Month: August 2019

There is no lack of points to see and perform in Texas. Visitors can spend a month in the Lone Celebrity State and still not experience everything. There are numerous excellent places to see around significant cities like Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin. With its lovely desert as well as hill views, lakes, coastlines, train flights, scientific research galleries, family fun parks, romantic castles, breweries, waterparks, wedding event places, mountains, amusement parks, caverns, as well as arboretums, Texas offers something for every person.

Big Bend National Park

The park is situated in the far-flung, Big Bend is one of the most remote and least visited national parks in the country. It’s also one of the most beautiful. With its cathedral-like canyons, lushly forested mountains, stunning desert expanses and unending stretches of wilderness. There’s no overstating Big Bend’s natural beauty. You can opt to float the mighty Rio Grande, hike in the gorgeously craggy Chisos Mountains, or explore the fascinating Chihuahuan Desert.

Texas State Capitol

Texas’s three-story state capitol building is the largest in the union and arguably the most impressive structure in the state. The building itself is architecturally excellent to look, of course, with its ornate, pink-granite grandeur and the legendary, 218-foot rotunda. But be sure to walk around the lovely grounds and check out the outdoor monuments, as well, to gain a rich insight into Texas history and culture.

San Antonio RiverWalk

A winding, urban waterway lined with lush plantings, shops, museums, flashy hotels and iconic restaurants and bars that attract millions of visitors every year.  In addition to popular dining and nightlife spots, the RiverWalk is the picture-perfect place to stroll around – or, better yet, hop on a river taxi for the best possible tour experience.

Gruene Hall

Gruene Hall built-in 1878 and this is the oldest running and most famous dance hall in the state. Nowhere is this more apparent than at Gruene Hall, the historic dance hall and live music venue located in picturesque Gruene, about 25 miles north of San Antonio. 

Padre Island National Seashore

The world’s most extended undeveloped barrier island, Padre Island National Seashore is a Texas treasure, and one of the state’s most important conservation areas. The island provides a safe habitat for over 350 migratory bird species, in addition to the rare Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. Plan to take a tour to the Malaquite Visitor Center upon arrival to get your bearings and plot out your beach activities for the day.

Fort Worth Stockyards

Fort Worth Stockyards is a historic cattle district steeped in longtime cowboy tradition; the Stockyards are now a hub for live entertainment, including rodeos, concerts, and shootout shows. The city used to be known as “Cowtown,” due to being one of the biggest stockyards and processing operations in the West. Today, strolling through the Stockyards is akin to stepping back in time.

Space Center Houston

Space Center Houston is the home of NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center and Mission Control, the monitoring center for the agency’s human-crewed space flights. The place is one of Texas’s top tourist draws, the Space Center in Houston provides a captivating look into the world’s largest space program. 

Franklin Barbecue

The tastiest BBQ joint in Texas, which, in a state that prides itself on producing the best-smoked meat in the country, is saying something. Anthony Bourdain deemed it “the finest brisket I’ve ever had”, and top food critic after top food critic has raved about the silky, succulent, meaty perfection of the meals here. Eating at Franklin Barbecue is a rite of passage for Texans.

The Alamo

The Alamo is the most famous Spanish mission and battle during the Texas Revolution. To observe the Alamo is to better understand the state’s eccentric pride and individualistic spirit – in short, to know the Alamo is to know Texas. Anyone interested in American history and the history of the Republic of Texas should make time to “remember the Alamo.”

Texas top foods and drinks:

• Chicken-fried steak
• Barbecue
• Chili
• Fried okra
• Tex-Mex cheese enchiladas
• Chile con queso
• Brisket tacos
• Pecan pie
• Tortilla soup
• Dr Pepper
• Frozen margarita

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Japan is somewhere we think everyone should make a tour to explore the country. From futuristic skyscrapers to tranquil bamboo forests and neon arcades to serene temples, it’s like nowhere else on the earth.

Kyoto

This is traditional Japan as you thought it. Geisha in brightly colored kimonos emerging from wooden teahouses, forests of bamboo, temples, and shrines in gold and silver and scarlet, raked gravel Zen gardens, intricate feasts served on lacquered plates, graceful tea ceremonies, and markets full of intriguing.

Tokyo

If Kyoto is the heart of the country, Tokyo is its ultramodern counterpart. It’s here you’ll find the skyscrapers, noisy arcades, busy pedestrian crossings, crazy youth fashions, and many many incredibly delicious restaurants. 

Takayama

Takayama is an utterly beautiful small town on the edge of the Japan Alps and one of the best less-visited places to go in Japan. You will be wandering the historic center full of traditional wooden houses, colorful shrines, neatly shaped trees, and bright red bridges over the river.

Hakone

Mount Fuji is one of the best places to visit in Japan, but this must-see attraction landmark can be somewhat elusive and is often hidden by clouds.

Nikko

This is a temple town and listed in the UNESCO world heritage site. The temples and shrines with their vermillion gates and moss-covered stone lanterns are scattered on the wooded hillside. The major attraction is Toshogu Shrine, an impressive complex with more than a dozen lavishly arranged red and gold buildings amongst huge, ancient cedar trees.

Koya-San

Koya-san (Mount Koya) is one of the most amazing places to take a tour of the traditional side of this country. This secluded and sacred temple town is located in the forest-covered mountains of Kansai and is one of the best places to get a taste of life as a monk by staying in a temple lodging.

Tsumago

It’s a picture-perfect traditional mountain village that is located in the Kiso Valley. This is one of the famous-preserved post towns, and you feel like you’ve stepped back in time on the traffic-less streets of nicely restored wooden inns.

Nara

It was Japan’s first permanent capital. This is full of historical treasures, including many UNESCO world heritage sites. It’s one of the best Japan destinations and makes a rewarding day trip from Kyoto to explore the temples and wild deer in Nara Park.

Hiroshima

Highlights include visiting the Itsukushima shrine at nearby Miyajima island and trying the delicious local specialty okonomiyaki, a thick pancake of batter, vegetables, and noodles.

Come here to pay your respects to the victims of the atomic bombing in the 2nd world war at Hiroshima’s moving Peace Memorial Museum and Park. You can stay to explore the modern city that was almost entirely rebuilt after the 2nd world war.
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