The Perfect Tours

What if one of the most fascinating stories in ancient South Asian mythology had its roots in Sri Lanka? Imagine an ancient kingdom surrounded by mountains, mysterious caves, magnificent waterfalls and beautiful gardens. A powerful king, believed to have possessed extraordinary knowledge and abilities, ruled this kingdom. His name was Ravana. For some, King Ravana is simply a legendary character from the great Hindu epic, the Ramayana. For others, he was a real king who once ruled ancient Lanka, leaving behind stories, mysteries and places that continue to capture people's imagination. Even today, across Sri Lanka, you can find temples, caves, waterfalls and mountains associated with the legendary story of Ravana, Rama, Sita and Hanuman. I have visited some of the places connected with these fascinating stories. What makes the experience particularly interesting is that the stories are not found only in books. They are also kept alive through local beliefs, traditional storytelling...

Some travel dreams are so beautiful that you imagine them long before you ever reach your destination. For our family, seeing Mount Fuji surrounded by delicate cherry blossoms was one of those dreams. Our Japanese adventure began in Tokyo, a vibrant city where modern life and traditional culture come together in fascinating ways. But after exploring the capital, we were ready for something different; a journey towards one of Japan’s most iconic natural wonders. The following morning, we headed to Shinjuku Station to begin our journey towards Kawaguchiko, a beautiful destination near Mount Fuji. We boarded a limited express train, which was the Fuji Excursion. One of the most interesting moments came when the train separated into two sections along the way. We stayed in our carriage while the section travelling towards Kawaguchiko continued its journey. Famous Chureito Pagoda viewpoint overlooking Mount Fuji during cherry blossom season. A Magical Train Journey: Mount Fuji and Cherry ...

Imagine waking up in a village where the ground beneath your feet is alive. Steam rises from the earth. Hot pools bubble beside homes. Mud boils naturally in pools and the distant roar of a geyser suddenly breaks the silence. And then you realise something even more fascinating: people have lived here for generations, learning how to live alongside these powerful forces of nature. That was exactly what we wondered when we visited Whakarewarewa Living Maori Village in Rotorua, New Zealand, with our family in April. My husband, our two children and I had already experienced many beautiful places during our travels around New Zealand, but Whakarewarewa was completely different. Located in the heart of Rotorua on New Zealand's North Island, Whakarewarewa is far more than a tourist attraction. It is the home of the "Tuhourangi Ngati Wahiao people", a place where Maori culture, history, everyday life and the extraordinary geothermal landscape are woven together. It wasn't...