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Gambling Culture in Japan: An Introduction to Japanese Gambling Culture
Gambling is one of the oldest leisure activities in human history, from dicing in the streets of Greece and Rome, to card games in China.
However one country where you haven’t been able to gamble in the past hundred years is Japan. At least, that’s the international perception, but it’s not entirely true.
Gambling has been a taboo subject in Japanese society, and since 1907 most forms of gambling, including casinos, have indeed been illegal. However there are many forms of legal gambling within Japan, including Pachinko, the Lottery, and certain types of sports betting.
With the realization of just how big international casino tourism is (hello Macau tourism dollars), and with COVID moving culture to online entertainment, Japan may just be starting to embrace changes to their century-old gaming laws. Here’s an introduction to Japanese gambling culture.
read moreBest Winter Activities and Entertainment for Travellers in the UK
While most people may view the U.K. as more of a summer travel destination to take advantage of the fleeting warm weather, there is plenty to do and see during the winter season.
Numerous events take place during the winter festive season and attractions such as popular museums and musical theatre in the West End become less crowded due to a thinning out of tourists that normally visit during the summer.
So whether you love winter sports, twinkling Christmas lights, or simply hiking in cooler weather, check out these great winter activities and entertainment options awaiting you in the U.K.
read moreHow Many Days to Spend on Serengeti Safari: Plan a Four Day Itinerary
The Serengeti is an ecosystem in Africa that spans 5,700 miles and is most famous for its vast plains. It’s one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and has the biggest migration in the world, making it one of the most impressive natural events you’ll ever witness.
The Seregneti has become synonymous with Africa, and chances are, if you’ve dreamed about Africa, you’ve dreamed about the Serengeti. The park is so wildlife rich that there are over 4,000 lions, 1,000 leopards, 550 cheetahs and some 500 bird species. In this one National Park (granted, it’s a huge park!).
This is one of the best places on earth to observe African wildlife in their natural habitats, of which include riverine forests, swamps, kopjes, grasslands, and woodlands. So, the main question becomes, how many days do you need for exploring the Serengeti? We recommend four.
read moreA Beginner’s Guide to Travelling in Canada
Made up of ten provinces and three territories, Canada is an enormous country for travelers to tackle. Stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific and deep into the Arctic, this vast nation is home to vibrant modern cities and large tracts of pristine wilderness.
When planning any trip to Canada, it’s important to not bite off more than you can chew. Because of the country’s sheer size, it’s better to focus on a single province or territory in order to get a thorough experience of what each region of Canada has to offer.
Alternatively, you could opt for a bit of city-hopping tour to get a sampling of the highlights, with Canada’s major cities all well-linked by flights with the country’s main airline Air Canada.
Whether you wish to gaze at the mighty Niagara Falls, hit the ski slopes in winter, or seek out wildlife along the west coast, there are a number of things to be aware of when planning your Canadian holiday.
Here is my ultimate beginner’s guide to travelling in Canada which will offer you helpful advice and planning tips for choosing your Canadian destinations and mapping out your itinerary.
read moreTravel Guide to Seeing Jakarta in a Day
Once known as Batavia back in the days of the Dutch East India Company, Jakarta has become one of the top ten fastest-growing tourism destinations.
The capital of Indonesia, Jakarta is a gateway for exploring the nation’s more prominent holiday escapes like Bali and Komodo Island, with many tourists simply using the city as a stopover point.
Experiencing all that Jakarta has to offer in a day can be quite challenging, especially since you could easily spend a full day stuck in traffic without proper planning.
So here are some of my top ideas for how you can spend just 24 hours in Jakarta the next time you’re passing through.
read moreBest Time of Year to Visit Kerala
It’s been called one of the “world’s top ten paradises” by National Geographic and cherished by millions of travelers around the world. Situated on India’s southwestern Malabar Coast, the state of Kerala has quickly transformed from being rather unknown to one of the world’s top trending travel destinations.
Kerala is a world away from the hustle and bustle of India’s major cities such as Mumbai and Delhi. The state is home to stunning natural landscapes that include mountain ranges, waterfalls, beaches, backwaters, and forested wildlife sanctuaries.
Kerala sits near the equator, meaning there’s very little change in daylight hours throughout the year. However, the state does have distinct seasons, each offering up their own special experiences. To answer the question of when the best time of year to visit is can be difficult, as it really depends on what you’re after.
Kerala is a beautiful place to visit any time of the year, whether it be the busy winter tourist season, the hot and muggy summer, or rainy monsoon season. Each season offers up unique events and festivals, while Kerala’s ecotourism highlights seem to shine year-round but in different ways depending on the season. To help you decide when the best time to visit Kerala is for you, I’ve outlined what you can expect during each season.
read moreThe Ultimate Polar Region Bucket List
There are few places left in the world that you can truly call pristine, but that’s just what our Polar Regions offer. They are surprisingly havens for wildlife, and a range of small group tours journey to remote destinations like Greenland and Spitsbergen in the north as well as Antarctica in the south.
Whether you’ve always wanted to witness a vivid aurora or be bathed in 24 hours of sunshine, the world’s Polar Regions offer adventures unlike any other. From walruses and polar bears in the north to elephant seals and penguins in the south, our Polar Regions abound with rare and endangered wildlife.
In addition to witnessing almost unimaginable landscapes and wildlife, there are many epic activities on offer including dog sledding, hiking on ice sheets, mountain biking in Greenland, and kayaking or taking a polar plunge in the icy waters off Antarctica.
So grab your parka because Quark Expeditions, the leader in polar adventures, is ready to help you choose from some of the top Polar Region bucket list adventures.
read moreQuirky Canada: Unusual Things to Do in the Great White North
Canada may be known for its pristine wilderness which is protected by national parks like Banff and Jasper, as well as the thundering Niagara Falls, but when you’re the world’s second largest country by area, you have plenty of hidden secrets to offer as well.
If you’re looking for some of the more unusual things to do and see in and around Canada’s major cities, check out these fun quirky attractions and activities.
read more10 Reasons to Visit Monaco
Long regarded as a playground for the rich and famous, the tiny yet popular Principality of Monaco is welcoming to all types of travelers. Set along the breathtaking Côte d’Azur nearly enveloped by France, the Principality of Monaco has been a symbol of luxury and glamour for well over a century.
While it may be small in size, it packs quite a punch with its iconic annual events such as the Monaco Yacht Show and Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix that attract people from all over the world.
It’s important to understand that Monaco isn’t a destination exclusive to the wealthy. There is a wide range of sights and attractions on offer whether you’re traveling as a romantic couple or a family.
With abundant sunshine and an ever-present ideal warm weather, Monaco is home to many treasures both natural and man-made and plenty of Michelin-starred restaurants to fuel your adventures. So whether you’re thinking of a day trip from France or an entire holiday in Monaco, I’ve gathered some of the top reasons why you should visit this French Riviera gem.
read moreThe Five Best Restaurants in Portland
Portland is one of the most vibrant cities in the U.S. and offers a real hipster hotspot where the likes of coffee, craft beer, and street food take center stage. A city of immigrants and residents who have relocated from other states across America, the cuisine on offer in Portland is needless to say quite varied.
Portland has quickly put itself on the map of top foodie destinations in America. You’ll find everything from local craft breweries and wineries to flavors from India, Russia, and Argentina.
However, one thing most Portland restaurants share is a focus on creating dishes using locally sourced and sustainably-farmed ingredients.
Sadly, the pandemic has already claimed a number of popular spots including Tasty n Daughters and the delicious Thai cuisine of Pok Pok. But until things get back to normal, many of the surviving local restaurants have found ways to offer take-away services or make their in-house dining areas Covid-safe.
These are some of the best restaurants in Portland that have managed to weather the storm and offer some of the finest flavors in the city.
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