Blogs

It is not often that a toilet and a tea ceremony form perfect metaphors for the culture of a country, but so it is in Japan.

The toilet falls into the realm of delightful personal discoveries – albeit all of them in the hotel bathroom of the Kyoto Park Hotel. First, a warm toilet seat along with musical options with a variety of buttons that cleaned more areas with water spray than I have nether region body parts, a portion of the large bathroom mirror that remained perfectly clear even after an

In the Netherlands province of Holland in April and early May, almost every field in is covered in brightly coloured flowers. These are the bulb flowers most often associated with spring. There are deep blue hyacinths, white and golden yellow daffodils and narcissi, but mostly brash, bold and colourful tulips.

Tulips come in a wide range of colours. They can be the purest white through yellow, orange and red to the deepest purple ... sometimes almost black. ‘Broken’ tulips are bi-coloured, usual

Renowned as one of the United State's most signature historic destinations, America's Historic Triangle (Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown Virginia) is packed with opportunities for gaining a more informed insight into how the American Revolution unfolded, shaping the world's great democratic experiment. The Historic Triangle is also becoming increasingly known as a mecca for craft food and beverages with historical tie ins as well as making history of their own.

Where to Begin

Geographica

One of the top places to go in Costa Rica, in the Central Valley, is the spectacular Else Kientzler Botanical Garden in Sarchi, Costa Rica.

The flourishing Costa Rica botanical garden showcases more than 2,000 species of exotic tropical plants from around the globe in its 11 gardens on seven hectares (17.3 acres). The popular Costa Rica tourist attraction is located in Costa Rica’s Central Valley in the artisan town of Sarchi, just north of the main town center.

Visitors can stroll two kilomet

Orchids have a mystique. A magic, beguiling beauty. Their complex patterns, colors and forms in a flower so delicate and fragile, simply boggle the senses. They are coveted like an elusive, exotic treasure, and bought, sold and traded around the world. Whole societies and organizations are dedicated to preserving these amazing beauties.

At the Else Kientzler Botanical Gardens in Sarchi, Costa Rica (an hour's drive northwest of capital San José), you can immerse yourself in the enchanting world o

To your holiday decorations this year, add some pretty Christmas plants for a living touch of good cheer. Surprisingly, many holiday plants are tropical in origin, which means that you care for them like a houseplant if you live in a cold climate.

The Else Kientzler Botanical Garden in Sarchi, Costa Rica, has several fun ideas for traditional and novel Christmas plants to decorate your home this holiday season. They recommend using decorative planters in different levels, along with hanging bask

The fascinating fact about plants and trees in Costa Rica is that each one has a story, or a folk tradition or a specific use. There is much more than meets the eye in this tropical paradise.

Ovido Esquivel, director of the Else Kientzler Botanical Garden in Sarchi, Costa Rica, uncovered the mystique of some of Costa Rica’s commonly found plants and trees, which you will more than likely see in your travels around Costa Rica.

Bougainvillea(veranera in Spanish): Native to South America, the vibra

In April 1982, Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, became the ‘Sister City’ of Himeji, an ancient city in Japan, now a port and a major industrial centre, most importantly the home of the headquarters of Nissan Steel.

When Colonel William Light laid out the city of Adelaide in 1836, he said that the city centre should be encircled by parkland, upon which nobody would ever be allowed to build houses.

And, in that parkland, to commemorate the link between the two cities, they laid out a Japan

There are lots of reasons why La Jolla is San Diego, California’s favorite coastal community. One of these is the fact that our community offers so many things to do – including looking at beautiful houses and gardens.

Sometimes this can be a frustrating experience because many beautiful houses and gardens are surrounded by walls and high hedges. However, once a year visitors can find out what lies beyond the entrances by going on the Secret Garden Tour of La Jolla.

That garden tour will take plac

Gardens and parks offer great relaxation both for mind and eyes, and the lovely city of Porto in northern Portugal has them in spades. Four of the top choices: 

Jardim de António Calém 

On Rua das Sobreiras, the must-see  Antonio Calém Garden is a small but full of bushes, trees, and lawns, at has a lovely location on the banks of the river Douro, and is famous for its romantic view over the river. Other highlights include the monument to the 1415 expedition of Ceuta and the high black poplars.

Setubal’s pedestrian streets, fountains and gardens lend it a certain grace, although its still very functioning harbour certainly dominates giving it the feel of a still thriving historic town.

Richard Mortel

Visitors to Hong Kong Island know about the iconic Victoria Peak and other tourist favorites, but here are three fun things to do when staying at downtown's 550-room Ibis Ibis Hong Kong Central and Sheung Wan Hotel.

The Historic Trams

Take the tram for a step back in time and explore the bustling north corridor of Hong Kong Island aboard one of the city's affordable, fun, historic trams. These double-decker streetcars have been traveling through Hong Kong's busiest thoroughfares