Our first day in Copenhagen, Denmark we had two priorities on our itinerary: Tivoli Gardens, which we’ve already covered, and Nyhavn. I had seen photos of these vibrantly gabled town house facades that line the boat-filled canal, and wanted the chance to see and photograph this scene on a beautiful, sunny day. We opted to […]
Our Southwestern Kyoto Itinerary offers a touring plan for our ideal day on the outskirts of the city, hitting a few places that are simultaneously highlights of Japan and also hidden gems due to their location. As with our other Kyoto itineraries, this one tries to balance efficiency with sufficient time to wander, explore, and […]
Byodoin (平等院, Byōdōin) is a Pure Land Buddhist temple with some of Japan’s most eye-catching architecture. A short train ride from Kyoto on the JR Nara Line, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-visit. In this post, I’ll share photos from Byodoin (including night shots!), history, info & tips for visiting, and thoughts on […]
Kyoto Imperial Palace (京都御所) is the former residence of Japan’s Imperial Family until 1868, when the emperor and capital were moved to Tokyo. In this post, we’ll share photos from inside the palace and the Imperial Park, offer info & tips for visiting, and share our somewhat contrarian perspective on this popular spot in Kyoto. […]
Okochi Sanso Villa (大河内山荘) is a garden and the former residence of Denjirō Ōkōchi, a famous Japanese actor, located in Kyoto, Japan. In this post, we’ll share photos from Okochi Sanso Villa & Gardens, plus thoughts from our visit, and whether it’s worth the money. For many visitors to Japan, a stop at one of […]
Higashiyama District is a historic neighborhood in Kyoto, Japan nestled between Kiyomizudera and Maruyama Park. The area features restored traditional townhomes (machiya) with a variety of shops, restaurants, cafes, in a picturesque setting evoking the look of “Old Kyoto.” In this post, we’ll share photos of the Higashiyama District and offer tips for what to […]
The U.S. Capitol tour is free, so in terms of whether it’s worth it, the question is really whether it’s worth your time when you visit Washington, D.C. given the number of other things to do. This post covers that, as well as tips for taking the tour, and what you’ll see if you choose […]
Located in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, the Walt Disney Concert Hall is one of L.A.’s greatest gems, and one that that you can enjoy for free without seeing a performance of the L.A. Philharmonic. In this post, we share photos from our visit this beautiful venue, and share thoughts on doing a tour of the […]
At 1,811 feet tall, Victoria Peak is Hong Kong’s highest point and a popular spot that’s renowned for its stunning view of Hong Kong’s skyline. This post provides tips, photos from Victoria Peak, whether to do the free observation platform or the paid area, and thoughts on whether it’s worth the time. While there are […]
The Bradbury Building is an architectural landmark in Downtown Los Angeles and is also an ‘icon’ of Hollywood places, featuring heavily in Blade Runner. Since we just finished watching Blade Runner 2049, I figured it’d be a good time to finally post about this historic place in California. First, a bit of background. The Bradbury Building dates […]