
Travel Guide
Japan
An island country in East Asia, Japan is an archipelago, or string of islands, consisting of more than 4,000 smaller islands and four main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. The land is mostly covered by mountains and can often be a dangerous place, home to over 1,000 earthquakes each year and 60 active volcanoes. Still, the Japanese people have a deep affection for the beauty of the landscape.
The ancient Shinto religion believes natural elements like mountains, waterfalls and forests have their own spirit or soul. Today, the country is celebrated for its unique blend of ancient traditions and modern innovations. Traditional tea ceremonies, samurai culture and mysterious geisha move alongside bullet trains, robotics and skyscrapers. Japanese cuisine is also really something to be celebrated; sushi, ramen, boba, the list goes on.
Located in the Kansai region just south of Kyoto and east of Osaka, Nara is a true hidden gem. It's home to many early emperor palaces, large Shinto shrines and over 1,200 wild and hungry deer that roam freely.
The quiet town of Tissamaharama is known for Buddhist monasteries, beautiful beaches and wildlife reserves like Yala National Park, where visitors can join a wildlife safari. It's steeped in history and was once the capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom of Ruhuna as early as the 3rd century BC.
A small town on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, Mirissa is an important fishing port filled with delicious seafood, picturesque beaches and life changing whale watching. It's also a great jumping off point for the iconic old city of Galle.
Central Turkey's dry region of Cappadocia is known for its magical fairy chimneys, hot air balloons and mysterious caves. To unwind, enjoy hookah, browse for local artifacts or smash a fiery clay pot overflowing with testi kebab for dinner.
The emerald green forests of Arashiyama offer more than meets the eye. Come for the bamboo but stay to explore the charming temples, beautiful shrines and cherry blossoms along Ōi River.
Ella is most well known for Nine Arches Bridge, a viaduct bridge built without any steel and set against a lush green landscape surrounded by rolling hills, cloud forests and tea plantations. The town also boasts epic waterfalls, exhilarating train rides and sacred Buddhist temples.
Over 10,000 torii gates line the path to Fushimi Inari Taisha, the head shrine of the deity Inari Ōkami and spirit of foxes, fertility, rice, tea, sake, agriculture, industry, general prosperity and worldly success. Placing offerings helps protect visitors from evil forces.
Once a retreat for the British elite and colonial planters of the country’s tea industry, Nuwara Eliya lies in the misty hills of central Sri Lanka with the nickname, “City of Light.” The town has a temperate, chilly climate and is littered with colonial style bungalows and tea plantations.
Coined the "City of a Thousand Temples," Kyoto oozes old world charm, steeped in centuries of spiritual tradition. It's also the perfect jumping off point for areas like Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Nara Park.
Formerly Constantinople, Istanbul straddles both Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait and is the largest city and main seaport in Turkey. Delight in all things spices, traditional meze, Turkish baths and towering mosques.
A large city in central Sri Lanka, Kandy is set on a plateau surrounded by mountains home to tea plantations and biodiverse rainforests. The city is famed for sacred Buddhist sites like the Temple of the Tooth's and its heart is the scenic Kandy Lake.
Southwest Cappadocia's awe inspiring magical fairy chimneys and rock formations are on display at Pigeon Valley, Selime Monastery, Ihlara Valley and the Underground City.
Located in the Kansai region just south of Kyoto and east of Osaka, Nara is a true hidden gem. It's home to many early emperor palaces, large Shinto shrines and over 1,200 wild and hungry deer that roam freely.
The quiet town of Tissamaharama is known for Buddhist monasteries, beautiful beaches and wildlife reserves like Yala National Park, where visitors can join a wildlife safari. It's steeped in history and was once the capital of the Sinhalese Kingdom of Ruhuna as early as the 3rd century BC.
A small town on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, Mirissa is an important fishing port filled with delicious seafood, picturesque beaches and life changing whale watching. It's also a great jumping off point for the iconic old city of Galle.
Southwest Cappadocia's awe inspiring magical fairy chimneys and rock formations are on display at Pigeon Valley, Selime Monastery, Ihlara Valley and the Underground City.