Travelogger

We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.

Melt Your Blues Away In Japanese Gardens

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japan-gardenSpring is here and perhaps the winter blues have come and gone for many of you. I do know, however, that there are still a lot of people yearning for a break from the drudgery of their daily lives. Well, if you are one of them and you want to have the ultimate relaxing experience, I have a suggestion for you: go to Japan and visit some of their gardens.

You might think it strange that I just suddenly came up with this idea. Truth be told, a friend of mine has just arrived from a trip to Japan and has been raving about the gardens. Apparently, there are countless gardens all throughout the country, and each one of them is a sight to behold.

Obviously, you might not be able to visit all of these gardens in one go, but if you do decide to go, there are three gardens that you simply have to visit. These are as follows:

Koraku-en Garden
This is located in Okayama and has been around since 1700. It is spread out over 28 acres and contains sakura trees, plum trees, and more. It is also right next to Okayama Castle, which is another must see.

Kenroku-en Garden
Found in Ishikawa, this garden is a bit smaller than the previous one, but not by much. Spanning 25 acres, the garden has a samurai house that you have to see for yourself to appreciate.

Kairaku-en Garden
Plums are the specialty of this garden, with more than 3000 plum trees. Unfortunately, it is a bit late to visit for the plum festival, which occurs in late February and March.

The good thing about these gardens is that they are not far from “civilization,” meaning simply that you can stay at comfortable Japan hotels and still pay the gardens a visit.

In these times of stress, a week or more going around Japan and spending some relaxing time in the luxurious gardens might be just the thing we all need!

Best Fall Destinations

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kyoto431

Fall is one of the best times to travel and visit destinations bursting with color. Unfortunately for those living in tropical countries, this season is not part of our daily lives. Then again, all the more reason to go pack one’s bags and discover the beauty of fall! So, where to go?

For those in Asia, Japan could very well be the best place to go in fall. The cherry blossoms in spring may be more popular, but there is no denying that fall offers a spectacular sight. The temples, shrines, and castles which are already amazing in normal color seem to be even grander when the foliage around them seem to be on fire.

In the United States, you can go practically anywhere to experience the best of fall, but a lot of people agree that New Hampshire is one of the best places to visit in this season. The fiery colors add to the beauty of the landscape, which includes river gorges, waterfalls, and covered bridges.

Crossing the ocean to Europe, you can also experience fall at its best. In Bavaria, in the southeastern part of Germany, visitors can gaze at the wonderful countryside – complete with castles – ablaze with fall colors. Of course, the fact that the world famous Oktoberfest is held during this season is a MAJOR plus.

Then there is France, which boasts of the best wines in the world (though some argue this point). Visit the French wine country and you just might see the most beautiful sights ever. A glass – or bottle – of wine will make it even better!