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vivian0520 · 3 years

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Travel on the Thailand

Thailand is the destination of my travel guide this time.

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy located in Southeast Asia. It is located in the middle of the Indo-China Peninsula, bordering Myanmar to the north and Laos to the northeast, Cambodia to the southeast, and a long and narrow peninsula connected to Malaysia to the south.

All in all it is in South Asia.

Before the epidemic, there was an important data for Thailand, that is, Thailand's tourism industry accounted for 17.7% of GDP. Therefore, Thailand is a tourist country, and the tourism economy drives the Thai economy.

If you are in a European or American country, then you need to fly at least fourteen to five hours to arrive. I have to say that this is a long journey.

Of course some people think that when you go to another country, you must first understand the history of that country.

So let me explain it briefly!

In the history of Thailand, a relatively unified country was formed in 1238 AD, which successively experienced the Sukhothai Dynasty, the Ayutthaya Dynasty, the Thonburi Dynasty and the Bangkok Dynasty, formerly known as Siam. In the 16th century, colonialists such as Portugal, Holland, Britain, and France invaded successively. In 1896, Britain and France signed a treaty that stipulated that Siam was a buffer state between British Burma and French Indochina. Therefore, Siam became the only country in Southeast Asia that did not become a colony. At the end of the 19th century, King Rama IV began to open to the outside world, and King Rama V used Western experience to carry out social reforms. In June 1932, the Democratic Party launched a coup and changed the monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. It was renamed Thailand in 1939, and after several changes, it was officially named Thailand in 1949. Currently, the king of Thailand is Rama X.

If you travel to Thailand, your local guide will definitely tell you about various scandals about the royal family. I have to say, it's really interesting. When I traveled to Thailand once, my tour guide told a lot of people’s speculations and secret history about the royal family.

For traveling to Thailand, we can often see various touted paradise narratives on social media. Its main "tourist attractions" are the beach and the sea. The reason why Thailand is called a tourist destination is that Thailand is a tropical area, which is very suitable for vacation and affordable. These factors will have a great impact on social media, markets and social politics. Because Thailand's tourism economy will drive the GDP of Thais, the Thai government is also willing to establish travel recommendations with other countries. In addition, tourism in Thailand is very cheap, and tourism companies and industrial chains can make a lot of money, so capitalists also like to spend money on social media to promote Thailand travel, which can attract more tourists to travel to Thailand. Thailand's travel market is very hot.

Thailand's tourism industry is still very mature. This is good for tourists who wish to travel to the country. Tourists are often in an attitude of acceptance and respect for Thai culture. For example, Thailand is a Buddhist country, and many Chinese tourists also believe in Buddhism. Like the Jade Buddha Temple, you must wear a skirt below the heel to enter. Chinese tourists often choose to buy cloth aprons in order to respect this cultural belief.

(This is a photo taken at the Jade Buddha Temple in 2013 by me)

In fact, Chinese tourists belong to a large part of tourists to Thailand. This is because of a well-known movie, [Lost In Thailand] (Chinese called Thai 囧.) Many Chinese decided to go to Thailand after watching this movie. Including my family. The film won a box office of 200 million U.S. dollars in China. A large degree of promotion of Thailand's tourism industry. The female prime minister of Thailand personally met with the film director to thank him for his promotion of Thailand's tourism industry.

But I really don't like travel guided by travel companies. Because tourism is often an industrial chain. The travel company behind determines all your itineraries. Most foreigners, they are forced to accept this arrangement.

Whatever you want to eat for lunch and dinner is decided by the travel plan. Your tour guide will take you to a restaurant that cooperates with their company. Therefore, you cannot eat traditional local food at all.

Like a hotel, if your personal trip price is less than $1,000. (Itinerary for four or five days) It is difficult for you to stay in a better hotel. And it was forced to share a room with two people.

（This is the hotel photo taken by me in 2013 ）

The timetable arranged by the travel company depends on the price of your personal itinerary. My father prefers a relaxed travel atmosphere, so he chooses a more expensive itinerary. That is more than 1,000 dollars per person. But many people choose 300 dollars a person to travel, but this kind of itinerary planning is very difficult to me. The daily schedule is very tight and lacks time for rest.

When it comes to shopping, Chinese tourists are often tricked into cooperating duty-free shops by travel companies. Then send them various coupons. Let them spend more. Such tourists are relatively lucky, because the duty-free shops still have quality assurance. But like some tour guides, they will trick tourists into buying fake jade gems, latex pillows, yanwo (swallow's saliva). Then get rewards from these sellers to make money. I think this kind of behavior is very immoral.

However, Thai fruits are really cheap and delicious. My family and I eat fruits happily every day. I highly recommend buying Thai fruits when traveling in Thailand!

Of course, if you are going to Thailand with your children, I have to warn! !!

Thailand is located in the Golden Triangle region, and it has serious security problems.

Thailand is a country full of the drug trade, human trafficking, organ trafficking, pornography, and violent performances.

Thailand is not suitable for female tourists to go alone! Because you might be kidnapped!

For families who go with a tour group, for example, performances such as shemale performances and Muay Thai are not conducive to the physical and mental health of children.

I will never forget the performances I saw in Thailand at the age of 12 and the pornographic jokes made by local guides about the tourism industry in Thailand.

The following description is based on my memory:

There is an important itinerary when traveling to Thailand, and that is the performance of the Oriental Princess cruise ship.

On the Oriental Princess, as long as you give money, 20 baht, you can touch the breasts of the shemale princess and take a photo with them.

（This is the photo, I don't know who she is. But I hide this women's face. I take a lot kinds of this photo......）

When I saw this scene, I was shocked.

Because no matter how old men and women are in the eyes of the public, they make such impolite behavior.

At the age of 12, I watched these actions in horror, and since then, my mind has been overshadowed. At the same time, all tour groups have the same itinerary for Europeans and Americans and their children. I don't know if these parents will accept this performance.

However, this performance is not considered to restrict children's access level in Thailand. It can only be considered normal. (Although I don’t understand...)

There is also a shemale strip show performance, which can only be watched by adults.

When you accept all these what I said, you still want to go to Thailand. Then I will recommend a location for you:

1. The Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. The Grand Palace of Thailand in Bangkok, also known as the Forbidden City, is the palace of Kings I to VIII of the Bangkok dynasty in Thailand. Located in the center of the capital, Bangkok, nestled on the Chao Phraya River, it is the most spectacular ancient building complex in Bangkok.

2. Phuket. Thailand's largest island, the "pearl" of the Andaman Sea, Phuket is a representative tourist resort in Southeast Asia. Its charm lies above all in its beautiful sea. The west coast of the island faces the Andaman Sea. There are pristine white sandy beaches. Each beach has its own advantages and charms. Under the sun, large and small beaches shimmer. The waves hitting the shore of the Andaman Sea.

3. Pattaya. Pattaya is famous for its sunshine, beach, and seafood. It is known as the "Oriental Hawaii" and is a world-famous emerging seaside tourist resort.

4. Jade Buddha Temple. The Emerald Buddha Temple is located at the northeast corner of the Grand Palace in Bangkok. It is the most famous Buddhist temple in Thailand and one of Thailand's three national treasures. The Emerald Buddha Temple is a place where the royal family of Thailand enshrines Jade Buddha statues and holds religious ceremonies. It is named after the temple that enshrines the Jade Buddha.

5. Phi Phi Island. Phi Phi Island is located about 20 kilometers southeast of Phuket, Thailand. It is a sister island composed of two main islands (Phi Phi Island in the north and Phi Phi Island in the south). The soft and white sandy beaches, the tranquil blue waters, the magical natural caves, and the unspoiled natural features make it stand out from more than 30 outlying islands around Phuket and become one of the hottest resorts in one fell swoop.

And my suggestion is to apply more sunscreen, because Thailand is in the tropics, and the ultraviolet rays are very strong and easy to get sunburned. There are a lot of mosquitoes in Thailand, you can buy a local mosquito repellent in Thailand-grass cream. Thailand’s local delicacy Tom Yum Goong soup is very famous, you must try it!

Thank you for reading my Blog!

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michiganandback · 6 years

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We were proceeding up the coast and started to go to one of the points off the coast and GPS took us to the entrance to La Farge Quarry. There was a sign telling us to turn around because it’s private property. We did and ended up at another point which had a lighthouse on Presque Isle, which we were told means almost an island in French. As you may have guessed, it's really a peninsula. We drove past the lighthouse to the water where they had a picnic area to have lunch. A very peaceful place and there was a beautifully carved and engraved granite bench in memory of a man who obviously loved that point. We decided to go back and take a look at the Lighthouse Museum which was free. There was a curator there who goes through a part of the history and then we explored on our own. After Owen finished his introduction, we asked where he was from. He said North Carolina and I said me too, where in North Carolina? He said near Winston-Salem and that piqued both our interests. I asked him to be more specific and I think he was getting irritated but he said Clemmons. I said we were there two weeks ago because our friend lives near Clemmonsville Road in Winston-Salem. It turns out he's been vacationing up here for 20 some years and now spends his summer up here doing docent work at the Lighthouse. The lighthouse was nice and we climbed up this one just to say we have been in a lighthouse. Today was a long day of mostly driving. We ended up in Mackinaw City for the night. In the morning we went to a 1800s reenactment settlement in downtown. That was very interesting. Everything there was authentic, with birch bark canoes, the dress of the people including some Indian outfits and ladies spinning yarn, etcetera. Pictures will give a more complete story. About mid-morning it was time to cross the famous Mackinac Bridge. It’s a toll bridge and only cost $10 for a two axle RV. We found out that whether the word ends or C it's pronounced as a w because that's the way the Native Americans pronounced it. Now we all know. We just drove north headed toward a town called Brimley which had one of the three National Scenic roads in Michigan. On the way there we stop for “Provisions” in an out of the way place off Interstate 75. While we're walking to the store a man came up to me and said is that your rig. I said yes and offered to show it to him while Elizabeth did some shopping. As we're walking there I found out Tom was retired Navy and was suffering from agent-orange poisoning from at least two tours in Vietnam. But the interesting fact was, while we were in the van and we talked about him being a navigator on gunships in Vietnam he said something in German which means what goes up must come down which I translated that he had crashed at least once. That started a whole new conversation. His father was an officer in the Luftwaffe during the war and was granted permission to come to America where he was interned near Detroit while they investigated is fitness for staying in America. He grew up speaking German, but was told not to speak German when he started school. We went back to the grocery store and had another long conversation where he explained to us about his service in Vietnam and some of the things he did which were pretty hairy. He was there when the Tet offensive started and flew in a gunship that went up to Hue to help attack the 25000 NVA. They got to the city we're taking fire from artillery and a pilot had Tom take over the navigation to set up the rockets. They fired all the rockets and knocked out most of the artillery. then took the gunship down between the buildings with about 5 feet to spare with both door gunners firing their 7.62s, they flew down the street lighting up the buildings on each side at NVA who were hiding in. We could have talked for hours but we only talked for about 30 minutes longer than we started to. One of the men who lived in his town and I think was a relative was in the group that got attacked in Afghanistan by 300 Taliban from that group that got attacked back in 2009 He didn’t survive. Very interesting. Aug 3 We took the road from Brimley around to Whitefish Bay through Paradise to Whitefish Point. On the way we stopped at a state park look for a campsite. When we got to entrance to the park, the sign said they were full. We asked if there were any other campgrounds around they said no. One girl looked another and said we do have one spot and we can let you have for tonight if you're only staying one night. We said is it near the bathhouse? She said not very far. It's our handicap site that we hold open till the end of the day but you can have it. I don't even remember what we paid because she didn't give me a receipt. We had the only large paved level parking space but you can almost spit to the bathroom. We learned now how to get the last spot in a Michigan State Park and the end of the day. It was a great spot and it rained during the evening so we just chilled out and got ready to drive up to Whitefish Point, the end of the national Scenic Highway. We went to see some falls but they weren't quite as spectacular as some Falls we've seen, but they lower falls were two levels and the minerals in the water make it look like they're rusty. At Whitefish Point, we saw the maritime Shipwreck Museum included four buildings incorporating the old Coast Guard Station there. The exhibit was very moving because it talked only about all the shipwrecks and how many people had been killed including the famous Edmund Fitzgerald wreck. They had a video about that which it look like footage maybe from the other ship that was with them, because it was very realistic. After that we backtracked to go past the Upper Falls of the river we had seen but we didn't go in to look at that fall. We took a chance and headed north to the shores of Lake Superior to take an “improved” gravel road along the lake to the pictured rocks National Lakeshore. The gravel road was pretty bumpy but doable at about 25 miles an hour. We got a little worried when a few rain squalls popped up which could have made the road impassable, but it didn't rain that much. There was another RV in front of us way ahead and many cars, trucks and vans meeting us so we knew the road was passable. After about 15 miles, we hit a paved highway and went on the Grand Marais. It was time to stop for lunch again. While eating lunch, a man walked by and said is it already Miller time. I told him to look at the plate on the front of our RV and he said I guess it is 5:00 somewhere and it's just about noon here. As you might imagine, we ended up having a long discussion about the area. He has a hunting lodge about 15 miles back where we came from and his wife was down the bank from where we were eating picking wild raspberries for a pie. Steve was an interesting character. He told us that in the middle of June, the bay in front of us is a Derby for seaplanes and pontoon boat flying in to do tricks, aerobatics, etc. He got one of the pilots to get him a ride in an old two seater Otter to look at his property from the air. Steve sat in the front seat and the pilot flew from the backseat. He also pointed out to the breakwaters where 3 boys ages 14 and 16 had been swept off in a storm and we should go see the plaque at the end of the point. We would never have known about that if we had not had that chance encounter with Steve. One of the boys are rescued by crazy person who jumped in the water to try to help him. Steve reminded us that Lake Superior makes its own weather patterns and it can get violent in a hurry. We meandered through the National Lakeshore, which has the Pictured Rocks, stopping off at some of the pull outs until we got to Munising. At first we didn't think we're going to find a campground but we found one that was newly opened and told them we were on our way. We passed a really nice campground on the way that had spaces but we had told those people to hold Campground for us so we went on to it. It had only been opened a month and they gave me a 10% military discount. We had booked a campground in Christmas, Michigan, founded 1936! We only booked one night and when we got there a campsite we drove past an RV just like ours accept a slightly different model with a small slide out and a Murphy bed. After dinner, we walked over to chat with Jim and Linda call. Theirs is a 2014 so we discussed some of the similar issues that we both have had. His refrigerator will only work on gas right now so they had had to throw a whole refrigerator food away because they've been gone most of the day on an Excursion in their Jeep. I told him about the engine light problem but didn't discuss the electrical problem we're having with the main circuit board. They really like the RV and they live in Utah after retiring from the Civil Service in the Maryland area. We kept talking and it turns out Linda has a mitral valve problem also. I told her to go to Cleveland Clinic but she says her insurance company doesn't want to do a prophylactic fix. I told her mine was leaking but my insurance company fixed it even though I was not having major trouble. She has when I consider the worst insurance company in the world, Blue Cross Blue Shield. I told her I’d totally ditch that company and get a good HMO. Probably overstepped my bounds there but I had nothing but trouble with BCBS when I was forced to have that when I worked for the state of North Carolina. We exchanged emails and we will hopefully keep in touch with them. Well it's Sunday morning and very muggy and overcast. We have a boat tour scheduled for two to ride along the shores of Lake Superior paralleling the pictured Rock National Lakeshore. We will spend one more night at a different Campground because while this Campground is new and it has a wonderful bathroom, there is only one stall in the men's room for about 70 campers. Granted the sites come with full hookups, but they're ours many tents and pop up campers that don't have full hookups. We're glad we didn't reserve two nights here. The other Campground is closer to town and is $10 a night cheaper right on the lake. More to follow with pictures soon. We have to close our windows almost every night because of the camp fires. Why do 98% of the people think we enjoy smelling like smoke and polluting our lungs? Ugh. Aug 5 – Aug 6 AM We got up and had a relaxing morning with a nice long walk to the outskirts of Christmas, Michigan and back to our campground. We checked out a little early went to the new campground before we're able to park to pay for the spot and go downtown for our lake cruise. We got a nice parking spot near the boat dock and just killed time until the boat left. We were told to be there early because the line starts to form to be on the top deck. We got there 45 minutes early and there were already 6 people in line in front of us. We got really good seats on the upper deck. The weather was overcast, but warm and the wind was what was produced by the boat. After we got out of the no wake zone, the boat picked up speed and we headed out to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. You'll see that at the end of the array of photos after this narrative. They're very hard to describe in words and we hope the pictures do them justice. This morning we take a glass bottom boat tour to see some shipwrecks. After that, we will continue on up the Upper Peninsula in the direction of the place that we will take airplane ride over to the Isle Royale National Park. We have five days to get there so we should make it in time.

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johnboothus · 4 years

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Wine 101: Spain

This episode of Wine 101 is sponsored by Las Rocas Wines. Las Rocas Wines hail from Calatayud, an arid hilly region in the northeast of Spain, where the air is dry and the terrain is unforgiving. Against all odds, Garnacha vines thrive here on the steep, rocky slopes of Calatayud. Producing grapes with a signature palate of spice and minerality, these robust vines — some more than 100 years old — lend their lively spirit and character to all the Las Rocas wines. Sample the rich and full bodied flavors of Spain, Las Rocas Wine.

In this episode, VinePair tastings director Keith Beavers begins what will be a long, thorough journey into Spanish wine. He begins the episode by emphasizing that the country is a big topic to cover on a single episode of “Wine 101,” but insists regardless that “Spanish wine is fun.”

An influx of Spanish wine has hit American markets in the last few years, and a new generation of winemakers is constantly reimagining traditional Spanish grapes. Some grapes, like Tempranillo and Garnacha (called “Grenache” in France) are already very popular and simply seeing a renewed demand for their classic forms. Others, like Rioja, are being aged in new ways, so Beavers suggests that “Wine 101” fans try to get their hands on whatever new, interesting Spanish wines they can find.

Part of why it would be unfair to try to cover this country in just one episode is the fact that Spain is made up of 138 unique regions, each ranked within a seven-tier appellation system. Beavers runs through this entire system, which defines grapes both by where they are grown, as well as by any necessary aging requirements. He touches on the biggest grapes grown in Spain, and illustrates the country’s diverse terrain by tracing through its entire geography. Along the way, he links different areas to multiple grapes, wines, and more information to come.

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My name is Keith Beavers, and I just want to buy a nice pair of sunglasses and not lose them. Once!

What’s going on, wine lovers? Welcome to Episode 31 of VinePair’s “Wine 101” podcast. My name is Keith Beavers. I am the tastings director of VinePair. And how you doin’? I’m going to talk about Spain, the entire country — all of it — in 20 minutes. That’s crazy. Right? Well, we’re crazy. Let’s just do this.

All right. So I think this is the first episode where we’re actually going to cover an entire country, not just one wine region. And it’s a lot, so we’re not going to be able to get to the entire thing, of course. But I feel like Spain is popular on the American market for a few things in wine. You have Cava — well, first you have Rioja ‘cause it’s Rioja. We all know about Rioja, and you have Cava, which is very popular. And then there are other wines that come out of Spain that are popular in certain areas of the country and not so much in others.

And you have some Spanish wine that you’d be like, “Wow, this is really affordable and it’s Spanish, but what is Calatayud?” So it’s a little bit confusing. The Spanish presence on our market has kind of been spotty, if you will. But down the road, we’re going to start talking about Spanish wine regions. So this is an opportunity to kind of just do a general overview of the country — not going to go too deep into craziness here. The history of this country is deep. Just as much as any other European wine-producing country, if not more so than others, because the Iberian peninsula has been the staging ground for a lot of political maneuvering throughout history, military maneuvering throughout history, its proximity to France and England. It’s just awesome.

In one day, as we go through different regions in the future, we can really get more of a sense of all that human maneuvering throughout history in Spain. This country has 17 autonomous regions with provinces within those regions, has 12 general wine regions with wine regions within those regions, totaling 138 wine regions.

There are 138 wine regions in Spain alone, and across all those 138 regions are vines that are mostly indigenous to Spain. Grapes like Tempranillo, Garnacha, Verdejo, Palomino, Pedro Ximenez, Graciano, Godello, all these beautiful names for all these awesome grapes. And aside from Tempranillo and Garnacha, which is “Grenache,” as they say it in France, you may not have heard of these varieties.

So there’s a lot in Spain, so to get to all of it in a small episode is just not going to do it. But if we talk about geography, that hasn’t changed. The human stuff has changed, but the geography is the same. So we’re going to talk about an overview from 30,000 feet, whatever that saying is, and show you what Spain is. So that when we get into it later on, you get an idea of it. So the way I understand Spain is that I look at the entire country, and I see sections. I see a northern coastal section, and that runs all the way from Galicia in the west, all the way to the Pyrenees in the east, which borders France. And it’s about the top third of the country. And this part of the country is heavily influenced by the Bay of Biscay. And this area is pretty rainy. Actually the annual rainfall is about 60 inches per year. And because just inland is a mountain range, the Spanish call these mountain ranges “cordilleras,” and the mountain range kind of keeps the rain and that kind of coastal influence in this area of the country.

It gets in and out, it kind of goes inland a little bit sometimes. And of course all this affects the vines that grow there. And then I see, just over those mountains going south, there’s another section, and this is basically called the — I call it the valley section. You have two main rivers. You have the Ebro River, which flows to the Mediterranean to the east. And then you have the Duero River, which flows West through Portugal to the Atlantic. And this is where the famous Rioja region is. But other great wine regions like Ribeiro are here. And this area is getting a little bit warmer. The mountains, the cordilleras, they actually protect this area from the rain over to the north that’s influenced by the Biscay Bay. And here, you only get 17 inches a year, whereas just north on the other side of the mountains, you get 60. So it’s a definite decrease, it’s warmer, and it’s mostly influenced by these rivers.

Then I look at the east coast of Spain, and actually run the east coast all the way through to the southern coast. And this is basically just all Mediterranean influence, just like southern France, just like Italy. It has a Mediterranean climate, so it has a nice, mild winter. Warm summers. It’s a great vacation spot, grapes gradually ripen. They love the area. There’s some awesome wines being made. This is where this is where Cava is made. This is where awesome red wines from the grape Monastrell come from.

And then down to the southern part of Spain is also Mediterranean, but it’s a lot hotter down here. And this is where this very famous wine called sherry is made, and we’re going to have an entire episode on sherry. It’s a very unique kind of wine that is fermented in a very unique kind of yeast called “flor” that results in something completely crazy.

So that’s a little area called Jerez, the name of this area is called Andalucia. But then after you see all that, what you have here in what takes up almost the entire center of this country is what is called the Meseta Central, which is just one big, massive plateau. And it rises up to like 3,000 feet above sea level.

And it’s blisteringly hot in the summers. And it’s extremely cold in the winters because it’s so high up there. And here, we have all different kinds of wine. One of the largest wine-producing regions in Spain, Castilla La Mancha, I got to say, I don’t know if I’m pronouncing this stuff right. I really hope I’m doing some of these names a little bit of justice.

The most planted grape across all of this is a grape called Airén, and it’s a white wine grape, and you’re not going to see a lot of it on the American market. But the most planted red grape is, of course, Tempranillo. And we all know Tempranillo because it’s part of the Rioja region’s wine. They also have a wine called Graciano. But Tempranillo grows all over Spain. After that, in a little bit less amount, is Garnacha. And then a little blending variety called Robal.

But it’s when we start getting into these geographic climatic uniquenesses that we start seeing these grapes that thrive in these areas alone. I mean, there are certain grapes that are grown in multiple regions, but there are grapes that are actually defined by a region. For example, in the extreme northwest of Spain in that top third I was talking about earlier is the province of Galicia. And in Galicia, there’s Tempranillo, there’s a grape called Palomino there which is also grown in the sherry region. There’s a really awesome white grape called Godello there. It’s really awesome. But this region is mostly defined by the grape Albariño. And even though you might see Albariño from other places in Spain, this is Albariño’s home. This is where there’s some of the best examples of that grape are.

If you go down the east coast or the southern part of the east coast of Spain is a place called Jumilla, and Jumilla has Garnacha, they have Tempranillo. But that place is really known for Monastrell. In France, they call this grape Mourvedre, but it is actually native to Spain, and they call it Monastrell. And Monastrell is awesome stuff. You can find this on the American market absolutely. And then you have just north of that on the same coast, but up in the north, in a province called Catalonia. This is where Cava is made. And the grapes that grow here are just awesome. And their names are great Chalello, Macabeo.

But in general, you can kind of get sense of this. The east coast is the Mediterranean climate. So the wines, even at the headquarters, have a good amount of acidity to them, they’re going to have some depth because of the sun. And then you have the northern region, which is going to be kind of rainy. And it’s going to have a lot of acidity in their wines. Then you’re going to have the valley wines and the Ebro and the Duero where you have the Riojas there and you have these intense, Tempranillo-based wines.

Sometimes, they have a nice acidity to them. Sometimes, they’re a little more powerful, just because it’s a river area. And that changes just depending on where the river is. Then you have that plain area, the Meseta Central, which is a little bit crazy, just because of the extremes. But you’ll have these big, full-bodied red wines and not really a lot of white wines. And again, in the future, as we get more into these specific individual regions, we’ll get into more details about that.

But one thing I wanted to convey to you guys is, one thing that’s confusing about Europe in general, is their appellation systems. Every country has their own appellation system, and it’s not as loose as the American Viticultural Area system that we have in the United States or any of the New World areas like New Zealand or South Africa, Argentina. The appellation system was sort of created in Europe and the French were the first to really kind of map out what an appellation system is and the rules and the laws that are in place to define an area that is demarcated for wine. And every time a country attempts to either copy or base their appellation system off the French appellation system, which everyone basically does, it gets a little bit complicated because it’s not France, it’s their own country. And they have their own things to take care of. I guess what I mean is every country is individual and they have their own issues to work through to create a system that’s cohesive and organized, and it doesn’t always work right away.

It’s happened in every country — it even happened in France. And in Spain, it’s very, very recent. In Spain, the appellation system was initially just called a “DO” denomination of origin, but in Spanish. And that was created early on in the 20th century. But then as the country is brought into the EU, things start to change. And the appellation system in Spain has been adjusted a few times. And there’s no reason to go into what that was. It will just be confusing. So we’ll talk about what the appellation system in Spain is now, so you understand what you’re looking at when you’re at a wine shop.

OK. So first you have a “DOP,” which is a larger wine region. It’s called a “Protected Denomination of Origin”. Within that DOP, you have a consortium that regulates all of the actions that happen within that wine region. From yield number to alcohol strengths, to all that kind of stuff. Then within the DOPs, you have a “DOCA,” which is a Denomination of Qualified Origin, which is a very strict area of wine-making that is holding onto a legacy like the Barolo region in Italy. It’s kind of on that level. And there are only two of those in all of Spain, which is, one is Priorat and one is Rioja. And then below that is just “DO” Denomination of Origin. This is the original idea for the Spanish appellation system, but now it’s incorporated into a lower tier to just define a specific region within a DOP.

I know this is a little bit confusing, but this is how it works. And within a “DOP” or “DOCA” or “DO,” there can be a “Vino de Pago.” And this is what’s called an estate wine, it’s a wine made from a single estate. It’s an indication of quality on the level of, “Hey, we control the entire production from growing the grapes to making the wine, to bottling it. We are in complete control. This is an estate wine.” And then below that you have something called a Vino de Calidad. And these are for wines that are in a “DO” but don’t meet the qualifications of the “DO,” but still giving them some sort of legitimacy. And it just means quality wine with a geographic indication, within the “DO”.

Then underneath there is the IGP or protected geographical indication, which is kind of like the Calidad, but it’s more within the region. Instead of making it within a DO and just not meeting the rules, it’s about making a wine within a protected area that may not be part of the DO rules. I know, this is insane. And then you have just the Vino de Mesa, which is just a general term for a wine made in Spain, we don’t know where the grapes are coming from, but it’s a wine and it’s in a bottle and it’s from Spain and you’re drinking.

That’s a lot, it’s like a six-tier system, not including the whole DOP general system. So it’s basically a seven-tier system. And what’s really kind of confusing is for example, the “DOCA” is called “DOCQ” in the Catalan. And sometimes, there are regions that could be a “DOCA”, which is like the strictest of the strict, but they don’t want to. They just want to be a DO. They’re fine with the old system.

So it’s still kind of in flux, still working. And within all of these regions and all of these levels, 138 regions, there are three aging levels of wine, and it’s across Spain, but not all regions use it. They’re really well known in Rioja and Ribera del Duero, but it’s just the aging requirements for a wine. First you have “joven,” which means young and this wine can be released immediately or it can see a few months in oak. Whatever you want to do. It’s just a very young, vibrant wine. Then you have “crianza,” which just means bringing up, which is sort of like bringing up the young wine into something else. And this is what’s very famous, like, for example, in Rioja where a wine needs to see at least one year in oak barrels for whites, it’s six months in oak barrels.

Then you have “reserva,” which is a wine that needs to see at least three years of aging. And then one of those years should be in barrel. For whites, it’s two years and at least six months in barrel, then you have “gran reserva,” which is wines that see at least five years of aging with two years in an oak barrel and a minimum of three years in the bottle and for white wines and rosés it’s four years and six months.

Now again, this is going to be a little bit more in-depth when we go into each region, we’ll talk about whether they do that or not, and what they actually do and what grapes they grow and which ones they age, which ones they don’t age. But that’s Spain. That’s Spain’s geography.

That is Spain’s crazy active wine laws. The thing with Spain is that we’re watching this country evolve in its wine industry before our eyes, and Spanish wine is on the American market more than it ever was before. And it’s a very exciting time in Spanish wine right now. We have these younger generations of winemakers that are going back to the old ways, finding older varieties that may not have had the love they had before. Changing their aging regimes and how they plant vines and everything.

It’s a very exciting time. And we’re really going to see in the next 10, 15, 20 years more and more wines from these 138 different regions being celebrated on the American market. So for now, just go and buy Spanish wine. Go to a wine shop, and if you already know Rioja or if you know a Spanish wine region very well, go into a wine shop and ask for something outside of what you know, and kind of get a sense of Spain.

It’s a good time to get into Spain now, so as these wines become more and more popular in the American market, you’ll be more informed. Pretty fun. I mean guys, Spanish wine is fun. I can’t wait to talk about all the individual stuff. It’s going to be fun.

If you’re digging what I’m doing, picking up what I’m putting down, go ahead and give me a rating on iTunes or tell your friends to subscribe. You can subscribe. If you like to type, go ahead and send a review or something like that, but let’s get this wine podcast out so that everybody can learn about wine.

Check me out on Instagram. It’s @vinepairkeith. I do all my stuff in stories. And also, you got to follow VinePair on Instagram, which is @vinepair. And don’t forget to listen to the VinePair Podcast, which is hosted by Adam and Zach. It’s a great deep dive into drinks culture every week.

Now, for some credits. How about that? Wine 101 is recorded and produced by yours truly, Keith Beavers, at the VinePair headquarters in New York City. I want to give a big shout-out to co-founders Adam Teeter and Josh Malin. I also want to thank Danielle Grinberg for making the most legit Wine 101 logo. And I got to thank Darby Cicci for making this amazing song: Listen to this epic stuff. And finally, I want to thank the VinePair staff for helping me learn more every day. Thanks for listening. I’ll see you next week.

Ed. note: This episode has been edited for length and clarity.

The article Wine 101: Spain appeared first on VinePair.

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wineanddinosaur · 4 years

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Wine 101: Spain

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My name is Keith Beavers, and I just want to buy a nice pair of sunglasses and not lose them. Once!

Ed. note: This episode has been edited for length and clarity.

The article Wine 101: Spain appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/wine-101-spain/

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pekofskyinparadise · 6 years

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the true story of our Ireland trip

I have the audacity to call myself a travel blogger and not even write anything about my international travel that happened A WHOLE MONTH AGO. And ok, I’m not really a travel blogger, because I mostly just blog about my normal daily life in good ol’ Baltimore County, Maryland, but I do love to travel, and travel blogger is like, the dream, obviously. So, as I was saying… here’s the epic saga of our trip to Ireland.

I bought the trip on Groupon, and the Groupon voucher was for Great Value Vacations, so after the purchase through Groupon, all of my correspondence was with GVV. They were FANTASTIC. I only spoke with one person who was less than enthusiastically helpful, and even right after I hung up with that person, I called back and got another wonderful customer service rep. The price was RIGHT and they made everything very easy. I absolutely recommend them. I paid a little extra for a few things: upgrading our car to automatic (we were NOT about to be driving manual on the left side of the road and the right side of the car…); breakfast every day and admission to the Cliffs of Moher and the Guinness Storehouse (more about those later); and to move the trip a bit later in March (to avoid inclement weather). So, of course, since I did that, the weather called for snow the day we were supposed to leave.

We had planned to stay with friends in NY the night before we left and the night we got home, so we decided to leave a little earlier than planned to get up there and avoid the weather in Maryland. We managed to miss the ice and snow down here… but after dinner with our friends in NY, I received an email that our flights had already been canceled in anticipation of the foot of snow that was supposed to fall in NY the next day. I quickly hit “rebook to the closest flight before or after,” but the soonest we could go was a full 24 hours later—and we were going to have an 8-hour layover in London instead of a 2-hour one. But, we rebooked for free, so we just went with the flow and enjoyed our snow day. Also, we drank a bunch of wine to feel less bad about the missed day.

Finally, the day had come, and we made our way to the airport… only to joyously (NOT) find out that our British Airways flight was being operated by American Airlines, who we have had plenty of issues with in the past. We also noticed our bags were only checked to London, not Dublin, so we were going to have to pick them up and re-check them. And, of course, in true American Airlines fashion, the flight was delayed almost two hours. “At least we have that 8-hour layover in London,” I thought, and tried to get some sleep (mostly unsuccessfully) before we started our day in Europe.

Once we got to Heathrow, we had to wait in a VERY long line to get through customs and immigration, go get our bags, and then take a train to the terminal we thought we were leaving from to go to Dublin. But then, because we are us, and apparently have horrendous travel luck, we couldn’t check in. We double checked our itinerary and realized… we weren’t flying out of Heathrow, where we had flown into: we were flying out of London City Airport. Thankfully, there was an INCREDIBLY helpful man downstairs in Heathrow who explained to us how to get there on the London Underground for only 6 pounds apiece… and we had a few hours, so we should be fine. So, we lugged our luggage onto the train, up flights of stairs, through crowds, across streets (we changed trains THREE TIMES) and thankfully, into London City Airport with an hour and a half before our flight. And I didn’t even cry.

We hopped on our short flight to Dublin, and then realized we needed to tackle our next adventure: the drive to our hotel. Since we had missed our first night, we weren’t staying an hour and a half from the airport anymore, but four hours away. And my incredible fiancé, on about two hours of sleep, after 8.5 hours total of flying and an incredibly stressful tube ride, drove us the four hours on the wrong side of the road, half of it in the dark, to Killarney. I swear… he’s the best partner to have for most things in life, but especially in stressful situations like these. We would not have made it through without each other. We also would not have made it through without a little divine intervention: about halfway in to the drive, sleepy and delirious and hungry, we decided we needed to stop, stretch our legs, get a snack and some caffeine, and just get out of the car for a moment. We searched for the closest gas station to us, and what pops up but “0.1 miles away: Barack Obama Travel Plaza.” We could not believe our eyes. In Moneygall, Ireland, in the middle of nowhere, there was a rest stop branded with America’s first black president. It still feels like something my subconscious made up, but it provided us with the necessary chips (sorry, CRISPS) and caffeine to continue our journey. Seriously... thanks Obama!

We finally made it to Killarney around 10 p.m., were helped by the most wonderful staff at the International Hotel there (seriously, props to GVV on their hotel choices), got some Irish fast food, some Guinness, and some much-needed sleep.

When we woke up on Saturday morning, vacation had finally, truly begun. We had a lovely breakfast—Ireland does not mess around on the breakfast front—and went to chat with the front desk about what we should do that day. They suggested a hop-on, hop-off tour of the area, including some nature, pretty views, and historical buildings, so we went with that! Honestly, it was one of my favorite days of the trip. We saw Ross Castle, Torc Waterfall, Muckross House, and some amazing nature and viewpoints surrounding them and along the way. We finished out the evening with beers at the Killarney Brewing Co.—when in Rome—and then more drinks and dinner at the Shire bar (honestly, cute but a little disappointing) and another drink out on Killarney’s main street. All of this was walking distance from our hotel, so it was super convenient. And, the weather cooperated, so while it was chilly, it wasn’t too cold to walk around comfortably.

Sunday started with our very first “full Irish” breakfast: and while black and white puddings sound weird, they were freaking delicious. And don’t even get me started on Irish bacon… it’s a mix between our bacon and our ham, thick cut, absolutely delicious. Plus the homemade brown bread… and I’m not even normally a butter person, but the butter in Ireland is phenomenal. Definitely not to be missed. Then, we headed up to Galway. On the way, we got to see the Cliffs of Moher: something I’ve wanted to see for most of my life. It did not disappoint. There are few things more breathtaking than a view of the ocean and cliff faces from a high vantage point, on a day so clear you can see the Aran Islands and peninsulas jutting off the Emerald Isle. I’d go back in a heartbeat. That day we also visited the Burren, a strange, almost lunar landscape that really did feel like another planet. We didn’t stay long, but the drive through the national park was beautiful. Finally, we arrived in Galway. Despite the drizzle, their “shop street” was lively and packed with bars and restaurants. We popped into the Quays (pronounced “keys”) bar for a seafood dinner with deliciously briny Galway Bay oysters, had a couple drinks, and went to bed.

Galway’s breakfast (Menlo Park Hotel) was a buffet, and while they had the typical fixings for a full Irish breakfast, they also had house-made jams for the bread and sautéed mushrooms… weird for breakfast, but I’ll never argue with it. Like I said, the Irish do not mess around with breakfast. French press coffee, etc. etc. It was great. Our second day in Galway started off with Randy getting a permanent souvenir: a tattoo of his family motto to go with the Ireland-themed sleeve he’s been working on. We had lunch in an adorable bar on shop street, and then attempted to go drink at Galway Bay Brewery… except it was just the brewery, not a taproom, so we sent our poor taxi driver into this industrial park… he was very confused. We decided just to go rest in the hotel for a bit and then go explore some more later. This was good, as that day was the only day I’d had any stomach trouble: but it was the WORST heartburn I’ve ever had. I’ve only had one other episode like that since we’ve been back… really terrible. But for the most part since we’ve been back, my stomach has been mostly fine, and I’m really grateful. I think stress did have something to do with the whole thing, and I changed jobs after vacation, and that has really added to my peace of mind. But more on that later.

That evening in Galway was our favorite of the trip: we went to this fantastic seafood restaurant for dinner, hit up a bar that actually served Galway Bay Brewing beers (and found a Maryland beer in there with the craft imports!), and then went to a tiny bar with live music that was just a band of 10 or so sitting around a table, playing instruments and singing. We made friends with (and were bought whiskey by) Randy’s long lost Irish kin—they bonded over blue eyes, family history, and both being plumbers—and had a phenomenal time. We felt like we really had the true Irish experience that evening.

We woke up in the morning (somehow not hung over… I don’t know how) and headed east to Dublin. On the way, we visited Clonmacnoise: a monastic village established in the 800s, very reminiscent of the crumbling Irish castle ruins and graveyard tattooed on Randy’s arm. We walked through the ancient buildings and gravestones, knowing that almost 1000 years before the United States existed, there was a thriving civilization right where we stood. We gazed out on the river Shannon and decided to head straight to Dublin to make sure we had time for the most important part of the trip: the Guinness brewery. It was drizzling again, but we walked from our hotel in Dublin up to St. James Gate, and began our journey through how Guinness is made. Ascending the levels of the brewery and museum, we got to learn exactly how to properly taste a Guinness and how to pour our own pint perfectly. And at the top, we drank our perfectly poured pints and gazed over Dublin from the 360 degree glass gravity bar. Once we came back down, we headed back to our hotel (it was more than drizzling, and kinda cold at this point) to clean up for dinner and drinks later. We took a cab to the (in)famous Temple Bar area, grabbed dinner (and some souvenirs) there, and determined drinks would be better had somewhere else. So we walked to the Molly Malone statue that Randy wanted to see, and then onto Grafton Street and into McDaid’s for a pint (double Ed Sheeran reference locations… it was very exciting) and then back to the hotel to call it a night for our last one in Ireland.

We woke up early to squeeze in one last phenomenal breakfast and some last bits of tourism before we had to check out. We hopped in a cab, and went to Trinity College to see the Long Room in the old library (where the Book of Kells is displayed), then walked to Dublin Castle and to Ha’Penny bridge, the couple of (slightly overrated) touristy things that “they” say you have to do in Dublin. But, we did them, and got back to our hotel in time to check out, and start our journey home. We drove to the airport, dropped off the car, had some lunch and a final Irish Guinness, and made our way home: much less eventfully than the journey there, thankfully. We stayed one more night in New York, had a leisurely morning there, and then set off for home. Then, because we planned brilliantly, we had three more days off before having to return to work on Monday. Glorious.

While I know being on vacation all the time would make it less special, and it’s also kind of impossible (currently, anyway)… I wish I could be. Traveling the world is my favorite thing, especially with my husband-to-be, and I can’t wait to do more of it (stay tuned for Massachusetts/Rhode Island in September, Shenandoah in November, and Greece next summer!)

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sapphired17 · 4 years

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It feels surreal to me that we have passed the 2010s already. Time went ahead like an express train without a single stop. What’s more shocking, the first half of 2020 hasn’t even come to an end but the hassles have been getting out of hand. It was peaked with the news of corona virus (COVID-19) outbreak since the beginning of January 2020 and is still an ongoing issue up to the present time, albeit, thankfully, we have also seen a lot of recovered cases. One of the biggest aftermaths of the outbreak is in the tourism department, in which most governments would put a temporary travel ban as a means of preventive measures.

And have I told you about my yearn of traveling, haven’t I? I wrote a post about my first-time-backpacking-experience in Singapore last year, and my journey didn’t stop there. I’m making my itineraries for my upcoming trips to Japan and South Korea already just to showcase my utmost excitement upon discovering brand new things. Unfortunately, the trip schedules are still on hold as I’m waiting until the whole pandemic comes to an end. As an self-comforting attempt, I decided to write about my previous one-week vacation in Malaysia last December 2019 so that I could reminisce a bit about the lingering feelings.

Day 1: Mind-cleansing and peace-making attempts

By the time one enters the pit of adulthood, there are endless things to do, and I really mean my words. Working earnestly, either to fulfill your or your parents’ desire; adjusting with the workplace and making sure to get along well with everyone; getting the work done without skipping meals or sleeps; socializing with friends even if it requires you to be present in tame parties or gatherings; building new meaningful connections while maintaining the existing ones; finding a lover and deliberating whether you both will make a great match, then proceeding to marriage if it is, or starting over if you are doomed; and also making more money; not to forget about looking after your family and attending family occasions to meet with relatives who might shower you with ruthless curiosities; also taking part in side volunteering activities in case you are a social person; then definitely making sure that everything goes well in between. Whoa, being a social being is surely busy, isn’t it?

Just like how humans need sleep everyday in order to stay alive, breaks are also needed so that we may keep living. I didn’t think too much on my way to Malaysia, only overwhelming excitement within. And my crazy journey slowly began.

I booked a direct morning flight with AirAsia without extra-baggage to save cost, then went straight to my friend’s apartment from KLIA2. There is a Skybus service that departs every 30 minutes on weekdays (and 60 minutes on weekends) from KLIA2 to various routes available daily, and I left for One Utama stop for MYR 15. It’s one of the biggest and most popular shopping centres in Klang Valley. My friend stays in a condominium nearby along with her co-worker, leaving a one-room space for me to sleep for the next three nights. Later that evening, another Malaysian friend took me to Tanjung Bungah Nyonya in Petaling Jaya’s SS2 area, known as an authentic restaurant to grab essential Nyonya dishes.

As for the public transport, Malaysians mostly use Touch n Go card to commute with train or bus services. You need to buy the card for MYR 15 with a purse value of MYR 9.80. This reusable card can easily be topped-up in convenience stores.

We had sweet fried chicken, fried tofu and sayur Paku, a vegetable dish known in English as wild fern shoots. I didn’t think I had ever had one in Indonesia but that one was pretty pleasant to my tongue. They all reminded me to my mom’s home-cooked meals.

We stopped by at Restoran Kayu Nasi Kandar SS2 nearby for this delicate roti canai and roasted chicken with dip-in curry sauce, not to mention this sweet roti tissue. Thanks to her, I went home with happy tummy and smiley face.

Day 2: Fun trip, group trip

Haven’t I told you about the superb Couchsurfing app, have I? So basically I managed to gather more people for a one-day trip. Long story short, there were five of us going to popular tourist attractions like Batu Caves and Genting Highlands.

The history of Batu Caves is affiliated with Hinduism, and this is one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India, which was built in honor of Lord Murugan. If you are familiar with a huge statue at the entrance of Batu Caves, yes, that is the statue of Lord Murugan. Batu Caves itself is always swarmed with visiting tourists.

It cost me my bloody sweaty t-shirts and tanned complexion to reach the huge cave on top of the stairs.

The next destination was Genting Highlands. With the entrance fee of MYR 16, you can roam around the French village, Japanese village and also many other awaiting attractions. We stopped by Colmar Tropicale, a gorgeous Medieval French Village in Berjaya Hills. The cold wind was mild but humid and I indeed felt like leaving for a far far place.

One of the most fascinating experiences was visiting Amber Court, a 23-story apartment building known more as a haunted hotel in Genting. Legend said, a lot of gamblers committed suicide there after losing everything in the casino. If you look up on Google, you might find several interesting testimonies from people who once visited Amber Court. We, too, entered one empty room once and felt something creepy inside. It definitely isn’t a place you’d be comfortable roaming around.

To wrap up the visit, I visited Sky Avenue Shopping Mall and entered the Sky Casino, known as the largest casino in Genting Highlands. In order to make an entrance, you need to register the membership to receive a membership card. As part of the regulations, you are allowed to enter the gate unless you are underage, a Muslim or wear slippers. Photo-taking is also forbidden inside the casino, but it is definitely a huge-scaled casino. You can top-up the balance of the card in order to play the game. Machines are everywhere and people are busy gaining money under the supervision of CCTV cameras and security guards.

Later that night, my local friend took us to Restoran Tiong Hokkien Mee (non-halal) located around Damansara Utama to try the oriental Hokkien Mee there. The texture of the noodle is thick and coated with greasy seasoning, also added with seafood and samcan chops. Definitely a great meal to end day for only MYR 45 (a big portion for 3-4 moderate servings).

Day 3: Lone wanderer in Malacca

The days ahead were pure solo traveling for me. I took off at 7 in the morning to catch the bus to Malacca, a historic state located in the southern part of Malay Peninsula. There is a plenty of bus services that depart from TBS (Terminal Bersepadu Selatan) every 30 minutes with particular operating hours. I bought a TBS – Melaka Sentral bus ticket for MYR 11.4 (including TBS Passenger Insurance Protection for MYR 0.40). The trip approximately lasts for two hours, but the seats were comfortable to sleep on so it didn’t matter. December is still on the rainy season so I was told to bring an umbrella with me in case of any drizzles, which did happen upon my arrival there.

One of the most popular tourism spots in Malacca is Jonker Street, known also as the centre of Chinatown. Although it is mostly packed in the evening for the fabulous Night Market, some shops are also open during the day to welcome local or foreign visitors. Snacks, full meals, handicrafts and souvenirs are available along the long wide alley.

This is the widely-known chicken rice ball that I tried at Famosa Chicken Rice Ball outlet. the savory rice ball cost MYR 1.20 each and tasted like the Japanese onigiri. Added with a steam otak-otak for MYR 13, they made a mouth-watering palatable lunch menu to my mouth.

In Malacca, you may discover gorgeous ancient landmarks and fortresses that spark British, Dutch and Portuguese vibes. It is a relatively small city but I only had half a day to roam around. Thus, I managed to witness several ancient churches and other buildings upon walking down the road from Jonker Street. Some buildings of walkable distance are Christ Church Melaka, St. Paul’s Church and A’Famosa Fort. No entrance fee required.

I ended my solo trip in Malacca at around 5 and went back to KL using the same means of transportation and the same bus fare as well. Upon my arrival, my local friend took me to Big Big Wantan in Damansara Uptown, Petaling Jaya for a bowl of warm wantan mee for MYR 6.5. I would say that it was one of the best wantan mee I have ever tasted with great thin mee’s texture and yummy pork dumplings, 10/10 lah.

*Not exactly a photogenic angle, if not an atrocious one, but yeah.

Day 4: A fresh start in Penang

I wanted to experience another side of Malaysia after spending some days in KL, and my choice fell on Penang, or known also as Pulau Pinang. It is a state located in the northwest coast of Malaysia Peninsula. Many people, including myself, probably have heard of Penang because of the prominent advanced hospitals. You can ride a bus, take a train or fly with a plane from KL to Penang. I flew with AirAsia airline for around MYR 80 and stayed with a host from AirBnB. It was a cozy room in an apartment located in Bayan Lepas, about 5-minute distance (by car) from Penang Airport. The rent cost about MYR 13 (including the service fee) per day. I think AirBnB does a great job in accommodating single or group travelers with clean cozy budget rooms in strategic locations of the town.

The capital city of Penang state is a city named George Town, or officially the City of Penang Island. It has it all; good signature cuisines, entertainments, night markets, malls and cultural heritages. Bayan Lepas, however, is a free industrial zone that contributes to the financial improvement of Penang as the financial centre of the northern part of Malaysia. It roughly takes around an hour or more to reach George Town from Bayan Lepas by bus. I had to go past more than 30 bus stops in order to get there, but staying close to the airport surely has its own perks.

The astounding breath-taking view from the window of my AirBnB room during the day.

And the rest of day was all about food-tasting experience.

This is the authentic hokkien mee from the Three Road 888 Hokkien Mee at Presgrave Street, George Town, and dawet cendol from the stall in front of the store. It comes with yellow noodles, bean sprouts, half a boiled egg and pork. The soup is thick and robust and everything else perfectly fits into places. 8.5/10 for me. And the dawet cendol makes an awesome fresh dessert.

There is this popular place to eat Nasi Kandar, a northern Malaysian dish that comes with well-spiced curry broth. Nasi Kandar is originally brought by Tamil Muslim traders from India that settled in Malaysia. Restoran Deen Nasi Kandar is quite well-known in George Town and the queue is crazy. I waited for around 20 minutes before being able to finally sit down and have a proper dinner. It is somewhat similar to Nasi Padang, one of Indonesia’s signature food from Minangkabau, North Sumatera. Regardless, if I have to compare the taste between Nasi Kandar and Nasi Padang, I’d say that Nasi Padang is more on the spicy side and Nasi Kandar is richer in spices. Both are delicious in their own ways. Prices are affordable depending on your choice of add-ons.

Lastly, my final culinary experience ended with a koay chap from a regular street stall in George Town’s night market. Made of hard-boiled egg, mushrooms, pork belly, pig intestines, pig skin, this is not a kind of food I would like to eat on a daily basis, but still acceptable as a culinary choice. It probably cost around MYR 10.

Day 5: A lost day in George Town

The next day was another solo adventure to George Town. Penang isn’t as advanced as Kuala Lumpur in terms of public transport, but they surely provide a lot of buses to hep people commute from here to there. However, the biggest downside of public transports in Penang is that they accept cash but do not give change. I only had the RapidKL card with me, surely non-usable to tap in the buses in Penang. There is this Mutiara card which local people use as a top-up card, just like the RapidKL card. However, I believe that it’s only applicable for locals because you need to register with your identification card. Thus, I spent lots of coins and banknotes more than I should have done because they offer no change.

Another point to note if you are about to travel around Penang by bus is to pay serious attention to the bus stops mentioned by the loud speaker or written on the screen because there slight differences might occur with the guideline written in Google Maps. One time I received quite a backlash from a bus driver for being accused as a free-loader. I initially planned to visit Snake Temple so I checked the location via Maps and even memorized the stops. Unfortunately, I missed the stop because the names of the bus stops were unfamiliar (I was sure I did check the route of the correct bus number, though). I wanted to get off soon but the driver saw my bus ticket and he thought I purposefully checked in for Snake Temple for a cheaper fare. It was indeed a baffling situation for me and I ended up putting in more coins and got off in George Town. Nonetheless, that experience left a bitter taste in my mouth.

George Town is a beautiful town surrounded by classic yet historical buildings and polished by modern infrastructures. The weather was relatively hot but also quite windy, so walking down the long street is not exactly devastating. The sky and floating clouds offered a marvelous view along the horizon. And my first quest was all about food.

I found Yeap Noodles Cafe by accident while walking down Lebuh Chulia street. This is Yeap Noodles in Herbal Soup with pork slice, crab sticks, fish ball and beancurd skin for MYR 11.9. Not aesthetically pleasing, I would say, and it tasted quite bland in my opinion. Maybe I should’ve ordered different menu like the ones with thicker broth or the fried noodles. 7/10 since I was starving at that time, but I believe that the price was quite overrated.

And of course I didn’t want to miss the view of Batu Ferringhi Beach while in Penang. It took around an hour to reach the beach from George Town by bus (I took the bus from Komtar Terminal, where nearly all local Penang buses make a regular stop). Sky was disgustingly bright and clear at that moment, definitely a great place to clear your mind and rest for a bit. They offer banana boat and parasailing activities too!

If I had to mention a recommended noodle place in Penang, this is it. Hong Kee Wan Thun Mee (also known as Hong Kee Bamboo Noodle) in Lebuh Campbell, George Town. They seriously serve one of the most authentic Chinese mee in town. Thick and chewy in texture, added with yummy dumplings on the plate. I’d give 9.5/10 on this one, really. Spent MYR 8.3 and it’s really worth-it.

In the end, my lost day was impressive enough albeit I did spend hours roaming from here to there even with the guide of helpless Google Maps, or helpless me. I walked from here to there, even went as far as visiting Batu Ferringhi Beach by myself and made an entrance only to sit on the sand for hours with blank thoughts. I was exhausted and my legs almost gave in but somehow I managed to catch the bus and rest my body for an hour before I reached the apartment by 10 PM local time. It marked my last day in Penang and I felt that time flew too fast but I was fortuitous to have seen good things, eaten good food and met good people. I believe that I have found the true joy of traveling, which is all about good experience. And although getting lost was not exactly a pleasant experience, it has told me that as alone as I might have been, I still have myself and this self will never leave me in whatever mess I have gotten myself into. And that being said, I should take a really really good care of myself, and so do you.

Day 6: A Medan day

I didn’t have a particular reason for visiting Medan other than a short escape in an unfamiliar place. Medan is merely an hour away from Penang by air transportation, so why not? Coming back to place where people speak the same language as I do after quite a long time was finally breathing a fresh air after suffocation. There weren’t many things to do other than eating good food and sight-seeing good things. I booked a room for a night with a cool budget price from AirBnB.

I found Rumah Makan Tabona upon surfing on the internet to look up iconic food and places in Medan. It was established in 1983 with curry bihun as their signature dish. I ordered curry mee and it’s heavenly-tempting and rich in taste. The curry broth surprisingly matched well with the mee and I was really in awe. 9.5/10 and I believe everyone should have a try!

In the evening, I was recommended to try Kwetiau Ateng by a friend, to which I welcomed with an open hand. I mean, who doesn’t like kwetiau and the chewy texture that digests well in your stomach?

The complete set of kwetiau dish includes fishball, lapcheong, chasio, shrimp and egg. It’s inarguably 10/10.

Indeed one of the best kwetiau I have ever had in my life. A legit 10/10!!

Day 7: A night at KLIA2

In order to fly back to my hometown, I took multiple flights as following; from Medan back to KLIA2, then KLIA2 straight to my hometown. It had been planned beforehand as I had calculated lots of different options and this one was the cheapest, if not counting the extra-baggage cost that I paid later.

I woke up quite early in the morning and prepared myself for a brief adventure before an evening flight to KLIA2. The weather was great and the sky was as clear as crystals, so there wasn’t any reason to be dispirited.

As a choice of breakfast, I tried Soto Kesawan Medan, another prominent culinary option for tourists and locals. Usually soto is served as clear chicken soup, but soto kesawan comes with thicker broth (but different from curry broth) and is served with shrimp as the main menu (but chicken is also available so you can choose anything that goes better in your mouth). Personally, I don’t find soto kesawan mouth-watering enough to be willing to come over for the second attempt. 7.5/10 is enough. Not my cup of tea, I guess.

Before my flight back, I visited a historical place named Tjong A Fie Mansion, a classic residence located in a neighborhood called Kesawan, West Medan. It is registered as a historical landmark as well as one of Medan’s cultural heritage. Entrance fee is IDR 35k including tour guide-service to go sightseeing around the two-storey mansion. Tjong A Fie is a successful Chinese entrepreneur who literally built an empire in Medan that employed over 10,000 workers at that time. He became a prominent figure of Chinese leader respected by the people.

When the time was close to a farewell, I got back to the airport and waited for my upcoming flight. It was only like a short two-hour flight that I was already back in KLIA2 at around 5 PM local time. The upcoming flight to my final destination was early in the next morning, which marked my first attempt staying out in the airport. It was bothersome, anyway, to leave the airport and commute again so early, so I’d rather hold out until the final straw. It was a brand new experience beyond shadow of a doubt. I kept walking here and there without direction like a lost puppy.

The stores inside KLIA2 generally close at midnight and reopen at dawn, but there are a few food shops that open 24/7. When I was extremely used up after a long walk, I sat down on the floor near a charging outlet so that I may recharge my smartphone. There were also people beside me who did the same so it didn’t feel weird at all. I waited for a long time trying to stay awake amidst the fatigue and cold room temperature. Finally, I visited a food shop at 3 AM named Ah Cheng Laksa to digest something warm to my stomach. The one i ordered was Asam Laksa without any meat, and it turned out to be one of the worst food I had ever had all my life.

The distateful laksa that burned down my MYR 21 huft

Didn’t know exactly how an Asam Laksa is supposed to taste, but this one definitely made me lose my appetite. Thin soup with highly sour taste, bland laksa and fresh-looking veggies. Not gonna give any score because of how bad it was, sorry.

It’s an unfortunate thing that I haven’t been able to experience the real Malaysian laksa (that fits well to my appetite) during my visit to Malaysia.

Some traveling tips which might be useful for beginners (like myself lol)

Budget airlines are not exactly budget-saving if you plan on buying souvenirs, this is the most important thing I realized after I spent extra cost on over-baggage fee on the spot, which was almost twice the regular fee. AirAsia, for example, offers super affordable airfares compared to fellow airlines. However, they don’t come with baggage facility unless you add baggage to cart during the purchase. Not necessarily making the airfare pricier, but baggage cost does make a difference, so pay attention more carefully on it.

Bring yourself an umbrella when you travel around the end of the year. It rained occasionally in December when I visited Malacca, and securing an umbrella in the bag is surely much better than spending extra cost on buying one, isn’t it? Frankly speaking, I was lucky that my host was thoughtful enough to remind me to take her umbrella when I went out.

Always prepare extra small-denomination banknotes if you plan on taking public transports. Just like what I experienced in Penang, it would become an utter hassle if you run out of money just because you spend large bill only to be notified that the bus service doesn’t provide change money.

Anyway, let’s pray that the pandemic shall end soon so that traveling and face-to-face interaction no longer become impossible and let’s not take any relationship for granted. Stay safe people!

Total budget spent: around MYR 1,400k to 1,500k

Go Backpacking: 6D5N in Malaysia It feels surreal to me that we have passed the 2010s already. Time went ahead like an express train without a single stop.

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tripsterguru · 5 years

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25 best resorts in Croatia

New Post has been published on https://tripsterguru.com/25-best-resorts-in-croatia/

25 best resorts in Croatia

More than 1,000 islands and nearly 6,000 kilometers of coastline characterize Croatia, located in the heart of Europe. Mountain ranges descending to the water’s edge, beaches washed by the crystal clear sea, national parks, healing thermal springs and rich cultural heritage make the sunny country on the Adriatic a favorite destination for travelers. Whether you dream of turquoise gentle waves, whether you want to explore famous sights, many of which are under the protection of UNESCO, or are looking forward to meeting with snow-capped mountain peaks – the best resorts in Croatia are able to fulfill the dreams of any tourist.

Dubrovnik

The unique city, as if woven from the rays of the sun and ancient stones, is the pearl of the Adriatic. Dubrovnik, whose history began 14 centuries ago, still retains the medieval charm of cobbled streets, magnificent palaces and churches. The view of the turquoise expanse of the sea, the fortified walls crowned with 16 towers, and the red roofs of old houses will always be remembered and makes you come back here again and again.

Greeks, Romans, Venetians … Many peoples left their mark in Dubrovnik reflected in famous sights. Nature boasts national parks, waterfalls, snow-capped mountain peaks and dense forests where bears, wolves and lynxes live. The coast attracts with crystal clear water, Blue Flag beaches and a variety of hotels: from five-star complexes to budget apartments.

Split

The unofficial capital of Croatia is located on a picturesque peninsula in the heart of Dalmatia. From the sea side, Split is adjacent to the islands of Brac, Solta and Dugi-Otok, the mainland is surrounded by green slopes of the mountain range. The city, whose origins date back to the III century, today attracts tourists with its bright turquoise sea, pebble and sand beaches, hotels of various comforts, cultural events and a rich nightlife.

The main attraction of the resort is the Palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, built in 305. It would be more correct to call the grandiose building a complex that encloses the entire historical center of the city. It includes fortress walls, ancient temples and ancient buildings. In addition to historical monuments, Split is famous for museums, theaters, summer scenes and art galleries.

Porec

The appearance of Porec is impressive – the city is located on an elongated cape overlooking the open sea. This small resort in northwestern Istria is proud of its two thousand year history and monuments of ancient architecture. Before the eyes of travelers, long-gone centuries come to life, reflected in the Ephrasian Basilica of the 4th century, the Roman Pentagonal Tower, which celebrated its 600th anniversary, and Marafor Square with columns preserved from pagan temples.

In summer, dance lovers flock here until morning – the largest night club in Croatia, Byblos attracts DJs from all over the world to Porec. Those who come to the resort for a relaxing holiday by the sea will also not be disappointed. For the cleanliness and excellent quality of water, most pebble beaches are awarded the Blue Flag. The best on the coast are Brulo, surrounded by vegetation, the ravishing Green Lagoon and the rocky Doni Shpadichi.

Umag

The westernmost point of the country – located in Istria Umag – offers travelers a successful symbiosis of beach holidays and an interesting excursion program. Back in the days of the Roman Empire, a port city existed in the harbor of the Adriatic Sea, which later belonged to Byzantium, Italy, Austria and Yugoslavia. As a result, the multinational population and historical monuments representing different eras. The proximity to Venice (50 miles) provides an opportunity to make a day trip to the canal city.

The 45 km long rocky coast of Umag cannot boast of comfortable beaches, the vast majority of which are covered with concrete platforms. However, this does not interfere with exploring the wonderful world of Neptune or dissecting the expanse of water on a shortboard. With the sunset, life at the resort continues. The promenade and the old city invite you to take a romantic walk, and discos offer you to immerse yourself in an atmosphere of fun and carefree.

Makarska

In the central part of the country, south of Split, Makarska is waiting for guests. Placed in the arms of majestic mountains and the emerald sea, the city captivates with an atmosphere of comfort and harmony. Those who decided to spend a vacation in this resort will be rewarded with the fragrant air of pine forests, developed infrastructure, familiarity with the historic buildings of the city center and the opportunity to visit the nearby islands.

The coast of the resort is divided into two parts by Cape St. Peter. The east side is used as a city port and marina. Fans of the sea and the sun have chosen the western bay. Along the coastline is a promenade full of shops, restaurants, nightclubs and bars. For children, there are playgrounds and an area with attractions. The promenade borders well-maintained beaches covered with small pebbles. The water here is warmer than in North Dalmatia, and the swimming season lasts until October.

Baska Voda

Surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and the impressive mountains of Baska Voda, it is located about 50 km south of Split and is part of the Makarska Riviera. The former fishing village, which was first mentioned in the XVIII century, has preserved archaeological sites of the time for posterity, at the same time turning into a popular resort, which includes tennis courts, diving centers, bars and discos.

White pebble beaches await bathers. The most popular and comfortable of them is the city of Nikolina, over which the Blue Flag flutters. In the evenings, life is concentrated here on the palm-fringed Riva embankment. Restaurants and taverns overlooking the sea offer to enjoy a glass of excellent wine and taste the local culinary delights: grilled fish, seafood and Burek meat pie.

Tucepi

The second famous resort of Makarska Riviera – Tucepi – is an ideal place for a family vacation. The Biokovo mountain range approaching the sea, covering the coast from strong winds, and lush pine forests form a mild climate, creating excellent conditions for a beach holiday from early June to late September. On a pebble-strewn 4-kilometer coast, few hotels are concentrated, but almost all of them have professional children’s animation.

Tucepi will also love active tourists – SKATINA Sports Center is equipped with tennis courts, a football field, badminton, handball and basketball courts. Bicycle, catamaran and diving equipment rental is available. Fans of nightlife will be bored here – the resort has no discos and noisy events.

Rovinj

Walking through the labyrinths of white-tiled streets of Rovinj, you can forget for a moment that you are in Croatia – the romantic old town looks like a fabulous Venice. The pearl of Italy is also reminded of houses descending to the very edge of the water, and the 62-meter bell tower of the Church of St. Euthymius, surprisingly similar to Campanila of St. Mark’s Cathedral. Around the sights, life is in full swing: souvenir shops are selling, fashionable restaurants and traditional taverns are inviting customers, the old Trevisol Street is teeming with tourists.

The coastline of the resort extends for 67 km. Here you can find areas with small pebbles, and picturesque secluded bays, perfect for families with children. The best beaches of Rovinj are the city of Monte, the small-pebbled gentle Lone and equipped with Kuvi sports fields.

Pula

The Istrian peninsula is one of the most popular holiday regions in Croatia, not only because of the famous beaches. Here is Pula – the oldest port city, combining historical monuments from the time of the Roman Empire, modern hotels, nightclubs, diving centers and picturesque sea bays. The coast here is mainly covered with concrete platforms or covered with pebbles. Therefore, going to the resort, do not forget to put special swimming shoes in a suitcase. If you come to the country with children, then choose hotels located near the sandy beach of Biyets.

Travelers value the city for the sixth largest Roman amphitheater, also known as Pula Arena. The grandiose building was erected in the 1st century BC. e. Over a centuries-old history, it has witnessed gladiatorial battles, and wars, and city fairs. Today, during the summer months, concerts and colorful shows are organized outside the 29.4-meter-high exterior walls.

Medulin

If you are looking for a place away from the hustle and bustle and want to spend your vacation exclusively on the beach, then welcome to Medulin, located on the southern tip of Istria, 10 km southeast of Pula. The resort is surrounded by dozens of small islands, chosen by lovers of sunbathing naked. There are all conditions for a carefree vacation. Great beaches, deserted bays and a turquoise calm sea await you.

The most popular beach is the 1.5-kilometer gentle Bjieca. For the delicate sand and the reliable protection granted by pine groves, it is especially appreciated by families with children. It will be boring here for active travelers. Medulin has diving centers, tennis courts, a golf club and a riding school. Evenings can be spent on the city promenade, which attracts bars and traditional taverns.

Opatija

The atmosphere of luxury and carefree life reigns in Opatija – a small town in the northern part of Istria. The modern resort combines a well-developed tourist infrastructure and historical charm. Originating 500 years ago, Opatija was a favorite vacation spot of the Venetian nobility and the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I. It was here that in 1886 the first elite yacht club appeared on the Adriatic. Due to the many attractions and the availability of luxury hotels today, the famous resort is called “Croatian Nice.”

The coastline of the city is divided into several well-equipped beaches, many of which are marked with the “Blue Flag”. Here you will find trampoline parks, playgrounds, sports areas, cafes and summer scenes. The promenade stretching for several kilometers is an ideal place where you can enjoy sea views and try the delicacies of national cuisine in numerous restaurants.

Cavtat

About 20 km south of Dubrovnik is one of the most beautiful places in South Dalmatia. Due to its proximity to the airport (5 km), Cavtat is one of the most popular resorts in Croatia. Its history goes back over 2 thousand years. The city experienced many historical events that were reflected in unique architectural monuments representing the styles of Baroque, Renaissance, Gothic and Classicism. The most famous of them are the Church of St. Nicholas of the 15th century, the Princely Palace, a stone staircase leading to the hill and the mausoleum of the Racic family.

Cavtat cannot boast of having entertainment centers and night clubs. People come here for a relaxing holiday. The tiny resort is rich in picturesque parks, cozy harbors, suitable for fishing or scuba diving and, of course, magnificent beaches. At the disposal of tourists there is a well-equipped city Underground Gose, surrounded by pine trees, pebble Punta Rata and two-kilometer Vela Plaza.

Sibenik

The charming old center with cultural and historical sights, narrow streets, shops, cafes and a spectacular promenade make Sibenik a worthy place to relax on the Adriatic coast. For the first time, the resort of North Dalmatia was mentioned in documents of 1066, which gives the right to call it the oldest city in the country. Built as the residence of the king of Croatia, for centuries Šibenik belonged to Venice, Austria-Hungary, Yugoslavia.

During military conflicts in Turkey, it served as the pillar of Christian civilization, as evidenced by the fortress that has survived to this day. Those who come to Sibenik for the turquoise water area should pay attention to the small-pebble beach Banj, suitable for families with children, and one of the best sandy beaches in the country – the 4-km Solaris.

Lovran

Lovran is one of the first settlements in the north of Istria, already in the early Middle Ages serving as an important shipbuilding center. The city turned into an attractive resort at about the same time as Opatija, located 6 km away. Since the mid-19th century, tourism has been a major industry in the local economy. The mansions, formerly owned by Austro-Hungarian aristocrats, now offer guests of Croatia comfortable rooms with excellent service.

Lovran is attractive to travelers all year round. In summer, tourists expect clean beaches, framed by lush subtropical vegetation. With the onset of autumn, the time comes for theme festivals, and in the winter a sailing regatta and a traditional carnival will take place. An important direction of the resort is a wellness vacation. The Wellness Medical Spa Center complex offers thalassotherapy sessions, massages and therapeutic mud treatments.

Rab Island

Shrouded in legends, Rab, caressed by the sun for 2,499 hours a year, is located in the northern part of the country, in Kvarner Bay. You can get here by ferry leaving the port of Yablunytsya. New arrivals on the island it seems that it consists entirely of bare rocks. But it is worth getting to know this land better, as it opens its guests to dense vegetation, fertile fields and blue lagoons.

The island is small – an area of 93.6 km2 can be bypassed in one day. During this trip, you will get acquainted with the capital of the island – the city of Rab, famous for its medieval monasteries and churches, small villages, and, of course, a picturesque coastline. The island offers beaches for every taste, but the most popular is the sandy Rajska plaža, loved by both families with children and active tourists who are fond of water sports.

Brioni Island

The Brioni Archipelago, comprising 14 small islands, extends along the southwestern coast of Istria. These places are familiar to mankind since the Bronze Age. For centuries, the lands washed by the Adriatic Sea were owned by the Celts, Romans and Byzantines. The powerful of this world have always appreciated the mild climate and colorful landscapes. Brioni was the favorite resort of the Emperor of Germany, William II, and the party leader of Yugoslavia, Josip Broz Tito, built here a summer residence immersed in luxury.

Modern Brioni is famous for its National Park. A visit here can be compared to an exciting journey through the jungle. Conveniently located in the wagons of a tourist train, you will get acquainted with the inhabitants of the reserve (elephants, antelopes, zebras, llamas), study the ancient exhibits of the archaeological museum and swim on a wild beach.

Island of Ciovo

A quiet oasis in the Adriatic Sea, remote from the noisy Split for 30 km, was chosen by families who came to rest in Croatia with children. Beaches with snow-white smooth pebbles washed by warm transparent waves are perfect for kids’ games. Locals advise coming to the resort from July to September – at this time you can safely step on the seabed without fear of prickly hedgehogs.

It’s a pleasure to spend free time from swimming and sunbathing while exploring local sights: the Monastery of the Holy Cross built in the 15th century and the monastery of St. Mary. If this does not seem enough, then go on an excursion to nearby Split, Dubrovnik or Zadar. Tired of masterpieces of architecture? Then you will find the underwater world of the Adriatic Sea, which will be studied by the trainers of a modern diving center.

Brac Island

Green hills and impregnable cliffs, cozy villages and the ruins of ancient buildings offers tourists Brac – the third largest island in the country. In Croatia, there is no better known beach than Zlatni Rat – similar to the giant tongue of the cape, covered with sand and tiny pebbles. All the possibilities for a varied vacation are created here – a paradise offers you to ride a jet ski, paraglide, explore the inhabitants of the sea day and master windsurfing.

If you are tired of relaxing on the beach, then visit the Blaz Monastery carved in the rock, the Annunciation Church, the mysterious Dragon Cave, the 16th century Kerinich Castle and the ruins of St. Vida Church, located at an altitude of 778 m above sea level. And you can pass the evening in one of the many restaurants. A dinner consisting of regional dishes is complemented by local wines, national music and the vibrant atmosphere of one of Croatia’s best resorts.

Island Krk

The largest island of the country, the images of which most often appear on advertising tourist photographs, offers its guests the opportunity for both beach and sightseeing vacations. On its territory are concentrated medieval cathedrals, ancient walls and mysterious caves decorated with stalactites. The coastline of the island of Krk is ideal for travelers with children – sand and pebbles will not hurt their feet, and a gentle slope is safe even for the smallest swimmers.

The treasure of the island is a national park blinding with its variety of landscapes, which is not inferior in beauty to the legendary Plitvice Lakes. On an area of 109 km2, covered with green hills, dangerous gorges and dense forests, about 850 representatives of the fauna live. Here you will find the ruins of the Roman Forum, as well as the Orthodox and Franciscan monasteries of the XIV century. A find for photographers will be waterfalls. The largest of them – Skradinsky beech – brings down its waters from a height of 46 m.

Hvar Island

According to Forbes magazine, Hvar, located in the southern Adriatic, is recognized as one of the ten most beautiful islands in the world. But this is not the only reason that annually attracts thousands of tourists to the island, in whose ranks Beyoncé and Tom Cruise were noticed. What attracts travelers to the picturesque coast, caressed by the sun for 2 720 hours a year? Ancient history that began in the III millennium BC. e., left contemporaries many architectural monuments. The nature of the island also charms.

The fields of the eastern part in June are colored purple and fill the surroundings with the heady aroma of lavender. Local beaches are also beautiful – the coastline washed by turquoise waves is suitable for lovers of a relaxing holiday (Dubovitsa beaches), divers (Amphora) and active youth (Hula Hula). In the evenings, Hvar attracts with its fish restaurants, chic clubs and bars. And the most romantic sunset can be seen in the picturesque fortress of the 15th century, from where a breathtaking panorama of the sunny island of Croatia opens.

Losinj Island

If you ask one of the 8,000 inhabitants of Lošinj what their island is famous for, then they will probably answer: “The pristine nature”. People come here to take a break from bustling cities, enjoy the beauty of pine forests, rocky bays, as well as gain physical and mental strength in health centers practicing aromatherapy. The local coast is rich in quiet bays, and a colony of dolphins lives in the water area, whose members can be greeted while walking on a yacht.

Planning along the streets of one of the cities of the island – Veli – you will feel the atmosphere of Italy. Ancient basilicas, Renaissance buildings and pastel-colored houses for a while turn the life of tourists into the coveted Dolce Vita. The second settlement of Mali is proud of a unique relic – an antique bronze statue of an athlete, raised from the seabed in 1996.

Kolocep Island

If you are tired of the ongoing noise of megacities and car exhaust, then pay attention to Kolocep – an island located 5 km from the popular Dubrovnik. On an area of 2.4 km2, 160 residents live, whose houses are located in two small villages. Cars do not drive here, local transport is represented by electric cars, bicycles and donkeys. Century pines, fragrant oleanders, crystal clear sea and coral reefs dominate on Kolochep.

The sights of the island are early Christian temples erected in the period from the 19th to the 11th centuries, the Blue Cave and the Botanical Garden. Tourists arriving at the resort are waiting for the only hotel – the three-star Villas Kolocep hotel located on a sandy beach. You can only get to it by boat leaving the port of Dubrovnik.

Korcula Island

The lush vegetation and centuries-old pine trees exuding a breathtaking aroma frame the picturesque coast of the island of Korcula, located in southern Croatia. The resort is known for the Kalos Rehabilitation Institute, which offers mud-based wellness treatments. No less famous is Lumbarda – a picturesque fishing village, in the vicinity of which sandy beaches rare for Croatia are located.

According to legend, the ancient city of Korcula was founded in the XI century by the warrior Antenor expelled from Troy.

The modern resort is rich in attractions that have come down to us since the Middle Ages. The tourists are always interested in the powerful fortress walls of the VIII century, the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Gothic Cathedral of St. Mark. The island is rightfully proud of its famous son – the traveler Marco Polo. Here a museum is dedicated to him, opened in the father’s house of the legendary Venetian merchant.

Mljet Island

An island in southern Croatia, whose coast is only 48 km long, is one of the most popular tourist destinations. On a small plot of land, you will find traces of ancient structures (the ruins of a Roman palace of the II century and a basilica built in the V century), and idyllic sandy beaches, and unsurpassed cuisine, and sunken ships, and a rich underwater world, attracting diving fans here.

The main attraction of the island is the National Park, hiding in its heart two huge salt lakes, narrow channels connected to the sea. On one of them you will find an island on which a 12th century Benedictine monastery crowned with a defensive tower rises. Today, a restaurant is open on the territory of the former monastery, serving its guests grilled meat and fish dishes.

Vrsar

The medieval Vrsar, washed by the waves of the Gulf of Liman, was created for leisurely relaxation and contemplation of natural beauties. The picturesque coastline, lovely bays and lush vegetation invariably captivate guests of the city. In the middle of the XVIII century the legendary heartthrob Giacomo Casanova fell in love with this place, whose house today is a famous attraction of the resort. In addition, in July there is a festival named after the great ladies man – a holiday dedicated to eroticism and love.

Vrsar’s beaches, covered with pebbles or concrete platforms, are equipped with the necessary equipment for a comfortable stay and playgrounds, making the hearts of young travelers beat faster. Coastal reefs and sunken ships attract divers here. On one of the 18 islands spreading off the coast of the archipelago, the largest European hotel complex, Koversada, is famous for its secluded nudist beach.

Resorts with sandy beaches

The Adriatic coast is recognized year after year as one of the cleanest in Europe. And contrary to prejudice that the local coast is covered only with concrete slabs and large pebbles, several resorts in the country are ready to offer their guests beaches covered with soft golden sand. The island of Brac is known to travelers not only as the most picturesque place in the country. In its southern part is the pearl of Croatia – strewn with sand and the smallest pebbles Zlatni Rat spit, resembling a 634-meter wedge that cuts through the azure waters. The coastal zone is unique – its shape changes depending on the direction and strength of the wind, so it seems that the beach is made of liquid gold.

Generous on the sandy coast and the island of Rab. The best beaches are stretched here near the village of Lopar. The most famous of them is Rajska plaža – a 1.5-kilometer strip, offering many picturesque bays and a gentle entrance to the sea. Sandy areas also hide among the usual pebble shores of Central and Southern Dalmatia. Those who like to go into the water without fear of being hurt by sharp stones will find it suitable for an active holiday in Bacvice in Split, surrounded by the pine forests of Uva in Dubrovnik and Punta Rata in the resort of Makarska.

What to choose for a holiday with children

The mild climate, a short flight, the gentle sea and the amusement parks that turn vacation into a real adventure make Croatia an ideal country for families with children. Parents traveling with babies should pay attention to the islands of Krk and Rab. Here are quiet bays and the best sandy beaches of Croatia. The resorts of Split, Sibenik, Makarska and Baska Voda are also suitable for families with children. These sections of the coast are equipped with playgrounds, and giant pine trees provide natural protection from the sun.

Families with teenage children will enjoy resorts combining beach vacations, an extensive excursion program and the opportunity for active games and sports. One of the best resorts for the younger generation is Dubrovnik with its picturesque coastline, ancient buildings, an old port and a spacious aquarium located within the walls of the fortress of St. John. If your child is interested in history, then visit the medieval Porec, where you can combine sea vacations with fascinating walks around the city, carefully preserving the architectural masterpieces erected during the Byzantine and Roman Empire.

Istria, located in the north of the country, will also be interested in teenagers, offering young explorers to visit the Dinosaur Park and find themselves in the amazing cave of Baredina. You can relax from the exciting walk through the world of prehistoric dinosaurs and explore the mysterious dungeon on the beaches of the resort of Medulin. Pine groves give a shadow that reliably protects from scorching sunlight, and a stretch of the beach stretched for several kilometers, strewn with fine pebbles and sand, invites you to soak up in sun loungers and go windsurfing or diving.

Ski resorts

Croatia, which many associate with the bright summer sun and warm sea, is ready to offer excellent conditions for winter holidays. A few kilometers from the Adriatic coast in December begins the season, which lovers are eagerly awaiting to storm the snow-capped mountain peaks. Ski resorts in the country are attractive for their low prices, professionally equipped pistes, picturesque landscapes and a friendly atmosphere.

Slame is the most famous place among slalomists in Croatia, located on the mountain of the same name with a height of 1,033 m. The 4 tracks laid here with a total length of 4,150 m are suitable for both those who take their first steps on the track and for professionals. The resort has hotels, cafes, equipment rental, chairlifts and ski tows. Belolasitsa is not only a popular resort, but also an Olympic center. For the attention of those who are familiar with skiing firsthand, 2 red (1 200 and 1 700 m) and black (1,540 m) tracks are offered. Children and beginners are not forgotten – short and gentle descents are prepared for them. Evenings in Belolasice can be spent at the restaurant or bar.

Platak, known in summer as a leisure park, is transformed in the winter into an actively developing ski resort. Here you can take advantage of seven tracks, one of which is illuminated at night. For lovers of racing from the side of the mountain on a sleigh there is a separate descent. The highlight of Plataka is the panorama of the Adriatic Sea, which opens from a height of 1,363 m.

Best time to travel

The tourist season lasts in the country all year round, so everyone chooses the best time for a vacation in Croatia based on their own interests and preferences. Lovers of swimming and golden tanning visit the Adriatic resorts from May to September. The hottest month is August. Air warms up to +33 ° C, and water – up to +25 ° C, however, the sea breeze characteristic of the entire coast makes it easy to tolerate even midday heat.

With the advent of autumn, tourist life in the resorts does not freeze. The absence of sweltering heat and a comfortable temperature (from +15 to +20 ° C) create excellent conditions for a therapeutic holiday in Croatia. The healing air of pine forests, the abundance of wellness centers, mud and thermal springs are located to it. In the heart of the country, not far from Zagreb, is the city of Ivanich Grad, famous for the naphthalan deposit – a thick liquid that has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and stimulating effects and is used to combat skin problems, diseases of the nervous system and musculoskeletal system.

From December to March, guests of Croatia are skiing fans. At an altitude of 1,000–1,700 m above sea level, the air temperature drops to -10 ° C. A stable cover is provided by artificial snow generators.

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nagsale · 5 years

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THE PERFECT WEEKEND GETAWAY GUIDE TO CAPE CHARLES, VIRGINIA

Last year while driving home from a Virginia food & wine themed road trip, we decided to form a last-minute detour to Chatham Vineyards, Virginia’s only Eastern Shore vineyard before heading home. We also decided that we’d do a touch exploring on the way. Anytime we saw a symbol we felt like following, we did. Did it take for much longer to urge home? Yes. Did we discover some pretty cool places off the beaten path that we probably never would have known about otherwise? Absolutely. That’s how we found a touch hidden gem called Cape Charles.

Located on the southern end of Virginia’s Eastern Shore on the Chesapeake Bay side of the peninsula, Cape Charles is one among America’s coziest little beach towns. There are not any mysterious wild ponies here like in Chincoteague or any of the flashy or touristy boardwalks you would possibly find in Virginia Beach. But what you'll find here may be a charming and historic laid back small-town vibe with sweet little shops, great food, kind people and a gorgeous (and quiet) public Chesapeake Bay Beach with free parking and calm, clear waters that you simply can wade out dozens of yards from shore and still be waist-deep. Adjacent to the beach may be a fishing pier perfect for bringing in some fresh catch or taking in of Cape Charles’s spectacular Chesapeake Bay sunsets. And you actually can’t leave Cape Charles without snapping a couple of pics or selfies ahead of their iconic “LOVE” sign sitting at the doorway of the pier, one among 180 public “LOVE” artworks across Virginia.

Love Art Sign Cape Charles Beach Virginia And the word seems to be spreading about this sweet little seaside retreat. Recently voted one among “America’s Happiest Seaside Towns,” by Coastal Living in 2018, Cape Charles is additionally unique for having one among the most important concentrations of late-Victorian and turn-of-the-century buildings on the East Coast. it's numerous that the town has earned status as a Historic District on the Virginia Landmarks Register also as on the National Register of Historic Places. Nature lovers will love the nearby Kiptopeke State Park and therefore the Eastern Shore Wildlife Refuge which are perfect for hiking and birding, while golfers have their option to play at either an area Jack Nicklaus or Palmer 18 hole golf courses which are the sole two side by side courses designed by these golf icons on an equivalent property within the country. While golf isn’t necessarily my thing, driving a golf cart around the streets here is legal and encouraged, which I can drag.

Cape Charles Beach shallow waters The shallow and calm waters of the Cape Charles Beach.

Our first visit to Cape Charles was a brief stop at the beach and pier and a walk down the tiny downtown main street with plans to return this year and that we made it happen even with the likelihood of a hurricane storm surge on its way. Luckily all the town experienced was some early morning wind and rain.

Cape Charles Fishing Pier Here’s what where we ate, where we stayed and what we did on our short two-day trip back to Cape Charles.

Where to remain Cape Charles Hotel Building and Rooms Hotel Cape Charles 235 Mason Ave, Cape Charles, VA 23310 hotelcapecharles.com (757) 695-3854

There are many lovely B&Bs and vacation rentals in Cape Charles. except for the right spot within the center of downtown, yet walking distance to the beach, we stayed at the Hotel Cape Charles. one among only two hotels in town, this 101-year-old boutique hotel with an unbeatable location seamlessly blends into the tapestry of Cape Charles’ downtown and therefore the fabric of this very town. So seamlessly actually that we drove past it twice. If you wish historic buildings but you furthermore may just like the experience of a contemporary hotel, Hotel Cape Charles delivers on both.

Hotel Cape Charles Front Desk And Lobby Lobby At The Hotel Cape Charles

Recently renovated, with no two rooms being exactly alike, the vibe here is peaceful, light, clean, modern and cozy with vintage accents, exposed brick walls and preserved original architectural details that nod to the building’s rich history. The bathrooms are gorgeous too! If you like spacious accommodations choose one among their “lofts” with open floor plans, exposed brick, full kitchen, dining areas that define the word spacious.

While there are Keurig coffee makers within the rooms, we looked forward to heading right down to the lobby each morning for a few delicious freshly brewed locally roasted coffee in their Hotel Cafe and bar. They also offer guests a light-weight complimentary breakfast, featuring organic, homemade granola and a few light fare and food for purchase.

At night we recommend unwinding on the third-floor veranda with gorgeous views of the town with a glass or bottle of wine from the hotel’s list. If you’re in town and need to require a swim when the weather is warm, guests may purchase each day pass for the Bay Creek Beach Club only 2 miles from the Hotel which has two outdoor pools and an outsized fitness center. On each day you only want to explore Cape Charles, a couple of steps in any direction from the hotel entrance and there are great places to dine, shop and galleries to browse.

A 5-minute walk will land you at Cape Charles’s main attraction – the beach and fishing pier. For those that love a motorcycle ride, the hotel has six cruisers available for guests on a primary-come first-serve basis. except for something a touch extra, the hotel also will secure you a golf cart to urge around town. does one need to if you've got a car? Probably not. But it’s THE thanks to getting around Cape Charles. And is it a blast? Totally. While in town I happen to ascertain my cousin and her husband driving by on one returning from the beach as I used to be packing up the car to go away. It clothed they were also staying at the Hotel Cape Charles, two doors down from us and that we both had no idea. That’s the type of magical little moments that happen at the Hotel Cape Charles.

CAPE CHARLES CANDY COMPANY 300 Mason Ave, Cape Charles, VA 23310 capecharlescandy.com (757) 655-1338

When you’re in Cape Charles and your appetite strikes, stroll over to the Cape Charles Candy Company located in one among Cape Charles’s new group of outlets on Mason Ave. they need an eye-grabbing sort of classic and modern candy that will please any sugar addict. You’ll scoop your thanks to sugar heaven with their selection of gummies, jawbreakers, and saltwater taffy.

Don’t miss their freshly crafted fudge (samples encouraged!) made with real cream and butter that comes in an irresistible selection of flavors like spread chocolate, cake, cookies, bourbon chocolate, maple walnut, rocky road and cookies, and cream. for a few local flavor infusion, their bittersweet chocolate caramel sea salt and salted caramel fudge are made using sea salt harvested from Virginia’s Eastern Shore from the Barrier Island’s Salt Company.

CAPE CHARLES DISTILLERY 222 Mason Ave, Cape Charles, VA 23310 capecharlesdistillery.com (757) 695-3737

With rich leathers, dark woods and moody colors, Cape Charles Distillery is simply the sort of place you’d want to cotton up inside while sipping artisan craft spirits. Cape Charles’ very own speakeasy with talented mixologists won't only pour and educate you about what you’re close to sipping but also whomp up their signature cocktails made with unique ingredients, fresh herbs and sometimes a touch fire. Plus, they’re located right across from the road from Hotel Cape Charles.

Cape Charles Distillery crafts their bourbon, whiskeys, moonshine, and vodka with locally grown corn and grains with pristine Virginia mountain spring water. If you are trying any of their spirits and fall crazy, make certain to bring home a bottle or two… or three.

Where To Eat

AMBROGIA CAFFÉ & ENOTECA 321 Mason Ave, Cape Charles, VA 23310 ambrogiacc.com (757) 695-3049

You probably wouldn’t expect to seek out super authentic, hand-crafted, farm to table style Northern Italian during a small beach town on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. But in Cape Charles, you can. At Ambrogio Caffe everything here which will be made up of scratch is, and love and keenness for nice food are clear in every bite. a replacement women-owned addition to Cape Charles, business partners Cristina Carollo, an Italian born oceanographer turned chef from Milan and Maria Goerner, a Ukranian with 20 years experience working within the NY restaurant scene, are serving up a number of the simplest food on the shore in their vintage chic space. that has their homemade focaccia, ciabatta and piadina bread for the paninis we devoured while visiting for lunch. We tried the mortadella (my favorite) with crescenza cheese and olive tapenade on homemade ciabatta, the roasted eggplant, fontina and tomato tapenade on homemade focaccia bread also because the piadina flatbread layered with thinly sliced prosciutto, taleggio cheese and a pepper relish for an ideal balance of flavors.

For dessert, we had their simple, yet delicious homemade tart with fig jam and a house-made tiramisu from Cristina’s family recipe that was so light and delicious I couldn’t get enough. Ambrogio is open for lunch and dinner and also does a coffee and biscotti hour within the morning starting at 10:30 with a number of the simplest espresso, doppio, cappuccino, and macchiato for miles made with a true Italian coffee machine. If you’re visiting just note the menu can change on a dime counting on what’s fresh, available or counting on what Cristina and Maria desire whipping up. Just the way they are doing in Italy.

THE SHANTY 33 Marina Rd, Cape Charles, VA 23310 shantyseafood.com (757) 695-3853

For our second day in Cape Charles, the looming possibility of a hurricane headed our way caused many of the companies and restaurants to shutter for the day. So when lunch called and that we got word at our hotel The Shanty was braving the storm and that I didn’t need to eat leftover pretzel bits and protein bars out of rock bottom of my bag we headed right over. The Shanty in Cape Charles isn't a shanty but a contemporary restaurant and bar inspired by all those dockside shacks you’ve ever eaten at that have unbeatable water views and fresh delicious seafood.

I live for those sorts of places and no I don’t care if the floors are crooked and nothing’s been changed in ages. But if you’re not into hole-in-the-wall sort of places like me, don’t worry because The Shanty is very charming during a modern seaside – built to code quite way. The menu here is made around sustainable seafood, local ingredients, and familiar dishes with creative twists. We ordered their crispy conch fritters, creamy New England chowder like cheesy potato soup with fresh clams (scrumptious), and their Yucatan Style Tacos with shrimp. We enjoyed every bite.

Voted one among the “Top 25 Bars within the U.S.” by Men’s Journal, The Shanty features a few differing types of drink menus with martinis, crushes, margaritas, signature drinks, tropically inspired cocktails also as a spread of craft beers and wine. The Shanty is found just south of Cape Charles’s main downtown on the opposite side of the railroad tracks within the Cape Charles town marina. By foot you'll stroll over if you’re downtown, I like to recommend punching it into your GPS if driving which can take you on a special route and maybe a touch confusing for a primary outing of towner.

THE OYSTER FARM SEAFOOD EATERY AT KING’S CREEK 500 Marina Village Circle Cape Charles, VA 23310 theoysterfarmatkingscreek.com 757-331-8660

If the thought of eating fresh oysters, clams, and incredible seafood while overlooking the serene blue water cove where those very oysters have grown sounds pretty amazing, then The Oyster Farm Seafood Eatery at Kings Creek must be a requirement on your Cape Charles to-do list. Located on a shocking 39-acre waterfront property complete with a marina, event center and luxury villas for rent, The Oyster Farm Eatery may be a large, airy and maybe a casually stylish bayside seafood restaurant, raw bar and barroom adorned with an ornate bar and impressive fish tanks. The chefs here call the food “water to the table,” and therefore the code on their website says it’s sandals to ties. Gotta love a shore town.

Cape Charles Oyster Farm Just a few minutes drive north of downtown, we headed to The Oyster Farm on our first night in Cape Charles. On an actual oyster farm, you can’t leave without trying some oysters. It just wouldn’t be right. With some wonderful suggestions from our super friendly waiter Mike, we settled on the oysters Rockefeller to start made with a house recipe of crispy bacon, kale rather than the standard spinach, slightly of cream and Parmesan. We were floored at unbelievably juicy and flavorful they tasted. Total score. Mike also suggested we try one among their hottest appetizers, the Thai Shrimp Salad. An explosion of fresh flavor and texture, fried shrimp are tossed with bell peppers, cabbage, scallions, and cilantro during a Thai condiment that's salty, sour, sweet beat one. Amazing. For mains, we moved onto a crisp and creamy Caesar salad topped with their own crispy fried oysters and perfectly Seared Scallops served over creamy risotto.

To wash it down we stayed local and paired it with Church Creek Chardonnay from Chatham Vineyards. For dessert, we dug into a delicious custard then got able to roll back to the hotel. Everything at the Oyster Farm was deliciously on point and that I anticipate returning return. The Oyster Farm Eatery has indoor and outdoor patio seating and if you've got the prospect, plan your visit so you'll catch stunning Chesapeake Bay sunsets. Great views, great food, and great service. What more are you able to ask for?

BAKERY ON MASON 236 Mason Ave, Cape Charles, VA 23310 Bakeryonmason.com (757) 331-4777

While the brick and mortar bakery located within the Strawberry Street Plaza Shops on Mason Avenue may be a recent addition to Cape Charles, owner Louise Orlando who runs the shop together with her husband Andrew has been perfecting the art of bread making for years. and therefore the love she puts into her bread-making shows. I first tasted Louise’s bread while visiting Chatham Vineyards last year where they serve her custom vineyard flavor baked with their own Church Creek Cabernet Franc, cranberries and walnuts which with their cheeseboard. That bread stuck in my mind ever since. sometime past Louise was baking out of her home and selling at farmer’s markets and native shops. When the bread business began taking up her home that she realized she needed a fanatical space. Fast forward to today and you've got the Bakery on Mason.

Not only is everything at the Bakery On Mason made up of 100% scratch with simple ingredients, but every sourdough loaf here is fermented with an Eastern Shore born wild yeast starter that Louise has lovingly cultivated and attended for nearly 10 years. The result's a stunning crumb with a satisfying bite and chewy crust. If you’re trying to find something on the sweet side they even have pastries, muffins, scones and croissants which have something of a cult following. Wash it all down with some freshly brewed locally roasted coffee. If you’re within the area and wish lunch on the go, choose one among their gourmet sandwiches built on their mini French baguettes. Try the Cape Charles – layered with thinly sliced Edwards country ham, Parmesan-Asiago, fresh and peppery arugula, and finished with their creamy house dressing that features a nice kick.

KELLY’S GINGERNUT PUB 133 Mason Ave, Cape Charles, VA 23310 kellysgingernut.com (757) 695-3737

There’s something pretty darn cool about eating during a historic repurposed space. And with 16-foot tin ceilings, a bar crafted from locally sourced 100-year-old yellow pine, and exposed brick walls, Kelly’s Gingernut Irish Pub located during a converted circa 1907 bank doesn’t disappoint. Oh, and did I mention you'll even eat inside an old vault. How cool is that?

Cape Charles Kellys With attention on what’s fresh and native and a menu that changes seasonally, Kelly’s Gingernut serves up soul-warming Irish and American pub fare like burgers, steaks, local fresh seafood, salads, an award-winning she-crab soup, along with side craft beers and wine. and therefore the food here didn’t disappoint once we stopped certain a late dinner by candlelight within the vault. We had their chevre Salad with mixed greens, candied pecans, blueberries, strawberries, shallots, and crumbled Chevre cheese, local fresh clams steamed during a wine broth with bread for dipping and a few true Irish pub fare a Shepherd’s Pie made with local organic Virginia lamb and authorized Angus Beef during a delicious pan sauce topped with fluffy mashed potatoes and Irish cheddar. We couldn’t pass up dessert and ended a stunning meal with their light and airy cake. Kelly’s Gingernut is open for lunch and dinner year-round and serves the hair of the dog brunch on Sundays. Outdoor seating is out there when the weather permits and is dog-friendly!

How To Get Around Cape Charles Golf Cart Rentals CC RYDER RENTALS 415 Mason Ave, Cape Charles, VA 23310 capecharlesgolfcarts.com (757) 678-3239

Anywhere it’s perfectly acceptable and truly encouraged to ride around during a golf cart may be a place I’m excited to be. And Cape Charles is one among those places. While downtown Cape Charles is walkable, driving around during a golf cart is simply darn fun and an excellent thanks to admiring the gorgeous homes within the historic district, get around town and have a ride back from the beach without having to urge buckets of sand in your seat. It’s also just plain fun! When you’re in town pop over to CC Ryder Rentals, a brief walk from the beach and downtown area. If you would like any recommendations on the world, check-in with Smitty the owner and he’ll steer you within the right direction. The rates are super reasonable and any time on a golf cart may be a blast.

Shops to not Miss Cape Charles Virginia Peach Street Books PEACH STREET BOOKS 401 Mason Ave, Cape Charles, VA 23310 facebook.com/Peach.Street.Books (757) 695-3886

Beaches and great books go together just like the sea and therefore the sand. And in Cape Charles, you’ll find quite possibly the cutest, if not the foremost unique book store on the East Coast. Located on the corner of Mason and Peach Street, Peach Street Books is one part book store and one part cafe. If you’re thinking a bookstore with coffee is nothing new you’d be right. But this one’s located during a renovated storybook cottage looking 1930’s Pure Oil gasoline station with a late 1950’s garage that’s attached and also restored, but with a contemporary vibe. Somehow its whimsical architecture works, and with over 500 new titles and over 10,000 gently used books, anyone on the look for their next great read are going to be in their glory. After you’ve grabbed all the books you'll handle, grab a bagel, some food or snacks, a house-made smoothie or a cup of java made with local Eastern Shore Coastal Roasting Company coffee. Chill outside on their pooch-friendly patio for a few R, R & R – rest, relaxation and reads.

Like A Sailor Shop Interior LIKE A SAILOR 219 Mason Ave, Cape Charles, VA 23310 facebook.com/likeasailor (757) 678-3239

Cape Charles has some great boutiques if you are feeling more within the mood for retail therapy than dipping your toes within the sand. If you've got a way of humor and love finding unique and quirky gifts instead of the standard sorts of souvenirs you always find by the shore, then make certain to pop inside. There are all types of fun things inside from card and board games to kitchen linens and candles with witty quotes and much of unique gifts. If you’re squeamish (you know who you are) this might not be the shop for you. But if you don’t take life too seriously and love quirky witty things that you simply won’t find anywhere else, then breeze on in to love A Sailor. The giggles are freed from charge.

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tamboradventure · 5 years

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How to Visit Egypt on a Budget

Posted: 2/3/2020 | February 3rd, 2020

One of the countries high up on my “must visit” list is Egypt. As a lover of history, I long to release my inner archaeologist and explore the many ruins of the country. While it might be a long time before I get there, my friend Jeremy Scott Foster from TravelFreak has visited a couple of times. In this guest post, he’ll give you his best tips for saving money on your next visit to Egypt!

I’ve been to Egypt twice. On my first trip four years ago, I solo traveled the Sinai Peninsula along the Gulf of Aqaba, stayed in shared hostels for $5 USD per night and took overnight buses that cost just as little. On my most recent trip last year, I traveled from the very north of Egypt in Alexandria south to Cairo, and then further south along the Nile River to the border with Sudan.

And, throughout it all, I fall deeply in love with this country where foreign perception of violence keeps so many at arm’s length.

The tourism industry in Egypt is still feeling pain as a result of the political upheaval, civil unrest, and terrorism-related activities that have marred its recent history. As tourist numbers have dwindled and competition for the tourist dollar has become fiercer, travel deals have proliferated.

But what most visitors miss is what you can gain — free of crowds and for little money too.

From the chaos of Cairo to the more laid-back vibe of Luxor, Egypt is an ideal destination for budget travelers.

1. How to Save Money on Accommodation

Generally speaking, accommodation in Egypt is relatively affordable. However, there are a few helpful tricks that can cut down your expenses.

Stay in hostels instead of hotels – Typically, you can expect to find a bed in a shared dorm room (with 4+ beds) for between $5-8 USD per night, or a comfortable private single room for about $15 USD per night. You will likely have to share a bathroom, but at least you have your privacy.

Use Hostelworld to look for the best prices. I recommend Dahab Hostel in Cairo and Al Salam Camp in Luxor.

Use Booking.com to compare prices for hotels – If you’re looking for cheap hotels or guesthouses in Egypt, I recommend checking Booking.com. A private room in a guesthouse or hotel goes for about $40 USD per night.

Prices are generally listed per room, not per person. So, if you are traveling with a friend, you can save even more money by splitting the cost.

Look for accommodations that add offer a little extra – I also found that, coupled with accommodation, it was pretty common for hosts in guesthouses to offer extras such as breakfast and local tours at very reasonable prices. One of my incredible hosts cooked a traditional hot breakfast with tea and coffee for just $1 USD. Best of all, he was more than happy to recommend some inexpensive local places to eat and buy food.

Look beyond the standard hotel rooms for accommodation options – Vrbo and HomeAway are great Airbnb alternatives, as they’ve been connecting budget travelers and homeowners since the ’90s. HomeAway is geared towards people wanting a proper vacation rental, so you can expect a fully furnished home to live in which is great for longer stays.

Vrbo lets you stay in a local’s house, but at a slightly increased cost. You can usually find some pretty luxurious apartments starting from $50 USD per night.

The upside is that you’ll have full access to your own kitchen, which means you can further cut your costs by cooking at home.

2. How to Save Money on Food

Stick to the local eats and street food – If you want to save money on food while traveling in Egypt, do yourself a favor and steer clear of the Western chain food joints. While a cheeseburger is about half the price of what you pay at home, it’s still more expensive, less tasty, and far less adventurous than experiencing the local cuisine.

Why bother with a burger when you can eat the most delicious falafel in the world for $1 USD?

Navigate the narrow alleyways of any bustling Cairo market (like Khan El Khalili or Mohammed Ali Street) to seek out the best shawarma ($2 USD). Or grab a stuffed falafel sandwich from a street vendor on your way from one ancient relic to another ($2 USD). You can literally find Arabic bread for 5 cents. It’s all cheap and very filling.

And, the hummus. It’s so. Darn. Good.

If you’re staying at a guesthouse, it’s common practice for them to offer full dinners for about $10 USD. The truth is that they’re actually just sourcing the food from restaurants in the neighborhood and taking a cut, so by seeking out your own food options, expect to spend about ¼ of the price.

With that said, don’t be afraid of street food or street vendors, especially if the food is cooked in front of you. And if there is a crowd of locals waiting, then chances are you’re onto a good thing.

Eat at a kosheri – A kosheri is a small, local restaurant that serves up generous portions of pasta, chickpeas, lentils, etc. often for less than $1 USD! There’s no menu, you just select the size of your portion and then you’re served this mishmash of deliciousness.

Cook your own meals – As mentioned, preparing your own meals while traveling is also a great money saver. If you have access to a kitchen, just ask your host to point you in the direction of the nearest market. They also have the lowdown on where to eat for cheap, so take advantage of their local knowledge!

3. How to Save Money on Transportation

Bargain with your taxi driver – In most Egyptian cities, taxis are an inexpensive and convenient way to get around.

Now, when I say convenient, I mean they’ll get you to where you need to go relatively quickly. But I would be remiss if I didn’t add a few disclaimers.

Taxi drivers can be aggressive on the road, leaving you white-knuckled from hanging on for dear life. I’ve never experienced a more heart-stopping journey than a Cairo taxi ride.

Furthermore, while Cairo does have metered taxis, don’t be lulled into a false sense of security. Meters are notoriously unreliable or rigged, and drivers frequently “forget” to turn them on. It’s one of the oldest travel scams in the book.

The best practice is to use an unmetered taxi and agree on a price with the driver before getting in. (Outside Cairo, most taxis are unmetered, so no matter what, always agree on a price upfront.)

If you’re not sure how much is an acceptable price, ask someone at your hostel or guesthouse for a pricing recommendation, and then start your bargaining at about ½ that price. Oftentimes even they will give you a higher estimate than is normal (it’s locals helping locals), but the real price should be about ¾ of what you’ve been recommended.

For longer-distance trips, hiring a car with a driver is the most cost-effective option. The price will be the same whether you’re traveling by yourself or with a group of four, so round up some travel buddies and split the cost.

But of course, be prepared for some aggressive haggling to get the best price. Be clear about where you want to go and for how long you will need the driver. Don’t worry if negotiations break down, though. When it comes to haggling over price, never be afraid to walk away. There are plenty of drivers available, so just move on to the next one.

Take the local train – Taking the train between Alexandria, Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan is the most popular mode of transport for this route.

If time or budget is a concern, you can take an overnight train. By taking the sleeper train from Cairo to Luxor or Aswan, you’ll save a night’s worth of accommodation in a hotel. A deluxe sleeper cabin for one is about $110 USD, while a two-berth cabin is $80 USD per person. Cabins are secure, and fares include an airline-style dinner and breakfast. The food is basic, but it’s edible.

But for a real bargain, you can book the day train between Cairo and Luxor or Aswan for as little as $10 USD. However, there’s one caveat: for safety reasons, the Egyptian government prohibits foreigners from purchasing day train tickets for this route. Officials say this is because only the night trains have armed guards in case of a terrorist attack, but this is an incredibly rare occurrence.

It’s easy to get around this, though. You’ll need to book tickets online at enr.gov.eg (you’ll have to register an account but it’s easy to do) or ask your guide, host, or driver to book the tickets for you. They will likely oblige for a small fee.

There are no reports of ticket attendants kicking any foreigners off the day train, so you’ll be fine. And if not, you’re only out $10 USD.

Get the Flight Pass – The fastest way to travel around Egypt is by plane. Egypt Air is the national carrier and Star Alliance Member serving most major domestic destinations. Its Flight Pass is a cost-effective option that allows you to lock in low fares for domestic flights even if you haven’t determined your travel dates.

All you have to do is purchase a minimum of four flights (or credits) and choose a time when you’d like to travel in the next 12 months. You can then book your flight up to seven days before departure.

On the downside, you’ll have to always fly back to your original departure point. That is, instead of flying from Cairo to Luxor and Alexandria, you’ll need to fly Cairo to Luxor and back to Cairo before going to Alexandria. That said, the Flight Pass is still about 30% cheaper than booking the same multi-destination flights with other airlines.

The Flight Pass is super customizable. You can select the number of flights (e.g. four, which is two round-trip flights) for a period of time (e.g. within one month), and also how early you can book your flights (e.g. one week before travel). This means that if you pick Cairo as your origin, you can select two round-trip flights to Aswan, Luxor, Alexandria, Sharm E Sheikh, or Hurghada. Each flight is $73 USD one-way.

But if I were to book a flight from Cairo to Luxor for one week from now, that same leg would cost at least $142 USD!

You can play around with this pass. For example, if you purchase a similar pass to the one above but select “one month” for how early you can book, the flights become $66 USD each per one-way.

If that’s too much of an inconvenience for you, there are plenty of other airlines offering affordable flights. When it comes to finding cheap flights on other airlines, I use Skyscanner. By being flexible with your dates, you can save up to 50%. Keep in mind, though, that you might be traveling at inconvenient times, like the middle of the night.

In the Skyscanner search bar, instead of entering specific dates, select the “Entire Month” option. This will show you a calendar with fare prices for departing and returning flights for every day of the month. This also works for one-way flights. However, it does not work for multicity flights.

4. How to Save Money on Tours and Guides

The best money-saving tip I can offer here is to avoid booking online before you arrive in Egypt.

If you’re a Type A traveler who needs a plan in hand before you even arrive, you’re not going to like this. But online agencies charge massively inflated prices, and you will end up paying a lot less if you deal directly with the tour company or guide locally on the ground.

Add in the feel-good factor of your money going directly to your guide, their family, and community (and not to some middle person, agency, or large corporation) and you’ve got yourself a win-win situation.

You may need to be a little more flexible with your dates. But you will have the added advantage of being able to negotiate (haggle, in reality), which translates to overall savings.

Tours, private drivers, and the quintessential cruise down the Nile can all be booked locally at significantly lower prices than booking in advance. So, if you can stomach it, wait until you get your boots on the ground before booking your tours.

Guides, in my experience, are an invaluable source of local knowledge and information. They have the inside scoop on the best vantage points for photos at all the epic landmarks. In addition, they’re great at dealing with those persistent and sometimes aggressive street vendors.

The best guides can be found by asking for recommendations from other travelers who have used their services, but I always recommend my Egyptian brother, Rami.

Back in 2015, on my first trip to Egypt, Rami and I connected by way of a mutual friend. We hit it off, and ever since then, I’ve helped him to grow the little tour business he and his family-run. It feels good to be able to help a local family in such a positive way.

He’s honest, affordable, reliable, incredibly communicative, well connected, and did I mention honest? That’s one of the difficult parts about traveling in places like Egypt: when people are selling you things, it’s hard to know who you can trust.

But Rami is my man. Send him an email at [email protected] and let him know Jeremy sent you (there are no commissions here — this is just a helpful referral to a well-deserving friend). He will sort you out or put you in touch with someone else in your preferred destination.

5. How to Save Money on Entrance and Admission Fees

Get the International Student Identity Card – Entrance and admission prices for almost all monuments and attractions in Egypt are set as advertised. However, you can get discounted tickets with an International Student Identity Card, including 50% off some of Egypt’s best museums (including the Luxor).

Get a travel pass – You can get a Cairo Pass or a Luxor Pass (multi-entrance discount passes) from the Ministry of Antiquities, the Egyptian Museum, or the Giza Plateau for about $80 USD. You’ll save about 50% off entries to over 30 attractions in Cairo and Giza. You’ll find very little information about these passes online, however, so your best bet is to just show up at one of those locations and inquire there.

Suggested Budgets for Traveling in Egypt

While you can spend money on luxury resorts or private tours, it’s entirely possible to travel through Egypt on the cheap. In fact, you can easily spend as little as $30-$35 USD a day.

The biggest way to reduce costs is to stay in dorm rooms or hostels. If you opt for a private room or mid-range hotel, you can expect to spend $30-40 USD more per night.

Where and what you eat also adds to your daily budget. For example, street food is an affordable and filling option for dining in Egypt. You can eat everything from falafel and sandwiches to shawarma and koshari noodles for as little as $1 USD.

Eating in a restaurant is more expensive, but still relatively cheap compared to Western countries. Meals in a mid-range restaurant start at $4 USD, while international dishes can be around $10 USD.

Transportation is another added cost. Train travel can be cheap but may not be the most efficient option if your time is limited. So, if you plan to fly between your destinations, expect to add $50-$100 USD to your budget for each flight.

Of course, your daily budget will also increase if you book private guides or splurge on souvenirs and gifts.

And remember, haggling is one of the most important skills if you’re looking to save money in Egypt. Taxis, excursions, and other services can usually be bargained down to a lower rate than what is initially quoted. So, if you have a high tolerance for haggling, your daily budget could easily be less.

Regardless, it’s always better to go slightly over budget, especially somewhere with as many must-see sights and experiences as Egypt!

***

The key to budget travel in Egypt is to be generally well informed and to have a good sense of humor (the latter goes a long way when dealing with vendors). Haggling and scammers are all part of everyday travel life in Egypt. There are very few goods and services that can’t be bargained for.

Most importantly, always, ALWAYS ask for and agree on a price first before accepting any goods or services. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to politely say no and walk away.

Now it’s time to start planning your trip to Egypt for maximum adventures at minimum cost in the land of Pharaohs, pyramids, and wonders of the ancient world. Get to it!

Jeremy is the adventurous traveler behind TravelFreak, a website dedicated to helping people create lives they are passionate about. You can check out his blog to learn more or find him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time. Some suggested hostels to stay at are:

Dahab Hostel (Cairo) – The rooms are basic but the owner is friendly and helfpful and the hostel is in a great location.

Al Salam Camp (Luxor) – Great location and incredible staff. it’s away from the noise of the city and a great place to relax and meet other travelers.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and that will save you time and money too!

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familydestinationsguide · 5 years

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21 Best Family Hotels in New York City of 2019 – That All Ages Love!

The post first published at https://familydestinationsguide.com/best-family-hotels-new-york-city/

New York City is an ideal spot for a family vacation because of the number of attractions and activities that it has to offer to all age groups.

From world-class museums and expansive parks to global cuisine that will leave you wanting more, there is never going to be a time when you run out of things to do.

When you are traveling with kids, a city like NYC is best enjoyed when you set up a base at a centrally located property that is designed to host families.

Here, I have compiled a list of the best family hotels in New York for you to choose from!

1. Four Seasons Hotel New York — Midtown East

It is difficult to go wrong with a Four Seasons property and this particular one is one of my favorite family-friendly hotels in NYC.

Not only will this upscale accommodation option give you chic rooms to rest at night, but the staff here will also go out of their way to ensure that your kids are having a good time at the property.

In addition to fun perks like child-sized robes and slippers, coloring books and DVDs, the hotel can also provide a wide range of baby-proofing material, bottle warmers, strollers, baby monitors and so on.

If your kids are older, they may enjoy the different tours that the property puts together especially for children.

But this isn’t just a fun hotel for kids. For the mom and dad’s night out, babysitting services can also be used – so you can have some fun and relaxation too!

See Best Price

2. Freehand New York — Flatiron

If you prefer the feel of understated luxury where each room is impeccably designed with exclusive murals — shout out to the Bard College — Freehand New York near the iconic Flatiron district is the right option for you.

This child-friendly property has a wide range of accommodation options, ranging from basic rooms and suites to a special kind of room that has a twin bed bunked over a queen bed.

You could also opt for the room with two sets of twin bunks, depending on the size of your family.

The hotel has a couple of on-site restaurants for you to choose from and a coffee shop for those caffeine requirements.

The location is quite central with Madison Square Park and Shake Shack just 5 mins by foot.

See Best Price

3. Hotel Beacon — Upper West Side

Many travelers prefer to stay around the Upper West Side as it is a great place to stay in New York with kids.

One of the best options in this area is Hotel Beacon, primarily because of its central location — you can walk down to Lincoln Center, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park and a bunch of other top attractions — and because of the comfortable one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites that the hotel has to offer.

The best part about these suites is that they come with small kitchens, which can be used to prepare meals for the times when you don’t want to step out.

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4. Hotel Gansevoort — Meatpacking District

Gansevoort in the Meatpacking District is one of the most popular options for people who don’t want to compromise on style when they are visiting New York with kids.

The location is spectacular, with the Whitney Museum of American Art, the High Line, Hudson River Park’s bike paths and a bunch of playgrounds within walking distance from the property.

The hotel itself offers a wide range of amenities for families with kids, for example, cribs, wipes, diapers, baby toiletries and strollers.

If your kids are slightly older, they may enjoy the free Nintendo Wii video game systems as well as the heated rooftop pool, which is otherwise a rarity in the city.

See Best Price

5. Hotel Wales — Upper East Side

Situated less than five minutes from Central Park, the location of this hotel is what sets it apart from a bunch of different options for family-friendly hotels in NYC.

If you are looking to cover a number of different museums on your trip, for example, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim and the Museum of the City of New York to name a few.

You have a few options in terms of accommodation, with two-room family suites with a kitchenette or regular rooms with a sleeper sofa for the kids to sleep comfortably.

There is a lovely lounge on the second floor of the hotel, as well as a rooftop terrace for you to watch the city’s skyline as the sun goes down.

See Best Price

6. Lotte New York Palace — Midtown East

Lotte New York Palace may be considered synonymous with luxury in the city, but that doesn’t mean that the kids will feel out of place at this property.

If you choose to go in for the “Little Royals” package offered by this hotel, your children will be able to experience the life of royalty, even taking home a princess of knight costume when the trip is over.

As a family, it may be recommended that you opt for the two-room suites, which come with large bathtubs for those bubble baths.

After a full day out and about in the city, the parents can also avail of the services of the luxury hotel’s spa for a refreshing massage.

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7. Loews Regency New York — Upper East Side

Another good family hotel in New York City is Loews Regency New York, located a stone’s throw away from Central Park and all its fantastic attractions like the Zoo and a range of playgrounds.

The accommodation is very comfortable and sleek, with the option to choose between the standard rooms and larger suites for families that are planning to stay for long.

If you are worried about whether or not your tykes and tots will have enough to do, you just need to sign them up for the Loews Loves Kids and Teens programs, that run for kids of all ages.

The staff can also help arrange a babysitter for the nights that the parents want to step out for some alone time.

See Best Price

8. Millennium Times Square New York

Times Square is one of those iconic areas that each and every tourist in NYC has to see once before leaving.

If you really want to get the feeling of the place, you can choose to stay at the Millennium Times Square New York by choosing between the regular, basic rooms or the family-friendly suites.

Your children will especially love this property, primarily because of the Ask Alfred program, where all the little ones will get kid-friendly toiletries, jelly beans when they check in, a teddy bear to keep, as well as kid-friendly menus for those hunger pangs.

The mom and dad can also get some time off while the kids stay engaged.

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9. The Muse Hotel — Midtown West

If you and your family want to spend some time watching some of the iconic shows on Broadway, The Muse Hotel in the Theater District may be the ideal choice for you.

This hotel is unique as it lays equal emphasis on being parent friendly, kid friendly, as well as pet friendly, for times when you are traveling with your furry family members.

While the little ones get a welcome gift when you check-in, parents can request cribs, get complimentary bikes or yoga mats, enjoy the nightly wine receptions offered by the property, or simply go sweat it out at the gym.

You can also avail of the hotel’s babysitting services.

See Best Price

10. NU Hotel — Boerum Hill, Brooklyn

Staying in Manhattan with your family may seem like the only option when you first visit NYC, but over time, you tend to realize that the real life of local New Yorkers can only be experienced across the Brooklyn Bridge.

The NU Hotel at Boerum Hill gives you the most authentic experience of living in NYC, as you take on the family-friendly neighborhood with the kids in tow.

The hotel offers a “Bunk Bed Room” with a queen bed and twin bunk beds, which is ideal lodging for a small family traveling together.

In addition to the free Wi-Fi and breakfast, you can also get bikes to explore the neighborhood. The Brooklyn-themed coloring book given to kids is an interesting add-on.

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11. Omni Berkshire Place — Midtown East

Omni Berkshire Place is an interesting choice for family-friendly accommodation in Midtown East, mostly because of its proximity to some of the major areas that you may be interested in.

The kids seem to be particularly fond of this property because of all the pampering they get from the Omni Kids Crew at the hotel.

This includes an interesting goodie bag at check-in, which includes activity books, crayons, games and binoculars.

The kids will also enjoy the cookies and milk that is sent across for them on the first night.

The parents can enjoy their evenings on one of the nine terraces that the hotel has to offer.

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12. The Peninsula New York — Midtown East

If you are visiting NYC to experience how celebrities really live, The Peninsula New York has to be your first choice.

The hotel offers a wide range of packages and special perks for families that are traveling together, one of which is the “Camp Peninsula” package.

Here, your kids can set up a tent inside the suite, enjoy some s’mores, have a fun poolside picnic and so much more.

The hotel offers special robes and slippers for its little guests.

Another popular option is the “Peninsula Academy”, where your kids can be a part of private tours of some fantastic museums, get cooking classes and so much more.

See Best Price

13. Residence Inn New York Manhattan/Midtown East — Midtown East

If you’re looking for a family hotel in Manhattan that offers great value in combination with a fantastic location, the Residence Inn New York is a good choice.

Families flock to this property because of the convenient suites that have two beds, a sofa bed, a small kitchenette, as well as a full-size refrigerator in the room.

The free breakfast is great value addition, as it allows you to fill yourself up before you step out for a day full of sightseeing and adventure.

In case you want to spend the day in, there are plenty of board games available in the recreation room.

If you want to cook something in the kitchenette, you can also enjoy the 24-hour grocery delivery.

See Best Price

14. Row NYC — Times Square

Another good option for people who want to stay close to the bustling Times Square is Row NYC, a chic and stylish accommodation that will be enjoyed by both, the adults and the kids.

The rooms are comfortable and well designed, while there is no dearth of eating options at the property.

This includes a fantastic food hall and the Sugar Factory, which can turn into a favorite of the little ones.

If you are interested in taking your kids to some of the nearby attractions, including the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, you can opt for one of the special packages offered by the property.

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15. The Roxy — Tribeca

Tribeca is a fun and family-friendly neighborhood, which makes The Roxy one of the top contenders for the best family hotels in NYC.

The rooms reflect a mid-century kind of feel, without compromising on comfort, which is the main reason why more and more families are drawn to this property.

The suites come with a turntable and a wonderful vinyl collection, while your kids can learn how to take care of other living beings by fostering a pet goldfish while you stay at the hotel.

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16. Staybridge Suites Times Square — Midtown West

Staybridge Suites offers accommodation options that are not just spacious, but also come with their individual kitchenettes and an area to work out of.

With the incredible location of the hotel, you will never be short of things to do, but the fitness center, free Wi-Fi, breakfast, as well as social receptions make this a fun option to stay at.

The laundry facilities and a 24-hour pantry snack station are particularly helpful when you are traveling with kids of all different ages.

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17. TRYP By Wyndham Times Square South — Midtown West

NYC isn’t really a city that has hotel rooms that can house over four guests in one go, but TRYP by Wyndham in the Times Square area has family rooms that can easily house up to eight people.

Located close to Penn Station, this property is designed to capture a more casual vibe that maximizes comfort, especially where larger families are involved.

Complimentary Wi-Fi, gaming options, flat-screen TVs and iPod docks are all valuable additions to be appreciated.

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18. The Watson Hotel — Midtown West

The Watson Hotel occupies the space that was formerly a Holiday Inn property close to some major tourist attractions like Central Park, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and multiple Broadway theaters.

While the room may not be luxurious and over the top, the emphasis is on comfort and cleanliness, which is especially important when the full family is involved.

You can also choose to stay at the double guest room if you don’t want to be away from the kids.

Finally, the rooftop swimming pool is great for splashing about in the hotter months.

See Best Price

19. Z NYC Hotel — Long Island City, Queens

The best part about staying in Queens is that you can look at the picturesque Manhattan skyline from a distance, which makes it look more magnificent than you’d imagine.

The Z NYC Hotel is a contemporary boutique hotel that can be a good base for you to explore NYC, especially considering the fact that it is just a subway stop away from midtown Manhattan.

The rooms are comfortable (baby cribs available upon request), there is a fantastic rooftop lounge as well as an art gallery in the property.

See Best Price

20. New York Marriott Marquis — Times Square

The New York Marriott Marquis is one of the largest properties on this list with 1,949 rooms that are all well designed and spacious.

One of the best choices for families that want a trusty hotel chain to stay at, this property offers rooms with pull-out couches and the option of adding a crib free of cost.

While there are no rollaway beds, you can also opt for connecting rooms in this 49-story building.

See Best Price

21. Hampton Inn Manhattan — Chelsea

The last option on this list is a mid-range solution for families that want to stay close to Madison Square Park, Eataly, the Flatiron building and other such NYC landmarks.

With trendy, yet subtly decorated rooms with flat-screen TVs, comfortable common spaces, free Wi-Fi, complimentary breakfast, tea and coffee, there is very little that the hotel does not offer to make your stay memorable.

If you want to travel towards Central Park or south towards the Financial District, there are plenty of subway lines that make travel easy.

See Best Price

List of image sources

The 21 Best New York City Family Hotels of 2019

Four Seasons Hotel New York

Freehand New York

Hotel Beacon

Hotel Gansevoort

Hotel Wales

Lotte New York Palace

Lowes Regency New York

Millennium Times Square New York

The Muse Hotel

NU Hotel – Boerum Hill

Omni Berkshire Place

The Peninsula New York

Residence Inn New York Manhattan/Midtown East

Row NYC

The Roxy

Staybridge Suites Times Square

TRYP By Wyndham Times Square South

The Watson Hotel

Z NYC Hotel

New York Marriott Marquis

Hampton Inn Manhattan

#Family Travel #Family Vacations #Family Resorts

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vacationsoup · 5 years

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New Post has been published on https://vacationsoup.com/this-is-why-we-love-cyprus-in-the-winter/

This is why we love Cyprus in the Winter!

Beautiful Climate - Feel like a Local -Wonderful Winter Food- Rich History - Great Cyprus Outdoors

When the heat ends and the summer season is over, people who have not yet been on vacation think: where should we go on holiday in late autumn or winter? Often, many tend to bind their journey to the traditional winter holidays. Well, Cyprus in winter is a GREAT decision too!

If you are a nature lover, happy to spend your days outdoors, Cyprus is a wonderful holiday destination in the winter. Without heat to worry about, it’s the perfect time of year to enjoy the great Cyprus Outdoors, whether that is sightseeing, activities and/or excursions. In the same day, you can start your morning by visiting the snow-tipped pine forests in the Troodos Mountains and then, driving through vineyards, olive, carob, citrus fields, end up by the afternoon relaxing by the clear blue Mediterranean Sea. Every single guest visiting Cyprus in the Winter is truly amazed by the ease of reach and the diversity they encounter on a single day out!

Beautiful Climate

Enjoy mild climate and comfortable temperatures. Cyprus has one of the warmest climates and warmest winters in Europe’s Mediterranean part. The island enjoys abundant sunshine, and even in December and January, there is an average of six hours of bright sunshine per day.

Feel like a local!

Locals are even more welcoming than usual, as the pace of life is slower, meaning that there’s more time for human connection and hospitality. Feel like a local by visiting the traditional “caffenio” for a taste of Cyprus coffee or a frappe and chat with the locals. For sure you will learn so much about the area and the local customs, and most probably you will be offered a personal tour, an invitation to dinner and even learn all the secrets and gossip of the village!

Wonderful Winter Food

Cypriots love food and take it very seriously. We are actually often teased about “building houses as if we will live forever, yet eating as if there is no tomorrow”. Celebrations and family get-togethers are rarely without an army of little plates crowding the long tables: the ubiquitous and irresistible meze. Take gastronomic tours and buy the freshest olive oil and wine, enjoy the most succulent citrus fruit and bananas. Wine routes for the visiting explorer or wine-lover are a feast for the eye, the ears, and the taste-buds. Great rural restaurants offer delicious authentic Cyprus cuisine coupled with the famed Cypriot warmth and hospitality that makes the food even tastier! There are certain Cypriot dishes that taste even better during the winter. Avgolemoni (egg and lemon soup), trachana (goat-milk soup), keftethes (meatballs) and makaronia tou fournou (oven-baked macaroni) are just a few of our favorite dishes that are oh so much better when it’s cold outside.

Rich History

Cyprus is a living book of pictures taken from world history. 10,000 years of civilization gathered together on one island. It is said, "scratch the soil anywhere in Cyprus and you will find traces of its magnificent past". This is no exaggeration. Paphos, a city rich in history and culture, is the gem of western Cyprus. Believed to be the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, Paphos proudly boasts the remains of palaces, theatres, fortresses and tombs that belong to Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods. There is also archaeological evidence supporting the city’s existence from the Neolithic period. The town of Paphos with the Mosaics palaces and Tombs of the Kings, is included in the official UNESCO list of cultural and natural treasures of the world’s heritage. Additionally evidence of the island's 10,000 years of history is scattered throughout the island, take your time to discover old churches, monasteries and monuments in all the lovely villages where time stood still.

The Great Outdoors

Already in January the first outbreaks of spring start to appear — the first orchids break into bloom, the fields around Ithaki are full of wild orchids. Fresh vegetation carpet starts blooming with rich green on hills and plains of Cyprus. Almond trees are in bloom and conditions are ideal for snow skiing on the Troodos mountain range. Akamas Peninsula Fauna is astonishing; in this spectacular environment there are 168 varieties of birds, 20 different reptiles, 16 species of butterfly and 12 different mammals not to mention its very rich variety of fauna. Enjoy walking, cycling, hiking at Adonis and Aphrodite’s Trails in Akamas Peninsula or at Cedar Valley & “Stavros tis Psokas” in Paphos Forest. The choices and discoveries are endless!

I could go on and on about what one can do in Cyprus in the winter.

All there is to say is to invite you to: “KOPIASTE”- EXPLORE – DISCOVER and fall in Love with Cyprus, and in the Winter time!

_______________________________________________________________

Ithaki offers the home you always wanted away from home, in the middle of the most spectacular area of Cyprus. Our home is equipped with central heating and gas fireplace and is available for longer-term holidays between January to March 2019. These months are offered at the rate of Euro 800 +bills/month. Contact us for information and pricing, email us [email protected]

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hannahwayward-blog · 7 years

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Four Days in Kochi: The End of India

The flight from Bangalore to Kochi on Monday afternoon was easy - just a little under an hour - but I’ve never been on a plane that smelled so strongly of body odor, so it was a bit brutal. The airport in Kochi is kind of adorable, much like the town of Fort Kochi itself. Rather than the crumbling palaces of Kolkata or the modern, angular buildings in Bangalore, Kochi has an almost Mediterranean feel. During my hour and a half bus ride from the airport into town, I saw plenty of the red tiled roofs and bright green palm trees that give Kochi its quaint, beachy vibe.

This is the problem with getting so behind on blogging - I have only a vague idea of what I did on Monday afternoon, but I’m fairly certain it involved a long nap after Bangalore’s back-to-back late nights. I settled into my bed and breakfast, which was conveniently located right in the middle of Fort Kochi’s modest downtown area, then I don’t think I did much of anything except sleep. The reasoning behind my visit to Fort Kochi, which is a bit off the beaten path, especially during the brutal summer months of monsoon, is that my sister is interning there this summer through a DukeEngage program, similar to what I did in Kolkata. After my three hour snooze, I walked down to her homestay, to which she had invited me for dinner.

Monday was Eid, so the family that runs her homestay was in full celebration mode. Over a delicious, vegetarian meal involving some sort of tortilla-like bread and a saucey potato paste, I got to know Sajir, the host, as well as the site coordinators and the other 11 students with whom my sister is living this summer. While we waited for dinner to be ready, we played a rollicking game of cards that I think was called “Mao,” and I taught them “Do You Want to Buy a Duck.” After dinner, we played “Contact” for a bit before I walked back to my hotel and slept even more. This trip has really been extreme in terms of alternating between lots of sleep and very, very little, and I definitely don’t bounce back from the late nights like I used to.

Kochi was a stark change from Kolkata: the streets were narrow and empty after dark and without the constant thrum of street salesmen and food stalls. The stores were all actual stores - no garage-door holes in the wall - and the few areas with stalls had large tables full of their goods as opposed to the sidewalk displays of the big cities. Fort Kochi had much more of a small town feel that was appreciated after so many days in big cities. The weather, however, was reminiscent of Kolkata’s insane heat that I’d briefly escaped in Bangalore. Each day the forecasts promised rain, but instead, the heat index climbed well above 100. Once again, I was a sweaty mess, but the ocean air made me feel less grimy at the end of the day than Kolkata’s smog.

On Tuesday, I slept until almost noon, then wandered around the small downtown to get my bearings. I visited St. Francis church, which is where Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama was originally buried before his remains were brought home, and marveled at the grave stones from the 1600s when Kochi was still a Dutch colony. I also walked along the beach for a bit, but was getting eaten alive by mosquitoes, and tried to go to a church that was closed. A little frustrated, I decided that hey, this is my vacation, and ended up spending the rest of the afternoon reading and writing from the comfort of my hotel’s second floor terrace. Curled up on the divan (a cursory Google search could not confirm the spelling of that but you get the idea), I wrote my final Kolkata blog post and my Bangalore post and read on my Kindle while the blessed rain finally poured down outside, cooling the day off significantly.

I wanted to get dinner with my sister, but my breakfast of small biscuits and snack of a candy bar somehow didn’t tide me over, so I ended up having a delicious, local fish dinner at a restaurant downtown. The dish is called meen moily, and involves fresh fish and rice in a sauce of zestily spiced yellow curry with plenty of veggies. After clearing my plate, I met my sister at her homestay and accompanied her and her housemates to dinner at a Thai place. Too full from my Keralan cuisine, I watched with a bit of disgust as they gorged themselves on every variety of momo and then walked with them to an art cafe near my hotel, where they all ate huge brownies and I felt slightly nauseous. I went home and, after reading all afternoon and all through dinner, I stayed up past midnight to finish the fifth Game of Thrones book.

Maybe because I stayed up so late, or maybe because of the deluge earlier that day, I had to deal with some uninvited guests that arrived shortly after midnight. At the risk of giving too much information, I was on the toilet when I heard a loud rustling above me, and turned only to see a HUMONGOUS cockroach fly toward me. I contemplated killing him myself, but he seemed bent on attacking me and wouldn’t stay still long enough to be smushed, so I went down and asked for help from the front desk attendant. Of course, when he came back up, we couldn’t find the rascal, so he armed me with a large bottle of spray and left me to fend for myself. Shortly after, the rustling started up again in the bathroom, but I had sprayed an offensive barrier around the door frame to dissuade the enemy from crossing into my bedroom. It seemed to have worked, and he was already in bad shape as he staggered through the doorway. A couple quick sprays finished the job, and I used the large paintbrush and dustpan the attendant had given me to put the corpse into the garbage can. Relieved, I got back in bed and continued to read.

Fifteen or twenty minutes later, I heard the telltale rustling again - but this time from right beside my bed! I looked down and saw another huge cockroach walking toward my nightstand. A chase ensued, and he ran under my nightstand, under my bed, then under my dresser, where I finally got him with the spray. I put his body in the trash can with his fallen comrade, but by then my room smelled so strongly of toxic spray that I was sneezing and coughing. I couldn’t open the door, though, because I was afraid more roaches would get in, and the windows didn’t open either. I decided that, if I died, I was at least going to die without the unwelcome company of the creepy crawlies, and finished my book (finally!) in peace before falling asleep.

After such a relaxing day on Tuesday (not including the chemical warfare I raged at night), I decided to be a good tourist on Wednesday and see as much of Kochi as I could. After a “quick” breakfast of toast downtown (India time), I decided to walk along the perimeter of the peninsula to Bazaar Road and Jew Town, two of the historic areas of the city. Although it involved a lot of fending off autorick drivers downtown who assured me they had the “best price, madam, fifty rupees only, two hour tour,” I was able to walk relatively peacefully. My first stop was Fort Hotel, where I booked a massage for the following morning at my sister’s recommendation, and chatted for a bit with a high school girl and her friend’s mom, who was Indian and chaperoning a group’s post-graduation vacation.

From there, I made my first cultural stop of the day at the Mattancherry Palace, which was built by the Portuguese, sometime in the early 17th century I believe, to appease the local Indian ruler. Different from Kolkata’s large concrete palaces, this building had long, low-ceilinged rooms with dark wood beams spanning the ceilings and seemed to be built of some more natural material. While the exhibit inside was a little underwhelming, I did see some interesting artifacts from the early colonization of Kochi (then Cochin) and from the ruling family’s daily life, including elaborate gowns, a palanquin, and a number of swords and daggers.

I left the palace and walked along Bazaar road, passing all the shops and doing my best to politely ignore (that phrase still feels oxymoronic) the hawkers, until I got to Jew Town. I learned while I was in Kochi that the area was home to one of the very early Jewish settlements, with the community’s history tracing back to something like 550 AD. Jew Town was cute, and I made my way through the small, shop-lined streets to the synagogue. Of course, I had arrived just after 1:00, and like most things in the warmer areas, the temple was closed between 1:00 and 3:00 PM. With almost two hours to kill, I sat in a nearby bookshop and enjoyed a fresh ginger lime soda while reading my next book, “The Girls.” Once I felt I’d overstayed my welcome, I walked back to Bazaar Road and had a bizarre snack of “chips and salsa,” which consisted of Dorito-esque chips and a very Indian-tasting version of salsa, and some more chips. This still left me with an hour until 3:00, so I walked to an antique shop and got a tour from one of the staff, a sweet lady named Dini who told me all about her daughter Didi and her husband, who had passed away a few years back. After getting the full tour of the antique store, which boasted all sorts of imports and also had an altar at which the staff prayed (it was odd), I had almost passed the full two hours. I walked for, like, a mile in search of a public restroom, convinced a guy at a flooring store to let me use theirs, and then was granted entry to the synagogue right at 3:00.

The synagogue was a little surreal, and not just because of its age. The floor was set with something like 11,000 tiles, each of which had been hand painted. Although they all had generally the same blue floral pattern, no two were identical. The ceiling of the modest room was hung with mismatched chandeliers, and there was an altar in the middle of the room. Wooden benches lined two sides of the room, with the Torah at the back and an entrance and foyer, full of commemorative plaques, at the front.

I was glad I’d waited and had gotten to see it, but I was getting pretty tired and my feet were hurting, so I headed back East toward downtown.After stopping at an ATM for some cash, I visited one last cultural site, the Santa Cruz Basilica, which was right behind my hotel. This place was also surreal, and reminded me of the church in Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet film, full of neon and LED lights and gaudy decorations. Pictures will follow, but the ceiling was elaborately muraled and every column had a glass-encased statue of some saint or Jesus at varying ages. There was also a small grotto-type thing outside dedicated to the patron saint of Portugal or something, which was also full of busy fabrics and loud colors and centered around a brightly painted statue.

In Kochi, I largely avoided much attention, aside from the autorick drivers competing for my business, but was approached in the Basilica by a group of Indian men, probably in their 40s, asking if I’d take a picture for them, then asking if I’d take a picture with them. Ugh. I tried to politely decline (not sure if better or worse than politly ignoring) but then felt like I had to leave. I was mostly ready to be home anyhow, so I schlepped back to the hostel to read for a bit. The power was out, so I walked down the street to what became my new favorite coffee shop (more on Oy’s later) and had a smoothie before walking to my sister’s house to pay her another visit. She had a birthday dinner that evening, so I just hung out while she worked on some visa paperwork before heading to dinner solo.

I ate at a rooftop place downtown, Rasa, that was a bit ritzy, but most of the local places, at which I would’ve preferred to eat, were closed because it was after 9:00. I had a weird, but good, green-sauced biryani, and once again ate to the point of nausea. Indian food is such a blessing and a curse - I love it, but I eat too much, and then feel sick for hours afterward. Clearly self-control is not my forte when it comes to eating all of the local cuisine. I stayed up reading for a bit but called it a fairly early night.

Thursday was my last day in Kochi, but my flight to Bangalore, through which I was flying to get to Doha then Paris, wasn’t until 10:30 PM, so I had a full day to explore. I had another quick breakfast of toast, and then went to Fort Hochi Hotel for my ayurvedic Keralan massage. While it was well-executed, I’ve decided that I’m more of a Swedish massage girl. The strokes were far too light and quick for my tastes, but I appreciate that I got the real Keralan experience. Of note is the fact that the type of massage requires complete nudity, which was a first for me. The masseuse was a young girl and very professional, so it didn’t feel the slightest bit odd, but it was definitely weird when she asked me to fully disrobe. The massage was a relaxing 60 minutes, at the end of which I showered and headed back downtown.

At this point, I’m not gonna lie, I was feeling a bit worn down. Being in India, as I’ve said in almost every post so far, is exhausting. Less so in Kochi, but the constant attention that comes with being a petite, Caucasian woman quickly gets old. I felt that I’d done all of the touristy things that Fort Kochi offered and didn’t have time to take a day trip anywhere. I also had checked out of my hotel, so after a brisk beach walk and a quick, very local (read: no utensils) meal of fish and rice at a little shop called Uncle’s, I ended up spending a large part of the afternoon at Oy’s Cafe. Oy’s is owned by a British lady and an Indian man, who met when she visited Kochi last year, and, in her words, “the rest is history.” It’s no secret that I love local coffee shops (I practically lived at Francesca’s in Durham and frequented Tryst in DC), and this place had what I’m sure the local beach bums would call a “killer vibe.” With handmade bamboo furniture, boldly patterned pillows, and eccentric photos and quotes on the walls, Oy’s street sign correctly describes it as the perfect backdrop for an Instagram photo. I’d had a mango and ginger smoothie the day before, so this time I got a blended coffee and set to work on finishing “The Girls.”

Oy’s seems to be kind of a hub for young travelers, and I saw the same group of French kids that I’d seen the previous afternoon. This time, two of them came over to ask me about a place to stay, and we ended up chatting for a while. I recommended the hotel that I’d just checked out of, and then we talked about travel and Kochi and India in general. After reading for a while and finishing my coffee, I went back to my hotel to charge my laptop for a bit on the terrace, and it the girls had checked in and were sitting there as well. It turns out their original hotel smelled of mildew, so I spent the next hour or so with Jeanne, Orvine (I think… she said her American friends just call her “O”), and Sarah. They’re all classmates studying business in Paris, but only Sarah is actually from the city. One of the other girls is from Bordeaux, and one is from a suburb of Paris. They had come to India to work with a business in Tamil Nadu, which marked Jeanne and O’s second visit to that area, and were now spending a few weeks traveling after the conclusion of their project. Despite my shame that their English was so good and my French is so bad, I really enjoyed getting to know them.

Each of the French girls had bought an anklet in Kochi, which seemed to be a local trend, so I went out in search of one in the couple hours I had left before my bus. After buying an anklet and some postcards, I went back to Oy’s (yes, again), and had a chocolate peanut butter banana smoothie, which was amazing, and finished up my book. Sad to leave Kochi, but also admittedly ready to leave India, I caught the 7:00 PM bus to the airport and arrived around 8:45, with plenty of time to spare before my flight.

Although we were supposed to leave at 10:30, the flight didn’t depart until after 11:00 PM, which was fine, since I had a four hour cushion in Bangalore. Upon my Bangalore arrival, however, I was greeted by a surprisingly long customs line. After changing into a fresh set of clothes and rechecking my pack, I waited at customs for almost an hour before a quick exit interview. With the hour I had before my flight, I had one last spicy Indian take on chicken soup. I had put myself on liquid restriction and had a window seat for the 3:40 AM four hour flight, and don’t even think I got a glimpse of India fading away before I fell asleep on the plane.

This is already a long post, and I’ve said most of what I can say about India. It’s rich and loud and mouth-watering and exhausting. I can also say with confidence that I’ll be back, and am almost certain that I’ll spend time living there as an expat someday. But until then, India will live in my dreams as a hazy, half-imagined country where nature and industry both collide and collude. India, ami tomake bhalobhashi, accha?

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askderynsharp · 8 years

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Unrelated Fic

Greetings from the Leviathan!

...or from the hovel im hiding in wishing another book’s coming out

I’ve been talking to fans of the series and its so nice to still be receiving asks! You give a decrepit old fandom hag hope. Since you’ve all been such peaches I’ve made y’all a gift completely free of charge! what was that? we havent been charging them? Damnit silv you had one job

ANYHOO i’d like to present: Homecoming

“Well, what is it?” Dylan asked through a mouthful of toast, seeming less interested with his newspaper upon noticing Alek’s expression.

“Its from the Czech Ministry of Culture,” Alek said slowly, “About Konopischt.”

From the way Dylan expected more information, Alek assumed this was one of those occasions where the German language sounded like a sneeze in English.

“It was my father’s castle, where I lived before the war,” He explained.

Comprehension dawned on Dylan’s face momentarily before twisting again in confusion.

“What does the Czech Ministry of Culture care about Kono-spich?” he asked, butchering the pronunciation as usual, “And why would they tell you about it?”

Reading the letter further Alek skimmed through the dense honorifics and pleasantries until he found the intrigue of the letter.

“Oh.” Alek said finally, “…Apparently I own it.”

There was some silence as Alek tried deciphering the legal jargon, it seemed the author of the letter had made it hard to read on purpose.

“They want me to surrender the property to the Czech State, I believe.”

“But didn’t you already do that?” Dylan asked, rising to circle behind his chair and read over Alek’s shoulder, “What with the whole chucking your letter into the ocean in the name of true love or whatever.”

Alek snorted at this, but shook his head.

“Konopischt was technically my father’s vacation home, it did not belong to the Austrian government,” He explained, “And here it says…something to do with a treaty following the Great War…yes, apparently its mine now.”

It was all a bit baffling, really. Contrary to what Alek might have believed, being a Prince wasn’t such a worthless title after all. Even if he had abdicated his right to the throne, there were certain things he supposed there were bound to be heirlooms that had nothing to do with his royalty.

“Hrm,” Dylan mumbled, “Do they say anything about a compensation?”

He squinted at the letter, looking for a sum of money.

Upon noticing how Alek looked at him he shrugged, “The boiler’s going to be bust by spring, I know it. We need to start saving.”

“I don’t think the monetary value of Konopischt is equal to the cost of a boiler, Dylan,” Alek said.

“Well maybe we can get a really nice one,” Dylan replied after some thought.

“Well, it looks like they want me to donate it in any case,” He said, “Though you’re right, we could use the money.”

Dylan nodded, “Want me to write my uncle? He’s good at haggling.”

The ludicrous picture of Dylan’s portly Uncle Paulie taking the day off from his barbershop to argue with the Czech State over the estate of a royal family briefly came to mind before Alek dismissed it.

“I don’t think he’d be used to this kind of transaction,” Alek said, “Besides, I doubt he speaks the language.”

Dylan shrugged and went back to his tea, then seemed to realize something. “You can’t keep it, Alek.” He said, “We’d never go there, even with the war over. And it’s a barking castle right? How much would it cost to maintain?”

“We certainly wouldn’t have any money left over for a boiler,” Alek agreed, “Or a house, for that matter.”

Dylan’s hand reached across the table, but Alek retracted his own.

“I know I can’t keep it Dylan,” he said, “But it feels wrong just selling it.”

“That’s what’s practical Alek,” Dylan said softly, “You don’t just inherit something worth so much every day.”

This was true, Alek had to admit. If he had been taught anything by those first five years employed in the society, it was how important it was to keep a stable net worth. But still, it had been his home, surely Dylan could understand that? Immediately Alek shook the thought from his head. It wasn’t about convincing Dylan, it was about doing what was responsible for himself.

“Perhaps I could just…go there…” Alek finally asked, “Just to see it before I…”

“Sell it,” Dylan provided, “And aye, I’d think you’d have a right to that. Say you want to check for damages or something.”

Alek felt too pensive to explain that giving his family home over to the Czech State would be nowhere near the same as reselling an automobile. Studying the letter again, his eyes glanced up to Dylan’s face.

“Would you come with me?” he asked, making him choke on his tea.

“I don’t know any more about Czech property value then Paul,” Dylan said, “Besides, the Boffins are planning some expedition to the Kamchatka Peninsula next year, and Wormwood says he’s looking to determine who will be promoted. If that bumrag Roger gets it I’ll never live it down.”

“Its not about your haggling abilities, Dylan,” Alek said looking to him, “I just…want you to be there with me, if that makes sense.”

Dylan’s mouth opened, studied him for a moment, then closed.

“Aye. Perfect sense.” Dylan said softly, “I ‘spose if we went in December I could be back in time…”

A warm smile spread across Alek’s face, causing the boy to blush.

“Someone’s got to keep you out of trouble, aye?” He added haughtily, to which Alek nodded in agreement.

Dylan didn’t know what he had expected, really. What little he knew about fancy places like these came from memories of Buckingham Palace, Hearst’s Estate, and his brief experience with the castle Alek intended to hide out in for the war. Between them Dylan had an amalgamated image in his mind of where Prince Aleksander Ferdinand of Hohenberg might have spent his time learning French and which fork to use. For some reason he imagined it full of sweeping libraries and portraits of grumpy Clankers staring disapprovingly down at the poor boy as he quietly pretended he didn’t exist. The display they were met with upon arrival, however, was anything but.

Kono-spit-hickey was nothing short of beautiful, nestled in thick green trees overlooking the town below with pristine white bricks and rust-red roof tiling. It looked more like an illustration from a fairytale then any royal accommodations Dylan was familiar with, and upon seeing the inside he found it anything but stuffy and old fashioned.

The interior seemed almost timeless with its pale blue and white arches and delicate pink walls, Dylan half expected the clerk who greeted them to sport a powdered wig in accompaniment to a harpsichord. Instead they were met by a man who bobbed his head politely and lead them through a hallway obscenely decorated with mantled stag’s antlers.

When ‘Deryn’ went back to Ma’s house he knew to expect the stench of the cats mingled with cooking smells and the rusty boiler even before opening the door, but this place seemed so clean and immaculate. How could someplace so cold and perfect be anyone’s home? The beauty and grace of the place was alien and uncomfortable to Dylan, and as always in such places he was eager to be finished with this little tour.

Despite this, Alek seemed to feel the weight of his connection here. His eyes would glance about and fix on portraits and pieces of art, that old sadness emerging after years of being hidden. When he realized they were being directed to a study, a study that had likely once belonged to Alek’s father, Dylan risked reaching for Alek’s hand.

Public displays of affection were almost always out of the question, but surely there was nothing indecent about an old friend showing his support with a gentle squeeze of the fingers. They were lead into a little room and offered chairs politely, it was awkward for everyone when Alek didn’t let go of Dylan’s hand as they sat.

As per their agreement Dylan didn’t involve himself in the conversation, thick with formalities and mentions of strange names he didn’t even recognize it as German at first. He did perk up uncomfortably at the mention of a ‘herrin’ and looked determinately at the floor as Alek politely explained he did not have a wife.

Even so Dylan was a veteran in this situations, and the situation seemed to demand he snatch his hand away lest he resemble a young master’s pet poofter. From there on Dylan pretended to be interested in the conversation, up until talk of Alek’s decision as heir.

“You see, young master, there really is no reason for you not to donate the estate. The Ministry will keep the house in order as your late father would have wanted, and with your current position you are in no state to care for it yourself.”

At this there was a pointed glance at Dylan, and Dylan realized that had he not miraculously recovered from his untimely death this sort of thing might have been Deryn Hohenberg’s responsibility.

“I understand this, Herr Müller,” Alek responded, “But you have not said what the ministry plans to do here.”

There seemed to be some history between Alek and this Müller, as he obviously held some superiority over the boy. Still, Alek stood his ground and insisted upon staying and discussing every little aspect of this transaction, eventually agreeing Alek was owed some small compensation.

Dylan realized too late that he was too quick to rise when thinking the discussion over. Upon being fixed with Müller’s glare he slowly sunk back into his chair and irritably bounced his leg. These people were so barking twitchy.

Finally, finally they were released and lead away from the study. Once out of earshot Alek’s fist began to shake, an angry expression Dylan had never seen on him before crossing his features.

“How can he just sit there? At my father’s desk? When he was only a housekeeper.”

Dylan was about to try and open that can of worms when a maid interrupted them.

“Shall I prepare your room, young master?” she asked politely, head respectfully bowed.

Alek blinked at this, before glancing sideways at Dylan. They had already made accommodations at an inn in town, neither of them considered the idea of sleeping in the actual chateau.

“Aye, you should,” Dylan spoke up suddenly, “Thank you.”

The maid bowed her head and retreated, leaving Alek to glance questionably at Dylan.

“Um…” Dylan sighed and rubbed his neck, “You come back here to say goodbye. I don’t think you just wanted to see that bumrag in your Da’s study and leave did you?”

Alek shook his head and sighed, “No, I suppose not.”

Dylan probably should have shown more humility when he snorted at the offer of his own room, but managed to make something up about wanting to stay in town.

It didn’t really occur to Dylan that the room they were staying in was the place Alek grew up in until he spotted his expression. It was the very same look Dylan wore himself when the Mazikeen lifted off, or when he stepped through the front door of their townhouse after months in the air.

This place was really important to Alek, wasn’t it?

The boy crossed over to a desk and ran his hands over the polished wood, reaching for the drawer twice only to hold back for whatever reason.

“This was where I was,” he said after some time, “I was sitting here…when Volger came to take me away.”

The melancholy in Alek’s voice tugged at Dylan’s gut as he came up behind him.

“Nothing changed,” Alek marveled, “Everything here is exactly as it was before...”

Again Alek’s voice went hard, causing Dylan to retract his hand.

“I half expect to be called to dinner with my parents…everything is so similar…” Finally he seemed to notice Dylan beside him and cracked a small smile, “Except…well. You’re here, Dylan.”

Alek stepped close and wrapped his arms around Dylan, resting his chin on his shoulder, “Thank you for coming,” he said quietly into his ear.

Dylan smiled but pushed him off anyway. Can never tell with these fancy places, whose watching.

“Don’t mention it,” he said with a platonic punch to the shoulder, “I’m glad I was able to see where you came from.”

Alek chuckled darkly. “In a way, this is where everything came from.”

“How do you mean?”

Alek rubbed his arms and looked around.

“When my father gave up the throne he left the royal palace in disgrace. He came to live here with my mother apart from the rest of the family, completely isolated to keep my identity hidden. That isolation lead to their murder, so in a way…” he sighed and looked back to Dylan, “…This is where the war came from as well.”

Dylan frowned at this absurd reasoning, he had assumed Alek was done with that sort of thinking. But there was a bit of logic in it, Dylan supposed. Dr. Barlow said that the Great War would be remembered for generations to come as one of the greatest conflicts of modern man, and this castle hidden in a thicket of trees could represent all of it in a manner of speaking. Maybe that was why Müller and the Ministry of Culture wanted to reclaim it so badly, so they could sweep their dirty history under the rug. It didn’t seem right, erasing Alek’s past for the sake of saving face. Perhaps that’s why Alek was so twitchy.

“Alek,” Dylan asked slowly, “Don’t suppose its proper to show me around?”

Alek looked up, momentarily distracted by his thoughts. Dylan smirked at his puzzled glance.

“How’s about you pay me back for visiting Glasgow last Spring?”

The memory of ‘Deryn’s family tittering and swooning over Alek while describing in uncomfortable detail every daft thing he had done as a child still made him wince. It was about time he got some dirt on him as well.

Alek returned his smile shyly, similarly to how he would back when they first met.

“I’m afraid you wont find any pictures of me as a boy,” He admitted, “I’ve never posed for portraits, and my aunt believed camera’s corrupt the soul.”

The scowl Dylan wore was entirely for Alek’s benefit. Seeing it he brightened and wander to her.

“Though I see no issue with giving you a tour, seeing as I do own the place.”

At this Dylan snorted, then smirked and offered his arm. Alek only rolled his eyes, but there was humor in the shove to Dylan’s shoulder. Together they left the bedroom and Alek lead Dylan down hallways so fine and fancy they made his skin crawl.

When they came to a hall filled with armor and swords Dylan had to resist not laughing outright. It was something right out of a moving picture, a villainous castle damsels were so often rescued from.

From there Alek showed him a shooting gallery, saloon, and attempted to get him out in the gardens but was sorely rejected. He even made a point of showing off the elevator, apparently it had been a new invention Klopp had installed when Alek was a lad. Dylan was baffled by this, the apartments in Glasgow all had elevators without any kind of fuss. It was somewhat humorous that for all its elegance, most fine estates were damn inconvenient.

Just as Dylan was beginning to wonder when Alek might also prefer a bit of friendly alone time they came across a sitting room with a collection of paintings hung about the walls. Dylan wanted to be done with the stuffy room, reminded of tea parties Dr. Barlow made him sit through as an apprentice, but found Alek stiff when he tried to pull him away.

Following his gaze, Dylan’s eyes rested upon a large portrait that hung above the fireplace depicting a man and woman posing elegantly together. Between Alek’s solemn gaze and the ornate frame Dylan could put two and two together. He squinted up at Alek’s parents, noticing they looked older then the teenagers in Alek’s locket watch. It must have been easier to look at those smaller pictures, so young they didn’t feel like parents at all, but the man and woman staring down at them probably were as Alek had seen them last. Something in Dylan tried to find their son in each of their faces, more difficult on his father’s side due to the mustache.

It was awkward, all of a sudden. Awkward to think that these people had once really existed in this fancy place, that he was now in their home latched to their son’s arm. With a pang of humiliation, Dylan found himself wondering what they’d think of him.

Not very highly, he’d reckon.

If anyone understood how a prince could fall for a commoner it was Alek’s parents, but that didn’t change the fact Dylan was far from what they likely imagined for him. Even if they forgave the common blood, the trousers, swearing, and other general transvestisms might be a bit much. Stubbornly Dylan told himself that of course he’d wear a skirt in front of them if they were alive, just the same as he did with his own ma, but then remembered that if they were alive he and Alek would have never met. Furthermore, Alek would probably be an archduke by now, readying himself to be emperor. That was something to ponder.

“I…don’t think I can give this place up, Dylan.” Alek said, shaking him from his thoughts.

Dylan turned his head, eyes wide and mouth hung open ready to protest, but was interrupted before he could.

“I don’t intend to keep it to myself, but I cant just let this place disappear. Its too…influential.”

That was true enough. Hundreds of years from now people would read about the Great War and ponder about the family tragedy that started it all. Just like Fountain’s Abbey, Dylan could imagine a future historian willing to kill to stand here now.

“Well, maybe that’s the answer then,” Dylan said absently.

“What do you mean?” Alek asked, turning to face him.

“I’m just thinking,” Dylan went on, “Why not donate to some historical society that’d preserve it? If this is really the metaphorical birthplace of the war, then perhaps is should be preserved by people who’ll see the value in remembering what exactly it stood for.”

For long minutes Alek’s expression was unreadable, Dylan thought about taking the comment back, but then he slowly nodded.

“Yes…that…that’s exactly what I want.” He said, “I think that’s what Father would have wanted as well. Let this place be a reminder to everyone, what lengths some people will go to for violence and greed, and why we should continue to advocate for peace.”

And for a moment Dylan felt himself transported back to the first months of knowing this boy. Seeing the sadness in his eyes shift to determination, Dylan thought for once that maybe this aspect of his ‘destiny’ was more suited to him. Even still, Dylan didn’t want him to go back to thinking he had to somehow apologize for the war, his own existence being what supposedly started it.

“Should we go tell that Müller bumrag to get stuffed then?” Dylan asked, hoping to brighten his mood.

It worked, a smile spread across his lips in moments.

“Yes, but perhaps tomorrow. Its been a long time since I’ve been here…” Something dawned on him, and he brought a quizzical finger to his chin, “I wonder if I can find my toy soldier collection…”

Dylan hung back, watching him as he marched determinately away dumbfounded.

“Your what?”

#deryn sharp #aleksander #aleksander hohenberg #prince aleksander hohenberg #Leviathan Trilogy #leviathan series #Scott Westerfeld #dalek

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rebeccarayner · 5 years

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If you’re planning a trip to [eafl id=”19148″ name=”Tulum hotel page” text=”Tulum”], this awesome Tulum Itinerary is just what you need. In this packed guide, I will help you to explore this tropical, beach adjacent bohemian paradise and make organizing your trip super simple without skimping on the fun.

Located in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. In this dreamy town, you’ll find Yoga studios and vegetarian restaurants nestled among taquerias wafting the scents of spicy Mexican food throughout the streets.

Within easy cycling, distance is two other ‘sides of Tulum’, the ancient Mayan ruins and the paradise beaches.

Down by the beach, Tulum is almost another town entirely. Luxury beach hut accommodation, spas, and high-quality restaurants adorn the white sand shore.

Ready to plan your Tulum itinerary?

Get ready to discover how to have the ultimate vacation with the below Tulum itinerary. But remember, if you like this post, don’t forget to pin it below to help others find it too:

Tulum Itinerary: About Tulum

Where is Tulum?

Tulum is located in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula on the coast of the Caribbean. Tulum is just an hour drive away from Playa del Carmen and takes less than two hours to drive to from Cancun. Located nearby you will find the ancient Mayan site of Chichen Itza, one of the New7Wonders of the World.

What language is spoken in Tulum?

Being part of Mexico, the language spoken here is Spanish. No need to worry If you can’t speak Spanish though, English is also spoken by many.

What’s the currency used in Tulum?

The currency is the Mexican Peso.

How is the weather in Tulum?

Year-round the weather in Tulum is warm. May is the hottest month with an average temperature of 28°C and the coldest is January at 24°C.

September is the wettest month so maybe avoid if you are looking to spend a lot of time relaxing at the beach.

What’s transport like in Tulum?

The main ways to get around Tulum would be on foot, by bike or by collectivo.

Bikes are probably the easiest, cheapest and most popular way to get around all areas of Tulum. Some accommodation options in Tulum even include free or discounted bike rentals. Because Tulum is relatively small, cycling makes it easy to get to the ruins, cenotes, and beaches from the central town

Colectivos are a form of shared transportation in Mexico used frequently by locals. They follow certain routes, making stops along the way. Around Tulum, you can take colectivos to different areas, including the beach, at affordable rates (usually around 20 pesos.) Colectivos can be found on the main highway with drivers often calling out their destinations, eager to fill their vans.

How to Get to Tulum

How to get to Tulum from Cancun

From Cancun International Airport and the Cancun Bus Station, it is super easy and affordable to get to Tulum. I booked a bus with Mexican bus service ADO who I highly recommend.

You can either go straight from the airport to Playa Del Carmen and then change to get to Tulum or if you come from Downtown Cancun and the main ADO bus terminal, you can get the bus to Tulum. The ADO buses are affordable, have comfortable seating and air conditioning.

Where to Stay in Tulum

[eafl id=”19148″ name=”Tulum hotel page” text=”Hostels in Tulum”]

Staying in a hostel is a budget-friendly and sociable way to visit Tulum.

With low nightly rates and a whole range of activities available to take part in every day, I chose to stay at Hostel Che Tulum.

Travelling alone around Mexico, when I was booking accommodation for my stay in Tulum I wanted to find somewhere sociable, where I would have the opportunity to meet new people, make friends and do fun activities – I was very aware otherwise I would end up wandering the beach alone and working my way through my hoard of books.

[eafl id=”19149″ name=”Hostel Che Tulum” text=”Hostel Che Tulum”]

Hostel Che Tulum was the best hostel I could have asked for in this respect.

From the very first day I arrived in Tulum I made friends. I stayed in an 8 bed shared female-dorm room and befriended some amazing German and Austrian girls also staying in the room.

the evenings we would hang out at the hostel by the pool and bar, join in with organized activities such as beer pong and all you can eat pizza night making loads of new friends in the processes and by 1 am the whole hostel would end up partying at the nightclub down the road- bar staff included!

During the days we would explore the town and eat in great restaurants and cafes, chilling down at the beach and wandering the shops looking for cute souvenirs.

The hostel also organized fantastic day trips and activities, my favourite being a bike ride excursion to two amazing cenotes with a large group of international guests.

Best Hostels Tulum

Some other hostels in Tulum that I also loved are:

[eafl id=”19098″ name=”Mayan Monkey Hostel Tulum” text=”Mayan Monkey Hostel Tulum”]

[eafl id=”19099″ name=”Lum Hostel” text=”Lum Hostel”]

[eafl id=”19100″ name=”Hostel Bambu Gran Palas” text=”Hostel Bambu Gran Palas”]

[eafl id=”19101″ name=”Day Tripper Hostel” text=”Day Tripper Hostel”]

Best Beach Hotels in Tulum

Because if you can stay on the shores of a beautiful golden beach, why wouldn’t you?

[eafl id=”19102″ name=”The Beach Tulum” text=”The Beach Tulum”]

[eafl id=”19103″ name=”Casa Malca” text=”Casa Malca”]

[eafl id=”19104″ name=”La Zebra” text=”La Zebra”]

[eafl id=”19105″ name=”Encantada” text=”Encantada”]

[eafl id=”19106″ name=”Papaya Playa Project” text=”Papaya Playa Project”]

Best Luxury Accommodation in Tulum

If you want a taste of the finer things in life during your time in Tulum.

[eafl id=”19107″ name=”La Valise Tulum” text=”La Valise Tulum”]

[eafl id=”19108″ name=”Be Tulum Beach & Spa Resort” text=”Be Tulum Beach & Spa Resort”]

[eafl id=”19109″ name=”Mezzanine a Colibri Boutique Hotel-” text=”Mezzanine a Colibri Boutique Hotel”]

Things to do in Tulum

Explore Cenotes in the Yucatan

I went on a little day trip with my hostel where we all hired bikes and cycled a few miles down the road from the main town towards two cenote’s, Cristal and Escondido.

The Yucatan peninsula has over 30,000 of these clear water underground reservoirs, many of which are still unexplored. They are great for swimming in on warm muggy days, which you get a lot of here.

No Tulum itinerary is complete without experiencing these unique cenotes.

With the hostel, we got discounted entry to both of these cenotes, but entry is very affordable nonetheless at 120 pesos, and you get free access to Escondido as well.

The good thing about these two cenotes is they are off the beaten path and are therefore usually a bit quieter than other options.

Also, nearby you can find plenty of other cenotes to explore, including the well known Grand Cenote. To get there you can take a colectivo from Tulum towards Coba and ask the driver to drop you off at the cenote. Entrance is only 120 Peso.

If diving is your thing there are also some great underground and cave cenotes around the Rivera Maya to explore, including Dos Ojos and El Pit.

Visit the Tulum Ruins

The ruins at Tulum are one of the best-persevered examples of a coastal Mayan site in the Yucatán Peninsula. Therefore this is another staple of any Tulum itinerary.

Funny story about when I went to visit. It was the same day I visited the Cenotes and I still had time left on my hired bike so off to the ruins I went. Well on the way a torrential downpour engulfed the once sunny blue sky just as I was on an unsheltered stretch of road. I was soaked through to the skin and had to seek shelter to wait for the storm to pass, so I wouldn’t end up being THAT person returning home from Mexico with the flu. After the storm, I carried on cycling and long story short made it to the ruins just as they closed and it was my last day in Tulum.

This is something I will be coming back to see but here are some amazing blog posts I used to help my research before visiting.

Sidetracked Travel Blog has seven useful tips for visiting, accompanied by great photography.

Expert Vagabond also goes into the really interesting history of the ruins.

Shop for Local Crafts and Souvenirs

Having a look at local wares is a great way to learn more about an area.

The quirky colourful creative makes of Tulum brighten up the streets and can provide hours of pursuing fun.

Hand crocheted hammocks and dream catchers were two of my favourite makes on offer. There were also some stunning handmade bags and little felted skulls that adorned the outside of the stores.

Party All Night Long

Being full of young travellers from all over the world, you’re sure to find a fun party atmosphere in Tulum.

I had a great time playing beer-pong in my hostel, making new friends and all heading out to one of the town’s nightclubs. So, if you are looking for an epic night out to add to your Tulum itinerary, here are my recommendations for places to go, where you’re sure to find the party.

[eafl id=”19150″ name=”Nomade Tulum” text=”Nomade”]

Want to party on the beach into the night whilst gorging on tasty tacos and margaritas? Of course, the answer would be yes. Nomade is the place to go. Trendy bar by day, this Tulum hotspot turns into an awesome club by night.

Batey

Located away from the beach in downtown Tulum, this colourful haunt is worth visiting for more than just it’s Instagram worthy converted jazzed-up VW beetle. Resident artists create live paintings in the yard to the tune of genre-spanning tracks – from mariachi to electro.

[eafl id=”19151″ name=”Papaya Playa Project” text=”Papaya Playa Project”]

So this is the big one. The party to end all parties. One Saturday a month, this famed Tulum venue hosts a crazy all-out full moon party. This may conjure up images of plastic buckets and dayglow paint, but here in Tulum Papaya Playa Project have given this bash a luxury make-over.

Think superstar DJ’s, exclusive beach huts to rent overnight, and the who’s who of guests. Therefore, this one is not to be missed.

Relax at Tulum Beach

A Tulum itinerary is not complete without time spent at its gorgeous beaches. Playa Paraíso was my favourite beach in Tulum. An aptly named stretch of white sand as far as the eye can see.

Tulum beach bars

One of the best ways to relax by the beach in Tulum is to spend time at one of the beachfront bars.

Visit [eafl id=”19152″ name=”Azulik hotel and bar” text=”Azulik Hotel Beach and Rooftop Bar”] and visit the upper floor for an impressive surprise. You’ll see netting used to build little nests similar to what you would find in a jungle house. This is the perfect spot to watch a beach-front sunset.

Finally, make sure to try out the swings at [eafl id=”19153″ name=”Coco Tulum” text=”Coco Tulum Beach Bar.”] Not only are these white painted swings adorable, but you can also eat, drink and swing whilst watching the waves crash in.

Who wouldn’t wish they were back on the beaches of Tulum, Mexico?

Try a Yoga Class

Tulum has sprung up as a hotspot for yoga, so why not give it a go when whilst you’re here. As a result, there are plenty of Yoga studios to choose from dotted all over the town.

For an eco-friendly yoga experience, [eafl id=”19154″ name=”Sanara Tulum” text=”Sanará Tulum “]is the place to go. Alongside its daily yoga and meditation classes, this wellness centre also prides itself on the healing treatments it offers.

If Yoga by the beach sounds more like your thing, then try [eafl id=”19155″ name=”Ahau Tulum” text=”Ahau Tulum Yoga & Spa.”] Can you beat looking out to the ocean whilst practising your warrior pose? But if you’re looking for something a little different, try their Wednesday night candlelight yoga class. Such an indulgence that wine and chocolates are even included.

Day Trips From Tulum

As well as all the incredible things to do in Tulum, there are also plenty of great day trips you can take to explore this gorgeous part of Mexico further.

I spent several weeks backpacking across the Yucatan Penisular and these were some of my favourite places to visit near Tulum.

Playa del Carmen:

Firstly, the nearby town of Playa del Carmen is a fun and vibrant place to explore. Go shopping on the main street of Fifth Avenue, check out the awesome Frida Kahlo Museum and party the night away at superclub Coco Bongo. There are also lots of amazing things to do near Playa del Carmen.

Chichen Itza:

As one of the New Seven Wonders of the world, Chichen Itza could easily become a solid tradition to any travellers itinerary. There are so many [eafl id=”undefined” name=”tours of chichen itza tulum” text=”great tours of Chichen Itza “]to choose from, or you can rent a car and take the two-hour drive there solo.

Coba:

Away from the busier crowds of Chichen Itza, you’ll find another ancient site that is super fun to explore. The thick green jungle that stretches for miles is all that surrounds Coba.

The coolest thing about Coba is that unlike many other Mayan sights, climbing up the steps to the top is allowed. [eafl id=”undefined” name=”Tour of Coba” text=”Taking a tour of Coba”] is a great way to learn about the history of the sight.

Incredible Places to Eat in Tulum

When thinking about your Tulum itinerary, you’ll need to include plenty of yummy places to eat. Therefore, check out my recommendations below.

Great coffee shop in Tulum – Babel Cafe

Once you arrive in a new place, it’s always wise to scope out a great go-to coffee place. Babel Cafe was mine. If the weather turned out to be rubbish I would sit inside sipping coffee. Just using wifi to catch up with folks back home or do a spot of reading. Also, the prices were affordable and the options on offer were great.

Best Tortas in Tulum – Las Quekas

By far one of the best budget options in Tulum, Las Quekas serves super cheap Quesadillas for around $10/$20 Peso. A must-try is the Potato and cheese filling!

Vegan Food in Tulum

Vegan food has taken over here in Tulum. Everywhere you look you’ll find restaurants and cafe serving up Vegan dishes. Perhaps this is to do with the boom in yoga and wellness tourists. But if you’re a vegan or just a fan of veggies, there are plenty of great places to eat.

For tasty raw food, and excellent smoothies you can drink whilst you swing in a hammock, head to Raw Love.

Charly’s Vegan tacos serve up great Mexican food with a vegan twist.

Another great place to check out is Gitano. This fun upbeat joint serves plenty of tasty cocktails. It also offers great Vegan options on its standard menu.

Check out my Tulum Vlog below for even more inspiration:

I hope you enjoyed this blog post and feel ready to plan your own Tulum adventure.

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