Travel is the best education there is out there. Sure, you learn all sorts of important skills in school, there’s no discounting that, but travel offers you life experience in leaps and bounds. The lessons you discover about yourself, others and the world while traveling are incomparable to what you learn while sitting in a classroom. From weekend trips to month-long stays to a year of backpacking, there are life-defining moments etched into your journey when you leave the comfort of home to step into the unknown.

Here are 5 things you’ll learn while traveling that classes in school won’t teach you.

1. THE WORLD DOESN’T REVOLVE AROUND YOU

You may be the apple of your family’s eye at home, but once you journey out into the world, all bets are off. You’re just one person on a planet filled with billions, one minuscule dot in a universe so big your mind can’t even comprehend. It’s pretty humbling once you realise that sometimes there are more important issues, more pressing needs than your tiny problems.

Read: Traveling is exciting and fun – you get to discover a whole new world out there – but it’s also costly and can burn a hole in your pocket pretty fast. If you want to fulfil your globetrotting dreams without breaking the bank, read on for the Top 20 budget travel tips to see the world.

So don’t take yourself too seriously, break free from your bubble and move out of your comfort zone. The grass may not always be greener on the other side – you’ll learn soon enough to appreciate what you’ve got. The world doesn’t center on you, but it’s got lots to offer; don’t let opportunities pass by.

2. BE SPONTANEOUS, ADAPT AND TRY NEW THINGS

Welcome change – in fact, embrace it. Try anything and everything. Take risks, but keep within reason, of course. Somehow, when you’re in another country, you feel less judged and more courageous to do what you ordinarily won’t. Things may not always go your way, but be patient and flexible and learn to roll with the punches. Experiences are worth so much more than material goods – you’re making memories that are more valuable than any amount of cash.

3. PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY INNATELY GOOD

Want to restore your faith in humanity? Travel. You might experience rudeness and inhospitality, but also an abundance of warmth, acceptance and friendliness from natives (and other travellers). The world isn’t as bad as you think – news about wars, terrorist attacks and natural disasters are terrifying, but keep in mind that the media love to sensationalise these events.

Read: The company you pick can make or break a great holiday. Here are the 10 best types of people to travel with.

Don’t let that scare you or deter you from traveling. Don’t put yourself in dangerous situations, of course, but there’s a fine line between fear and cowardice. There are tons of good people in the world, you just have to put yourself out there and find them.

4. YOUR ABILITIES EXTEND FAR BEYOND WHAT YOU THINK

Confidence, courage and compassion are just some of the things you’ll learn when traveling. You’ll find yourself pushed to your physical, mental and emotional limits. You’ll discover what you’re really made of and who you really are, especially when thrown into unfamiliar situations.

Read: A solo trip doesn’t necessarily mean a lonely trip. Here are 5 reasons how a solo trip can change your life.

You’ll gain new perspectives and learn to connect with others beyond language or cultural differences. You’ll see that you can make a difference; you don’t have to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to help others – the smallest gestures can mean the world to someone else.

5. STEREOTYPES ARE STUPID

Okay, some stereotypes exist for a reason. But most are created from what we see on television or the big screen. When you travel, you’ll realise there’s so much more to an entire race of people than what you previously boxed them into. So banish those stereotypes. We’re not that different, after all. We’re all people – keep an open mind and you just might be surprised.

About the writer:
Alicia Lee is a dessert junkie with a serious (and probably incurable) case of wanderlust. Never one to pass up on retail therapy, she loves a great bargain and can usually be spotted on weekends browsing through quirky shops or chillaxing at a quiet cafe.

2013 was another great year. As compared to our wanderlust adventures in 2012, we visited less cities last year. Instead, we chose to stay longer at each place to learn more about the culture, food, and lifestyle of the locals. Here is a recap of our travel adventures in 2013.

Taipei, Taiwan

Our first trip in 2013 was Taipei. one of the most popular getaway destinations from Singapore. From visiting nice cafes in Yong Kang Street to eating your way through the well-known Taipei’s night markets, there is something for everyone in this city which is known for its delicious food and friendly locals.

Read: Guide on where to eat in Taipei.

Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Kaohsiung is located in the south of Taiwan. I spent a few days in the city. Highlights include visiting Liuhe tourist night market and Ruifeng Night Market, and going to Cijin for cheap and delicious seafood.

Tainan, Taiwan

After Kaohsiung, I dropped by Tainan, the food capital and the oldest city in Taiwan. Most of the famous Taiwanese street food originated from Tainan, and it was an eye-opening experience to explore the city and learn more about the story behind the local food.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

In March, we had the chance to go on a press trip by KLM to visit Amsterdam. Amsterdam is more than just the Red Light District or for dope-selling “coffee shops”, there are plenty of things that you can see, do and eat.

The city is somewhat mysteriously ambiguous, with a mixture of extremely warm and fierce-looking local. The slight medieval setting also feels ancient, and quite oddly, every street at every turn looks identical — low-rise brick buildings with conspicuous signs, withered trees line canals after canals, and sporadically random shops. But after spending a few days exploring the city, it grew on us.

Read: Where to eat in Amsterdam / 10 Things to do in Amsterdam

London, England

After Amsterdam, we flew to London for a week. Everything in London is almost all too familiar – the food, the renown shopping streets, the areas that we see on Monopoly, the hallmark musicals, the language, the London Bus, the Big Ben… everything in London is so close to heart. London will always be one of our favourite cities in the world, and we are already planning a trip back this year.

Read: Where to eat in London / 10 Cheap Eats in London

Paris, France

Some people feel that Paris is too touristy and over-hyped. But for me, it is, and always will be, one of my favourite places. It has that magical feel in the air which you cannot find elsewhere. Je t’aime Paris.

Seoul, Korea

In April, we went to Seoul for the very first time. Seoul is a very fascinating city with many things to do. In the day, you can go sight-seeing at palaces, visit one of the many museums, drop by N Seoul Tower for a glimpse of the city, or cafe-hop at hip areas like Garosu-gil, and Samcheong-dong. And at night, Hongdae – an area near the Hongik University known for its urban arts and indie music culture, clubs and entertainment – comes alive.

Read: 10 Things to do in Seoul / 10 Cafes in Seoul

Taichung, Taiwan

Most visitors usually only go to Taipei, and it is a shame because there are many other cities that are worth visiting. Taichung, for instance, is a wonderful holiday destination. So when the Taiwan Tourism Bureau kindly invited me to visit Taichung, I said yes immediately. The main draw for tourists is definitely Feng Chia Night Market – one of the biggest, if not the biggest, night markets in Taiwan. There are many things to see, do and eat in Taichung. The next time you plan a trip to Taiwan, you have to include Taichung in your itinerary.

Read: Things to do in Taichung

Bali, Indonesia

In 2013, we visited Bali four times, and the first adventure was at Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort for a short but much needed respite.

Phuket, Thailand

At the end of May, Melody planned a surprise holiday for us to Phuket, and we went back to our favourite Kata Beach for a weekend getaway.

Bali, Indonesia

In June, we escaped to Bali again for two weeks. Eat, sleep, suntan, massage, eat, swim – life was good as a beach bum. We stayed at four of the best hotels in Bali, dined at the top restaurants and warungs, and took some time off to reflect about life.

Read: Bali Travel Guide

Darwin, Australia

To be frank, I never knew much about Darwin before, but my trip there in July gave me an unexpectedly memorable impression of the otherwise underrated city.

Darwin is the last frontier of Australia, and it is the closest you can get to wildlife. If you are the type who enjoy outdoor adventures, and want something different from the usual city holidays, Darwin is certainly the place for you.

Read: 10 Things to do in Darwin

Phuket, Thailand

In August, we went back to Phuket again. This time, we stayed at Sri Panwa Villa located at Cape Panwa – the southern tip of Phuket. We have been to many hotels and resorts around the world, but after staying at Sri Panwa, it has immediately rocketed to our all-time favourite list – we are head over heels in love with this gem of Phuket.

Kyoto, Japan

During the last week of September, I planned a surprise trip to Japan – the land of all things kawaii and oishii - to celebrate our anniversary.

Kyoto, Japan’s capital for over 1000 years, is one of the most beautiful cities in the country. There are so many things to do and see, that it is impossible to cover everything in a trip. It is a place you will go back again and again. If you have been to Kyoto, I’m sure you will understand what I’m saying. If you haven’t been, make sure you include Kyoto in your itinerary when you are going to Japan.

Read: Guide to Kyoto’s Best Desserts

Tokyo, Japan

After bidding farewell to Kyoto, we had another week in Tokyo. Everything in Japan seems possible – the most creative architecture, the freshest food, the cutest toys and the most remarkable fashion. We ate, and ate, and ate. Everything that we ate in Tokyo was utterly delicious.

Read: Tokyo Travel Guide

Bangkok, Thailand

Before October came to an end, we took some time off to go to Bangkok, one of the most popular travel destinations in Asia. Cheap massage, good shopping, and delicious Thai food - Bangkok is a city that everyone must visit at least once every year.

Read: Bangkok Travel Guide

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is another place that I visit annually to visit friends, check out some of the newest restaurants, and do some shopping. November is the best month to go as it is a transitional season from autumn to winter and that is when the weather is perfect – cool and breezy and you won’t perspire a bit when you are out on the street.

Read: Hong Kong Travel Guide

Bali, Indonesia

Our third trip to Bali in 2013. This time, we went there as guests of Kayumanis Private Villa & Spa. After landing at the airport, we checked in to the Jimbaran property and had two lovely nights there. Following which, we travelled North and went to their Ubud’s property. It was the perfect base to explore the arts and cultural centre of Bali.

Read: Ubud’s 10 best places to eat

Boracay

At the start of December, we took up an impromptu adventure to Boracay with Tiger Air. Boracay is truly a paradise. The sand is so white and the water has an amazing gradient of blues. Snorkelling, island-hopping, cliff-jumping, para-sailing, jet-skiing…

Bali, Indonesia

For the last trip of the year, we went back to Bali again. We revisited some of our favourite places like Ultimo, Naughty Nuri’s, The Bistrot, Metis; and also spent a day doing water sports at Tanjong Benoa. Life is always good in Bali.

Surfing is a surface water sport whereby the surfer rides on the forward face of a wave towards the shore. It may seem easy, but until you have tried it, you will never know how challenging it really is.

Many thoughts came to mind when I was battling the waves and trying to not drink too much sea water. And while balancing my quest and having fun, here are some important life lessons that I have learned from surfing.

Choose your own wave to ride. 

You have heard of the phrase: you choose your own mountain to scale. It is the same for surfing. While waiting in the shallow waters is easy, it does not provide any satisfaction. Why not venture out and try your luck with the big waves that might come? Likewise, this applies to other aspects in life. Are you contended with living a mediocre life? Or do you want to test your limits and see how far you could go? Some people go to the ends of the world, just to see what they can see. Choose your own wave to ride.

You only need one big wave; be prepared when it comes. 

In life, all we need is an opportunity, or two. Work hard, be patient, and make sure you are ready when the time comes.

Learn from others’ mistakes. 

Life will throw waves and waves at everyone. Observe and learn from others so that you will not repeat the same mistakes when it is your turn to deal with the waves.

Never give up.

You just gotta keep trying. Be it surfing or life, you need to fight for what you believe in. Yes, you are going to fail, you are going to suffer, and you will be disappointed. No one said it was going to be easy, but as long as you keep working hard, you will become a better person and success will be yours one day.

Try new things everyday.

I was never a beach person, so surfing for the first time was a revelation. I was thrown back time and again by the waves, but I was happy with what I attempted and was doing. At that point in time, it struck me that this was what life is about.

Life is not about making ends meet every month. Life is not about hitting KPIs or making your clients happy. Life is about experiencing new thing, life is about learning something different whenever you can and want to. Life is about living in the moment.

From New York, to Rome, Tokyo, Sydney, Hong Kong, Milan, Prague, and Venice; I went on 27 trips all over the world in the past 365 days. It has been a great year and I am extremely lucky on the travel end.

How about a recap of the places that I’ve been to in 2012?

Travelling is the best thing you can ever do for yourself.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

My first adventure this year was Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) – commonly known as Saigon – the largest city in Vietnam and the former capital of the Republic of Vietnam.

Vietnam has that old-world charm where everything is untouched by civilisation. It was great to be there, and hopefully I will get to visit Hanoi soon. Read my travel guide to Ho Chi Minh City.

Hong Kong

In February, I was in Hong Kong to attend Social Media Week as a speaker. My good friends from HarbourCity Shopping Centre invited me as a guest and I spent the three days catching up with friends, and going on an interview marathon with the Hong Kong media.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

In the same month, I had the chance to drop by Kuala Lumpur to film a reality challenge for Toshiba and Intel. While it was just a short weekend trip, we had lots of fun filming.

New York, United States

One of the highlights this year was visiting New York City in March. The good people from Dean & Deluca and Kitchen Language sent me there to learn more about the brand, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Besides finding out more about Dean & Deluca, I also spent time exploring and eating around the city. Read my guide on where to eat in New York.

Genting, Malaysia

After coming back from New York, I visited Resorts World Genting – the most popular tourist destination in Malaysia – and it was an eye opening experience as I learned many new things about Genting that I never knew before.

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

My good friend was in Kota Kinabalu for work in April, so I tagged along for an impromptu trip and spent the weekend at Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa.

It is only two and a half hours away from Singapore, and once you reach the beautiful resort, you feel like you just opened the door to paradise. It is without a doubt – the perfect destination for a lazy beach getaway.

Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei is one of my favourite cities in Asia. In May, I packed my bags and went on an eating adventure. I’ve written a guide on where to eat in Taipei, and I will be adding in new places after my trip next month.

Sydney, Australia

My first solo adventure was in Sydney three years ago, so I was thrilled to get the chance to revisit the city as a guest of Scoot Airlines and Destination NSW. We climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge, went skydiving in the beautiful coast of Wollongong, and had a fabulous time. Read more about what we did in Sydney.

Tokyo, Japan

The rest of June was spent travelling in Tokyo. I’ve always wanted to visit Tokyo, and my wish finally came true. Tokyo is an amazing city, and I’d strongly urge you to go there for a holiday. I am already dreaming of another trip there next year. And maybe Osaka too?

Genting, Malaysia

In July, I went back to Genting again. This time, I had the pleasure of leading a food tour there and we had so much fun eating and making new friends.

Gold Coast, Australia

Towards the end of July, I scooted off to Gold Coast as a guest of Scoot Airlines and Tourism Queensland.

Besides the gorgeous beaches, Gold Coast has a lot to offer. From taking a day trip to the beautiful Hinterland, chasing after whales and dolphins on a cruise, to going on the hot air balloon – there are plenty to do in Gold Coast.

If you are heading there for a holiday, check out my guides on Things to do in Gold Coast, and Where to eat in Gold Coast.

Bangkok, Thailand

In August, I went Bangkok twice. I know it sounds crazy, but hey, I could not say no to cheap massages, good shopping, and yummy Thai food. I stayed at both Sofitel properties in Bangkok, and I particularly enjoyed the experience at Sofitel So Bangkok.

For those of you who are new to Bangkok, read: Bangkok Shopping Guide, and 10 Cafes to visit in Bangkok.

Phuket, Thailand

A week after my trip to The Land of Smiles, it was off to Phuket. We stayed in the Kata beach area, and it was a rejuvenating getaway. I can’t wait to visit Phuket again, definitely going back again next year.

Bintan, Indonesia

Before flying to Europe, the kind folks from Bintan Lagoon invited us for a short stay. All I can say is it is a beautiful place and everyone should go there for a weekend getaway.

Vevey, Switzerland

Another highlight this year was my journey to visiting Nestle’s headquarters in Switzerland. Not only did we visit the headquarters, we also explored Vevey (a quaint little town by the Lake Geneva), visited the cheese factory, took a tour in Nestle Cailler chocolate factory, tasted Swiss cuisine, and enjoyed the magnificent scenery.

Nice, France

After the Nestle media trip ended, I flew to Nice, a gorgeous city located in the south east coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea. Needless to say, it was a great fun, and I enjoyed it as much as my stay in Lyon last year.

Monaco

From Nice, I went for a day trip to Monaco. It is really fascinating to see how a small sovereign city state like Monaco – it is the second smallest country in the world, with an area of 1.98 km square and a population of 36,371 – can survive on its own.

It was relatively easy to explore Monaco and the famous Monte Carlo, and I also went to the Jardin Exotique – one of Monaco’s finest tourist attractions – and took a stroll through Monaco-Ville to see the Prince’s Palace.

Rome, Italy

Like what they always say, all roads lead to Rome. I am so glad that I chose to visit the eternal city. We spent our time wondering around the city, and it was amazing to be able to see the Colosseum. We also visited the other famous attractions such as the Pantheon, and the Roman Forum.

To quote my partner: “Rome was too beautiful, and nothing can articulate its beauty. Even pictures are just mere pictures that do not bring enough justice. I could start dreaming all over again, but it would never end…”

Vatican City, Italy

And of course, no one can leave Rome without going to the Vatican City – the smallest state in the world. We went there in the late afternoon and the queue was not as long as we thought it would be. I finally ticked off Vatican City from my bucket list.

Pisa, Italy

Moving North, we took a train and arrived in Pisa. Of course, we were there for the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa that is known worldwide for its unintended tilt to one side. Another place off the bucket list!

Florence, Italy

Florence is the capital city of the Tuscany region, and it is famous for its history, culture Renaissance art, architecture and monuments, and shopping. No one goes to Florence without checking out the factory outlet stores.

The Mall is an exclusive outlet destination for luxury goods at a fraction of its original prices. Situated at the outskirt of Florence and at an unassuming enclave in the green Tuscan hills, a day at The Mall is a promising experience. The air in the open is fresh and crisp, the boundless skies are blue and calming, the surrounding is a humble and quiet neighbourhood. We spent an entire afternoon there – shopping (well, needless to say), indulging in a mid-day snack, and to simply bask in the serenity of the countryside.

Venice, Italy

After our shopping trip in Florence, we went to Venice – the most beautiful and romantic place on Earth. Like Paris, Venice has this magical feel in the air that no words can describe. Strolling along the Grand Canal, feeding pigeons at Piazza San Marco, and wandering into the alleys without a map. Everyone should visit Venice at least once in their lives.

Milan, Italy

Milan, the fashion capital of the world, was also on our itinerary. Being a glutton, I wanted to try authentic Milanese cuisine, and I managed to track down La Trattoria Milanese (Via Santa Marta 11 Milan) where we sampled Risotto alla Milanese with Ossobucco, and Veal Cotoletta Milanese – two of the signature Milanese food. It was one of the best meals that I’ve had in 2012.

Prague, Czech Republic

Exploring Prague — the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic — in -5 degree Celsius was another experience that I will never forget. Prague is another city that I’ve always wanted to visit, and I am so happy that I finally went there. It was a fitting finale to my Europe adventure.

Hong Kong

At the start of November, just a few days after my Europe tour, I flew to Hong Kong for a week. Besides shopping and catching up with friends, I was on a quest to eat at all the places on my to-go list. I checked out the locals’ favourite Cha Chaan Teng, hip and trendy cafes and coffee places, and Michelin Star Restaurants.

Macau

The last trip of the year was in Macau, where we spent a weekend eating Portuguese egg tarts, hopping from casino to casino, and visiting the famous Ruins of St Paul’s.

2013

The past year has been nothing short of amazing, and I am really looking forward to 2013. I will be visiting Taiwan (Taipei, Tainan and Kaohsiung) next week, and Taichung in April. Also, I will most likely be making my annual trips to Bangkok, Bali, Phuket, and Hong Kong. Some of the places on my to-go list include Seoul, Shanghai, Melbourne, Maldives, London, Osaka, as well as beach getaways in Southeast Asia – but nothing has been firmed up as yet, so we will see how it goes.

I will continue to travel and introduce more places to you. Thank you for the support, and I just want to end off with this quote: “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

Travelling opens my eyes to the world out there and it allows me to understand more things so that I can better understand myself. I hope that you will make plans to travel more in the upcoming year. Life is short, there’s really no excuse not to travel and see the world.

One of the highlights of my recent Sydney trip was climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. During the climb, I had the chance to see the city in a different light while thinking about life.

Here are 5 life lessons learned from climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

1. You only live once. Live for the moment.

If you don’t climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge now, when are you going to get the chance again? You only live once, don’t live to regret things.

2. The view is great on top, but you need to work hard to get there.

When you get to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the view is beyond amazing. I never knew Sydney could be so beautiful, and I think it is partly because I worked hard to climb my way to the top. The same applies for everything else in life. If you want something, you need to work hard for it.

3. Sometimes when you are scared, the only way is to move forward.

If you’ve climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge in a group before, you would know that it is not quite possible to stop, and even if you are scared of heights, the only way is to move forward.

Always push yourself to move forward, to break

Photos credit: Dawn Yang

4. Good things always come at a price.

Let’s just face it: nothing in this world is free. You want to see the spectacular view from the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge? Sure, pay A$218 for it. In life, good things always come at a price.

5. Life is a journey, not a destination.

This quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson says it all. Sometimes we are too focused on the destination, that we forget to enjoy the journey. Don’t be too anxious to get to the top, learn to enjoy the process. Life is a journey.

If you are planning a trip down-under, read my post about my adventure in Sydney

Words by The Little Teochew, photos by ladyironchef.

I think Audrey Hepburn said it best in Sabrina – “Paris is always a good idea.” Ah, the city of lights, of love and all things lyrical – what’s not to like? Beautiful cities are aplenty, but Paris has a certain je ne sais quoi that draws you in, keeps you enthralled and makes you yearn for more. Little wonder that it constantly tops the list of “Most Visited Cities in the World”. Instead of sharing the well-grooved tourist tracks we visited (which a gazillion other people have already done), we thought it would be better to give you a tongue-in-cheek take on how to enjoy Paris.

Here are 5 life lessons learned from travelling in Paris.

1. Bring money, lots of it.

A Parisian holiday doesn’t exactly come cheap. Of course you can still enjoy this beautiful city on a shoestring – which I did as a poor student, and which I am thankfully not anymore – but if you want to eat and stay reasonably well, keep your pockets padded.

At the time when we were there, the exchange rate was €1 to S$1.76 and expenses certainly added up very quickly. Here’s a glimpse: accommodation in a centrally located 3-star hotel costs roughly €180 per night. An average 2-course lunch at a brasserie would minimally set you back between €15-€17 per head… but being foodies, we usually opted for 3-courses. A cup of vin chaud along Avenue des Champs-Élysées, €3. A mini entremet at a random patissiere when the sweet tooth strikes, €7. Throw in a few pains au chocolat, croissants, macarons and tartes peppered throughout the day, and you get the idea. Did I mention we’re foodies?

Of course, when big ticket temptations abound in the form of luxury goods – think Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermes – the figure instantly balloons. But hey, with a 12% refund on VAT, it makes perfect sense to get that bag or wallet you have been eyeing.

Add that all up in Euros and cents, and you get The. Time. Of. Your. Life. After all, what is a vacation if you are scrimping, saving and counting? Do that before the trip, but while in Paris, indulge. Money can always be earned, but happy memories stay with you for years to come. And from what I hear, so do Chanel bags.

2. Forget water, drink wine.

You’re in Paris! Wine here is abundant, good and cheap – even cheaper than water. This is where a glass costs €3 to €4 at a brasserie, and for the same price, can get you an entire bottle at the local Carrefour supermarket. If you are new to wine, now’s a great time to get acquainted. And if you already love wine, welcome to heaven. Each time I perused a wine list, I wish I lived here; each time I walked along the aisles of the wine section, I didn’t want to leave. We had wine everyday, at every meal, after every meal –  you get the picture. So, drop the Evian and pop the bubbly. À votre santé!

3. Dress chic, especially if you are a woman.

One of the things you would notice quite immediately in Paris, is how slim and fashionable the women are. They all come in one size – small; and in one look – chic. They may wear very little make-up and/or dress simply, but they always look impeccable and stylish. You know how people always advise tourists to dress down in order to avoid unwanted attention? Not here. This is where you dress up to blend in with the crowd. Paris is not one of the world’s fashion capitals for nothing, so go all out and embrace its style. Look Parisian, feel Parisian.

4. Eat as you go.

You are in culinary mecca, so ditch that diet, please. We did not have a fixed itinerary, which made every meal an adventure, and we literally ate as we ambled along. In the process, we discovered many gems – from the humble but delicious Nutella crepe at a nondescript traiteur, to the stellar moules marinière at La Dorade Royale. All wonderful! And who can forget that morning we strolled past Les Gourmandises d’Eiffel? Its dazzling display of breads and pastries beckoned us in, and we ended up eating the most sublime tarte au citron. EVER. I mean, nothing else even comes close.

In fact, we did not encounter bad food in Paris. Not once. Either we had amazing luck in choosing the right places or we were simply surrounded by good food. I would like to think the latter, so eat whatever comes your way. Bon appetit!

5. Keep an open mind.

Much has been said about Parisian hospitality, or lack thereof. Someone I know just returned from Paris and lamented that she was met with churlishness everywhere. I do not doubt her words – they are after all her personal experiences – but I found it hard to empathise. Throughout our stay, we never felt unwelcomed or ignored. Sure, there were a few instances when the reception were a tad icy, or waiting times that were a little stretched, but they never bordered on ugly. Perhaps it was the bonjour and merci that always got us the assistance or service we needed, oftentimes with a smile.

Rude? Or misunderstood? Experiences will vary, but it always helps to keep expectations in check … and it sure doesn’t hurt to throw in a friendly French word or two.

This guest post is brought to you by The Little Teochew (or as you’d say in French – La Petite Teochew).