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Is the Colosseum Underground Tour Worth it? My Honest Review
Visiting the Colosseum is one of the top things to do in Rome, if you really want to experience the Colosseum on another level, the Colosseum underground tour brings you on a personal level with the gladiators that fell or stood champion at the arena. On my trip to Rome, it was a no brainer that I wanted to visit the Colosseum but I felt the tour wouldn’t be complete without exploring the underground portion beneath the sands of the arena. If you are wondering, “Is the Colosseum Underground Tour even worth it?” My short answer is yes! The underground portion offers access to restricted areas and smaller groups. In this post, I’ll share my honest Underground tour review, what to expect, and why I believe it’s absolutely worth booking this tour in advance. ** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, whether it be Viator, Booking.com, Agoda, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Rome’s Colosseum Rome’s most popular attraction and perhaps one of the world’s most known historical sites, is the mighty Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre. Rome’s Colosseum was completed in 80 AD under Emperor Titus, although construction began earlier under his father, Emperor Vespasian. The Colosseum was built next to the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. It was built as a grand symbol to show power and provide entertainment, such as gladiator contests, wild animal hunts, and even public executions. According to information learned while visiting the Colosseum, the original height of the Colosseum was 52 meters and was built out of travertine blocks. The interior of the Colosseum consists of 80 entrances, 76 were for the spectators and 4 were reserved for the Emperor and other ranking authorities. The arena itself was a wooden platform that was covered in sand. The Colosseum could hold anywhere from 40,000 to 70,000 spectators. Throughout history the usage of the Colosseum changed. In the 6th century it was under the property of the Ecclesiastical Institutions. Portions or rooms of the Colosseum were used as warehouses or purposed for other needs. If you look at the Colosseum today, you’ll notice it’s not perfectly symmetrical anymore and portions of it lie in ruins. This is due to damage done by earthquakes and it’s materials being removed to use elsewhere. What is the Colosseum Underground Tour? The Colosseum Underground Tour is a guided experience that gives visitors exclusive access to the restricted area beneath the arena floor of the Colosseum. Unlike the standard Colosseum ticket, the underground tour allows you to explore the hypogeum. The hypogeum is the underground network of tunnels, chambers, and passageways where gladiators awaited their brutal battles and wild animals were held before entering the arena. The underground portion is not open to general admission ticket holders, so booking a guided Colosseum underground tour is the only way to see this must visit attraction. The underground tours typically also include access to the arena floor, multiple levels of the Colosseum, and even the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. In my opinion, it’s highly recommended and you get so much more out of your Colosseum visit. Booking the Underground Tour Booking a Colosseum Underground Tour is actually kind of frustrating if you are trying to book through the Archeologico Del Colosseo website. The Archeologico Del Colosseo is the official website and they offer the perfect Full Experience – Underground and Arena tour for €32. It includes admission to the Colosseum, Underground Levels, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and all other Exhibits. The problem is, it’s almost impossible to get tickets through the website. Unless you are refreshing the page when they open for that day at lightning speeds, you’ll miss out. I did everything right, and still couldn’t get a ticket. I searched online hoping that I could at least get a tour booked through Get Your Guide and thankfully, I was able to book this Roman Forum and Colosseum Underground Exclusive Tour. The tour is more expensive then booking through the official website, but it guaranteed me a ticket to the underground portion of the Colosseum. Not only did I have access to the underground, but the tour included a guided tour of the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and access to the Colosseum where we could explore on our own once the tour concluded. 👉 Don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit the Colosseum Underground, check availability here. My Experience: What It’s Like Beneath the Arena After taking the underground Colosseum tour, I am glad I was able to get access to the underground portion of the arena. I feel like general tickets to the Colosseum just are not complete without seeing the underground. For me, I am obsessed with the show Spartacus, so I was able to imagine Gladiators awaiting their turn beneath the arena, and being there in person was surreal. I could almost hear the crowds from the arena! The Colosseum is busy, so right when you enter, you feel like overwhelmed and honestly tired of people. But as soon as our guide led us down into the hypogeum, the atmosphere shifted. The underground was much quieter and felt more intimate. We watched a brief film about the underground which explained the Ludus Magnus and how gladiators would walk from there through a tunnel to the Colosseum. A Ludus is a gladiator training school and Ludus Magnus was the largest in the Republic. While touring the Colosseum’s underground we walked on boardwalks throughout the network of passage ways, tunnels, and entered rooms passing by stone corridors, reconstructed wooden lifts, and holding areas where gladiators waited. Instead of being a spectator in the crowd, I saw the arena through the eyes of a gladiator. The underground provided a lot more information then I would have gathered had I just done the general admission. I learned about artifacts found in the drain systems, that she light on the life of the spectators. Archaeologists found evidence of women weaving during the spectacles or men playing board games with dice. Fans also got board and would carve drawings in their seats. There are even displays of actual graffiti carved into the seat on display. We learned more about the hunts that would take place in the arena. It seems like the movies glorified the Beast vs. Man combat. In fact, most animals in the arena were slaughtered during wild animal hunts. Sometimes tens of thousands of animals were slaughtered at the arena in a single day. They found evidence of bones to suggest this. After getting a chance to explore the Colosseum’s underground, we then made our way to the arena floor. From this vantage point, looking up at the towering walls of the Colosseum, it was crazy to grasp the true scale of the Colosseum. The Colosseum Underground Tours include smaller group sizes, so the whole time, I was able to hear the guide, ask questions, and take photos without feeling rushed. The Colosseum Underground Tour truly felt like an exclusive tour and I wouldn’t book a tour to the Colosseum any other way. Why the Underground Tour is Worth it If you are debating booking the general access Colosseum tour or the package that includes the underground tour, I’ve outlined a few reasons why I think spending the extra money on the underground tour is genuinely worth it. ✅ Exclusive Access That You Can’t Get with General AdmissionThe underground portion of the Colosseum is closed to those that have general admission. The only way to see beneath the arena is by booking a Colosseum Underground Tour. ✅ There is More Information You Don’t Read About on the Upper LevelsI Found there was quite a bit of additional information I learned about the Colosseum that I didn’t read when touring the Arena. ✅ Arena Floor AccessYou get to stand on the arena floor from a different perspective then others with a general admission ticket. ✅ Smaller Groups = Better ExperienceCompared to the crowded general areas, the underground tour felt more intimate and structured. The guide was easy to understand, I was able to ask questions, and take photos at my leisure. ✅ Skip-the-Line EntryIn Rome, any skip-the-line entry is a huge time saver. Rome is one of the world’s most visited cities and the Colosseum is one of the most popular attractions in the world. We avoided all long queues and had more time to explore the arena. ✅ The History Felt RealI stated earlier, I am a huge Spartacus (tv show) fan and being in the same space where gladiators once stood was a remarkable experience. I felt the crowds in the arena saw the dark passage ways, the same ones famous gladiators walked through. Know Before You Go! ✅ You Might Need to Buy Tickets Through Third-Party SitesI found it impossible to book tickets through the Archeologico Del Colosseo website. Instead, I had luck booking this Roman Forum and Colosseum Underground Exclusive Tour through Get Your Guide. ✅ Book in AdvanceColosseum Underground Tickets are limited each day. Tours often sell out days, weeks, even months in advance. ✅ Arrive EarlyEven if you have a tour, there is still security screenings you need to go through to access the inside of the Colosseum. Plus it can be confusing navigating to the meeting spot, especially since it can be so crowded. ✅ Wear Appropriate Shoes and ClothingWhen visiting the Colosseum and Rome in general, there is a lot of walking involved. The underground of the Colosseum does include uneven stone floors and historic walkways. There are stairs throughout the arena as well. ✅ Photos are AllowedTake as many photos as you want of the Colosseum. Photos are also allowed during the underground tour. ✅ Bring Your IDNames on the tickets are checked against identification. Our tour specifically told us to bring our passports because of this and yes, we did need to show our identification. Conclusion One of the main reasons I visited Rome was to see the Colosseum. For me, if you are traveling all the way to Rome, upgrading to the Colosseum Underground Tour is absolutely worth it. Tickets are limited each day and sell out very fast. Make sure to book your tour well in advance. I hope this post helped sway you in the right direction of booking an underground Colosseum tour. If you’ve been on the tour or plan on doing it, let me know! Safe travels! Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Plan Your Trip: 🗺 ✈️ 🇮🇹 Booking Accommodations ⛺️ 🛖 For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours 🏖 🚁 Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options. In need of a car rental? 🚗 🚘 I recommend checking with Rental Cars.
AirAsia Review: My Honest Experience Flying Asia’s Budget Airline
AirAsia is one of the most popular budget airlines to fly throughout Asia. AirAsia is known for its low fares and extensive network across Southeast Asia and beyond. After flying AirAsia on multiple routes around Southeast Asia, I want to share my honest AirAsia review covering everything from online booking to expectations. If you are planning your trip around Asia and wondering what it’s like flying AirAsia or if it’s even worth it, I hope my AirAsia review proves to be useful! Safe Travels! ** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, whether it be Viator, Booking.com, Agoda, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! ** As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Summary About AirAsia: AirAsia is a low-budget multinational airline that was established in Malaysia. Today, AirAsia serves flights to more then 160 cities covering 25 countries. AirAsia is a certified 3-Star Airline. Why Fly AirAsia: Ultra-Low Fares Across Asia Extensive Route Network Customizable Fare Options In need of travel accessories for the long flight or layover? I shop on Amazon, from phone holders to travel bags, you can find everything here. About AirAsia AirAsia is one of Asia’s most well-known and popular low-cost airlines. AirAsia is famous for making air travel affordable cross Southeast Asia, hence their slogan, “Now Everyone Can Fly.” AirAsia was founded in 1993 in Malaysia. During the 1990’s, AirAsia had a rocky start and nearly went bankrupt. It was kind of rebranded in 2001 to a low-cost carrier inspired by other budget airlines like Southwest Airlines. Since 2001, AirAsia has achieved great success and now operates an extensive network connecting major cities and smaller regional destinations n countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and even Australia. Currently AirAsia operates using Airbus, primarily the Airbus A320-200, Airbus A320neo, and Airbus A321neo. “neo” means “New Engine Option.” When flying AirAsia, expect a budget airline, no frills model. Fares are on the cheaper side because there are add-ons such as checked baggage, seat selection, and optional meals. AirAsia’s branding is noticed by its bright red colors, country flags, and regional interiors. AirAsia is a popular choice for budget-conscious travelers that are looking for flexible routes, great prices, and reliable/safe short to medium-haul flights. AirAsia is a 3-Star Low-Cost Airline According to Skytrax, AirAsia is a 3-Star low-cost airline. This rating is based on Airport services, onboard products, and cabin staff services. The ratings also take into account, cabin comfort, onboard meal services, cleanliness, and safety. For low-cost airlines, I trust a 3-Star rating as most of them generally fall under this rating. From my experiences flying AirAsia, I have no complaints. My AirAsia Review My AirAsia review is solely based on my personal experience flying with this carrier. My experiences flying AirAsia include a flight from Taiwan to Kota Kinabalu, flights within Malaysia Borneo, I’ve flown AirAsia from Okinawa, Japan to Bangkok, Thailand, and I’ve flown to and from Thailand and Cambodia. In my AirAsia review, I’ll go over my experiences with booking tickets online, check-in at various airports, and then the overall aircraft experience from comfort of the seats to the food served on-board and everything in between. The Aircraft and Flying with AirAsia Above, I listed the fleet of AirAsia and it’s current fleet operates primarily the Airbus A320 neo and A321 neo, neo meaning “New Engine Option.” So far each AirAsia flight I have been on has a seating configuration of 3 seats on each side. For short distances, I find AirAsia to be great. Now, I don’t think I would take a flight more then 5 hours just based on comfort. Keep in mind that AirAsia is a low-cost carrier. Don’t expect first-class service or anything like that. If you are realistic and know what to expect, then the flight will be well worth the money of just getting you to your destination. Booking Flights Online Now a days, I always book my flight tickets directly through the airline official website. You can find AirAsia’s website here. Booking flights with AirAsia is like any other airline. You select one-way or roundtrip, the amount of passengers, and then the departing city and destination. I find AirAsia’s website to be pretty user friendly. Once you enter in your flights, you fill in all the required fields and then have an option to select Add-Ons. AirAsia is cheap enough, I usually get the Premium Flex or Value Pack, this allows me to order food, select my owns seats, and have a little more flexibility with my purchasing options. Check-in AirAsia check-in experiences vary depending on the airport you are in. I’ve flown them in and out of Naha Airport, Taoyuan Airport, Don Mueang International Airport, Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, and Kota Kinabalu International Airport. I’ve never had an issue with check-in no matter what airport I am flying to and from. The lines are pretty quick, staff is professional, and the process is easy. Seating In my experience flying AirAsia, every aircraft I have flown has a 3-3 configuration, meaning there are three seats on each side of the aircraft. The seats are wide enough and have just enough cushion for a maximum five hour flight, at least for me. If you have flown a budget airline, you’ll known exactly what to expect in terms of seat comfort. The width is around 40-46 cm (16-18 inches). Legroom is around 73-79cm (28-31 inches). When it comes to reclining your seats on AirAsia, they do recline a bit, but don’t expect a full recline like on long-haul flights. There is no built-in entertainment screen or USB ports, especially on short flights. Always make sure to charge your electronic devices and bring your own entertainment. Personally, I don’t mind the basics, especially if it means I am saving money in other aspects of my flight. The flights I’ve taken with AirAsia are short enough where I don’t need entertainment or fully reclining chairs. Food and Beverages AirAsia does offer food and beverages. When booking your flight, you can opt to choose the Premium Flex or Value Pack and food will be included, you get a decent selection of food options to choose from. You can also pay for food, snacks, and beverages on-board. So far, I’m satisfied with the food and beverages on AirAsia. The food seems to be different depending on your destination. I’ve had Char Kuey Teow, Peri Chicken, Chicken and Rice, Nasi Lemak. The dishes come in small containers, with the main dish, rice, and sometimes another side like vegetables. Keep in mind, some of the food is spicy so double check the spice levels before ordering. If you purchase the Premium Flex or Value Pack, you will get a complimentary water. In-flight Service Being a low-cost carrier, the in-flight service is pretty basic. The staff is attentive and friendly. Just don’t expect customer service that goes above and beyond. Again, expect low-cost carrier service. In-flight service on AirAsia is good, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Questions About AirAsia Is AirAsia safe? Yes, AirAsia is a safe and reliable airline. AirAsia meets all the safety standards and has a seven-star safety rating. Is AirAsia a reliable airline and on time? Based on my experience alone, AirAsia is reliable and I’ve yet to have any major delays or issues. Are AirAsia Tickets refundable?It depend what flight package you decide to go with. Some options only include change or dates/times. Typically you will get a refund if the airline cancels a flight. Is Wi-Fi available onboard? AirAsia does offer Wi-Fi on board on selected flights. There are both free and paid plans. Is AirAsia worth flying?Absolutely! I’ve flown with AirAsia numerous times and plan to in the future depending on where I go. I’ve had no complaints flying with AirAsia and do recommend them, especially if you are looking for cheap fares around Southeast Asia. Don’t Forget These Travel Accessories For those long flights around the world, there are a few accessories that I use that have made flying so much more pleasant. Here are a few of my recommended travel accessories. ✅ Universal Phone Holder (Handsfree phone mount. It can attach to the tray.) ✅ Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds (The AirPods have been my best purchase in a few years. It drowns out sound and the sound quality is excellent.) ✅ Multi-Pocket Sling Bag (A Sling Bag is a game changer for me. I keep all the smaller items that I use during the flight in here and put my backpack in the overhead bin.) ✅ Airplane Bluetooth Adapter (This product is useful for flights that don’t have built in Bluetooth for the entertainment. You can connect your wireless earbuds.) ✅ Cable Organizer (Storage Bag for cords and chargers) Conclusion Overall, AirAsia is a solid choice and I highly recommend flying with them. AirAsia is one of the regions leading low-cost airlines and offers an extensive network, affordable prices, and reliable point-to-point destinations across parts of Asia. Just keep in mind, AirAsia is a low-cost carrier, so don’t set your standards or expectations out of reach. If you can honor that, then you’ll enjoy your flight and experience with AirAsia just as much as I do. Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Plan Your Trip: 🗺 ✈️ 🇲🇾 Booking Accommodations ⛺️ 🛖 For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours 🏖 🚁 Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options. In need of a car rental? 🚗 🚘 I recommend checking with Rental Cars.
Japan Airlines (JAL) Review: My Experience Flying Economy Class
Combining Japanese hospitality and world-class service, Japan Airlines (JAL) is the best airlines, in my opinion. I’ve flown JAL internationally and domestically and can honestly say Japan Airlines is amongst the best airlines in the world. From cleanliness and comfort to in-flight services and customer support, JAL continues to amaze me. I fly economy and want to write this honest Japan Airlines review. This review is solely based on my experiences with JAL both at the airport and while on board their flights. I wrote this post to help other travelers like me, that fly economy just in case you are debating buying that flight ticket with Japan Airlines. ** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, whether it be Viator, Booking.com, Agoda, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! ** As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Summary About Japan Airlines (JAL): Japan Airlines is a 5-Star rated airline based out of Tokyo, Japan. JAL is known for its customer service, modern fleet, and comfortable seating arrangements. This Japan Airlines review is based on my experiences flying with economy. Why Fly Japan Airlines: Modern and a fuel efficient fleet Comfort Great Customer Service In need of travel accessories for the long flight or layover? I shop on Amazon, from phone holders to travel bags, you can find everything here. Japan Airlines Hubs There are two main hubs in Japan for Japan Airlines, Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) and Narita International Airport (NRT). Haneda is a short train ride from central Tokyo and while Narita is located farther out in Chiba Prefecture. Haneda Airport Haneda Airport (HND) serves as one of two hubs for Japan Airlines. Haneda Airport is one of the busiest in Asia and is conveniently located just 30-minutes from central Tokyo. Other then being close to central Tokyo, Haneda Airport is known for its clean facilities, modern terminals, and abundance of places to eat and shop. Both domestic and international JAL flights arrive and depart from Haneda Airport. There is also a JAL Premium Lounge at Haneda Airport. Narita International Airport Narita International Airport (NRT) is the other major hub that serves Japan Airlines. Many long-haul destinations across Europe, North America, and Asia connect through Narita International Airport. Like Haneda, Narita does have Japan Airlines lounges that include dining options. For those that don’t take advantage of the lounge, there are plenty of Japan-related shops, restaurants, and things to do within Narita International Airport. Narita International Airport is not as convenient as Haneda it terms of transport to central Tokyo but it is very doable using the local trains and buses. About Japan Airlines Japan Airlines (JAL) is one of Asia’s leading full-service carriers serving 64 airports within Japan and flying to 68 different countries around the world. Founded in 1951, Japan Airlines has grown to a fleet with 232 aircraft. Their fleet includes top of the line aircraft like the Airbus A350-900, Boeing 777, Boeing 787, and Airbus A321 ceo. Japan Airlines is a member of the Oneworld Alliance partnered with other major airlines like Alaska Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Qantas, and Qatar Airways. Japan Airlines is a 5-Star Airline I pay a lot of attention to Skytrax airline ratings and a 5-Star rating is an incredible achievement. Airlines are ranked by Skytrax based on certain criteria like safety, customer satisfaction, and in-depth audit assessments. Japan Airlines ranks amongst the best airlines in the world and is well deserving of Skytrax certified 5-Star airline rating. Skytrax has Japan Airlines listed as a 5-Star airline based on the quality of the airport and onboarding procedures, and customer service. My Japan Airlines Review Like my China Airlines review, this Japan Airlines review is based solely on my personal experience flying with JAL. I’ve flown Japan Airlines domestically around Japan and Internationally. Based on budget, I only fly economy on Japan Airlines. For my Japan Airlines review, I’ll go over my experiences with topics like customer support, food and drinks on board, and the flight itself. For specific questions regarding the airline or to learn more about Japan Airlines, feel free to visit their website. Check-in Checking in to your Japan Airlines flight is pretty straightforward and honestly not much different then any other airline or flight to check in to. If flying domestically or internationally with JAL, prepare to receive emails for early check in. I always feel early check in is the way to go, it seems to speed up the check in process at the airport. Whether I am in Okinawa, mainland Japan, or the Untied States, checking in to my flight at the check in counter is always quick and easy with JAL. If flying domestically within Japan, you don’t even have to go to the counter, you can check in on a kiosk and even drop off your luggage yourself. Domestic Flights within Japan When flying domestically within Japan, it has to be one of the easiest travel experiences I’ve ever dealt with. There is no checking of passports, going to the check in counter, or staff handling your luggage, at least in Okinawa. If flying domestically, JAL offers flights to 64 different airports and 133 routes meaning you can basically fly Japan Airlines all throughout Japan from the beautiful island of Okinawa to the northern prefectures of Aomori and Hokkaido. I’ve flown several destinations with JAL domestically and some of the domestic aircraft include the: Boeing 767-300, Airbus A350-900, and Airbus A321neo. Flying economy domestically with JAL is kind of a no thrills experience. It’s your standard flight experience with short domestic travel. There generally is no entertainment so bring your own means of entertainment. Food and beverages is available for purchase, but they do offer a drink service with coffee, tea, and water. Japan Transocean Air My Japan Airlines review also covers my experience with flying Japan Transocean Air (JTA). This regional airline is a member of Japan Airlines Group and is based in Okinawa, Japan. JTA connects travelers to many destinations on Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku, and throughout the Ryukyu Islands. Starting 2026, Japan Transocean Air will launch a direct route to Taipei, Taiwan. I flew their “Jimbee Jet” Whale Shark Jet from Naha, Okinawa to Ishigaki, Okinawa. The Jimbee Jet is a fun special painted aircraft, kind of like Skymark’s Pokémon Aircraft. The Jimbee Jet is a Boeing 737-800 and offers the same experience you get with any other Japan Airlines in terms of safety, reliability, comfort, and customer service. International Flights Japan Airlines flies internationally to 68 countries and regions to places like the United States and Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Australia. When it comes to long haul flights, I’ve taken JAL across the Pacific Ocean a few times from Tokyo to the United States and it’s always a comfortable and pleasant journey. On long haul international flights, the JAL crew is always attentive, the seats are spacious, and the food is surprisingly delicious. Seating and Entertainment For international long haul flights, the seating and entertainment on Japan Airlines is of high standard, even in economy. I find their seats to be more comfortable and spacious then other airlines. Entertainment is about the same across other 5-star rated airlines. The seating in Economy Class provides generous legroom with adjustable headrests. I typically pick an aisle seat and have flown on their A350-1000 with three seats per row and have flown on the Boeing 787 with two seats per row on the outside. I prefer the 2-4-2 seating arraignments on airplanes, especially when flying with my significant other. For entertainment, Japan Airlines offers a decent selection of movies, tv shows, games, and music. I wouldn’t say it’s better then other airlines because it’s pretty similar across the board. To check the latest movies and shows on Japan Airlines, you can visit their inflight entertainment webpage. Food & Beverages I can’t write a Japan Airlines review without mentioning the food on board in the economy class. In my opinion, JAL has some of the best airplane food around! Like most long haul flights, you get a dinner and breakfast meal on board. Dinner is usually served an hour or two after takeoff while breakfast is served an hour or two prior to landing. Japan Airlines has some of the freshest food on any airplane I’ve had. The side dishes seem fresh withe a nice mix of salads and fruit. The main course can vary I’ve had everything from Chicken Curry to Hamburg and Rice. Make sure to try their Miso Soup! Japan Airlines does serve alcohol on board. You can find your typical big name Japanese brands like Asahi, Suntory, and Kirin. Bathrooms Onboard Normally, I wouldn’t write a section about bathrooms onboard an airplane but I feel that Japan Airlines bathrooms are worth bringing up. First, the bathrooms on board are kept clean and wiped down by the staff periodically throughout the flight. Each time I flew with Japan Airlines internationally, the toilets have been very spacious, not sure if it’s because I used the handicapped bathroom or not but you can spread your arms in the bathrooms, they are that spacious. The restrooms onboard JAL also include a few Japanese touches like toiletries and a bidet-style toilet. Customer Service I don’t want to keep repeating myself, but Japan Airlines is a 5-Star rated airline and part of that rating is because of their customer service, which includes high standards, amazing staff, and great support. Just to give you an idea of JAL’s customer service I want to include two stories in this Japan Airlines review that blew away my expectations. Flight from Honolulu, Hawaii to Tokyo, Japan I visited the Big Island of Hawaii and when departing Kona International Airport on Hawaiian Airlines to Honolulu. The individual at the check-in counter (working for Hawaiian Airlines) changed something around with our flights and assured us our luggage would make it on the plane. Due to the circumstances she told us, I had my doubts. We were to pick up our luggage in Honolulu as we were transferring from Hawaiian Airlines to JAL. Of course, our luggage never made it. I mentioned it to the staff at Japan Airlines which they had nothing to do with this. They were very apologetic. When arriving back in Tokyo, there was a JAL crew member with our names on a board at baggage claim. The crew member told us they were tracking our luggage and that they would send it to our home address as soon as possible. This made me realize, in the United States, you have to go out of your way to get stuff done. In Japan the employees go out of their way to assist customers. It was an amazing experience. Our luggage was delivered the very next day. Flight from San Diego, California to Tokyo, Japan On a trip from San Diego to Japan, the Japan Airlines flight was delayed in San Diego due to late arrival. I was worried because I landed in Narita but had to make a shuttle to Haneda to catch my flight to Okinawa. Originally, I had a 3-hour layover in Haneda and the shuttle is about an hour. Keep in mind, upon entering Japan, I had to go through customs, pick up my luggage, buy a bus ticket, and navigate through the airport. We were delayed in San Diego over an hour, so I quickly lost hope. I explained the situation to the flight attendants on board my JAL flight and they contacted their ground crew to meet me at the gate. Once we landed, I had less then two hours to make my flight to Haneda. There was a crew member at the gate with my name. They gave me express passes to cut through
Viator Review: My Experiences Using it and Booking Tours
Planning your next vacation and wondering if Viator is worth using? I am writing this Viator review because I book tours through Viator for almost every vacation, from food tours to multi-day tours. In my Viator review, I’ll go over the platform, why I use Viator as my go-to tour booking site, and some of the tours you can expect to find. From easy planning and competitive prices to booking flexibility, I’ll cover it all. I’ve used Viator in Europe and Asia and want to share my honest opinion on using Viator as a guide to book tours and trips. **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! About Viator Viator is a TripAdvisor Company and top-rated platform that is used for booking tours, activities, and purchasing tickets in most countries around the world. Viator has a huge selection of exciting experiences, personal user reviews, and competitive prices. Simply log onto Viator, select your destination, dates, and view all the fun and exciting tours and excursions. I always recommend reading the overview, check out what’s included in the tour, meeting points (many tours pickup at hotel), view the detailed itinerary, and read some of the recent reviews. When you are ready to book through Viator, just check the availability and make your purchase. What Kinds of Activities does Viator Offer Viator offers a wide range of tours, excursions, tickets, and even transportation. I’ve used Viator to book food tours in Singapore and Malaysia, day trips to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, and booked a multiday tour in Mongolia. In my Viator review, I’ll go over some of the types of tours and excursions you can expect to find on the platform. The list below are just a handful of what Viator offers and the examples are all trips I’ve personally done. Food & Drink Viator offers top-rated food and drink tours that immerse travelers in authentic experiences around the world. Here are a few of the Food Tours that I have personally booked through Viator and absolutely loved: ✅ Singapore Street Food Tour with a Local✅ The Original Cebu City Historical and Food Walking Tour✅ Bangkok Backstreets Food Tour✅ Small Group Hanoi Street Food Tour with a Real Foodie Tickets & Passes You can also find Tickets and Passes through Viator. From skip-the-line access to iconic places to VIP day passes to theme parks. Here are a few of examples of Tickets and Passes that I booked through Viator and recommend: ✅ Australia Zoo Day Trip from Brisbane✅ Hanoi Water Puppet Show Tickets✅ Weta Workshop Unleashed Auckland Tours Find top-rated day tours and multi-day trips through the vast library of tours offered on Viator. You can find best-selling and top-rated excursions and exciting multi-day trips that offer a full immersion into cultures. Whether you are short on time and want to take a half day to a full day tour somewhere exciting or want to take a 5+ day tour to somewhere new, there are plenty of options that can be found through Viator. Here are a few day tours and multi-day tours I booked through Viator: ✅ 5 Days Terelj National Park Tour from Central Mongolia✅ Mostar & Kravice Waterfalls Full-Day Guided Tour from Split✅ 2-Day Angkor Wat With Small, Big Circuit and Banteay Srei Tour Transportation Viator also sells transportation options usually in the form of airport transfers, transfer services, and private chauffer rides. It’s always worth looking into Viator’s transportation options, especially in a new and unfamiliar place. I’ve used Viator to schedule transportation, mainly for airport transport. Below are a few examples of transportation I booked through Viator: ✅ Chinggis Khaan Airport UBN to Ulaanbaatar Transfer Taxi✅ Private Transfer Between Hanoi Airport and Hanoi Old Quarter✅ Bali Private Chartered Service My Experience Using Viator I’ve used Viator for years now and really enjoy booking through this platform, so much so that I want to provide you guys with this Viator review so you can check out everything Viator has to offer. I’ve used Viator mainly in Europe and Asia and have nothing but positive comments about my experiences. I find the Viator website to be exciting, I love entering in destinations and seeing what fun activities pop up. The booking process is easy, communications through Viator has been straightforward, and the tours have always been on time. Most of the day trips I’ve booked, the company has picked me up from the hotel, with the exception of a few food tours and the Pinglin Tea Tour in Taiwan, where we met at a public park. Overall, I am very satisfied with using Viator and highly recommend you try it out! Let me know what tour you decide on. Is Viator Worth it? With thousands of tours, activities, and experiences around the world, Viator is an amazing platform to use to book your next adventure. If you are looking for a hassle-free travel experience, then Viator is well worth it. Viator is easy to use, reliable and has good cancellation policies. I wouldn’t write a Viator review unless I personally recommend it. Yes, Viator is worth using and can make your trip planning stress free! Conclusion I’ve been using Viator for years and have been on countless top-rated tours and travel experiences across Europe and Asia. I hope this Viator review helps you in deciding whether or not to book that tour or excursion. If you do plan a vacation and use Viator, let me know how it went and what tour you decided on booking! Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️ Booking Accommodations ⛺️ 🛖 For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours 🏖 🚁 Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options. In need of a car rental? 🚗 🚘 I recommend checking with Rental Cars.
My Honest China Airlines Review: What it’s Like Flying Economy
China Airlines, not to be confused with Air China is the flagship carrier of Taiwan. China Airlines is a 4-Star Airline according to Skytrax and offers a blend of modern comfort, great service, and connections all over the world. China Airlines flies all around Asia, North America, Europe, and Oceania. China Airlines has become my go to carrier lately. I’ve flown them around Asia, to Australia and New Zealand, to Germany, and the United States and have had nothing but positive experiences. Of course, I fly economy and want to write this honest China Airlines review based on my experiences with the airlines. Hopefully this post is helpful if you are debating whether or not to fly with China Airlines. ** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, whether it be Viator, Booking.com, Agoda, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! ** As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Summary About China Airlines: China Airlines is the national carrier of Taiwan and its hub is Taoyuan International Airport. China Airlines is a certified 4-Star Airline. Why Fly China Airlines: Modern and a fuel efficient fleet Comfort and Amenities Good Customer Service In need of travel accessories for the long flight or layover? I shop on Amazon, from phone holders to travel bags, you can find everything here. China Airlines Hub: Taoyuan International Airport Taoyuan International Airport is the main hub and largest airport in Taiwan. Taoyuan opened in 1979 and is the main hub airport for major airlines like China Airlines, EVA Airlines, and Starlux Airlines. Taoyuan Airport has two terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. China Airlines primarily flies out of Terminal 1 but there are some flights that use Terminal 2. Curious how to spent a layover at Taoyuan International Airport? I have a dedicated post on What to do at Taoyuan International Airport During a Layover. TWAC: Taiwan Arrival Card Taiwan now requires all foreign visitors to electronically fill out a Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC). The TWAC can be filled out through the Ministry of the Interior National Immigration Agency Republic of China (Taiwan) website. Your airline should notify you of this and in some cases even provide you with a link 3 days before arrival. If they do not, just visit the TWAC website and fill out the required fields at least 3 days before your trip to Taiwan. It’s free, you just enter in your Passport information, length of stay, and any other required fields. The immigration officers then will have access to the data you fill out during the TWAC process once your passport is scanned. You’ll also receive an email with a QR Code, but I have not needed to show it so far. Here is the website used to submit your TWAC: TWAC Taiwan Arrival Card About China Airlines China Airlines is the national carrier of Taiwan and its headquarters are located at Taoyuan International Airport. Again, not to be confused with Air China, which is a major Chinese airline headquartered in Beijing, China. According to the airline website, China Airlines was founded in 1959. Today China Airlines is one of Asia’s most popular airlines with over 1,400 flights a week to over 100 destinations across Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania. China Airlines is a SkyTeam Airline Alliance member which allows passengers global connectivity and access to partner airline networks and benefits. China Airlines has a relatively new fleet that includes Boeing 777s and the Airbus A350s. For shorter flights like from Okinawa to Taiwan, I’ve flown Air China’s Airbus A321neo. Longer flights, I’ve flown Air China’s Airbus A350-900 to Brisbane, Australia. I’ve also flown with the Boeing 777-300ER to Taipei from LAX. I’ve also flown their Airbus A330-300 and Boeing 737-800. China Airlines is a 4-Star Airline On Skytrax, China Airline is a certified 4-Star Airline. This is something I really pay attention to when choosing which airlines to fly. I typically only pick 4 and 5 star certified airlines based on safety, quality, and service. Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 China Airlines Dynasty Flyer Program China Airlines has a mileage program known as the Dynasty Flyer Program. You can earn Dynasty Miles, which can be used for flights, upgrades, and other services. There are status levels of you can reach, each level offers increased benefits. Dynasty, Gold, Emerald, and Paragon. You can learn more about the Membership Tiers and Benefits on the China Airlines website. Signing up for the Dynasty Flyer Program is completely free. Once you login to the China Airlines website, simply sign up. Once in your own dashboard, you can redeem miles, view your activity, check total points, and so much more! China Airlines Review My China Airlines review is based on my personal experience flying with the carrier. I’ve flown with China Airlines around the world and always sit in economy, because of budget. So this review is solely based on my experience flying in economy with China Airlines. I’ll go over some of the basics like check-in experiences, thoughts on food, comfort, and what it’s like flying with China Airlines on short and long flights. For specific questions regarding the airline or to learn more about China Airlines, I recommend visiting their website. Check-in You should already have your flight booked through the China Airlines website. About 48 hours prior to departure, you will receive an online check-in email. I recommend checking in online, it makes things easier the day of the actual flight. All your information is already logged in and ready to go! Like any international trip, I arrive at the airport a minimum of 2 hours prior to departure. I’ve checked in at the China Airlines counter in many cities and countries around the world, from Kaohsiung to Brisbane. Honestly, I’ve never had an issue with check in through China Airlines. The staff is always professional and polite. Short Flights I fly often between Naha, Okinawa and Taipei, Taiwan. The flight is anywhere from 50 minutes to 1.5 hours. I’d say I am always impressed with China Airlines efficiency and the fact that they are always on time. For shorter flights, the aircraft is usually an Airbus A330-300 or a Boeing 737-800. Even short flights, the aircraft is spacious and the seats are large with plentiful leg room. Even though the flight is short, you even get a meal onboard the flight. It’s smaller but I enjoy it. I’ll talk more on food later in the post. International Long Haul Flights I’ve flown with China Airlines from Taipei to Germany, Taipei to Australia, and Taipei to the United States. The Taipei to Europe and Taipei to the United States are especially long, about 14 hours. On the long haul flights with China Airlines, I’ve flown their Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 777-300ER. I really don’t have a preference between the Airbus or Boeing as they are both exciting to fly with. I always try and book the aisle seat. It just gives me that freedom to get up whenever I want without bothering the passenger next to me. The seats on the Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 777-300ER are wide and comfortable. I usually have enough leg room as I store my carry on in the overhead bins. Long flights with China Airlines are comfortable, I’ve never encountered any issues. The flight attendants come around often and outside of meal services they offer water and other beverages. One of my only complaints about China Airlines on their long flights are the bathrooms. The bathrooms are cramped and do not get cleaned as regularly as other airlines do. Seating and Entertainment Seating and entertainment for my China Airlines review will be primarily for the long haul flights. Some of the shorter flights do have a small tv but it’s barely even worth turning on. For the longer flights, you can view the in-flight entertainment on the China Airlines website. There is a wide range of movies both old and new, tv shows, games, and music right in front of you. I think for Economy, the tv has a 10″ screen. Each seat has a USB port so you can charge all your devices. The seats are spacious. As spacious as it can be for an economy seat with an airline. The seats have adjustable headrests, a literature pocket, personal tv screen, and USB ports. For long flights, you will get a blanket and pillow. If you need one regardless of a long or short flight, you can always ask the flight attendant for a pillow or blanket and they will gladly provide you with one. Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Food & Beverages I might be one of the only people that actually likes airplane food. It’s fun, gives me something to look forward to, and honestly airplane food isn’t that bad. Since this is a China Airlines review, I think their food is just ok. Honestly, I find the short flights between Okinawa and Taipei have more authentic Taiwanese food then their long haul flights. The Okinawa to Taipei flights serve small meals, even though it’s only an hour flight. The food comes in a small box with a drink and small snack. The food on this route usually represents Taiwan well. Many of the meals use traditional spices and flavors. My last meal even had a Taiwanese Tea Egg, which I love. On the long flights, the meals are pretty standard, no different then any other airline. You get two options for dinner, usually chicken or beef with rice, a roll, fruits/vegetables, and a small dish that is always different. For breakfast, there is usually a western option with eggs and chicken sausage. There is also a Taiwanese option that comes with meat and rice. Customer Service The China Airlines customer service continues to amaze me. China Airlines customer support is always helpful, timely, and clear to understand. On the China Airlines website, go to Contact Us, usually, I go to Service Hotline and call one of the telephone number listed in my Region/Country. Here the Region/Country, number, and office hours are listed. Each time, I’ve contacted China Airlines customer support, whether it be for questions or concerns regarding my Dynasty Flyer Program or changing an international flight, they’ve helped me out and show professionalism. Mandarin Airlines I recently had the opportunity to fly with Mandarin Airlines, which is a Taiwanese regional carrier and the parent company is China Airlines. I flew Mandarin Airlines from Manila, Philippines to Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Being a subsidiary of China Airlines, Mandarin Airlines is recognized by Skytrax as a 4-Star airline. Mandarin Airlines offers short-haul domestic and international flights. Questions About China Airlines Is China Airlines Safe? Yes, China Airlines is safe. Thy have significantly improved their safety over the last few decades. They are rated a 4-Star Airline by Skytrax. Is there Wi-Fi on board China Airlines? China Airlines does offer Wi-Fi services. I never use it, so I can’t go into to much detail. I recommend reviewing China Airlines Wi-Fi Onboard page. Who is China Airlines Partnered With? China Airlines is part of SkyTeam and some of the other partner airlines include Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air France, China Eastern Airlines, Delta Airlines, Korea Air, KLM, Vietnam Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic Airways. Is China Airlines a member of Star Alliance? No, China Airlines is not a member of Star Alliance. Who is the National Carrier of Taiwan?China Airlines is the National Carrier of Taiwan. Don’t Forget These Travel Accessories For those long flights around the world, there are a few accessories that I use that have made flying so much more pleasant. Here are a few of my recommended travel accessories. ✅ Universal Phone Holder (Handsfree phone mount. It