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.
Second to only Seoul in the urban scene of South Korea, the wonderful port city of Busan charms visitors in the most peculiar way. Busan itself, while buzzing with excitement, isn't exactly the main draw for most. It's the fringes of the city—from white-sand beaches and forested mountains to hot springs and remote temples—that truly paint Busan in its best light, and keep travellers sticking around. Cradling a population of 3.6 million, Busan isn't, as you'd expect, an easy place to zip …
Latest Blog Posts
When is the Best Time to Visit Hokkaido, Japan?
Thinking about visiting Japan? There's no place that will shatter your pre-conceived notions of this fascinating country more than the rugged & beautiful island of Hokkaido. The most northernly of Japan's four main islands, Hokkaido is, in many ways, the antithesis to the rest of the country. With the exception of Sapporo, the big city life that Japan is so famous for is noticeably absent on Hokkaido. In fact, much of the island feels like little more than a collection of relatively small …
One Week in Hokkaido: A Complete 7-Day Itinerary
Drafting up a first-time Japan itinerary? I'm willing to bet that the island of Hokkaido didn't quite make the cut. With the popular charms of the Japanese "mainland" of Honshu beckoning, it's not much of a surprise that Hokkaido often gets overlooked by travellers from abroad. Let's buck the system and offer up an alternative to the Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka triangle. The beautiful island of Hokkaido, (literally) chillin' out in the northern reaches of Japan, is a highly underrated corner of East …
Gwangjang Market: What to Eat & Do in Seoul’s Oldest Traditional Market
With over a century of wheelin' and dealin' to back it up, Gwangjang Market in Seoul breathes rarified air. In fact, Gwangjang tops in as the oldest remaining traditional market in Korea. From shoes to fashion accessories and modern clothing to hanbok (traditional Korean formal wear), Gwangjang Market's got just about everything under the sun. And lest we forget the food. Besides being famous for its textiles and hanbok, Gwangjang Market is at its heart a foodie paradise. All of the best …
8 Insanely Fun Day Trips from Seoul, Korea
With its lip-smacking food, bustling street markets, and gleaming modern façades, it's hard to contest that Seoul is one of the best cities to visit in East Asia. But don't let this never-ending metropolitan buzz fool you: There's far more waiting outside Korea's capital than first meets the eye! Of all the main reasons to stick around for more than one day in Seoul, top of mind should be to take on the city's surroundings and check out Korean life beyond the big city. The best day trips …
