BigBody, Author at Pale Ale Travel

Mostar Travel Itinerary: Things to Do in Mostar

May 9, 2020February 19, 2025Bosnia, Destinations, Europe, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

Look, I know what you are thinking. I’ll head to Mostar, Bosnia for one or two days, get a feel for the city, eat some great food, see the sights, and then head back to Dubrovnik or Sarajevo and continue with my trip. I can assure you that Mostar is not a one or two day trip. It truly is one of the most underrated cities I’ve been to and I would recommend anyone considering a trip to stay at least five days to one week.

I spent nearly two weeks in Mostar during my time in the Balkans (I was posted up in Split, Croatia for the bulk of it), and found myself discovering something new every day. From delicious cevapis and burek, to pristine waterfalls and monasteries, to historic Ottoman bridges, minarets and mosques, Mostar is a clash of cultures set to make you truly feel that you are at the intersection of where East meets West.

I do understand however that most people are making a short trip to Mostar from Dubrovnik or Sarajevo and likely want a concise and practical itinerary, so I have compiled a 2-3 day itinerary with my favorite things to do (and eat) in Mostar. I would recommend actually spreading everything out over three days, but I think everything can be completed in two.

3 Must-Try Cafes & Coffee Shops in Split, Croatia

April 13, 2020February 19, 2025Coffee & Cafés, Croatia, Destinations, Europe BigBody Leave a Comment

I originally moved to Croatia as it was one of the closest places I could enter for 3 months after my time in the Schengen Area had expired (90 days). I didn’t have any preconceptions before I first moved, and originally planned to spend my slotted three months in Zagreb. However, after taking a trip down to Split in the first week of December, 2019, I felt at home and shifted plans.

I ended up staying the next three months (just about), in Split, Croatia, and really made myself at home. The below three cafes were all a big part of my life and daily routine while there and absolutely worth checking out.

6 Best Cafes to Work From in Vienna

April 13, 2020February 19, 2025Austria, Coffee & Cafés, Destinations, Europe BigBody Leave a Comment

Vienna won me over. I’m not sure if it was because of its rowdy gasthauses, old friends who I was able to reconnect with, or the palpable energy that is hard to ignore after stepping out your door. Vienna is an absolutely wonderful city that I recommend everyone check out.

I do know for sure that Vienna’s abundance of great cafes to work from is a major factor in why I am seriously considering settling there permanently. From busy college hangout cafes, to traditional Viennese coffee houses, all the way to chic, hipster hangout spots that double as an upcoming DJ’s stomping grounds – Vienna has a cafe (or two) perfect for whatever mood you are in.

Let’s get started! Below is a list of my personal favorite cafes to work from in Vienna, Austria.

Renting a Luxury Apartment in Split, Croatia

March 21, 2020February 19, 2025Croatia, Destinations, Europe, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

One of the biggest reasons I stayed in Split, Croatia for so long was because I absolutely loved my apartment. Split is hands down a seasonal city, with the bulk of visitors heading there every summer to hit the beach, check out the outlying islands, and scoot around the Adriatic Sea on a yacht – so I imagine renting a luxury apartment in Split in the summer can be extremely cutthroat, and potentially overpriced.

However, I’m going to walk you through a bit about the luxury apartment I stayed in, what made it the best apartment I’ve ever rented, and where you can look online to rent luxury apartments in Split, Croatia.

Let’s get started!

4-Star Canopy By Hilton Zagreb City Centre Croatia Hotel Review

March 14, 2020February 19, 2025Croatia, Destinations, Europe, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

During my six month stint in Europe, I mainly stuck to Airbnbs (and found some great ones). But sometimes you just want to treat yourself for one or two nights. I did that during the last night of my near-three month stay in Croatia and booked the Canopy By Hilton Zagreb. I wasn’t disappointed.

Below, I’m going to take you through why you should definitely consider booking the Canopy By Hilton if you are passing through Zagreb or staying the week.

Split to Mostar Bus: What You Can Expect

March 14, 2020February 19, 2025Bosnia, Croatia, Destinations, Europe, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

I’m on a bit of a roll with writing bus travel posts, so I might as well continue. It can help ease your mind when travelling, knowing exactly what you can expect when crossing into a new country. Mostar, Bosnia is one of the most underrated cities I have ever been to, so this trip is a must for anyone travelling through Croatia (or the Balkans in general). Luckily, the Split to Mostar bus (or Dubrovnik to Mostar bus) is extremely efficient, comfy, and clean, so there are no excuses for not seeing this incredible city.

Taking the bus from Split to Mostar (Bosnia) is extremely painless, and I’m disappointed in myself that I didn’t realize just how close Bosnia actually was (hint: very close).

Zagreb to Split Bus: Croatia Bus Travel

March 13, 2020February 19, 2025Croatia, Destinations, Europe, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

Whenever I travel in a country, I always second guess myself and seek out a third-party breakdown of what I can expect when getting from Point A to Point B. Unfortunately, there aren’t many write-ups on what you can expect when taking the bus in Croatia…until now. As someone who took the train from Zagreb to Split, I can assure you that this is not the means of transportation that you want to use unless you (a) absolutely have to, or (b) enjoy an incredibly slow (yet scenic) journey. Other than renting a car, taking the bus is your only real (efficient) option.

Below is a quick breakdown of how to book your bus tickets from Zagreb to Split (and vice versa), what you can expect, and more.

Power of the Pivovar: 2 Breweries to Eat & Drink at in Bratislava

January 29, 2020February 19, 2025Beer & Breweries, Destinations, Europe, Slovakia BigBody 2 Comments

A generic name for “brewery” in several Slavic languages, a pivovar is so much more than that (in my book). Not only are pivovars incredible spots to drink your fill of Bratislava’s finest lagers (and countless other beers) but they are also great spots to load up on traditional Slovakian dishes and experience a lively pub-atmosphere.

Below are three of my favorite pivovars to eat and drink at in Bratislava, Slovakia!

Best Budapest Cafes For Digital Nomads & Freelancers

January 11, 2020February 19, 2025Coffee & Cafés, Destinations, Europe, Hungary BigBody Leave a Comment

When I first arrived in Budapest, Hungary, I had some trouble locating good cafes to work out of. A good portion were coffee-bar cafes that really aren’t spots to sit down, open up your laptop, and get a full day’s worth of work in. But, as I began to explore the city more, I found that Budapest’s work-friendly cafe scene was actually more bustling than I thought. In fact, Budapest was filled with trendy, hip, and even cozy cafes to get your hours in at.

I’ve compiled a list of some of the best Budapest cafes for digital nomads and freelancers that I found during my month-plus stint in the Pearl of the Danube.

Lado Café Budapest: For All Your Chicken Paprikash Needs

January 10, 2020February 19, 2025Destinations, Europe, Food, Hungary BigBody Leave a Comment

If you’ve checked my articles on The Wrap Shack in Portsmouth, New Hampshire or London Coffee Society (also in Budapest, Hungary), then you are well-aware that sometimes I eat a meal that is so divine, that I can’t help but write about it immediately after. Well, I’m back at it again, and this time with a write-up on Lado Cafe – located in Budapest, Hungary over at 50 Dohány utca.

So, what makes Lado Cafe and worth taking a Frodo Baggins-esque trip across Middle-Earth to get yourself a plate of their chicken paprikash? Let’s take a look.

6 Cafes For Digital Nomads & Freelancers to Work From in Taipei, Taiwan

January 8, 2020February 19, 2025Asia, Coffee & Cafés, Destinations, Taiwan BigBody Leave a Comment

Ranked as the best city in the world to live in for expats, there’s no surprise as to why digital nomads and freelancers are flocking to Taipei (and Taiwan in general) by the dozen (thousands? Tens of thousands?). And, with Taiwan’s introduction of their new ‘Entrepreneur Visa’ in 2018, I don’t foresee this mass migration to Taiwan stopping anytime soon. Aiding this push and solidification at the forefront of best cities to live in the world is Taipei’s bustling and diverse cafe culture.

Below are 6 of my favorite cafes and what I consider some of the best cafes for digital nomads and freelancers to work from in Taipei, Taiwan.

How Much I Spent Per Week in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

January 5, 2020February 19, 2025Asia, Destinations, Travel, Vietnam BigBody 2 Comments

When I moved to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, my work was going quite well and beginning to scale significantly, so that will be reflected in my budget. Keep in mind that this budget may not be reflective of other expats or foreigners living in Saigon, and it can be done on a lot less. Also, I’m writing this now several months out of being in Ho Chi Minh, where I spent just over a year.

I moved over to Saigon from Taipei, Taiwan, which was much needed for personal and professional reasons. If you’re curious how much I spent per month while living in Taipei or how much a luxury serviced apartment there costs, check out my past articles!

I figure this type of article is important to include what I spent per month for rent in Ho Chi Minh, as it is probably the largest base cost, so let’s get started.