On my first trip to Japan, I spent two nights in a ryokan in Hakone, and it's still one of my Japan highlights. Whether you're getting the full ryokan experience or just doing a day trip from Tokyo to Hakone, spending one day in Hakone is a wonderful part of...

Sirmione is sometimes referred to as "The Pearl of Lake Garda", and while that may sound like something a tourism board has come up with to boost visitors, once you're actually there, you'll realise they weren't exaggerating. If you're planning a trip to Lake Garda, or you're on a day...

Verona is easily one of my favourite cities in Italy. It's sometimes overlooked by its more famous neighbour of Venice, but it still pulls in about 3 million visitors every year. If you only have one day in Verona, the goal is to navigate the crowds, skip the tourist traps,...