Category: Destinations
The Splendor of Miyajima Island (Itsukushima) – Things to Do & Travel Guide
Miyajima is one of the most beautiful places in Japan according to locals, but it’s also someplace that a lot of tourists from abroad skip over. However if you have more time to spend in Japan, Miyajima is definitely worth a visit. It was personally one of my favourite stops in Japan.
A History of Miyajima
Miyajima has been a pilgrimage site for the Japanese for over 1000 years and is still seen as a pilgrimage today. The giant torii gate and the tall pagodas aren’t an incidental part of Miyajima’s architecture; the island is set up as a Shinto … Continue reading
Posted on Monday, April 15, 2019 in DestinationsTags: asia, itsukushima, japan, miyajima
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The Charming Canal City of Bruges – Things to Do & Travel Guide
Bruges, Belgium is a fairytale city and one of the most unique and charming I’ve been to. Bruges is definitely a town more people should consider visiting, especially if they like the aesthetic of medieval times combined with the comforts of today.
The History of Bruges
Bruges was founded by the vikings but a lot of Bruges’s history revolves around its high time in the late medieval period to the early Renaissance (1000s-1400s). Because of its location, it served as a large trading port, primarily in cloth, with a huge international influence. It is said (though sometimes disputed) that Bruges … Continue reading
Posted on Monday, April 8, 2019 in DestinationsTags: belgium, bruges, europe
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The Beautiful City of Ghent – Things to Do & Travel Guide
Ghent is one of the most beautiful cities in Belgium, which every history lover should know about (and I’m surprised many don’t). There was a time it was one of the biggest cities in Europe. Today, it looks like a city stuck in the 1400s! Photographs alone can compel someone to go to Ghent, but the city actually has a lot to offer.
Some of Ghent’s History
It may not come as a surprise that the height of Ghent’s power came during medieval times, much like other Belgian cities such as Bruges and Antwerp. It was already well-established when it… Continue reading Posted on Sunday, March 10, 2019 in DestinationsTags: belgium, europe, flanders, ghent
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Seeing Deer & Temples in Nara – Things to Do & Travel Guide
Nara is one of the most popular day trips in Japan. It’s known for its deer park, where deer roam freely and aren’t afraid of humans. And actually, I wasn’t super interested in going. After doing some research and finding out about all the different temples Nara has, I decided to make it a day trip from Kyoto. So what did I think?
Well, I thought it was amazing!
The History of Nara
Kyoto is known as being the ancient capital of Japan since it served that position for over a thousand years. However, Nara served as the capital before … Continue reading
Posted on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 in DestinationsTags: asia, japan, nara
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The Ghibli Museum: What to Expect & How to Get Tickets
A visit to the Ghibli Museum was a must for my trip to Japan. I grew up watching Studio Ghibli and even took a class in college that covered some Ghibli films. My friend studied abroad in Japan a while back and got tickets several months ahead for the Ghibli Museum, which introduced me to the museum and the fact that it’s super exclusive (details at the end of this post). I went with my brother and a pair of friends to Mitaka and didn’t know what to expect. So, here’s a post to let you know what visiting … Continue reading
Posted on Monday, February 18, 2019 in DestinationsTags: asia, japan, tokyo
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A Visit to Himeji Castle, One of Japan’s Iconic Landmarks
Himeji Castle is one of the most popular tourist spots in Japan and the most popular Japanese castle. Himeji is one of the best (if not the best) examples of of Japanese castle architecture and it survived the bombing of Himeji during World War II, even though the entire city was bombed. It’s a popular day trip from Kyoto and since it’s been named one of the best sites in Japan, if not the world, I absolutely had to go.
A Brief History of Himeji Castle
The castle dates to the mid-14th century, but was heavily renovated two centuries later, … Continue reading
Posted on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 in DestinationsTags: asia, himeji, japan
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The Norman City of Rouen – Things to Do & Travel Guide
Rouen is such a charming city in Normandy with a fantastic history, and it makes an excellent day trip from Paris. It’s definitely worth seeing if you have time to spend in France. I’ve been twice and have enjoyed both trips to this lovely Norman city.
The History of Rouen
Rouen has a very long and impressive history. The city of Rouen dates back to the Roman days and became a Viking city in 841. It was actually so important that it served as the capital of Normandy until about 1060, when William the Conquerer moved the capital to Caen … Continue reading
Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2018 in DestinationsTags: europe, france, normandy, rouen
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The Awe-Inspiring Town of Nikko – Things to Do & Travel Guide
Even though Nikko’s listed as a common day trip from Tokyo, it’s a little off the beaten path. This town, which revolves around its several temples and shrines, was founded in the 8th century, but its popularity grew in the Edo period as it became the burial spot for the Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the famous Tokugawa Shogunate. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A Brief History of Nikko
Nikko was always a town of shrines. The town was established when a monk named Shodo established Nikkosan Rinnoji Temple at the site, which you can still visit… Continue reading Posted on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 in DestinationsTags: asia, japan, nikko, tochigi
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Okunoshima (Rabbit Island) in Japan: The Cutest Place on Earth!
Have you ever seen those videos on YouTube of people being covered in rabbits? Most likely, they’re on the island of Okunoshima, nicknamed Rabbit Island. Since rabbits are one of my favourite animals, it was something I absolutely needed to do and it’s one of the most unique and fun things to do in Japan (and the world).
Warning: Tonnes of cute bunny pics ahead!
What’s with the Rabbits on Rabbit Island?
Okunoshima has a fascinating backstory. It was used in the 20s-40s as a chemical weapon base and was actually kept in secrecy so other countries wouldn’t know of … Continue reading
Posted on Thursday, November 8, 2018 in DestinationsTags: asia, bunny island, japan, okunoshima
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Exploring the Beautiful City of Zurich – Things to Do & Travel Guide
When I got laid off, the first thing I did was book a trip to Switzerland – with no regrets. I stayed in Zurich, and it’s an extremely beautiful city that makes a great base to see other parts of the neutral nation. There’s something about the Swiss mountains and the beautiful but humble architecture that makes Switzerland so unique, and the country’s beautiful city of Zurich is a great way to start to see it all.
The History of Zurich
The area around Zurich had been inhabited since ancient days. Zurich as we know it today grew under Frankish … Continue reading
Posted on Saturday, September 29, 2018 in DestinationsTags: europe, switzerland, zurich
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