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Jess Esa

Jess is the creator and editor of Books and Bao. They're passionate about the world, its literature, food, culture, and people. She enjoys sharing her travel tips with others and capturing those perfect moments.

The Ambassade Hotel is synonymous with literature and art, and there really is no match for culture lovers looking for a wholesome place to stay that satisfies the mind, eyes, and stomach. The hotel is striking from the moment you approach it, stretching across sixteen 17th century canal houses on Herengracht and Singel, the heart of …

Read More about Ambassade Hotel: A Cultural Haven in the Heart of Amsterdam

A rapidly growing sub-genre, there’s no feeling like reading charming, cozy fantasy books when you’re looking for a low-stakes, slice-of-life story brimming with whimsy and the connection of found family. Cozy fantasy books are often the kinds of stories defined by friendship, curiosity, and self-discovery — they also typically centre queer characters and stories, which …

Read More about 17 Must-Read Cozy Fantasy (& Found Family) Books

Tokyo is a capital city that’s very much made up by its neighbourhoods. No two are alike and each area has a totally different vibe, and speciality making Tokyo one of the most interesting capitals to explore. While it is what makes Tokyo special among cities, it does make it difficult to conquer as a …

Read More about Where to Stay in Tokyo, Japan (+ Neighbourhood Guide)

From the moment you master the sprawling train network that governs this city, the vast metropolis of Tokyo starts to unfurl before you. This is the city where you’ll find ancient shrines just moments away from drip coffee stores and boutiques, where women in kimono brush shoulders with suited individuals rushing to work. It’s a …

Read More about 5 Days in Tokyo (The Essential Japan Itinerary)

Visiting Tokyo is always exciting, and deciding where to stay in Tokyo and which hotel to pick is one of the biggest challenges for anyone visiting the capital. Mainly because the city is unfathomably big and transport is particularly expensive. Central destinations are usually preferred due to it often taking over an hour to reach …

Read More about 20 Best Hotels and Hostels in Tokyo (Where to Stay)

As one of the oldest and most architecturally beautiful little cities in the UK. Bath is a favourite place to visit amongst bookworms and culture seekers. The city of Bath has a museum dedicated to Jane Austen (with a gift shop and tearoom), the historic Roman baths which gave the town its name, the magnificent …

Read More about The 10 Best Independent Bath Bookshops, UK

A book blog is a great way to share your love of reading with the world. Not only will you be able to connect with other like-minded book lovers, but you’ll also get to share your thoughts and opinions on the latest releases — sometimes before those books are even available to the general public! …

Read More about How to Start a Successful Book Blog in 9 Easy Steps

Adventurers, explorers, travellers — whatever you wish to call them — have been documenting their discoveries and experiences for hundreds of years. Setting sail for uncharted waters and touching down on exotic lands, bold and brave men and women have explored every corner of the map and recorded what they’ve learned for us to enjoy …

Read More about 10 Immersive Travel Books (Chosen by Travel Writers)

Kyoto is a wonderful city and visitors to the area tend to have more than enough to see for a flying visit, like the famed Fushimi Inari, the geisha of Gion, and the majestic Golden Pavilion. That’s not to mention the thriving art culture that’s present in the city. From boutique shops to art galleries …

Read More about A Guide to Kyoto Prefecture’s 5 Secret Spots