Exploring Japan’s Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park From Tokyo – A Look in the Mirror

Getting to the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park from Tokyo was an easy day trip that I did on my own during my winter visit to Japan.

Ever since I watched the PBS Nature episode about Japanese snow monkeys, I hoped that one day I might be able to see them in person. When I had the chance to visit Japan in winter with my husband, we took the opportunity to do a day trip to the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park from Tokyo.

The experience with the snow monkeys was as engaging and entertaining as anything I could have wished for. In many ways, it was like looking in a mirror.

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A Visit to Japan’s Most Sacred Island – One Day In Miyajima

I’ve been to Miyajima, Japan twice in the last few years and am sharing my experiences on how I spent one day in Miyajima.

Miyajima, Japan is most famous for the photos of its floating torii gate. But this lovely little island offers up lots of gorgeous scenery, both man made and natural. I visited Miyajima twice on recent trips to Japan and this is how I spent my day on Miyajima exploring its photogenic treasures.

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My Favorite Unique Japanese Experiences

After four trips to Japan, these are some of my favorite unique Japanese experiences and photos from one of my favorite destinations.

Japan is one of my favorite travel destinations. I’ve visited four times in the last few years and could easily go back again and again. The unique mix of east and west in this culturally rich country continues to fascinate me.

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My Favorite London Photo Spots that Make London Unique

London is one of my favorite cities to visit and these are some of my favorite London photo spots that show off London’s unique personality.

I have posted many individual photos of my London visits in my PhotoPOSTcard series. I thought I would put together photos from my favorite London photos spots that define some of the experiences that I think make London Unique (though it was hard to pare down the list to just 25).

These 25 photos are certainly not enough to showcase everything that London has to offer, but it is enough to show how colorful and charming and unique London can be.

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Discovering the Many Beautiful Churches in Iceland – A Photo Journey

As I toured the land of fire and ice, I discovered a wide variety of of beautiful churches in Iceland. In this photo essay, I share images of the many different church designs I saw during my travels.

During my visits to Iceland, I became infatuated (obsessed?) with looking for and photographing the many unique churches that I came across as I traveled around the land of fire and ice.

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In the Land of Fire and Ice – My Beautiful Photos of Iceland and Favorite Iceland Photography Spots

Sharing my 50 favorite Iceland photos after two trips to Iceland: driving the ring road on one trip and circumnavigating the island with Iceland ProCruises on the MS Seaventure expedition ship on a second trip.

I’ve been fortunate to visit Iceland twice in the last year, and both trips were extremely memorable. On my first visit, I drove all around the island over the course of two weeks, exploring the nooks and crannies as well as stopping to see the major tourist sites.

My most recent Iceland trip was a circumnavigation cruise on the expedition ship MS Seaventure with Iceland ProCruises where I had a chance to see Iceland from a different perspective.

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PhotoPOSTcard: A Puffin and His Dinner

One of the highlights on my recent Iceland ProCruises tour was a stop to Flatey Island. This is a private island with summer holiday homes and Iceland ProCruises is the only tour company allowed to stop here.

The island has a large puffin colony that is easy to get to and to photograph. This little guy or gal had just gone fishing and was standing there with his catch, keeping a close eye on all of us. He clearly had no intention of sharing.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

PhotoPOSTcard: Amazing Grace

This beautiful swan was following me as I walked along the canals of Burano in the early morning. I think it was hoping to get some food, but I had none to give. I waited for quite a while for the swan to swim to this particular section of the canal where the colorful houses were reflecting shades of pink and yellow. Eventually, it cooperated. Patience is a virtue that I don’t always have, but in this case, it paid off.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose

What to do in Burano – My 25 Colorful Photos and Tips for Visiting Burano, Italy

In some ways I love Burano more than Venice – it is so colorful and photogenic. Use these Burano photos as inspiration for visiting Burano. I am also sharing tips for what to do in Burano and tips for why an overnight Burano stay is even better.

I love the little island of Burano, Italy in the Venetian Lagoon. Visiting Burano for a day or half day is a common side trip from Venice, but spending the night was even better. Once the day trippers were gone, I had the island practically to myself – well, along with all the locals of course.

In this guide I share my favorite photos along with many tips on what to do in Burano from all my trips to inspire a day visit or an extended stay on this easy excursion from Venice.

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PhotoPOSTcard: Just Me and the Sweeper

Burano is a popular day trip from Venice. Most people go for just a few hours and seem to stay on the main canal paths to get their photos, shop and eat. During the day, this main plaza is a  hub of activity. Restaurants and cafes have put out their chairs and umbrellas. Waiters are taking orders and serving food. Shopkeepers display their wares. Tourists are milling about, eating, drinking, shopping and wandering. But at 6 in the morning, no one is up yet, and it is just me and the sweeper.

Thanks for visiting.

Rose