Samuel Raj

Having scrambled the Shibuya Crossing, I discovered a country that constantly defies expectation. I moved from Tokyo’s neon rush to the hushed temples of Kyoto, stayed in a traditional ryokan, and took part in a tea ceremony that slowed time itself.

You haven't truly lived until you've joined the hungry crowds in Osaka for street-side takoyaki or felt the ground shake during a Nagoya sumo tournament as giants collide in a ritual as old as time

Even in Hiroshima, a city that could have been defined by its past, you’ll find an incredible spirit of peace and a vibrancy that stays with you. Watch the deer bow in Nara for crackers and the surreal sight of Miyajima’s "floating" gate at high tide.

It’s a country that feels like the future and the ancient world rolled into one. You don't just visit Japan; you experience a different way of existing.

Should I help you map out a 7-day JR Pass route to hit all these spots whilst enjoying a Bento Box, or would you like a seasonal guide on when to catch the cherry blossoms?

Born and brought up in India, I would love to introduce you to a journey that is far more than a trip—it’s an immersion into one of the world’s oldest and most diverse civilizations.

Delhi is where the Mughal grandeur meets buzzing bazaars. Stand before the ivory-white beauty of the Taj Mahal in Agra, then wander the royal palaces of Udaipur or Jaipur. Why not visit the wild heart of India, where in reserves like Ranthambore National Park and Bandhavgarh National Park, you can witness the majestic Bengal tiger roaming free in its natural kingdom.

Head south to the tranquil backwaters of Kerala, where houseboats glide past palm-fringed shores, or explore the vibrant temples and classical dance traditions of Tamil Nadu. In the west, Mumbai pulses with cinematic energy and entrepreneurial spirit, while the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh offer serenity and breathtaking landscapes. India’s diversity is its greatest treasure—languages, faiths, cuisines, festivals, and art forms shift from region to region, yet a deep sense of hospitality connects them all. You visit India for its monuments and landscapes, but you return for its warmth, color, flavor, and soul. If you’re seeking a destination that challenges, inspires, and transforms you, India invites you with open arms

Come, experience India the way I know and love it.

How about swapping your usual beach holiday for something a little cooler — say, the Arctic in Norway — chasing whales by day and the dazzling Aurora Borealis by night?

We flew into Norway and took the scenic rail journey from Bodø to Tromsø — not everyone’s idea of fun!

We boarded the Hurtigruten we claimed our spot in the Panorama & Observation Lounge — floor-to-ceiling windows, thank you very much! We fjord-hopped our way watching tiny coastal lights flicker ashore.

We hopped off at Skjervøy for the night (sleep was required — apparently whales prefer energetic spectators).

Next morning thermal suits on we climbed into a RIB boats that make you question your life choices for the first five minutes! So low to the water and thrillingly close to nature! Orcas appeared first, and there were plenty of those around!

Then, almost dramatically, a humpback whale surfaced beside us. Soon there were more, and for 30 unforgettable minutes we watched in awe as they glided and played beneath our boat. Honestly, it felt like they were showing off.

As if whales weren’t enough, we drove through heavy snow to a farmhouse in Svensby for snowmobile rides and a reindeer visit. That night, the Arctic sky delivered its grand finale — the Northern Lights dancing above us. Cold fingers, frozen toes, and the biggest grins ever.

Whales, fjords, snow, and shimmering skies… who’s ready to join next time?