North Sumatra was one of the first places that I visited in Indonesia and has always remained one of my favorites. The immense nature, the vast size of the island, the grandeur of Lake Toba… Sumatra seems to have all these superlatives.
When you arrive in Medan it is hard to believe that only a few hours drive away in Bukit Lawang you are able to see wild Orangutans and Thomas Leaf monkeys in the jungle. Close to there in Tangkahan you are able to visit and go on a tour with authentic Sumatran Elephants. From here you drive a few more hours, past the Sipiso piso waterfall (the highest in Indonesia) and the very active Mt. Sinabung volcano to arrive in Lake Toba, the largest volcanic lake in the world and in there is the majectic Samosir island. A truly amazing part of the world that everybody should visit.

Japan is certainly the most memorable place I have ever been fortunate enough to visit. My favorite experiences included standing in awe of the big city lights and encountering the cultural aspects of Tokyo, observing the sun as it shone against Mt. Fuji, laying down for a peaceful rest in a traditional onsen ryokan, the unforgettable journeys by bullet train, walking through the Peace Park in Hiroshima and visiting some of the 17 UNESCO World Heritage listed sites in Kyoto. Japan has something to offer everyone, whether your interests are in culture, food, history, fashion, exploring cities or small quaint villages, Japan will find a special place in your heart, it certainly did in mine.

I spent a few days in Yunnan to celebrate my wedding in a traditional Naxi minority way. We stayed in the charming village of Lijang, situated more than 2000 meters above sea level with mesmerizing views of snow-capped mountains and just a few hours from the Tibetan Plateau that we visited for a fantastic trek. From there we visited Shaxi Village, once the departure point of the Ancient Tea Route, before continuing to the amazing rice terraces close to the Vietnamese border. Throughout the journey we met several Chinese minorities and were admiring of their ancient cultures and traditional attire. This journey is an off-the-beaten path experience and one of endless possibilities to take you into less explored regions with each route offering many activities and a variety of cuisine to savor. I love China as the there is such a range of experiences on offer in the one country, whether it’s the Gobi Desert, Tibetan Plateau, a tropical beach or cosmopolitan city like Hong Kong or Shanghai, the possibilities are endless.