Category: Lists

10 Free or Affordable Activities in Richmond, Va | A Visitor’s Guide to RVA

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I’ve been living in Richmond, Virginia since 2019, which means I lived here during the “COVID times”. Obviously, this means I found every single free and affordable thing to do in this town when we were bored out of our minds. It’s safe to say that at this point I know this town backwards and forwards. Richmond is a surprisingly quiet city for how many people live here. It’s typically easy to find parking and doesn’t have a lot of traffic. There are a lot of different pockets in the city that are really different from each other; from the Fan to Church Hill to Scott’s Addition. Each area offers something completely unique and there is more to do here than meets the eye. I’m here to share all of my secrets and hopefully help make your visit to Richmond as fun as it can possibly be! So here are 10 Free or Affordable Activities in Richmond, Va!

1. Visit the VMFA

The VMFA, or Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, is a staple in Richmond. Not only is the main part of the museum entirely free, but the grounds are absolutely gorgeous and it’s the perfect place for a picnic. Somehow, visiting the VMFA never gets old. The restaurant there is delicious too! I always tell my husband that I feel like I’m in Paris when we sit at the tables outside of museum, sipping our coffee. The main exhibition does charge a fee, but unless it’s something you’re desperate to see, the main part of the museum has plenty for you to see. The gift shop is a great place to shop for friends and family too! Whenever I have visitors in town, the VMFA is typically always on the list. It’s especially perfect for rainy or hot days!

2. Take a Stroll through Maymont Park

The Italian Gardens at Maymont Park
The Italian Gardens at Maymont Park

Maymont Park is easily the most gorgeous park in the city. They often have events in the park too, including concerts, so I recommend checking the schedule to see if there is something fun going on there! The park is free to visit, and even has a zoo! There is a japanese garden, italian garden, and stunning flowers and trees throughout. It’s quite a large park so you could easily spend the entire day here. I’ve photographed countless weddings here and it never ceases to amaze me. It’s also a lovely place to have a picnic!

3. Explore Church Hill

St. John’s Church

If you’re visiting Richmond, you absolutely have to wander around Church Hill. It’s an incredibly historic area with beautiful homes and a gorgeous view of the city, especially from Libby Hill Park. I highly recommend grabbing a coffee and pastry from Subrosa (the absolute best in the city) and walking to Libby Hill Park. My husband and I do this often and it’s always such a lovely experience. Church Hill has a ton of amazing restaurants too, from Grisette to Alewife to sandwiches at Union Market, cocktails at the Emerald Lounge, and ice cream at Spotty Dog. It’s especially fun to visit during Halloween and Christmas because the decorations are epic. If you’re really into Halloween, you have to do the Halloween Lights Tour!

4. Hike the James River North Bank Trail and Buttermilk Loop Trail

Floodwall Trail
Belle Isle

First of all, I recommend downloading the All Trails app so that you can see all of the hiking trails in Richmond, but I especially recommend the James River North Bank Trail and/or the Buttermilk Loop Trail. If you combine the two, it’s a full loop around the River Bank area and you’ll see some gorgeous views. The Floodwall Trail is close by too if you want even more views! The All Trails app also helps so you don’t get lost. If you do the full trail, it’s about 6.1 miles. Obviously, you don’t have to do the full trail, and if you want a much shorter trail, I recommend the Pump House Park trail or Dogwood Dell trail.

5. Take a Ghost Tour

Shockoe Bottom

While the ghost tours aren’t free, they are super affordable and really offer you a taste of the history of the city. It’s a great activity for families and often puts you in a great area for grabbing dinner or drinks. I actually have a full review on my blog and YouTube video of the spooky Shockoe Bottom Ghost Tour, but I also highly recommend the Scott’s Addition Drink Richmond Walking Tour through Scott’s Addition. Scott’s Addition is known for their amazing, countless breweries and it’s just a fun, interesting area overall. The Hollywood Cemetery Tour is also fun and takes you through the gorgeous and historic Hollywood Cemetery. Personally, I love visiting cemeteries when visiting a new city because they are incredibly historic and often stunning. Plus, Richmond is an old city and is known for it’s spooky vibes!

6. Take a stroll in Carytown

Reveler
The Jasper

If you’ve visited Richmond before, you’ve likely been to Carytown. It’s the main shopping area in the city and is filled with cute local shops and delicious restaurants. It’s also just a fun area to walk around because you’ll get to know the characters of Richmond and the vibe of the locals. A few of my favorite restaurants are Can Can Brasserie (French) , Lolita’s (Mexican), Sen Organic (Vietnamese), Mom’s Siam (Thai), Tulsi (Indian), and the Jasper (amazing cocktails). There are so many more I could list, but you really can’t go wrong! You could easily spend a day in this area. We also love Reveler, a unique sort of “oddities” bar and venue that has great jazz. You’ve never been to a place like this, I promise. It’s strange, fun, and has great cocktails and food. You can also check out the Byrd Theatre, a historic movie theatre (with affordable movie tickets) that plays the best movies in town and typically opens with an organist playing the “Mighty Wurlitzer”. Oh! And if you’re looking for coffee and pastries, Sugar & Twine is definitely one of our favorite cafes in the city! Carytown has festivals throughout the year as well, like the Watermelon Festival, so maybe you’ll be lucky enough to be visiting during one of those!

7. Bike the Capital Trail or Richmond Riverfront Phase Trail

Island Shrimp Co.
Island Shrimp Co.
Island Shrimp Co.

Again, the All Trails app is definitely helpful in following the trail paths, but these are both beautiful bike trails. The Capital Trail is actually a 51.7 mile trail that runs through Richmond and can take you all the way to Williamsburg! Of course, you can bike for however long you want, but I highly recommend biking along the area near Rockett’s Landing and grabbing a happy hour drink at the Boathouse or Island Shrimp Co. to experience the gorgeous views of the James River.

8. Take a tour of the Poe Museum

The Poe Museum is a super affordable attraction, and such a unique place. It’s one of my favorite places in the city to bring visitors because it’s so quirky and strange. I’ve still never been to a museum quite like this one. I’ve photographed a handful of weddings here too because of it’s unique courtyard and black cats that stroll the grounds. If you like Edgar Allen Poe, you HAVE to visit. The tickets are only $12, which is a steal if you ask me. The gift shop is cute too! Plus, it gives you a great idea of the strange creative side of Richmond. Kids would love this museum too!

9. Visit Joseph Bryan Park or Forest Hill Park on a Farmer’s Market Day

Joseph Bryan Park
Joseph Bryan Park

If you’re visiting over a weekend, you have to go to either the RVA Big Market at Joseph Bryan Park on Saturdays from 8am-12pm or the South of the James Market in Forest Hill Park on Sundays from 10am-1pm. They are both lovely parks to stroll with gorgeous trails, especially during the spring and fall. It’s the perfect place to bring a pet too! The markets are filled with tons of amazing local vendors and you can definitely find some affordable food and gifts to take home with you after your visit.

10. Take a day trip out of Town

Yorktown
Fort Monroe Near Virginia Beach
Fort Monroe Near Virginia Beach
Cape Charles

If you’ve already exhausted this list, I recommend taking a day trip to Ashland, Virginia Beach, Yorktown, Charlottesville or historic Colonial Williamsburg. These are all lovely cities and offer their own unique vibes. Ashland is fairly small but has some great local restaurants and a cute downtown area. If you’re looking for a place with more hustle and bustle, Charlottesville is known for it’s incredible wineries, restaurants, and walking trails. Virginia Beach, Cape Charles and Yorktown are great if you’re looking for a beach day, and Colonial Williamsburg is a WHOLE experience. Make sure to visit Jamestown and wander the area near William & Mary University. There’s really so much to do around here. There are also tons of wineries, cideries, breweries and parks surrounding Richmond, typically within a 20-45 minutes drive if you don’t want to drive quite as far.

A few bonus ideas that aren’t free, but are great ways to spend your time – Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Science Museum of Virginia (perfect for kids of all ages), Agecroft Hall & Gardens, or events at the Altria Theatre, Allianz Amphitheatre, The Broadberry, the National, or catch a movie at the historic and beautiful Byrd Theatre (one of my favorite things to do in this city)!

I hope this list helps keep you busy while you’re in Richmond! Writing this post has made me realize I need to make a restaurant guide because there are so many great places to eat here. I’ll get to work on that. 🙂

Make sure to find us on Instagram or Facebook, and you can also see some of our travels on my YouTube channel, Cameras & Cats. I’m actually a full-time photographer so I love blending photography, travel, and blogging. You can find my photography blog here! My sister and I run this blog, C’est Le Brie, together and we love sharing our travel tips and tricks with all of you. Thank you so much for reading!

❤ Myles Katherine

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First Time in Istanbul? 10 Must-See Attractions You Can’t Miss

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Top 10 Things in Istanbul, Turkiye

(This post contains affiliate links and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through our links.)

Istanbul is truly a unique city. It offers decadent food, stunning architecture, and a rich, historic culture. It’s an easy city to just wander the neighborhoods and take in the sights, smells, and sounds. This is why I would recommend not over-planning a trip there, but instead allowing yourself to get lost in the city. The views from around the city are truly breathtaking, and there is just so much to see and do. But, if you’re type A like we are, I highly advise having a list of places you want to see and then centering your explorations around those landmarks! Below is a list of my top ten must-do recommendations for this awesome city!

I was in Istanbul for work and stayed at the Sheraton Istanbul City Center. It was a great venue for my work conference, had comfortable rooms, and a lovely breakfast buffet with a variety of wonderful Turkish dishes. The best part was that the hotel offered a free shuttle that took us straight to Taksim Square (see #4) for sightseeing, people-watching, and plenty of shopping! The Sheraton also provided some nice treats in the room when I arrived!

And if you’re interested on catching up on Istanbul’s history, I read a non-fiction book about the city called Istanbul: City of Majesty at the Crossroads of the World that helped me understand the city’s history before my trip.

  1. Bosphorus Strait Cruise

I always love to travel to cities with beautiful rivers or bodies of water flowing through them. Istanbul might just be the most ideal spot for water views! I wrote a review about the GetYourGuide Istanbul: Bosphorus and Black Sea Cruise with Lunch in Istanbul, and I absolutely recommend it! A cruise like this lets you put your feet up and just enjoy the majestic beauty of Istanbul and the Bosphorus Strait.

2. Explore Ortakoy Mosque and have dinner with views at Banyan

This corner of Istanbul may just be my favorite. The Ortakoy Mosque (also known as Büyük Mecidiye Mosque) has stunning views of the Bosphorus, and the sights feel like they are out of a movie. There are so many great photo opportunities, and I just loved being right on the water! After exploring the mosque, my mom and I had dinner and drinks at Banyan. It’s a restaurant perched on the water with stunning sunset views and delicious food. We were able to watch the boats drift by in the water and relax over some nice cocktails.

3. Basilica Cistern Tour

This Istanbul: Basilica Cistern Fast-Track Entry and Audio Guide Tour was unexpected, but so much fun. It was a bit eerie because it is underground and quite dark, but there were so many beautiful sculptures and breathtaking architecture. The atmosphere is what makes it such a unique and surprising activity! My mom and I loved taking photos down here and watching as the lights changed color on the columns and water reflection. The highlight is definitely the Medusa sculptures in two of the columns – be sure not to miss this!

The ancient cisterns are just 150 meters from the Hagia Sophia, making it an easy pitstop while sightseeing and should only take an hour or less to explore. Be sure to book here if you’re interested in a tour and fast-tracked entry.

4. Taksim Square

While Taksim Square is a bit touristy, it’s a central hub that offers a segue into some of the beautiful shopping streets in Istanbul, including İstiklal Street. You can grab a Simit (Turkish bagel-like treat) or Pide (Turkish flatbread) from a food stand or find one of the famous ice cream performers.

I also recommend popping into Hafiz Mustafa which is a famous cafe known for its Turkish coffee and desserts, including its baklava (pictured above). This is a great stop for souvenirs 🙂

5. Galata Tower

Galata Tower is an iconic landmark in the city that is in a bustling corner of Istanbul. It’s beautiful for photos and exploring. You can also climb atop it and explore the small museum inside. It’s a picturesque tower with much to see and do nearby! If you would like to skip-the-line and pre-book with an audio guide, I recommend this entry with an audio guided tour.

6. Topkapi Palace Museum

Topkapi Palace is truly a must-visit when in Istanbul. I would compare it to seeing Versailles when visiting Paris. It’s a large palace complex with so much history to unpack. It has beautiful and well-maintained grounds with stunning views of the city and water below. It’s also close to the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, but note that visiting all three in one day may be a bit tiresome. There is a lot to see at the palace, and I recommend having a tour guide like we did. This really helps bring the history to life and understand the past. Again, there are so many beautiful photo opportunities in and around the palace. This two-hour tour: Topkapi Palace & Harem, Skip-the-Line Small Group tour is similar to the one we had booked that included the Harem as well.

7. Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque

If this is your first time in Istanbul, I highly recommend planning to visit both the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque together – they are both absolute must-sees! They are next to each other, with a beautiful square sitting between the two mosques. Be mindful of prayer times, and also be sure to bring a headscarf and to cover up appropriately. As is custom for all mosques, you must remove your shoes upon entering.

If you prefer to travel with a tour guide and learning more about the history and architecture, you can book the GetYourGuide Istanbul: Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia Tour w/Entry Tickets
here. And if you want to combine multiple excursions, this combination tour offers a tour of the Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace, and the Hagia Sophia (you would need to enter the Blue Mosque on your own).

8. Sahaflar Bazaar (Book Market) and the Grand Bazaar

For great souvenirs, I always love to get vintage maps, stamps, postcards, or paintings. I love anything I can hang up in my house or use to scrapbook and journal my adventures. Right outside the Grand Bazaar, are winding pathways filled with antique books, paintings, maps, and anything you can imagine. We managed to snag some really great items that are hanging on my walls now. There are so many beautiful items here and I find it less overwhelming than the Grand Bazaar and is more my cup of tea (literally because we sat inside a store and had tea with one of the vendors!).

If you’re curious, like we were, to at least see and explore the Grand Bazaar, I recommend it. Be wary that the vendors can be aggressive, but we did end up buying a few lamps we love!

9. Attend a Whirling Dervish Show

We had arranged to see a Whirling Dervish show on our last night, but I got an awful cold that I couldn’t shake and had to stay in my room for the night. The shows are put on by Sufi groups that perform an active meditation. Whenever I am back in Istanbul, I am going to make sure I see a Whirling Dervish show, it seems like a once in a lifetime experience!

10. Indulge in the food!

While we didn’t have time to arrange a food tour, I really wish we had! There are just so many delicacies to try in the city. GetYourGuide has a few offerings for food tours that look fun to try. If I could book one, I would choose this Istanbul: Guided Food Tour with Ferry Ride and Tastings. The tour takes you to a few different locations around Istanbul and looks like a fun day of city exploration tied into yummy food experiences!

A few of the restaurants we really enjoyed were Divan Brasserie (which had spectacular rooftop views), RestoHan (had live music), Seven Hills Restaurant (mainly just for the view!), and Arada Cafe.

11. Bonus – Find alllll the cats!

Istanbul is known for its friendly street cats – be sure to keep an eye out, they are all so cute!

❤ Natalie Anne

What’s in our Bag? Our Favorite Carry-On Travel Essentials

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For my last few trips, I have tried refining my absolute necessities and favorite things to pack on trips – short and long! I keep a list in my Notes app that includes items from self-care to photography to basic necessities. I’m always seeking to save space and bring as few items as possible, which I’m sharing with you today. I’d also love to hear what your recommendations are! I’m always looking to revamp my style and bring what makes the most sense!

1. Monos Carry-On Pro in Terracotta – Our Favorite Carry-On Suitcase

  • We both have the same roller carry-on suitcase and we love it. The Monos Carry-On Pro has a special compartment for laptops that we both find so useful. It also glides easily throughout the airport and the size fits for all carry-on requirements across airlines.
  • If you aren’t up for splurging on a Monos suitcase, here is a similar one on Amazon in a variety of pretty colors. I like the yellow and green ones!
Alice & Olivia Duffle and Monos Carry-On Pro in Terracotta

2. Alice & Olivia Duffle

  • A duffle bag or a backpack are best to bring as “personal items”. I prefer duffle bags that I can just throw over my shoulder or place on my carry-on suitcase when gliding through the airport. Myles and I both have this Alice & Olivia Duffle, which has been a great size for traveling.

3. Glow Recipe Pink Juice Water Gel Face Moisturizer

  • Glow Recipe Pink Juice is my everyday moisturizer, and now I always travel with it too. Glow Recipe’s oil-free moisturizer has hydrating hyaluronic acid and is a radiance booster. It’s adapted from long-lasting Korean skincare and is great for oily skin. I always have the standard size with refills at home and travel with the smaller 25ml version, pictured below

4. Supergoop! Sunscreen

  • Always start your day with sunscreen! I like this Super Goop option because it serves as a great make-up primer and has a smoothing effect. It is matte and oil-free, which prevents extra shine on the face.
From top to bottom: Summer Friday’s Lip Butter Balm, Supergoop Matte Sunscreen. Noshinku Hand Sanitizer, Salt & Stone Deodorant

5. Summer Friday’s Lip Butter Balm

  • I keep vanilla lip butter balm on hand, but I also love the bright colors for tropical and warm destinations.

6. Noshinku Refillable Pocket Hand Sanitizer

  • Traveling on a plane or train requires sanitizing your station to prevent getting sick and cleaning the areas. I discovered this brand not too long ago and it’s my new favorite. I love the clean, botanical scents.

7. SALT & STONE Deodorant (2.6 oz)

  • With natural deodorants, I can get irritation and hadn’t yet found one that worked for me, but I’ve been using this for six months and have had no issues. It’s long-lasting and smells as good as a cologne. This one is a natural deodorant for Women & Men that is aluminum-free with seaweed extracts, shea butter, and probiotics. It’s free from parabens, sulfates & phthalates with 24-hour protection. And did I mention it smells heavenly! My favorite is the Bergamot and Hinoki, but they’re all refreshing, natural scents.

8. Holga 135BC 35mm Bent Corners Film Camera

Holga 35mm on left; Instax Mini 12 on right

9. Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera

  • While I love the Holga, you do have to wait to see your photos when you develop your film. I recommend an Instax if you want that instant gratification from a Polaroid. It’s like a little present every time you snap a photo and free souvenirs! The mini polaroids are perfect for journaling during any trip. I love bringing both my Instax and Holga together.
  • Don’t forget film for this one either.

10. Portable Charger Built-in Cables and AC Wall Plug

  • Finding outlets, and finding working outlets in general can be difficult when traveling. For backups, I always like to bring a portable charger. This one is pretty compact and also cute.

11. Dr. Scholl’s Women’s Time Off Sneaker

  • Another matching item for both of Myles and myself. We LOVE our Dr. Scholl’s sneakers. They have a subtle platforms style, and are so comfortable. It’s like walking on a cloud, which makes long travel lines, tours, and standing around much more bearable.

12. Super Soft Adult EarPlanes® Ear Plugs or Alpine Fly Fit Earplugs

  • We both have issues with our inner ears since one flight we took in Alaska long ago. Since then, we always travel with decongestants and Earplanes or Alpine Fly Fit Earplugs (if you have smaller ears) to help prevent painful air pressure changes.

13. Beats Studio Pro – Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headphones

  • Noise-cancelling headphones on airplanes are a game-changer. Once you start using them, you won’t be able to go back to regular earbuds. I recently got the Studio Pro version and I love them so much.

14. TESSAN Universal Travel Adapter, International Power Adapter with 4 USB Ports (1 USB C)

  • A universal adapter is a travel must. This one is great because you can switch the settings depending on where you are.

15. Bonine Non-Drowsy Motion Sickness Relief – 32 Chewable Tablets with Meclizine HCL 25mg

  • Motion sickness is also not our friend, but Bonine helps us cope and doesn’t make me as groggy as other travel medications might.

16. Passport Holder / Luggage tags

17. Last but not least, a cute travel journal

  • I’m always on the hunt for cute journals to document my trips. I use them as a pseudo-scrapbook, photo album! It can also be fun to pick one up wherever you are traveling to, but I will do this then save it for my next trip!

Happy traveling!

❤ Natalie Anne

(This post contains affiliate links and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through our links.)

Top 15 Things to See & Do On Your First Trip to Japan

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1. Sensō-ji Temple (Asakusa – Tokyo)

Sensō-ji Temple is a stunning ancient Buddhist Temple (the oldest in Tokyo) located in the Asakusa District and surrounded by shopping, restaurants, and beautiful photo ops. There is so much history here and you could truly spend an entire day wandering around and looking at the architecture. I’d recommend doing a walking tour like this one of the temple and the rest of the Asakusa district. It’s a great way to start your trip in Japan!

2. Robot Restaurant (Shibuya – Tokyo)

I mean. You can’t go to Japan without visiting the famous Robot Restaurant. You can catch a glimpse of the crazy action in my YouTube video here! Make sure to stop by the Cat Cafe in Shibuya before the show too. 🙂

3. Shibuya Scramble (Shibuya – Tokyo)

You’ve probably heard of the “Shibuya Scramble” or the Shibuya Crossing, a popular pedestrian intersection where you can watch thousands of people “scrambling” through Shibuya. I’d recommend watching from above at the Shibuya Skydeck. Shibuya is sort of like the Times Square of Tokyo, with bright lights, endless restaurants, and lots of people visiting from all over the world.

4. Harajuku District (Tokyo)

No visit to Tokyo is complete without visiting the Harajuku district. This is where you will witness the incredible fashion, shopping, food, and younger culture of Japan. It’s bright, energetic, and busy. There is so much to see and do in this part of town so make sure to set aside time to wander and shop!

5. Fushimi Inari Shrine (Kyoto)

The Fushimi Inari Shrine is probably one of the most memorable spots from our trip. It is a Shinto shrine filled with hundreds of bright red gates. You can wander the paths for hours, or you can take the steep 2.5 mile hike to the top. We only made it about halfway to a viewpoint of the city of Kyoto, which is where most people decide to stop and turn around. But go for it if you want to say you climbed to the top! I definitely recommend going on an early morning tour like this one to avoid crowds!

You can check out my YouTube video about our visit to the Inari shrine here!

6. Gion District (Kyoto)

The Gion district, or “geisha district”, is an extremely old and historical part of Kyoto. It’s filled with wooden structures, izakayas, and teahouses. You’ll find travelers and locals alike wearing traditional kimono. It was an incredibly beautiful and magical part of our trip. We stayed in the Kyoto Inn Gion The Second hotel and absolutely loved it.

7. Chion-in Temple (Kyoto)

This temple actually wasn’t originally on our list to visit, but it was close to our first hotel we stayed in, the The Kyoto Hana Hotel, and we couldn’t take our eyes off of it. There is a LOT to see here and so many places you can sit and meditate, photograph, or admire. This walking tour includes the Chion-in Temple, as well as a few other famous landmarks in Kyoto, so it might be best to be pushed along a little so that you can use your time wisely. 🙂

You can check out our visit to the Chion-in Temple in my YouTube video here!

8. Kyoto Gyoen National Garden (Kyoto)

This was another place we stumbled upon while wandering through Kyoto. We were on our way to Honke Owariya, the oldest restaurant in Kyoto, Japan, established in 1465! They are known for their handmade soba noodles. On our way there, I looked at the map and saw a giant park called Kyoto Gyoen National Garden. There were so many beautiful plants, flowers, buildings, and gardens here. The Kyoto Imperial Palace was especially stunning! This morning walking tour of Kyoto will take you through this park if you’re interested!

9. Owakudani Mountain (Hakone)

Owakudani Mountain is a truly magical place. It’s known for it’s “black eggs” that are boiled right there in the hot natural spring water. It’s known to bring you 7 years of good luck if you eat one! There is a cute visitors center at the top of the mountain and a gorgeous view of Mount Fuji if you’re lucky enough to have a clear day. As a photographer, I loved seeing the volcanic steam rising from the mountain. The black eggs weren’t too bad, actually, but the curry bun we got at the visitor’s center was delish! If you take this tour of Hakone, you get to take the cable car up the mountain to Owakudani.

Watch my YouTube video about our day at Owakudani Mountain here!

10. Hakone Open-Air Museum (Hakone)

The Hakone Open-Air Museum really sticks out in my mind because it was such a peaceful and inspiring place. We went on a rainy day so it was super quiet and meditative. There is a foot bath with natural running spring water that we rested our weary feet in for at least an hour. It was so nice and much needed. This tour includes the Open-Air Museum, as well as Owakudani Mountain mentioned above. We also stayed in a gorgeous guesthouse called Irori Guesthouse Tenmaku, which was incredibly memorable and unique, in the best way.

11. Onshi Hakone Park (Hakone)

If you’re in Hakone, you absolutely need to catch a glimpse of Lake Ashi at some point. I’d recommend a tour like this one so you can take a ride on the epic pirate ship that coasts around the lake. As a photographer, I loved wandering around Onshi-Hakone park and taking photos of all of the beautiful plants, flowers, and views.

12. Nara Deer Park (Nara)

If you google Nara, Japan, the first thing you’ll see is wild deer everywhere. It’s so fun to feed them and it is super memorable. I’d plan to walk through Nara Park on your way to Tōdai-ji Temple, mentioned below. Or, take a walking tour or bike tour of Nara to make sure you don’t miss anything!

You can watch my YouTube video about our day in Nara here!

13. Tōdai-ji Temple (Nara)

Tōdai-ji Temple is gorgeous, and a must-see if you’re in Nara. There is also a lovely view of the city from the area around the temple. The temple also houses the largest bronze Buddha statue in the country! My husband was amazed by the building because it’s also the largest wooden structure in Japan! The walking tour or bike tour will bring you to the Tōdai-ji Temple too. 🙂

You can watch my YouTube video about our day in Nara here!

14. Kōtoku-in Buddhist Temple

The Kōtoku-in Buddhist Temple is located in the quiet and peaceful town of Kamakura. I loved this temple because you can actually walk around INSIDE the giant Buddha. I had a very memorable moment while visiting this statue and I’ll never forget it. This half-day walking tour will bring you to Kōtoku-in, as well as a few other key stops in Kamakura.

Make sure to watch my YouTube video about our day in Kamakura here!

15. Kamakura Zaimokuza Beach

I couldn’t visit Japan without visiting a beach. Kamakura Zaimokuza Beach was beautiful and it was a perfect way to end our trip. The half day walking tour I mentioned above will also bring you to this beach. We stayed at the Kamakura Prince Hotel, which had a stunning view of the ocean. I’d also recommend Moana Makai if you’re looking for a restaurant!

Make sure to watch my YouTube video about our day in Kamakura here!

I hope these travel tips give you some insight into the magic of Japan and everything it has to offer. I’m hoping to visit again next year! Feel free to leave any thoughts, comments, questions. I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned in my travels. 🙂

You can read a more detailed post about these landmarks on my photography blog here. Or check out my YouTube channel to see all of our travels!

❤ Myles Katherine

Amsterdam Travel Tips: 10 Things to Know Before Your First Visit

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  • 1. Stay in De Pijp – Staying at the Sir Albert, of course! De Pijp is a down-to-earth neighborhood that is easy to stroll and not quite as noisy as the city center. It is filled with lovely restaurants and has great streets and canals to meander. It’s also a 20-30 minute walk to the city center and red light district or a quick metro ride!
A little duck fancied himself a ride on our vessel
  • 3. Visit the Tony’s Chocolonley Headquarters – Tony’s Chocolonley is a Dutch chocolate company that was created to combat the exploitation in the cocoa manufacturing industry. Not only is its mission important, its chocolate is amazing. Conveniently, its headquarters are based in the heart of Amsterdam. The company has creative flavors, bars, and snacks to choose from. But if nothing on the menu tickles your fancy, then you can actually make your own chocolate bar – amazing, right?!
Blueberry Deluxe with a scoop of saffron ice cream. Heavenly.
  • 6. Try bitterballen. If croquettes and beef stew had a child, it would be a fried baby bitterballen. You simply cannot leave Amsterdam without trying one. We ordered them at cafe t’Smalle, and they were so delicious!
  • 7. Check out a museum – We opted for the Van Gogh museum. You can purchase tickets ahead through the museum’s website. If you prefer to enter through a guided tour, you can purchase tickets and the tour here. While we didn’t do a tour this time, I recommend booking your tickets ahead of time for the day and time slot you want to go. I would set aside a minimum of two hours for the Van Gogh museum. If you’re short on time, the Kattenkabinet (cat museum) is quirky and cool with a lovely gift shop! It only takes 45 minutes to an hour to explore.
  • 8. Enjoy a cocktail date night – The Flying Dutchman was a perfect date spot, but be sure to make reservations! It had an inspiring menu showcasing classic cocktails throughout the ages and a robust whisky collection.

Til next time!

❤ Natalie

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