When flight routes changed and headlines raised a few questions about how safe it is to travel to Oman right now, Holiday Architects' client, Adrian, discovered that Oman remains every bit as welcoming, rewarding and safe as he'd hoped. Below, he shares his experience, all helped, of course, by our Emma's expert support every step of the way. (A huge thank you to HA client, Adrian Jones, for sharing the kind words and fantastic images below!) Travelling to Oman during the Iran crisis I have just returned from a 12-day fly-drive holiday to Oman . The 1st thing to say is that you should not be put off from visiting due to the crisis in Iran/Straight of Hormuz. Not for a moment did I feel that my safety was compromised. If Oman is your preferred destination, then my strong advice is for you to go, and enjoy yourself(s). Photo by Adrian: The main chandelier in Muscat's Grand Mosque Expert support, every step of the way I had originally booked this back in January, before the crisis broke out. Emma was my point of contact, and throughout the planning process, kept me updated along the way with phone calls and detailed emails. I never felt that the crisis was over running the planning that Emma was organising on my behalf. In fact, during an email to her, I commended her for her efficiency in dealing with what was, at times, a fluid situation beyond her control and her subsequent transparent communications with me. My original routing of Edinburgh-Dubai-Muscat was changed to Edinburgh-Istanbul-Muscat, and there were some minor changes in the itinerary, that frankly made no difference to the original plan. Behind the scenes: A note from Emma Emma Higgins "It was an absolute pleasure to put together Adrian’s wonderful Oman trip. From our first conversation, I could tell he was the adventurous type! So, we kicked things off with the possibility of a self-drive trip around the country, over two weeks. After a lot of conversation around what matters to Adrian, we landed on a route between Muscat, the mountains and the desert. Adrian is a keen photographer, so I absolutely knew the mountains would be a highlight for him. With this in mind, I suggested two different locations here so he could get as many pictures as possible of the incredible canyons and landscapes that dominate this part of the country. We also included a couple of nights in the desert too, so he had ample opportunities to capture the sunrises, sunsets, and the night sky over the dunes. Adrian actually ended up taking over 3,000 photos on his trip, all showcasing the stunning beauty of Oman. (He’s shared a handful with you here!) Adrian was travelling alone, so we also chatted about all the support he’d receive from our fantastic team in Oman too, meaning all he had to do was focus on having a great time. Our clients find this especially reassuring at a time like this, when people are a little nervous to travel to this part of the world. You have a team on hand in Oman to assist any time, day or night, and the HA team is at the end of the phone back in the UK 24-hours a day should you need us! Fortunately, Adrian felt extremely safe throughout his holiday, as I feel his wonderful review testifies. I was so happy to receive some delightful feedback from such a great client exploring one of my favourite countries, and can’t wait to see where we’ll help him discover next!" Emma, HA Oman expert A tailor-made holiday through Oman The itinerary was what I had requested; a fly drive with multiple stop overs. The accommodation ranged from basic but clean and functional to top end, high class hotels. In the more remote areas such as Jebel Shams and the Desert Camps, it was “glamping pod” type of sleeping and bathing arrangements. Food at these locations was served buffet style with numerous dishes. The luxurious hotels had everything you could wish for with menus to match. Very high end. Photo by Adrian: Sama Al Wasil Desert Camp Photo by Adrian: The dunes of Sama Al Wasil Desert A highlight of the journey: Jebel Akhdar There were numerous highlights along the way. The Hotel Indigo Jabal Akhdar Resort & Spa is noteworthy as it is only accessible via a drive up a 2,000 metre mountain, consisting of a ribbon smooth, winding, three lane road. At the base is a 24/7 police checkpoint to ensure that driver and vehicle are up to the task. Great fun! Superb driving conditions, and views that you are unlikely to have ever seen before, all in complete safety. Check out Google Earth to get a good visual of what I'm trying to describe in this paragraph! Photo by Adrian: Quite the view from a bedroom from Hotel Indigo Jabal Akhdar Resort & Spa Tradition meets modern Oman Oman has, over the last 50 years, been modernised to the extent that every convenience known in the western world, has been fused with the culture and traditions of Oman that still prevail, and which travellers love to experience when visiting foreign countries. Travelling solo with complete peace of mind I could go on. But this is to say Holiday Architects looked after me extremely well, and as an aged solo traveller, I was cocooned with emergency phone numbers and numerous contacts that, should I ever have required to use them, would have ensured my safe recovery. Highly, highly commended. Thinking about visiting Oman? If an Oman holiday has been on your wishlist but recent headlines have left you feeling uncertain, either Cat (our other Oman specialist) or I would be more than happy to chat through any concerns you may have. I've travelled extensively in Oman myself and remain in regular contact with our partners across the country, so I can give you an honest picture of what it's like on the ground and whether it's the right time for you to travel. Oman remains one of my favourite destinations to recommend. And regardless of whether you're heading for the mountain roads, sleeping under the stars in the desert camps, exploring the beautiful coastline or a combination of it all, you're sure to have a brilliant holiday. Feel free to get in touch, and we can start planning your own tailor-made Oman adventure today. We'd love to help. Chat to an expert Oman holidays Emma recommends ZEN_HOLIDAY_PACK_YOUR_BAGS ZEN_HOLIDAY_SPEAK_TO_SPECIALIST ZEN_HOLIDAY_GET_A_QUOTE ZEN_HOLIDAY_TEL ZEN_HOLIDAY_OPEN_HOURS

Meet Emma, one of our resident Japan experts (and travel writer extraordinaire!) She’s not long returned from her three-week adventure around the country and she has some tales to share. You’re in for a treat.  Of course, she visited the must-sees. She walked the bamboo forests of Kyoto , soaked up the crazy in Osaka , and wandered the neon-lit streets in Tokyo . But, she explored the unexpected, too. Teasing out a side to Japan that might just surprise you. Join Emma as she takes you beyond the guidebooks, uncovering the stories, sights, and experiences that make Japan a destination unlike any other…   Tokyo Before ever visiting Tokyo I had my reservations – as a country bumpkin, I thought it would all be a bit too much! That all changed the first time I went on the subway and walked around the busy Shinjuku area. Yes, there are bright lights everywhere you turn, and a lot of information in a completely foreign language, but somehow there’s order to the chaos. The Japanese culture puts respect at the forefront, and it really shows when you’re wandering around. Tokyo feels like the safest city I’ve ever travelled in; no such thing as pickpocketing here, and every local will do their best to make you feel warmly welcomed. If you need help, any Japanese person will try to assist, even if they can’t speak much or any English. All of this makes exploring the neon neighbourhoods and packed alleyways so much fun, and much calmer than you’d think! Another thing I love about Tokyo is that it’s really a series of small places packed into one sprawling city, so there are plenty of neighbourhoods to explore that feel quiet and relaxed despite the fact you’re in a metropolis. Yes, many of the main sights and temples will be packed, but scratch under the surface (and head out on a tour with one of our amazing guides) and there is so much more to see that will surprise you.     Kanazawa I loved spending time in Kanazawa – this small city on the northern side of the island of Honshu is also known as Little Kyoto, mainly down to the Edo-era streets you’ll find in the centre and the geisha culture that’s still very much alive today. You really feel like you’re in Japan of yesteryear when you’re surrounded by these beautiful typical houses with wooden slat fronts and sliding paper doors. There are also some old samurai houses there that are worth exploring, preserved to show you the typical way in which these iconic Japanese figures used to live. Don’t miss the magnificent castle too, it boasts some mind-boggling engineering that’s well worth a look. Kanazawa is definitely one for the history buffs! It’s one for nature lovers too. Immediately next to the castle, you’ll also find Kenrokuen Garden, which is described as one of the top three landscape gardens in Japan, and it’s not hard to see why! The perfectly manicured grounds are filled with cherry blossom trees in spring and come alive with rich reds and oranges in autumn. The gardens are big enough to spend a good couple of hours wandering along its magical walkways and soaking up the peace away from the hustle and bustle. See if you can spot some of the gardeners meticulously working on the moss that covers some of the beds, it’s crazy how precise and thorough these professionals are!       Kyoto Kyoto is just as hectic as expected, but I still managed to find little pockets of calm all over the city. I spent four nights here and could happily spend another 4,000 as there seemed like so much to see and do. Kyoto had a period of being Japan’s capital until the late 19th century and it wasn’t obliterated in WWII (like Tokyo) – so it’s still got a lot of that charm and tradition; that magic of ancient old-world Japan I always picture. But with that has come a lot of over-tourism in recent years, and sadly a lot of visitors overstep boundaries for locals (showing disrespect of geisha culture and the geishas themselves for example) and this has made things very difficult. Not to mention seriously over-crowded! So while I still say a visit to Kyoto is a must, it’s well worth remembering that there are thousands of temples and shrines across town – not just the big ones like Fushimi Inari and Yasaka Pagoda – so worth doing your research and venturing to the quieter corners of the city – I can help with that. It’s also worth travelling here at different times of year (cherry blossom season is completely overrun!) if possible, and visiting places in the evening/outside of peak hours. There’s definitely ways around it. There are a couple of brilliant excursions here that will help you along the way too – whether you want to explore the backroads by bike or visit some must-see attractions from a different perspective and with a local, we can use our expertise and first-hand experience of the city to help you see the very best of Kyoto.       Okayama, Kurashiki & Naoshima So many people won’t make it further down from Kyoto and Osaka on the islands of Japan, but there are a couple of really special bits just 60-90 minutes away by Shinkansen (the bullet train). Okayama is a major city along this line and it’s well worth adding two or so nights here on your Japan holiday as it’ll give you time to visit a couple of beautiful little places. The first is Kurashiki , which is a 30-minute local train from Okayama Station and is home to a very charming historical quarter with a canal running through it – seriously picture-perfect. You can take little boat rides with guides along the canal, and the streets are lined with cafes, restaurants and artisan shops. This is also the home of Japanese denim so a lot of quality denim apparel can be found here too! I just love Kurashiki, such a calm vibe and it was so quiet when I visited – a hidden gem for sure.   The other perhaps more famous highlight in this area is Naoshima , which is Japan’s art island. What a unique place! This is a 15-20 minute ferry from a town just south of Okayama, and you’ll find beautiful little beaches here, as well as a scattering of art galleries across the shores. There are outdoor art installations all over the place too, and if you’re really into your art there are some hotels here as well so you can maximise your time on the island. If you’re just here for the day (which is certainly enough time if you don’t have much more to spare), rent e-bikes for the days and pootle your way between galleries.     Hiroshima Most people will of course know of Hiroshima because of the awful events of August 6th 1945, when the atomic bomb exploded here and changed Hiroshima forever. While this is undeniably still a big part of the city’s fabric and shouldn’t be ignored while you are here (the Peace Memorial Museum is well worth a visit even though it is difficult), there is so much more to Hiroshima. There is an energetic and fun feel to the city, bolstered by a lively downtown area where you can wander for a spot of shopping and in the evenings sample from one (or more!) of its many craft breweries. There is one speciality you definitely need to try here and that’s okonomiyaki – a delicious savoury pancake and here in Hiroshima they fill them with noodles. So tasty and there is a particular food hall with dozens of okonomiyaki vendors for you to choose from, such a fun experience! While I was in the city I also took the 45-minute quick ferry out to Miyajima , a beautiful island nearby that has a lovely little shopping area, a handful of gorgeous shrines  (one with a torii gate in the sea, a picture of Japan you may have seen before), deer roaming the streets and when the weather’s right there are some nice hiking trails here that offer beautiful views out to the water. You can spend anything from a couple of hours here or a full day, and the ferry journey is also lovely!       Nagasaki Right down on the edge of Japan’s main larger island, you’ll find Nagasaki , a charming small city that feels really tucked away from Japan’s other more over-run places. My main highlight here was definitely the observatory on Mount Inasa, which you can get a cable car up to in just five minutes and be treated to an epic view across both the city and the islands of the Kyushu prefecture. I went up there just as the sun was going down, which meant everything was being kissed with golden sunshine – a truly beautiful sight! The city is on one side and then all you can see is the sea dotted with lush green hills and islands. However, the view is very famous after dark too – in fact it’s heralded as one of the very best night views in Japan, with twinkling lights reflected in the water as far as the eye can see.     Fukuoka Fukuoka is the sixth largest city in Japan and still manages to be such a hidden gem! It definitely feels like it gets overshadowed by the other cities in the country but it’s definitely worthy of some of your time on your Japan holiday. I loved the feel of Fukuoka; it felt fresh and exciting, and of course the biggest highlight for me here was the Taste of Fukuoka tour. The city is known for its yatai food stalls, of which there are around 100 – more than any other city in the country! And they each have their own specialty; I went to a hot plate one with my guide Norry, which is a family-run stall that’s been there for 30 years. I had the most delicious garlic pork and mushrooms here, all whipped up on the hot plate right in front of me and served with a crisp, cold beer to wash it down. Lovely. On the tour we also visited a couple of markets, as well as a local department store where Norry could guide me through all sorts of traditional Japanese ingredients. Here’s where we came across a pyramid-shaped watermelon that cost £1,000!       Osaka & Nara There is one word that sums up Osaka perfectly and that is F-U-N! I loved all of the bright lights of Dontonburi (the central entertainment district), where you can see giant dumplings, crabs and octopus stuck to the sides of buildings – it is all completely bonkers and so loveable! Close to this district are also a couple of little lanes packed with restaurants, which make for a lovely evening out. Other treasures in the city include the beautiful castle (surrounded by cherry blossoms in spring) and Shitennoji Temple, one of the oldest in the entire country. There’s also more madness to be found at Shinsekai neighbourhood; home to nostalgic arcade games, bright lights, cheap street eats and dive bars. Lots of fun at night and seriously retro.   While I was in Osaka I did a half-day trip to Nara, which is only 30 minutes’ train from Namba Station. The main attraction here are the hundreds of deer that roam freely through the park, and you can feed them with little crackers sold by local vendors – very cute! A lovely place to take the children if you’re travelling as a family and want to get out the city. The deer will also bow their heads in response to a bow from you which is pretty magical…  Only in Japan! There are a couple of beautiful temples to explore here as well, I definitely recommend going inside Tōdai-ji to take a look at the giant Buddha in there, it’s incredible!       Here at HA, we love nothing more than a natter about travel. If Japan intrigues you, get in touch for a chat with our Emma. She’ll share first-hand stories from her Japan adventure, get to know you and what’s important to you, before designing the perfect Japan holiday itinerary to match. You’ll find no one-size-fits-all offerings here. Every single holiday we design is as unique as you are. Let’s get started.  

Now is the perfect time to get planning to see Japan's cherry blossom in 2027. This wonderful time of year has a narrow time frame, along with being one of the most sought-after experiences in the world. See more on what our expert, Emma, has written below about Japan's symbol of Spring. In early spring each year in Japan, there are petals dancing in the air nearly everywhere you look. The country’s cherry tree population is thought to be well over a million, the highest concentration of any country in the world, scattered all across its string of islands, from the tropical shores at Okinawa to the rugged landscapes in Hokkaido and everywhere in between. These comprise of over 100 varieties; light pinks in a classic group of five petals, dazzling cotton white pom-poms, raspberry bells, or even the odd lemon yellow flush. They stun visitors with long weeping branches draped over the sides of a canals, and adorn the surrounds of vermillion temples. Towards the end of their glorious season, their petals will shed and float onto the pathways, the most enchanting downpour you’re ever likely to experience. Cherry blossom, or sakura, is one of my favourite things about visiting Japan in March and April. This season is without doubt the most popular time to visit the country though, so it’s best to get in touch as soon as you can so we can secure the very best hotels and holiday for you… (take a look at our collection of client photos below for an idea of why it’s so popular!). If you are keen to witness the beautiful phenomenon for yourself, now is the perfect time to get planning for cherry blossom 2027 to bag the best hotel and guide availability and secure your flights on a provisional hold to lock in that cost. Here’s everything you need to know about this magical time of year in Japan. Hanami (花見, "flower viewing") Strewn across Japanese literature and art for centuries, cherry blossoms aren’t just a pretty flower to look at. For Japanese people they hold an awful lot of symbolism and significance. They are both the marker of spring, new life and vitality, but also due to their short flowering time (a tree’s peak bloom only lasts a few days) they serve as a reminder that life is fleeting, symbolic in Japan’s feudal era of a samurai warrior’s short existence. There are sacred cherry trees scattered all over the country. Some of the trees are up to 2,000 years old, with many appearing in folklore and said to be inhabited by spirits. They really are prized possessions in Japan. Hanami, or, flower viewing, is the age-old practice of sitting amongst and gazing at the cherry blossom. Japanese people across the country take food and drinks to parks and sit at blossom hotspots to adore the beauty that surrounds them. There are also cherry blossom festivals in various parts of the country, a chance for all to celebrate these stunning blooms with the level of reverence they deserve! HA customer, Kirsten in Tokyo, March 2026. When is cherry blossom season in Japan? Taken by HA customer, Karen in Miyajima, March 2026. “Cherry blossom season” is notoriously tricky to summarise. It’s very much a wave of blooms, rather than a guaranteed schedule. Mother nature likes to do things in her own time! The blossom starts to come into full peak in the Kyushu region, in the south, around mid to late March, and then the wave of blooming time moves up the country with the north finishing about a month later.  This means that hotspots like Tokyo and Kyoto, and other places in that central area likely to be included somewhere in your itinerary, tend hit peak bloom in first week of April. It’s around a two-week period from when the petals first start to open, through to a few days of full bloom, and finishes when they fall and green leaves start to emerge. Of course, this is all based on the average bloom times year-on-year, and these are all dependant on nature and the temperatures the country has experienced in the autumn and winter prior. While we can’t control Japanese weather patterns (we’re good at HA, but even we don’t claim to be that good), when planning your trip we can discuss average blooming times, and base you in the right locations to enjoy cherry blossoms during your holiday. Tailor-made Japan Holidays The reality of cherry blossom crowds (And how to avoid the worst of them). There is simply no getting away from the throngs of people in some locations in Japan during cherry blossom season, with Kyoto being one of the busiest destinations in the country at the end of March and the first week of April. It is something to be very aware of before you start planning, and it’s advisable to brace yourself for some shuffling around lots of the more famous parks at this time. For good reason, of course it is undeniably beautiful, but it’s a fact that tourist numbers have boomed year on year for Japan so this will only continue in 2027. Taken by HA customer, Karen, March 2026. Japan Cherry Blossom season in Kyoto , Miyajima , Osaka , Tokyo . Of course, it pays to put some research and thought into where you want to witness the cherry blossoms, to avoid these crowds (and the worst of increased flight prices, which peak over the last week of March/first of April). We have a whole month to six weeks to play with after all, and the extremities of the country – the very far south or north, are much less crowded and you can enjoy the cherry blossoms in a more peaceful environment. Fukuoka, a fun and vibrant city in the south known for its unique street food culture, has some spectacular cherry blossom displays early on in the season. You could even start your trip here and then travel north, chasing the cherry blossom opening as you go. Alternatively, venture to Tohoku for incredible cherry blossom in Kakunodate, a small samurai town with an avenue of cherry trees flanking its riverside path and some 400 weeping cherry trees decorating the traditional samurai streets, all in mid to late April long after the Tokyo and Kyoto cherry blossom crowds have eased off. Hirosaki, just before you venture into Hokkaido, is home to one of the more famous cherry blossom festivals in late April, with a dazzling display of blooming pink trees, all 2,500 of them in Hirosaki Park, centred around its 400 year-old castle. Not only do you benefit from quieter (not deserted of course, but, but quieter nonetheless) cherry blossom areas, but all of these locations are much calmer for just about any other attraction compared to Japan’s classic Golden Route (the tourist trail between Tokyo, Mt Fuji, Kyoto and Osaka). It pays to go a little off-piste to enjoy all these benefits, so do have a chat with one of our specialists if you’re keen to get off the beaten track to enjoy the cherry blossoms. It’s not only cherries! While cherry trees are no doubt the star of the show during this time, there are also some other beautiful displays to be found through Japan. Plum blossom is just as dazzlingly gorgeous and blooms before cherry blossom, at the start of March, with incredible hanging branches (much like weeping cherries) covered in bright pink puffballs. There are a collection of these around some shrines in Kyoto and they are not to be missed. If you’re otherwise looking for wonderful floral displays of any kind, the azalea festival at Nezu Shrine in Tokyo (a spot featured on one of our brilliant Tokyo tours, in fact) takes place all through April and is home to 3,000 of these gorgeous plants, a blanket of pinks, whites and purples. Later in early June, hydrangea festivals pop up to mark the start of rainy season, with tens of thousands of these stunning flowers decorating parks and shrines. Taken by HA customer, Andrew, March 2025. Written by Emma Higgins, HA Destination Manager, Japan. If you’re dreaming of seeing the cherry blossom in Japan, get in touch with one of our fantastic Japan experts now to design your perfect once-in-a-lifetime cherry blossom holiday for 2027. Planning for Japan’s most beautiful season? Now booking for spring 2027, chat with Emma today. ZEN_HOLIDAY_GET_A_QUOTE ZEN_HOLIDAY_TEL ZEN_HOLIDAY_OPEN_HOURS