Amazing Kyoto

Summer is not the best time of the year to visit Kyoto as you miss out on the magnificent cherry blossoms and the foliage that in the fall perks up its beautiful zen gardens.
I visited Kyoto in July yet a touch of red stood out on the predominantly green landscape.
On my first day in Kyoto I set out to explore the Philosopher's path as I had been intrigued by its name and description in my guide book. Honestly it didn't live up to my expectations. I was struck by the size of its entrance door: you can visit its interior, just duck in, buy the ticket, climb up the stairs and enjoy a panoramic view of its surroundings. The temples in the area pale in comparison to others that you can visit, so if you are time crunched skip the long and boring walk along the runnel and head straight for the Ginkakuji.
The best temple to visit in Kyoto is the golden temple (kinkakuji ) and the runner up is definitely the Kiyomizu-dera) for its impressive red gate and the wooden structure that supports it. Walk down the hill and enjoy its traditional little streets where you can comb the shops for beautiful fans and china.
Another must-see place in Kyoto is the Gion district better known as the geisha district, visit it at night.
Don't miss out on the lush bamboo forest in Arashyama but you can skip the temples if you are time crunched. I opted for visiting the temples instead of hopping on a boat and taking a trip down the river, later I regretted it. I set out to take that trip on the following day but a torrential downpour prevented me from enjoying my last day in Kyoto outside! If you are like me and love ice cream don't pass up a scrumptious ice cream in Arashiyama! I'm Italian and I've always considered my country as the place par excellence where you can eat yummy ice creams but I must admit that sesame ice cream despite its not inviting grey color is fantastic!! And so are those huge cups of green tea ice cream and sweet beans, just leave aside the gelatin! They have their own version of macha ( green tea) frappuccino and other scrumptious versions...just skip the one with tasteless gelatin which clogged my straw! Food is fabulous.
I also enjoyed observing the people: tradition and modernity make a unique blend: girls in colorful posh kimonos, students in their uniform, Lolitas teetering in high heels in which they absolutely can't walk, cute teen agers strutting their stuff in lace baby dolls, sporting lace umbrellas and faces made up in pastel pink shades all clashing with punks....you never get bored in Japan!