Spas and Wellness

During my annual vacation to the world’s best-kept secret, Sapporo, Japan, I always make sure I allocate one day for a trip to the most relaxing place on Earth, Noboribetsu Hot Spring Onsen (Spa). My last trip there was in April ’04.

After getting the current train station schedule and buying an “S” ticket (about ¥4,040, or $39, round trip) at the international plaza information booth in Sapporo Station, the only thing that remains is to get a good night’s sleep before the special day.

Do you speak French? No? Then perhaps German? Not to worry, everyone you meet in Luxembourg will also speak English — and most likely Spanish. However, a phrase in Luxembourgish, the national language, best describes the citizens of this grand duchy: Mir wölle bleiwe wat mir sin, or “We want to stay what we are.” What they are, these Luxembourgers, is fascinating — so much history, so many languages and so little acreage.

by Randy Keck