For nearly two years, we’ve been chronicling every update to Japan’s border closure in When Will Japan Reopen for Individual Tourists? We have great news: Japan will finally reopen to individual travel in October 2022! During a press conference in New York after his appearance at the U.N. (and before a speech at the New York Stock Exchange), Prime Minister […]
Japan is further relaxing its border restrictions, including opening to “unguided tour groups” or “non-escorted visitors on package tours.” In this post, we’ll discuss the details of the latest reopening step, info about new guidelines for self-guided groups, and more. (Updated September 5, 2022.) In this latest step towards fully reopening, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio […]
If you’re visiting Southern California and looking for the best activities, seasonal events, restaurants, and other ocean or art-related activities, this list of 101 things to do in Laguna Beach has you covered. In addition, there are some tips & tricks to help improve your vacation along with what to avoid so you don’t fall into […]
Japan’s tourism ministry has released guidelines for tourists and travel agencies that will run monitored tours as part of the country’s very limited resumption of group tourism. This post will cover the preposterous proposals, and offer commentary about what’s motivating these rules. First, basic background about the monitored tours that’ll begin on June 10, 2022 […]
For over the past year, we’ve been chronicling every little update to Japan’s border closure in When Will Japan Reopen for Travel? Well, that’ll happen in June 2022…but with the colossal asterisk that Japan will only accept guided tour groups. It’s not quite time to retire that post, but this is technically a reopening to some degree. […]
Have one day in Los Angeles and want to see the city’s highlights? This step-by-step guide is a jam-packed plan with the top 5 things to do in L.A., including free museums, beaches, and great food. It’s an ambitious Los Angeles 1-day itinerary, optimized to avoid driving & time stuck in Southern California traffic. (Updated […]
Wondering what to get the travel enthusiast in your life, or what to add to your own Christmas list? Our holiday gift guide features the coolest travel gadgets, inspirational travel books, and other must-have travel accessories. From luggage to comfy “tourist pants,” we’ve got something for everyone here. On this list, we have a mix of […]
Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee is a small-batch, made from scratch daily donut shop with locations in California’s Los Angeles, San Diego, and Orange Counties. In this review, we’ll cover why they’re the world’s best doughnuts, share food photos, and offer recommendations of what to order (and skip). The story of Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee starts […]
Europe’s borders are closed to foreign travelers, including Americans. This post covers when travel will reopen to the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the European Schengen Area (including Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Turkey, Austria, etc.) based on EU Commission criteria, plus the likelihood of vaccine passports to lift the travel ban. (Updated April 14, 2021.) Back when all […]
You can hike to the Hollywood Sign via a few different trails in Los Angeles, including Griffith Observatory. This post offers our recommendations for the shortest route, easiest & best paths, what to avoid, and other tips for hiking to the Hollywood Sign. (Updated March 14, 2021.) More accurately, this is how to hike to […]