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   When traveling overseas, we believe in immersing ourselves in the culture, learning the etiquette, participating in the local lifestyle, enjoying the regional cuisine, and temporarily suspending our own notions of how best to do things. We stay in traditional lodgings, eat in neighborhood restaurants, travel on local trains, and meet the people of the country. In Japan, we stay in Buddhist temples, traditional inns, and farmhouses, where we sleep on futons and enjoy the evening ofuro (hot bath). We participate in a moonlit Shinto waterfall ceremony, take a course in ikebana, and learn the intricacies of lacquerware. In South Africa, we meet people from all walks of life and experience as much of the diversity of the country as we can in three weeks. Our trips are designed the way we enjoy traveling. We travel together as a group of friends would, coming together to experience a culture in a meaningful and personal way. Limiting each trip to 16 participants or less and having two leaders per group allows us the flexibility to travel to remote locations where we can stay in tiny country inns, visit artists’ studios, participate in special ceremonies and classes, and connect with the local culture. We care very much that each participant have as extraordinary a time as possible, and we are willing to go to great lengths to fulfill this commitment. With two leaders on each trip, we provide a high degree of personal attention, expertise, and, most importantly, humor. Culture is what fascinates us, and we have designed our trips to learn more about those aspects of the culture that intrigue us the most. Our interests have led us from our first hiking trip in the North Alps of Japan in 1985, to where we are today. The Japanese arts and architecture, both traditional and contemporary, and the Shinto and Buddhist philosophies, have inspired us to develop our Japan trips, From Farmhouse to Teahouse, Brushes with Inner Japan, and Asian Havens (AH!). We invite all those with an interest in immersing themselves in a foreign culture to join our personal and unique trips.   
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