So you don’t really post your travel photos since they don’t look IG-worthy—your guy just isn’t an IG boyfriend! Why not help him out a bit by taking him to a destination so Instagrammable, he can’t possibly mess up? For starters, there’s Penang, Malaysia. It’s budget-friendly, just a few hours from Manila, has awesome food, and is filled with hot spots to spice up your ‘gram. See what we mean?
1. The Streets of George Town
Begin your trip with a walking tour of the colorful, multicultural capital of Penang. Exploring the art-filled streets of this UNESCO World Heritage site helps you appreciate its history and people in the most Instagrammable way. Let your imagination run wild when interacting with the graffiti and the ironwork pieces on the walls, and you’ll have creative photos to share. (FYI, there are street maps available on-site, so you can easily stroll to all the quirky drawings.)
2. The Blue Mansion
The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, aka the Blue Mansion, is probably the most photographed building in George Town. The cool blue-hued exterior makes for a great OOTD backdrop for letting your outfit pop, and it can even give you a clean-looking feed.
As if that’s not enough, it’s also filled with East-meets-West elements like Art Nouveau stained glasses and louver windows that cast interesting shadows; intricate floor tiles great for top shots (tell your beau to take your photo from the second floor); and random Chinese décors that can be really fun to pose with.
3. The Habitat
If you’re more of an outdoorsy couple, head to The Habitat for an unforgettable rainforest experience. You can enjoy a trek through the rolling hills, savor the lush greens and the various flora in the many gardens, drop by the butterfly bank, and get a spectacular view of the city and the sea on a funicular train.
Natural light is your best friend here, so make sure to arrive in the morning or in the afternoon, when the sunlight looks golden. Make the most of the natural backdrop by asking someone to photograph you resting your head on your boyfriend’s shoulder as you lounge on a swing—a sweet shot that will rake in those likes.
4. Upside Down Museum
Inject a dose of fun to your Instagram grid—and be #couplegoals—by goofing around with your beau at the Upside Down Museum, a space where all the rooms are designed to be upside down. You’ll be glad to know that each room has an in-house staff that will not only volunteer to take your photo, but also give you tips on pulling off the best poses.
5. Church of the Assumption
The Church of the Assumption is the first church built after the British occupied Penang. Although it was built over 160 years ago, it’s in mint condition. The immaculate white walls and clean lines are the essential elements in a minimalist, whitewashed feed, so be sure to take some snaps. Don’t forget to incorporate the chocolate-colored doors into your photos for more character and a well-balanced contrast.
6. Awesome Canteen
Food trippin’ is mandatory when traveling. If you’re on the lookout for a café that serves great coffee and food and looks Instagrammable, drop by Awesome Canteen at Sekeping Victoria. Enjoy the coffee platter and the Paleo dishes while low-key showing off your outfit, too. The space is filled with repurposed chairs and metal tables that are carefully juxtaposed with trees, so plan your outfit and stick to earth or neutral tones to complement its rustic-meets-industrial vibe.
To visit all these spots, book a direct flight to Kuala Lumpur from Manila, and catch the connecting flight to Penang. With AirAsia’s Fly-Thru service, you can simply hop on to your next plane—no need to go through immigration, claim your baggage, and check in.
AirAsia even has a 20 percent discount on its flights from Manila to Penang via Kuala Lumpur when you buy your ticket here from June 25 to July 1. Travel period is from July 2 to November 30.
The low-cost carrier flies from Manila to Kuala Lumpur three times every day, and flies from Kuala Lumpur to Penang 102 times every week, so you can easily schedule your sweet escape. Can’t wait to discover Penang? Here’s a peek at what’s in store for you:
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