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 […]
Parks and Gardens
Hillwood Estate, One of DC’s Best Hidden Gems
I’ve visited many fine European palaces, and Hillwood Estate in Washington, DC, can compete with just about any of them. Hillwood was owned by Marjorie Merriweather Post, one of the richest women in America during her lifetime. She was the sole heir to the Post Cereal Company, which she later turned into General Foods. Marjorie […]
Three Perfect Days in Kyoto
Kyoto was built in 794 AD and served as the capital of Japan until WWII. The ancient city was spared during the war, and much of its 1,000-year history is still on display. Kyoto has such a great wealth of cultural attractions that one could spend a month there and still not see them all. […]
Fun and Interesting Things to Do in Madrid
Madrid doesn’t seem to get the same amount of fanfare as other Spanish cities like Barcelona and Seville, but I think it’s a great place to explore. There are heaps of interesting things to do in Madrid and I tried to check out as many as I could, while still soaking up the laid-back Spanish […]
Kadriorg Palace: A Museum Fit for a Queen
Kadriorg Palace in Tallinn, Estonia is a relic of a bygone era. It was built in 1718 by Peter the Great, founding czar of the Russian Empire. The palace’s salmon pink facade, accented with slate blue doors and a green copper roof, was designed in the same ornate style as the buildings of Petersburg, the Empire’s […]