Archive for September, 2010

Song of the post:

Puerto Olimpico is the area of Barcelona where the 1992 Olympic Games were held.  Post-Games, this area was abandoned, however years later businesses and restaurants began developing, mostly centered around Barcelonesa, which is the “fisherman’s district” made of narrow streets lined with hundreds of anchored boats and the aroma of the sea wafting through the air.  And this is where we would be dining for the evening.

Me on the boardwalk in Barcelonesa.

We were so hungry, that we ended up choosing the first restaurant we saw, which was named La Fonda Del Port Olimpic.  Thankfully, our stomachs choose very well!  The tapas and sangria there were divine, and just solidified for me that Spanish cuisine is the best in the world.

After dinner, we had the intention of going to a club, but we were still battling jetlag.  I am not sure I made the best decision, being the older (and wiser) big sister, however I suggested to my brother that we share a hookah at a nearby Moroccan cafe.  He had never tried one before and as you can tell from the picture below, he very much enjoyed his 1st experience.

Around 2AM we returned to our hotel ready for sleep, as well as excited about exploring Barcelona the next day.

The morning came way too soon.  We quickly got dressed, finished packing, and then set off to find a cafe in Dam Square for breakfast.  The Dam Square, which was in walking distance from our hotel, is a picturesque square lined with fashionable boutiques, interesting galleries, and gourmet restaurants.  It is also home to some of the most stunning architecture in the city.  We found a cafe that boasted it had the best apple pancakes in the city, so we thought we would test their claim.

I am not sure if they were the best or not, however I swear to you that apple pancakes alone are worth a trip to Amsterdam!  They were that good.

A view of Paseo de Gracia and La Sagrada Familia.

A close-up of La Sagrada Familia.

The rooftop pool at Hotel Majestic.

Not wanting to waste one second more, we departed for Puerto Olimpico for tapas, sangria, and. . .

Song of the post:

 
The above song became my brother and I’s “song of the trip.”  We heard it earlier in the morning on the taxi ride from the airport to the hotel and as it played we looked at each other like this is the greatest song ever!  And from that moment on we kept hearing it everywhere we went.
 
Before dinner we changed into our newly acquired H&M digs and then set off to find the restaurant our concierge recommended.  I wish that I could remember the name, but it now escapes me.  We picked it because it was vegetarian friendly for me and yet had some nice meat dishes for my brother.

Can you believe this picture was taken at 9PM?

We left ourselves with plenty of time to enjoy the scenery along the way.

It took us about an hour to walk to the restaurant, thus it was around 10PM when we finally sat down to eat.  This would be the earliest we ate dinner for the rest of the trip.  I am used to eating late, since I have spent so much time in South America, especially Argentina (no one eats later than Argentines!), my brother, on the other hand, was in a bit of culture shock.

Another thing that my brother found shocking, was the fact that he could legally order alcohol, being that he was only 18.  I wish I had taken a picture of his face when he ordered a glass of sangria and the waiter replied, “white or red?” and not, “Can I see your I.D.?”

Me enjoying my 1st glass of champagne on the trip!

After our decadent 4 course dinner — and I must preface what I am about to say with this had to be the most touristy experience of my life to date — we decided to see the Red Light District.  We got terribly lost on the way there, however it did not phase us in the least bit, as Amsterdam in the night is visually spectacular.

Eventually we found the infamous quarter where window shopping takes on a whole new meaning.  My brother and I could only stomach about 2 minutes of the “window displays” before we left.  I am not about to make any kind of social commentary on prostitution, although I will say I was totally creeped out by the whole thing; not really with the ladies of the night, more so with the men standing there drooling at the sensual delights in front of them.  Maybe if George Clooney or Javier Bardem had been dancing behind windows in their boxer briefs I would be more sympathetic?
 
We both needed a drink after that experience, so we found a nearby pub.  As soon as we sat down, jetlag really hit us and we could barely finish our drinks.  On our way back to the hotel we agreed that Amsterdam was a lovely city and we looked forward to returning in a week, but that we were ready to move on to Spain.  Fancy trying something new on your next trip to Europe?  A cruise holiday might be just the thing for you!

New Zealand is one of the undisputed adventure capitals of the world and a must stop for backpackers on a Gap Year. The country’s breathtaking and rugged landscape, coupled with its people’s love of the great outdoors has resulted in unrivaled extreme sport opportunities.  With a reputation as “nature’s theme park in the South Pacific,” there is an adrenaline pumping activity and/or sport to get even the bravest hearts pumping!

Image Source: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic

1/3 of New Zealand’s land is protected and one of the best ways to experience the spectacular scenery is to get outdoors and do something different and adventurous!  There are a number of cheap flights to Auckland to get you there — and your heart racing — today.

The following is a short guide to some of the most popular activities New Zealand has to offer:

• Bungy Jumping. New Zealand is the #1 destination in the world to bungy jump.  A.J Hackett, a New Zealander, developed the equipment needed to safely bungy in the 1980s, and since then bungy jumping has spread from New Zealand around the world.  Jumping off a bridge is a terrifying, yet adrenaline pumping and exhilarating experience.  New Zealand’s deep gorges and canyons are the perfect place to test your courage.  There are a number of different bungy jumps in Queenstown for visitors to choose from.
• White Water Rafting. The interior mountains of New Zealand are funnels for fast moving rivers just begging to be rafted.  From quieter Grade 1 waters to the extremity of Grade 5 white water rapids, there is a full spectrum to choose from.  Whether you brave the waters for a few hours or undertake a longer, 3 day journey, white water rafting is a great way to see New Zealand’s pristine interior.
• Sky diving. There are numerous operators who offer sky diving over a number of New Zealand destinations and landscapes.  The pristine wilderness of New Zealand offers a spectacular backdrop to undertake this exhilarating adventure activity.
• Jet boating. Another extreme sport activity developed in New Zealand, jet boating is the high powered and high speed boating experience that weaves through New Zealand’s narrow gorges. You will skim the sheer rock face and skim across the surface, feeling like you are narrowly escaping collision at every turn.

Image Source: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic

The best way to enjoy New Zealand’s amazing natural scenery is to get out there and experience it for yourself.  Whether you sky dive over its valleys, raft over its rapid waters, or take jump for your life, a trip to New Zealand is sure to get your heart rate up and the adrenaline flowing.  Hop on one of the many cheap flights to New Zealand and explore your adventurous side.

Despite the fact that I loved being in a city where I could walk everywhere, both my brother and I needed a little rest and what could be more perfect than a lovely ride in one of the boats through the canals?

Our boat arriving at the port.

The ticket was quite pricey, but a trip to Amsterdam is incomplete without a boat ride in my opinion, as it gives you a unique perspective of the city.  There are ports where you can get on and off scattered all over the city and the ticket is good for 24 hours.

My brother enjoying the view.

As we floated along, we talked about how lucky we were to be on this trip alone together in this moment, since both of our lives were about to completely change; as I am getting married and he is going off to University.  I could already see the travel bug starting to infect him and I loved being witness to it.  That twinkle in his eye was recognizable from a mile away!

While I found the capitol of the Netherlands to be completely charming, how could I not with its colorful 17th century apartments, maze of cobblestone streets, and various neighborhoods each with their own historical flavor and mood, it failed to capture my heart.  I know that I was only there for a day, but I usually know instantly whether or not I am going to love someone, something, or someplace.  I was, however, still delighted that I had made the visit there and was greatly looking forward to seeing what the infamous Amsterdam night had to offer. . .

When TravelPlanr approached me for a review on their new travel website, I jumped at the chance, because I honestly get almost as excited about planning a trip as I do about taking the actual trip.  A lot of people get overwhelmed with the whole process of booking everything and even more so if there are multiple cities or countries involved.  I, on the other hand, welcome the challenge.  The more complicated the better!
 

If you enjoy organizing your trip, then this website is absolutely for you.  However, if you prefer to just show up to your destination and let life take you in whatever direction it chooses, then you most likely will not get as much from the website.  Though I think it is worth a look regardless of your travel philosophy.
 

You begin by singing up for a free membership.  Then if you have a future trip on the horizon, you create a trip profile.  In the profile you can manage your flight, accommodation, and restaurant reservations.  They even have weather and map options.  Once your profile is created you can share it with others via email or print it to bring on your trip.  It can be a lengthy process from start to finish, but worth it if planning decreases the stress associated with traveling, as your trip will be laid out perfectly for you.
 

This website is obviously in its beginning stages, although I think it still has a lot to offer and I look forward to seeing it continue to grow.  It is like a traveler’s buffet; offering everything a traveler’s heart could desire.

My brother and I arrived in Amsterdam ready to explore, despite being incredibly jetlagged.  We only had 1.5 days and could not afford to waste one moment!  We dropped our bags off at our hotel and set off for some nourishment in the form of breakfast.

My 1st view of Amsterdam.

We spotted a nearby cafe and as we entered it I was instantly reminded why Europe is just so unbelievably charming.  Where else do you find cafe after cafe decorated in such bohemian fashions?  The food just tastes better when you are dining in these surroundings.

After breakfast, we decided to simply get lost.  While it might not have been the most efficient way to see the city, it was certainly the most fun.  As we aimlessly wandered around excited to see what lie around the next corner, I happened to remember a quote I had heard by Thabo Mbeki, the ex-President of South Africa, while traveling there years before,

I am like a cosmic wanderer, driven by the winds to land where they will.

Even though I most likely would have never visited Amsterdam on my own (it just never pulled at my heartstrings), I was there now, and I could not have been more happy.  The winds always took me where I needed to go!

Of course what trip to Europe is not complete without a visit to H&M?  My brother had never visited one before and I had to literally drag him out of there after an hour of trying on clothes (okay, so maybe we had to drag each other).

Then we passed by a Coffeeshop, where we might or might not have stopped in.  All I will say is, “When in Rome!”

I truly loved being in a city again that is pedestrian friendly.  I think that is probably one of the things that I miss most about NYC.  In Charlotte I am constantly lamenting about driving everywhere (thank goodness I have a Prius).

My brother and I are serious soccer fans, so the fact that we were in Europe for the World Cup only made our trip that much more special.  We are both Argentina fans and could not wait for their 1st match.

Needing a break from walking, we dropped our shopping bags off at our hotel and then headed back out for a cruise along the canals. . .

I must admit, a get a tiny feeling of jealousy when I read other traveler’s blogs and I see that they come from a family of travelers or at least a family that supports their traveling.  A lucky few even have family members that travel with them!  While I have an extraordinary family, they have absolutely no zest for exploration.  My Mother is deathly afraid to fly.  It is so bad that she updates her will before forcing herself to get on a 1-2 hour flight (that is the longest flight she will take).  My Father is 6’6″ and unless he is sitting 1st class, he has absolutely no desire to torture himself in a tiny airplane seat.  People who know me and my family just do not get where my insatiable need to constantly travel comes from.  And to further complicate things, not only do my parents not want to travel, they do not understand my traveling.  They are very curious people and love learning, but they both think that everything you need to know about life and the world can be found at Barnes & Noble.

4 years ago, my baby brother (there is a decade of age difference between us), began high school.  He had been previously studying Spanish and was now allowed to take a 2nd language.  My maternal grandparents and my Mother encouraged him to take German, since they are from Germany.  I had just graduated from College with a major in Asian Studies and part of that major was having to learn an Asian language.  Since I knew that I was going into Chinese Medicine School, I chose Chinese (Mandarin).  When I graduated, many doors opened up to me due to my newly acquired language skill.  Thus, instead of German, I encouraged my brother to take Chinese.  At 1st my family resisted this idea, but after much convincing they acquiesced and my brother enrolled in Chinese.  By his Junior year he loved the language and was so good at it, that he won a scholarship to spend a month in China studying it.  I kept my fingers crossed the whole time he was there that the travel bug would bite him, as I had been infected myself on a trip to China.  He returned having had the time of his life, though with no passion to keep on exploring, or so I thought.

As the end of his Senior year approached, he surprisingly announced that he wanted to study International Business with a focus on both the Chinese and Latin markets.  He also wanted to study abroad, in fact he wanted to spend the majority of his college education abroad.  My parents were shocked and I, on the other hand, became the proudest sister in the world! He thanked me from the bottom of his heart for being an inspiration and for opening up his eyes to a different way of thinking and viewing life.  I wanted to celebrate and encourage this brave decision he was taking, thus for his graduation present I told him that,

I would take him anywhere in the world for 2 weeks; he got to choose the destination and I would plan the trip.

Well, I suppose I should not have been too surprised that an 18 year old boy would choose the 2 biggest party cities in the world: Amsterdam and Ibiza.  Personally, I would have gone with a more exotic location, however a gift is a gift, and if that is where he wanted to go, then so be it.  I only asked that we make a quick stop to Barcelona in between.

I began searching the best possible way to plan this trip.  I looked at finding a travel agent.  I had heard really wonderful things about Liberty Travel.  I also looked at travel packages.  Anything to help with the costs of visiting Europe during the high season.  I had accumulated a copious amount of USAir points now that I was living in their hub of Charlotte, North Carolina again.  Since we were flexible on our travel dates, I played around for a couple of weeks on their website and just as I was about to give up on that idea I found RT tickets from Charlotte to Amsterdam for only 40k points each.  It would only give us 10 days, nonetheless I booked the free tickets and then began the process of finding hotels and flights.  Thankfully, flights within the EU are very reasonably priced and we decided that since we saved a lot of money on flights to splurge on hotels.  Our final schedule would be: 1.5 days in Amsterdam, 2.5 days in Barcelona, 3.5 days in Ibiza, and 1/2 a day in Amsterdam again.

Words cannot express the excitement I was feeling the days leading up to this trip!  It had been 4 years since I had been in Europe and to be returning with one of the loves of my life felt like I was the luckiest person in the world.  I could not wait to show my brother all of the beautiful adventures (and misadventures) that came with traveling. . .

My brother and I.

PS In case you are wondering, I would have been proud of my brother no matter what path he took in life.  I am just overly elated that I finally have a partner in crime within my family AND I get to visit him in the places he chooses to study in.  First up is Hong Kong!

This post is sponsored by Holiday Park Reviews who have some great deals for holiday parks in Spain and cheap holidays in the UK with Haven.

Song of the post:

This is how I began my morning:

A doce vida (the sweet life)!

Then I proceeded to have an incredibly satisfying breakfast with about 5 cups of coffee.  I had a long day and night ahead of me, as I was having to say goodbye to L. and fly back to the US.  Rio 180 Hotel might be outside the city center, but trust me with a view like it has, it is worth having to cab or bus it everywhere.  Plus, we shared a suite there for around $100USD, which included our freshly made gourmet breakfast.

THE view!

With Sugarloaf Mountain to one side. . .

. . .and Christ the Redeemer to the other.

Saying goodbye to a loved one is never easy.  Especially, when you know it will be a looong time before you see them again.  L. and I definitely awoke with sadness in our hearts, however we were also joyful at the decision we made to get married and focused all of our thoughts on that.  Plus, having done this for 5+ years we were now sorta pro’s at it.

Once we finished breakfast we headed to the world famous Copacabana Beach, where L. had booked a room for the night, as he was staying in Brasil for another week.  Originally, he was going to stay in Rio, but he loved Buzios so much, that he ended up deciding to return there the following day.

We dropped our stuff off at the hotel and then headed to the water.  The last time I had been there I was celebrating the beginning of a new year, now I was celebrating the beginning of a new life!  We found a restaurant and even though we ordered some great dishes, we both lacked appetites.  I tried to get L. to not accompany me to the airport, however he is too much of a gentleman to agree to that.

A rainbow appeared while we waited for our meals.

After dinner, we walked along the beach and talked about how,

Who would have ever imagined that 5 years ago when L. bought me a glass of champagne at a club that it would have resulted in us getting married one day.  I suppose our story is a good lesson for those in the future who might encounter a stranger that they want to get to know, be courageous and say hello.  You never know what could happen.  Magic is always in the air!

Copacabana Beach at dusk.

This post was sponsored by Frequent Flyer Credit Cards, a new travel website from Australia where you’ll find tips on earning airline points and guides to airline loyalty programs.

Song of the post:

I discovered the above song through the delightful Travelholica blog (written by a Brasilian).  I love the song, but more so I love the video, which depicts a couple who is in love, but are in a long distance relationship.  It could not be more perfect for these Brasil posts I have been writing about.

L. and I leisurely enjoyed our last breakfast at Casas Brancas and posed for a couple of more pictures before departing for Rio de Janeiro.

My first visit to Brasil was a holiday.  This visit was unexpected.  The next visit will be for my honeymoon (oh yeah, I forgot to mention we decided to take our honeymoon in Brasil).  A year ago I would have never imagined that I would be in Brasil 3X in less than 2 years.  I stopped trying to plan my life ages ago, since it has a funny way of changing on you unexpectedly.  And what a ride it has been taking me on and I am certainly excited for this new adventure called marriage!

When I was last in Rio, I stayed at an incredible pousada (I highly recommend it), however I wanted to stay in a different part of the city this time and on a whim chose the Rio 180 Hotel, which was rumored to have the best view, hence their name.  Well, my whim turned out to be quite the fortunate guess, as this hotel not only did have a jaw dropping view of Rio, but it was also jaw droppingly gorgeous (almost rivaling Casas Brancas).  The owner also treated L. and I like royalty and within minutes of us arriving she made sure we had caipirinhas in our hands.  While L. and her chatted about Argentina, I explored the grounds.

My 2 favorite things about our room were, 1) the view from our private terrace:

and 2) the gigantic jacuzzi:

L. and I decided that since we had already spent a lot of time in a car already, that we did not have the desire to take a taxi into the city.  Thus, we ordered some take-away to enjoy on the main terrace.

As we indulged in some pizza, nutella crepes, and more caipirinhas we watched as Rio changed colors in front of our eyes.

Heads up to my readers who live in southeast of the US, in case you did not already know, USAir last December started a new direct route from Charlotte to Rio, and the flight deals are truly something else.  I was able to score a round trip ticket for $400 within 2 weeks of my trip!

Need to escape?  Book your last minute holidays online now with Latedeals!  Quick getaways available to the Canary Islands, Brazil, and many other destinations around the world.