Following our recent trip to France, we’ve visited Loire Valley twice, and have spent all of our time there touring the beautiful castles, manors, and country houses that comprise the châteaux of the region. (Well, touring the châteaux and eating!) Based on our experiences, I thought I’d rank the château we’ve visited. Note that this is […]
Best Castles in France’s Loire Valley
/7 Comments/in Things to Do, Tips & Tricks France /by Tom BrickerFollowing our recent trip to France, we’ve visited Loire Valley twice, and have spent all of our time there touring the beautiful castles, manors, and country houses that comprise the châteaux of the region. (Well, touring the châteaux and eating!) Based on our experiences, I thought I’d rank the château we’ve visited. Note that this is […]
Best Ramen in Los Angeles: Tsujita LA v. Daikokuya
/3 Comments/in Dining California, L.A., SoCal /by Tom BrickerThanks to Little Tokyo and Little Osaka, Los Angeles has a thriving Japanese culinary scene, which is probably best evidenced in its many delicious ramen shops. We’ve tried many of these restaurants in Sawtelle and Little Tokyo, and think the two best choices for ramen are Tsujita LA and Daikokuya. It would seem that many […]
Madame Tussauds Hollywood Review
/8 Comments/in Things to Do California, L.A., SoCal /by Tom BrickerHonestly, I don’t even know where to begin with this review of Madame Tussauds Hollywood. Out of all the things to do in Los Angeles, I never expected that I’d actually visit this wax figure museum. In fact, it’s been something of a running joke between Sarah and I. We go somewhere that has a […]
Osaka Castle Tips & Review
/2 Comments/in Things to Do Japan, Osaka /by Tom BrickerOsaka Castle (大阪城, Ōsakajō) is one of Japan’s most popular tourist attractions, with millions of people visiting the iconic landmark each year, particularly during cherry blossom season when there are special hanami parties and night illuminations. I’ve had the chance to visit both during sakura season and regular times of year, and will share some […]
Review: Is the Sony Studio Tour Worth It?
/5 Comments/in Things to Do California, L.A., SoCal /by Tom BrickerThe Sony Pictures Studio tour takes guests behind the scenes of the former MGM studios, one of the most famed studios of old Hollywood. During this walking tour, guests go inside various sets and soundstages, and get a general taste for life on the Sony lot. In this review, we’ll cover the pros & cons of […]
LACMA Review & Tips
/3 Comments/in Things to Do California, L.A., SoCal /by Tom BrickerThe Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is the largest art museum in the western United States, and is located near the La Brea Tar Pits in Southern California. This review offers photos from LACMA, tips for visiting, and pros and cons of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art as compared to nearby […]
Golden Pavilion Temple in Kyoto, Japan
/13 Comments/in Things to Do Japan, Kyoto /by Tom BrickerThe Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji, 金閣寺) in Kyoto, Japan is a world-renowned temple named (and famous) for its pure gold leaf finishing. In this post we’ll cover some of the pros and cons of visiting the Golden Pavilion, share some photos from our experience there, and offer random thoughts and history on the pavilion. For starters, […]
Review: Is the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Worth It?
/9 Comments/in Things to Do California, L.A., SoCal /by Tom BrickerFor a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood movie-making, the Warner Bros. Studio Tour is one of the best options around Los Angeles. This tour offers a 2-3 hour experience inside a working Hollywood studio, with the chance to explore outdoor sets and soundstages used to create La La Land, Gilmore Girls, The Big Bang Theory, and numerous […]
The Tam O’ Shanter: Walt Disney’s Favorite Restaurant
/12 Comments/in Dining California, L.A., SoCal /by Tom BrickerThe Tam O’ Shanter in Los Angeles, California was a popular dining spot for Walt Disney, his animators, and Imagineers. This restaurant is a must-do in Los Angeles not for its cuisine (although the food is above average), but for its rich history. In this post, we’ll take a tour of the Tam O ‘Shanter, and […]
CNN Studio Tour Review
/5 Comments/in Things to Do USA /by Tom BrickerThe Inside CNN Studio Tour in Atlanta, Georgia offers a behind the scenes look at the world’s largest news organization. The hour-long guided experience takes visitors on a walking tour of the CNN Center headquarters for CNN International, Headline News, and (of course) CNN itself. In this post, we’ll review whether the CNN tour is […]