Victoria, Canada – Top Hotel Picks
Thursday, April 22nd, 2010 /

Just back from Victoria…British Columbia’s scenic capital. I highly recommend a visit to this coastal gem. Having visited Victoria over a dozen times for business and pleasure, I’ve stayed in a wide variety of accommodation. For maximum convenience and enjoyment, I recommend that you overnight it in the Inner Harbour area. As there is such a diverse lodging selection to choose from, let me save you time by providing you with my top hotel picks. Check kayak.com and hotelscombined.com for deals.

1)  Oswego Hotel
Tucked away in a residential neighbourhood, this cozy, contemporary boutique hotel has lovely West Coast-inspired décor, rooms with large windows and kitchens that include stainless steel appliances, slate floors and granite countertops. Be sure to drop by their O Bistro for beautifully presented dishes.

2)  Abigail’s Hotel
Housed in a 1930′s Heritage Tudor Mansion, this elegant small hotel has been recognized over the years for its outstanding service and gourmet breakfasts. Aside from its Old World charm, you’ll enjoy complimentary evening hors d’oeuvres, spa services and free parking.

3)  Empress Hotel  
This majestic Victorian style property showcases its turn-of-the-century grandeur. Condé Nast magazine’s 2010 Reader Choice Awards ranked it number one for hotels on Vancouver Island. Tea at the Empress has been a long-standing tradition (although many will say it’s overpriced) and their relaxing Willow Stream Spa was chosen by Condé Nast as one of the top five spas in Canada.

4)  Magnolia Hotel & Spa
Infused with European elegance, the Magnolia is blossoming into a popular boutique hotel. Frommer’s rated it the best choice for business travellers and noted its reasonable rates. Aveda products, in-room fruit and a complimentary continental breakfast are just a few of the extras on offer.

5)  Hotel Grand Pacific
The modern Hotel Grand Pacific offers rooms with panoramic vistas of the Inner Harbour. Its wide range of services and amenities including a fitness centre with yoga and Pilates classes, pool, steam room, sauna, spa and several dining options.

6)  Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour Hotel
Yet another strong showing in the Marriott chain, this highrise has tastefully decorated rooms, free high speed internet, a pool, whirlpool, fitness room and restaurant, among other amenities. And, it’s developed a solid reputation for friendly service and clean rooms.

7)  Inn at Laurel Point
Although not as conveniently located as the above properties, it has picturesque views of the harbor and elegant Japanese-inspired décor. Its restaurant, Aura, was recommended in 2009 by the restaurant reviewers of two of Victoria’s top newspapers as one of their favorite spots.

8)  Royal Scot Suite Hotel  
What this place lacks in design sense, it makes up for in many other ways. Situated on a quiet street, rooms are clean, spacious and have well-stocked kitchenettes. There is also a laundry room, games room, restaurant, pool, whirlpool, sauna, fitness room and courtesy shuttle. It won a Trip Advisor 2010 Travelers’ Choice Award and Frommer’s chose it as a best bet for families.

9)  Best Western Inner Harbour
Currently ranked #1 on Trip Advisor out of 74 Victoria hotels, this is a basic but decent place. Ya gotta love that they offer free parking, complimentary full breakfasts, a superb location on a quiet street, a fridge, microwave, balcony and outdoor pool…all for a reasonable rate.

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Top Buffets & Restaurants in Vegas
Tuesday, April 06th, 2010 /

With such an array of world-class restaurants dotting the Strip, it’s no wonder Vegas is a foodie’s paradise. Here are the best places to chow down during your desert stay:

Best Buffets

The Buffet (Bellagio) – Complete with a fine selection of Italian, Japanese, Chinese, seafood and American cuisine, this buffet is one I can definitely recommend.

The Buffet (Wynn) – Advertising itself as, “Tastefully conquering your every hunger pang…,” you’ll be treated to 16 live action cooking stations.

Carnival World Buffet (Rio) – With more than 300 dishes and 70 varieties of homemade pies, cakes and pastries, take a trip over to this tasty buffet.

Le Village Buffet (Paris) – Dine in a village-like setting and savor the tastes of five provinces of France as each station is themed for a particular province.

Spice Market Buffet (Planet Hollywood) – Mexican, Italian, Asian, Middle Eastern and American dishes are the stars at this popular buffet.

Best Restaurants

Alex (Wynn) – This French gem has won such prestigous awards as the Forbes Five Star Award, AAA Five Diamond Award of Excellence and two stars from Michelin.

Joel Robuchon  (MGM Grand) – A French phenomenon, it being the only three star Michelin rated restaurant in town probably says a thing or two.

L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon (MGM Grand) – With its open kitchen, clients are offered a unique view of chefs creating tapas-style portions.

Michael Mina (Bellagio) – Crowned as ”Chef of the Year” by Bon Appetit and San Francisco Magazine, Mina`s innovative dishes have garnered him a long list of accolades.

Nobu (Hard Rock) – Chef Nobu Matsuhisa is a rock star the world over when it comes to Japanese cuisine.

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5 Ways to Get a Quiet Hotel Room
Thursday, April 01st, 2010 /

Tired of sleepless nights on the road? I hear ya. Having stayed in dozens of hotels dotting the globe during personal travels and through my positions as a flight attendant and cruise line crew member, I’ve learned how to score rooms where I’ll likely get a good night’s sleep. Here’s what you need to know:

1)      Research! Research! Research!
Invest some time to look around the net before making a hotel reservation. Get the scoop on where the quiet rooms are at higher-end hotels worldwide by visiting www.tripkick.com. Although the offerings on this site are somewhat limited, the info provided is invaluable. And, be sure to read hotel reviews on www.tripadvisor.com and a much smaller but thorough site called www.oyster.com. Thanks to scanning these kinds of reviews, I’ve saved myself from countless sleepless nights because I was tipped off to accommodation situated near popular bars, trains and the like. You may even want to post a question on a forum asking others about noise issues of the hotel you’re looking at staying at.

2)      Avoid the “Noisies”
Contact the property you plan to stay at and ask if there are any renovations, construction projects, major events or other possible “noisies” taking place in or near the property. While you have them on the phone, inquire about where the quietest areas of the hotel are and make note of them for when you place a reservation.

3)      Ask & You (Likely) Shall Receive
When you make a reservation, be sure to ask for a quiet room – especially one away from elevators, ice machines and stairwells. When I book a hotel room on-line, I add that to the “Comments” section of the form and a few days later, I call to confirm they received my reservation and request. A few days before my arrival, I email to follow up on my reservation and request, and upon check-in I gently remind them. The hotel will generally say they can’t guarantee my request will be granted but the only time it wasn’t was when I booked a high end hotel  in Calgary, Alberta through Priceline. When I’ve booked hotels in Orlando and Vegas (twice) through Expedia, I’ve had my requests honored. Don’t forget to ask if there are newly renovated rooms as they may have better soundproofing.

4)      Do a Scan Before You Unpack
After arriving at your room, don’t unpack just yet. Do a little inspecting for potential noise issues. Look out the window. Are you overlooking a busy street, train tracks or a pub? What hotel facilities are you near? The pool, children’s play area, convention centre, restaurant, lobby or bar?  I checked in late one evening to a hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico and loved the salsa music which greeted us. What I didn’t love was that the band played on for several more hours and my room was right above them.


5)      Don’t Be Shy
If your room is located by a noise pit such as those mentioned in #4, go to the front desk as soon as possible and politely outline your concerns. One multi-generational family of eight that I know stayed in a resort in Puerto Vallarta and the first night was a rough one for them. Their rooms were above the main buffet AND within earshot of the open-air lounge where musicians played until 1 am. The next morning, this family approached the front desk staff, expressed their disappointment and were promptly given much better rooms.

Traveling can be stressful and tiring. And, not sleeping well can negatively impact what could be a fun-filled vacation or successful business trip. Keep these tips in mind the next time you’re headed to a hotel. Check out my post, 10 Ways to Sleep Well on the Road.

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How to Get The Best Airplane Seats
Tuesday, March 30th, 2010 /

Building on the theme of the importance of “Location, Location, Location” from my last post, l’m going to share with you tips on how to get the best (free) seats in coach on a plane (if you don’t manage to get upgraded!)

Check Out This Guru
Once you find out which aircraft configuration you’ll be flying on, zip over to seatguru.com. This invaluable website shows the floor plans of pretty much every commercial aircraft in the skies today. Select the airline and airplane type you’ll be flying on and you’ll get the lowdown on where the good, the bad and the ugly seats are. If you’re able to choose your seat in advance or upon check-in, note which seats you prefer or prefer not to have and mention them to the gate agent or you could wind up in a nasty situation I once was in at 35,000 feet. On a flight from Cape Town to London, I was seated in front of a lavatory which meant noise and smells galore + limited seatback recline. We were in the air for only a short period of time when the passenger in front of my neighbor reclined her seat full tilt. Well, with little room to work with before The Tilt, my neighbour just lost it on that passenger. Enemy lines were drawn. It was a long, tense flight.

Longing for Leg Room?
As most travellers know, the best place to score extra leg room is in the area around the emergency exits. But with more airlines getting on board the “Let’s Charge ‘Em Extra” train, your chances of getting these premium seats without shelling out for them are getting slimmer. One of the advantages of dropping by seatguru.com is it points out where you can and can’t enjoy extra room. For example, bulkheads on certain aircrafts aren’t necessarily big on leg room. And because the tray tables in these walled areas often need to be tucked into the seats, you may have even less toosh space at your disposal. Those seats that don’t recline can make a long flight even longer so steer clear of seats in front of emergency exit rows, lavatories, galleys and bulkheads.

Catching Some ZZZs
Speaking of sitting by bulkheads, they’re a poor choice if you want to get some rest.  This is because these can be prime locations for travellers with infants. And, on older aircrafts, they might still have large movie screens whose lights can be distracting, unless you’re wearing an eye mask. (Check out my all-time favorite eye mask here.) Another way to increase your chances of being able to sleep on board is by selecting a window seat away from these noise pits: engines, lavatories and galleys. Scope out seats in the back as they usually fill up last. If you find several empty ones there, after take-off, move to that area so that you can stretch out and snooze.

Queazy Flyers
The over wing area on an airplane is where passengers experience the least amount of turbulence so select that location if you’re prone to motion sickness. When I was a flight attendant, on those aircrafts which had passengers who became ill, most of the time, they were seated near the back. Now, there are likely other factors involved in their getting sick but the added motion probabaly didn’t help matters. If you often feel queazy onboard, get seated near a lavatory for quick access but stay away from the galleys, as the smells could make you nauseous.

Tight Connections
Allow at least three hours between connections, especially for international destinations. But if this isn’t possible, choose a seat near the front of the bird so that you can deplane quickly. I once had a tight connection in Houston which was supposed to have been a two-hour stopover but due to mechanical problems, we didn’t leave San Juan on time. Because I’d requested a seat close to the front and then ran for my life to catch the connection (I was sure I could hear the theme song from Chariots of Fire over the loud speaker), I barely made it to the gate (huffing and puffing). But several other connecting passengers seated in rows further back never did make it on that flight. I heard later that it was a nightmare for them getting back to Vancouver, having to battle it out with the airline and then needing to stay overnight in Houston.

By taking the time to figure out which airplane seats are best suited for you, you’ll increase your chances of arriving at your destination relaxed and ready to tackle those key business meetings or enjoy that much-needed vacation.

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Cruising: How to Choose the Best Cabin
Friday, March 26th, 2010 /

If you’re going to spend thousands of dollars on a cruise, help yourself to have an optimal on-board experience by spending some time strategizing where you want your cabin to be. Pick up the floor plan of the ship you’ll be sailing on (which can be found in cruise line brochures at a travel agency) and study it carefully. Having worked on over 30 cruises off the shores of Mexico, Europe, Hawaii and Alaska as well as in the Caribbean, I’d like to share with you where you should request a cabin depending on your needs.

 
If You Want Peace & Quiet
Throughout a ship, there are a number of noisy areas you should avoid if you want to get a good night’s sleep. Steer clear of cabins near the anchor, engines, bridge (the cockpit of the ship where the Captain makes announcements and blows the ship’s horn), promenade deck (where people often jog), elevators, stairwells, sports areas (i.e. basketball courts, fitness centre), swimming pools, children’s/teen centres (which are often open past midnight), laundry rooms, bars, lounges, theatres, casinos, shops, purser’s desk, atrium, restaurants, coffee shops, spas, etc.  So you’re probably wondering, “Well, where should I stay?” Despite this loooonnnnnngggggggg list of no-stay zones, there are still plenty of cabins to be had. Look at the floor plan for rooms that have cabins directly above and below them as that will ensure you’re not located near any public areas.

If You’re Prone to Seasickness
Sensitive to the ocean’s motion?  You’ll want to stay away from the front, back and upper parts of the ship where there can be considerable rocking and pitching. In other words, choose a centrally-located cabin that is close to the water. The larger the ship, the less motion you’ll feel. In a future post, I’m going to provide tips on the best remedies for seasickness.

If Limited Mobility Is a Concern
Due to the nature of cruising, those with limited mobility are attracted to this form of travel. If this is the case for you or someone you’re travelling with, you’ll want to be situated close to an elevator (but not too close or you won’t catch too many zzz’s as mentioned above). Since many ships are gi-normous, being centrally-located vertically and horizontally is advantageous. You may want to find out where passengers disembark at each of the ports and request a room near one of them.

If You Want Convenience
If you plan to spend most of your time in one area of the ship, such as the fitness area, pool deck or buffet(!), pick a cabin that’s within that vicinity. If travelling with kids who’ll be participating in the children’s program and you’re needing to pick them up and drop them off after each session (which can be up to six trips/day), perhaps you’ll want to be near that part of the ship.                            

You’ll be glad you took the time to strategize which part of the ship is best suited for you and requested a cabin based on your needs as you’ll significantly increase the likelihood of having the cruise of a lifetime! But be sure to book several months in advance as you’ll have a greater selection of of cabins to choose from.

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Travel Humor: Rapping Flight Attendant a YouTube Sensation
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 /

How’s this for a unique take on the onboard announcement??!!

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Vegas Hotel Recommendations
Friday, March 19th, 2010 /

When you think of an “over the top” destination, Vegas likely makes it the top of the list due, in no small part, to its spectacular hotels. If you’re heading to LV, you have a dizzying array of lodging choices so here are my top picks for hotels.   

Stay Central
When I visited this desert oasis two years ago, I opted for the mammoth MGM Grand Hotel, one of the world’s largest. It was fine and the price was right  as I found a great flight + hotel package through  Expedia.ca. But, because it’s on the south end of the Strip, it meant logging more miles walking than if we’d been more centrally located. Unless you prefer to stay in Old Vegas, stick to the Strip hotels and lay your head on a bed between the Encore at Wynn (north end of the Strip) and the Bellagio (south end).       

Bello Bellagio
After visiting oyster.com (an exceptional hotel reviews site with “undoctored photography”), tripadvisor.com, Conde Naste Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards Travel, Leisure’s World’s Best Hotels and Lonely Planet’s Las Vegas City Guide, I decided on the chic Bellagio. I highly recommend it not only for its central location but also for its dreamy beds, excellent customer service, beautifully decorated rooms, spacious bathrooms, lovely pool area, classy ambience…You’ll love this resort! And the free fountain show taking place several times daily/nightly in the man-made lake bordering the Strip is not to be missed. For the best view, get a central spot on the Las Vegas Boulevard side. Ask for a room overlooking the lake! 

Bellagio Hotel

Other Luxe Picks
Other top luxury picks are the Italian-inspired Venetian and its newer sister property, the Palazzo. Wander the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian – gondolas included!There are also two masterpieces by Steve Wynn, who put Vegas on the map. His Wynn and the recently opened Encore at Wynn hotels receive top marks. The only disadvantage to these “Wynners” is that they’re located at the north end of the Strip but you’re closer to Fremont Street in vintage Vegas and about a 15 minute walk to the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Venetian Hotel

Marvellous Mid-Range Megaresorts
If you’re working with a smaller budget, you’ll still get a lot of bang for your buck at two other behemoths. Choose the Mirage, one of Wynn’s earlier creations, and don’t miss their free volcano show “erupting nightly” out front. Caesar’s Palace has been a long-time hit as well and its Forum Shops is something else. Go see it!       

Caesar's Palace

         Hope you have an “over the top” experience during your visit to Vegas!       

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Foot Notes: 8 Steps to Get More Mileage When You Travel
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010 /

Who wants to be slowed down by achy feet and legs when they’re in Paris, Rome or London?  By prepping your legs and feet with these 8 steps, you’ll be able to get more mileage AND have a more enjoyable time on the road.

(1) Hit the Comfort Jackpot
Do your legs a favor and pick up a pair of compression stockings from a pharmacy or travel accessories store. A nurse who used to work 12 hour shifts got me on to these gems which look similar to thick trouser socks and are made of strong elastic fabrics that create compression on the legs and feet. As arterial pressure increases, it forces more blood back to the heart instead of pooling in the legs and feet. The result? Improved blood circulation and a reduction in the effects of tired, swollen legs. Compression socks are great to wear on the plane as they can help prevent that nasty Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).

(2) Sock It To ‘Em
While you’re exploring, wear comfortable socks which are padded, quick-drying, odor and shrink-resistant as well as moisture-wicking. You’ll likely need to spend a bit more but they’re well worth it. Check out a sporting goods or travel accessories store for road-ready socks.

(3) Be Shoe Savvy
Invest in a sturdy, uber comfy pair of walking shoes that you’ve broken in and have good support. Spend a little bit extra if need be – your feet will thank you for it. I’ve logged many a comfortable mile in my Rockport and Clark’s shoes. Mephisto and Ecco are two other brands you may want to try out. And if you’re able to get water-resistant ones, all the better!

(4) Have Some Sole(s)!
For extra padding in my shoes, I picked up a pair of black terry cloth insoles from an Aldo outlet for $7 or $8 and I luv, luv, luv ‘em! Try out a variety and see which ones your tootsies co-habitate best with.

(5) Do Some Laps
If you usually don’t get much exercise, when you’re abroad, your legs and feet will be in for a shocker that they’re suddenly logging loads of miles several days in a row. To ease your body into this, start exercising a few times a week beginning at least a couple of months before your trip.

(6) S-T-R-E-T-C-H
While you’re globetrotting, be sure to stretch your legs (and the rest of your body while you’re at it) in the morning and again before you hit the sack. Don’t forget to do some stretches on the plane both at your seat and standing up. Unless you have a preference for the window, choose the aisle seat so that you can get up and walk around every hour (unless you’re able to snooze!). Take full advantage of airport stopovers by going for a walk and loosening up those joints so that you don’t feel as fatigued when you arrive at your destination.

(7) Massage ‘Em!
Before you go out exploring for the day, get your feet in mint condition by taking a few minutes to massage them and your legs with peppermint foot lotion. Before you retire for the night, if possible, soak your feet for a few minutes and give them another fresh and tingly rub down with the lotion.

(8) Bring Back Ups
By using the above tips, your chances of getting blisters and other owwies are greatly reduced but do pack bandages and moleskin in case you run into problems.

Taking these eight key steps will give you a real leg up not only while you’re gallivanting the globe but also in your day-to-day life. And that’s no small feat.

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5 Ways to Up Your Chances of Getting Upgraded on Flights
Saturday, March 13th, 2010 /

One of the most common questions I’m asked at my workshops and presentations is, “How can I get upgraded for free on a flight?”  Compared to hotels and car rental agencies, bagging an upgrade through an airline is more challenging in recent years because more flights are flying at capacity. If you’re not up for paying extra or using frequent flyer points, here are five key ways to improve your chances of getting to the front of the bus:

(1) Dress Well
Dress comfortably but business-like.  When I was a flight attendant, I once was standing beside a gate agent and  a man wearing a nice, pressed long-sleeved shirt and jeans  approached her asking if an upgrade was possible. She quickly responded with a no. After he walked away, she turned to me and whispered, “I would have given him an upgrade if he wasn’t wearing jeans.” Don’t wear sweatpants, t-shirts, tank tops, revealing tops, shorts, baseball caps, sneakers, open-toed shoes, torn or dirty clothes, mini-skirts, etc. And nix the backpack. Peter Greenberg, travel editor of NBC’s Today Show and author of numerous informative books including The Travel Detective series mentions this tip and other helpful advice in this video:

(2) Fly Off-Peak
As Greenberg mentions in his video, fly during quiet times of the day, week and year and the agents will have more leeway to move you from steerage.  When are the off-peak times? Figure out when businesspeople are flying (particularly on domestic flights) and don’t fly then. The quietest times of the day are 9 am – 3 pm and 7 pm – 11 pm. During the week, travelling on Tuesdays and Wednesdays can help you score a premium seat. And, booking a flight when it’s not spring or summer break, holiday or other major event will help.

(3) Travel Alone
If there’s only one person looking for an upgrade, it’s easier for agents to change seats of solo travellers than those of couples or families.  A frequent flyer I once worked told me that every so often, she gets bumped up to  business class by mentioning to gate agents that if they needed to move her to accommodate a family or group travelling together that she’d be happy to switch seats. You could also offer to be bumped to another flight if it’s oversold. I’ll talk more about getting bumped off a flight in a future post.

(4) Have Special Notes on Your File
Something that sets you apart from other passengers may just help too. If you’ve made a reservation on line, call the airline and ask that they note on your file that you’re 6’5” or travelling to your wedding, 70th birthday or 40th wedding anniversary (if you are, of course!).  Pleasantly remind them when you check in just in case the note wasn’t added.

(5) Pay Full Fare
If you’ve had to purchase an airline ticket at the last minute, chances are you’ve paid big bucks for it. Airlines realize this and may reward you by moving you up. When checking in, pleasantly inquire if there is a possibility of an upgrade due to the cost of your ticket. Keep in mind that there’s a hierarchy of who receives upgrades with frequent flyers, VIPs and passengers with special circumstances being at the top. Full fare-paying passengers  are close behind.

Although employing these strategies won’t guarantee you an upgrade, you may as well try!  Happy flying!!

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Vegas Travel Pointers
Thursday, March 04th, 2010 /

Just back from a travel goods trade show in Vegas.  I’m a nut for interior decor and can (and did!) spend hours scoping out chic hotels along Las Vegas Boulevard (AKA The Strip). In a future post, I’m going to share my best bets for hotels but today, I`m going to provide some pointers to help you make the most of your stay in this desert oasis.

Time It Right - Keep money in your wallet and avoid the masses by going during the slower season which is  December and January (except during Christmas and New Year`s holidays). But steer clear of the city in early January when the annual Consumer Electronics Show draws over 100,000 attendees. Also, plan not to go during holidays and when big sporting or other mega conventions are in town because hotels jack up their prices. Contact the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to find out when major events will be taking place. If you don`t whither easily in 40 degree weather, July and August are good bets too.

Think:  Package Deal - The last two times I’ve been to Vegas, I’d scoured the net for deals and both times it was a flight + hotel package through Expedia that won out. Expedia isn’t always the lowest for other destinations but it’s a good place to begin your Vegas search. If you’re Canadian and live near the US border, flying out of an American airport could save you some greenbacks. Here are budget airlines to consider: Allegiant Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue and AirTran. And take a look at hotelscombined.com.

Getting to the Strip - Since McCarran International Airport is situated a 10-15 min. drive from the south end of the Strip, if you`re travelling with others, it may be more cost-effective to take a taxi. If not, the going rate  for a shuttle is $6.50 one way or $12 return per person. I used Bell Transportation which was good and there`s Gray Line as well as several other companies. Both shuttle drivers I had were great sources of info so be sure to ask them for any insider tips.

Cruising the Strip - Car rentals aren`t necessary, especially when you factor in the cost for parking, gas and the rental itself. The Deuce double decker bus operates 24/7 and stops at “virtually every hotel and casino along the Strip”. On the bus, you must pay in cash and drivers don`t provide change. For more info about fares, please visit this link. Both times I visited, I often saw line-ups of tourists vying for room on crowded buses as often the drivers needed to leave people behind. There`s also the monorail but at $14 for a one-day pass ($5 per ride), it`s pricey, not as extensive as the bus route and, as author Sara Benson wrote in the Lonely Planet`s Las Vegas City Guide (which I recommend as it`s thorough, lightweight, reader-friendly and witty), some stations can be challenging to find.

In future posts, I`m going to share with you fun (and free) things to see and do and where the best buffets are. You`ll also find out a Vegas secret…where one of the best (free!) views of the Strip is.

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Best Time to Visit Japan
Monday, March 01st, 2010 /

Cherry blossoms are much like time machines for me. Seeing those exquisite pink petals peeking out around every corner here in Vancouver transports me back to when I studied and worked in Japan. The beloved national flower of this island nation, the cherry blossom rightfully takes centre stage each spring.

Planning a trip to Japan? If so, be sure to visit this fascinating country in late March or early April (depending on which area you’ll be visiting) when it’s “o-hanami” (cherry blossom viewing). Check out the Japan National Tourism Organization’s cherry blooming forecast map to time your trip right.

But, if you can’t make it in spring, it’s also picturesque in late October and early November with autumn foliage putting on its own spectacle. Visit this link for best places to visit to take in fall’s colourful delights.

Kinkakuji (Golden Pavillion) in Kyoto

No matter what time of year you visit, an absolute must-see city is Kyoto. The former cultural and political centre for 1100 years and once a national capital, spared of air raids during World War II, this national treasure is bejewelled with hundreds of temples and shrines. Fly into Osaka and make a bee-line to Kyoto. Other top picks for cities to visit would be Nara, Hiroshima, Nikko and Tokyo.

For a truly Japanese experience, stay in a ryokan, a traditional inn.

Their public transportation system is outstanding. Look into the Japan Rail Pass as it could save you a lot of yen.

Recommended guidebooks are the Lonely Planet, Frommer’s and Rough Guide. And, drop into a forum such as the Lonely Planet’s Thorn Tree for budget tips and advice from travellers who’ve been there recently. To enrich your experience, learn about Japan’s history, customs, art, music, food, sports, etc.

After a spring trip to Japan, you’ll never look at a cherry blossom tree again without thinking back in time to your voyage to the Land of the Rising Sun.

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