Tag: featured

Kyoto’s Katsura Imperial Villa – Good Design Lasts Forever

Kyoto imperial villa

Katsura Imperial Villa is evidence that good design lasts forever. Designated a cultural treasure by the Japanese, this garden - said to be the most beautiful in Japan according to the Imperial Household Agency - and its buildings were completed in 1645 and used as a royal residence. The design of the  villas and its tea houses are simple, due to the influence of zen buddhism, and look as modern now as they may have done more than four hundred years ago. Its garden is also said to be...

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Air Travel – Ever Wonder Why You Feel Sleepy During Take-Off?

Flight over Alps

Ever wonder why you feel sleepy as the plane takes off or crave a tomato juice in the air? It may be because the air in the cabin gets thinner. Cabin air pressure is set normally to around 7,000 ft above sea level so it’s not noticeable if you live in Denver but sea level residents may feel fatigue. The good news is that most of us can cope with this level of air pressure and we shouldn’t feel a prolonged weariness although for some others with respiratory issues, there could be more...

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Barcelona’s Disfrutar – Most Enjoyable Meal

Barcelona's Disfrutar restaurant

Disfrutar means “enjoy” in Spanish; and this new addition to Barcelona’s dining scene lives up to its name. It was one of my favorite experiences in a recent trip to Spain and the one restaurant I would say you must try if in Barcelona. The food is modern but yet comfortable although some dishes definitely held surprises. The pedigree of the food reflects Disfrutar’s chef-owners, who were ex-El Bulli head chefs and I suspect that there is probably a fair degree of similarity in some...

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Kyoto’s Kitcho Arashiyama – Go for the Experience Not Just the Food

Kitcho's kaiseki cuisine

Michelin 3-starred Kitcho Arashiyama is known as a temple of Kyoto Kaiseki cuisine that comes with a high price. Reviews thus, are often mixed. Having now been there in winter and summer, I say that it’s worth trying at least once because of the complete experience it offers. However, if you’re just going for the food, you can get as fulfilling a Kaiseki experience elsewhere for a lot less financial pain.

I’m a sucker for Japanese ceramics, so to see the antiques that Kitcho...

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Kyoto’s Kokedera – A Moss Visit

Kokedera, Kyoto's Moss Temple

No rolling stones here. One of the most enchanting gardens in Kyoto is that belonging to Kokedera (also known as Saiho-ji) or the Moss Temple. As its name suggests, it’s known for its moss. In my view, it’s well worth the trip to Kyoto’s western district to visit this garden.

I came here in June 2014 on a very hot day. We had a 10 am visit slot and since we didn't want to be late, we took a taxi from our hotel to Kokedera. It was only a 20 minute ride, although our hotel told us...

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