Specialists for the experiential traveler
A great way to discover some of Tokyo’s hidden gems is to do this small group tour. We were a group of eight plus Matt our tour guide, and we set off from a central meeting place in the bustling Shinjuku area. Matt, being a native American, had lived in Japan for the last 5…
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I had heard so much about the Hakone area, that it was a good chance to see and discover. From Tokyo, I travelled by bullet train to Odawara station; such a comfortable ride and so very fast. I then took a local bus to Ichinoyu Shinanoki, a Japanese inn where I was staying for the…
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After a few days in the metropolis that is Tokyo, it was time to venture out and see the magnificent countryside, heading westwards towards the Japanese Alps. My day began taking a local train to Matsumoto for a brief stop to visit the ““Crow Castle” for its distinctive black walls, surrounded by an impressive moat….
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On arriving into Tokyo, I was wondering how long it would be before I spotted the first cherry blossoms. The transfer bus took about an hour from the airport to our hotel, but it seemed less than that, as I was keenly looking out the window like in a game of I spy. Not long…
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As an avid Dilmah lover visiting tea plantations in Sri Lanka was very high on my list, and Madulkelle was the perfect base. A colonial planters estate house is used as the reception, dining area, and English lounge complete with a library and fireplace. As you walk out on the back veranda an English garden…
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It had been a long day of driving and exploring when we arrived at Talalla Retreat. Talalla is located just over an hours drive from Galle, along the beautiful southern coastline. On an undeveloped stretch of beach, Talalla is spread out and showcases the natural beauty around you. Staying in open-air bungalows was so peaceful….
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It had been over 5 years since I last visited Bali and almost 20 years prior to that. Both visits had been as a footloose fancy free single so I had no idea what to expect traveling with two families in a party of ten with more children than adults! I really was pleasantly surprised. …
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WOW what a crazy and busy city Tokyo is! We landed a little dazed from a long flight and made our way to our hotel in Shinjuku via the Shinjuku train station. Now I am normally pretty good with directions, but I was lost immediately with this massive station having over 200 exits and over…
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If you are looking for somewhere new to go and get away from it all, sit on an amazing beach with a good book and not a lot else then the Palawan Islands in the Philippines may be the spot for you. An hour flight from Manila and you land into the city of Puerto…
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South-East Asia has to top the list of Australia’s most fascinating neighbours. Vastly different landscapes, cultures and traditions can all be found within a hop-skip-and-jump of each other; providing travellers with a rich array of things to see and do. Enchantment can come in the form of Thailand’s Lantern Festival, relaxation through a massage on…
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