Author Profile: Tommy Ong

I have been to Venice twice – in Autumn 2007 and then again in Spring 2025. While there is notably a rise in tourist numbers over the years and many improvements made to enhance visitor experiences, Venice still retains the charm I remember from nearly two decades ago. All those photogenic canals and bridges, narrow streets as well as old rustic buildings make Venice the unique place it is. A typical 2-day Venice itinerary will normally include St Mark’s Square, Rialto Bridge, a gondola...   view more

Located in the northwestern part of England, Liverpool has not only placed a very strong foothold in the music industry, but also holds history to one of the fiercest sporting rivalries in the world. Liverpool has evidently kept very strong links to the Beatles through the multiple tributes and historical sites dedicated to them. Furthermore, the city also has the largest cathedral in Britain, and holds some of the rarest books in their library. On the whole, the city of Liverpool has surpassed...   view more

While Stavanger is the energy capital of Norway with oil being its main production, it is ironically surrounded by vast breathtaking nature. And for this reason, many people outside of business purposes, arrive at Stavanger to hike some of the most popular routes in Norway. In particular, the hikes to Pulpit Rock and Kjeragbolten are the two most well known ones. This 3-day Stavanger itinerary for hikers in summer shows how you can plan a visit to the third largest city in Norway as well as hike...   view more

When I think of Athens, a few things come to mind. The first in particular, has to be the Acropolis, the numerous archaeological sites and their history. Then there is also the origins of the modern Olympics. It’s incredible how the relatively small and compact capital has preserved and blended all these rich historical gems together with its modern developments. All of these plus the nearby Saronic Islands. This 5-day Athens itinerary aims to introduce to you the best of these gems around the...   view more

Santorini is one of the most well-known of Greek islands and unquestionably so, with its impressive sunsets, whitewashed buildings and blue-domed churches. A typical Santorini itinerary promises dramatic volcanic landscapes, rich history and an unforgettable holiday vibe. Significantly, the ancient ruins, pretty villages, breathtaking caldera cruises and lovely hikes make Santorini one of the popular islands of the Cyclades. This 3-day Santorini itinerary makes sure to comprehensively cover...   view more

If you are ever in Tromsø during winter, then you are most likely here in search for the mesmerising natural phenomenon called the aurora borealis. Or otherwise known as the northern lights. And while in pursuit of this ever-so-elusive sight, you have a wide variety of winter adventures such as snowmobiling and dog-sledding to choose from for your Tromsø...   view more

Are you ready to embrace some bits of Northern Ireland history? This 2-day Belfast itinerary can surely bring you straight into it! From the making of the largest ship of that time, Titanic, to the decades of conflicts in the Troubles, there is evidently lots waiting for your...   view more

Planning to visit Paris to experience some love and romance? This Paris itinerary can surely get you started on building your romantic relationship with the city! It highlights the iconic places so you can make full use of your time to immerse into the Parisian atmosphere! First and foremost, if you’d like an overview of the city and discussions about budget, safety and food, refer to my Paris Travel Guide. But if you’re ready, let’s get...   view more

Despite being the smallest country in the world, Vatican City (or ‘the Vatican’) is actually one of the most sacred places in the worldwide society of Christianity. It not only houses the residence of the Pope (i.e. leader of the Roman Catholic Church), it also boasts the largest church in the world. Its Vatican Museums is also the second most visited museum in the world after the Louvre! A typical visit to Vatican City includes the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Square as well...   view more

Meteora literally means “suspended in the air” in Greek and particularly reflects how the Eastern Orthodox monasteries are perched precariously atop the numerous rock formations in the area. Its breathtaking natural beauty together with its cultural significance undoubtedly puts Meteora among the top gems of the country. In fact, those are the reasons that got Meteora and its monasteries in as one of the 19 UNESCO World Heritage sites in...   view more

There is no better way to explore Santorini than going on this Fira to Oia hike. This 10.5 km trail takes you to four of the main towns (Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli and Oia) and also gives you multiple views of the volcanic caldera. What’s more, the ever-changing landscapes along this trail makes it an interesting and exciting hike. In addition, you also get to visit some of the key sights of Santorini such as the Three Bells of Fira and Skaros...   view more

Montmartre is brilliantly rich in its arts heritage mainly because numerous artists have, in part of their lives, called this place home. For example, this includes the likes of Picasso, van Gogh, Salvador Dali and French singer Dalida. Furthermore, it is also arguably the birthplace of the cabaret and the cancan dance. And so, this walking route will lead you to see most of these key historical...   view more

The third day of this Athens itinerary takes you to the Monastiraki neighbourhood and the archaeological sites in the area, before ending the day at the Philopappos...   view more

Both Windsor and Eton are two towns located side by side, separated by the River Thames and just a short distance west of London. While Windsor is home to the Windsor Castle (the royal residence of the British monarch), Eton is home to Eton College (a prestigious boys boarding school that has educated generations of royals and distinguished people). And when at Windsor, you definitely cannot miss its prime attraction – the Windsor Castle, where you can visit the State Apartments, St George’s...   view more

Palermo is the capital of Sicily, which is an island that is part of the Southern region of Italy. Because of its history, the city is an interesting display of different architectural styles – in Arab-Norman, Baroque and neo-classical. Teatro Massimo, Palermo Cathedral and the Church of Jesus of Casa Professa are beautiful sights not to be missed when spending 24 hours in Palermo. Certainly not a place to miss if you are in...   view more

Cambridge is one of my top favourite day-tripping places in England mainly because it’s such a picturesque city. The quaint and lovely River Cam, as well as the impressive architecture of the world-renowned University of Cambridge, all add so much to the charm of the place. Furthermore, dotted around the city are plaques marking significant historical facts and events, including those about scientific breakthroughs that have now impacted our...   view more

Even though the cold, grey skies and short days are typical words often used to describe winter in London, that doesn’t mean that all is terrible and miserable. On the contrary, this is actually the best time to feel the warmth and festivities of the capital city! During winter, Christmas markets pop up all over the city, Christmas lights brighten up the streets, and people are generally in holiday...   view more

London is a leading global financial and business hub, and so it is no surprise that over 15% of its international visitors are actually business travellers! What if you are in London for business, wish to make the most of your time there but are unable to extend your trip for leisure? Especially if you are a first-time visitor to London and are excited about exploring a brand new destination? You can definitely still do so on your London business trip itinerary. This article explores many of...   view more