tips – Page 2 – The Wknd Travel

Tuesday Tips: 11 EUROPE THRIFT HACKS You Should Know

Travelling around Europe has always been a dream since I started exploring places in 2012. Every year, I will always plan to make this dream Europe trip for the following year. It took 7 years for this dream trip to happen. Last October 2019, I flew to Europe (via Singapore) alone & explored the Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark for 19 days. It was not a cheap trip but not too expensive as well. Every Euro, Czech Koruna & Danish Krone I spent was worth it. You may check out my posts about this Europe trip of a lifetime under the Going Solo in Europe category.

Some of you know that no matter how trips, like this trip to Europe, sound expensive, I always find a way to make it affordable. I shared with you in my past posts how I went to Fukuoka, Japan for a weekend & spent less than ₱12,500 including plane tickets & accommodation, how I booked international return tickets from Manila for as low as ₱1,300+ & so on. I also posted under my Tuesday Tips section how I applied DIY visas for Schengen Territory (Europe), China, Australia & Japan.

Allow me to share with you how I managed to save money & spend lesser than the usual. Here are 11 thrift hacks I found useful in my Euro trip last year.

Take Advantage of Airline & Credit Card Deals

Right before the Covid-19 pandemic, major airlines & banks offered credit card exclusive airfares & deals to the airlines’ network. These promotions happen throughout the year but the best ones are offered in the 1^st quarter (January to March) of every year. Some people recommend to book plane tickets after getting your visa. Tickets at these times are already expensive. If you have an extensive travel record & good trip intention, I tell you to risk it.

I booked my plane ticket to Europe from Singapore Airlines & BPI’s Online Travel Fair. I paid US$ 719.23 for a return trip with Singapore Airlines on this route – Manila to Singapore, Singapore to Amsterdam, Copenhagen to Singapore & Singapore to Manila. I paid ₱37,669.40 in peso, including foreign currency transaction charges for a full-service experience on a 5-star premium airline. It was worth the risk.

Book Accommodations Early

Booking accommodations early give you access to the nicer & cheaper options. Booking platforms also offer early bird discounts which you shouldn’t let go of. One thing to note here –always go for the option with flexible booking terms such as free cancellation, no pre-payment or pay at the hotel / hostel. I booked my hostels a bit late for my trip & the cost has almost doubled. If only I booked my hostels earlier, I could’ve saved more. I tried booking for an ~~upcoming~~ / cancelled trip to Europe 9 months away & imagine, I’ll only pay around ₱11,000 for 12 nights around Germany, Austria & Hungary. Yes, it can be that cheap!

I previously wrote a set of Tuesday Tips about the pattern in getting the best accommodation deals – check out the post here. Hope you find it helpful.

Apply For Your Own Visa

It may take some research & a physical appointment with VFS but applying for your own Schengen tourist visa will save you the handling fees charged by travel agencies. Read blogs & posts on how to apply for a Schengen tourist visa. Next thing you’ll know, it’s already your appointment day. Don’t worry about getting the visa on its release. You can arrange delivery by courier for a few hundreds.

I applied for my own Schengen tourist visa & I wrote how I did it. Check out my Tuesday Tip on this DIY Schengen visa application process.

Invest In An Internet Sim Card

Our generation is very dependent on internet connection. I think it’s a good & bad thing – but more of a good thing when you’re travelling around Europe. It’s easier to find places through maps, to book online tickets last-minute, to get online recommendations & to keep contact with loved ones back home at any time of the day. It’ll save you cost because you won’t take unnecessary taxi trips & you won’t get lost. Make sure to always check the sim card features & its coverage. Also, it’s always better to buy a sim card here in the Philippines than in the airport of your arrival. Internet sim cards in Europe area freaking expensive.

I bought my internet sim card from Pinoy Traveler’s Unlimited Data Sim Card on Facebook. I paid ₱1,600 for a plug & play 30-day UK-Europe-World data sim card which had 12 GB of 3G/4G data & unlimited call & text in Europe & UK & 9 GB of 3G/4G data outside Europe & UK. The data sim card worked well throughout the trip – in Singapore, Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark. The sim card automatically connected to the network partner in every country. It was a good product with an extensive coverage.

Check For Online Ticket & Tour Discounts

It pays to check the museum or online tour websites for discounted tickets. Most companies offer discounted early bird tickets or last-minute promotions to those who want to join on the spot. Believe it or not, I got my Heineken Experience ticket for €18, from the usual €20 ticket bought on site. I also got a discounted guided day tour trip to Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken from Get Your Guide. The tour was originally priced at €35 to but I only got it for only €28. I booked the tour last-minute, the night before the tour itself.

Here’s the Heineken Experience ticket I bought online for €18, instead of the usual €20.

Got this Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam & Marken guided tour for €28 at Get Your Guide website.

My friends told me that some tour companies & museums even have more discounted tickets if you book your tickets earlier. Ultimately, weigh in the cost of doing it by yourself through public transportation or by private guide versus the cost of joining a guided tour. Go for the guided group tour as long as you get a good deal out of it.

Enjoy Hostel Buffet Breakfasts

Food in Europe, in general, is expensive. An affordable meal can cost you around €10 without drinks. One thing I did on this trip is to enjoy hostel buffet breakfasts. Some hostels in Europe offer their buffet spread for affordable rates. These buffet spreads include bread, cereals, cold cuts, cheese, & drinks such as coffee, tea or juice. Generator Amsterdam offered their buffet breakfast for €7,5 while Dream Hostel Prague has them for €4,5. Sleep Well Youth Hostel Brussels guests have access to free buffet breakfast (which was really nice) while Steel House Copenhagen sold breakfast bags (with bun, juice & energy bar) for around €6,5.

Avail of any breakfast promotion or offering your hostel has – it’s way cheaper (unless you have time to cook your own food) than what’s outside. It’ll also help you kick start your day right.

The Supermarket Is Your Best Friend

One of the things I always do when I am in a new place is to go to supermarkets. I mentioned these in my blogs about the things I miss doing in Japan, tips in saving money in Melbourne & going around Singapore on a budget. These groceries sell everything for a better price – cheaper than what you pay in specialty shops, food stalls & restaurants. It is also the best place to buy bottled water & beer.

This bottle of juice + 4 croissants cost me only €2.90-ish in Albert Heijn. Awesome breakfast deal!!

I didn’t avail of the hostel’s breakfast one morning because I left early for a group tour. I dropped by an Albert Heijn supermarket & got myself 4 croissants & 1 big bottle of juice for less than €3. Great deal, right?

Set A Daily Budget

It helps to set a daily budget for long trips like this. It helps you control your day-to-day expenses & stretch your pocket money. Daily budgets vary from one country to the other, depending on how expensive the country is.

I set a daily budget of €40 per day for my 2019 Europe trip. That daily budget doesn’t include the accommodation costs which I already paid days before the trip. Believe it or not, it worked! I usually avail the hostel’s breakfast in the morning, then have late lunch somewhere (mostly local food) and have street food & beers for dinner. The daily budget also included transportation costs & if possible, museum entrance fees. I spent more than €40 on some days, but I was at €30-€35 in most days.

Join Walking Tours

Free, or should I say, tip-based walking tours are popular in Europe. Various companies run daily walking tours around the city through independent & professional tour guides. At the end of every walking tour, the joiner can give any amount (no specific amount required by the guides) on what he / she thinks is the value of the tour. Typical tip is €5 to €10 per tour. Joining these walking tours will save you from joining overpriced private or city group tours priced at €20 to €25 per person.

I joined a number of walking tours on this trip – Amsterdam, Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, Prague, Český Krumlov & Copenhagen. All the guides are friendly & they speak good English. They also give recommendations on where to go & what to do in the city.

Take Buses Instead of Intercity Trains

European cities & countries are well-connected by intercity (IC) trains. One can literally hop on a train in Amsterdam & arrive in Paris after a few hours. One can also board a train in Paris & wake up in Vienna the following day. However, fares on these trains are expensive. A 2-hour IC train trip from Amsterdam to Brussels can cost up to €60 if you buy it last-minute.

Good thing Europe has a wider network of buses that run in between cities. Bus companies such as FlixBus, BlaBlaBus, Eurolines, RegioJet & National Express run trips between cities at affordable cost. The same 2-hour Amsterdam to Brussels trip on FlixBus only cost me €12. It can even be cheaper if you book tickets earlier & not last-minute. These buses guarantee each passenger a seat & even has 20-kilogram allowance for luggage.

Walk & Enjoy The Feeling of Getting Lost

The best way to explore every city in Europe is by walking. Most cities have local tram networks & subways but nothing will beat the feeling of walking around & getting lost in an unknown place. You’ll see many beautiful historic buildings, walk through preserved parks & see the daily lives of locals. You’ll learn to appreciate each place more when you walk around it at your own pace. There’s no need to spend extra euros for these tram, subway & bus rides.

I never walked as much as I did in this trip to Europe. I would usually skip taking the tram, bus & subway rides & instead walk 2-3 kilometres per way at my pace, while enjoying the local scene. The cold weather helped me not get exhausted easily. I got lost a lot of times but I enjoyed it & I let my foot take me to wherever it’ll take me. I ended up seeing hidden beautiful streets, peaceful & preserved reserves & picturesque landmarks.

These hacks helped me a lot throughout my 19 days trip around Europe. It saved me euros, spared me from expensive tour deals & prevented me from spending too much on one thing. At the end of the day, it all falls to extensive research & careful trip planning. Having been to Europe & spending less compared to what a usual tourist still proves my point that no matter how expensive one place is, there will always be ways to make it affordable.

What personal travel hacks can you share to me? Do you also book your tickets & accommodations way in advance? How do you go about planning your itinerary & your modes of transportation? Share some of your travel hacks in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about those mentioned above? You may also post them in the comments below or you can also send them to me via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com. I’ll answer them as soon as I can.

Thank you for joining me in today’s set of Tuesday Tips. I hope you also find time to check my posts about the Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic & Denmark under the Going Solo in Europe category. Keep up-to-date with thrift hacks like this & promotional fares by following me on my social media pages – Facebook & Instagram. Until the next set of Tuesday Tips!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

P’s List: 12 Taiwanese Treats Worth Lining Up For

Time flies so fast. I can’t believe it’s already a year since our family trip to Taiwan. We spent the Father’s Day weekend going to Taichung’s picturesque places, walking around the beautiful city of Taipei & exploring the northern countryside towns of Yehliu, Jiufen & Shifen. I’ve been to Taiwan twice before that trip – first time in 2015 with my 2 high school buddies & second time in 207 with my colleagues.

I’ve been to Taiwan thrice & I will always go back there for their efficient transportation system, lovely & accommodation people, great city vibe, wonderful countryside & food. Yes, food! I am in for a short weekend trip to Taiwan just to eat. The country has a long list of treats & street food to try in markets, food halls & local restaurants.

The Covid-19 pandemic has forced us to stay in our own countries & homes for months. Leisure travel is still not allowed & there’s no definite time frame when things will go back to normal. We can’t do anything but to stay home, keep safe & look back at memories gained in previous trips. Join me in today’s P’s List as I share with you 12 Taiwanese treats I tried in my previous trips which are worth lining up for.

SPOILER: NAKAKAGUTOM!

In case you missed it, I wrote about our Taipei to Manila flight on EVA Air on flight BR 277. Check out my EVA Air flight report here. I also shared my experience in our hostel for this weekend trip. Check out my hostel of the day feature for Uinn Travel Hostel here.

Pork Sausage

Taiwanese pork sausage is one of the most common street foods in the country. This pinkish-red grilled sausage is served in a stick. It’s made of relatively bigger chunks of meat, garlic & spices.

Chicken Chops

Taiwan is also famous for big (bigger than your face) chicken chops by Hot Star Chicken. These spiced & breaded chicken chops are cooked in smoking hot oil. We bought our chicken chops in their Ximending branch & we enjoyed it.

Stuffed Chicken Wings

The country also became popular for their fried rice stuffed chicken wings. Brilliant idea, right? Imagine having a chicken wings with already rice in it – so good!

Hujiao Bing (Pork Pepper Bun)

Hujiao bing, or pork pepper bun in English, is a freshly cooked sesame bun filled with tasty layers of peppered pork & green onions. The snack originated in Fuzhou, China & has been adopted in Taiwan as a popular street food. The most popular pork pepper bun stall is in Raohe Night Market’s entrance near Songshan MRT Station.

Chou Doufu (Stinky Tofu)

Stinky tofu is another famous street food in Taiwan; it’s made of tofu fermented in a mix of milk, vegetable, fish & meat brine. It is fried in oil & served with soy sauce & chili. Yes, it stinks but it tastes alright. I tried it once but I won’t try it again. I added the dish in this list as it is a must-try especially for first-timers.

Lu Rou Fan (Braised Pork Rice Bowl)

Braised pork rice bowl is a popular meal to locals. The pork meat is sliced into small pieces & braised with spices until it creates a savory & aromatic sauce. It is usually served with a boiled egg. This dish is hard to spot in night market stalls but is something that worth-trying. I met with a friend who was also in town & we had this braised pork rice bowl in Jin Feng, a small open-air restaurant outside exit 2 of Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Station.

Niu Rou Mian (Beef Noodle Soup)

Beef noodle soup is one of Taiwan’s staple food. This dish is composed of tender stewed beef portions, fresh noodles in a rich & mild spicy broth with bok choy & other greens. This beef noodle dish is found everywhere but the famous ones are Lin Dong Fang Beef Noodles in Zhongshan District & Yong Kang Beef Noodles in Da’an District.

Deep Fried Milk

Deep fried milk is one of my favorite snacks in Taiwan. This is made from chilled thickened milk dipped in batter & fried in oil. I loved the deep-fried milk from the stall in the other end of Raohe Night Market.

Peanut Ice Cream Roll

Did it ever come to your mind that you can put an ice cream in a roll? Never, right? Apparently, it can! Taiwan has a dessert called peanut ice cream roll. It is made of 2-3 scoops of ice cream, shaved peanut brittle & coriander or cilantro (optional) wrapped in a handmade roll wrap or crepe. I tried this in one of the random stalls in Shifen & I thought I enjoyed it.

Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodles

Ay-Chung flour-rice noodles is one thing you must not miss when in Taiwan. This flour-rice noodles cooked with pig intestines in a thick brown tasty broth & served with cilantro is a perfect snack when you are in Ximending. This popular stall is along Emei Street & is usually full of people.

Xiao Long Bao (Taiwanese Soup Dumplings)

The xiao long bao I had in one of the restaurants in Jiufen in 2017. The next best to Din Tai Fung!

A visit in Taiwan is not complete without having the world-famous xiao long bao. I know Din Tai Fung has branches in many cities around the world but having it from where it came from is something. There are a lot of xiao long bao places all over Taipei & Taiwan in general. I think nothing beats Din Tai Fung. The xiao long bao in that random Jiufen restaurant I tried in 2017 comes next.

Nothing beats the Din Tai Fung – it’s still the best xiao long bao for me. Aahhh I want some now!!

Bubble Tea

Taiwan is the land of bubble tea or pearl milk tea or whatever you want to call it. Nothing further.

That’s it for today’s P’s List. I’m sure I’ve tried more Taiwanese treats before but I can’t remember all of them before. Apologies, I can’t find photos for the beef noodles & Hot Star’s chicken chops. Have you been to Taiwan before? Which treat / street food / meal did you enjoy most? Planning to go there once the pandemic is over? Which one are you looking forward to try first? Are you ready to drown yourself with bubble tea? You should be excited then! Do you have any questions about the treats mentioned above? Feel free to put them in the comments section below. You can also send them to me via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Let me end this P’s List with another photo of Din Tai Fung’s Xiao Long Bao. It’s just so good!! 😋

Thank you for joining me in today’s P’s List! Check out the posts under the Taiwan category if you want to check out my other Taiwan blogs in this website. Can I ask for a favor from you? Please follow my social media pages to get details on cheap fares & fun posts like this – Facebook & Instagram. Thanks again. Have a nice day ahead! 🙂

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

P’s List: 5 Must Try Belgian Treats

Hello & welcome to the second installment of P’s List! Last week, I introduced this section to everyone which will list random stuff I miss or I enjoyed in a certain city or country. I’ve been missing everything about Japan over the last few days so I decided to divert my attention by writing about my 6 budget-friendly & favorite to-do’s while in the country.

I mostly talked about food in that Japan-related post & I plan to continue that in this list. One of the things I really enjoyed while going around Belgium was their ‘famous’ delicacies. Apart from the beautiful buildings & houses, Belgium also boasts tasty & iconic food which one should try when exploring the country.

Join me in today’s P’s List as I tell you the 5 food & drinks one shouldn’t miss when in Belgium.

Fries

One snack which Belgians take pride on is Belgian Fries, locally called frites. I know most people call it French Fries but the Belgian people refused to do so. They call it Belgian fries & they still have an ongoing battle with the French people on who discovered it, where it came from & who has the better product. I haven’t tried the ‘real’ French fries but the ‘legit’ Belgian fries are damn good. Our guide, Tom, from the Brussels walking tour told us that locals cook the potatoes twice in animal fat.

Tip: Don’t forget to mix your Belgian fries with the famous Andalouse sauce.

Where to get the best Belgian fries: Fritland (near the Brussels Stock Exchange Building) & Café Georgette (near Delirium Café)

Waffles

Aside from fries, Belgium is also famous for its waffles. I came to Belgium to try the famous Belgian waffle only to find out that the waffle has 2 kinds – the Brussels Waffle & the Liege Waffle. Brussels waffles are made from yeast-leavened batter. It is rectangular in size & has more defined edges & deeper pockets. It is commonly served with powdered sugar. On the other hand, Liege waffles are made from thicker batter & has sugar in the ingredients. This type of waffle is thicker, has uneven edges & has a caramelized taste (because of the sugar) & texture. I’ve tried both waffles – both were good & tasty. I don’t mind having both of them again.

Tip: Belgian waffles aren’t served with butter & syrup. They’re not breakfast food; they’re a staple snack. Both Brussels & Liege waffles are best enjoyed without any add-on – no fruits, no toppings & no syrup.

House of Waffle’s best-selling Brussels Waffles – this waffle place is found in Bruges, Belgium. 🇧🇪

Plain Liege waffle from Koffiehuis 3,14 in Ghent, Belgium. Too bad I didn’t try Maison Dandoy’s.

Where to get the best Belgian waffles: Maison Dandoy in Brussels (street off Grand Place) for both kinds, Koffiehuis 3,14 in Ghent for Liege Waffle, House of Waffles in Bruges for both kinds (Liege waffles are offered only for takeaway while Brussels waffles are only available for dine-in)

Chocolates

Belgium is also famous for its chocolates – both as pralines & truffles. The industry started in the 1600s when chocolate was brought to Europe. Since then, it has been part of the people’s lives – from morning chocolate drinks, desserts to gifts. Belgium has produced world-renowned chocolate companies such as Godiva, Côte d’Or, Neuhaus, Corné Port-Royal & Leonidas. I had the chance to visit both the high-class chocolate shops & those local chocolate shops & I prefer the latter one. The handmade chocolates sold in these small & local businesses have the best & unique taste, more than a factory-made chocolate can have.

Tip: Ask for free taste in chocolate shops, they’ll surely offer you one. Handmade Belgian chocolates quality only last for 3 weeks – these chocolates are for immediate consumption.

Personal favorite – handmade Belgian chocolates from Chocolaterie De Burg in Bruges, Belgium.

Where to get the best-valued Belgian chocolates: Mary Chocolatier in Brussels (along Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert or near Manneken Pis) & Chocolaterie De Burg in Bruges (near Burg Square & beside the Basilica of the Holy Blood)

Flemish Beef Stew

Belgium is also famous for its Flemish beef stew. Cooking the beef with a Belgian beer makes this dish even more special. The meat is cooked for 2-3.5 hours until the flavors simmer, until the meat is tender. This dish is usually served with mashed potato. The meal is commonly called Carbonnades a la Biere or Carbonnade Flamande.

Tip: This dish is best partnered with a glass of local beer.

Where to get the best Flemish beef stew: Fin de Siècle – a local restaurant a few minutes by foot from the Brussels Stock Exchange Building. FYI – this restaurant doesn’t take reservations & only accepts cash.

Beer

Belgian beer is something one must not miss when in Belgium. The country has hundreds of active breweries from the big companies to the small trappist monasteries. Yes, monks brew beers in Belgium. The Belgian’s love for beer started centuries ago when beer was offered as an alternative to drinking water. It eventually became part of their daily lives which is still true up to the present times. Belgians drink more liters of beer per year than any other nationality in the world.

Believe it or not, most beers in Belgium are served in bottles & not in cans. Most of these beers even have their own crafted glasses when served. There are hundreds of kinds of beers available in Belgium. I suggest that you try as much as you can.

Fun fact: There’s a brewery in Bruges (De Halve Maan who brews Brugse Zot beers) who brews their beers in the city & allows the beer to travel 2 miles to the bottling plant outside the city through an underground pipeline.

Tip: Belgian beers are available everywhere. There are a lot of beers to try. Make sure to at least try a beer in every restaurant or bar you are in.

Where to get the best Belgian beer: Delirium Café in Brussels – it is a bar that serves 2,004 kinds of beers – both Belgian & non-Belgian ones. Don’t forget to try Delirium Tremens & Brugse Zot | De Garre in Bruges (found in a small alley by the Bruges Provincial Court) – try their signature De Garre Beer.

And that’s it. I hope I didn’t make you crave for some food. Belgium surely has a lot more dishes, snacks & drinks to try but these were the ones that stood out to me during my trip. In case you want to know more about my Europe trip last 2019, feel free to check out the posts in the Going Solo in Europe Series in this blog.

One more photo of these authentic & handmade Belgian chocolates from Chocolaterie de Burg 🇧🇪

Have you tried some of the treats mentioned above? Which one do you like most? Are you planning to go to Belgium soon & to try the food & beers above? Which one do you look forward to trying in the future? Post your thoughts in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? You may send them to me via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com & I will try my best to answer.

Thank you for joining me in today’s P’s List! Please don’t forget to follow my social media platforms – Facebook & Instagram. See you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

N9 In Straya Series: Walking Around MELBOURNE Part 2 – Hipster Laneways, Communal Spaces & Modern Areas

Last month, I revived the N9 In Straya Series & started talking about our 8 days & 7 nights adventure in Melbourne last April. First, I shared with you the list of parks, gardens & heritage places we visited during the trip. I also gave you some details about Flinders Backpackers, our cheap but super cool hostel in downtown Melbourne. I still have a lot about Melbourne to share & allow me to share some with you today. Let me talk about the laneways, communal spaces & modern areas we visited during the trip.

Note: As mentioned in the previous blog, tram rides within Melbourne CBD are free of charge. Also, the city is very accessible by foot.

Melbourne is known for its hipster laneways, coffee shops & everything artsy. I may not be a coffee-drinker but this city is full of small artsy shops offering special coffee, avocado toasts & pastries. My friends didn’t go to many coffee shops (we went to milk tea shops instead lol) but surely went to some of these laneways & alleys. Let me share with you some of these places below.

DEGREAVES STREET

Degreaves Street is a short pedestrian street that connects Flinders St & Flinders Lane. It is a famous place to eat a hearty brunch, get your morning coffee, avail your afternoon snack or buy your evening dessert. This vibrant street has become a famous go-to places for both locals & tourists. You’ll often see shops / stalls having random queues for something cheap, hippie or artsy.

HOSIER LANE

Hosier Lane is Melbourne’s famous graffiti street. This short lane is full of random & sophisticated street arts. International & local artists put on graffiti in the walls about anything & everything about the world. There are some iconic arts, some controversial while most of them are just random ones. These street arts or murals are not as organized as that of Penang‘s but they give a different experience whilst walking along the paved way.

FEDERATION SQUARE

Federation Square is a one-of-a-kind cultural precinct located opposite Flinders Station. This communal space is a venue for cultural events, arts & world-class activities. It also has bars & restaurants, making it a perfect place to just hang out & chill.

CHINATOWN

Just like any other city around the world, Melbourne has its own local Chinatown. It is in this place where you will have your rice fix (I know – very Asian). It’s also the place to have cheap food & souvenirs. We had our 1st lunch in the famous Shanghai Street Chinese Restaurant – cheap & good Chinese food.

COLLINS PLACE

Melbourne has a lot of modern & intricately-designed retail & commercial buildings. One of these buildings is Collins Place. This commercial complex was designed & built way back in the 1970’s & up to now, still embodies the true Melbourne character. The structures are unique & are well-maintained. It’s also a good place to meet with friends for random eats & drinks.

MELBOURNE CENTRAL

Melbourne Central is a massive commercial, retail & transport hub in the city. It has hundreds of specialty stores, bars & restaurants which makes it the best place to go out with friends. You can find both local & international clothing, footwear & accessories brands here. It’s also the best place to shop in Melbourne. This complex is located in the heart of the city in the corner of La Trobe & Swanston Streets.

YARRA RIVER

Yarra River is a body of water that originates from the Yarra Ranges & runs through the Melbourne Business District. This river played a very important role in the daily lives of the early city inhabitants. It made the lives of those living in the upper areas easier to transport everything to & from the city. Now, the city-part of the river serves a tourist destination, giving the visitors a perfect view of the Melbourne skyline. A walk by the banks of the Yarra River is a perfect way to start or end your day in the city.

SOUTHBANK

Southbank is a booming urban neighborhood located in the south of the Yarra River. It now an area of tall commercial & residential buildings. Southbank currently has Melbourne’s tallest observation deck in Eureka Tower. A 100-storey building in Southbank is currently under construction & will be Australia’s tallest building by roof height in a few years. The area of Southbank by the Yarra River is also a great place to have a morning or night stroll. It’s also the perfect place to have a pint of beer with friends overlooking the city skyline.

VICTORIA HARBOUR

Victoria Harbour is the Docklands precinct where Collins & Bourke Streets meet. This picturesque harbour has a stunning & relaxing view of Docklands, Marvel Stadium, Newquay & some parts of West Melbourne. Please do not compare this with Sydney Harbour because this place is way behind the famous New South Wales harbour.

SOUTHERN CROSS RAILWAY STATION

Southern Cross Railway Station in Docklands is Victoria’s major transport hub that links Melbourne to regional Victorian cities & even other Australian states like New South Wales & South Australia. This station is the main hub of Skybus – the only bus transport service that operates between the city & Melbourne Tullamarine & Avalon Airports. The station also serves as the departure & arrival points of interstate buses. The station is also connected to the city loop making it easier to transfer to Melbourne’s other railway hub – Flinders Street Railway Station.

This pretty much sums up all the interesting places we’ve been to within the City of Melbourne. However, the adventure didn’t stop there. My friends & I booked 3 well-recommended day trips to the countryside which you will know more about in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

View from the 66th Floor of Light House Melbourne – a beautiful skyscaper in Melbourne CBD

Have you walked around the Melbourne central business district in the past? How was your experience? What was your favorite spot in the city? Share some details in the comments section below. If you have anything to ask or share to me, feel free to send an e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com & I’ll respond as soon as I can. Don’t forget to follow me & please please please also help me in promoting my social media channels – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Thanks for your time & see you in the next Melbourne post. ✌️

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

N9 In Straya Series: Walking Around MELBOURNE Part 1 – Parks, Gardens & Heritage Sites

Last August 2018, I went to Australia for a week-long trip with my N9 friends, Shane & Leng. We spent days around Sydney’s heritage sites & country icons, tried the extreme rides in Scenic World Blue Mountains, toured Hunter Valley & had a taste of the best wines in the region & walked along the beautiful Bondi & Coogee Beaches. I also had the chance to spend a few days with my relatives in Brisbane. It was the perfect dry winter trip, away from the humid & rainy Manila.

We all got multiple entry visas on our 1st application (find out here how we did it) & we agreed to fly to Australia again before our visas expire. Fast forward to April 2019, we all flew back to Australia for another week of adventure.. But this time, in Melbourne! Yes, we went around Melbourne & Victoria in general for 8 days & oh boy, we had a great time. I cannot wait to share everything in this platform. This trip to Melbourne also means I’ll be reviving the N9 In Straya Series which started last year.

We were joined by my good friend, Lord of LordAroundTheWorld, for the first 4 days in Melbourne. Lord was the one who invited me to go to Its The Ship 2018 last November. We had the best party nights on board a cruise ship – good times. Anyway, I will be dividing the trip write-ups into 6 or 7 sections & I’ll try to remember as much details as I can.

FLIGHTS

Last year, I paid around ₱11,500 all-in for a return ticket to Australia. Yes, that cheap! We flew with Cebu Pacific Air, a low-cost carrier, for 8-hour trips to & from Sydney. The experience was alright, though nothing beats flying with a full-service airline. Given our planned dates fall on the high (Holy Week) season, we decided to fly with the same airline in their Melbourne route.

This time, I paid around ₱15,000 for a round-trip ticket to Melbourne, Australia. The ticket only included shared baggage with my friends, no in-flight entertainment or food. Both flights were on time which were good. However, the experience was terrible. The flight was full, we had no space to change seats & have a row of seats to ourselves. The cabin was noisy in general & the service was a bit slow. The crew were fantastic, there were just around 400+ passengers on board.

This Melbourne ticket is amazingly cheap considering higher fuel prices & taxes. I’d still take the same flights but not during peak seasons.

ACCOMMODATION

My friends & I stayed in Flinders Backpackers in the center of Melbourne. We got a 3-bed dormitory room (perfect for us 3 – Lord got his own bed in another dormitory room) for 8 days & 7 nights. I will talk more about the hostel, its location & our experience in my upcoming hostel of the day feature. Watch out for that.

WALKING AROUND MELBOURNE

Last year, my friends & I joined the I’m Free Tours in Sydney & we had a nice experience. We opted not to take the I’m Free Tours Melbourne because we already know about the history of Australia. It would’ve been nice to know more about Melbourne in that walking tour but my friends didn’t want to take it again. Instead, we explored the city on our own. Trams are free within the central business district plus everything in the area can be reached by foot. Today, allow me to share with you the list of heritage & historical sites, parks & gardens we went to in the city.

Flinders Street Station

Flinders Street Station is Melbourne’s main train station. It was built in the 1850s & then transform into what it is now in the early 1900s. It is Australia’s first railway station. The station serves the whole Victorian metropolitan network. Flinders Street Station also has one of the world’s longest train platform at 708 m long.

St Paul’s Cathedral

Located opposite Flinders Station & Federation Square, St Paul’s Cathedral is another heritage structure built in the late 1800’s. It is an Anglican cathedral in Melbourne, the cathedral church of the Diocese of Melbourne & the seat of the Anglican Primate of Australia.

Royal Exhibition Building

Royal Exhibition Building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Carlton Gardens, Victoria. It was built in the late 1800’s & has been used for events & exhibitions in the city. Up to now, the place is used for those types of functions. Note that this building is undergoing a multi-million renovation & is expected to be completed by 2020.

Carlton Gardens

Carlton Gardens is a 26-hectare site located a few streets from the main city. This massive open space has the Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne Museum & IMAX Cinema in it. Just like the Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.

Shrine of Remembrance

The Shrine of Remembrance is a war memorial that is dedicated to all Victorians who served in the war, particularly during the World War 1. The shrine is located outside the Central Business District, but is only a few tram stops from Flinders Street Station.

Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne is a 36-hectare botanic garden located at the south of the Yarra River. This botanic garden is home to thousands of plant species located along slopes, garden beds, lakes & lawns. This botanic garden serves as a breakout space & a bonding place for people who wanted to take a break from the busy city life. Entry to the garden is free of charge.

Fitzroy Gardens

Fitzroy Gardens is another 26-hectare block of greens at the back of the Parliament Square. This massive parkland is another park that is located within the Melbourne CBD. The Cook’s Cottage can also be found in this park.

Parliament House of Victoria

The Parliament House of Victoria is the house or meeting building of the Victorian Parliament. This historical & heritage landmark is located along Spring Street, beside the Old Treasury Building. The building was under renovation during our visit last April.

Old Treasury Building

From the name itself, the Old Treasury Building used to house the Treasury Department of the Government of Victoria. This old but beautiful building has then been transformed into a museum of Melbourne History.

St Patrick’s Cathedral

St Patrick’s Cathedral is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. It is also the seat of the Archbishop of Melbourne. The church was built in the 1850s but took a while to be completed. The cathedral is located in Cathedral Place, right at the back of the Parliament Building.

Old Melbourne Gaol

The Old Melbourne Gaol used to be a prison that held the country’s notorious criminals. It also had records of people being executed & hanged. It stopped operating as a prison after the world war & has then become a museum. Entrance fee to the museum is at AUD 28 per person, quite expensive to be honest. My friends & I decided not to go inside because it was out of our budget.

Queen Victoria Market

Queen Victoria Market, locally known as the QVM, is one of Victoria’s famous landmarks. It is an open air market that serves as the main trading hall for Victorians & for visitors. We visited the QVM on a Wednesday night & it was also the 2nd night of the Europa Night Market. This night market showcased different food, delicacies & drinks from selected European countries.

State Library of Victoria

The State Library of Victoria is the state’s central library. Built in the 1850s, it is Australia’s oldest public library & at the same time world’s first free libraries in the world. The library has various reading & collections room where locals & visitors can have a look. I’ve been to this library twice last April, 1st one with Lord & the 2nd time with my N9 friends. This is by far one of my favorite places in Melbourne. The view from the topmost floor of The Dome is just stunning.

This ends the list of parks, gardens & heritage sites we’ve been to in Melbourne. I’m sure we’ve been to more but I can’t remember the other ones. Melbourne is such a nice city. Its buildings are combinations of heritage listed brick ones & modern & contemporary ones. Its one of those cities where you won’t get tired of walking around.

Have you been to Melbourne in the past? What is the most interesting building you’ve been to? How was your visit? Feel free to send your thoughts & experiences in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about the matters above? You can also send them via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com. Don’t forget to follow me & please please please also help me in promoting my social media channels – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Watch out for more Melbourne content in the future! Thank you for reading.

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.