In the Footsteps of Jason Bourne

Our 31-day trip to India covered 1,700 kms of the West Coast, but also included 3 short city stays in Rome, Istanbul and Edinburgh.

We arrived in South Goa at the start of our third week, where we stayed at Palolem beach, Canacona. We chose South Goa because of its reputation as a peaceful

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/jason-bourne-footsteps/

Top 14 Panama City Activities

Our 26-day Panama roundtrip followed the classic route west from Panama City as far as Bocas Del Toro, taking in a few extra destinations along the way.

We would spend 4 days in Panama City on arrival, and another 2 days there at the end of the trip. You can see a lot of what Panama City has to

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/top-14-panama-city-activities/

Cebu City to Moalboal by Bus

Our 20-day trip around the Philippines started in Cebu City, but we didn't plan to stay there long. We were keen to get away from the metropolis in order to spend our time in a more relaxed environment. Just a 3-hour bus ride away is Moalboal - a beautiful beach location with plenty of s

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/cebu-city-to-moalboal/

Valencia Long Weekend - Airport Transfers & Accommodation

With the budget airlines offering ridiculously cheap flights from all over Europe to a variety of destinations in Spain, a long weekend in Valencia  is hard to resist. Add to this a relatively low cost of living and accommodation options, and you're onto a winner.

We budgeted €350 per person for

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/valencia-long-weekend/

Ubud Bali Royal Palace - Music & Dance

Our first destination in Bali was the spiritual city of Ubud. We divided our time (4 nights) between 2 guesthouses on either side of the city center. One of the places we would stay had a large swimming pool – an important feature since Ubud is a good distance inland – 13 kms from the nearest bea

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/ubud-bali-activities/

Where to Stay & Eat in Galle 🍛 Sri Lanka

Galle is a captivating city located on the southwestern coast of the Sri Lankan island nation. Known for its rich history and stunning architecture, Galle is a must-visit destination for travelers seeking a unique cultural experience. From the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Galle Fort to the

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/galle-fort-indian-hut/

SandSpice Travel Essentials - The Things We Carried

When traveling from country to country...

...with a maximum rucksack load of 7 kgs, we tend to be fairly selective about what we carry and what gets left at home. It all depends on the climate of the countries we're visiting and the type of accommodation (if any) we plan to use.

Most of our

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/sandspice-travel-essentials-the-things-we-carried/

Kota Kinabalu, Borneo

We had just 21 days for our entire trip through Malaysia and Borneo, including the long-haul flights at the start and end of the journey.

Borneo is a huge island with a multitude of fascinating destinations. During our 10 days there, we of course wanted to experience the jungle and see the

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/kuantan-kota-kinabalu/

Lion Air Inflight Experience

Our 3-week trip through Java to Karimunjawa included a short local flight from the Indonesian capital - Jakarta, to Semarang in central Java.

So, on arrival in Jakarta, we were heading straight out again without delay. We had booked a domestic flight with the carrier Lion Air to take us to

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/lion-air-inflight-experience/

Malta Saint Julians Penthouse for Sale - Seafront with Roof Garden

Indoor Outdoor Living


Facebook-f


Twitter


Instagram


Pinterest

Malta Saint Julians Seafront Penthouse for Sale
South-facing luxury penthouse apartment overlooking the fishing boats of Spinola Bay - on sale for the first time.
€1,790,000

Contact U

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/malta-saint-julians-penthouse-for-sale/

Gdańsk Poland Eating Out

With just 4 days to spend in the historic old town, we did a little preparation to ensure that our Gdansk Poland eating out experiences would be both enjoyable and cost-effective.

From a dozen or so promising candidates we made a shortlist of 5 restaurants and cafes that ticked all our boxes,

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/gdansk-poland-eating-out/

Exploring Songkhla Thailand 🧜‍♀️

Songkhla is a large city located in southern Thailand, near the border with Malaysia. We were inspired to visit this province not so much to admire the architecture as to renew a 30-day Malaysian visa, which was due to expire. It also seemed to be an ideal excuse to spend a few days exploring this

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/exploring-songkhla-thailand/

Hotel Quest Semarang City 🍛 Indonesia

Semarang was our second destination in Indonesia, following a short overnight stay in Jakarta. This is also where things started to head downhill after problems with the local ATMs (see Honey, the ATM ate my card). However, after successfully retrieving our credit card from the BTN bank we could

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/hotel-quest-semarang/

Bali & Lembongan

Bali is a universal favorite with travelers and tourists alike, but it is not so well known for its beaches. If it’s clear blue sea and uncrowded white sand you’re after you need to venture a little further. So why not try a Bali-Lembongan combination, including one of Bali’s sister islands to the

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/plan-your-travel/bali-lembongan-combination/

Beneath the Knuckle Mountains

Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, is home to some of the richest biodiversity in Asia. Unsurprisingly, this island nation hosts some of the best Eco destinations and biological varieties in the world. We therefore arranged to spend several days at an ECO outpost in the highlands overlooking the

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/knuckle-mountains/

Malaysia Airlines Inflight Experience

On our latest trip through Malaysia, we booked a short-haul economy-class flight with Malaysia Airlines, travelling 1-way between Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi.
Why Choose Malaysia Airlines for Local Flights?
This is a trip we've done many times, sometimes using the AirAsia budget airline. You will

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/malaysia-airlines/

New Year's Eve Malta Clifftop Camping

December 31st - While everybody else was putting on their glad rags and preparing for a Yuletide bash in the city, we were heading in the opposite direction - up into the hills.

We were planning a New Year's Eve Malta clifftop camping excursion. Something different, we thought - Just for the

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/malta-clifftop-camping/

South Goa via AC2 Train Class

One of the defining experiences of travelling through India is making use of the ubiquitous train network.

Indian Railways has had the distinction of being one of the biggest and busiest rail networks in the world. It operates 9,000 passenger trains, transports almost 18 million passengers

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/south-goa-via-ac2-train-class/

Habal-Habal - Filipino Motorcycle Taxis

Habal-Habal (motorcycle taxi rides) provide an alternative form of public transport, and is available throughout the Philippines.

We first became aware of this while walking alongside the main road through the town of Loboc, in Bohol. A motorcyclist pulled up in front of us, gesturing to the e

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/habal-habal-filipino-motorcycle-taxis/

Panama Canal Kayaking 🛶 Jungle Land Experience

The Panama Canal is arguably one of most important structural achievements ever built. Apart from cutting a slice through a mountain, construction of the canal also involved flooding a river to form a gigantic lake.

When planning our trip to Panama, it had never occurred to us that kayaking was

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/panama-canal-kayaking/

Lembongan Island Transfers

Following our 4-day stay in Ubud, we were heading south to spend some time on a lush island off the coast of Bali.

The previous day we purchased tickets for our Lembongan island transfers from a small travel agent in Ubud. We were now gearing up for a (hopefully) pleasant bus and boat transfer

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/lembongan-island-transfers/

Kuala Penyu Tempurung Seaside Lodge

Our first primary destination in Borneo was the Borneo Tempurung Seaside Lodge, not far from Kuala Penyu. We chose this place because it is located on the sea with a jungle backdrop. It is also within easy distance of the Padas river at Beaufort, where we were hoping to arrange a

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/kuala-penyu-tempurung-seaside-lodge/

Philippines Central Visayas

Central Visayas - Cebu & Bohol
The biggest problem planning a trip around the Philippines is the amount of choice available. There are so many islands and potential routes that it can become quite overwhelming. There are also limitations regarding transit options between the destinations you

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/plan-your-travel/philippines-central-visayas/

A Short Dubai Stopover

Since most Emirates South-East Asian flights stop in Dubai en route, a stopover in the city seems to be a great addition to your vacation. In fact, for many travellers this is often where the holiday begins (or ends).

For us, this came at the end of our trip to the Maldives and Sri Lanka. Our

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/dubai-stopover/

Maldives Under the Reef 🐠

The Maldives is renowned for its pristine white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, but what lies beneath the surface is equally as impressive. We spent 3 days exploring the vibrant coral reefs that make the Maldives a top destination for scuba diving and snorkeling enthusiasts.

For our

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/maldives-under-the-reef/

Visa Runner - Langkawi Malaysia to Songkhla Thailand

If you're planning an extended stay in Malaysia, then its likely that at some point you'll have to renew the limited tourist visa you are given on first arrival. This procedure is often referred to as making a ‘visa run’, and will vary according to your nationality and location in Malaysia. In our

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/visa-runner-langkawi-songkhla/

Hotel Samudra Jepara Port

The principal destination of our trip to Indonesia was the offshore island of Karimunjawa. To get there on a budget involves a roundabout trip from Jakarta to the port of Jepara, travelling via the central Javanese capital - Semarang. From Jepara, there are a number of boat options for travelling

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/hotel-samudra-jepara-port/

Phnom Penh Cambodia - A Dark Legacy

We travelled to Cambodia by boat from Vietnam, passing up through the Mekong Delta from Chau Doc. When we disembarked, we hopped onto a crowded minibus to take us to our hotel in Phnom Penh.

Our agenda for the following day was a visit to the the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek as well as the Tuol

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/phnom-penh/

Temple of the Tooth - Buddha & Lotus Blossoms

Our 21-day Sri Lanka travel plan would not have been complete without a trip to the Central Highlands and the Maha Nuwara (“Great City”) of Kandy.

Here, we took a few hours to visit the celebrated Temple of the Tooth. This is where they keep one of Buddha’s teeth as a holy relic. The relic is re

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/temple-of-the-tooth/

Island Hopping from Phuket to Penang

The first couple of weeks of this 4-week trip to Malaysia involved island hopping from Phuket to Penang, stopping off in between in Langkawi. Despite their close proximity to each other, these are 3 very different types of island. Phuket is quite commercial, whereas Langkawi is much less-developed

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/plan-your-travel/island-hopping-from-phuket-to-penang/

Malta Saint Julians Penthouse for Sale - Seafront with Roof Garden

Indoor Outdoor Living


Facebook-f


Twitter


Instagram


Pinterest

Malta Saint Julians Seafront Penthouse for Sale
South-facing luxury penthouse apartment overlooking the fishing boats of Spinola Bay - on sale for the first time.
€1,790,000

Contact U

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/malta-saint-julians-penthouse-for-sale/

Istanbul Walkabout 🕌 Turkey's iconic mosques & monuments

We dedicated our first full day of our 2-day stay in the city to visiting some of the “must see” Istanbul mosques, museums and monuments. Because there are so many of these, and with a limited amount of time, we had to be selective.

In part, this was made easier for us by the opening times of so

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/istanbul-mosques-minarets/

Langkawi Island Life 🦅 Lush, Tropical, Timeless

It was raining when we arrived at Langkawi's small international airport. We'd just taken 2 shuttle flights from Phuket, with a short transfer in Kuala Lumpur. These AirAsia flights only cost us €58 per person, and were the quickest, cheapest and most efficient way of travelling between the two i

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/langkawi-island-life/

Breve Azurine Karimunjawa

If you're looking for a tropical paradise away from the beaten path, Karimunjawa is the place for you. This small group of islands off the coast of Indonesia is a hidden gem with crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches, and a vibrant marine life that's perfect for snorkeling and diving.

In

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/breve-azurine-karimunjawa/

Palolem Beach Goa

We arrived in South Goa at the start of our third week in India. We chose South Goa because of its reputation as a peaceful laid-back area, unlike some of the beaches in North Goa.

A few kilometers south of Agonda beach is Palolem beach, Canacona, which stretches across a 1.6 km curved bay. The

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/palolem-beach/

Our Panama Travel Budget & Final Impressions

Embarking on a road trip is a thrilling way to explore a new country, and Panama, with its rugged mountains, lush rainforests, and pristine beaches, would seem to offer an ideal setting for a memorable adventure. From the bustling capital city of Panama City to the serene islands of Bocas del

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/panama-budget/

Mangoes in Moalboal, Cebu

This is why we came to the Philippines: To relax in an off-track, secluded location with an open bath-water temperature sea, great snorkeling, tasty local food, fish and exotic fruit (the mangoes in Moalboal are just the best).

Following a brief overnight in Cebu city, we took a bus for the

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/mangoes-in-moalboal/

Panama City to Santa Catalina by Bus

Although our 26-day trip around Panama started in Panama City, our first real taste of the Pacific coast was in Santa Catalina. Here, we'd earmarked 3 days on the beaches, staying at the nearby Hotel Iguanito.

If like us you're planning to travel from Panama City to Santa Catalina by bus,

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/panama-city-to-santa-catalina/

Lembongan Island Guesthouses

Nusa Lembongan is a laid-back island off the southeast coast of Bali. After our 4-day stay in Ubud, we took a boat to discover what the island has to offer. With a good selection of guesthouses to choose from, we selected 2 places with four nights in each.

To keep things interesting, these g

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/lembongan-island-guesthouses/

Sepilok Borneo - Where to Stay & Eat

Sepilok was our final destination in Borneo, following a 21-day journey through Malaysia. After spending 4 days in Kuala Penyu, we organized a taxi to take us to the airport at Kota Kinabalu. Our next destination was Sandakan, from where we would head out to Sepilok.

We had a late morning f

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/sepilok-borneo/

East Malaysia & Borneo

Want to get off the beaten track to find some secluded out-of-the-way places? Our East Malaysia & Borneo travel plan allowed us to enjoy both sea and jungle, with various modes of transport to keep it all interesting. Be sure to first check out our Plan, Maps and Budget for this 21-day tr

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/plan-your-travel/east-malaysia-borneo/

If It's Tuesday 🤡 This Must Be Belgium

Funnily enough, it was a Tuesday when we arrived in Belgium. We knew this must be Belgium because of the bicycles and the scary clowns...

For those of you (especially Americans) who aren't familiar with the movie, If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium is a 1969 romantic comedy film made on lo

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/must-be-belgium/

Sleeping in a Shipping Container - Dash Box Hotel Cyberjaya

As an addition to the wide and wonderful variations of ‘Glamping’ accommodation, sleeping in a shipping container shouldn't raise any eyebrows.

At 20 feet (6.1 m) long by 8 feet (2.44 m) wide this certainly isn't the tightest hotel room we've ever squeezed ourselves into: The Pearl Premium Gues

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/sleeping-in-a-shipping-container/

Maspalomas Gay Paradise 🌈 Gran Canaria

Following a 6-day break in Tenerife, we continued our Canary Islands journey by taking a ferry across to Tenerife's sister-island, Gran Canaria. The ferry dropped us off in the north of Gran Canaria, from where we took a bus down the east coast of the island to Maspalomas.

What we were hoping

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/maspalomas-gay-paradise/

Beware of Scams: Uncovering the Ugly Truth Behind iVisa's Business Practices

iVisa is an online visa processing company that offers travel visas to individuals for various countries. Due to this company's ubiquitous presence on Google, it has become the choice for many travelers.

But pre-paid SEO doesn't equate to professional integrity. As of January 2023 alone, there

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/ivisa/

Sail to Paradise 🛥️ The Karimunjawa Fast Boat

Karimunjawa Island, located in the Java Sea, is a hidden paradise waiting to be discovered by adventurous travelers. And what better way to reach this tropical oasis than by taking the Karimunjawa Fast Boat? This exciting and comfortable journey is the perfect start to a wonderful vacation on this

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/karimunjawa-fast-boat/

Monkeying Around at Jungle Beach, Unawatuna in Sri Lanka

After 6 days lounging around the beaches of Tangalle, we headed west up the coast of Sri Lanka by bus to the small town of Unawatuna. We had heard about some special beaches in the area, in particular Jungle Beach Unawatuna.

We had booked a 3-night stay at Sam's Guest House, located on the

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/jungle-beach-unawatuna/

Madrid Airport Transfers & Where to Stay

Following a 9-day trip through the Canary Islands - including Tenerife and Gran Canaria - Madrid would be the last destination of our Spanish adventure. We had started out our journey with short visits to Girona and Barcelona, so it was fitting that we should end with a 3-day break in the

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/madrid-airport-transfers-where-to-stay/

Penang Malaysia - Welcome to China

Penang, an island located on the west coast of Malaysia, is a popular destination for tourists from all around the world. This small island is a melting pot of cultures, offering a unique blend of history, food, and architecture.

As soon as you arrive in Penang, you are greeted by its warm and

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/penang-malaysia-welcome-to-china/

Tenerife & Gran Canaria with Stopovers in Spain

 

We put together a 2-week multi-destination itinerary which includes Tenerife & Gran Canaria with stopovers in Spain - the medieval city of Girona and the capital Madrid.  It’s quite a lot of travelling for a 14-day trip, but well enriched with a wide variety of locations and pot

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/plan-your-travel/tenerife-gran-canaria/

Discover the Streets & Markets of Hanoi, Vietnam

Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, is a bustling metropolis that boasts a rich history and cultural heritage. The streets and markets of Hanoi are a testament to the city's rich past and offer a glimpse into the daily life of its residents. From bustling food markets to quaint street-side shops,

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/hanoi/

Malta Saint Julians Penthouse for Sale - Seafront with Roof Garden

Indoor Outdoor Living


Facebook-f


Twitter


Instagram


Pinterest

Malta Saint Julians Seafront Penthouse for Sale
South-facing luxury penthouse apartment overlooking the fishing boats of Spinola Bay - on sale for the first time.
€1,790,000

Contact U

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/malta-saint-julians-penthouse-for-sale/

SandSpice Merchandise

Welcome to our product catalogue, where you will find everything you need to make your next adventure unforgettable. We understand the importance of quality travel gear, and we have designed our products with the modern traveler in mind. Our range includes luggage, backpacks, travel accessories,

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/sandspice-merchandise/

Experience India's Best Beaches ⛱️ Goa's Beach Hopping Trail

One of our favourite activities on visits to Asia is beach hopping. Just pack a lightweight bag with a picnic, grab a hat and plenty of water, and head out to discover whatever is beyond the distant headland.

We spent some really enjoyable trips doing this in Sri Lanka and Borneo. Now it was

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/goa-beach-hopping/

Lembongan Island Beaches 🧜‍♀️ Popular is not always Best

Lembongan Island, located off the coast of Bali, is known for its pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters, attracting countless tourists every year. While some beaches on the island have gained immense popularity and are often overcrowded, it's important to remember that popular doesn't always

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/lembongan-island-beaches/

Snorkeling in Moalboal Cebu 🤿 Memorable Underwater Adventures

Our experience snorkeling in Moalboal, Cebu was one of the highlights of our visit to the Philippines. This beautiful destination is known for its clear waters, stunning coral reefs, and diverse marine life. We were naturally excited to explore the underwater world and witness the beauty of the

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/snorkeling-in-moalboal-cebu/

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center 🦧

Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center is a conservation center located in Sabah, Malaysia. It was established in 1964 to help rescue, rehabilitate, and release orphaned and injured orangutans back into the wild.

The center is home to about 80 to 100 orangutans who have been orphaned or

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/sepilok-orangutan-rehabilitation-center/

Flight Compensation Claims ✈️ Our Experiences with AirHelp

As travelers who fly frequently for both work and leisure, we have experienced our fair share of flight delays, cancellations, overbooking, and lost luggage. Dealing with these issues can be incredibly frustrating and stressful, especially when it comes to receiving compensation for the

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/airhelp/

Flight Compensation Claims ✈️ Our Experiences with AirHelp

As travelers who fly frequently for both work and leisure, we have experienced our fair share of flight delays, cancellations, overbooking, and lost luggage. Dealing with these issues can be incredibly frustrating and stressful, especially when it comes to receiving compensation for the

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/airhelp/

Lembongan 🏄‍♂️ Best Chill-Out Spots in Indonesia

If you're planning to visit Bali, Indonesia, don't miss out on Nusa Lembongan. This laid-back island is situated southeast of Bali and is part of the Nusa Penida district, which comprises three islands: Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan. Nusa Lembongan is the most attractive among the

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/lembongan-island-activities/

Discovering David, Panama 🗺️ A Hidden Gem in the Heart of Central America

If you are planning a trip to Central America, don't miss out on the charming town of David in Panama. Located in the western part of the country, David is a hidden gem that is often overlooked by travelers.

However, this town has plenty to offer, from its vibrant culture to its stunning

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/discovering-david-panama/

Planning a Travel Itinerary Around Malaysia

Malaysia and Borneo offer a fascinating blend of cultures, natural beauty, and adventure that attracts tourists from all over the world. From the bustling cities of Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu to the pristine beaches of Langkawi and the rainforests of Sarawak, the region has something for

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/malaysia-travel-plan/

Climbing Gunung Raya 🌄 Highest Mountain in Langkawi, Malaysia

Among the most impressive features of Pulau Langkawi in Malaysia are the mountains. The highest of these is known as Gunung Raya, which dominates the island at 881 meters above sea level. Although not for everyone, climbing Gunung Raya by foot is a challenging but massively rewarding

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/climbing-gunung-raya-langkawi-malaysia/

Your Guide to Affordable Guesthouses in Karimunjawa 🏝️ Indonesia

If you're planning a trip to Karimunjawa, Indonesia and are looking for a cozy and comfortable place to stay, then the local Guesthouses are a great option. Karimunjawa guesthouses offer a laid-back atmosphere and affordable rates.

Whether you're traveling solo, with friends, or as a family,

Read more... https://www.sandspice.com/karimunjawa-guesthouse-options/