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Every year is different when it comes to the sakura (cherry trees). As springtime begins, the country waits patiently for the first flushes of pink. Usually, the blooms burst into colour between March and early April. But, if you can’t make peak bloom, don’t fret. An alternative is February, when the equally beautiful but lesser-known plum blossoms are on show. Keep an eye on this handy sakura forecast to track when 2020 blooming is expected to start. This year will see cherry blossom season arriving earlier than usual in Tokyo. This is all down to the weather: a combination of high temperatures in autumn and winter, as well as warm and sunny weather in spring. Full blossom is now expected on March 27, according to a forecast by Japan Meteorological. Corp. Tokyo — March 19 Kochi — March 19 Nagoya — March 22 Hiroshima — March 22 Kyoto — March 23 Osaka — March 25 Kagoshima — March 25 Sendai — March 25 You’ll find sakura hotspots in over 1,000 locations across the c...

In 2016, Peru was crowned as “ World’s Leading Culinary Destination ” by the World Travel Awards for the fifth year in a row . It was just 10 years ago that Peru’s gastronomic boom began, reinventing dishes that had a long tradition in the kitchens of Peruvian families. While a second gastronomic boom of organic and healthy food seems to be happening nowadays, every Peruvian dish offered in restaurants around the world was based on an earlier and more original one. Learn about the most traditional food to try in Peru: Aji de gallina There are different stories about the origins of the creamy aji de gallina. Historians say that when Peru was a Spanish colony, a dish that came from Europe made with chicken breast and Arab seasoning became a prototype of aji de gallina. Another story claims that poor citizens collected the hen bones that were thrown away by the rich and took the remains to their houses where they added chili and bread to make a bigger meal. The aji ...

Paris is like nowhere else when it comes to love . This is a city that encourages all in it to be free, light of spirit and carefree. Venice, Rome and New York all lay claim to being romantic, but Paris has its own special aura, because the City of Light is also the City of Love . Whether it’s lounging on the grass outside The Museum of Romantic Life, purring sweet nothings under the Eiffel Tower or embracing in front of “The Wall of I Love You”, Paris is the ultimate place of the heart, as you’ll find in our selection of the 6 Romantic Destinations To Visit in Paris With Your Partner This Valentine’s Day: The Butte Montmartre Source: Unsplash.com Montmartre is renowned as the home of artists, of dancers, the can-can and as the setting of the romantic film ‘ Amelie’. Known by the French as “ the Butte Montmartre ”, at its peak there’s the extraordinary architecture of the Sacré-Coeur, the great Church of the Sacred Heart, which some say has echoes of the Taj Maha...

A visit to Machu Picchu is the highlight of most people’s trip to Peru. In fact, this ancient Inca Citadel attracts over a million visitors each year. Many visitors get there by way of the classic Inca Trail. Yet, there are n-number of treks that take you there, each unique in their own right. Machu Picchu is only reachable by train or by foot. Around eighty-percent of visitors reach Machu Picchu by train, and 500 hikers start out on Inca Trail each day, Peru’s most prevalent trek. Technically, all these treks follow ‘Inca’ trails, but only one is known as the ‘classic route’. Securing a permit for the Inca Trail must be done 4–6 months in advance. Luckily, if you’re looking to dodge the crowds and want to have an exceptional experience, there are a number of great choices for getting to Machu Picchu. We’ve put together a brief summary and description of the several options to help you decide which route is best for you. Choquequirao Trek (7 days) If you’re lo...

The country of Peru is located in the western region of South America and shares its borders with Ecuador as well as Columbia in the north and Brazil in the east. There are various age-old cultures in Peru that reflect its historical significance. Ruins of Incas empire, dramatic landscapes, beaches, and nightlife, Peru has got it all. You’ll always find something to keep you entertained no matter what kind of traveler you are. In fact, there are so many great places to visit in Peru that you’ll have to plan your itinerary carefully. Check out this list of 8 wonderful places to visit in Peru If you’re planning to visit Cusco or experience the Machu Pichu trek, the months of May-September is the best time to visit as it is a dry season and people can explore the best attractions of the these cities without any hassle. While summer which starts from December and lasts till March is the wettest season, and there is frequent heavy showers. 8. Mancora When you...

When you think of magical locations, what comes to mind? Breath-taking castles, quaint, colourful villages, majestic mountains, all set in a landscape that seems like something out of this world? Well, there are spots on this planet that look like they are plucked right out of the pages of a children’s book. If you want to find out 8 magical locations to visit around the world then read on: Zhangjiajie, China Source: Unsplash.com Zhangjiajie is one of the most extraordinary landscapes on the planet. Pinnacles of sandstone rock stretch for miles. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park served as the inspiration for the landscape in the movie Avatar. It really does look like it is out of this world. Santorini, Greece Source: Unsplash.com Santorini is a windswept, volcanic island in the Cyclades . Magical sunsets in Oia, photogenic blue dome churches, and a myriad of colourful beaches make this island look like something right out of a fairytale. Hobbiton ...