We had a lot of fun exploring Japan’s many unique cities, but after a while we felt the need to get out and explore some of the beautiful nature that so far we had mostly glimpsed from Shinkansen windows while zipping by at 300 kilometres an hour. While places like Mount Fuji or Shikoku’s Iya…
Kōraku-en Garden and Other Great Things to See in Okayama, Japan
Okayama Province in southern Honshu is commonly referred to as the “Land of Sunshine“, because of its usually pleasant weather. Its capital city, which goes by the same name, is a cool destination that doesn’t seem to see too many foreign visitors. The reason can’t be for a lack of sights, because in my opinion,…
8 Amazing Things to See and Do on Miyajima Island, Japan
Visitors mostly flock to Miyajima Island in the Bay of Hiroshima to visit the magnificent Itskukushima Shrine and its world-famous floating gateway. While this must-visit sight might be the main reason to drop by the island, Miyajima features a wide array of cool sights warranting a longer visit. Expect plenty of pagodas and temples in…
Everything You Need to Know About Visiting the Magnificent Itsukushima Shrine, Japan
Even if you’ve never been to Japan, I’d venture to guess that you’ve seen pictures of the vermilion gate of Itsukushima-Jinja seemingly floating on the glittering waters of Hiroshima Bay. The torii seems to have become synonymous both with the elegance of Japanese Architecture and the serenity of the country’s Shinto Shrines. Apart from being…
A Short Guide to the Japanese Tea Ceremony
Also known as chado, the traditional Japanese tea ceremony is an essential part of the country’s cultural heritage and partaking as a foreigner can be both fascinating and slightly intimidating due to the amount of rules and cultural etiquette involved. These include, amongst others, even the proper way to hold the cup containing the tea….
The Ultimate One Day Itinerary for Leipzig, Germany’s Cultural Boomtown
Central Germany’s largest city seems to be a bit of a paradox: On the one hand, it’s the country’s fastest-growing city and a vibrant cultural hot-spot due to its large university and important role in the contemporary art scene, yet on the other hand it still appears to be something of a well-kept secret among…
The Pros and Cons of Solo Travel
Whenever I’m traveling somewhere on my own, I tend to get the same reactions from at least some people who can’t seem to fathom that decision. To be fair, these are mostly people who don’t travel a lot themselves and can’t quite seem to grasp the appeal. Yet, this clearly isn’t something that only pertains…
8 Fantastic Things to See and Do in Chanthaburi, Thailand’s City of Gems
Pretty Chanthaburi is a small town in Thailand’s southeastern province of the same name that still sees few foreign tourists, despite its mellow vibe and pretty historical centre. Due to its role in gemstone trade, it still gets its fair share of international visitors aiming to make a deal by buying or selling the various…
Visiting Thailand’s Nam Tok Phlio National Park – What You Need to Know
With a whopping 156 National Parks, Thailand certainly doesn’t suffer from a shortage of protected areas. While many of them are super beautiful and certainly well-worth visiting, Nam Tok Phlio National Park in southeastern Thailand’s Chanthaburi Province sets itself apart from the majority by the fact that it’s mainly known to domestic tourists. I for…
7 Unique Things to See and Do on Ko Sichang, Thailand
Unlike on many of the surrounding islands, I didn’t meet a lot of other foreigners on pretty Ko Sichang. I guess that the main reason for this is the lack of beaches and spots to party compared to many other Thai Islands, like for instance Ko Samet further south-east along the coast. Ko Sichang more…