Japan is a top holiday destination for many reasons. The country boasts a fantastic mix of energetic and cosmopolitan cities, cultural marvels, beautiful countryside and mountains, hot springs, volcanoes and delicious food. Plus the iconic bullet trains, wonderful cherry blossom season in Spring, and multi-coloured forests in Autumn as the seasons change all combine to add to the aura surrounding Japan. Visitors will usually find their first few days to be a massive culture shock, due to a number of reasons - the hectic pace of Tokyo (where most tousists will fly into), the lack of English on many signs, bars and restaurants, and the huge range of Japanese customs and entiquette that, if you are not creful, can lead to some awkward moments and a slightly red face on your part. Here are our top tips to help avoid any cultural faux-pas.
1) Chopstick etiquette
Chopsticks are the utensil of choice for most foods in Japan - but you have to know how to use them. There are a range of things you should and should not to. A few top tips - NEVER stick your chopsticks into your bowl so they are sticking up into the air - this is a funeral ritual in Japan and is especially bad form. Rest your chopsticks on the table with the tips to the left. Also, don't point the tips directly at people when holding them. Another big no-no - don't pass food from your bowl to someone elses - again this is associated with funerals so would be seen as extremely disrespectful.
2) Restaurants and Eating out
Some restaurants have both normal tables, and also tatami mats on the floor (you will also encounter tatami in Japanese guesthouses where similar rules apply). If dining on the tatami, you must remove your shoes or slippers first. Also, you should only step on the mats you are sitting on - don't go treading round everyone elses mats.
3) Hot spring etiquette
Onsen, or Japanese hot spring resorts, should be on the list of all travellers to Japan. With a hige range from indoor baths to outdoor pools overlooking snow-capped mountains, they are a great way to unwind an get away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. But you must know the rules before you go! Wash yourself and have a good scrub before you get in the communal baths. And don't bring soap into the baths - they are for relaxing rather than washing. Many onsen also have a no clothes policy although check this first. Generally, male and female baths are segregated too - so check this before you jump in with your other half.
4) Greetings
When meeting people in Japan, a bow is usually exchanged. Luckily, Japanese people kind of expect foreigners not to fully know the rules, so generally just a small bow will suffice. Shaking hands is generally not customary in Japan so stick to the bows. Also, "wai" or bow while holding your palms together, is not done in Japan - so don't think just because you did that in Thailand in 2015 you should apply that to Japanese greetings too.
Sunday, 30 April 2017
Great Travel Destinations From Around The World
Looking to find one of the best travel destinations in the world? You can't go far wrong with one of these.
Oia in Greece
Oia is located up in the cliffs, where you will see all kinds of picturesque white Greek-style buildings with colourful roofs. You can enjoy many a peaceful stroll in the sun here. Whatever you do - don't miss the sunset because it is a magical moment and one of the best sunsets I've seen. I'd recommend experiencing it relaxing in one of the beachside bars or at sea on a rented boat.
Florence in Italy
This city is famous for many things including Heaven’s Gate and Michelangelo’s David. Beauty is everywhere in Florence. Do not miss the sunset on the Arno Rive and the wine in Chianti - one of the world's top wine producing regions.
Queenstown in New Zealand
Queenstown has amazing natural beauty. In addition, it is famous for J R R Tolkien's Hobbits. Outdoor sport enthusiasts flock to here to enjoy the excitement and pleasure with a spot of kayaking, bungee jumping, speed boating, water rafting, hiking, skiing and many more exciting activities.
Napa in California
Here may just be one of be the most perfect places to spend a week in the world. Romantic hotels, delicious food and wine, relaxing hydrotherapy, what else do you want? Oh, the weather is stunning. It certainly makes a change from a rainy week in England.
Providenciales in the Caribbean Sea
Located in the Turks and Caicos Islands, this is as near to paradise as you can get. You can choose to indulge in scuba diving, horseback riding or of course, sunbathing, among others. The island is so quiet that it makes a beautiful change from the hustle and bustle of the city.
6 Tips for Avoiding the Tourist Crowds in Thailand
Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destinations, and for good reason. Stunning beaches, great weather (usually), delicious food, friendly locals and numerous cultural sights help make Thailand so desirable. But this can all come at a cost - Thailand can be overrun with tourists in some areas, which is fine if you don't mind that kind of thing, but for many, getting away from the hoards and unwinding away from your fellow countrymen is the real joy of a holiday. Here are 6 top tips to help you avoid the crowds and find a more authentic Thailand.
1) Travel outside peak season
If you can, avoid travelling to Thailand during the peak season. This is generally November-February, although will depend to an extent on where you plan to go. With abit of careful research and planning, going outside of this time can really cut down the tourist numbers. Look into climate (Summer can be too hot for tourists) and consider packing less cities/regions in so that you can stay in one area with a distinct climate, rather than going from North to South and encountering good weather in one region but storms in the other.
2) Ask the locals
Locals often know great places to eat and drink that the tourists don't know about. This works best when you are already on holiday, but forums and websites often have guides that may reveal local secrets. Just be wary that sometimes so-called secrets can quickly turn into tourist traps, especially if mentioned in the popular guidebooks (which brings us nicely to...).
3) Throw away your guidebook
OK, maybe not literally, but not following the "Top itineraries" or ""17 Must-See Sights" from your Lonely Guide or Rough Planet will really help you see more of the real Thailand and avoid the tourists. "But, they are top sights for a reason", some will say, which is true to an extent, but you will often find equally stunning destinations that are less well known and less busy by doing abit of research.
4) Avoid the Southern coastal resorts
While places like Koh Pha Ngan, Phuket, Koh Samui and Krabi are undoubtedly stunning, they are also undoubtedly flooded with tourists and gap year students getting pissed on the beaches and singing Wonderwall at 2AM. Our advice is to avoid these areas altogether if you want a taste of real Thailand. There are much quieter towns/islands elsewhere in the South, and these should certainly be researched. Fight that urge to hit the classic tourist trail. Also, these areas tend to be overpriced - £2.50 for curry and rice might still seem ridiculously cheap compared to European prices, but when you pay 50p for something even better outside the tourist areas, you quickly realise the prices are being hiked up for Westerners. The same is true for accommodation, with Phuket being particularly pricey.
5) Hire a bike
If you are in a relatively touristy area, in general you will find most of the tourists congregate in a very small area where the attractions are most concentrated. Hire a bike, and you can get outside of this area in few minutes and explore new areas rarely trodden by tourists. A good example is Chiang Mai - almost all tourists wander inside the city walls, and just outside the Eastern gate. Rent a bike, cycle outside the walls, and there is a whole world to see that shines a new light on the city. Even the market just North of the city walls is almost devoid of tourists, but full of locals having lunch - you can get a delicious, super-spicy Khao Soi for 30 Baht (70p).
6) Take a risk
Sometimes picking somewhere almost at random can lead to the best holiday experiences. Pick a town on your train route to a more major destination, and you will often find some hidden gems and experience authentic Thai life. Language will be an issue as the locals may never encounter tourists but you'll also find the friendliest faces. Plus, pointing to something tasty in someones food cart is often a winner. Just remember the way back to the train station.
1) Travel outside peak season
If you can, avoid travelling to Thailand during the peak season. This is generally November-February, although will depend to an extent on where you plan to go. With abit of careful research and planning, going outside of this time can really cut down the tourist numbers. Look into climate (Summer can be too hot for tourists) and consider packing less cities/regions in so that you can stay in one area with a distinct climate, rather than going from North to South and encountering good weather in one region but storms in the other.
2) Ask the locals
Locals often know great places to eat and drink that the tourists don't know about. This works best when you are already on holiday, but forums and websites often have guides that may reveal local secrets. Just be wary that sometimes so-called secrets can quickly turn into tourist traps, especially if mentioned in the popular guidebooks (which brings us nicely to...).
3) Throw away your guidebook
OK, maybe not literally, but not following the "Top itineraries" or ""17 Must-See Sights" from your Lonely Guide or Rough Planet will really help you see more of the real Thailand and avoid the tourists. "But, they are top sights for a reason", some will say, which is true to an extent, but you will often find equally stunning destinations that are less well known and less busy by doing abit of research.
4) Avoid the Southern coastal resorts
While places like Koh Pha Ngan, Phuket, Koh Samui and Krabi are undoubtedly stunning, they are also undoubtedly flooded with tourists and gap year students getting pissed on the beaches and singing Wonderwall at 2AM. Our advice is to avoid these areas altogether if you want a taste of real Thailand. There are much quieter towns/islands elsewhere in the South, and these should certainly be researched. Fight that urge to hit the classic tourist trail. Also, these areas tend to be overpriced - £2.50 for curry and rice might still seem ridiculously cheap compared to European prices, but when you pay 50p for something even better outside the tourist areas, you quickly realise the prices are being hiked up for Westerners. The same is true for accommodation, with Phuket being particularly pricey.
5) Hire a bike
If you are in a relatively touristy area, in general you will find most of the tourists congregate in a very small area where the attractions are most concentrated. Hire a bike, and you can get outside of this area in few minutes and explore new areas rarely trodden by tourists. A good example is Chiang Mai - almost all tourists wander inside the city walls, and just outside the Eastern gate. Rent a bike, cycle outside the walls, and there is a whole world to see that shines a new light on the city. Even the market just North of the city walls is almost devoid of tourists, but full of locals having lunch - you can get a delicious, super-spicy Khao Soi for 30 Baht (70p).
6) Take a risk
Sometimes picking somewhere almost at random can lead to the best holiday experiences. Pick a town on your train route to a more major destination, and you will often find some hidden gems and experience authentic Thai life. Language will be an issue as the locals may never encounter tourists but you'll also find the friendliest faces. Plus, pointing to something tasty in someones food cart is often a winner. Just remember the way back to the train station.
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