As mentioned earlier, Asia is a huge continent to discover. In this section, you will have a better idea how each region looks like and the best places to visit.

𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗔 — Central Asia, also known as "The Stans," is home to Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan. Central Asia played an important role in the transportation of goods between China and Europe during the Silk Road trading era. Today, it is an upcoming travel destination and generally safe to explore. Although tourism is still new in the region, adventurous seeking off-beaten paths will find epic experiences across Central Asia. In the case you don't feel comfortable to explore on your own, joining local tours is a perfect solution especially for family traveling with kids and solo females. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝘾𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝘼𝙨𝙞𝙖  are Uzbekistan's ancient Silk Road (Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva), the Pamir Highway traversing Tajikistan, the gas crater "Gate of Hell" in Turkmenistan, Song Kul and Issyk Kul mountain lake in Kyrgyzstsn.

 𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗔 — East Asia is probably one of the most visited, the safest and easiest to navigate region to travel in Asia. Throughout most of the region, public transportation is quick and very efficient. Countries in this region are China, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, Mongolia, North Korea, and South Korea. North Asia is your gateway to an affordable travel dream, exotic cuisines, endless market shopping, and lots of family-friendly destinations. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙀𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝘼𝙨𝙞𝙖  are Mount Fuji and Kyoto’s temples in Japan, the Great Wall of China, and the Gobi desert in Mongolia. For cherry blossom lovers like me, visiting Japan in the spring when sakura blooms is a must-do. Or perhaps you are dreaming to hang out and interact with Giant Baby Pandas responsibly, then volunteering at Panda Reserve in China should be on your bucket list.

𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗔 — Southeast Asia is made up of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor, Vietnam. This Asia region is not only a top-rated destination for backpackers and solo travelers, but it’s also an incredible destination for families and kids. Southeast Asia has something for everyone. There are countless things to see and do, and it’s hard to keep up with the bucket list in this region. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝘼𝙨𝙞𝙖  are Bali and Raja Ampat in Indonesia, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Halong Bay and Hoi An in Vietnam, Bangkok and Krabi in Thailand, Georgetown Penang in Malaysia, Singapore, and Luang Prabang in Laos. And oh, the street food is probably one of the best treats in Southeast Asia, so don’t miss it for the world!

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𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗔 — South Asia is a region consisting of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, The Maldives. Also known as the Indian Subcontinent. It is a breathtaking triangular landmass bordered by the Himalayas in the north, the Indian Ocean in the south, and the Ganges and Indus river valleys in east and west. South Asia has the distinction of being the most densely populated area in the world. Exploring this region is relatively easy, though expect to be a little chaotic in terms of logistics. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙫𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝 𝘼𝙨𝙞𝙖  are stunning clear turquoise beaches in the Maldives, Taj Mahal in Agra in India, Mount Everest in Nepal, the Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan,  Sigiriya and Yala National Park in Sri Lanka.

There is no bad time to visit Asia. Really. The best time to visit Asia isn’t easily summed up,  it’s a huge continent of different regions each with their own weather patterns and microclimates. The only big thing to keep in mind is the monsoon season which also varies from country to country depending on latitude and other factors.

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 𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗔 — Central Asia is a region that has an extreme continental and dry climate, with utterly hot summers and freezing winters. The best time to visit Central Asia is the end of summer and the beginning of Autumn, especially if you would like to explore all five Stans.

𝙎𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 (April to June) and 𝙁𝙖𝙡𝙡 (September and October) are the best time to visit the Stans. Temperatures are generally comfortable across the region at around 20°C (68°F)

𝙎𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧 (July and August) can be extremely hot, with temperatures soaring above 38°C (100°F). There are exceptions to the mountains of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, where it’s always cold even in high summer. Also in the Pamir Highway area where it's never get too hot either.

𝙒𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 (January to March) are bitterly cold across Central Asia, and temperatures drop below freezing.

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𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗔 — East Asia region experiences four seasons like North America, Oceania, and Europe.

𝙎𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜  (March to May) is mostly a good time to visit some countries in East Asia region. It is the best season to witness sakura blooms across Japan and South Korea. 

𝙎𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧 (June to August) is pleasantly warm across the region. It is also the busiest months of the year, so expect lots of crowds and higher prices across the board. 

𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙢𝙣 (September to November) is shoulder season where summer crowds have gone and weather is pleasant. Early to mid-autumn is the perfect time for traveling across China, Japan, South Korea, and even Tibet.

𝙒𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 (December to February) is when temperatures drop significantly and many places experience snowfall. Crowds and prices also drop, making it an ideal time for budget-conscious travelers to visit the region.

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 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗔 — Southeast Asia are tropical countries due to its proximity to the equator line. So generally speaking, the weather is hot and humid with  temperatures around 27°C (80°F). There are only two distinct seasons in Southeast Asia, the dry and the wet.

𝘿𝙧𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙤𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣 (November to February) is the best time and perfect weather to travel Southeast Asia. The hottest months are March to June, when temperatures skyrocketing to 36°C (97°F). There are exceptions for Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia where are drier from April to October.  

𝙒𝙚𝙩 𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙤𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣  (June to September) is when many countries experience high rainfall and the vegetation blooms in verdant green. Always be prepared when traveling during the monsoon season because the weather can change with little warning. Additionally, wet conditions cause an increase in the mosquito population.

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  𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗔 — Apart from the Himalayas where snow exists year-round, the general climate across South Asia is tropical, with dry winter and wet summer. And the region is greatly affected by the monsoon and seasonal winds.
𝘿𝙧𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙤𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣 (October to February) is the best time to explore South Asia, with pleasant temperatures across the region. April and May are the hottest months, with mid-day temperatures of at 33°C (91°F) on most days.
𝙒𝙚𝙩 𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙤𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣 (June to September) is when heavy rains and high temperatures rise across the region. There are some extremes in a few regions — monsoon in Western Pakistan is non-existent, while it lasts for six months in Southern India, Sri Lanka has two monsoons (May and October), and Bangladesh may experience cyclone (June to August).

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𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗔

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𝘽𝙮 𝘼𝙞𝙧 / 𝙁𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 — Asia is dotted with major international airports, making traveling to countries in the region easily. Major countries and cities in Asia have direct flights, and if not that, access to connecting flights is hassle-free. Asia's largest airports by many intercontinental connections include Tokyo, Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, New Delhi, and Mumbai. With the absence of direct international flights to some Asian destinations like Phuket, you can always catch a connecting flight through Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore, known to be the major transit points. Suppose you are heading to Central Asia, Tashkent International Airport is the busiest and most central airport in Eurasia.

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𝘽𝙮 𝙎𝙚𝙖 — Although flights are the fastest way to reach destinations in Asia, you could get to Asia via water by ships and boats. The trip is an experience you won’t forget, particularly if you opt to take a luxurious cruise. Many cruises depart to/from the hubs of Singapore, Hong Kong, or Tianjin/Beijing and may include ports in China, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, and India.

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𝘽𝙮 𝙍𝙖𝙞𝙡 /𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣 — If you are coming to Asia by train, you'll likely go through Russia or Turkey, although other options may exist. The most usual and accessible route from Europe to China is via the classic Trans-Siberian Railway (TSR). There are a few different routes available, but arguably the most interesting TSR route is between Moscow and China via Mongolia. The distance is 7,621 km (4,735 miles) long, and the journey takes six nights. An experience on the Trans-Siberian Railway should be on everyone's bucket list. And Yes, TSR is perfectly safe (even for families and solo females), comfortable, and affordable.

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𝘽𝙮 𝙍𝙤𝙖𝙙 — Yes, it is possible to reach Asia from Europe overland. The most popular way to travel from Europe to China and Asia is by going through Turkey. There are several ways and routes to do it, some more straightforward and accessible than others. All require some caution, including required visas, border crossings, local customs, road conditions, safety, and dealing with obstacles. We don't see this option visible for family traveling with kids, nor for solo females. In our humble opinion, it's too complicated and too many obstacles.

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𝘜𝘴𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘛𝘪𝘱𝘴 : xoxo xoxo xoxo

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𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗚𝗢 𝗔𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗔

Transportation throughout Asia is relatively easy in some regions like Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia. But it's a bit of mystery and challenging in other areas. In any case, it's a great adventure.

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𝘽𝙮 𝘼𝙞𝙧 / 𝙁𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 — Travel around within Asia is most convenient by air, especially if you are on a tight schedule. Fares are lower compared to Europe or North America. Low-cost airlines in Asia are rapidly expanding their networks, particularly in Southeast Asia. Keep in mind that flights are not restricted to capital cities. It may be cheaper if you’re willing to be flexible with your destination and dates of arrival/departure. Also, sometimes it’s necessary to take roundabout routes to access specific destinations.

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𝘽𝙮 𝙎𝙚𝙖 — Almost every country in Asia has some form of water transport, from luxury cruise ships in China, longtail boats in Thailand to the narrow speedboats that zip along the Mekong River through Laos & Cambodia. Cruising is catching up in a very big way in Asia. There are several cruise lines with different routes to travel within Asia throughout the year. Ferries and boats are also a popular way to get from island to island especially in Southeast Asia region. For a truly local experience, skip the tourist cruises and find a local guide to take you boating for the day or motor you up the river to a hidden local treasure.

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𝘽𝙮 𝙍𝙖𝙞𝙡 /𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣 — Train travel in Asia is very doable, in fact it's the best way to experience the destination. However, comfort and service vary significantly by country and sometimes by region within a country. Most countries in the Northeast Asia region have pretty intensive and reliable train systems. You can even experience super-fast bullet trains in Japan and China. Also, overnight sleeper trains connect major cities in some Southeast Asia countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. Thailand has one of the best network rail systems in the world, and there are often direct routes between major cities that make the best way to get and around the country. India has the third most extensive passenger rail network in the world, after Russia and China. Other regions in Asia also have train travel services. But there are many countries that trains don’t service at all.

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𝘽𝙮 𝘽𝙪𝙨 — Bus is probably the easiest and cheapest way to travel around Central Asia and Southeast Asia. You can find frequent tourist buses easily throughout these regions. If you are adventurous, try local buses that are a fraction of the cost and may or may not be less convenient. There are two organized hop-on and hop-off bus that travel with set routes across Asia, which mostly used by independent travelers and backpackers, Bamba Experience and Stray Asia.

𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗬 𝗜𝗡 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗔 

Accommodation options are abundant throughout Asia. You can find some of the most luxurious and expensive resorts in the world, unique capsule and container hotels, scenic getaway in the mountains remotely, eco-friendly and sustainable resorts, traditional inns like ryokan and yurt, homestay with the locals, budget hostels that cost a mere buck or two, and anything else in between. It all depends on your destinations, personal choices, and budgets.

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It can be overwhelming to decide which best hotel to stay on a massive continent, especially for your first family trip to Asia. Worry not. We are here to help and won’t let you hanging to dry. You are in the right place; we have made a list of some best-value family-friendly accommodation options at different budgets and categories. It will give you an idea and big picture to narrow down your choice.

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𝗟𝗨𝗫𝗨𝗥𝗬 & 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛-𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗦 & 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗦

When in comes to quality and services, luxury and high-end hotels and resorts throughout Asia are generally comparable (or better) to hotels and resorts in Europe, North America and Oceania. Hotel staff will likely speak English well. The rooms can be very extravagant with wonderful views looking out the city, water, or mountain. The beds are very comfortable. The bathrooms are clean and modern with a nice shower and sink. You will even find very nice rooftop pools available for guests.

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𝗠𝗜𝗗-𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘 𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗦

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𝗕𝗨𝗗𝗚𝗘𝗧-𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗟𝗬 𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗦 & 𝗚𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘𝗦

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𝗔𝗟𝗟-𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗦

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𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗤𝗨𝗘 𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦

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𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗬 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗦

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𝗔𝗜𝗥𝗕𝗡𝗕 & 𝗩𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗦

𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗧-𝗧𝗥𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗔

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We are a big believer that travel and food are interrelated. It comes hand in hand. And it is especially true when you visit Asia. In our experience, food in Asia is very different from other parts of the world. We may be a slight bias when we say Asian food is the best because both Freddy and I were born and grew up in Southeast Asia... but trust us, Asian food is the best! It's tough to narrow down, but we manage to pick the 5 best foods to eat in each region of Asia.
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🔸 𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗔
Central Asia may offer beautiful places and unique cultures. However, food should not be the main reason to visit the region. That being said, please try some of their popular dishes when you are traveling to Central Asia. You will soon find out that Central Asian food is highly influenced by the Middle East and the Mediterranean, with mutton and horsemeat commonly served. So, here are the 5 Best Foods to eat in Central Asia :
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𝙋𝙡𝙤𝙫 — Plov is a popular Uzbek rice dish with mutton meat and veggies. It is considered the national dish of Central Asia and very popular amongst the locals across the Stan. If you need to pick only one dish to try in Central Asia, it would be plov.

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𝙎𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙖 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙥 — Shurpa or Shorpo is a meat broth soup with big pieces of meat, very often fatty mutton. The vegetables are boiled together and then pan-fried with onion, carrots, bay leaves, flour, salt, and pepper.

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𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙨𝙝𝙡𝙮𝙠 — Shashlik is marinated and grilled cube meat skewer, similar to shish kebab, although it tastes differently. Shashlik is either all meats or combinations of meat, chunks of fat, and vegetables such as bell pepper, onion, and tomato. It’s usually served with nan bread and vinegary onions.

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𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙞 𝘿𝙪𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 — Manty is steamed round dumplings filled with minced mutton meat, mutton fat, and onion. It’s served with sour cream or vinegar. Manty is a popular cuisine in Kazakstan and Uzbekistan, Central Asia.

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𝘽𝙚𝙨𝙝𝙗𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙠 — Beshbarmak is the national dish of Kyrgyzstan but can be found in neighboring countries. It is boiled meat with noodles. First, the meat is boiled for a couple of hours, and in its broth, noodles are cooked. Beshbarmak literally means ‘five fingers,’ which refers to the dish's being eaten by hand.

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🔸 𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗔

East Asian cuisine includes Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese, Mongolian, and Tibetan food. Common staple food ingredients are rice, noodles, soybeans, beef, pork, chicken, mutton (in Mongolia), seafood, bok choy, and tea. Stir-frying, steaming, and deep-frying are popular cooking methods. Cuisines in this region are similar to Southeast Asian cuisine due to cultural and ethnic mixing. We try to have mixed dishes from a different country into the list of Best Foods to Eat in East Asia, and we come out 10 dishes, hope you don’t mind.

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𝘽𝙚𝙞𝙟𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙍𝙤𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝘿𝙪𝙘𝙠 in China — Known globally as 𝙋𝙚𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘿𝙪𝙘𝙠, oven roast duck comes served with thin crisp skin and moist tender meat. The chef will slice and carved the duck into about 120 very thin slices of meat and skin. Then  served with thin pancakes, green onion, plum sauce, and fresh cucumber. 

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𝘿𝙞𝙢 𝙎𝙪𝙢 in Hong Kong — Eating dim sum is an absolute must during any visit to Hong Kong. Dim sum is a meal with various savory and sweet dishes and typically served on bamboo steamers. Eating dim sum is one of the most fun and delicious food experiences you can have when visiting the country.

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𝙀𝙜𝙜 𝙏𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨  in Hong Kong and Macau — Egg tarts are a Hong Kong sweet staple. Creamy custard nestles in a golden crust that’s either butter-cookie in style or made from crumbly, flaky pastry. Egg tarts are also very popular in Macau. A noticeable distinguishing feature of the Macau-style egg tart is its slightly burnt top.

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𝙎𝙪𝙨𝙝𝙞  in Japan — You can go to Japan and not eat sushi. Sushi is a traditional Japanese dish of prepared vinegared rice served with seafood (often raw) and vegetables. Different types of sushi are maki (the regular roll), temaki (hand roll), nigiri, and uramaki. Sushi is served at typical restaurants, conveyor belt restaurants, convenience stores, fish markets, and many more places.

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𝙍𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙣 in Japan — Ramen is noodle soup dishes with meat toppings. There are many different types available, including miso ramen, shio ramen, and soyu ramen. Ramen is possibly the most famous and widely eaten dish in the country and can be found in every corner.

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𝘽𝙚𝙚𝙛 𝙉𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙡𝙚 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙥 in Taiwan — Beef noodle soup is arguably the most beloved comfort food in Taiwan. It consists of red-braised beef slow-cooked in soy sauce, beef broth, vegetables, and Chinese wheat noodles. You can find beef noodle soup anywhere in the country, from street food vendors to fine dining restaurants.

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𝙆𝙞𝙢𝙘𝙝𝙞 in Korea — Kimchi is basically spicy, fermented cabbage with garlic, ginger & Korean chilies. It is the heart and soul of Korean cuisine,  almost always served in every meal as a side dish. Kimchi can also be cooked as an ingredient in many Korean dishes.

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𝘽𝙞𝙗𝙞𝙢𝙗𝙖𝙥 in Korea —  Bibimbap is a tasty mixture of fluffy rice, vegetables, beef, gochujang (hot chili paste), and a fried egg seasoned with soy sauce and sesame seeds. It is a staple South Korean dish that you don’t want to miss on your trip to the country. In fact, bibimbap is one of my favorite dishes.

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𝙆𝙝𝙪𝙪𝙨𝙝𝙪𝙧 in Mongolia — Pronounced horshure, Khuushur are deep-fried meat pastries that are traditionally filled with mutton or goat meat. This finger food is tasty, filling, and has medicinal properties. Mongolians hold the hot pie in their hands to stimulate blood circulation. You can easily find khuushur in many Gers and local restaurants in the Mongolian countryside.

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𝙏𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙖 in Tibet— Tsampa is a glutinous meal made from roasted barley flour with butter tea. It is the most consumed food among the locals of Tibet. The most common way to eat Tsampa is by mixing it with butter tea in a bowl and forming it into small oval balls.

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🔸 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗔

Southeast Asia is a food paradise, period. Experiencing good street food is a key part of a trip to the region. In fact, it’s one of the main memories for many people who travel to Southeast Asia. And the best part is that food prices in Southeast Asia are super affordable, even in Singapore. Without further ado, let's dive into some of the best food you must try when visiting Southeast Asia.

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𝙎𝙖𝙩𝙖𝙮 in Indonesia — Satay is skewered meat (chicken, mutton, beef, fish, pork, and basically anything) marinated in a special mixture of soy sauce and spices and then grilled on charcoal. These juicy skewers are usually served with rice cakes (ketupat) with peanut sauce poured all over the satay. This simple dish is readily available from food stalls nationwide and has been marked as their national dish. Some of the best food you must try when visiting Southeast Asia are:

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𝙍𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙜 in Indonesia — Named as "The World’s Most Delicous Food", reader survey by CNN Travel. You definitely have to try this hearty dish. Beef rending is stewed in coconut milk with a spice paste mix of ginger, turmeric, and fiery chilies. It’s slowly simmered for hours, and the result is perfectly tender, flavorful, tasty, dry, and caramelized goodness beef dish. Yum. I drool just to write about it!

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𝙉𝙖𝙨𝙞 𝙂𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙍𝙞𝙘𝙚 in Indonesia — Indonesian Nasi Goreng or 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙍𝙞𝙘𝙚 is a staple classic Indonesian dish that is popular all over the country. It’s essentially a wok dish of rice with vegetables and meat, mixed with garlic, ginger, kecap manis (sweet soy sauce), and some other spices. It is then garnished with pickled cucumber and carrots. Nasi Goreng is considered Indonesia’s national dish, which can be found literally in every alley and street corner. Worthy to note that Indonesian Fried Rice received the 2nd prize in the world’s 50 best food - reader's choice survey by CNN Travel. 

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𝙋𝙖𝙙 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙞 in Thailand — Pad Thai is a stir-fried dish of thin flat rice noodles with shrimp or chicken, tofu, bean sprouts, eggs. It's then seasoned with fish sauce, sugar, tamarind, and chili. And popped with ground peanut upon serving. Add a dash of lime juice and extra chili to enhance your Pad Thai plate. 

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𝙏𝙤𝙢 𝙔𝙖𝙢 𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙣𝙜 in Thailand — Another must-try Thai dish ranked high on CNN Travel on the world’s 50 fest food. Tom yum goong is a delicious spicy shrimp soup dish with a perfectly balanced flavor from the combination of fragrant lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, shallots, lime juice, fish sauce, fresh chilies (or chili paste), and shrimps. 

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𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝘾𝙪𝙧𝙧𝙮 in Thailand — There are many different types of curry in Thai dishes, but the title King of Curries belongs to Massaman. Sure, you have tried all other curries, but Thai Massaman Curry has its own unique thing going. This curry has a creamy coconut milk base and is packed with dried spices that give it a savory-sweet combination of flavors. Simply put, it’s delicious! Even CNN Travel named Massaman Curry as the most delicious food in the world. 

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𝙋𝙝𝙤 in Vietnam — Pronounced ‘Fu,’ Pho is an aromatic broth-based noodle soup full of healthy herbs and local spices. It is also hard to miss when you are visiting Vietnam. Pho is found everywhere you look. It began as street food and continues today to be one of the most popular street cuisines in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

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𝙋𝙚𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝘼𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙢 𝙇𝙖𝙠𝙨𝙖 in Malaysia — Penang Assam Laksa is a popular Malay dish originating from Penang, the street food's heaven of Malaysia. This hearty noodle soup is made with poached mackerel (or sardines), tamarind, lemongrass, and chili peppers as the base ingredients. The taste is a perfect blend of spicy, sweet, savory, and umami flavors. Super yum.

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𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧 𝙆𝙬𝙚 𝙏𝙞𝙖𝙬 in Malaysia — Char Kwe Teow is basically a simple flat rice noodle dish made with shrimps, eggs, cockles, bean sprouts, Chinese sausage, and chives mix of soy sauce. It’s one of Malaysia’s most famous street food and common throughout the country, but the Penang version reigns supreme. 

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𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝘾𝙧𝙖𝙗 in Singapore — If you were to eat just one dish in Singapore, it should definitely be chili crab. Chili crab is prepared by stir-frying crabs (preferably mud crabs) in a tomato chili-based sauce. An egg is often used to thicken the sauce, which you can mop up with a side of fried mantou bread. Despite its name, chili crab isn’t very spicy at all. Instead, it tastes tangy and a little sweet with just a hint of spiciness.

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𝙃𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙣 𝙍𝙞𝙘𝙚 in Singapore — Hainanese chicken rice is undoubtedly one of Singapore’s most sought-after hawker foods. The whole chicken is cooked in boiling water and served over steamed rice cooked in chicken broth. Chicken perfection is said to have oily skin, tender meat, and an all-important gelatin layer between. Add optional drizzles of dark soy or chili.

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𝙏𝙚𝙖 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙛 𝙎𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙙 in Myanmar/Burma — This fermented tea leave salad is considered the most famous and proud food in Myanmar. It’s a mixture of pickled tea leaves, cabbage, onion, tomatoes, garlic, oil, salt, lime, and a mix of beans and roasted peanuts. To flavor, you can also add dried shrimp, toasted sesame seeds, and chopped tomato. You definitely have to try this tasty and delicious tea leaf salad. It's simply different from all the salads you could have ever tried before.

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𝙈𝙤𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙖 in Myanmar/Burma — Every Burmese eats Mohinga for their breakfast. It’s a perfectly rich and hearty dish to start the day. Mohinga is a hot rice noodle dish with a broth made from catfish stock and a selection of Myanma spices like coriander, lime, and lemongrass. Topped with crispy fritters and hard-boiled eggs before serving.

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𝙇𝙖𝙖𝙗 in Laos — Laap / Larb / Laab is a simple and staple dish of Laos and northern Thailand. It is made of roughly chopped meat blended with sticky rice and fish sauce. Variations of Laap can be made by chicken, fish, beef, pork, or even duck. Optional lime helps offset the fish sauce; chili and mint add zest to this delicious dish.

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𝘼𝙢𝙤𝙠 in Cambodia — Amok is one of the best-known Cambodian dishes. Among different types of meat, the fish amok (amok trey) is undoubtedly the local favorite in Cambodia, best described as “steamed curry fish.” The fresh fish is fused with thick coconut cream and a fiery Khmer curry paste. Then steamed in banana leaves to create a simple snack with a somewhat mousse-like texture. 

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𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙣 & 𝙋𝙤𝙧𝙠 𝘼𝙙𝙤𝙗𝙤 in the Philippines — Adobo is a marinated stew meat dish with flavorings of local palm vinegar, garlic, black pepper, and soy sauce. Adobo is considered the national dish of the Philippines and is loved by the locals. You should try it when you visit this beautiful country. 

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𝙇𝙚𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙣 in the Philippines — Lechon is a suckling pig that has been seasoned, skewered on a bamboo pole, and roasted whole over charcoal. It has perfectly crisp skin and juicy meat. It is particularly famous on the island of Cebu.

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𝘿𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙣 in all over Southeast Asia — Durian has adorned the title of the king of fruits with a distinct pungent smell and spiky skin. It's always a hate or love feeling. I dare you to try it at least once during your visit to Southeast Asia. I personally love the sweet flavor and creamy texture of Durian. However, now I limit the portion due to health concerns. I could eat a whole durian by myself when I was younger. It's crazy, I know, haha... 

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🔸 𝗦𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗛 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗔

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𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧 

What to pack and wear dramatically depends on where you go, when you go, and what activities you do on your vacation. The packing guides in this section are essential must-have items for almost every trip. It works for most seasons, except for the colder winter region and winter getaway, which requires a different packing list. Or if you traveled for a special occasion like attending a wedding when you need a particular dress or tux.

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You only need to adjust which items to bring more and less for different a season and region. For instance, you want to pack more short-sleeved shirts (and less or no sweaters) if you travel in the summer. And you need to bring extra long-sleeved shirts and sweaters if you visit a colder region in colder time.

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The secret to packing for vacation is to bring 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘦 clothing pieces. What are versatile clothes? They can be combined well with many other garments, worn for many occasions, and in different ways (opened, closed, or half-closed; layer on top or underneath; tucked-in or loose; belted or not, etc.). Choose neutral colors and basic style for a more effortless mix and match. Then add a few coordinated patterns and colors statement pieces to create cuter outfits.

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🔸 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗙𝗙

• Copies of all important travel documents such as passport, visa - if applicable, and insurance. 
• Make a note of the hotel address & phone number (at least the first hotel).
• Airport transfer reservation & contact number.

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🔸 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗚𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦

• Packing cubes - this is a life-safer
• Lightweight carry-on suitcase
• Day backpack - foldable - for hiking and adventure activities
• Portable Travel Clothesline
• Microfibre towel
• Filtered reusable water bottle

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🔸  𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗬 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛𝗬 

• Medication & prescription 
• Imodium or other tummy meds, i.e., Pepto-Bismol
• Dramamine or other motion sickness meds
• First aid kit
• Reusable water bottle = filtered one if possible
• Streri-Pen or Life-straw for emergency

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🔸 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗧𝗬

• Money belt or pocket bra
• Anti-theft crossbody
• VPN = virtual personal network 
• Lightweight locks - for a piece of mind
• Travel insurance

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🔸 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 - Everyone has different styles and preferences, so please adjust accordingly. The key to packing light is choosing versatile clothing pieces. And layering during a colder time when necessary. Always... Always pick comfortable items over style. Although it's possible to have both, comfort comes first.

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𝙏𝙤𝙥 - Stick to plain neutral colors, versatile style, neutral coordinated patterns, and colors for statement pieces.

• • Tank tops
  • Short sleeve shirts 
  • Long sleeve shirts 
  • Button-down shirt = white, denim, or flannel
  • Wool sweater = merino, cashmere, or alpaca

𝙀𝙭𝙩𝙧𝙖 𝙄𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙃𝙚𝙧 

• • Blouse 
  • Dress or jumpsuit 

𝘽𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙤𝙢 - I usually choose neutral darker colors like black, dark grey, navy, olive. 

• • Short or Bermuda 
  • Travel pants - water repellent - great for light hiking too 
  • Hiking & adventure pants - for more intensive hiking activities - water repellent, durable fabric
  • Lounge pants or comfy all-day sweat pants - great for almost everything, from hiking, walking, to sleeping
  • Legging 
  • Skirt (for her) - mix short or knee-length and maxi

𝙊𝙪𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙇𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧 - lightweight and waterproof whenever possible

• • Universal travel jacket 
  • OR Rain jacket / windbreaker / trench coats
  • OR Leather jacket = for a city escape
  • Vest
  • Hoodie - lightweight fleece or wool
  • Cardigan - for her
  • Kimono - for her - dual function as a beach cover-up

𝙎𝙬𝙞𝙢 𝙒𝙚𝙖𝙧

• • Swimsuit or bikini  
  • Beach cover-up 
  • Microfibre travel towel

𝙊𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙀𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙡

• • (Wool) undergarments
  • Wool socks - yes, even for summer
  • Pashmina or scarf - for HER
  • Hat
  • Eye mask 

𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨

• • Good Sunglasses 
  • Belt - money belt is a good idea
  • Crossbody bag - I have an anti-theft Pac Safe crossbody
  • Jewelry for her - 2-3 versatile pieces  

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🔸 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗘𝗦 & 𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗟𝗦

• Comfortable lightweight walking shoes - sneaker or slip-on (waterproof whenever possible)
• OR Comfortable Flats - an alternative
• Sturdy lightweight hiking shoes - if you do intensive hiking and adventure activities 
• Boots - versatile waterproof leather Chelsea boots - great for the colder season
• Comfortable travel sandals - leather with water repellent - great for any occasions / even semi-formal occasion
• Flip flops 
• Water shoes - for beach and water activities 

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🔸 𝗧𝗢𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦 & 𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗨𝗧𝗬

• Sunscreen = Reef-safe for swimming, snorkeling, diving in the ocean
• Bug repellent
• Deodorant
• Toiletries
• Clear toiletries TSA-approved bag for liquid stuff  
• Toiletries bag = for other things - pick a style that can be hanging if possible
• Beauty and cosmetics for HER

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🔸 𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗦 & 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗣𝗛𝗬

• Universal travel adapter
• Power bank 
• Electronic devices + all chargers
• Photography gears = camera & lenses, GoPro for actions, smartphone, lightweight tripod or camera stick
• Camera bag / waterproof case for smartphone
• Headphones / earphones.

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Happy packing!

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𝗕𝗨𝗗𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗔

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Optio, neque qui velit. Magni dolorum quidem ipsam eligendi, totam, facilis laudantium cum accusamus ullam voluptatibus commodi numquam, error, est. Ea, consequatur.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Optio, neque qui velit. Magni dolorum quidem ipsam eligendi, totam, facilis laudantium cum accusamus ullam voluptatibus commodi numquam, error, est. Ea, consequatur.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Optio, neque qui velit. Magni dolorum quidem ipsam eligendi, totam, facilis laudantium cum accusamus ullam voluptatibus commodi numquam, error, est. Ea, consequatur.