We visited Washington, DC in the morning today to see the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin. It was, unfortunately, well past peak bloom.
Continue reading “Past Peak Bloom at the Tidal Basin”Past Peak Bloom at the Tidal Basin
Kagoshima
After waking up at the Grand Hyatt Fukuoka, we took the Shinkansen down to 鹿児島市 Kagoshima and then a local train to Sengan-en Station. From the station, we had a fantastic view of 桜島 Sakurajima, a nearby active volcano that was spewing an ash cloud at the time! We visited the nearby 仙巌園 Sengan-en and had lunch there. We visited 城山公園 Shiroyama Park before having dinner and returning to Hakata.
Continue reading “Kagoshima”Mount Hiei
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”Grenoble
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”Fall at the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
After having dinner in Reston and staying overnight at the AC Hotel, we visited the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in the morning. We saw the preparations for the Winter Walk of Lights as well as various flowers and a few birds. After, we had lunch in Vienna and visited the Leesburg Premium Outlets before returning home via Frederick.
Continue reading “Fall at the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens”