Enjoy a Wholistic Japanese Travel Experience

 

This place is not just ideal for traveling, but this is also one of the most ideal places people wanted to migrate and live in. With its majestic and safe atmosphere, Japan is A-graded in the bucket lists of tourists. 

The most incredible travel destination in the world, Japan provides several one-of-a-kind experiences that are unavailable anywhere else. This nation's culture is an intriguing fusion of Western modernism with Eastern traditions, which is evident everywhere. One of the oldest civilizations, Japan has a stunning and varied past. The gorgeous, diversified landscape, which the Japanese love for its mountains and breathtaking views, offers so many distinct experiences that draw travelers from all over the world. 

Moreover, with its rich cultural hotspot, there are a lot of regions in Japan that define diverse specialties, every place is a new culture ready for discovery. These places will allow you to live like a real Japanese local, despite merely visiting the country for a couple of weeks. 

Travelers may choose from a broad variety of culturally engaging activities in Japan, which is one of the country's main draws. One excellent example is Japanese farm stays, which enable visitors to escape the bustle of cities like Tokyo and enjoy Japanese country life and are reachable by rail, air, or vehicle.

Here are our top justifications for you to visit this incredible nation at least once in your lifetime.

Healing Onsens to cleanse your aura

Aside from the fact that Japan may be a cold place, its healing onsens can neutralize the cold, as it can cleanse your entire body—by taking a dip in it. This activity is considered one of Japan’s regional specialties, as it is one of the go-to tourist destinations and team-building spots in different Japanese provinces. One of the most romantic experiences you can have in Japan is soaking in an isolated onsen as the snow falls all around you, which makes surviving the cold all the more rewarding. It's one of the aspects of winter in Japan that we like best. Added to a stay in a traditional ryokan (inn designed in the Japanese manner), this vacation is sure to be one to remember.

Furumaya House, Kyoto

If you are a big fan of anime, the Furuyama house in Kyoto will fully attain your otaku dreams, as it resembles a nostalgic aura of slice-of-life animes. After all, you must be dreading feeling the overall ambiance of the anime that you are stuck for a week watching it. The lush greenery and picturesque hills of Kyoto surround this family-run Japanese farm stay. It provides two traditional-style guest rooms with tatami (woven-straw) flooring, sitting cushions and low tables, and cozy futon beds in a thatched-roofed farmhouse. A yukata (Japanese loungewear) is also made available to visitors so they may fully immerse themselves in the experience. You may also rent bicycles to fully experience the relaxed atmosphere of the countryside. Truly one of the best ways to spend your trip in Japan, be fully immersed in the life of its locals. 

Countless shrines and zen gardens

Witnessing such beauty, it is impossible to miss its rich traditions and architectural culture. In Japan, there are said to be 80,000 temples and shrines of varying sizes, some of which are more than 1,000 years old! When you visit Buddhist temples and zen gardens, you can sense how tranquil and enchanting these settings are because they are so breathtaking. The most well-known Shinto shrines in Japan are called "o-inari-san" and are called Inari Shrines. There are thousands of them scattered around the nation. The Fushimi Inari shrine in Kyoto, which honors Inari, the Shinto deity of rice, is one of the most significant Inari shrines. It is renowned for having a large number of vermilion Torii gates and is undoubtedly something you should see for yourself. Thus, you must experience the tradition yourself and be fully stunned by how well-preserved and practiced it is within the Japanese people. 

Feel the Ramen

It is safe to say that Ramen must be one of the national delicacies of Japan. Thus, it is also safe to assume that the best ramen can be tasted here, in Japan. With its rich flavors, it will not only leave your mouths gaping in awe, but you can resonate and feel the deliciousness this delicacy has to offer. If you have not yet done ramen-restaurant hunting during the travel, then you may have not yet experienced the full Japanese trip. Nowadays, you can obtain high-quality ramen in most major cities throughout the globe, but ramen from Japan is still unmatched. From Fukuoka (also known as Hakata) in the southwest to Sapporo in the north, you can find delicious ramen establishments with fervent devotees just about anywhere. This region serves ramen that has never been tasted before. 

Lodge at a Buddhist Temple

Enough with luxury 5-star hotels, and start staying in Buddhist temples instead. If you truly want to be immersed in Japan’s regional traditions, spending a night or two in a shukubo is the best way to experience traditional Japanese Buddhism (temple lodging). While lodging at temples is often on the basic side, visitors can expect an interesting and immersive cultural experience as well as delectable vegetarian shojin ryori food. Sacred Mount Koya (Koyasan) is the most well-known location in Japan for shukubo stays, but there are also many more off-the-beaten-path possibilities around the country.

Witness the Cherry Blossom Fever

Given that we often think Japan is best experienced when there aren't many people around, we debated whether to include this on our list. However, despite a large number of visitors, sakura still exudes a seductively mystical quality (cherry blossoms). The nation is blanketed with pink flowers during the hanami (cherry blossom viewing) season, and parks and gardens are crowded with celebrators sipping sake and enjoying seasonal Bentos. But it's undoubtedly not for everyone, so be sure to read up on the benefits and drawbacks of visiting Japan during the cherry blossom season.

All About the Schengen Visa

 

Where are you planning to go this summer? Austria? Belgium? France? Or the majority of Europe entirely?

If you are planning to visit these countries, then there “should” be tons or processing of visa, or is there? 

When traveling abroad, it is typical for passengers to wait in many lines, particularly for visa applications and renewals.

If you have the Schengen Visa, then it will completely remove all those stressful processes ahead, more time for preparation, and fewer expenses in traveling. Being a traveler is not only fun but its counterparts with a lot of due processes and lengthy time of document processing. As much as it sounds like the ideal job, it is not easy to travel from one country to another. 

Especially in terms of legally traveling, and the visa that comes ahead during your travel. However, if you are a Europe-travel enthusiast, then you must have already heard of the uniform Schengen Visas or the USV.

However, if you don’t, and you are interested, well today’s your lucky day! If you are an aspiring traveler in Europe, this Visa will become your lifesaver. Want to know more about it? Well, continue reading down below. 

What is the Schengen Area

Let us start first with its definition, what exactly is the Schengen Area, and why do we need to get Visa to travel to it? For starters, the Schengen Area is a region in which 26 European nations have eliminated their internal borders to allow for the unhindered and unlimited movement of persons following agreed regulations for policing external borders and combating crime by enhancing judicial and police cooperation. The majority of EU nations are included in the Schengen Area, except Ireland and the future members of Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Cyprus. Countries like Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Lichtenstein are included in the Schengen area while not being EU members. You can travel in these areas altogether if you already have your Schengen Visa. 

History

The amazing capabilities of the Schengen Visa were not made overnight. This Visa was thoroughly established by an agreement called the “Schengen Agreement.” To establish a free continent, all countries in Europe joined together as allies—letting this beautiful continent be open to everybody—if you get approved for the Schengen Visa. A pact known as the Schengen Agreement, which was signed on June 14, 1985, encouraged most European nations to remove their national boundaries to create the "Schengen Area," a continent without borders. The agreement, which was first signed in Luxemburg by just five EU nations, is still one of the largest regions in the world where border controls between members have been abolished. Until now, this agreement remains a symbol of Europe’s unity towards being open to everybody in the world. 

How to get Schengen Visa

As much as it looks easy to get, the harder it is to attain. To get Schengen Visa, you must undergo a lot of due process. One of these is to show numerous papers at the Schengen port of entry to be admitted, if you are from a non-EU/Schengen country, or even if you are a visa-exempt traveler. Moreover, you must present a genuine passport. valid for at least three months after the date you want to depart the EU, and issued within the last ten years. Other information and documentation, such as adequate finances, evidence of lodging, the length of your intended stay, a round-trip ticket, the reason for your arrival, travel insurance, an invitation letter, etc., may also be requested by the EU/Schengen border officers. If you wish to travel all of Europe, it is not enough to get a Visa, you must be overly prepared for it. Additionally, you need to decide when to apply. The earliest time frame would be six months before the commencement of your anticipated trip, and the latest time frame would be 15 working days. You should submit your application ideally three weeks before your trip.

Types of Schengen Visa

If you truly wish to get this visa, then you must understand that there are a lot of types of Schengen Visa, and how to obtain these visas. Moreover, the Schengen Visa can be divided into three different entries: Single-entry visa, Double-entry visa, and Multiple-Entry visa. 

Single-entry visa: A single-entry visa permits the bearer to travel just once within the allotted time frame specified on the sticker that is attached to their passport. Even if they have not spent the maximum number of days as allowed by the embassy that gave them the visa, once the visa bearer leaves the Schengen region, they are unable to return.

Double-entry visa: A double-entry visa functions generally in the same manner as the previously described single-entry visa. The only distinction between a single-entry and double-entry visa is that the latter allows you to return to the Schengen area after you have already left it.

Multiple-entry visa: This particular visa can also be categorized into three different visas such as 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year multiple entries. A multiple-entry visa allows its holder to go in and out of the Schengen Area as many times as he or she wants, as long as they do not violate any rules. 

Benefits of the Schengen Visa

The visa will assure you a lot of saved time. You must always have a current passport to enter any Schengen nation. In addition, regardless of the nation, you are visiting, if you reside in a non-EU nation, you must have a stamp on your passport. The advantages of a Schengen visa might be as straightforward as not having to go through a passport check every time you cross the border from Germany to Luxembourg. or more difficult tasks like cross-border trade and the movement of products. Moving products across Europe now takes less time thanks to the Schengen visa. You won't have to rap on the doors of the embassy or consulate every time you want to depart the nation. Without having to respond to any inquiries, you are free to travel across Europe.

Taiwan’s Best Places to Visit

The island nation of Taiwan, which is situated southeast of China, is one of the most populous countries in the world. Its busy cities are full of magnificent old temples, excellent museums, and lively night markets that serve up an incredible variety of delectable cuisines.

 

Many tourists love experiencing Taiwan's outstanding natural beauty, like the stunning Sun Moon Lake and breathtaking Kinmen Island, away from its congested streets.

 

Being extremely rich in diversity, Taiwan is a hotpot of mixed cultures, beautiful landscapes, and traditional heritage. However, this does not mean that they fall short of modern architecture as well. Since Taiwan is considered one of the busiest places in highly modern series. This means the cities are extremely filled with modern-day architecture.

 

There are so many incredible locations in Taiwan that each thing await can fit your aura or mood. Everyone will undoubtedly find something they enjoy in Taiwan, whether they're itching to explore the outdoors, see some historical places, or learn more about the local way of life.

 

However, there is still a lingering conception of Taiwan that leaves tourists contemplating whether it’s the perfect place for vacation or not: Taiwan cannot cater to the vacation experience enough.

 

Well, news flash, you just lack orientation. There is so much more to offer, to love, and to discover. Where? Here are some places you can start with.

Alishan National Scenic Area

If you are a fan of long hikes and beautiful scenery, then you must visit Alishan National Scenic Area to witness the beauty of Taiwan’s views. The Alishan National Scenic Area is a wild and beautiful location that is quite hilly and comprises 25 mountains that climb to a height of at least two thousand meters. It is a beautiful experience to explore the hills, valleys, waterfalls, and woods, and the view is breathtaking. Some of the better vantage sites are accessible via a variety of trails and walkways. Taking the Alishan Forest Railway, which winds through woods and up the hillside before arriving at Fenqihu, a lovely town with the remnants of a Shinto temple, is a terrific opportunity to see a lot of the reserve all at once. Witnessing the foggy state of Taiwan’s highest peaks claims a peaceful aroma, perfect for morning devotions or meditations.

 

Taroko National Park

Seems like the journey doesn’t stop with hiking, if you are truly a nature-enthusiast, then there are tons of places that you could still visit. One of those will probably be Taroko National Park, an extraordinary hike that will leave you gaping in awe. This national park, which is named for the magnificent canyon that flows through it and is full of stunning scenery, is worth visiting while in Taiwan. Along with the steep valleys, mountains, and other features found throughout the park, Taroko Gorge is without a doubt the area's most notable feature. It was carved out over hundreds and millennia by the twisting Liwu River. You may go river rafting one minute, go trekking through the canyons the next, and later that day, take a dip in the Baiyang Waterfalls thanks to the fantastic outdoor activities available to tourists.

 

National Palace Museum

Enough with nature and let us move on towards cultural heritage. When it terms to culture, Taiwan peaks at its best with National Palace museum. Located in the heart of Taipei, National Palace Museum is one of the go-to spots for history enthusiasts. Moreover, this place is one of the most infamous museums in Taiwan, with dated artifacts even from the Neolithic ages. Considerably, the National Palace Museum was also named one of the biggest museums in the world, how cool can that be? The Museum, one of Taiwan's most popular tourist destinations, contains almost 800,000 historic items of art on permanent exhibit. There are several paintings, works of calligraphy, sculptures, lacquerwares, jades, and other items in this collection. The more well-liked exhibits are consistently kept on view, such as the jadeite cabbage. Nearly every day, the museum provides English-speaking guided tours, and the on-site gift store is well a look.

 

Xinshe Sea of Flowers

As if the scene just came out straight of an anime movie, Xinshe’s Sea of Flowers will make you experience the life inside of a cartoon fairytale. The vibe is so majestic that each color of the flowers complements each other—which is a nice view to look at. In the center of Taichung, there is a seasonal attraction called the Xinshe Sea of Flowers. This yearly event, which takes place in the winter, gives you the chance to get near to beautiful floral plants. The agricultural exhibition displays Taiwan's finest blossoms. Travelers are welcomed with breathtaking vistas of hectares worth of flowers in every color, providing a breathtaking sight to see. Typically, each festival chapter has a unifying theme that participants must follow, usually including fairytales, famous people, or the local culture.

 

Taipei

It is never really a trip to Taiwan without visiting the streets of Taipei. Considered the capital of Taiwan, this place is the first thing that you will step on as soon as you land your flight. Through this, tourists find it hard to appreciate the place truly if it is the first thing you see after landing. However, despite the misconceptions, there are many sights and activities for tourists to see and do in Taiwan's capital, which is a wonderful destination to visit. There has a thriving arts and culture scene, making it the island's cultural as well as political and economic center. It is a fascinating place to visit with a seductive blend of old and new to be found in the delectable cuisine and gorgeous architecture. The soaring Taipei 101 was formerly the world's highest structure, and among the skyscrapers are ancient temples. If you are an aspiring city girl, then Taipei is one of the perfect places to achieve it. In this vibrant city, there are countless amazing restaurants, boutiques, and pubs, as well as a ton of attractions like the Taipei Zoo, the Botanical Garden, and the magnificent temple of Hsing Tian Kong.

What You Should Know About Going on a Cruise

Going on a cruise is truly an experience like no other. Especially if it’s a luxury cruise, you’re sure to have the most memorable time of your life. If you've never cruised before or haven't in a while, you may be wondering how to be ready for one. The preparation needed for a cruise holiday is significantly less than for a land-based vacation, making it distinctive. The greatest restaurants, respected tour operators, and activities to keep the group entertained are all available on the ship, so you don't need to search for them.

If you’re going on a cruise, here are some things you should know.

1. You might want to consider pre-cruising

An exciting experience like taking a cruise can have a lasting effect on you when you return. You must reserve a pre-cruise program if you want to maximize your experience. A pre-cruise is a plan that enables you to see attractions in your departure city and other surrounding places that you may otherwise miss. A pre-cruise has the additional benefit of providing you with assurance against any travel delays that would prevent you from making it to embarkation. Imagine taking a flight halfway across the globe just to miss a portion of your cruise due to delays.

2. You’ll never get bored 

Do you believe that spending several weeks on the same ship will make you bored? Think again. There are several dining establishments and coffee shops, each with its own design and subject, and the nightly entertainment is as varied as the patrons. There is something for everyone, whether you prefer a jazz club, a nightclub, comedy, theater, a movie, or a peaceful drink on the deck. I realize this is a cliche. Even better, wrap up in the library with a good book, some tea, and some warm cookies. When you set sail, there won't be a shortage of activities to participate in, from midday poolside competitions to late-night clubs and dance parties. If you have children, there are typically designated kids clubs with caregivers and sea-themed activities to keep them occupied as well.

3. There are dress codes 

If you've traveled extensively, you might be tempted to maximize the space in your baggage by packing your bag as you would for a backpacking trip. The problem with this is that on most cruise ships, the dress code is rigidly enforced at mealtimes. If you show there with ripped jeans, flip-flops, or even sneakers, you very well may be asked to leave. Knowing this in advance will help you be prepared, as will mixing and matching your daytime and evening attire. Jackets are not required for men to wear pants with collared dress shirts or sweaters. Dresses, pantsuits, skirts, and slacks with attractive shirts are the best options for women. On formal nights, men should wear tuxedos, suits, or slacks (slacks must-have coats), while ladies should wear evening gowns, cocktail dresses, or stylish pantsuits.

4. Health and fitness activities are also available

The majority of cruises include a well-stocked gym, a variety of fitness programs, a running track, spa services, and numerous swimming pools. Combining that with all the walking you'll be doing on your day trips, you should, in theory, return home in excellent physical condition. A rock climbing wall, basketball and volleyball court, swimming pool, jogging track, ice skating rinks, and a nine- or 18-hole mini-golf course are all included in the health and fitness centers on the major cruise lines. A separate adults-only solarium with a pool is a common feature of ships.

5. The all-inclusive plan is more worth it

When you consider the price of each meal and drink onboard for a period of one to two weeks, all-inclusive can end up being much more expensive. Because meals are included, you don't have to worry about anything while traveling and only the meals are served on days when the ship is docked. Additionally, it means you have additional options for relaxing outside of cabin cabins, which can occasionally seem a little cramped. A simple meal plan can be just the thing as they frequently, but not always, include soft drinks. Some cruise ships are even top-rated for their cuisines, featuring celebrity chef restaurants. It's crucial to double-check the fare and the available options.

6. You may have to tip 

When it comes to tips, you may need to give some and there are times when it’s fine not to but you need to be certain. The crew members on a cruise ship put in incredibly long shifts, sometimes back-to-back, to make sure your trip goes as smoothly as possible. You can imagine the amount of work required when a ship has up to 2000 crew members. If you are expected to tip, show the workers how much you value their work by leaving a significant tip. If gratuities are already included in the cost of your ticket, you can still provide a small tip to any service member who goes above and beyond to assist you, but you might want to scale back on tipping for all meals. Regardless of age, the majority of cruise companies recommend leaving a tip of $10 to $12 per passenger each day. This means that for a seven-day cruise, each passenger should set aside at least $70 for gratuities, or $140 for a two-person cabin.

7. There can be hidden fees

Although your cruise fare most certainly includes meals, lodging, and entertainment, you may also run into some unexpected costs. Unexpected drink packages with hidden costs and tip taxes can soon mount up and make your trip more expensive than you anticipated. Your transfers from the airport to the ship might be covered if you book your flight through your cruise line, but they might not. A transfer can be arranged for you by all cruise lines, but you'll probably have to pay extra for the service if you travel on the days of embarkation and disembarkation. Likewise, if you want to upgrade to business class, you might need to pay the cruise line an additional cost on top of the fare difference. Additionally, if you alter your plans before departing, the cruise operator and the airline may charge you costs.