Category: Travel

Niseko summer: a family fun checklist

See how many you can cross out before school year begins. Sunny days, grilling out, s’mores bonfire at dusk... We want each summer with the kids to be more memorable than the last, and with that comes the need for a few new ideas every season. The kids helped us brainstorm (not before suggesting a [...]
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10 hot spring baths in Niseko you shouldn’t miss

Flakes fall around you. Steam drifts into the air. Try one of these onsen baths where you can bathe among Hokkaido’s nature. The heat of the mineral-rich, geothermal water is believed to cure aches and stimulateinitiate deep healing. Although the measurable effectiveness is not quite yet proven or understood, we don’t really need more reason [...]
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Favorite restaurants in Niseko you need to try at least once

If you were wondering where to spend your time in Niseko for the food, here is a guide that should give you a fair selection to work with. Whether you are craving sushi of the very traditional kind, or entertaining guests for an exclusive experience off the beaten track, Japan's #1 snow resort of Niseko [...]
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Is it the hottest restaurant in Niseko?

This sobadokoro is already booked through the year. What separates a good restaurant from a great one? Attention to detail and fresh ingredients are the basic requirements; craftsmanship and technical skill, too, is paramount. We find that our favorite Japanese restaurants tend to be the smaller, more intimate settings that tick all these boxes, and [...]
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3 reasons Maples is our new favorite hotel in Niseko

There’s no place like home and there’s no place like Niseko. Even though the streets in Hirafu can get crowded, the addition of more unique and modern accommodations makes it a pleasure to visit. We found our new favorite in The Maples, a ski-in-ski-out condominium-hotel with a look so slick that that any design aficionado would appreciate. [...]
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4 things we learned planning summer trips as a family

Come together once in a while and get to know each other. A memorable family vacation is many things. There is experience, always the best teacher that brings school lessons to life. There is fun. There are tantrums. You chat, you laugh, you share things and you bond on a family adventure. Well versed in [...]
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4 winter resorts that come to life in summer

POSTCARD-WORTHY SCENERY GUARANTEED. Yes, summer is the new boom season for ski towns! These destinations are best known as ski resorts, but they shine just as brightly through summer. Not only ideal for lazy retreats, they are also packed with more adventurous ways to unwind! So choose your mountain playground for that upcoming vacation you [...]
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3 reasons you should take an African safari with the kids

If your perfect family holiday involves opening a child’s eyes to the wonders of the world, then an African sojourn could be just the ticket that leads to a lifetime of interest in conservation, culture and history in the immense continent, in addition to great vacation memories. The experience is relatable to the wildlife and [...]
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Odin Place, New lifestyle landmark of Niseko Hirafu

A new addition to the resort village’s increasingly metropolitan landscape, stylish Odin Place is a design lover’s dream. A new landmark had been in the making and finally opened its doors in December 2016. Odin Place is on the corner of bustling Zaka Street, which marks the center of the village, amid alpine chalets and [...]
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Take that last minute trip this winter

Some of the best memories are made on impulse. Haven’t got plans for the holidays yet? Trust your spontaneous side and book a quick getaway with loved ones. As few private rentals are still available for the New Year holidays, meaning it is still very possible to ring in 2018 on a sun-drenched island where [...]
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Live the high life with ski-mad royals on the Alps

With peaks so sharp and pristine, nightlife so boisterous, and historic resorts straight out of a story book, skiing in the Alps has a special magic. First as a means of transportations through rugged mountains, skiing in the Alps is nowadays much more than a sport, but a deep-rooted culture, a way of life. While [...]
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5 Tips for planning a family reunion vacation

Families are often separated geographically and by hectic schedules. Planning a big reunion holiday, the need to fulfill a range of different criteria might be tricky to manage, while this is how extraordinary experiences come about. Whether to celebrate a special occasion or just to bond away from home, generations often have quite different ideas [...]
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10 amazing Instagram accounts that give you serious #TravelGoals

In need of destination inspiration? Instagram is a fantastic resource for travelers, and these passionate wanderlusters know how to make good eye candy. Jake and Dannie @jakeanddannie New parents and photographer duo Jake and Dannie are creating the ultimate family album with their daughter Lisa. All of their photos are mini works of art, and [...]
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Best time to view fall red leaves in Japan

Japan’s autumn begins when momiji begins to show, first on the northern island of Hokkaido in September, slowly meandering down the length of the nation. Depending on where (and the altitude) you are, the foliage can last from September through late November. As fall colors adorn temples and shrines, and mountains and gorges across the [...]
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4 Reasons to visit Sri Lanka

So colorful. So full of life. Sri Lanka has everything: beautiful beaches, lots of tropical forests for wild animals, a lovely sub-tropical climate, marks of colonial influences reflected in a vivid culture and nostalgic architecture. It is a remarkable country full of vibrant energy with a rich culture that is sure to leave a lasting [...]
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10 of the most over-the-top vacation homes

Sometimes more is more. All-inclusive holidays can take many forms. Whether their own clifftop playgrounds, protected game reserves, private beaches, or exclusive part of larger resorts, these unique retreats share certain things: sublime privacy, top-notch staff and big-ticket amenities. Be sure to pack your designer luggage for these over-the-top (and some of the most expensive) [...]
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5 activities perfect for a stylish Phuket weekend getaway

With easy direct flights from major Asian hubs, Phuket is the perfect place for an indulgent getaway for urban dwellers. That being said, Phuket is full of difficult decisions. The west coast has some of the best tropical beaches while the east coast gathers swanky hang-outs where expats frequent. In the spirit of making the [...]
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Summer holiday in Niseko: 10 activities for families

A summer holiday there easily involves BBQ parties by day, home-cooked meals made from fresh local produce at home by night. Niseko’s winter is fantastic, while summertime in Niseko is also made for outdoors-y people, as lush landscape emerges and farmers get their crops into the ground. There are trails and rivers nestled in the mountains opening to [...]
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5 Last-minute Easter holiday ideas

With only a month to go, there is still time to plan an Easter holiday getaway. Fancy a snow-sure destination for some goggle tan, or a picturesque island where the freshest fish is always on the grill? Here are 5 that will fill your holiday with adventure and some much needed unplugging. THAILAND'S CLASSIC GULF [...]
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