The creators of Away to the CIty, Viola and Sebastian, in front of a traditional Korean palace.

Hi, Fellow City Lover!

We’re Viola & Sebastian, the creators behind the city travel blog Away to the City. Born and raised in Germany, we’ve always been passionate about culture, history, architecture, and photography. That’s why we started our blog in late 2023… to share our love for urban travel!

Living abroad and exploring cities around the globe have broadened our perspectives on life and culture. Now based in London, we’re on a mission to help you explore the world’s most exciting cities and guide you towards the sights and experiences that truly matter.

53

Countries visited

400+

Cities explored

3

Countries lived

5

Continents visited

A picture of Viola from the city travel blog 'Away to the City', with an illustrated bubble tea in her hand.

About

Viola

Viola loves writing and taking photos. When she’s not planning the next adventure, she’s probably sipping on bubble tea or matcha. She’s a big musical theatre fan and is working on her Ballroom and Latin dance skills.

A picture of Sebastian from the city travel blog 'Away to the City', with an illustrated star next to him.

About

Sebastian

Sebastian is an industrial designer who’s passionate about photography and illustration. He’s into all things futuristic, practices martial arts, and never misses a chance to experience something new. Oh, and he’s a huge Star Wars fan.

Away to the City

How It All Began…

An illustration of Viola and Sebastian, the founders and owners of the city travel blog Away to the City.

The idea for Away to the City came to life during a trip to Japan. Sitting in a cosy restaurant in Tokyo’s Shibuya district, we were reminiscing about our adventures from the past two weeks. One of us joked, “We could easily fill a blog with all these stories and photos!”

Back home, our colleagues, friends, and family kept asking for travel tips and recommendations for Japan. That offhand comment suddenly didn’t seem so far-fetched.

After years of sharing our stories and photos with them, we figured – why not share them with the world? So, in August 2023, Away to the City was born.

Our Mission

With Away to the City, we want to inspire you to explore the world’s most exciting cities with confidence.

We create detailed itineraries, share cultural insights, and provide tried-and-tested recommendations to help you make the most of your time and budget. No tourist traps – just authentic experiences that let you see a city from a fresh perspective.

Away to the City Illustration

Cities Over Countryside? Here’s Why We Think So

We love a stunning landscape as much as anyone, but nothing beats the energy of a bustling city. The fast pace, the culture, the endless possibilities – it’s where we feel most at home.

For us, travel is about meeting people from all walks of life and immersing ourselves in new cultures. There’s something exciting about getting lost in busy streets, stumbling upon hidden gems, and experiencing a city’s unique soul.

Our Favourite Travel Memories

We’ve had the chance to explore a wide range of cities around the world. Here are our top 10 travel highlights:

  • Took in the beauty of Gardens by the Bay in Singapore.
  • Stepped back in time at Hampton Court Palace in London.
  • Witnessed the cherry blossoms in full bloom in Tokyo.
  • Immersed ourselves in the world of Hobbiton in New Zealand.
  • Roamed the medieval streets of Bruges.
  • Explored the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Took in the view from the Top of the Rock in NYC.
  • Toured the Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest.
  • Gazed at Hong Kong‘s skyline set against lush green mountains.
  • Admired Seville‘s Moorish architecture.
A tall building complex with lush greenery housing The Park Royal Hotel in Singapore.
A picture of the columns and trees of Patio de las Doncellas in Real Alcazar (also known as Royal Alcázar of Seville).
Two people in front of one of the houses in Hobbiton.

We’re…

Award-Winning Travel Creators

We were proud to be named one of the winners in the Self-Creators category at the 2023 Bluehost Creators Awards. This honour reflected our commitment to excellence and creativity in the WordPress community, chosen from over 1,000 applicants across 94 countries.

Logo showing the Bluehost Creator Awards.
Logos of a website that has featured advice from the Away to the City creators.

Trusted by Global Publications & Travel Blogs

Over the past 18 years, we’ve explored more than 50 countries and picked up plenty of insights on city travel, travel logistics, and cultural nuances along the way.

Our advice has been featured in leading publications and popular travel blogs, like Yahoo, MSN, GOBankingRates, and EuroNewsweek.

8 Fun Facts About Us

A minimalistic illustration of a shoe.

We walk up to 35k steps a day when exploring new cities.

A minimalistic illustration of the famous Las Vegas sign.

We got married in Las Vegas, surrounded by neon lights and the buzz of the city.

A minimalistic illustration of a medieval tower.

We’re both history buffs and love exploring ancient ruins and historical landmarks.

A minimalistic illustration of a small island with a sun umbrella.

We once took a career break and embarked on a 5-month adventure through Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

A minimalistic illustration of a smartphone with hears on the screen, representing tech.

We’re tech geeks who love exploring the latest gadgets and futuristic cities.

A minimalistic illustration of planet earth.

We’ve been living abroad for more than 13 years.

A minimalistic illustration of a bowl of ramen, representing "culinary delights".

We’re passionate foodies who love trying new and exciting dishes.

A minimalistic illustration of a suitcase.

We excel at packing light and have learned to master the art of strategic suitcase organisation.

FAQ – You Asked, We Answered

We get a lot of questions from our readers, so here are some of the most common ones and our honest answers!

We love exploring cities! The name goes against the usual idea of holidays being all about escaping to the countryside or the beach. Cities are packed with culture, history, and incredible things to do. Every time we visit a new one, it feels like an adventure.

Our focus is on the places we visit rather than on us. We want you to see the cities through your own eyes, not just through our selfies. That said, we do share personal photos now and then!

Nope! We both have full-time jobs, but we make travel a priority. With careful planning, we manage to squeeze in about 10-16 trips a year.

Absolutely! Every illustration you see on our blog is drawn by us. We love adding that personal touch to our content.

Yes! Every city on our blog is one we’ve personally visited. We want to share firsthand experiences, not just research from a desk (or worse, have AI write about a place we’ve never set foot in).

We mainly use Adobe Lightroom, with the occasional tweak in Photoshop. Our goal is to enhance the colours and details while keeping things looking natural.

Our main camera is the Panasonic LUMIX S5 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera. It’s great for both photos and videos. We also use our smartphones (iPhone 16 Pro and Pixel 9) when we need a quick shot.

Now that you know a little more about us, let’s get you started with some of our favourite city travel guides:

  • Want to know what’s trending? Japan is hosting the 2025 World Expo – here’s why it’s the destination everyone’s talking about.
  • Not sure where to go next? Our guide to the Best Cities to Visit in Europe will help you find a destination you’ll love.
  • Love travel inspo? Follow us on Pinterest for city guides, hidden gems, and smart travel tips.

Thanks for stopping by! We hope Away to the City helps you plan unforgettable trips to the world’s most exciting cities.

A picture of a handwritten text saying Viola & Sebastian

Want more city travel inspiration?

Subscribe to the Away to the City Travel Letter, our newsletter where we share our favourite city finds, smart travel tips, and the kind of practical guidance we’d give our friends.

USA-NYC-One-Day-Itinerary-Hudson-Boat-Sunset.