The Blog

This week it’s all about the continent that has a 200 foot Buddha statue carved into a mountainside, a special feast day dedicated to monkeys, cherry blossom flavored potato chips, hotels staffed by robots, and a sport called sky biking. If you can dream it, Asia’s got it! This inventory of unparalleled wonders that awaits simply reminds us that life is sweet!    Seven Totally Singular Experiences in Asia  No place serves up one-of-a-kind adventures quite like Asia! Get started with our shortlist.  Travel Memories: Best of the Philippines: Boracay   If you love the idea of an island vacation, Boracay is considered one of the best islands in Asia and well, pretty much the world. It's famous for its blue waters and endless stretches of sandy powder white beaches. Thanks to the efforts of locals and the Philippines government, Boracay’s ocean remains crystal clear and clean. With so many things to eat and do (or not do and just relax), you’ll never run out of reasons to love Boracay.  MORE HERE   Behind the Charms Have you ever picked up a charm and thought, “OMG! I love this!” Of course you have. Have you also ever looked at that same charm and wondered, “but what is it exactly?” Happens all the time! There’s a lot of backstory packed in every little charm and we’re here to break it down.     Wanna see more puppet action? Check out this performance straight from the source! WATCH HERE   Holi Hijinks in Hampi, India     Add a fabulous dimension to your trip by planning it around a festival. If your destination is India, mark your calendar for Holi, the ancient Hindu festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil and is nicknamed “the festival of colors” for good reason! MORE HERE     EXPLORE

If you love the idea of an island vacation, Boracay is considered one of the best islands in Asia and well, pretty much the world. It's famous for its blue waters and endless stretches of sandy powder white beaches. Thanks to the efforts of locals and the Philippines government, Boracay’s ocean remains crystal clear and clean. With so many things to eat and do (or not do and just relax), you’ll never run out of reasons to love Boracay.      RELAXING ON WHITE BEACH Beach is a 4 km stretch of soft white sand lapped by turquoise waters and fringed by palm trees. It’s perfect for those who love swimming, snorkeling, and sailing or just getting some much needed R&R thanks to its flat, calm waters. Plus, White Beach is considered the top diving site in the Philippines.       White beach is divided into three stations. If you’ve got cash to burn and want to treat yourself, staying in a fancy and luxury resort, Station 1 is your top choice. Station 2 is bustling to say the least and a convenient area for those who love shopping and partying.   The majority of the water activities are in this area, too! Station 3 is calm and not crowded so if you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere and affordable prices, this is the place for you. It’s easy enough to walk between these three stations or, if you want to travel in style, you can take one of these colorful Philippines tricycle taxis you’ll find right on the street.  SUNSET PARAW SAILING      Simply taking in a sunset is one of the things you don’t want to miss in Boracay. You can watch the sunset from the beaches, restaurants, or even your hotel room. But the most unforgettable experience in Boracay is watching the stunning sunset on a Paraw Sailing Boat. These are small boats with two sails that look like little kites dancing on the water and a pair of outriggers like large crab-claws, called "katig."     Upon boarding the boat, you will be seated on the outriggers with your bare feet! Sea waves licking your legs, wind blowing across your face, and the yellow-orange sunset coloring the sky. Ahhh, Is there anything more lovely than a relaxing ride on the ocean to watch the sunset go down? Our guess is, no!   TROPICAL FRUITS AND COCONUT WATER   What beach day would be complete without the perfect beach beverage? It doesn’t get more refreshing than sipping out of a coconut. A real coconut! Pair it with a sweet and juicy Mangosteen fruit. These little purple treats are often referred to as the “Queen of Fruit” and can be found throughout Southeast Asia and are known for having lots of antioxidants!     Not everyone knows how to open a mangosteen. Here’s a tip: First, remove the stem end and twist it off. Second, press in on the indentation of the top. Third, gently squeeze from the side to break apart, but don’t push too hard. Finally, you can open it really easily and enjoy the sweet white soft flesh inside!    Wanna try something else special? Get a cup of Philippines Yogurt mixed with papaya, cereal and blueberry jam, and of course, there are a lot more fruity flavors you can choose!   ISLAND HOPPING   The half-day Island hopping trip is the best way to escape the crowds in White Beach. Puka Beach, Crocodile Island, Crystal Cove, Tambisaan Beach, Balinghai Beach and Magic Island are the popular destinations. If you want to explore all the snorkelling hotspots, wander around nature, and enjoy the tranquillity on the beaches, make sure you book a tour in advance! They have the most professional and friendly tour guides, so you won’t miss any must-see spot!   EXPLORE

Add a fabulous dimension to your trip by planning it around a festival. So it was the last time I traveled to India (a birthday present from my beloved nephew Brian Healy). Our destination was Hampi, the vast ruin on the Deccan plateau that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Brian arranged to visit during Holi, the ancient Hindu festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil. But that description fails to portray how much sheer fun it is....     What a blast! Before we set out, we had joked about Holi hijinks in Hampi. To celebrate, merrymakers throw colored powder on each other as they dance in the street. I wore a pair of old white drawstring pants and the white tunic bought for $1.70 at the Charminar market in Hyderabad, no good clothes ruined for me. We mistakenly purchased colored powder in little plastic bags, the clumpy kind instead of the finer powder sold in aluminum foil packets. Still, we had our ammunition.   It was a mob scene of hundreds of powder-throwing revelers, and lots of Westerners hoisting Indian children aloft on their shoulders. Our favorite character was a tall British woman with a scarf covering most of her face, who wasn’t having any of it.  Finally, she could no longer resist the Holi spirit and cracked, joining in the hilarity. A little scamp with pleading eyes implored me to give him some of my powder. I did, and he threw it in my face! LOL: Pranks are part and parcel of Holi.   The crowd was building to unmanageable levels, until the police finally thinned it out by blowing whistles from a balcony, where they also removed a number of fervent photographers. Once the balcony was cleared, the police snapped their own pictures.   Celebrants stopped us several times to pose for selfies. The funniest was a reveler wiping Brian’s face and planting purple powder on his front teeth, which he could not remove for love or money. After the police broke up the crowd, it reconfigured itself, and moved on to the temple where the music and dancing re-commenced in even louder and wilder form. We did a few more re-location stints  – then we took a tuk-tuk back to our lavish digs. In the hotel lobby, Brian posed with his arms akimbo baring his full frontal Holi powder-covered bod, while I posed with the tuk-tuk driver.   What a memory to retrace in more somber moments.   EXPLORE

Voted the #1 European destination in 2019, Budapest, Hungary should be at the top of your travel to-do list. And while a celebrated city, it's not without its fair share of lesser known details. Take a look at some fun facts about this capital city.    1. Two for One Budapest is like two cities in one! Mostly because it is! Bisected by the Danube River, the cities of Buda and Pest are joined by the  Széchenyi Chain Bridge. But if you look back to the 1800's, you'll see it was actually the three cities of Buda, Pest, and  Óbuda that officially joined forces in 1873 under the new name of "Budapest" to create the city we know today!   Image courtesy of: Pandea.com   2. Spectacular Skyline  The historic skyline of Budapest is one of Europe's finest and has been preserved thanks to the 96 meter rule. Chosen as a nod to the year 896 when he  Hungarian Magyars settled in the area, the rule states that no building can be over 96 meters high.   Image courtesy of: TripSavvy   3. A Puzzling Place  Everyone's favorite mind-bending block, the Rubik's Cube, was invented right here in Budapest. Originally known as the "Magic Cube," it was created by, you guessed it, Ernő Rubik in 1974.   4. What Lies Beneath Budapest is an amazing city, both above and below the ground. That's right, Budapest sits atop a subterranean world made up of miles of caverns and tunnels. The most exciting can be found under Castle Hill which has served as a prison, a bomb shelter, a hospital, and today, a museum.    Image courtesy of: CNN.com   5. Tongue Twister Despite Hungary being a European destination, the mother tongue actually originates from Asia and is most closely related to  Finnish and Estonian as well as some Russian dialects. The language is actually called " Magyar" after the original people and is one of the most difficult languages to learn in the world!    6. Leading the Way Budapest boasts the oldest subway system in continental Europe. Operating since 1896, the only competition is the London metro which has been up and running since 1863. And the kicker? Transportation is free for all EU citizens over 65.    Image courtesy of: ACDN Architizer   7. Water, Water Everywhere  In need of a spa day? Look no further! Budapest has more thermal springs than anywhere else in the world. You can take advantage of the relaxing and even healing powers at bath houses across the city including the famed Gellert,  Lukács,  Szechenyi, and Kiraly Baths.   Image courtesy of: Szechenyi Spa Baths   8. The Spice of Life Colorful puzzles aren't the only thing to come out of Budapest. The bright red spice, Paprika is the national spice of Hungary and traces its roots back to Budapest where the plant has been growing in abundance since 1569.   Image courtesy of: Daily News Hungary   9. Built to Last The long and varied history of Budapest is more than obvious in its wide range of architecture styles. Strolling through the city, you'll see buildings built in almost every style from Baroque to Art Nouveau to Bauhaus and even the big, basic Socialist-style boxes characteristic of the Eastern Bloc.   Image courtesy of: Absolute Tours   10.  For all the Numismatists Out There That means "coin collectors!" Budapest and the rest of Hungary isn't on the Euro. They still use Hungarian Forints, abbreviated as HUF. The name comes from the city of Florence that also originally used a gold-based currency back in the day.    Image courtesy of: Budapest Agent   EXPLORE  

Where else can you find a 1,000 year old castle and the newest culinary craze sitting side by side? A city as big and bustling as Rome or as pocket-sized as San Marino? the least collection of Renaissance masterpieces and the most mysterious forests? SPOILER ALERT: It’s Europe. Europe is the continent that has it all and then some—the kind of place that would have been voted “Most Everything” in high school. You get what we’re trying to say. Europe is proof that life is sweet! Ask a Flight Attendant: Fave Under-the-Radar Destinations in Europe    Is there anyone who has traveled further or eaten more tiny bags of slightly salted peanuts than flight attendants? Our sources say, of course not! So, who better to ask for travel tips? In honor of National Aviation Day on August 19th, we asked five fabulous flight attendants to share their cherished travel tips for exploring the EU. Here are a few more things to look forward to.    Location: Rīga, Latvia This hidden gem is my homeland and an art nouveau lover’s paradise. To stay, there’s a wonderful airbnb converted from an old hemp storage unit into a rustic loft. Fun to go during summer solstice — women wear circlets of flowers and men wreaths of oak leaves. They party until the sun comes up with a large bonfire and lots of music. Be sure to visit Birini Castle, a beautiful property with lakes and storks and an amazing outdoor museum. On the way back stop at Ralkalni, where the shop sells candied fruits and berries and there’s an alpine slide for kids (though that didn’t stop me). —Lara B. Location: Delft, Netherlands Delft is located between Rotterdam and The Hague. Known for its “Delft Blue” earthenware, it’s a hugely appealing city for those interested in the Dutch history. The famous painter Johannes Vermeer also lived here. You can tour the Royal Delft factory where many items are still hand painted. It’s much smaller in size than Amsterdam but still has a canal, walkability, and charm that is worth seeing. You can get there from Amsterdam by taking a train from Amsterdam Central Station directly to Delft! —Diderique K.  Location: Lapad Bay, Croatia Dubrovnik, Croatia, although incredibly beautiful, is very touristy. I asked one of the hosts of the hostel where the locals go to the beach and her eyes lit up as she asked me, “Are you up for an adventure?” She told me to take the local bus outside the city limits. When I asked her where I should get off, she told me to simply ask the bus driver when we were at the post office, “and then just walk until you see the beach.” Sure enough, after I walked off the bus and down a pathway, the Cypress trees opened up to the most beautiful, crystal clear water. There was a trail that lined the water, dotted with platforms for diving and ladders on the rocks for easy access to swimming. It was well worth the adventure.   —Zoey R. Location: Ghent, Belgium The northwest city of Ghent is less touristy than Bruges or Brussels and full of great history. The medieval Castle of the Counts known as the Gravensteen is amazing and the main square is full of eateries, local shops, and vendors. Try the freshly made cuberdon candies from one of the sweets sellers. And don't miss the Tierenteyn mustard shop, an old apothecary style shop where the mustard is still sold out of big barrels.   —Patty F.    We <3 the Details   You know how it goes. You buy a charm that you adore. You wear it on your favorite chain and everybody asks you all about it. Then one day, the light hits your necklace just right and BAM! What’s that??? A little detail like an itty-bitty picture or a punny quip you never saw before. You might have noticed that we have a major thing for details. And the only thing we like more is sharing them with you.   Travel Memories: Lisbon     #TBT to Fado music all night and port wine for days. Retrace our steps through Portugal’s charming capital city by the sea. Read more HERE.   EXPLORE

  Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, or just because--there's always a reason to share a gift with the people we love. And sometimes those people are travelers! And sometimes those people are actually just ourselves. That's okay, too! Travel inspires so many great gifts (including JSC jewelry, of course!) and below you'll find just a few more of our faves to either take for the ride or enjoy while reminiscing of travels past or plan for the next big adventure.    QUE BOTTLE Do you know what takes up a ton of space in your luggage? Water bottles! But staying hydrated is super important. What to do? Cue the  Que Bottle! Que has created this super cute, silicon water bottle alternative. The bottles expand to fit up to 12 or 20 ounces of water depending on the model, then spiral down to be nice and compact when they're empty. They're great for trekking across Europe, days hikes, or just a little jaunt in the park. There are tons of colors to fit your style and Que even makes a handy little stainless steal cap with a loop so you can clip it somewhere to be more accessible.     SCRATCH MAP Is there anything more satisfying than a scratch off ticket? How about one that complements your wanderlust? And looks cool hanging in your living room? For those among us who love to log and list their adventures, the Scratch Map is a fun, visual way to keep track of where you've been and where you wanna go. Every time you cross a new destination off your to-do list, scratch off the gold foil to reveal pretty colors of accomplishment. Plus, they make new rainbow foil editions and scratch globes, too!         AIRPORTAG THROW PILLOW  Dream of  travel when you cuddle up to, you guessed it, an IATA Code pillow. Airportage Throw Pillow makes tons of square, squishy options to honor your favorite destinations all over the globe from to Auckland to Zurich. That's A to Z in travel talk. And you can choose the perfect size (from 16" X 16" to 26" X 26"), and  even customize them with passenger names, origin, and other flight info from the best trip ever. If you're feeling crazy, Airportag also makes comforters, shower curtains, backpacks, sleep masks, and kind of everything for house and home and travel.     HOMESICK CANDLES There's no place like home! And nothing smells quite like it. Homesick Candles knows that better than anyone and offers a whole product line based on the idea of olfactory memories. Their natural soy wax candles represent cities, states, and countries abroad with tons of different, complex scents that make us feel like we're right there once again. I mean, Vermont is a combo of apple, maple, and baked pie. Brazil is orange, mango, and ocean breeze. Who could argue with that?      ATLAS COFFEE CLUB Your coffee addiction, I mean, interest just might be your ticket to world travel! Indulge in your favorite morning pick-me-up and get a taste of amazing locations around the globe with Atlas Coffee Club. Each month you'll receive a bag of java from a new location complete with brewing tips, flavor notes, and an adorable postcard! Over 50 countries produce coffee so there's more than enough to sample. Choose your preferred roast and bean type and they'll do the rest. Bon voyage!