Here and there but not quite everywhere!
After flying from Dulles to Brussels on United, we took the train down to Namur. We spent most our time there visiting the Citadelle de Namur, accessed via gondola, and even got a private guided tour of its underground tunnels, although it was only private because we were the only people who booked today! We also enjoyed lunch and a short walk through the city before continuing on to Luxembourg where we checked in to the Luxembourg Marriott Hotel Alfa.
Upon waking up at the 名古屋マリオットアソシアホテル Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel, we headed upstairs to the lounge for breakfast where we also saw the sunrise. We took the train over to 岐阜 Gifu and ascended to 岐阜城 Gifu Castle via aerial tram and a short walk. After, we had lunch and visited 正法寺 Shōhō-ji to see its Great Buddha Statue before walking around 岐阜公園 Gifu Park. We ended our visit in Gifu with a walk through the historic 川原町 Kawaramachi before returning to Nagoya for dinner.
Continue reading “Gifu Castle and Park”
After waking up at the ザ ブラッサム熊本 The Blossom Kumamoto, we checked out and headed over to 長崎 Nagasaki by a combination of Shinkansen and conventional rail. We left our bags at the 長崎マリオット Nagasaki Marriott and visited the 山王神社 Sanno-jinja and its one legged torii, having lost the other leg during the atomic bombing. After, we took the 長崎ロープウェイ Nagasaki Ropeway up to the top of 稲佐山 Inasa-yama for a fantastic view of the city. Next, we took a quick look at the 眼鏡橋 Spectacles Bridge before having a sushi dinner and checking in at the Marriott. Our room ended up being fantastic! In the evening, we took the Shinkansen over to 武雄温泉 Takeo Onsen to ride on the Super Mario train which was operating as the Midori.
Continue reading “Nagasaki and Super Mario”
After waking up at the Courtyard, we headed over to 瑠璃光院 Ruriko-in for its fall special viewing event. We then ascended 比叡山 Mt. Hiei by funicular and aerial tram. Atop the mountain, we visited the ガーデンミュージアム比叡 Garden Museum Hiei and various buildings of 延暦寺 Enryaku-ji. We descended by funicular to the east and returned to Kyoto by train. In the evening, we attended a special night viewing at 智積院 Chishaku-in.
Continue reading “Mount Hiei”
After breakfast at the InterContinental Lyon, we headed over to Grenoble and visited the Museum of the Old Bishop’s Palace and adjacent Notre-Dame Cathedral. After lunch, we took the gondola up to the Bastille, a fortress that overlooks the city, and walked back down.
Continue reading “Grenoble”