Temples, forests, onsens, Buddhist cuisine: here is one of the reasons you should stay a few days in Kyoto to explore the surroundings of the ancient capital. My hike from Kibune to Kurama
An early hanami in February: a daytrip from Tokyo to Mito to see the plum blossoms at Kairakuen, one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan
Visiting Himeji castle, the most famous (and beautiful) in Japan
Back to the mountains for the amazing October Hachiman Matsuri in Takayama
,A trip to Taketomi, at the margins of the Ishigaki archipelago, in Okinawa. An excerpt from my book, on a completely different Japan
A few restaurants I like, personally tested: eating ramen in Tokyo
Exploring the beaches of Crete. A few days in Rethymno province around Triopetra and Agios Pavlos.
The rail pass almost essential for travel in Japan, step by step. A guide to the Japan Rail pass
Hokkaido, the wonderful lavender fields in the North of Japan
Cannaregio, Giudecca and Burano, three places in Venice off the beaten path, where walking is beautiful.
