Guilin, Provence and 3 other travel favorites: You have to visit them is written by Stefan Slothuus.
Provence and Guilin are some of my selected travel favorites
It can be a difficult challenge to choose your 5 travel favorites, because all places in the world have their own charm. However, there are certain destinations that stand out on my travels, and I will return to them at some point.
Conversely, some places have also made an impression in a less than pleasant way, and they don't deserve a revisit in my book.
Here follows a description of my personal travel favorites.
Guilin, China - clearly one of my 5 travel favorites
“Be an ri?” asks the friendly waiter as I point to a picture of a rice dish with beef. It is without a doubt the most delicate-looking dish on the menu. I have learned that Chinese people often cut off the endings, so it must be English and mean 'beef and rice'.
I happily confirm the order, because I need some normal food after a few questionable culinary experiences in the country, which have included dog, bamboo rat, and chicken feet.
In addition to an extremely varied menu, Guilin has an incredible amount to offer. The city in the south of China is a relatively small Chinese city with 'only' 1,5 million inhabitants.
When you walk down the city's version of Strøget, you will be struck by the distinctive Chinese architecture with the temple-like wooden buildings and extremely colorful shops.
The city's surroundings also offer very authentic experiences – from the unique caves in the northwest to a trip down the Li River to Yangshuo in the southeast. And not least, the city is surrounded by the breathtaking karst mountains in a landscape that guarantees unparalleled views in all directions.
Guilin is undoubtedly worth a revisit.
The Faroe Islands - a favorite in the north
As the plane crashes through the lower cloud cover, I quickly spot the archipelago's only runway from the plane's window. The heart rate rises drastically with the intention that this is where the plane should land - because it does not immediately look like an obvious option. There is also not much more than a meter of money to an area covered with grass and rocks, when the plane finally stands still.
If you travel to Faroe Islands to get color on your pale cheeks, then you have probably chosen the wrong place. Because there is rarely sun here – or snow for that matter. On the other hand, there is plenty of rain, wind and clouds. However, the place can do a lot more. The nature experiences in particular should be highlighted, as they are completely unique.
I lived on Vágar Island near the town of Sandavágur, which is close to the airport. In this area I visited both the beautiful lake Leitisvatn and went on a trip to the Múlafossur waterfall.
Both places are wild and rugged, reminiscent of scenes from 'Game of Thrones' and 'Vikings'. The nature can also be enjoyed relatively undisturbed with only around 50.000 inhabitants, who are far outnumbered by the number of sheep.
The capital Tórshavn is also definitely worth a visit. McDonald's has not yet made its way to the islands, so it's a good idea to put on your bib and try a local dinner, which is guaranteed to offer several good fish dishes.
Afterwards, it's a good idea to take a walk in the historic and charming old town, Tinganes, which dates back to the Viking Age. There are many options.
You also don't have to worry about currency or language barriers; here you can pay with Danish kroner, and Danish is also an official language in the Faroe Islands. It must be said that the country has made an impression on me, which is why it is on my list of top 5 travel favorites.
Considering the few impressive experiences I had on only 2 out of the 18 islands, I will definitely be back. Especially now that the runway has been extended.
Read more about the Faroe Islands here
Vietnam - the Asian gem
In my world is Vietnam an ingenious travel country. Here is everything the heart desires: Exciting culture, fantastic food, wild nature, fascinating history, beautiful coastline, large vibrant cities - and then it's drone cheap.
I arrived in the capital Hanoi after almost 20 hours bus ride from a stay in Luang Prabang and LaosIn Hanoi, I stayed at a hostel in the middle of the city's ancient district, Hoan Kiem, where I, in the company of two Danish and two American fellow travelers, particularly enjoyed strolling around Bia Hoi Junction. Here, the streets are filled with the classic red and blue plastic furniture.
You can easily consume a local beer (bia hoi) for between one and two kroner, while the countless restaurants offer delicious phosoups or cakesandwiches over the counter for a flat tier or about 35.000 Vietnamese Dong. Perfect for the “poor” traveler.
In addition, I would certainly also recommend diving into the bloody history of the Vietnam War with the city's many museums and former prison camps. Here it is noteworthy that the former communist leader, Ho Chi Minh, in various guises is clearly adored by the Vietnamese people.
East of Hanoi, explore the paradise islands of Halong Bay, where the golden sandy beaches are a welcome respite from the capital's crowds and bloody history. A few travel companions and I rented a small boat from a local fisherman.
While the captain cooked a delicious lunch of freshly caught fish, we tried our hand at fearsome cliff diving and adventurous snorkeling in the azure South China Sea. We couldn't get enough.
And that's how I could go on. For I also think one should rent a motorcycle and drive along the coast to historic Hue, charming Hoi An and all the way to Saigon in South Vietnam. In any case, there is no doubt about this; I'm going back to Vietnam.
If you want to make it easy, you can ask a professional travel agent what they can arrange for you – It doesn't have to be more expensive for that reason..
Provence, France: Provence can do it all
You probably know Provence, but Provence is not just Provence.
Since my parents told a 7-year-old version of the undersigned that we were going on summer vacation to a place in France without a swimming pool, I was first outraged - and then in love. Provence has been of great importance to me and where I have since returned at least once a year.
Vaucluse is one department in the southwestern part of Provence and can best be described as a haven for the sweet tooth. The capital is the old papal city of Avignon, a fantastically entertaining acquaintance, which in July transforms into the center of the world's theatrical arts.
Here you can't cross a street corner without being surprised by strange little performances from jugglers and magicians. So entertainment is also guaranteed while you sit on the Place de l'Horloge by the Papal Palace and enjoy a Provençal lunch and a glass of rosé.
In addition to Avignon in Provence, the area also offers small mountain villages like Gordes, which always provide the setting for an Instagram-worthy photo. Or take a stroll five kilometers east in Roussillon, known for its red ochre mountains.
If you ask cycling enthusiast Jørgen Leth – and me – a drive to the legendary bald, lonely mountain, Mont Ventoux, is a must. No matter where you are in the area, you are surrounded by picturesque vineyards and olive groves.
In addition, it is highly recommended to visit the local markets in the area, while you must also not cheat yourself of a visit to nearby Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, when a swim in the Mediterranean also starts to beckon. I am already looking forward to my next visit to Provence.
Livigno, Italy - the cold travel favorite
As a former 'ski bum', I can't help but include a ski destination. Especially in these months when you constantly want to swap your winter boots for ski boots.
I was in Livigno in the winter of 2018, and I will definitely be back. The town is located in a valley surrounded by large mountains, where both locals and tourists enjoy life in the snow.
The valley is isolated in the mountains, and therefore has Italy made the town duty-free to attract tourists. So it's a remarkably cheap place to get around compared to other Alpine destinations, without necessarily having to share a hotel with a bunch of half-witted high school students.
If you have previously had a pair of skis or a snowboard on your feet, it is a great place to vacation with plenty of both red and black, very well-groomed slopes.
You can start on the Carosello side in the morning, pop into town and taste some real Italian pizza or pasta – and maybe a grappa – and head over to the Mottolino side in the afternoon. That way you're guaranteed sun all day, which is rarely in short supply in these parts.
Afterwards, you can of course also stop by various bars for après ski, where DJ Ötzi will also pamper the people with his brilliant musical skills. Italy is amazing in many areas and therefore they should have a clear place on my list of my 5 travel favorites.
Read more about other travel favorites here
How to visit my 5 travel favorites
Guilin - You can fly via Beijing with different airlines, and there are plenty of accommodation in the city.
Faroe Islands - You can fly from both Copenhagen and Billund directly to the Faroe Islands in 2 hours.
Vietnam - You can fly to Hanoi or Saigon from Kastrup Airport.
Vaucluse - You can fly to Marseille, Lyon or Nice from both Copenhagen and Billund, where you can rent a car and drive on from there.
Livigno - You can fly directly to Bergamo with several airlines, and from there you can take a bus or rent a car to Livigno.
If you need tips and tricks on how to plan your trip, you can read our great travel guide here. You can also sign up for our newsletter, which comes 1-2 times a month if you want to stay up to date with both tips and tricks.
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