Hi! I’m Ryan, a Canadian traveller on a mission to help you maximize your vacation & travel smarter in less time. Join me as I share useful (and unsponsored) travel guides, lifestyle advice & practical information based on over a decade of part-time independent travel.
Visiting Bratislava for the first time, I honestly expected the worst. I'd heard nothing but lukewarm reviews, mostly swaying towards how dull the capital of Slovakia was compared to the Central European city trifecta of Budapest, Prague, and Vienna. While I can't claim that it'll trump those tourism beasts, Bratislava is hardly worthy of dismissal. There's plenty of charm here—both outward and hidden—that'll surprise you if you enter with an open mind. Let yourself slowly fall for the Slovak …
Latest Blog Posts
6 Superb Things to Do in Dubrovnik, Croatia
Few cities instill a better first impression than Dubrovnik, once dubbed the "Pearl of the Adriatic" and now, undoubtedly, the most popular travel destination in Croatia. Descending into the Old Town feels like walking into a world where time's stood still—well, at least if you ignore the ever-growing onslaught of modern tourists that Dubrovnik rightfully attracts. Even sticking to just the basics, there are a ton of things to do in Dubrovnik ranging from plying its ancient city walls to …
7 Fantastic Things to Do in Sapporo, Japan
To fully understand Japan is impossible without a trip to its wild northernmost island of Hokkaido. And whether you only manage to squeeze out one week in Hokkaido or approach it at a more leisurely pace, you'll quickly sing praises to the island's only true metropolis, Sapporo. The lesser-known capital of Hokkaido—surprisingly, the 5th-largest city in Japan—charms with less force than its better-established cultural brethren to the south. Sapporo's history tallies in at just 150 years, a far …
7 Chill Things to Do in Montreal, Quebec
Whenever travellers abroad ask me where they should first visit in Canada, my answer is immediate: Montreal. As much as I love spending time in cities like Toronto, Vancouver or Ottawa, none is as compelling, in my honest opinion, as Montreal. Whether you're visiting to sample best food in Canada (including a handful of our most famous dishes) or to catch a rare glimpse of European flair in North America, fill out your days with these top things to do in Montreal... Ready to explore? Start …
6 Unmissable Things to Do in Edinburgh, Scotland
I've always scratched my head at how little Edinburgh enters the conversation when travellers plan their first-time European itineraries. As names like London, Paris, and Barcelona get tossed around to excess, I'd venture to put the Scottish capital up against any of them. In a heartbeat. While Edinburgh might not keep you busy for days on end like some of Europe's other top travel destinations, what you'll discover here will stick with you for a long time to come. Get started digging into …
