Cultural

Fukuoka has been rated as one of the most liveable cities in the world, which also makes it a great place to visit. It is also said to be the oldest city in Japan. However, it is probably best known for its yatai or street food stalls, which serve yakitori chicken, oden hot pots and tonkotsu ramen.  The food served is both delicious and affordable and the cuisine is a reflection of the history of this cosmopolitan city on the north coast of Kyushu, the closest of Japan’s four main islands to the Asian mainland.

I know for most the a ski break is all about the slope. But what if you could mix your skiing activities with other experiences? Like fine dining, yoga and wine-tasting, walking and great festival where some of the best artists come to entertain. For those who don't ski or just do a little then, here you won't be bored or feel jealous watching others enjoy themselves, going up and down the slopes.  Well have found 5 resorts where you can slope off for a bit more than just skiing.

You would not think it but Portugal is one of the oldest countries in Europe, its borders have remained largely unchanged since the 12th-century.  The Portuguese founded the first global empire. Lisbon’s ornate Torre de Belem (torrebelem.pt), Portugal’s symbol of the Age of Discovery, is a Unesco-protected monument and celebrated its 500th anniversary in 2015. The ornate tower was originally built in 1515 as a fortress to guard the entrance to Lisbon’s harbour, and served as the starting point for many voyages of discovery: it was from the beach in Belem that the great explorer Vasco da Gama set sail to chart the sea route to India. UNESCO chose to list it as a World Heritage monument for being ‘a reminder of the great maritime discoveries that laid the foundations of the modern world’.

There’s nowhere quite like Ireland, and that’s especially true when the sun shines. With beaches that belong in the Caribbean and striking scenery, it is only a short hop over the sea from UK mainland.  Sure, the Irish summer might not have the guaranteed heat of the Mediterranean, but what it lacks in scorching temperatures it more than makes up for with gorgeous countryside, an abundance of seafood and a hefty dose of 'craic'. And even if the weather isn’t in your favour, you can always be sure of a snug, cosy pub to warm the cockles.

Like all Italians, the South Tyrolean’s take their food very seriously. South Tyrol’s unique blend of Italian, Tyrolean and Ladin cultures is reflected in the variety and fusion of flavours found in the region’s cuisine. As an almost inevitable result, it is home to some of Europe’s finest restaurants and award-winning wine producers.

Rugged, brooding Sicily crashes up through the waters of the Mediterranean, the wild and secretive ball to Italy’s slinky boot. Home to thousands of years of human history, the starkly beautiful island has fallen to the Greeks, Moors, Arabs, Romans and the French. But in the past 200 years, it has fallen to more modern conquerors, the Mafia, whose stranglehold over the island has only just begun to loosen. The Cosa Nostra (‘Our Thing’) turned Sicily into an impenetrable fortress of fear and the island is peppered with ‘relics’ of its reign of terror.

Tokyo was voted the most satisfying city in the world to visit in 2014. Despite the massive population of over 13 million, visitors said it was friendly, clean and easy to get around. Japan’s capital was also third in the world for restaurants and nightlife and fifth for shopping, according to the same Trip Advisor list.

Tourism to Iran is on the up. Combined with strengthening diplomatic relations between Iran and the West, means the country is finally opening its doors to western tourist. Western government are no longer advising their citizens not to visit this once no-go-zone. However, there are some parts that are not recommending visiting yet.  Consequently, eager tour operators are lining up to take curious travellers to the crumbling city of Persepolis, the rug-strewn bazaars of Esfahan and the stately gardens of Shiraz and see Iran’s many temples, mosques, fortresses and monuments.

A long with Mount Fuji, the traditional geisha with their white painted faces, elaborate kimonos, bright red lipstick and black shiny hair piled up in a chignon are one of the most iconic images of Japan.

Kyoto, the former capital, which is home to an impressive 17 World Cultural Heritage Sites, including the Nijo Castle and the Kiyomizu Temple, boasts a long tradition of geisha district in Japan.

HOTEL CHESA ROSATSCH, CELERINA

Nestled in the popular Upper Engadine valley, on the banks of the Inn River, this charming property, with rosy red walls and wooden beams, is almost 400 years old. Rooms, though, are modern and boutique, while its restaurant serves tasty stone-grilled locals meat and crispy Flammechueche. The village of Celerina is quiet but perfectly placed for exploring the surrounding area, where it’s possible to view Engadine’s glaciers. Visit hotelrosatsch.ch/en/