“Culture Shock” can be described as a feeling which is experienced by a person, when he/she moves from a familiar culture to an unfamiliar one. It’s usually seen in a more negative light, but there are actually a few benefits of culture shock. Most of the people, who travel abroad for higher studies, work, internships,…
St. Moritz Gourmet Festival, Switzerland
There’s no better way to get in the mood for the festival than sipping champagne in SWISS business class on the flight to Zurich. After that, it’s a long train journey up into the mountains and I don’t arrive until it’s getting dark. I’m greeted in style by the chauffeur from the Carlton who whisks…
Hotel evaluation: Shikikan Saito, Hachimantai, Japan
The Tohoku region in northern Japan remains a relatively undiscovered destination for western tourists. If you find yourself in Hachimantai in the Iwate Prefecture, perhaps for a visit to Towada-Hachimantai National Park, then Shikikan Saito ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) is a great choice if you’re looking for an authentic and comfortable sleeping experience. Who for…
A culinary journey through the Aomori Prefecture of northern Japan
The Aomori Prefecture in northern Japan may be famous for its ski resorts, but is also a spectacular destination for food tourism. We take a closer bite. I’ve all the time liked Japanese delicacies. Sushi, ramen, miso soup and pickled greens are just a few of the dishes I look ahead to tucking into when…
352 airports are named after high flying individuals. Only 16 woman are included. Who are they?
According to research compiled by flight comparison site Neflights, there 352 airports globally identified as having adopted eponyms – i.e. named after people. For example, Pisa’s Galileo Airport, New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Paris’s Charles de Gaulle Airport. These all have something in common – they’re all named after men. Only 15…
Flybe airline has collapsed. What is happening to Flybe’s flight routes? What are your rights?
It was a sad day for UK regional travel when Flybe entered Administration on 5 March 2020. The already beleaguered airline blamed the Coronavirus outbreak as the final blow. Flybe, which started flying 1 November 1979 (as Jersey European Airways), may have been a small airline, yet it was the third biggest UK airline. It…
The best prevention against the coronavirus is washing your hands. How long should you wash your hands for?
More than 100,000 cases of novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) infection have been reported globally, most of them in mainland China and the fatality toll is heading towards 3,500. As yet there isn’t a vaccine, antibiotics don’t work on viruses and face masks are futile unless you are already ill. The point of the mask is to…
Luxembourg becomes the first country to offer free public transport for everyone
They said they would do it, and now Luxembourg has done it; this city now offers free public transport. Europe’s smallest country with a population of just 614,000, is a pioneer in this “free mobility” drive. Buses, trams and trains are now free to ride on. Buying a ticket to ride is now a thing…
Horse racing on snow – White Turf racing competition, St. Moritz, Switzerland
White Turf international racing festival is the coldest horse racing festival on earth yet the Swiss have been doing every February since 1906 like clockwork. And they only had to cancel it once during the mild winter of 1964. Still, I’m arriving on the second race day of the season and the previous week’s course…
Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski St. Moritz, Switzerland
St. Moritz is the birthplace of winter tourism, but this hotel was originally built to cater for guests coming to take the waters of the carbonated and iron-rich Mauritius Spring. You can still find the springs in the basement of the hotel but now it’s also home to a luxury spa and swimming pool. The…