Priyanka, Author at Champagne Flight

In Greece

The Perfect Itinerary for 3 Days in Paros, Greece

April 7, 2024 No Comments

Greece is a country that will forever hold a special place in my heart. I’ve been to Greece five times now, and I swear I fall more in love every visit. On our last trip to Greece, we decided to check out the island of Paros and I’m so thankful that we did because it quickly became one of my favorite Cycladic Islands. There is SO much to do on this island: from wandering around the traditional villages to enjoying crystal clear waters and beautiful beaches. I think three full days is enough time for your trip (though you could easily spend much longer!). With this 3 day Paros itinerary you’ll get a great taste of what the island has to offer. Table of ContentsParos 3-Day ItineraryDay 1:Explore NaoussaGrab a beer at Paros Microbrewery 56 isles Watch sunset on the bridgeCocktails at Come backDinner at MinoaGrab Loukoumades for dessertContinue your night…

In Japan

Mount Koya Temple Stay – An Unforgettable Experience

March 18, 2024 No Comments

If there’s one thing I recommend for your trip to Japan, it’s spending the night (or multiple nights!) at a Buddhist temple in Mt. Koya, especially if you’re a vegan or a vegetarian as temple food is all plant-based. We did a temple stay on our trip to Japan and loved every minute of it from our room to the food to the peaceful surroundings. Read all about our experience and why you should add a Mount Koya temple stay to your Japan itinerary, especially if you’re looking to get a bit off the beaten path. Table of ContentsImportance of Mt. KoyaGetting to Mount KoyaOur experience doing a Mount Koya temple stay Reserving our temple stayThe room + facilities What to do before dinner at the templeWhat to expect for dinnerCurfewMorning prayerOther things to do in Mt. KoyaVisit the Dai Garan Complex (Danjo Garan)Walk around the Kongobu-ji templeDo I recommend a temple…

In Japan

2 Day Kyoto Itinerary: Your Ultimate Travel Guide

March 7, 2024 No Comments

If you’ve heard that all there is to do in Kyoto is visit temples, then trust me, you’ve heard wrong. Yes, there are incredible temples to see but Kyoto offers so much more than that. We had the chance to visit Kyoto for a few days and fell in love with everything this city has to offer. The juxtaposition of tradition and modernity, Geishas scurrying along quiet streets at dusk, and hidden cocktail bars in nondescript buildings. Who knows what else is tucked away in this enchanting city? For this 2 day Kyoto itinerary, we’ll visit just three temples, sip at hidden cocktail bars, learn about sake, nibble delicious (vegetarian-friendly food) and so much more! Table of ContentsBest time to visit KyotoHow to get to KyotoTokyo to KyotoOsaka to KyotoOutside of Japan to Kyoto Where to stay in KyotoDowntown KyotoGion District2 day Kyoto ItineraryDay 0: Get to KyotoDay 1: Bamboo Forest…

In New York

The Ideal First Timer’s Guide to the Finger Lakes

February 26, 2024 No Comments

This post was updated February 26th, 2024 Oh how I love the Finger Lakes. With stunning scenery, beautiful lakes, and of course, endless wineries to sip from, what’s not to love? A little fun story for you – when I was a little girl growing up in South Carolina, I was enchanted by a book about a winemaker in the Finger Lakes. The area sounded so idyllic and I imagined what it would be like to visit. As I’d never heard of the region before, I assumed it was a fictitious setting, made just for the book. Imagine my surprise when I moved to the northeast as an adult and learned that the very Finger Lakes I had read about as a girl was actually a real area! As you can imagine, I am absolutely in love with the Finger Lakes wine region and I know you will be too.…

In Japan

Ultimate Vegetarian & Vegan Survival Guide to Japan

February 1, 2024 No Comments

As a passionate vegetarian foodie, I love the experience of exploring new countries through their cuisine. In my opinion, food is the best way to immerse oneself in local culture and its deeply rooted traditions. When planning my trip to Japan, I had some concerns about finding good vegetarian food and experiencing the full spectrum of Japanese cuisine. These worries, however, were unfounded. Our culinary experiences in Japan were nothing short of phenomenal. With my top tips and the insights provided in this guide (plus my restaurant recommendations), you will have everything you need to navigate Japan on a plant-based diet. First time in Japan? Be sure to check out my top tips for planning a trip to Japan. Table of ContentsUnderstanding Japanese Cuisine for VegetariansThe Vegetarian Side of Japanese CuisineYuba and TofuVegetable TempuraVegetarian SushiVegan RamenTraditional Vegetarian Options: Shojin RyoriWatch Out for Hidden Non Plant-Based IngredientsDiscovering Vegan Restaurants in JapanThe…

In Japan

Tokyo’s Must-Visit Cafes: A Coffee Lovers’ Guide

January 29, 2024 No Comments

If you’re a regular reader of Champagne Flight then you know I’m a coffee snob. Yes, I will admit it. I’m not a pretentious asshole about it – I will never tell you how to drink your coffee. If you are fine guzzling anything with caffeine in it with no regard for the flavor, by all means please keep on living your life (oops, that may have sounded a tad bit pretentious). Tokyo, in many ways, is a city after my own heart, especially when it comes to how seriously they take their coffee. Almost every single coffee shop I tried was top notch, making me wish I had these spots in my own neighborhood back home. Coffee lovers, here are my top picks for the best coffee shops in Tokyo. By the way, be sure to check out my epic 5-day Tokyo itinerary to help you plan your trip.…

In Japan

Explore Koshu Valley: Japan’s Underrated Wine Region

January 18, 2024 No Comments

When you think about Japan, wine is not necessarily the first thing that springs to mind. And yet, they’ve been making wine for more than 1,000 years, with numerous accolades to their name and a thriving wine industry. As a lover of underrated wine regions, the moment I discovered there was one a mere couple of hours away from Tokyo, I knew I had to go. If you’re looking for a different type of day trip from Tokyo and a chance to get off the beaten path, and of course, try Japanese wine, then the Koshu Valley in Yamanashi is for you. In addition to boasting 70 wineries, this area is absolutely beautiful, framed by the Japanese Alps on one side and Mount Fuji on the other end. This day trip is the perfect addition to a your Tokyo itinerary. Be sure to also check out this post on the…

In Japan

An Epic 5-Day Tokyo Itinerary: What to See and Do

January 8, 2024 No Comments

Ah, Tokyo. A city that easily captivated my senses and a bit of my heart. A place where I could endlessly return to and never get bored. Tokyo was unlike any other city I’ve ever visited, from the food to the sensory overload of the bustling neighborhoods of Shinjuku and Shibuya to the organized and efficient transportation system. It’s an absolute must visit, even if you’re not normally a huge fan of cities. Planning an itinerary for Tokyo can be overwhelming given the sheer amount of things to do in the city. Don’t worry, this 5 day Tokyo itinerary will take you through a blend of foodie experiences, captivating neighborhoods, and world renowned cocktail bars and is truly a perfect itinerary for a first visit to Tokyo. Be sure to check out my post on essential things to know before traveling Japan to help make your trip seamless. Table of…

In Japan

The Best Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Tokyo

December 19, 2023 3 Comments

I’m so excited to share some of my favorite Tokyo vegan restaurants in this post with you. When I originally booked my trip to Japan I was slightly nervous that we would have trouble finding delicious vegetarian food as Japanese culture is fairly meat and fish heavy. My fiance, Eric, and I are huge foodies and trying as much of the local cuisine as possible is one of our favorite parts about traveling. I needn’t have worried because we had so many fantastic culinary experiences and there were plenty of vegetarian and vegan-friendly options. While we are vegetarian and not vegan, we ate a majority of our meals at vegan restaurants to ensure that there was no fish stock in any of our dishes. Trust me, I know good food so rest assured, you’re going to love every spot listed in this foodie vegan guide to Tokyo (yes, I’m that…

In Flight Reviews

Japan Airlines Business Class Review: Boston to Tokyo RT

December 15, 2023 No Comments

Oh, how I love trying a new business class product. I nerd out over them – researching them endlessly and reading about other people’s experiences. We were super excited to try Japan Airlines Business Class not once, but twice on a direct flight from Boston (BOS) to Tokyo (NRT) and then again on the return flight from NRT to BOS. It was our first time flying a Japanese airline. This review covers all the different aspects of our business class experience with a special focus on the vegetarian options on Japan Airlines business class because I’m a foodie (check out my post to the best Tokyo vegan and vegetarian restaurants if you need restaurant recommendations while you’re in the city) and the meal service is the best part about flying premium cabins. Get ready for my completely honest Japan Airlines Business class review. By the way, if you are planning…