There are many occasions when it may become necessary to move valuable items.  Some of these times you may have to relocate and would then require the assistance of a moving company, but when it comes to moving long distances it may become a little more complicated.  Moving into a different town or even a different country can be quite a headache if you do not have the proper resources at your disposal to make the move go by smoothly and without a hitch.  You may also be a business owner who needs to move his or her products to clients who are fairly far away.  Times like these may also require the assistance of a removal or shipping company that will be able to help you move the things that you need to move over long distances without worrying about their safety.

Whatever your shipping needs, there are a few things for certain that you will want to address before shipping off your valuables.  You will want to make sure that you get a company that is both reliable and professional to handle the shipping of your goods without having to be concerned that they will be damaged or lost.  One of the best companies for moving anything whatsoever is www.robinsonsrelo.com.

There are few companies that are able to handle local and international shipping for both domestic and business purposes, but Robinsons is surely one company that can handle the load.  Robinsons however can handle everything from small packages to large shipments destined for retailers and other businesses.  Being able to rely on a single company for all of your shipping needs whether it is local or international shipping is very important and a great advantage whether you are shipping a large load or a smaller one.

To see the accompanying post click here.

A couple of months ago I was invited to join TWIN: Toyota Women’s Influencer Network.  It is such an honor and privilege to have joined a community supporting a brand that I so passionately believe in.  Over the upcoming months you will see more posts regarding my relationship with TWIN, however, in my fourth post of the series I thought I would show you photos of what has to be the coolest Toyota Prius in the entire world.  You can read my other posts of the series here, here, and here.

I recently was on a press trip to Macau with the Macau Board of Tourism and was excited, though definitely not surprised, to see that the Hard Rock Hotel Macau was debuting a Prius in the front of their property.  Of all of the cars in the world they chose this one — if that does not prove to you how hot the car is, maybe these pictures will?

Disclosure: I was selected for participation in the TWIN community through a program with Clever Girls Collective. I did not receive any compensation for writing this post, or payment in exchange for participating. The opinions expressed herein are mine, and do not reflect the views of the Toyota.

If there is anything that France wins hands down it is the amount of great artists that it has produced in recent centuries.  Especially in painting and even more specifically from the 19th Century.  France excelled at producing great artists and one of them is the extraordinarily talented Henri Matisse.  Born in the northeastern town of Le Cateau-Cambrésis in 1869, close to the Belgian border, he moved to Paris at a young age to study law, but quickly became interested in painting and never looked back.  The Australian painter John Peter Russell introduced him to impressionism and Van Gogh; something which completely changed Matisse’s style and shaped him in the future.  He said that Russell was his teacher and that he had taught him everything that he knew.

He experienced different artistic trends from impressionism to fauvism.  He was a big fan of other artists of the time, such as Rodin, Gauguin, and Cézanne and he had works by them in his own house.  Regarding fauvism, he was one of the main representatives of the movement.  Fauvism was the emphasis of painterly qualities and strong colours over the representational or realistic values of impressionism.  The paintings are usually portraits or landscapes that prime the color ahead of the picture; making the subject visible but not the most important part of the painting — that being the color.

When Fauvism began to lose popularity, Matisse carried on creating and painting, with some of his greatest and most important paintings being made after that period, like the world-famous ‘The Dance’ (1909) or ‘The Dessert: Harmony in Red’ (1908).  He was part of a group of artists and intellectuals who gathered in the Montparnasse district, where today we can find some excellent Paris apartments to stay in.  He was close friends with Pablo Picasso and Gertrude Stein and regularly met with their acquaintances who were also important figures in the Paris art and literature scene, such as the painters Georges Braque, Henri Rousseau, and André Derain and the poets Max Jacob and Guillaume Apollinaire.  In 1917, Matisse relocated from Paris to the Côte d’Azur, in a small town by Nice.  He died of a heart attack at the age of 84.

Today, Henri Matisse’s paintings are of incredible value and are spread around some of the most prestigious art museums in the world: the Hermitage in St Petersburg, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the MoMA in New York, and, of course, at the Musée National d’Art Moderne in Paris, also known as the Centre Georges Pompidou.  The Centre Pompidou is amongst the emblematic attractions in Paris thanks to its unique outside appearance.  The museum today holds permanent and temporary exhibitions from famous artists in the history of art with Henri Matisse as no exception.

One of the famous characteristics of Matisse is that he drew many different paintings with same or similar subjects.  ’Matisse, paires et séries’ (which is the exhibition title in French) shows Matisse’s works in a unique aspect of his art; the exploration of the same subject repeatedly.  The exhibition is made up of 60 paintings and 30 drawings laid out in pairs or sets and this allows the spectator to explore the career of the artist from 1899 to 1952 in depth and allowing him or her to explore the subjects in more detail and from different perspectives.

The exhibition ‘Matisse, pairs and sets’ is the perfect way to discover the French artist and his works during this springtime when you rent apartments in Paris.  The Centre Pompidou is one of the best museums in the world and this exhibition on Henri Matisse is definitely one that you cannot miss.

On our last day at Pousada Picinguaba, we decided to venture into Parati, which was about a 30 minute taxi drive away.  I had heard rumors that this city was a “hidden gem,” but it was not until we were wandering throughout its plethora of colonial cobblestone streets did I know for certain it truly was.

This quiet coastal city is saturated with colorful 18th Century Portuguese architecture, however it still retains a strong Brasilian vibe creating a visual feast for the eyes.  My husband and I decided to bypass any tours and simply got lost inside the village.  We knew if we felt too turned around all we had to do was to look up for the spire of the local cathedral, as no building was permitted to be taller than it and it was located in the center of the city.

I treasured the fact that automobile traffic is forbidden within the city in order to preserve its peaceful ambience.  Despite having a population of 36,000, there was hardly any foot traffic either.  It seemed that no matter where we were in Brasil, we had the entire country to ourselves. . .maybe as a wedding present?  After an entire day of exploration, our bodies needed refueling, and when we heard there was a nearby restaurant that could only be accessed by boat, we knew immediately where we would be dining for the evening.

Kontiki Restaurante is not to be missed if you should find yourself hungry in Parati.  While, it might not be the most memorable meal of your life, the view and sangria make it an unforgettable experience.  Plus, the meaning behind its name is priceless.  Kontiki was the Sun King of the Incas and set off on a wooden raft sailing the Pacific Ocean 15,000 years ago.  Even though he did not quite believe he would find what he was looking for — another continent — he still crossed the dangerous seas in faith.  Today, Kontiki is the inspiration for those on an any kind of adventure.  Kontiki Restaurante believes why cross the world when you can cross a little of the Atlantic near Parati for a culinary adventure surrounded by a gorgeous landscape, as well as the watchful eyes of the enchanting Sun King.

As the sun began to set, we took it as nature’s cue that we should begin the long journey back to our pousada.

Parati has been described as a “virtual museum within a tropical paradise,” and after my brief visit there I could not agree more with that assessment.  This tranquil part of the world should definitely be considered a dream destination on everyone’s list.

To see the accompanying post click here.

The Lake District is one of the UK’s most popular tourist attractions.  It is often best known as a walking destination and the place for everything outdoors, but whilst some people are more than happy to wrap up and get out in all weathers, for those of us who are not, a holiday cottage in the Lake District still has so much to offer.

The Lakes Aquarium

The Lakes Aquarium is situated on the south shore of Lake Windermere and is an excellent place to learn more about the creatures that live in the rivers.  One of the best features is a special tank that encourages brown trout to jump in the same way that they would in their natural habitat.  Then take a trip through the water life of Africa, the Americas, and Asia’s before enjoying a coffee in Oscar’s Restaurant overlooking the lake.

Holiday Cottages

Sometimes the best activity is to snuggle up in front of a roaring log fire, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, and spend time catching up with loved ones.  Bring the family’s four legged friends on holiday to a pet friendly cottage, the perfect base for a Lake District holiday and one of the best places to relax and refresh on a rainy day.

The World of Beatrix Potter

This is a fantastic journey through the work of Beatrix Potter including a walk through Mr McGregor’s Greenhouse and Jemima Puddle-Duck’s woodland glade, plus a chance to learn more about the stories of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny.  Explore the life of Beatrix Potter herself in the Miss Potter Room and receive a warm welcome in the Beatrix Potter Tea Room that serves locally sourced food and a great cream tea.

Pencil Museum

The Pencil Museum in Keswick now attracts over 80,000 visitors a year and is a great option for a rainy day in the Lakes.  Learn about the history of pencil making and see the world’s largest color pencil.  The shop is a haven for budding artists and the museum also runs tuition workshops to help improve your drawing skills.

The Keswick Climbing Center

How about getting your heart rate up?  With over 40 ropes and suitable for all ages and abilities the Keswick Climbing Center is a great option when the weather takes a turn for the worst.  If you have never climbed before take advantage of a climbing lesson with a competent instructor giving you the confidence to climb on your own by the end of the hour session.

If all of this has wet your appetite for visiting the Lake District for a cottage holiday then why not browse an extensive range of Lake District cottages from Sykes Cottages.

Relative political stability, an abundance of wildlife, scenic splendours, and some of the most welcoming people on the continent are boosting visitor numbers to Zambia every year.  While the areas of unspoiled wilderness are vast, the Zambia safari lodges and camps are cosily small-scale — a reminder that the country offers intimate travel experiences well away from the beaten tourist track.  Here are a few of the things you really must do if you travel to this beautiful, much-underrated African nation:

Visit the world’s widest waterfall

Why not witness one of the great natural wonders of the world?  Zambia is rightly proud to share ‘ownership’ of the Victoria Falls’ with Zimbabwe.  It is amazing to think that the Falls were first seen by European eyes as recently as 1855.  David Livingstone (of “Dr. Livingstone, I presume” fame) was the man who made the discovery; nearby Livingstone Island is named after him.  Modern-day adventurers who want to get a little closer to the Falls could always dine on Livingstone Island or swim carefully to the edge of Devil’s Pool, a naturally-formed pool at the edge of the Falls which is 350-feet high.

Bungee jumping on the Zambia-Zimbabwe suspension bridge

Thrill-seekers inspired by the sight of the largest sheet of falling water in earth might want to make their own dramatic descent.  If they do then they might well want to try out bungee jumping on a bridge, which connects Zambia and Zimbabwe.  Bush walking, horse riding, and white-water rafting can also while the hours away near the Falls.

Get up-close to wonderful wildlife

Zambia is home to the traditional ‘walking safari’, first started by Norman Carr in the South Luangwa National Park.  Walks are available in other park too, including the Lower Zambezi and Kafue national parks.  Zambia is a wonderful place to get surprisingly close to a wide variety of wildlife, though do not forget to bring your camera!

See leopard at night

Of all Africa’s major predators, the leopard is perhaps the most elusive being nocturnal. However, the South Luangwa National Park is perhaps the best area in Africa to see these memorable cats.  With the help of expert guides you can safely enjoy walking safaris and game drives and in particular night drives which often produce spectacular sightings of leopard.

Journey down the Zambezi

While the South Luangwa is the place to walk and drive, it would be a shame to go to Zambia without experiencing life on the Zambezi River, the subject of a recent ITV documentary and rightly so; there is so much wildlife and history associated with it.  On the Lower Zambezi (the section of river below the Kariba Dam wall) you can glimpse hippo and crocodile in their natural environment, go canoeing, or have a go at fishing for ‘tiger’.  The Upper Zambezi (the section of the river above Victoria Falls) is where you can take birding tours, elephant-back safaris, and cultural visits.

James Christie writes for Safari Consultants – providers of tailor-made safaris.  Contact Safari Consultants to find out more about African safari options.

La Barceloneta is Barcelona’s fisherman’s neighborhood located in the south of the city.  Its narrow streets with sun and shadow and excellent fish restaurants are a far cry from the crowded and busy city center.

In 1715, King Felipe V of Spain ordered for a fortress to be built in the middle of the city and, for that, many houses of the neighborhood La Ribera had to be knocked down, leaving thousands of people homeless.  Such was the King’s hostility towards the Catalans.  The reason why the fortress was built in the first place, was that he did not care much about the people that he was leaving out on the street.  It took over 3 decades for the homeless to find homes again.  Their new neighborhood was going to be this part of land delimited by the port and the sea, a triangular-shaped area that would be named La Barceloneta.

La Barceloneta was designed by the Flemish engineer who worked for the Spanish royalty Joris Prosper Van Verboom, although he did not live to see the neighborhood finished in 1753.  It is a fair reflection of the idea of urbanism — with perpendicular streets and rectangular buildings.  Despite it being a new area, it quickly thrived and some of the most famous factories in Barcelona were installed there, such as La Maquinista Terrestre i Marítima, which built heavy machinery and also due to the optimal years that the city was living through in terms of commerce with America, the city and La Barceloneta enjoyed prosperous times.

The area is not out of the way from lots of Barcelona apartments either.  Many bus lines can be used from Passeig Joan de Borbó and at the top of the street you can find the metro stop Barceloneta.  There is also Estació de França, which is one of the city’s main train stations from where you can get trains to many places of interest outside Barcelona and, if you want a unique experience, you can head over to the Torre de Sant Sebastià, the unmissable high tower at the end of Passeig Joan de Borbó and get a cable car from there to the mountain of Montjuïc.

Today, the area is mainly an oasis in the city, with its quiet streets and squares only being disrupted by the sounds of the occasional rattling motorbike.  Because of the aforementioned shape of the streets, finding your way to the beach is easy.  Barceloneta beach and San Sebastià beach are the beaches of this district and are 2 of the most popular ones in Barcelona.  The district also has some emblematic sculptures, such as the Golden Fish by Frank Gehry or Rebecca Horn’s famous ‘Homage to Barceloneta’ sculpture, also known as ‘the cubes’, that are on Barceloneta beach.

Another strong point of this district are its restaurants.  Being a fisherman’s neighborhood originally, there are no prizes for guessing that most restaurants around here dish out the best fish in the city.  You might want to avoid the expensive touristy ones on the busy Passeig Joan de Borbó and go for some in the side streets or on the beach front, such as Ca la Nuri, on Passeig Marítim 55 or the more traditional and cheaper Cova Fumada, on Baluard 56.  If you fancy something more expensive and upper market, but with excellent seafood and scenery, try Agua on Passeig Marítim 30.  Also, La Barceloneta comes alive at night with its many lively bars and if we fancy going clubbing later, you are only a short walk into the city center or to the Vila Olímpica.

Visit this charming neighborhood when you rent apartments in Barcelona.  The best seafood restaurants and beaches in the city are in the La Barceloneta!

To see the accompanying post click here.

Upon returning to Pousada Picinguaba, my husband and I went our separate ways.  He wanted to spend the rest of the afternoon slumbering in our suite’s hammock, while I wanted to further explore the grounds.

In my previous post, I discussed living a life of excitement and that my greatest passion is travel.  Over the past decade, I have traveled solo, with my family, with my friends, and with my ex-lovers.  As I became more comfortable with traveling, I preferred traveling solo.  I know it is not for everyone, however I do believe that everyone should at least try it once in their lives — nothing will teach you more about who you truly are as a person than exploring a foreign land on your own.

My husband and I had traveled together before, but not for more than a couple of days at a time, and never outside of the Americas.  This was due to our unique long-distance relationship.  Just to see each other we had to travel 10,000 miles, thus to then take off on another journey was not what we desired at the time.  We chose to explore each others respective cities instead; his being Buenos Aires and mine being New York City.  This gave us a feeling, albeit temporarily, of having a somewhat “normal relationship.”

Half a year before we got married, I decided that I needed one last solo trip as a single woman.  I wanted it be a place where I could be alone in my thoughts and where I could celebrate the old and new chapters in my book of life.  Thus, I chose Easter Island.  Could there be a more perfect destination for this transformational trip?

That trip will forever remain a special memory for me, however what I did not know then that I know now, is that not only when I said “I do” was I gaining a husband, I was also gaining a lifelong travel partner as well.  I am certain that I will take more solo trips in the future, but they are not necessary for me like they were before.  Now, I prefer to travel with my husband; to share these deep, meaningful experiences and, of course, the excitement of these beautiful adventures with him.

I love knowing that for the rest of my life I have someone to watch pink sunsets with.

Who do you prefer to travel with or do you travel solo?

 To see the accompanying post click here.