Returning visitors to Mayo might be surprised to find quite a few bar doors locked during the early part of the week or, at best, with limited opening hours.

BBC: In Mayo, quintessential Ireland holds on

The statistics include returning Americans and repeat visitors.

CNN: U.S. tracks heaviest border-crossing points

This year, visitors are delighted to be returning to Bethlehem, where they can send franked letters by first class or by air mail.

BBC: Bethlehem post attracts festive flock

But in the summer and especially during the Buddhist Obon festival in August, Towa's island of Suoh-Oshima is overrun with visitors, many of them returning locals.

CNN: WHERE IT'S GOOD TO BE OLD