Vacation And Travel Photos

Desert Mirages, Sal, Cape Verde

2009-06-18T23:58:00.011+01:00

After the refreshing Buracona Natural Pools the tour continues and it's then time to head towards the Desert in the center of the island. Bellow, you can see the main attraction of the place, the huge mirages that take form there.

The place is very hot so do remind yourself to take some water with you - take my word for it - I'm positively sure you wouldn't wanna drink from the lake (behind the bus to the right) you can "see" in the photo above :)

Besides being a very dry spot, the place is also a bit windy - just check the tree above - this time it's no mirage and it illustrates the fact perfectly. Well, I think that that's about all from the desert so I'll see you in the final post of the tour, the Salt Mines.

Buracona Natural Pool, Ponta Norte, Sal, Cape Verde

2009-06-04T01:52:00.010+01:00

Located in the north shore of the island Buracona is the place where you'll find the fabulous natural pool of the photo bellow. Although only a few kilometers away from our previous stop Palmeira you might take a while to get there - the road is bumpy so drive slow okay :)

Besides the pool Buracona also presents its visitors with a fantastic landscape. Simply turn your back to the pool and you'll be able to admire the notorious contrast between its ocean blue tones and the red ones of the desert behind it.

Dominating the desert landscape is the highest mountain of the island. With its 405 meters of high, Monte Vermelho (in English, Red Mountain) do complete the beautiful landscape.

Hided close to the pool, deep in one of the caves nearby, is what the locals call Olho Azul (in English, the Blue Eye) - a beautiful light effect one can admire when the sunlight hits the ocean waters in the bottom of the cave (about 25 meters bellow surface) reflecting up its magnificent colors.

Before we follow to the Desert a serious warning: do stay away from the edge of the pool - as you can see above it is naturally filled with ocean water so be cautious ;)

Palmeira, Sal, Cape Verde

2009-06-03T18:00:00.005+01:00

Proceeding with the tour around Sal's island lets make way and head to the city of Palmeira. The main port of the island is located there and its marina is most certainly one of the local attractions worthy of a visit.

Another thing for what I call your attention, is for the curious architecture of Sal's towns and villages. Like in the capital Espargos, the majority of the houses and city structures are small and very colorful. A good example of what I'm saying is again the local market, similar the one in the capital, it mantains both the size and the "happy" color choice - here instead of green, a combination of red and yellow.

Still about the market, one word of advice - if you're not prepared to negotiate prices, don't even think in passing close to its door. Although they sell there most of the island typical souvenirs one must possess good negotiation skills in order to strike a good bargain.

Finally, and before we continue to the natural pools of Buracona I'll leave you with another great example of Palmeira's colorful environment: the walls of the grocery store. In fact, if you're not certain on which way to take to our next stop, I'm sure these walls will help you :)

Travel Resources

2009-06-02T00:00:00.001+01:00

I was searching the net to choose a backpack for a friend that loves adventure travel (mental note: must tell him to write a few posts about his last vacations, just imagine, he went crossing Sardinia's peeks on foot) and came across with two nice sites that I've decided to share.

The first one, Travel Equipments has advices you on many of the material anyone will often need for a successful travel. From backpacks to binoculars they leave nothing to chance and have a word for almost everything :)

The second one, Adventure Travel goes specially for my friend F. and for all of you who like to camp and take long walks on your vacations. If you ever consider taking seven days on a jeep just to reach Terra do Fogo then check it out, from adventure hiking to rafting they have it all :)

Espargos, Sal, Cape Verde

2009-05-28T21:00:00.006+01:00

Today I'll start a tour around the island of Sal. Starting with capital Espargos, and going from there to Palmeira and Buracona passing by the Desert Mirages and ending with a visit to the salt mines in Pedra de Lume.

Located more or less in the middle of the island the city has the same name of the plant that grows in the wild in the surrounding areas - Espargos is Portuguese for Asparagus.

Above you can see the main plaza of the town, place where you'll find a few coffees and many local kids playing the national sport of the place - soccer. A few steps away from this plaza is another place you don't wanna miss, the local market (photo bellow).

Although most of the people on the island only speak Portuguese and Crioulo (the other local idiom), in Espargos like in the rest of the island, everyone is always very nice with the tourists.

In the next post will continue the tour traveling a few kilometers east to another plant named city - this time Palmeira - Portuguese for Palm Tree :)

Sal, Cape Verde

2009-05-18T22:51:00.011+01:00

Part of the Republic of Cape Verde the island of Sal is very beautiful and it's definitively worthy of a visit. Without being a big island, in fact it has only about 30 km long by 12 km wide, it still has several nice spots to visit, not to mention some of the most beautiful beaches of the archipelago.

As a curiosity about the name of the island - Sal is the Portuguese word for salt and it was chosen to name the place because of the old mines that extracted it located in Pedra de Lume, a little village in the Northeast shore 5 km away from the Capital, Espargos.

Besides the nice beaches and a fabulous ocean this island is also a place where the sun is always shining - as a matter of fact our guide said to us that it had rain last year, adding after a little pause, for the first time in last ten...

One word of caution for the wind who, like the sun, it's always present - as you can see above, Sal's beaches are ideal for water sports like Kitesurf and Windsurf. For those of you who (like me) like to be lying in the sand all the way till sundown this wind may sometimes be a bit to much - Oh well! Time for a drink then ;)

Seattle, Washington, USA

2009-05-14T13:00:00.002+01:00

After the last review on Portland, Lindsay from The Sydenhams decided to send us another one. This time a guide for Seattle who, from music to food, from where to go to what to see, I believe leaves almost nothing overlooked. Again thank you Lindsay for your wiling to participate and, once more with great pleasure, this space is yours...

How to Best Enjoy Seattle: No trip to the United States is complete without an excursion to the going green, tree-hugging, liberal-loving northwest. The Mecca of the northwest is, without a doubt, the city of Seattle, located in northern Washington. Seattle is best known for Bill Gates, Starbucks Coffee, the band Nirvana and the Space Needle. But there are many other hidden treasures in this city that all travelers should have the opportunity to experience.

How to Plan Best for your Trip to Seattle: In an attempt to assure yourself of the best possible visit to Seattle, it is best to create yourself an itinerary of things you want to do and see during your stay. A little bit of spontaneity is fun, but make sure you have a rough outline of what you want to do in Seattle. Purchase yourself a good guide book, review travel blogs on the Internet and research what the locals like to do in their free time. Many times what the locals do can end up being the most authentic and fun parts of your trip.

Food and Drink: One of the most important things to do while you are in Seattle is to eat. Restaurants in Seattle branch out of the box to create their own unique trends and dining atmospheres. The food experience alone is an attraction to experience in Seattle.

The selection of seafood and fish is unbelievable. Be sure you travel to Pikes Place Market to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood (best fish ever) and local artisan crafts. The walk through the market will take you a whole morning. Stroll through the market, as locals do, and enjoy the atmosphere along with the tasty goods.

On my last trip to Seattle, I discovered a really helpful consumer reviews Web site that helped me to plan my trip in regards to food. The review site is based in Seattle and thousands of locals in the city use the site to rate local businesses and restaurants. It’s a great way to see how the locals feel. I always like to look for the best restaurants, or ones that locals highly recommend, so I don’t end up eating McDonalds because of my lack of planning. The consumer reviews site that I used showed ratings and testimonials about many of Seattle’s best restaurants, cafes and coffee shops. I found all of my favorite kinds of food and went to almost every restaurant that was on my list.

Lastly, drink coffee. You will be in the city that started the world’s coffee trend. Be sure to go into small cafes and restaurants and try the local coffee.

Must-See Attractions and Activities - The Space Needle: No trip to Seattle would be complete without an excursion to the Space Needle. You have seen the Space Needle in movies and on television and it is one of the world’s most famous landmarks. It may be a little overpriced, but it is definitely worth it to see a beautiful view of the city. Make sure to bring your camera. In regards to the restaurant at the top of the Space Needle, I would skip it. The food is overpriced and there are plenty of other fabulous restaurants down in the city that are not only cheaper, but taste better.

Must-See Attractions and Activities - Music: Seattle is one of the best places for music. No matter what kind of music you like to listen to, there is something for you in this city. There are many clubs throughout the city where local, aspiring bands play rock music to small crowds. These kinds of opportunities will give you a taste of the authentic Seattle music scene, plus it is fairly cheap to enjoy local music. The Stranger and Seattle Weekly are newspapers that will have information each week about where to find concerts and who is playing. If you’re interested in classical and jazz, there are options for you as well. Go see the Seattle Symphony for classical music or visit Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley for local, live jazz.

Must-See Attractions and Activities - The Original Starbucks: The rumors are true. There is literally a Starbucks Coffee shop on every corner in the city of Seattle. Not surprising, is it? If you’re a huge fan of coffee, you should definitely visit the original Starbucks. For some, the grounds are holy because this is where the world’s obsession with coffee was birthed. It may be touristy, but the bragging right of visiting the original Starbucks is well worth it. And yes, it is essential that you buy yourself a souvenir coffee cup from the place that started it all.

Must-See Attractions and Activities - People Watching: Seattle is home to many unique and interesting characters. The liberal and accepting environment tends to breed individuals who bask in the fact that they are unique. Often times you will find various musical performers, break dancers or people with other talents showing off in parks throughout the city. People watching, such as this, is a great way to get a strong feel for the distinctive culture of Seattle.

Must-See Attractions and Activities - Bookstores: There are many great new and used bookstores in Seattle. If you like to read, or like to collect rare books, then it would be worth it to visit a few of Seattle’s best bookstores. Check out Elliott Bay Book to find thousands of new and used books, including valuable antique books that are rare to find. If you wander the streets in the city you are bound to find a handful of mom-and-pop bookstores. Who knows, you may find a treasure that would be difficult to find elsewhere!

Conclusion: Seattle is a beautiful city with unique characteristics. If you have never been to the northwest, or visited Seattle, it would be well worth your time to take the trip. Seattle is a great place to eat good food, drink tasty coffee, try new wines, listen to local music and to stroll the streets looking for unique shopping opportunities. Enjoy your trip!

Finally a special thanks goes also to the site from where all the photos for this post came from: the free images gallery at www.pachd.com.

Portland, Oregon, USA - Part II

2009-05-11T09:30:00.001+01:00

Off we go for the second part of Lindsay's Portland guide/review. Following, more tips and advices and the rest of Portland's Must-see places...

Must-see in Portland - VooDoo Doughnuts: Looking to spice things up a little? VooDoo Doughnuts has two locations in Portland. This is not an ordinary doughnut shop. This place is best known for their bizarre, but tasty, doughnut shapes and flavors. Many locals flock to this doughnut shop late at night if they have the munchies. It is a great place to network for Portland folk and to just eat a really good doughnut.

Must-see in Portland - Powell’s Books: There are literally millions of books to choose from. Powell’s Books is best known for being the nation’s largest new and used bookstore. Multiple buildings, multiple stories and tons and tons of shelves hold nearly every book title in the world. Looking for rare, antique books? Powells has got them!

Must-see in Portland - People watching at Pioneer Square: The City of Portland encourages and fosters individuality. This can be best understood and witnessed in Pioneer Square, the gathering area in the center of the city. Grab yourself a cup of coffee from the Starbucks on the corner in the untraditional building and sit on the steps and just watch. Street performers, playing instruments, dancing or sometimes preaching, will stand in the middle and do their thing. It is an entertaining experience to observe people at Pioneer Square. We recommend you try it!

Must-see in Portland - Rent a bike: Portland is a bike city. Because the community is a going-green community, many people choose to ride their bikes to work. Not only is this a good choice because it helps the environment, but it is a great way to see the whole city. Portland is possibly the greenest city in the country with trees on every street corner – even in the middle of the city. Since many Portlanders ride their bikes, the city is very friendly to bikers regarding bike parking, bike lanes and drivers are considerate to those who bike.

Must-see in Portland - Multnomah Falls and the Columbia Gorge: Only a half-an-hour drive from Portland, you will find one of the most beautiful areas in the world. Right next to the Columbia river, stands a majestic waterfall known as Multnomah Falls. A short hike up to the top of the bridge will bring you so close to the waterfall that you will nearly get drenched from the mist alone. If you have time, drive further past Multnomah Falls until you reach Horsetail Falls. This hike will bring you to a cave where you can sit behind a huge waterfall. The Columbia Gorge offers many different hikes and many different lengths.

Conclusion: Portland is a delightful city that welcomes visitors year round. The city is small enough to give a very intimate feel when visiting. Do not be afraid to ask a local for help with directions. Any Portlander would be proud to show off their green city. Happy traveling!

Again thanks to Lindsay from The Sydenhams for this fantastic guest post and lets hope for the confirmation of the rumors that say that more are coming from Seattle and Washington ;)

Portland, Oregon, USA - Part I

2009-05-10T00:19:00.010+01:00

Well I'm glad to tell you that Vacation and Travel Photos has a new friend - Lindsay from The Sydenhams who is wrote this fantastic guide/review of her hometown, Portland. Without delays, let's go for its first part - word to Lindsay...

The Best of the Best in Portland: Quirky. Strange. Off-beat. The perfect description of Portland, Oregon. This charming city is best known for being home to the Trail Blazers, rain, the Nike headquarters, indie rock music, going-green, roses of every color and liberal thinking. Portland does not offer traditional sightseeing activities, like many cities around the country. Instead, the city is jam packed with a lively atmosphere and a culture that is one-of-a-kind. Visit Portland to enjoy the laid back way of life and the slow moving culture that appreciates individuality and friendliness.

Before you go Check the weather: The rumor is true. It rains all the time in Portland. But don’t be deterred from this fact because Portland only becomes more charming when it rains. Before your trip make sure you check the local stations for information about the weather during your trip. Sometimes, and we are telling the truth, there is really nice weather in Portland. If you check the weather before you go, you can plan your packing accordingly.

Must-see in Portland - Rose Gardens: Imagine thousands of roses blooming in ever color. Portland boasts one of the most impressive rose gardens in the world. Walk up and down each aisle of roses and you will be surprised that no set of roses is alike. The grounds of the gardens are also beautiful places to have a romantic picnic, take a family portrait or just enjoy a walk in nature without the business of the city. There are also a few points which offer an inspiring view of downtown. The best part? Visiting is free!

Must-see in Portland - Japanese Gardens: If you loved your time at the rose gardens, be sure to head across the street to the Japanese gardens. These gardens have been nurtured for years and crafted perfectly after similar gardens found in Japan. For a small fee, one can tour the Japanese gardens and experience true peace. The gardens are quiet and the perfect place for mediation or quiet thoughts.

Must-see in Portland - NW 23rd: Visit the trendy scene in Portland and visit Northwest 23rd. It’s a street lined with coffee shops, cafes, restaurants, boutiques, record shops, and specialty stores. Take a stroll down the street and enjoy the atmosphere. At night, the trees along the street are covered in white, Christmas lights. The street twinkles with not only the lights, but also from the bustle of the people walking in and out of Portland’s most unique stores. Be sure to stop at Papa Haydns, a famous Portland restaurant serving French food. The food is good, but what is especially delicious are the desserts. Choose from many kinds of cake and pastries and feel your mouth tingle with excitement.

Learn what the locals like/dislike: It’s always best to go with that the locals like to do. If you are going to shell out money eating at restaurants, staying at hotels and sightseeing, you want to make sure your money is well spent. If you refer to a consumer ratings Web site, you can read what locals say about local businesses and how they rate. This is a great way to figure out what you will be putting on your itinerary.

Research local newspapers to discover upcoming events: For those looking for opportunities to listen to live music, Willamette Week is the perfect place to look. The newspaper features an entire section devoted to local music, tour dates, concerts and anything relating to the music scene. Refer to The Oregonian for information about parades, concerts at the waterfront, firework shows or festivals in the city. Portland is known for having many jazz, soul, and other music festivals a few times a year.

Continue in the next post...

Koroni Ancient Ruins, Peloponnese Peninsula, Greece

2009-05-06T22:37:00.009+01:00

Today, the second part of Maggi's guest post on the Peloponnese Peninsula - after the sunny beaches it's time to visit a series of cultural places nearby...

This being Greece, ancient ruins are never far away and the Peloponnese has its fair share of these. Nestor's Palace is not far from Pylos, Ancient Olympia is about 3 hours drive. Mycenae, Ancient Corinth, Epidaurus and more are all within a few hours' travel although an overnight stay is best for some of these. The most famous sites inevitably get crowded, especially Olympia where you can find yourself getting caught up in one of the many tours.

Although some sites have roped off areas, it's still possible to get close to many monuments. Walk through the tunnel used by the original Olympic athletes or sit on the original seats at Epidaurus and you can feel the atmosphere. For reasons best known to themselves the Greeks changed the opening hours last year and many ancient sites closed mid-afternoon. It's always best to check before setting out, especially if you have a long drive.

Closer, and just as good in my opinion, is Ancient Messini – Ithaca. Unlike the other sites this is free and when you're tired of wandering over the ruins there's a nice cafe just up the hill where you can sit and look out over the valley.

If you prefer your ruins a little more recent the Byzantine city of Mystras near Sparta is fascinating. The road to Mystras from Kalamata twists up and down mountainsides–not for the faint hearted. It's hard to believe there can be several feet of snow on these hills in winter but the Peloponnese is also home to mountains and even a few ski resorts, a fact not known to many non-Greeks.

Turn away from the coast and you can follow roads leading to old villages and abandoned settlements. There's even the odd waterfall hidden away, a welcome sight in the middle of the hot, dry summer. Don't try this if you dislike getting lost though – Greek signposting is never going to win any awards for accuracy. Nor are Greek maps, but that's part of the adventure. Greek people are always willing to help you on your way, and asking directions can sometimes lead to an invitation to rest a while with a coffee or glass of wine.

A couple of hours' drive from Koroni puts you across on the Mani, still feeling as wild as it was a couple of hundred years ago. Or pay a visit to Agia Theodora at Vasta, a tiny church with 17 trees growing inside the walls. Look inside and there's no evidence of the trees at all, but they are definitely sticking out of the roof. Weird!

If you're looking for expensively appointed restaurants, noisy nightlife or lots of fashionable shopping this part of Greece will likely disappoint you. But if you want to explore unspoilt villages, quiet beaches, experience life going on in much the same way it has for years, or just relax in a friendly atmosphere, you're in for a real treat.

Maggi, I'm convinced! If I ever go to Greece, besides Athens and some of the islands, I'll surely pay a visit to your fantastic Peloponnese Peninsula. Once more, thank you Maggi from FaceDestiny & GreeceDonkeyDroppings for this fantastic insights on Greece.

Koroni Beaches, Peloponnese Peninsula, Greece

2009-05-05T01:35:00.005+01:00

Today the first part of a guest post about the Peloponnese Peninsula, Greece, sent by Maggi from FaceDestiny & GreeceDonkeyDroppings. Thanks Maggi and off we go to Greece...

Think of Greece as a holiday destination and I can predict the picture that will come to mind: intense blue sky and sea, sandy beaches, blindingly white houses, and more likely than not it will be an island you're thinking of. It's hardly surprising given the number of islands that form part of Greece. And that's exactly how it was for us on our first visits.

After a few years we decided we wanted to explore mainland Greece and we liked what we found so much that we actually moved to the southern Peloponnese at the beginning of 2008.

The Peloponnese is that big piece at the bottom left of Greece on the map, attached to the rest of the mainland by the Corinth Canal. At its southern end it splits into 3 peninsulas and we live on the western most of the 3, just on the inside of the southern tip. We're around 4 hours' drive from Athens, accessible by bus and train as well as hire car, and there are some charter flights into the local airport at Kalamata, a mere 40 km away, in summer.

For those who do make the journey, which includes a fair number who drive their motor homes down from northern Europe, the effort is definitely worth it. Many return year after year and some, like us, find they don't want to leave, adding to the growing non-Greek population.

Driving down the peninsula from Kalamata you're never more than a couple of kilometers from the sea as the road passes through small towns and villages.

Our little piece of paradise is Koroni, a small town that is a tourist spot in traditional Greek fashion. By that I mean it doesn't try too hard: it hasn't 'sold its soul' for tourism. If people want to come, this area will welcome them, but if they don't come life will go on. Accommodation is in small hotels or self catering units, the latter ranging from cheap and cheerful to large, well appointed apartments. The town sits on a slight promontory with sea on 2 sides and mountain views to the opposite peninsula, so a good view from your balcony and a short walk to the beach are virtually guaranteed.

The town center has just 2 streets: the harbor front lined with cafes, tavernas and shops and the main shopping street behind with more small shops.

Away from the seafront, houses crowd the hillside, connected by lanes, alleys and stairways. Above the harbor is a ruined Venetian fort with a small monastery and a tiny chapel, and excellent views. It's easy to see why the Venetians chose this as a base.

The main beach starts at the town end where it's called Zaga, and stretches along the shoreline, becoming Memi beach a couple of kilometers along the coast. It's mostly fine golden sand, shelving gently into the stunningly clear sea, and great for children. It's so long it never feels crowded even in August. Most people stay close to the few cafe-bars, but if you're prepared to walk a hundred meters or so you'll most likely find yourself alone.

You can get by without transport here but it's better if you have access to a car. This puts several other beautiful beaches within range: Vounaria/Peroulia a little to the north, crescent shaped Amoudi just along the coast, remote Tsapi, then into the small tourist area of Finikounda with several fine beaches to choose from.

But the most stunning of all is Voidakilia, just the other side of Pylos, with its horse-shoe of fine sand and sheltered bay. Pylos itself is worth a visit. Linear B script was discovered here (so my nephew tells me) and there's a castle to explore. Or you can just sit in the lively square sipping an ouzo and watching the world go by. Methoni boasts a bigger Venetian fort that you can wander around.

To be continued in the next post...

Sa Calobra, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

2009-04-15T17:00:00.006+01:00

Another curious beach I loved in Majorca was Sa Calobra. Located between Sóller and Formentor it has the most funny curvy road to get there - this one large (at least for a car) and with pavement in excellent condition - a true pleasure to drive through.

Above two photos taken from the start of the descent that gives you a very good idea of the place. The one the left taken towards the snaky road and the one on the right facing our final destiny, the beach and ocean down bellow.

Sa Calobra's road will take you all the way to a park (a few kilometers downhill) where you should leave your transport and proceed on foot following a boardwalk which I must rate as a very good one! Just take a look above and check the path you'll have to do on foot to get to the beach - inspiring view right? - three seconds of it and my day is already better ;)

As to the beach itself, fabulous... Having a background dominated by high cliffs and rocky areas and the usual sand replaced by many small round withe and gray river stones makes, the place is unique. One word of advice, beware that in the winter the place may be submerged (notice the local river on the photo above - near the cliffs to the left).

Formentor 's Bay, Pollensa, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

2009-04-09T14:00:00.003+01:00

Still in the North of the island and about halfway between the city of Pollensa and Cabo Formentor (photo bellow) is a fabulous beach you'll surely not want to miss.

Locally know as the most Caribbean beach on Majorca, Cala Formentor (in English, Formentor's beach) is in fact rather different from the rest of the beaches of the island.

Although still missing some palm trees for the "Caribbean Look" to be complete, the beach is beautiful and the waters are fantastic - clean, clear and warm - another perfect spot for a snorkel session.

You can reach this place by car following the road to Cabo Formentor and then exiting to a smaller road to the right - the signs should point towards Formentor's Hotel or Pietra - reaching there, just ask for the beach ;)

Niagara Falls (part II), Ontario, Canada

2009-04-07T13:00:00.003+01:00

As promised here goes the second part (second and third days) of Liz trip to Niagara Falls...

We started our second day with "Journey Beneath the Falls" which is an underground tunnel that ends with an exit/lookout point quite close to the side of Horseshoe Falls. You really get a feeling of how high the falls are. You shouldn't get wet because they loan you yellow rain jackets.

Of course we had to go on the Maid of the Mist. This is a double-deck boat tour that gets pretty darn close to the falls. Everyone received a lovely blue rain poncho with hood. Wearing rain boots or bringing shoes to change into afterward is highly recommended! People who go on the bottom deck will get a little misty. People who venture up top will get soaked, guaranteed!

First the Maid swings by the American Falls and then loops into the mist of the Horseshoe Falls. Definitely bring your camera but keep it under your poncho when things start getting wet! It is when you are inside the mist that your realize just how big and powerful the waterfall is and how small and insignificant you are!

On our last day we visited the Niagara Falls Butterfly Conservatory, located within the city's Botanical Gardens. It's a glass conservatory with over 2000 rain forest butterflies. They are everywhere - on the bushes, in the air, on the sidewalk, on you! Each visitor has a 99.9% chance of a butterfly landing on them. My favorites were the Blue Morpho butterflies. Most people spend about an hour inside the conservatory.

Must confess that after this post I can't wait to go and visit Niagara Falls one of this days. Hope you liked it! And again many thanks to Liz from Busy Lizzy's Easle ;)

Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

2009-04-06T15:09:00.003+01:00

Today, the first one of a series of two guest posts that will take us with Liz from Busy Lizzy's Easle on a trip to the Niagara Falls. With a big thank you, and without any more delays, words and camera to Liz...

Niagara Falls is actually two waterfalls. The "American Falls" is along the city of Niagara Falls, New York (1st photo bellow). It's straight and quite rocky. The "Horseshoe Falls" is along the city of Niagara falls, Ontario (2nd photo bellow). This waterfall is curved and famous for all the mist it creates. Both waterfalls are huge and powerful.

Rainbow Bridge connects the two cities and can be crossed by foot, bicycle or automobile and near the place where was the Honeymoon Bridge is now Prospect Point Park where's a lookout deck that juts out near the American Falls. We stayed at the Embassy Suites hotel in Niagara Falls, Ontario. It's very close to the Canadian shore so we had an awesome view from our balcony of both waterfalls as well as the Friday night fireworks over the river. The falls are illuminated with colored lights at night. It's really beautiful and peaceful.

There are at least a hundred things to do in Niagara Falls, Ontario. This part of town is nicely planned for tourists and vacationers. There are lots of attractions, shows, restaurants and fast food places, tour buses, and shuttles. We first visited Skylon Tower. It's over 500 feet high and has an observation deck and revolving restaurant at the top. The external yellow elevator is nicknamed "the yellow bug." We had great views of everything!

We also visited Clifton Hill, a street filled with fun, shops and places to eat. One could easily spend several hours here. There is an Burger King with a GIANT Frankenstein outside eating a burger (and I do mean "giant")! There is also a wax museum of movie, tv and recording stars. I took some pictures of Angelina Jolie, Brendan Fraser and Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. My daughter and I rode the Skywheel, a giant ferris wheel with amazing views of the entire area.

To be continued in the next post...

Cabo Formentor, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

2009-04-02T23:27:00.011+01:00

Located in the Northeast side of the island and our destiny in this series we've started three posts ago: Cabo Formentor (in English, Cape Formentor), a beautiful place well worthy of a visit and where the sightseeing spots you can find in the way have always magnificent views like the one bellow.

Equally amazing is the manner in how in this isolated part of the island the earth comes to an abrupt end into the sea. Even so, right in the middle of the high cliffs one can find some spectacular beaches (see bellow to the left). To bad they're only accessible by boat...

As always in Majorca be advised about the road. Getting to the lighthouse (in the end of the Cape) means driving in a very high road with a few tricky curves, nevertheless a piece of cake when compared to the one that leads to Valldemossa's Port...

Speaking of cake, or food, or so, I must leave a word to the coffee outside the lighthouse - guys, you have some life-saving pizzas! I'll explain, we lost track of time and stopped in the beach of Polensa (about 15 kms) for an eternity, therefore we arrived there very hungry about 5:00 PM ;)

Alcúdia, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

2009-04-02T13:00:00.001+01:00

Closing on to the North shore of the island you'll find Alcúdia, a small little town seems where the time seems to have stopped since somewhere around the XII century. Now, time to park the car and leave for a nice walk!

You'll find the main entrance to the historical center - a huge medieval wood and metal gate - right underneath the two castle towers (photo above). From this point the stone walls continue both ways surrounding almost completely the entire city.

The best way of getting a fair view of Alcúdia's streets, a very old labyrinth of small corners and narrow passages, is to climb to the city walls - the photo bellow was taken from there.

With some luck, you may even arrive at Alcúdia right in the middle of one of the town's festivals. If so, do remind to accompany your walk with one or two of the local delicacies they use serve in such occasions :)

Inca, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

2009-03-31T01:30:00.001+01:00

Back to Majorca I'm now going to make a series of posts that will take us from Palma to Cabo Formentor (in English, Formentor Cape). So, waking early in the morning lets head north and make our first stop in the city of Inca - breakfast or coffee, anyone?

The ideal place for that coffee I was talking about is Plaza de Espagna (in English, Spain's Plaza). There you'll find a few nice coffees and it's very easy to reach - just ask the locals for the Ayuntamiento (in English the Town Hall - it's the building in the photo above).

The most important church of the town is the one in the photo above, the Iglesia de Santa Maria (in English, Holy Mary's Church). Built in the XIII century and recently restored this Gothic style church is really worth to be seen both inside and outside.

Last but not least, do take opportunity and go for a walk on the streets around Plaza de Espagna. Like in Deía, here too you'll find several souvenirs shops with nice things at good prices :)

Cabo, Ensenada and Puerto Vallarta, Cruise, Mexico

2009-03-24T23:59:00.015Z

Today's post was sent by Justin from Dragon Blogger and take us in a cruise to the East Coast of Mexico. The pictures are from Ensenada(left) and Cabo(right) in the first set and from Puerto Vallarta in the other two. Now, word to Justin...

"I love a good cruise and one of the vacations I took last year was a cruise from Los Angeles to Ensenada Mexico. The waters were crystal blue and the temperature was perfect in the low nineties during June 2008.

The beauty of a cruise is that you are on a portable hotel on water where your every need is catered to by twenty four hour inclusive cuisine and live entertainment and shows throughout the ship.

Arriving at each port gives you a wide range of activites you can choose to participate in, or if you like adventure you can simply go off and explore your destination port without a paid for excursion.

I personally always engage in hikes, shopping and anything to do with deep sea fishing or snorkeling. You can't go wrong with a cruise vacation and if you haven't tried one, it is worth knocking a cruise off your list."

Justin, again thank you for sharing this travel with us and good luck for your technology and entertainment Dragon Blogger ;)

Casa de Fiore Hotel, Rome, Italy

2009-03-22T23:40:00.009Z

Paul asked me where to stay in Rome so, here it goes: although the choices are many, I was enchanted by a little hotel that I've found there called Casa de Fiore. A hidden pearl right in the center of the historical area - located in Campo de Fiore (see the top right photo bellow) - it's just a few steps away from places like Castel Sant'Angelo and Piazza Navona.

Since it's a small place the rates may vary a bit (I was able to book a few days in August at a nice price) therefor, my advice goes for you to check it on www.hotelscombined.com before booking (they have a huge hotel catalog and a very good rate search engine - link for Casa de Fiore here). If like me you like to see travelers photos before choosing the place to stay, www.tripadvisor.com is the site for that.

Finally, I must say that not only the location of Casa de Fiore is spectacular, they have a very nice renewed interiors and the staff is very friendly. The place is so small and cozy (they use only the building 1st and 3rd floors) that it feels like you're staying in a friend's house. If they can keep up these qualities, truly, my first choice in Rome!

Valldemossa's Port, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

2009-03-18T00:03:00.005Z

Valldemossa's Port (in Spanish, Puerto de Valldemossa) is a very small little village lost in the cliffs of the East coast of Majorca. In fact, if I remember correctly it was by mere chance that we went there.

Nevertheless and although the place has only a few houses, a small port and a restaurant it has a rather cute beach with a water crystal clear. The rocky area just outside the port's entrance (bellow to the left) is the spot for a little snorkel session.

The major problem isn't the crowded beach but the road to get there. Be advised that the village houses in the photo above (to the right) are those little things down there and that it will take you a few frightening "U-turns" very near the cliffs to reach them...

Deía, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

2009-03-10T02:19:00.010Z

Located half way between Sollér and Valdemossa, Deía is a small town that, both by its location and by its architecture, appears to be fully mimetic with the surrounding colors. The mix of red and grays from the nearby stony ridges merges perfectly with the house colors and the green pallet supplied by the olive plantations presents in the area does the rest for this beautiful landscape.

Also worthy of an high rating is the fresh air from the mountains you can breathe there. For all of this I do recommend a little stop in Deía, in fact, try looking for the Miramar Hotel (bellow to the left) - they have a very nice balcony where, along with a drink and some snacks, you can enjoy a magnificent view.

Oops... I almost forgot another important note: the souvenir shops that you'll find along the city street's generally offer far better rates then the ones you'll find on Palma or on the beach areas... Go figure! ;)

Allegro's Tea Review

2009-03-09T09:53:00.030Z

To vary a little from the travel destinations, here goes a contribution from Lainie Petersen of LainieSips.com - a great site all about teas. As to Allegro it is a Colorado company that sells both coffee and tea. About their teas, here goes Lainie's review on one of them:

This tea quickly infuses to a pretty, bright orange-yellow cup. The nose is slightly fruity and sweet. On the palate, the tea starts out with a bit of fruit and a touch of woodiness, but then quickly dissipates into a moderate astringency with not much else in the finish. The medium body of this tea keeps it from becoming insipid. Try some honey and/or lemon, as this tea takes both well.

Recommendation: Allegro is committed to sustainable growing practices and fair treatment of its workers, so if you are looking for an inexpensive, but reasonably tasty bagged tea that most people would enjoy, this could be a good choice.

Details: Estate Ceylon (Black Tea, Ceylon), paper bagged tea and individually wrapped. Costs $3.65 for a box of 20 tea bags and it's from Allegro (www.allegrocoffee.com)

So, if you happen to be in Colorado and short on ideas of what souvenir you should bring, why not look for a bag of tea like the one above? ;)

Sóller, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

2009-03-05T01:00:00.016Z

Continuing with the tour on the island lets head to Sóller, a small town in the upper west coast of Majorca easily reached from Palma by car or train, in this second option, catching the Ferrocarril de Sóller.

Above you can see the Ferrocarril. A very old train that almost seems like taken out of the museum and again put on the tracks but that in fact crosses all the island, connecting Sóller to the capital Palma and then going all the way to Manacor.

As to the town itself, being built on the mountains, its streets are naturally quite narrow and a bit up and down... Nevertheless the place is beautiful and well cared, full of vegetation and with several buildings worthy to take a look at such as the old Train Station (above) and the City Hall (bellow).

If you wish to go to the beach - what am I saying... Of course you wish! - you must go to Puerto de Sóller and for that, two options available. To get the best out of sightseeing, I would advise the car. On the other hand, if you are a real train lover, then the option must be the city's tram... :)

Puerto de Sóller, Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

2009-03-02T00:50:00.009Z

To start a mini-tour around the island I'll choose Puerto de Sóller (in English, Sóller's Port). Located about 35km North-West of Palma, this little village it's without doubts one of the 'must go' places in Majorca.

Right beside the city with the same name, Puerto de Sóller has one of the most beautiful bays in the island - in order to get the best view of it, do take the longer way when descending from Sóller and go all around the bay until the lighthouse (the photo above taken from there).

The local beach is very nice and, circling all around the bay, it's only limited by the sea and by a long boardwalk filled with nice cafes, hotels and restaurants - a fantastic place! Just one word of advice about the calm and warm waters: it's simply impossible to resist the temptation of going for a dive :) If you choose to stay for a night or so do check HotelTravel.com for Mallorca Hotels (they have many options in their site, some of them right in Puerto de Sóller).