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3 Days 2 Nights in Sapa (Vietnam): flooded rice paddies in late April
Our friend A. was supposed to join us in Vietnam in 2020, but it was only after 2 years of covid that this project became a reality. We’ve traveled together several times before, but this is the first time he’s meeting my parents and traveling with them, in my country. Since I’ve often planned and organized our shared road trips all by myself, A. jokingly calls me “Anh Agency“. My parents are amused to see me acting like a tour guide, that is, paying for everything, booking everything, and setting the itinerary every day. It also lets my parents rest a bit and explore off the beaten path, as they…
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[Review] Avana Retreat Mai Chau, the best 5-star retreat hotel in Asia (Vietnam)
After a few days in Ha Giang, we got back in the car to head to Mai Chau for a relaxing long weekend. First stop: Avana Retreat. Note: this post is NOT sponsored. We paid for everything out of pocket. Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal Mai Chau is a beautiful valley. It’s about a 5-6 hour drive from Hanoi. It’s a popular weekend destination. Avana Retreat “Retreat” hotels are a category of hotels whose main purpose is to rest, retreat into nature, and fully enjoy it. Avana Retreat (5 stars) was voted the best retreat in Asia. It’s “the place to be” right now.…
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4 Days in Ha Giang (Vietnam)
After an 11.5-hour flight from Paris to Hanoi and three days of quarantine at my parents’ place (this was early March 2022, there’s no quarantine anymore), we’re in great shape to go on vacation with my parents. First stop: the mountainous region of Ha Giang, in the far north of the country, near China. Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal I’ve traveled the world, but I don’t know my own country that well, especially the northern region. Before, it took a lot of patience to get there because of the winding, dangerous roads in poor condition. Now, with many signposts and two-lane roads that let…
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Our stay in Istanbul in 2022 (Turkey)
Right after Dubai, we alternated between Istanbul and France from November 2021 to March 2022. We took the opportunity to go see our favorite polyglot dentist in Istanbul and visit a few places we hadn’t seen last time. The Turkish currency is in freefall and we can take advantage of it twice as much. This time, we’re taking advantage of Covid prices to stay right in the heart of the Karakoyneighborhood, 100 meters from the Galata Tower (Galateia Residence, Booking link) and 10 meters from a metro station. It’s a very lively neighborhood with tons of restaurants. Our apartment has two work desks, it’s super well heated and very quiet,…
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My Favorite Shopping Spots in Istanbul (Turkey)
The Turkish lira is losing so much value that Turkey in general, and Istanbul in particular, has become a shopper’s paradise. Before, Turkey was already full of treasures, but now even more so. Silk scarves I found Turkish silk to be quite good. Of course, it has nothing to do with Hermès scarves, but I really liked the colorful patterns here. The first address, for those who don’t want to travel far, is not far from Taksim. It’sIpek (Google Maps). You can find scarves starting at 90 TL and the really nice ones around 250 TL. You should ask if it’s 100% silk or mixed with satin. Everything is made…
