Are you planning a trip to Seoul and looking for an authentic cultural experience? Renting a hanbok, the traditional Korean dress, is a must-do activity! Join me as I share my magical day renting a hanbok at Daehan Hanbok, through GetYourGuide, conveniently located near Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Choosing the Perfect Hanbok

Hanbok Rental Experience

Feeling the kdrama vibes at Gyeongbokgung Palace

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Perched among the lush landscapes of central Bali, HOMM Saranam Baturiti emerges as a beacon of luxurious tranquility, seamlessly blending contemporary elegance with the natural splendor of its surroundings. This architectural masterpiece promises an unparalleled retreat experience for discerning travelers seeking respite from the rigors of modern life.

Upon arrival, even the most seasoned travelers find themselves enchanted by the grandeur of HOMM Saranam Baturiti. As one Grab driver eloquently exclaimed upon pulling up the driveway, "Wow!" Indeed, the property leaves an indelible impression from the moment guests step into its grand entrance. An expansive view of the rice terraces with the property's garden, where herbs and vegetables are cultivated, welcomes visitors, setting the stage for an extraordinary experience that transcends the ordinary.

For guests seeking culinary delights, the resort offers an exquisite dining experience at its signature restaurant, Samiya Restaurant. Here, patrons can indulge in delectable dishes ranging from Western cuisine to Indonesian classics, such as the Bebek Bangah, a grilled duck so tender that the meat effortlessly falls off the bones. Accompanied by steamed rice, kalasan (Balinese long bean coconut salad), and an array of sambals, including the flavorful sambal ulek and sambal matah, every meal at Samiya is a feast for the senses.

HOMM Saranam is more than just a luxury retreat; it is a sanctuary for the soul. Guests can find solace not only in the comfortable rooms but also in the serene atmosphere of the property, where fresh air abounds and the tranquil ambiance invites relaxation and rejuvenation. Whether unwinding by the pool overlooking the verdant landscapes or finding inner peace as you explore the vast surroundings, HOMM Saranam offers a respite from the stresses of modern life, allowing guests to focus on their wellness and well-being.

HOMM Saranam Baturiti stands as a testament to the epitome of luxury hospitality in Bali. With its impeccable amenities, culinary delights, and serene ambiance, the property invites guests to embark on a journey of indulgence and rejuvenation amidst the breathtaking beauty of Bali's highlands.

Going camping? Whether you’re a seasoned pro or someone who is taking their first intrepid steps into the world of outdoorsmen and women, it pays to be prepared, and that being the case, here are seven things you are going to want to pack for your trip.

Before you pack anything you need something solid to pack them in, right? Many people who opt for cheap, low-quality backpacks end up regretting it when their stuff gets soggy or their bag starts to disintegrate before their eyes. So you will want to find something like a Mystery Ranch backpack, which is spacious, solidly constructed, but also light enough that it won’t weight you down. If it has lots of compartments, that’s a real bonus as it will make it much easier to find your flashlight or your rations quickly without having to empty everything else out onto the ground too.

Don’t even think about bringing that old pop-up tent from the back of your garage—the one with the mysterious holes and the missing stakes. You’ll regret it faster than you can say “mosquito swarm.” Invest in a decent tent, preferably one that’s waterproof, windproof, and bug-proof. A tent that stands up to the elements while keeping creepy crawlies out is key to not having a miserable time.

Trust me, no one’s had a life-changing spiritual moment while swatting mosquitoes all night.

Sure, you can buy the bargain-bin sleeping bag, but if you’re not into shivering through the night and waking up with frozen toes, you might want to reconsider. Look for a sleeping bag that’s rated for the temperatures you’ll be camping in. You’ll want one that’s warm but breathable, cozy but not suffocating—basically the Goldilocks of sleeping bags.

Sleeping in the wild is hard enough without the added drama of hypothermia.

It is important to think about some of the leading ideas that you can use to help you have the best possible travel experience. One of the biggest things that you need to get right here is to prepare for the unexpected, so that you can make the most of this moving forward. There are a lot of elements that you need to try to get right when it comes to preparing for your travel adventure as effectively as possible.

There are a lot of things that you need to work on when it comes to making this process better, and there are plenty of elements to think about with this. You have to plan your trip out as best you can, and even though you can’t prepare for every eventuality, it is important to do the best you can to make this work for you in the right way. Here are some of the key ways of being able to prepare for the perfect holiday as effectively as possible.

There are a lot of elements that play a role in helping you to improve your vacation experience, and this is something that you need to make the most of as much as possible. There are a lot of things to think about when trying to prepare for your holiday in the right way, and this is something you need to consider. There are plenty of unexpected surprises that could ruin your holiday, so you need to try to make the most of this. It is important to think about some of the leading ideas that are going to help you prevent long-term problems, and this is something that plays a big role in helping you be able to enjoy the best possible holiday experience as much as possible.

Printing off important information is one of the best things you can do to make the most of this. You need to be able to have access to the important documents and information that plays a role in helping your holiday go without a hitch. There are going to be so many factors that you need to try to get right as much as possible, and this means coming up with some of the best ideas that will help you make the most of this. Keeping your boarding passes, passports, and insurance information all in the same place is really important, and you need to look at the best ways of using this to work for you, and prepare yourself for unexpected problems that might occur.

Getting hurt or injured is one of the more unexpected events that can occur when you are on holiday, and you need to have an action plan for what you might choose to do if you get injured. When you are looking to make the right changes that are going to help you prepare for this, you need to consider the process, research a local personal injury lawyer, determine what you will do if you get injured, make sure you get the right level of insurance, and think about some of the best things you can do when it comes to making this work better for you. It is vital to make sure you come up with some of the best ways of being able to protect yourself in order to ensure your trip goes as smoothly as possible.

These are some of the key things that you need to focus on when it comes to making your travel experience go more smoothly. It is important to make sure you come up with some of the leading ideas that can help you make the most of this. Try to think about some of the leading ideas that are going to help you here, and this is incredibly important.

Add-on bonus: A blogger hack. Free stock photos from Pixabay.

Skyscanner: This is my preferred travel comparison site because it sources from even from smaller airlines. 

Rakuten: If your primary method of booking travel is online, then you must have Rakuten. It offers cashback on the most popular sites, such as Expedia, Orbitz, etc. I use their Chrome extension so it is easier to detect whether the website I'm on is part of the Rakuten program. 

Booking.com: My hotel booking platform of choice is Booking.com since it shows both hotels and apartments (some of which are also listed on Airbnb). More so, they have a filter option for Soundproof, which I haven't seen in any other booking platform. Older, cheaper hotels and some residential homes listed as short-term rentals are usually sub-par when it comes to drowning the noise so determining those with soundproof at the get go is very important.  

Be nice: Here is the most uncommon travel hack of all time. If you run a travel blog or have significant followers on any social media platform with a media kit, be nice when reaching out to hotels or even travel agencies when requesting for media rates. The average media rate discount is around 20%. All it takes is your time to send email inquiries. Learn how to request for a hotel media rate.  

Follow Advice: Whether you like it or not, even with experience, you can always learn more. It’s especially important to follow the advice of more experienced and seasoned travelers like Mikhail Solodovnikov if you don’t have years of experience under your belt. Look for people who go on the same kinds of adventures as you and learn from their experiences. Even better, you can learn from their mistakes without making them. Knowledge is power and the more you know before you set off, the more prepared you will be.

Happy travel hacking!

Disclaimer: Affiliates links on this post. 

It’s always wonderful when you’re trying to do what you can to make travel a bigger part of your life; that little escape from everyday life to have new experiences is absolutely wonderful. Overall, planning a trip is always exciting, but what happens when something unexpected throws a wrench in your plans?

Sure, we all know about delayed flights or overbooked hotels, but some of the things that could cancel or ruin your trip are far more unpredictable. So, before packing those bags, it’s worth knowing about the odd curveballs that could derail your adventure.

Everyone knows a passport is essential for international travel, but even with one in hand, your trip could be at risk. Yes, you read that right! A passport that expires within six months of your travel date?

That’s a common rule many countries enforce, and it could stop you from boarding your flight. But here’s something more unusual: even a slightly damaged passport can cause serious issues. Just think about it, eent corners, water damage, or dog bites—yes, it happens—could all render your passport invalid.

And if you’ve picked up any fun, unofficial souvenir stamps along your travels—like the ones from tourist spots like Machu Picchu—beware. Some countries take passport stamps very seriously, and those “just for fun” stamps might raise red flags with border officials, making them think your passport is compromised. It’s a little-known fact that can turn into a big problem when you’re at customs.

Something to note: many forums, such as Trip Advisor and Reddit, will state that it’s fine and that the border patrol doesn’t care, but these fake stamps technically make your passport invalid.

So, just imagine this: your bags are packed, and you’re dreaming of sandy beaches, but then a jury duty summons arrives in the mail. And no, being on vacation doesn’t automatically get you out of it. Some jurisdictions are very strict, and if you’ve already booked your trip but haven’t been officially excused from serving, you could be forced to cancel everything.

While there are often options to reschedule, dealing with unexpected jury duty can cause massive headaches, and sometimes it’s just unavoidable. In some cases, ignoring the summons could result in fines or legal trouble, and that’s definitely not how anyone wants to spend their holiday.

But if you have a solid insurance plan, then this could protect you so you can reschedule your trip without any problems or fees. Again, sometimes jury duty can be last minute (it’s rare, but it technically happens), so you’ll need to get a travel insurance plan (a really good one) right when you’re booking everything.

Have you ever watched the second Sex and the City movie? Well, Samantha has her menopause medication confiscated, as it’s considered illegal at her destination. While she got off scot-free (without her medicine), the reality is far more strict.

What medication you’re taking, such as pain medication or even antidepressants, can be illegal in other countries, and a proper doctor's note won’t be enough. Always check local laws regarding medications, or your trip might take an unexpected detour to a customs office. Also, sometimes, even standard over-the-counter medication like Advil can get you in hot water, too.

Did you know that bisa rules can change suddenly? Maybe you were traveling to a country that has a “visa-on-arrival,” but during travel, things changed. It sounds far-fetched, but it can happen. Or you might accidentally apply for the wrong type of visa, putting your entire trip in jeopardy.

Worse yet, some visas come with restrictions—like not being able to enter through certain airports or borders—meaning your well-laid travel plans could fall apart if you didn’t catch the fine print.