KOH TAO BUCKET LIST AND TRAVEL GUIDE

April 5, 2025 2 Comments

Koh Tao was my favourite island in Thailand. I loved all of them, but Koh Tao has a perfect size, beautiful beaches, outstanding diving and snorkeling, as well as the perfect amount of partying – there is some but it’s not at the crazy annoying level. These are my favourite things to do in the island, as well as where to stay, and more!

VISITING KOH TAO: THE ESSENTIALS

Transport / The only way to get to Koh Tao is by ferry from Surat Thani or Koh Samui. Once on the island, walking is the main mode of transport as well as scooters and boats. Pre-book your ferry tickets here using Ferryhopper.

Tours / Snorkelling and diving are the top activities in Koh Tao, as such these are the best tours:
PADI Open Water Course
Islands Snorkeling Highlights Day Tour & Lunch
Try Scuba Diving 1-Day Experience
Koh Nangyuan & Hidden Bays Snorkeling Tour w/ Lunch

Stay / These are my hotel recommendations in Koh Tao:
Jamahkiri Resort & Spa $$$
Koh Tao Coral Grand Resort $$$
The Beach Club Koh Tao $$
Sensi Paradise Beach Resort $$
The Tarna Resort $$
Ban’s Diving Resort $$
Seashell Resort & Spa $$

Eat / My top recommendations for each meal:
Breakfast/Brunch: Blue Water Café
Lunch: Coconut Monkey
Dinner: Barracuda

Connect / You’ll need mobile data while you are in Thailand, I always recommend using an eSIM (there’s absolutely no need for a physical one!) – here’s some eSIM options for Thailand.

Get Insured / Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

BEST THINGS TO DO IN KOH TAO

Explore the Underwater World

This is probably the number one reason people come to Koh Tao, and that’s because Koh Tao has a the perfect combination: amazing snorkel, and really low prices. So a lot of people will come here just to do the PADI Certification. I didn’t do mine because I had already done it somewhere else, but wether Sign up for a PADI Open Water Course or simply snorkel in shallow reefs teeming with marine life. You can book your course here otherwise here are some more relaxed tours and diving experiences:

Turkey

ULTIMATE ISTANBUL BUCKET LIST & TRAVEL GUIDE

March 14, 2025 2 Comments

As I stepped foot in Istanbul, I instantly fell under the enchanting spell of this vibrant city that bridges Europe and Asia. Istanbul, with its rich history, diverse culture, and breathtaking architecture, offers an immersive travel experience like no other. From the bustling markets to the majestic mosques, every corner reveals a story waiting to be discovered.

Although it may not seem like it when you arrive, Istanbul has so much to see and enjoy. It’s a lot bigger than meets the eye, anddefinitely bigger than Sultanahmet (Old Town) where most tourists limit themselves to.

VISITING ISTANBUL: THE ESSENTIALS

Transport / I strongly recommend booking an airport transfer from the airport, I booked one using WelcomePickups. Once in the city, in order to use all public transportation in Istanbul (boats, subways, buses, tramways, funiculars), you will need the magnetic card, Istanbul Kart. You can find it in the small kiosks near all metro stations, piers, and also bus stations. It costs 70 TL, you will then add credit.

Tours / There are countless tours across but these are the most popular ones:

Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table
Blue Mosque, Basilica Cistern, & Hagia Sophia Tour
Topkapi Palace & Harem Museum Ticket & Audio Guide
European and Asian Side Guided Foodie Walking Tour
Bursa and Uludag Tour with Lunch & Cable Car
Private Turkish Bath, Massage, and Spa in Old City
Turkish Mosaic Lamp Workshop with Drinks & Snacks

Stay / There are an abundance of resorts in Istanbul, and which you choose will depend on your budget. Some of the most popular, and highly rated include:

Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul $$$
Four Seasons Bosphorus $$$
Hotel Ibrahim Pasha $$
Swissotel The Bosphorus $$
Enderun Hotel $

Luggage storage / You might need to store your luggage before checking in to your hotel, you can use this website which has spots all across the city!

Connect / You’ll need mobile data while you are in Turkey, I always recommend using an eSIM (there’s absolutely no need for a physical one!). I always use Sim Local, and you can get 5% discount with code TRAVELWITHPAU. Get it here.

Get Insured / Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

WONDERFUL THINGS TO DO IN ISTANBUL

Get acquainted to the city with a walking tour

I usually start all my big city trips with a walking tour so I can plan my remaining time more efficiently, and have an local in hand to ask all the really important questions, like how to get around or better where do I buy the best Turkish Delight?!

Malta

MALTA: THE ULTIMATE BUCKET LIST & TRAVEL GUIDE

January 29, 2025 8 Comments

Malta was definitely my travel find of the year. Although not at all tourist free, this tiny island is still not a super popular destination and hence why you should go like – right now. I love how it’s an island and a beach destination but also has beautiful and interesting historic places to visit. Hence, Malta basically meets the needs of the beach lovers, culture seekers and those like me that need a little bit of both. I just get bored being all day at the beach! Anyways, it’s truly awesome. For your convenience I’ve created the below bucket list which covers everything you can possibly do in Malta.

VISITING MALTA: THE ESSENTIALS

Transport / There are two forms of transportation in Malta, rental car or public bus. Public buses are incredible, regular and take you to any part of the island. However, a rental car is almost always the best option, and especially if you go for a few days only. Malta is small and easy to drive through and, although the buses are good, you’ll takes a lot less and see a lot more if you get around by car. Book using DiscoverCars, the website I recommend for all international car hires. If you are not renting a car, should you require an airport transfer, I always use WelcomePickups.

Tours / There are countless tours across Malta but these are the most popular ones:
Valletta: 3-Hour Walking Tour
Full-Day Gozo Jeep Tour with Lunch and Boat Ride
Prehistoric Temples of Malta Tour
Highlights of Malta & Mdina Full Day Tour with Lunch
Malta: Marsaxlokk, Blue Grotto, and Qrendi Guided Tour

Stay / There are an abundance of hotels in Malta, and which you choose will depend on your budget and location. Some of the most popular, and highly rated include:

The Phoenicia Malta $$$ / Valletta
AX The Palace $$$ / Sliema
Intercontinental Malta $$$ / St Julian’s Bay
Palazzo Paolina Boutique Hotel $$ / Valletta
Palazzo Violetta $$ / Sliema

Connect / You’ll need mobile data while you are in Malta, I always recommend using an eSIM (there’s absolutely no need for a physical one!). I always use Sim Local, and you can get 5% discount with code TRAVELWITHPAU. Get it here.

Get Insured / Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

Spain

VISITING SPAIN’S COSTA BRAVA WITHOUT A CAR + SAMPLE ITINERARY

January 17, 2025 5 Comments

Can you visit Costa Brava without a car? The answer is YES! Despite literally 100% of the people I asked saying the opposite, I went for it and I’m happy to report I’ve proved them all wrong. Yes you can absolutely do Costa Brava without a car, yes it’s not the same thing as having a car but you are still able to see most stuff and definitely better than not visiting at all. In the post below I’ll explain how you can make this happen and I’ll include a sample itinerary you can follow. Of course this itinerary can be done by car as well, and I recommend you rent a car using DiscoverCars if you are planning to drive which is what I use.

VISITING COSTA BRAVA WITHOUT A CAR: THE ESSENTIALS

Transport / The main bus company which runs in Costa Brava is called SARFA. You can view its timetable and buy tickets online here. The best airport to arrive to is Barcelona, if you need a transfer from the airport I recommend you use WelcomePickups (which is what I use). Of course this itinerary can be done by car as well, and I recommend you rent a car using DiscoverCars if you are planning to drive which is what I use.

Tours / The itinerary below is mostly by bus / train and for 8 days, however there are tours that will take you to Costa Brava for the day. And guess what? No car needed:
From Barcelona: Girona, Figueres and Dalí Museum Day Tour
From Barcelona: Girona, Dalí Museum, and Cadaqués Day Trip
Barcelona: Dali Museum, House and Cadaques Guided Tour
From Barcelona: Girona and Costa Brava Full-Day Tour
From Barcelona: Costa Brava Day Tour with Boat Trip

Connect / You’ll need mobile data while you are in Spain, I always recommend using an eSIM (there’s absolutely no need for a physical one!). I always use Sim Local, and you can get 5% discount with code TRAVELWITHPAU. Get it here.

Get Insured / Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

COSTA BRAVA WITHOUT A CAR: WHICH TRANSPORT IS AVAILABLE?

Sadly, trains don’t connect all of the Costa Brava but buses do! The main bus company which runs in Costa Brava is called SARFA. You can view its timetable and buy tickets online here. I found frequency to be good enough to allow flexible travel without planning much in advance either buying tickets online or simply directly from the bus station (where I had no issues with availability).

To make this trip happen, what I did was combine going to a major city by train from Barcelona and from that city take day trips using the buses. The reason I did this is that many of the cities you’ll end up visiting don’t really have direct buses connecting them so you need to go back to a major city to continue your journey to other cities. It will all become clearer once you see the itinerary below.

Now, if you are short in time you can avoid the itinerary below and just take a day trip from Barcelona. Easy peasy. The below tours are the best options:

From Barcelona: Girona, Figueres and Dalí Museum Day Tour: Embark on a full-day adventure exploring the medieval town of Girona, home to rich history and stunning Gothic architecture. Walk along its ancient streets, visit the Jewish Quarter, and admire the iconic colorful houses along the Onyar River. Then, head to Figueres, birthplace of Salvador Dalí, and explore the world-famous Dalí Museum. Discover the eccentric works of the surrealist master in this unique and interactive museum. Book your tour here: Girona, Figueres, and Dalí Museum Day Tour.
From Barcelona: Girona, Dalí Museum, and Cadaqués Day Trip: Immerse yourself in the life and works of Salvador Dalí on this guided tour. Visit the Dalí Museum in Figueres to explore his surreal masterpieces, then travel to Cadaqués to see the coastal town that inspired much of his art. End the day with a visit to Dalí’s house in Portlligat, gaining insight into his personal life and creative process. Book your tour here: Dalí Museum, House, and Cadaqués Guided Tour.
From Barcelona: Girona and Costa Brava Full-Day Tour: Discover the history and beauty of Girona and Costa Brava on this full-day tour. Walk through Girona’s historic Old Town, see the city’s Roman walls, and enjoy its picturesque streets. Then, travel to Costa Brava to explore its stunning coastline, charming fishing villages, and clear turquoise waters. Enjoy some free time to relax, swim, or soak in the Mediterranean views. Book your tour here: Girona and Costa Brava Full-Day Tour.
From Barcelona: Costa Brava Day Tour with Boat Trip: Escape to the breathtaking Costa Brava for a day of stunning landscapes and coastal charm. Visit scenic villages like Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar, and explore hidden coves and sandy beaches. This tour includes a delightful boat trip along the coast, allowing you to admire the dramatic cliffs and crystal-clear waters from a unique perspective. Book your tour here: Costa Brava Day Tour with Boat Trip.

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