Time to embrace the more authentic Japan To get past the standard Tokyo Kyoto Osaka visit, adding Gero, Nara, Kawazu and Hakone allowed for a touch of less touristy adventures. The outdoor Onsen at Suimeikan in Gero was the…
Spring Skiing Hakuba Japan
Having skied Niseko before, and with a favourable exchange rate, it was time to do an extended Japan visit. Starting with Skiing Hakuba (west of Tokyo) which had been having legendary snowfalls for weeks (#1 worldwide on most daily reports)…
YiPeng Lantern Festival
What a Spectacular ! The YiPeng Lantern Festival is held during the full moon in November each year, in conjunction with Loy Krathong. Simply put, YiPeng launches lanterns into the sky and Loy Krathong launches floating florals into the waters…
Gdansk Poland
As this Europe trip draws to an end, I intended to visit the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo as a path home, yet continued delays took that off the List (for now) and I needed a replacement. With Swiss…
Stockholm Sweden
Travel is mostly about seeing new things, but sometimes an experience is so good, you just have to return. Stockholm Sweden. Two strong memories were the first time I saw the Vasa in its museum, and a unique Viking Restaurant…
Kiruna Sweden
When chasing the northern lights, you often have to be willing or able to travel to clear skies amongst many other factors. Understanding typical weather patterns helps. So I booked the Havila Cruise to view from the sea Tromso to…
Tromso Norway
Time to wind down, and do little but seek the Northern Lights from Tromso. An excellent AirBnB provided a stunning view over the Havn (harbour) towards the mountains & beyond. An easy vantage to relax and potentially get another Northern…
Havila Voyages Norway Cruise
Starting from Bergen, this was a 4 night Short Trip to Tromso. ~40 years ago I worked P&O’s Fairstar out of Sydney in entertainment. Thought it was time to try a cruise again….. The delight & surprise was to discover…
Bergen Norway
With Tromso as the goal, I flew into Bergen to board a boat for a change in transport. Havila Voyages are essentially a new fleet of contracted cargo & mail delivery for the Norway coast, that also do a fine…
Lyon France
Coming from the Alps and heading to the Artic Circle, Lyon was a major airport with options. A town for transit. With little planning or expectation, a day walking to Lyon’s Old Town (Vieux Lyon) was met with surprising rewards,…