Austin Lockaby

South Korea Travel Agent Specialist

South Korea is a destination I recommend because there is so much more to experience than just one part of Seoul. Each area has its own atmosphere, and it is easy to build a trip around shopping, food, history, nightlife, or simply exploring everyday Korean culture.Seoul is usually the best place to start. Myeongdong is one of my favorite areas to recommend for shopping, especially for Korean skincare, cosmetics, fashion, and street food. Hongdae has a younger and more energetic atmosphere with cafés, restaurants, shopping, music, and nightlife. Gangnam gives you another side of the city with modern shopping centers, restaurants, entertainment, and some of Seoul’s more upscale neighborhoods.For history and traditional Korean culture, I recommend spending time around Gyeongbokgung Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, and Insadong. These areas are a nice change from the modern side of Seoul and give you a chance to see traditional architecture, palaces, temples, markets, and older neighborhoods without having to travel far outside the city.Incheon is often the first place international travelers see because of Incheon International Airport, but I would not treat it as just an arrival point. Incheon has its own waterfront areas, markets, Chinatown, and Songdo, which feels completely different from central Seoul. It can also be a good place to spend some time before or after a flight instead of immediately heading to the airport.Outside the Seoul area, there is even more to see. Busan is one of my top choices for someone wanting a more relaxed coastal vacation, with beaches such as Haeundae, seafood markets, shopping, temples, and great views of the coast. Jeju Island is another option if you want to get away from the larger cities and spend more time around beaches, waterfalls, hiking trails, and natural scenery.What I enjoy about traveling through South Korea is how easy it is to mix different experiences into the same vacation. You can spend the morning visiting a historic palace, shop in Myeongdong in the afternoon, have dinner in Gangnam, and experience Seoul at night. Then you can leave the city behind and spend part of your trip along the coast in Busan or surrounded by the scenery of Jeju Island. That variety is what makes South Korea a destination I enjoy recommending.

Japan Travel Agent Expert

Japan is one of those places where you can have a completely different experience depending on what city you visit. Tokyo is great if you enjoy being in the middle of everything. At night, areas like Shinjuku and Shibuya are packed with restaurants, bars, karaoke, shopping, and entertainment. There is always something going on, even late into the evening.If shopping, anime, gaming, or electronics are your thing, Akihabara is definitely worth visiting. You can spend hours going through the different stores and finding things you probably wouldn’t come across back home. Shibuya and Harajuku are also great for shopping, especially if you’re interested in Japanese fashion and streetwear.Kyoto is where I would go when you want to slow things down and experience more of Japan’s history and traditional culture. There are temples and shrines throughout the city, including Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu-dera. Arashiyama is another area worth setting aside time for, and simply walking through some of Kyoto’s older neighborhoods can be an experience on its own.Osaka has a different personality altogether. Dotonbori is especially fun at night when all the signs are lit up and the streets are full of people looking for something to eat or somewhere to go. Osaka is a city where I would tell someone to come hungry because trying the local food is a big part of the experience. You can also visit Osaka Castle or spend some time exploring Namba and Shinsekai.That’s what I like about Japan. You don’t have to choose between a big city vacation, shopping, nightlife, food, or experiencing traditional Japanese culture. Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka each give you something different, and putting them together makes for a trip where every stop feels like a new experience.

China Travel Agent Specialist

China is a destination I enjoy recommending because every city can feel like a completely different experience. It is a country where ancient history, regional cultures, food, modern cities, and some of the best shopping in Asia can all be included in the same trip.Xi’an is one of the first places I recommend for travelers interested in Chinese history. It was the starting point of the ancient Silk Road and is home to the famous Terracotta Army. The Xi’an City Wall is another place worth visiting, along with the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and the Muslim Quarter. Walking through the city gives you a good sense of just how much history is still part of everyday life there.Chengdu offers a different experience and is a great choice for travelers interested in Sichuan culture and food. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is one of the city’s best-known attractions, but I also recommend spending time exploring traditional streets, teahouses, local markets, and trying authentic Sichuan cuisine. Chengdu has a more relaxed atmosphere than some of China’s larger cities, which makes it a good place to slow down and experience local life.Shanghai combines historic areas with one of the most modern skylines in the world. The Bund is an essential stop, especially for the views across the Huangpu River toward Pudong and the Shanghai Tower. Yu Garden and the surrounding Old City provide a more traditional experience, while Nanjing Road is one of the city’s major shopping areas. Shanghai is also excellent for luxury shopping, restaurants, nightlife, cafés, and exploring neighborhoods such as the former French Concession.Shenzhen represents a much newer side of China. The city is known for technology, modern architecture, shopping, and its location next to Hong Kong. Huaqiangbei is especially interesting if you enjoy electronics and technology, while areas such as Luohu and Futian offer large shopping centers, restaurants, and plenty to explore. Shenzhen also has parks, coastal areas, and cultural attractions that can be easy to overlook if you only think of it as a business and technology center.For travelers interested in China’s history, I also recommend making room for destinations such as Beijing, where you can visit the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and sections of the Great Wall. These places help put the scale of China’s history into perspective and are very different from what you experience in cities such as Shanghai or Shenzhen.What I like most about traveling through China is the contrast. You can stand beside structures that are hundreds or even thousands of years old and later that same day find yourself surrounded by skyscrapers, high-speed trains, huge shopping districts, and modern city life. Traveling between places such as Xi’an, Chengdu, Shanghai, and Shenzhen gives you the opportunity to experience several different sides of China rather than seeing the country through just one city.

Thailand travel specialist

Thailand is a destination I enjoy recommending because you can experience busy cities, beautiful beaches, temples, markets, nightlife, and incredible food all in one trip. It is also a place where each area has its own personality, so there are plenty of options depending on the type of vacation you want.Bangkok is a great place to start. The city is always moving, with shopping centers, night markets, rooftop restaurants, street food, and plenty to explore after dark. I recommend making time for places like the Grand Palace and Wat Arun as well, especially if you want to experience Thailand’s history, architecture, and Buddhist culture. Areas around the Chao Phraya River are also great for sightseeing and seeing a different side of Bangkok.For shopping, Bangkok has everything from large modern malls to local markets. You can spend part of the day shopping around Siam and then visit one of the city’s markets for food, clothing, souvenirs, and local products. Bangkok is also one of those cities where simply walking around and trying different foods can become one of the best parts of the trip.Chiang Mai offers a slower pace and is one of my favorite places to recommend for travelers interested in temples, local culture, mountain scenery, and traditional markets. The Old City is easy to explore, and the night markets are great for food, handmade goods, and souvenirs. There are also plenty of opportunities to get outside the city and enjoy the surrounding countryside.If beaches and warmer coastal scenery are what you are looking for, Phuket and Krabi are great options. You can spend your days relaxing on the beach, taking boat trips to nearby islands, enjoying the water, or finding a restaurant overlooking the coast. Phuket also has plenty of shopping, restaurants, and nightlife for travelers who want more to do once the sun goes down.Thailand is a place where you can make the trip as busy or as relaxing as you want. You can explore temples and markets in Bangkok, experience the culture and scenery around Chiang Mai, and then finish your vacation on the beaches in the south. That combination of food, culture, city life, and beautiful scenery is what makes Thailand such an enjoyable destination to experience.

Hong Kong Travel Agent Specialist

Hong Kong is a destination I recommend for travelers who enjoy having plenty to do without needing to travel far between experiences. It is a great place for shopping, food, sightseeing, nightlife, and exploring neighborhoods that each have their own character.One of the best parts of visiting Hong Kong is simply getting out and exploring. You can walk along Victoria Harbour, see the skyline from both sides of the water, take the Star Ferry, or head up to Victoria Peak for some of the best views of the city. At night, the waterfront and surrounding buildings create a completely different atmosphere.For shopping, there is a little bit of everything. Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay have major shopping centers, international brands, restaurants, and smaller stores to explore. Mong Kok is a good choice if you prefer busy streets, local shops, markets, sneakers, electronics, and souvenirs. Temple Street Night Market is also worth visiting in the evening for shopping, food, and the experience of walking through one of Hong Kong’s well-known night markets.Food is another reason I enjoy recommending Hong Kong. You can start the day with dim sum, stop at a local bakery or café, try traditional Cantonese dishes, and still have countless choices for dinner. There are options ranging from small neighborhood restaurants and street food to waterfront dining and upscale restaurants with incredible views.There are also plenty of ways to get away from the busiest parts of the city. Lantau Island is a great day trip where you can see the Tian Tan Buddha and enjoy a quieter side of Hong Kong. Travelers can also visit beaches, hiking areas, temples, traditional fishing communities, or spend a day at Hong Kong Disneyland.Hong Kong works especially well for travelers who like variety. You can spend the morning sightseeing, the afternoon shopping, have dinner somewhere completely new, and finish the evening overlooking Victoria Harbour. It is the kind of destination where you can stay busy every day while still having plenty left to experience on another visit.

Specializations

South Korea Travel Agent Specialist

Japan Travel Agent Expert

China Travel Agent Specialist

Thailand travel specialist

Hong Kong Travel Agent Specialist

South Korea Travel Agent Specialist

Japan Travel Agent Expert

China Travel Agent Specialist

Thailand travel specialist

Hong Kong Travel Agent Specialist

Destination Specialties

Bangkok

Beijing

Kowloon

Nagasaki

Osaka

Phuket

Seoul

Shanghai

Tokyo

Chengdu

Inch'on

Kyoto

Yech'on

China

South Korea

Japan

Thailand

Hong Kong

Koh Samui

Causebay Bay

Shatin

Chiang Mai

Chonju

Kwangju

Hong Kong Disneyland

Certifications & Awards

Reviews

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