Looking to avoid the crowds heading to Japan this year? Then book a trip to Tohoku in the Northern region of Japan. Tohoku has six prefectures—Aomori, Akita, Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi and Yamagata—each of which offers beautiful landscapes, spiritual temples and shrines, historical sites, unique cuisine, samurai culture and more. Avoid tourist traps and overwhelming crowds while experiencing the best of Tohoku at these 15 places.

For national forests, World Heritage sites, hot springs, ornate temples and shrines and more, head to Nikko, a peaceful respite from busier tourist destinations of Japan. Less than two hours away from Tokyo via Tobu Railway, a private train service that features reclining seats and a scenic ride across five prefectures, the Tobu-Nikko station is the final stop beginning at Asakusa Station. Here are 25 ways to discover the rich culture, history and nature of Nikko.

Convenience stores in Japan, which are also known as conbini, live up to every bit of hype I have ever heard. And after visiting Lawson, one of the biggest convenience-store chains in Japan, my expectations have officially been raised — and convenience stores in the US will never be nearly as appealing. Here's a look at my first experience in Lawson, a broke food lover's dream.

Vietnam is a vibrant country full of incredible scenery, lush jungles, endless caves and gorgeous coastal and mountain landscapes. It’s an ideal place to explore for adventurous travelers. I spent nine super active days with REI Adventures, hiking, biking and spelunking my way through the country with a group of high-spirited travelers on a designated Under 35 trip. We began this once-in-a-lifetime trip in Hoi An and ended in the capital of Hanoi. Each day’s activities showcased the best of thi

Yearlong San Francisco’s Iconic Ferry Building is filled with the best that the Bay Area’s top artisanal vendors, producers, bakers, farmers and craftsmen have to offer. The famous landmark opened back in 1898 as a transportation hub for those taking the ferryboat and train and today it’s become a world class public food market, home to some of the most delicious, unique culinary offerings in the city. Strolling through the bustling building perusing through each merchants’ goodies—especially o

Few places are as special as San Francisco during the holidays so be sure to take advantage of as many deliciously festive offerings as you can! From boozy hot cocoa and spiced cocktails to Christmas dinners and New Year’s Eve soirees, here’s your go-to guide for all things merry and bright in San Francisco.

If you find yourself in need of an escape from reality, consider booking a stay at Unique Garden Hotel and Spa, one of Brazil’s most exceptional and tranquil properties. Located an hour outside of Sao Paolo, Unique Garden boasts around 81 acres of land in the Cantareira State Park. A stay at Unique Garden is an all-encompassing experience, one that caters to all of one’s senses.

Tokyo is one of the world’s most popular destinations and with good reason. Visitors to Japan’s busy capital have access to an unending variety of sights, sounds, tastes and everything in-between. Whether you’re a foodie, history buff, fashion addict, photographer or a lover of nature, Tokyo and it’s surrounding area has something for you.

Tokyo, Japan, has a lot of beautiful, cute, and giant foods. Some popular Instagrammable foods include larger-than-life rainbow cotton candy, Totoro-shaped cream puffs, and technicolor sundaes and cakes. The city also offers animal-shaped pastries and special Hello Kitty sweets. Adorable, colorful eats can be found in cafes and sit-down restaurants throughout the city, so I spent four days searching for a few of the most photogenic ones. Here are some of the most Instagrammable foods in Tokyo.

Everyone knows that a restaurant doesn’t have to be expensive and fancy to be delicious! Think about the mom and pop shops, the family-ran eateries and those tiny off-the-beaten-path spots that always have people lined up, waiting for the chance to dig in. Though your typical hole-in-the-wall restaurant doesn’t look like much from the front, and honestly may look even less impressive once inside, what matters is one thing: taste.

Experiencing an Alaskan cruise is on most people’s bucket lists, and after experiencing my first one with Princess Cruises, I have to say that it’s worth the hype and excitement. As one of the most respected names in cruising, Princess Cruises has reached a major milestone: 50 years of fulfilling guests' dream vacations to Alaska.

What comes to mind when you think of Hawaii? Beaches? Sun, sand and surf? While it’s undeniable that Hawaii is all these things, this tropical paradise is home to much more than your traditional luaus, leis and hula dances. A stay at the Fairmont Orchid is one that will open your eyes to the side of Hawaiian culture that often gets lost in the tourist traps of the Big Island.

What comes to mind when you think Alaska? Wildlife? Mountain ranges? Dog mushing? Northern Lights? If you’re looking to see and do it all, make Fairbanks your home base. As the state’s second-largest city, Fairbanks, is home to a little over 100,000 people and a whole lot of untouched terrain.

If you’ve got an adventurous spirit, a love for the ocean and a desire for a tropical vacation, it may be time to head to Fiji with the one and only Jean-Michel Cousteau, the famed French oceanographic explorer, environmentalist, educator and film producer. THIRDHOME, the luxury property and travel club which allows its travelers unique experiences through its curated adventure packages and niche getaways, has partnered with Cousteau to offer guests seven days of immersive ocean-focused experiences.

Calabria is a stunning coastal region surrounded by the crystal-clear blue waters of the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas, rocky coasts and umbrella-dotted sandy beaches. Inland are endless acres of lemon, orange and olive trees, mountainous backdrops and rolling hills. Calabria’s history dates back thousands of years and is a place where you can explore ruins, castles and medieval villages. It’s as equally as beautiful as anywhere in Italy, yet still remains one of the lesser-visited regions.

Have you ever eaten your way through a new destination, fully expecting to have packed on the pounds, only to return lighter than when you left? While it's not common, Costa Rica is one of those magical places where the food is so fresh, unprocessed and clean, that this phenomenon can happen. There is an unparalleled variety of fruits and vegetables found throughout the country. From bustling farmer's markets, stands on the sides of the roads, farms and plantations to naturally growing produce

The Champagne region of France is a destination that must be experienced by those that love gastronomy and bubbly. It is after all home to UNESCO listed cellars, sprawling vineyards and over 250 Champagne houses, in addition to charming small villages and miles of scenic French countryside. From Epernay to Lagny-Sur-Marne, there are countless stops to delight those interested in the intersection of history and the finer things in life. And by that, I of course mean Champagne and cheese.

If you're planning on doing Napa Valley right, do yourself a favor and make your home base Downtown Napa. The main reason? No need for a designated driver because everything in this eclectic, charming hub is walkable. The picturesque Riverfront looks like something out of a storybook. Moreover, the river itself is peaceful and calming, making it an ideal stroll for any time of day, especially in the early morning or at sunset. The Riverfront is lined with boutique shops filled with handcrafted

Suzhou is an ancient city whose profound history plays a large part in its culture and way of life, even today. Located in the Jiangsu Province, around 60 miles west of Shanghai, it’s easy for travelers to get to via train or car, making it a worthwhile and convenient day trip. Though one day isn’t enough to fully experience the Venice of China.

As one of NorCal’s popular getaway destinations, Mendocino, California is widely known for its coastal beauty, elevated cuisine and luxe accommodations. But what surprises many is the fact that it’s home to some very special attractions that separate this county from most. From a sanctuary for endangered African animals to the famed beach made of glass, it’s a unique place that offers more than just epic scenery.