Tokyo to Hakone to Kyoto is the most popular itinerary for first-time travelers to Japan. As such, it is often called the “Golden Route” It covers the modern vibrancy of Tokyo, the historic serenity of Kyoto, and the relaxing hot-spring resorts (onsen) with views of Mt. Fuji, (top, in January), south of Tokyo in Kanagawa Prefecture’s Hakone. However, there is a more interesting, affordable, less crowded and still easily accessible alternative to Hakone – the eastern part of Shizuoka Prefecture
Featured Posts (5072)
Sort by
The state of Washington consists of many diverse microclimates--from the rainforest of the Olympic Peninsula to the eastern portion of the state averaging around eight inches of rain. The craggy Cascade Range separates the western and damper portion of the state from the eastern and drier side. All of these microclimates provide the 900 wineries unique areas to grow more than 40 different varietals of wine, making Washington State the second-largest premium grape-growing region in the nation.
Highly coveted as far back as ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, the mushrooms known as black truffles remain a major object of desire of foodies and gourmets across the globe. But while many think of them as typical of Italy and France, most of the world’s supply of the delicacy dubbed “the black diamond” these days actually comes from Spain – and in particular, regions of the country’s northeast with just the right growing conditions: parts of Aragón, Castile-León, and Navarre.
The round, rou
photo | Lionsgate
by Ignacio Darnaude
Just when you thought that Hollywood’s musicals from its golden era were deep-sixed and buried six feet under, here comes La La Land, starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, which recently swept the Golden Globes (with a record seven wins) as well as the Academy Awards, with 14 nominations. It doesn’t hurt that the film is an ode to artists and dreamers, as well as the importance of perseverance and creativity when all hope is lost - a message that res
Would you sedate your child on a flight?
Are parents who do so wrong?
Not long ago, a Wall Street Journal article reported that many parents "drug" or sedate their kids on planes so they'll be less bothersome for the parents, flight attendants and fellow passengers.
The drug of choice seems to be Benadryl, and while it does calm kids, often putting them out for hours, it has awakened others to what might be an abusive practice.
The testy responses to an About.com (and other) postings on t
If anyone tells me they’re ‘going to see the Northern Lights’, I always counsel them to plan on other activities too, so they aren’t too disappointed if they don’t show. They’re always there … although if the weather conditions are wrong, they can’t be seen. All of our time in Alta, Norway, there was almost complete cloud cover, and occasional flurries of snow, which precluded any sight of the lights.
But, there are many other things to do in Alta, and one of them is to travel across the snow in
My kinda town, New York City is - and unlike many other Manhattanites (ashemedly including myself, back in the day), I do not fetishize my home borough these days. Yet when it comes to the tourism and much else in the Big Apple, fuhgeddaboutit – Manhattan remains the proverbial “800-pound gorilla”, an attention hog with all the flashiest sights, dining, shows, and yadda yadda yadda. But the so-called “outer boroughs” (besides Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island) have really
Take a right from Times Square's Father Duffy Square down West 47th Street for a short stroll and to your right, an early-20th-century hotel completely transformed into a four-star boutique hotel rises nine stories above the surrounding chaos. It's clear that father-and-son co-founders Hank and Brandon Freid took their 2010 creation of Sanctuary Hotel NYC, a luxury Buddhist-themed retreat, as a challenge and ultimate statement of creating the impossible here.
Although its original architectural f
The magnificent "City of Harbours," with its awe-inspiring skyline, miles-long sandy beaches, high-end shopping; can truly be said to offer a little bit of everything for everyone’s individual taste. Nevertheless, there comes the time when this almost five million people megalopolis feels just a bit overwhelming. But where to escape?
Blue Mountains
What better way to get away from the city crowd but to hop on the Western Motorway and let the road take you to the west. Whether you are travelling
Ah, we progressive folks in the USA do especially love Canada and prime minister Joe Trudeau these days, especially now that it's become along with Germany the leader of the free world. But I've always loved every Canadian city I've ever visited, and none more than Canada's largest city and metro area so much? Well, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing many, many of the world’s biggest, but this sprawling charmer on Lake Ontario (pop. 2.6 million) feels unique to me in the mix of urban, prog
Named after Morocco's late king, the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, is the tallest temple in the world (after Mecca, of course) and also one of the finest. Built over the sea, it rises up 200 meters and spans a total area of 30,000 square miles with room enough for 90,000 worshippers.
It is impressive not only for its size but for the beautiful marble and granite pavement, the copper and brass doors at the entrance of the temple, the façades covered with sculpted marble and the mosaics. This is
Back in the 1960s and 70s, a famous and persistent Spanish tourism tag line proclaimed: “Spain is different.” And one of the things that does indeed make this country different in a key way from the rest of Europe is the fact that only the Iberia Peninsula was largely occupied, for up to 781 years (depending on the region), by invaders of an alien civilization: the Muslim lands of North Africa. Inevitably, this experience left a deep mark on the kingdoms that eventually became Spain, including
There are hidden treasures in and around Beaufort, South Carolina, and finding a gem or two perhaps not on the well worn areas, like the beaches, shopping and museums, is a treat. I found one such gem - particularly a propos for Black History Month - while visiting Beaufort recently in the historic Penn Center.
In 1862, in the then remote area of Frogmore, South Carolina a school was about to be opened for children of recently freed slaves along the Gullah-Geechee co
Colorado is home to a wide variety of scenery from desert to thick forests. With this variety there is something for everyone. During the summer you have the ability to choose from over 4,000 campgrounds! There are 44 state parks and one state forest. Plus you can be in the shadows of the Great Rocky Mountains that will give you a breathtaking view. So if you are into the outdoors, this is the place for you.
These are five of my favorite hiking trails and campgrounds.
Four Pass Loop
As the name sug
by Miguel Zimmerman
Cue the Champagne and roses – yes, it’s that lovey-dovey time of year again! And even though, yes, it’s a little too commercialised in some quarters – still, Valentine’s Day remains a lovely excuse to celebrate love – and one of the most popular ways of doing so remains dinner à deux in a lovely setting. Herewith, some top choices in some of our more romantic destinations…
Barcelona: Pla Tucked away amid the narrow streets of the mediaeval Ciutat Vella (Old Town), Pla‘s sof
New Zealand is home to some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes - rugged mountain ranges, lush rainforests, and tranquil coastlines. What you may not know is that New Zealand’s unique terroir yields crisp, vibrant, and lively wines reflecting the very essence of this island country. Recent harvests were not only markedly bountiful (34 percent above usual yields) but grapes were exceptionally high-quality. Small estate wineries like Catalina Sounds, Crowded House, and Nanny Goat were direct
Historical Creative Arts Centre in Toronto
Toronto is full of arts and culture all situated on Lake Ontario. I recentlyhad a chance to exhibit my art in one of my favourite locations in Toronto, the Distillery District. Cafes, theatres, art galleries, restaurants and historical areas are spread out over the city. If you are visiting from out of town always do a little research before hand so you are prepared. One of my favourtie areas as Toronto Arts Girl is the Toronto Distillery District.
In all beauty pageants what one wears is most important. Beauty contestants usually get decked out in flowing evening gowns and skimpy swim suits. But camel beauty contestant dress in dazzling bling-bling called hatat. The hatat is artfully draped over the hump and around the neck and face like precious jewels. Actually, some are jewelry as they are made with real gold and semi-precious stones
Roger and I were at the Al Dhafra Camel Festival, held just past Madinat Zayed in the desert off Abu Dh
by Tom Bunn
When fear of flying develops, it's sometimes because there has been a bad flight. But, in many cases, difficulty begins for no apparent reason. The average age of onset is 27. The truth is, many of us become more anxious as we get older and more mature. As teenagers, when parents told us to be careful, we thought they were from some other planet! We thought bad things happen to other people, or in places far away.
As we grow older and (hopefully) wiser – or as something shocking h
The mighty Roman Empire started gradually invading and turning the Iberian Peninsula into Hispania in the first two centuries BC a pax romana that would last till the 4th century AD, when it started to lose ground to barbarian tribes such as the Gauls, Vandals, and Visigoths; by 585, Romanised Visigoths effectively controlled the entire peninsula for more than a century up until the Muslim invasions from North Africa.
But those nearly 700 years were decisive – indeed, fateful – for Iberia. Du
