KYOTO

What can I say about Kyoto, except that it's simply beautiful.

Our timing was rather impeccable, as we happened to arrive the very day the cherry blossoms were predicted to be in full bloom. Indeed, everywhere we walked the trees were proudly displaying hundreds of blossoms, petals drifting to the ground with every gust of wind.

Kyoto is home to many, many, many incredible temples and gardens, and as we were only there for 1 1/2 days, it was a difficult decision narrowing them down to a suitable number to squeeze into our time there. In the end, we made it to a fair few (including one of my favourites, the bamboo forest, but more on that later) must-see temples. One had traditional rituals that visitors were requested to participate in (Saihoji Moss Temple), another had thousands of steps leading you two hours up a mountain (Fushimi Inari Shrine). Another still was made up of incredible zen gardens and cherry blossoms and beautiful ponds and lakes (Ryōan-ji). 

A peaceful city in which to escape the real world of computers and desk jobs, Kyoto is so far removed from the norm of bustling life in London. Those two days were two days of escapism into a truly different (and exquisite) world.