Japan Beyond Tokyo: Kyoto, Osaka & Nara — How to Plan the Next Part of Your Trip

Traditional street in Kyoto's historic Higashiyama district, Japan, leading toward the Yasaka Pagoda at golden hour. Wooden Japanese buildings and stone-paved streets create a peaceful atmosphere.

Tokyo may be where your first trip to Japan begins, but it doesn’t have to be where your understanding of the country ends. Travel west and you’ll discover a different rhythm. In Kyoto, centuries-old temples sit alongside everyday neighborhoods and busy commuter streets. Osaka brings an energetic food culture, lively shopping districts, and a more … Read more

How to Actually Experience Porto: A Realistic Itinerary, Where to Save & What’s Worth Paying For

Luís I Bridge over the Douro River at dusk in Porto, Portugal

Porto is easy to see. Experiencing it is a little different. The city’s famous sights can be turned into a checklist, but Porto makes far more sense when you stop treating it like one. Its steep streets, tiled façades, unexpected viewpoints and the Douro are all part of the experience — and some of the … Read more

Porto on Your Own: How to Plan a Beautiful, Affordable and Unforgettable Trip

Historic trams in Porto, Portugal

Why Porto Deserves a Place on Your Travel List Porto is the kind of city that rewards travelers who slow down. Its historic center rises above the Douro River in layers of narrow streets, tiled façades, viewpoints, churches, markets and everyday neighborhoods, while Vila Nova de Gaia stretches across the river with its famous port … Read more