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Seoul city guide

I wanted to make this all about puns. The way “Seoul” is pronounced gives room for a landslide of bad humour. Then I cringed at my own jokes and decided I can’t do this to people. Seoul is like a grown-up Tokyo. Maybe it’s just a little bit more serious or mature. They still got their really weird stuff like poop emoji cafés or PooPoo Land (https://playpoop.com/) museum/exhibition. They serve lattes in toilet bowl mugs. Seoul is “anime”. It’s just not as out-there as Tokyo so you won’t see many cosplayers on the streets. They got their own brand of goofy, while Japans has their manga, Korean have manhwa. Both have those awesome animal-themed cafés, like ones with dozens of cats, or one with raccoons. I don’t know about the smell though.

They have Idols, you know those K-Pop stars, celebrity singers who dictate what’s cool and what’s not. Unfortunately, they dictate that wearing coloured contact lenses is cool. Maybe it’s just me, but it creeps me out. Do you know what else creeps me out? Korean horror; it’s a treat for every fan of the genre. I’d go as far as saying they’re leading the charge in revitalizing modern horror cinema. Train to Busan, The Wailing or The Host became instant classics. Gonjiam Haunted Asylum was a decent found footage flick, especially because it was based on a real location. The Asylum is 2 hours away from Seoul by train. They say it’s the most haunted place in Korea, mad scientists, inhumane experiments; scary business. Truth is it just ran out of funds, nothing paranormal ever happened there. Yongma Land Abandoned Theme park is also where you can get your horror fix. Funny thing is that it’s not really abandoned; you need to pay an entrance fee. They say it’s also haunted but I think it’s just the worn-out 80s aesthetics.

Two women in traditional Korean dresses under a cherry blossom tree in the park around the Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul

The iconic Gyeongbokgung Palace in Northern Seoul is the main and largest of all royal palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty

People in Seoul are a bit different than you might expect. Above all: they are very private. They don’t like touching and they don’t like high-fives or handshakes. The language barrier is real. English is either broken or completely absent, signs are rarely translated. Getting around a city this large is a real chore when you can’t read Korean. That’s when a few apps come to play. Everything is possible with Google Maps, Translate, and a little smartphone magic. Now you can finally visit all those wacky museums!

Seogyo-Dong near the Hongik University Metro Station is home to three galleries. There’s a Love Museum that would make Amsterdam look like a prude. They also have an Ice Museum and one of those interactive optical illusion exhibitions. Check out Jeju Loveland if you’re not satisfied with the Love Museum. It’s huge and filled with naughty sculptures made by art students of Hongik University. I mean, those are some seriously horny students. And just when you think you’ve seen enough dicks to last a lifetime, they tell you about a penis park 200km to the east. If I had a kid, I would make him/her wear horse blinders while walking around Seoul.

The Buddhist temple Bongeunsa to the backdrop of the skyscrapers of Seoul's Gangnam-gu district by night

Traditional and modern Korea meet at the Bongeunsa Temple complex in the bustling Gangnam-gu district, this large Buddhist temple was for many centuries the main Buddhist temple of Korea: a perfect spot to escape from Seoul's big city madness

Another thing you’ll quickly notice about Koreans is that they know how to party. Soju is their liquor of choice and they drink A LOT of it. So much that it’s the most popular booze in the world. Yeah, there are so many Koreans drinking that stuff that it dominates global statistics. It’s like vodka but with a lower voltage of about 20%, they even mix it with beer. They usually start at one of the famous Korean BBQ restaurants. It’s cool, you got a pit with coals in the centre of your table and the waiters keep bringing you more meat. You get some delicious beef, pork, and a side of kimchi for a perfect pre-game.

That could be the secret to Koreans drinking almost every night of the week. Yup, it’s not in the west, where mostly drink during the weekends. They get smashed from Monday to Sunday. I have to admit it’s pretty hard-core and mind it’s an Eastern European saying this. Locals usually move to one of many clubs, following up with a hook-up club. It’s like a singles party, where the manager tries to keep a 50:50 ratio of men to women. The night ends at a karaoke where you can make a fool of yourself. At that point, no one remembers anything so it’s okay. See what I mean? They don’t **** around when it comes to partying. The main nightlife hubs are Gangnam and Hongdae. Gangnam is an upscale district for rich kids, while students mostly populate Hongdae.

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Bogotá city guide

These days every other 5-year-old kid knows that cocaine comes from Colombia. People watched a few episodes of a series and everyone is an expert. They think they’re cool with their Narcos ringtones and Plata O Plomo t-shirts. Locals in Bogotá don’t think it’s cool, they think it’s very offensive. Talking about coke in Bogotá is like talking about the Holocaust in Europe. Ask anyone in Colombia about that drug and they’ll tell you how destructive it was for their homeland. Indigenous people have used the plant for generations to boost their stamina during hard work. Nowadays it’s just a recreational drug for rich yuppies. The worldwide obsession with the drug started in the late 1960s. I’m sure everyone has seen Blow or Scarface starring Tony Montana: Al Pacino’s most iconic character. Now it’s an occasional news story about packets of coke popping inside some mule’s ass. It’s all natural selection, I’m just sorry that it’s detrimental to Bogotá. The Colombian capital deserves better than being the famous drug mule airport city.

Brightly coloured houses in La Candelaria, Bogota

La Candelaria in Bogota: the eclectic mix of colonial history and vibrant modern city life is one of Bogota's principal tourist destinations

Bogotá is a beautiful colonial metropolis rising from bloody fundaments. Plaza de Bolivar is dedicated to one of South America’s greatest heroes. His full name was Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar Palacios Ponte y Blanco (these ridiculously long Spanish names crack me up). He is the main reason why Colombia is now independent of the Spanish rule. La Candelaria encircles the Plaza, it’s the oldest and most charming district of Bogotá. There’s something enchanting about that colonial architecture, low-rise buildings, and old churches. It’s also the main tourist hub with the nightlife and comfy hostels. You should check one of the many tejo bars around Bogotá. Tejo is their traditional pastime of throwing fireworks at stuff while drinking beer. If you’re after some more refined entertainment then Zona Rosa is the place to go. Upscale clubs, shopping, tidy restaurants, that sort of stuff. People say the same about El Centro but to my humble opinion it’s overhyped.

Cerro Monserrate lies to the west of La Candelaria. It’s a mountain in the middle of the city, over 3000m above sea level. It was a sacred place of power long before the Christians arrived and built their churches. The ancient Muisca people called it “the grandmothers’ foot”. Muisca was the fourth great civilization alongside the Incas, Aztecs, and Mayans. During the solstice in June the sun rose precisely above Monserrate. Pre-Colombian civilizations had extensive knowledge of astronomy; celestial matters were crucial to them. The conquistadors came and built an ominously sounding “Shrine of the Fallen Lord” on top. Pilgrims and tourists regularly hike or take a cart to the summit. You can see the entire Bogotá from there if the weather allows. You can explore the church or the restaurants and souvenir shops if it’s cloudy.

If you’re into the religious stuff then Zipaquira should be your next stop. It’s an old salt mine turned into an underground complex of shrines and halls, and it’s otherworldly. Muisca people mined rock salt in the same exact spot around the 5th century BC. Imagine a functional mine, which by itself is a cool thing to see, with miles upon miles of tunnels and chambers. They say over 3000 believers visit the “Cathedral” for Sunday mass. That’s a staggering number, not even counting the tourist traffic. They carved three main chambers depicting the life of Jesus. It’s a bit dark and scary as well, especially with that cold, ultraviolet lighting. It could be an awesome nightclub.

View over the city of Bogota with El Carmen Church at the forefront

Thanks to its decorative Florentine Gothic architecture Santuario Nuestra Señora del Carmen is considered the most beautiful church of Bogota

Gold was a sacred substance for the Muisca and they frequently offered it to their gods. How exactly did they do it? They threw it into the Guatavita lake northeast of Bogotá. They say it’s the birthplace of the legend of El Dorado, the Golden City. I don’t buy it, it’s not a city, it’s a lake and the real deal is most likely hidden somewhere in or beneath the jungle. El Museo del Oro in Bogotá is the closest thing to El Dorado you’ll find. This museum houses over 55 000 pieces of golden art from pre-Colombian South America. It’s hard to believe that some of those wonders were created by a culture we now consider primitive. The third floor is the most interesting for me. It’s an exhibition about all the shamanistic rituals they used gold in: very cool.

Bogotá went through major development, but make no mistake, it’s still shady. You might not feel endangered but you’re not exactly super-safe either. Remember that poverty is still an issue and drugs, common thievery, scams, and violence go with it. If someone approaches you with “un poco perico” (coke) you’d best decline; unless it’s not your first rodeo and you know what you’re doing.

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Ibiza city guide

Ibiza is one of the Spanish Balearic Islands, and probably the most famous one. It’s also the name of the isle’s main city and capital, which is officially called Ibiza Town or Elvissa in Catalan language. It’s the promised land of every horny European kid. Let me rephrase that: every horny European party person ever. It’s hot, it’s loud, and it’s colourful. Pure awesomeness…if you’re young. The 90s and early 2000s were all about trance music. I still get goose bumps thinking about those times. Ibiza was trance culture incarnate; they call it EDM (electronic dance music) now. The administration is trying to transform Ibiza into a family-friendly destination. I don’t think it’s possible at this point. It will always remain a party island, heaven for visitors and hell for the locals. Crowds spend their days curing their hangover on numerous beaches. Nights are all about clubbing because that’s what you visit Ibiza for. Pacha Ibiza, Café del Mar; those were the legendary clubs of my youth. They’re still going strong but the scene is changing. Many people travel thousands of miles for the opening of the season hosted by the Ushuaïa Club. It was crazy stuff and more of an open-air festival than a night out at a club. Amnesia Ibiza? That’s another icon, established already in 1976. Just think how many generations have danced their balls out in these clubs.

For clubbing and partying round the clock you have definitely come to the right place on Ibiza; during the last years the number of beach parties and outdoor events is even increasing

This entire culture was built based on “Peace and Love”. Sounds familiar? It’s the hippy credo, the clubbers added “ecstasy” to the equation. Everything started in the 60s, ten years after Ibiza opened up to tourism. That’s when the hippy tsunami left San Francisco and spread across the world. Ibiza was a promised land for them, secluded pristine beaches and nature. Not to mention it wasn't as crowded back then. So, they partied, made love and enjoyed recreational drugs. Not much has changed since then, maybe apart from the music. Disco tunes, technically EDM’s precursor, came to Ibiza in the late 70s. 1973 is when Pacha opened as the first mega club on Ibiza, that’s almost 50 years ago. That’s when the hippie culture began a slow transition into the clubbing culture. The way I see it is it’s just another name for the same ideology. The hippies are still there; visit them at the Hippy Market on Wednesdays around Punta Arabi in Ibiza Town. They sell all sorts of handicraft there, blankets, clothes, braids, and other stuff.

There are historic sites to see on Ibiza as well. Several of them praised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Those are an option when you’ve had enough of the constant intoxication. Following one of those boat parties, for example. Those are an awesome way of meeting new people, until it goes wrong. It only takes one person to get seasick to trigger a chain reaction of vomit and misery. That’s when start thinking that checking out some other stuff could be a good idea. Ibiza Town offers plenty of opportunities. Its Old Town is a sure pick if you’re feeling all right and the sunlight and heat don’t bother you much. It’s a beautiful Mediterranean area with many cafes and taverns, which will charm you instantly. Ibiza’s Old Town is also the place to go if you’d rather chill during the evening for a change. Try some tapas and a glass of wine instead of Red Bull, vodka, pills and stroboscopes. Dalt Vila is the crown jewel of this district. It’s one of the oldest fortifications in the region, dating back to the year 480 BC.

Cobbled street with charming traditional Spanish houses in Ibiza's Old Town (Vila d'Eivissa)

The Old Town of Ibiza, also named Vila d'Eivissa or just Vila, is surprisingly charming and old; discovered by the Carthaginians in 654 BC actually one of the most ancient towns in Europe: the perfect environment to blow off some steam after all the hard partying and clubbing

There are historic sites to see on Ibiza as well. Several of them praised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Those are an option when you’ve had enough of the constant intoxication. Following one of those boat parties, for example. Those are an awesome way of meeting new people, until it goes wrong. It only takes one person to get seasick to trigger a chain reaction of vomit and misery. That’s when start thinking that checking out some other stuff could be a good idea. Ibiza Town offers plenty of opportunities. Its Old Town is a sure pick if you’re feeling all right and the sunlight and heat don’t bother you much. It’s a beautiful Mediterranean area with many cafes and taverns, which will charm you instantly. Ibiza’s Old Town is also the place to go if you’d rather chill during the evening for a change. Try some tapas and a glass of wine instead of Redbull, vodka, pills and stroboscopes. Dalt Vila is the crown jewel of this district. It’s one of the oldest fortifications in the region, dating back to the year 480 BC.

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Düsseldorf city guide

Düsseldorf is to my opinion the most artsy and colourful city in Germany. It doesn’t get as much hype as the nearby and rival city Cologne but I believe it is a far more interesting and fun travel destination. No wonder the Federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia took it as its capital city. Düsseldorf’s location is impeccable; it’s a short ride away from the Netherlands and Belgium. You can even see Cologne from atop of the Rhine Tower. It’s an impressive viewing platform overlooking the city and the Rhine River. You can even take a cruise to along its banks and the lively riverside promenade. Nearby is also the Medienhafen (Media Port), an old inner harbour that was transformed into a working area for the city’s creatives and hangout of the local hipsters. Here you can find some architectonic masterpieces of for instance Richard Meier, Helmut Jahn and Claude Vasconi. The most famous building in this area is the Neuer Zollhof, a trio of colourful avant-garde residences designed by Frank Owen Gehry. This Canadian-born American architect from LA signed up for some the most famous works of contemporary architecture in the world such as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and the office of the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris.

Medienhafen area in Dusseldorf by sunset

Medienhafen (Media Port) in Dusseldorf: an old harbour that became home to many different media companies, and transformed into a hip area with nice restaurants and bars

An interesting part of Düsseldorf is its large Japanese community. Ruhr region has always been a business magnet and Asians wouldn’t miss out on that. Düsseldorf is currently the largest “nipponjin” community outside of Japan. Is business the only thing that these two countries have in common? I don’t think so. This deep friendship began during the Meiji Era when the Japanese opened up to western culture after almost 200 years of seclusion. Germany, among other western superpowers, served as a model for Japans race to modern civilization. As the story goes, Japan considered themselves better than the other Asian countries. Germans thought themselves better than all the other races. So, they sort of shared this weird point of view, they also had a similar work ethic. That was enough to ally with the Nazis and fight alongside them. They both got their asses kicked but the friendship remains. They celebrate this unusual bond during the annual Japan Day in Düsseldorf. It takes place towards the end of May on the Rhine promenade and includes a variety of events. The city turns into Tokyo for that one day, concluded with a stunning firework show. There’s cosplay (Japanese costume play), anime, calligraphy, kimonos and all the delicious weirdness that we learned to love about Japan.

The Carnival is another large-scale party in Düsseldorf. It might not hold a candle to the one in Rio but it gets wild nonetheless. The revelry starts on Thursday with the symbolic ritual of cutting the mayors tie. People storm the best bars and pubs around the Old Town and party until early morning hours. They take a break on Saturday, most people spend the day with their families. Sunday celebrations continue around the Königsallee, Düsseldorf’s upscale shopping and fine dining street. The Carnival is concluded with a huge Rose Monday Parade. People dress up and dance on the streets. They sure know how to party, furthermore, they have mastered the art of drunken sustenance. You can find goodies like Canadian poutine at Frittenwerk at Friedrichstraße 145, all kinds of Currywurst and the traditional Soleier. You take a boiled egg, remove the yolk, mix it with vinegar, mustard, seasoning and stuff it back into the egg white. It’s a common snack that goes well with local Altbier ale. Have a shot of Killepitsch, Düsseldorf’s herbal liquor and you’re set to conquer the night. Some of the best bars are located around the Old Town, some even go as far as calling it “the longest bar in the world”. While in the beginning of the year the focus is on the carnival, in December the Christmas markets start opening up all over Düsseldorf. Stuff yourself with sausages and other grilled goodies and keep yourself warm with Glühwein. The season is no laughing matter in this part of Germany. And in between all these events you can always shop till you drop. Düsseldorf is a shopping paradise and its Königsallee is one Germany’s most exclusive and expensive shopping avenues. The world most famous perfumery, cosmetics, watches, jewelry, and fashion brands for all those who can afford to run their credit card red.

Altstadt: the cosy fairly small historical center of Dusseldorf with chic cocktail bars, dance clubs and pubs offering traditional Altbier

Düsseldorf is not just fun and games. It’s like Vienna's spiritual successor with tunneled ears. Or like San Francisco back in the good old days. “Oh my gosh Mum, I don’t want your classical music, I want Kraftwerk!”, “Mum, I don’t like this architecture with pillars and arcs, I want colourful spider people on facades of my buildings!”, “Your ballroom dancing is boring, Mum, I’d rather do raves!”. Let’s be honest: electronic music nowadays would not have been the same without Kraftwerk, formed in Düsseldorf in 1970 by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider. They were true innovators and pioneer. Their German kraut-rock rooted arrangements and electronic tunes coming from the synthesizer, drum machine and of course the vocoder (voice transformer) paved the path for synth pop, post-punk, techno, ambient, and even contemporary club music. I was lucky to see them perform on a festival during their latest and maybe even last tour in Europe. Their live show with 3D and other visual effects was a mind-blowing experience, a hallucinating trip without the drugs.

Counterculture is an integral part of this city. It’s ever so apparent around the Kiefernstraße, an industrial area meant to accommodate the employees of Klöckner steelworks. Those eventually closed down and the area went into somewhat of a disorder. Unemployed workers needed a place to stay so Kiefernstraße quickly became the squatter central of Düsseldorf. It used to be quite the dangerous place to live in with gangs likes Baader–Meinhof Group owning the streets. Nowadays it’s a multi-cultural haven for punks, anarchists, artists, and vagabonds from all over the world. There is a ton of graffiti, old construction carts, live music and fascinating people to befriend.

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Kuala Lumpur city guide

Kuala Lumpur is the most confusing and worst marketed Asian city on earth. It’s the second most liveable city in South Asia (after Singapore) and one of the world’s crucial economic centres. The most remarkable quality of KL is how it managed to unite their Chinese, Malay and Indian populations. Those three waged wars against each other for rich tin deposits in the late 19th century. The Chinese captain Yap Ah Loy (Ah Loy, alloy, tin alloy? Suspicious?) eventually won and alongside Frank Swettenham began rebuilding Kuala Lumpur. What’s up with those names? It all sounds made up. Anyway, those two were the founding fathers of this city, transformed it from cholera-ridden, flammable wooden huts into what is it today. It is a one of a kind union of three nations living in harmony. I’d even say they supplement each other. Imagine not fighting over nationalities, religion or customs nowadays. It is rare. Kuala Lumpur is big on religion, Islam mostly; almost 60% of the citizens are Muslims. It’s pretty mild in KL; nothing strict like the Emirates. You can visit a mosque or two but they’re nothing special. Hindu temples are an entirely different story.

View from the opposite shore of the lake to the pavilions of Titiwangsa Park and the skyscrapers of Kuala Lumpur

Titiwangsa Park: a well-kept and picturesque park at the lake in Kuala Lumpur, offering various leisure and sports opportunities for adults and children

You need to see the Batu Caves. They’re located about 15km away from KL and, according to some sources, are over 200 million years old. The uninhabited portion of this complex is called the Dark Caves. They’re dark and full of terrors, spiders, bats and all kinds of species you won’t find anywhere else. The whole site looks like a training ground for Jedi knights. it’s dope. Hindu pilgrims visit these temples annually for the Thaipusam Festival, join them and learn more about this fascinating religion. You could also check the Brickfields neighbourhood in KL. That’s where most of the Hindu community resides and shops with goodies such as spices and traditional clothing (sari).

If I had to point out one iconic thing about Kuala Lumpur, I’d go with the Petronas Towers. I don’t understand the pissing contest, like who builds the highest tower but it’s immensely popular among tourists. You need to buy tickets in advance and if you’re late for the appointed hour: too bad, you can’t enter. You also can’t bring any selfie sticks or tripods. I think that’s awesome. I love it. The view from the bridge connecting the two towers is amazing I have to admit. What’s in those towers? You guessed it: offices, corporations, and modern slavery. Oh, and one of the largest shopping malls in South Asia. Kuala Lumpur is relatively cheap and shopping has been growing into a huge part of this nations’ economy. It’s also why so many tourists decide to visit.

Putra Mosque in Kuala Lumpur reflected in the water

Putra Mosque, located 20 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Pink Mosque due to the pink granite used in the facade cladding, is reflecting in the water of an artificial lake

I would rather go relax around the KLCC Park, a beautiful green area providing contrast to the Petronas Towers. It’s also where the busy businessmen from the convention centre take a breather. So it is a sort of a Kuala Lumpur’s Central Park with public pools, water fountains and jogging routes. Aquaria KLCC located at the southern edge of the park and it’s really cool if you’re into that sort of thing. They got shark diving, shark feeding shows, and san underwater shark tunnel: basically all sorts of Shark Week shenanigans. Kuala Lumpur is generally big on nature, after all Malaysia is covered by rainforest. You can see some of that fauna and flora in the KL Bird Park, it’s like a zoo but for birds only. I’d recommend wearing a raincoat because of the deluge of droppings but you’d boil alive in that heat and humidity. So at least wear a hat. Their homepage has a photo of a parrot eating a chili pepper, how can you say no to that?

All the people who have experienced Kuala Lumpur have one thing in common. The towers are forgettable, parks and shopping are fleeting pleasures, but the food? Malaysian food stays with you forever. It’s where the triage of Chinese, Indian and Malay delicacies comes together. Picture different kinds of curry, butter chickens, grilled meats and, of course, metric tons of rice. Traditional Malay breakfasts should give you a good idea about what to expect. They boil rice in coconut water with spices and serve it on banana leaves with various toppings. You get a bit of fish, rice, some veggies, a few drops of sambal and you eat it all with your hands. It takes practice, but it’s what you want after a night out in KL. Bukit Bintang is where the party’s at: best bars and clubs in Kuala Lumpur conveniently bunched up on one street.

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Melbourne city guide

Melbourne and Sydney have a bit of a rivalry between them. Which one has better food, better wine, a better art scene and attracts more tourists? Or which one is the actual capital of Australia while the much smaller Canberra has been appointed as the official one? I have to say: Melbourne is more up my alley. The city was established in 1835 and became the centre of the Victoria region in 1851. There was one event in time that influenced Melbourne and shaped it into one of the most liveable cities on earth. The Victorian Gold Rush lasted only a couple of years but yielded almost 2,000.000 kg of gold. There’s always trouble where riches are to be had and Melbourne was no exception. The government decided to ship a bunch of convicts from Tasmania to police the miners. Then they decided that taking a cut from their earnings is not enough, so they taxed them even more. Punishing the poor people for the dumbest reasons happened daily. You have to understand that back then £22 per year was an impossible price to pay. These circumstances and an occasional murder finally broke the last straw and miners dug themselves in in the infamous Eureka Stockade. The government forces stormed the place, killed a few people and that was it. Thankfully, the gold deposits dried out soon after. You can witness that part of Australian history in many open-air museums and remnants of Victorian Era architecture.

Some of those small towns have been turned into wineries and vineyards, which the region is also known for. The gold rush attracted a huge wave of immigrants, many of them from Asian countries. Melbourne has one of the oldest and largest Chinatowns in the world. Take a walk around Queen Victoria Market and you’ll see what kind of impact immigrants had on this city’s food scene. Spices, fresh produce, Bánh mì sandwiches, and dumplings are widely available and very popular among locals. During weekend nights “Queen Vic” turns into a night market visited by hundreds of hungry people. Melbourne smells of food and coffee, they even say they had hipster coffee baristas before it was cool.

Webb Bridge in Melbourne`s Dockland area by night

Webb Bridge: part of a public art project in Melbourne`s Dockland area

Melbourne is a true breeding ground for some of mankind’s greatest artists. Like Dannii Minogue, known for the smash hit Who do you love now? All right, I have to confess that cheesy music is my guilty pleasure but her sister Kylie is an internationally recognized superstar, right? Sex symbol, one might add. After this miniature vamp recorded the song Where the Wild Roses Grow with Nick Cave she was even embraced by alternative music lovers. I think it is one the coolest duets I know, although Henry Lee, that he sang together with PJ Harvey is pretty awesome as well. The legendary Nick Cave started also his career in Melbourne, first with The Birthday Party and later on with The Bad Seeds. Same goes for Crowded House, Dead Can Dance, Little River Band, and even Olivia Newton-John is from there. And while these are old renowned acts, Melbourne does lack in the department of contemporary music either. Jet, The Avalanches and Courtney Barnett: to name a few are all rooted in the Melbourne music scene. Music is an integral part of this city, there’s some kind of performance around every corner. Bars and pubs are often enriched by sounds of live music as well.

Not that people needed an incentive to visit those either: Melburnians love their local beers. They also love sports and nothing goes better with a beer than rooting for your favourite team. Australian Open, the most recognizable tennis tournament takes place in Melbourne, they also have their weird kind of football that everyone’s obsessed about. Melbourne is generally more laid back compared to Sydney. Tiny back alleys are hiding fascinating secrets. Artists spraying walls with some of the worlds’ best graffiti bars and speak easy’s waiting to be found by curious explorers. Visit the Luna Park; it’s almost identical to the one in Sydney but better. Somehow.

Colourful beach bathing boxes at Brightone beach in Melbourne

Melbourne icons: 82 picturesque beach cabins at Brightone beach

So you got your museums and exhibitions, concert halls and events in Melbourne. But those are everywhere. What can you do in Melbourne that you will never forget? The first thing is checking out the picturesque Bath Booths, situated on Brighton Beach. Spend a few hours there and when you’re finally sick and tired of the “horrible” hot weather, extend your trip to the Great Ocean Drive. It’s one of the most famous road trips in the world and the sights are unforgettable. People say that you should take around two days off to see all of it, but you can check the best parts of the Drive in a day. The Twelve Apostles, London Bridge, Gibson Steps and many others are just limestone rock formations; do you need to see all of them? Triplet Falls within the Otways National Park or wild koalas roaming around Kennett River are far more interesting sights. Have you ever heard a koala roar? It’s terrifying. There are many beaches along the Road but only Bells Beach can be called the crown jewel of the Australian coast. It’s also known as the Wimbledon of surfing beaches, it even appeared alongside Keanu Reeves and Kurt Russell in Point Break.

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Turin city guide

Turin (Torino) is all tailored suits, aristocracy and… chocolate. They say it’s a blend of new and old, but I don’t see any new, it’s old and older. And it’s beautiful: it’s one of those cities that are better off without all the „new”. It’s a very unique Italian city. The mountains to the north combined with the Baroque architecture give off a special aura. They say there are so many arcs around the city because the king didn’t like rain. Turin was the first capital of Italy after the unification. That role only lasted for four years from 1861 to 1865 but it’s still known as „the cradle of Italian liberty”. There is one place that will give you a general idea of what this place is all about. The Basilica of Superga is located on a hill on the eastern edge of Turin. The basilica is huge but the best part is the view: you see most of the city and the Alps from up there. The Royal Tombs below the baroque church are the burial site of a large part of Italian royalty.

Carignano square with facade of the Carignano palace in Turin

Carignano square: the most beautiful square of Turin, on which the Palazzo Carignano is located, a magnificent palace in the Baroque style

There is one thing more important to Italians than the kings of the past: football. The Torino football team, hailed by some as the best team this country ever had, crashed into Basilica on their flight back from Lisbon. There were no survivors. I’d wager that more people come to pay their respects at the memorial than to see the actual church. That’s how obsessed Italians are with football. With all respect for Torino F.C., but the most famous club of the city is without doubt Juventus, or just Juve. It is record holder when it comes to titles in the Serie A, the highest football league of Italy. Until 2019 it has won 35 titles including 8 in a row. It is amazing. With Ronaldo, who seems to be immune for aging, and the fortuned Agnelli family, that founded Fiat, as main sponsor the prospects look also good for the near future. This legendary club has a huge fan base all over Italy and goes also under brilliant nicknames such as “The Old Lady” or “The Girlfriend of Italy”. Due to the vertical black and white stripes on their shirts they are also called “The White-Blacks” or “The Zebras”. It is an iconic jersey and I was shocked to learn they have changed the design lately. I think some traditions should never change.

You can take a vintage cart down the hill if you don’t feel like walking. The views from the ride are also stunning. Sacra of Saint Michele is located on the opposite side of the city and it’s a real treat. Have you read The Name of the Rose? Or seen the movie? This abbey served as an inspiration for that timeless piece of art. It’s a bit ruined and it had skeletons of dead monks sticking out its walls until recently. But holy shit, the atmosphere of this place is a once in a lifetime experience. The view on Piedmont on one side and the Alps on the other is nothing short of extraordinary.

Torino is a mysterious city where religion and myth coexist in a fragile balance. The Shroud of Turin (also known as the Holy Shroud) is on display in the Chapel of the Holy Shroud. Jesus was supposedly wrapped in this linen cloth after crucifixion. It’s bulletproof, fireproof and people-proof. It’s surrounded by the Royal Palace of Turin, which adds even more security. All that for a piece of cloth that was scientifically identified as a medieval fabrication. Silly science will never get in the way of true faith. Some even say that the Holy Grail arrived in Turin with the Shroud. According to “knowledgeable people” it’s buried between two statues at the entrance to Gran Madre di Dio church. Other “knowledgeable people” claim that it’s actually inside one of those statues. The third theory is that the statues point in the direction of Grail’s resting place, which would be the Torino City Hill. Interesting, but unlikely. I think there’s more of a chance of it being hidden in one of the sarcophagi stored in the Egyptian Museum. Museo Egizio houses over 30 000 artefacts from ancient Egypt, making it one of the greatest collections in the world.

Sacra di San Michele on top of a green mountain near Turin

Sacra Michele castle shows off at the top of a Pirchiriano mountain, which you can reach both on foot and by car; all this beauty is only 40 km away from Turin

In my opinion, the real treasures of Turin are far from the realm of fantasy and history. Piedmont is home to Ferrero Rocher, as a matter of fact, the chocolate industry has always been huge there. One could say that Turin started the European chocolate craze that lasts to this day. It was brought to Italy by the Spaniards towards the end of the 16th century and took the rest of Europe by storm. You probably thought that the Swiss were the first country to become famous for chocolate. Nope, they got it all from Turin. My favourite kind with hazelnuts was also invented in Italy, during the Napoleonic wars. Forget about Nutella and try the local specialty: bicerin (bitcherin). It’s an espresso layered with chocolate and milk or whipped cream sometimes. The Fiat Factory is another thing Turin is known for. I had a Cinquecento once; we called it “a coffin on wheels”. Let’s say it wasn’t the best period in Fiat’s automotive history, but their new stuff is solid. The main factory used to be in Lingotto building, they even had a rooftop racetrack where they could test drive their new projects. They turned it into an ice-skating track for the 2006 Winter Olympics. Cool stuff.

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Beijing city guide

China has one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Over 3000 years of documented history is a lot of time. Think of what kind of knowledge and cultural heritage they’ve amassed. Beijing doesn’t capitalize on that. Sure, there are temples, a touch of that ancient legacy, but for the most part, it’s just…vast. China used to have several capitals. Even better, they had numerous capitals at the same time. They had a central city for each of the four regions. Beijing has been an on-and-off northern capital city for over 800 years, throughout different dynasties. In 1949 the People's Republic of China won the Chinese Civil War and claimed Beijing as the regimes seat of power. Mao Zedong and his iconic haircut claimed the prize from the Tiananmen overlooking the Tiananmen Square. It’s one of the largest squares in the world. Communists need that kind of space for their displays of power in the form of military parades. That legendary photo of a guy blocking a column of tanks was made there. Widely known as the “Tank Man”, it’s heavily censored in China for obvious reasons. Regimes don’t like revolutionary symbolism.

The Palace Museum of the Forbidden City Beijing

The Forbidden City: this legendary and immense complex sits at the heart of Beijing

Don’t get me wrong: Beijing is beautiful, just like Moscow is beautiful. You wouldn’t necessarily want to live there but you should definitely visit. These countries will do anything to keep up the appearances. Take the Beijing Olympic Park for example. They called it the Olympic Green and it’s huge, very impressive and also very dead. It’s a ghost town. It serves no purpose, at least until the upcoming 2022 Winter Olympics. You can tour the entire complex, including the “Birds Nest” National Stadium, designed by Ai Weiwei. He’s not only a renowned artist but also a big shot anti-government activist. The regime tried to destroy the guy so many times and failed. They eventually allowed him to leave the country and move to Berlin where he currently resides.

The Great Wall is the most recognizable Chinese landmark. There were even rumours about it being visible from space, which is false. Its age, however, isn’t false. Parts of the wall have been standing since the 7th century BC. They built it to shield northern China from skirmishes launched by nomadic tribes. Think how ferocious those attacks had to be that they were forced to build something like this. The combined length of all the walls, including the off-branches, equals to over 20 000 kilometres. And that’s not counting all the barracks, garrisons, armouries, and other defensive structures. You can hike most of it, but try to set out early in the morning to avoid the crowds. Hiring a guide might be a good idea too: they can show you the “less trodden paths”. They’re pretty cheap and often include a meal at a befriended restaurant.

I wouldn’t say that ancient sites like that dominate Beijing’s landscape, but there are quite a few worth checking out. Forbidden City is one of them, it sounds like something from a roleplaying game. There are no dragons to slay, it was forbidden because people couldn’t enter. It used to be the residence of the emperor and royal family for almost 500 years. It’s open to tourists these days but it can be a bit of hustle. First, you need to get past the guys who offer you “alternative tours”. Next, in line are the scammers offering you cheaper tickets. Then you have the people trying to sell you souvenirs and books and all sorts of crap. When you’re past all that and you think you’re good to go, you see the queue to the actual entrance. It’s the world’s largest site comprised of ancient wooden structures, a real treat for students of architecture. You can see the inner chambers too, but only from the corridors, entry is “Forbidden”. It would be one of the coolest sites in the world if only it wasn’t so crowded.

Beihai Park is vis-à-vis with its beautiful lakes and mysterious temples. Great spot to unwind after battling your way through a river of people in the Forbidden City. If crowds don’t bother you then you should visit one of the temples. The Lama Temple is one of the more popular Buddhist sites in Beijing, it has that distinct Tibetan feel to it. Buddhism is fascinating but I could never get deep into that philosophy, the bronze statues are impressive though.

Beihai Park, also known as the North Sea Park or Winter Palace: a public parc and one the largest former imperial gardens of China

Hutongs, the old neighbourhoods, are my absolute favourite part of Beijing. They’re like favelas with best food and drinks, minus the risk of getting shot by a drug cartel. Developers and bulldozers tried to free the precious space to build more heartless apartment buildings. Thankfully they failed and these charming districts are thriving. Some don’t have water, some don’t have toilets, but they have lovely communities. They also cater for the best bars and street food in Beijing: Tiki bars, microbreweries, and even tiny noodle pulling schools. You can expect all that and more in hutongs. Peking Duck is the go-to food if upscale cuisine is your cup of tea. Everyone has their favourite spot but Da Dong at Jinbao St, 88 is universally beloved by both tourists and locals. The waiter brings a cart to your table and cuts the delicious poultry right in front of your eyes. You wrap it up with thin pancakes, dress it up with veggies and sauces and voilà: a Chinese burrito!

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Dubai city guide

Only a couple of years ago almost no one knew a lot about Dubai. “Dubai what? You mean that dump in the middle of the desert? Been there once, it was horrible.” Now it’s one of the most famous, attractive and innovative places in the world. It’s no secret that the biggest city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the modern Eldorado for the worlds’ financial and intellectual elite. Or should we say: they think they belong to the last category. To me it sometimes looks a bit sad and desperate how the UAE and its wealthy inhabitants do everything to acquire credibility and assure the rest of the world will take them serious. They are investing huge amounts of money in contemporary arts nowadays. Leading art fairs like Art, prestigious museums and galleries should attract art-lovers with very deep pockets.

Camels on Jumeirah Beach in Dubai with skyscrapers at the backdrop

The white sandy Jumeirah Beach is the longest public beach of Dubai

Abu Dhabi, the other big city in the United Arabic Emirates, has now even its own Louvre museum. And it is not only about obtaining prestige and status it is also a way to keep its wealth and prosperity in the long run. The Gulf States need to invest in (exclusive) tourism and other alternative business sectors since they will run out of oil at some stage. And as soon as the wells of the black gold has dried up they will need to have other reliable sources of income, otherwise the Dubai residents will have to give up on their Ferraris, race horses, posh villas and palaces, private drivers and nannies from Asia. The highest skyscrapers, artificial islands and omnipresent luxury: Dubai looks and feels as the city of tomorrow. On the other hand it sometimes feels a bit too artificial, like Las Vegas and its counterfeit Eiffel Tower or pyramids. It is in a certain way the Arabic cultures way of extending a hand towards the rest of the world.

Local inhabitant of Dubai sitting on bench at Dubai Creek

To experience the more traditional side of Dubai you could cross Dubai Creek by boat, for instance in a wooden abra or dhow

The Quran laws are a bit lax, you can have a drink here and there and women aren’t getting as much crap. Whether you’re there for business or pleasure, Dubai won’t disappoint, it’s Disneyland for the adults. The most famous sightseeing attractions are the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), the artificial Palm Islands and shopping malls where you can ski at indoor slopes while it is 40 degrees outside. When you are tired of modern city life you may enjoy to indulge yourself in the traditional Dubai atmosphere by wandering through the Dubai Old Souk (also known as the Textile Souk or Bur Dubai Souk) and the old Bastakia Quarter. Mind that the selling practices in the covered markets can be a bit aggressive but a gentle thank you and keep on walking will do the job. If the crazy heat will not kill your appetite for active outdoor activities you should cruise along Dubai Creek in a traditional dhow boat or book a jeep safari to visit the desert and sniff some Bedouin culture.

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Bangkok city guide

Bangkok has recently become a bucket-list destination for the new generation of millennial yuppies. Was it the second instalment of The Hangover trilogy? Was it some obscure One Night in Bangkok cover that everyone had playing on loop? Perhaps some overnight promotional campaign or ticket price drops? I don’t know, but suddenly everyone and their mum had been to Bangkok. I personally know a guy who quit his job at Sony and traveled to Thailand to learn Muay Thai. Sounds cliché now, but back then it was mind-blowing. It was about the same time the digital nomad trend set off. People realized that they can live on an exotic island for $500 a month while working remotely from a beach bungalow. All good things come to an end, especially when too many white people flock to one place. Have you seen The Beach starring Leonardo Di Caprio? It was filmed at Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh Island; you can get there from Bangkok with little effort. Long story short: the more people came to Maya Bay, the more of a Lord of the Flies kind of horror ensued.

The case was the same with Bangkok but, thankfully, the boom is over and the Thai capital is an absolute joy to visit. Also known as “The Big Mango”, this city radiates an organic, almost primal energy. Some might say it’s too loud, too dirty but that’s a part of its charm. Most lone travellers, especially those on a budget, begin their Bangkok adventure at the Khao San Road (it’s where Stuart of The Hangover got his face tattoo). It’s by far, the most multicultural part of Bangkok but also the shadiest. Are there any cocaine-dealing monkeys? I don’t think so. But getting your backpack or purse snatched is a common occurrence, I’ve also heard rumours about people disappearing. Don’t get me wrong but if I would be into human traffic, then a street full of backpackers would be my go-to place when looking for victims. An unpleasant by-product of its popularity is the really annoying feeling that everyone is trying to scam you. Because they often are, anyone from taxi drivers to temple staff has learned to milk every penny from naive tourists.

Wat Phra Kaew within the grounds of the Grand Palace in the historical centre of Bangkok

Wat Phra Kaew translates as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and is the most holy Buddha temple of the country; together with the adjoining Grand Palace it's Bangkok's main tourist staple

Take the Grand Palace as an example, people standing in front of it will try and convince you that it’s closed and they can show you something better. Even if you get past those and pay the $50 entry fee, the actual personnel inside will try to sell you “appropriate temple clothing”. That could easily ruin your first impression of the Grand Palace, which is one of Bangkok’s iconic landmarks that served as the royal residence for centuries. The monarchs live elsewhere now, but the Palace is still an important ceremonial and symbolic site. The entire complex looks like an open-air museum of temples. You walk around and think that everything there is a temple, the buildings are so beautiful and detailed it makes you think they’re a place of worship. “Wow this shrine is amazing!” you think and a random Bangkokian swiftly explains it’s just a generic gazebo. There are dozens of awe-inspiring temples in monasteries in Bangkok, if you’d ever want to get into Buddhism then this is the place. Wat Saket and Wat Arun are the most recognized. But if you want a real souvenir then you will have to go deeper and find a temple that is into Sak Yant, the traditional Thai tattoos.

Some monks still practice this centuries-old tradition of mystical body art. Everything starts with a ritual cleansing, prayer and meditation. And when you’re finally done with all that the monk starts stabbing you with a bamboo needle. It takes hours, hurts like all hell and you probably won’t even know what the ink means, but Angelina Jolie has got one and that’s enough of a reason to endure.

Locals in Bangkok selling fruits on boats at the floating market of Damnoen Saduak

In Bangkok you can find delicious local food on every street corner and even on the water like on the floating market of Damnoen Saduak

Don’t you worry; there are less extreme ways to enjoy yourself in Bangkok. Delicious and cheap ($2 for a meal, more or less) Thai cuisine needs no introduction and is splendidly represented by street-food stalls. The government is desperately trying to limit their numbers, probably because they can be tricky to tax. It’s an essential part of Bangkok, something that makes this city so unique. Bullying those hawkers out is like shooting yourself in the foot, what’s next? Getting rid of Thai massage joints? No trip to Bangkok is complete without a session of traditional Nuat Thai (Thai massage). It’s offered everywhere; you don’t even have to look. You can get an hour of massage for $5, but if you’re interested in the real deal then you need to check out Wat Pho. It’s one of the most impressive temples in Bangkok and is considered the birthplace of Thai massage. They still teach there; it doesn’t get more authentic than this. Keep in mind that real Nuat Thai is quite painful, if you think it’s this hot rub-down with an Asian babe then you’re in for rude awakening. For that, you’ll have to explore the frightening realm of Bangkok nightlife. Transsexuals, infamous Thai ping-pong shows, or legendary bars like the Maggie Choo’s (https://maggiechoos.com/) are all life-changing experiences. The world really is your oyster, at least when you’re in Bangkok.

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