Chris Scott - TravelManagers

🚨 One of the strongest travel promotions I’ve seen in quite a while has just been EXTENDED until 3 June.

Inspiring Vacations currently has selected tours discounted by up to 40% — and judging by how quickly some departures are selling, travellers are definitely paying attention.

Now normally, I’m not someone who pushes sales just because there’s a percentage sign attached to it… but there are some genuinely excellent itineraries in this campaign for travellers who value:

✨ immersive experiences
✨ small group journeys
✨ seeing more than just the tourist highlights
✨ good value without sacrificing the experience

There’s a really broad mix of destinations and styles included, from cultural touring through to deeper-dive itineraries for travellers wanting something a little more meaningful and less rushed.

I also really like some of the newer “Japan in Depth” programs, which are designed more for repeat visitors or travellers wanting to go beyond the classic first-time Japan route. Perfect for those who prefer slower, experience-rich travel.

A few tours are already starting to sell out, so if something has been sitting on your “one day” list… this may be the moment to seriously look at it.

If you’d like help narrowing down which itineraries are actually worth considering (and which suit your travel style best), book a consultation with me and I’ll help you sort through the options properly.

📩 Send me a message to chat.

Planning a first trip to Japan is basically a full-time hobby (or job in my case 😁). Even though I know a little bit about Japan, I realised how much I don't know!

One minute you’re researching hotels in Tokyo…

…and suddenly it’s 11:47pm and you’re watching a YouTube video ranking the best egg sandwiches from Japanese convenience stores.

Things I’ve researched this week:

🚅 Which side of the train has the best Mt Fuji views
🍜 The “must-try” ramen chains
🏪 Which convenience store has the best snacks (gluten-free, of course!)
💴 How much cash do you need in Japan
🎌 Japanese train etiquette
🛍️ Vintage shopping in Tokyo (for my daughter)
☕ Best coffee in Kyoto
🦌 Whether the Nara deer are actually friendly (jury still out)

Meanwhile, my browser currently has approximately 437 tabs open (sound familiar?).

Planning Japan feels less like organising a holiday and more like preparing for an expedition.

And honestly?

I’m loving every minute of it.

If you’ve been to Japan before, what’s the ONE thing you think first-timers absolutely need to know?

One thing we absolutely HAD to do while we’re in Japan…

Go to the baseball ⚾🇯🇵

We’ve just booked tickets to see the Yomiuri Giants take on the Chunichi Dragons at the iconic Tokyo Dome.

Neither of us has ever been to a baseball game before (and honestly… I’m still not entirely sure I understand all the rules 😂), but considering how much Japan loves baseball, we figured this was something we couldn’t miss.

My daughter and I already spend plenty of time together watching AFL and ice hockey back home, so we’re excited to experience a completely different sporting atmosphere together in Tokyo.

Apparently, Japanese baseball crowds are next level:
🎺 organised chants
🥁 nonstop cheering
🍺 stadium food and beer
⚾ passionate fans
🎉 incredible atmosphere

Safe to say we’ll be fully embracing the experience… even if we spend half the game trying to work out what just happened.

Honestly, this is one of the things I love most about travel.

Not just seeing famous places… but experiencing the things locals genuinely love.

Now tell me…
What’s the one food we HAVE to try at a Japanese baseball game?



📷Photo by Adrian Rios

35 days to go… and after years of helping clients plan trips to Japan, I’m finally heading there myself 🇯🇵

On the 18th June, my daughter and I fly out from Perth for our very first trip to Japan.

We’ll be travelling through:
📍Tokyo
📍Nagoya
📍Kyoto
📍Osaka

…mostly by train, because if you know me at all, that was always going to happen 🚄

I’m excited for:
• the food
• the energy of Tokyo
• quiet mornings in Kyoto
• train journeys between cities
• wandering side streets with no real plan
• seeing Japan through my daughter’s eyes

I’m also slightly nervous about:
• accidentally offending someone culturally
• getting completely lost in Shinjuku Station
• ordering food with my very limited, or non-existent, Japanese (and coeliac disease!)
• whether we’ve planned too much… or not enough 😅

What I’m most looking forward to though, is slowing down enough to properly experience it. Not just ticking boxes.

Over the next 5 weeks I’ll be sharing bits of the planning process, what we’re booking, what we’re learning, and then plenty from the trip itself once we arrive.

So tell me…

What’s ONE thing we absolutely shouldn’t miss in Japan?

🇪🇸 Europe just became even easier with Singapore Airlines ✈️

If Europe is on your travel wish list for 2026 and beyond, there’s some very good news…

Singapore Airlines is expanding its European network with:

✅ NEW flights to Madrid
✅ More flights to London, Manchester, Munich, Milan & Barcelona
✅ Greater flexibility for European itineraries
✅ More premium seating options across the network

The biggest update?
🇪🇸 Madrid becomes Singapore Airlines’ newest European destination from October 2026, operating via Barcelona.

This is fantastic news for travellers looking at:
• Spain & Portugal itineraries
• European rail holidays
• Multi-country trips
• River cruises
• Fly/cruise combinations
• Slow travel through Europe

There are also increased services to:
🇬🇧 London Gatwick & Manchester
🇩🇪 Munich
🇮🇹 Milan
🇪🇸 Barcelona

And one of the best parts of flying via Singapore?
You can easily turn your transit into a proper stopover.

A few days in Singapore is a holiday in itself:
🍜 Hawker food at Lau Pa Sat and Maxwell Food Centre
🛍 Shopping along Orchard Road
🌶 Exploring Little India
🦁 Visiting Singapore Zoo and Gardens by the Bay
🏝 Relaxing on Sentosa before heading to Europe

It’s one of my favourite ways to break up the long journey to Europe while adding another destination and experience to the trip.

For travellers departing Australia, more flights generally means:
✔ Better connectivity
✔ More flexibility with dates
✔ Improved itinerary options
✔ Potentially better availability during busy periods

If Europe is on your radar for 2026 or 2027, now is a great time to start planning early, especially for premium cabins, school holidays, and popular summer travel dates.

📩 Thinking about Europe? Let’s chat about building an itinerary that’s more than just “seeing places” — and actually experiencing them.

Bangkok is one of those cities that rewards you when you slow down.

I think a lot of travellers still see it as simply a transit city. A quick overnight stop between Europe and home. But after returning for the first time in more than 13 years, I was reminded just how much this city has to offer when you actually give it time.

What surprised me most this visit was how modern and easy Bangkok felt.

The metro system was simple to navigate, we felt safe everywhere we explored, and there’s this fascinating contrast between sleek luxury, old neighbourhoods, hidden laneways, street art, markets, temples, and the constant energy of the city moving around you.

One of my favourite parts of the trip was simply wandering through Chinatown and Talat Noi. No real agenda. Just walking, exploring side streets, discovering murals, markets, hidden cafés, river views, and soaking up the atmosphere.

Bangkok feels alive in a way few cities do.

And the interesting thing is… it can be whatever you want it to be.

Luxury escape.
Food destination.
Shopping weekend.
Cultural city break.
Chaotic adventure.
Relaxing stopover.

The mistake I think many people make is trying to rush it.

Bangkok is enormous, and every area has its own personality. Slow down, stay a couple of nights longer than you think you need, and actually experience the city rather than just passing through it.

For us, it was a reminder of how great Bangkok can be.

If you’re planning a Europe trip, Japan trip, or even just looking for a short luxury escape closer to home, Bangkok deserves far more attention than it gets.