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Destination Guide

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Niseko is widely known as a prime ski destination, thanks to its powder quality, variety of trails, and fantastic options for night skiing and backcountry skiing. It’s located in one of the coldest regions in Japan, so the town enjoys a long ski season that lasts from November till May. Beyond the slopes, Niseko still checks off all the right boxes – it offers incredible outdoor onsens, luxury ski chalets, a lively après-ski scene and abundant dining options. To help you plan for your holiday, we’ve put together a complete Niseko Ski Guide. Check out where to ski in Niseko, information on ski equipment rental, ski passes and more. Where to ski in Niseko The main ski resorts are Niseko Hirafu, Niseko Village, Annupuri and Hanazono (Hanazono and Niseko Hirafu are jointly known as Niseko Mt. Resort Grand Hirafu). These four resorts form a collective known as Niseko United and are…

Visiting Niseko soon? There are three main transport options for getting around in Niseko: via rental car, shuttle bus or taxi. In our guide below, we’ll provide an overview of the different transport options, along with tips to help you get around Niseko more easily and safely. Let’s begin: Rent a car in Niseko Hokkaido’s well-maintained roads make for easy driving during the summer. But during wintertime, the road conditions can be hazardous. Plus, there’s also the problem of limited parking during the winter – covered parking lots are limited, and while public parking is available, these spaces may not be easily accessible due to the heavy snowfall (you’ll need to be prepared to shovel a lot too). Driving around Niseko during winter isn’t recommended unless you’re experienced in driving in extreme winter road conditions. Niseko Auto – 37-97 Aza, Yamada, Kutchan, p. +81-80-5586-3490. Open 9am – 6pm Mon -…

Mention Niseko, and one immediately thinks of its world-class powder snow, excellent ski conditions and top-notch ski accommodations. In different periods across the winter season, there will be changes in the weather, snow conditions, prices, dining and nightlife options and other key factors. To help you better plan for your trip, we’ve provided a quick overview for Niseko ski season below: Start of Niseko ski season: Late November – early December Average temperatures: -1°C to 6°C (November) & -1°C to -7°C (December) Night skiing: Unavailable Backcountry gates: Open (depending on weather conditions). Monthly observed snowfall (2018 / 2019 season): 84 cm Lift lines: There aren’t that many vacationers in Niseko during this period, so you can expect short lift lines. Restaurants, nightlife and events: The majority of restaurants commence their operations at the start of December, and you’ll find a good selection of dining venues open before then. The nightlife…

Mauritius is such a small country that only stretches across an area of 2,040km², there are no trains or trams on the island. On the other hand, because Mauritius is so tiny, it’s surprisingly easy to get around: in fact, you can actually travel from the North to the South of the island in just three to four hours. We’ve made getting around Mauritius even easier for you. Check out the guide below! Roads in Mauritius The island has quite a clear network of roads, with the three main ones being: M3, which links Terre Rouge to Verdun in the North, passing through Port-Louis, the capital M2, which links Port Louis to the tourist village of Grand Baie, in the North of the island M1, which links the airport in the South East to Port Louis. This is the most important road on the island since it also passes through the…

Whether you are looking for artisanal furniture, designer handbags or sarongs and souvenirs, Bali is a shopper’s haven. The island’s long history of craftsmanship skills has been passed down through the generations. As a result, villages specialise in a myriad of trades, including printing, woodcarving, textiles, weaving, rattan furniture, and more. It’s this incredible history, matched with the inexpensive price tag, that makes buying Bali furniture so appealing. Love a piece of furniture at your Seminyak villa but not sure how to get bulky or heavy items, such as furniture, back home? Although this can seem like a daunting task, it really is quite straightforward. Here’s how. 1. Know what you want to buy Furniture at Villa Shantika, Seminyak As with most things in life, a little basic preparation can help the whole process run more smoothly. Provided you know in advance of your trip that you will want to bring heavy items…

Living on the incredible island of Bali means different things to different people, perhaps endless poolside cocktails for some, living the expat life for others. But for me, the excitement lays in the homewares shopping. What once was endless window shopping has now turned into an ever-growing obsession with the amazing interior design stores that the island has on offer! For those of you who are just visiting and may not have as much of a chance to explore Bali’s many meandering streets and alleys (after all only so much time can be taken away from the pool and cocktail bar – oh the stresses of holiday time management!), here is a quick guide to some of best Bali homeware stores that you simply must visit. Kim Soo Kim Soo (@kimsoohome) is one of Bali’s most dreamy interiors and homeware stores. The entire shop is extremely photogenic, in fact, you’ll…

Queenstown is an all-year-round travel destination. No matter when your travels are bringing you over to Queenstown, you will be blown away by her beauty! In the summer, you can swim in the lake and in the winter you go ski down the mountains with snow as far as the eye can see – amazing! There are 4 seasons and all have a magical something to them. However, if you came to ski, you must come during wintertime! If you came for watersports, picnics and swimming, summertime is your season. Hiking and mountain biking? Why not try Autumn or spring? Let’s zoom into all 4 seasons, what you can expect and what to do: Summertime and the living is easy Oh yes, Summertime is full on happening in Queenstown – the Adventure capital of the world. Clear blue skies, warm but not too hot, beautiful surroundings and you can still…

What’s Wanaka weather like? When is the best time to visit this beautiful destination? Well, the answer to this question really depends on what kind of holiday you are after. Wanaka is located on New Zealand’s Southern Island, just a 1-hour drive from Queenstown, and it has got 4 wonderful seasons, each with its own magic. Just like the seasons’ change, Wanaka has got something different to offer in summer, autumn, winter and spring. No matter when you decide to come down to this gorgeous lakeside mountain town, you will be struck by its beauty and you will always have a wide range of activities to choose from. Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect during the different seasons in Wanaka: Wintertime – A snowy winter wonderland Wanaka is a stunning snow-covered wonderland during wintertime and it makes the ultimate playground for travellers and families who love to…

Wanaka is charming town in the south island of New Zealand. Known for its beautiful surroundings, it’s situated by the side of Wanaka Lake with plenty of activities to keep you entertained. The town itself is small and you can easily get around on foot to sample one of their many cafes and restaurants. There’s even an old-style cinema that serves warm, straight-out-of-the-oven cookies during an old fashion intermisson! We’re not kidding. The whole cinema smells like cookies. Already found the perfect villa? Good on you! Had a look at things to do in and around town? Excellent! If you’re wondering how to get around, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some useful tips on transport possibilities! Getting to Wanaka Wanaka is just a 1-hour drive from Queenstown. There are 3 international airports in relative close proximity to Wanaka: Queenstown Airport (ZQN), Dunedin (DUD) and Christchurch (CHC). The…

Queenstown is a beautiful lakeside town with a small but very charming city centre and it is surrounded by majestic snowy mountain peaks and famous ski fields. The town is found on New Zealand’s South Island and it is the main gateway to get to the Southern Alps. It is also known as the Adventure Capital of the World and it is one of the most popular tourist towns in all of New Zealand. Planning to stay in Queenstown this coming holiday? Great idea! No matter when you are travelling to Queenstown, it is always a good time to come! Here’s what you need to know to navigate your way around this lovely town: Getting to Queenstown, New Zealand By air Queenstown Airport (ZQN) has got frequent daily flights coming in from big cities in New Zealand and Australia. Whether you are coming from Aukland, Wellington or Christchurch, Sydney, Melbourne,…