The Malaysian Traveller

Photo source:   https://www.wendyperrin.com/what-made-uzbekistan-special/ 20. Samarkand, Uzbekistan When I imagine myself in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, my heart drifts into a timeless dream, where every corner of the city feels like a poem waiting to be discovered. As a hopeless romantic, I picture arriving at Registan Square, the jewel of the city, where turquoise domes and intricate mosaics shimmer in the sun. I imagine wandering through its vast courtyards, the echoes of centu

Photo source:   https://brideandbreakfast.hk/memories-of-mongolia/ 19. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia When I imagine myself in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, my heart begins to wander across vast landscapes before my feet even touch the ground. As a hopeless romantic, I picture standing at Sukhbaatar Square, the city’s grand heart, where historic monuments meet the pulse of modern life, imagining quiet moments shared as the sun casts golden light across the square. Each statue and building se

Photo source:   https://lorrynsmit.photography/damyang-hanbok-pre-wedding-edward-and-lynn/ 18. Gyeongju, South Korea When I imagine myself in Gyeongju, South Korea, my heart slows as if it’s savouring the kind of beauty that lingers in the air like a soft song. As a hopeless romantic, I picture wandering through Bulguksa Temple, its ancient wooden beams and golden rooftops reflecting in still ponds, each corner whispering stories of devotion and quiet longing. I can almost he

Photo source:   https://www.capetowndiamondmuseum.org/blog/best-places-to-propose-in-cape-town/ 17. Cape Town, South Africa When I imagine myself in Cape Town, my heart feels full before I even arrive, as if romance there waits patiently at the edge of the world. As a hopeless romantic, I picture standing atop Table Mountain, the city unfolding below me, the ocean stretching endlessly in every direction. The wind is soft but sure, and I imagine sharing a quiet moment at the s

Photo source:   https://nilkagissell.com/the-perks-of-an-early-morning-couples-session-at-old-san-juan-puerto-rico/ 16. Old San Juan, Puerto Rico When I imagine myself in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, my heart beats to a slower, sweeter rhythm, like it’s already learned the language of romance spoken there. As a hopeless romantic, I picture wandering the Old San Juan Historic District, where pastel-coloured buildings line the cobblestone Calle del Cristo and Calle Fortaleza, eac

Photo source: https://www.sashapopovic.com/blog/four-seasons-bora-bora/ 15. Bora Bora, French Polynesia When I imagine myself in Bora Bora, French Polynesia, my heart nearly aches with how romantic it feels, as if the island was designed for hopeless romantics like me. I picture arriving to the sight of Mount Otemanu, rising dramatically from the centre of the island, its emerald peaks wrapped in drifting clouds like a secret meant only for those who believe in love. The lago

Photo source: https://www.wearetwine.com.au/2019/02/07/kristy-marks-gardens-club-wedding-the-city-botanic-gardens-brisbane/ 14. Brisbane, Australia When I imagine myself in Brisbane, Australia, my heart feels unexpectedly tender, like romance has found a sunnier, softer way to exist. As a hopeless romantic, I picture arriving along the winding Brisbane River, where the city seems to glow with warmth rather than grandeur. I imagine walking slowly across the Story Bridge at sun

Photo source: https://diptychstudio.com/engagement-photography-session-in-tulum/ 13. Tulum, Mexico When I imagine myself in Tulum, Mexico, my heart feels lighter, as if romance there drifts effortlessly on the ocean breeze. As a hopeless romantic, I picture arriving where the jungle meets the sea, the turquoise waves stretching endlessly beneath the ancient cliffs of the Tulum Ruins. Standing at El Castillo, overlooking the Caribbean, I imagine time folding in on itself; love

Photo source: https://www.saramonika.com/all-blog/2017/05/02/marrakech-morocco-couples-session-morocco-wedding-photographer 12. Marrakech, Morocco When I imagine myself in Marrakech, Morocco, my heart softens instantly, like it already knows this city was made for romantics like me. I picture arriving as the sun dips low, painting the walls of the Medina of Marrakech in warm shades of rose and gold. As a hopeless romantic, I don’t rush here; instead, I wander. I get lost on p

Photo source: https://brideandbreakfast.hk/charming-countryside-couple-in-guilin/ 11. Guilin, China When I picture myself in Guilin, China, my heart races ahead of me, already wandering through romance before my feet ever touch the ground. As a hopeless romantic, I imagine beginning each day on the Li River, drifting slowly on a bamboo raft as the mist wraps around the karst mountains like a whispered promise. The peaks feel eternal, reflected perfectly in the water, and I ca

Photo source: https://ibizavillas2000.com/unforgettable-romance-awaits-design-your-dream-ibiza-getaway/ 8. Ibiza, Spain I picture us there, lost in the island’s magic, where every corner hides a secret, every sunset feels like a stolen kiss, and the Mediterranean breeze wraps around us like a lover’s embrace. Our mornings would begin with a quiet stroll through Dalt Vila, the old town perched high on a hill, its ancient stone walls whispering stories of lovers past. We’d wand

Photo source: https://www.tusktravel.com/blog/best-honeymoon-destinations-in-bhutan/ 9. Paro, Bhutan The imagery of this serene mountain valley feels like stepping into a living dream, where love is whispered by the ancient pines and carried on crisp Himalayan air. I envision us there, wrapped in the quiet magic of this sacred place, where every moment feels like a gentle prayer, a promise of forever. We’d begin our days with a pilgrimage to the legendary Tiger’s Nest Monaste

Photo source: https://www.samspicerphotography.com/blog/autumn-elopement-japanese-garden-kyoto 10. Kyoto, Japan A whisper of its name feels like stepping into a delicate poem, where every petal, every temple, every quiet garden holds a story of love waiting to be told. I picture us there, two souls drifting beneath the soft blush of cherry blossoms, wrapped in the timeless elegance of a city in which past and present dance in perfect harmony. We’d begin our mornings wandering

Photo source: https://locallens.com/capturing-romance-in-heidelberg-a-couples-vacation-photoshoot-guide/ 5. Heidelberg, Germany just the name alone feels like a whispered secret, a love song etched into the cobblestones and misty riverbanks. I imagine us there, two souls entwined beneath the towering spires of a city that seems to breathe romance from every stone. We’d begin our days with a slow stroll across the iconic Old Bridge (Alte Brücke), hand in hand, watching the Nec

Photo source: https://www.lunarealtybelize.com/things-to-do-in-ambergris-caye-for-couples/ 7. Ambergris Caye, Belize A promise of turquoise waters and sunsets that set the sky ablaze with passion. I imagine us there, two hearts adrift in paradise, where every moment is a gentle whisper of romance carried on the warm Caribbean breeze. We’d begin our days with a slow paddle through the shimmering Hol Chan Marine Reserve, snorkelling hand in hand among vibrant coral reefs and cu

Photo source: https://excursionmania.com/tirp_idea/romantic-getaway-love-in-cappadocia-blg-3503?srsltid=AfmBOoovwyLVPVW4X_5LkCGzfBcDCcZIp4QJ-S7JTvmEWWQVR1xifM5P 6. Cappadocia, Turkey The thought of this place sends my heart soaring, like a thousand balloons lifting us into a sky painted with dawn’s first blush. I see us there, floating gently above a dreamscape of fairy chimneys and ancient caves, the world unfolding beneath us like a storybook written in stone and sunlight.

Photo source: https://www.naxosphotographer.com/ 4. Naxos, Greece The thought of Naxos it stirs my soul like a love letter written by the gods themselves. I see us there, two wanderers wrapped in the island’s timeless magic, footsteps echoing along sun-drenched marble and cobblestones, hearts beating in sync with the gentle waves of the Aegean. Our days would begin at the Portara, that majestic marble doorway standing alone on the edge of the sea; an ancient portal to a world

Photo source: https://www.samanthasmilovic.com/engagement-anniversary-photographer-positano-amalfi-coast/ 3. Amalfi Coast, Italy The Amalfi Coast; just the name itself is a melody to my heart, a whispered promise of love wrapped in sunshine and sea breeze. I picture us there, hand in hand, wandering narrow cobblestone streets painted with pastel hues, the scent of blooming bougainvillea perfuming the air. The gentle lapping of turquoise waves against cliffs below serenades ou

Photo source: https://tietheknot.scot/planning-details/wedding-venues/dumfries-galloway-borders-wedding-venues-that-photographers-love/ 2. Dumfries, Scotland It’s not the name that usually dances through travel brochures soaked in red roses and violin strings, but perhaps that’s exactly why I’m drawn to it. Because true romance, the kind that lingers in quiet glances and whispered promises, doesn't always need grand stages. Sometimes, it settles like morning mist over a Scott

I grew up with Barbie dolls in pink castles and fairy tales that promised happily ever after. My childhood was a collage of glass slippers, dramatic orchestras swelling as princes arrived, and picture-perfect kisses at sunset. My idea of love was painted in pastel, always dreamy, always perfect. Even now, as a woman standing on the edge of adulthood, part of me still believes in that kind of romance that sweeps you off your feet, leaves your heart racing, and wraps you in a w