Japan is ready to once again extend its famous hospitality to travelers! In the wake of the tragic March 11 earthquake and tsunami, Japan's tourism industry has seen a significant decline, though most of the country was not directly affected by the disaster. One direct way you can support Japan's economy and morale is by visiting the country.

US Lifts Japan Travel Warning

The U.S. and other governments are no longer advising against travel to Japan. The U.S. State Department published an updated Travel Alert for Japan on April 14, lifting the voluntary authorized departure status instituted on March 16. Experts from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Department of Energy, and scientists on the ground in Japan assessed the situation and concluded that the health and safety risks to those in areas outside of the 50-mile radius of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant are very low and don’t pose a significant risk. 

Our new Travel Specialist, Michelle Barth, spent 2 months traveling throughout Southeast Asia. She took a biking tour in Chiang Rai and discovered delicious food in Ubud, Bali. Here she shares with us one of her favorite locations in Thailand, Koh Lanta.

With Thailand still attracting approximately 15 million tourists a year, most travelers head down south to soak up the sun on some of the world’s most famous beaches. Tourists have been flocking to destinations like Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi, and Koh Pha Ngan for years. Yes, these popular spots have some of the best beaches, but an overdeveloped beach flooded with tourists isn’t my ideal vacation experience. If you are wondering what Phuket may have been like 10+ years ago, get off the main tourist track, and head to the beaches of Koh Lanta.

One aspect of trip preparation that many people often skip is researching the cultural and social norms of the country you plan to visit. Being prepared by knowing the appropriate dress, gestures, and phrases will go a long way in making your trip more enjoyable. Making an effort to learn the cultural practices will be very appreciated by the locals and will give them a positive image of travelers.  Here we’ll discuss responsible travel for India tours.

Our new Travel Specialist, Michelle Barth, spent 2 months traveling throughout Southeast Asia. Continue on the journey with her as she recalls some of her favorite meals from Ubud, Bali.

Before my travels to Bali a few key travel words come to mind: surf, temples, monkeys, ex-patriots, rice fields, and massage.

Living in San Diego, there is no shortage of international food options. With an abundance of Thai and Vietnamese, I figured the cuisine of Bali would be similar featuring a variety of noodle and rice dishes. Yes, there are plenty of rice and noodle dishes to indulge in but I was taken back by the intricate layers of flavor I was exposed to. Ubud has no shortage of traditional restaurants and an array of creative fusion restaurants that are worth a taste.

Traveling Southeast Asia for two months, I figured having a salad was out of the picture. I was going to have to stick to eating cooked and steamed vegetables; I was wrong. There is a range of creative fusion restaurants featuring local organic food, produce, meats, and baked goods with a touch of traditional flare, scattered throughout Ubud. Two weeks into my travels, salad less, I stumbled upon Bali Buddha. This locally owned restaurant and food store has been serving up healthy dishes since 1994. Located just off the main road, it is a great way to start your day. Sit back in this open air restaurant, relax to the soft kirtan music, sip on a green super food smoothie and watch the local kids play in the street below. It is a great way to start your morning or enjoy the afternoon. If staying on the main roads is more your style or you want to enjoy some great health food after going to Monkey Forrest, Kafe or Clear Cafe are also great lunch options.

We are excited to have a guest blog post from Marie Webb, an expat teaching English in Seoul, South Korea. Marie is chronicling her adventures on her blog, Gone Seoul Searching. Thanks, Marie for giving us a glimpse into your daily life!

When I moved to Seoul in August of 2010, I never could have imagined how hard it would be to balance my abnormal work schedule while experiencing everything Korea has to offer. My biggest worry upon moving here was having work be a means to an end, instead of an ends to a mean. Yes, I’m a starving college graduate that needs to pay off mountains of student loans, but on the other hand I’m in search of the fun and excitement that comes along with traveling in a new country. After 8 months I still find it all a bit unnerving, but when taking a look at my average day, I do manage to fit in a lot of fun, food and culture. So take a glimpse into my life in Seoul and learn more about what this city has to offer to over 13,277 Americans living and working here each year.