Galapagos (Ecuador)

Hiram Ip’s advice: leave your heavy belongings in Quito, and fly lightweight to Galapagos. You need at least 5 nights in this once in a lifetime experience with true nature!

Hiram Ip’s highlight: the most unforgettable diving experience ever, with so many playful seals swimming right up to your goggles (they are literally toying with you). And sharks resting underneath your feet.

Hiram Ip with a 200-year old Galapagos Giant Tortoise

Kyoto (Japan)

Hiram Ip’s advice: if you are driving, park in a paid spot (you are very likely to get a fine otherwise!), and post Covid, the good restaurants need two to three months of advance booking. Plan well ahead :)

Hiram Ip’s takeaway: Kyoto has been an annual fixture for me (except for Covid years), and I still enjoy this historic city as much as my first time here, not least because this is the city with the most number of three Michelin star restaurants.

Provence (Southern France)

Hiram Ip’s advice: try to stay in a chateau, and many vineyards are open to walk-in visitors (if you enquire politely). Rent a car, taxi’s in France are prohibitively expensive and you can’t get to many places by train. Many shops and restaurants maybe closed for extended period in the summer heat, so check in advance.

Hiram Ip’s experience: South of France has always been my favourite destination in Europe. It it home to the best restaurants in France and is much better priced than Paris at the same / better quality. Life is slow here and shops close early, so chill and relax.

Standing in a lavender field (with lots of bees that the camera didn't catch)

Dubrovnik (Croatia)

Hiram Ip’s Advice: try to stay within the compounds of the walls (as oppose to the grand hotels some distance from it). The old city of Dubrovnik is well preserved and a pleasant walk even in the evenings.

Hiram Ip’s Takeaway: there’s a vibrant community of artist in the city, and I bought one of my favourite paintings here! Looking out onto the scenically blue Aegean Sea, I can totally see why the Dragons and the Seven Kingdoms of GOT fought over this piece of land :)

Hiram Ip sitting on the city walls of Dubrovnik, where they shot Game of Thrones.

Great Barrier Reef (Australia)

Hiram Ip’s advice: take it slow when you dive, we are not experts either so if we can go five meters below you can too! Also remember to leave a day’s gap between your last dive and when you take off on your flight :)

Hiram Ip’s takeaway: although many people say this is a touristy diving spot, it worked out just fine for us (haha we didn’t mind the company of other divers, in fact it turns out our co-divers is a successful start up founder whom we stayed in touch!)

Hiram IP: Diving in the Great Barrier Reef