Discover 20 of Kyoto’s highlights and hidden gems

Posted on 19 May 2019 by vaillantmartien

Timeless, elegant, tranquil: It’s no wonder Kyoto attracts almost four million international tourists a year. Japan’s capital from the eighth to the 19th centuries, the city was spared major damage during World War II and retains its architectural heritage and old-world charm.

In today’s Kyoto, deep-rooted traditions thrive in a 21st-century metropolis. The ancient temples, inspiring nature, bustling markets, contemporary art scene, and culinary culture beckon travelers of all types to explore the city’s hidden treasures.

by Harrison L.
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by M. Hiroki
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by Nguyen Quang Hung
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by Andrew Lewis
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by Marc Stapelberg
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Discover 20 of Kyoto’s highlights and hidden gems
In this historic city, age-old traditions mingle with a modern metropolis.
by Nano Betts

more at National Geographic

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Festival et Pèlerinage au Japon

Posted on 7 April 2019 by vaillantmartien

Ascension du Mont Fuji et festival de Kanto Matsuri, un voyage au Japon au cœur des traditions.

Dans la gamme de nos voyages d’auteur, voici un programme particulièrement original pour découvrir le Japon au plus près de ses habitants ! Accompagné par Luciano Lepre, spécialiste du pays, cet itinéraire d’ambiance s’articule autour de 4 temps forts. Nous participons aux festivals d’été de Hanagasa Matsuri et Kanto Matsuri avec ses chars, ses danses et musiques folkloriques et ses costumes traditionnels. Une randonnée mystique avec les moines des montagnes “yamabushi” sur les chemins de pèlerinage et l’ascension de l’emblématique du Mont Fuji (3776 m) en compagnie de nombreux Japonais seront aussi d’autres moments forts de ce voyage. Un entraînement de sumo et la rencontre avec une maiko (apprentie geisha) permettront de d’entrevoir quelques traditions bien nippones ! La visite des incontournables villes de Tokyo et Kyoto complètent la découverte d’un pays atypique.

à voir sur Tirawa Trek Culture Nature

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2019 Sony World Photography Awards | Shortlist

Posted on 17 February 2019 by vaillantmartien

Below are the successful shortlisted images from 2019 Sony World Photography Awards Open and Youth competitions. Winning images from Open competition shortlist will be revealed 26 February, the Youth winner will be selected from the shortlist and announced on 17 April 2019.

Lifeng Chen, China Mainland, ‘A Red River of Faith’
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Hal Gage, United States, ‘Stumps, Alder Lake, Nisqually River, Washington’
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Msaaed Al Gharibah, Kuwait, ‘Arabian Red Fox’
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Lu Quanhou , China Mainland, ‘Converge’
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Eng Chung Tong, Malaysia, ‘Synergy of Humanity’
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Sony World Photography Awards reveal stunning shortlist for 2019 Open and Youth competitions.
more at World Photo

Discover the Ancient Silk Road

Posted on 27 January 2019 by vaillantmartien

For over two thousand years, the Silk Road was a vital link between east and west, spreading wealth, philosophy, faith and empire. The ancient Silk Road trade routes from the Chinese city of Xi’an in the east to Istanbul in the west, may no longer be thronged with camel caravans and daring explorers, but willing travellers will still be rewarded with an unrivalled combination of culture and scenery.

Walk in the footsteps of history and travel the Silk Road with Wild Frontiers. Explore old Samarkand and Bukhara, live with nomads in yurts and take in breathtaking scenery.
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Discover the Ancient Silk Road
more at Wild Frontiers

Before They Pass Away by Jimmy Nelson

Posted on 17 September 2017 by vaillantmartien

Between 2010 & 2013 Jimmy Nelson travelled the world to document some of the most fantastic indigenous cultures left on the planet today. He had come to realize that from a life spent travelling that his camera was the perfect tool for making contact and building intimate and unique friendships. Relationships with hither to unknown and understood communities in some of the farther most reaches of the planet. He wanted to discover how the rest of the world is threatening to change their way of life forever. But most importantly, he wanted to create an ambitious aesthetic photographic document that would stand the test of time.
Jimmy’s projects title ‘Before they pass away’ is intended to be a controversial catalyst for further discussion as to the authenticity of these fragile disappearing cultures. Jimmy Nelson is not a studied scientist but rather an self trained and visual anthropologist who through curiosity is trying to find answers. He wants to tell stories that leave room for the recipient’s questions. With the project Jimmy Nelson tried next to creating a photographic document, creating an awareness for the fascinating variety of the culture- and history charged symbols of the people, reflecting their rites, customs and traditions, that had hitherto has not existed.

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Before They Pass Away by Jimmy Nelson
more in Lens Magazine – Issue 36

21 Places to Stay if You Care About the Planet

Posted on 23 July 2017 by vaillantmartien

Sustainable, spectacular, and engaged with local communities, these lodges are tucked into some of the planet’s wildest places.

From a handful of rustic lodges committed to conservation back in the early 1990s, sustainable tourism is now transforming the global travel industry, and in the process helping to safeguard cultural and natural heritage, support environmentally friendly practices, and deliver economic and social benefits to local people.

Aristi Mountain Resort & Villas
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