There are plenty of winter illumination events in Japan, as decorating cities and gardens in extravagant light displays has become somewhat of a modern Japanese tradition. One of Japan’s largest illumination displays is at Nabana no Sato flower park in Kuwana. Each year millions of LED bulbs transform the gardens into a twinkling wonderland complete…
My first trip to Switzerland was a long time coming- it was a place I’d dreamed about visiting for many years before I finally went. I’d spent hours admiring photos, building Switzerland up in my mind so much that I arrived expecting near perfection. Luckily, it was even better than I’d imagined and all the…
Before my 2 week trip to Switzerland, I had a somewhat stereotypical vision of what Switzerland would be like. I expected to see wooden chalets, meadows surrounded by rugged mountains, and cows grazing in green pastures as bells around their necks rung with every move. I looked forward to indulging in warm cheese fondue and…
There’s no better way to experience the boundless beauty of Canada’s north than to go flightseeing in the Yukon. Witnessing the monumental glaciers, rocky mountain peaks, emerald lakes, winding rivers, alpine meadows, and roaming herds of wildlife from above, further ingrained my love for the Yukon. Flightseeing tours are my favourite thing to do during…
It’s hard to imagine in today’s age of multifaceted economies, a town developing and existing solely because of one industry. Yet, that is the story of Quebec’s Val-Jalbert. As an authentic company town of the 1920s, Val-Jalbert is a fine example of how community is built around industry, bringing together families, religion, and education to…
Having only visited Quebec’s main cities, I was curious to explore the province’s more rural regions and see what outdoor adventures and historic attractions I could find. What I discovered during my weekend in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean was a region full of opportunities to connect with nature, history, and small town life. What to See and Do…
There’s nothing quite like disconnecting in a place surrounded by miles and miles of pristine nature. Forests, lakes, rivers- they all have a way of replacing my stress with relaxation, worry with peace. For that reason, I ventured to the Mauricie region of Quebec, an area known for its vast natural spaces. With over 17,500…
A few years ago I wanted to do a trip to Yellowstone National Park, as it’s one of the most geologically interesting and wildlife-rich areas in the United States. The problem was, Yellowstone is extremely popular and trying to plan a trip a few months in advance meant that accommodations and campsites were all booked…
It wasn’t long into our 3 day trip to Savannah that I realized it was going to be a fabulous city for photography. From the moss-draped trees and historic architecture, to the artistic monuments and beautiful beach, there were plenty of scenic photography spots in Savannah. As we wandered the shaded streets and squares of…
The Ring of Kerry is one of the most popular and well known of Ireland’s scenic drives, a route that frequently makes it onto the itinerary of first-time visitors to Ireland. With so many travellers eager to drive the Ring of Kerry, I worried that maybe it was too touristy and I wouldn’t enjoy it….
Nagano was familiar to me as the host of the 1998 Winter Olympics, but beyond that I didn’t know what there was to see and do besides winter sports. What I discovered during my one day in Nagano was a pleasant city surrounded by low mountains, with a relaxed vibe that quickly drew me in….
My main reason for visiting Nagano was to do a day trip to Jigokudani Monkey Park, home to Japan’s famous hot spring loving, wild snow monkeys. I was inspired to visit Jigokudani Monkey Park by all the adorable photos I was seeing of snow monkeys soaking contentedly in the hot pools. As an animal lover,…
A trip to Alberta wouldn’t be complete without doing a road trip in the Canadian Rockies. The drive from Calgary to Jasper is one of the finest road trips in Canada, a route that passes by Alberta’s most inspiring scenery as it makes its way through the mountains and into the heart of Banff and…
That really depends on the year. Sometimes we have snow that sticks around by October, but sometimes not. In general, weather in the mountains can be unpredictable, especially on the Icefields Parkway. I would make sure I come prepared with blankets, food etc. just in case. I think if road conditions get really bad they close the highway but I’ve never seen that in October/early November.November 18, 2018 – 5:54 pmReplyCancel
Hello! You’re article has inspired me to take this trip and try out your itinerary. I am curious if you have any thoughts on doing it by Campervan. We did the Ring Rd in Iceland by camper last year and really enjoyed it but I don’t see it as widely recommended for Banff and Jasper. Thoughts?August 8, 2019 – 7:21 pmReplyCancel
Hey guys. First of all, thank you for creating this blog. It has helped me tremendously in planning and organizing our first trip to Canada. I had saved this blog in my bookmarks last year and just last month, I and my wife did a ditto road trip to the Canadian Rockies. The only difference was, we did a 7-day trip but we loved it. We did Calgary – Canmore – Banff – Lake Louise – Icefield Parkways – Jasper and flew back to San Francisco from Calgary. Thank you again for the great work on this blog and for inspiring me to visit Canada. August 29, 2019 – 10:56 amReplyCancel
The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s top destinations and the best way to experience this natural wonder is by doing the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk. Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk The Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk is a 13 km trail that runs along top the cliffs from Doolin to Hags Head,…
One of my favourite things about road trips is finding unique small towns, especially ones with some sort of fun “theme”. Most often, these themed towns make me feel like I’ve travelled back in time, but I’ve also found ones with international flair that transport me to another place entirely. Themed Towns in North America…
As the first stop on our 3 week trip to South America, Cusco was an introduction to the Inca history and Quechua culture that make Peru such a fascinating destination for travellers. In Cusco we discovered a city quite literally built on Inca foundations. Spanish colonial cathedrals and churches stand over Inca temples, long arcades…
Tucked into a forested valley in the Wicklow mountains are the remains of Glendalough, one of Ireland’s most important monastic settlements. It’s an evocative site- ancient stone buildings surrounded by Celtic crosses and gravestones, while two lakes and a river flow nearby. As the first stop on my Ireland road trip, Glendalough monastic site was…
When I was visiting Killarney, I kept thinking how nice it must be to have such a beautiful national park right at your doorstep. Just steps away from the centre of town, Killarney National Park encompasses some of the best scenery in Ireland. Killarney National Park is a sublime collection of lakes, mountains, woodlands, and…
My favourite memory of my 2 week trip to Ireland is my day in Killarney, where I did a boat and bike trip to the Gap of Dunloe. A boat tour of the Lakes of Killarney, followed by a bike ride through the Gap of Dunloe, showcases the very best of Killarney National Park and…
As with most places I travel to, I was inspired to visit Gokayama by a photograph I had seen. It was a scene I couldn’t resist- a tiny village of thatched roof houses, their steep, sloped tops covered in snow, perfectly complementing the mountainous backdrop in the distance. From then on, I often dreamed about…
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Danial - The sakura light tunnel is absolutely amazing. I could actually spend a couple of days here admiring the Winter Illumination!November 15, 2018 – 7:31 pm