Author Profile: Sharyn Nilsen

Here’s the first in a series of my suggested routes for walking around Ho Chi Minh City; Vietnam’s largest and most populous city and capital of South Vietnam. Immerse yourself in the bustling energy, vibrant culture, rich history, and extraordinary attractions of this crazy metropolis, formerly known as Saigon. From the peaceful Tao Dan Park and historical Reunification Palace to the lively Ben Thanh Night Market, the variety of sights, sounds, tastes, and smells reveal a vivid portrait of...   view more

This second tour, while centrally located, covers more off-the-beaten track sites and hidden gems in District 1 and diverts briefly across the river to District 4 to see the historically significant (President) Ho Chi Minh...   view more

Colombo seemed like an eclectic mix of Dutch Colonial architecture, hi-rise apartment blocks and patched up canal-side bungalows. The disparity between the wealthy and the poor no different from most Asian cities we’ve...   view more

Belgrade was barely just stirring, and nothing was open. We pushed further up the hill, stopping to stare in wonder at the bizarre sight of the twin Ministry of Defence buildings in all they ruined...   view more

Sofia is the greenest of all the capital cities in Europe. We know this because we were told by Ani, our lovely guide from Sofia Green Tour on a free cycling tour around the city. And after an excellent afternoon out and about on the bikes, we agree that it’s probably...   view more

Almost two months into our big European cycling adventure we found ourselves in the Romanian capital of Bucharest after cheating the mountains again and catching the train from Brasov...   view more

Brasov sits in the southern Carpathians at the foot of Mount Tampa in the famous Transylvania region. Apart from its attractive, well kept Old Town, Brasov is a hub for hikers and mountain bikers, neither of which we had...   view more

Drab grey communist block architecture, poorly stocked supermarkets and a dearth of Western influence, brands, and media. Perhaps we’d see dour citizens waiting in queues with the strains of Chopin’s funeral march blaring to set the scene. And, of course, KGB agents watching our every...   view more

Unlike Tallinn, Riga’s Old Town is not confined within a wall. It spreads out to cover a much larger area. especially when you include the well-preserved Art Nouveau District. Something to consider when you’re planning your strategy to see the...   view more

We were very excited to be heading to our first new country on this trip. Both of us were really looking forward to the Baltic States. No-one we’d talked to had a bad word to say about them, and Tallinn, Estonia was high on the list of everyone’s...   view more

While visiting for six weeks, we tracked down some of the best craft beer in Berlin. These are our favorite Berlin Craft Beer bars in Germany's fabulous capital...   view more

Lahore, the capital of the Punjab province in Pakistan, is known for its rich history and culture. The city has witnessed various rulers and dynasties, each leaving a mark on the incredible architecture and...   view more