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35 Things to know before visiting Japan for the first time: Etiquette and Cultural Guide

Japan is an up and coming destination, with more and more people choosing to visit this unique country every year. But Japanese culture and etiquette is unique and very different from other cultures around the world.

So in this etiquette guide to Japan, I’m sharing the things that every traveller should know before traveling to Japan for the first time.

It’s important to understand the culture and traditions with these Japan etiquette tips, not only to be a respectful visitor, but also to get the most out of your trip to this spectacular country.

Here you will find my complete guide to Japan etiquette for tourists and tips for traveling to Japan for the first time.

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Chureito Pagoda

Tips for traveling to Japan for the first time: etiquette and travel guide

1. Plan which season to visit Japan

If you want to see the Sakura (blossom) season then you will need to visit in Spring (March – April). Autumn is also famous in Japan and is best seen in October-November. However, if visiting in these particular times are not important to you then visiting in the low season (June – September or December-February) can be a great idea, with less crowds and some cheaper deals.

Summer is typhoon season but generally rain storms pass quickly. Alternatively, if you’re a skier then winter is a great time to visit.

We recently visited in late November until mid December and with autumn being later than usual, we were able to see autumn foliage in Kyoto in early December, then fly up to Ho[……]

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COMPLETE GERMANY TRAVEL GUIDE, WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

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Germany is well known for the Berlin Wall, Oktoberfest, and Neuschwanstein Castle. The country is full of history and has many fairytale-like villages and castles to explore. Germany is a popular tourist destination and receives over 179 million visitors each year. Planning international travel can be overwhelming and time-consuming while working full time. Use this Germany travel guide and the following Germany travel blog posts to plan your perfect vacation. The top destinations in Germany are Berlin, Munich, Dresden, and Hamberg.

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Museum Island Berlin Germany

BERLIN GERMANY TRAVEL GUIDE

Berlin Germany is well known for its Wall. Today you will find Art Nouveau mixed with Communist blocks, palaces, outdoor art, museums, currywurst, beach bars, huge parks, memorials, and history EVERYWHERE.

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Max-Joseph-Platz Munich Germany

MUNICH GERMANY TRAVEL GUIDE

Munich is famous for its Oktoberfest celebration and the Hofbräuhaus Beer Hall. The city is full of beer halls, Baroque churches, medieval gates, palaces, old town, subway art, city surfing, Maypoles, an Olympic Park, a BMW factory, and a schnitzel.

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Processions of Princes Dresden Germany

DRESDEN GERMANY TRAVEL GUIDE

Dresden is full of WWII history. The city also has gorgeous Baroque architecture, Gothic churches, Bruhl’s Terrace, the most beautiful dairy store in the world, the largest porcelain mural in the world, and the largest treasure collection in Europe.

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Plönlein Corner Rothenburg Germany

GERMANY’S ROMANTIC[……]

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26 Things You Should Know Before Traveling to Iceland

If there was ever a country guaranteed to capture the hearts and imaginations of travelers, it would be Iceland. A small Nordic nation in the North Atlantic Ocean, this is an isolated island practically packed with dramatic landscapes.

Traveling to Iceland will introduce you to more natural wonders than just about any other small island on the planet. Here you’ll find a hotbed of volcanoes, lava fields, glaciers, geysers, green fjords, and elves (yes, elves!).

It wasn’t that long ago that Iceland remained relatively unknown to mainstream travelers. But word of the island’s mythical beauty has spread like wildfire over the past decade, and the spectacular array of things to do in Iceland have firmly cemented it among the world’s hottest ecotourism destinations.

Fortunately, while Iceland travel has been growing rapidly, the country has managed to avoid becoming a mass tourism cliché. The country emphasizes preserving and protecting its fragile environment and has successfully achieved a delicate balance between maintaining the authenticity of its wild and untouched landscapes while still making them accessible to tourists.

If you’re planning to travel to Iceland, here are 30 things you should know before you go:

PLACES TO SEE IN ICELAND

1. Volcanoes

Iceland’s location between two tectonic plates means the country has one of the highest concentration of active volcanoes in the world. There are 30 active volcano systems in Iceland, and the country tends to see an average[……]

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10 Underrated Summer Travel Ideas in the US

While summer can be the best time of year for traveling and unforgettable experiences, it can also mean that popular tourist destinations will be more crowded and more expensive than usual. The summer months in the US can also mean higher airfare prices and hotel rates. But with these underrated summer travel ideas (including some of the best national parks in the summer), you can still check off some pretty cool places from your bucket list, all while avoiding the crowds and price surges.

Whether you are looking for lush forests, majestic mountains, sandy beaches, or stunning landscapes with natural wonders, the US has plenty of underrated destinations to offer in the summer months.

Mountain Destinations

1. Big Bear Lake, California

2. Jackson Hole, Wyoming

3. Pagosa Springs, Colorado

4. Big Sky, Montana

5. The Black Hills, South Dakota

Best National Parks

6. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

7. Great Basin National Park, Nevada

8. Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

Beaches & Island Destinations

9. San Juan Islands, Washington

10. Clearwater, Florida

MY FAVORITE TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

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Underrated Summer Travel Ideas: Mountain Destinations

1. Big Bear Lake, California

Big Bear Lake in California is a great underrated summer travel idea for all kinds of visitors. Adventure enthusiasts can enjoy water sports such as boating, fishing, and paddleboarding on Big Bear Lake, as well as nearby outdoor activities such as mountain biking and hiking trails. While the Bi[……]

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Where to Go in Finland Beyond Helsinki for Medieval History and Creative Dining

When most of us think of Finland, chances are you’re imagining Helsinki, the picturesque capital. And truth be told, it’s likely that many of us can’t name any other cities in the Nordic nation aside from the capital. But Finland is filled with a myriad of hidden gem destinations, ranging from an outdoor lovers paradise to a city steeped in Finnish history.

Fresh air and natural beauty are just some of the many reasons to visit the happiest country in the world, but we’d be remiss not to mention that there’s plenty of culture to experience in broader Finland’s cities, including Rovaniemi, the capital of the Lapland region; the quaint wooden town of Porvoo; and the former Finnish capital of Turku. Make sure your Finland itinerary includes time for all three and they might just make Finland your new favorite European destination to visit again and again.

When to Visit Finland

To experience Finland’s wide range of snow activities, visit from late November to March, when the average temperatures range from low to mid-30s. For warm weather jet skiing, horseback riding, and comfortable strolls through town, opt for a late May through early August trip. Make reservations on the early side if you plan to visit during May to August, since tourism is at its height in the countryside during this time.

Rovaniemi

Fans of the great outdoors adore Rovaniemi. The city is filled with outdoor activities for both the cooler and warmer months, making it a great place to disconnect from the[……]

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Top tips for travelling Western Australia

After years of hanging out on the East Coast Of Australia and never quite making it over to the West Coast (to be fair it isn’t exactly close), I promised myself upon my next return, I was going West to explore the landscapes people go so crazy for.

I’d heard ‘west is best’ more times than I could possibly count and so I finally booked my trip to see what the fuss was about.

Now here I am, I’ve just got back from that exact trip, an incredible 2-week road trip around Western Australia and I get it. Wow. This coast of Australia is SO incredibly different to the east coast, like incomparable. It’s a whole different adventure, like a whole other country.

If you love road trips and want to be blown away by wildlife and surreal landscapes with very few people occupying them… get Western Australia on your bucket list.

If you’ve been around here a while, you’ll know that I am no stranger to Australia, having travelled here 7 times now whilst creating an abundance of Australia travel guides, Australia youtube videos and Australian content for this travel blog.

Today I am excited to finally share inspiration for those of you considering the western coast of Australia, also commonly referred to as WA.

In this blog post, I am going to share with you my top tips for travelling to Western Australia, including all the things I wish I knew beforehand, all the things I figured out along the way and all the advice I have for travelling to Western Australia.

If you’re planning a Western[……]

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3-MINUTE TRAVEL GUIDE:MAASTRICHT, NETHERLANDS

DON’T FORGET TO PACK Clothes that layer easily (weather can change drastically throughout the day), waterproof coat/shoes, a belt (you may lose a few inches by walking/biking/eating healthier food), a bag that fits budget airline dimensions for weekend trips, favorite snacks from home, and skincare/makeup (there are fewer options in the Netherlands). Most important, leave extra room in your bag to bring items home!

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BEST LEFT AT HOME Athleisure clothes, too many pairs of shoes (takes up a lot of room), heels/uncomfortable shoes.

WHERE TO LIVE The UM Guesthouse, which is specifically for exchange students at Maastricht University. The rooms are spacious and a 10-minute bike ride from everything in Maastricht. You will meet students from all over the world while living here!

BEST EATS NEAR CAMPUS Bread & More for the best ready-made sandwiches in the city center,

Soup Bros for homemade soup made from organic, locally-grown ingredients,

With Love Burrito if you find yourself missing the Mexican food in California, and

Cafe Frape, which serves over 500 types of beer. Tell the staff what flavors you prefer, and they will give you recommendations.

FAVORITE NETHERLANDER ACTIVITY Picnics in the Stadspark when the weather is nice, walking along the medieval city walls, shopping at the weekly farmers market, people-watching at one of the many cafes in the city center, karaoke at Peter’s Irish Pub, not doing any work after 5 PM.

WHERE TO STUDY So many places! Here are my fav[……]

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