One Day — Blog | A Happy Passport

Day Trip to Himeji Castle and Hiroshima from Osaka

While Osaka is a one-of-a-kind city, offering an atmosphere unique from Kyoto or Tokyo, it does lack the number of attractions those other cities have. What Osaka does provide is a perfect transportation hub to allow you to make multiple day trips throughout the Kansai and Chügoku regions. One of the best day trips from Osaka, if you are short on time, is visiting both Himeji and Hiroshima. These two cities highlight some of the distinct eras in Japanese history. From Himeji Castle, a symbol of Japan’s feudal period, to Hiroshima, the site of WWII devastation and the eventual rebounding of Japan. Both cities can be visited easily along the same Shinkansen route.

Asia, JapanAlison MullisJuly 8, 2019Day Trip, One Day, himeji, hiroshima, HistoryComment

A Visitors Guide to One Day in Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne has consistently won the world’s most liveable city and for good reason. It is also a favorite for many travelers to Australia (us included). Not only is it close to the water, but a trip to Melbourne offers access to world-renown restaurants, cultural events, stunning architecture, a laidback atmosphere, one of the best street art scenes, and many amazing day-trips. While you could spend a week lounging around the city, one day is all you need to see the main sights and get a feel for the city. The true draw to the state of Victoria is the famous Great Ocean Road, so after your day at Melbourne, rent a car and get out of the city!

AustraliaAlison MullisFebruary 12, 2019One Day, VictoriaComment

One Day of Hiking in Picton, New Zealand | DIY Shore Excursion

On the gorgeous Queen Charlotte Sound, the picturesque seaside town of Picton, New Zealand is the main ferry port for New Zealand’s South Island. It is also a popular port of call for cruises due to the amazing hiking trails in the area, access to a scenic sheltered bay, and the nearby Marlborough wine region. A day in Picton could mean kayaking out in the Queen Charlotte Sound, swimming with dolphins, tasting some of New Zealand’s best wines, or exploring the many nature trails. You can have an amazing day just walking through the trails, without spending any money. We visited Picton by cruise ship and had a limited time to explore – this is how we made the most of our 8 hours in Picton!

New ZealandAlison MullisFebruary 1, 2019One Day, Picton, Cruise, Hiking Comment

Driving the Otago Peninsula from Dunedin, New Zealand | DIY Shore Excursion

At the southern end of New Zealand’s South Island, Dunedin is the gateway to the Otago region. It is a region of dramatic coastal landscapes, rare wildlife spotting, and unique architectural history. Dunedin is the second largest city on the South Island and a popular destination for both road trippers and cruise passengers. We visited Dunedin as the first stop on a Cruise circling around New Zealand. To get the full experience of this area, forgo the organized tours, rent a car, and explore on your own. Here, I outline how we self-drove Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula in one day.

New ZealandAlison MullisJanuary 29, 2019One Day, Cruise, Road Trip Comment

How to Spend 24 Hours in Lima, Peru

Lima is home to outstanding Peruvian cuisine, impressive coastal cliffs, one of the largest fountain and light shows in the world, and a rich history. You will more than likely need to fly through Lima on your journey to or from Machu Picchu. This modern city has enough to offer visitors a reason to spare a day in the beautiful highlands, rainforest or deserts of Peru. We spend a day in Lima coming from Lake Titicaca on our way back home. Lima is a lively city with amazing restaurants and nightlife, but also with plenty of parks and a long stretch of beach that offers visitors a chance to relax.

South America, PeruAlison MullisJanuary 10, 2019Lima, One DayComment

Caldera and Cable Cars: The Perfect Day in Santorini, Greece

It is hard to put into words how beautiful the cliff-perched towns and stunning sea views are. Santorini is a caldera or large crater formed by a volcano. The crater is mostly submerged and what remains is the 5 islands that make up the Santorini group. The main island of Thera is where you will likely spend all of your time. To start off with, one day in Santorini is certainly not enough. We arrived by cruise ship and were severely limited with what we could explore on the island in that time.

Greece, Europe, Most Popular, BudgetAlison MullisApril 24, 2018Honeymoon, Romantic, One Day, SantoriniComment