EMEA — TRAVEL — Steph Sia

MARRAKESH

It has been so nice to reminisce on my time in Marrakesh. It is a complete party over there; a feast for the senses. The smells, the sights, the sounds…completely whimsical. It was the best place to spend my 30th birthday.

EMEAStephanie SiaAugust 21, 2020Dar Al Assadmorocco, marrakech, marrakesh, marrakech itinerary, marrakech 3 nights, marrakech guideComment

LAGO DI COMO

Is Lago di Como everything I thought it would be? Was it my favourite part of Itay? I reminisce on my trek through Italy and my time in Como and its surrounding areas and what a dream it was.

EMEAStephanie SiaAugust 14, 2020Sheraton Lake Como Hotelitaly, como, lago di como, lake como, bellaggio, cernobbio, lombardy, northern italy, Switzerland to italy, lake Como itineraryComment

SKOPJE

I won’t forget my time in Skopje. Compared to other Eastern European cities, it is larger and more magnificent, dotted with iconic bridges and monuments throughout the city. But it’s more than that which I found out in my mere 24 hours there!

EMEAStephanie SiaAugust 7, 2020Skopje Marriott Hotelskopje, macedonia, skopje itinerary, skopje guide, skopje 1 night, 24 hours in skopje, europe, eastern europe, canyon matkaComment

VIENNA

Vienna! What a beautiful city. If you are a history or art buff, you must pay a visit to this city. And even if you don’t, the food, wine, and Sacher tortes are a reason on its own to stop by. I loved every minute spent in Vienna.

EMEAStephanie SiaJune 26, 2020Imperial Riding School Renaissance Vienna Hotelvienna, wien, austria, Vienna 48 hours, Vienna 2 days, Vienna itinerary, Vienna attractionsComment

ISTANBUL

Ahhhh, it took me FOREVER to write this but I had such a memorable time in Istanbul that I really wanted to encompass everything! Istanbul is a hugely vast city - 3 days was the perfect amount of time to visit and eat (nearly) everything!

EMEAStephanie SiaMay 29, 2020jw marriott istanbul bosphorusistanbul, istanbul itinerary, 36 hour itinerary istanbul, istanbul guide, tourism istanbul, Turkish tourism, where to eat in istanbul, what to eat in istanbulComment

ZURICH

It’s no secret how much I loved my time in Zurich. It’s dubbed one of the most expensive cities in the world and it is 100% true. But with a couple travel hacks and with the guidance of my aunt who lives in Zurich, I was able to see the city without breaking the bank.

EMEAStephanie SiaMay 22, 2020Four Points Zurich Sihilcityswitzerland, zurich, Zurich 2 nights, Zurich day trip, what to do in zurich, Zurich itinerary, zurich guide, Zurich 1 day guide, zurich on a budget, Switzerland on a budgetComment

SARAJEVO

This post was difficult to write. I had so many great memories (and scary ones too!) when I was traveling in Sarajevo. It’s a city that’s opened up post-war that’s rich with history, cheap eats, and culture. It’s a lengthy post but good to read. I actually wish I had written this as soon as I had left, reminiscing on the quick Bosnian romance I had and to preserve those feelings. Ah, c’est la vie!

EMEAStephanie SiaMay 15, 2020Courtyard by Marriott Sarajevosarajevo, bosnia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo 48 hours, sarajevo 2 day itinerary, what to do in sarajevo, sarajevo eatsComment

DUBROVNIK

I made my Game of Thrones dream come true and visited Dubrovnik! It’s everything that I expected and more. Gorgeous, dream-like scenery, old buildings and steps, and the orange-tiled rooftops of the Walled City. It was absolutely incredible.

EMEAStephanie SiaMay 8, 2020Dubrovnikdubrovnik, dubrovnik 3 days, dubrovnik itinerary, walled city of dubrovnik, croatiaComment

BUDAPEST

Budapest. What a remarkable city. A city so entrenched in history, sprawling and large and so rich with culture. I was pleasantly surprised when I visited the city during Christmastime last year. What a dream.

EMEAStephanie SiaMay 1, 2020New York Palace Hotel by Dedica Anthologybudapest, hungary, Budapest itinerary, Budapest 2 days, Christmas budapestComment

BOLOGNA

Bologna is my favourite city in Italy. Beautiful architecture, vibrant and energetic vibe, and the best food - all at an insanely affordable price for Italy! Reliving and reminiscing about this wonderful little city. So glad I stopped here.

EMEAStephanie SiaApril 24, 2020AC Hotel Bolognabologna, italy, bologna itinerary, 48 hours bologna, bologna italy, italiaComment

SPLIT

I was in a bind. Did I want to go to Split or Dubrovnik? I had always had Split in my original itinerary. To be honest, Dubrovnik wasn’t part of it since I didn’t want to do two coastal towns in a row but I’m so happy I went with both! Split and Dubrovnik offer completely different vibes, with the locals preferring Split over the other. Palm trees, great wine and food. Split was an unimagineable destination for relaxation which exceeded my expectations by far.

EMEAStephanie SiaApril 17, 2020Le Meridien Lav, Splitsplit, croatia, split croatia, split to dubrovnik, split to zagreb, Dalmatian coast, Croatia off season, Croatia january, Croatia itinerary, split itinerary, split 24 hour itinerary, day trip splitComment

ZAGREB

Zagreb is the capital of Croatia. It was a stop on my month-long trip from Central Europe to Turkey. I had full intentions of just going to the coastal towns of Croatia but decided to stop in Zagreb and stay one night after Slovenia. I’m really glad I was able to make a pit stop here. Not only did I have one of the best foods ever there, but I also made a friend there and was able to connect with someone at night. Zagreb is a beautiful city, filled with great museums and sights - definitely worth the stop!

EMEAStephanie SiaApril 10, 2020Sheraton Zagreb Hotelzagreb, croatia, Zagreb itinerary, 24 hours in zagreb, eastern europeComment

MILAN

Milan, what a whirlwind you were. I was caught up in a frenzy with all the Italian men in that city (they’re such charmers!) and taken aback by all of the amazing food I had consumed yet didn’t photograph or Instagram. It all lies in my memory…which I’m finally excited to share with you all today.

EMEAStephanie SiaApril 3, 2020Four Point by Sheraton Milano Centralemilan, milano, italy, milan 24 hours, milan itinerary, travelComment

LJUBLJANA AND LAKE BLED

If there was one town that reminded me of Vancouver while I was away traveling in Europe for a month, it was Ljubljana. Okay, more like Lake Bled. With the snow-capped junior Alps in the background and the mirror-like lake it was centered around, it reminded me of somewhere between North Vancouver and Whistler. So beautiful.

EMEAStephanie SiaMarch 27, 2020slovenia, ljubljana, lake bled, day trip lake bled, day trip slovenia, one night in slovenia, Slovenia itinerary, central europe, europe, travelComment

BRATISLAVA

I woke up on Christmas Day and was in Bratislava! I spent the Christmas holidays! I spent one night in Bratislava and although most of the town was closed and enjoying and celebrating Christmas, I was out exploring during some truly beautiful weather. There were a select number of establishments that remained open that we were able to take advantage and had a wonderful buffet breakfast in the hotel at the Sheraton - still a very festive time in this Central European city!

EMEAStephanie SiaJanuary 26, 2020Sheraton Bratislava Hotelbratislava, slovakia, 24 hours in bratislava, Bratislava day trip, Bratislava itineraryComment

PRAGUE

Wow, a blog post written within a month of traveling to the destination? Get the fuck outta here… Yes, I was really good at writing and keeping my thoughts super fresh while I was away on vacation (at least in the beginning, ha). I want to share with you my experience in Prague during the wintertime. What a magical place to be during the holidays! The Christmas cheer, try castle, mulled wine, and lots and lots of meat. It was a great kick off to my month-long European vacation!

EMEAStephanie SiaJanuary 19, 2020Courtyard by Marriott Prague CityPrague, czech republic, Prague Christmas markets, christmas market, europe, winter travel, Europe winter travelComment

MADRID

Ah, Madrid. I’m back in you. Two years in a row - really? Yes, I, too, never thought I would be back so soon but when my dad decided to join me on my trip to Morocco, Spain seemed like a great add-on since it’s just across the water. seeing Madrid for a second time was just as good as the first time…perhaps even better! Spain just never gets old.

EMEAStephanie SiaDecember 22, 2019Gran Melia Palacio de los Duquesmadrid, visit madrid, spain, mercado de san miguel, rastro market, espana, spain tourist, spain tourism, travel, europe, eurotrip, siaaroundtheworld, Sia around the world, sia in the spain, siainspainComment

AMSTERDAM

What an exceptionally beautiful city! Amsterdam was everything I was hoping for and more. Scenic canals, bicycles everywhere, beautiful people and food - it was exquisite. I’m so glad that AMS is a hub for so many different pathways into Europe and elsewhere in the world. Looking forward to revisiting this aesthetically-pleasing city once again!

EMEAStephanie SiaDecember 18, 2019W Amsterdamamsterdam, Sia around the world, siaaroundtheworld, siainamsterdam, netherlands, visit amsterdam, ams, day trip Amsterdam, Amsterdam 48 hoursComment

BELGRADE

I visited Belgrade! Honestly, it’s one of the least tourist-infested cities in Europe. Literally. I could count the amount of tourists I saw on my hand in a day. It was honesty really refreshing going and visiting a city which I had absolutely no clue on. Despite having a Serbian sugar daddy, I did not know much about the city. And I probably left still not knowing much about it. The city isn’t super well set up for tourists yet but that was part of the charm of it. I’m really excited to see how Belgrade will change in the years to come.

EMEAStephanie SiaDecember 15, 2019Courtyard by Marriott Belgrade City Centersiaaroundtheworld, Sia around the world, belgrade, visit belgrade, serbia, beogradski, eastern europeComment

CORDOBA

Just one day in Cordoba. Actually, I had less than a day. Let’s say I had…20 hours including a good night’s sleep? It’s completely doable. The mere 2-hour train ride and its small stature, makes Cordoba a great day trip away from the hustle and bustle of Madrid. I really was moved by the food here and the beautiful walled city. So happy to have visited this quaint little city!

EMEAStephanie SiaDecember 11, 2019AC Cordobasiaaroundtheworld, Sia around the world, cordoba, spain, visit cordoba, visit spain, andalusia, siaincordoba, Cordoba day tripComment

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