Hit the Road Ket

09/02/2026

Japan is starting to change how it manages tourism.
Nothing drastic has happened yet, but higher fees, new taxes, shopping rule changes, and stricter crowd controls are already approved or actively being discussed. If Japan has been on your list for a while, visiting sooner may mean fewer restrictions and a smoother experience overall.

Here’s what’s coming:
March 1, 2026: Kyoto will introduce higher, tiered accommodation taxes that apply to more hotels and increase nightly costs.

July 1, 2026: Japan’s international departure tax, already included in flight and ferry tickets, is expected to triple — meaning higher ticket prices.

November 1, 2026: Tax-free shopping will change. Instead of getting instant discounts in stores, travelers will pay full price and claim refunds before departure.

On top of that, several cities are discussing additional local tourist taxes, and crowd-management measures are already affecting popular areas and events.

So planning earlier may be cheaper and easier.

I’ve linked my Japan travel planning guide in my bio, covering when to go, budgeting, transport, and itinerary tips.

07/02/2026

I recently created a Facebook travel group for busy people who want to explore the world.

Coffee Fueled Travel Club is about practical travel planning, real itineraries, transport tips, and honest experiences.

If you love travel but juggle work, routines, and limited vacation days, this group is for you.

Join us on Facebook - link in bio.

03/09/2023

Have you ever waited for people to finish their photos to get yours?
We hardly ever do. This just was a cafe so we sat with our coffee, while people were taking turns to get photos. Then we did too, took a few seconds :D

Jeonju is one of the cute old towns in Korea. It's definitely worth your time. The easiest way to visit it is as a day trip from Seoul. KTX trains will bring you there in under 2 hours.
Alternatives you could stay overnight at one of the hanok accomodations with a mattress on the floor. Some of them even have floors heated (ours did :) )

https://hittheroadket.com/

21/08/2023

I have completed posts about Visiting South Korea.
I hope this will make planning your trip to this fascinating country easier :)

https://hittheroadket.com/useful-tips-for-planning-a-trip-to-south-korea/

19/08/2023

18/08/2023

29/06/2023

25/06/2023

Hi, everyone. As the travel has gotten to 2019 levels again, I decided to share some info with you about traveling to Georgia.

Here are some tips from the local:

The main reasons to visit Georgia include its amazing mountainous areas (you can hike or visit to admire these regions without doing any hikes), long history and culture (you find cave cities, churches on top of hills and mountains, fortresses, Tbilisi balcony houses and much more), wine and food. Some people do visit for the seaside as well, but in my opinion, Georgia is not the right destination, if you would like a beach vacation. Yes, it does have beaches, but they can’t compare to the Mediterranean for example.
How long to spend in Georgia is a hard question to answer. If you wish to experience some of the best areas of the country, 2 weeks would be good. You could also get highlights within one week – if you only have a week, I suggest basing yourself in Tbilisi and doing day trips from there.
When to Visit?
There are distinct four seasons all around Georgia:
· Winter brings some freezing temperatures in Tbilisi, while it is very cold in the mountains. If you want to go skiing, then you will find relevant spots here (Gudauri, Bakuriani). In winter certain mountainous regions are a no-go, however, you can access Kazbegi or Mestia (in Svaneti) for skiing (unless roads are blocked, which happens).
· Spring and Autumn can be unpredictable, as anywhere. If you visit during these times, you may or may not be able to go to some mountainous regions, like Svaneti.
· May, June and September are the best times to visit all areas, not too hot in Tbilisi and other cities and not too cold to visit mountains and hike.
· July and August are overly hot in the lowlands, while they make a nice time to visit mountainous areas and do the hikes, if that’s what you are interested in. They are also the most popular months for tourism, particularly to the seaside and mountains, as basically anywhere in the world.
For more information, see the link in profile :)
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