So with my Sicily trip all reported on where next . . ?!
I’ve always got to have something to look forward to and plan for and this year is no exception!
We’ll be heading back to Portugal again in May but steering away from the traditional tourist hotspot of the Algarve and instead heading for the bustling capital of Lisbon.
Then we’ll make our way to the picturesque town of Sintra for a slice of real life fairy tale princess castles, inverted wells and architecture that isn’t out of place in Game of Thrones!
Finally we’ll end up in Cascais for a few days of R and R in this pretty little beach resort that used to be a laid back fishing village.
Then, later on in the year, as me and the man are celebrating our 10th anniversary . . . (pauses to take a deep breath)
I’m off to a place that I only ever dreamt I’d actually visit, so I keep having to pinch myself . . . JAPAN!! Eekkkkk . .
We’ll be doing a whirlwind 16 day jaunt across the country, landing in Tokyo, staying in the Neon heartland of Shinjuku (this district apparently boasts the world’s busiest train station with 2 million passengers A DAY!!!!- this will be our soothing introduction to the city!!)
We’ll take a few days to explore some of its chaotic delights .
Then we’ll be crossing to Takayama in the Japanese Alps to experience some of the traditional farming villages.
Then it’s a bullet train ride down to Hiroshima to visit the Peace Gardens and A bomb museum before shooting across to Kyoto to Geisha spot and bag a few of the 2000 temples it’s famous for!.
All rounded off with a few days in Osaka from where we’ll fly home . . .
Along the way we’ll stay in a capsule hotel Hotel Booth Netcafe and Capsule (that looks terribly like microwaves stacked on top of each other and slightly horrifies the claustrophobic in me)
Plus we’ll experience more traditional home stays at Guest House and Cafe SOY in Takayama.
And we’ll also try out a traditional guest house in Kyoto complete with sliding doors and cute little Zen garden at its heart at the Lantern Guest house.
Excited much? I actually feel a little bit sick with anticipation . . . . watch this space for lots of photos!!
Sounds Fab! I LOVE Takayama – they actually have a very rare tourist map in English and are “handicap” accessible – they strive to be a tourist-friendly town. I am so sad my sarubobo (monkey baby) charm from there fell off my purse!
I am so excited I feel a little queasy!! Although as a non fish eating vegetarian I am more than a little concerned that I might starve! . . .
You will have such a great time! There is this super sweet man in Takayama who has a”Mexican” restaurant – though he sheepishly admits he has made the food to Japanese tastes, he actually speaks Spanish and traveled to Mexico. You could get vegetarian food there and tell him the people in New Mexico say “hello” (we mailed him assorted chile products after we got back)