Ippo Travel Blogs
A Journey into Aomori: Discovering Tohoku’s Natural Beauty, Heritage, and Warmth
Imagine soaring through Japan's picturesque countryside at 200 mph on the sleek E6 Series Tohoku Shinkansen. This marvel of engineering not only connects you to Tohoku region fast but also opens the door to a world of untamed natural beauty, timeless traditions, and stories waiting to be discovered!
Group Tour, DIY, or Tailored Itinerary: What's Your Travel Style?
Each travel option offers its own distinctive benefits based on your personal travel goals and preferences. Whether you're drawn to the structure of a group experience or prefer the freedom to explore at your own pace, there’s an approach to suit your style. While my expertise lies in crafting bespoke itineraries, curated specifically for your desires and interests, I am equally adept at helping you find a well-suited group tour should you wish to join like-minded travelers.
The journey is entirely yours to shape, and I'm here to guide you toward the best path for your ideal adventure.
Cambodia beyond Angkor Wat
Southeast Asia has always been a destination shrouded in mystery for me. With its deep history and rich culture, I found myself curious yet unsure of what awaited. My inspiration to visit Cambodia was, without a doubt, Angkor Wat. The photographs I’d seen were mesmerizing, showcasing a breathtaking structure steeped in ancient grandeur. But I quickly discovered that Cambodia is so much more than just its famous UNESCO site. It is a land of beauty, history, and resilient, kind-hearted people.
Unveiling New Luxury: Escape Crowds. Discover Hidden Gems
Forget the bucket list! Instead of dreaming about 'someday’ and ‘what ifs’ wishes, let's create a list of actionable adventures and getaways for the here and now! Let's make it happen.
If your list looks like mine, it changes as “new” destinations open up for visitors. While traditional popular destinations become more and more crowded, alternative hidden gem destinations are being discovered.
Are you wondering where to go next? Here are a couple of ideas that combine both a popular destination and an emerging destination.
Experience Iceland's Allure Year-Round: A Land of Fire, Ice, and Endless Wonder.
Have you noticed you feel more open and kind to others when you are on your vacation? Travel rewires our brains and inspires our creativity. We are stimulated by new sensory experiences and develop more curiosity. When you are curious, you are eager to learn something new.
We all need vacations, regardless of duration or destination. They give us a way to separate ourselves from day-to-day routines, experience things outside our comfort zone, and meet people.
With that mindset, let’s explore Iceland!
What to Eat in Japan, Region by Region
Produced by Virtuoso with the Japan National Tourism Organization February 15, 2024
Across Japan, mealtime provides so much more than just sustenance. It’s a glimpse into the country’s cultural traditions, pristine craftsmanship, and time-honored care. Dishes feature fresh, seasonal ingredients; service showcases the art of omotenashi (Japanese hospitality); and culinary surprises wait around every corner.
Why visit Italy more than once?
Why should you travel to the same country more than once?
The short answer is because there are a lot more you can see in one leisure trip, or because it became my favorite country. The question is why?
Let’s take a look at the ever-popular travel destination: ITALY!
How To Select Which Cruise is Your Style?
I was anti-cruise for a long time, primarily due to the environmental damages but also how narrow-focused shore experiences were. So, every opportunity I have, I question my cruise partners about how they are dealing with those issues.
Traditional vs. Newly-Inspired Destinations
How do you choose a travel destination? Some people are repeating visitors from the same countries. It is a great way to discover and learn about the country in-depth and get to know the local people better.
Getting A Bolivian Tourist Visa At The Border
If you are a US passport holder, you must have a tourist visa (as of June 2023) to enter Bolivia. There are a few options to obtain one: (1) Obtain from the Consulate General’s office of your region (2) Use a travel visa and passport processing service company (3) Obtain it at the border.
What’s It Like To Visit Altiplano & Desert Land In South America?
San Pedro de Atacama is located in the Andes Mountains of the northeastern region of Chile near the southern border to Bolivia. Its landscape reminded me of pictures of Mars’ surface.
TOP 10 Questions And Answers For Traveling To JAPAN
Since the border to Japan opened last fall, Japan has been a hot destination we are making arrangements for. I gathered frequently asked questions during our discovery conversations.
Travel Agent Superheroes
If there’s any silver lining to the coronavirus outbreak, it’s that more travelers will recognize that professional travel advisors are worth their weight in gold – especially during a crisis.
Why Travel To Croatia?
When my husband and I travel, we always pick up one or more holiday ornaments of the year. Here is the new addition from Croatia. It’s made of Licitar, a ginger cookie, one of the most recognizable symbols of Croatia.
Kindness Encounter
A story of turning unplanned travel into a magical experience
In the final meeting with my clients before their departure for Japan, I went over their entire trip to prepare them. I mentioned to them not to panic if they missed a train because there would be another train to take them to their destination.
Hidden Gem Setouchi Japan
Swap city life for contemporary art, relaxing hot springs, and the best udon you’ve ever had in seaside Setouchi.