5 Must-Visit Ryokans for Your Next Trip to Japan

Above, inside an Atami ryokan room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tourists to Japan are missing out on experiencing something totally Japanese if they don't stay at a traditional Japanese inn, known as a ryokan. 

I have stayed at several ryokans over the years and found them more enjoyable than hotels. 

Condé Nast Traveler has posted an article on five "must-visit" ryokans.

They begin it with:

There are countless reasons to visit Japan, but warm hospitality, unmatched design, and rich culture are just a few topping the list. And where better to draw all these elements together than at one of the nation’s many ryokans? Roughly translating to “inn,” ryokans lie at the heart of Japanese culture, known for their home-cooked meals on cushioned floors and snug sleeps on tatami mats. Often built atop natural hot springs, called onsen, communal bathing is also common to these cozy establishments, while sliding paper walls, called shoji doors, are also fundamental to these intimate spaces, cleverly filtering through natural light while maintaining absolute privacy.

Ryokans are rooted in tradition, and there are plenty of historic places to choose from—but a flurry of new developments has reimagined their iconic Japanese customs for modern audiences. Mineral-rich waters in private bathrooms, low rather than floor beds, and entire ryokan rentals are just some adaptations that have entered the scene—but all share the same goal of immersing guests in the ultimate authentic experience. Whether you’re looking for a bolthole passed through generations or a refreshing take on the lodging style, we’ve rounded up some of the loveliest ryokans for your next trip to Japan. (Or, for a more familiar stay, see our guide to the best hotels in Japan.)

To read more, go here. 

Why Everyone Will Be Going To Osaka In 2025

Above, yours truly at Osaka Castle in 2015.

Besides Tokyo, Osaka, Japan is a big draw to foreign visitors. One also has to include nearby Kyoto. Usually, one doesn't visit Osaka or Kyoto without going to the other. 

The last time I visited Osaka was in 2015. Of course, we also had to visit Kyoto, but we stayed in Osaka during that portion of the trip. 

The highlights of the visit to Osaka were Osaka Castle and the Dotonbori district.

Above, Japan's food capital is Osaka's Dotonbori district. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Condé Nast Traveler has posted an article on why everyone will be traveling to Osaka in 2025.

They begin it with:

With a long history as Japan's mercantile heart and major port of call, Osaka is dense and delightfully in your face. Now, as it gears up to host World Expo 2025 this month and welcome more travelers than ever before, the neon-lit metropolis has been reinventing itself. It has launched several ambitious urban renewal projects—like the Grand Green Osaka, a 22-acre mixed-use development that is transforming a freight terminal into verdant public spaces—to draw leisure seekers beyond the usual tourist haunts. The city has also lured some of hospitality's most luxurious names: The Four Seasons arrived last August, and the Waldorf Astoria opens its first hotel in Japan this month. Star chefs from Japan and abroad are shaking up the dining scene with inventive gastronomy, though delicious casual eats from rough-and-ready street stalls and mom-and-pop shops are still Osaka's calling card. Among Japan's major cities, Osaka remains unique: unpretentious, energetic, and ready to show you a good time—as long as you know where to go.

To read more, go here. 

Can Americans Travel To Cuba?

Above, 1950s U.S. vintage cars can still be seen in Havana. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in April 2019, a friend and I took a cruise aboard the Majesty of the Seas of Royal Caribbean to Key West, Florida and Havana, Cuba.

It was a fun and interesting trip. The interesting part was our visit to Havana. Since I have never been in a communist country before, I thought a trip there would be educational. The Cuban people were friendly. One thing I found, Cuban cigars are overrated, the ones I bought were no better than the Olivas I normally buy. 

Then, two months later, President Donald Trump paused group and cruise ship travel. But, Americans can still travel to Cuba. It is "perfectly legal for US individuals to visit Cuba for one of twelve specific purposes defined by the United States Treasury Department, and to travel on one of the many daily commercial flights to Havana, which mostly depart from Miami," according to travel writer Tony Perrottet in Condé Nast Traveler. 

Condé Nast Traveler has posted an article by Perrottlet on the current ins and outs of travel to Cuba.

It begins with:

Even in 2024, the question “can Americans travel to Cuba?” is still frequently asked among US travelers. Few destinations create such simultaneous longing and confusion as this crocodile-shaped island only 95 miles south of Key West. It has held a mythic status since the early 20th century for its vibrant mix of Latin and Caribbean cultures, its hundreds of miles of pristine beaches, its African-influenced music, and its vintage charm; today, Chevrolets and Buicks from the ’50s rattle down Spanish colonial streets in Old Havana that have hardly changed since Ernest Hemingway was knocking back mojitos there.

Yet Cuba has long been a metaphorical forbidden fruit due to political rifts. A web of travel restrictions imposed in the 1960s made it difficult for Americans to make the journey, an idea that still lingers today. And while the limits on tourism were largely lifted in 2016, many still find the prospect daunting.

For some insider knowledge, I spoke to Johnny Considine, founder of the travel agency Cuba Private Travel, a Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist, and a long-term resident of Havana. We discussed the steps American travelers need to take when visiting Cuba, as well as the best times to go, what to see, and more.

To read more, go here.

Japan Travel: 15 Unwritten Rules

Above, a food court at the Tokyo Skytree. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan is one of the world's most favored places to travel, many people are traveling there for the first time.

As this is the case, they should be mindful of proper etiquette while in Japan. There are 15 unwritten rules that all visitors should be aware of.

Condé Nast Traveller has them listed.

They begin with:

In Japan, the concept of “hairyo” – a profound embodiment of thoughtfulness and consideration – serves as a foundation for public interaction, reflecting a culture deeply rooted in mutual respect. This principle encourages individuals to be aware of their surroundings and anticipate the needs and feelings of others in order to cultivate a harmonious environment. However, navigating the many unwritten rules and social cues can be challenging for foreign travellers. As our readers named Japan the best country in the world in this year's Readers' Choice Awards, resident foodie and travel connoisseur Tokyo Halfie offers a snapshot of essential guidelines for your visit to help you avoid any faux pas. 

 To read more, go here.

Plan An Unforgettable Yellowstone Camping Trip

Above, Old Faithful Geyser in eruption. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yellowstone National Park should be one of those places in the U.S. that should be high on one's "bucket list" to visit.

I have been there three times. I have not been lucky enough to get a campsite within the park, but, fortunately, there are private campgrounds just outside of the park. We stayed at a KOA Kampground twice in West Yellowstone, Montana. It was a easy and close drive to the park.

We took two van tours of Yellowstone with a tour company that picked us up in front of the KOA. We left the driving to them.

Above, at camp at the KOA in West Yellowstone. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Condé Nast Traveler has posted an article on how to plan a camping trip to Yellowstone.

They begin it with:

Looking to plan a Yellowstone camping trip? Few experiences will get you closer to the essence of this destination. 

After all, the visionaries who named Yellowstone America’s first national park in 1872 recognized the same charms that still lure millions of visitors the world over today: hydrothermal fireworks in its geyser basins, an intact ecosystem that's home to charismatic wildlife like grizzly bears and wolves, dazzling cascades twice the height of Niagara Falls, sculpted mountains, and sparkling lakes. This enormous park, which sits mostly in Wyoming’s northwestern corner with slices in Idaho and Montana, offers plenty of conventional lodging choices, but there’s no better way to experience this primeval place than by camping. Pitch a tent in the woods, along a creek, or next to a lake, and you’ll immerse yourself in a wild landscape just as people have done for thousands of years—and thanks to the park, can continue to do well into the future.  

Below, we cover everything you need to know to enjoy a night under the stars at Yellowstone, including when to go and how to snag reservations at the best sites for car camping, backpacking, and glamping. Consider this your complete Yellowstone camping guide. 

To read more, go here. 

National Park Reservations 2023

Above, Bridalveil Fall in Yosemite National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The days of "in the spur of the moment" national park visits are beginning to be a thing of the past. Several national parks are implementing reservation systems to control crowd numbers.

Condé Nast Traveler has an article with a list of the national parks that are requiring reservations in 2023.

They begin it with:

America's protected lands may be for all—but in 2023, national park reservations are very much a thing.

Since the National Park Service (NPS) started recording visitation numbers in 1904, it's welcomed a total of 15.4 billion recreational visitors to its sites, who come to explore the beauty of America's natural, historical, and cultural wonders. In recent years, those numbers have topped 330 million annual visitors (2022 annual numbers have yet to be released), and the pandemic also saw record-breaking numbers in certain parks, with sites like Yellowstone National Park and Arches National Park surpassing their own monthly records for several months in a row during the popular summer season in 2021.  

While the return of more travelers last year—including international travelers as borders reopened—was welcome, it also played tug-o-war with the goal of maintaining the beauty and integrity of the 424 sites preserved by their NPS status. “As a result, parks are exploring many different tools and techniques that are most effective for their situation to help them improve how visitors get to and experience popular park resources and features,” says NPS spokesperson Kathy Kupper.

To read more, go here. 

The Best Time To Book A Flight

When I bought my plane tickets (Delta Airlines) to fly from Albuquerque to Los Angeles for our high school reunion, it was in April when gasoline prices were fast rising to sky-high levels. Before taxes and fees, the price for the round-trip was $221.40. 

That would have been roughly the same price for one fill-up of gasoline for my motorhome. I would have needed at least three fill-ups for the trip had I drove. The choice was obvious.

Since then, airline ticket prices have risen, so it was a good thing that I booked my flights when I did.

Condé Nast Traveler has posted an article on the best times to book a flight according to travel experts.

They begin it with:

Every traveler has a theory on the best time to book a flight. We’ve heard it all: The lowest fares are on Tuesdays at 3 p.m. Eastern. (No, Saturday at 6 a.m. is the best time to buy!) You need to book at least two months before you fly. (No, you should fly at the last minute to score a deal!) But even with all these recommendations, there’s still no guarantee that you’ll find cheap flights.

“The notion that there’s a single best day and time to buy tickets to get a good deal is a myth that simply refuses to die,” says Willis Orlando, senior product operations specialist at Scott’s Cheap Flights. The reason it’s so persistent, Orlando explains, is that this concept used to be true decades ago when airline employees would update prices every week, meaning that savvy passengers could snag deals by booking right after those updates. But “the fact of the matter is this is just not how things work anymore, and it hasn’t been for a long time,” Orlando says. “Airfare these days is highly complex, and constantly changing, sometimes by the hour.”

Considering that the pandemic has caused shifts in passengers’ buying patterns (flexibility is king) and how airlines have responded (no more cancellation fees), the best time to book a flight formula becomes even trickier.

Luckily, there are still some reliable strategies passengers can use to score the best deals. One rule of thumb: Aim to buy tickets during what’s known in industry terms as the “prime booking window” or “optimal booking window.” This is the sweet spot several weeks—or even months—ahead of departure when deals are most likely to be had, prices aren’t as likely to fluctuate, and passengers have plenty of choice.

To read more, go here.

Camping In Oregon

Above, at camp at Diamond Lake RV Park near Crater Lake National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After leaving Lava Hot Springs, Idaho after the Great American Eclipse in 2017, I headed to Oregon, to pay a visit to Crater Lake National Park. I hadn't been there since the 1970s.

With the exception of wildfires in and around the park which left a layer of smoke in the Crater Lake caldera, I had an enjoyable time. I stayed at a private campground, Diamond Lake RV Park, just a few miles from the park.

Condé Nast Traveler has posted an article on the 8 best camping sites in Oregon.

They start it with:

If you could create an ideal camping destination from scratch, chances are it’d look a lot like Oregon. Forests carpet nearly half the state. The landscapes range from rugged coastline to arid high desert. And winding highways give road-trippers plenty of weird Americana and scenic viewpoints worth pulling over for. Along the way, you’ll find no shortage of places to pitch a tent or park your RV. 

You’ll get closest to nature at the many beloved Oregon State Parks and forest service sites, while private campgrounds range from rustic dry camping along alpine rivers to posh glamping in the heart of wine country. Whatever your camping style, you’ll find a cool place to rest your head here in the Pacific Northwest. Here are eight destinations we love for camping in Oregon.

 To read more, go here.

Condé Nast Traveler: 17 "Best" National Parks

Above, the Phantom Ship in Crater Lake. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There are 63 national parks within the U.S. national park system. They all vary in attractions and features. 

If one is wondering which ones are the "best" ones, that all depends. One person may find particular parks the best, while another person may totally disagree and come up with a different list.

With that in mind, Condé Nast Traveler has come up with their list of 17 best national parks in the U.S.

They start it with:

The past year-and-a-half has heightened Americans' interest in spending time outdoors—and travelers continue to flock to national parks in record numbers. In fact, the National Park Service’s monthly visitation numbers in 2021 have already exceeded those of 2019 in a number of parks including Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Great Smoky Mountains, and Acadia. Some parks are even on track to have their highest visitation numbers yet.

But with 63 national parks nationwide, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the country's diverse landscapes. Below, we round up 17 of the very best national parks in the U.S.—from remote and seldom-visited sites, such as The Gates of the Arctic, to classics like Yellowstone that simply can’t be missed.

To see what the 17 are, go here. 

Study Shows Airplane Water Is Dirtier Than You Think

Above, an airliner being prepared for a flight. Photo by Armand Vaquer

Here's a YUCKY one for you!

After reading the following, I have to thank my lucky stars that I usually have a soft drink or bottled water while flying.

Condé Nast Traveler reported:

With hundreds and hundreds of passengers boarding, sitting, sleeping, and eating on them every day, airplanes can be dirty places.

But a new study shows it's not just the tray table or seat-back pocket that could be harboring germs and bacteria. The tap water on both major and regional U.S. carriers was found to be contaminated with varying levels of E. coli and coliform, according to the newly released 2019 Airline Water Study conducted by DietDetective.com and Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center.

"The quality of drinking water varies by airline, and many airlines have possibly provided passengers with unhealthy water," the study states. The water in question comes out of the airline taps in the galley and the lavatory—it's what passengers use to wash their hands and what most flight attendants use to brew the coffee and tea handed out during beverage service.

To read more, go here (if you dare). 

Cruise Lines Announce Vaccination Requirements

Above, the Majesty of the Seas at Havana Port in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Even before the pandemic, cruise ships tend to be "floating petri dishes" with 1,500+ passengers crammed into a limited area.

I have taken two cruise trips and each time I have caught a "bug" of one kind or another.

The cruise lines are looking to resuming operations this summer and several have announced that passengers have to follow their vaccination requirements. Besides having to be fully vaccinated, some are requiring passengers to provide a negative COVID-19 test result before boarding.

Condé Nast Traveler reported:

The cruise industry is ready to resume sailing as early as this summer, and individual cruise lines are showing signs of confidence by announcing vaccination requirements for guests. In the last week alone, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and UnCruise Adventures announced vaccine mandates; they joined Crystal Cruises, Virgin Voyages, American Queen Steamboat Company, and Victory Cruise Lines in instituting them. The requirements apply to sailings that could begin as early as May, following a pause in operations that has lasted more than a year due to the coronavirus.

“We are moving to what we consider the safest possible place we can be,” said Dan Blanchard, owner and CEO of UnCruise Adventures, in a press conference on March 22. “With the availability of vaccines across the U.S., it would be negligent to my crew if I didn’t make this decision.”

To read more, go here. 

Telluride, Colorado

Above, a view of Telluride, Colorado during my 1984 visit. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We didn't make it to Telluride, Colorado during last year's trip to Durango, Silverton, Ridgway and Ouray, but I did manage to visit the town in 1984 with a couple of friends.

Condé Nast Traveler has an article on what Telluride, Colorado has to offer to visitors.

They start it with:

With its pristine snow and quirky mountain town vibe, it’s no secret that Telluride is a cold-weather paradise for downhill skiing and other winter adventures. But it’s when the temperatures start to climb that this historic mining community in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains really shines.

From beloved bluegrass and film festivals to vibrant wildflower hikes, Telluride comes alive in the spring and summer. The town is home to a robust art scene, yet its location, some 330 miles southwest of the hustle and bustle of Denver makes it the perfect place to recharge.

Here, you’ll find a mix of creatives, avid outdoorspeople, naturalists, successful retirees, celebrities (Oprah Winfrey is among those who reportedly own second homes here), and just about everyone in between. Despite its popularity, Telluride has (thankfully) also managed to hang onto its free-spirited character throughout the years and remains a favorite, down-to-Earth Colorado destination.

Here’s how to plan a weekend trip to Telluride—and what to do once you arrive.

To read more, go here.