Located in Saitama prefecture, just a half hour north of Tokyo via Tobu Tojo Railway, the city of Kawagoe (pop. 351,000) is a former merchant town whose old quarter's architecture includes a number of centuries-old wooden buildings such as its iconic Toki no Kane belltower (top), once used by locals to tell time (though the current version dates from 1893, rebuiding the 400-year-old original after the "Great Kawagoe Fire."
This streetscape is designated by the Japanese government as a "Traditio
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Sometimes in tragedy we find our life's purpose.
"Dark tourism" destinations may not be the easiest and happiest places to visit, but the footfall of tourists registered at such spots is growing by the day. Travelers sometimes include places associated with human tragedy, suffering, and death in their itinerary mainly due to their historical significance. In this post I'll be discussing three such sites in the US that have been attracting a large number of tourists from all corners of the wo
I met the Argentine Zapp Family - made up of Herman, Candelaria and their four children, who for 17 years traveled around the world in a vintage car - in Barcelona, where they'd come to kick off their travel through Spain for several months as part of their journey through Europe, where they planned to put an end to their adventure by the end of 2017.
The family planned to travel to Spain until spring before embarking on a trip to the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Italy and Greece, the last s
Eder Omar Campos González,
Today is World Turtle Day again, and for me that brings to mind how, in a world chock full of amazing natural phenomena, few if any that I have witnessed have moved me more than the bond that giant marine turtles have with the beaches where they were born. Every year, female sea turtles make their way hundreds, sometimes thousands of miles back to lay their eggs on these same beaches, and that time of year has arrived up and down Central America – varyin
Isaac Gutiérrez
by Cristóbal Ramírez
Argentina‘s second largest city (pop. 1.3 million) is definitely a change of pace from Buenos Aires. While the country’s capital impresses with its imposing buildings and the pace and trappings of a major world city, Córdoba, smack in the centre of the country some 700 kilometres (435 miles) northwest of B.A., does so in a gentler, more laid-back way, with colonial elegance and provincial charm.
One of the architectural centerpieces of
The story of the southwest African country of Angola‘s only remaining nature and wildlife park, along the Atlantic coast just 70 kilometres (42 miles) south of capital Luanda, is an extraordinary one – a story of birth, death, and rebirth that can sirve as an inspiration in these increasingly environmentally fraught times.
The game-hunting reserve originally founded in 1938 under the then colonial administration of Portugal, the 9,960 square km (3,845 sq. mi.) that in 1957 was
No other place but Dublin could combine all facets of Ireland’s multidimensional culture with the contemporary image of a capital city. A picturesque stroll from Ha’penny Bridge to the Liffey river, a visit to the Guinness Storehouse brewery and a night coloured with folkore sounds is enough to convince anyone. For a taste of the local rhythm, take one of the Glendalough walks and admire the Upper and Lower lakes, watch a performance at the Abbey, Gate and Gaiety Theaters and get to know the Cel
Adventureland is one of the foremost and popular amusement parks in New York. Founded in Farmingdale, Long Island in 1962, this dozen acres has continued to attract New Yorkers and other tourists ever since as a classic site for a New York field trip. The total number of rides comes to thirty with two roller coasters and three water rides. Along with these classic rides, a variety of outdoor games are also offered at Adventureland, which are a great hit among the kids. Such attractions make it
Gokarna is a small town situated in Karnataka state along the west coast of India. Home to the famous Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna is one of the renowned places of pilgrimage in Karnataka. Apart from being a religious town, Gokarna is also known for its pristine beaches and are must include in Gokarna tour packages. With an array of coconut and banana trees, charming sunsets, clear sands and blue sea, Gokarna beaches are perfect for an ideal beach vacation. Thousands of tourists visit Gokarna
Mounts Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu seen from the summit of Mount Tongariro
New Zealand (in the native Maori, Aotearoa, Land of the Long White Cloud) is home to stunning giant glaciers, snow covered mountains, rugged volcanoes, bubbling hot springs, miles of rugged coastline, white sandy beaches, tropical forests and acres of endless grassy plains. It’s mother nature at her best and the perfect place for travellers to relax and unwind in picturesque outdoor settings.
There is no better
Situated in the Gulf of Tonkin, Ha Long Bay is one of todays New Seven Wonders of Nature. Ancient myth claims that a dragon was responsible for its formation but the facts lie within the rocks. The area offers stunning views of over 1,600 limestone karsts, or towering, eroded landmasses, and attracts tourists from around the world. Pillars can be seen in clusters or as individual islands. Due to the formation of the landscape, most of the islands are uninhabited. The vertical nature of each r
One of the USA's most historic and iconic cities, known for its rich history, Philadelphia is a fascinating city to visit, and with a little research on travel websites you definitely can plan a perfect vacation . The triumphant run that Sylvester Stallone has in the film Rocky on the iconic steps is not the only iconic thing about this city. There is a lot more to it. Here is all that you need to know to plan a perfect trip to the "City of Brotherly Love":
When to visit?
The best time to vis
Traveling as a senior comes with its own set of adventures. As a senior, you now have the time, money and life experiences to be able to enjoy travel in a new and unique way. Travel is also a great way to keep the body active and stimulate the mind with the learning of new languages, for example. However, traveling as a senior also comes with its own set of risks and limitations.
Whether you’re taking a day trip within your home city, or flying half way across the world, there’s certain things t
The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are one of the most breathtaking sights one can ever experience. The mixture of unearthly colors display including magenta, emerald green and turquoise is so worth watching. You would be lucky enough if you get to see pink, red and purple also.
It´s not at all easy to spot the northern lights, however the best time to see them is from late September to late March. During these months the nights are longest and skies are darkest. Seeing th
For the last three decades, a heartbreaking civil war and its aftermath put Central America’s smallest country out of the minds of most holidaymakers as a destination – but with stability and security returned, these days travel to El Salvador is regularly touted by the likes of Travel Agent magazine and the BBC.
There are no grand monuments or much extensive infrastructure in this tropical land just a tad larger than Wales and a few acres smaller than New Jersey. What it does
by José Alejandro Adamuz
n her seminal travel memoir In Morocco, the reknowned early-20th-century American writer Edith Wharton described travelling in this country as “like turning the pages of some illuminated Persian manuscript all adorned with bright shapes and subtle lines”. Well, if its most tourist-popular city, Marrakesh, is but a few of these pages – what pages they are! Undoubtedly the most brilliant of Morocco’s four “imperial cities” (the others being Fez, Meknes, and modern-day c
In case you want to experience a unique adventure without the necessity of booking a lengthy vacation or holiday, then Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands is your best destination. Weekend trips to Amsterdam are gaining popularity in the Western European countries and also among many travelers across the globe. Living in today's fast-paced society, individuals are no longer able to enjoy long vacations that last several weeks. However, we still want to slow things down and enjoy some time
Carrie Wynkoop loves discovering and sharing great Oregon wine. But when she began her explorations over 20 years ago, she joined one wine club after another but was unable to find any exclusively focusing on Oregon, even though the state is a top U.S. producer. Wynkoop decided to take matters into her own able hands, establishing her very own Cellar 503.
Each hand selected monthly shipment of two or four bottles showcases top crafted wine in hard-to-find spots in each of Oregon's 18 wine-grow
Lonavala (aka Lonavla) is a fascinating hill station in the Pune district of Maharashtra State, about an hour inland from Mumbai/Bombay. Separating the Deccan Plateau and the Konkan coast, Lonavala is a very popular monsoon destination for Indians, from early June through approximately October, when its scenic locations become lushly green and the waterfalls are in full flow. Here are its half dozen most popular draws:
Kune Falls
Surrounded by lush greenery and 622 metres high (India's 14th hig
The sheer vastness of Australia makes going on a road trip one of the best ways to explore this marvelous country. No other means of travel lets you slow down and truly take in the unique scenery and landscapes of this eclectic continent. Sometimes even relatively unknown and uncharted destinations can be surprisingly rewarding. Whether you are visiting on a working holiday visa or backpacking, here’s what you should know about experiencing Australia on wheels.
Specifics of the Land
Due to the