Golf Vacation that turns

Vacations by Merit Travel Group DESTINATIONS -- USA Regions Alabama Arizona, Phoenix Arizona, Tucson California, Palm Springs California, San Diego Florida, Jacksonville Florida, Orlando Florida, S East Florida, S Western Florida, Tampa Georgia Hawaii Mississippi Nevada North Carolina S. Carolina, Charleston S. Carolina, Myrtle Beach S.Carolina, Hilton Head -- Canadian Regions Alberta, Jasper Alberta, Kananaskis Alberta/Banff, Canmore BC, Kelowna BC, Victoria BC, Whistler New Brunswick Nova Scotia, Halifax Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Ontario, Niagara Ontario, Central Ontario, Muskoka Prince Edward Island Quebec, Tremblant Quebec, Montebello -- International Regions Caribbean Ireland Mexico Panama Portugal Scotland MAP IT CONTACT US SIGN up for teeMail Brochure Request Download US Golf Brochure CONTACT US Play world-class championship golf on emerald green fairways, designed by the world's greatest architects. There are courses and packages for golfers of all levels, including seniors, women, families, juniors and professional-level players. Canada Emerald fairways, red-hot par threes and a simply golden history. Here, golf, is as perfect as you dare. Golf in Canada - we'll share your driving passion for the game. US Let us help you plan your perfect golf getaway! We have the perfect Golf Vacation that turns your next vacation into a stroke of brilliance. International There is no one perfect golf vacation. There are many! We'll help you choose the one that's right for you. We'll help you decide. Overview Site Map Privacy Policy Local Offices Contact Us

cruise vacation along rivers

Barge cruise - european river and canal barge cruises, theme cruises - Golf, wine and family cruises, luxury barge cruise vacation along rivers and canals in France, Scotland, Ireland, England and Germany, GoBarging with European Waterways - website design, search engine optimisation, internet marketing by transform e business solutions UK, 360 virtual tours by www.360-virtual.com GoBarging with European Waterways Luxury Barge cruises in Europe Hello, and welcome to our GoBarging website. We'd like to introduce you to the European waterways, to the world of GoBarging. Our luxury hotel barges cruise the inland waterways of seven European countries, along canals, rivers, lakes and lochs. This is an opportunity to visit these countries and experience life there, from a truly unique perspective. Take our video tour for a taste of a unique barging experience Your floating hotel cruises gently along, while you relax, enjoy the fine wines and excellent cuisine, the company of fellow passengers - new friends, family, or old acquaintances. Take a guided tour around the many castles, markets, battlefields and ancient monuments, or go off exploring on your own. Whatever you do, our dedicated and highly trained professional staff will be there to look after you. Our Captains ensure a safe and yet exciting passage along your chosen route, our Chefs prepare a wide range of exquisite food to suit every taste, our Tour guides are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and our stewards & stewardesses ensure that our high standards are maintained throughout your cruise. Travel the route of Rick Stein's French Odyssey on Anjodi and Rosa - now showing on BBC2 TV, with accompanying BBC Book Please use our website to explore our GoBarging world. We offer many ways to navigate the website and find out about our barges. Use the side menu to visit our Europe cruise map to see the countries where we cruise, click on a region and find out more about it, and the barges which cruise there. If you are new to barging, have a look at our Barging Video, take a tour of our Barge fleet and read our GoBarging FAQ to find out more about barge cruises on the European Waterways. You can then use our Cruise guide to find a country, region and barge of your choice. Every barge page has its own menu, offering you lots of information on the unique merits of each barge. We offer a wide range of Theme cruise charters too, from Golf cruises to Wine cruises, and our Theme Cruise guide will help you to find a theme cruise to suit your needs. Our site map contains links to all pages, and a short description of each, offering another quick route to explore our website. We provide cruise rates and you can check availability for any barge and your preferred cruise dates. You can request a brochure, download a copy, or have one mailed, and why not subscribe to our monthly newsletter the Lockkeeper, where we feature different barges each month, provide cruise news and offers. So, welcome once again, and we hope this website gives you a taste for our unique barging world. For reservations or more information including a full colour brochure, contact Go Barging on International + 44 1784 482439, UK 0178 448 2439, USA 1 800 394 8630, Canada 1888 342 1917,fax: (+44) 1784 483072 or e-mail sales@GoBarging.com website design,search engine optimisation,internet marketing by transform ebusiness solutions uk

European Vacation Planning Map

Packing for your European Vacation - Packing Tips  You are here: About > Travel > Europe for Visitors > Europe Travel Planning > Packing Tips Travel Go Europe Essentials European Vacation Planning Map Europe Travel 101 - Before you Go European Distances The Best of Europe European Photo Gallery Articles & Resources Europe Travel Planning What to do In Europe Lodging - Hotels and More European Travel Maps Sex and Nudism Travel Photography Transportation Benelux Countries France Germany Austria Switzerland Greece Italy and Malta Travel Info Scandinavian Travel Spain and Portugal United Kingdom and Ireland Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Italy Travel Guidebooks Europe Travel Guidebooks German Travel Guidebooks Product Reviews Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Europe for Visitors newsletter! See Online Courses   Search Europe for Visitors > Europe Travel Planning > Packing Tips Packing for your European Vacation - Packing Tips Packing right can make the difference between a great vacation and disaster. If you're traveling by train or in a small car, you'll want to pack light and you'll need to have a use for everything you pack. Is packing light overrated? You've never heard anyone say "geez, my bags weighed a ton and so I had a great vacation," have you? Subtopics Shipping Excess Baggage (3) Articles & Resources Sort By : Guide Picks | Alphabetical | Recent Red Oxx Airborne Carry on Ruck Sack - C-Ruck - Review The Red Oxx Airborne Carry on Ruck Sack is a durable and versatile carry-on bag, worth its premium price. Packing Tips - Packing A Suitcase to Thwart Wrinkles Illustrated packing tips from Europe for Visitors. Pack in a way that clothes won't wrinkle. Packing Light: Consider Your Unmentionables! Packing light is the mantra of the diehard wanderer. It allows us to get in all sorts of trouble with our increased mobility. Here are a couple of hints you might use on your next trip-or you can just read it and laugh at my obsessivness over saving weight in my luggage. Your choice. Clothes Compressors - Do They Work? Clothes Compressors take the air out of the stuff you pack and can allow you to get more into the ever shrinking baggage allowance the airlines impose. But do they work as the advertisements say? Well, I've performed some tests and you can see the results in this article. Top 5 Carry-On Bags Here's some ideas for your carry-on luggage. One of these may be your main bag if you pack light. Packing Tips for French Travel Kelby Carr over at France for Visitors has more packing tips and links for you about packing for that vacation of yours. One Bag (all about packing, luggage, and traveling light) Pretty much everything you need to know about packing, luggage and traveling light, including what to pack and what to pack it in. Packing your Bags The guys over at the Brussels Airport have a pretty good list of things to consider when you're packing--including the all-important forbidden items list. Rick Steves' Travel Tips: Packing List Here's the stuff that Rick Steves takes along to Europe, minus the film crew that is. The Travelite FAQ Packing tips for the new age.        Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About New Video iPod - Review POLL: Must-Have Gadgets VIDEO: Portable Gaming VIDEO: Choosing a TV Hugh Hefner's Life What's Hot Power Adapters Noord-Holland - Delights of North Holland Travel Visiting Pompeii Italy Guidebooks Naples - Getting There Headlines Antwerp Pictures Antwerp is a fashion and diamond center for Belgium and... Like to Travel Well? Follow the CIA! I really should have paid attention when the CIA came... Tapas from Cans? Ok, so you wander into one of Barcelona's most celebrated... North Holland: Noah's Ark Redux A pious north Holland businessman took out a 300 000...

London Vacation Packages -

Packages and Promotions for The Savoy -- London Vacation Packages - London Hotel Special Offers - London Hotel Packages London Vacation Packages - London Hotel Special Offers - London Hotel Packages London vacation packages include London hotel special offers from the Savoy. Our London hotel packages offer bed and breakfast stays, art tour packages and other vacation packages for exciting London, England. Barbados Bermuda Canada Mexico Monaco United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Fairmont Gold Destination Map Hotel Finder All Hotels New Hotels Resorts St. James Resorts Fairmont Hamilton Princess Fairmont Southampton City Hotels Calgary, Alberta Edmonton, Alberta Montréal, Québec Ottawa, Ontario St. John's, Newfoundland Toronto, Ontario Vancouver, British Columbia Winnipeg, Manitoba Resorts Banff, Alberta Jasper, Alberta Charlevoix, Québec Lake Louise, Alberta Montebello, Québec Mont-Tremblant, Québec Québec City, Québec St. Andrew's, New Brunswick Victoria, British Columbia Whistler, British Columbia Fairmont Hotel Vancouver Fairmont Vancouver Airport Fairmont Waterfront Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Fairmont Kenauk at Le Chateau Montebello Resorts Acapulco Riviera Maya Resorts Monte Carlo Fairmont Acapulco Princess Fairmont Pierre Marques City Hotels Dubai City Hotels London City Hotels Boston, Massachusetts Chicago, Illinois Dallas, Texas Kansas City, Missouri New Orleans, Louisiana Newport Beach, California San Francisco, California San Jose, California Santa Monica, California Seattle, Washington Washington, D.C. Resorts Scottsdale, Arizona Kohala Coast, Hawaii Maui, Hawaii Sonoma, California Miami, Florida Residence Telluride, Colorado Experience Fairmont Packages FairmontSAVERS Package Finder Entire Site Hotels Packages Press Releases Introduction Member Benefits Enroll Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy FAQ Newsletter Already a member Sign In In Your Opinion -- In Your Opinion My Profile Corporate Rewards Gift Certificate High Speed Internet ResPlus Sign In ResPlus Information Our Philosophy Environment Our History Press Room Contact Us Careers Programs & Partners Fairmont Community Investor Relations Destination Map Vacation Planner Fairmont Experience Slideshow Online Demo -- Hotel Fact Sheets Weddings Meeting Planners -- Find Package Make a Reservation H OTEL PACKAGES Make the most of this world-class city with one of The Savoy's special packages. Whether you're planning a shopping trip, attending a conference or making a getaway to relax at our spa, we have created the perfect package to suit your needs. Our priority is to make your stay a memorable one. All packages are based on availability and are subject to change without prior notice. All of our rooms and suites at The Savoy are unique and provide various features and amenities for our guests. For detailed room information, please click here . Bed and Breakfast: Bed & Breakfast Package Celebration: Engaging Proposal Package Family: A Family Affair Promotion Treat the Family Package - The Ultimate Family Getaway Special Offer: Weekend Package -Select a Property- United States - Resort - The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club - Residence - Fairmont Heritage Place Franz Klammer Lodge - Hotel - Fairmont Newport Beach The Fairmont Chicago The Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston The Fairmont Dallas The Fairmont Kansas City at the Plaza The Fairmont Miramar Hotel Santa Monica The Fairmont New Orleans The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle The Fairmont San Francisco The Fairmont San Jose The Fairmont Washington, D.C. United Kingdom - Hotel - The Savoy Mexico - Resort - The Fairmont Acapulco Princess The Fairmont Mayakoba The Fairmont Pierre Marques Monaco - Hotel - Fairmont Monte Carlo Canada - Resort - Fairmont Kenauk at Le Château Montebello Fairmont Le Château Frontenac Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu Fairmont Tremblant The Fairmont Algonquin The Fairmont Banff Springs The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise The Fairmont Chateau Whistler The Fairmont Empress The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge - Hotel - Fairmont Château Laurier Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver The Fairmont Newfoundland The Fairmont Palliser The Fairmont Royal York The Fairmont Vancouver Airport The Fairmont Waterfront The Fairmont Winnipeg Bermuda - Resort - The Fairmont Hamilton Princess The Fairmont Southampton Barbados - Resort - The Fairmont Royal Pavilion United Arab Emirates - Hotel - The Fairmont Dubai 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2005 2006 2007 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2005 2006 2007 2008 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 3 Non-Smoking Smoking King or Queen Two Beds No Preference Best Available Rate FairmontSAVERS Bed & Breakfast *ID required at Check-in * if applicable More Information -- Choose a Category Celebration Discovery Family Food & Wine Golf Spa Culture Signature Package Special Offers Ski Fairmont SAVERS Bed and Breakfast Destination The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club Fairmont Heritage Place Franz Klammer Lodge Fairmont Newport Beach The Fairmont Chicago The Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston The Fairmont Dallas The Fairmont Kansas City at the Plaza The Fairmont Miramar Hotel Santa Monica The Fairmont New Orleans The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle The Fairmont San Francisco The Fairmont San Jose The Fairmont Washington, D.C. The Savoy The Fairmont Acapulco Princess The Fairmont Mayakoba The Fairmont Pierre Marques Fairmont Monte Carlo Fairmont Kenauk at Le Château Montebello Fairmont Le Château Frontenac Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu Fairmont Tremblant The Fairmont Algonquin The Fairmont Banff Springs The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise The Fairmont Chateau Whistler The Fairmont Empress The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Fairmont Château Laurier Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver The Fairmont Newfoundland The Fairmont Palliser The Fairmont Royal York The Fairmont Vancouver Airport The Fairmont Waterfront The Fairmont Winnipeg The Fairmont Hamilton Princess The Fairmont Southampton The Fairmont Royal Pavilion The Fairmont Dubai 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2005 2006 2007 Theatre Guide In recognition of The Savoy's theatrical connections, The Savoy has now launched their own guide to ... More Information Theatre Tea in The Thames Foyer The Savoy will be offering guests the perfect meal to enjoy in the early evening before visiting the ... More Information Make reservations for dining, recreation and local attractions when you book your room online. Online Booking Benefits -- FAIRMONT RESERVATIONS: (888) 590-9900 Last Updated: 12/28/2005 Fairmont Hotels & Resorts © 2005

Japan travel discussions ski

::Metropolis Tokyo :: JAPAN TRAVEL - City of Peace Japan Today Specials | Classifieds | Jobfinder | Tokyo Guide | Directory | Forum Friends Home Feature The Small Print Faces & Places The Goods Travel Tech Know Sports Cars & Bikes Arts & Entertainment Music Japan Beat Clubbing Art Stage Books The Agenda Listings TV Movies Dining Out Sake Wine Tastemaker Table Talk Local Flavors International Dining Restaurant Review Bar Review Classifieds Jobfinder Horoscope Mailbox The Last Word Photo of the Week Archive About Us Subscribe Search Distribution Points latest Japan travel discussions ski resorts JR 18 Pass Visa Questions Saving $ to visit Japan.... help me out Travelling to India - Do I really need vaccinations? cheap hotel with rotemburo Going to Okinawa, pls help in recommendations Amita Buddha Nagoya International Airport? More forum topics Trip tips Shinkansen trains connect Tokyo station and Hiroshima (4.5hrs, ¥18,550 one-way), while overnight buses leave from Tokyo Station’s Yaesu south exit (12hrs, ¥21,200 round-trip). Hiroshima’s sites are easily negotiable by foot, but the city’s tram system connects the main JR station with the city center and beyond. Hotel 28 Hiroshima (082-247-2811) is a centrally located, functional business hotel. At ¥4,000 for a small single room, this is possibly the city’s most reasonable offering. For something more upmarket, the ANA Hotel Hiroshima (082-241-1111) offers twin rooms for ¥20,000. Some guidebooks recommend the World Friendship Center (082-503-3191), run by an anti-nuclear NPO (¥3,500/p including breakfast). The Hiroshima City Hotel and Ryokan Union can be contacted at 082-261- 0074. There are two city information desks at the JR Station and another excellent facility at the Rest House inside the Peace Park (082-247-6738). The Hiroshima Convention and Visitors Bureau: www.hiroshima-navi.or.jp The Hiroshima Interpreter and Guide Association at www.urban.ne.jp/home/higa ADVERTISERS : Flight Shop A'cross Travellers Bureau 03-5467-0077 No 1 Travel CAN Tour Four Seasons Travel 03-5907-5220 JAL Story and Beltop Travel Service Just Travel 03-3362-3441 Hit Travel TRAVEL ARCHIVE: 611: City of Sand From crowded markets to placid mosques, Cairos attractions are legion 609: On the edge Hateruma Island offers a primeval slice of sand and surf 607: Land of calm Get a glimpse of unspoiled Asia in the lush countryside of Laos 605: Just like heaven Nokogiri-yama in chiba is as appealing as Nikko or Kamakura, and just as accessible 602: Place your Bets Macau pays its respects to history while keeping a keen eye on the future 598: Bring it on Peak season can’t come soon enough for hotelsin southern Thailand 596: Rhythm City Cuba In the island nation’s largest port, the common language is music 594: City of Peace Sixty years after the infamous attack, Hiroshima is a site of remembrance 592: Big sky country Endless vistas and mysterious shrines await in rural Mongolia 590: Hidden pleasures Kyoto’s little-visited gardens justify a trip all their own 588: Another Country While maintaining its cultural distinction, the Basque homeland of Bayonne offers the best of Spain and France 586: Stepping into the past Beaches, museums—and painted ladies—await visitors in Atami and Ito 584: Getting to the Roots of Kuala Lumpur In quiet parks and bustling markets, Malaysia’s capital reveals its past and future 582: The great outdoors Shinrin Koen in Saitama offers year-round fun for space-deprived Tokyoites 580: Seoul, revisited Ancient and modern worlds collide in the Korean capital, a city of futuristic architecture, tranquil palaces and fiery cuisine 576: Ancient treasures Explore untouched 900-year-old temples in Myanmar’s Bagan region 574: The High Life Squeeze a last bit of fun out of winter in the mountains of Nagano 572: The Other Side of Cape Town Township tours offer a vibrant glimpse of daily life in South Africa 570: White day Yuzawa offers beginners a chance to ski before the snow melts 568: City of spice Take a gastronomic tour through India’s food capital 566: Life Cyclist An around-the-world biker makes a pit stop in Tokyo 564: Forest in the Clouds Rainswept trails and lush beauty await in Costa Rica's Monteverde nature preserve 561-2: Geisha for a day Kyoto's makeover studios offer visitors a new twist on tradition 559: Southern comfort Indonesia’s most vibrant village replenishes heart, mind and soul 557: Show time Nagoya is a city of potential heading into Expo 2005 555: Waterworld Float across the watery heart of Brunei’s capital, Bandar Seri Begawan 553: Mountain dew A retreat restores the senses in the highlands of Fukushima 551: Turquoise baths Warm, white sand meets an ocean of blues in a remote corner of the South Pacific 549: Sea world A grueling 25-hour boat ride ends in the idyllic island chain of Ogasawara 547: Train spotting The Trans-Siberian Railway is an epic journey that begins right at Japan’s doorstep 545: In praise of slowness Yunishigawa offers a leisurely glimpse into Japan's illustrious past 543: Block party A guide to fun on the fringe at Hong Kong’s nightlife district of Lan Kwai Fong 537: The middle way Andrew McHugh embarks on a timeless pilgrimage in Tokyo’s tranquil backyard. 533: The simple life City slicker Matthew Reiss takes a breather along Shikoku’s Shimanto River. 529: The lost world In search of an ancient civilization swallowed by the sea, Carlo Niederberger plunges into the waters off Yonaguni. 525: Nature trails Hakkakuso in Tateyama offers a jumping-off point for cycling, swimming, and the well-preserved charm of Japanese fishing villages. Steve Trautlein heads to the coast. 521: High tea Cha and music have long been Nagasaki's two great passions. Simon Rowe hops on a tram to sample the Kyushu city's delights. 517: The hill is alive Grab your coats and your wallets for a tour of the best of Osaka with local boy Simon Rowe. 513: A walk in the woods Matt Button heads to Hokkaido and revels in the serenity of Daisetsuzan National Park. 507: Time and again The history of Arima runs as deep as its hot springs. Stephen Mansfield soaks up the local ambience. 503: Riverside retreat The rustic Okayama town of Takahashi offers the casual visitor a release from the world. Stephen Mansfield enjoys the time on his hands. 499: Tropics of interest Urban escapees in search of a little anonymity are drawn to Ishigaki-jima. Simon Rowe finds out why. 495: City by the sea Once a pirate haunt, the port town of Onomichi in the Inland Sea still houses an intriguing array of temples, and a surprising number of cats and cat lovers. Stephen Mansfield goes exploring. 491: Easy streets Ocean breezes, smiling faces, exotic markets, and a laid-back pace. Catherine Pawasarat finds Japanese-style relaxation on the shores of the Noto Peninsula. 487: Into the wild John McGee plumbs the depths and scales the heights of Tohoku's grandest national park. 483: Green Peace Home to Kyoto-style gardens and the Peace Museum for kamikaze, Chiran offers a healthy dose of history and culture. Stephen Mansfield takes a walk. 479: Walk in the woods Take a step back in time with a leisurely stroll through the forests and towns of the Kiso Valley. Mary King sets the pace. 475: Pilgrim’s progress Simon Rowe braves the storms and heads down to Shikoku’s “Typhoon Ginza,” Cape Ashizuri. 471: Companions of the sea Life in the Seto Inland Sea town of Tomo-no-Ura revolves around its fishing industry. Stephen Mansfield experiences the salty charm. 467: Monuments to history Once a refuge from wars, Yamaguchi has survived the blight of modern urban development, Stephen Mansfield observes. 463: Land of the giants Simon Rowe goes hiking on Yakushima Island, home to tropical beaches, granite hills, and the world's oldest-and largest-cedar trees. 459: Northern exposure Home to king crabs, towering snow sculptures and one of the country's biggest beer companies, Sapporo is the center of life on Hokkaido. Simon Rowe hits the city streets. 456: In from the cold Simon Rowe and Masami Hamada fight off the winter chill in the warm waters of Kinosaki 452: Keeping the peace David Capel visits the quiet hamlet of Matsumoto, home to Japan's oldest existing castle. 448: Past into present Stephen Mansfield takes the road less traveled and turns up in the historic samurai homestead of Obi 444: Chariots of ire The annual Nada Fighting Festival 440: Hook, line and sinker Summertime and the fishin' is easy-in Ichikawa village 436: Peaks and valleys Stephen Mansfield ventures into the picturesque calderas of Kyushu's Aso-Kuju National Park 432: Water's edge Seto Inland Sea the place for epicures and adventurers 428: Block party Renowned for its legendary temples and manicured gardens, Kyoto is one of Japan's top tourist destinations 424: Honshu's holy hotels Simon Rowe seeks serenity and a satisfying meal alongside the monks of Koya-san 420: High Art Since its opening five years ago, a reclusive sect's stunning museum has attracted wide international acclaim. 416: Fire and brimstone Hot water and Japanese hell come together in Oita Prefecture 412: Snowed in Finding peace and a warm bath in the mountains of Gunma 408: Edo elegance Old world artisans keep tradition alive in Honshu's Kurashiki 401: Bird's eye view Mary King mingles with the ghosts of Himeji Castle. 397: It takes a village Feed your spirits in Honshu's seaside town, Amanohashidate 393: Bathing Apes For a scenic dip with rare, furry primates and ready to primp for your pictures, head to Jigokudani Onsen. Mary King gets in to hot water. 389: God speed The mother of all Shinto temples, Ise Grand Shrine 385: Hattoji Highland hamlet 380: Nagasaki Remembrance of things past 378: Kawagoe From modern Tokyo to "Little Edo" 376: Tottori Tottori's stunning landscapes 375: Kyushu Bed and bath under the volcano 373: Ryogoku Land of the giants 372: Osaka Universal Studios Japan 371: Osaka Amerika-mura: Osaka's funky town 369: Mie Mikimoto Pearl Island 368: Takarazuka Hyogo-ken's all women theater group 365: Kawasaki Kawasaki's annual fertility festival 364: Aomori A day on Fear Mountain 362: Nagano Chill out snowboarding 361: Asuka One foot in the grave 356: Yamanashi Hakushu's hidden treasures 355: Waseda Tram Trip A streetcar named... 352/3: Aomori Jesus in Japan 351: Kumamoto Under the volcano in Kyushu 350: Sado Island Explore the forgotten charms of Shukunegi ISSUES 348- ISSUES 298- By Rob Gilhooly City of Peace Sixty years after the infamous attack, Hiroshima is a site of remembrance Photos by Rob Gilhooly There are things we put off: things that are difficult to tackle, troublesome, or unsavory. For 15 years since first coming to Japan, I have put off visiting Hiroshima. Having seen other examples of the terrors of war—Ho Chi Minh’s War Remnants Museum (in those days less ambiguously named the American War Atrocities Museum), for example—I decided Hiroshima could wait. This year, however, marks the 60th anniversary of the bombing, a suitable time, I thought, to stop putting it off and confront the world’s most damning testimony against nuclear warfare. For two days I roamed the city’s broad boulevards and narrow alleyways, crossing the many bridges that link several islands formed by rivers snaking through the city’s heart—a striking geographical feature that helped seal Hiroshima’s fate. For the most part, Hiroshima today is a succinct example of how Japan rose from the ashes of war and rebuilt itself to become the economic power it is today. There’s a bustling business zone, ubiquitous nighttime neon and a bubbly soapland district. Red-faced business-folk tumble out of eateries serving okonomiyaki, the savory pancake that locals will tell you is Hiroshima’s contribution to world cuisine, while a few hundred die-hard fans cheer on the local baseball team, the Hiroshima Carp, doing overtime battle with the Yokohama Bay Stars. Yet, there are ample reminders of that tragic morning in 1945 when the Enola Gay off-loaded the “Little Boy” bomb and blew what was then a little-known provincial city straight onto the map of global consciousness. At the entranceway to Fukuro-machi Elementary School, which was recently turned into a museum, an enlarged panoramic photo—the first to be snapped after the bombing—reveals the scale of the destruction. The city, quite simply, is desolate. Inside the school, messages penned on the stairwell by desperate survivors appealing for information about missing relatives are testimony to the anguish they suffered. The authors have been traced, and their heart-wrenching stories imaginatively documented. Across the river, at the city’s main museum, there are copious more reminders of individual tragedies: charred lunchboxes, ripped school uniforms, melted bottles, a step from the entrance of the Bank of Japan, blackened where a vaporized blast victim had been sitting. There’s nothing on the shock scale of Ho Chi Minh’s museum here—no pickled Agent Orange specimen or images of torture and execution—but enough to turn stomachs of those not yet desensitized by “Nuke the f***ers”-style Hollywood flicks or Al Jazeera-style churn-alism. From the second floor, a long glass-fronted corridor affords a panoramic view across the city’s Peace Park and the nearby cenotaph. Under this memorial—a graceful arc of granite that frames the nearby Peace Flame—a chamber houses tomes listing the names of the 230,000-plus victims, many of whom died from radiation-related illnesses. Here I chat at length with Yuriko Anno, 79, who visits weekly from Ninoshima, a nearby island where thousands of hibakusha, as the A-bomb victims are known, are buried, to pray for relatives and friends who perished. Anno survived because she was transporting family belongings to a new home some 30km away when the bomb was detonated. Like many of Hiroshima’s peace proponents, she expresses bitterness over Japan’s continued endeavors in nuclear power development and recent conflicts in which her country has been involved as “peacekeepers.” “Someone once said, ‘The only thing we have learned from history is that we never learn from history,’” she remarks. “Anyone who believes in war as a solution to anything should come right here.” By now we have meandered through the Peace Park, past the Flame of Peace and the Children’s Peace Monument, where a group of school kids are solemnly chanting prayer and draping countless rows of colorful paper cranes in deference to Hiroshima’s most famous child, Sadako Sasaki—the leukemia victim of “1,000 Cranes” fame. We come to a halt by the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, which under rather different circumstances would likely have been replaced by a searing shiny structure housing collars and ties. Yet this is the original Ground Zero, now a World Heritage Site and the symbol for which the city is known worldwide. More commonly known as the A-Bomb Dome, it is the only remaining physical evidence of the attack. Its burnt and mangled shell serves as a chilling reminder of the A-bomb’s destructive force. As Anno continues her tale—of how her sister was killed instantly in the grounds of her school—I try to imagine the sight of a 1 million Centigrade force capable of buckling a meter-think iron girder, of wiping out an entire city in a micro-second or imprinting a human shadow on stone. I can’t. So I turn to the only item of comfort at hand, face the music and press the shutter. Would you like to comment on this article? Send a letter to the editor at letters@metropolis.co.jp . Discuss travel with METROPOLIS readers at http://forum.japantoday.com top