Maiko Girl, by Kuroda Seiki, Maiji Period, 1893, courtesy of the Tokyo National Museum

North American travelers started cutting back on travel to Japan more than a decade ago when the yen seemed expensive against the dollar, measured by travelers using what I call the Coca-Cola index (as in, “A Coke costs $10 at the Narita Airport!” ‒ that spoken by a fellow traveler in 1995 at the yen’s peak).

Since then, many world currencies have gained against the dollar, while the dollar has recently done well against the yen. Foreign currency exchange is an odd soup and doesn’t hold still, of course; yet its weird math puts Japan back on the travel list again. My seat companion of 15 years ago would say, “Coca-Cola is expensive here, but it’s not as bad as in (fill in the blank) …”

So, Japan is back on the traveler’s agenda. As it should be. For many westerners, a visit to Japan means the unraveling of cultural mystery, and of such things great trips are made. Lest you fear Japan’s past might not capture your interest, remember James Clavell’s novel Shogun, which stayed on the best-seller list almost infinitely and became the second-highest-watched television epic of all time. In fact, a re-read of Shogun is an enormously satisfying preview to any first trip to Japan.

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Grapes line the Yarra Valley outside of Melbourne, Australia

Australia may be climbing out from under the Global Economic Crisis rock sooner than its English-speaking cousins. The Aussie dollar is now worth about 90 US cents, up considerably from just a few years ago.

Still, that’s an excellent value for American travelers compared, for example, to the euro or the pound.

If you’re headed to Australia to enjoy the remaining extra stretch your US or Canadian dollar may still hold, you’ll want to ensure Melbourne is on your sightseeing agenda. For the past two years the city has outpaced Sydney in tourism ‒ or so says the Victoria state tourism board.

Something about Melbourne makes one want to set down roots. To get that “planted here for awhile” sensation while visiting, the Lyall Hotel in South Yarra is definitely worth consideration. Small, high-end, and well-run, it’s a masterful blend of hotel and home, right down to the full kitchen and washer/dryer in most suites. Our review from last year still stands. Read it now.

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President and Mrs. Obama

We’d like to congratulation President Obama on having been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize today.

Surely this means a trip to Oslo is in his future. As it happens, we’ve dined in Oslo three times this year and thought you might like to read a few reviews from local restaurants. Perhaps the President and Mrs. Obama will have an opportunity to enjoy the same meals we found so appealing.

Restaurant Det Gamle Raadhus
At first blush, Restaurant Det Gamle Raadhus, in Oslo, Norway, might seem a cliché of dusty splendor and stiff service, but lately, regulars have been raving about the revamped, local-inspired menu. The reindeer steak with a ragu of morels is a new take on an old dish – made lighter and given a little port reduction to brighten the flavors.

Any starter featuring the house-smoked red trout is worth ordering; it’s a salty, bracing fillet that’s just right with horseradish cream. Dinner for two, before wine, about $160.
Contact info: Nedre slottsgate 1. Tel: 47-2242-0107. www.gamleraadhus.no.
(Reviewed 4/07/2009 in Passport Newsletter.)

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A couple of years ago the London Times reported an important study that found even the brightest children of poor homes do worse in school than the dimmest children from wealthy families.

There are many factors for improving success in studies but one among them is the exposure that children can get from traveling with their parents. Just as the dullest geography class becomes more interesting if one has seen the Great Pyramids, so too does a difficult language become more appealing if one has been in the country, eaten the food, seen the sights, and heard the language in a normal setting.

Here’s something to keep in mind now that school is back in session. There is some research suggesting that students who get international travel experience can do better in school, even when they’re pulled out of school for a number of days to accommodate their trips, than those children who do not have the same opportunity. I can’t say how much science is in these findings, but on a gut level it feels right, doesn’t it?
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