Archive for the 'Guest Post' Category

Before you travel to Italy you should be aware that amongst the basics of the Italian food and drink culture are not only pizza, pasta, and red wine; an essential one simply cannot exclude is coffee.  Those who have stayed in apartments in Venice, Rome, or any other Italian city even say the coffee in Italy is the best in the world.  It comes in so many variations that you could easily get a little lost, especially when you are trying to shine by placing your order in Italian.  Thus, let us explore in depth five types of Italian coffees and what is in them so that you know what you are ordering:

1. Espresso – also known as Caffé Normale is the most classic coffee beverage in Italy.  It is a shot of espresso served in a small porcelain cup and it alone comes in many variations depending on the amount of espresso, the container it is served in, and the temperature.  If you would like to do it like the Italians: order it directly at the bar and drink it standing up.
2. Cappucino – one of the most popular Italian coffee “exports” that consists of 1/3 espresso, 1/3 milk, and 1/3 foam layered on top of each other.  In Italy it is most commonly consumed for breakfast.  Italians even frown upon ordering it in the afternoon.
3. Caffè Macchiato or Macchiato Caldo – if you need a shot of espresso for the caffeine boost, but the taste is too intense, order one of these.  It adds a bit of steamed milk to the espresso.
4. Latte Macchiato – this drink is the Caffé Macchiato’s counterpart, as the amount of milk and espresso are the opposite.  It is a glass of milk with a shot of espresso poured over.  If you prefer half coffee/half milk order a Caffé Latte.
5. Caffè Corretto – in this coffee a little bit of alcohol is added to the espresso.  It is great to consume after meals.  The most common types of alcohol added are cognac or grappa.

Why do you not put this newly acquired information to the test by staying in one of the Venice apartments?  There you will find Caffè Florian located at Piazza San Marco.  This historical coffee bar which first opened in 1720 and is amongst the oldest coffee houses in continuous operation is guaranteed to serve excellent coffee, however be warned as great taste has its price here.  The price for a cup of coffee is one of the most expensive in the world.

Maike accidentally on purpose stumbled into writing.  She is the daughter of a German father and a Filipino mother; she grew up in Germany, lived in the US andDenmark, though currently resides in Barcelona.  To see more of her writing follow her on Twitter @antsinmypants15.

This post is dedicated to all those people who just cannot give up their crazy night fever.  Those people who do not remember the last time they had breakfast on a weekend.  Those people whose hangover pushes them to the fridge on Sunday midday and obliges them to eat a sad margarine sandwich.  Yes, you people with sparkling eyes at 4AM, here is your solution: it is called “save-the-last-drink’s-money-to-buy-yourself-brunch-in-the-morning”.  In all seriousness, it will supply you with loads of vitamins, carbohydrates, sugar, and probably optimism so that you can recover easily and look like a decent person again.

Today, I propose the awesome city of Berlin, where I realized this past summer while staying in one of the Berlin apartments, that the city offers more than just curriwursts (I cannot understand how they can like a sausage with ketchup and curry?)!  Thus, here you have some of the trendiest places for brunch in Berlin:

Café 100Wasser: Simon-Dach-Strasse 39

This is a place where for the price of a drink at a fancy bar (7.90€ Sat – 9.50€ Sun) you can have an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet with an international menu.

Café Einstein Stammhaus: Kurfürstenstrasse 58

Undoubtedly, one of the best places in Berlin for brunch; many consider it a classic.  Moreover, they have a cute leafy garden where you can eat.

Café Anita Wronski: Knaackstrasse 26-28

Excellent brunch served here, although space is taken advantage of as much as physic laws allow.  There are a great variety of coffees available.

If you prefer, you can also prepare your personalized brunch in your apartments in Berlin.  You only need to go to the supermarket the day before and even though you might be tempted to buy a dozen packs of donuts, remember to include fruits, natural juices, something salty and something lactic too.

Maria Climent is a 27-year-old Catalan lady.  After studying translation, she decided her life was odd enough to became a humor scriptwriter and by default, a blogger.  This is how she is now a mother of no one and a better person.  She also cooks her meals.

Australia is an absolute prime location with thousands of attractions for literally everyone seeking adventure.  Be sure to visit and participate in a few of these daring excursions.  You are only limited by your imagination and sense of excitement.

Tip: Australia is a huge country to travel around and if you want to travel at your own pace then consider saving a bunch of money and renting a car through Drive My Car Rentals.  They offer car hire in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, and Darwin through a peer to peer car rental community, which will save you at least 80% of the cost of a traditional car rental company.

Whale Shark Diving in Ningaloo Reef Western Australia

Ningaloo Reef is located in the small town of Coral Bay in Western Australia.  The reef draws people offers a wide variety of fish life, coral, and manta rays.  However, it is the whale shark experience that delights and thrills visitors to no end year after year.  Visitors describe the experience of swimming with the whale shark as a once in a lifetime occurrence they will never forget.  The attraction is managed by expert teams available to guide, assist, and teach visitors about these magnificent creatures.  There is no pre-set agenda, so the experience flows starting out of the water to into the water at each individuals’ pace; making this one of the most well rounded adventures anywhere in the world.

Scuba Diving at Yongala QLD

A scuba diving excursion at Yongala is not just your run of the mill dive.  In fact, it is one the top wreck dives on the planet.  The S.S. Yongala remained undiscovered for close to fifty years after a cyclone sank the ship in 1911.  total of 100 passengers perished in the 14 to 28 meter water depth.  Today it is the largest intact shipwreck in the waters of Australia.  This diving jewel literally swarms with incredible marine life too numerous to name.  Among the wondrous sights that divers are treated to include sea snakes, schools of trevally and cobia, clown fish, and eagle rays.  Beneath the stern of the ship live fascinating giant Queensland gropers.

Hot Air Ballooning in the Hunter Valley NSW

Hunter Valley in New South Wales is located about 310 kilometers north of Sydney, Australia.  You would have to experience to believe the exhilarating hot air balloon ride that takes you above the wine recluse in this peaceful valley.  Fun and adventure, mixed with peaceful romance, begins on a balloon ride that takes about one hour to complete.  Adventurers can take flight as the day dawns to get the most breathtaking views imaginable.  A champagne and fruit juice drink is included with the price of the ride.  A fabulous gourmet breakfast after landing concludes this picturesque flight.

Sky Diving in Mission Beach QLD

In a little village along Queensland, Australia’s Coral Sea lays Mission Beach.  This idyllic setting is the ultimate location for adrenalin rushing skydiving.  The courageous souls that participate in these tandem skydives are rewarded with a sixty second free fall from 14,000 feet in the air.  Untold numbers take this fun and thrilling sky dive every year.  Yet, Mission Beach skydiving maintains a superlative safety record.  When you visit Mission Beach, show off your bravery to friends and family with a copy of your own DVD of your skydive.

Crocodile River Cruises in Northern Territory

Do not miss a heart pounding up close, personal visit with “jumping crocodiles” on one of many river cruises.  The tropical Adelaide River, 114 kilometers south of Darwin, is filled with fresh and salt water crocodiles and other amazing creatures.  The crocodiles are the main attraction, so much so that some cruises have names for these food seeking aquatic reptiles.  The adventure does not stop there.  It also offers visitors a chance to see unique bird species, ocean eagles, and Black flying fox for a well rounded tropical adventure.

 Hiking in Kakadu National Park in Northern Territory

Kakadu National Park is one of the four sites in Australia that are on the World Heritage list, and for good reason.  The park offers adventurers of all ages and levels everything nature has.  Kakadu National Park includes: 25 walks ranging from one half hour for beginners to an overnight, more difficult graded walks.  Be prepared to be awestruck at the landscapes, wetlands, and other amazing sights including rocks with etchings that date back 44,000 years.

Hiking around Cradle Mountain Tasmania

BestHike.com named Cradle Mountain one of the best hiking locations in the world.  The world famous World Heritage area wilderness in Tasmania encompasses 40% of protected wilderness and purely surreal vistas.  Your hike lets you breathe in miles of gorgeous lakes, waterfalls, and tarns.  The trek can be made year round to give explorers an all weather experience.  For the most challenging fun adventure make this hike between December and May.

Gold Panning in NSW

Try something different this holiday vacation.  Gold panning in New South Wales is an exciting, romantic, and potentially profitable vacation adventure.  Since gold was first discovered in the region, dozens of gold prospecting areas have sprung to life.  This activity is so much fun because you have such a wide choice of places to search for gold and other valuable metals including, copper, lead, and zinc.  Tours can be found in the middle of civilization or the dusty Outback areas.  The variety of gold mining tours allows visitors to mine with expert tour guild find treasures on their own.

Make sure to keep your eyes open for cheap domestic flights Australia, so that you can all of these magical wonders all within the same trip!

If I was asked, “Quickly, think of a city where you can travel solo,” the first place to come to mind would undoubtedly be Madrid.  Of course, I have not been to all of the cities in the world, so I am sure you can contribute very positively with your points of view in the comment section.

The following are my 5 reasons why you can go to Madrid alone and why you will not feel alone there.  You must know that I will be generalizing and that is usually frowned upon, but this is what I have concluded from my stay on my own in one of the Madrid apartments for some months:

1.  People are very sociable.  It is a cliche, but it is true.  There are few shy people; most of them strike up a conversation easily with others.  And, more importantly, they seem to be less worried.

2. There are a lot of people.  I know that there are more people in New Delhi, however compared to Barcelona, life in the street, bars, and shops is more vivid.

3.  People are regular bar goers.  It is normal to have a 2-hour pause for lunch and then return to work.  Thus, at midday bars are full.  It is typical to have an aperitivo before having lunch and also it is the first thing to do after work. This bar culture is probably the reason why there are so many bars in any district (approximately 1 for each 180 people).

4.  They shout a lot.  You may already suspect this, but I will confirm it for you: Spaniards shout.  Yes, we shout a lot no matter what region we are from, although I am sure Madrid is one of the noisiest cities in all Europe.  This can be annoying if you are not used to it, but on the other hand, people’s voices make you feel accompanied all the time.

5.  Bar tenders make you feel at home.  Maybe it is because of this carefree attitude I have told you about?  Perhaps it is that they give you free, cooked food along with your drink and this somehow causes you to reminiscence about your mother or it is just that being in a bar is so normal that bar tenders take you in immediately.  Remember, find the bar closest to your apartments in Madrid and go to the bar for 2 consecutive days and then it will become “your bar.”

Note: These points are extracted from my own experience.  Maybe yours is not as pleasant as mine?  But having good vibes, good karma, or just a good mood — call it as you wish — helps!

Maria Climent is a 26-year-old Catalan lady.  After studying translation, she decided her life was odd enough to became a humor scriptwriter and by default, a blogger.  This is how she is now a mother of no one and a better person.  She also cooks her meals.

Not all cars are created equal, but that is not a bad thing.  We all have different lives in different cities, which at times bear little resemblance to one another, so having a wide spread of cars to choose from is a must.  But what will work best for you in your city if you live in Australia?

If you are in Melbourne, you will want something pretty small, fuel-efficient, and maneuverable.  It may not be able to fit down the most cramped of laneways in the city center, but at least it will be able to park in those tight spots with a lot less stress.  And do not forget those hook-turns either: an agile, flexible car feels far better on those 90-degree corners than a hulking wagon.  Consider something like the Volkswagen Golf or Beetle, which have enough space in the back to fit your belongings (or family members), but can still squeeze into spots which bigger cars cannot.  They are also renowned for being fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly, something which will put you in good stead with the neighbors.  A slightly bigger model like the Kia Rio offers a good compromise for families with small children, however is a bit more unwieldy as a result.

Of course, someone in Perth will not want a pipsqueak car stuttering around the place.  The expansive city area and long, long roads into the Outback mean that you will want something reliable and rugged which will not buck at tough landscapes.  If you are doing regular runs out to Fremantle or other far-off cities, you will also want something fuel-efficient.  The Hyundai Santa Fe is comfortable for long-haul drives and handles well for such a large car, though it is not really one you would want to take off the beaten track.  With the Hyundai, Perth becomes a lot smaller, though your fashion sense may balk at its odd shape.  Otherwise, go for the Volkswagen Touareg with its imposing design and steadfast engineering.

What about a city like Sydney, which sprawls out like Perth, but has the same tightness of Melbourne?  You will want something mid-range, which combines sizable space with good handling.  The Ford Falcon may sound pretty boring, however it is a good reliable performer that has the benefit of decades of experience behind its design.  The only thing is it is a bit wide for parking in the CBD or surrounding areas.  In that case, the Hyundai Getz may be more appropriate, since it is pretty small and nimble with a lot of features packed into its four doors.  It also handles medium distances well, but is not built for any long-range driving (although it can hold its own better than lots of models).  Having said all of that, nothing will help you avoid the notoriously bad peak-hour traffic, except perhaps catching the train!

One of the things that I most enjoy when I travel is going to the markets and buying the necessary ingredients to cook local recipes.  Sometimes I am lucky and I can count on the inestimable help of some native friend, but other times I just have to rely on my culinary abilities and a good recipe book.  I truly believe that markets are always a good opportunity to enjoy being surrounded by the real spirit of the city and are special places where you can discover an abundance of interesting things, such as different kinds of local ingredients, what the locals like, the locals behavior — in fact, this is one of the best parts about renting one of the apartments in Seville.

Very close to the Isabel II Bridge and the Guadalquivir River in Seville, Spain is the Mercado de Triana Food Market.  It was built during the Arabic period in 1171.  Once you enter through the gates, you will be amazed at the color mixture produced by all the stands that they create with their variety in products: vegetables, meat, fish, olives, seafood, etc.

Another attractive aspect of the Mercado de Triana is that you can observe the special behavior of Sevillians at their best.  The people are very cheerful, always in a good mood singing and dancing.  Shopkeepers have what they call mucho arte, which means “lots of art” — referring to that they have a special ability to sell with their cheerful slogans.  Remember when I told you that I sometimes have the help of some local friends for cooking local recipes?  Seville is the perfect place for making said friends.

The following are some tips in case you decide to spend time in one of the Seville apartments.  If you want to cook a local recipe, remember that you can ask the shopkeepers to prepare what you want and be at ease during the cooking process.  I am talking about cleaning a fish, cutting a chicken — all perfectly prepared in a few seconds by them.  And remember to buy only what you are going to eat, because when you travel all the excess baggage will stay on the ground when you have to eventually fly home.

Aurelio is a self-proclaimed geek who doesn’t understand life without comparing it to Star Wars, Star Trek and a lot of other geeky stuff. In his travel writing he is still looking for the great question, because as we already know the answer is 42.

Maybe New Year’s resolutions are the tritest topic in the world, but every cliche has a little bit of truth to it!  The beginning of a year is the beginning of something, right?  And beginnings are always good (you can totally disagree with me at the end of the post).

The point is that, for me, it is time to do those things we have been thinking about doing and have been postponing for “later.”  For example, changing our look, declaring our love for someone, getting in touch with an old friend, or spending some months in one of the gorgeous apartments in Seville, Shanghai, or Bikoro.

Let us take a look at the benefits of making these personal commitments:

1. A change, whether it be little or huge, is a way of reaffirming yourself, your personality.

2. I once heard that “to keep feeling young, it was essential to have more projects than memories.”  This means that having projects keeps your illusion live and helps you be happy.

3. Your self-esteem will grow as you see you are doing what you intended to.

4. Emotion is perhaps what gives sense to all the other words, since emotion is what encourages you to change and emotion is what you feel when you succeed.

However, be careful, as the effect can be the opposite if you do not succeed in accomplishing these resolutions.  So, here are some tips to help you not fail in the attempt:

• Before making any resolutions, you should get happy.  Motivate yourself or simply make them in a good-mood moment.
• Start in the beginning of the New Year.  Sometimes there is a long path before getting what you want.
• Be realistic.  Do not underestimate yourself, but thinking, “I am going marry Brad Pitt this year” will most likely be frustrating.
• Do not set yourself too many goals.
• And, more importantly, do not try to change all your habits at once.  This means that you can not give up smoking, start going to the gym, move to another city, and get a puppy at the same time.  In just a few days you wil be giving up everything.
• Be brave and confident in your possibilities.
• Think that you are free and that your life is yours.
• If what you have in mind is starting a long trip that involves staying in one of the Seville apartments or touring around the world — get informed, leave your fears behind, and think: “If there are millions of people doing it, why not me?”

Maria Climent is a 26-year-old Catalan lady.  After studying translation, she decided her life was odd enough to became a humor scriptwriter and by default, a blogger.  This is how she is now a mother of no one and a better person.  She also cooks her meals.

If you should find yourself in the stunning city of Paris wondering what weird and whacky things to do, we have some ideas that may tickle your fancy.  Instead of just viewing the typical sites like the Eiffel Tower and trawling the expected venues like the Louvre, you might want to do something a bit different, right?  Right!  Well, there are plenty of unusual things to do in the French capital, especially if you stay somewhere central like the Holiday Inn Paris.

For interesting things to see, the Centre Georges Pompidou is a must for your list.  This building was built in the 1970′s and is named after the President of France.  It boasts high-tech architecture that is certainly not like most buildings you will walk past on a regular basis and houses the public library and modern art museum, so you can always entertain yourself with both the outside and inside of this structure.

While you may consider museums to be run-of-the-mill, think again because Paris is a city crammed full of unusual museums to delight, thrill, and possibly turn your stomach.

If amusement parks featured in your childhood and still hold a certain charm, check out Le Musée des Arts Forains, or the Museum of Carnival Arts.  This place is not at all dusty and has a special feel to it, with lots of old amusement rides on display.  You can even ride on some of the attractions and play the old games.  It is worth checking in advance the opening times as this museum is not open to the public all-year round.

Le Musée d’Histoire de la Médecine, or the Museum of the History of Medicine, is well worth a visit too, although probably not straight after you have eaten a meal.  This weirdly wonderful museum is home to numerous artefacts including: prosthetic limbs, ancient medical implements, and a table decorated with body parts — a foot, four ears, vertebrae bits, blood, lungs, and more!  We did warn you not to visit on a full stomach.

But if food really is your thing, you have come to the right city.  Not only can you discover some of the finest restaurants in the world in Paris, you can also have a go at cooking some classic French dishes yourself.  Companies like Promenades Gourmandes and On Rue Tatin Paris run cookery classes that include a tour of the local markets and best shops to find the freshest products before preparing them back in the kitchen.

When it comes to sightseeing you can also do this with a twist in Paris.  You could hire a bike and view the city on wheels with an English-speaking guide as your host or see the city in a Citroën 2CV car which lets you stand up to take photos.  And do not forget to look out for the Statues of Liberty in Paris.  Yes, the original Statue of Liberty was presented to the US by the French in the 1880′s and was crafted by Frédéric Bartholdi between 1870 and 1884.  However, the city is home to some miniature versions as well.  A 6-foot tall model is located in Luxembourg Gardens, made by Bartholdi during the planning stage.  A 35-foot copy is located near the Eiffel Tower, on the island of Ile des Cygne and near the Pont De l’Alma Bridge is a same-size replica of the flame from the torch, called the Flame of Liberty.

Of course, not many people who come to Paris can resist the lure of shopping thanks to famous streets like the Avenue des Champs-Élysées.  Although if you want to add an extra dimension to your standard shopping expedition, you could try a guided shopping tour.  Chic Shopping Paris offers trips by native Parisians to the best boutiques and little gems this city has to offer and you can even select your own theme such as “unusual Paris” or “made in France.”

Looking for conference facilities?  Visit Holiday Inn Meetings to find perfect meeting rooms across the France.

South Beach, known as SoBe to the locals, is a tropical paradise of white beaches, turquoise water, and beautiful people.  It is very lively; people walking, biking, jogging, and playing sports in the nearby beaches.  It is bulging with restaurants, bars, and events waiting to be experienced so there is always something to do here, be it day or night.

Ocean Drive

When most people think of South Beach, they most likely envision Ocean Drive.  This popular strip runs along the Atlantic Ocean and on the other side of it are trendy bars, lounges, restaurants, and hotels.  We spent a bit of time here just meandering about, people watching, and popping into whatever site caught our eye.  The hostesses and waitresses will come out and try to sell you on their spot, but make sure you pick the most comfortable for you and of course, the most appetizing.  South Beach’s spots are flowing with delicious food.

Nightlife

Miami is home to the famous Winter Music Conference (WMC) and Ultra Music Festival, two of the world’s largest electronic dance music events.  I am an avid fan of this music and when I attended both events, I feel in love with the vibe of this city.  WMC and the Ultra Music Festival are held in mid-March every year, so the weather is the prime and dance music is blasting from all around you, making you constantly want to move.  SoBe also provides a never-ending list of nightclubs and lounges to experience year-round from Mynt on Collins Avenue, Mansion on Washington Avenue, and Mango’s Cafe on Ocean Drive that plays salsa and Latin music has that spiciness that makes it so popular.

Lincoln Road

Lincoln Road is easily the area’s premiere shopping center and is full of beautiful people.  It is an open-air pedestrian mall, lined with boutiques, cafes, retail stores, and shops.  It also hosts the Art Center South Florida, so there is an abundance of artwork to be seen.  If you can make a day out of exploring this area, I do suggest it.  Miami’s fashion scene is among the best and is the largest Latin American fashion event in the US.  There are many shops here that I could spend days in.

Art-Deco District

I loved seeing South Beach’s historic art deco district.  Located in the heart of SoBe, you cannot miss it.  I have not seen another place in the US that even resembles it.  The pastel colored buildings and their geometric shapes contrast brightly against the sky, sand, and ocean.  The streets are lined with umbrellas and tables from the local businesses too; it really is so picturesque!

Lummus Beach

This beach is a dream.  The sand bar is just off the turquoise water where we would lie down and sunbathe while listening to the waves and people around.  There were people frolicking in the water, occasional vendors stopping by, and sometimes a drink or ice cream cart milling about.  Lummus Park is lined with palm trees to bike, skate, or jog around as well.  Do be sure to apply some sunscreen though.  Miami’s heat and humidity can get intense after a while.  One of the nights we were there, we watched the sun at Lummus Beach and it was stunning.  I suggest catching a sunset here while in SoBe.

South Beach has so much to satisfy a curious tourist.  Check out the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau to see what events catch your attention and go to Miami South Beach Hotels via Miamihotels.org to book your stay.  You will not regret it!

One of the most anticipated moments every year for children in Spain is the celebration of the “Three Wise Kings.”  This is a tradition that comes from the Bible and that was also adopted by some other Spanish-speaking countries like: Argentina, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Uruguay.  The legend says that the wise kings followed a star through the desert until they reached the place of Jesus’ birth to adore the newborn and give him presents (gold, incense, and myrrh — hence the belief of there being three of them).

It is true that in the last decades, the Anglo-Saxon tradition of Santa Clause (called Papá Noel or Pare Noel if you live in one of the apartments in Barcelona or anywhere around Catalonia) has become more and more popular and year after year it is more common to give gifts amongst family and friends on Christmas Eve.  However, the three kings’ visit on the night of the 5^th January continues to be the highlight of Christmas regarding children’s illusion.

Actually, all throughout Spain there are processions; each one adapted to the physical features of the place it is in.  Let me further explain: If your town has a river, like my hometown has, then the three wise men arrive by boat.  If you want to see one of these processions you had better go to Barcelona than to my hometown or to any capital whose city council has money.  In many inbound cities, towns, and villages they arrive by camels, donkeys, horses, carriages, or even in a helicopter.

I remember when I was a kid, on the night of the 5^th, I was so nervous that I could hardly sleep.  My parents urged me to leave the kings some food (they always proposed a glass of chocolate milk and biscuits and some raw carrots for the horses).  Certainly, the face of pure amazement in the morning when I went to the Christmas tree and saw all the presents and the empty glasses of chocolate milk was epic.

So, if you have children and tell them the legend they will have the most amazing time if you take them to one of the Barcelona apartments to see the Three Wise Men procession and then, the morning after, they will find gifts under the Christmas tree.

Maria Climent is a 26-year-old Catalan lady.  After studying translation, she decided her life was odd enough to became a humor scriptwriter and by default, a blogger.  This is how she is now a mother of no one and a better person.  She also cooks her meals.