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Minato, a Tokyo Time Capsule
On a clear day you can see Mount Fuji from the top of the Tokyo Tower. So, I was delighted to discover that the tower was just five minutes walk from my hotel, Shiba Park Hotel. When I arrived and found I was staying in Minato I was disappointed as I missed the fast past of the central suburbs. …
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At Peace in a Park in Hiroshima
Stepping off the tram at the Peace Park in Hiroshima I had no idea what to expect, or even, why I was there. I was immediately struck by the stark reality of the disaster that struck the city on seeing the Atomic Dome (Genbaku Dome) with its shredded dome ...
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Miyajima Island – Molluscs and Momiji Manju
There was an air of anticipation as we crossed the narrow channel of water between Hiroshima port and Miyajima Island. Everyone was craning their necks for the first view of the torii gate of the famous "Itsukushima shrine. A veil of mist draping the island enhanced the moment as we drew closer…
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Matsumoto - A Taste of Traditional Japan
Matsumoto, in Japan, is a beautiful blend of ancient and modern. Strolling down the modern main streets I realised something was missing. The street lighting is not fuelled by an intricate web of overhead power lines as they are in every other city I had visited ...
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Corfu - A Tale of Two Fortresses
It seemed like such a simple plan at the time. Catch the local bus into Corfu town or Kerkyra and make my way to one of the two fortresses I had seen from the ferry when I arrived on the island of Corfu. I knew very little about the island or its main town as my visit was unexpected ...
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Vlora on the Albanian Riviera
Vlora (also spelt Vlorë) resembles a butterfly emerging from the Communist chrysalis that enveloped Albania. Ideally situated on a a stunning coastline Vlora is the second largest port in Albania. Its seafront has already been transformed into an open area surrounded by bars ...
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Gjirokaster, the Silver City of Albania
We arrived at Gjirokaster (also spelt Gjirokastra) in Albania mid-afternoon. The perfect time to explore this UNESCO world heritage site – in the cool of the day when golden rays from the sun enhanced the silvery grey stone of the buildings above and below us.
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Some Secrets of Southern Albania
Today Albania may be off the beaten track as far as many tourists are concerned but it has a lot to offer. You should go before everyone else discovers its secrets.
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Foundations of Verona - Austrian Verona
Austrian Verona could also also be described as the Hidden Verona. The period when Verona was part of the Austro-Hapsburg Empire was not a happy time for the Veronese ...
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Foundations of Verona - Venetian Verona
Verona, in Italy is a UNESCO World Heritage site and deservedly so. It is the only place I know where you can peel away its history layer by layer. I have already explored Roman and Medieval Verona today I was exploring the Venetian influence ..
