When I started seriously traveling one of the first places that I visited was Buenos Aires, Argentina.  The only reason why I chose to go was because of an incredible deal my friend had found on a package there and I had yet to venture into South America.  Little did I know that not only would it mark the beginning of a love affair with a gorgeous man, but also a gorgeous city.  Thus, here is an ode to my beloved city that I will be getting married in on my 9th visit this May:

Carlos Fuentes wrote that, “May is the ideal month to talk, to make oneself heard, to seduce, and be seduced in Buenos Aires.”  And although as I write this now it is almost November, looking at the city with the knowledge of departure, gazing through the window that is soon to be memory, I can see the subtle spell the streets of Buenos Aires have cast over me time after time.  I feel her pull and taste her seduction.

Buenos Aires is the long-haired waiter with the muscular arms dressed in his black apron standing behind the espresso bar staring at you, waiting for the moment when you meet his eyes, the gaze is intensified not broken.  Buenos Aires is the small worn patch of grass between the palm tree and the broken lamp post where the winning goal in the world cup is scored daily by a child imitating Maradona.  Buenos Aires is the warmth of Malbec enjoyed with the smoothness of tango.  Buenos Aires is a city of tin, cardboard, wood, and dogs shadowed by a city of stone facade, fur coats, and leather boots; separated by train tracks.  Buenos Aires is the question to an answer, working backwards to piece together the city that once was trying hard not to ignore the city it shall be.

The city that is Buenos Aires is a puzzle, a patchwork quilt of which I am now a piece.  As I sit by the window of my hotel room in Puerto Madero, I look out to the balconies of other buildings, broken occasionally by browning sycamore tree leaves unwilling to let go from their branches, still dancing in the wind.  I realize that I am part of a horizon that makes me feel small, isolated, and yet simultaneously a part of something much greater than myself.  I am part of the city as I breathe in the chilled air, absorb the morning sun, listen to the buses pass three stories below, squealing their rusted brakes to come to a stop at the café on the corner where people sit reading the news, sipping café con leche and eating lightly sweetened medialunas.  Near the café a fresh produce and meat store helps a woman choose the perfect mandarinas and cut of beef for her dinner tonight.  A street away an old couple wash and fold the clothing of others who have entrusted their most intimate apparel to them.

This is the collage of Buenos Aires that I have come to know. This is the city that has enveloped me, held me, and let me move through her barrios as one of her own.  This is the city I will remember and return to over and over again. 

Song of the post:

Sadly it was time to depart Easter Island and head back to the mainland.  The only thing that could break the powerful spell that the Moai had placed on me was knowing that I had 2 girlfriends in Santiago waiting with champagne.  While wandering around the airport I was surprised to see a sign for free wifi.  Free wifi in the most remote island in the world?  Life never ceases to amaze me!

Can you spot the lone Moai at the airport?

As I relaxed into my airplane seat, I decided that rather than watch a movie, I would reflect on the past 3 days.  Easter Island was a place jammed with intriguing customs, welcoming residents, unforgettable meals, beguiling landscapes, and a history so rich and mysterious one could spend an entire lifetime trying to comprehend.  In other words, all the things that make travel great.

The next 24 hours went by in a blink of an eye.  One moment I was with 2 of my dearest friends, Kyle and Emily, and the next moment I was back at the airport getting ready to board yet another flight.

Kyle and I in Emily's apartment right before heading to the airport.

One of the best decisions I have ever made was this spontaneous trip to Chile.  I have definitely fallen in love with the country and have no doubt I will be returning to experience more of her soon.  Now it was time to get down to wedding planning business in Buenos Aires, Argentina!

Endnote: My trip would not have been as special as it was if I had not met Kyle and Emily.  There are no words to express my gratitude to them for both their generosity and friendship (though they know how much I love and adore them!).  If you find yourself in Santiago, do not hesitate to reach out to them for advice or a possible meeting.  I have no doubt they will touch your life as deeply as they touched mine.

As a traveler, you are always seeking the special destination.  You know, the unreachable ones!  It is an understandable urge, albeit one that perhaps only the luckiest or thriftiest  amongst us can indulge in.  Be careful though, by obstinately reaching for distant exotica, you might overlook many beautiful, far more accessible places.  There is a portfolio of stunning destinations that everyone seems to be ignoring, simply because they are so well known.

Even in Europe, where you would expect every little corner to have been discovered, determined travelers still manage to make new places trendy.  As previously unknown Eastern European cities surge into popularity, old favorites fall from grace, which it can be argued, is the best time to visit them.  Places are often most attractive once they have seen the rush of popularity slide past and the locals, recovering from the onslaught, relax and get creative with what is left.

There is normally a reason for a destination’s original popularity.  Even the best PR team in the world needs something to sell, be it unusual architecture, bleeding-edge nightlife, a balmy climate, or a mind-blowing landscape.  Some of Europe’s classic destinations fit the bill.  Whether you are traveling Europe from elsewhere or you live there and fancy some time off the daily grind, these hotspots are the perfect fix.

The Canary Islands are a special example.  Inhabited since ancient times, this Spanish archipelago is off the African coast.  Its subsequently fabulous weather has attracted Europeans for centuries, but it became especially popular during the 1980′s.  People have not stopped visiting and tourism still occupies a significant wedge of the islands’ economy, nonetheless popularity has dwindled enough for prices to be very low for somewhere so warm & dramatically beautiful.  Thankfully, constant vigilance from the tourist boards and authorities has preserved the natural beauty that made the Canaries so attractive in the first place.

Each island has its own distinct personality.  La Gomera is tiny and covered in ravines and rainforests, a heaven for hikers and anyone who prefers nature to hot sand.  Fuerteventura (the name means “strong wind”) is fantastic for windsurfing.  Lanzarote’s volcanic landscape is eery, Mars-like, edged with golden beaches that are constantly replenished by the Sahara, 50 miles across the ocean.  Tenerife is the largest island and perhaps the best for a youthful, but relaxing visit.  Its nightlife is satisfyingly lively and enjoyed by locals and a seasonal influx of Europeans.  Also, its landscape remains lush.  Forest, desert, volcanoes, ruggedly gorgeous coastline, exotic animals on land and in the water — there is ample opportunity to escape fellow travelers, should you wish to.  It is, admittedly, a good idea to consider car rental Tenerife is small, however not tiny enough to explore on foot.  There are reliable buses but these do not access the wilderness, thus you will be thankful for the independence!

Hotel Altiplanico Rapa Nui: Easter Island, Chile

First Impression

Choosing where to stay on Easter Island was a month long process.  I wanted to stay somewhere fabulous, since I was already spoiling myself with this trip to the most remote island in the world.  However, the options were limited to either hostels/2-star hotels or Explora (in case you are not familiar with the latter, the place will run you at least $1000/night).  Just as I was about to settle for the best 2-star hotel, my travel agent Erina discovered a new boutique hotel that was opening right in time for my visit and the price was perfect.  If that is not fate, I do not know what it is?

Location

Easter Island is a small island, thus most of the hotels are located in one central place, which is exactly where Hotel Altiplanico Rapa Nui can be found.

The Room

Hotel Altiplanico Rapa Nui is part of the Chilean hotel group called Hotel Altiplanico.  The following is their ambitious mission statement:

Our concept is to offer maximum hospitality under the idea of hotels as a home, in parallel with respect for nature; architecture submits itself to nature and merges with it.

I believe they 100% accomplished it with their property on Easter Island.  From the second I arrived, I felt like I was at home, because the staff made sure I was comfortable at all times, and they definitely respected their surrounding environment in the construction of the hotel — incorporating elements of the island throughout the entire property.

My room was simple, yet elegant.  And that is all I needed, because at the end of the day I was there to see the Moai, not to luxuriate in my hotel room.

The Bathroom

The bathroom, like the room, was designed so that guests would feel at one with nature.  In the evening, if you took a shower, you could see the stars twinkling above.

The room came with a private backyard that had a little “pod” I could lounge in.

The backyard also happened to come with a view of a lone Moai in the distance!

The Extras

The solar-power heated pool was incredibly refreshing after my daily excursions around the island and it too came with a view of the ocean and was landscaped beautifully.

Why It Is Andi’s Pick

Easter Island is a mysterious and seductive place and no matter where you stay you will have an unforgettable experience, however I highly recommend enriching your visit with a stay at Hotel Altiplanico Rapa Nui.  My absolute favorite thing about the hotel was the open-aired restaurant.  The gourmet meals that I was provided with were so delicious that I had every single meal there, except for one dinner.  Expect a full buffet spread every morning for breakfast that I promise you will miss once you leave.

Is it too much to begin a travel article with such an obvious gag?  Sadly, my cheap gag is also misleading!  Constantinople may be long gone, but its ornate decadence is still imprinted on the richly cultural city of Istanbul — the city where two continents and a dozen cultures meet.

When thinking of Istanbul I was transported to the days of my childhood and old-fashioned films.  I am afraid to say that my mind conjured up a heady haze of sand and bad guys with scimitars and headscarves.  I never went to Istanbul expecting to see my deluded fantasies indulged, however it is only when you venture into the city walls or sail into the turquoise harbour that you realise there is so much more to this wonderful city than can be imagined.

History and modernity twirl hand in hand throughout Istanbul in the most elegant and unexpected dance.  Roads pass through the arches of aqueducts.  A hundred mosque minarets prick the sky beside floodlit football pitches and bypasses streaked with ribbons of headlights.  Just off the shore, Leander’s tower watches stoically over fishing boats and cruise ships alike.  Each direction you look in contains as many mismatching images as a poor Photoshop, nonetheless it works.  Everything about this city glides together flawlessly.

Of course, the grand buildings of times gone by remain standing as strong as ever.  Istanbul boasts a menagerie of styles from Europe and Asia.  Must-see places of interest include the Hagia Sophia, which was the world’s largest cathedral for a thousand years, and the Blue Mosque, both architectural pinnacles of their eras.

Hagia Sofia

Although Istanbul is not limited to history buffs such as myself.  The blend of cultures applies to food and markets too, as opulent now as during the Spice Route.  Kapalı Çarşı, or Grand Bazaar, can be as overwhelming as its pronunciation, but is the most rewarding attraction when taken slowly and methodically.  Wander around the food bazaars for a delight to the senses and to sample some of the continuing traditions Turkey has to offer.

Kapalı Çarşı

When the temperature cools, the vibrancy does not.  Turkey’s nightlife is as hot as the Istanbul weather.  The area is a favorite of young tourists and locals alike and with entire streets brimming with posh bars to choose from, who can blame them?  The streets have most of the world’s trendy and expensive brands and are usually open until late for the atmospheric shopper.  To top things off, there is a dizzying selection of hotels in Istanbul, ranging from the crisply modern to the more traditional.  Every taste is accommodated for.

I came away from Istanbul enlightened, though I was not the first and I will not be the last.  If my insistent claims of culture are not enough to convince you, Istanbul was named “City of Culture 2010.” Whilst the city is still riding on the wave of this prestigious award, now is the perfect time to visit.

Matilda Lambert is an English university student who is lucky enough to travel the world with many unusual adventures. Though often seen on long-haul flights, her true love is for Scandinavia and hopes to move there after her studies.

Song of the post:

While I waited for my date Alicia to arrive, I decided to enjoy a couple of pisco sours as the sun created magic in front of my eyes.

One of the things I most loved about Easter Island was just how uncrowded it was.  It truly felt like I had the entire place to myself.  Well, except for this guy in the distance keeping watch:

Before the sun could disappear over the horizon, Alicia picked me up and took me on a quick jaunt to several spots on the island so that I could capture both the sunset and the statues.  A combination that is sure to take one’s breath away!

Then we headed to her favorite restaurant on the island, which specialized in ceviche.  We shared a giant pisco sour and stories from our journeys around the world.

Saying goodbye at the end of the night was heartbreaking, but Alicia promised she would try to find a way to sing at my wedding.  I told her I would keep my fingers crossed and that no matter if she could make it or not, she was the best part about my time on Easter Island.

Thanks to Trop 50 for sponsoring my writing about fabulous bloggers.  This year Trop50 is granting 50 fabulous wishes.  Click here to enter for a chance to win $1,000 to help grant a friend’s wish!

When asked to write a post in which I highlighted some of my favorite current bloggers, I jumped at the chance.  I only entered the blogging world less than a year ago, but in that short amount of time it has become a central part of my life.  Some of my dearest friends I have met through blogging and I begin every day by perusing countless blogs for doses of inspiration.

The only requirement for this post was to choose “5 Fabulous Bloggers.”  Of course, I could have easily chosen a hundred, but I was limited to 5.  Thus, I first narrowed down my selection to only females (sorry men!) and then to the female’s that oozed fabulousness.  So, without further ado, here are my choices:

1. Kyle of Kyle Hepp:

What makes Kyle fabulous: Kyle was one of the first bloggers that I began to seriously follow.  Her words and pictures about her expat life in Santiago, Chile touched me deeply.  Through following her posts I was able to watch the incredible evolution of her photography skills go from a casual hobby to a successful profession.  Every single photo she takes is a work of art.  In case you missed my posts in which I chronicled the beautiful boudoir shoot that I did with her, click here.  Kyle and I share so many similarities, one being our intense love for life, that I constantly joke we are soul sisters.  I cannot wait for her to shoot my wedding in May!

Twitter: @kylehepp

2. Kirsten of Kirsten Alana:

What makes Kirsten fabulous: Kirsten, like Kyle, is also a professional photographer.  In her past life she was a wedding photographer, but due to a change of heart she has decided to pursue her passion of travel photography instead.  I am a big believer in embracing change and allowing it propel your life into a new and even better direction, which is exactly was she has done and is one of the things that I most admire about her, along with her gorgeous pictures of course.  Lucky for me the wind blew her to the same city in which I live, so we are constantly experiencing fun adventures together.  Our next adventure happen to be in Cancun, Mexico for her 30th Birthday!

Twitter: @kirsten_al

3. Maryam of My Marrakesh:

What makes Maryam fabulous: Maryam’s blog is so incredibly rich with beauty, that it should have a warning when you first visit that you might become so enchanted with it that you could get lost reading for hours.  She is literally living my dream life, which is to buy a house in some exotic location (her’s being Marrakesh, Morocco) and turn it into a boutique hotel.  The name of her hotel alone, Peacock Pavilion, makes me want to jump on the next flight to Africa.  She has traveled all over the world as human rights and democracy specialist, speaks multiple languages, has the coolest friends, attends the most stylish parties, and yet at the end of the day still has time for her lovely family — proof that you can have it all!

Twitter: @MyMarrakesh

4. Alessandra of Gypsy Girl’s Guide:

What makes Alessandra fabulous: Well, just the fact that Alessandra is Brasilian already makes her fabulous in my book.  However, what makes her extra-fabulous is that she has created a blog that focuses on all things gypsy.  I have always identified with the gypsy spirit, in fact that is the first thing I state on my About page.  Recently, she has become a Mom and due to her new role in life and limited time, she has turned her blog in daily guest posts from gypsy lovers all over the world.  Every day I look forward to a post from someone I know who will inspire my wanderlust even more!

Twitter: @alessandracave

5. Pia of Pia Jane Bijkerk:

What makes Pia fabulous: Pia, a stylist, photographer and author, is an Aussie who moved to Amsterdam and vacations in Paris on the weekends.  If that does not make her one of the coolest female’s ever, then this will — she lives on a houseboat in a canal.   I love every post she does, but the ones that stand out the most to me are these unique little masterpieces she creates called Soundscapes, where she makes recordings of her surroundings for you to listen to while she takes you on a journey with her words.  To me she is the definition of chic!

Twitter: @piajanebijkerk

Do not forget to enter the 50 Fabulous Wishes contest for a chance to win $1,000 to support a friend’s wish.   I was selected for this Tropicana Trop50 sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.  I received compensation to use and facilitate my post.

Forward: As I began writing this, I was notified by a follower on Twitter that after reading my Easter Island posts they were inspired enough to book a flight there in 1 weeks time.  I cannot begin to express how deeply touched I was upon hearing this news, as I truly believe this is the highest compliment I could receive in regards to my writing and photography.

Song of the post:

This day was dedicated to all things water.  I swear I was a mermaid in a past life, since I have always felt more comfortable in the water than on land.  But first, I began my day at Hotel Altiplanico with yet another delicious breakfast and then I caught up on emails over coffee with a glorious view of the Pacific Ocean.  I could have easily gotten used to that life!

I chose to dive with Orca, which is located in the center of town on the water’s edge.  Everyone seemed friendly there, though they were a bit disorganized.  Thankfully, my knowledge of Spanish helped matters somewhat.  I was paired with a Japanese girl who spoke neither English nor Spanish.  I was a bit nervous with the language barrier, however I recalled my diving experience in Brasil where my dive master and I could not communicate whatsoever, but once under water our communication was perfect and with that my nerves disappeared.

The water was quite cold and the visibility was limited due to a storm out at sea, though having said that I was still in a state of bliss!  It was my first time diving in Chile and my third time diving in the South Pacific.  As soon as we descended into the deep blue abyss I felt like I was “home” and I never wanted to resurface.

And just as I thought the dive was coming to an end, he emerged — the famed sunken Moai!  No one knows if he was placed there on purpose by the Rapa Nui centuries ago or by someone recently to get more people to dive.  Regardless, it was definitely one of the most amazing things I have seen diving and yet another mystery the island holds.

After the dive, I walked across the street to the beach where I met Alicia.  While we on our tour the previous day I casually mentioned that I enjoyed surfing and she began to beam with excitement.  Surfing is her greatest passion in life and she had won various competitions all over the world.  She said that there was no way I was leaving the island without surfing with her, thus our surf date was formed.

Because of the storm, the waves were huge; much larger than the ones I had ever surfed before.  I am always up for a new challenge though, so I did not let them stop me from getting out there on my board.  Over the next 2 hours I probably got one of the best workouts of my life, along with some great coaching from Alicia.

The great thing about Last Minute Family Holidays UK must surely be the wide selection of destinations. You could go diving in the Red Sea at Sharm El Sheikh, lie on the powdery white sand of a Caribbean beach, or visit Tenerife.

Situated centrally in the Mediterranean waters in Southern Europe, Malta has become a holiday haven attracting tourists with the lure of its perfect weather.  Boasting 300 days of constant sunshine a year, crystal clear blue waters, and interesting historical sights, it is not surprising that Malta’s cuisine may have been overlooked.  That is a shame, as Maltese gastronomy is exceptionally good.

Typically Mediterranean in character, the Maltese diet embraces the notion that an indulgence in bread, cheese, and wine does not equal piling on the pounds.  This rich, but good-for-you taste, derives from the local philosophy to use only fresh and seasonal produce, grown to ripe perfection in the glorious Malta weather.  With infusions from Sicily, Southern Italy, and Spain, even the most traveled and discerning palette will agree that the local fresh fish, seafood, and vegetables served in Malta are some of the tastiest and healthiest in the world.

Even the Maltese desserts have the feel good factor!  Whilst a diet of Maltesers undoubtedly induces a chocolaty-coma of guilt, the light and airy pastries and sweets traditional to the country will leave you floating on a cloud of sugary goodness.  The Malta restaurants are the best place to sample these savory delights.  A hidden gem is Ta’Kri, an authentic local restaurant tucked away in an alley off Sliema — the famous shopping district.  As a perfect embodiment of the Maltese diet, culture, and ambiance, traditional dishes are served in rustic and homely surroundings.  Here you can revel in a guilt-free pleasure of some of the most wholesome cooking around.

Isabella Rose is an enthusiastic traveler with a love of adventure.  Having traveled extensively in Italy and studying History of Art and Italian at Bristol University, it has been her lifelong dream to move to Italy to revel in the Italian art, culture and of course the gelato!

I had no idea how to dress for a “night out on the town” in Easter Island, so I did what most women do when faced with a fashion dilemma — I donned a little black dress (and to make it a more tropical look I placed a flower behind my ear).  Alicia picked me up with the biggest smile on her face and excitingly stated that she had a special evening planned for us.  About 20 minutes later we arrived to an enchanting house tucked deep inside a lush tropical forest.  The next thing I knew about 10 men dressed in indigenous clothing greeted me and started decorating my face in tribal paint.  I was asked to follow them to a ceremonial hut where I noticed some other bewildered tourists sitting.

Alicia pointed to a spot where I should sit and finally explained that she had taken me to her family’s home and that every night they have a dinner and performance there.  Her family refuses to allow the ancient Rapa Nui traditions to fade, therefore they keep them alive through this.

Alicia gave me a quick kiss on the cheek goodbye and said that she had to get ready for her performance and introduced me to brother, otherwise known as the Chief.  Since he was in charge of everything, I was definitely in good hands.

Once everyone arrived the ceremonies began.  The food was blessed and taken from pits inside the earth, where it had been cooking and marinating for the entire day.  Alicia notified her family that I was a vegetarian earlier without me even knowing, thus they made sure to prepare something just for me.  We were then escorted inside their home for our meal.  I was so concentrated on the delicious feast in front of me, that I almost did not notice that Alicia had taken the stage.  Before she began to perform she gave me the most touching shout-out that filled my heart with joy.  I cannot believe that we had only met earlier that day, as it truly felt like years.

I decided to film Alicia for only only a brief moment, because I wanted to really take in her performance.  She was so good that she was encored 3 times!  While I did spend the entire day driving around the island with her listening to her various CD’s, seeing and hearing her live was an experience I will forever treasure.

After dinner we were transported back thousands of years through a series of passionate performances that explained the history of the Rapa Nui and how the Moai came to be.  It also made me wish time machines really did exist.

In case you missed my interview on Go, See, Write last week in which I revealed that the world’s most gorgeous men live in Easter Island, click here to read it and then look below for proof (this gentleman happened to be Alicia’s cousin).  If any lady visits the island due to my revelation and falls in love with a Rapa Nui, you better invite me to the wedding!

Here is a look at some of the different performances that evening (and yes, more attractive men in hardly any clothing):

Before leaving, the Chief had yet another surprise for me, homemade Rapa Nui cake; definitely the way into this girl’s heart!

To say it was the perfect day does not even come close to describing it, not even close.

Bargain Holidays Late Deals The Mediterranean and Caribbean beaches are not only stunning, but many boast good weather all year round. You can go on bargain holidays late deals and lie on a golden beach. Feel the sun caressing your body and cool off in the translucent aqua sea. Or take part in fun activities on the beach or in the water.