It’s no secret that we love Japan. We’ve been back repeatedly since our first visit, usually multiple times per year and for several weeks or months at a time. When friends or readers ask where in the world they should visit, our default answer is Japan and has been for over a decade. It’s not […]
This guide to sakura season in Japan and cherry blossom forecast for 2026 covers our favorite spots, best temples & shrines in Kyoto, tips & tricks for avoiding crowds. We also take a deeper dive into the topic, highlighting hidden gems where you’ll find fewer people and no busloads of tour groups. We’ve experienced sakura […]
This 1-day Kyoto cherry blossom itinerary offers a walking route for seeing as much as possible during Japan’s popular sakura season. An efficient touring plan is important for Kyoto not just because there are a lot of beautiful cherry blossoms (they’re pretty much everywhere!), but because crowds can be overwhelming. Our plan of attack helps […]
Laguna Beach is the perfect vacation destination in Southern California, offering a beautiful and charming contrast to Los Angeles or San Diego. This planning guide offers tips for visiting, things to do, hotel & restaurant recommendations, and what to know before your trip to Orange County. (Updated January 16, 2026.) We love Laguna Beach. It’s […]
The Cayman Islands are the Caribbean’s most picturesque place, popular with travelers and cruise-goers. This vacation planning guide offers tips for visiting Grand Cayman, best & worst things to do, where to eat, hotel & resort recommendations, beach photos, and more. (Updated January 15, 2026.) We love Cayman and look forward to our next visit; […]
Yosemite National Park has announced the policies that will be in effect for viewing the Firefall at Horsetail Falls in February 2026. Due to the popularity of this stunning natural phenomenon, restrictions and reservation requirements have been in effect the last several years. However, there will be NO reservations required on any dates in February […]
Yosemite National Park’s Firefall at Horsetail Fall is a natural phenomenon visible in winter. This viewing guide offers info & tips from my experiences, best dates & locations, reservation requirements, parking restrictions, California snowfall & more. (Updated January 14, 2026.) First, you can read about my last photography attempt in Firefall Snowy Weekend Photo Report from […]
When to visit Kyoto to avoid crowds, experience seasonal beauty, and enjoy the top festivals is important for first-timers to Japan. There will be no single worst or best time in 2026–it depends on your priorities. Of course, there are more and less crowded times of year, but unfortunately, many of those are busy for […]
Our 2026 Los Angeles, California planning guide offers visit tips, including top things to do, best places to eat in L.A., hotel advice, and how to transportation hacks for SoCal’s notorious traffic. LA is one of our favorite cities in the world, and we’ll help you experience the touristy highlights and hidden gems. Maybe you […]
Our 2026 Paris travel guide offers info for making the most of your vacation, including things to do, transportation tips, hotel recommendations, where to eat, and more. It also covers how to efficiently see the city–where to stay and step-by-step itineraries. Paris is a world capital of culture: everything from art to food to fashion […]