Matthew Shaw

Singapore is a one-of-kind blend of Western and Asian culture that is expertly done. Through stunning skyscrapers and incredibly architectural designs, this modern city is stunning to walk through with manny activities geared towards tourism. However, it also comes with rich Asian cultures (both South and East Asian) and hosts incredible restaurant, street stalls and charming neighbourhoods. A Singapore city break is a must do, and somewhere that I truly loved!

I moved to Melbourne with my partner in 2023 to change things up from our mundane routine in the UK. After living there for a few short months, I fell in love with the city and its vibrancy - it had the same rush of London but with a much needed relaxed energy, which I adored. This guide compromises of my personal favourites that the city has available to visitors and locals alike; with some hidden gems that I discovered during my time in Melbourne. Now after being in Australia for over a year, it is still one of my favourite places on the planet.

If you’re looking for a brilliant city break that isn’t overrun with tourists then Hong Kong is your place! Full of bustling street life, but with spots of calm and tranquility; I fell in love during my visit, and I hope that more and more people can enjoy it as well. The city has incredible food, and some really impressive sights to see - this is a list of my favourite things to do, things to eat with a few hotel recommendations for varied budgets. (My favourite recs will have a 🏆 symbol)

Many people dream of a perfect white sand island, with crystal clear waters filled with colourful marine life. Fiji is that place. To see these beautiful places, you have to stray away from the main island and hop on a super simple ferry to reach the hidden gems. I spent almost a month in the Yasawa Islands, swimming everyday, enjoying cocktails and learning more about Fiji's rich culture. It truly is a special place on Earth with incredibly friendly people, gorgeous scenery and the most stunning sunsets you will ever see. This list is here to help you make up your mind about what islands are right for your visit to Fiji, and from somebody that has visited them all, my favourite recommendations.

Born in Chiang Mai, I like to think my knowledge of the north of my home country is pretty well-rounded. The north of Thailand is one of my favourite places on the planet, and I feel that it is criminally underrated; with the country being more well-known for its gorgeous beaches, islands and clear waters. But if you're looking for a quieter holiday surrounding by green jungles, gorgeous cafes and beautiful accommodation then my list can hopefully help you out! Feel free to reach out with any and all questions, I love to make new friends in the travel community :) - (I also have more specified and categorised lists on some of these locations on my profile as well)

Beijing is a gorgeous city that embraces ancient history and modern culture. A paradise city break for those who love history, architecture, food and nature! These are my favourite recommendations from my recent winter trip to Beijing, and a few options that I didn’t try out that I wish I could! My very best places in each section will have a ‘🏆’ next to the name!

A lesser visited country in the South Pacific, Tonga is known for its friendly people, stunning islands and of course, its humpback whales! As one of the only places in the world to swim with these huge animals, I would recommend it to absolutely anyone (it’s one of my favourite experiences ever). Hopefully this guide gets you excited about Tonga, and convince you to take a trip there yourself! (My favourite recs will have a 🏆)