aspietravels

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Salt making process inside a hut in Pasuquin and Burgos, Ilocos Norte using rice husks and coconut husks to evaporate seawater
Asia

Ilocos Norte Tourist Spots: Heritage Salt Making

I stepped inside a working salt hut in Burgos, producing Pasuquin-style salt, and saw how locals turn seawater into salt using heat, husks, and a method I had never seen before.

jet fuel truck refuelling aircraft with Jet A1 at airport
Aviation Insights

Jet Fuel Shortage Explained for Travellers

The jet fuel shortage is affecting global aviation supply chains, driven by refining limits and disrupted logistics rather than a lack of oil.

Daiki Suisan kaiten sushi restaurant at Kyoto Tower Sando food hall in Kyoto
Asia

Kyoto Conveyor Belt Sushi at Kyoto Tower Sando Food Hall

I tried conveyor belt sushi at Kyoto Tower Sando Food Hall, in the basement below the hotel and famous tower, a short walk from Kyoto Station. At Daiki Suisan, I waited for a seat at the conveyor bar and filmed the experience.

Stubble & Co crossbody travel sling bag worn across chest during travel review
Lifestyle & Travel Gear

Review of Stubble and Co Crossbody Sling

I tested the Stubble and Co crossbody sling across travel, biking, and everyday use to find out what fits inside, how comfortable it feels, and

Top view of Stubble and Co backpack inside the box during unboxing with protective packaging
Lifestyle & Travel Gear

My Honest Stubble and Co Hybrid Backpack 30L Review

I tested the Stubble and Co Hybrid Backpack 30L on work trips and short travel to see how it packs, carries, and holds up in real use. This review covers first impressions, carry on sizing, capacity, laptop access, organisation, and comfort when fully loaded, with a full packing list and FAQs.

Main entrance of the Pomme d'Or Hotel in St Helier, Jersey, illuminated at night with the hotel signage clearly visible.
Channel Islands

Pomme d’Or Hotel, St Helier’s Remarkable History

At the heart of Liberation Square in St Helier, the Pomme d’Or Hotel holds a central place in Jersey’s Occupation history. Seized by German forces between 1940 and 1945, it served as the island’s naval headquarters. Today, the famous façade and discreet interior displays connect visitors with that wartime past.

Clear acetate rectangle glasses frames with a bold, modern design
Lifestyle & Travel Gear

Unique Funky Glasses Frames That Look Cool

Finding unique funky glasses frames that feel intentional rather than gimmicky is easier than most people expect, especially when you know what to look for.

View of St Helier Harbour from the summit of Mount Bingham in Jersey, showing waterfront, marina, and coastline under bright sunlight.
Channel Islands

Summiting Mount Bingham

Mount Bingham in Jersey looks like a quiet grassy hill, but its summit hides a German WWII artillery site and views that reveal its strategic importance over St Helier.

St Catherines Bunker Jersey entrance carved into cliff face at St Catherines Bay with bunker open sign
Channel Islands

Visiting St Catherine’s Bunker Jersey

St Catherine’s Bunker Jersey offers WW2 German tunnels, gun posts and preserved wartime rooms inside the cliffs at St Catherine’s Bay.

Exterior of a preserved German bunker at the Channel Islands Military Museum in St Ouen’s Bay, Jersey
Channel Islands

Visiting The Channel Islands Military Museum

I visited the Channel Islands Military Museum to see how its private collection of original relics tells the story of Jersey’s German occupation and how

Entrance to the Jersey War Tunnels, showing the white arched portal with a red cross built into the hillside.
Channel Islands

What To Expect At Jersey War Tunnels

I visited the Jersey War Tunnels to understand what this former German underground hospital really was and what visitors should expect today.

Artist-designed lounge and bar area inside the BnA Wall Art Hotel in Tokyo
Asia

BnA Wall Art Hotel Tokyo | A One-of-a-Kind Art Stay

I stayed at the BnA Wall Art Hotel in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, while searching for a genuinely unique and quirky place to stay. Part hotel and part immersive art space, each artist-designed room feels intentional and unconventional. This is not a standard Tokyo hotel stay, but an experience built around creativity, design, and originality.

Welcome to Scotland sign with Scottish flags at the England Scotland border layby on the A1.
England

England and Scotland Border Layby on the A1

I stopped at the England and Scotland border layby on the A1 to photograph the flags and welcome signs that mark the historic crossing between the two constituent countries.

Tanfield Railway platform and track view at one of the stations on the worlds oldest railway
England

Visiting Tanfield: The World’s Oldest Railway

I visited the Tanfield Railway in County Durham, widely recognised as the worlds oldest railway, and explored its origins as an early coal wagonway built long before passenger rail travel.

Angel of the North sculpture in Gateshead viewed from behind, showing the steel wings and exposed hilltop setting
England

Angel of the North in Gateshead

Antony Gormley’s Angel of the North stands beside the A1(M) in Gateshead on the former site of Team Colliery. This guide covers its history, setting, accessibility, parking, and what you notice when standing beneath the sculpture.

Exterior of Holiday Inn Newcastle South at Boldon Business Park with Holiday Inn by IHG signage
England

Holiday Inn Newcastle South Review

I stayed at the Holiday Inn Newcastle South, formerly the Clarion Hotel, and share my experience of the refurbished rooms, free parking, leisure club with pool, gym and sauna, plus dining and IHG elite benefits at this Boldon Business Park hotel near Newcastle.

Stubble Co Rolltop review featured image showing front and back views of the orange 20L rolltop backpack
Lifestyle & Travel Gear

Stubble and Co Rolltop Review

A real-world Stubble Co Rolltop review focused on daily office commuting, comfort under load, waterproof performance, and carrying a laptop with confidence.

River swimming area with shaded seating in a tropical setting, highlighting the importance of how to stay hydrated while travelling in hot climates
Lifestyle & Travel Gear

How to Stay Hydrated While Travelling

Staying hydrated affects everything from comfort to energy and sleep. I explain how this simple product can support flying, clean eating and low carb lifestyles.

Close-up of a Philippine tarsier sitting on a branch at Bohol Tarsier Conservation Area surrounded by green leaves
Asia

Visiting Bohol Tarsier Conservation Area

My visit to the Bohol Tarsier Conservation Area in Bohol, Philippines, shows what to expect on the silent trails and explains why the Philippine tarsier is a prosimian primate, not a monkey.

No1 Lounges logo on a dark background
Airport Lounges

No1 Lounges Offers and UK Lounge Locations

Find the latest No1 Lounges offers, from 10 percent off your first visit to 15 percent off Winter offers at selected UK lounge locations.

Stubble&Co Tech Bag in Urban Green resting on a MacBook Pro with warm desk lighting.
Lifestyle & Travel Gear

The Stubble&Co Tech Bag Review

I tested the Stubble&Co Tech Bag to see if it solved the issues I had with my old tech kit. The waterproof materials, pocket layout and flexibility make it a reliable upgrade.

View of the Atomic Bomb Dome from across the Motoyasu River in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
Asia

Visiting the Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima

The Atomic Bomb Dome in Hiroshima stands at the heart of the Peace Memorial Park and is one of Japan’s most important historic sites. This post explores its significance and the surrounding memorial spaces.

A pair of clay-covered hands shaping a round pot on a pottery wheel in a workshop.
Asia

My Visit to RG Jar Factory in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, Philippines

I visited the RG Jar Factory in Vigan City and experienced traditional pottery at one of the last surviving jar factories in Pagburnayan. I tried the wheel myself, explored the handmade clay pieces, and discovered why this workshop remains a cultural highlight in Ilocos Sur.

Calle Crisologo in Vigan City with Spanish colonial houses and kalesas along a cobblestone street.
Asia

Historic Vigan City: My Visit to Ilocos Sur’s Heritage Capital

I explored Historic Vigan City and its Spanish-era streets, plazas, churches, and trading heritage. This guide shares my experience of Ilocos Sur’s cultural capital and what makes it such a unique destination in the Philippines.

Interior view of Sukhothai Harrogate showing the main restaurant decor.
England

Dining at Sukhothai Restaurant – Harrogate

A personal and honest review of Sukhothai Harrogate after several visits, covering the dishes I ordered, service, menu layout, and overall experience.

Freddie Gilroy sculpture on North Bay Scarborough seafront at sunrise, with an added person for scale looking out over the ocean.
England

Freddie Gilroy Sculpture on Scarborough Seafront

The Freddie Gilroy sculpture on Scarborough seafront, officially titled Freddie Gilroy and the Belsen Stragglers, stands at North Bay in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. This powerful coastal artwork is a striking landmark and a moving tribute that adds historical depth to a walk along the seafront.

Shinkansen bullet train with Mount Fuji in the background, text Japan Rail Pass Guide, tagline Your ultimate Japan Rail Pass guide, and Aspie Travels logo.
Asia

An Aspie’s Guide to Japan Rail Pass

A practical guide to the Japan Rail Pass, with clear advice on train travel, seat reservations, and navigating Japan’s rail system from an Aspie perspective.

Airline Reviews

Emirates Business Class review: Manchester to Dubai

This Emirates Business Class meal review takes you on a gastronomic journey from Manchester to Dubai, starting in the Emirates Lounge at Manchester Airport Terminal 1. I share what the dining experience is like in the lounge and onboard, and whether it lives up to expectations.

riekonlinna-hotel-saariselka-lapland
Bucket List

The Northern Lights, Saariselkä, Inari, Finland.

Finnish Lapland is a fantastic, autism-friendly winter destination for witnessing the mesmerizing Aurora Borealis. In Saariselka and Inari, I experienced the Northern Lights in a calm, remote setting close to the North Pole, making it one of the most accessible and unforgettable places to see this natural phenomenon.

internal view of the cloister garden of san agustin church, intramuros, manila
Asia

Exploring Intramuros: Manila’s Historic Walled City

Intramuros is Manila’s historic walled city and one of the best places to explore the Philippines’ Spanish colonial past. Walking through its cobbled streets, historic churches, and old fortifications offers a fascinating and essential experience on any visit to Manila.

This shows a view from the Rathausplatz looking down a cobbled street towards the Old Town, Riga, Latvia.
Latvia

48 Hours in Riga: Exploring the Best of Latvia’s Capital City

Spending 48 hours in Riga is the perfect way to experience Latvia’s vibrant capital, from cobblestone streets and striking architecture to its rich cultural heritage. This guide shows how to make the most of a short visit while exploring the very best of Riga.

the pink building on suomenlinna island
Finland

Suomenlinna Island, Helsinki, Finland: A UNESCO World Heritage Hidden Gem.

UNESCO Suomenlinna Island may sit in the heart of Helsinki, but it feels like a peaceful oasis from the moment you arrive. Exploring this historic sea fortress reveals a unique mix of rich history, open green spaces, and calm landscapes, making it an ideal escape from the busy city.

airalo-logo-horizontal-dark
eSIM Reviews

Airalo eSim Review: How to Save on Roaming Charges?

In this Airalo eSIM review, I explain how I saved money on roaming charges while travelling abroad. I cover how Airalo works, where it is useful, and whether it is a reliable option for staying connected without expensive mobile data fees.

Special Story

The Story of borobudur temple.

What You Might Haven’t Known about Borobudur Temple in Indonesia

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