man pouring craft beer from a beer keg

The Complete Guide to Craft Beer in Saigon

Strap in. In this guide we are talking about all things craft beer in Saigon. Craft beer culture in Saigon is booming. No one will ever go thirsty here. I guarantee it. From a Belgian brewery serving up wheat beers in a 1.5 liter drum, to a slick gastropub with more than 100 craft beers to choose from, all the way to a popular craft beer haunt on the infamous Bui Vien Street, consider this your ultimate guide to craft beer in Saigon!  

I consumed far more beer than I’m proud to admit in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (although I guess I just admitted it), so that you know where to go next time you are fiending for an IPA, sour, lager, or all of the above. 

Delay no more! Below is a list of my favorite bars and breweries for craft beer in Saigon. 

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Best rooftop bars in Saigon

9 of the Best Rooftop Bars in Saigon

Saigon, Vietnam is a rooftop bar lover’s dream. Nothing quite beats throwing back a few cocktails while overlooking a city that never sleeps. As you may know from checking out my blog, I’m a big fan of “the booze.” So, during my year-plus living in Saigon (aka Ho Chi Minh City), I made it my goal to find the best rooftop bars in Saigon and see exactly what its nightlife truly has to offer.

I’ve compiled a list of 9 of my favorite rooftop bars in Saigon, Vietnam, so that you aren’t left wondering where to go the next time you want to hit the town and have a few drinks with a view. 

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burgers on a grill

Guide to the Best Burger in Saigon

Meat, meat, meat. If you’ve read any of my other blog posts, you’ll know that Big Body is a BIG fan of meat. Whether it American BBQ, Japanese izakayas, or Vietnamese goat curry, I’m a big fan of a good hunk of beef, lamb, chicken, pork, and most anything else. 

One of my go-to meals anywhere in the world is a burger, so I spent a healthy portion of my time in Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon) searching for the best burger(s). And, I think I found them. 

Below is a compiled list of my definitive best burgers in all of Saigon

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Taipei 101

6 Date Ideas For Couples in Taipei

Whether you live in Taipei or are simply passing through, there are no shortage of fun date activities for couples (or even first dates) looking to spend some quality time together (or get to know one another). From incredible hiking trails and night markets, to international film houses and Japanese izakayas, all the way to rowdy arcades and quirky cultural parks, Taipei has it all, you can’t go wrong. 

I’ve compiled a list of 6 of my favorite date ideas in Taipei, Taiwan, for you to choose from for your next date night (or day). 

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Neretva River Mostar

Mostar Travel Itinerary: Things to Do in Mostar

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. 

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Split Croatia Riva Promenade

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

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. 

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Vienna Austria skyline

6 Best Cafes to Work From in Vienna

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. 

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Split Croatia

Renting a Luxury Apartment in Split, Croatia

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! 

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Canopy By Hilton Zagreb

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

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. 

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Mostar Stari Most

Split to Mostar Bus: What You Can Expect

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). 

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Split Croatia

Zagreb to Split Bus: Croatia Bus Travel

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. 

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Bratislava Slovakia Old Town

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

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!    

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