Promoting Peace - Hiroshima treats its tragic past with honour and respect but it does not dwell on it. The city is full of plenty of lighthearted fun as well.

The railway system in Japan is so well developed, punctual, extensive and diverse that you can simply assume that wherever you plan to go – there is a train that will take you there. Railroads are the primary mode of passenger transportation, and they have been ever since the first passenger steam locomotives debuted in Japan during the Meiji Restoration in 1872.

Kyoto, once the capital of Japan, is a city on the island of Honshu. It’s famous for its numerous classical Buddhist temples, as well as gardens, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses. It’s also known for formal traditions such as kaiseki dining, consisting of multiple courses of precise dishes, and geisha, female entertainers often found in the Gion district of Kyoto.

Osaka is a large port city and commercial center on the Japanese island of Honshu. The city is known for its modern architecture, nightlife and hearty street food.

Takayama and the surrounding area boast traditional architecture, opulent festivals and a range of the best mountains and onsen in Japan. Widely considered Gifu’s crown jewel, Takayama is a fantastic destination surrounded by the scenic alpine countryside of the Japanese Alps. A destination in itself, Takayama is also an excellent base for one to explore the Japanese Alps and the surrounding Hida area.

Tokyo offers an impossible amount to take in with its barrage of sights and sensations – the Imperial Palace, Hie Shrine, Meiji Shrine, Asakusa Shrine, Tsukiji Fish Market, Kabuki-cho Theater, Akihabara Electric Town, the bright lights, bars and karaoke boxes of Roppongi, the shopping streets of Omotesando and Aoyama, the hipster kids of Harajuku , the funky design stores of Shibuya and at least 100,000 restaurants.

For my second visit to Italy, I was travelling on my own. The best option was to use a Rail Pass which gave me flexibility and value for money. For this travel, I wanted to spend more time in Tuscany and visit Sienna, San Gimignano and the Cinque Terra.

The Garden Island - Kaua'i is the fourth largest island in Hawaii and is known as the 'Garden Island' because of its lushness. The island is 170 kilometers northwest of Oahu, about a 20 minute flight. Check out my suggested itinerary.

What enthralled me to Tasmania was the stories I was told about the early settlers and the convicts. Most of the historical buildings still stand because they were constructed by the local sandstone, and every building has a story. While many will rent a car to tour the state, I would suggest that you take every opportunity to meet the locals and hear their stories. Here is a suggested itinerary.