Yes, Japan is Back

Saihoji Garden in Kyoto

We (well at least Zen and I!) freely admit Japan is our favorite, most compelling destination in the world. Bev, Zen and I are heartened that normalcy is returning to this inscrutable land, despite the devastation and suffering of March 11.

Despite our many travels to Japan, there always seems to be an impenetrable veil in truly understanding this wonderful land. As David Pillig noted, "in almost every aspect of life in Japan from sumo wrestling and tea ceremony to business, one has a feeling of something other than itself, beyond itself." A big part of Japan's uniqueness is its wabi-sabi aesthetic. Wabi-sabi represents the Japanese worldview emphasizing simplicity and purity. You may think of wabi-sabi as a spiritual longing, the beauty of all things humble, unpretentious ephemeral and imperfect. In contrast to our Western celebration of perfection, permanence, symmetry, and bravado, wabi-sabi exalts imperfection, impermanence, asymmetry and humility. Many in Japan refer to wabi-sabi as a feeling of hopeful sadness - nothing lasts; nothing is perfect, nothing is ever finished.

The pervasive Japanese spirit of jishuku has proven an indispensable asset in Japan's remarkable recovery. Although we have sent clients back to Japan over the past two months, Bev, Zen and I have not returned to Japan since 2010. We are most excited about embarking on our fifth (yes, 5!) sakura/cherry blossoms trip this April 2012.

Please click into our Kipling and Clark's 8-day Japan private luxury tour for 2012.

The Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc

The beautiful lush grounds of the Hotel Du Cap

...perhaps the best in all of France.

Many believe the Hotel du Cap to be the most sought after summer retreat in the world. Yes, the Hotel du Cap is expensive, pretentious, home to global celebrities/jet-setters, AND we feel, among the most beautiful hotels we have stayed anywhere in the world. Directed by general manager Philippe Perd, the property recently completed a USD 67 million renovation project this past spring 2011. You can now enjoy wi-fi, huge Phillips flat screen TVs, and newly redesigned fine fabrics in all rooms.

Perhaps the most impressive part of our stay here was the genuinely friendly and personal service extended to us by the Hotel du Cap staff. It is reassuring to see a hotel where the staff sincerely enjoy serving others. Staying as paying guests, we feel we have the freedom and independence to objectively evaluate all of the worldwide luxury hotels we visit. The Hotel Du Cap was no exception.

Please read on for our Lynch family observations and favorites from one of France's great retreats:

• GM Philippe is a man of details and it shows in the high-touch service here – nearly everyone on the Hotel du Cap property addressed Bev, Zen, Sofia, Coco and I by our names (extraordinary for a 118-room hotel!) and you can actually summon the room service staff by using a bell alongside your bed - quite amusing for the girls!

• We were all big fans of the sun-bathing pontoons off the Eden-Roc pool and the super snooty cabanas! (33 in total).

• Although the Eden-Roc infinity pool adjacent to the waters of the Cap d’Antibes is quite spectacular, Zen did not really care for the pool’s salt water.

• Coco very much enjoyed her cheeseburger at the Eden-Roc pool grille...at a cost of Euro 48, surely the tastiest cheeseburger in all of France!

• There truly is a distinctive Hotel du Cap scent. The intoxicating fragrant smell that permeates the halls and rooms of the property is heavenly.

• A central feature of Hotel du Cap is its expansive 22 acre lush, green grounds, including rose gardens and clay tennis courts…great for morning walks and tadpole catching in the lily pond!

• Breakfast or evening cocktails on the Bellini terrace—it is difficult to imagine a more picturesque setting overlooking the warm waters of the Mediterranean!

• Zen was quite surprised to see the hotel's own pet cemetery...Edward VIII's and Wallis Simpson's dogs were buried here.

If you haven't viewed our exclusive Turkey-France luxury tour itinerary yet, visit the website and take a look!

Turkey-France Private Tour: Istanbul - Paris - Provence - Antibes

Bonjour Paris!

Among our many worldwide travels, Bev, Zen and I consider Paris to be no less than the most beautiful and culturally compelling city on the planet! Walking through the various boulevards, neighborhoods and winding streets, you are teased with so many wonderful activities: innumerable iconic landmarks, awe-inspiring art, lush greens parks, all that amazing food and so many beautiful, historic bridges! In our view, Paris is complete aesthetic perfection.

Although our clients prefer the 5 star luxury hotels of the Right Bank (Four Seasons, Hotel Le Bristol, etc.) Bev, Zen and I prefer the more intimate immersion of Parisian life on the Left Bank. Unlike the Right Bank, where there is a clear abundance of French historical monuments and public buildings, the Left Bank (think Latin Quarter) is more residential and university-oriented. It is made up of countless boutique shops and bistros in great walkable neighborhoods - this is definitely the more artsy, aesthetic side of Paris!

We were most happy with our stay at the luxury, boutique 51-room Relais Christine, located in the heart of St. Germaine. Built on the foundation of a 13th century Abbey, Relais offers a quite relaxing haven with meticulous service. Our family preferred the tastefully decorated 2-story duplex Junior suites. Another plus of staying here - meeting the property's engaging general managerJean-Luc Chomat - a remarkable look-a-like of Stephen Colbert!

Our engaging Paris travel coordinator, Sylvie, gave us great advice for shopping - just look at the stylish Parisian gamines walking the street for good shopping tips!

Paradoxically, we could not believe the block-long line for locals visiting the newly openedAbercrombie & Fitch store on the Champ Elysees...we finally felt stylish in our A&F tees!

Hello fellow global kid travelers!

Paris is SO BEAUTIFUL! Some of my favorite activities with my mom, dad, Sofia and Coco:

• My favorite tour in Paris was the underground catecombs. This tour was AWESOME and also creepy! Walking through the underground hallways full of skulls was fun and scary. Our guide, Jean-Manuel, says the catecombs contain the remains of 6 million Parisians!

• Eiffel Tower - cool, old-style mechanical elevator to the top + great views!

• Brassiere Le Suffren - the best escargot I have eaten anywhere - smothered with butter and garlic!

• Lourve Museum - We love the Lourve! Our funny and so-smart Paris guide, Jean-Manuel, gave us entertaining lectures on the many paintings of the museum's Greek mythology section (my 4th grade teach Ms. Cuesta would be so proud!). Landscape with Orpheus and Eurydice is my favorite. The way Jean-Manuel explained the paintings was like a movie going through my mind. Jean-Mauel is a walking art history book!

Happy Travels!

Zen Lynch