Hiking up to the Surface of the Moon in Japan

The beautiful landscape shaped by volcanoes and the art of bathing in a onsen attracts many visitors to Japan and beautiful mountain towns like Aso. This small town is the prefect place to experience Japanese culture and see one of the countries largest active volcanoes even in the rainy season.  If it is sunny –Continue reading “Hiking up to the Surface of the Moon in Japan”

The Sweet Volcanic Breezes of Mount Aso

JR Station in Kumamoto City Enough with castles for now and the cramped living style of the business hotel. Many parts of Kumamoto City are attractive enough for a short visit. The beauty and the history of the city can be seen in a few hours. Most of the major attractions are located in theContinue reading “The Sweet Volcanic Breezes of Mount Aso”

Four Years and Seven Days Ago and I’m back in Shanghai

In the span of two long days we packed and stored our NYC life, grabbed a direct 14 hour flight from EWR to PVG, and checked into our new temporary home in the former French Concession (FFC) in downtown Shanghai. We chose Shanghai because we are familiar with the city and will be able toContinue reading “Four Years and Seven Days Ago and I’m back in Shanghai”

Transport with a splash of color

Most trips overseas for the intrepid traveler involve overland travel.  There’s sometimes unavoidable on small islands in the Philippines and the desert expanses of the Middle East.  The road offers adventure, perspective to a new place and experiencing the local color. Some of us have quickly found that schedules in most places do not goContinue reading “Transport with a splash of color”

Your priced out of a trip destination and a dream, can’t afford Paris? Part Deux

An evening stroll along the Seine/Bospherus.  A room with a view of the sparkling Eiffel Tower/Blue Mosque at dusk.   This is a city where travelers can show up with no plans. Time in both Paris and Istanbul can be spent just walking the streets and spending time viewing art in small and large museumsContinue reading “Your priced out of a trip destination and a dream, can’t afford Paris? Part Deux”

Your priced out of a trip to Moscow? How about Georgia instead?

We all have a vision on how we will spend our precious days away from regular life. For some its traveling far from home to a place where most things are foreign.  An evening stroll along the Volga viewing the red stars that light up the top of the Kremlin, Seven Sisters and St. Basil’s.Continue reading “Your priced out of a trip to Moscow? How about Georgia instead?”

Short list of WHO WHAT WHERE and HOW for Iran Travel

Here’s my list of online sites which inspired and kept the dream alive while waiting to see if Iran wanted me to come or not.  I hope they are useful to others looking to go: US Travel Warnings British Foreign Office Travel Advisory WHAT Destination Iran Tour Site Traveler Nico from Scotland’s Flickr Stream Soorm’sContinue reading “Short list of WHO WHAT WHERE and HOW for Iran Travel”

Americans in Iran 2011: Planning, applying and waiting…

It’s May 2011 and our next trip will be to Iran. Ignoring the propaganda and the fact that it could take months to get a visa we begin the visa application process and the trip research. It was now or never and we’re going for it. The trip will be at least 14 days whichContinue reading “Americans in Iran 2011: Planning, applying and waiting…”

Escape from Manhattan

Biking along the west side of Manhattan is one of the best ways to a break away from city and immerse yourself in the beauty of the green pathway that snakes its way around this big island.  The ride from Midtown to Riverside Park (99th Street) takes anywhere from 15-30 minutes.  Anyone thinking about takingContinue reading “Escape from Manhattan”

Egypt’s baksheesh industry..will it survive?

The people who are benefiting the least Mubarak leaving office sooner than later are his police forces and political allies.  They are the ones who ask for the baksheesh even if they don’t do anything helpful or even help someone cross the street safely in Downtown Cairo. Some took to the streets and were takingContinue reading “Egypt’s baksheesh industry..will it survive?”

Jetlag Express from Shanghai to Casablanca VIA Tripoli

36 hours from China to Morocco. I’m on a train from the airport to Casablanca and it’s only been  an hour but feels like it took 20 hours.  We are arriving to Morocco after a 36 hour-long Qatar flight 550 from Shanghai where we each racked up almost 8000 miles of distance along with aContinue reading “Jetlag Express from Shanghai to Casablanca VIA Tripoli”

The Great RTW Trip: Where to end it!

Planning a RTW trip for a year is something that one can never spend enough time doing.  No matter how long you plan and how much research is done, there’s always unplanned incidents which that can throw a huge wrench into any well thought out itinerary.  My only advise is to have two things.  AContinue reading “The Great RTW Trip: Where to end it!”