The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of New York’s preeminent attractions and one of the best art museums in the world. The expertly curated collection boasts some two million artifacts, making it the largest art museum in the United States. It would take you weeks to see it all! But what if you only […]
Nara Day Trip: One Day in Japan’s Deer City
Nara, Japan is one of the most unique destinations in the world. The ancient city predates Kyoto as Japan’s first capital. It boasts many important temples and shrines, including eight UNESCO sites and one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in the world. But it’s Nara’s welcoming committee that makes a visit here memorable. Nara […]
Himeji Castle Day Trip from Osaka – Is it Worth It?
Himeji-jo is widely considered to be the best of Japan’s remaining original castles. UNESCO praises its masterful wooden construction and gleaming white walls. Locals lovingly call it the “White Egret Castle,” since the 400-year-old main keep perched atop a hill is said to resemble a bird in flight. Himeji is 100 kilometers from Osaka and […]
A Guide to Hoi An, Vietnam’s Most Colorful Town
Of all the places I’ve visited in Southeast Asia, Hoi An, Vietnam is my favorite. Great swaths of hot pink bougainvillea blanket sunny yellow shop houses, which sit along dusty roads dotted with temples. The old town’s many coffee shops and chic boutiques hint at the bygone French colonial era. UNESCO has recognized the historic […]
How to Enjoy Three Days in Vientiane, Laos
I am not someone who is easily bored. I’m happy to amble along snapping photos and taking countless coffee breaks as long as there is something interesting to grab my attention along the way. That is probably why I enjoyed my three days in Vientiane, Laos so much. The city is compact with a limited […]