Monday, 12 August 2024

SOUTH KOREA 2024 ITINERARY

{14 nights in Seoul + Day trip to Suwon}

I spent 2 weeks in South Korea and wanted to share my Itinerary with you guys!

S O U T H K O R E A T I P S

  • Taxi's are inexpensive, but the public transportation system is extensive, reliable and super easy to use.
  • T-Money card is best for public transportation or Taxi's (money can be loaded either at a convince store or train station).
  • Learn basic etiquette - use both hands when giving or receiving items, especially with elders and remove shoes before entering homes and some traditional restaurants or cafes.
  • Avoid Monsoon season - usually starts in the second half of June (heavy rainfall).
  • Avoid travelling during Chuseok and Seollal - severe traffic congestion, public transport overload and limited hotel availability.
  • You won't be able to find a trash can.. bring an extra bag just for trash in your bag.
  • Wear comfy shoes - essential.
  • You don't need to tip.
  • A lot of places don't open until 10:30AM - 11AM.
  • Leave some luggage space for any shopping or souvenirs (trust me, you will need it).
  • Stand/walk on the correct side of the streets, escalators, stairs etc.
  • Learn some basic phrases: 
    • "Hello" |  Annyeonghaseyo | a-nyeong-ha-se-yo | 안녕하세요
    • "Thank you" | Gamsahabnida | kam-sa-ham-ni-da | 감사합니다
    • "Yes" | Ne | 
    • "No" | Aniyo | a-ni-yo | 아니요
    • "Sorry" | Joesonghabnida |  joe-song-ham-ni-da | 죄송합니다


A P P S

  • NAVER Maps/ Kakao Maps - for directions, Google maps don't really work in Korea
  • PAPAGO/Google translate - essential 
  • T-Money Card - To use public transport in Korea
  • Ubigi - for e-SIM mobile data plans
  • Kakao Talk - 'Korean WhatsApp' most popular messaging app. 
  • KAKAO Taxi - like Uber but you need a Korean phone number
  • Yogiyo - online food delivery service 
  • Wanderlog - for itinerary 

SEOUL 14 NIGHTS

DAY 1 (5,470 steps - 3.89km)
  • Arrival at Incheon Airport
  • Taxi from Incheon to Seoul (1 hour journey, costs 55,000)
  • Check-in Seoul Crown Park Hotel Myeongdong
  • Late dinner - Myeongdong Night Markets

DAY 2 (13,193 steps - 9.22km)
  • Breakfast at GS25
  • Coffee at Blue Bottle Coffee Myeongdong
  • Seoul City Hall
  • Deoksugung Palace
  • Lunch at Onion Cafe
  • Photo Booth stop @ Photogray
  • Shopping and Exploring Jongno-gu area
  • Shopping and Exploring Myeongdong area
  • Dinner at Myeongdong - black bean noodles

DAY 3 (18,192 steps - 12.42km)
  • Breakfast at GS25
  • Gwanghwamun Square
  • Gwanghwamun Gate and Gyeongbokgung Palace
  • Shopping and Exploring in Jongno-gu area again
  • Lunch at Coldywood Cafe
  • Photo Booth stop @ Photo Signature
  • Bukchon Hanok Village
  • Drink break at Gahoe Hankyung.Hun Cafe
  • Yeollin Songhyeon Green Lung Plaza
  • Shopping Myeongdong area
  • Chicken & Beer BBQ for dinner - Recommend the Chicago pizza
DAY 4 (12,612 steps - 8.61km)
  • Breakfast at CU
  • Starfield Coex Mall
  • Starfield Library
  • Coex Aquarium
  • Statue of Gangnam Style
  • Style Vegan for lunch - best vegan chicken ever
  • Exploring and shopping Sinsa area
  • NUDAKE Cafe
  • Photo Booth stop @ Don't Lxxxk Up
  • Dinner at Myeongdong area


DAY 5 (13,568 steps - 9.65km)
  • Breakfast at hotel 
  • Cheonggyecheon stream
  • lunch at hotel 
  • Banpo Hangang Park
  • Exploring Itaewon area
  • Dinner at King Kebab

DAY 6 (13,79 steps - 9.78km)
  • Breakfast at hotel 
  • N Seoul Tower
  • N Burger for Lunch
  • Coffee break at Beargels Coffee
  • Seoul City Hall
  • Exploring and shopping Seongdong-gu area - Blue Elephant, Made By, Object, Paper dollmate
  • Jour Des Crepe, Crepe House for lunch
  • Photo Booth stop @ ANGLE
  • Dinner at Myeongdong area

DAY 7 (14,251 steps - 10.04km)
  • Breakfast at hotel 
  • Lotte World
  • Photo Booth stop @ Life4cuts and Photoism
  • Lotte World Indoor Ice Rink
  • Dinner at Myeongdong area (서울특별시 중구 을지로 66)

DAY 8 (12,214 steps - 8.60km)
  • Breakfast at hotel
  • 1 hour train ride from Seoul to Suwon
  • Starfield Suwon
  • Starfield Library
  • Lunch at Starfield - spaghetti olio aglio e
  • Irwol Botanic Garden - Winnie the Pooh Exhibition 
  • Drink break at L’after coffeebar
  • Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
  • Hwaseomun Gate
  • Back to hotel



DAY 9 (14,819 steps - 10.13km)
  • Breakfast at hotel
  • Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)
  • 50th Anniversary Hello Kitty Exhbition at DDP
  • Gwangjang Market
  • Lunch at Netflix knife cut noodle lady - Gwangjang Market (Kal-guksu)
  • Hotteok for dessert at Gwangjang Market
  • Cheonggyecheon stream
  • LingLing Cafe (softest cake I've ever had in my life)
  • Walking and shopping around Hongdae area
  • Dinner at Myeongdong area
  • Exploring and shopping around Myeongdong area
  • Back to hotel
DAY 10 (19,903 steps - 13.65km)
  • Breakfast at hotel
  • National Museum of Korea
  • CoCo Icibanya for lunch at Amore Pacific
  • HYBE Building
  • I'Park Mall Yongsan
  • TAPE Cafe for dessert
  • Lotte World Tower for sunset
  • Brooklyn the Burger Joint for dinner at Lotte World Mall
  • Lotte World Mall (walked past the cast of Netflix show XO, Kitty)
  • Back to hotel
DAY 11 (12,674 steps - 8.86km)
  • Breakfast at hotel
  • Shopping around Myeongdong area for gifts
  • Exploring and shopping around Ssamziegil area
  • Yeollin Songhyeon Green Lung Plaza
  • Knotted Cafe for dessert
  • Anguk Bakery for dinner
  • Back to hotel



DAY 12 (14,340 steps - 10.27km)
  • Breakfast at hotel
  • Afternoon walk at Cheonggyecheon stream
  • Yeouido Hangang Park
  • Building 63
  • Dinner at Myeongdong Markets
DAY 13 (5,206 steps - 3.62km)
  • Breakfast at 3CE Pink Space Hotel Cafe
  • Exploring and shopping around Myeongdong area
  • Lunch at CU convince store (tuna kimbap)
  • Back at Hotel to rest, feeling unwell
  • Salady for Dinner
DAY 14 (17,367 steps - 12.22km)
  • Breakfast at Starbucks
  • Common Ground 
  • Danny's Supermarket cafe for dessert 
  • Photo booth stop @ SHOTUP
  • Shopping and exploring around Seongsu area (fwee pop up store, tamburins, dior, heythey)
  • A$AP Pizza for lunch
  • Seoul Forest
  • Dinner at Myeongdong area
DAY 15 (12,409 steps - 8.67km)
  • Check out hotel
  • Exploring around Myeongdong area
  • Cafe Layered for a light lunch
  • Exploring around Jongno-gu area
  • Artist Bakery for actual lunch
  • Yeollin Songhyeon Green Lung Plaza
  • Head to Incheon Airport


F O R N E X T T I M E

  • Changgyeonggung Palace
  • Lee Museum of Art
  • The Hyundai Mall
  • Olympic Park
  • Busan
  • Jeju Island
  • EWHA Womens University
  • Dae Bookstore
  • True Beauty Library
  • Eternalog - European analogue Photo Booth
  • Photo Object
  • Fotogram - The Hyundai Mall
  • Everland

Food Places/Cafes
  • TYPA (Taipa)
  • Melting Of
  • Cinnamorol Sweet Cafe
  • London Bagel Museum
  • Sanrio Lovers Club
  • Cafe Farben
  • Their Coffee
  • Maison De Margarett
  • Mooni
  • Cafe Teteum
  • Mil Toast
  • 1n1jan
  • Rain Report
  • Clementine
  • Soha Salt Pond
  • Orange
  • Casanello Sicily
  • All the Ugly Cookie
  • Glitter
  • Jaiso
  • Kotton Seoul
  • Over Deep
  • Hanjungsun
  • Standard Bread

Have you ever been to Seoul? 

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Wednesday, 12 June 2024

MELBOURNE CITY GUIDE + 2024 FAVOURITES

Back in April I went on a short trip to Melbourne and I wanted to share a list of my favourite places in Melbourne! Hot tip: I always save my favourite places on Google Maps, it just makes it easier when wandering around the city. 

M U S T   S E E S

  • Queen Victoria Market
  • National Gallery of Victoria
  • State Library Victoria
  • Melbourne Skydeck
  • Flinders Street
  • FED Square
  • Hoiser Lane
  • Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
  • Chinatown Melbourne

C A F E S & C O F F E E S H O P S

  • Puzzle
  • Two Conversations 
  • Overlay Coffee
  • Palette
  • OKO Cafe
  • Maker Lt Bourke
  • Keki Milk Bar
  • Miyama Melbourne
  • Hikari
  • Lovey Patisserie Cafe
  • Bakemono Bakers
  • The Butter Room
  • Tori's Melbourne
  • The Kettle Black
  • PLOT

L U N C H & D I N N E R

  • Ondo
  • Hakoya Izakaya
  • Seven Star Pocha
  • Piccolo Panini Bar
  • Ichigo
  • Johnny, Vince and Sam's Ristorante
  • Waku Waku
  • Reine & La Rue
  • The Hardware Club
  • No. 100 Flinders Lane
  • Bar Romantica
  • Mensho Tokyo Ramen

D E S S E R T S

  • The Cookie Box CBD - Cookies
  • Madeleine de Proust Patisserie
  • Fresh Air & Pancake - Soufflé's pancakes
  • Flinders Waffles - Taiyaki soft serve and the iconic Flinders Station waffle shape
  • Pidapipó CBD - traditional gelato 
  • Bingsoo
  • KOI Dessert Bar Melbourne

H O T E L S

  • Grand Hyatt Melbourne 
  • Mercure Welcome Melbourne
  • Imagine Lighthouse


    MY 2024 FAVOURITES 
    1. Books: Almond by Won-Pyung Sohn
    2. Tv Shows: D.P S2 (kdrama), Culinary Class Wars, Love Next Door (drama), Squid Games S2
    3. Movie: 20th Century Girl
    4. Youtube: Jaz Hand, smileycitrus, saranghoe, daiz, Briddy, Ondo & viviandotme.
    5. Music: Christian music.  
    6. Food: Kyoto BEANing Vegan Ramen from Engine Ramen and SALT BREAD from Artist Bakery (seoul cafe). 
    7. Drink: Fruit ades and apple & cinnamon tea from south korea and chai lattes. 
    8. Clothing: Shirts that have bows on them and alexa high straight jeans from Dissh.
    9. App: Youtube & Final Cut Pro
    10. Accessories: Mini crossbody bags 
    11. Beauty: Manyo pure cleaning oil, Lip tints from amuse, clio, fwee, lilbyred, dasique
    12. Brand: Dissh, Cue, Glassons, Maje & Blue Elephant & Gentle Monster. 
    13. Other: Going on long walks either at the beach or at south bank (or just anywhere). 
    14. Travel: Iceland, Jerusalem & US (New York & Chicago). 
    15. Quote: 'And the next time that the devil tries to remind you of your past - remind him of his future'
    16. Sweets: Leo Coco Belgian milk chocolate & hazelnut spread from Coles, Pisti Pistachio Cream & Biancos milk chocolate pretzels. 
    17. Wishlist: Dyson supersonic hair dryer (✔️), Cannon powershot V10 vlog camera (✔️), and Gentle Monster - Jentle Salon in Wispy GR8 glasses (sold out, regrets not buying them in korea back in May). 

    What's your favourite quote?

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    Thursday, 28 March 2024

    JAPAN 2024 ITINERARY

    4 nights in Tokyo 3 nights in Nagano 4 nights in Osaka + Day trip to Nara 4 nights in Kyoto 5 nights in Tokyo + Day trip to Yokohama and Mount Fuji.

    I spent 3 weeks in Japan and wanted to share my Japan Itinerary with you guys!

    J A P A N T I P S

    • Carry cash with you (highly recommend a coin purse for all of the loose change that you might use at a gacha store (capsule toys).
    • You won't be able to find a trash can.. bring an extra bag just for trash in your bag.
    • Wear comfy shoes (recommendation: Nike Air Forces).
    • You don't need to tip.
    • JR Passes is a must if you are travelling from city to city.
    • Get used to bowing (especially greeting people).
    • Stand/walk on the correct side of the streets, escalators, stairs etc (varies between cities).
    • Do not eat while walking.
    • A lot of places don't open until 10:30AM - 11AM.
    • Expect to wait in long lines (cafes, restaurants, historical places etc).
    • Suica is best for public transportation and convenience stores (can be loaded on your phone).
    • Pre-book experiences ahead of time (Shibuya Sky, teamLab, Disneyland etc, they do sell out quickly).
    • Leave some luggage space for any shopping or souvenirs (trust me, you will need it.. the shopping is insane). 
    • Learn some basic phrases: 
      • "Hello" |  Kon'nichiwa | kohn-nee-chee-wah | (こんにちは)
      • "Thank you" | Arigato gozaimasu | ah-ree-gah-toh goh-zah-ee-mahs | (どうもありがとうございます)
      • "Excuse me" | Sumimasen | soo-mee-mah-sen | (すみません)
      • "Please" | kudasai | koo-dah-sigh | (ください) 
      • "Good bye"Sayōnarasah-yoh-nah-rah | (さようなら) 

    A P P S

    • Google Maps - essential 
    • Google Translate (or Papago) - essential 
    • Suica - to use public transport in Japan 
    • Ubigi - for e-SIM mobile data plans
    • Disney Resort - buy tickets, fast pass 
    • Tablelog - restaurant reservations 
    • Wanderlog - for itinerary 

    TOKYO 4 NIGHTS

    DAY 1 (6,266 steps - 4.51km)
    • Arrival at Narita Airport
    • Take NRT Express train to Tokyo (1 hour journey)
    • Check-in The B Akasaka-Mitsuke Hotel
    • Dominos takeaway for a late dinner (11:50pm)

    DAY 2 (15,599 steps - 10.96km)

    • Breakfast at FamilyMart (seaweed onigiri)
    • Exploring around Nagatacho area (Hie Shrine) and Kanda Ogawamachi area - sports goods district
    • Lunch - rice and curry (forgot the name of the place)
    • Shopping and exploring around Harajuku area 
    • Dessert - ANGEL Harajuku Crepe
    • Exploring and shopping in Shibuya area
    • Dinner - Disney Harvest Market 
    DAY 3 (19,746 steps -  13.85km)

    • Breakfast at FamilyMart
    • Disneyland - was able to get tickets through the DisneyResort app. Spent around 7 hours at Disneyland. Winnie the Pooh ride was closed due to maintenance and Beauty and the Beast ride had over 2.5 hour wait time (fast passes were sold out). Try the Curry popcorn!
    • Dinner - CoCoICHI Vegetarian Curry
    • Explored Shibuya at night - Shibuya crossing, Disney store, Loft etc
    DAY 4 (12,592 steps - 8.51km)

    • Breakfast at 7-Eleven konbini
    • Exploring and shopping Asakusa area 
    • Senso-ji Hozomon Gate - buddhist temple 
    • Senso-ji - buddhist temple 
    • Nakamise-dori Street 
    • Lunch near Asakusa - vegetarian ramen 
    • Sanrio Gift Gate Store - Asakusa 
    • Flower Miffy - Asakusa 
    • Tokyo Sky Tree - observation deck 
    • Dinner - CoCoICHI Vegetarian Curry
    • Pack for Nagano

     

    NAGANO 3 NIGHTS
    DAY 5 (5,077 steps - 3.69km)

    • Breakfast at 7-Eleven konbini
    • Check out and go to Tokyo Station
    • 2 hours from Tokyo to Nagano via Shinkansen
    • 1.5 hours Nagano to Hakuba via bus
    • Check-in Airbnb
    • Hire snow gear from Rhythm Japan Hakuba
    • Dinner - The Pub Hakuba
    DAY 6 (13,417 steps - 9.47km)

    • Snowboarding at Hakuba
    DAY 7 (8,728 steps -  6.29km)

    • Skiing at Iwatake 
    • Pack for Osaka 

    OSAKA 4 NIGHTS
    DAY 8 (6,187 steps - 4.39km)

    • Check out and go to Nagano station
    • 3.5 hours from Nagano to Osaka via Shinkansen
    • Check-in The Rise Osaka Kitashinchi
    • Dinner somewhere near the hotel
    DAY 9 (19,444 steps - 13.76km)

    • Breakfast at Lawson - konbini
    • Universal Studios Japan - recommend Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride
    • Lunch - Shake Shack
    • Super Nintendo World - can book a timed entry slot once you enter the park
    • Rest at hotel
    DAY 10 (20,702 steps -  14.84km)

    • Breakfast at Lawson
    • Exploring and shopping at Namba Parks
    • UMEDA sky building
    • Exploring Dotonbori street - running man 
    • Dinner - Halal Ramen Naniwaya 
    DAY 11 (8,270 steps - 5.71km)

    • Breakfast at Lawson
    • Rest at hotel - I was feeling unwell all morning
    • Shopping at HEP FIVE
    • Shake Shack for dinner
    • Pack for Nara 

    KYOTO 4 NIGHTS

    DAY 12 (11,876 steps -  8.36km)

    • Breakfast at Lawson
    • Check-out hotel
    • 45 minutes from Osaka to Nara - we took the regular train
    • Left luggage in lockers at Nara station
    • Exploring around Higashimuki shopping street
    • MOS Burger for lunch
    • Kofukuji temple
    • Feed the deers - you can purchase the treats via street vendors
    • Nara to Kyoto (45 minutes via train)
    • Check in Airbnb - RESISTAY
    • Kyoto ENGINE Ramen for dinner
    • Ben's Cookies for dessert
    DAY 13 (17,068 steps - 11.90km)

    • Breakfast at Coffee Smart 
    • Exploring and shopping around Kyoto Shijo-Kawaramachi area - loft, tower records, Disney Store, kiddyland 
    • Back to Airbnb for a quick break
    • Kyoto ENGINE Ramen for dinner again!
    • Ben's Cookies for dessert again!!
    DAY 14 (21,524 steps - 15.03km)

    • Breakfast at Airbnb 
    • Fushimi Inari Taisha
    •  Kiyomizu-dera
    • Lunch somewhere near Kiyomizu-dera
    • Back to Airbnb for a quick break
    • Kyoto ENGINE Ramen for dinner yes again - 3 times in a row!!
    DAY 15 (16,652 steps - 11.51km)

    • Breakfast at Airbnb 
    • Shopping at AEON Mall Kyoto - due to the rain
    • Lunch at Korean restaurant Yunke-no-shokutaku bibimbap
    • Exploring and shopping around Kyoto Shijo-Kawaramachi area
    • Laduree for dessert
    • Korean BBQ vegetejiya Shijo-kiyamchia for dinner - tteokbokki and kimchi pancake
    • Pack for Tokyo
    • TOKYO 5 NIGHTS

    DAY 16 (11,575 steps - 8.26km)

    • Check-out RESISTAY Airbnb 
    • 2.5 hours from Kyoto to Tokyo
    • Check-in Koto City Airbnb
    • Train to Odaiba
    • Dinner at Kua'Aina
    • Shopping at DiverCity Tokyo Plaza
    • Watch the Unicorn Gundam light show
    • Back to Airbnb
    DAY 17 (20,180 steps - 14.35km)

    • Breakfast at Monnaka Coffee
    • Disneysea - arrived around 1pm, less crowded than Tokyo Disneyland - try the matcha-white chocolate popcorn! Spent around 7 hours at Disneysea.
    • Dinner somewhere near koto city
    DAY 18 (12,459 steps - 8.84km)

    • Breakfast at 7-Eleven (konbini)
    • Train to Yokohama
    • Lunch at MOS Burger
    • Exploring and shopping at Queen's Square Yokohama
    • Gundam Factory Yokohama (now has been permanently closed down)
    • Dinner at CoCoICHI - vegetarian Curry
    DAY 19 (9,280 steps - 6.72km)

    • Hire car for Mount Fuji
    • 2 hour drive to Mount Fuji
    • Break/snack stop at Expasa Ebina
    • Exploring around Lake Kawaguchiko
    • Lawson at Kawaguchiko Station
    • Stopped at Narusawa area to take photos of Mount Fuji - before it was hidden again behind the clouds
    • Lunch at Bronco Billy Fujimotoichiba
    • Back to Tokyo
    • FamilyMart for dinner
    • Tokyo Tower - infinity diamond veil light up
    DAY 20 (18,174 steps - 12.32km)

    • Tully's Coffee for breakfast
    • Exploring and shopping at Akihabara area - lots of electronic stores and arcades 
    • Exploring Ginza 
    • Lunch at EATALY in Ginza Six 
    • Exploring and shopping in Harajuku 
    • Dinner at Shake Shack 
    • Last night exploring and shopping in Shibuya: Shibuya crossing, Loft, Mega Don Quijote 
    • Back to Airbnb to pack
    DAY 21 (14,773 steps - 10.35km)

    • Check-out Koto City Airbnb
    • Left luggage in lockers at Tokyo Station
    • Train to Shinjuku
    • Drink stop at Blue Bottle Coffee Shinjuku
    • Breakfast at eggslut
    • Shopping and exploring in Shinjuku area
    • Godzilla Head Shinjuku
    • Back to Tokyo Station 
    • Head to Narita Airport

    I recommend watching vlogs and joining Japan Travel Facebook groups (even reddit) to find places to go and bookmark them on Google Maps!

    F O R N E X T T I M E

    • Shibuya Sky
    • Tokyo Tower
    • C-pla Shibuya
    • Prince Shiba Park
    • Gōtokuji Temple
    • Jimbocho Book Town
    • Hakuhinkan Toy Shop
    • Arashiyama Bamboo Forest - Kyoto
    • Kinkaku-ji - Kyoto
    • Nintendo Museum - Kyoto
    • Hōkan-ji Temple
    • Nagoya Castle
    • Osaka Castle
    • Sanrio Puroland
    • teamLab Planets
    • Ginza Itoya
    • BEAMS Japan
    • Niko and ... TOKYO
    • HANDS Ginza
    • LE LABO (Tokyo exclusive city perfume - citron 28)
    • Diptyque (Tokyo exclusive city candle)
    • Chawanzaka
    • Honcho Street (Mt Fuji View)
    • Chureito Pagoda (Mt Fuji View)
    • Makaino Farm Resort
    • Sunshine City
    • Cat Street
    Food Places/Cafes
    • The Matcha Tokyo
    • Pizza Marumo 
    • Itasoba Kaoriya Ebisu
    • Matsubayasaryo
    • i'm donut?
    • Godaime Hanayama Udon Ginza
    • Cafe Kitsuné
    • Henry's Pizza
    • The Little Bakery Tokyo
    • Tokyo Juice
    • Misojyu
    • Kyūshū Jangara Ginza
    • Age.3 Ginza
    • Fukujuya
    • Café de Raak
    • Banana Juice Factory
    • Annorum Café
    • Mitsuya
    • Trois
    • AFURI Harajuku
    • Vegan Sushi Tokyo
    • Vegan Bistro Jangara
    • Tsukemen Zuppa
    • Dandelion Chocolate, Factory & Co
    • Kichi Kichi Omurice - Kyoto
    • Arashiyama Miffy Sakura Kitchen - Kyoto
    • Arashiyama Rilakkuma Tea House - Kyoto
    • Gion Komori - Kyoto
    • Oudon Izakaya Mannanka Tsururu - Kyoto
    • % ARABICA Kyoto
    • Walden Woods Kyoto

    What's your favourite trip you've ever been too?

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