What we love:&nbsp;Two wheels (and some sake) in Japan.Traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto, Butterfield &amp; Robinson’s eight-day “Central Japan E-Biking” journey is loaded with activities on and off the e-bikes it provides. Cyclists stop for a paper-making lesson in an artist’s studio and a sake tasting at a fifth-generation brewery, then relax in ryokan accommodations and hot springs.

These 10 Epic Trips Are Adventurous & Eco-Friendly

In January, Japan’s Noto Peninsula suffered a major earthquake, which damaged roads and buildings, and impacted communication lines to the region.This part of the country is special to B&amp;R. We have been <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/scheduled/central-japan-biking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">cycling the Noto Peninsula for over a decade</a>, making friends and building a community here. In the days that followed the tragedy, information was hard to come by and we waited, hopeful to hear word from our partners on the ground that they and their families were safe.&nbsp;Chef Toshiya Ikehata is one of those people. One of the culinary highlights of our time in Noto has been dinner at his Michelin-starred L’Atelier de Noto in Wajima. Opened in 2014, he was planning to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his famed French restaurant with an expansion.&nbsp;

Orsolya Kako, our Experience Designer for Japan, managed to locate Chef Ikehata and his activities. While plans for his restaurant are on hold, he has focused his energy on feeding his community. Just two days after the earthquake, Chef Ikehata opened a soup kitchen, and brought peers from 20 restaurants together to do the same in several locations across the peninsula. They are now preparing and serving thousands of meals a day to residents and relief volunteers in Wajima.&nbsp;Through B&amp;R’s <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/who-we-are/sustainability/the-slow-fund" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Slow Fund</a> we have been able to support his courageous efforts, and we cannot wait to return to introduce our travellers to him and his signature dishes once the region opens again to visitors.&nbsp;B&amp;R established the Slow Fund to support community projects in the destinations our travellers visit. The fund focuses on projects that serve education, arts and culture, nature and wildlife conservation and community wellbeing, and is currently supporting projects in nine projects around the world.

The Slow Fund: Japan Earthquake Update

After years of enduring some of the world's strictest border measurements, <a href="https://butterfield.com/destination/asia/japan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Japan</a> is finally open to international travellers, visa-free and as close to pre-pandemic travel as ever before.My recent research trip marked the first time I stepped foot in the country in three years, and some things in Japan will never change. Like the serene beauty of perfectly-manicured gardens and the elegance of time-honoured tea ceremonies.But one thing that took me by surprise was all of the incredible new hotels that have opened their doors to travellers for the very first time. From sophisticated Kyoto ryokans to glitzy skyscrapers with perfect views of Tokyo, Japan's latest hotels come in all shapes and styles. Below are my top picks for the best new hotels you shouldn't miss when exploring Japan in 2023.

On the top of my list is the design-forward Azumi Setoda, the first property launched by Aman founder Adrian Zecha. Clean lines, simple furniture and materials really allow you to focus on this stunning ryokan, set in a 19th c. former home of a notable merchant family on Ikuchijima island. The hotel’s location on the island is unparalleled - you could spend all day sampling from many fine eateries and admiring the art the island is famous for, along with incredible panoramas of citrus groves, blue waters and mountains.

The Best New Hotels in Japan

The property itself is a mix of minimalist chic and traditional, and the rooms are spacious and minimal - much like the Aman. Gorgeous wooden beams open up the high ceilings, and the extra large hinoki tub in my room was very welcoming after a long day of touring on e-bikes. One of my most memorable moments was sampling a course dinner at the restaurant, which was an homage to everything local in season. The proud chef even came out to describe each beautiful dish.

Zenagi offers a concept that’s never really been explored in Japan but is very popular worldwide: an all-inclusive bespoke private experience. The large Kominka space is housed in a beautiful traditional farmhouse overlooking terraced rice fields in the Kiso Valley. They have an Olympic athlete who has curated all of their experiences, from boating to hiking to paragliding. It’s a spectacular option for active travellers looking to get immersed in unspoilt nature. Bonus: it’s close to the famous Nakasendo hiking trail.

A stunning retreat away from the bustle of the city, Aman Kyoto will put you in touch with the natural beauty of <a href="https://butterfield.com/get-inspired/things-to-do-in-kyoto" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kyoto</a> from the second you step foot on the property. Follow whimsical stone pathways and tree-lined gardens to the ryokan, seemingly hidden within fairytale woodlands. Inside you’ll find ancient Japanese design mingling with warm tones and a modern aesthetic. It’s a stone’s throw away from the golden temple, Kinkakuji, and the surrounding nature comes to life in autumn when the area is blanketed in beautiful fall foliage.

Creative, maximalist, bold and bright. Ace Kyoto is far from your traditional Japanese ryokan, which is precisely why I love it so much. Retro-inspired art and bold furnishing make each room pop with splashes of bright yellow, blue and red. And its location on Karasuma Street means you have a bounty of museums, modern cafes and restaurants to choose from, filled with young and creative locals. In 2023 the hotel will open its doors for a 10-week Noma residency, bringing cutting-edge New Nordic cuisine to Japan.

A great edition located opposite the Nijo Castle, The Mitsui highlights old-school Kyoto with a twist with its traditional Japanese tea rooms sprinkled with modern touches. After exploring Kyoto on foot, my favourite way to rejuvenate is with a visit to the hotel’s thermal spa and hot spring onsen pools for a healing bath. And if you’re feeling a bit peckish, the hotel is home to an incredible French-Japanese fusion fine dining joint and a laidback Italian eatery.

I love the Park Hyatt Kyoto for its enviable location in Kyoto’s historic Higashiyama district. This is the place to stay to be fully immersed in the city’s distinctive culture, as the Kodaiji Temple, Kiyomizu-dera Temple and the Ninen-zaka are&nbsp;only steps away. Don't miss visits to the Signature Restaurant and Bar for breathtaking views of the Yasaka Pagoda and family-run Kyoyamato for traditional Japanese Kaiseki cuisine.

This sky-high sanctuary marks the second Four Seasons in Japan’s buzzing capital, nestled in Otemachi, one of Tokyo's most intriguing neighbourhoods. A curious blend of ultramodern skyscrapers, tucked-away local eateries, legacy architecture and lush natural beauty are all at your doorstep, creating the perfect setting to bike, hike and feast like a local. The property soars high above the sky, offering incredible views of the Imperial Palace and the city skyline. Don't miss a visit to est, the hotel's newly-crowned Michelin-starred restaurant, serving French cuisine shaped by Japanese terroir.

This marks the first EDITION property in Japan, the latest venture by American hotelier Ian Schrager, co-founder of the legendary nightclub Studio 54 and pioneer of the concept of the "boutique hotel." The property is set high in the sky in the ultra-modern Kamiyacho district, peppered with glitzy skyscrapers and just minutes from Tokyo's best art and cultural landmarks, fashion and nightlife. I love the EDITION for its lush greenery; there are over 500 plants in the lobby alone, ivy-covered walls and playful palm trees that perfectly frame the panoramas of Tokyo's scene-stealing skyline.

Don't just dream about it, see and stay for yourself! Get in touch with Orsolya Kako to see how she can start planning the trip of a lifetime to Japan.

The Best New Hotels in Japan 

Experts + Insiders

Bikes

Biking

E-bikes

E-Biking

Around The World

Ask An Expert: Your E-Bike Questions, Answered

Features &amp; Stories

Notes From the Road

Boats

Cities

Culture

Family Travel

History

Travel Inspiration

Baltics

Estonia

Latvia

Lithuania

Discovering the Baltics, Europe's Best-Kept Secret

Insider's Guides

The Slow Road

Marrackech

Morocco

research

Notes from the Road: Scoping Out New Terrain in Morocco

Forbes

Inside B&amp;R

Media Mentions

Travel 2022—10 Best Trips For Next Year And Your Post-COVID Vacations

Our Friends

Slow Travel

community stories

Italy

Puglia

Like all of us, Alex is ready to turn the soil and cultivate the next harvest—one that has had time to nurture, develop and progress into the new future. It&#8217;s thanks to people like Alex that Puglia will continue to thrive as a sustainable travel destination where the synergy of the land is not only maintained but showcased; where getting down to the roots does not merely mean observing, but playing an essential role. 
We look forward to getting back on the road with Alex, returning to sample his newest creations at Terra Madre (including the new rainbow-coloured hamburgers!) joining him in the fields, rolling up our sleeves and staying tuned to his next innovative adventure, of which we’re sure to take part.
Interested in scoring an invite into Terra Madre&#8217;s garden to pluck fresh-grown veggies for your farm-to-table meal in Puglia?<a href="https://www.butterfield.com/start-planning" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Get in touch</a> with a member of our team to start planning.

Alex quickly found his place back home as a tour guide, sharing Puglia with wide-eyed visitors who were yet to pronounce the region’s name correctly. He wasn’t your typical guide; instead of a rehearsed tour of the whimsical trulli-filled town, he preferred sharing the rural life that he had longed for while overseas. He wanted people to slow down, get their hands dirty and learn about his Old Country.
It was obvious in 2003, when we first met Alex, that he was a natural fit for B&amp;R. He’s since worn many hats from teaching farming tricks to our younger travellers to leading the older ones through wine tastings, from scouting biking routes through his old stomping grounds to visiting local producers, where his background in agronomy shines. 
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-48276 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Planting-1.jpg" alt="" width="825" height="437" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Planting-1.jpg 825w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Planting-1-480x254.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Planting-1-768x407.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 825px) 100vw, 825px" />
While enjoying success in Puglia’s growing travel industry, he later opened his own tour company and trulli rental business in Alberobello. But Alex knew something was missing. The more time he spent in the countryside it became clear it was time to get back to his roots, literally. So, like the start of many remarkable business adventures, he took a leap of faith.
“If you do things and you’re a little bit lucky—and I believe very much in my luck—then things will come to you. It costs nothing to believe.” 
And with this philosophy, Alex opened his trattoria, Terra Madre, to share Italy’s favourite pastime of mangiare bene (eating well) with others. A small garden behind the restaurant served as a kilometre-zero source for the daily veggies. Crunchy, fresh, raw vegetables presented in the simplest form portrayed the land’s richness and experimental dishes led to a vibrantly colourful menu. Beetroot carpaccio, creamy zucchini with mint and oozing burrata highlighted Puglia&#8217;s best. And, as the restaurant grew, so did the ideas and the need for more raw materials.

Just one year after opening, Alex began the project of Terra Madre Orti; the cultivation of roughly four acres surrounding one of his countryside trulli. Here he began mixing both organic and sustainable farming practices by using crop rotation, intercropping and diversifying, exactly as his nonni once did.  
“<a href="https://www.butterfield.com/where-we-go/italy/puglia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Puglia</a> is a colourful, tasty, fragrant region where excellent raw materials can be found. My aim is to focus on the authenticity and purity of agricultural foods, even if it means an &#8216;anti-entrepreneurial&#8217; use of economic resources.” 
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-48259 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/tomatoes.jpg" alt="" width="380" height="253" />
While he may have been going against the grain, the seed planted would reap its fruits in one of this generation’s most trying times. When Covid hit Italy in March 2020, his restaurant doors closed, the tour operating business went on hold and the trulli emptied out. He had workers without work and vegetables without a recipe, so he turned to the fields for a solution. It was time to call on “his luck” again.
Alex and his team hit the fields harvesting vegetables and tending the crops. Puglia was in the midst of a full lockdown with halted daily market rituals and supermarkets understocked in local produce. As shelves went empty, his gardens bloomed in abundance where nothing went to waste; from unsold vegetables elaborated into preserves to using his own chickens&#8217; manure to fertilize the land. 
Where many saw despair Alex saw an opportunity. He turned his business focus to home delivery service with daily vegetable crates, preserves and take away food options from Terra Madre.

Finding Prosperity in Food & Community in Rural Italy

B&amp;R Fund

Asia-Pacific

Japan

The Slow Fund: Rice Production with Ozuchi Village

A Message About Travel from George Butterfield

Eat &amp; Drink

A Taste of Peru at Home: Mushroom Ceviche

The Best Books for Armchair Travel, According to Our Experts

Essentials &amp; Advice

Argentina

Cambodia

Chile

Exped

new zealand

Sri Lanka

Uruguay

Vietnam

Where to Travel this Fall and Winter to Escape the Cold

<h3><a href="https://www.facebook.com/nazcamongolia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nazca</a></h3>
This Peruvian restaurant offers daily set menus of seafood and meat dishes in a contemporary atmosphere. They also know how to make a fantastic cocktail! It&#8217;s conveniently located near Sukhbaatar Square and the Shangri-La center.
Find the address <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/855utLmiiATkQNVH7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
<figure id="attachment_46645" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-46645" style="width: 380px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-46645 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Nazca-1.jpg" alt="Where to Eat Ulaanbaatar" width="380" height="277" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-46645" class="wp-caption-text">Dish at Nazca</figcaption></figure>
<h3><a href="http://veranda.mn/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Silk Road and Veranda </a></h3>
These two stylish restaurants share the same location. Each offers a delicious array of Mediterranean and other cuisines. After dinner, you can head to the Fat Cat Jazz Club, which is also located in the same building.
Find the addresses <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/4xuGQ6gUTpWeCrxr9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
<h3><a href="https://www.facebook.com/milliesespresso/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Millie’s Espresso</a></h3>
Millie&#8217;s Espresso was founded by two Cubans who came to Ulaanbaatar during the Soviet era, learned to manage in the cold winter, and decided to never leave. If you’re in the mood for a casual, delicious breakfast or lunch, this comfortable diner is for you. You’ll find it just beside the Choijin Temple Museum.
Find the address <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/k7HmDypPuLEnpuW3A" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.

<h3><a href="https://www.facebook.com/FromagerieMACU" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fromagerie MACU (Mongolian Artisanal Cheesemakers’ Union)</a></h3>
<figure id="attachment_46642" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-46642" style="width: 380px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-46642 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/FromagerieMACU-1.jpg" alt="Where to Eat Ulaanbaatar" width="380" height="262" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-46642" class="wp-caption-text">Fromagerie MACU</figcaption></figure>
Fromagerie MACU grew out of what was initially a dilemma. During the summer, Mongolian cows, yaks, goats, sheep, and camels naturally produce billions of litres of milk, which is more than the herders can sell. This gave way to the question: what can we do with this milk?
MACU’s answer: build cheese plants across <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/2019/10/24/chris-litt-on-mongolia-and-the-desire-to-disconnect/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mongolia</a> in partnership with local herders and produce world-class cheese. In doing so, they foster sustainable agricultural practices that preserve the grasslands and conserve the genetics of ancient breeds. At the same time, the herders receive additional income and a hub for other community initiatives.
Find the address <a href="https://g.page/fromagerie-macu?share" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
<h3><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Ikh-Mongol-Restaurant-108530596222219/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ikh Mongol</a></h3>
A real local&#8217;s haunt with an outdoor beer garden and the odd live music set, find Ikh Mongol a short walk south of the State Department Store, and next to the Mongolian National Circus building.
Head here for a casual evening, paired with a menu of Mongolian specialties, hearty pub food, and beer from the Hops and Rocks craft brewery next door. TV screens broadcasting local sports matches are sure to keep you entertained during your meal. (Mongolian wrestling, anyone?)
<figure id="attachment_46648" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-46648" style="width: 380px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-46648 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Ikh-Mongol-1.jpg" alt="Where to Eat Ulaanbaatar" width="380" height="285" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-46648" class="wp-caption-text">Ikh Mongol</figcaption></figure>
Find the address <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/3NTVfQ21nSi6wYjQ9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
<h3><a href="https://www.facebook.com/modernnomads.mn/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Modern Nomads</a></h3>
This small local chain is well-loved by Mongolians and expats alike. They make a long list of traditional dishes served in a laid-back environment. There is a location just off of Sukhbaatar Square in the heart of Ulaanbaatar.
Find the address <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/9GFuCg3cxuy2YGTz8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.

<h3><a href="https://www.facebook.com/LunaBlancaRestaurant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Luna Blanca Vegetarian Restaurant</a></h3>
For a culinary culture that historically consisted of mostly meat and dairy, Mongolia has come a long way. Nowhere is this more evident than at Luna Blanca, the best vegetarian and vegan option in the city. This spot is perfect for before or after a visit to the Zanabazar Fine Arts Museum, which is located just across the street.
Find the address <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/o8BZdFxz7HWMBZhx8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
<figure id="attachment_46646" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-46646" style="width: 380px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-46646" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Ikigai-1.jpg" alt="" width="380" height="253" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-46646" class="wp-caption-text">Ikigai</figcaption></figure>
<h3><a href="http://ikigai.mn/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ikigai</a></h3>
For a change of cuisine and scenery, venture to the fifth floor of the Shangri-La Residences (right beside the Shangri-La hotel) and enjoy Japanese specialties with cocktails while looking south over Ulaanbaatar, towards Boghd Khaan Mountain.
Find the address <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/DKSwnE7edCRCkDk69" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.

Where to eat in Ulaanbaatar (2020)

North America

Canada

<h2>Pacific Northwest Magic: Tofino 
</h2>
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41153 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/sunset-surfer-300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="420" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/sunset-surfer-300.jpg 300w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/sunset-surfer-300-214x300.jpg 214w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />A truly enchanted place that captures the real essence of the Pacific Northwest, Tofino is located on the southwest coast of Vancouver Island, surrounded on three sides by old-growth rainforest.
It’s a sleepy town of just 2,000 year-round residents that swells to thrice its size in the popular summer months, with visitors lured by its considerable charms. The ideal place to let go and unwind, it is known for its characteristic beaches: Chesterman Beach, Long Beach, and Cox Bay, which stretch out for kilometres. Tidepool exploration, cold-water surfing, ocean kayaking, or literal &#8216;long walks on the beach&#8217;? It&#8217;s all here. 
Getting Here: Worth the Effort
Set apart from the mainland of B.C., the typical way to arrive here is by ferry from Vancouver, with a drive from either Nanaimo or Victoria, then about a four-hour drive through Port Alberni to Tofino.  Or simply fly. There are now commercial flights direct from Vancouver to Tofino on Pacific Coastal Air. However, one of the most fun ways to arrive is by float plane—from Vancouver or even Whistler directly. 
Whatever the Weather…
As much as we all love sunny days on the beaches, which is hard to beat, I have also been in Tofino in the pouring rain and it just sets the scene: it’s moody, cloudy, overcast and atmospheric. The winter months mean it’s storm-watching season: survey wild waves and wind lashing the coast from the comfort of your room (or even from safe viewing platforms outside).  
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41152 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/storms-pine-732.jpg" alt="" width="732" height="577" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/storms-pine-732.jpg 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/storms-pine-732-381x300.jpg 381w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
West Coast Trails
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41151 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/wild-pacific-trail-400.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="267" />B.C. will turn you into a hiker! It’s one of our favourite pastimes. Head to the Wild Pacific Trail, part of the<a href="https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/pacificrim"> Pacific Rim National Park</a>, there are many entry points and varied trails which you can make as long or as short as you want.
You could find yourself deep in the forest or walking along tidepools and massive rock formations and even black sand beaches. One of my favourites? The Nuu-Chah-Nulth Trail (within the park), named for the First Nations group whose traditional lands these are, is a gorgeous hike that leaves you in Florencia Bay, a long beach you could walk on forever.
Unspoiled Forests
 <img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41158 alignleft" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Meares-Island-Kayak-300.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="398" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Meares-Island-Kayak-300.jpg 350w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Meares-Island-Kayak-300-264x300.jpg 264w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" />The trees are sacred here, and these old-growth forests are a wonder to walk through. Kayak to Meares Island, which was saved from logging doom by the tenacity and foresight of the First Nations peoples, along with protests from thousands. Walk on the iconic Big Tree Trail to marvel at ancient cedar trees, as wide as ten people across.
Everything comes alive in the rainforest. Unlike sparser forests in other climates, you can’t ramble through any old path, as every inch of space is dense with vegetation! The moss rehydrates, the plants are lush, mushrooms sprout up, and you can easily understand how these forests are the lifeblood of our planet, creating oxygen and new life.
<h2>Where to Eat in Tofino</h2>
One of the first food trucks on the west coast,<a href="https://www.tacofino.com/location/tofino-original-truck"> Tacofino</a> has expanded exponentially since, but the original truck is here, still serving up the freshest Baja-style fish tacos. I don’t know how they make them taste so good, but they are worth the wait!
Another one of my favourite trucks is in Ucluelet, another coastal town, called<a href="http://ravenlady.ca/"> Ravenlady</a>—another local favourite. Here, the specialty is fresh Pacific oysters, raw or prepared in multiple ways. The oyster po’boy sandwich filled with deep-fried oysters is one of the best things I’ve ever tasted.
<a href="http://www.wolfinthefog.com/">Wolf in the Fog</a>
This eclectic menu features fresh catches and wild-foraged goodies from inland: salmonberries, wild chanterelles, or Pacific octopus. Global flavours coexist with hearty, comforting classics, and there’s a well-rounded wine list from B.C. and the rest of the world.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41150 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ucluelet-960.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="638" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ucluelet-960.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ucluelet-960-451x300.jpg 451w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ucluelet-960-768x510.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ucluelet-960-903x600.jpg 903w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
<h2>Where to Stay in Tofino</h2>
<h3><a href="https://www.wickinn.com/">The Wickanninish Inn</a></h3>
Situated on the westernmost point of Chesterman Beach, the Relais &amp; Chateaux Wickaninnish Inn offers stunning panoramic ocean or beach views from every room. Its 75 deluxe suites feature grand fireplaces and private balconies providing a place for guests to breathe in the fresh salt air and listen to the waves crash up on shore. The hotel also offers the world-renowned Pointe Restaurant and the full-service Ancient Cedars Spa, where you can get a massage overlooking the waves.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41156 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Wickanninish-Inn-Tofino-720x460.jpg" alt="" width="720" height="460" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Wickanninish-Inn-Tofino-720x460.jpg 720w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Wickanninish-Inn-Tofino-720x460-470x300.jpg 470w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" />
<h2>Expert Advice for Enjoying B.C.</h2>
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41173 alignleft" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Cedar-Tree-of-Life-400.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="514" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Cedar-Tree-of-Life-400.jpg 400w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Cedar-Tree-of-Life-400-233x300.jpg 233w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" />Be Prepared for All Seasons
Here on the west coast, you need to be prepared for any weather condition, so technical rain gear is a must, no matter the season. You’ll probably also want to have a nice warm fleece and any other warm gear on you, even if it’s summer—this is the Pacific Northwest, after all.
Don’t Overschedule Yourself
The best advice I can give? Give yourself permission to do nothing. Perhaps you might be at the beach watching waves, on top of a mountain surveying the clouds or pausing on the trail to observe an animal or even a tree that draws your attention. Reconnect to nature and its rhythms and go slow&#8230;the best discoveries happen this way!
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41159 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Beach-Chairs-732.jpg" alt="" width="732" height="480" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Beach-Chairs-732.jpg 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Beach-Chairs-732-458x300.jpg 458w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />

British Columbia: Best of Both Worlds

Europe

Switzerland

<h2>Sophisticated Food &amp; Wine 
</h2>
You won’t be disappointed with the culinary offerings beyond the amazing cheese and world-renowned chocolate. The food and wine is shockingly underrated, and upon arrival, you’ll discover just how sophisticated and unique Swiss gastronomical culture is. (I had no idea that Chasselas wine was so good! The Swiss sometimes keep the best things for themselves—this wine can only be enjoyed in the country of its origin).
<h2>Swiss Hospitality at its Finest 
</h2>
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41090 alignleft" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Hotel-Bellevue-Gstaad-MV-450.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="300" />On one cloudy afternoon, we descended from the mountains to end up in stylish, tiny Gstaad, where we got caught in a strong (yet refreshing!) rain shower. As we arrived, soaked, at our hotel, we were greeted (with dry, fluffy towels in hand) by the staff—a welcome that we all deeply appreciated. As you can see, the culture of hospitality runs deep here.
The Swiss people are all so warm, kind and authentic and keen to show you the best of their country. The hotels here are also worth coming for, all of them classic, grand hotels with historic charm and modern amenities (like the incredible spa at the Bellevue Palace Hotel). Classic Swiss style, giving you a sense of place and comfort. (An important tip: just don’t be late! When in Switzerland, make like these masters of efficiency—and be sure to arrive early, or on time).
<h2>Keeping Tradition Alive: Swiss Sounds &amp; Sabering Champagne 
</h2>
One evening, we visited a cheese grotto, where I tasted some of the most expensive cheeses I’ve ever had in my life. It’s here where I experienced my favourite memory of the trip: two alpenhorn players in traditional Swiss attire surprised us as we emerged from the cave. While these long wooden horns are no longer used for signaling to nearby villages, in our case, our alphorn players signaled the imminent sunset, marking the end of our day’s activities. We added our own B&amp;R tradition, taking the opportunity to saber some bubbly. Combined with the local cheese and traditional Swiss sounds in the shadow of the mountains? Perfection.
<h2>E-Bikes: Don’t Hesitate!</h2>
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41088 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ebike-swiss-450.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="300" />Now that I’ve returned from riding, I am a changed man. The Scott pedal assist e-bikes allowed our group to truly ‘slow down and see the world’, Swiss-style—but also get a great workout on those high mountain passes.
With the different levels of assist on the bikes, we had people cruising on ‘turbo’ (the highest setting) all week, while others would choose the lowest level of assist to give just a little boost on the climbs—you choose how much or how little effort you’d like to make. And the truth is, Switzerland’s remarkable and inspiring landscapes would be out of reach for most of us mere mortals, if not for the e-bikes! This trip is possible for every level of cyclist, and it’s the best way to experience the region. Everything is richer for having arrived by bike.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41095 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ernesto-960-hero.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ernesto-960-hero.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ernesto-960-hero-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ernesto-960-hero-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ernesto-960-hero-900x600.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />

Notes From The Road: Swiss E-Biking

<h2>For the adults… 
</h2>
<h3><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41000 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Black-Marlin-400.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="328" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Black-Marlin-400.jpg 400w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Black-Marlin-400-366x300.jpg 366w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" />Big Game Fishing</h3>
You, too, can nab ‘the big one, Follow in the footsteps of Hemingway and John Wayne in search of a trophy fish, and the stories to accompany your big catch. Massive fishing tournaments take place here, as Cabo is still the best place for anglers in seek of black marlin, blue marlin, and sailfish. 
<h3>Keeping it Simple</h3>
Sometimes all you need is a gorgeous sunset, a beachside spot to linger in, a cold cerveza and a seafood taco or tostada, piled high with fish, shrimp, or scallop, in hand. What could get better than that? 
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-41007 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Palmilla-Surf-Shack-VW-960px.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="597" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Palmilla-Surf-Shack-VW-960px.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Palmilla-Surf-Shack-VW-960px-250x156.jpg 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Palmilla-Surf-Shack-VW-960px-480x300.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Palmilla-Surf-Shack-VW-960px-768x478.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
<h2>Where to Stay</h2>
<h3><a href="https://www.oneandonlyresorts.com/one-and-only-palmilla-los-cabos">One&amp;Only Palmilla, </a>Cabo San Lucas</h3>
Turquoise waters lap golden desert sands on the beaches of One&amp;Only Palmilla, a 5-star resort resting at the edge of the Baja Peninsula. Set amid lush, tropical gardens, it’s the ideal setting to soak up the area’s natural beauty and privileged climate. No detail is spared, with luxurious touches at every turn like a palm tree-lined infinity pool, beach cabanas, and a dreamy seaside terrace with crackling outdoor firepits.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-40998 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/One-and-ONly-960-pool.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/One-and-ONly-960-pool.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/One-and-ONly-960-pool-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/One-and-ONly-960-pool-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/One-and-ONly-960-pool-900x600.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
<h3><a href="https://www.posadadelasflores.com/">Posada de las Flores</a>, La Paz</h3>
Posada de las Flores in La Paz offers a unique atmosphere that blends modern-day luxury with the character of an old Mexican mansion. Every detail in Posada de las Flores La Paz has been carefully selected to reflect elements of Mexican Colonial decor, such as the Talavera ceramics and dark wooden furnishings. Its prime location on the seafront promenade sees many bars, restaurants and shops nearby.
<h3><a href="http://guaycura.com/en/"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-40999 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Guyacura-beach-400.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="225" />Guayacura Hotel &amp; Spa, </a>Todos Santos</h3>
Mere steps away from the creative hub of Todos Santos, the Guayacura embodies the essence of Baja in a uniquely-designed boutique property. A combination of ancient and modern elements paired with exquisite decor and artistic flair, this colourful hotel features a rooftop lounge with stunning views over the town, an oceanside restaurant, a beach club and spa, in addition to an elegant bar.

Top 5 Things To Do in Baja

Magazine Column

Denmark

Rioja

<h2>The art of bathing: the Japanese onsen</h2>
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-40631 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Japan-Onsen-400.jpg" alt="Japanese onsen" width="400" height="400" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Japan-Onsen-400.jpg 400w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Japan-Onsen-400-300x300.jpg 300w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Japan-Onsen-400-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" />The hot springs are emblematic of Japan—there are more than 3,000 in the country—and chances are they will be an integral part of your ryokan stay. Bathing in an onsen, a natural hot spring that is usually the centre of a ryokan or resort, is a tradition that is to date back as early as the year 712, with the first recorded onsen on the island of Shikoku. With the rise of Buddhism in Japan, the onsen became widespread, inspired by monks who would ritually bathe in an act of purification. Later on in the 17th c., its health benefits—like lowered blood pressure and skin softening properties—came to the spotlight, and today the onsen is a staple act of self-care and an ideal experience for visitors.
A rotemburo is a specific term for an outdoor, open-air bath/onsen, usually surrounded by nature.
In some ryokans, there may be a private hot spring right in your room if you’re lucky. Usually, though, the onsen is a group experience, featuring a common bathing area that is separated by gender, one for males and one for females. It is important to note that bathing suits are prohibited in a Japanese hot spring, so if you’re ready to brave your birthday suit along with other guests of the hotel, here’s what you need to know.
<h3>Onsen Etiquette</h3>
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-40653 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/onsen-350px.jpg" alt="onsen in japan" width="350" height="263" />Before even hitting the hot springs, you’ll need to hit the shower. There is often a large communal bathing area with stools seated at individual showerheads and a caddy of bathing products. Wash thoroughly and extensively using the wash towel you’re provided upon entry.
Once you’re all clean, you can use the same wash towel for modesty when you’re entering into the onsen, and remember to ease in, not only to keep the calm vibes but also because they will likely be hotter than you’d guess—sometimes as high as 42°C (108°F). Don’t spend too long in the onsen
If you have any tattoos or body piercings, it is possible that you won’t be allowed to enter. Be sure to remove any piercings (ears are okay) and conceal any ink. (Tattoos in Japan are widely associated with the Yakuza, the Japanese mafia, and are generally frowned upon.)
<h2><img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-40633 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/kyoto-shrine-guy-350.jpg" alt="buddha statues in Japan" width="350" height="234" />Japanese Culture: Collective, Not Individual</h2>
In addition to the idea of omotenashi, it’s important for visitors to understand that Japan is an insular culture that promotes the idea of togetherness, harmony, and a collective society. Think about its general isolation and distance from the outside world (not to mention explicitly isolationist policies, especially during the Sakoku period of 1633-1853). The Japanese generally do not like to do things alone or stick out and be ‘different’ than others—drastically different than our Western ideal of individualism, and of achieving greatness or glory for ourselves, and being recognized individually.
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-40654 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/selfie-stick-350px.jpg" alt="travellers in Japan smiling" width="350" height="263" />Going along with this collective concept of society, another key cultural value to note about the Japanese is that of respect and politeness. It’s the backbone of the culture: think about the greeted welcomes at restaurants, and of being bowed to by others: formality and respect are important values to the Japanese, and as such, it is important for visitors to extend that respect back, or at the very least, acknowledge it in the same spirit. It will take you a long way &#8211; just as it is to learn a simple hello (Konnichiwa) or say thank you (arigato)!
It can seem that there are many things to keep in mind when you’re considering a trip to Japan, but if you arrive with an open heart and with a sense of going with the flow, you’ll find the rewards beyond compare.

5 Things To Know Before You Go To Japan

Portfolio

New Zealand

<h3><a href="https://www.ratadining.co.nz/">Rata</a></h3>
Rata’s name comes from the flowering, fiery-coloured rata tree &#8211; a species native to New Zealand &#8211; and serves as an homage to the country. Headed by Michelin-starred chef, Josh Emett, and veteran restaurateur, Fleur Caulton, Rata aims to embody the landscape (and flavours) of the South Island and combine them with a breezy Kiwi attitude in a relaxed eatery. This sense of calm extends to its discreet location away from the core and a decor of unfinished wood, polished stone and a trompe-l’oeil wall of a plush, green forest. As for the food, seafood and meat take on unconventional twists like Paua (a mollusc native to New Zealand) tortellini, glazed beef cheek from Wakanui and smoked eel from the freshwater streams and lakes of North Canterbury served with black truffle.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-40931 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Rata.jpg" alt="" width="732" height="391" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Rata.jpg 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Rata-480x256.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
<h3><a href="https://sherwoodqueenstown.nz/"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-40933 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/The-Sherwood450.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="449" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/The-Sherwood450.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/The-Sherwood450-301x300.jpg 301w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/The-Sherwood450-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px" />The Sherwood</a></h3>
You’ll need to venture out of the city to make a visit to the trendy Sherwood and its sprawling three acres of land that watch over of Lake Wakatipu. Both a motel and restaurant, The Sherwood encapsulates Queenstown’s community spirit. Using ingredients from their own kitchen gardens and the surrounding farms as well as a few foraged bits, their culinary team whips up feel-good food reflective of the season, while tattoo-clad bartenders concoct artisan cocktails and pour pints from ever-rotating taps of craft beer. Be sure to check out their schedule of hosted DJ sets and live music nights which happen a few times a month.
<h3><a href="http://www.vknow.co.nz/">Vknow Italian</a></h3>
This is my favourite spot for Italian food in Queenstown. You’ll have to take about a 5-minute cab ride out of town to get here, but trust me that it’s well worth the journey (another plus is you know it will be full of Q-Town natives rather than tourists). The intent here is to feel like you’re at home, and you do thanks to the excellent service, chilled-out atmosphere and home-style dishes.
A visit here is also a perfect opportunity to sip wine from the Otago region; co-owner Danny Carson has over 10 years of experience in the wine industry and runs some regular wine tasting events at the restaurant. If you’re interested in learning more about New Zealand vino, call ahead and ask when the next tasting evening is.

8 Best Places To Eat in Queenstown

France

Île-de-France

<h3><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-39871 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/rouenFlag300px.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="302" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/rouenFlag300px.jpg 300w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/rouenFlag300px-298x300.jpg 298w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/rouenFlag300px-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Rouen: A Medieval Stronghold </h3>
The capital of Normandy, Rouen has held serious clout as far back as the Middle Ages. One of the largest and wealthiest towns in medieval Europe, it was the seat of the Exchequer of Normandy and a capital of the Anglo-Norman dynasty, which ruled England and various parts of France from the 11th to the 15th centuries. With such concentrated wealth and infrastructure, its town is filled with curiosities, museums, and important historical sites: the Tour de Beurre (Butter Tower) built from a sale of indulgences to consume butter during Lent; an astronomical clock from the 14thC; Rouen Castle, where Joan of Arc was briefly held, and the site of her pyre, at the Place du Vieux Marche. Along with that, the city is rich in museums and culture, from fine arts, ceramics, to maritime history, and has a noted botanical garden that was once owned by Scottish economist John Law.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-39868 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/rouen-732px.jpg" alt="" width="732" height="487" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/rouen-732px.jpg 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/rouen-732px-451x300.jpg 451w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
<h3><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-39869 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Jumieges1.png" alt="" width="300" height="304" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Jumieges1.png 300w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Jumieges1-296x300.png 296w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Abbey of Jumièges: Wealth and Power</h3>
The ruins of a once-powerful monastery founded in the year 654, the Abbey of Jumièges enjoyed a remarkable privilege and standing. At the height of its powers, nearly one thousand monks lived here, enjoying the patronage of the wealthy Dukes of Burgundy. Rising to become one of the most influential monasteries in the country, Jumièges was a renowned centre of religion, education, and influence, not to mention tremendous alms and charity for the poor. Razed by the Vikings in the 9thC, but rebuilt and consecrated in 1067 (in front of an audience that included William the Conqueror), it ceased to be a working abbey during the French Revolution, but one thing that continues to live amongst the ruins is a 500-year-old yew tree in the middle of the former cloister, a silent witness to history.
<h3>Honfleur: Maritime Trade &amp; Exploration 
</h3>
The <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/2015/06/11/things-to-do-in-honfleur/">beautiful Norman town of Honfleur</a> is known for its picturesque inner harbour. Situated on an estuary on the left bank of the Seine, Honfleur was the ideal port for shipping goods from Rouen over to England. This strategic location also meant that during the Hundred Years’ War between England and France (and throughout), Honfleur switched hands often between the two powers. Trade thrived in the 1600s with Canada, the West Indies, the coasts of Africa and the Azores in Portugal, along with its dubious status as one of the five main ports for France’s slave trade. A number of explorers departed from the port, including Gonneville’s 1503 expedition to Brazil, Jean Denis to Newfoundland and the St. Lawrence River in 1506, and Samuel de Champlain in 1608, who went on to found Quebec City.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-39855 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/honfleur-732px.jpg" alt="" width="732" height="487" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/honfleur-732px.jpg 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/honfleur-732px-451x300.jpg 451w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />

Secrets of the Seine

Australia and New Zealand

<h4>Tip #4: Enjoy Every Day </h4>
As someone once said: life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.  Just a few days before I was guiding a B&amp;R trip in New Zealand, I was caught in the 2011 <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/2017/01/18/things-to-do-in-christchurch/">Christchurch</a> earthquake with my co-guide, <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/author/erin-reed/">Erin Reed</a>. Literally, chunks of buildings were falling all around us (including the building we had just stepped out of), we saw the top of the Christchurch Cathedral crash into Cathedral Square and people were running in the streets, with aftershocks continuing constantly—and that day, we were picking up a group of B&amp;R travellers. Needless to say, everyone was safe and sound and accounted for, and after some serious deliberation, we decided to run the trip. It was a hugely emotional experience for us all, which reminded each of us to be grateful for what we do have. We’ve got it all in New Zealand: glaciers, mountains, forests, the ocean, the beach, a thriving Maori culture, and the best people on earth. What more could you ask for?
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-39575 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/nz-maori-960px.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="554" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/nz-maori-960px.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/nz-maori-960px-480x277.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/nz-maori-960px-768x443.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
<h4>Tip #5: Don’t Forget to Indulge</h4>
While your eyes are feasting on the mind-blowing scenery, don’t forget that we also have some of the best food (<a href="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/2015/04/15/the-10-best-new-zealand-wines/">and wine</a>!) in the world. From fresh seafood or something as simple as a steak or biting into a farm-fresh and flavourful apple, New Zealand’s food is something you’ll look forward to on the daily. (I also feel it is my national duty to mention our sweets: from Whittaker’s Chocolate to Jaffas to Pascal’s Minties and pineapple lumps, your active days will almost certainly cancel out these quintessential Kiwi must-try treats)!
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-39580 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/NZ-wineland-732px.jpg" alt="" width="732" height="487" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/NZ-wineland-732px.jpg 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/NZ-wineland-732px-451x300.jpg 451w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
<h4>Tip #6: Embrace the Adventure</h4>
From meeting longtime sheep ranchers in the Canterbury region, to a thrilling jet boat ride with white-peaked mountains as your backdrop. To venturing into an icy blue glacier or simply relaxing at an off-the-grid luxury lodge and right down to stargazing in one of the dark sky capitals of the world, every day is an adventure waiting to unfold in New Zealand. I invite you to my wild and wonderful homeland to experience it all!
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-39632 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/AK08-Abel-TasmannNP-Nelson-Gareth-Eyres960px.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="429" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/AK08-Abel-TasmannNP-Nelson-Gareth-Eyres960px.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/AK08-Abel-TasmannNP-Nelson-Gareth-Eyres960px-480x215.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/AK08-Abel-TasmannNP-Nelson-Gareth-Eyres960px-768x343.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />

A Kiwi's Guide to Enjoying New Zealand

Lakes District

<h2>Lugano, Switzerland</h2>
When you&#8217;re this close to the Italian border, hopping over to Switzerland just makes sense. One of the closest cities, Lugano, belongs to Switzerland but is located in Ticino, an Italian-speaking canton. When shopping in Switzerland, why not pick up a timepiece for yourself in the watch capital of the world?
WATCHES
<img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-39491 size-full alignright" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/rolex-350px.jpg" alt="watch" width="350" height="231" />Watchmaking in Switzerland dates back to the late 16th c. after Huguenot refugees introduced the craft of portable timepieces to the booming city of Geneva. Under Calvin rule at the time, the citizens of Geneva were strictly banned from displaying any signs of wealth, including pieces of jewelry. The city’s goldsmiths were left in a precarious situation and needed to diversify their skills. They turned to watchmaking and went on to export their masterpieces to the Orient and American colonies.
The art of watchmaking began to spread across the country, evolving into crafting other timepieces like pendulum clocks and pocket watches. By the 19th c., Switzerland was considered the most important watch manufacturer in the world.
Near the end of the century, their success was briefly jeopardized by the Americans who had matched Swiss innovation and added to it mass production. The Swiss responded by adding additional features to their watches like calendars, stopwatch functions, and waterproof protection, swinging them back into the market.
Pick up a classic from the world leaders in watchmaking from one of these shops so that you can linger in the memories of your time in the Swiss Lakes with every glance of your wrist. A VAT refund (about 7.7% in Switzerland) means you can shop tax-free (just ask for the form), and you may also find a wider selection at the stores here than back at home, with the possibility of better prices in their country of manufacture.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-39481 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/lugano-tower-960px.jpg" alt="switzerland" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/lugano-tower-960px.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/lugano-tower-960px-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/lugano-tower-960px-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/lugano-tower-960px-900x600.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
<h3><a href="http://www.bucherer.com/"><img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-39482 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/bucherer-entry-david-b-350px.jpg" alt="bucherer" width="350" height="259" />Bucherer</a></h3>
Established in 1888, Bucherer was Lucerne’s first watch and jewelry store. Rolex, Tissot, Girard-Perregaux and Jaeger-LeCoultre watches are just a sample of the Swiss brands on offer here, along with their line of dazzling, award-winning jewellery.
<h4></h4>
<h3><a href="http://www.foxtown.com/en">Foxtown Designer Outlet</a></h3>
About 30 minutes from Lugano, you may encounter a rare find at Foxtown. The outlets are worth a look for quality bargains on labels that are not often discounted back at home, including Dolce &amp; Gabbana, Dsquared, Etro, Fratelli Rossetti, Prada, Gucci, Valentino, Missoni, and other European and Italian brands.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-39490 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/lugano-treelines-960.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="614" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/lugano-treelines-960.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/lugano-treelines-960-469x300.jpg 469w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/lugano-treelines-960-768x491.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/lugano-treelines-960-938x600.jpg 938w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />

9 Best Shops in the Italian Lakes

United States

<h3>Duke Kahanamoku, the ‘Ambassador of Aloha’</h3>
The legendary Hawaiian waterman, also known as ‘The Big Kahuna’, is the father of modern surfing, an ambassador of Hawaii who brought the noble (and otherwise obscure) Hawaiian sport of kings to the world. Born in 1890 in the days of old Hawaii before statehood, he became a well-known surfer in the community. He was one of the original ‘Waikiki Beach Boys’, watermen who earned their living teaching visitors how to swim or surf. Kahanamoku’s swimming abilities took him to the Olympics as a champion swimmer who won gold and silver medals in the 1912 Stockholm, 1920 Antwerp, and 1924 Paris summer games. Post-Olympics, he travelled the world with exhibitions and demonstrations highlighting his swimming and surfing skills, which influenced many people to pick up the sport, especially in Australia and Southern California. In June 1924, when he was living in Newport Beach, California, he saved eight men from a fishing vessel that had capsized in the heavy surf of a violent squall. Using his surfboard, he was able to take people back to shore and return to the scene of the accident quickly. Two of his friends saved four more fishermen in this heroic act. Kahanamoku eventually became an officer of the law in Honolulu and was voted sheriff of Oahu thirteen times. He is commemorated in perpetuity with a 9-foot-tall statue with his favourite wooden surfboard, arms outstretched, greeting visitors and locals warmly to the cherished place where it all began—Waikiki.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-39267 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/duke-kahana-statue-960px.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="631" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/duke-kahana-statue-960px.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/duke-kahana-statue-960px-456x300.jpg 456w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/duke-kahana-statue-960px-768x505.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/duke-kahana-statue-960px-913x600.jpg 913w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
<h3>Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve</h3>
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-39252 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/parrotfish-350px.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="263" />A sheltered bay filled with marine life, you will find more than 400 species of fish and coral reefs in the bay, formed from ancient volcanic eruptions that took place about 32,000 years ago. A former crater that is now filled with seawater, you will also find the green sea turtle using these protected waters as a nursery, as well as abundant parrotfish. Many visitors like to snorkel, feed fish and swim here. Originally used as a recreational area and as a navigational lookout by Hawaiian nobility, there has been evidence of human presence here since the 1800s. As tourism on Oahu developed in the 1980s and 1990s, the sheer number of visitors, combined with lack of awareness of marine preservation means that the multi-coloured coral reef along the shore is no longer alive; you will see the skeletons of the reefs as you swim in the shallows of the bay. The bay sees an average of 3,000 visitors per day and about a million visitors each year; it is closed to tourists on Tuesdays to allow the reef inhabitants a day of rest. 
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-39253 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/hanauma-bay-960px.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="720" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/hanauma-bay-960px.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/hanauma-bay-960px-400x300.jpg 400w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/hanauma-bay-960px-768x576.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/hanauma-bay-960px-800x600.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
<h3>Haleiwa</h3>
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-39249 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/shave-ice-350px.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="263" />This cute and colourful beach town, the gateway to the North Shore, is filled with surfer shacks, food trucks, and other one-of-a-kind boutiques and galleries. For a taste of local tradition, don’t miss the traditional Hawaiian treat of shave ice (not ‘shaved’ ice), at <a href="http://matsumotoshaveice.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Matsumoto’s</a> or <a href="http://www.aokishaveice.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aoki’s</a>, both mom-and-pop stands. Finely shaved ice covered in homemade tropical syrups flavoured with pineapple guava, passion fruit or more, this rainbow-coloured treat will bring a smile to your face! You can even add vanilla ice cream or the sweet red azuki beans to your shave ice for a little extra variety.  My favourite food truck treat is the North Shore specialty, garlic scampi shrimp from Giovanni&#8217;s food truck (it&#8217;s sold everywhere, but this is the absolute best).
<h3>The North Shore</h3>
This iconic destination for the world’s best big-wave surfers, the North Shore needs no introduction to those in the know. During the winter months (November through February), pro surfers congregate here to ride the biggest waves, towering 9 metres (30 feet) or higher. It’s also prime time to watch the biggest surf competitions in the world, including the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing along Waimea Bay, Ehukai Beach (Banzai Pipeline—the world’s deadliest wave) and Sunset Beach. In the summer months (May to September), when the surf is small and gentle, it’s safe for non-pros to swim or take surfing lessons in protected areas. 
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-39250 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/surfer-960px.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="540" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/surfer-960px.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/surfer-960px-480x270.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/surfer-960px-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
Turtle Bay
One of the last undeveloped spots (save for a bunker that remains from the Second World War, and one resort) on the North Shore, this rocky bay is a favoured habitat for the threatened green sea turtle as well as the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. Traditional fishing areas and ancestral Hawaiian burial grounds are also located here. The sea is not appropriate for swimming, as the ocean shoreline is rocky and dangerous. Here, in the tide pools and reef flats, you will find some uncommonly beautiful limu (seaweed), including martensia fragilis, an iridescent blue, pink, or orange algae species. 
<h3>Waimea Valley</h3>
A sacred place that is an area of historical cultural significance to Hawaiians, this spot, also known as the Valley of the Priests, occupied an elite place in society. In the year 1092, the valley was reserved exclusively for the high priests of Hawaiian society, the Kahuna Nui. 
A kahuna refers to anyone who is a priest, healer, or expert in any profession—it was not exclusively reserved for members of the Hawaiian religion. Kahuna can be generally divided into two categories: ‘craft’ kahuna, such as an expert canoe maker, or an expert navigator; and ‘sorcerers’, including healers or those who were experts in the metaphysical, the divine, and the supernatural. 
When the first Christian missionaries arrived in Hawaii in 1820, the kahuna practices eventually became outlawed or illegal over the years. When King Kamehameha V came to power in 1863, he encouraged the revival of traditional Hawaiian practices and gave ownership of the valley to his exclusive kahuna, Hewa Hewa Nui.  
When we look at Waimea Valley today, it contains a nature park, botanical gardens and arboretum. Look around to see stone terraces and walls constructed during the time of Hawaiian royalty. Its fertile and rich volcanic soil meant this was one of the most vibrant farming communities in all of Polynesia, with fish ponds, domesticated animal holdings, farming plots, where staple crops like taro, sweet potato and bananas were grown. Today, its botanical gardens showcase thousands of species, including an excellent collection of rare Hawaiian and Polynesian plants. 
Things to do in the park include hiking to its beautiful waterfall, or jumping off the top of Jump Rock at Waimea Bay Beach Park (but only when the surf is small or flat)!
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-39261 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/waimea-canyon-960px.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="720" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/waimea-canyon-960px.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/waimea-canyon-960px-400x300.jpg 400w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/waimea-canyon-960px-768x576.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/waimea-canyon-960px-800x600.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
<h3>Kualoa Ranch</h3>
A private 4,000-acre nature reserve and working cattle ranch, this popular spot for filming (think Jurassic Park, the TV show Lost, Jumanji, Hawaii Five-0 and many more productions) is located on the windward coast of Oahu. Comprised of three valleys, the Ka’awa Valley, the Kualoa Valley and Hakipu’u Valley, the ranch sits on land that was considered sacred to ancient Hawaiians. From the 13thC to the 18thC, a place where chiefs ruled, and a place of kingship and sovereignty of the Kingdom of O’ahu rests. In 1850, the land was purchased from King Kamehameha for $1300 by an American doctor, Gerrit P. Judd, who was the first person to translate medical journals into the Hawaiian language. Further land was purchased in 1860 and 1870, bringing it to its current size. During the Second World War, the land was occupied by the U.S. military, which created the Kualoa Airfield there; the land has since passed back to Judd’s descendants.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-39272 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/kualoa-ranch-horses-732px.jpg" alt="" width="732" height="544" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/kualoa-ranch-horses-732px.jpg 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/kualoa-ranch-horses-732px-404x300.jpg 404w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
<h3>Mokoli’i</h3>
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-39247 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/mokolii-350px.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="233" />A tiny little island in Hawaii known as Mokoli’i, is easily seen from Kualoa Regional Park, sitting on Kaneohe Bay. This basalt islet looks like an old-style conical hat, and was commonly referred to as ‘Chinaman’s Hat’. The name of Mokoli’i derives from an ancient Hawaiian creation myth, where Hi’iaka, the sister of Pele the volcano goddess, cut off the tail of a large dragon-like lizard that was confronting her, and it is said that the island is the remains of this monster’s tail: ‘mokoli’i’ means ‘little lizard’ in the Hawaiian language.
Feeling inspired to experience Hawaii&#8217;s aloha magic for yourself? <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/start-planning" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Get in touch</a> with a member of our team to see how they can craft your perfect trip.

Essential Things To Know About Oahu

Travel Tips

30 Best Hotel Bars Around the World

<h3>The Wild West (Coast)</h3>
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-38411 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/West-Coast-Red-Flower-Trail-350px.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="263" />From hundreds of shipwrecks in the ‘Graveyard of the Pacific’ to spiritual, sacred old-growth forests and tidal pools brimming with marine life, it’s all about sea, sky, and forest in these parts. Turn off and tune into the rhythms of nature instead of your phone.
The Pacific Rim West Coast Trail is an ancient path first used by First Nations peoples. This  rambling trail along the coastline runs for 75 km (47 mi). With temperate rainforest, sandstone, dramatic cliffs and beaches along the way. This is also where the infamous stretch of the ‘Graveyard of the Pacific’ can be found. Hundreds of ships met their end along the rugged coastline, northerly current, and unpredictable combination of waves, fog, current and wind.
<h4>Old Growth Rainforest</h4>
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-38414 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Gnarled-Tree-350px.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="262" />With so many of us living in urban environments, the Japanese practice of ‘forest bathing’ (or simply, being in nature) has benefits for your physiological and psychological health. Near Port Renfrew, the Avatar Grove is a famous old-growth forest filled with incredible, thousand-year-old cedars and Douglas firs. The lower and upper groves are both worth visiting; with massive, gnarled trees (including an old cedar billed as &#8216;Canada&#8217;s Gnarliest Tree&#8217;) rising high, ferns, moss, and a few beautiful rivers on the way there, this spiritual place is one you won’t soon forget.
<h4><a href="http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/carmanah/">Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park</a> </h4>
Another place for forest immersion, prepare yourself for shades of green, shadows and textured bark, with moss coating the trees and the rich smell of soil and fresh air, it’s as if you’ve stepped into an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Carr">Emily Carr</a> painting. This sanctuary—enclosed in an ecosystem that has remained untouched for hundreds of years&#8211;features some of the world’s largest spruce trees, some older than 800 years old and stretching taller than 95 metres (over 300 feet). Ancient cedars well over 1,000 years old complement the picture, along with diverse flora and fauna at every step.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-38412 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/rainforestboardwalk-960px.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="628" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/rainforestboardwalk-960px.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/rainforestboardwalk-960px-459x300.jpg 459w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/rainforestboardwalk-960px-768x502.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/rainforestboardwalk-960px-917x600.jpg 917w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
<h4>Juan de Fuca Provincial Park</h4>
From roaring surf to incredible old-growth forests, tidal pools, shale and quartz formations, and nature’s drama at its finest, this provincial park along the west coast of Vancouver Island delivers quintessential ‘PNW’ magic.
<h4>Tidal Pools</h4>
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-38406 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/beach-clam-350-px.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="233" />At one end of the Juan de Fuca Trail, <a href="https://www.portrenfrew.com/botbeach.htm">Botanical Beach Provincial Park</a> is where you’ll find one of the richest tidal areas on the west coast. These incredible sandstone-and-granite pools are filled with colourful sea anemones sending out their flowery tendrils in the water and flowing with the tides, you’ll also see starfish, shells, crabs, barnacles, kelp, and more. It’s a really cool experience for families (or wannabe marine biologists), but take care only to look and not touch; these sensitive environments can be easily damaged (for instance &#8211; a film of sunscreen on your hand, if dipped in the water, could destroy the habitat in a pool).
<h4><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-38407 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Juan-De-Fuca-Strait-960px.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="546" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Juan-De-Fuca-Strait-960px.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Juan-De-Fuca-Strait-960px-480x273.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Juan-De-Fuca-Strait-960px-768x437.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /></h4>
<h4>First Encounters of the Aquatic Kind</h4>
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-38415 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/humpback-whale-350px.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="234" />One of the world’s best places to whale-watch, you&#8217;re in for a treat. Several orca pods live along the coast of Vancouver Island, and you may have a chance to see humpback whales, minke and gray whales in season.
Of the other marine animals, sea lions are the most entertaining; hear, see (and smell—your boat will get that close) these social animals gather in massive groups to frolic, bark, sun themselves, and haul themselves in and out of the water.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-38417 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Sealions.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="445" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Sealions.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Sealions-480x223.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Sealions-768x356.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
<h3>Where to Stay</h3>
<h4><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-38406 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/inn-laurel-point720x460-1.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="233" />Inn at Laurel Point, Victoria 
</h4>
A quiet oceanside retreat in B.C.’s capital city, enjoy the harbour view from your private patio and listen to the quiet song of distant geese and sailboat rigs clinking in the breeze. The restaurant Aura, which I mentioned previously, has great cocktails and a superb waterside lounge area for sunset-viewing.
<h4>Brentwood Bay Resort, Brentwood Bay</h4>
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-38406 alignleft" src="https://www.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Brentwood-Bay-Resort720x460-2.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="233" />Overlooking a peaceful bay, this luxurious resort offers a full-service spa and gorgeous views with the Butchart Gardens just across the bay, giving you an opportunity to arrive at the garden in style—by water taxi to the back entrance, avoiding the crowds. Each room boasts a private terrace so you can enjoy your morning eggs Benedict with a view
(they make the best in town)!
<h4>Sooke Harbour House, Sooke</h4>
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-38406 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Sooke-Harbour-House720x460.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="233" />A unique hotel on Vancouver Island, this charming oasis on Whiffen Spit is a place where you will be greeted with a glass of locally produced blackberry port and set free to explore the artwork and local antiques that occupy the living areas.  The culinary program at Sooke Harbour House was one of the very first to put B.C. regional cuisine on the map. Don’t forget to take in the spectacular views of the Juan de Fuca Strait and the Olympic Mountains!
<h4>Wild Renfrew Seaside Cottages, Port Renfrew</h4>
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-38406 alignleft" src="https://www.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Wild-Renfrew-Seaside-Cottages720x460.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="233" />This secluded and plush log cabin property allows you to get cozy and enjoy all the comforts of home without sacrificing your wild side&#8230;you can look forward to stunning views from your own private deck.  Unplug your phone—its remote location makes for an authentic-feeling stay. The food is equally impressive at the resort&#8217;s friendly pub.

Insider’s Guide: Vancouver Island

best restaurants

<h3><a href="http://www.maisonmarou.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Maison Marou</a></h3>
Marou is bringing chocolate to the forefront in Vietnam. Marou is the first large-scale producer of single-origin dark chocolate from the Mekong Delta. Their focus on fresh ingredients, rich flavours, and chic design has gained them international acclaim, and their products can now be found in 25 countries, including Canada and the United States, Maison Marou is their dessert café in the centre of District 1. While it may be scorching hot outside, the fresh mint hot chocolate will still blow you away.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-37886 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Maison-Marou-Choco-960px.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="594" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Maison-Marou-Choco-960px.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Maison-Marou-Choco-960px-250x156.jpg 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Maison-Marou-Choco-960px-480x297.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Maison-Marou-Choco-960px-768x475.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
<h2>Bars, Brews, and Brunch</h2>
<h3><a href="http://www.hoteldesartssaigon.com/restaurants-bars/social-club-rooftop-bar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-52154 alignright" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Social-Club-Rooftop1-1-455x300.jpg" alt="" width="372" height="245" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Social-Club-Rooftop1-1-455x300.jpg 455w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Social-Club-Rooftop1-1-911x600.jpg 911w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Social-Club-Rooftop1-1-768x506.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Social-Club-Rooftop1-1-1536x1012.jpg 1536w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Social-Club-Rooftop1-1.jpg 1800w" sizes="(max-width: 372px) 100vw, 372px" />Hotel des Arts Social Club Rooftop Bar</a></h3>
No visit to Ho Chi Minh City is complete without soaking in the view from a rooftop bar, and Sofitel’s MGallery Hotel des Arts Social Club is the best of the best. Standing high above District 1, there’s no better spot to watch the city’s skyline put on a glittering light show. Grab a couch, dip your feet in the pool, and mingle with Saigon’s elite as the city sparkles all around you.
<h3><a href="https://heartofdarknessbrewery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Heart of Darkness </a></h3>
Heart of Darkness is a pioneering craft brewery based in Saigon, among many in <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/get-inspired/travel-journal/an-insider-guide-to-vietnamese-beer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vietnam&#8217;s burgeoning craft beer scene</a>. If you&#8217;re up for a change of culinary pace, try their brewpub. The roster of fantastic beers is matched with a variety of pub classics, Mexican food and tapas, each with its own unique twists (yes, salads and veggie burger patties are also well-represented). 
Want more expert insight? Experience Designer <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/experts/nathan-lane/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nathan Lane</a> has been named a Condé Nast Top Travel Expert for Vietnam three years in a row. He&#8217;d love to bring your travel dreams to life.

The 10 Best Saigon Restaurants

Culture &amp; Lifestyle

Vines &amp; Wines

Wine

Bordeaux

<h4>St-Emilion</h4>
To most people, St-Emilion is the appellation of fine red wine. It is, however, also the name of a charming village in the middle of the wine-growing district.  Its origins go back to the 8th century when the hermit Emilion dug out a cave for himself in the rock.  The like-minded followed the hermit, and by the Middle Ages, St-Emilion had become a small town.  Today medieval houses still line the narrow streets, and parts of the 13th-century ramparts remain.  Famous châteaux in the district include the elegant Figeac, Cheval Blanc, Angelus and Ausone.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-37846 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/BDOBS_08282011_PHA_PF_446-Chateau-Figeac-732px-compressed.jpg" alt="" width="732" height="488" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/BDOBS_08282011_PHA_PF_446-Chateau-Figeac-732px-compressed.jpg 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/BDOBS_08282011_PHA_PF_446-Chateau-Figeac-732px-compressed-450x300.jpg 450w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
Recommended Bottles:
&#8211;<a href="https://www.chateau-figeac.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Château Figeac, 2010</a> 
&#8211;<a href="https://www.chateau-cheval-blanc.com/en/vintages/chateau-cheval-blanc-2014">Château Cheval Blanc, 2014 </a> 
&#8211;<a href="http://www.vignoblesperse.com/en/vin/1/chateau-pavie">Château Pavie, 2016</a> 
<h4>Pomerol</h4>
This small but distinctive wine region produces opulent and glamorous red wines using mainly the Merlot grape.  Pomerol’s most successful wines are some of the world’s most acclaimed.  The finest wines are made on the highest parts of the plateau, which is predominantly gravel with layers of clay, becoming sandier in the west, where lighter wines are made.  The subsoil here is dominated by a local iron-rich clay, known as crasse de fer, of which Château Pétrus has a stratum particularly close to the surface.  Pomerol is unusual in being the only one of Bordeaux’s great wine districts to have no official classification.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-37851 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Wine-Glasses-960px-compressed.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Wine-Glasses-960px-compressed.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Wine-Glasses-960px-compressed-450x300.jpg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Wine-Glasses-960px-compressed-768x512.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Wine-Glasses-960px-compressed-900x600.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
Recommended Bottles:
&#8211;<a href="https://www.la-conseillante.com/en/notre-vin/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Château La Conseillante, 2010</a>  
&#8211;<a href="http://www.vieuxchateaucertan.com/en/great-wines-pomerol/vieux-chateau-certan.html">Vieux Château Certan, 2015</a>  
&#8211;<a href="http://www.moueix.com/en/pomerol/trotanoy/">Château Trotanoy, 2015</a> 
&#8211; Château Pétrus, 2016

The World's Best: Top 15 Bordeaux Wines

<h2>Hawaiian Food: A Global Cuisine</h2>
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-37084 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/SHAVEice-1244640_640-350px-JPG-compressed.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="263" />Once a titan of pineapple and sugar cane production, Hawaii’s edible culture is inextricably linked to its fertile lands and abundant seas. From the earliest Polynesians and native Hawaiians to the Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean and Portuguese immigrants who arrived en masse to work in agriculture, its multicultural flavours have combined to create something uniquely Hawaiian.
From Kona coffee and the ubiquitous macadamia nut, ingredients recognized the world over, to the fresh flavours of the <a href="https://www.bonappetit.com/story/how-to-build-a-poke-bowl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">poke bowl</a> (now trending on the mainland and around the world), the traditional Hawaiian plate lunch, and rainbow-coloured shave ice, Hawaii’s cuisine is global and far-reaching in influence. And don’t forget Hawaii’s (superior, in my opinion) answer to the doughnut, the <a href="https://www.eater.com/2017/10/25/16503498/best-malassadas-honolulu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">malassada</a>, sugary fried dough often injected with tasty sweet fillings like haupia, coconut.
<h2>Nature Beyond Compare</h2>
From the rich red glow of lava spilling over black-sand beaches to the dazzling emerald green of lush valleys and rainforests; the rainbow spray that arcs seemingly next to every waterfall, Hawaii’s natural charms are without compare. Whether you’re snorkelling in protected coves or hiking stunning trails, there’s more than enough nature to leave behind the busier pace of Hilo or Honolulu.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-49919 size-large" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Hawaii_peter-vanosdall-1153621-unsplash-900x600.jpeg" alt="hawaii nature" width="900" height="600" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Hawaii_peter-vanosdall-1153621-unsplash-900x600.jpeg 900w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Hawaii_peter-vanosdall-1153621-unsplash-450x300.jpeg 450w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Hawaii_peter-vanosdall-1153621-unsplash-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Hawaii_peter-vanosdall-1153621-unsplash-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Hawaii_peter-vanosdall-1153621-unsplash.jpeg 1707w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" />
<h2>Va-va-Volcanoes</h2>
One of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea is ever-changing, and visitors have a chance to observe mesmerizing lava flows and even see the otherworldly red light from its caldera at dusk. Its oldest flows date as far back as 275,000 years ago when the volcano was still underwater and had not yet broken the surface of the ocean.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-37086 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/volcano-1784658_1280-LAVA-732px-compressed.jpg" alt="" width="732" height="488" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/volcano-1784658_1280-LAVA-732px-compressed.jpg 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/volcano-1784658_1280-LAVA-732px-compressed-450x300.jpg 450w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
Ancient Hawaiian legend tells of the goddess Pele, who created the Hawaiian islands and rules over lightning, wind and volcanoes. Known for her fiery passion and jealousy, a popular myth (<a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/yp3kkg/hawaiis-cursed-lava-rocks-are-driving-national-park-staff-insane" target="_blank" rel="noopener">since debunked</a>) states that you should never leave Hawaii with volcanic rock or sand, lest you receive Pele’s ‘curse’ of bad luck. Regardless, it&#8217;s safe to say that upholding respect for the land and for Hawaii&#8217;s national parks means that the natural landscape should be left as is.
Feeling inspired to experience Hawaii’s aloha magic for yourself? <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/start-planning" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Get in touch</a> with a member of our team to see how they can craft your perfect trip.

Accolades

AFAR

Ishikawa Prefecture

Tokyo

The Perfect Detour from Tokyo

Financial Times

Arthur Golden

Memoirs of a Geisha

Noto Peninsula

Japan’s Noto Peninsula is the perfect setting for a cultural cycling tour

Food and Travel

Restaurants

Latin America

Peru

Portugal

<h2>The Kiosks of Lisbon</h2>
Just about every visitor to Lisbon wonders why not every city has the quiosques de refrescos—‘refreshment kiosks’—that are ubiquitous in Lisbon’s numerous parks and squares. Chalk it up to year-round pleasant weather. Decent snacks and sandwiches, fresh juices, good espresso coffee, draft beer, and even cocktails are available in these heavenly convenient establishments. You’ll find yourself exclaiming to the Lisboans that they have no idea how good they have it!
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-34304 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/kiosk_lisbon_rachelbickley_960_c.png" alt="" width="960" height="539" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/kiosk_lisbon_rachelbickley_960_c.png 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/kiosk_lisbon_rachelbickley_960_c-480x270.png 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/kiosk_lisbon_rachelbickley_960_c-768x431.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
<h2>Neighbourhood Churrascarias</h2>
If you’re the kind of eater who likes to visit traditional establishments, places whose doors you walk through to feel as though you’ve stepped back in time, try visiting a neighborhood churrascaria—or grill. The Churrasco da Graça in the Graça neighborhood is one such place: white paper tablecloths, TV on in the corner, tables full of locals. Get your fix of traditional bacalhau (codfish), grilled sardines, and roast chicken. You may need to gesture to make your order, but you will leave satisfied!
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-34251 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/churrasco_da_graca_alessandrorossini_732_c.png" alt="" width="732" height="436" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/churrasco_da_graca_alessandrorossini_732_c.png 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/churrasco_da_graca_alessandrorossini_732_c-480x286.png 480w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
<h2><a href="http://www.atirateaorio.pt/">Atira-te ao Rio</a>, Cacilhas</h2>
The many hills in Lisbon make for spectacular views across the Tagus. But to see the city from afar you need to cross the river, and there’s no better way to do it than by ferry on your way to eat at Atira-te ao Rio. Ferries run from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas about every 15 minutes. Once you’re on the other side, a short walk alongside abandoned riverside warehouses will bring you to this little restaurant set by the water’s edge. The view and the setting is what makes this place so special. And the food? It’s simple, traditional and tasty. Nibble on tuna pâté, olives, bread and olive butter before the codfish stew or Portuguese steak arrives.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-34254 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/lisbon_sunset_960_C.png" alt="" width="960" height="540" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/lisbon_sunset_960_C.png 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/lisbon_sunset_960_C-480x270.png 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/lisbon_sunset_960_C-768x432.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />

Hotels

See + Do

Insider's Guide to Tokyo

Where to Stay

<h3><a href="http://www.mandarinoriental.com/tokyo/" target="_blank">THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL</a></h3>
Located in the heart of the city the Mandarin Oriental offers guests a bird’s eye view of the breathtaking Tokyo skyline. Surrounded by the chic shops and offices of Nihonbashi, the hotel has a crisp, cutting-edge style befitting its setting in the core of this modern metropolis.

<h3><a href="https://tokyo.grand.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html" target="_blank">GRAND HYATT</a></h3>
With 387 rooms and suites, the Grand Hyatt sports a modern design and is located in Roppongi, a lively district known as a centre of business, culture, fashion and leisure, providing easy access to the Ginza shopping district and Kasumigaseki government district.
<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-33126" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/grand-hyatt-tokyo-752.jpg" alt="" width="752" height="500" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/grand-hyatt-tokyo-752.jpg 752w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/grand-hyatt-tokyo-752-451x300.jpg 451w" sizes="(max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" />
<h3><a href="http://en.palacehoteltokyo.com/" target="_blank">PALACE HOTEL</a></h3>
Across from the Imperial Palace gardens and Ginza shopping district, the Palace Hotel in Tokyo boasts an incredible perspective on the city. Voted as one of Tokyo&#8217;s best in 2016 by readers of Travel + Leisure, the Palace Hotel is a sophisticated celebration of Japanese hospitality.
<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-33128" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Palace-Hotel-Tokyo-Lobby2-960x474.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="474" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Palace-Hotel-Tokyo-Lobby2-960x474.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Palace-Hotel-Tokyo-Lobby2-480x237.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Palace-Hotel-Tokyo-Lobby2-768x379.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Palace-Hotel-Tokyo-Lobby2.jpg 1580w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />

Insider's Guide: Tokyo's Top Hotels

<h3>What to See &amp; Do</h3>
<figure id="attachment_32774" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-32774" style="width: 350px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-32774" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Things-to-do-in-Christchurch-Art-Gallery.jpg" alt="Things to Do in Christchurch" width="350" height="477" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Things-to-do-in-Christchurch-Art-Gallery.jpg 400w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Things-to-do-in-Christchurch-Art-Gallery-220x300.jpg 220w" sizes="(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-32774" class="wp-caption-text">The Christchurch Art Gallery</figcaption></figure>
Before the series of earthquakes that hit in 2011, Christchurch referred to itself as the “Garden City” of New Zealand.
With that dedication imprinted on the city’s mind, all attempts are being made to rebuild in that very image (and ideally to make it even better).
While many historic building are still fenced off and changes are happening in real time, here is what we would recommend if you have one day to spend.
Ask for directions from the hotel staff to Victoria Square; if your route allows for it, follow the Avon River downstream along the path to Worcester Boulevard.
Check out the Botanic Gardens, <a href="http://www.canterburymuseum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Canterbury Museum</a> and <a href="https://christchurchartgallery.org.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the new Art Gallery</a> (which looks like a mini Frank Gehry “a la Bilbao” style building) all within a stones throw of each other. If you&#8217;re hungry, stop by a great little cafe called<a href="http://vbase.co.nz/venues/ilex-botanic-gardens" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Ilex Botanical Gardens</a> to grab something to eat. Located in the heart of the botanical garden, you&#8217;ll have the opportunity to eat surrounded by beautiful plants.
If you have more time go for a stroll in <a href="https://www.ccc.govt.nz/parks-and-gardens/christchurch-botanic-gardens" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Public Gardens</a>, you’ll understand the reputation of the city as the “Garden City.”
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-32597 size-full" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/gardens-752x500.png" alt="Things to Do in Christchurch" width="752" height="500" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/gardens-752x500.png 752w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/gardens-752x500-451x300.png 451w" sizes="(max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" />
Give your feet a rest and take the tram; the route loops around the downtown area.
On a rainy day, or if you have more time, take a cab back to the airport (NO, don’t leave to go back home!) and go spend a few hours at the <a href="http://www.iceberg.co.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Antarctic Interpretation Centre</a>. New Zealand has a long history with Antarctic exploration and research and the Centre is fascinating.

Resto

Maido

Mitsuharu Tsumura

<h5>Starting From the Bottom</h5>
In Peru, Mitsuharu was an up and coming young chef with a fancy degree from America. In Japan, he was an unknown entity with no local experience to speak of.
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-31832" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Maido-Mitsuharu-Tsumura-dishes-320x300.jpg" alt="maido-mitsuharu-tsumura-dishes" width="320" height="300" />But if nothing else – and there was, truly, nothing else – he had a connection. His grandparents, who still lived in Japan, introduced him to a man named Mr. Hirai, the owner of a well known restaurant called Seto Sushi.
After watching him filet fish, Mr. Hirai agreed to give Mitsuharu a job. The pay was nonexistent and the work gruelling. It was a start.
For four months Mitsuharu showed up everyday to wash dishes, never so much as touching a knife. After establishing himself as a competent dishwasher, he was elevated to the post of knife sharpener. Eventually he became proficient enough to sharpen knives for every chef in the restaurant, a huge honour by the standards of Japanese restaurants.
Though he was still miles away from being able to prepare food for the restaurant, in Japan everything has a purpose. While he wasn’t yet making sushi, he was watching, observing the masters, and learning patience and discipline. It was a quintessentially Japanese apprenticeship.
<h5><img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-31836" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Maido-Mitsuharu-Tsumura-knife.jpg" alt="maido-mitsuharu-tsumura-knife" width="350" height="236" />Working His Way Up</h5>
Around this time, he started practicing his own knife skills. To master the fine art of sushi making he would practice on rice and gherkins, preparing thousands of them to hone his skills.
He continued to work his way up the ladder at Seto, taking over responsibility for receiving and cleaning seafood. This eventually led to filleting and preparing fish, cooking rice for the staff’s meals and working behind the bar, until one day, two years after arriving in Japan, he had finally earned his keep.
Mitsuharu began to make sushi.
<hr />
<h2>Pulled Back to Peru</h2>
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-31838" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Maido-Mitsuharu-Tsumura-dish.jpg" alt="maido-mitsuharu-tsumura-dish" width="350" height="236" />He stayed in Japan for eight more months perfecting his craft until one day Mitsuharu felt the pull of his native Peru beckoning him back home.
The Sheraton Lima, where he had interned years ago, invited him to return as a member of their chef team, where he began his journey up the hotel’s ranks.
And now here he was, three years after returning to Peru and on the precipice of the hotel’s highest position, feeling conflicted.
<figure id="attachment_31839" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-31839" style="width: 275px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-31839" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Maido-Mitsuharu-Tsumura-exterior.jpg" alt="Maido" width="275" height="412" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Maido-Mitsuharu-Tsumura-exterior.jpg 275w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Maido-Mitsuharu-Tsumura-exterior-200x300.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 275px) 100vw, 275px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-31839" class="wp-caption-text">Maido</figcaption></figure>
<h5>A Conundrum Turned Culmination</h5>
Again he turned to his father for advice and again his father was stern and resolute – but this time, he had very different advice for his son.
“Son, you have proved to be a good worker and I am going to invest in you,” he said. “Open your restaurant, I will support you.”
Today that restaurant is <a href="http://www.maido.pe/en/index.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Maido</a>, where Mitsuhara draws from his experience and heritage to prepare Japanese and Peruvian dishes, telling a story with each plate he serves.
In 2016, Mitsuhara and Maido landed at <a href="http://www.theworlds50best.com/list/1-50-winners/Maido" target="_blank" rel="noopener">number 13</a> on the coveted World’s 50 Best Restaurants list (<a href="http://www.theworlds50best.com/latinamerica/en/the-list.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">and number 2 in Latin America</a>), winning the <a href="http://www.theworlds50best.com/awards/highest-climber-sponsored-by-lavazza" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Highest Climber Award</a> in the process.
He’s come a long way since that conundrum.
<hr />
<h2>Prime Your Peruvian Palate</h2>
Fortunately, you don&#8217;t need to spend two years apprenticing at a Japanese sushi restaurant to develop a taste for Mitsuhara&#8217;s cooking.
He&#8217;s generously provided us with the below recipe for Amazonic Beans, which you can try preparing at home.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-31841" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Maido-Mitsuharu-Tsumura-beans.jpg" alt="maido-mitsuharu-tsumura-beans" width="752" height="452" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Maido-Mitsuharu-Tsumura-beans.jpg 752w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Maido-Mitsuharu-Tsumura-beans-480x289.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" />
<h3>Amazonic Beans</h3>
Serves 4
<h4>Ingredients</h4>
<h5>For beans:</h5>
Avocado Cream 60 gr (RB) 
Sauteed beans 60 gr (RB) 
Sweet Quince 12 cubed 
Grain Soil 8 gr (RB) 
Ponzu gel 4 gr (RB) 
Crispy Quinoa 12 units (RB) 
Sprouts and flowers
<h5>For avocado cream:</h5>
1 Clean avocado 
Dashi 80 ml (RB) 
Cilantro 8 gr 
Salt 4 gr 
Juice of 3 lemons
<h5>For Dashi (1/2 litre):</h5>
1/2 Lt. Water 
6 gr Kombu 
10 gr Katsuobushi
<h5>For sauteed beans:</h5>
Regional cooked beans 60gr 
Or any beans you like. 
Chopped red onion inbrunoise 8gr 
Chopped garlic in brunoise 4 gr 
Chopped ginger 4 gr 
Sesame oil 20 ml 
Salt 
Pepper
<h5>For the Sweet Quince:</h5>
Quince 200 gr 
White sugar 100 gr 
Cinnamon 2 gr 
Water 200 ml
<h5>For the Grain Soil:</h5>
Ground coffee 35 gr 
Honey 50 gr 
flour 20 gr 
Unsalted butter 15 gr
<h5>Ponzu Gel (250 gr):</h5>
Ponzu 250 ml 
Xantana 2 gr
Crispy Quinoa (20 units ) 
Black Quinoa 50 gr
<h4>Instructions</h4>
<h5>For Avocado Cream:</h5>
In a blender add all the ingredients and process until you get a smooth cream. Reserve cold.
<h5>For Dashi:</h5>
Hydrate the kombu in water for 12 hours. In a saucepan place the water with kombu to medium heat until it reaches 80 degrees C° and after reaching this temperature add the katsuobushi and put out the fire. Leave to infuse for 20 minutes with the lid on. After 20 minutes, strain with a thin gauze to prevent remains.
<h5>For Sauteed Beans:</h5>
In a pan saute the garlic with the onion, the ginger and the cooked beans for about 2 minutes and season with salt and pepper, add the sesame oil and put out the fire. Reserve cold.
<h5>For the Sweet Quince:</h5>
Clean the quince and cut into 1-cm cubes, with the excess of quince make an infusion with cinnamon and reserve. In a pan make a syrup with water and sugar and add the cubes of quince with the previous infusion and cook for 3 minutes. Reserve cold.
<h5>For the Grain Soil:</h5>
Temper the butter. Crush the Chulpi corn until obtain a kind of coarse ground. In a bowl mix all ingredients until you have a kind of dough. Spread the dough on a plate and bake at 150 degrees C. for 10 minutes. Remove, let cool and keep in a sealed container.
<h5>For the Ponzu gel:</h5>
With a mixer blend the ingredients until the Ponzu take gel texture. Reserve cold.
<h5>For the Crispy Quinoa:</h5>
In a blender place the Quinoa with little water and blend until completely ground, place the mixture in a pan and cook for 10 minutes over medium heat. Roll out the mixture on a Silpat , try to stretch as thin as possible and bake at 120 degrees for approximately 30 minutes. Reserve in a dry place.
In a cold dish place as a base a line of avocado cream. On top of the avocado cream place the sauteed beans simulating a kind of garden. Embed the crispy quinoa on the avocado and placed the quince´s cubes. Finish the plating putting Ponzu gel drops and grain soil and decorate with flowers and sprouts.
Serve cold.

At Lima's Maido Restaurant, a Nikkei with a Knife – and a Vision

Profiles

Experts + Insiders: Veronika Macas

Parent.co

10 Destinations That Prove Travel is the Best Gift of All

Germany

<hr />
<h5><a href="http://www.pinakothek.de/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">3. The Old and Modern Pinakothek</a> (Alte  Pinakothek und Pinakothek der Moderne)</h5>
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-27216" src="/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Pinakothek-new-blog.jpg" alt="Pinakothek-new-blog" width="960" height="400" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Pinakothek-new-blog.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Pinakothek-new-blog-480x200.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27214" src="/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Pinakothek-inset-453x300.jpg" alt="Pinakothek-inset" width="453" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Pinakothek-inset-453x300.jpg 453w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Pinakothek-inset.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 453px) 100vw, 453px" />Art lovers look no further. There is little that cannot be found between these two art world heavyweights. The Old Pinakothek has everything from Rubens to Rembrandt, along with a vast collection of Spanish, Dutch and Italian masters. What makes it unique is its collection of German masters. Alter pieces by Michael Pacher (15th c.) and Lucas Cranach the Elder (16th c.) and numerous works by German Renaissance Painter Albrecht Durer (15th c.). Matthias Grunewald, Albrecht Altdorfer. The list goes on and on.
The Modern Pinakothek is Germany’s largest modern art museum. It houses four different collections: 20th century art, applied design, a graphics collection and an architecture museum—each one capable on its own of creating a great number of blisters on your feet. Besides being world class cultural bastions, the Old and Modern Pinakothek have two other things going for them. They are a one-minute walk apart and both have lovely museum cafes.
<h5><a href="http://www.residenz-muenchen.de/englisch/museum/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">4. The Residenzmuseum</a></h5>
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-27218" src="/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Residenzmuseum.jpg" alt="Residenzmuseum" width="640" height="421" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Residenzmuseum.jpg 640w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Residenzmuseum-456x300.jpg 456w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" />
Home to the Wittelsbach Dynasty, one of Europe’s longest ruling royal families, their former Munich residence is the town’s primary attraction. Think of all the trappings and treasures you could amass in over 700 years of dynastic rule! This is exactly what you will find at the Residenz Museum. Highlights abound, but don’t miss the beautifully executed, albeit gory, Perseus Fountain and the Antiquarium, the giant hall built to hold the family’s antique collection, itself a marvel of the Renaissance world. Count on two hours to see the highlights.

<h5><a href="http://www.schloss-nymphenburg.de/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">5. Schloss Nymphenburg</a></h5>
Need a break from the city? Five kilometres northwest of Munich sits the Wittelsbach’s former summer retreat. (Was its construction due to the royal family having grown tired of sunbathing in the nude with the plebs in the English Garden? Who’s to say?) This sprawling baroque masterpiece has everything you could possibly want to enjoy on a warm summer day. Shaded alleys, enormous basins reaching symmetrically to the horizon, horse stables, trompe l’oeil frescos, as well as the world’s largest collection of German porcelain. Other highlights include a collection of royal coaches and riding paraphernalia fit for kings, including Mad King Ludwig II’s famous rococo ride built for his nocturnal Song of the Nibelungs inspired outings. The current head of the Wittelsbach family, Franz Duke of Bavaria, has an apartment here. Wave if you see him.

Insider's Guide: 5 Things to Do in Munich

Need to Know

<hr />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Go Deeper</h2>
<h5 style="text-align: center;">A Few of Our Favourite Books About the Isolation of Japan</h5>
<h4><a href="https://amzn.to/2CM3Dp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-41142 size-medium" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Isolation-of-Japan-Premodern-199x300.jpg" alt="The Isolation of Japan" width="199" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Isolation-of-Japan-Premodern-199x300.jpg 199w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Isolation-of-Japan-Premodern.jpg 331w" sizes="(max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px" /></a><a href="https://amzn.to/2CM3Dp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Premodern Japan: A Historical Survey</a> 
</h4>
By Louis Perez and Mikiso Hane
Japanese historian Louis Perez brings Mikiso Hane&#8217;s rich and beloved account of early Japanese history up-to-date in this thoroughly revised Second Edition of Premodern Japan. The text traces the key developments of Japanese history in the premodern period, including the establishment of the imperial dynasty, early influences from China and Korea, the rise of the samurai class and the establishment of feudalism and much more.
<a href="https://amzn.to/2CM3Dp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more on Amazon &gt;&gt;</a>
<hr />
<h4><a href="https://amzn.to/2yk2voS" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-41144" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/From-Isolation-of-Japan-224x300.jpg" alt="The Isolation of Japan" width="199" height="266" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/From-Isolation-of-Japan-224x300.jpg 224w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/From-Isolation-of-Japan.jpg 373w" sizes="(max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px" /></a><a href="https://amzn.to/2yk2voS" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Japan 1868-1945: From Isolation to Occupation</a></h4>
By Takao Matsumura
The history of Imperial Japan, from the Meiji Restoration through to defeat and occupation at the end of the Second World War, is central to any understanding of the way in which modern Japan has developed and will continue to develop in the future. This wide-ranging accessible and up-to-date interpretation of Japanese history between 1868 and 1945 provides both a narrative and analysis.
<a href="https://amzn.to/2yk2voS" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more on Amazon &gt;&gt;</a>

<h3><img loading="lazy" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-24185" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Samurai-241x320.jpg" alt="Samurai" width="241" height="320" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Samurai-241x320.jpg 241w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Samurai.jpg 437w" sizes="(max-width: 241px) 100vw, 241px" />The Samurai</h3>
The samurai were unconditionally devoted to their shogun. Unsurprisingly, the word samurai means “one who serves.” Samurai warriors were literate, educated and often patrons of the arts.
They typically carried a long sword, as well as one short sword whose sole purpose was to serve as an instrument of suicide if required. Among samurai, an honourable death was valued above everything, and samurai lived each day prepared to make this ultimate sacrifice. They were far higher on the social scale than commoners, and the slightest insult to a samurai could be cause for death.
Samurai lived in castle towns and made up about 5% of the population.
<h3>Peasant Farmers</h3>
Next on the social scale—though certainly not very wealthy—were the peasant farmers whose rice taxes allowed samurai and courtly families to live extravagantly.
The peasants rarely ate the rice they grew, and sustained themselves instead on other staples, such as barley and millet. Tokugawa-era farmers were the most advanced farmers in all of Asia, growing cotton, tea, tobacco and sweet potatoes.
However, poverty and famine led them to revolt at least 2,000 times during the Tokugawa shogunate. Peasants were exploited as a rule, and they were doomed to remain peasants their whole lives, without any chance of advancing in society.
<h3>Artisans and Merchants</h3>
<figure id="attachment_24187" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-24187" style="width: 320px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-24187" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/800px-Edo_Fukagawa_3-320x240.jpg" alt="An example of working class apartments, currently on display at the Fukagawa Edo Museum " width="320" height="240" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/800px-Edo_Fukagawa_3-320x240.jpg 320w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/800px-Edo_Fukagawa_3.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-24187" class="wp-caption-text">An example of working-class apartments, currently on display at the Fukagawa Edo Museum</figcaption></figure>
Next were the artisans, who were not a very well-respected part of society at all. Unless they were swordsmiths for high-ranking samurai, or their pottery happened to please a daimyo, artisans were deemed useless, as they did not produce their own food, and hence paid no rice tax.
Considered even lower than the artisans were the merchants; in the eyes of the courts they produced nothing, therefore they were nothing. In reality, however, the merchants drove economic progress. They were the entrepreneurs who provided expanding Edo with wood, tatami mats, produce, household items, textiles and trinkets.
They built simple-looking homes yet adorned them with lavish decorations and inner gardens. Merchants rose in wealth but not status, so they created their own society with their own customs, culture and hierarchy.

<h3>Beyond the Lowest Class</h3>
Outside the social order were the geisha, the actors and the prostitutes. They were all deemed entertainers for the nobility and the samurai, and therefore were not ranked socially—they lived outside the hierarchy. (This isn’t to say that life was easy for all these groups. The prostitutes for example often lived imprisoned and cruel lives.)
Far below everyone else in Japanese society were the outcasts, the eta, the hinin and the “non-humans.” The eta were butchers, tanners, gravediggers and those who dealt with the diseased and the deformed. (The origins of these terrible prejudices stem from Shinto and Buddhist dictates against the killing of animals.) Many eta were born into their status, although some were demoted there.
They were required to live in certain quarters of town and abide by curfews and strict laws. In 1871, they were legally “liberated” and renamed shin heimin, or “new common people,” although their common name of burakumin persisted. Even today, up to three million full-blooded Japanese burakumins continue to be discriminated against in employment, marriage, housing and education. Social organizations to protect the rights of burakumin have made progress, but systematic discrimination still exists.

In Deep: The Isolation of Japan

In Deep

China

<h5>Tiananmen Square (“Square of the Gate of Heavenly Peace”)</h5>
Tiananmen Square, as we know it today, is a recent creation. It was designed by Mao as a public space where crowds could gather, and where military parades could be held.
Every year, on May 1 (Labour Day) and October 1 (National Day), large portraits of Marx, Lenin and Sun-Ya-Tsen are displayed here. The Great Hall of the People (i.e., the Chinese Congress), the National Museum of History and the Museum of the Revolution are all located on the square.
Mao’s mausoleum is in the centre of the square, where his preserved body is on display. In front of the mausoleum is the monument to the heroes of the revolution.
<h5></h5>
<h5>Eunuchs</h5>
The sole aim of the eunuch was to serve the emperor—but there were many classes of eunuchs, from menial servants to high-ranking and powerful bureaucrats.
The Emperor Wan Li had 20,000 eunuchs in his service. (The last emperor, Pu Yi, was forced to manage with a skeleton crew of only a thousand.) Eunuchs generally entered the service of the Emperor at the age of eight or nine. Specialists performed the castration procedure—the most infamous of these specialists being “Pocket Knife Liu,” who allegedly used a chair with a hole in the seat.
Eunuchs always carried their “missing parts” in a little pouch on their belt to fool the spirits, since mutilation was considered grounds for exclusion from the next life.
<h5>The Temple of Heaven</h5>
<figure id="attachment_27850" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-27850" style="width: 199px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-27850 size-medium" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Temple-of-Heaven-199x300.jpg" alt="Temple-of-Heaven" width="199" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Temple-of-Heaven-199x300.jpg 199w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Temple-of-Heaven-398x600.jpg 398w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Temple-of-Heaven.jpg 424w" sizes="(max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-27850" class="wp-caption-text">The Temple of Heaven</figcaption></figure>
Inspired by Chinese symbolism and feng shui, the Temple of Heaven was designed and used in order to celebrate the Winter Solstice.
During the Solstice, the emperor and his eunuchs would make their way from the square-shaped south gate to the circular north gate. In moving from south to north, the emperor was symbolically giving thanks for the year’s harvest, and begging the gods for another fruitful year.
The Temple of Heaven boasts colourful architecture from the Ming Dynasty. Each building is a work of detailed craftsmanship.
Perhaps the most impressive building in the Temple of Heaven is the Hall of Annual Prayer, built without a single nail. Its four inner pillars represent the four seasons, the twelve middle pillars the months, and the twelve outer pillars the traditional Chinese hours. Together, these 28 pillars correspond to the constellations of Heaven.
At the north end of the temple, the Altar of Heaven’s carved balustrades and terraces were built in multiples of nine—the Emperor’s number. On the four outer edges of the altar are four towering poles. At one time, enormous lanterns hung from them, kept burning by servants who sat inside the lanterns during ceremonies!
Today, the outer park of the Temple of Heaven is a retreat for people of all ages. Ballroom dancing, calligraphy, choir practice and tai chi are all practiced here.
<h5>The Great Wall</h5>
The founding Emperor of China, Qin Shihuangdi—who also buried life-size terra cotta warriors in his vast tomb near Xi’an—was responsible for linking several existing warlords’ defensive walls into the one, continuous Great Wall of China.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-24533" src="http://stag.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Great-Wall-new.jpg" alt="Great-Wall-new" width="960" height="400" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Great-Wall-new.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Great-Wall-new-480x200.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
Emperor Qin obviously had no qualms about commissioning large-scale projects. The Great Wall extends from the east coast to the western deserts, spanning thousands of miles. For millennia, it has been the defining symbol of Chinese culture.
&nbsp;

In Deep: What You Need to Know About Beijing

Destinations of the World News

Choose Your Own Adventure

Global Traveler

Immersive Excursions To Japan

Mallorca

Spain

In addition to the views of the mountain and the sea, the fascinating Mediterranean flora and fauna and the manors that one can visit along the way, what makes the hikes of Mallorca special is the possibility to move from a world-famous glamorous hotel like<a href="http://www.belmond.com/la-residencia-mallorca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> La Residencia</a> (pictured below), immediately into areas that were basically isolated from the rest of the world until just a few years ago.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-24663 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Hotel-new-blog-.jpg" alt="Hotel-new-blog-" width="752" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Hotel-new-blog-.jpg 752w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Hotel-new-blog--480x191.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" />
When it comes to winemaking, the only reason that I can find to explain why Mallorca is not world-famous for its wines is that hardly any bottles leave the island. Mallorcan reds are full-bodied, rounded wines. The best whites remind one of California, without being too &#8220;oaky.&#8221; The best place to taste them is the area between Benisalem and Biniali.
As for cuisine, in today&#8217;s Mallorca seafood is the way to go, but – somewhat surprisingly for an island – this hasn’t always been so. As a matter of fact, the islanders only developed a true fishing industry within the last 50 years. In addition to seafood, they are particularly proud of the way they cook lamb, which is considered the dish that represents the region, together with sobrassada and ensaimada.
I am a huge fan of both the simple, traditional Mallorcan food that one can taste at noon in one of the many menu del dia restaurants along the way, and the new, innovative, glamorous gourmet restaurants that have mushroomed in Mallorca, especially in Palma and in the region of the Tramuntana mountains.
If I sum up all the weeks that I’ve spent in Mallorca working as a guide, connecting the dots, preparing routes, sampling gourmet meals and wine tasting, the total time easily amounts to one year of my life. And trust me, it was one hell of a year.

Notes From the Road: Mallorca Walking

Must Sees

Things to do in Kyoto

<h3>5. Chion-in Temple</h3>
The gate to the Chion-in Temple is the largest temple gate in Japan. It dates back to 1619. Inside the gate there are two sets of stairs leading to the temple grounds. The shallow, narrow stairs to the right are for women, and the deeper, wider stairs in the middle are for men. (The reason the stairs are narrower for the women is that they had to walk in tightly wrapped kimonos, that seriously restricted the length of their strides!) Chion-in is the head temple for the Jodo sect of Buddhism. With a little luck, you can observe a priest performing a ceremony and chanting prayers.
<figure id="attachment_51683" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-51683" style="width: 960px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-51683 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Things-to-do-in-Kyoto.png" alt="" width="960" height="600" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Things-to-do-in-Kyoto.png 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Things-to-do-in-Kyoto-480x300.png 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Things-to-do-in-Kyoto-250x156.png 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Things-to-do-in-Kyoto-768x480.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-51683" class="wp-caption-text">Chion-in Temple</figcaption></figure>
<h3>6. Maruyama Park</h3>
This city park is full of vendors, tourists and Japan’s most photographed cherry tree. It is located in the centre of the park and has been painted white—although there’s no consensus on why. Some say it’s to keep insects away, others say that it’s for aesthetic reasons.
<h3>7. Ishibe-Koji Street</h3>
This area was once a reclusive retreat with extravagant villas. Inns and teahouses took over, and the street became the regular haunt of geishas and their guests.
<h3>8. Ryozen Kannon</h3>
Kannon, the goddess of mercy and compassion, is the most popular Buddhist deity amongst the Japanese. She is a bodhisattva, one destined to become a Buddha; however she is waiting for all others to achieve enlightenment before she takes the final step herself.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-25071 size-large" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Kannon-new-blog-960x500.jpg" alt="Kannon-new-blog" width="960" height="500" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Kannon-new-blog.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Kannon-new-blog-480x250.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
She is said to have 33 emanations and has countless temples dedicated to her. This statue of Kannon is quite recent, demonstrating that the faithful are still willing to fund costly sculptures, even in the modern era.
<h3>9. Ninenzaka</h3>
Ninenzaka is the cobblestone path leading to Sanneizaka (see below). Ninenzaka means “two-year slope,” and Sannenzaka means “three-year slope.” As the superstition goes: if you slip on the steps between Ninenzaka and Sanneizaka, you will have two to three years of bad luck!
<figure id="attachment_51686" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-51686" style="width: 960px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-51686 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Ninenzaka.png" alt="Ninenzaka" width="960" height="600" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Ninenzaka.png 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Ninenzaka-480x300.png 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Ninenzaka-250x156.png 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Ninenzaka-768x480.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-51686" class="wp-caption-text">Ninenzaka</figcaption></figure>
<h3>10. Sanneizaka</h3>
Sanneizaka is a cobblestone street on the way to Kiyomizu Temple. Along it are stores that sell food, tea and mementos to pilgrims and travellers. The merchant homes and shops here are among the oldest in Kyoto, and the earthen slatted windows on the second floors are among the oldest architecture in the city. These windows were built to allow merchants to secretly keep their head higher than that of their lord—a forbidden act in feudal Japan. This district is also home to kiyomizu-yaki, elegant, hand-painted pottery collected by feudal aristocrats.
<h3>11. Clear Water Temple – Kiyomizu Dera</h3>
<figure id="attachment_20007" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-20007" style="width: 320px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-20007 size-medium" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Kiyomizu-320x211.jpg" alt="Things to do in Kyoto " width="320" height="211" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Kiyomizu-320x211.jpg 320w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Kiyomizu.jpg 625w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-20007" class="wp-caption-text">Kiyomizu Temple</figcaption></figure>
Enchin, an 8thC Buddhist priest from Nara, founded Kiyomizu Temple at the source of the Kizu River, after being instructed to do so in a vision. The temple was first constructed in 780; however, most of what exists today dates back to 1633. The most famous spot is the butai—the deck overlooking the forest (“to leap from Kiyomizu’s butai” is a Japanese saying that refers to making an important decision or performing a courageous act).
The temple is dedicated to Kannon and women pray to her for ease in childbirth, students pray for good grades, and young women and men pray for luck in love. Pilgrims and tourists alike drink from otow-no-taki, the “Sound of Feathers Waterfall,” to purify themselves and to protect their bodies from illness.
<h3>12. Yasaka Pagoda</h3>
This pagoda is all that remains of what was once a magnificent Buddhist temple. It is five storeys high, and each storey is symbolic of earth, water, fire, air or heaven.
<h3>13. Gion Geisha District</h3>
Visiting this district, the epicentre of Japan’s remaining geisha culture, is one of my favourite things to do in Japan. Only the most exclusive men are granted audience here. Gion is also a fascinating window into Japan’s feudal past, where a life in pursuit of the perfection of one’s art was treasured above all.
<figure id="attachment_20014" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-20014" style="width: 212px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-20014 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Geisha1.jpg" alt="A geisha walks in Gion district. " width="212" height="350" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Geisha1.jpg 212w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Geisha1-193x320.jpg 193w" sizes="(max-width: 212px) 100vw, 212px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-20014" class="wp-caption-text">A geisha walks in Gion district.</figcaption></figure>
With increasing competition for entertainment dollars, teahouses are finding it difficult to remain afloat. There are only about fifty geisha in Gion today; however, at its height, there were hundreds of geisha, as well as managers and apprentices.
In feudal times, geisha were often girls from impoverished fishing and farming villages. The lucky few, so to speak, became geisha, while the less fortunate created a living as prostitutes in the Shimabara pleasure quarter.
Geisha are professional performers. They are trained in shamisen (a Japanese harp), tea ceremony, dance, song and the art of witty conversation. Gentlemen who are granted the right to their company are a privileged few, and they meet these cherished ladies at an o-chaya, a teahouse.
A maiko, or apprentice, accompanies and pours sake. In the past, each geisha hoped to achieve a danna, a “lord and master,” who would care for her material needs. He would essentially purchase her virginity. However, times have changed and sexual pleasures are no longer for sale.
<h3>14. Ichiriki Teahouse</h3>
The most iconic teahouse of Gion is the legendary Ichiriki Teahouse. This 300-year-old o-chaya retains the burnt-orange colouring once characteristic of all the Gion teahouses.
<hr />
<blockquote>In summer she is cooling herself by the Kamo, How fair is her neck revealed in the twilight. Her lips burn like bon-fires on Mt. Daimonji, Though she hides her secret tears behind a small lantern.</blockquote>
—A song for Gion
<hr />
<img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-20015 size-full alignright" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/220px-MemoirsOfAGeisha.jpg" alt="" width="220" height="315" />The current building was renovated a century ago after being damaged by the great fire of 1865. The name o-chaya, or “tea-house,“ is a bit misleading for English speakers since Ichiriki is not exactly a place to go and have a casual cup of tea. It is an invitation-only establishment, and in order to visit, it is necessary to have a relationship with the teahouse. Ichiriki is the setting for the novel Memoirs of a Geisha and the kabah drama, Chushingura. Set during feudal times, the play tells how the leader of the 47 ronin (masterless samurai) spent years in seeming debauchery within the walls of the teahouse, all the while plotting to avenge the death of his master.

14 Things to do in Kyoto

<h4>Vietnamese Green Tea</h4>
Typical Vietnamese green tea is known as “hook-shaped curly tea,” because the leaves curl up after roasting. Some people claim that the correct term is moc cau or “areca mould” tea, because the curly dried leaves have a thin white coat, like the mould on an areca palm leaf. Top-quality tea is called “Thai Nguyen tea,” since the plantations of Thái Nguyen province were said to produce the best tea in Vietnam. Today, tea from other areas—Hà Giang, Yèn Bái, Suoi Giang—rivals that from Thái Nguyen. A skilled tea plucker can gather 30 to 50 kg (66 to 110 lbs.) of green leaf tea in one day, enough to produce between 7.5 and 9 kg (16.5 to 20 lbs.) of dried tea.

Morning, Noon or Night: Vietnamese Tea

Westways Magazine

Healing Waters

Are there any destinations you haven&#8217;t been to, but want to visit? 
South America somewhere – anywhere. I’ve heard such incredible things about everything there. I also want to take that completely unoriginal photo of the really small people in the palm of your hand on the salt flats. Really.
What are your three most underrated destinations? 
Australia, Bhutan and my favourite book shop, Unity.
You guided for B&amp;R for yeas before becoming a Trip Designer. Can you pinpoint one moment that really leaps out at you? 
There have been great moments, and there have been scary moments… I think one that stands out was being caught with my co-guide in the middle of Christhchurch, New Zealand when the huge earthquake hit in February 2011, levelling many parts of the city. The streets and buildings all around us crumbled, people were killed and luckily we were unscathed.
We were getting ready to pick up a biking trip and a few of our travellers had already arrived and went through the ordeal too, so dealing with the emotions of that, coupled with what the travellers were all expecting, was a tough situation. Loads of travellers were delayed and re-routed to other cities as you can imagine and there was talk of cancelling the trip, however we all assessed the situation and as guides, decided to carry on. We all had the most amazing trip – the small things were completely irrelevant and everyone just focused on the positives of being alive, in a stunning place, experiencing an amazing trip and loving it. That was pretty cool.
Our co-founder George Butterfield tends to make a lasting impression on people. Do you have a favourite George moment? 
Standing on the top of Chelela Pass in Bhutan at a height of 13,000 feet, having just wandered up the ridge line with our prayer flags in tow, on the second-to-last day of our Bhutanese adventure. It was a magnificent Himalayan moment to share with a very contented George and crew.
What’s your most embarrassing travel story? 
For some reason on one trip, I thought it would be a good idea to attempt to take my camelback bag off my back while riding along at speed. Needless to say, things didn’t go according to plan; my pack swung into my spokes and I proceeded to ‘self-quake’ off my road bike (it was the Christchurch earthquake trip – hence the name) to the amusement of my travelers (after they made sure nothing was broken, of course). What a clever guide, leading by example as always.
What items are absolute musts on your packing list? 
A fantastic book, my noise-cancelling headphones for the plane and an open mind (but that doesn’t take up any space which is a bonus).
And finally, what&#8217;s your favourite trip you’ve ever taken? 
A superb birthday trip for a fantastic group of Canadian ladies around Australia. But then there was the Bhutan trip with George and company. Oh, but then there was…

Experts + Insiders: Rob Grieve

<figure id="attachment_17709" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-17709" style="width: 320px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-17709" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Omotesando-320x213.jpg" alt="Things to do in Tokyo " width="320" height="213" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Omotesando-320x213.jpg 320w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Omotesando-124x82.jpg 124w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Omotesando.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-17709" class="wp-caption-text">Omotesando</figcaption></figure>
Omotesando 
Starting at the entrance to the Meiji shrine, Omotesando is sort of like Tokyo&#8217;s answer to the Champs-Élysées, a gorgeous tree-lined avenue known to showcase flagship stores designed by avant garde architects—quite spectacular, especially for those with an eye for architecture. While in the area, I highly recommend a lunch at Intersect, the restaurant designed by Lexus. (Read more about it <a title="Tokyo Restaurants " href="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/2013/12/03/tokyo-restaurants/" target="_blank">here</a>.)
&nbsp;
<hr />
<figure id="attachment_17711" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-17711" style="width: 279px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-17711" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/gallery-about-img-279x320.jpg" alt="Things to do in Tokyo " width="279" height="320" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/gallery-about-img-279x320.jpg 279w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/gallery-about-img.jpg 645w" sizes="(max-width: 279px) 100vw, 279px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-17711" class="wp-caption-text">Scai The Bathouse</figcaption></figure>
<a title="Scai The Bathouse " href="http://www.scaithebathhouse.com/en/" target="_blank">Scai The Bathouse </a> 
Housed within Kashiwayu, a 200-year-old public bath, Scai was converted to an art gallery in 1993 and has since become a launching pad for some of Japan&#8217;s most avant garde artists. In addition to its unique and remarkable exhibitions, the house itself is a site not to be missed, with a gorgeous tiled roof and towering chimney.
<a title="Mori Art Museum " href="http://www.mori.art.museum/eng/" target="_blank">Mori Art Museum </a> 
Not only does the museum feature some incredible contemporary art exhibitions, but it also offers some amazing views of Tokyo from its perch on the 53rd floor of the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Insider's Guide: 5 Of My Favourite Things To Do in Tokyo

Burgundy

Experts + Insiders: Geoff Sandquist

Insider's Guide to Madrid

Madrid

Andalucia

<h4>Tapas and Raciones</h4>
<a title="Mercado de la Reina " href="http://mercadodelareina.es/restaurante-madrid/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-17079 alignleft" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Mercado.jpeg" alt="Madrid Restaurants" width="320" height="212" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Mercado.jpeg 320w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Mercado-124x82.jpeg 124w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" />Mercado de la Reina</a> 
Plentiful and inexpensive tapas and succulent larger portions—think scrambled eggs with a variety of meats and vegetables, tasty local cheeses, and salads—make this large, tastefully decorated bar/restaurant a handy stop for people who want to refuel without having to sit through a long meal. And where else can you sip a beer standing next to an olive tree? Gran Vía 12, Chueca. +34 915 21 31 98
<hr />
<a title="Casa Lucio" href="http://www.casalucio.es/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-17080 alignright" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/fachada-lucio.jpg" alt="Madrid Restaurants" width="320" height="212" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/fachada-lucio.jpg 320w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/fachada-lucio-124x82.jpg 124w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" />Casa Lucio</a> 
Renowned in town for the delicious fried eggs of Lucio himself as well as many other raciónes (typical plates to share). Situated in the most quintessential tapas area in the city. Calle Cava Baja 35, 28005, Madrid. +34 91 365 82 17
&nbsp;
<hr />
<a title="Santa Barbara" href="http://www.cerveceriasantabarbara.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-17081 alignleft" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Cerveceria.jpg" alt="Madrid Restaurants" width="210" height="210" /></a>   <a title="Santa Barbara" href="http://www.cerveceriasantabarbara.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cerveceria Santa Barbara</a> 
Founded in 1815, it’s not the beer that sets this place apart but the clientele and the tapas. It’s got the freshest seafood around, while its elegant ambiance makes it an all-time favourite. Alonso Martinez Square, +(011-34) 91-319-04-49
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Insider's Guide: Madrid Restaurants

<a title="RyuGin" href="http://www.nihonryori-ryugin.com/index_en.html" target="_blank"><img loading="lazy" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-16347" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Ryugin-sized.jpg" alt="Tokyo Restaurants" width="242" height="160" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Ryugin-sized.jpg 242w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Ryugin-sized-124x82.jpg 124w" sizes="(max-width: 242px) 100vw, 242px" />RyuGin</a> 
With three Michelin stars and <a title="World's 50 Best Restaurants" href="http://www.theworlds50best.com/list/1-50-winners/nihonryori-ryugin/" target="_blank">rave reviews</a>, it&#8217;s no surprise that this was one of the most oft-recommended restaurants among Tokyo locals. Chef Seiji Yamamoto pursues what he calls the &#8220;possibility of Japan cuisine,&#8221; serving up traditional and authentic Japanese dishes.
<hr />
<a title="Tokyo Shiba Tofuya Ukai" href="http://www.ukai.co.jp/english/shiba/" target="_blank"><img loading="lazy" class="alignright size-full wp-image-16348" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Shiba-sized.jpg" alt="Tokyo Restaurants" width="242" height="160" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Shiba-sized.jpg 242w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Shiba-sized-124x82.jpg 124w" sizes="(max-width: 242px) 100vw, 242px" />Tokyo Shiba Tofuya Ukai</a> 
Located adjacent to historic Shiba Park, a visit to Tofuya Ukai is like stepping back to the days of the Edo Period (1600-1868). The traditional architecture invokes the spirit of Japan, forged over thousands of years, while inside, guests can sample the food culture of Edo in the heart of one of the world’s most modern cities. Lovers of fine cuisine will enjoy the exquisite taste of specialty tofu dishes among lush Japanese gardens at the foot of Tokyo Tower.
<hr />
<img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-16356 alignleft" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Okame.jpg" alt="Tokyo Restaurants " width="132" height="175" /><a title="Okame" href="http://www.jnto.go.jp/restaurant-search/eng/detail.php?rst_code=g703400" target="_blank">Okame</a> 
If you are looking for a hole-in-the-wall local atmosphere restaurant that serves some of the best sushi in Tokyo, look no further. Great for your first morning in Tokyo when you cannot sleep due to jet lag. Head down early and check out the Tsukiji fish market first, and then feast on some of the freshest fish around—and I do mean early. The restaurant keeps odd hours: from 5 a.m. to  2 p.m.   Of course, in a city the size of Tokyo, amazing restaurants are legion. Check out a few more great selections on <a title="Luxury Travel Advisor " href="http://www.luxurytraveladvisor.com/japan/best-fine-dining-restaurants-tokyo-12386" target="_blank">Luxury Travel Advisor</a>.

japan

Blog posts for 'japan'