Kyoto is the cultural heart of Japan. Visiting the shrines and temples, with their perfectly landscaped gardens and views over the city, top the list for most visitors to Kyoto. But there are also bamboo groves and small neighborhoods to explore, food markets and shopping streets to visit, and some very cool day trips that you can take. The list …
15 Amazing Things to Do in Luxor, Egypt
Luxor, Egypt is the world’s greatest open-air museum. Ancient tombs and temples are scattered along the east and west bank of the Nile River. The Valley of the Kings, Karnak and Luxor Temples, the Temple of Hatshepsut…these are just a few of the best things to do in Luxor. In this article, learn how to plan your visit to Luxor. …
Complete Guide to the West Bank of Luxor, Egypt
The West Bank of Luxor contains one of the largest collections of archaeological treasures in the world. This is where you will find the famous Valley of the Kings, the breathtaking tomb of Queen Nefertari, the mortuary temples of ancient Egyptian pharaohs, and an astounding number of tombs. In this article, learn about the best things to do on the …
Complete Guide to the East Bank of Luxor, Egypt
The East Bank of Luxor is where you will find two of Egypt’s most important sites, the Luxor Temple and the sprawling Karnak Temple, as well as several small museums. In this article, learn how to plan your visit to Luxor, with advice on how to get around, where to stay, and where to eat. Interesting Facts about the East …
Dendera and Abydos: Day Trip from Luxor, Egypt
Located on the Nile River, just north of Luxor, sit two of the best-preserved temple complexes in Egypt. The sacred city of Abydos is home to the temple of Seti I. The Hathor Temple in Dendera is one of the most colorful temples in Egypt, with an intricately detailed ceiling and one of the most awe-inspiring hypostyle halls that we …
10 Day Egypt Itinerary: Cairo, Aswan, Luxor, & Abu Simbel
Egypt is an extraordinary travel destination. If you are like us, you have dreamed of seeing the pyramids of Giza since you were a child. With 10 days in Egypt, you have plenty of time to go beyond the pyramids and experience the highlights of this amazing country. On this Egypt itinerary, you will visit the intricately decorated tombs in …
10 Best Things to Do Your First Time in Bangkok
Bangkok can be a hot, hectic, and overwhelming city. It can also be a delight to explore, with golden temples, floating markets, luxurious shopping malls, and some of the best street food in Asia. Here are the best things to do in Bangkok if this is your first (or second!) time in the city. At the end of this post, …
Faces in the Stone: A Visit to Bayon, Cambodia
Every year, millions of tourists travel to Siem Reap, Cambodia to tour famous Angkor Wat. But did you know that there is so much more to see than Angkor Wat? There is ancient Ta Prohm, a temple that was swallowed up by the jungle and now has enormous tree roots snaking along the walls and towers. There is Preah Kahn, …
Exploring Ta Prohm, Cambodia: A Photojourney
Ta Prohm is one of the most popular and most photographed of the temple complexes in Siem Reap, Cambodia. With enormous tree roots snaking across crumbling stone walls, ancient trees towering overhead, and long, dark hallways and courtyards to explore, this is a place that feels mystical and almost secretive. The temples of Ta Prohm date back to the 12th …
Kyoto, Japan in Photos
Since arriving in Japan, we have been sightseeing at warp speed. The clock is ticking…in just two short weeks our amazing adventure will be coming to a conclusion and we will be back in Columbia, Maryland. Feeling the need to squeeze every ounce that we can out of these last few weeks, we are out and about all day long, …
First Impressions of Japan: 24 Hours in Osaka & Kyoto
Konnichiwa! We are now in Japan, our final country before heading home to the United States. At the time that I am writing this we have only been in Japan for four days and it is quickly becoming one of our favorite countries. I know it sounds like I have a lot of favorites but Japan is truly topping the list, …
48 Hours in Seoul, South Korea
We had just 48 hours in Seoul, just enough time to see the capital of South Korea before flying south to the island of Jeju, South Korea’s playground. While planning our time in South Korea, I read that there was not much to see and do in Seoul. One day is sufficient and two days are more than enough. At the …
Da Nang, Vietnam. This Place Took us By Surprise
Da Nang, this small city in Vietnam, is located at the midpoint of the country, right on the ocean. Tour books don’t highlight this city as a worthwhile place to visit so I was planning on skipping right over it while in Vietnam. During our time in Hoi An, we visited Da Nang more than once, and we quickly learned …
Siem Reap, Cambodia: Angkor Wat & Beyond
People from around the world travel to Siem Reap, Cambodia to tour Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument. We were no different. We had a week to explore Siem Reap and all it had to offer. Before traveling here, we were familiar with Angkor Wat, but we did not know much about the surrounding temples, of which there are …
Photo Tour of the Temples of Khajuraho
Khajuraho, India is home to UNESCO World Heritage temples, some of the finest temple art in the world. It is the erotic carvings that make these temples so famous, with some of the carvings featuring images from India’s famous Kama Sutra. Tim and I were intrigued by these temples and these carvings, so Khajuraho got added into our itinerary. We …