Kyoto, Japan

Fushimi Inari

Nestled amid rolling hills, Kyoto is a testament to Japan’s rich history and timeless beauty.  With a population of roughly 1.5 million its one of the oldest municipalities in Japan, chosen in 794 to be the seat of Japan’s imperial court by Emperor Kanmu.  The city was spared from large-scale destruction during WWII and as a result, its beautiful cultural heritage has mostly been preserved.   Often called the “City of Ten Thousand Shrines” Read more

Tokyo, Japan revisited

Tokyo Skytree and Sumida River

Tokyo, Japan is one of the most densly populated cities in the world with over 14 million residents in the city and over 40 million residents in the greater Tokyo area.  The city covers 2,187 square kilometers (844 sq miles), and the number of people everywhere is staggering.  Tokyo is so large that it would take staying in each district to properly explore the sights and grasp the sheer magnitude of this city. Read more

Vienna, Austria

Schonbrunn Palace

Vienna, the capital of Austria, is one of Europe’s most elegant and historically rich cities and has been a major political and cultural center for centuries.  Vienna is also known as the City of Music having been home to Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Strauss.  The city’s historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rich with baroque imperial palaces and gardens. Read more

Budapest, Hungary

The stunning Parliament Building

Budapest, the capital of Hungary is one of Europe’s most beautiful, historically rich and underrated cities.  It’s split by the Danube River into two main parts: Buda, with its historic castles and hills, and Pest, the flatter more modern side full of energy, nightlife and cultural attractions.  Read more