Jessica Esa
booksandbao
I'm a freelance travel writer who mostly specialises in Japan content, I've been a digital nomad for over two years and have lived on four continents. I'm also the manager of the travel blog Books and Bao which focuses on literary and heritage travel. https://www.booksandbao.com
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Best Winter Festivals Around the World 2023-2024
Read more...Can’t afford a steamy tropical vacation this winter? No worries. Bundle up embrace the cold with these super cozy (and family-friendly) winter festivals found around the world. Some of the best winter vacation spots are hiding right in plain sight: explore majestic ice sculptures in China, watch twinkling lights in the Netherlands, compete in winter […]
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11 Totally Unique UK Festivals for 2023
Read more...The UK has bad rap for being stuffy and overly serious. But UK culture isn’t just confined to tea, royal weddings, and crumpets (thank goodness). Fantastic, fun, and totally bizarre, the UK’s weirdo festivals are at the heart of its history and culture. They’ll mostly amaze and charm you. Sometimes they’ll totally confuse you. But […]
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7 of the Best Train Rides in the World
Read more...Plane travel is often more stressful than it’s worth, particularly if you’re someone like me who panics from take off to touch down. But occasionally, the chance to take an epic train journey arises. When it does, let me tell you: it is so, so worth it. What you lose in speed, you make up […]
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41 of the Best Things to Do in China
Read more...China: a dizzying mix of ancient culture, modern museums, vibrant festivals, delicious food, and breathtaking natural wonder. From crimson red beaches and soaring castles made of ice to authentic bao and bustling breweries, there’s something for every type of traveler. Here are 42 must-see temples, museums, castles, activities, restaurants that will blow your mind on […]
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Iceland Itinerary: Our Top 4 Road Trip Routes
Read more...Welcome to Iceland, where the rugged and natural beauty can be found in icy blue waterfalls, black beaches, massive volcanos, and sparkling northern lights. Unlike other spots around the world, Iceland’s wild (and relatively untouched) landscape demands to be conquered slowly, carefully, and on its own terms. Road tripping is undisputedly one of the best […]
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The Complete Guide to Korean Street Food
Read more...The smell of Korean street food hits you moment you escape the high rises and wander down to the markets, side streets, subway stations, and universities. Korea’s street vendor culture dates back over 600 years to the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910) where cooked food was sold at neighbourhood markets for hungry locals. Today, the street food […]
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Is Iceland Expensive? 7 Ways to Eat & Drink on the Cheap
Read more...It’s no secret that Iceland is an incredibly expensive country to travel to; Iceland is actually the 4th most expensive country in the world based on consumer price indexes, and a lot of that is due to those sky-high food costs. The average meal can be anywhere between $20-$40 per person and a coffee can […]
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Japan’s Best Cherry Blossom Festivals for 2022
Read more...Cherry blossom season, also known as the sakura or hanami flower-watching season, brings life and magic to Japan each spring. Admiring the flowers’ fleeting beauty is a practice that dates back over a thousand years. The small, delicate pink sakura and ume plum blossoms flower at different times throughout the season. The massive bloom starts […]
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The Best Places to Celebrate Chinese New Year 2022
Read more...Ready to celebrate the Year of the Tiger? Here’s your ultimate guide to the biggest Chinese New Year celebrations around the world. Chinese New Year (also known as Lunar New Year and Spring Festival) means a lot of different things to folks across the globe, but one thing holds true no matter where you’re from: […]