Author Profile: Kate Bitner

And while I knew to expect a vibrant street food scene in the country's capital, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Hanoi also boasts a cafe culture comparable to what you'd find in cities like...   view more

Its natural wonders are just a stone's throw from Tokyo - all it takes is 90 minutes to transport yourself from a frenetic train platform in Shinjuku to the quiet bliss of a private onsen (hot spring) hidden in the forested hills of this mountainous little...   view more

One of the biggest misconceptions about Tokyo is that it's all crowds, concrete and neon lights. While you can certainly find those things here, there's more to Japan's capital than Lost in Translation would lead you to...   view more

Tian'anmen Square. The Forbidden City. The Great Wall of China. The hutongs. As a city with more than 3,000 years of history, Beijing challenges its visitors with an exhaustingly long checklist of ancient architecture, cultural sites and...   view more

Shanghai is an enchanting mix of old and new, east and west. While it lacks the heavy-hitting tourist attractions you'll find in Beijing, its delectable eats are worth the trip...   view more

If the wedding photos got you all wanderlust-y and craving a trip to California's central coast, you're in luck: today I'm sharing my advice on how to spend a perfect day in Big...   view more

When Japan finally opened its doors to the world in 1859, the little fishing village of Yokohama was the first port to conduct foreign trade. As a result, Yokohama grew to become what is now Japan's second largest city - one with a distinctly cosmopolitan...   view more

Every year in late November Tokyo becomes ablaze with color as the autumn leaves begin to change. Fiery maples and golden ginkgos transform the prefecture into a fall wonderland that can be enjoyed through early...   view more

Japan has a long history of onsen (hot spring) bathing. The best way to immerse yourself in the bathing culture is to visit an onsen ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn with hot spring baths on the...   view more

Hong Kong has a certain energy about it that is infectious. Colorful and bustling, it is a city of stark contrasts - where the cultures of East and West live together in a strangely perfect harmony and glittering skyscrapers sprout from densely overgrown green...   view more

If there's one thing I have in common with the Japanese, it's an affinity for Hawaii. The Aloha State is my happy place, but more specifically: the Valley Isle. As you'll hear the locals say, Maui no ka 'oi (Maui is the...   view more

Most visitors to Thailand find themselves in Bangkok while en route to one of the country's dizzying number of postcard-perfect beaches, but there are plenty of reasons that warrant an extended...   view more

This summer we satiated our desire for the uncomplicated with a trip to visit friends and family in London, where we were treated to some seriously epic British experiences (including Wimbledon seats sandwiched between the royal box and David...   view more

The first thing you'll notice about Afuri is that it's not a traditional ramen joint. In fact, Afuri is a bit of a ramen rebel. The interior of their restaurants are hip and...   view more

The draw for most visitors to Saiho-ji is the temple's garden, which boasts over 120 different varieties of moss - the serendipitous result of neglect. Following a flood back in the Edo period, the temple's garden fell into disrepair and was subsequently blanketed by a pillowy carpet of lush...   view more

The Cinque Terre, a string of five small fishing villages in the Italian Riviera, is a dream locale for hikers, foodies and wine lovers. This made it a perfect destination for a girl's trip with my London-based bestie,...   view more

Hidden five stories above the well-heeled, bustling streets of Tokyo's fashionable Aoyama district, Sakurai Japanese Tea Experience offers tea lovers - and the tea-curious - a quiet space to partake in a sensory experience of Japan's most beloved...   view more

Art is everywhere on Naoshima. It climbs up the walls of centuries-old buildings in the towns' backstreets, stands sentry on a concrete jetty jutting into a bay, and erupts from the earth next to our landing place, Miyanoura...   view more