Getting the flavour of…
Japan’s mystical mountain men
Combining elements of Buddhism, Taoism and Shinto, Shugendo has been practised by “mystical” mountain-dwelling ascetics in Japan for the past 1,500 years. With the aid of an English translator, a group of these hermits, known as Yamabushi, now offers three-day introductions to their way of life, says Sarah Marshall in The Sunday Telegraph. The regime is strict – there’s no talking, no washing (not even of teeth), and lots of fasting and chanting – and centres on climbing the three holy peaks of Dewa Sanzan. Visitors wear traditional white clothing, and also participate in a “waterfall purification ceremony” (very wet and cold), and an “eye-stinging” stint in a room full of smoke from burning chillis and rice husks. The intention, in part, is to empty minds “overloaded with information”, though guests often end up weeping in “excitement, pride and relief” at the end. Inside Japan (insidejapantours.com) can arrange trips.
Lahore’s restored glories
Although it is widely regarded as Pakistan’s cultural capital, and is the gateway to its “breathtaking” northern mountains, the city of Lahore receives relatively few foreign visitors. Yet it has a fabulous heritage, says Harry Johnstone in the FT – and a major programme of restoration is now underway on the great buildings of its Mughal heyday, which lasted from the 16th to the 18th centuries. Work on the Shahi Hammam bathhouse, the Wazir Khan mosque and others is complete, and you can already see half of the huge 17th century Picture Wall in the city’s fort in its restored state. This 450metre-long screen of glazed tiles, faience mosaics and frescoes depicting battle scenes, dragons, angels, animals and birds is a unique “artistic triumph”. Work on the other half is due to finish in two years. Tour operators to Pakistan include Wild Frontiers, KE Adventure and Silk Road Adventures.
A road trip in the Julian Alps
Slovenia’s No. 1 tourist attraction, Lake Bled is “Disneyesque” in its perfection – the “silver” waters, the pretty church on the islet, the backdrop of jagged peaks. To get away from the coach tours, drive deeper into those mountains – the Julian Alps, says James Stewart in The Sunday Times. Climb Mount Triglav, the country’s highest peak at 2,865m, try folk dancing at the Avsenik Inn, and canoe on the “dazzling” Lake Bohinj (“like Bled without the buses”). But above all, explore the Soca Valley. Its wild beauty is amazing “even by Slovenian standards”, and it has an astoundingly good restaurant, Hiša Franko, headed by Ana Roš, who was named world’s best female chef in 2017. Just Slovenia (justslovenia.co.uk) organises driving tours of the area.