GV Photos

Broken, Together, Again

Stu Davidson — Sun, 25 Sep 2022 20:01:00 +0000

Daily Photo – Broken, Together, Again

Broken, Together 2.0, from Michael Benisty.

Broken, Together, Again

Photo Information

Date Taken2022-09-05 12:29:30
CameraILCE-7RM3
Camera MakeSony
Exposure Time1/1250
Aperture5
ISO50
Focal Length24.0 mm
FlashOff, Did not fire
Exposure ProgramManual
Exposure Bias

LAHORE, PAKISTAN

jacquelinemhadel — Sun, 25 Sep 2022 15:00:00 +0000

13aug22

The best things to do in Hai Phong Vietnam 2022

admin — Sun, 25 Sep 2022 14:07:59 +0000

The northern port city of Hai Phong is home to a well preserved “French Quarter,” a UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve, beaches, caves and exceptional cuisine.

HOW TO GET THERE

From Hanoi, the fastest way is an 1.5 hour motorbike ride on the Hanoi-Hai Phong Expressway.

The Hoang Long and Anh Huy transport companies sell bus tickets for VND120,000-135,000 per person. A limousine with drop-off service in the inner city costs VND230,000-250,000.

There are daily flights from HCMC to Hai Phong with airfares ranging from VND900,000 to 1.5 million.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Hai Phong boasts a subtropical climate typical of northern Vietnam: hot and humid with heavy rains in summer, dry and cold in winter.

The best time to visit the city is from March to April and from September to October when exploration of its historical vestiges can be combined with outdoor enjoyment at the beach and some boat tours.

Between July and August, storms and rains are likely, but that allows visitors to see the place in a completely different light.

LET’S SEE THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN HAI PHONG VIETNAM 2022

In 1888, the president of the French Third Republic, Sadi Carnot, promulgated a decree to establish Hai Phong and began constructing a series of major buildings on a seven-hectare area from Lac Long Bridge to Tran Hung Dao Street as known today.

This history gives the city its major modern history highlight, the “French Quarter” with rows of colonial houses more than a hundred years old.

The Hai Phong Opera House is standout attraction. All the materials to build it were brought from France and its work supervised by French architects.

The Opera House gathered the elite crowd – French officials and rich locals – who could afford tickets to shows featuring famous troupes from France as well as widely recognized local talents.

In the main performance hall, the Hai Phong Opera House provides seating for 300 patrons over two floors. Its plush, red cushioned chairs shine the gold trimming. The high domed ceiling adds to its grandeur.

Just a few steps from the Opera House is the Kim Dong Park that has its heart a multi-roofed building built in 1942 by the French. Today it serves as a public library of Hong Bang District.

Hai Phong is also one of the main railway stations in the north of the country, and a train ride from Hanoi to Hai Phong makes for a memorable journey.

The city also boasts the first local museum established in the country and is a must-visit destination for all visitors.

Built in 1919 on a one-hectare area covered with old trees, the museum holds an impressive collection of local historical artefacts that trace the heritage of the region as well as a selection of precious gems, traditional items, and old photographs.

As part of the city tour around the “French Quarter,” a flower market on the eastern side of Tam Bac Lake adds to the city’s considerable charms.

The flower market has five splendid arched-roof kiosks built in 1941 by the French as a place to buy fresh flowers.

Also, within easy walking distance of the lake is a massive bronze statue of the female General Le Chan, a Vietnamese hero and founder of Hai Phong.

The Hang Pagoda in Le Chan District, which is more than 1,000 years old, is one of the most important Buddhist center in the country.

Around 22 kilometers from downtown Hai Phong is the Do Son beach, which is also home to Vietnam’s first legal casino.

What was once a popular resort area for the French is now a popular weekend retreat, especially for sun-seekers from Hanoi.

An ancient clay tower and a Buddhist temple on Ngoc Son Mountain are other Do Son attractions, as is a buffalo fighting festival in September or October.

The highly picturesque Cat Ba Archipelago, adjacent to world heritage site Ha Long Bay, has 367 islands, of which Cat Ba is the largest. A cruise tour of this place with its limestone karst mountains rising out of turquoise waters is not to be missed.

At the Cai Beo wharf, after buying entry tickets that cost VND30,000 ($1.27) per person, visitors can take a boat or canoe to Lan Ha Bay, located to the east of Cat Ba Island.

Private boat rental price is VND2.2 – 3.8 million for a journey lasting four hours and VND5.7 million for a six-hour-long journey. Each boat can carry up to 25 passengers.

A motorboat cruise costs VND500,000 – 1 million for a group of five to 10 passengers.

An advantageous option is combo packages at VND200,000 – 350,000 per person, lunch included. The itinerary includes Lan Ha Bay and the Cai Beo fishing village, scuba diving service and freestyle kayaking.

The Cai Beo village is said to be the oldest of its kind in Vietnam and considered a living museum of Vietnamese fishing culture.

The floating village, with around 300 households, consists of dozens of houses that float on green clear waters.

Kayaking in Lan Ha Bay includes the thrill of going through the Bright and Dark caves bordering Ha Long Bay.

A trekking trip to the Cat Ba National Park, which was recognized as a world biosphere reserve, is a highly rewarding experience.

The Kim Giao – Ngu Lam trail is the most popular route that takes about an hour to reach the top.

Kim Giao is 300 meters high with rows of stone benches serving as a place to rest before continuing on to Ngu Lam, which is 700 meters further. At the 220-meter high Ngu Lam peak, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the mountainous landscape from an observation tower. It is also a great lunch spot.

For this two-hour trek, visitors need to bring their own food and water as there are no shops along the route.

As an economic hub of the northern region hosting several international tech giants, Hai Phong has developed a nightlife that finds favourable mention among foreign visitors.

Some popular bars and beer clubs in Hai Phong are Play House Bar, Fleur d’Or Maison Bar, King Disco, Peerage Bar, Lucky Pub and Zozo BBQ Grill Bar.

best things to do in hai phong vietnam

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Astronomical Distances and the Age of the Universe

Gary Arndt — Sun, 25 Sep 2022 11:16:45 +0000

Podcast Transcript Every so often, astronomers will publish photos taken with an astronomical telescope and say that the object they captured is so many billions of light years away. But how could they know the distance of something from just looking at it? Furthermore, astronomers claim that the universe is almost 14 billion years old. ...

The post Astronomical Distances and the Age of the Universe appeared first on Everything Everywhere.

List of 9 Vietnamese noodle dishes you should try when visit Vietnam

admin — Sun, 25 Sep 2022 09:10:03 +0000

Three northern Vietnamese dishes, four from the south and two from the central made it onto a list of 100 most popular noodle dishes compiled by international food guide site TasteAtlas.

Pho, Vietnam’s national dish originating from Hanoi, is described as one traditionally made with chicken or beef broth, where the bones simmer for at least three hours until the broth is perfect.

“The addition of herbs and spices accentuates the flavors, and the chewy rice noodles, juicy beef slices, and crunchy sprouts elevate the dish to another level,” according to TasteAtlas, an experiential travel guide to traditional food that collates authentic recipes, food critic reviews, and research articles about popular ingredients and dishes.

Bun cha (Vietnamese grilled pork with rice noodles), a specialty of Hanoi, is a bowl of savory, sweet and sour fish sauce with meatballs and thick pork slices served with a plate of white vermicelli.

The dish had its profile boosted after former President Barack Obama enjoyed it with late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain during his 2016 trip to Vietnam. It was then featured on Bourdain’s show “Parts Unknown.”

Bun rieu cua (tomato and crab noodle soup) also originates from northern Vietnam. The dish is a vermicelli soup with a tomato-based broth made by slowly simmering pork or chicken bone. The key protein component of this soup is the crab meat mixture made of freshwater mini crabs, pork and egg that is almost like a patty.

This soup combines lots of ingredients like fried tofu, prawns, crab meat, pig blood pudding, bean sprouts and fresh Vietnamese herbs like perilla and cilantro.

Quang-style noodles from the central region consists of a combination of flat rice noodles and yellow egg noodles that are served with a small amount of flavorful meat broth and crispy fresh vegetables and herbs like banana blossoms, lettuce, cilantro, scallions, and Vietnamese coriander.

Cao lau (roasted pork with thick Vietnamese noodles) is a traditional dish from the ancient town of Hoi An.

It features poached noodles, bean sprouts and herbs from famous Tra Que Village, garnished with thin slices of barbeque pork and crispy fried pig skin.

Bun thit nuong (grilled pork and rice vermicelli) that originates from the south combines marinated grilled pork, rice vermicelli noodles, green vegetables and herbs.

The ingredients are usually placed in a bowl and are then combined with a fish sauce that is typically enriched with lime or lemon juice, water, and sugar.

Many see it as the southern sibling of Hanoi’s bun cha.

Banh canh, Vietnamese thick noodle soup, is said to originate from the southern province of Tay Ninh near the Cambodian border.

The thick noodles are made from tapioca or rice flour and the dish has different kinds of variations such as with pork, snakehead fish or crab, shrimp and other seafood.

“This noodle soup is usually thicker than other Vietnamese soups and the base is typically made from pork bones or sometimes chicken, and it’s seasoned with sugar, salt, and fish sauce,” according to TasteAtlas.

Bun mam (fermented fish noodle soup) which originates from the southern province of Soc Trang, consists of rice vermicelli noodles, fermented fish-flavored broth, squid, shrimp, catfish, fish cakes and roasted pork belly.

Considered a Mekong Delta specialty, the noodle soup is always served with fresh herbs such as bitter knotgrass, bean sprouts, water lilies, banana flower, water spinach and a small bowl of dipping sauce with lemon juice and minced chili and lemongrass.

Bun bo Nam Bo (southern Vietnamese beef noodle salad) mainly includes beef, rice vermicelli noodles, garlic, fresh herbs and vegetables while roasted peanuts and fried shallots are entirely optional.

The noodles, vegetables, and herbs are arranged in bowls, while the beef is stir-fried and added on top.

The TasteAtlas list featured many of Asia’s famous dishes including Japan’s cup noodles, pancit palabok in the Philippines, yen ta fo in Thailand, budae jjigae in South Korea, and hokkien mee in Singapore.

Source: vnexpress.net .

List of 9 Vietnamese noodle dishes you should try when visit Vietnam
admin

Camp Pesto That’s Perfect for Pasta

admin — Sun, 25 Sep 2022 02:54:43 +0000

Pesto makes almost any dish better. You can even turn a drab bowl of oatmeal into a tasty savory breakfast dish with a spoonful of pesto (try it sometime). Fresh pesto, made with bright green basil leaves is the stuff that food dreams are made of; the pungent herb is full of flavor, and with a few leaves and a little olive oil, you practically don’t need anything else to dress up a dish. But on camping trips, fresh basil isn’t usually an option, as it quickly goes from fresh to frazzled.

That’s where our friend dried basil comes in. In my kitchen at home, it’s not a spice that I cook with a lot, as I much prefer the taste of fresh basil. But outside of the comforts of a traditional kitchen, it can do wonders and can be used to make a simple pesto mix that’s easy to take with you on trips.

For this pesto, you mix the dry ingredients at home and mix together with the wet ingredients when you’re on the trail.

There are a few tricks to getting a bit more flavor out of your dried basil pesto. First off, unless you are allergic, nuts are going to make a big difference. I prefer walnuts, but you can go for the standard pine nuts if those are more up your alley. If you have the time, it’s worth toasting the nuts before chopping or crushing them as this will help to bring out the flavor.

When it’s time to mix your pesto, you can always just toss everything into the pot of pasta and stir together, but if you mix together the dry and wet ingredients beforehand and let them sit while you cook your pasta, this will allow the dried basil to soak up a little of the olive oil.

Finally, let’s talk about the cheese. It’s not necessary for this recipe, but it’s going to improve the flavor. Parmesan is of course the traditional cheese used in pesto, but any hard, aged cheese will do as long as it has a sharp, salty flavor. And I don’t know about you, but I have yet to travel with a cheese grater; chopping up the cheese with your Swiss Army knife will do just fine.

Prepare your dry ingredients at home, and that way, you can put them in a bag or bottle and simply add the wet ingredients when you’re ready to make your pesto. For longer trips, make a big batch of the dry recipe to take along with you, and just use a small amount of it every time you want pesto with your meal.

Note that this recipe is not a goopy, runny pesto, so if you want that, plan on adding more olive oil.

Camp Pesto That’s Perfect for Pasta
admin

Travel news 09/2022 – Hanoi told to close coffee shops on ‘train street’

admin — Sun, 25 Sep 2022 01:25:02 +0000

Railway authorities urged Hanoi to shut down selfie hotspots and makeshift coffee shops along its famous train street, a favorite hangout among foreign tourists, as a safety measure.

After Hanoi Train Street reopened following a two-year closure, makeshift coffee shops started resuming business along the rail tracks while many local and foreign tourists flocked to the area to take selfies that pose safety risks, Vietnam Railways said in a proposal submitted to Hanoi authorities Tuesday.

Hanoi Train Street is formed by railway tracks running alongside Dien Bien Phu and Phung Hung streets in the heart of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, with residential buildings just a few feet away on either side.

The highly unusual sight of a train running several hundred meters on these tracks fascinates tourists from within and outside the country.

Railway authorities said gathering crowds along the 300-meter-long railway section happened after the pandemic situation was brought under control in May.

Earlier, the railway sector had also asked the Hanoi administration to deal with such violations.

In 2019, Hanoi authorities shut down makeshift coffee shops along the train street and set up barriers to prevent tourists from entering the area to avoid accidents.

Since Vietnam reopened international tourism and resumed pre-pandemic visa policies in mid-March, the train street has begun to revive with the return of foreign tourists.

Source: vnexpress.net .

Travel news 09/2022 – Hanoi told to close coffee shops on ‘train street’
admin

Nerding Out

Stu Davidson — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 20:01:00 +0000

Daily Photo – Nerding Out

On the night of the Temple burn, I went way out into the deep playa to get a photo. I do this pretty much every year now… well, 5 out of the last 11. Anyway, I was out there by myself and I saw another photographer show up. That is rare! And so I chatted him up – nice German fellow… I asked him why he was out so far away from the event. And he said, I’m trying to get a Trey Ratcliff shot! And I was like, well that guy is a hack… and then I told him and we had a sweet hug and nerded out on camera stuff while taking photos…

Nerding Out

Photo Information

Date Taken2022-09-05 14:48:18
CameraILCE-7RM3
Camera MakeSony
Exposure Time0.3
Aperture4
ISO1600
Focal Length52.0 mm
FlashOff, Did not fire
Exposure ProgramManual
Exposure Bias

Iceland 2022: a photo diary

geoworldtravel — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 18:00:57 +0000

At the start of September 2022, we returned to the geologists’ paradise that is Iceland. Following the same itinerary as in previous years, we toured the island in an anti-clockwise direction, taking in numerous awe-inspiring geological sites. Our group consisted of 11 intrepid travellers from the UK, the USA and Australia, with Dr Martin Whiteley assisting James in leading the trip. As many of the sites and the journey itself have been described in previous blog posts (Iceland 2021 and Iceland 2019), this blog is more of a photo diary to share the best photos from this year’s trip. We were fortunate to have very good weather for our trip this year, which also meant we were able to experience an excellent display of the Northern Lights – something we certainly don’t see every year. And whilst we had been fortunate in 2021 to arrive while the volcano at Fagradalsfjall was still erupting, we weren’t so lucky this year, as it stopped erupting just 10 days before we arrived! Nonetheless, we took the GeoWorld Travel group on a short hike on the first day of the tour to witness the fresh lava from the 2021 and 2022 eruptions, which was still steaming in places!

We will be running the trip again in future years, so please check our website for updated dates, prices and availability: https://www.geoworldtravel.com/Iceland.php Or you can make contact with us on contact@geoworldtravel.com to be added to a priority booking list and to receive updates on future trips.

Here is a selection of the best photos from the trip to give you a flavour of this geologically fascinating country.

Please click on images to enlarge and to read the captions

Scotland – Glasgow

Traveling Rockhopper — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 11:25:00 +0000

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Video – Living in Ecuador as an Expat

Burt Johnson and Evelyn Johnson — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 08:49:00 +0000

Since joining the Eyes of Hawaii photography club in Honolulu, several people were asking me about what it was like to live in Ecuador. Being a photography club, I decided the best way to explain it was by creating a slide show / video for them.

In looking over our photographic resources from our living there for 8 years, it became clear that there was more to be told than would fit in any reasonable length video. I therefore decided to split the topic into two videos.

This is the second of those two videos, and shows what our life was like while living there as an American expat. This was well received when shown at the Eyes of Hawaii meeting, and I think it does a fairly good job of giving the sense of life as an expat.

Please join me for the next 24 minutes, as you experience Living in Ecuador as an Expat:

The best places to visit in Bright Victoria Australia 2022

admin — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 02:36:32 +0000

Not many people think of snow and mountains when they think of Australia – but there are a few hidden gems that may surprise you. Bright is one such town. Cosied up in the valley of panoramic mountains, top Australian ski hills and glowing with small alpine town charm, Bright is one of the best places to visit in Australia to experience the mountains. There are so many fun things to do in Bright that you wouldn’t expect when you first think of visiting Australia, so it’s well worth a visit.

I recently spent a month in this quaint little township, and I can safely say that it will steal your heart. From the cute cafes, alpine adventures, scenic walkways and the year-round Christmas store (yes, it even counts down to Christmas), there were so many little gems in this highland town and the surrounds. If you are looking for tips for a weekend in Bright, top things to do in Bright and fun things to do in Bright – I have you covered! I have put together my top ten things to do in Bright, Victoria. Let’s dive in.

About Bright, Victoria…

The town of Bright is located around three hours northeast of the vibrant city of Melbourne, Victoria and sits on the edge of the famed Great Dividing Range. This expansive collection of mountain ranges, plateaus and hills stretches over 3,500km and is the fifth longest land-based mountain chain in the world and the longest in one country. This mountainous location makes alpine skiing one of the best places to visit in Bright in winter and hiking one of the best places to visit in Bright in summer.

Bright is easily one of the best places to visit in Victoria and ranks high on the list of best places to visit in Australia, but you will need a car to get around. This makes this the perfect destination to add to a weekend road trip, Victoria road trip, or larger Australia road trip.

Can you spend a weekend in Bright, Victoria?

Is it possible to do a weekend in Bright, Victoria? Yes, absolutely. This little town packs a punch for things to do, but can easily fit into a weekend. In fact, this is a very popular weekend destination in both winter and summer. So if you are looking for things to do for a weekend in Bright, you’re in the right place!

The best places to visit in Bright, Victoria…

If you are looking for the best places to visit in Victoria and the best places to visit in Australia no matter the time of year – Bright should be on the list. I visited this beautiful alpine town in the winter, just as the fall leaves were losing their colour and beginning to fall. I then stayed for the start of the winter season. For this reason, this list is primarily geared toward the best places to visit in Bright in winter and autumn. However, I have added a few additional notes on the best thing to do in summer based on a few chats I had with the locals while staying in town.

Without further ado, let’s dive into the top things to do in Bright!

1. Go skiing at Hotham

First up on the list of best places to visit in Bright is a day or two up at Hotham. Hotham Alpine Resort is Australia’s highest alpine village, located an hour from Bright and 4.5 hours from Melbourne. In the winter, this hill comes alive with a few metres of white powdery goodness. As the highest alpine resort, this ski hub gets some of the best snow in Australia and has a huge variety of terrain for everyone from beginners to advanced skiers. This is one of the best places to visit in Australia for advanced riders looking to get a taste of fresh tracks in this more challenging Australian alpine terrain.

This area is also pretty magical in the summertime (or so I hear from the friendly locals)! With the sun out and the snow melting, this alpine town transforms into the perfect hiking, biking, trail running and fly fishing terrain. There is no shortage of things to do in winter and summer at Hotham.

Top tip: Be aware that the road up to Hotham can become covered in snow and ice in the winter months. As such, you will be required to carry chains. You can easily rent these from a chain hire/ ski store in town. These typically start at around $25 per day.

1. Go skiing at Hotham

2. Stop by the brewery

Whether you are chasing an apres ski in the winter or a place to cool off in the summer months, Bright Brewery is the place to do it. Located in Bright, this mountain-crafted brewery is inspired by this thriving high country in both brews and brew names. For example, you can try their Black Diamond IPA, Alpine Lager or their Doggo Brau (for the dog lovers, of course).

I personally am not a beer person, so enjoyed one of their on-tap ciders instead. I also tried their mulled cider which I have never come across before. It was warm and homey in all the right ways, and would say this is one of the best places to visit in Bright in winter and one of the best places to visit in Victoria for its unique high country brewery charm. Overall this place had a very laid-back vibe, and the staff were lovely. Would recommend!

3. See the trees in autumn

There are few better places to experience the magic of Autumn in Australia than in Bright. In fact, each year since 1962 there has been an Annual Bright Autumn festival to ring in this colourful season. The exact dates will change yearly depending on the temperatures and when the winter sets in, but generally the Autumn colours can be best seen during the month of May. This is definitely one of the best places to visit in Australia and one of the best places to visit in Victoria for photographers looking to capture vibrant Autumn scenes.

4. Grab a bite to eat

If you’re anything like me, then food is the centrepiece of travel experiences. Luckily Bright delivers in spades. Some of the top things to do in Bright when it comes to food experiences include:

Grab a burger from Burgerville

This victorian burger chain sets up shop in town next to the Bright Woolworths. It’s an easy, cost-effective and yummy dinner or quick lunch.

Japanese for lunch at Katsu

Katsu is a little Japanese hole-in-the-wall restaurant that is open only during the day from 11 am to 2 pm – making it the perfect lunch spot.

Pizza at Don Mungo’s

Don Mungo’s is a quirky pizza joint with downright delicious pizza. From traditional italian to vegan to a fusion Japanese inspired pizza – it’s bound to impress. I’ll admit, I somehow found myself grabbing pizza there two nights in a row… it was that good.

There were some other great contenders, but these were easily my top three. With all this in mind, Bright has to be one of my favourite places to visit in Victoria (aside from Melbourne, of course), for such a hub of great food.

5. Stroll along the river

Sometimes it’s the simple pleasures that make a trip an adventure to remember. Running through town, there is a stunning river that runs alongside Centenary Park and Howit Park that sets the backdrop for the town. There is a beautiful loop that winds its way up the river, crosses a bridge and loops back into town. It’s the perfect way to explore the natural surroundings.

6. Grab a coffee at sixpence

Coffee lovers will rejoice in knowing that there is not only a brewery in town, but also a damn good roastery. Sixpence is a small batch roastery with a passion for bringing quality coffee to North East Victoria – and boy do they deliver. Located in an old mechanic’s garage, this industrial style cafe is a quirky and beautifully transformed space to enjoy your morning brew – freshly roasted, the way we like it. This is easily one of the best places to visit in Victoria and best places to visit in Victoria for coffee lovers.

7. Go mountain biking in Mystic Park

Daily Photo – Burning Man Angel

An angel on the playa just after sunset a few days after the burn. We took a break from cleaning up to head out and take a few photos with these cool angel wings designed by Sean French.

Burning Man Angel

Photo Information

Date Taken2022-09-06 13:52:41
CameraILCE-7RM3
Camera MakeSony
Exposure Time1/800
Aperture4
ISO1600
Focal Length24.0 mm
FlashOff, Did not fire
Exposure ProgramManual
Exposure Bias

The best destinations to visit Dolomites Italy in 2022

admin — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 16:36:58 +0000

The Italian Dolomites are home to some of the most arresting mountains, valleys, and lakes in the European Alps. At every turn, you’ll be bewitched by the craggy peaks, velvet-like meadows, and thrilling mountain passes that define this sub-range of the Southern Limestone Alps.

Visit the Dolomites and your days will be filled with unforgettable “am I dreaming?” moments. From the spectacular scenery and hiking trails to the charming mountainside huts and excellent hotels, the Dolomites will exceed your expectations (in every possible way).

The most popular destinations in the Dolomites are fanned out across the Northern Italian provinces of South Tyrol, Trentino and Belluno. The best way to see the top Dolomites attractions is by dividing your time equally between Cortina d’Ampezzo, San Martino di Castrozza, Val Gardena (Ortisei, Selva di Val Gardena, or Santa Cristina), and Alta Badia (Colfosco, Corvara, La Villa, Badia, or San Cassiano).

In this roundup of best destinations to visit in the Dolomites, we’ll help you decide what to see and where to go in the Dolomites.

Dolomites Essential Info

Italian Regions: Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, and Friuli Venezia Giulia
Languages spoken: Italian, Ladin, and German
How much time do you need: 1 week at least. Here’s our 7 day Dolomites Road Trip Itinerary.
Closest International Airport: Marco Polo International Airport, Venice, Italy
Summer Season: June – late October
Winter Season: December – early April
When not to visit: November and May
Accommodation options: Apartments, farm stays, mountain huts, guesthouses, hotels, and campgrounds. Wild camping is not allowed. Learn more in our Dolomites Accommodation guide.

Dolomites Destinations Map

1. Lago di Braies

Lago di Braies (Pragser Wildsee) is a stunning lake at the foot of Croda del Becco/Seekofel in Valle di Braies/Pragser Tal, a side valley of Alta Pusteria/Pustertal in South Tyrol.

The best time of year to visit Lago di Braies is early in the summer (June) or in the fall (late September – October). As the summer season progresses, the water level decreases.

Lago di Braies is usually the first place people want to see in the Dolomites. In high season, it’s a zoo. Most people just come for the photo. Many will walk the circuit trail around the lake. But, the smartest people visit Lago di Braies at sunrise and hike to the summits of surrounding peaks, like Hochalpenkopf.

Did you know that Lago di Braies is the starting point of the Alta Via 1 long distance trail?

2. Prato Piazza

Prato Piazza (Plätzwiese) plateau is a high alpine pasture above Valle di Braies/Pragser Tal, not too far from Lago di Braies. The plateau lies between Picco di Vallandro/Dürrenstein (2839 m) and Monte Croda Rossa d’Ampezzo/Hohe Gaisl (3146 m) in Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park.

The best thing to do on Prato Piazza is hike the panoramic summit of Monte Specie/Strudelkopf. From this easy-to-reach peak, you’ll be treated to marvelous views of Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Cadini di Misurina, and the Cristallo Group.

3. Val Fiscalina

Val Fiscalina/Fischleintal is a gorgeous side-valley of Sesto/Sexten Valley in South Tyrol. It serves as a gateway to the northern Sexten Dolomites and the Three Peaks Nature Park.

For a low-key adventure, hike the Val Fiscalina valley trail, starting at Bad Moos and ending at Rifugio Fondovalle/Talschlusshütte.

From this valley refuge, you can continue ascending Valle Sasso Vecchio/Altensteintal valley all the way up Rifugio Locatelli/Dreizinnenhütte (2405 m) and Tre Cime di Lavaredo/Drei Zinnen. That’s how we started this easy-moderate 3-day hut-to-hut hike.

There are two excellent hotels in Val Fiscalina you should know about: Bad Moos Dolomites Spa Resort and the historic Hotel Dolomitenhof.

4. Alpe di Siusi

Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm in German, Mont Sëuc in Ladin) is the largest high-alpine pasture in Europe, covering a surface area of 56 square kilometers. This rolling alpine plateau stretches from the foot of the Sassolungo Group (Langkofel) to the base of Sciliar (Schlern) in South Tyrol.

Alpe di Siusi is a magnet for photographers as well as hikers, cyclists, and skiers. You can access the plateau easily by gondola from both Ortisei in Val Gardena as well as Siusi allo Sciliar. We’ve explained all the details of how to get here in our Alpe di Siusi Travel Guide.

The entire pasture is peppered with alpine pasture huts (Alm/Malga/Schwaige), which are perfect destinations for lunch. Follow the Hans and Paula Steger Trail and detour to Gostner Schwaige for homemade dairy products and Rauchhütte for homemade pasta and wine. Ssavor the local food and views at Malga Sanon.

If you visit during the summer season, we recommend hiking this exhilarating Alpe di Siusi – Rifugio Bolzano – Rifugio Alpe di Tires circuit trail. This 21.6 km circuit takes about 8 hours to complete.

We hiked this route during our stay at Hotel Steger-Dellai on Alpe di Siusi. This traditional hotel is located directly on the Hans and Paula Steger Trail, very close to Gostner Schwaige and not too far from Compaccio/Compatsch (15 minute walk). Staying on Alpe di Siusi is an unforgettable experience. You can take sunrise and sunset walks, hop between gourmet alpine pasture huts, and undertake longer hikes like the Rifugio Bolzano circuit.

5. Seceda

Seceda is a mountain in the Odle/Geisler Group situated within the Puez-Odle Nature Park in South Tyrol.

The summit of Seceda (2518 meters) is one of the top places to visit in the Dolomites because of its staggering view of the Odle/Geisler peaks. From this perspective, the Odle pinnacles look like a set of knives, slashing the sky.

The easiest and fastest way to get to Seceda is by cableway from Ortisei. From the Ortisei-Furnes-Seceda mountain station, it’s a 10 minute walk to the summit viewpoint. From here, we suggest following the ridgeline towards the peaks and hiking this Seceda to Rifugio Firenze circuit trail (3:00 – 3:30 hours).

If you want to skip the expensive cableway ride, you can hike to Seceda from Val Gardena on this Monte Pic hike.

Experienced hikers may want to approach Seceda from Resciesa Plateau and the Mittagscharte on this Resciesa – Seceda day hike.

6. Val di Funes

Val di Funes/Vilnösstal is an idyllic valley, which runs from Valle Isarco/Eisacktal Valley to the Odle/Geisler mountain range.

No place can rival the fairytale beauty of Val di Funes. Here, the roaring Odle/Geisler peaks jut out of a picture-perfect pastoral landscape of rolling pastures and forest.

For the best view of Val di Funes, head to the village of Santa Maddalena and follow this panorama trail above the Santa Maddalena Church.

The most popular hike in Val di Funes is the Adolf Munkel Trail to Geisler Alm. A quieter alternative is the Rifugio Genova circuit trail.

Our personal favorite hike is the summit of Tullen, the highest peak in the Odle d’Eores/Aferer Geisler Group.

Most people make the mistake of only visiting Val di Funes for a few hours. We highly recommend staying at least 2-3 nights. The best destinations to stay are Fallerhof (budget), Hotel Fines (midrange), or Hotel Tyrol (luxury) in Santa Maddalena.

7. Passo delle Erbe

Passo delle Erbe (Würzjoch in German, Ju de Börz in Ladin) is a mountain pass that connects San Martin de Tor in Val Badia with Val di Funes and the city of Brixen in the Eisacktal. This high mountain pass (2206 m) lies between the imposing Sass de Putia/Peitlerkofel mountain and Monte Muro/Maurerberg.

Directly at the pass, you’ll find Ütia de Börz, a lovely refuge-hotel and delicious restaurant. This is a fantastic place to stay if you want to overnight in the mountains, but you don’t want to sacrifice any comfort. The bedrooms overlook the pass and Sass de Putia. We loved staying here.

The best thing to do at Passo delle Erbe is to hike the circuit trail around the two-headed Sass de Putia. This 12.8 km trail takes about 4 hours.

You can extend this hike to the summit of Sass de Putia, which is a lot of fun. The final leg to the summit is protected. It’s not difficult, but you should have a head for heights and some familiarity with secured routes. Bring your climbing gloves.

There’s a parking lot at the pass. In summer, you have to pay a small fee to park here. In fall, there’s no fee.

8. Passo Gardena

Passo Gardena (Grödner Joch in German, Ju de Frara or Jëuf de Frea in Ladin) is the stunning mountain pass that connects Val Badia with Val Gardena. It lies between the Sella Group and the Cir Group.

Passo Gardena (2136 m) is also an exciting trailhead. From the Gardena pass, you can hike to the summits of Sass da Ciampac, Gran Cir and Cima Pisciadu.

There are several paid parking lots at Passo Gardena and a hotel (Hotel Cir).

If you’re hungry, walk 15 minutes to Rifugio Jimmy/Jimmyhütte.

9. Puez-Odle Nature Park

Puez-Odle Nature Park (Naturpark Puez-Geisler) is a protected park in South Tyrol. It encompasses some of the best known mountains in the Dolomites including the Odle/Geisler Group, Odle d’Eores/Aferer Geisler, Sass de Putia/Peiterkofel, Puez Group, and the Cir Group.

You can access the park from Passo delle Erbe, Val d’Eores/Aferer Tal, Val di Funes, Val Gardena, Passo Gardena, and Val Badia.

Beyond the obvious places to see (e.g. Seceda), there are so many overlooked destinations in the park which are worth visiting, including the Gherdenacia/Gardenaccia plateau and the Stevia Alpine Pasture.

10. Armentara Meadows

The Armentara Meadows (Prà de Armentara in Ladin, Armentarawiesen in German, Prati dell’Armentara in Italian) are located beneath the rock face of Sasso di Santa Croce (Sas dla Crusc in Ladin, Heiligkreuzkofel in German), a prominent mountain in the Fanes Group.

Sprawling across the western edge of the Fanes-Senes-Braies Nature Park between 1600 and 2000 meters, this enchanting place can easily be reached from Badia, or La Villa, in Val Badia.

We wrote about how to get here from Badia in this easy Armentara Meadows day hike starting at Rifugio Santa Croce/La Crusc.

11. Cortina d’Ampezzo

Cortina d’Ampezzo is a famous ski resort town in Ampezzo Valley in the Italian Province of Belluno in the region Veneto.

Cortina’s central location in the Ampezzo Dolomites means easy access to the Sorapiss Group, Tofane Group, Croda da Lago Group, Cristallo Group, and even the Sexten Dolomites.

It also means that Cinque Torri, Lagazuoi Tunnels, Rifugio Lagazuoi, Rifugio Nuvolau, Mondeval Plateau, Passo Giau, Lago Federa, Lago di Sorapis, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, and other top Dolomites attractions are within reach.

Cortina d’Ampezzo is justifiably popular, and so, we recommend visiting in Autumn, when the crowds have died down and the trails are blissfully empty. The Tofana di Rozes circuit trail and the Croda da Lago circuit trail are exceptionally beautiful in Fall.

The best destinations to stay in Cortina are Jaegerhaus Agriturismo (budget), Camina Suite & Spa (midrange), or Dolomiti Lodge Alverà (luxury).

12. Lago Federa

Lago Federa (Lago di Federa, Lago Fedèra, Lake Federa) is a picturesque mountain lake beneath the eastern wall of Croda da Lago in the Ampezzo Dolomites, southwest of Cortina d’Ampezzo.

From Lake Federa’s northern shore, the elegant and solitary Becco di Mezzodi looks like it’s twisting up from a carpet of forest. This magical scene is one of the most popular photo motifs in the Dolomites, especially in late October, when the larches turn golden.

The lake is located along the superb Croda da Lago Circuit Trail, which is one of the best day hikes in the Dolomites.

Learn more about this must-see lake in our Lake Federa guide.

If you want to catch sunrise at Lago Federa, either stay the night in the lakeside hut, Rifugio Croda da Lago/Palmieri, or in the budget-friendly guesthouse Hotel Piccolo Pocol in Pocol, a hamlet above Cortina d’Ampezzo.

13. Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Drei Zinnen in German, Three Peaks in English) is the name given to three mammoth peaks in the Sesto/Sexten Dolomites.

The Three Peaks straddle the border between Italian-speaking Belluno and German-speaking South Tyrol.

Until 1919, Tre Cime di Lavaredo formed part of the border between Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. During the First World War, the front line between Italy and Austria-Hungary ran through the Tre Cime di Lavaredo peaks. Today, you can still see fortifications, trenches, iron ladders, tunnels and other relics of war from that era.

The easiest way to see the Three Peaks is by driving the Tre Cime – Rifugio Auronzo toll road from Lago d’Antorno to Rifugio Auronzo. This road is only open seasonally from late May/early June until late October/early November, depending on snow/ice conditions.

From the Auronzo hut, we recommend hiking the beloved Tre Cime di Lavaredo Circuit Trail. This 9.7 km-long trail takes about 4 hours to complete. Along the trail, you’ll pass Malga Langalm, Rifugio Locatelli/Dreizinnenhütte, and Rifugio Lavaredo.

14. Cadini di Misurina

Cadini di Misurina is a gorgeous mountain group in the province of Belluno. Defined by sharp, slender spires, the jagged Cadini mountains look like the backdrop of a high fantasy epic.

They form the southernmost mountain group of the Sexten Dolomites, the same range that encompasses Tre Cime di Lavaredo.

Experienced hikers can traverse the Cadini Group along the Sentiero Bonacossa Trail, an aided path that starts at Rifugio Col de Varda and ends at Rifugio Auronzo.

The best view of the Cadini Group is from the Cadini di Misurina Viewpoint, often lovingly called the Towers of Mordor. You can walk to this viewpoint from Rifugio Auronzo in 30 minutes.

15. Lago di Sorapis

Lago di Sorapis (also spelled Lago di Sorapiss) is a glacial lake in the Sorapiss Group in Belluno.

Renowned for its milky turquoise color and dramatic location at the foot of Dito di Dio (“Finger of God”), Lake Sorapis is swarming with visitors each hiking season.

Lake Sorapis is only accessible by foot. Starting at Passo Tre Croci, the mountain pass between Cortina and Lake Misurina, it takes 2 hours to hike to the lake.

Though the trail is beautiful and interesting, the sheer amount of people detract from the experience. Avoid hiking here on weekends and in August.

For a comprehensive guide to hiking to Lake Sorapis, read our Lago di Sorapis Trail Guide.

16. Mondeval Plateau

Mondeval is a bowl-shaped plateau in the municipality of San Vito di Cadore within the Dolomites UNESCO System Pelmo – Croda da Lago. Its height ranges from 2100 to 2360 meters.

The Mondeval basin is home to the archeological burial site of Mondeval de Sora, the tiny Lago delle Baste lake, and the Monte Mondeval panoramic peak.

We love visiting Mondeval, because the high plateau affords stellar views of Monte Pelmo and Lastoni di Formin.

We recommend this easy-moderate hike to Mondeval starting at Passo Giau, the mountain pass between Pocol (Cortina d’Ampezzo) and Selva di Cadore.

17. San Martino di Castrozza

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<p>jacquelinemhadel — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 15:00:00 +0000</p>
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7aug22

Scotland – Glasgow

Traveling Rockhopper — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 11:25:00 +0000

The post Scotland – Glasgow appeared first on Traveling Rockhopper.

The Hindenburg Disaster

Gary Arndt — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 10:58:59 +0000

Podcast Transcript In the 1920s and 1930s, one of the most cutting-edge and exciting forms of transportation was the zeppelin. Germany’s Luftschiffbau Zeppelin Company created lighter-than-air airships that transported passengers millions of miles worldwide. This new form of transportation which seemed to be the future, came to a sudden and dramatic end on one horrific ...

The post The Hindenburg Disaster appeared first on Everything Everywhere.

Travel news 09/2022 – Emerald Cruises to offer Mekong River tours

admin — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 04:48:12 +0000

U.K.-based cruise line Emerald Cruises has announced their tour itineraries for 2023 and 2024, enabling tourists to discover Southeast Asia, including Vietnam’s Mekong Delta.

For an 8-day tour, the cruise departs from Ho Chi Minh City before visiting small communities in the Mekong Delta where tourists will explore the ancient house of Huynh Thuy Le who inspired Marguerite Duras’ famous novel “L’Amant” (“The Lover”), and will visit a scarf weaving factory.

The journey also allows visitors to drop by the Killing Fields & Tuel Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh before traveling to the Oudong Temple.

The tour scheduled to depart on August 26 next year costs from $1,694 per person.

For a 19-day itinerary that is scheduled to depart from Hanoi on August 19 next year, visitors would cruise the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay in a traditional junk boat before heading to HCMC and embarking on a river cruise along the Mekong River to visit the Mekong Delta, Vietnam’s rice bowl and aquaculture hub.

The journey that ends in Cambodia’s Siem Reap, costs from $4,503 per person.

For a 15-day journey scheduled to depart on August 23, 2024, visitors will embark on a luxury cruise from Siem Reap along the Mekong River to visit flower villages and small communities in the Mekong Delta before finishing the journey in HCMC, the cruise line said on its website.

The tour also allows visitors to navigate Phnom Penh by tuk-tuk, receive a blessing from a Buddhist monk and take their seat at Cambodia’s world-famous Phare circus. Prices start from $3,568 per person.

Each river tour are able to accommodate a maximum of 84 guests.

Last year, Vietnam was named Asia’s best river cruise destination by World Cruise Awards, the most prestigious prize in the global cruise tourism industry.

Vietnam has a dense river network containing 2,360 rivers with a total length of more than 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).

Source: vnexpress.net .

Travel news 09/2022 – Emerald Cruises to offer Mekong River tours
admin

List of the best luxury hotels in Milos for a your holiday

admin — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 01:04:04 +0000

If you are planning for your next trip to Milos Greece and looking for list of the best luxury hotels here, you’ve come to right place .Milos is one of the most beautiful islands in Greece and is part of the Cyclades Island group.

With stunning beaches, incredible sea caves, and turquoise waters, it’s no wonder this island attracts thousands upon thousands of tourists every year.

Luckily you’ll have a wide variety of accommodation options for every budget, but it’s the luxury hotels in Milos that will leave you breathless.

To help you decide, this guide is going to detail the top hotels in Milos and what makes each one stand out!

So, let’s take a look at list of the best luxury hotels in Milos for a your holiday

This adults-only 5* hotel has so much to offer with breathtaking sea views, gorgeous suites, and excellent facilities. All of the suites feature a private pool too!

If you’re in a rush, then here’s a quick breakdown of the top Milos hotels. I’ve split them up by category so you can find the one that’s most suited to you!

Best Luxury Hotels in Milos, Greece

1. White Coast Pool Suites

Photo credit: White Coast Pool Suites via Booking.com

Location: Mytakas
Highlights: Private pool suites, outdoor swimming pool, on-site restaurant
Best room types: White Coast Suite with private pool, Premium Deluxe Suite with private pool, Deluxe Suite with private pool

White Coast Pool Suites is undoubtedly one of the best hotels in Milos! With its breathtaking location, stunning sea views, and excellent facilities, this hotel has a lot to offer.

Every suite here is beautiful and is designed with space and luxury in mind, however, the highlight of these rooms has to be their private pools.

Many of them are infinity pools too, so you can admire the spectacular views whilst you relax or take a swim. You’ll even have a private terrace area with lounge chairs!

White Coast Pool Suites also has a shared outdoor pool, a pool bar, and an on-site restaurant so you don’t need to leave the property for delicious food. What more could you need?

2. White Pebble Suites

Photo credit: White Pebble Suites via Booking.com

Location: Pollonia
Highlights: Outdoor swimming pool, on-site bar, wellness facilities
Best room types: Honeymoon Penthouse Suite, Cabana Sea View Suite, Deluxe Coastal View Suite

If you’re looking for luxury hotels in Milos then make sure you check out White Pebble Suites! Located in Pollonia and just a few minutes’ walk to the beach, this hotel is a fantastic option.

There’s an outdoor pool, an on-site bar, and wellness facilities, so you’ll have plenty of relaxation opportunities. This hotel also offers a variety of excursions including private sailing tours, guided hikes, and geological tours.

Not only that, but they offer a sunset dinner cruise! Every room at White Pebble Suites is beautiful but if you’re looking to splash the cash, then take a look at the Honeymoon Penthouse Suite.

With stunning sea views, a private terrace, and a private plunge pool with jets – it’s the perfect suite for a romantic getaway.

3. Milos Cove

Photo credit: Milos Cove via Booking.com

Location: Komia
Highlights: Private beach area, multiple dining options, outdoor swimming pool
Best room types: Honeymoon Suite with private pool, Infinity Two-bedroom Suite with private pool, Serenity Two-bedroom Suite with private pool

Milos Cove is situated right by the cliffside so naturally boasts stunning views of the Aegean Sea. With multiple on-site dining options, two bars, wellness facilities, and a private beach area – this hotel screams luxury!

There’s also a large outdoor pool overlooking the Aegean Sea and a fitness center. The facilities at Milos Cove are fantastic, but the suites are just as impressive. Offering a variety of options that sleep between 2-5 people, this hotel has got something for everyone.

Many of the suites here even offer a private pool, an outside terrace area, and stunning sea views. This place is easily one of the best luxury hotels in Milos, so make sure you check it out!

4. Milos Breeze Boutique Hotel

Photo credit: Milos Breeze Boutique Hotel via Booking.com

Location: Pollonia
Highlights: Overflow swimming pool, on-site bar, tours & excursions can be organized
Best room types: Hammam Villa with plunge pool, Honeymoon Suite with outdoor plunge pool, Exclusive Room with private pool

There is no shortage of Milos luxury hotels to choose from, but this one will take your breath away! Milos Breeze Boutique Hotel is perched on a cliff near Pollonia so offers panoramic views of the Aegean Sea. You’ll also be within walking distance of Pollonia Beach.

With an overflow swimming pool overlooking the sea, an on-site bar, a sun terrace, and room service, this hotel has so much to offer! The staff here can also book excursions and activities for you.

However, the highlight of Milos Breeze Boutique Hotel has to be its beautiful suites! There are a variety of options to choose from, and many of them feature a private plunge pool and an outside terrace!

5. Cave Suites Milos

Photo credit: Cave Suites Milos via Booking.com

Location: Kaminia
Highlights: Private pool suites, panoramic sea views, adults-only hotel
Best room types: Cave Suite

This is easily one of the best hotels in Milos with its beautiful suites, scenic location, and excellent facilities. Cave Suites Milos is an adults-only hotel so is the perfect luxurious escape, but just wait until you see what it has to offer.

The hotel offers several cave suites that are designed beautifully, with space and amenities in mind. No matter which one you choose, the room will feature a private pool, a terrace area, and panoramic sea views!

You’ll also find a tour desk at the hotel and the staff can help with any excursions, rentals, and airport shuttles that you require. Although Cave Suites Milos isn’t a beachfront hotel, the famous Sarakiniko Beach is just a 20-minute walk away!

This puts it in a great location for an early morning visit to Sarakiniko so you can avoid the crowds.

6. Terra Oliva Milos

Photo credit: Terra Oliva Milos via Booking.com

Location: Pollonia
Highlights: Private pool residences, outdoor terrace area, fully-equipped kitchen
Best room types: Residence 1, Residence 2, Residence 3

If you’re looking for the top hotels in Milos then you NEED to check out this place! Terra Oliva Milos doesn’t offer the typical ‘hotel experience’ as they offer apartment-style residences rather than rooms. This makes them a great option if you’re looking for some extra space.

There are three units at the property and each one features a private pool or jacuzzi, a fully-equipped kitchen, and a terrace area. You’ll have plenty of amenities too including air conditioning, free WiFi, a Smart TV, and a safety deposit box.

Not only that, but if you stay at Terra Oliva Milos you’ll be within walking distance of Pollonia Beach. There are also plenty of other beaches nearby including Papafragkas and Voudia. So if you’re looking for your own space, make sure you take a look at this place!

7. Melian Boutique Hotel & Spa

Photo credit: Melian Boutique Hotel & Spa via Booking.com

Location: Pollonia
Highlights: On-site restaurant & bar, spa & wellness center, stunning seafront location
Best room types: Penthouse Superior Suite, Honeymoon Suite, Junior Deluxe Suite

Melian Boutique Hotel & Spa is one of the top Milos hotels and for good reason! The property is just a short walk from the beach and offers fantastic facilities. This includes an on-site restaurant & bar and a spa & wellness center.

Melian Boutique Hotel & Spa is known for its signature cocktails too, so make sure you try one during your stay. There are a variety of beautiful suites at this hotel including the Junior Deluxe Suite and the Penthouse Superior Suite.

However, if you’re after the ultimate relaxing getaway then make sure you check out the Honeymoon Suite! With a huge private terrace area, panoramic sea views, and an outdoor private jacuzzi, this suite is the definition of luxury. What more could you need?

8. Hotel Milos Sea Resort

Photo credit: Hotel Milos Sea Resort via Booking.com

Location: Achivadolimni
Highlights: Private pool suites, panoramic sea views, breakfast is included
Best room types: Honeymoon Suite with private pool, Grand Suite with private pool, Family Suite with private pool

Boasting a stunning cliff-top location, Hotel Milos Sea Resort offers panoramic views of the Aegean Sea. Many of the suites at the resort also feature striking sea views, making them a great option.

There are a variety of rooms to choose from but if you’re looking for a private pool, then you’ll want to go for one of the Deluxe, Grand, Family, or Honeymoon suites.

Each one is beautiful, but the Honeymoon and Grand Suites offer a HUGE outdoor terrace area too! If that’s not enough to convince you then Hotel Milos Sea Resort is located just 150m (492 feet) from Achivadolimni Beach. So, if you’re looking for Luxury hotels in Milos – don’t miss out on this place!

9. Milinon Suites

Photo credit: Milinon Suites via Booking.com

Location: Firopotamos
Highlights: Beachfront location, car rental service, outside terrace area
Best room types: Superior Suite with sea view, Suite with sea view

Milinon Suites is undoubtedly one of the best luxury hotels in Milos! Located just steps away from the beautiful Firopotamos Beach, you won’t need a pool as you can step right into the crystal-clear waters of this bay.

There are two suites on the property; the Suite with sea view and the Superior Suite with sea view which is the one I’d recommend if you can book it!

With a furnished terrace area right near the beach, stunning sea views, and a kitchenette – it’s the perfect option if you’re looking to stay in Firopotamos.

Although this place doesn’t have the luxurious facilities like other hotels in this guide, it makes up for it with such a breathtaking location. It’s also a great place to stay if you’r

Circling the Creation

Stu Davidson — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 20:01:00 +0000

Daily Photo – Circling the Creation

Here is yet another one of Michael Benisty’s amazing creations. It’s the first one I saw before I even knew he had three out there. I circled it several times, mesmerized, before taking a photo.

Circling the Creation

Photo Information

Date Taken2022-09-05 12:01:59
CameraILCE-7RM3
Camera MakeSony
Exposure Time1/1600
Aperture4
ISO50
Focal Length84.0 mm
FlashOff, Did not fire
Exposure ProgramManual
Exposure Bias

LAHORE, PAKISTAN

jacquelinemhadel — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 15:00:00 +0000

“

Japan Reopening to Individual Tourists!

Tom Bricker — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 14:29:52 +0000

For nearly two years, we’ve been chronicling every update to Japan’s border closure in When Will Japan Reopen for Individual Tourists? We have great news: Japan will finally reopen to individual travel in October 2022!

During a press conference in New York after his appearance at the U.N. (and before a speech at the New York Stock Exchange), Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that Japan will continue to ease its border controls.

Starting on October 11, 2022, Japan will resume visa-free travel and accepting individual tourists. Kishida’s announcement did not include details about lifting the entry cap, but that has been rumored for two weeks, and is almost certainly part of this next-step of fully reopening Japan.

While this should be viewed as a full reopening, not all details are presently known. As with the past border relaxation measures, it’s likely that that Japan Tourism Agency (part of the government’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism) will release more guidelines and FAQ about visitor expectations.

It’s also likely that the current red, yellow, and blue grouping system will remain. See above for how this impacts arrivals based on country of origin. (Over 80% of countries are in the blue category, including all of North America and most of Europe; most remaining nations are in yellow.)

This comes after a couple of false starts. Earlier this month, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that Japan would allow the entry of self-guided tour groups and raise the daily arrival cap to 50,000. Japan also no longer requires incoming travelers to show a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test, provided they have been vaccinated three times.

That move was Japan’s most significant move since reopening to guided tours in June, a step that did not move the needle on visitor numbers in a meaningful way. Many commentators, including us, did not believe the move to allow self-guided tourists who book as part of packages would actually do much to help Japan’s battered tourism sector. Comments from government officials only days after that decision reflected a similar perspective.

This announcement of a full reopening should help address that, and start to reverse Japan’s tourism slump. A record 31.9 million tourists visited Japan in 2019, with over 2 million visitors a month. Boosting tourism was core to the late former Prime Minister Abe’s economic revitalization plan, and both subsequent prime ministers have indicated their intentions to maintain continuity with those plans.

Under Abe, Japan’s travel industry had been buoyed by inbound demand. The country was on pace for another strong year as of early 2020, with the Tokyo Olympics expected to accelerate further growth. Of course, that did not happen–numbers plummeted and the border closed.

Last year, only 245,900 foreign visitors entered Japan, the lowest figure since comparable data became available in 1964. That drop of over 99.2% is the sharpest decrease on record according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.

Japan’s attempts at reopening via tours haven’t really moved the needle. Foreign arrivals totaled only 169,800 in August, which is 6.6 times higher than those in August 2021 but that ‘exponential growth’ is unimpressive when zooming out. The arrival number is down 93.3% from the same month in 2019.

Despite the aforementioned numbers, Japan is maintaining its goal of attracting 60 million foreign visitors by 2030.

More notably, the Japan National Tourism Organization has set 2024 as its goal for recovering to 2019 international travel levels. Both of these announcements have been surprising given the current border closures. These prior goals were driven by greater accessibility, barrier-free travel, and marketing campaigns during the Olympics.

This could be at least partially offset by the weaker yen, which has fallen about 25% year-to-date. The Bank of Japan has intervened by selling dollar-denominated assets to buy the yen in an effort to prop-up the Japanese currency’s free-fall, a first in 24 years. Despite this, the yen remains around its lowest level since 1998.

Even this intervention is unlikely to reverse overarching trends. The Bank of Japan has reaffirmed a commitment to ultralow monetary, whereas the U.S. Federal Reserve and other central banks in the West have hiked interest rates repeatedly. These divergent approaches will mean the effects of the yen intervention might be limited, unless the BOJ changes its dovish stance.

As more Japanese consumers are feeling the pinch of inflation, growing criticism that the weak yen is the culprit is something unwanted for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. One way to partially offset this and for Japan to take advantage of the weaker yen is by kickstarting inbound travel to the country.

More government leaders and business groups have been more vocally outspoken about this in recent weeks, including Kishida himself. “It’s important to bolster our earning power by promoting farm exports and inbound tourism…to enjoy the merits of the weaker yen,” Kishida told a government panel. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Kihara said something similar on Fuji TV, noting that “amid the weakening yen, inbound travelers will have greatest economic effect.”

With this full reopening, Japan is expected to see spending by inbound tourists recover to about 2.5 trillion yen ($17.5 billion) in a year, or around half of the pre-pandemic level in 2019, according to economists at SMBC Nikko Securities Inc.

That is partly because a weaker yen makes traveling overseas to Japan cheaper and boosts the appetite for spending. Given the Japanese currency is trading past 140 versus the U.S. dollar, a traveler is estimated to spend around 190,000 yen for a trip, up roughly 20 percent from approximately 160,000 yen in pre-pandemic 2019 when the currency was around 109.

The strength of the dollar means greater purchasing power when traveling to Japan. Intuitively, this might suggest that international visitors will spend less in their own currency due to the discounted yen, history has shown the opposite to be true. When the exchange rate is more favorable to them, visitors splurge on upscale accommodations, luxury goods, dining, and more. It’s believed that a weaker yen can also attract more affluent visitors.

“Past data show when the yen weakens, foreign tourists tend to step up spending during their stay in Japan on cosmetics, souvenirs and other items,” said Naoto Sekiguchi, an economist at SMBC Nikko Securities. The consensus among economists is that a revival in inbound tourism would help improve the current account balance and affect the dollar-yen pair because demand for yen-buying will increase.

Still, the recovery in the number of inbound tourists is expected to be slow for a couple of factors. First, there’s the reality that very few people travel internationally with only a few weeks or months notice. While Japan is reopening in time for the popular autumn leaves season, it’s doing so with less than two-months’ notice.

While many readers here have expressed a desire to return to Japan ASAP, this is not representative of the broader tourism market. Normal travelers are not anxiously awaiting this news; most have already booked their fall travel plans to other destinations. Many have already booked spring, as well. The lag between booking and traveling is larger for international travel than domestic destinations.

Even those who are interested in Japan may hesitate upon doing research and learning what’s expected of them in Japan. Whereas much of the world has moved on from COVID, health theater measures and social pressures remain strong in Japan.

Just yesterday, Fuji News Network revealed that the government will submit a bill that would revise the law governing hotels and inns, allowing them more power to enforce infection measures. In particular, this would allow hotels to refuse entry to guests who do not wear masks and follow other measures to control infection. This news came seemingly as a precursor to the announcement that individual travel to Japan would resume. While Japanophiles might do whatever is necessary to return, rules like this will likely give many other more casual visitors pause.

In addition to that, tour groups are unlikely to return in large numbers anytime soon. This is somewhat ironic, as these visitors have already been welcomed back for several months now as part of the monitored program discussed above.

One big reason tour travel will be slow to recover is their demographics and primary country of origin. Visitors from China are unlikely anytime this year and into 2023 due to strict antivirus restrictions by Beijing, which still has a zero-COVID policy. When high-spending Chinese tourists will return to Japan is anyone’s guess, based both on zero-COVID and their own views about the rest of the world at this point.

Like so many of you who have followed this closely, we will be returning to Japan this year, in time for autumn leaves season.

As mentioned previously, we have had a November trip on the books for a while, but began firming up d

Discover Matild Palace in Hungary, a Luxury Collection Hotel

admin — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 13:36:21 +0000

If you’re looking for an exquisite hotel with luxurious accommodations in the heart of Budapest, then Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel is the perfect place for you.

With its timeless elegance and impeccable service, this hotel will truly make you feel like royalty. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be treated to world-class service that will make your stay unforgettable.

During our last trip to Budapest, we had the chance to spend 3 nights at Matild Palace and we were absolutely blown away by the level of luxury and comfort this hotel offers.

Keep reading to learn all about Matild Palace and why it should be your number one choice when planning a trip to Budapest.

*Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link. Please note that we were invited to stay at Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, however, all thoughts and opinions are my own, as always.*

Arriving at Matild Palace

Basic Information

Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Budapest

Address: Budapest, Váci u 36, 1056 Hungary
Phone: +36 1-5505000
Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/budlc-matild-palace-a-luxury-collection-hotel-budapest/overview/
Instagram: @matildpalace

History

The history of Matild Palace goes back to the late 19th century. The construction of the palace has started in 1899 based on the idea of Princess Clotilde of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, the wife of Archduke Joseph Karl of Austria, who had envisioned two twin palaces standing side by side by the feet of the newly built Elisabeth Bridge.

The palaces were designed by Hungarian architects Kálmán Giergl and Flóris Korb in the Neo-Baroque style. The construction was finished in 3 years and it was one of the first buildings in Budapest having been built on iron structures. Moreover, this building was the first in the city to have an elevator!

In 1902 the twin palaces, nicknamed Matild and Clotilde, were finally opened to the public. They quickly became one of the icons of Budapest and the buildings served as rental apartments and business offices until 1944.

During World War II, the palaces were heavily damaged and even though the building was reconstructed to a certain level, it never regained its former glory.

The building that now houses Matild Palace has gone under a major renovation in the 2010s and after 5 years of work, the hotel finally reopened its doors in the summer of 2021. Its twin, Clothilde, is still under renovation but is expected to open its doors soon as well.

Location

Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel is located centrally in Budapest’s city center, a neighborhood filled with historical buildings and an upscale atmosphere. There’s a mixture of boutiques, elegant cafes, and luxury hotels in this area.

The closest airport to the property is Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport which is 23 km (14.3 miles) away, though there is an airport shuttle available for guests to use.

Although the hotel doesn’t have its own designated parking lot, there is a nearby parking garage that can be used in case you’re traveling to Budapest by car. The price of parking is €4 per hour or €35 per day. Alternatively, you can park on the nearby streets as well and pay the parking fees accordingly.

In terms of public transport, the hotel is just a few steps away from the Ferenciek Tere metro station, making it very easy to get around the city.

Thanks to its prime, central location on the Pest side, there are many top attractions to visit nearby. In fact, Elisabeth Bridge, Gellert Thermal Baths, Dohány Street Synagogue, and the Hungarian National Museum are all within walking distance of the hotel.

Lobby & Check-in Process

The lobby at Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel is lavishly decorated, with a grand chandelier, high ceilings, and black and gold accents throughout that are truly glamorous.

Once you get to the lobby, the check-in process is smooth and quick. We were lucky enough to even receive a tour of the property upon check-in, which was really amazing and acquainted us with all the luxury facilities that the accommodation has to offer.

Rooms & Suites

Matild Palace features 130 guest rooms split between 111 regular rooms and 19 suites.

Rooms at this accommodation also offer impeccable views including ones that overlook the city or even the Danube River. They boast great amenities like a coffee machine, mini bar, air conditioning, and more.

When creating the hotel, many pieces of art from local Hungarian artists were chosen to adorn the rooms, which helps to bring together a feeling of old and new.

We were lucky enough to spend time split between a variety of the different rooms that this hotel offers, which you can learn more about below!

Danube River View Room

First is the elegant Danube River View Room, which is lavishly styled with classic furniture with velvet upholstery. The beautifully-styled bathroom features marble sinks and blue mosaic tile, which were inspired by Gellert Thermal Baths.

By combining traditional art nouveau styles with contemporary, the Danube River View Room feels comfortable yet upscale at the same time. The gold and teal color palette helps to create a complementary feel that’s perfectly balanced.

This is the room we generally stayed in during our time at Matild Palace. Our room was located on the mezzanine floor and featured floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the Danube River and Elisabeth Bridge, which was a beautiful view to wake up to in the mornings!

Elisabeth Bridge Suite

If you are looking to splurge, the Elisabeth Bride Suite will be a perfect choice for you. The room can host three guests and what’s special about this suite is that it has two balconies overlooking the Danube River!

Similar to the Danube River View Room, the Elisabeth Bridge Suite features complimentary teal and yellow tones mixed with gold that helps the room feel balanced. Large windows surround the bed which allows for lots of natural lighting.

One of the most striking features of this lavish room type is the bathroom, which is made of all marble. Seriously, marble is on the walls, the sinks, and even the floors, and gold and light green accents are found throughout.

Loft Room

The Loft room is one of the most unique rooms that can be found at Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel. If you prefer more of a cozy, apartment-style experience with unparalleled city views, this top-floor room is for you.

The plush king bed is situated underneath a unique skylight-type window with slats that looks out to the city or the river, depending on which unit you choose. In the evenings, this room has to have some of the most breathtaking colors from the sunset!

The bathroom is just as beautiful, with the same marble, gold, and blue tones that can be found in the Danube River View Room. Up to three guests can stay in this room type at a time, which also features a lively sitting area.

Service & Facilities

Swan Spa

One of the best facilities at Matild Collection, a Luxury Collection Hotel is the on-site Swan Spa.

Styled with the same cool white marble and gold accents, this place is incredibly luxurious and is the perfect place to refresh and relax after time spent exploring the attractions of Budapest.

What makes this spa so incredible is that it features a Turkish Hammam experience along with other traditional saunas, massages, facials, and more. There are even couples massages available if you happen to be visiting with your special someone.

Appointments aren’t required to enjoy the Swan Spa, and they are open daily between 7 am and 10 pm.

Fitness Center

If you want to stay fit even during your vacation, you can take advantage of the sleek fitness center with cool grey and black tones. Large mirrors line the walls, so you can make sure your form is correct during your workout.

The fitness center is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week and has up-to-date fitness equipment that’s top-notch, including bikes, hand weights, and more. To access it, you’ll just need your hotel key card.

Dining

Beyond its on-site facilities like the Swan Spa and the fitness center, Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel features a variety of different dining types that guests can enjoy during their stay.

The dining units are open to non-guests as well so even if you decide to stay elsewhere, you can still enjoy a nice afternoon/evening in one of the facilities.

Matild Cafe and Cabaret

With jewel-toned green and red colors throughout, Matild Cafe and Cabaret truly takes you back in time with nostalgia.

The cafe was first opened in 1901 and it quickly became the center of the social life of the Belle Epoque era. It was popular among public figures, journalists, and writers who often held meetings in the cafe.

One of its most famous guests was Gyula Krúdy, a Hungarian writer and journalist who wrote the majority of his book, The Adventures of Sindbad, in the coffeehouse. His statue can be found at the entrance of the coffeehouse and passers-by can even sit next to him.

Matild Cafe was also the first place that has been reopened after World War II so it played a significant role in restoring social life.

Together with the rest of Matild Palace, Matild Cafe was also restored to its former glory and the two-story coffeehouse is now among the favorites of both locals and tourists alike.

You can stop by for a meal or an afternoon coffee with cakes at any time or if you’re a guest of the hotel, you can enjoy the complimentary continental breakfast served on the first floor of the cafe. Starting from October 2022, the cafe is also hosting cabaret shows in the evenings!

The dress code at this cafe is smart casual, and it’s open Monday and Tuesday from 9 am to 6 am and Wednesday through Sunday from 9 am to 9 pm.

Spago by Wolfgang Puck

Created by the famous master chef Wolfgang Puck, Spago by Wolfgang Puck Budapest is the European debut of his iconic Beverly Hills restaurant. The star chef was born in Austria so this restaurant has a special meaning as it marks his return to Central Europe.

Apart from the tastefully decorated indoor space, the restaurant also features a beautiful outdoor area with lots of plants and warm orange chairs to keep guests comfortable.

Spago Budapest is already mentioned in the Michelin Guide for Hungary and I wouldn’t be surprised if it gets a star in the near future!

Featuring a refined yet relaxed atmosphere, the restaurant serves Wolfgang Puck’s modern Californian cuisine with Hungarian and global influences. The menu is ever-changing and seasonal, using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients.

One of my favorite dishes from our meal was the Braised Beef Cheek in Vadas Style and we also tried the classic Wiener Schnitzel which did not disappoint either!

For dessert, we ordered the Chocolate Souffle and the Somloi Sponge Cake in Nutshells which was the absolute star of our evening. The presentation was some of the best we’ve ever seen and it turned out that the same dessert was served at the Oscars because the menu was also created by Wolfgang Puck!

The service at Spago Budapest was impeccable, the staff was very professional yet friendly and welcoming.

The restaurant has an extensive wine list with both Hungarian and international wines and the sommelier deserves a special mention as he was very knowledgeable and helped us choose the perfect wine for our meal.

Overall, our dining experience at Spago by Wolfgang Puck was truly memorable and I can’t wait to come back and try more of their amazing dishes!

The Duchess

One of the newest additions to Budapest’s rooftop bar scene is The Duchess, located on the top of Matild Palace. Guarded by giant gold giraffe statues, this glamorous and elevated lounge is decorated with tropical motives and is outfitted with gold and green accents.

This adults-only lounge is dubbed a “liquor library” that features an outside terrace. The bar provides an excellent selection of top-quality liquors, creative cocktails, and fine wines while guests can also sample delicious bites and bar food.

What’s even more special about The Duchess is that it offers an unobstructed 360-degree view of Budapest, making it the perfect spot to watch the sunset or enjoy a drink under the stars.

It’s closed on Sundays but is open from 5 pm to 1 am all other days and has a smart casual dress code. For a tasty drink before bed, this is the place to go!

Overall, we had an amazing experience at Matild Palace and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a luxury hotel in Budapest. The property is absolutely beautiful, the room was very spacious and comfortable with the best views over the Danube River, and the service was outstanding.

The hotel’s location is also great as it’s within walking distance of many of the city’s main attractions. If you’re looking for a truly special and memorable experience, Matild Palace is definitely the place for you! You can check the latest prices and availability here.

If you have any questions about Matild Palace or about Budapest in general, please don’t hesitate to send me a message or drop a comment below. I would love to hear from you!

Source: shewandersabroad blog

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Our 2022-2023 Kyoto, Japan guide offers planning tips & tricks, hotel recommendations, best temples & shrines, transportation hacks, where to eat, crowd info, why we love the city, and more. Before we get to the basics, we’ll offer a brief note on travel to Kyoto later this year. (Updated September 22, 2022.)

For the first time in a long time, it’s now possible that some of you reading this are in the midst of planning a trip, needing urgent advice on what to see and do in the immediate future. This is because Japan Will Reopen to Individual Tourists in October 2022! This was just officially announced today, and there still some unknowns. What is certain is that you’ll be able to visit for this year’s autumn leaves or sakura season in 2023!

In fact, we’ve already booked our November 2022 return trip to Japan, which includes a few weeks in Kyoto. During that time, we will be researching what’s new, health safety rules & social expectations, the experience of being a foreign visitor during reopening, and much more.

We will have many more on-the-ground updates to share from our trip, so subscribe to our FREE email newsletter for updates and stay tuned!

With that note about current events out of the way, let’s begin with the Kyoto planning guide in earnest…

Kyoto is our favorite city in the world, and a place we fell in love with the first time we visited. While we don’t live in Kyoto full-time, we have spent several months there over the course of the last several years. We now travel to Kyoto several times per year to keep our resources on this site current.

If you’re still debating whether you should visit Kyoto during a trip to Japan, read Why We Love Kyoto, Japan. That’s our love letter to the city. Our opinion that Kyoto is the greatest city in the world is hardly unique, but hopefully our perspective is. While we could be described as unofficial cheerleaders for the city, we strive to keep it real, covering both good & bad–what to do and what to avoid.

We also aim to provide planning advice beyond the superficial ‘best of’ lists. Although visiting popular temples is fun, Kyoto should not be treated as simply a highlight reel of temples. You’ll get so much more out of a visit to the city with a varied mix of major attractions and hidden gems–and encounter fewer crowds in the process.

If you’ve already made the very sage decision to visit Kyoto, our planning guide will help you fill in the details…

Things to Do in Kyoto

If you’re planning on visiting Kyoto, hopefully you like temples, because that’s the main draw. With that said, there are plenty of other things to do. Although we don’t believe its museums measure up to Tokyo’s, Kyoto does have a fair number of them, and between its niche art museums and independent galleries, Kyoto has a thriving arts community.

Food is another thing. Few cities in the world have as many Michelin-starred restaurants as Kyoto. Great ramen, udon, tempura, and other inexpensive options also abound in Kyoto. The city is famous for tea ceremonies, but it’s the independent coffee scene that’s truly flourishing.

Wandering aimlessly (let’s call it “exploring” to sound more purpose-driven) is another thing to do. Kyoto is a beautiful, quirky city and discovering what makes it tick is part of the fun. That could be bizarre art featuring the human anatomy (which you’re sure to see when walking from Kiyomizudera to Yasaka Pagoda) or an antique shop down a narrow alley.

In our case, it’s petting or photographing feral cats and dogs, selfies with tanuki statues, marveling at meticulously handcrafted signage, and perusing 100 yen stores. The treasures you’ll discover when aimlessly wandering cannot be planned-for, and having your own unique experience is part of the fun.

Kyoto 1-Day to 1-Week Itineraries

If you’re looking for itineraries that combine a little of everything, we have several different itineraries in our 1-Day to 1-Week Kyoto, Japan Itineraries. These offer multi-day itineraries, including several not listed below that are season-specific, as well as single day options that you can combine to see different sides of the city that interest you the most. Here are some of the best ones:

Multi-Day Kyoto Itineraries

Single Day Itineraries:

Seasonal Itineraries

If you have the Japan Rail Pass and are interested in venturing beyond Kyoto during your stay in Kansai, we recommend consulting our Japan Itineraries for Kyoto, Tokyo, and Beyond. Obviously, those cover Kyoto and Tokyo, but we also have ones for Nara, Kobe, Osaka, Nagoya, and more.

Debating other day trips from Kyoto? We cover our top recommendations of cities, big and mall, to visit in our Top 10 Kyoto Day Trips list.

These itineraries are heavy on temples (and walking!), but we feel they’re fairly balanced and offer a good sampling of Kyoto’s most interesting points of interest. Part of this is out of necessity (there are over 1,600 temples in Kyoto) and part of it is out of practicality. Temple fatigue is a real thing, and you should be careful to avoid scheduling too many temples into your itinerary because they’ll all start to blur together.

Unless you’re trying to join the high stakes game of temple blogging (it’s every bit as lucrative and glamorous as you’d expect–which is not at all) you should probably aim to visit around one dozen temples during your time in Kyoto. There’s absolutely no reason to see every single major temple in Kyoto. Take a less is more approach and savor your time at each so they make a distinct impression.

Best Temples & Shrines in Kyoto

As there’s an overwhelming number of temples, shrines, and other things to do in Kyoto, we’ve put together the list below of our top 25 options. If you do one of our multi-day itineraries above, you’ll visit many or most of these (depending upon how many days you have).

If you want to build your itinerary itinerary, this list is a good starting point. Choose about a dozen of those, plus a couple of wildcard temples and other things that appeal to you, you’re going to have a great trip.

For those who have more time in Kyoto, or just want something comprehensive, we have a “Top 100 Temples & Shrines in Kyoto, Japan.” Yes, really. We’ve visited over 200 temples and shrines in Kyoto, and the top 52 are all great. Any one of top 52 on that list could be your ‘surprise favorite’ temple or shrine in Kyoto.

If you’re on a tight budget, we have a list of the Best Free Temples & Shrines in Kyoto. If you’re visiting during a particularly busy time, our Hidden Gem Temples & Shrines in Kyoto is also a great resource for avoiding the crowds. This gives you plenty of choices for experiencing the true serenity of Kyoto, even if you visit during the busiest national holiday of the year! Both of these lists compile the best options that are in the top 52.

Below is a list of our top 25 things to do in Kyoto. It’s mostly temples and shrines, but you’ll notice a few museums and districts that are particularly noteworthy, too. Click on any of these names to open our posts about these points of interest in new windows, where you can see and learn more about them.

25. Eikando Temple
24. Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple
23. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
22. Kennin-ji Temple
21. Kodai-ji Temple
20. Okochi Sanso Villa
19. Daitokuji Temple
18. Sanjusangendo Temple
17. Ryoanji Temple
16. Ninnaji Temple
15. Kokedera Moss Temple
14. Daikakuji Temple
13. Kyoto Railway Museum
12. Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji Temple)
11. Katsura Imperial Villa
10. Philosopher’s Path
9. Silver Pavilion (Ginkakuji Temple)
8. Nanzenji Temple
7. Gion (Geisha District)
6. Kyoto Monkey Park Iwatayama
5. Yoshiminedera Temple
4. Higashiyama District
3. Kiyomizudera Temple
2. Kuramadera Temple
1.

October 2022 is the start of fall in Kyoto, Japan. Leaves begin to change color, weather improves, and big festivals celebrate the season. It’s a great month to visit to enjoy lower crowds, special events & night illuminations, with lots of things to do in the city, its temples & shrines. (Updated September 22, 2022.)

This guide to October in Kyoto, Japan offers a rundown of what to expect and things to do. Note that calendar of events is subject to change and based upon historical precedent. Depending upon the circumstances, October 2022 might end up having some of these cancelled. Thankfully, that’s happening less and less as Japan is on the road to normalcy.

Speaking of which, that brings us to the threshold issue–and the answer to a question we’ve been asking for over a year: Japan Will Reopen to Individual Tourists in October 2022!

This is great, long overdue news. This guide to October 2022 in Kyoto would’ve been pretty useless if you couldn’t even enter Japan.

If you’re still debating on the timing of your trip, see our guide: When to Visit Kyoto, Japan: Best & Worst Times in 2022 & 2023. That’ll give you a range of recommendations–this post is better suited to those who have already narrowed down their range of dates and want more info specifically about October in Kyoto.

With that said, let’s start by taking a look at the early-autumn weather in Kyoto…

October Weather in Kyoto

It’s hard to beat October’s weather. Kyoto’s summer heat gives way to cooler fall temperatures, rainy season lets up, and the autumn leaves start changing.

By the numbers, Kyoto weather in October is objectively good. The average low temperature is 55º F (as compared to 67º in September) and the high temperature is 73º (v. 84º in September). October only sees 4.8 inches of rainfall, versus 8.3 inches in September. There’s also plenty of daylight–11.5 hours per day.

While October is arguably one of the best weather months in Kyoto, it is worth noting that–as a month of transition–there are significant differences between the beginning, middle, and end of the month. Early on, October can feel more like summer, whereas later it starts resembling early winter on some evenings.

Most notably, October is the tail end of typhoon season in Japan. Although these storms are less likely than in August or September, there have been some bad typhoons in the last few years, and that can cause festivals and events to be cancelled, often at the very last minute. As such, it’s always a good practice to double check and confirm things before you visit. Speaking of which, let’s turn to the calendar of events in Kyoto during October…

October Events in Kyoto

If you want to make your visit to Japan special, there’s undoubtedly an event occurring in Kyoto, regardless of your travel dates. Kyotoites pride themselves in seasonality, and there is truly something unique occurring every week of the year–usually several things.

While we’d encourage pre-planning and incorporating special events into your itinerary, it’s also worth mentioning that special events are prominently advertised on posters throughout Kyoto. You’ll see these in train stations, on the exterior of shops and restaurants…pretty much everywhere!

Additionally, you can find more info at the Kyoto Tourist Information Centers (there are convenient locations in Kyoto Station, Higashiyama, and downtown–find them via Google Maps) and inquiring. Reps there are fluent in English and incredibly knowledgeable. These Tourist Info Centers also often have free posters, making for fun souvenirs!

In addition to past dates, when possible are also including links to the websites of Kyoto special events (where available). Those links will be helpful if you want to monitor 2022 dates. While English resources like this site are great, most temples regularly update their websites. We would suggest double-checking those sites to ensure that the seasonal events or festivals are still occurring a day or two before you go.

October 22 – Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages) – This is one of the biggest days of the year in Kyoto, Japan. The day begins with the Jidai Matsuri, which features a parade from the Kyoto Imperial Palace to Heian Shrine. Unlike some of the other entries on this list, this parade is substantial–it’s a five-hour long processional with hundreds of volunteers dressed in historical garb, representing Japanese cultural history from between the Enryaku and Meiji eras. See the processional early on the route and then immediately walk over to Demachiyanagi Station to catch the Eizan Main Line north to Kurama. Highly recommended.

October 22 – Kurama-no-himatsuri (Kurama Fire Festival) – This event is bonkers–absolutely wild in the best possible way. This is one of the most famous festivals in all of Japan, and it features teams of shouting men carrying huge flaming torches, while wearing warrior’s garb as they parade down the streets of the mountain village of Kurama. Many festivals in Japan can feel a bit tedious as they perform rituals solemnly and methodically. Not the case here. This has rituals and the like, but they’re downright barbaric by comparison. It’s an absolute hoot that is not to be missed. Be mindful that the trains and and from Kurama will be packed, so arrive early and plan to stay late. Official website.

October 1 to 5 – Zuiki Matsuri – This festival is held at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine and features omikoshi, or portable shrines, decorated with vegetables to pay thanks for the year’s crops. Zuiki is a stem of taro and the ritual is to offer vegetables and fruits before the altar.

October 1 to December 10 – Rurikoin Temple Fall Opening – Relatively unknown to people outside of Japan, Rurikoin is incredibly popular with Japanese tourists. Famed for the way its foliage reflects and colors the interior of the temple, expect long lines at this temple in Northern Kyoto–and a steep 2,000 yen admission fee. Recommended. Official website.

October 8 to 13 – Kotobukikai at Kamishichiken Kaburenjo Theatre – If you’re interested in the world of Kyoto’s geisha, then don’t miss one of these four performances of geisha dance and song held at the Kamishichiken Kaburenjo Theatre. Concierges at Kyoto’s better hotels can help with tickets, as can the staff at high-end ryokan. You can also ask at the tourist information offices for help with tickets. Official website.

October 11 to 15 – Awata Festival – This annual series of events is held at Awata Shrine, a small shrine in northern Higashiyama near Shōrenin and Chionin Temples. Awata Festival consists of five Shinto ritual and events that are vibrant and eye-catching. There’s a different ritual and parade each day, culminating in Shinkosai Festival the final day.

October 18 – Kasagake Shinji – Held at Kamigamo Shrine, this event involves Kasagake Archery, which is a style of archery performed for the entertainment of shrine deities in Japan.

October 2 – Umekoji Park Handicrafts Market – This market is held on the first Saturday of every month in Umekoji Park, which is also home to the highly recommended Kyoto Railway Museum. Umekoji Park is also within convenient walking or bus distance of Kyoto Station, making it a popular option for locals and tourists who don’t want to venture to one of the markets on the outskirts of the city.

October 15 – Hyakumanben Handmade Market – Chionji Temple hosts the Hyakumanben handmade market on the 15th of every month and has since 1987. The Hyakumanben handmade market is a very popular event, and is a great opportunity to purchase locally-made souvenirs to remember your trip to Kyoto. You’ll also meet a cast of colorful characters, students, and expats. Note that Chionji Temple is in nothern Kyoto–we’d recommend a visit to the Shimogamo & Kamigamo Shrines while you’re in the area.October 21 – Kobo-san Flea Market – This flea market at Toji Temple features a range of antiques and used items, and draws big crowds. If you’re in town mostly to see the towering pagoda here, choose another day.

October 25 – Tenjin-san Flea Market – Held on the 25th of every month, this large flea market at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is incredibly popular and has a wide variety of antiques, used items, and food for sale.

October 19 to December 9 – Kodaiji Lightscape – As we note in our full post about Kodaiji Temple, this is our #1 nighttime illumination in all of Kyoto (we have lots of photos of the event in that post, for what it’s worth). It’s also the longest-running nighttime illumination, which is in large part because it’s less about fall colors and more about a high-tech projection mapping show, illuminated bamboo forest, and more. Highly recommended. Official website.

September 25 to December 12 – Shokouji Temple Special Views – Shokokuji is the second of the five leading Rinzai Zen temples in Kyoto that were built during the medieval Muromachi Period, and is a ‘living temple’ that is generally not open to the public. During this extended timeframe, several of its buildings are open to the public. Due to its location, we would not recommend this to most tourists. Official website.

October 1 to November 25 – Ninnaji Treasure Hall Opening – Located adjacent to Ryoanji and a modest walk from the Golden Pavilion, Ninnaji is a stunning temple on sprawling grounds. Its Sacred Treasure Hall is not normally open to the general public. Official website.

October 26 to December 2 – Shorenin Temple Light Up – The ethereal blue lighting on the ground is the highlight of this experience, with fall colors being secondary (more like “third-ary” after the bamboo grove). We like Shorenin because it’s nestled between Chionin and Kodaiji, making it an easy stop on a nighttime tour of Higashiyama illuminations. Recommended. Official website.

Late October to Late November – Toji Temple Illumination – We aren’t normally huge fans of Kyoto’s iconic pagoda, but during its spring and fall evening illuminations, it’s a different story. Not only are the reflected views spectacular, but you also get rare access to certain temple halls. Even considering the relatively steep 1,000 yen fee (as compared to other illuminations), it’s worth the money. Recommended. Official website.

October Crowds in Kyoto

Golfing with kids can be a great way to spend time together and bond while getting some exercise. It can also be a great learning experience for kids, teaching them about the game of golf and helping them to develop their coordination, motor skills and a whole lot more. If you are thinking of taking your kids out on the golf course but are not sure where to start, read on.

Getting the Kids Started with Golf

You want to ensure the kids get excited about the game, not frustrated and ready to give up before they have even started. This is how:

Choose the right equipment

You don’t need to go out and buy a set of golf clubs for your kids just yet. Go to your local driving range and try a few out. If you want to hire a set from your local golf course, get some advice on choosing the right weight, height, and set makeup when you rent. There is no faster way to put your kids off the golfing game than to give them clubs that are too big and heavy for them. Most junior clubs recommend that children have their own golf clubs from around 8 years of age.

Know your golf terms

If you are not a golfer and just getting started yourself, make sure that you familiarise yourself with the basic terminology before you take your kids to the golf course. This will make it easier for you to explain the game to your kids and help them understand what it is they need to look out for.

Get the kids excited

Start by playing some fun games like mini-golf or pitch-and-putt to get used to the game or buy an indoor putting green to let them get a feel for the clubs and ball and practise in a fun and less structured way. Watch golf on TV together if they are interested in that and explain some of the basic rules.

Take your time and be patient

Don’t expect your kids to be able to play a full round of golf right away – start with shorter holes and work your way up. Teaching kids how to play golf can be a patience-testing experience. It’s important that you stay calm and positive throughout the process. If your kids get frustrated, take a break, and try again another day.

Enjoy the process

Remember, the most important thing is that you and your kids are enjoying yourselves. So don’t get too caught up in trying to teach them everything at once – just relax and have fun. And put your own game on the backburner!

How to Make Golf Fun for Kids

Golf is a game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, but it’s often thought of as a “boring” sport. If you’re struggling to make golf fun for your kids, here are a few tips:

Let them play with different clubs

Kids often get bored quickly if they’re stuck using the same clubs over and over again. So let them experiment with different clubs, such as drivers, putters, and irons. This will help them learn about the different types of shots and how to use each club effectively.

Set up obstacle courses

A great way to make golf more fun for kids is to set up an obstacle course in your back garden or at the local park. This will give them something to aim for and make the game more challenging.

Play games

There are lots of fun golf games that kids can play, such as “golf tag” or crazy golf. These games will help them learn the basic rules of golf while also keeping things fun and exciting. Learning through play is very important and your child’s development as it improves many skills, from cognitive and physical skills, to social, and emotional skills.

Get creative

If your kids are struggling to hit the ball straight, try setting up some targets for them to aim for – something fun, such as confetti or water balloon or tin cans. You could also make up a witty rhyme including all the steps needed for a correct swing.

Have breaks

The younger your kids, the shorter their attention spans will be. Make time for lots of breaks, especially when they are younger. Take snacks and a picnic lunch to refuel everyone’s energy levels and spend some quality time together between rounds of golf.

How to Find the Best Golf Gear for Kids

At some point, when your kids have started to show a serious interest in golf, you’ll need to get them some decent gear. Here are a few tips for finding the best golf gear for kids:

Look for junior clubs

Most golf stores will have a selection of junior clubs, which are designed specifically for kids. These clubs are usually lighter and shorter than adult clubs, making them easier for kids to swing.

Rent golf gear

If you are not sure if your kids will stick with golf, you can always rent clubs from a local golf course. This way, you will not have to invest in a full set of clubs until you’re sure they’re serious about the sport.

Try second-hand

If you are on a budget, try looking for used golf gear at second-hand stores or online. You might be able to find some great deals on lightly used equipment. You could also try local golf stores – they sometimes also sell lightly used clubs at discounted prices.

Get fitted

If you know your kids are going to stick with golf, and they have outgrown their junior clubs, it’s important to get them fitted for adult clubs. This will ensure that they are using clubs that are the right size and weight for their swing.

Tips for Helping Your Kids Improve Their Golf Game

If your kids are serious about playing golf, here are a few tips to help them improve their game:

Joining a junior golf programme

Most golf courses offer structured learning programme for junior golfers. Many clubs in the UK offer have registered for the Junior Golf Passport, which has three levels and can be completed through a programme specifically designed for kids from 6 to 12 years old. These programmes usually include group lessons and occasional tournaments, which can help your kids develop their skills.

Investing in private lessons

Private lessons can be a great way for kids to learn the right technique and correct posture. A good instructor will be able to correct or prevent any bad habits that your kids have developed and teach them how to swing correctly.

Playing with better players

Encourage your children to step outside their comfort zone and play a round with golfers who are better players than them. This is a great way for kids to learn and improve their game. They will be able to see how the better players approach the game and pick up some useful tips along the way. Just make sure they do not get intimidated or frustrated by the experience.

Practice makes perfect

The only way for anyone to get better at golf is to practise as much as possible. If you have a garden, set up a makeshift driving range or putting green so the kids can practise whenever they feel like it.

Help them set goals

Help your kids set realistic goals for their golf game, giving them something to strive for and helping them track their progress over time. This can be a mixture of attainable short-term goals and a couple of long-term goals. By helping your kids to set realistic goals, you give them direction and teach them to be accountable. There are many life skills that kids can learn in golf, such as self-discipline, self-motivation, cooperation, and perseverance, to name but a few.

Conclusion

Golf can be a great hobby for families with kids of all ages. It’s a sport that teaches patience, concentration, and etiquette. It’s also a great way for kids to spend time outdoors and get some exercise. Best of all, golf is a great outdoor activity in winter as much as in summer. So, if your kids are showing an interest in golf, we hope that our beginner’s guide to golfing with kids will help you to get them started. Good luck!

About Single Parents on Holiday:

Single Parents on Holiday offer fully-organised group holidays for single parents and their children. In addition, we now also offer singles holidays for the over 50s for any singles and single parents whose children have grown up.

Shakespeare’s English: Thou, Thee, Thine, Thy, and Ye

Gary Arndt — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 11:24:48 +0000

Podcast Transcript English is a very strange language. It is a Germanic language where half of the words come from a Romance language. We have a host of words that make absolutely no sense in terms of spelling or pronunciation. Perhaps strangest of all, some of the greatest literary works in the English language are ...

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Scotland – Glasgow – University

Traveling Rockhopper — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 11:24:00 +0000

The post Scotland – Glasgow – University appeared first on Traveling Rockhopper.

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