful the Balabac Islands are. I believe these are the most beautiful islands that I am ever going to see in my lifetime. 

Balabac is a group of 31 islands, which many are uninhabited. They have vibrant corals, plenty of marine life, pristine beaches, and friendly locals. The Balabac Islands currently aren’t extremely popular with tourists (written in 2024), due to its off-the-beaten-path location. This however may change in the coming years as they are planning on building an airport in the area.

Couple things to keep in mind before visiting

• The Balabac islands are NOT a luxury get away – the accommodation, transport and food are very basic.
• You will be spending a lot of time on a boat island hopping, so if you don’t like being on the ocean, this isn’t for you. 
• The Balabac islands are very remote. There might not be reception, no access to shops and limited medical care. 
• The tours are a lot of beaches, swimming, and snorkelling. You will also be in the elements quite a bit. 
• You will be on Filipino time – so not everything might run smoothly or to schedule. 

How to visit the Balabac Islands?

At the time of writing this blog, it is nearly impossible to visit the Balabac islands independently. It is not like other places in the Philippines where you can easily island hop and rent a scooter to visit spots on your own. You will need to have a boat to take you to the islands, the coast guard is also extremely strict, there are no regular ferries, and you will need permission to visit most of the islands. For this reason, I recommend you book a tour if you wish to explore this slice of paradise. 

I booked my tour with Lagum Adventures, and I can highly recommend them. Lagum Adventures has a 3D/2N, 4D/3N AND 5D/4N tour. I completed the 4D/3N tour which I found to be plenty of time to explore the islands. I wouldn’t recommend a shorter expedition, as you have a bit of travel to and from the port.

What is the tour like? 

There are only a few tour companies that currently operate in the Balabac Islands, and they all run the same itinerary, but on different days of the week. This means you and your tour group will be the only ones on each island you visit. This is of course unless it is another groups basecamp island (each company has a different one). 

I found the tour to be very well organised and the crew were excellent. As I mentioned before there is a lot of time spent on a boat during the island-hopping days. You will also spend a lot of time in a van on the first and last day with travel between Puerto Princesa and the port (about 6-7 hours). I should also mention the 2-4am pick up time on the first day, as I know some people might struggle with this! Overall, this is the best activity I have done so far on my travels for my World Tour, it was the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. 

The tour from Lagum Adventures includes. 

• Tour Guide 
• Pick up and drop off in PPS
• Boat rentals and fuel 
• Environmental Fees 
• Full board meals (Except breakfast day 1) 
• Drinking water 
• All entrance fees to the islands 
• A beachfront campsite 
• Tent with thin sheet
• Use of generator between 6-7am (to charge electronics such as phone/drone) 
• Tour insurance 
• Life Vest 

How much did it cost?

The 4D/3N expedition cost me 15,500 Pesos which is around $415 AUD. I didn’t buy any snacks or alcohol on the islands which does cost extra. In saying that, a Smirnoff Mule, cider, or beer cost around 50-80 pesos $1.50-$2.50 AUD. Snacks were $1-$5 AUD and a bottle of rum was around $10 AUD. 

If you want to drink on the islands, I would budget a total of around $500 AUD for the whole experience. This will also give you enough for tips, which are expected at the end of the trip. 

What is the accommodation like? 

The accommodation is VERY basic, but if you have camped before, you will quite enjoy it. There were two types of accommodation on my expedition – tents and huts. The huts were for the bigger groups of 3-4 people and the tents for couples or solo travellers. Both accommodations had thin mattresses, a thin blanket, pillow, and fans. There were also plugs to charge your electronics either outside your tent or in the huts. 

As the camping is on the beach, I found the tents to not get too hot during my stay. I also wasn’t equipped with a fan in my ‘singles tent’, but still slept extremely well for the duration of my trip. 

There are bucket showers and toilets on the island. If you’ve never had a bucket shower, it is exactly what it sounds like – you use a bucket to wash yourself. You also use a bucket to flush the toilets. You will need to bring your own toilet paper and dispose of it in the bins NOT the toilet. 

There were also plenty of seating areas for meals and relaxing at my campsite island. 

What was the food like? 

Even though the food was basic, it was still delicious! It contained a lot of freshly caught seafood, so if you are allergic, you may have a slight issue with food on this trip. I am a vegetarian mostly when I travel, and they did cater to my needs. This was mainly stir-fried vegetables, rice, and fruit – which is fine to me because I am not a fussy eater.

Do not expect luxury meals on this trip, there are very limited supplies on the islands, so they must use what they have. 

What to Pack for the Balabac Islands? 

• Sunscreen 
• Insect repellent 
• Hat and sunglasses
• Bathers, 2 pairs 
• Pyjamas 
• Dry Bag 
• Snorkel (can also rent on the island) 
• Flip Flops, Teva’s, water shoes – something easy to take on and off (or your walk around barefoot like I did)
• Light clothing, preferably one pair of light pants to protect from mosquitos at night.
• Toiletries 
• Sea Sickness tablets 
• Lightweight towel
• Toilet paper 
• Portable chargers 
• Camera or drone 

Most of the accommodations in Puerto Princesa will allow you to leave your big luggage at the accommodation for the duration of your expedition. I do recommend packing light and if you can pack it all into a small backpacker or dry bag, this will be the best option. Trust me you don’t want to be lugging your big backpack around, so make sure to book accommodation before and after your trip. 

Best time to visit the Balabac Islands? 

The best time to visit the Balabac Islands is during the dry season which is between October and May. However, like most tropical destinations, the weather can be unpredictable. I completed my trip in March, and we had perfect weather for the 4 Days, it was very hot during the day, but clear at night. 

Best Islands in my Opinion!

Although all the islands in this region are beautiful, there are defiantly a few that stand out and if you are thinking of doing a shorter expedition, I highly recommend seeing if your tour includes these. 

The BEST Island by far. This is one of the islands that was furthest away from our campsite, taking 2 hours to reach. Once approaching this island, we all knew it was going to be worth it. The water was a vibrant crystal-clear blue, you could see so many turtles swimming just from the boat. The island itself was the definition of a tropical paradise. 

A small sandbar with hundreds of star fish. It wasn’t a complete sandbar when we visited, but it was still a beautiful experience to see that many star fish in one spot. It also looked beautiful from above! 

Another sandbar that wasn’t quite a sandbar but was still a fun place to go for a dip. There was a slight current when we visited, but this just brought out our inner child, racing each other and seeing who the current brought to the end quickest. Don’t worry it wasn’t a super strong current that you were going to get swept to sea, but I would recommend knowing how to swim for this one. 

This island had pristine beaches with shallow waters for swimming. There were also a few good snorkelling spots. The island also had a bar and small shop if you wanted to relax with a beverage in hand. It was also beautiful from above. 

This was our basecamp island, and it was beautiful. There were bioluminescent algae at night, incredible sunsets, white beaches with shallow waters. It was the perfect place to start and end each day. 

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Venice, an iconic city in Italy which is so high on everyone’s Italian itineraries. This cities history dates back over 1500 years, and it has played a significant role in shaping the culture, architecture, and politics of Italy and Europe.

Venice sadly was not one of my favourite cities in Italy, and honestly I felt it is a bit over hyped. Nether the less, I don’t regret my visit here and I do think it is somewhere you should have on your Italian itinerary, especially if this is your first visit! I think Venice is a one and done type of city. meaning once you’ve seen it all, you don’t need to go back. But hey, that’s just my opinion!

If you are looking for things to do in Venice, you can visit my blog post here.

This blog post contains affiliate links, I may receive a small compensation if you use them – don’t worry at no extra cost to you! Thankyou for your ongoing support.

There are three ways to get to here: Bus, train or flying. I recommend taking the bus or train if you are in Italy already, as it is cheap and efficient. If you are coming internationally, I would look into flying into Venice Marco Polo airport. When catching the bus, I would look into companies such as FlixBus. I have used them multiple times and found every journey smooth.

If you are catching the train into Venice there are two train stations: Venice Mestre and Venice Santa Lucia. Venice Santa Lucia is the closest train station to the iconic Venice attractions. This is just something to keep in mind when planning your travel days! If you can only get a train to Venice Metre, don’t worry it’s very easy to catch a train to Venice Santa Lucia. It’s a 1.45 Euro one way ticket, which can be purchased at the ticket booths at the station. This is the way you will get into Venice if you plan on staying near Venice Mestre Station.

You will most likely walk around on your visit. There is the option to catch water taxis or ferries to certain parts of Venice, which is extremely helpful if you have heaps of luggage and are staying in the main district. However, if you are there to just explore I would recommend walking. This way you can visit hidden alley ways and stumble across restaurants and shops that you usually wouldn’t find.

Where to stay?

If you have money to spare and want to stay somewhere over looking the canals, I would make sure you stay in Venice on the island. I would make sure of this by using the maps feature on booking websites. These types of accommodation, although closer to the main attractions, do tend to be a little more expensive. I personally recommend staying near the Venice Mestre train station. This is still a part of Venice, so It means you don’t have to pay visitors fees (explained below), but it is a lot more affordable. The train into Venice from here only takes 10 mins, so its not to far to travel in and out each day.

I stayed at Anda Venice hostel, and I highly recommend it. It is a 4 min walk to the Venice Mestre train station, has good facilities, clean beds, plenty of space to relax and a kitchen. It isn’t just for backpackers, there are plenty of private and family rooms too. Best of all, it was an extremely affordable price. For three nights in a 6 bed female dorm, it cost me $150 AUD – $50 AUD a night, this is extremely cheap for Europe standards.

Is two days enough?

I believe two days is plenty of time to see everything Venice has to offer. Two days will give you enough time to see everything in the main area and head off to some smaller islands such as Burano for a day. I do believe any longer in this area, and you will get bored. Venice is a very small city compared to other cities in Italy, it can mostly be explored by foot in one day. If you want to visit places at a slower pace, and add in long meal times, I would extend it to three days. However, personally I believe tow is plenty.

Other Important Notes

Venice has recently rolled out a tourist tax of 5 EURO per person, during peak times and weekends. You will have to fill out a form with the days you intend on travelling, pay the fee and have the receipt ready to show on your arrival to the area. This is only for people who place on visiting for a day trip. If you plan on staying in Venice, either on the main island or near the Venice Mestre train station, you are exempt. This means you don’t need to pay the fee, and can complete the form once you arrive at your accommodation.

You can find the form here.

Pickpocketing is also a massive problem in here, so it is wise to take precautions. Especially if you are visiting during the busy season. I would make sure to have a bag that zips up, and can be worn on the front of your body. Either a backpack or cross body bag. If you can buy a buy with anti theft features that is even better – I recommend Pacsafe. There are also a lot of scams in Venice, so just be careful and don’t let anyone put anything on you (bracelet etc) or take photos for you as you may not get your phone back.

Venice – 2 Day Itinerary

For the first day in Venice we are going to explore the main tourist attractions! The order of the sights seen on this itinerary are if you have headed into Venice and got off the train at Venice Santa Lucia train station. Make sure you have comfortable walking shoes, as you won’t be catching any public transport today, expect for the train. These are just the attractions listed below in the best order to visit – I haven’t included lunch stops so please make sure to do this!

• First Stop: Grand Canal
• Second Stop: Doges Palace (aim for the 9 am entry)
• Third Stop: Bridge of Sighs (Included in Doges Palace)
• Fourth Stop: St Marks Basilica
• Fifth Stop: Gondola Ride
• Sixth Stop: Liberia Acqua Alta
• Seventh Stop: Suso Gelato
• Eighth Stop: Rialto Bridge
• Ninth Stop: Home

One day two of this Venice Itinerary, we will head to the islands off the main island: Burano, Murano and Torcello. These islands can easily be visited as a joint package tour, or by yourself. I recommend the tour as it takes the hassle out of organising transport and it also includes a glass making demonstration on Murano. You get adequate time at each stop to wonder around and do as you please. There are plenty of beautiful spots to check out, resturants and cafes. It is also a lot quieter than then Venice, which will be nice, especially if you travel during the peak season.

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Tongariro National Park is an adventure lover’s paradise, offering active volcanic valleys, incredible hikes and in winter, snow activities. And of course, the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing. 

I only spent 2 days in this national park, with my main attraction being the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. I did get to explore some beautiful waterfalls while I was there, but I recommend you spent 2-3 days in this national park. Especially if you plan on doing the crossing, as the extra day or 2 will give you some wiggle room in case there is bad weather. 

Where to stay in the National Park

If you are travelling in a campervan, I recommend staying at one of the DOC campsites in the national park. They have basic camping facilities but are also very close to hikes and the shuttle service for the crossing, leaving from National Park. 

If you are looking for something a bit cosier, you can opt to stay in the Whakapapa Village or in National Park. 

This is New Zealand’s best day hike and is well worth doing. Along this track you will hike through volcanic valleys, lava flows, to craters and vivid crater lakes. This day hike is 19.4km long and will take you roughly 5-8hrs to complete. 

Although I did not have the amazing experience and views you get along this hike, it was still incredibly beautiful is some spots. You can find out all the information you need to plan the hike and my experience here. 

2. Hike to Taranaki Falls 

This is an epic waterfall, and easily accessible. This hike is 6km return, leaving from the Whakapapa Village. It will take you roughly 2-3 hrs to complete, depending how many photos stops you get along the way. 

Although my crossing experience didn’t go as planned, I was treated to the most incredible views along this hike. On a clear day you will get views of Mount Ruapehua and Mount Ngaruruhoe (which you may know as Mt Doom from Lord of the Rings). 

The trail is well marked and flattish. There is one set of steep stairs which leads you to the waterfall. You can get up close with this waterfall, so much that you can feel the mist! 

3. Mangawhero Falls 

Another short walk from the car park. I unfortunately missed this one on my travels, but it is said to be stunning. This is also another one for the Lord of the Rings fans!

4. Short walk to Tawahi Falls 

This walk will only take you about 10-15mins and is located on the road to the Whakapapa Village. The walk down to the falls is very easy and has two points where you can see the falls from above or below. The falls is a beautiful turquoise colour, offering some great photo opportunities. This is well worth doing as it won’t take you very long to complete! 

5. Ski Down an active Volcano 

If you are visiting in the winter months, Mt Ruapehu becomes a hub for skiing and snowboarding, with two large ski fields on the mountain. 

This is a hike I would love to do one day! It’s one of New Zealand’s great hikes. It is a 42km loop, tracking through some of the best volcanic scenery of the national park. It includes to Tongariro Alpine Crossing and Tama Lakes, however you will also get to some secluded sections only this track follows.  

Click here for a detailed two week North Island itinerary!

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Japan is one of those places which has absolutely stolen my heart. I have heard so much about how everyone loves Japan when they visit and was told I would too. I wasn’t sure as I am not much of a city girl and prefer nature destinations but was I wrong! Japan is such a beautiful country, rich in culture, amazing food, beautiful scenery, and incredible history. And we can’t forget the shopping! 

I loved Japan so much that I ended up making plans to visit the following year, while I was still there! Now, I was very nervous to explore Japan for the first time as I was extremely overwhelmed with what I should do with my 2 weeks there. I spent hours research blogs, watching YouTube and social media – I then decided on this itinerary. This itinerary is great for first time visitors who aren’t 100% sure where to go or just want to follow an easy route. 

I have included some basic information about how to travel around Japan, but if you would like a more in-depth guide to travelling around Japan – please let me know in the comments! 

This blog post contains affiliate links, I may receive a small compensation if you use them – don’t worry at no extra cost to you! Thank you for your ongoing support. 

How to travel around Japan?

The best way to travel around Japan is by the Shinkansen (bullet trains). This will be the quickest and most efficient way to travel on this itinerary and is how you will get from each destination to the next. The best way to travel internally in each destination is by public transport. Japan has one of the most efficient public transport system I have ever seen.

Booking the Shinkansen is easy, you can book it through third party websites such as Klook. Or you can use the SmartEX app to book your tickets directly and link your transport card for easy boarding. 

You can also book your ticket directly at the train station at one of the ticket machines. These machines are very easy to use as they are all able to be put in English. I wouldn’t recommend doing this option if you are travelling during the busy season such as Cherry Blossom or Golden Week, as you may miss out on seats.  

How to stay connected in Japan? 

There are several options to stay connected in Japan, via an Esim or pocket WIFI. I personally am not a fan of pocket WIFI, as you must send them back once you have finished using them, plus carry them around. Every time I travel, I always get an Esim when I travel, as it means I can be connected as soon as I land in a new country. I only ever use one brand of Esim and that is Airalo.

They have great options for Japan Esims – keep in mind all sims are going to be extremely expensive in Japan. Japan, however, does have a lot of free WIFI spots too so you won’t use too much of your data! 

I also highly recommend downloading Google maps for your trip. This will be the best way to understand how to get around, and it will help you plan travel routes with all the public transport information needed. 

Best time to visit Japan? 

The best time to travel to Japan is during Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Spring is when the Cherry Blossom season and Golden week occur, so expect it to be very busy during these times. I personally think it’s best to head to Japan 2 weeks after Cherry Blossom season, you still may see some cherry blossom trees, but it isn’t as crowded! 

If you visit during Autumn, expect beautiful scenery with the landscapes changing colour and lovely temperatures. 

2 Week Japan Itinerary

Starting off this itinerary strong with Tokyo! Tokyo is such an incredible place, I thought I was going to be overwhelmed here, but ended up loving it so much. That’s a lot coming from someone who isn’t a big fan of cities! There Is so much to do in Tokyo, I’ll be honest you are barely going to scratch the surface within the 5 days on this Japan itinerary. However, 5 days is the perfect amount of time to explore the main areas of Tokyo, and further out to some country towns on day trips. 

I have written an in-depth blog for a 5 day Tokyo itinerary, which can be found here.

My most favourite destination on this Japan Itinerary! Kyoto is an incredible city, with endless things to do. Having over 2000 shrines and temples, rich cultural experiences, and amazing culinary experiences. You won’t get bored for the three days you are exploring this incredible area. 

I have written an in depth blog on how to spend 3 days in Kyoto, which can be found here. If you are just looking for things to do with your time in Kyoto, you can read my blog here which has 12 wonderful things to do.  

DAY 10 – 11: Hiroshima 

Hiroshima is a must visit for your first Japan trip. It is only a short visit in this Japan itinerary, but it is plenty of time to see the main attractions, learn a bit of history and enjoy the outskirts. I have written a blog here which has all the amazing things I recommend you do with your time in Hiroshima.

I highly recommend taking a day trip to the Miyajima Island, especially if you love hiking and nature! 

You will finish off your Japan itinerary in Osaka, Japan’s second largest city. This city is full of life and is a great place to get your final feast on! You can either have 1.5 full days here, flying out on the 14^th day. OR you can have 2.5 full days here and fly out on the 15^th day. I personally would add the extra day and fly on the 15^th day of this itinerary, because this means you can explore Osaka for 1.5 days, then head over to Nara for a day trip. 

If you are looking for things to do in Osaka, you can read my blog here.

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Japan is one of those places which has absolutely stolen my heart. I have heard so much about how everyone loves Japan when they visit and was told I would too. I wasn’t sure as I am not much of a city girl and prefer nature destinations but was I wrong! Japan is such a beautiful country, rich in culture, amazing food, beautiful scenery, and incredible history. And we can’t forget the shopping! 

I loved Japan so much that I ended up making plans to visit the following year, while I was still there! Now, I was very nervous to explore Japan for the first time as I was extremely overwhelmed with what I should do with my 2 weeks there. I spent hours research blogs, watching YouTube and social media – I then decided on this itinerary. This itinerary is great for first time visitors who aren’t 100% sure where to go or just want to follow an easy route. 

I have included some basic information about how to travel around Japan, but if you would like a more in-depth guide to travelling around Japan – please let me know in the comments! 

This blog post contains affiliate links, I may receive a small compensation if you use them – don’t worry at no extra cost to you! Thank you for your ongoing support. 

How to travel around Japan?

The best way to travel around Japan is by the Shinkansen (bullet trains). This will be the quickest and most efficient way to travel on this itinerary and is how you will get from each destination to the next. The best way to travel internally in each destination is by public transport. Japan has one of the most efficient public transport system I have ever seen.

Booking the Shinkansen is easy, you can book it through third party websites such as Klook. Or you can use the SmartEX app to book your tickets directly and link your transport card for easy boarding. 

You can also book your ticket directly at the train station at one of the ticket machines. These machines are very easy to use as they are all able to be put in English. I wouldn’t recommend doing this option if you are travelling during the busy season such as Cherry Blossom or Golden Week, as you may miss out on seats.  

How to stay connected in Japan? 

There are several options to stay connected in Japan, via an Esim or pocket WIFI. I personally am not a fan of pocket WIFI, as you must send them back once you have finished using them, plus carry them around. Every time I travel, I always get an Esim when I travel, as it means I can be connected as soon as I land in a new country. I only ever use one brand of Esim and that is Airalo.

They have great options for Japan Esims – keep in mind all sims are going to be extremely expensive in Japan. Japan, however, does have a lot of free WIFI spots too so you won’t use too much of your data! 

I also highly recommend downloading Google maps for your trip. This will be the best way to understand how to get around, and it will help you plan travel routes with all the public transport information needed. 

Best time to visit Japan? 

The best time to travel to Japan is during Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Spring is when the Cherry Blossom season and Golden week occur, so expect it to be very busy during these times. I personally think it’s best to head to Japan 2 weeks after Cherry Blossom season, you still may see some cherry blossom trees, but it isn’t as crowded! 

If you visit during Autumn, expect beautiful scenery with the landscapes changing colour and lovely temperatures. 

2 Week Japan Itinerary

Starting off this itinerary strong with Tokyo! Tokyo is such an incredible place, I thought I was going to be overwhelmed here, but ended up loving it so much. That’s a lot coming from someone who isn’t a big fan of cities! There Is so much to do in Tokyo, I’ll be honest you are barely going to scratch the surface within the 5 days on this Japan itinerary. However, 5 days is the perfect amount of time to explore the main areas of Tokyo, and further out to some country towns on day trips. 

I have written an in-depth blog for a 5 day Tokyo itinerary, which can be found here.

My most favourite destination on this Japan Itinerary! Kyoto is an incredible city, with endless things to do. Having over 2000 shrines and temples, rich cultural experiences, and amazing culinary experiences. You won’t get bored for the three days you are exploring this incredible area. 

I have written an in depth blog on how to spend 3 days in Kyoto, which can be found here. If you are just looking for things to do with your time in Kyoto, you can read my blog here which has 12 wonderful things to do.  

DAY 10 – 11: Hiroshima 

Hiroshima is a must visit for your first Japan trip. It is only a short visit in this Japan itinerary, but it is plenty of time to see the main attractions, learn a bit of history and enjoy the outskirts. I have written a blog here which has all the amazing things I recommend you do with your time in Hiroshima.

I highly recommend taking a day trip to the Miyajima Island, especially if you love hiking and nature! 

You will finish off your Japan itinerary in Osaka, Japan’s second largest city. This city is full of life and is a great place to get your final feast on! You can either have 1.5 full days here, flying out on the 14^th day. OR you can have 2.5 full days here and fly out on the 15^th day. I personally would add the extra day and fly on the 15^th day of this itinerary, because this means you can explore Osaka for 1.5 days, then head over to Nara for a day trip. 

If you are looking for things to do in Osaka, you can read my blog here.

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Looking to plan a day trip from Tokyo to Nikko? Then this blog is for you! 

As much as I loved Tokyo, after a few days in this busy city, I was craving a bit of nature. My friend who lives in Tokyo was the one who suggested that I visit Nikko for a day trip, a mountainous area in the Tochigi Prefecture. I will say, I am glad I did.

Nikko was such a beautiful experience and a wonderful day trip! It is a little far from Tokyo and will require a full day for exploring and travel. But trust me, it will be worth it. This blog will have all the information you need to plan your day trip to Nikko from Tokyo – and a day trip itinerary!

How to get to Nikko from Tokyo? 

Nikko is located around 150km North of Tokyo, it takes around 2-3 hours to get here from Tokyo. There are two ways you can get from Tokyo to Nikko; JR Pass Route or Tobu Nikko Line. 

If you are using a JR Pass during your time in Japan, then this is the route you would choose. From Tokyo or Ueno Station, you can take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen to Utsunomiya, then catch the JR Nikko Line to Nikko Station. 

There is a shared line, which JR and Tobu share from Tobu Asakusa Station. Unfortunately, the JR pass is invalid on this line, and for this part of the journey – so you will need to pay an additional fee. 

This is the route you will choose if you don’t have a JR Pass. This route takes you from the Tobu Asakusa Station to Nikko on the Tobu Nikko Line. It takes around 2 hours if you use the limited express trains, which can be booked in advance online or at the station. I would recommend this service if you were planning on visiting for a day trip. 

If you buy the Nikko Pass (explained below), this includes a return ticket from Tokyo to Nikko not on the limited express trains, but by using the local trains. This takes a little bit longer, around 3-3.5 hours of travel. The Nikko pass also covers the basic fare if you choose to purchase a limited express train ticket. 

Is it worth getting the Nikko Pass? 

I got the Nikko Pass for my day trip, and I think it is worth it. It can easily be purchased online and has simple instructions on how and where to pick up the physical pass. It also makes the day trip much cheaper, then if you were to do it yourself. The Nikko Pass includes all transport on the Tobu Bus lines and Tobu Railway lines between Shimo-Imaichi, Tobu Nikko and Shin-Fujiwara stations. It also includes some discounts on admission fees to some attractions in Nikko. Depending on what pass you choose, it also includes sightseeing activities such as a cruise.

For more information visit here.

There are two passes you can choose from, World Heritage or All Areas. I chose the “All Areas” because I wanted to visit some areas that were in the mountains, outside the limits of the World Heritage pass. However, if you want to just see the main temples and pagodas, you will only need the World Heritage pass. The World Heritage pass is 2,120 yen (roughly $21 AUD), and the All Areas is 4,780 yen (roughly $47 AUD). 

The World Heritage pass can only be used for 1 or 2 days, whereas All Access pass is valid for 4 consecutive days. You also get free sightseeing cruise on Lake Chuzenji with the All-Access pass – just make sure the cruise is in operation! Before choosing which one you want to buy, I would look at what places you want to visit in Nikko first.

Nikko One Day Itinerary 

To optimise your time in Nikko, I would recommend jumping on either the first or second limited express train. If you are picking up your Nikko pass the day of your day trip, you will need to catch one after 8am, as this is when the tourist office where you pick up your pass opens. Another option, if you want more time, is to pick up your pass the day before your day trip – you can the catch the earliest train.

If you’ve purchased the ‘All Access’ Pass, follow this itinerary from the beginning. If you have purchased the ‘World Heritage Pass, skip to number 3.

Once you have landed in Nikko, catch the first bus heading to Lake Chuzenji (towards Chu Zenji Onsen). Take the short 15 min walk to the cruise port and hop on the one-hour cruise around the lake. Marvell at the sights and the amazing beauty of this area. Once the cruise is done, it will drop you off at the same area you started. 

Make sure you check when the cruise is in operation! This is something I was looking forward to doing but I didn’t check the cruise starting times. So, when I got there, I found out the cruise wasn’t operating till 3 days after my visit! It is still a beautiful lake and is really lovely to walk around. 

This beautiful waterfall is about a 25-minute walk from the cruise port. There is a free observation deck that gives you a beautiful view of Nikko’s most famous waterfall. Kegon Waterfall is the only exit for the waters of Lake Chuzenji. It is spectacular all year round, but in autumn is when it is at its best as it is surrounded by vibrant colourful trees. If you want a closer look you can pay to access the lower observation deck (570 yen). This is a nice 15 minute stop, and if you are hungry there are a few shops you can purchase food.

A short bus ride down the mountain, you will get off a stop outside the Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park. From here you will walk around 25-30 minutes, following signs for Kanmangafuchi abyss. This is such a quiet and scenic spot, compared to other parts of Nikko – so I do recommend you stop here. 

The narrow valley was formed after Mount Nantai erupted many many years ago, it is now a lovely walking trail near the river. Lined with stone statues of Jizo Bosatsu (the guardian of travellers and children), wearing crocheted hats. You can walk along this trail for as long as you’d like, I followed for around 20 minutes before heading back and having lunch in the small seating area at the beginning of the trail. 

You will now head into the World Heritage Area of Nikko, you can either opt to walk here from Kanmangafuchi Abyss or catch the bus. You can easily spend several hours exploring this area, depending on whether or not you’d like to enter the temples and pagodas. I didn’t enter anything, as I was trying to save money – but I did spend an hour and a half walking around the area and seeing everything from the outside. There are so many temples to see, so I would recommend doing your own research to see which ones you’d like to visit the most.

Looking for something extra? Check out this tour here to really make you’re experience in Nikko unique! This one of a kind experience incudes an horseback archery experience at Nikko Toshogu Shrine. This experience is led by instructors from the Ogasawara school of samurai arts, dating back to the Kamakura period (1185-1333). This tour also includes a guided tour of the shrine – I wish I knew about this experience when I visited!

You will pass this bridge on your way to the first stop on this itinerary. This is one of Nikko’s most famous sights, it is only a 5 min bus ride from the train station or a short walk from the World Heritage Area. This bright red bridge dates back to 1636, almost 400 years old! The legend goes that when the first head priest of Nikko asked the mountains for a way to cross the river, two snakes appeared and turned into there bridge we see today.

You can simply admire the bridge from afar or you can pay a small fee to access the bridge and walk across it.

On your way back to the train station, spend some time exploring the town. There are so many cute cafes and restaurants along this main strip, so it’s the perfect time to stop in for some late lunch or snacks. It is about a 20-30 minute walk from the Shinkyo Bridge to the train station.

Finish off this itinerary by catching a late afternoon train back to Tokyo. Even though you haven’t explored all areas of Nikko, you have see some beautiful nature spots, a bit of history and culture! If you have more time to spare, I would head towards the Tobu World Square.

If you finish all your activities early or later then expected – you can easily change the time of your limited express train online, using your confirmation email.

Is it worth visiting Nikko for a day? 

Personally, I think it is, especially if you are short on time in Japan but still craving to see a little bit of the Japanese countryside. On a day trip you are not going to see all that Nikko has to offer, so if you want to explore more of the area, I recommend spending more than a day here. Next time I go to Japan, I would love to spend a night or two exploring here. 

But in the end yes, I think it is worth a day trip from Tokyo. It takes a while to get there, but like all travel in Japan, it is a comfortable trip. 

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