u/midlifetravelbug

Spent the day in Estepona, a town just up the coast from Marbella that we almost skipped entirely while planning the trip. Turned out to be one of the more genuine stops we've found on the Costa del Sol: flower-covered streets in the old town, a Roman ruin we stumbled onto without expecting it, and a slower pace that felt more like a real town than a resort strip.

This one was actually a mother-daughter trip rather than our usual setup, so it's got a bit of a different feel to it. Sharing in case it's useful for anyone weighing Estepona against the bigger names on that stretch of coast, or just curious what's actually there beyond the beach.

We just put out a full guide to Hua Hin, Thailand, and made our case for why we'd take it over Pattaya and Da Nang. The beaches, the markets we kept going back to, the old town, the viewpoint over the whole bay, and what the trip actually cost us. If you've been to any of the three, we'd love to know which one you'd pick.

We visited Hoi An as a day trip from Da Nang and it completely exceeded every expectation. For anyone planning a Vietnam itinerary here's what we covered:

🏮 The ancient town and lantern-lit streets
🏛️ The UNESCO old town and yellow buildings
🚣 The Thu Bon River and wooden boats
🧵 The famous tailor district
📍 Getting there as a day trip from Da Nang
⏰ Honest verdict on how much time you actually need

One day was not enough - and we say that in the video. If Hoi An is on your radar, hopefully this helps with your planning!

Have you been to Hoi An? How many days did you stay? Would love to hear from the community! 👇