I’ve found myself at a loss for words but filled with emotion ever since our trip to Antarctica, South Georgia, and the Falkland Islands. I know I’m not doing our Antarctica cruise, and the places we visited, any justice when friends ask about it and all I can say is, “It was incredible! Best trip…
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…
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
Yes, you can do this trip in the middle of May. Be aware though that the Moraine Lake road may still be closed for the season. It usually opens around mid-late May, but depends on the amount of snow. There might also still be some snow on the trails at higher elevations (if you plan on doing some hikes) and the glacier lakes could also still be frozen. But the best part of visiting during shoulder season is that the parks won’t be so crowded with tourists!December 5, 2019 – 12:10 pmReplyCancel
New York City is a place I felt like I knew even before I’d ever visited. A backdrop to countless movies and television shows, New York City has been making appearances in my living room for as long as I can remember. Planning a 5 day trip to New York City felt like making plans…
I’ve never met anyone who’s done a road trip in Ireland and not loved it. After spending 2 weeks in Ireland, I am now one of those people. My 2 week road trip in Ireland had it all: postcard-worthy landscapes, fascinating ancient sites, evocative ruins, gratifying outdoor adventures, colourful small towns, delicious food, lively music, fun…
Hi Rhonda!
I just found your post via LP pathfinders monthly roundup. :) Oh my, you did quite a nice round around the island!To me everything looks travelworthy, just to soak in that Irish atmosphere. I’ve been thinking of visiting either Ireland or Scotland next year, and like you said more for the nature and small villages, than for the big cities. Have you ever been to Scotland?
Hi Rhonda,
I am planning on going to Ireland this summer, but am hesitant to rent a car due to the cost. I wanted to know how much it cost you to rent your car for 2 weeks? Also were there any restrictions on it? ie being 25 or a specific type of license?
Thanks, I loved this post so much. I am using much of it as inspiration!December 3, 2017 – 11:23 amReplyCancel
Hi Alexi!
The car rental was just over $700 CAD for an automatic. It’s way cheaper to rent a standard. I hadn’t driven stick shift in many years so I didn’t want that stress on top of driving on the opposite side of the road that I’m used to.
As a Canadian, I didn’t need an International Driver’s license but had to have my Canadian driver’s license for a minimum of 2 years. Not sure about the requirements for other countries and if there are any age restrictions. You should be able to find all that info on the car rental company’s website.
I would definitely rent a car if you can afford it. It’s by far the most convenient and flexible way to see Ireland!December 3, 2017 – 2:08 pmReplyCancel
Hi there! This has been EXTREMELY helpful. I am wondering what type of camera you used during your trip? Your photos are excellent! My boyfriend and I will be travelling to Ireland to visit my cousin for 2 weeks in July. We are also not big on the touristy part and are looking for some amazing hikes. I’m really looking forward to the Cliffs of Moher coastal walk. I’m afraid because we will be going in July, there will no doubt be lots and lots of people! We are definitely thinking of doing this exact itinerary but we will have to stay and visit Dublin for an extra two days. Is it possible to still do this itinerary but in 14 days? Anything you would fast track? We will be renting a car, manual, did you know how much cheaper it was? Gas efficiency? Thank you for this blog post!! Jennie :) February 15, 2018 – 10:21 amReplyCancel
Hi Jennie. Glad you like my photos! I use a Canon 6D with L-series lenses. July will definitely be busier than Sept/Oct when I was there, but I’d suspect the majority of people still don’t do the full coastal walk. I would have liked to do more (and longer) hikes but the weather was not on my side during this trip!
I did this itinerary in 13 full days. It sounds like a lot but was manageable. Getting an early start meant that I could linger at sites longer and make more photo stops. Perhaps I could have done more of the Ring of Kerry and Skellig Ring in one day had I not needed to spend the night in Portmagee for the Skellig Michael trip that never happened. I’d skip Inch Beach if I was short on time. I also really took my time doing the Slea Head Drive. But if I needed to cut something out, it would be Northern Ireland because I wasn’t a fan of how “touristy” it felt.
I don’t remember exactly how much cheaper it was to rent a manual, but I seem to recall it was around half the price of an automatic. I was shocked at how much gas I went through! Maybe a diesel would get better mileage?
Hope you have an awesome trip to Ireland!February 16, 2018 – 2:08 pmReplyCancel
Wow there is so much useful information in this article! I love that you include the hits and misses of each day, it really gives me insight into what to skip if we don’t have time. My partner and I are planning a 12 day trip for November of this year and will definitely be using this as a rough guide, thank you so much!July 9, 2018 – 10:05 amReplyCancel
Hi,
I would like to thank you for sharing your itinerary. I was pressed for time so I used your itinerary for planning a trip for my family (2 adults and 3 kids). It worked very well for us. With 3 kids we went a bit slower and skipped a few visits, but that was fine.
We did stay in Londonderry 1 night and Belfast 1 night. In the end, that really wasn’t necessary. We didn’t really like these two cities and to me they felt much more English than Irish.
On the other hand, we loved Galway. It has a great walkable pedestrian area and street performers.
Thanks again, we had a great vacation and your blog was a huge help.July 31, 2018 – 2:41 pmReplyCancel
I actually didn’t keep good track of how much I spent. I know my flight from Canada was exactly $1000 and the car rental was $720. Food was expensive and gas was very expensive, but I was able to find decently priced accommodations (less than $100/night). I’d guess that I spent around $4000.August 3, 2018 – 10:09 amReplyCancel
So enjoyed reading about all you saw! We had less time to tour the west of Ireland so we never made it farther south than Dingle (our favorite town), so there’s lots more for us to see. And we ran out of time and didn’t get to visit Newgrange. Kudos to you for driving solo. I’m not that brave! (The roundabouts! Driving on the other side of the road, etc. And the Connor Pass!) Also was glad to read I wasn’t the only one not wowed by Galway. (We liked nearby Salt Hill better.)September 20, 2018 – 5:49 amReplyCancel
Hi Rhonda. Many thanks for your sharing your experiences. My wife and I did a similarly focused tour of Scotland earlier this year and we now have Ireland in our sights. I found your travel-log very helpful and will revisit when we plan out our trip. We are not group tour people preferring to do our own thing in our own time. We hate crowds and being rushed. Being a bit older (65+), we do prefer the more comfortable places to stay. Scotland was a bit hit and miss as far as accommodation went but can you give us a brief summary of the types of accommodation you experienced in Ireland, B&B’s, hotels etc. Thanks.October 9, 2018 – 3:56 pmReplyCancel
Hi Rob. I mostly stayed in B&Bs but a few hotels as well. I was happy with all my accommodations except for one. I wasn’t sure I would like staying at B&Bs but they kind of felt like a home away from home. It was pretty easy to book rooms that had a private bathroom, so to me it wasn’t much different than being at a hotel.November 18, 2018 – 5:48 pmReplyCancel
Hi Marni. In Dublin I stayed at the Conrad near St. Stephens Green and it was great. For Bru na Boinne I stayed in Donore at a place called Newgrange Lodge (which I wouldn’t recommend, but the location was very close to Bru na Boinne and the price was cheap). I really enjoyed visiting Newgrange and Knowth. Newgrange is the “main” mound everyone chooses to visit, but I would recommend the tour that visits both since I actually preferred Knowth. As for Dublin, I wasn’t that interested in the city and thought one was day plenty for me. Hope this helps!November 18, 2018 – 5:41 pmReplyCancel
Rhonda, tripped upon this browsing for a fall trip my wife and I are planning in September/October. We hope to have 16-18 days and will for the most part try follow your recommendations, this looks amazing. Is Lonely Planet the better of the books? Pubs and hiking will be our focus but the bike tours sound interesting, any one of them really stand out? Thanks for all of this, I’ll be doing some reading! RobJanuary 2, 2019 – 3:16 pmReplyCancel
Hi Rob. I used Lonely Planet for this trip but have used Eyewitness Travel books for other destinations and have really liked them. Both are good for different reasons. As for bike tours, my favourite one was the boat & bike trip I did of the Killarney lakes and Gap of Dunloe. The tour is really only the boat trip, then after that you can ride your bike (which you need to rent on your own) independently through the Gap and back to Killarney. It was a great way to spend the day!January 7, 2019 – 2:21 pmReplyCancel
Hi Rhonda,
I absolutely enjoyed reading about your 2 week trip around Ireland. I’m also from Canada! :) My mom and I plan to go this August 2019 and I have a few questions for you.
1. Do I need to book accommodations early, or can I just drive into a town and be able to find somewhere to stay for a night?
2. Do I need to pay or book to see any of these places of interest? Places such as the tombs at Brú na Bóinne or any of the castles you stopped at for pictures from outside. We are both mostly interested in a scenic journey instead of taking tours.
3. Flighs are around $500-$600 each for end of August. Would you think they would increase as the summer months approaches? Same for car rentals. I see that manual is alot cheaper so I don’t want to miss out.
Thanks again for sharing your experience with us. It is very well-written and photographed.
AshaFebruary 5, 2019 – 10:58 amReplyCancel
Hi Asha,
Glad to hear you’re planning a trip to Ireland and found my itinerary helpful. I’ll try to answer your questions:
1. I always book early and didn’t try to find accommodations the night of. I went in October and in some popular places (Kinsale and Galway come to mind), the pickings were slim even months in advance. I’d imagine with August being high season, popular destinations would book up in advance. Maybe you’d be able to find accommodations in smaller towns the day of (I don’t think my B&B’s were always sold out).
2. Some of the sites I paid to go in once I arrived (Rock of Cashel, Blarney Castle, Kilkenny Castle, Bru na Boinne, Kerry Cliffs, Giant’s Causeway). Glendalough doesn’t have an admission fee. You can get pics of Rock of Cashel from the road (but better ones if you go in), and you can photograph Kilkenny Castle from the grounds for free. Most everything else I saw didn’t have an admission fee or I could photograph from outside. You wouldn’t be able to get pictures of Bru na Boinne since access is through the visitor centre and by guided tour only. This is also the only site I’d recommend booking in advance if you can, or else get there as soon as it opens. Blarney Castle you’d need to go in to get pics of as well.
3. My flight from Edmonton was $1000 booked really far in advance and I didn’t notice the price changing too much. In general, I notice that flights cost more as it gets closer to departure, but who knows what those airlines will do. Not sure about the car rentals- I’m a planner so like to book everything in advance! But yes, manuals are cheaper (maybe they have more of them available too?)
Hope this helps. Have fun on your trip!February 8, 2019 – 6:31 pmReplyCancel
I live in Ireland and was looking for a weekend Itinerary in the west coast. I’m extremely impressed by this web-site and I can say that the information you provide is accurate. Also, It includes so much important details that I had to note down. Thank you very much for your great effort! This is one of the best travel blogs around for sure.February 7, 2019 – 6:38 amReplyCancel
The Call of the North. It’s not some cute marketing slogan but rather a true, deep-rooted feeling that’s impossible to shake after visiting the Yukon. The Yukon’s had a hold on me since my first visit in the 1990’s. It was one of my favourite family summer road trips and even now, in my mid-thirties, I vividly remember how…
It’s not hard to fall in love with Québec City. Only two blocks into the Old Town and I was already head over heels. I still vividly remember the moment Québec City stole my heart. It was my first night in town and I was walking down Saint-Louis toward Château Frontenac. Lantern-shaped streetlights warmly shone…
There was only one place during our 3 week trip to South America that I was nervous about visiting- La Paz, Bolivia. A lot of what I’d heard about the city was not positive. On blogs I read stories about encounters with fake police, and heeded my guidebook’s warnings about taxicab “express kidnappings”. Then toss…
Isn’t it funny how in South America the poor often have the most scenic views in the city? I remember in Rio the favelas stretching up the hills…
Some beautiful scenery and that photo with Mount Illimani stunning.
I don’t know if we’ll ever get there, Spanky has always been nervous about South America and even though we’ve been twice (Colombia – Great experience, Brazil – shitty experience) it’s not high on our list mostly because of the crime factor.
Ah, Tokyo. Just hearing the name conjures up images of densely packed skyscrapers, streets lined with larger-than-life advertisements and crowded public spaces. Yes, that vision is correct, but as we discovered during our 4 days in Tokyo, there is much more to the city than first meets the eye. Tokyo is a city where the…
Hello! Great, helpful post! I am heading to Japan at the end of August. I am wondering if you think it is worth getting a 14 day JR pass and activating at Narita in order to take the express train and use the Yamanote line within Tokyo or to get a 7 day and not activate until we leave Tokyo to to go Hakone, Kyoto and then back to Tokyo? Your assistance is appreciated!July 30, 2018 – 8:59 pmReplyCancel
I recommend pricing out the individual train trips vs the cost of the passes and see which is the better value. The cost of using public transportation in Tokyo is not that expensive in the grand scheme of things and the JR pass is, so I probably wouldn’t get a 14 day pass primarily to travel around Tokyo. The trip from Tokyo to Kyoto is pricey, so the pass has value there. I’d crunch some numbers (use Hyperdia for train ticket schedules and prices) to see what makes the most financial sense.August 3, 2018 – 9:59 amReplyCancel
“We’re most looking forward to spending 4 days in Easter Island,” I’d say when friends asked about our upcoming trip to South America. “What’s Easter Island?” some would ask, a quizzical look on their face. “You know, the place with all the stone heads,” I replied, trying to hide my shock that they didn’t know…
South America has been a place I’ve wanted to visit for 10 years, but for some reason it has always taken a back seat to other destinations. I am happy to say, that is no longer the case! We finally made it to the southern hemisphere, spending 3 weeks in South America (well, 24 days…
Sorry to hear you had a poor experience in Huacachina- we loved it, and I don’t remember seeing any garbage at all (we went 2 years ago). I also didn’t notice pollution in Lima like you described, but it’s also one of the only places I’ve ever been where I was terrified about getting robbed anytime we had to get into a taxi. I’m hankering to get back down to South America to explore Argentina!November 4, 2016 – 9:58 amReplyCancel
Yeah, it was a big disappointment. Our hotel had a nice pool area that looked out onto a dune, but the sand was covered in garbage. We noticed garbage is a problem in a lot of areas in Peru and Bolivia. It looks like people drive out onto the rural roads and dump their household waste. Then the dogs and other animals come and rip open the bags and before you know it- garbage everywhere!
I felt safe in the cabs in Lima. Well, from getting robbed that is, not so much when it came to the driving!
I’d love to explore Argentina too and maybe even go back to see more of Chile.November 11, 2016 – 3:39 pmReplyCancel
Rhonda. Thank you so much for your blog post on 3 weeks in South America. My wife and I are planning 4 weeks starting in Santiago, Atacama, Bolivia, Lake T., Cusco, M.P., Lima and ending with a cruise on the Amazon. I was wondering if it is too much but after reading your blog, I got energized and decided to go for it. Thanks again.
Stretching along the Sea of Japan, in the Chugoku region of Western Honshu, is a coastal prefecture that’s largely untouched by foreign visitors, at least for now. But once the secret gets out, I’d expect that to change. Tottori prefecture is an ideal area of Japan to visit for people, like myself, who prefer smaller…
I’m trying to think of a way to describe Savannah without gushing superlatives, but it just can’t be done. Savannah is one of the most interesting, easy-going and attractive cities we’ve had the pleasure to visit. With 3 days in Savannah we had enough time to not only see the sights, but more importantly soak…
Rhonda, I’m so glad I asked for Savannah recommendations! This post is a great one to get started – really looking forward to trying a ghost tour and checking out Bonaventure and Wormsloe . . . and pretty much everything you wrote about. Your photos are absolutely stunning!! Thank you so much! I read all your other Savannah posts too. Can’t wait for the trip.May 11, 2016 – 9:16 pmReplyCancel
Wow Rhonda, great photos! had no idea Savannah was so pretty! check out my awesome travel blog @ http://www.RichTrek.com … cheers!May 14, 2016 – 7:39 amReplyCancel
Going this September. We will have three and a half day and we intend to visit EVERY square…including what’s left of Liberty and Elbert Squares. Savannah is as your said, very photogenic and also atmospheric. Going to be in Charleston before Savannah that same week. Charleston just cannot compare.July 24, 2016 – 8:45 pmReplyCancel
Nice photos! I really admire Savannah GA. I am into photography and this place is the best spot for me to take pictures. Thanks, Rhonda for this Savannah GA travel guide and for sharing your journey in the place. This is such a great help for me because I’m planning our trip to GA. I think it will be an exciting journey.February 12, 2020 – 7:37 amReplyCancel
A trip to Japan would not be complete without visiting Kyoto. It’s a city full of enchanting sites- geisha hurrying down dark streets, ancient temples rich with spiritual tradition, a natural beauty that is both appreciated and celebrated, especially during cherry blossom season. We spent 3 days in Kyoto and it was just enough time…
Rhonda, thank you for sharing your lovely photos and itinerary for Kyoto. We also visited Kyoto back in September last year and would definitely agree that it is a ‘must visit’ part of Japan.
We were there in autumn so did not see the cherry blossoms, but we did see quite a few of the temples etc that you visited. you certainly criss-crossed the city with the places you visited! We tried to group together key sites and as a result we were able to use the bus system to get around relatively easily – but perhaps there were less people at that time of year…April 1, 2016 – 1:28 amReplyCancel
Ooh, I would love to go back in the fall! Yes, we did bounce around the city a bit, but it wasn’t too bad. We spent a lot of time walking through the Higashiyama district and once we got to Arashiyama, that was really walkable as well. The only places that were out on their own, too far to walk were Fushimi Inari, the Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle and To-ji Temple.April 1, 2016 – 8:43 amReplyCancel
Rhonda, your photos and descriptions are amazing so ‘thankyou’. My appetite is whetted to return and see so many of these place we missed through lack of time. I love Kyoto and Japan. Your blog is brilliant and I will return to read in depth at another time. Thanks .. VivienneMay 24, 2016 – 8:57 pmReplyCancel
Dear Rhonda, thanks for your useful blog. We are heading to Kyoto in a few weeks (early April 2017), hoping to catch the cherry blossoms too. I am just wondering how did you manage to get all these beautiful photos without the crowds that everyone is warning us to expect everywhere? for example your photos of Fushimi Inari, Ninnen zaka streets and Nazenji temple.
If you see this comment please give me some tips because although we are planning to go to certain sites very early in the morning (8 am start) but throughout the day I am sure we can’t keep avoiding the crowds so any tips on taking such beautiful photos would be appreciated.March 7, 2017 – 11:19 amReplyCancel
Hi MJ,
Getting photos without people in them takes A LOT of patience. Usually I’m standing there with the camera up to my face waiting for the perfect moment with no people in the frame (that’s what I had to do at Fushimi Inari- it took forever!). Another tip for Fushimi Inari is to walk further up the path/mountain, as the crowds do eventually thin out. Ninnen Zaka streets actually weren’t that busy, so I didn’t have to wait too long for those shots. I also try and visit the most popular places early in the morning, right when they open, and on a weekday if possible.
If all else fails, I angle my camera up above the people!
Hope this helps. Enjoy your trip to Kyoto!March 7, 2017 – 5:35 pmReplyCancel
Hi Rhonda,
I just read your 3 day itinerary for visiting Kyoto. I am looking for ideas as my 2 adult sons and myself are spending 3 days in Kyoto this January (2018). You have lots of great ideas that we can use during our stay even though it’s a different time of year. We’re hoping to see some of the archery festival that happens each year in January. Love your pictures and thanks for making your blog available to help others. I don’t have a website but post pictures on flickr so when I subscribed I put that address.
I haven’t booked our 3 nights in Kyoto yet but will look at the links here for ideas. Any suggestions for personal favourites? We’re thinking of renting a Ryokan for one night to get the authentic Japanese experience.
Thanks again, Rhonda
RossDecember 7, 2017 – 3:18 pmReplyCancel
Hi Ross! Thank you for your comment and I’m glad you found this post helpful. I can’t remember what hotel we stayed at, but it was pretty ordinary (which I guess is why I can’t remember it!) I do recommend staying at a Ryokan at some point during your trip to Japan as it’s a great way to experience some of the culture and traditions of Japan. We stayed at one in Miyajima and Koyasan and loved it. I hope you enjoy your trip to Kyoto- the archery festival sounds interesting!December 14, 2017 – 5:26 pmReplyCancel
At the furthest point of the Florida Keys sits Key West, a sub-tropical town full of life, colour and celebration, yet still laid back enough to sense the history and tradition that make it one of the most unique destinations in the United States. Key West is a place where your days can be spent…
You hit a lot of places that I have yet to see for some reason. I’ve heard a lot about Smathers Beach, but again, have never been because the reviews are very mixed. The kids love the beach, so we always seem to luck out and find a private beach that we manage to get access to. What is your feedback on Smathers? Is it too crowded?
Also, what is your feedback on the Danger Charters? We did Nautical Quest Adventures and it was phenomenal. The chartered version really gives you a good tour of the shores and it’s like boating with family. What do they do on the Danger one? We’ll be going back in the summer and will most likely do the Nautical Quest one again. May 16, 2019 – 1:51 pmReplyCancel
Japan is a country I have wanted to visit ever since I was in the seventh grade. Learning about it in social studies class, I was fascinated by the history and culture, enamoured by its beauty. As intriguing as Japan was in textbooks, it was infinitely better in real life. Just one day into our…
Interesting post on a place we’ve never been (Spanky really wants to go). You mention throughout the post ‘a lot of people’ and it’s one of my pre-conceived issues with Japan. On the other hand its nice to know that you liked the people.
We’ll go there on day I’m sure!
Frank (bbqboy)April 26, 2015 – 9:53 amReplyCancel
I was worried about getting around as well, but we didn’t have hardly any trouble. All of the important signs (at train stations, major street names etc.) were in English, as well as Japanese. If they hadn’t been, getting around would have been much more of a challenge!April 27, 2015 – 4:14 pmReplyCancel
Rhonda, thank you for sharing your Japan itinerary and how it went. We are heading to Japan in September, and I have just finished our itinerary. Ours is quite different as we are only staying in 4 places – Tokyo, Kyoto, Shinano Onsen and Shibu Onsen which are both in the Nagano prefecture. As we ate travelling with our 3 children I have tried to minimize the number of places and transfers and also plan some rest days, and have a couple of theme park days in Tokyo. We are looking forward to our trip and thanks for your advice.April 27, 2015 – 2:14 amReplyCancel
Looks like you had a wonderful time. I am thinking of taking my nephew as a graduation present. Thank you for sharing. I will be back when I start planning my trip.I was recently in Paris and lucked in with the trees blooming. Sometimes your are fortunate with the weather and sometimes it just does not cooperate.May 3, 2015 – 10:27 pmReplyCancel
Hi there, great review of your 2 week trip and super to hear what worked and what didn’t. I was interested to read, at the start of the article, that accommodation etc is more expensive during Springtime in Japan – presumably this is because its high tourist season for them then? What sort of price difference are we talking roughly? Are you still glad you went at this time? Thanks :)May 5, 2015 – 7:22 amReplyCancel
We went for cherry blossom season, so yes, it was high time for tourists. We paid between $100- $150 Canadian/night, which is what we’re used to paying here at home. However, we were in Kyoto for full bloom and paid $400/night! We searched and searched for cheaper prices, but this was the best we could find in a convenient location. I am glad we went during cherry season because everywhere was so beautiful!May 11, 2015 – 5:03 pmReplyCancel
Hi Rhonda. I got 2/3 through your blog before I realised we are from the same “small town” of Edmonton. I’m researching a trip for 2 weeks in April for my wife and myself. It sounds like you rented a car for a bit but took trains mostly. Would you recommend renting a car in Japan? What was your experience (besides the flat tire)? I’ve rented cars in Turkey, France and Mexico but I really hadn’t considered car rental in Japan.December 4, 2015 – 7:39 pmReplyCancel
Hi David. Nice to “meet” a fellow Edmontonian! I would definitely recommend taking trains as much as possible. They are so fast and efficient. We wouldn’t have been able to cover as much ground in two weeks if we were driving. Plus, there’s always the issue of parking, especially in big cities. I had read it’s very expensive. But, the up-side of a car is complete freedom. You can go where ever you want, when ever you want.
The only place we rented a car was in Kawaguchiko (Mt. Fuji area). We did this because we wanted more freedom than the bus system there allowed. You can rent a car from Nippon for as little as 6 hrs. The only issue when renting a car was the language barrier and the flat tire. The guy at the rental company was very helpful though and took us to a place where we could get a fixed for a reasonable price. To rent a car you will need an International Driver’s Permit and your passport.
Hi there, thanks the run down of your itinerary…it was very helfpul! I myself am planning to go during Cherry Blossom season next year, so I am trying to educate myself as much as possible.
Your photos are fantastic by the way – do you mind me asking what camera you use?August 6, 2016 – 10:56 amReplyCancel
We are planning a trip with very similar timeframes and locations and found your blog really helpful. What kind of luggage did you travel with? Did you check into hotels when arriving to destinations or travel throughout the day with bags? I wanted to find out how much time does this eat of your day of exploring and how did you find travelling around with bags. Thank you in advance!January 24, 2018 – 2:14 pmReplyCancel
Hi Tia. We travelled with suitcases and would drop it off at our hotels as soon as we arrived. They would store it for us if it was too early to check in to our room. It didn’t take much time at all because I always book hotels that are close to the train station or central to the main sights. It wouldn’t be fun to have to drag around luggage all day!January 28, 2018 – 10:06 amReplyCancel
As our train pulled away from Prague, I was excited to spend the next 3 days in Budapest, yet also feeling a little uneasy. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from Hungary’s largest city. Would we feel any Soviet influence, lingering from when Hungary was behind the Iron Curtain? Or would Budapest feel similar…
I love your photos, they’re amazing! We went to Budapest last year and did most of the same things as you (The fisherman’s bastion was my favourite building and the cat cafe was so fun!), we didn’t get to see Margaret Island though – that fountain looks beautiful, maybe next time.March 19, 2015 – 9:40 amReplyCancel
Thank you for sharing! I am traveling to Budapest myself in a few weeks and am so excited to see everything you shared. I did have a question about how you arranged for a car to pick you up at Keleti Station. Did you order a cab or was it with a separate driving company?June 5, 2015 – 1:59 pmReplyCancel
Great post, wish I had actually gone inside the parliament building when I was there! I’d also recommend visiting some of the ruin pubs, especially Fogashaz and Szimpla Kert, which are unlike any other pubs elsewhere! They’re great during the day to chill or for a few drinks at night.March 30, 2016 – 5:56 amReplyCancel
Paris is one of my favourite cities, the one that made me fall in love with travelling. Paris is romantic, cultured and sophisticated, with so much to see and do. It’s hard to experience everything that’s great about Paris in four days. I’ve visited twice now and there are still entire sections of the city…
What a fabulous itinerary and what lovely photos. You sure did get lucky with the weather in this visit. Having lived in Paris for 10 years I think one area I’d add that you didn’t mention is the Marais and Place des Vosges, but like you said, everyone’s interests are different and there’s so much to see that in 4 days you’ll never see it all! I think your advice of seeing things AND taking time just to watch the world go by from a café terrace is good advice. It’s a very Parisian thing to do after all. Thank you for joining in with #AllAboutFrance Rhonda.March 5, 2015 – 10:54 amReplyCancel
I’m going to France in April. My friend and I are taking a Viking river cruise down the Rhone. We’ll then take the train back up to Paris for 5 days. We are staying in the Latin Quarter. Your post is a big help. We are “art people” and are planning to go to Giverny as well. Thank you.March 5, 2015 – 2:05 pmReplyCancel
Ah, Paris! I’ve been three times, each for just a few days and in December, and I feel like I’ve just scratched the surface. So much more (including some of the things you mention) that I need to see and do and I’d love to see Paris is season other than winter. :) Your photos are fantastic.March 5, 2015 – 5:32 pmReplyCancel
Ahh-so you were in Europe in the summer-that explains the colour and light in your photos. I have never seen a rat in Paris-thank goodness. It is a city I never tire off-that said it has been over a year since I was last there. Your honeymoon sounds delightful.
PS I am originally from Canada. My mum was a teacher-I really should have considered it.
thank you for stopping by.March 5, 2015 – 9:46 pmReplyCancel
Great itinerary! It is so hard to narrow down what to do in 4 days in Paris. There is so much to do, and I think you hit it right – you have to accept that you can’t do everything and allow time too to just wander around and enjoy the city without running from one thing to the next. I love that you included Saint-Étienne-du-Mont! That’s one of my favorite churches in Paris – I just love the interior!March 6, 2015 – 2:31 amReplyCancel
Thanks for this! Out of all 4 day itinerary suggestions I’ve read, this is the most realistic for me and 2 of my friends so far! However, I do see the Orsay Museum is missing in here – where do you suggest we insert this (I am also not much of a museum person)? And we also plan on inserting in a french wine tasting.May 13, 2016 – 2:06 amReplyCancel
Great info and pictures. I have visited Paris twice for 4 days each time and there is so much to see. I’ve tried doing The Louvre twice and seem to just see the same two galleries before I leave exhausted.
I did enjoy the Military Museum and Napoleon’s Tomb at Les Invalides. The Musee d’Orsay is much more manageable than the Louvre if you must fit in a museum, but my favourite was the Rodin Museum which is quite close to the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides – it includes a garden of his sculptures including “The Thinker” and a wonderful collection of his early drawings.
Climb to the top of Sacre Coeur Bascilica – the view is amazing.May 13, 2016 – 6:41 amReplyCancel
Havana is a lively capital city, full of charisma and, often times, crumbling charm. Friendly, colourful, and exuberant, Havana is worth a visit on any trip to Cuba. Days in Havana can be spent riding around in a 1950’s classic American car, admiring colonial architecture, visiting museums and wandering through the many historic plazas. Nights…
Hi Rhonda,
Love the itinerary but I agree that you should see the Hotel Nacional and the Museo de la Revolucion if you get the chance to go back! I stayed at the Hotel Nacional and, though it was a little worse for wear, it was brilliant to stay in such a historical place. They also did a really interesting hotel tour covering the guests that had stayed there (the Mafia, Sinatra, etc.).
The Museo de la Revolucion was fascinating because of the political climate – it was basically a giant propaganda exercise! Definitely worth a visit, though you had to take what you saw with a pinch of salt.
I also enjoyed your post about the street hassles and harassment in Havana – I had a bit of that, but my main issue was getting robbed on the Malecon in broad daylight (police were useless). I was relieved to see you guys didn’t have a similar experience to mine, and that the Malecon was a safe place!February 22, 2015 – 3:40 pmReplyCancel
Hi Polly,
I’m glad you had a chance to experience Hotel Nacional and the Museo de la Revolucion. They sound very interesting and I for sure will make a visit if I am ever back in Havana.
That’s crazy that you were robbed like that, in broad daylight nonetheless! I hope you were okay though and nothing more serious happened. I was actually worried that we were going to get robbed on the Malecon, our first night there. It was dark out, but we wanted to take a very quick walk before bed. As we were looking out towards the ocean a car came out of nowhere and out jumped 3 or 4 guys. I thought for sure we were going to get held up. Instead, they played us some music and told us stories about what life was like in Cuba! It turned out to be pretty harmless, but it sure got my heart racing!February 24, 2015 – 8:48 pmReplyCancel
An Alaska cruise is a trip that everyone should take at least once in their lifetime. And I say that as someone who isn’t always the biggest fan of ocean cruising. We were only a few days into our trip and Mike and I were already saying that we wanted to do this again! The…
We also just got back from an Alaskan Cruise with this exact itinerary! I’m working on my blog posts now! I took so many pictures! Some highlights from our week included: whale watching in Juneau (saw bubble-net feeding and 2 whales breach), seeing a momma bear and her cub at Mendenhall Glacier, driving through the Yukon, and hearing and seeing the glacier calving in Glacier Bay, to name just a few! We were so fortunate to have incredible weather the entire week aboard the Island Princess (July 30-August 6). It sprinkled a little bit during our day in College Fjord, but the gloomy weather added a magical element to the scenery. I absolutely agree… everyone should so go an Alaskan cruise at some point in their lifetime. The landscape is simply amazing!August 23, 2014 – 9:49 amReplyCancel
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B - Absolutely breathtaking and amazing!March 6, 2020 – 9:12 pm
Queenie Mak - Wow such gorgeous photos!! And the seals and penguins are too cute! Sounds like it was a once in a life time trip and everyone should experience it. Thanks for sharing!March 10, 2020 – 10:27 pm
Andrew - Great shots! It looks incredible.March 13, 2020 – 9:20 am