Category Archives: Asia

Travel Stress

Posted on March 4, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

I recently found a fascinating project that examined which rail stations around the world were most stressful. Obviously commuters have different issues with the stations that they need to access on a regular basis than travelers, but there’s always some … Continue reading →

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You couldn’t pay me to go there

Posted on March 2, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

After years of civil war and terrorist conflict that reduced its cultural treasures to rubble, Syria is taking steps to breathe new life into its tourism industry. The nation is focusing on restoring its rich heritage, aiming to attract history … Continue reading →

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Book this Book Hotel

Posted on February 28, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

The good news in planning an upcoming trip to Tokyo was that I managed to snag a cushy hotel in Shinjuku for five nights entirely free with reward points. However, the bad news is that I won’t be staying at … Continue reading →

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Going In Style

Posted on February 14, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

I finally managed to see Wim Wender’s superb film Perfect Days. This truly moving and heartfelt movie centers on a Tokyo resident who is employed cleaning a set of special public toilets in the Shibuya City district. If you haven’t seen it, … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Film, movies, Tourism | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

First there is a mountain…

Posted on February 10, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is First there is a mountain, then there is no mountain, then there is Taranaki Maunga, or Mount Taranaki, has peaked to sentience—at least in a legal sense. … Continue reading →

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Would You Pay to Stay in a Shipping Container

Posted on February 9, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

Researching hotel accommodations for an upcoming Japan trip has resulted in some unusual options. One of the oddest is Hotel R9 The Yard. This chain with the industrial-sounding name is notable for its unique lodgings, which are made out of storage … Continue reading →

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Your AI Travel Guide

Posted on February 7, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

I am still dubious when it comes to AI travel tools. I’ve tried out some AI trip planning with disappointing results. But how about navigating tourist sites with your very own AI travel guide, ready to reveal the stories behind … Continue reading →

Posted in apps, Architecture, Art, Asia, Europe, Maps, Museums, Public Transport, Tech, Tourism, USA | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Please turn down your volume

Posted on February 3, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

Those of you who visit regularly know that I am a fan of clever transit poster art and of Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock printing. I recently stumbled upon this series of posters from the Tokyo region Seibu Railways that I absolutely … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Asia, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

It’s a small world

Posted on January 31, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

I’m a huge fan of tilt-shift and timelapse videos. Some of my favs are from Little Big World. Here is a compilation of some favorite clips from previous Little Big World episodes, including Sudan, Hallstatt, Ore Mountains, Melbourne, Doha, Dubai, Kyiv, Chernobyl, … Continue reading →

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A Book of Marvels

Posted on January 26, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

The Book of the Marvels of the World, an illustrated guide to the globe filled with oddities, curiosities, and wonders for the medieval armchair traveler exhibition opened this week at The Morgan Library & Museum in New York City. Running … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Asia, Books, Europe, History, Libraries, Maps, Middle East, Museums, Travel Writing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments