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Traveling to Europe Destinations has its advantages; you get a huge number of countries just a couple of hours apart if wanting to do an itinerary for a lifetime. Start Travel Planning your Trip to Europe right now with our Guide to the Best Destinations to Travel from Top Travel Blogs. Team at Food and Travel Guides Disclosure: Our site contains Affiliate Links. Clicking an Affiliate Link and purchasing something we recommend, won't cost you anything extra - it probably will save you some bucks. It will though give us a small commission which will help this site remain a free resource for travelers to explore our world together. Guide to the Best Europe Destinations to Travel Writing Travel Guides and Itineraries on European Destinations is something our Food Travel Writers and Guest Bloggers love to do. The European Continent is a multicultural melting pot with flourishing metropolitans and cities packed with tourist attractions, entertainment, history, and culture. If this kind of travel is right up your alley, you'll find your fill for a lifetime in Europe. European countries also have unique scenery to experience for the adventurous, intrepid, and nature-loving traveler with a wanderlust for off-the-beaten-path discoveries. A Complete Guide to Malta The beautiful, little island of Malta in the Mediterranean Sea may be small, but you have so much to discover when visiting! Guest Blogger "Make You Wander" will show you some of the Maltese Gems she found in her Complete Guide to Malta right here. #malta #guidetomalta #islandofmalta #mediterranean #makeyouwander #maltese Visit the Ice Hotel in Sweden Maybe you have heard about Ice Hotels? But did you know about Jukkasjärvi in Sweden? Well, this is where the first Original Ice Hotel was built more than 30 years ago! Guest Blogger "A Piece of My Pie" is visited the Ice Hotel and this is the travel story with her 10 reasons why Jukkasjärvi should be on your bucket list! #icehotel #jukkasjärvi #originalicehotel #apieceofmypie #icehotelsweden #travelstory Europe Destination Travels is absolutely perfect for Stop-Over Flights! Disclosure: Affiliate Link from CJ by Conversant What is a stop-over? A stopover is when you get 24 hours or more layover where you can leave the airport and discover a completely new city. In Europe, you can find a lot of stop-overs to enrich your vacation experience and this is actually the whole business idea with Airwander! Go Explore! With a stopover flight you're not only having a boosted travel experience - stopovers can save you money too! What Airwander does is also find the cheapest flight path for your trip planning! Awesome things to do on Mallorca Another little island in the Mediterranean is the Spanish island paradise Mallorca. Yes, you've probably heard something else - like Mallorca's just a party island (it's that too) - but our Guest Blogger "A World of Destinations" will definitely change your mind about Mallorca in this Mallorca Guide! #mallorca #islandinthemediterranean #islandparadise #aworldofdestinations #mallorcaguide Top Travel Tips to Tuscany in Italy Do you wonder what you can't miss in Tuscany, Italy? Our Food Travel Writer "Sticks & Spoons Food Travel" have this Tuscan checklist with the must-do's when visiting Toscana (as the Italians say). Italy is one of the most popular European Destinations today and just reading this Tuscany Guide makes it understandable! #traveltips #tuscany #tuscanyinitaly #sticksandspoons #italy #tuscanyguide #toscana Day trips you can do from Madrid From Madrid in Spain, you have a lot of attractions and cultural sites within reach for day trips with "South European Wanderings" Travel Tips! Discover Segovia, Toledo, San Lorenzo del Escorial, and Ávila - so check out this Madrid Day-Trip Guide! #madrid #daytrips #southeuropeanwanderings #segovia #toledo #sanlorenzodelescorial #avila Travel Guide to Budapest Budapest in Hungary; Buda & Pest carries itself with effortless charm on every beautiful street corner. Budapest is the Capital of Hungary and it needs to be explored! It's a great destination in Europe when you travel on a budget and there's so much history, culture, and entertainment to see and experience! Read the Budapest Guide from our Food Travel Writers" Urge to XPLORE"! #guidetobudapest #budapest #hungary #urgetoxplore #budapestguide #travelonabudget Travel Tips for your Iceland Adventure Iceland is the spectacular destination that it is and offers so much to do in terms of different landscapes - mountains, glaciers, lakes, craters, waterfalls, hot springs.. and that fairy tale vibe that is unsurpassed when compared with other European Destinations. Find out more about Iceland from "Often Out Of Office" Iceland Guide! #iceland #icelandadventure #icelandguide #oftenoutofoffice #spectaculardestination Lake Geneva in Switzerland With amazing backdrops of the Swiss Alps, you will find this Guide to Lake Geneva from our Food Travel Writer Xcapia very inspiring! Being the favorite retreat of Charlie Chaplin and Freddie Mercury, Lake Geneva has inspired the celebrated and the infamous for generations. Travel to Switzerland! Check out the Switzerland Travel Guide! #lakegeneva #switzerland #swissalps #lakeside #traveltoswitzerland #xcapia #foodtravelwriter 8 Amazing Foods to try in Romania Ever wondered what to eat when traveling to Romania? This is a Food Guide to Romanian Traditional Food. The Food in Romania is both rustic and earthy as you will notice in this Romanian Food Guide from our Guest Blogger "Sightseeing Shoes". Romania might not be on everyone's bucket list but if you ask us that's really one good reason to go there! Learn more about Romanian Food Culture. #romania #foodstotryinromania #romaniantraditionalfood #sightseeingshoes #romanianfood Best Burgers in Barcelona Who doesn't love Burgers, right? Are you looking for the Best Hamburgers in Barcelona? Well, this restaurant review comparing two of the best burger restaurants in Barcelona might be a Foodie Tip for you. Find your Hamberger Foodie Spot in Barcelona with the help of our Guest Blogger "Eat Bake Fit". And you'll be the judge if this is The Best Burgers in Barcelona! #bestburgersinbarcelona #hamburgersinbarcelona #eatbakefit #foodiespot #hamburgerfoodie Find Cheap Flights, Hotels, and Car Rentals for European Destinations Disclosure: Affiliate Link from CJ by Conversant Are you looking for a full-scale trip-planning solution for your next Europe Travel? Find the best flight deals, cheap accommodation, and smooth car rental with KAYAK US! With a complete booking site on KAYAK you can relax and be confident that like with other travelers and over 1.5 billion searches made on 40 international sites, KAYAK will give you as a traveler the information you need to find the right flights, hotels, and cars for your Europe vacation. Find a complete solution for your Europe trip. Start your Trip Planning right now! Street Art Artscape Tour in Sweden If you're a big fan and love the Art of the Streets this Street Art Guide to Gothenburg, Sweden with amazing Street Art and Mural Paintings from Artscape Saga Project should be right up your alley. Find beautiful Street Art and Murals in this comprehensive Art Guide from Food Travel Writers "Sticks & Spoons Food Travel"! #streetart #murals #muralpaintings #artofthestreets #sticksandspoons #streetartguide Top 5 Squares in Naples Don't be square! Or please go ahead if you like our Guest Blogger "40 and it Shows" are into Squares! Naples in Italy has many beautiful squares to visit for a walk, a pizza or a coffee or a bit of shopping. Discover Naples Top Squares. This Guide to Naples Top 5 Squares will probably look at squares with new eyes! #squaresinnaples #naples #naplesinitaly #40anditshows #guidetonaples #discovernaples Destination Dubrovnik: A Hipster's Guide to Croatia Dubrovnik is probably the first place you think of when you hear Croatia. It’s become one of the most popular destinations on the Mediterranean Sea and in Croatia in recent years. Honestly, it’s pretty easy to see why, the old town, a Unesco World Heritage site, has a beautiful and unique old-world charm. And for all those Game of Thrones fans out there, it is the filming location for Kings Landing in the show! Find "Nattie on the Road"s Dubrovnik Guide here! #dubrovnik #croatia #destinationdubrovnik #nattieontheroad #guidetocroatia #hipstersguide Put London on your Bucket List What pops into your head when you hear London? I would guess double-decker buses, Big Ben, and fish and chips. London has always been a top tourist destination in Western Europe but there is more to this vibrant city than meets the eye. "Queen of Wanderlust" lists her top 6 best reasons why you should put London on your Bucket List! #london #touristdestination #queenofwanderlust #westerneurope #londonbucketlist Hillwalking in the Scottish Highlands What the heck is Hillwalking? Well, it's actually as easy as it sounds. Experience the Mountainsides Hillwalking in the Scottish Highlands with a "pro" Hillwalker from the Guest Blogger "Hillwalking Society"! This is a travel story from Scotland filled with playful fantasy with both demons and...cheese? #hillwalking #scottishhighlands #mountainsides #hillwalkingsociety #scotland #hillwalker 7 Cities in England to visit Smita Chandra will show that England always has something exciting to offer! With historical monuments, museums, pubs, and restaurants to sample every kind of cuisine under the sun, you won’t have enough time to fit it all in! Read the England Guide here! #citiesinengland #england #historicalmonuments #stonehenge #smitachandra #englandguide Oslo in Norway: Guide as a Local This is a Guide to Oslo with reviews on what to see, what to do, and what to eat in the Capital of Norway - Oslo. Our Guest Blogger "blogtraveleat" visited Oslo and discovered Norwegian hospitality like a local. Find Oslo sightseeing, food, museums, and other good things to know when you are visiting Oslo in this Oslo Guide. #oslo #norway #guideasalocal #blogtraveleat #oslosightseeing #osloguide #visitingoslo Vineyards and Wineries in Europe We are happy to guide you to some of Europe's finest Vineyards and Wineries that will welcome you at their Wine Estate, guiding you through their vineyard and winery, offering Wine Tastings with an unbeatable experience. Learn about Wine on the spot where it's made. Check it out! #wine #vinery #wineries #europeanwine #winetourism #winedestinations #winetravel For more Travel Inspiration visit Destinations! We would love to connect with you. At Food and Travel Guides you find Stories and Guides to Top Destinations from Top Food Bloggers and Top Travel Bloggers from all over the World - in one place! All Europe Destinations Find Destination Guides to Europe, itineraries, travel inspiration and travel hacks for your next trip to Europe. Destinations in Europe from Top Food Travel Blogs on Food and Travel Guides. All guides from our Food Travel Writers and Guest Bloggers in one place. #destinationsineurope #travellingeurope #europeguide #besteuropedestinations #europeancountries #europeancontinent #europeandestinationguides #europeguides #europetravelguides #europeanfoodguides #destinationguidestoeurope #alleuropedestinations

Sitting by the poolside, where the key decisions of the day comprise which lounger to sit on or which cocktail to leisurely sip, it is extraordinary to consider that only a few hours drive from Muscat, one can find inner Oman. This rugged interior of date plantations, hillside forts, and soaring mountains is a world away from the luxury beach resorts of the city. Here, one is never far from a reminder of Oman’s fascinating history or its stunning landscapes. Guest Blogger: Pearce Gunne-Jones, Xcapia Disclosure: Our site contains Affiliate Links. Clicking an Affiliate Link and purchasing something we recommend, won't cost you anything extra - it probably will save you some bucks. It will though give us a small commission which will help this site remain a free resource for travelers to explore our world together. For the journey to the inland region of Jebel Akhdar, a sturdy 4WD is a must. On leaving Muscat center, it is not long before you leave the gently sprawling suburbs and the landscape gives way to dramatically jagged mountains, with the occasional hillside fort, a reminder of the ancient civilizations that have frequented and competed over this inhospitable landscape. The former imperial capital of Nizwa makes a natural stopping off point on the journey to Jebel Akhdar. On arrival, one is greeted by a very imperial-style, arched gateway, and within its near impregnable walls, lies the old town of Nizwa itself. Between its walls, there is a myriad of narrow streets with souks selling everything from dates to ointments and vegetables. Amongst the dusty streets leading to Nizwa Fort, stalls sell books faded by the Middle Eastern sun and traditional Omani jewelry. Nizwa Fort is surely the highlight of the town, its entrance denoted by an immense wooden door that has stood the test of time. The top of the fort affords panoramic views over Nizwa. Undoubtedly this view has changed with distinctly modern suburbs and a beautifully restored old town that touches on the clinical. Nonetheless, it is near impossible to visit Nizwa without imagining its historic resonance amidst this dramatic landscape. The next stop is Jebel Akhdar, and before long the mountains that frame Nizwa draws ever closer. To reach this mountainous plateau, the ascent is via a feat of engineering, a road of endless bends, and the rather alarmingly named escape routes built into the hillside should your brakes fail or you lose control. Access to the road is strictly controlled via a checkpoint to ensure only those vehicles that can make the ascent are allowed through. The historic accident rate on this stretch of the road suggests this is a necessary requirement. With each bend, there are ever more expansive views down the mountainside, and with an ear-popping effect, one is reminded of the ever-increasing altitude. After the seemingly endless run of bends and the last groan from the vehicle as it climbs the ascent, the top is eventually reached and the land flattens out. From a land of dusty sand and rock is replaced by a land of verdant greenery. For somewhere that feels decidedly detached, one soon finds themselves amongst bustling villages with farmers tending to their animals amongst the fields. This is an Oman far removed from the inhospitable terrain of Nizwa. One of the best vistas in Jebel Akhdar is surely one of the most luxurious resorts in Oman, that of the Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar. This resort is nestled on a hillside with panoramic views down the valley and across Jebel Akhdar. Non-guests can enjoy its facilities and its dramatically positioned glass-ringed platform which juts out over the cliff edge. Below, a village tentatively clings to the valley sides. This viewpoint is named Diana Point after Princess Diana and Prince Charles visited when this spot was decidedly more rugged and off the main tourist track. Guests of the resort have the added pleasure of enjoying this awe-inspiring panorama from the very Instagram-friendly infinity pool nearby. The Anantara resort and its grounds could easily find themselves on many a magazine cover (and indeed have). As well as its contemporary Arabian architecture and courtyards, its shop of local crafts is well worth a detour. For a more authentic experience, however, one should explore the village below the resort set within the valley itself. One is immediately transplanted to rural Omani life. No cars are able to negotiate its narrow and uneven alleyways which fall away dramatically to the valley floor. Like many such villages, one is more likely to find the occasional tourist than a local resident reflecting the rapid depopulation which was afflicted many such rural villages in this vast country. Whilst the emptiness of the village is eery, there are subtle signs of life. Complimentary tea and dates will often be left outside homes for passing walkers, for hospitality is ingrained in Omani tradition. Each doorway is different and uniquely ornate, giving a fascinating insight to the occupants beyond. Through a covered alleyway one suddenly finds a seemingly hidden view of the valley. There is no infinity pool here, and it is all the more refreshing for it. A guide is recommended to decipher the dizzying array of paths which, via a series of precipitous steps, make their way down the valley to a tumbling stream at the bottom, shrouded in lush vegetation. It is extraordinary to think one is still in Oman with its greenery and cooler climate. This mountain retreat is a world away from the beaches of the Gulf of Oman. A gentle reminder of the incredible diversity this country has to offer. Too soon it is time to return to the bright lights of the city, navigating the descent from Jebel Akhdar is best avoided in the failing light. There is time for one final stop off the main highway to watch the sunset. Via an inconspicuous dirt track off the gleaming black tarmac, with the odd goat watching warily, the trusty 4WD makes one final ascent. From the hillside, the valley floor opens up to reveal it brimming with a date plantation, the lush palms jostling shoulder to shoulder. In the evening light, the sand-colored mountains merge into the orange-hued palms below. In the distance, a lonely fort sits up on high. A fitting end to this briefest of forays into Oman’s fascinating and dramatic interior. Perhaps next time it would be worth giving the poolside cocktails a miss completely. Guest Blogger Xcapia is a Travel Website created by Pearce Gunne-Jones and designed to give you an insight into Global Destinations - both familiar ones and new ones. Xcapia will show how well-traveled destinations still can be experienced with new eyes as they are ever-changing. Visit Xcapia and follow on Instagram. Interior of Muscat in Oman Explore the dramatically jagged mountains, surrounding the former imperial capital of Nizwa; a natural stop on the journey to Jebel Akhdar with the Nizwa fort. Greeted by a very imperial-style, arched gateway, and within its near impregnable walls, lies the old town of Nizwa itself; a reminder of ancient civilisations around Muscat in Oman that have frequented and competed over this inhospitable landscape. #interiorofoman #oman #muscat #mountains #nizwa #jebelakhdar #nizwafort #imperialstyle #interior #oldtownofnizwa #ancientcivilisations #muscatinoman #landscape #omanguide #visitnizwa #journeytojebelakhdar

People and cities have something in common: they can both immensely let you down, (although travel disappoints me far less often than people do). Just when you think you’ve done all your homework, just when you think you can form a realistic expectation of them, just when you think you know them from a distance, they can take shape into something completely different before your eyes and you must face the rude awakening that you never really knew them the way you thought you did. And it’s mostly your fault for imposing your own expectations onto them. But the bottom line is: whether you embark on a journey with a new person or to a new place, you’re never really prepared to make any judgment until you’ve walked all the byways and side streets and find yourself at their core. But people and cities also have in common that they can take you completely by surprise. The ones you’d barely thought about visiting sometimes end up being among your favorites of all. This was absolutely the case for me when I first stepped foot in Rīga on a long layover home from Finland. Having never stepped foot in the Baltic countries before, I’d no idea what to expect. Curious to get a quick taste of something new, I thought ‘why not’. Guest Blogger: Issabella Orlando, Muse and Wander Disclosure: Our site contains Affiliate Links. Clicking an Affiliate Link and purchasing something we recommend, won't cost you anything extra. It will give us a small commission which will help this site remain a free resource for travelers to explore our world together. I had less than twenty-four hours to explore the city, but I could have easily stayed five times as long. Staying in a once abandoned building newly repurposed for artists’ residences and a small museum located just down the road from the Old Town, I was able to wander easily to the touristic center only moments after dropping my bag. Wading in sticky humidity and turning the corner to catch my first glimpse at the Old Town, I think I smiled the rest of the way through the city, congratulating myself for taking such a random leap of faith to come to such an unsuspectingly beautiful place, especially stunning drenched in the lingering light of the ten PM golden hour. Utterly charmed by the causeways and cathedrals of the Old Town and impressed with the sophistication of the newer quarters of the city, it’s safe to say that my brief encounter with Rīga was one of the best surprises I’ve had in a while. It was exactly what I needed to be encouraged to keep the faith, trust that we’ll always end up exactly where we are meant to be if we follow our instincts, and be reminded that what is coming is often far better than what is gone. Rīga’s Most Pleasant Surprises Wander the medieval web of interconnecting cobblestone roads of the Old Town and admire the buildings that line them, with their sugary candy floss hues and beautiful architecture. I dare you to try to prevent them from taking your breath away. Eat dinner at 3 Pavaru Restaurants, slightly off-center of the umbrella-clad patios bursting with tourists in the Old Town. Everything I put in my mouth there was exquisite while the environment was still cozy and the waiters friendly. Explore the newer neighborhoods of the city to the north of the park, home to coffee roasteries, craft beer breweries, and gorgeous design shops; I was so impressed even in the pouring rain. Prioritize Stars Coffee, Rocket Bean Roastery, and RIIJA shop. Take advantage of the Latvian National Museum of Art. As ever, the art exhibited there is a beautiful way to learn about the country’s Soviet history and unique culture. Guest Blogger Issabella Orlando from Muse and Wander is a Canadian-Italian writer, wanderer, cultural heritage advocate, and archaeologist in the making. A slow-burning desire to explore the world and learn more about those within it, past and present, moves Issabella to travel and study the ancient world. She has found that travel is one of the best ways to get what we all want out of life: to feel connected. Visit Muse and Wander and follow her on Instagram! Find out what to do and see when having 24 hours in Rïga, Latvia! Visit Riga Old Town, take a walk north of Riga City Park with coffee roasteries, drink Riga craft beer and visit breweries and design shops in Riga. Discover Riga in Latvia with Muse and Wander. #whattodoandsee #rïga #latvia #visitriga #rigaoldtown #rigacitypark #rigacity #coffeeroasteries #rigacraftbeer #visitbreweries #designshopsinriga #discoverriga #rigainlatvia #museandwander

Quito in Ecuador; at the intersection of two hemispheres on the bulge of the equatorial line, it is the closest capital to the sun. Situated on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano, it is the second tallest capital in the world sitting high in the Andean foothills at an altitude of 2,850m. This sprawling city has spectacular sights with breathtaking views and amazing food. Guest Bloggers: Suk & Sangy, Urge to XPLORE Disclosure: Our site contains Affiliate Links. Clicking an Affiliate Link and purshasing something we recommend, won't cost you anything extra - it probably will save you some bucks. It will though give us a small comission which will help this site remaining a free resource for travellers to explore our world together. Quito’s old town has one of the largest and the best-preserved historic center in Latin America called the Centro Historico -it is the first cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site. The narrow cobblestones streets of the old town are steep with many vibrant colonial structures and monuments including 16th-17th century churches built blending Spanish and indigenous styles. Head to Parque Itchimbia located at the summit of the Itchimbia hill. At 2900m it offers sweeping views of the historic center and the prominent landmarks that dominate the skyline. One of the must-see sights is the La Basílica del Voto Nacional. A beautiful roman catholic church built in neo-gothic style with stunning interiors. You can climb up to top of its towers to an amazing lookout for an up-close view of the historic center. The Virgin of El Panecillo also known as the Virgin of Quito is located on the top of the hill of El Panecillo, a loaf-shaped hill in the heart of the city and serves as a backdrop to the historic center. Much of the sights in the historic center are walkable. Start at the Plaza de la Independencia, known as Plaza Grande, which is the principal and central public square. With Heroes de la Independencia monument at its center that symbolizes the triumph of the republic, the Plaza is surrounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral, Palacio Arzobispal, and the Palacio de Carondelet which is the seat of government of the Republic of Ecuador. Just beside the palace, you will find the Centro Cultural Metropolitan, one of Quito’s finest museums. A few steps away is the Plaza de San Francisco another public square that faces La Iglesia y Monasterio de San Francisco - the Church and Convent of St. Francis. Walk down to the Centro Commercial at the Palacio Arzobispal to savor a sumptuous meal of a hearty potato soup and some fresh ceviche at the Hasta la Vuelta, Señor. Just a few minutes away is the statue of Marshal Antonio José de Sucre, the hero of Independence at the Plaza de Santo Domingo which also has the Church of Santo Domingo – a Catholic Temple. Of the many churches in the historic center, we would recommend visiting the La Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, widely regarded as the most beautiful with its ornate design and gold-leaf covering much of its vast interior. If you have time to spare you can also visit the Church of El Sagrario a chapel that is part of the larger Cathedral of Quito. On one of the evenings take a stroll along Calle La Ronda - with its lantern-lit streets and floral balconies it is home to many art galleries, craft shops, cafes, and elegant restaurants. Reserve a table at the Vista Hermosa – its open rooftop offers a magnificent 360-degree panorama over the Old Town. Acclimatizing to the high altitude may take a day or two for some people, so on day three or four take the TelefériQo, one of the highest aerial lifts in the world, to ride up to the top of Rucu Pichincha. A slow and steady climb takes you to the summit at 4784m. On the way to the top, you will walk past a set of swing – go for it. Once at the summit you will able to grasp the vast expansive reach of the city. The air is thin, but the views are breathtaking. One of the days you must head to La Mitad del Mundo, right at the intersection of Northern and Southern hemispheres this is the Middle of the World. Where else can you stand with each foot in a different hemisphere? Although modern research shows the actual equatorial line is few meters away, this is still a must-visit in Quito. The place has many restaurants, a small market with souvenirs, a place to get your passport stamped with souvenir stamps. Do try a handmade ice cream at the Ice Cream Museum. There is a monument where you can climb to the top to a get glimpse of the two hemispheres. Places to Go Around Quito Cotopaxi – It is the iconic mountain with a snow-capped crater rising majestically behind Quito. It is the most defining image of Ecuador.As one of the worlds highest volcanos, it is also one of its most active ones. A typical day trip (60 km south of Quito) with scenic drive gets you into the Cotopaxi National Park. From the parking lot, you drive through a rough gravel road to reach near Lake Limpiopung for some amazing views of the Cotopaxi. For the more adventurous, it is possible to climb Cotopaxi without any mountaineering experience, but the high altitude, steep sections of snow and ice mean this is not a feat to be taken lightly. Quilotoa - A turquoise lake within a volcanic crater - Laguna de Quilotoa is a sight to behold. The lookout on the crater rims offers stunning views of the still green water almost 400m below. One can hike down to the bottom for a much closer look and take a boat ride as well. Tucked in the rugged countryside the surrounding areas are home to indigenous people and villages. Both these can be covered in a single day tour without the hike up to Cotopaxi Peak or hike down to the Quilotoa Lake. Plan to spend an evening at La Mariscal – the modern part of Central Quito. Plaza Foch comes alive in the evening with patios, pubs, and cafes. The surrounding streets are dotted with many restaurants, bars, and boutiques. The Mercado Artesanal is a great place for souvenirs – a covered market with many rows of stalls selling crafts, leather goods, and clothing. Otavalo tour will be close to a full day. If you have time keep it for the last day so that you know how much you can pack. Otavalo Market – It is one of the largest indigenous markets in Latin America. The indigenous Otavalo people are famous for weaving textiles, usually made of Alpaca wool are sold at this market. Other than shawls, scarfs and sweaters, there are jewelry, musical instruments, leather goods, indigenous costumes, hand-painted platters and trays, purses, spices, raw foods, and plenty more art and crafts. Best Place to Stay in Quito Most of the sights are in the Old Town, however, most of the city tours and tours to places away from the city originates from La Mariscal. So somewhere midway between these two areas is ideal. Area around Parque El Ejido has many hotels, bed & breakfast, and Airbnb. On weekends the park turns into a hub of activity with musical performances and artisans selling colorful handmade crafts. Best Time to visit Quito Quito has a constant cool climate due to its elevation and proximity to the equator. Spring-like temperatures make it enjoyable throughout the year. June to September and December to January are the best times. More Quito Travel Tips and Recommendations Transportation in Quito: Buses and Taxis are in plenty in Quito, but the most reliable and safe option is Uber which is also quite reasonable. The Currency: Ecuador’s official currency is US Dollars. Cellphone: You can pick up a SIM at the airport. Charges are reasonable. Recommended Itinerary: A 5 -6-day itinerary can cover most of the sights mentioned here along with a couple of day trips. Do keep in mind its high altitude and it may take a day or two to get fully used to it. Authors and Food Travel Writers Suk & Sangy are a couple living in Toronto Canada with a nomadic soul. They have been travelling the world together for many years now and been to many places across 5 continents. As the pandemic put a restriction on their travel plans, they decided to spend their time sharing their past travel experiences through their blog – Urge to XPLORE. Also follow them on their Instagram. A complete Guide to Quito in Ecuador; the Capital Closest to the Sun in the Middle of the Earth. Find places to go around Quito, things to see and what to do in Quito, best place to stay in Quito and find activities in Quito in the Ecuador Guide from Urge to XPLORE. #completeguidetoquito #quitoinecuador #capitalclosesttothesun #middleoftheearth #placestogoaround #thingstosee #bestplacetostay #quito #ecuadorguide #urgetoxplore

Japan is an utterly gorgeous and bizarre country that has so much to offer. It has thousands of festivals year round, an abundance of natural landscapes, an eccentric cuisine, rich culture, beautiful temples/shrines, unique tea ceremonies, and enthusiastic locals (and those are just a few of the country’s attractions). Guest Blogger: John Adams, Freelance Travel and Lifestyle Blogger Disclosure: Our site contains Affiliate Links. As an Amazon Associate we also earn from qualifying purchases. Clicking an Affiliate Link and purshasing something we recommend, won't cost you anything extra - it probably will save you some bucks. It will though give us a small comission which will help this site remaining a free resource for travellers to explore our world together. One trip is not enough to explore Japan and narrowing down the best things to do in the country is a daunting task. However, these are some of the activities I enjoyed the most and wouldn’t mind revisiting any time soon: 1. Try the Street Food at Nishiki Market My number one reason for visiting Japan was it’s strange foods and the hype about them. Nishiki Market in Kyoto is the most popular area to experience authenticity of Japan’s one-of-a-kind street foods. I was most fascinated by the ‘Tako Tamago’, which is a baby octopus on a stick with a quail’s egg inside; I was hesitant at first, but I’m glad for trying it. Traditional ramen, Dango, Tamagoyaki, and Matcha ice cream are a few more favorites. 2. Ride the Bullet Train Japan’s bullet train that travels at approximately 175 miles per hour is great for travelling between cities. It is efficient, clean, economical, comfortable, and takes you through some pretty breathtaking routes. You might even get to see Mount Fiji up close! 3. Nap at a Capsule Hotel Capsule hotels are fairly cheap and very popular in Tokyo. They are futuristic sleeping pods that give you enough space and tranquil to catch up on much needed sleep. Compactness is a frequent attribute of real estate in the crowded cities of Japan. 4. Reminisce at Universal Studios Japan The Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is a delight for Harry Potter fan in any part of the world. Imagine being able to live and breathe in the magical world that was a significant part of our childhood (and remains through adulthood); strolling through Hogwarts corridors and buying your own magic wand will bring back so many amazing memories. 5. Stroll beneath the Cherry blossoms in Japanese Gardens You are in luck if you get to visit Japan during spring season, as it is peak time to witness the symbolic cherry blossoms. Take a walk around the beautiful Japanese gardens and admire the beauty. 6. Relax in an Onsen The Onsen is a hot spring that provides bathing facilities in the open. As Japan has a lot of volcanoes, the water in Onsens is heated naturally through geothermal energy. Soaking yourself in nature’s hot water tub is something you don’t want to miss. 7. Visit themed Restaurants Japan has a plethora of themed restaurants where you capture a ton of Instagram moments. From cat cafes to vampire diners, you will find everything your heart desires. The Robot restaurant in Tokyo is famous worldwide, so remember to book a table in advance. 8. Go to the Art Island One beachy spot is necessary on any trip itinerary, so what could be better than an island that exhibits art. The sandy beaches, calm atmosphere, and museums, are an art lovers dream. 9. Breakfast Sushi at a Fish Market You can find sushi on every other street in Japan, but the one you will find at popular fish markets early in the morning are at a whole new level. Sushi for breakfast may sound bizarre, but the freshness of ingredients won’t last at another time and place. 10. Shop at Hyaku Yen Stores No trip is complete without souvenirs, so visit Hyaku yen stores all around Japan that are equivalent to one-dollar stores along the West. You will find a range of cute merchandise and trinkets, including colorful foldable fans, plastic models of local food, hello kitty accessories, and cute bowls with traditional designs. Guest Blogger John Adams is a freelance lifestyle blogger who loves sharing his personal opinions and experiences. He enjoys travelling for the love for nature and wildlife. He is also very adventurous when it comes to food; he is always eager to try exotic dishes in strange places, and then trying to recreate them (with a twist) at home. If you are going to visit Japan you'll find 10 Things to do in Japan in this Travel Guide with japanese attractions like Streetfood on Nishiki Market, riding a Bullet Train or take a walk in the Cherry Blossom of Japanese Gardens. The Best activities in Japan in this quick and easy guide to discover Japan. #thingstodoinjapan #travelguide #japaneseattractions #alljapanese #japanese #streetfood #nishikimarket #bullettrain #cherryblossom #japanesegardens #bestactivities #japan #discoverjapan #visitjapan Disclosure: Our site contains Affiliate Links. As an Amazon Associate we also earn from qualifying purchases. Clicking an Affiliate Link and purshasing something we recommend, won't cost you anything extra - it probably will save you some bucks. It will though give us a small comission which will help this site remaining a free resource for travellers to explore our world together.

For many of us, 2020 feels like it never really took place. In the pandemic world, exploring far-flung places is going to be harder. I found a new kind of travel to keep my wanderlust coming amidst the home confines. It beats me to see how passionate travellers and industry experts are pushing boundaries to open new vistas, through which we can travel, without moving an inch. That is travel, from the comfort of home, by click of a finger. A take over of online tours in the travel scene has opened a virtual space to laugh, to know, and celebrate the world in which we live. Many of us have felt a bit like Rapunzel, trapped inside, staring out of the window, wondering how the world looked outside. I could feel this despair too. It is signing in to virtual tours helped me figure out, we are all the same. We bond over music, food, travel, art, and stories of the world. And that was exhilarating as a travel writer. Here is my list of 7 best ways to travel without moving an inch, to consider right now. Guest Blogger: Satarupa Datta, Travel Hand Made Disclosure: Our site contains Affiliate Links. As an Amazon Associate we also earn from qualifying purchases. Clicking an Affiliate Link and purshasing something we recommend, won't cost you anything extra - it probably will save you some bucks. It will though give us a small comission which will help this site remaining a free resource for travellers to explore our world together. 1. Week Without Walls Tigerwalah, a wildlife safari specialist in India, came up with a novel plan of bringing kids closer to nature, through a series of online sessions on Indian wildlife. Better still, this knowledge sharing was through interactive workshops, quizzes, and other planned activities. They call this - week without walls. A week into the world of birds, identifying their language, backyard birding, animal migration, big cats of India, and many unique online forest awareness programs for kids. Some interactive sessions go about sharing the world of creepy crawlies, animal communication, tribes of India and their art to DIY, and answering all 'why's and how's' coming from age groups of 7 to 14. All this from the comfort of your home. That is not all. Once the forest of Kanha opened gates to visitors, Tigerwalah and team went beyond the realm of the ordinary, opting for their jungle staycation to teach kids the language of the forest. These Indian wildlife scenes -going-online for kids are that thread to understand the Indian jungles and mystery abounding in every nook. After all, who can resist star-gazing under the narrative of an expert astronomer? - All part of the kids' workshop. If you’re in a dilemma of how to engage kids in lockdown, sign up for a thrilling adventure with a week without walls online sessions. Sometimes, something as simple as nature does the trick. So take a walk on the wild side when the world is treading on thin ice. 2. Traverse Journeys’s Travels Talks A female-founded company led by a globe-trotting duo with over 20 years of combined experience in the tourism industry, Traverse Journeys provides small-group, impact focused trips for the conscious traveler. They encourage us travelers to be mindful about the impact our adventures have on the places we visit, both the people who call that place home and the nature and environment surrounding it. The trips foster cross-cultural exchange and give insight into local communities and what's important to them. During COVID times, where most of us are grounded, the gals at Traverse are providing free travel talks and virtual tours. Some popular recent events have been "visits" from the comfort of your home to Iceland, Costa Rica, and Mexico with travel talks on useful topics ranging from Travel Insurance to Yoga Retreats to Safety in Times of COVID. You can get free access to past events here and see the uncomping chats here. Also check out their tour destinations for when we're back out in the world again! 3. And Beyond’s Wild Watch A shout of praise for And Beyond as one of the best travel experts is not enough. Through And Beyond safari’s and luxury lodges, one can find ample opportunity to explore stunning landscapes while indulging in never-before experiences at the most luxurious of settings. Once entered into the And Beyond cosmos, one is bound to come close to their conservation programs and you must know a part of the tour package goes in the conservation and expansion of wildlife reserves. With this in mind, one should know, their Africa tours are one unrivaled in wildlife sightings, hospitality, and expert guides. Among other feats, their virtual safaris recently introduced as Wild Watch Live Drive is unmissable. Covid 19 travel restrictions, sparked off this initiative of live safaris. It is called live because, And Beyond collaborated with wildlife live broadcasting experts, WildEarth, to stream (in real time) twice-daily, three-hour long game drives from some of their And Beyond African wildlife reserves. It doesnot end here, you can come up with your questions followed by #wildearth and the expert guides join in a live chat to answer all queries. I was thrilled to be in rounds of an afternoon safari, live from Masai Mara, Kenya, where the naturalist, followed a herd of elephants on their way to their watering holes to cool off the heat. He sums up the experience saying, a day without elephants, in Africa, is a day without sunshine. Another splendid leopard sighting was at Ngala, South Africa, a leopard rests on a termite ridge silhouetted against the afternoon sepia sky. Find out more on virtual series of how And Beyond is bringing the wilderness to us. Check out their site to know how to wildwatch. https://www.andbeyond.com/andbeyond-tv/wildwatch-live/ 4. Travel from Home through Windowswap Imagine sitting at your desk or lounging in your living room as you gaze out your window at an unfamiliar exterior. Maybe you’re looking at a distant tree-line or a backyard garden. But after a little while, you decide you’d like to be looking at something else. And then, with the click of a mouse, the scene on the other side of your window is a sprawling cityscape or a windy beachside. That is what windowswap does - a quarantine project started by an Indian couple based out of Singapore, where you can open a new window on somewhere in the world. The view you get might be from a window in Scotland, Australia, Portugal, USA, sitting at your own home. It is that simple, people across the world are sharing, 10 minute, horizontal views outside their windows. While browsing on a series of window views, I stopped at some of the beautiful views, one at Planitero, in the island of Peloponnese, Greece. It leads to a mountain village, dotted with hilltop houses, almost lulling me to an afternoon nap. Next, I was off to Blackness, Scotland. The window took me to vast expanses of a Scottish moor. And I made a day of it, gazing to my heart’s content. If you feel caged in the great pandemic, just a click here, https://window-swap.com/ could set you off to some faraway land, cost-free. 5. Airbnb Experiences Like a seagull’s dive bombing a bucket of fries, the pandemic too has shattered our travel plans for this year. But the good news comes as many sorted their coming year’s travel wish list and so did I. Morocco it is, with the maximum number of days in Marrakech. Aiming to crack the best holiday ideas into my itinerary, I signed in the Airbnb online experiences, in which a local travel expert helped transport me virtually to some of the intriguing places of Marrakech. The session was not a guidebook, blabbering of best places to see & eat rather, spilling out of rare insights, helping to plan better, even smarter. There's a little of everything in Marrakech, making the travelers' time management the most crucial. That comes down to one thing, picking a convenient locale, close to top attractions. Next he puts forward how to shrug off the wrangling scenes of the vibrant souks; the authentic hammam exfoliate feel compared to the new age luxury ones, also, tagine and couscous are not the only delicacies to tuck in, and a walk inside the medina, kasbah, riyadh could be nothing less than an open-air, architecture class even though you’re not a student in one. And many more such insights that create enough curiosity of what lies behind the walls of Marrakech. 6. Vino Vacation from Home The world has been dealing with a sea of change. This change touched on the etiquette of wine tastings as well. Today many crave for wine vacations, brushing off the communal drinking experience it exudes, probing as an antonym to social distancing. So what you can’t go to the vineyard, wineries across the world are letting you buy a bottle, and participate in virtual tastings. Bring a taste of Napa valley or Sonoma’s best wineries to your home by signing up for an authentic wine delivery along with a virtual tour. The tours also let you soak in centuries of wine-making heritage and tradition of California’s most prestigious terroirs, like Napa Valley or Sonoma County, through the zoom window, a gateway to the outside world. Discovery wines have organized many wine tasting sessions and events around california’s best wineries. Enjoy the first-ever family estate collections of Pinot noir and Chardonnay of the Sonoma county, this september. To know more about how to book the bottles and to get invited for a hour of tasting, check out their sites: https://discovercaliforniawines.com/events/ for a whole lot of wine tasting options. What a way to keep your spirits high! 7. Holidaying by good reads They let you travel without moving your feet, one of Jhumpa Lahiri’s lines from her bestseller Namesake holds true at all times. Many would find a bit daunting going in for 500 pages and more, at a time when your mind is on many things. Why not go through some of the new digital publication that are featuring out of the box 5 min travel stories, to keep us hooked. Travel with the stories and expeditions of Sidetracked magazine. I travelled through the immersive narrative and soul-stirring photographs, of a three-week journey that takes a writer from the Tibetan tracts of rural Yunnan province to the foot camp of Mount Everest in search of kora. All over Tibet, pilgrims travel to walk a route around a holy site and perform a ceremony of prayer to the gods of Tibetan Buddhism, that is called kora. I felt a flutter in my heart reading the story of two extraordinary mountain climbers who took on the extreme adventure of climbing the amazing desert towers in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. Intrepid Times, another platform that publish beautiful travel articles break ing every rule in the game and inspiring budding writers to to be able to write in such clarity. I was engrossed by a story where the writer was crossing into Zimbabwe from Zambia to take in the sight of one of nature’s most amazing natural wonders. Do read the story of a traveler to Bosnia and Herzegovina as she observes a death-defying dive from a bridge that has seen more than its fair share of history. https://intrepidtimes.com/2020/07/the-other-europe/. Let me confess, weeks of staying in with COVID scare sometimes drops down that craving for the outside world. But this year's travel restrictions also meant, to be a part of virtual tours, these are no less than a magic carpet taking you places, with no fear of falling. Guest Blogger Satarupa Datta is a world traveler who seeks unique cultures and traditions, that’s unheard and not much written about on her Travel Blog Travel Hand Made. She's a television writer with previous stints in reputed travel channels based out of Mumbai, India. She also have been developing scripts for Taiwan, Portugal, Mauritius, Uzbekistan, Cyprus and Egypt which aired in Travel XP 4k channel and love to do travel guides, features, roundup articles, food stories for publications and tourism boards. Visit Travel Hand Made and read her work on The Chubby Nomad. 7 ways to travel without moving an inch is a Travel from Home Guide with travel tips during a Pandemic when travels are limited. You can still discover the world without physic travel if you travel from home, travel through technology; travelling without moving an inch, #travelwithoutmoving #travel #travelfromhome #homeguide #traveltips #traveltipsduringapandemic #whentravelsarelimited #discovertheworld #withoutphysicaltravel #travelthroughtechnology #travellingwithoutmoving Disclosure: Our site contains Affiliate Links. As an Amazon Associate we also earn from qualifying purchases. Clicking an Affiliate Link and purshasing something we recommend, won't cost you anything extra - it probably will save you some bucks. It will though give us a small comission which will help this site remaining a free resource for travellers to explore our world together.

We spent a few days exploring Austin on foot. The Greenbelt, a beautiful park smack in the middle of the city, snakes along Barton Creek. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon strolling outdoors. We caught the sunset atop Mount Bonnell, a popular destination—we had to fight for our own space to watch the sunset. We visited Barton Springs Pool, a natural bottom pool fed with warm water from a natural spring. Leisurely strolls along Congress Street and the upscale downtown area around Sixth Street ignited our senses with smells from curbside restaurants. However, what made our Austin trip truly exceptionally was our dinner at the city’s next best restaurant-Lin’s Asian Bar and Dim Sum. Guest Blogger: Scott Biales, Ditch the Map Disclosure: Our site contains Affiliate Links. Clicking an Affiliate Link and purchasing something we recommend, won't cost you anything extra - it probably will save you some bucks. It will though give us a small commission which will help this site remain a free resource for travelers to explore our world together. Catching Sunset atop Mount Bonnell in Austin, Texas Austin’s Best Dim Sum Lin’s Asian Bar and Dim Sum Restaurant haven’t been on Austin’s food scene for long, but this charming restaurant is already making waves. It’s a bustling spot attracting hipsters and traditionalists alike. In addition to the dim sum, they have a full menu of Asian-inspired dishes. Everything from the soup dumplings to the desserts is handmade with the same meticulous attention to detail and passion for quality. What sets this place apart, aside from setting your taste buds into a frenzy, is the love and dedication Lin and her husband have for creating a space that honors traditional with a contemporary spin. There are stories behind many of the dishes and decorations that give a nod to Lin’s roots. In fact, much of the décor is sourced from Lin’s hometown in China like the intricate hand-painted umbrellas that adorn the entranceway and the delicate seaweed rice baskets in which ‘Grandma’s rice’ is lovingly served. Each dish is plated with the utmost care and consideration; no detail escapes this couple. A quiet, modest pride exudes from the husband-wife duo who source the ingredients locally, selecting the freshest and purest meats and vegetables. The quality of the ingredients shines as Lin devotedly cultivates complex flavors. It is clear that for Lin, cooking is an expression of love. The dishes satisfy the stomach and the eyes; they are exquisitely plated, almost too beautiful to eat. Each dish we ordered was perfection; the airy cloud-like tofu, the decadent and crispy sautéed Angus beef with foie gras, the flaky scallion pancake with perfectly paired curry dip, and the handmade chocolate mouse subtly infused with jasmine.  What’s truly not to miss, however, are the soup dumplings. No meal at Lin’s Asian Bar and Dim Sum Restaurant would be complete without these doughy soup-filled bundles. The broth that fills the dumplings is carefully prepared for hours to coax the maximum amount of flavor, resulting in ultra-tender bites of meat. Carefully pour the side of vinegar over the soup dumpling and enjoy as the flavor evolves from salty to sweet. Additionally, plenty of vegetable-centric dishes make it a vegetarian-friendly option. Lin’s ability to blend textures and create dynamic flavors from the freshest ingredients with a deep respect for her culture makes for a simultaneously belly-filling and heartwarming meal.  Lin and her husband are committed to using local ingredients to create food that is steeped in culture and rich in passion and flavor. Guest Blogger Ditch The Map is run by Sylvie Golec and Scott Biales from the USA. They are devoted Foodies and Travellers that love to Explore World Cuisines and Food wherever they go. Follow them on Ditch The Map and on Instagram The Best Dim Sum in Austin, Texas is a Ditch the Map Restaurant Review. If you are looking for great Dim Sum in Austin, Texas; Lin's Asian Bar and Dim Sum Restaurant is the place to go. Find the best Asian food in Texas - visit Austin and Lin's Dim Sum Restaurant.

In the past 6 months, I've been closely watching the performance of my posts on Instagram with various hashtags. As you have probably already noticed yourself, some hashtags perform better and some worse. The performance also depends on the current Instagram algorithm, but there are still a few things you can do to improve it. I invested loads of time and energy into researching hashtags and came up with the ultimate list of best-performing hashtags for travelers and a unique system of how to use them. Guest Blogger: Tereza Letalova, Czick on the Road Disclosure: Our site contains Affiliate Links. As an Amazon Associate we also earn from qualifying purchases. Clicking an Affiliate Link and purshasing something we recommend, won't cost you anything extra - it probably will save you some bucks. It will though give us a small comission which will help this site remaining a free resource for travellers to explore our world together. Does size matter? Yes, when it comes to hashtags! As you already know, you can use up to 30 hashtags on your post. You also must know by now, that hashtags differ by size. The size of the hashtag is defined by the number of posts which are tagged by it – some might have only 300 posts, some have over 3.000.000. Even though you might be drawn to using the big hashtags, those will not bring you much exposure, you will never make it to the top if you don’t have a huge number of followers and likes and will only stay a few minutes among the recent posts. Instead, go for medium or small hashtags, with which you have a better chance to get among the top posts and stay there even for several days! How to put your post to the top and the explore page The hashtags’ top posts on Instagram are picked out by an algorithm that ranks posts within that hashtag. Although no one knows precisely how this algorithm selects top posts, it has been proven to measure post engagement and its growth - a post that has acquired more likes and comments recently has better chances. So, besides using the right hashtags, ask your friends and family to like and comment your posts right after you publish them, to have a better chance to make it to the top. It’s also good to check when your audience is more active and publish at that hour (simple analytics of the business account shows you this info, but usually it’s in the evening). How many hashtags should you use Opinions on this matter differ, some people claim to use all 30 hashtags, some say around 20 is optimal, some would tell you to use only 5 and change them with every post. I have also heard from people that if you use the same set of hashtags long term, the reach decrease and it's optimal to switch hashtags on every 3rd post. I have prepared several sets of hashtags and switch among them on every post depending on the nature of the picture. The smallest and the biggest hashtags – which to use For easier use, I have divided hashtags into 3 categories – small, medium and big. Small hashtags are up to 100.000 posts and you should use most of them (around 15), the medium is up to 1 million and you should use them wisely (around 5), big ones have more than 1 million posts and you should not use many of them (max. 3) or avoid using them completely. The best Instagram hashtags for travelers As my niche is traveling, all my hashtags are travel related, but for better targeting, I have them divided into 3 groups: travel, woman travel and couples travel. For the best reach, I recommend you to create sets of 20 hashtags from these + make a research before every post and check which hashtags are displayed on the explore page (looking glass on the bottom menu) and also add location-specific hashtags – f.e. #visitchile #discoverargentina #czechexplorers #germanroamers etc. I hope this guide will help you to boost your Instagram engagement and if you know some more good hashtags, don’t hesitate to share them in comments, I’m sure there are loads more worth using. Small hashtags (up to 100.000), use often Travel couples: #coupletravelling #coupletravelgoals #travelcouplegoals #coupletravellers #traveltogetherstaytogether #couplestravelgoals #travelcouplelife #coupletraveler #travelustcouples #coupleslovetravel #coupletravels #couplestagram #coupletraveller #couplesthattravel #travelingcouples #couplestravel #creativetravelcouples #travelcouples #coupletravel #travelcouple Travel girl: #globella #ladiestraveltribe #roamingwoman #welltraveledwoman #czickontheroad #thediscoverers #globelletravel #girlstraveltale #femmetravels #femmetraveler #dametravelers #girlswithgypsysouls #womanwhoexplore #babeswhowander #shetravelz #thetravelwoman #girlsaroundtheworld #womantravel #womentravel Travel: #seekdiscovery #traveltribeworldwide #wanderoftenwonderalways #roadwideopen #allwedoistravel #igtravellers #earthscope #nowdiscovering #ichosetowander #voyaged #the_folknature #wanderlusts #wanderoften #traveltribe #igtravelworld #wanderlust_tribe #igtraveler #instatraveller #thewanderco #traveladdiction #travelmoments #instatravelgram #voyagediaries #epicjourneycontest #putyourselfoutthere #roamtravels #passportcollective Medium hashtags (up to 1.000.000), use wisely Travel girl: #travelgirlsgo #femaletravelblogggers #citizenfemme #girlsvsglobe #girlsthatwander #globelletravels #girlsborntotravel #thediscoverer #ladiesgoneglobal #femmetravel Travel: #travelcommunity #igtraveller #livelovetravel #traveladdicts #traveltagged #worldtravelers #instatravels #igtravels #instatravelhub #traveltogether #igtravelers #travelblogging #instatraveller #earthoutdoors #wondermore #travelquotes #traveladdicted #travelgrams #travellushes #traveljournal #travelbuddies #travelnow #travelstories #travelog #travelinstyle #wanderluster #travelislife #worldnomads #travelbuddy #travel_captures #traveltime #travelguide #travelstroke #traveljunkie #iamtb #travelwithme #wanderlusting Big hashtags (over 1.000.000), use little or avoid Travel girl: #girlslovetravel #sheisnotlost #dametraveler #travelgirl Travel: #travellove #travelphotos #travelwriter #travelporn #tasteintravel #iamatraveler #travelgoals #travellover #travelholic #worldtravelpics #travelandlife #welltraveled #instatravelling #passportready #travelersnoteboook #travelmore #travelpic #traveldiary #worldtraveler #theglobewanderer #traveldeeper #welivetoexplore #travelstoke #mytinyatlas #travelbug #travelawesome #stayandwander #travelpics #travellovers #travellife #traveldiaries #travelphoto #traveladdict #travelblog #instatraveling #mytravelgram #passionpassport #igtravel #traveller #travelblogger #travelphotography #instatravel #travelgram #wanderlust #travel Visit my blog for some travel inspiration. Guest Blogger Tereza Letalova from Czechia travel and blog together with her friend Primož on Czick on the Road. Tereza is a World traveler and adventurer, a mounain girl, curios about vegan diet and keen on getting new tattoos she's also a port and fitness enthusiast. Follow her on Czick on the Road and on Instagram. Guide on How to use the Best Hash Tags on Instagram Which Hashtags on Instagram should you use as a Travel Blogger? Here is helpful tips on How to use the Best Hashtags on Instagram from our Guest Blogger Tereza Letalova from Czick on the Road. Grow your followers on Instagram with this Instagram Guide. #guide #instagram #instagramguide #hashtags #whichhashtags #travelblogger #helpfultips #howtousethebesthashtags #besthashtags #hashtagsoninstagram #guestblogger #terezaletalova #czickontheroad Disclosure: Our site contains Affiliate Links. As an Amazon Associate we also earn from qualifying purchases. Clicking an Affiliate Link and purshasing something we recommend, won't cost you anything extra - it probably will save you some bucks. It will though give us a small comission which will help this site remaining a free resource for travellers to explore our world together.

With our new and improved guide "How to Improve Your Writing Online" you can improve your results fast and easily, find helpful tips on how to start writing better content on your site and blog, or doing guest blog posts. Just follow our Step-by-Step Guide. Quality Content still is the key to ranking higher and gaining more visitors, but it's so much more in the journey to improve your writing skills. The guide "How to Improve Your Writing Online" is focused on Blog Writing Skills, Online Publishing, and Improving your overall content when writing online. We have focused on our niche which is Food Travel Writing examples but it doesn't matter if you're a Food Writer or Travel Writer. As long as you create content online - this guide will improve your writing significantly. That's a promise. Author: Team at Food and Travel Guides Disclosure: Our site contains Affiliate Links. Clicking an Affiliate Link and purchasing something we recommend, won't cost you anything extra. It will though give us a small commission which will help this site remain a free resource for travelers to explore our world together. In this guide, we will give helpful tips on how to easily improve your writing skills online fast with some crazy good results for your blog, publishing platform, or social media channels visibility creating your own Digital Blog Strategy. At least this guide is what we think is essential to become a successful writer online in our humble opinion and layman's position. We are no SEO gurus but have learned some techniques that will help you improve your appearance and write better content. Follow these guiding tips and you might be able to make a living on your writing in the end. Let us start right now to look at how to improve your existing writing online today! 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How to Improve Your English Writing Skills If English is your second language; whatever you might think about your skills in writing correct English, be sure to install the App Grammarly. It's an Improving Your English App for sure. It's very helpful to get things right from the start. It's easy to install and will help you automatically when something goes wrong with spelling or grammar. What Grammarly does is take your eyes off the screen when you're in a flow of writing. That's what all writers want, right? The spellcheck you make before posting a blog post, article, or whatever you write online is made easy with this extension. And how awesome is that? Improve your Visibility - Learn about your SEO appearance The first question then; What is SEO? And what has it to do with your dreams of writing online and getting paid for it? Basically everything! Let us explain. Before even thinking of approaching a business, brand, online magazine, or likewise, you have to make yourself a name as a writer, become a fluent writer, make work that stands out, write content that will make you an influencer, and increase your followers and readers. Then without a doubt, the most important thing to work on is your site's SEO appearance. On-Page SEO is probably one of the most important SEO lessons you have to learn. Just do that, it's the foundation to becoming visible online. SEO is maybe the most important skill to learn because doing it right is how you will appear in your positions on Search Engines. And if you're not attractive - your writing might not drive traffic to your blog or work - so learn and do it right. There’s a huge amount of sites offering SEO tips on your visibility and appearance on Search Engines but we would like to just give you one tip and that is to check out Brian Dean and his site Backlinko! SEO is like mumbo jumbo to most of us but what Brian does is explain advanced SEO strategies most easily with quick and easy-to-follow Strategies and Step-by-Step Methods to increase your appearance on the Search Engine's organic search results. Our best tip; read everything in the Backlinko Blog and listen to Brian’s SEO advice on Backlinko's YouTube Channel and you’ll learn tons of helpful SEO Strategies! One of the toughest things for a creative writer is to find Content Ideas for new posts. Brian has some great techniques to find new topics, twists, and angles to new, fantastic content: Use Google Image Tags Facebook Ad Library The Reddit Keyword Research Tool Best By Links Reports The Exploding Topics Tool Scan Blog Comments Competitor’s YouTube Channels Product Hunt Google Analytics Landing Pages Report hrefs Content Explorer The Content Relaunch Create Yearly Guides Content Swipe File Google Searches Related To Find Super Low-Competition Keywords A/B Rankings Keyword Questions Tool Podcast Titles and Descriptions Bonus #1: Conference Talks Bonus #2: Pinterest Suggest Last but not least important; use some Free Tools to Improve SEO on your site! And then maybe Neil Patel can help you. He has tons of tips on how to improve your visibility, find the right keywords to use, and help you succeed in gaining more traffic to your site, written article, guest post, or blog. His SEO tools like Ûbersuggest is the proof he knows what he talks about! Just Check out this little SEO-Goodie Check List of PDFs from Neil Patel on writing SEO-friendly content and take a step closer to your first No 1 rank on Google (yes, that's where you're going!): Content Outline Template Content Steps Content List Types Headline Formula How to Make a List Interview Template Pilar & Cluster Pages Product Review Template Site Structure Cheat Sheet Content Promotion Guide Advanced Linking and Off-Page SEO Link Building Guide Link Building Outreach Templates Outreach Guide Search Console Resources Google Tag Manager Resources Google Analytics Guide Email Marketing Templates Offer Sheet Your Bigger Contribution Unique Value and Selling Proposition Taskmaster Worksheet Growth Hacking Template Outreach Templates Case Studies Omni Channel Guide Pretty awesome stuff - and it's free SEO tips you can start using right away. If you use Chrome you should install an extension like Woorank’s SEO & Website Analysis Tool which gives you tips on how to make adjustments to improve your SEO ranking directly in the web browser bar or SEO Quake for a lot of useful SEO information about your sites, blog and performance online. Do Collaborations and Guest Blog Posts Collaborations between blogs with the same niche as yours are a brilliant way to increase traffic to your site. This will make improvements to your ranking too. You should try to make friends with high-quality blogs that are in the same writing niche as you. If you for instance write about Food Travel, you can find sites like Food and Travel Guides that gather Food and/ or Travel Blogs for promotion, exposure, co-work, guest blogging opportunities, mentoring, active forums, the possibility to post your blog posts, etc and this kind of collaboration with building links and consistency of high-quality content is an awesome way to make Google and other Search Engines rank all the included sites higher. And by any means; working together attracts visitors - who will find your blog link and increase your traffic and page rank. Because one SEO technique that is hot again when growing traffic is Link Building! Yes, link building is still something you need to know more about. And you probably have read that Google hates Link Building! But this is no secret; Google's algorithm and business model are based upon links and showing the quality content these links provide for you as a user. So you might reconsider the importance or just what we refer to when we write Link Building. What's important is relevance and that it's quality links from sites with high DA; or Domain Authority. What is DA? It's a metric and SEMrush Authority Score for measuring a domain's or your webpage's overall quality and SEO performance; nothing to do with Google in a sense and that's why we think the next strategy to improve your writing is a good one. Using the "Food and Travel Guides Web Buzz Strategy"; which is Link Building, means you are more likely to be found and seen when you’ve linked together with other quality bloggers that blog about the same topics - than completely by your own. ”The Web Buzz with Quality Content we can build Together can't be ignored - even by a Spider!” (Founder of Food and Travel Guides) And combined with your Digital Blog Strategy and co-work with other bloggers and content creators, this can rocket launch your rank appearance in organic search results! "Together is a Keyword you should keep in mind when building your appearance on the Internet" (Founder of Food and Travel Guides...again) We are convinced that long-term connections between sites with the same niche are something that must have to be a part of the Google Algorithm. How to do Guest Blog Posts Writing Guest Blog Posts is a great thing for your visibility on the web and also a way to practice your writing skills! Many of the Top Blogs that accept Guest Blog Posts are of course about SEO, SEO analysis, SEO tips, and likely topics on web marketing, business, social media, and Technology but you can find a lot of sites offering the opportunity for you to blog about your favorite topics! To reach out with a question about making a Guest Blog Post can be hard, however; if you decide to make this reach out in two steps starting with a mail with a friendly opening; giving positive feedback on a recent post from the site you approaches for instance, with a question for feedback on an article about a similar post you have written can be the opening you’re looking for. If getting a reply; make a second-stage Follow-Up Mail with a direct question about a Guest Blog Post swap collaboration with backlinks for both of you. What you also can do to increase your chances for a Guest Blog Post collaboration is to be active on Forums, Social Media, and Community Platforms (without selling in the idea that you want to make Guest Blog Post at first). Make some new friends; like, comment, and give feedback on their posts, links, and sharing of Blog Posts, and then make the first contact with a second follow-up mail like above. The chances they will accept a collaboration are most definitely higher if you are friends than if having a Guest Blog Post question as a starter of communication! And of course, you can become a Guest Blogger at Food and Travel Guides. Online Writing Strategy Finding subjects as easy as 1-2-3 for the perfect post or article When trying to find a subject for an article one of the best strategies is to know your competitors! If you like us to write about Food Travel you should subscribe to Food Bloggers and Travel Bloggers you like to get inspiration, and ideas and to know what’s hot and what’s not in your context of Food and Travel! You should of course write about the things you love but when thousands of Food Bloggers have given their thoughts about ”The Best Barbecue Rub Ever” – should you go there with another Barbecue Blog Post? Or do we need another ”What’s in my Backpack” article? We think no - and now you will get a tip we have found very useful; This strategy to find twists and a new angle to a popular subject is great! It will help you to find new topics and interesting content for amazing Blog Posts in no time. "Why invent the wheel all over again when you can make a perfect and beautiful rim?" (a Founder of Food and Travel Guides Quote once again!) This way you can add a new angle to very popular topics and stand out among the crowd! Another Writing Strategy is obviously to be unique. And there’s only one You. Never forget that! Make a list of what you’re good at – be honest. Find the Top Skills you master and think about any subcategory you could write something interesting about - use the Strategy above! Now use some Title Power-Ups and start writing guides! When you have a bunch of good-looking blog posts – bundle them up to make a longer and more interesting article with backlinks to the original blog posts. These strategies are perfect when you want to make an article but also for adding new unique quality content on your site. Also, search to find writing tips like writing an SEO-friendly Blog Post or Tips for writing Travel Articles, and then make a checklist you can follow when writing your articles and blog posts online about Food and Travel. If you write about Food Travel, once again as an example. In this Strategy for B2B Growth, you'll find some Strategies you can find helpful and worth checking out even when it comes to improving your online writing. Get noticed by Publishers and Brands What’s your purpose in running your blog? If you read this far we’re pretty convinced that one of your major goals is to make a business of writing, traveling, and eating full-time. Monetizing your blog with Affiliate Links is one thing. Affiliate Links are easy to manage and if you’re lucky you will be earning some dough. Getting Published on the other hand and getting paid to write for an Online Magazine, for instance, is hard. Getting to a point when a Brand contact you and propose to you to come work for them or when you have enough skills as an online writer is beyond hard but worth every minute invested when it happens. When your blog-sphere has grown, you have caught the interest of readers and maybe some Brands as well, you’re getting more subscribers to your newsletter each day and you start to be recognized as a Writer and Author; the next step is to get noticed by a Publisher! Let the world know you are a Writer! Our first tip is to start with creating a LinkedIn Profile with a CV, references, and links to your work and then start applying for a Remote Work Gig or job offers listed on Indeed for instance with our example; Food Writing and Travel Writing. You will get a lot of refusals but don’t give up! Use your failures as lessons to try harder! You also should join some Influencers' Marketing Resources! There’s a good chance that a future employer knows about these resources and with the great work you’ve done so far on your writing and blog appearance you are on your way to becoming a Top Influencer more quickly. Want to get there more quickly? Here's an Ultimate Guide to Being a Freelancer. However; if wanting it bad to become a full-time writer you’ll still need a well-figured-out structure, a focused mindset, and a constant drive to always push forward, and quite frankly – that goal isn’t for all to achieve. Create Your Digital Blog Strategy This part should probably be at the top of this blog post! Because it all starts with your dream to write online! And if you want to be successful you have to put a lot of time and effort to reach your goal as a full-time writer. It requires patience, a strong focus, and devotion, it takes a plan; it takes a Digital Blog Strategy. Start with writing your Business Plan which should reveal your purpose with blogging and target your audience as well as show you how to reach them digitally i.e online. Here's a very comprehensive Guide to Writing a Business Plan like a Pro too. Make sure to have a Marketing Strategy in your Business Plan because these two plans together form a Digital Blog Strategy. Have a look at these amazing Internet Marketing Strategies! They are really helpful to get the work done when you want to write a Digital Strategy! When your Digital Blog Strategy is done remember to make a Time Plan where you can schedule your activity i.e what to post when, how to update your food and travel blog, your plan when to share your posts and where, and your social media action list to improve your visibility. If you wondering which Social Media will fit your publishing; here are some Insights and Facts about Social Media Platforms. Forums activity on sites like WikiHow, Quora, or Food and Travel Forum Platforms like TripAdvisor, Lonely Planet, and Fodor’s among many others are perfect to establish yourself as a Food Travel Writer. And you can always join us at Food and Travel Guides. We will promote your work on Social Media Channels and Food Travel related Platforms - for free. Your Social Media Strategy should include when to make posts on Instagram, How to Schedule Posts on Facebook, and when to Post your Pins on Pinterest! Sometimes you discover you have to edit an Instagram Post but you might need to think twice before you do: This is why but also how you do it if you have to! For Instagram and Pinterest Updating we can recommend Tailwind App (You'll get $15 off on the PRO-version when following that link!) Tailwind is actually beyond awesome and will save you a lot of time making automated updates on your favorite Social Media Platforms. Take the advice above seriously because it will result in more traffic and engagement from your visitors! And now to the tricky part of any business plan with a clear market and digital strategy; be consistent and stick to the plan! If you want to be consistent in your updates you’ll need a lot of ready-to-go-post, some well-worked-out drafts, and a bunch of ideas for new food and travel blog posts in the pipeline! Be sure to be prepared so your scheduling doesn’t suffer from a lack of content to post! And remember that ”stick to the plan” doesn’t mean following the Business Plan or Digital Strategy blindly! If some blog posts don’t work or perform well; analyze and make improvements! A Business Plan as well as any Marketing Strategies are living documents and will need changes and new ideas with time. Be aware that improving in ranks, and increasing the number of visitors also consumes time and sometimes a lot of time like in years. So how do you keep track, measure, and make you analyze effectively? What’s the secret to how to make the right decisions for better visibility? The answer is Analytics! Firstly be sure to install and get to know the almighty Google Analytics, check out and understand how to analyze your Instagram for Businesses Statistics, dive into Facebook Analytics to get more likes and engagement, learn about how to measure and boost your impact with Twitter Analytics and continue to make improvements, updates and blog posts with what you learn on the way! Be patient. Let time make the work. There’s no super quick fix to gain success in an instant but the more you know, the more you adjust to what you learn about SEO, the more precise your Digital Blog Strategy is and if you follow your set plan - the quicker you get positive results. Helpful Links for Writers and Content Creators So are you ready to step up? Are you ready to try to succeed as a full-time Author, Content Writer, or Blogger? All your time, blood, sweat, and tears to know your game can end in two ways; a fall or a victory and you should be prepared to meet both. Still, firmly believe you can do it? Great! Your journey starts right now! We found this Amazing List of Online Travel Magazines and it’s probably worth diving into – both for Travel Inspiration and possible work opportunities. The list in the above link is long though so let's conclude our guide to "How to Improve Your Writing Online" with some of our own Top Choices to the best Food and Travel Magazines, Food and Travel Writer Communities, Job Sites and Useful Blog Posts to check out - still if that's your niche! You might find some useful links even if it's not. And be sure to check out all the fantastic links in this guide. It's a Gold Mine for improving your writing skills. Thanks for reading! OUR SUGGESTED AND RECOMMENDED LINKS: Travel + Leisure Without a doubt the World’s largest Travel Magazine Brand. Expect overwhelming competition! Food and Travel Magazine is One of the leading Food and Travel Magazines with worldwide coverage. Matador Creators Community Join the biggest and industry-leading collective for Travel Writers. It’s free to sign up with a lot of opportunities! Travel Blogging for Beginners Are you new to travel blogging? Per "Resrutt" which means "Itinerary" in English share his helpful and successful tips on his site! Food Writer Jobs at UpWork One of many Work Sites online you can join! The Write Life has a great list of 34 Travel Magazines and Travel Websites that Pay Freelance online Travel Writers! Be a Freelance Writer have a lot of tips on how to get paid jobs and be more successful as a freelance Food Writer or Travel Writer. Grammarly is an absolute must-have if English is your second language! It will auto-correct your misspelling and also check the grammar for you! How amazing is that? Eezee Live has a great list of SEO tips for ranking higher on Search Engines to check out! Saveur Magazine is Still one of the more classy Food Magazines Pro Blogger list writing jobs for professional bloggers. Writers Job Board has helpful tips to improve your writing skills as a Freelance Food and Travel writer National Geographic Writing for National Geographic is...well...the dream job for many! Do you want your link in the list above? Send us a mail! If you want to include a link to this guide in your own Blog Post; let us know if you do so we can backlink it to your site. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest and share the guide on your Social Media. Give us feedback in the comments and let us know if we can improve or add something to the guide – thanks a lot! Safe Travels - Stay Awesome and Creative. The team at Food and Travel Guides The improved "How to Improve Your Writing Online" is here! Read the Free Guide to improve your writing and Rank High on Google in our Free Digital Blog Strategy Guide.

Hunting for Street Art is one of our biggest interests, so when Artscape and Gothenburg International Biennial for Contemporary Arts, GIBCA announced on their Facebook pages that they were going to do four free bus tours together (even including lunch and snacks!) to get to know the Artscape Saga Project better, with pit stops for Art Exhibitions and Museum visits, that was, of course, a no-brainer! Unfourtanly, Spoons couldn't attend more than one, but what a wonderful opportunity to see all this beautiful Street Art and Art, and the tour was awesome! Guest Blogger: Fredrik Goldhahn, Sticks & Spoons Food Travel Disclosure: Our site contains Affiliate Links. Clicking an Affiliate Link and purchasing something we recommend, won't cost you anything extra. It will though give us a small commission which will help this site remaining a free resource for travelers to explore our world together. Street Art by Captain Kris, New Zealand Sticks & Spoons "Artscape Saga Tour" part two This post is part of a series of articles and blog posts we have called "Artscape Saga Tour". You can read them individually one by one or as a book with chapters of our Street Art Hunts discovering the fantastic Street Art around Gothenburg with Street Art from the Artscape Saga Project. You'll find all parts in the Table of Content. Table of content Sticks & Spoons Food Travel "Artscape Saga Tour" part one 1. Artscape Saga Street Art Sweden a) Artscape Saga b) Artscape Street Art Map c) Street Art in Kungälv d) West Coast Brunch at Marstrand Havshotell e) Street Art in Stenungsund Food and Travel Guides "Artscape Saga Tour" part two 2. Street Art Tour with Artscape Saga and GIBCA a) What is Artscape Saga Project? b) Street Art in Partille c) Largest Mural Painting in Scandinavia d) Co-creating Art and Street Art Workshops e) Street Art in Mölnlycke f) GIBCA Exhibition Ollio g) Street Art in Mölndal h) GIBCA Exhibition Amalia Bille RELATED POST: Artscape love Gothenburg: 2016 Street Art Flashback What is Artscape and the Artscape Saga Project? Artscape is a nonprofit association that started in 2014 with a mission to make "Art Available for Everyone to see in Public Spaces and Cityscapes". Successful years of working toward making Street Art and Mural Paintings accepted in the public domains and appreciated by a wider audience followed, with Street Art Festivals and Street Art Projects in Malmö 2014 and 2015. In 2016 it was Gotheburg's turn to get an injection of colorful Street Art and Murals. The region Värmland was up next in 2017 with Artscape's most advanced and ambitious Street Art summit to date. The "White Moose Project" gathered 29 worldwide famous and local artists and resulted in 32 pieces of Street Art spread over 12 municipalities! 2019 Artscape took its work of spreading Art in the public space to the next level with no less than two large-scale Street Art Projects; Artscape Saga and Artscape Street Art Festival in Ljusdal. There's no surprise that Artscape in just five years has become one of the leading organizations in the world for urban and contemporary Art Projects - yet it's an impressive accomplishment! Artscape Saga is a Street Art Project with inspiration sprung from Sagas, Folklore, Tales, and Myths from all over the World. The brilliance of 26 Street Art Artists created 32 Street Art pieces and wonderful murals during 3 weeks in 12 municipalities to Gothenburg in Sweden, making the project one of the largest urban contemporary art projects in the world. Street Art in Partille The first Mural of our Street Art Tour was "Mother Earth" by Mural Painter Mona Caron from Schweiz. It's an interpreted saga by Artscape made from several Mother Earth myths from different parts of the world, with a natural connection to the Saga Projects playfully and investigatory attitude that folk tales are evolving and ever-changing being told by generations. ​ Artscape not only scouted walls to paint for this project; they also chose the sagas, tales, and folklore myths to be the inspiration for the artists. Consciously, they also chose the artist for each theme, often giving them a theme they weren't familiar with just to push the artist's imagination and inspiration for their art piece. ​ But a lot of times, also the surrounding environment and especially the people, turned out to be a source of inspiration. Detailed portraits on the Dandelions root Mona Caron paints exclusively with a brush which made this masterpiece of a Mural take about two weeks to finish. During that time the residents became a daily element in the artist's work, coming and going, staying for a chat, or bringing food or coffee.  ​ That inspired Mona to give the Wall Art an additional tribute to the residents of the house! We see them lifelike portrayed, marching with a banner saying "Growing Together", on the Dandelions root! Mona Caron's Street Art and Mural Painting style otherwise almost exclusively includes flowers. A lot of flowers! Colorful weeds, flowers, and nature with an underlying message of action taking climate change seriously and the concern about our environment and future.  So her doing "Mother Nature" for the Artscape Saga Project was more than Natural! Find Mona Caron Street Art online: Mona Caron site, Mona Caron Instagram, and Mona Caron Facebook. Largest Mural Painting in Scandinavia Two houses from Mother Nature Mural in Partille you'll find Scandinavia's largest Mural and Street Art up to date; Revontulet by Australian Mural Artist Smug aka Sam Bates. The inspiration is the Finnish saga about how Aurora Borealis; or the Northern Lights, once were created. And actually, Revontulet is the Finnish word for the phenomena. This Mural is a perfect example where Artscape chose an Artist taking on an unknown saga or tale; adding an exciting challenge and getting a completely different angle on the interpretation when creating! However, Australia has its own version of the phenomena called Aurora Australis so probably Smug had some awareness of this type of Aurora as well. We would love to learn how to take a photograph of Northern Lights - Spoons have a tattoo of the phenomena - and with that in mind we think Smug did an excellent job with this Mural! Smug is truly a world-famous Mural Painter and one cool thing is that he many times includes friends or even himself in his work. So in the Artwork in Partille we can see one of his good friends; Street Artist and Sign Maker Ciarán Glöbel (Check out Ciarán Glöbel on Instagram - right now there's a Video PodCast with Sam "Smug" Bates linked in the bio!) as one of the wanderers that Revontulet saves during the storm when the Northern Lights is created in the Finnish myth. ​ RELATED POST: "Skin and Bone" - an art exhibition of Sam Bates aka Smug ​ Smug has an exceptional talent for details. His lifelike Street Art, the effect of lights in the Art, and the ability to make even the smallest of details stand out on his big murals to have made him respected throughout the Street Art World. His work often includes the faces of family and friends, birds, animals, and skulls. Smug is one of our personal favorite Street Artists and Mural Painters and it's amazing to see his work up-close! ​ Find Smug Street Art online: Smug's Instagram and Smug's Facebook. Co-Creating Art and Street Art Workshops In every municipality Artscapes Street Artists make Murals, they also do workshops or co-create together with the people living on the location. It can be a "try street art" workshop together or by gathering ideas for an art piece performed by the artist.  ​ In Partille the Malmö-based street artist Elina Metso (Check out her Instagram!) did the street art painting above with the inspiration from the locals when asking what they thought of when hearing about "sagas and tales". Of course dragons and caves! And reading books. On the tour, Torbjörn from Artscape talked about all the Mural Paintings, the inspiration behind the art, and interesting facts about the artists and their contribution to Artscape Saga. Inspiring to hear about their work and the Street Artists. Detail from the Artscape Saga Co-created Street Art in Partille Street Art in Mölnlycke After Partille we headed for Mölnlycke, to see the amazing art of Captain Kris from New Zealand. His piece was inspired by the West African tale about the Frog and the Mouse that became friends...with a little mishap when they went home to the frog. Captain Kris's artwork is a mix of New School, Cartoon-ish, and with an uplifting sense of humor and superhero vibes. You should definitely check him out. ​ Find Captain Kris Street Art online: Captain Kris' Instagram and Captain Kris Facebook. GIBCA Exhibition Ollio The other part of the organizers of the Street Art Tour was GIBCA; Gothenburg International Biennial for Contemporary Arts. GIBCA is a project in contemporary art that occurs every two years in Gothenburg. Since its inception in 2001, GIBCA has established itself as one of Sweden's largest art events and is regarded internationally as one of the young, exciting biennials in Europe. ​ The 2019 Biennale's title, "Part of the Labyrinth", is borrowed from Danish poet Inger Christensen's response to Descartes axiom "I think, thus I am" from 1637: "I think, / thus I am part / of the maze" (from Letter in April 1979). ​ You can read more about GIBCA and "Part of the Labyrinth" here! The style above is typical and a signature style of the Street Art of Ollio One of many Exhibitions in the GIBCA Program and schedule was the one we visited next; Artist Ollio's Exhibition in Mölnlycke Culture House. ​ Ollio, or Jonathan Josefsson, began his artistic career as a Graffiti artist. For a while, he lived in Barcelona. The official explanation was to study Spanish but he did a lot of graffiti in the Catalonian city. When coming home he went to Art School for Textiles where he learned a lot about the creative process. ​ When the punishment for making illegal graffiti was going from small fines to accouchement of damaging official buildings and even prison, Ollio ended with Street Art for a while, concentrating on school. But two scholarships from Art School was a springboard to a new situation; it made him a respected artist with exhibitions and ordered art for hospitals, schools, and public institutions, and with that also a huge amount of requests making Graffiti legal walls followed. ​ Luckily, we have a lot of his Art on the Streets in Gothenburg due to that. Graffiti and creating his Art in a "flow" is still one of his trademarks. The Street Art especially, always leaves me standing for a long time looking at all the details. Besides Street Art and his "ordinary" artworks, Ollio also does tufted carpets(!) which he learned at Art School for Textile and the combination of expressions to his colorful style is really a great one. When Ollio does an Exhibition he almost always also included a work of art made on a wall and in Mölnlycke it was a big one, representing his unique style really well. ​ Find Ollio Street Art online: Ollio's Instagram and more Art on Ollio's Tumblr Jonathan "Ollio" Josefsson's GIBAC Labyrinth Artwork at Mölnlycke Culture House Street Art in Mölndal After the Ollio Exhibition, we embarked on the bus and headed for Mölndal and found this fantastic Mural telling the Irish Myth of Tir na nÓg - the Gods Land of Eternal Youth. Street Artist James Bullough from the USA has made a Mural Painting inspired by Niahm Chinn Óir, which means Niahm with the Golden Hair, the daughter to the King of Tir na nÓg. She left her immortal home for Olsin, an Irish poet that had captivated her with his song of love, bringing him back to her realms. His longing for the green island became too strong though so Niahm let him borrow her horse. When the horse returned alone, Niahm set away to look for Olsin. She still does... The 3D Street Art effects on the Mural are amazing, showing James' quality of artistry so well. James Bullough does a lot of layers in his art, often with painted torn surfaces showing an ability to do extremely detailed and realistic art. Love it! Find James Bullough Street Art online: James Bullough's site, James Bullough's Instagram, and James Bullough's Facebook. The last Mural of our Street Art Tour was Brazilian Artist Thiago Mazza's huge mural with the inspiration from a tale that has multiple origins, about how the finch got his colors. This saga is one from Belgium about patience and waiting. ​ In the beginning, all birds were grey. After a rain when they looked really colorless, the King of Birds decided to bring some color to his friends when seeing a rainbow. He was going to give them a color from the rainbow and all of a sudden the birds started to push and shove, to get their favorite colors. When The King of Birds had finished; a finch still stood back in the line, waiting for his turn...but the rainbow was gone. The Bird King then decided to bring all the birds back and taking a little color from each and every one of them, giving them to the finch. One of Thiago Mazza's skills is to capture light and shadows which is shown especially in the leaves of the Wall Painting. The artist was amazed by the size of the wall but managed to do an excellent job with just a brush and no spray paint! Birds and jungle are naturally a recurring subject in Thiago Mazza's beautiful Art Works, so the saga about the finch was a suitable one for this Street Artist to take on, but you should really have a look at more of his work online! ​ Find Thiago Mazza Street Art online: Thiago Mazza's site, Thiago Mazza's Instagram and Thiago Mazza's Facebook. GIBCA Exhibition Amalia Bille We ended our Mural and Art Tour at Mölndal Stadsmuseum and the GIBCA Exhibition of Amalia Bille. The Artist had some time between Exhibitions actually (busy schedule!) to talk about her work which was interesting. ​ Amalia's exhibition contained a series of paintings she made on an event where people could drop in letting her paint their faces for about 2 minutes per session; a brief meeting resulting in art with exiting depth. Later, she used this inspiration to create sculptures of faces in ceramic. ​ And that ended a really interesting day with Artscape and GIBCA. Hope they do this kind of trip one more time, I'll be sure to attend the remaining three that time! Paintings and Faces in Amalia Bille's GIBCA Exhibition "Möten och Speglingar" Sticks & Spoons Artscape Saga Tour This post is a part of Sticks & Spoons "Artscape Saga Tour" series of posts. You can read each part as they are, but of course, we would love it if you read them like a book; on our site, on Food and Travel Guides, and who-know-else-where!  ​ Table of content "Artscape Saga Tour" by Sticks & Spoons Food Travel 1. Artscape Saga Street Art Sweden 2. Street Art Tour with Artscape Saga and GIBCA Feel free to share! And just give us a shout if you want us to do a Guest Blog Post or would like to make a collaborate with us. That would be awesome! ​ Happy Street Art Hunting Everyone! Detail from Mona Caron's Mural Art "Mother Earth" in Partille This post was made with inspiration from the Street Artists and their sites, the books Artscape Saga (ISBN 978-91-639-9459-3) and Ollio "Monster och Mönster" (ISBN 978-91-85639-76-2), the sights and talks on The Tour, as well as the Artscape site and GIBCA site Jane and Fredrik Goldhahn are Food Travel Writers blogging on Sticks & Spoons Food Travel; two devoted Foodies and a Travel Couple from Sweden, who travel for food. Recently joined by their daughter in their mission to Travel every new Destination to Explore Food. Street Art Guide This is a Street Art Guide to Gothenburg, Sweden, and the amazing Street Art and Mural Paintings from Artscape Saga Project. Find beautiful Street Art and Murals in this Street Art Guide from Sweden with Swedish and Gothenburg Street Art. #streetart #streetartguide #streetartguidetogothenburg #amazingstreetart #moralpaintings #artscape #artscapesagaproject #beautifulstreetart #streetartandmurals #murals #streetartguidefromsweden #sweden #gothenburg #gothenburgstreetart

The Covid-19 virus strucked, chocked and changed our world. Many lives have been lost to this terrible Corona virus and have effected us all in so many ways. We've followed our Public Health Authorities recommendations, respected social distance, washed our hands - or spent all these days in quarantine during lockdowns. And unavoidable, of course we also postponed all travels abroad. Where to Travel during Covid-19? However, now as the travel restrictions have lighten nationwise we have been able to make shorter trips with respect, responsibility and the safety of ourselves and fellow humans in our minds, often discovering the destinations and locations nearest to our homes. This Pandemic actually may have changed our view of our own surroundings. The small things we discover in our own backyard, city or nearby locations maybe isn't that interesting for us at first glance but sure might be unique destinations for others. And those small discoveries is what our Collab Post #staycation is all about. Stay and Travel Safe Team at Food and Travel Guides Disclosure: Our site contains Affiliate Links. As an Amazon Associate we also earn from qualifying purchases. Clicking an Affiliate Link and purshasing something we recommend, won't cost you anything extra - it probably will save you some bucks. It will though give us a small comission which will help this site remaining a free resource for travellers to explore our world together. Where to Travel during Covid-19? #staycation: Responsible and Safe Travels during a Pandemic is a Collaboration Post between Top Travel Bloggers from all over the World, exploring and discovering their own surroundings during Covid-19 and the Corona outbreak in 2020. To be featured read Staycation Post in our Food Travel Forum. The Collab Guest Post will be ongoing as long as the Pandemic is and until travels finally open up our World once again. Table of Content: 1. Staycation in New York, USA (Kimberly Fisher) 2. Staycation in Chicago, Los Angeles and U.S National Parks, USA (Cait Kontalis) 3. Staycation in Los Angeles and SoCal, USA (Kailey Portsmouth) 4. Staycation in Madrid, Spain (South European Wanderings) 5. Staycation in Gothenburg, Sweden (Sticks & Spoons Food Travel) 6. Staycation on Lofoten Islands, Norway (A Piece of My Pie) 7. Staycation in Leuven, Belgium (Emma's Roadmap) 8. Staycation in Vienna, Austria (Another Fine Story) 9. Staycation in Mumbai, India (Travel Hand Made) #staycation in New York, USA Author: Kimberly Fisher, USA The United States, and especially New York, was hit especially hard by COVID-19. As a travel writer and certified wanderer, being in one place for months at a time is unheard of in my world. In February, I took my last international trip at the end of the month to Morocco. I was exhausted when I returned from a whirlwind 2 weeks throughout the country, but I would never had imagined I wouldn’t be able to travel again anytime in the near future. I have always thought that we all live in vacation destinations- no matter where you live. I’ve lived in Alaska, Nevada, California and now New York, so my cities have ranked very high on the tourism lists. If you look hard enough, I am sure you can find something worth exploring or discovering in your town. Being in New York City during the pandemic was challenging, but with a dog I walked the different neighborhoods every day. I discovered the plaques of historical landmarked buildings I didn’t know existed. I looked down and up on the walls and discovered beautiful street art by local artists. With the opening of outdoor dining, the streets of New York have been transformed- almost like walking down streets in Europe. In July I ventured to Long Island, to a small town not-quite the Hamptons, but on the water and beautiful. We spent the lazy days in the pool or kayaking, the evenings sharing an Aperitivo while watching the sunset. I booked another adventure to The Catskills, about 2 hours outside of New York City to stay in a tiny house village with nearby hiking to waterfalls and lakes. I have meal -planned all the essentials; hot dogs, smores and campfire cocktails. One day, I grabbed a girlfriend (with a car) and we did a day trip to a lavender farm called Lavender by the Bay in Long Island that I’ve been trying to make it to for years. The few hours we spent in the lavender fields, we could have been anywhere in the world. The family-owned farm was started by a family that expanded to what it is today, so it was also great to know we were supporting small businesses. The moral of the story is that it is all about perspective. Why do we travel in the first place? To experience something new- foods, places, people. All that is possible during a #staycation- you just have to be open to it. Guest Blogger Kimberly Fisher is an NYC-based Lifestyle Expert, Freelance Writer & On-Camera Host covering beauty, celebrity interviews, fashion, lifestyle, luxury travel, mindfulness, spa, and trends. Visit her site Kimberleyfisher.com, view her Contently profile or follow her on Twitter! #staycation in Chicago and Los Angeles, USA Author: Cait Kontalis, USA Sitting at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, one of the world busiest airports, just 40 minutes before boarding, and the rows of empty chairs are an unusual sight. They seem to serve as grave markers of souls once continent-hopping. I love to sit in airports. Time standstills here. Everyone is a stranger, but today you share the same mission of air travel.' The “benefits” of flying during COVID-19 is that hardly anyone is. Security takes minutes if not seconds. Lines for lunch couldn’t be shorter. The chance to have no one sitting next to you on the flight is high. Yet something is missing. The excitement of our interconnected world has slowed. As restrictions have eased in Chicago, a fake sense of normalcy has popped up in our day to day lives. Patio seating, bars are open, people gathering at the park. The airport doesn’t lie like that though. The adrenaline and nervous sweats of making your flight are but a memory, and fighting for a seat at your crowded gate is a thing of the past. Sitting at the airport now feels like sitting in a hospital. Beeps and buzzes you don’t recognize are no longer background noise but your source of entertainment. Conversations are muted, and everyone takes precautions to make sure six seats away is enough. You can’t escape COVID-19 in an airport because our world is trapped in an airport. Photo Credit: Nate Benz 5 Free Things to Do in Chicago We can all search for “free things to do in Chicago” and get the Lincoln Park Zoo, Garfield Park Conservatory, etc. Here I highlight some smaller gems, beloved by locals on a typical day! Chess Pavilion The Chess Pavilion is a hidden gem in Old Town. Located near North Avenue beach, this concrete pavilion overlooks Lake Michigan and a jaw-dropping view of the skyline. Come bring a chessboard, and sit with a leg on each side of these great cement blocks, with a black and whiteboard in-between. You’ll likely encounter some chess pros who will invite themselves to the bleachers of your game. Oz Park Oz Park brings the magic of The Wizard of Oz to Chicago. Complete with a Yellowbrick road, statues of the characters, and an “Emerald Garden”, this delightful park is a great place to pack a lunch, enjoy a Chicago summer, and reminisce on some childhood memories. Hollywood Beach Located in Chicago’s Northside Edgewater neighborhood, this beach stands out for its cleanliness. Away from the tourists, you feel like you’ve left the city for a bit and you’re on the coast. Filled with great views and beach shacks for snacks, Hollywood Beach is a great weekend “get away” from the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle. Also known as Osterman Beach Walk The 606 Trail This 2.7-mile elevated trail once was the Bloomingdale train lane and has since been converted to a haven for runners, walkers, bicyclists, and art admirers alike. Stroll this east-west trail on Chicago’s northwest side while enjoying art installations, local views of the city, and truly getting to “be with the locals”. Take A Brewery Tour Chicago is home to some of the best brews around. Many breweries offer free tours that come with a tasting at the end. My personal favorite is Lagunitas. Walkthrough their trippy Charlie and The Chocolate Factory-esque entrance, and see beers swinging past you on conveyor belts. It’s truly a grown-up candy factory. Malibu Beach L.A. Area Short Day Trip: Malibu Those dreamy beach Malibu vibes we all hear about in songs couldn’t be more true. We drove just north of Point Dume and found the empty beach pictured above. Can you believe this photo was taken in January? We had the most amazing day away from the crowds, swimming in the Pacific, enjoying hummus and some good beer. While the smooth, golden beaches of Santa Monica and Huntington are wonderful — the drive to find a beach off the beaten path was 100% worth it. This day still stands as one of my favorite beach days ever. Drive time from L.A. City Center to Malibu: approx. 1 hour L.A. Area Short Day Trip: The Getty Center We saw Diane Keaton here! That sentence alone should be enough to check out this place. If it's good enough for Diane — then its good enough for you! And if you don’t know who Diane Keaton is…go educate yourself immediately with Annie Hall. This incredible garden and art center floats above Los Angeles, with stunning sunset views. Even if you “aren’t an art person”, you can’t help but let your jaw drop for an open-mouthed “wow” while strolling around the grounds. Since its larger, and slightly less touristy than the Observatory, I’d recommend making a half-day trip out of the Getty Center. You may even have a celebrity sighting! Drive time from L.A. City Center to The Getty Center: approx 25 min Joshua Tree National Park A brief day-trip from Los Angeles, Joshua Tree is a boulderer's paradise. Gigantic boulders surround Joshua Tree filled paths and seem to be a grown-up's playground. Climb from rock to rock, or stroll on accessible boardwalks. Whatever you choose, the raw Californian nature is a must-see when in L.A. or Palm Springs. Joshua Tree National Park is a great day trip for all sorts of people. If you’re someone who likes to simply drive around, the views are awesome. If you like to get out and go on a leisurely stroll, there are plenty of boardwalk trails available. If you’re like me and my pals, you can easily “off-road” to some back-country trails and climb all over some boulders! Joshua Tree in many ways is like a giant playground for grown-ups. Lots to play with, lots to look at, and many places to avoid the crowds! If you are able, try camping here, There are some nice campsites — and the stars and moon views are out of this world. You’ll be reminded of just how small you are when you stand in Joshua Tree. Drive time from L.A. City Center to Joshua Tree National Park: approx 2.5 hours Jenny Lake at Grand Teton National Park And while we already talk about the Western U.S. National Parks, here's an additional 4 you defenitely should visit, and perfect destinations for your #staycation! Grand Teton, WY Often overlooked by its Yellowstone cousin to the north, Grand Tetons should not be missed. Although smaller than Yellowstone, its lands are packed with wildlife and rugged western mountains. Grab your backpack (and plenty of water) and head up to Cascade Canyon, past Inspiration Point, and you will likely see moose, bear, deer, and other wildlife. Arches, UT Natures Utah Utopia, Arches, is like walking in day-dreams of the Wild West. Incredible colors and rock formations stretch miles in every direction. Utah’s SouthWestern sun is strong, so be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen before venturing too far from your vehicle. Rocky Mountain National Park, CO Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most visited National Parks in the U.S., and for good reason. Its gigantic mountains make anyone feel as if you’ve left earth. Lush forests and deep blue lakes are home to bears, wolves, elk, moose, and more. Step inside this Bob Ross-Esque park; Rocky Mountain is truly a nature lover's dream. Grand Canyon, AZ Truly unlike anywhere else in the world, humans have been inhabiting the area since the Ice Age. Condors fly overhead, reminding you how dangerous Mother Nature is when you challenge her. The Grand Canyon allows you to choose your own adventure. Enjoy the views from up top, and take a stroll around the rim. Maybe even walk out on the glass walkway. Or, if you’re an experienced hiker, diligently prepare for an overnight journey down into the canyon, to see the Colorado River up close and personal. Guest Blogger Cait Kontalis from the self-named Travel Blog is an Greek-American Travel Blogger based in Chicago, Illonois. The most important thing in her life is to travel. Her motto is: "I firmly believe that the more people travel, the better global citizens we will become"! We agree 110% with that! Visit Cait Kontalis and follow her on Instagram! #staycation in Los Angeles and SoCal, USA Author: Kailey Portsmouth, USA I’ve never been more grateful to live in Southern California than I have this year. I work a steady 9-5 job with little vacation time each year, so I’ve always taken advantage of drivable weekend destinations near me. However, prior to this year, I spent much of my time focusing on flying out of town for the weekend or saving up vacation days for an out-of-country vacation. I was always daydreaming of getting away. But this year, with Stay at Home orders in effect, I’ve gained a greater understanding and appreciation for the area in which I live. I mean, I’m within a 40-minute drive to several beautiful beaches! Who would want to leave that?! I’m also about three hours from some of the most iconic desert parks in the States, Death Valley and Joshua Tree. Santa Barbara is just an hour and a half north, and downtown LA is a stone throw away. You’re never lacking for choice in SoCal. My husband and I bought our first townhouse and moved literally 2 weeks before Stay at Home orders were issued in California. Our move took us 20 miles north, outside the San Fernando Valley, into the Santa Clarita Valley. Before COVID-19 hit, we had weekend getaways or big activities planned for 9 of the first 13 weeks at our new place. There is absolutely no way my husband and I would have explored our new area like we’ve been able to under normal circumstances. We’ve taken drives through the canyons surrounding our valley. We’ve biked in town and on local bike paths. We’ve picnicked at several local parks. We’ve hiked on open trails. We’ve even gotten to check out and support our local restaurants by ordering take-out. Some of my favorite memories from this year are early morning drives to see the sunrise around the Santa Clarita Valley and at our closest beach in Ventura. Initially, I was quite disappointed to cancel our travel plans for the year. Now, however, I honestly feel grateful for the reprieve, although certainly not for the reason it came about. My husband and I have been able to settle into our new home, spend time getting to know our new area, and also take a step back and reflect on past travels and the reasons we love to travel. One of the major reasons I love to travel is to see and experience new things, often with new people. But during the pandemic, I’ve come to realize how much I have yet to explore my own area. Greater Los Angeles is massive. Although I’ve been very lucky to get a chance to do a lot of things here, there is still so much more to see, do, and learn. I know many people plan their big vacations to come to Southern California, and here I am, planning my trips elsewhere. Most importantly, my husband, my cats, and I are healthy and safe. That’s the greatest blessing of all, and something this year has taught us not to take for granted. As things open back up, I want to ensure that I continue to seek out experiences and new locations right in my own neighborhood. Not only does it foster a greater love and respect for where you live, but it also brings you closer to neighbors, friends, and your community. Guest Blogger Kailey Portsmouth from USA is a a CA based photographer with a passion for adventure and travel. She's also a frequent Travel Blogger at her self-named site under "Valley Girl Travel Guide Blog". Visit her site Kailey Portsmouth and follow her on Instagram! #staycation in Madrid, Spain Author: Milena Marangon, Spain Like many people, I had great plans for Summer 2020. In June I would be attending a baptism in my favourite Greek Island Andros and then I would be spending a couple of weeks in August in my hometown in Italy. As the COVID-19 pandemic situation worsened during the spring it became obvious that I probably would have to adjust my plans. Eventually, the event in Greece was cancelled and the direct connection between Madrid where I live and my city Turin was suspended. I didn’t really fancy to fly anyway, so I decided I would spend most of my holidays at home, exploring my surroundings. Despite the summer heat, at time unbearable, these weeks have been a great opportunity to experience Madrid at a slower pace than usual and dig more on its history. I took morning walks and indulged stopping in bars for a coffee or a typical Spanish breakfast with toasted bread and tomato and olive oil. I also visited some the parks with my daughter, like the famous Retiro or the less-known but much quieter Quinta de Los Molinos. It is strange how after moving permanently in the city I had stopped doing some of the things tourists usually do, like visiting the main museums and attractions. So, I finally decided to return to the Prado Museum for the first time in years. These days the exhibition has been adapted, with a reduced entry fee and only one floor opened to the public where the most famous paintings had been selected for display. It was still nice to be able to go through this essential collection and observe masterpiece like Velazquez’s Las Meninas without rush and the usual crowd. Another “touristy” thing I decided to do was taking a walking tour around the city. In particular, I was curious to find out more about an aspect of Madrid’s history that is quite less-known: its Islamic original. Madrid is, in fact, the only European capital founded by the Arabs. Today, very little remains are left from the period, the most visible is the original city’s wall which can be seen not far from the Royal Palace, in the Emir Mohamed I Gardens. I was thrilled to discover these pretty Andalusian-style garden, which is dedicated to the founder of the city and are a good place to go if looking for a quiet corner in the very centre of the Madrid. My quest for expanding my knowledge of Madrid also brought me outside its borders. In fact, I finally took a day-trip I had been postponing for a while: the visit to the Monastery of San Lorenzo del Escorial. This XV Century monastery is located just around 40 km from the capital, on the mountain area of the Sierra of the Guadarrama and it can be easily reached with local service trains. It was built by King Felipe II to host his court and the construction lasted only 20 years, which is incredible considering the times and how massive the place is. Nowadays, monks still inhabit the monastery. The site can normally get quite busy, but given the current situation, the crowds were nowhere to be seen. I liked the imposing beauty of the monastery, which is located on a hill and elegantly stands out on the surrounding landscape. I also enjoyed spending some time walking around the charming village of San Lorenzo and having a drink and a tapa in its historic streets. Guest Blogger Milena Marangon is an Italian Food Travel Blogger based in Madrid. She have opened the blog South European Wanderings to inspire readers to visit less-known destinations in Southern Europe. Recently, she have been focusing on Spain, findings plenty to write about in her surroundings, from nature to cultural events to gastronomy. Visit South European Wanderings and follow Milena on her Instagram. #staycation in Gothenburg, Sweden Author: Fredrik Goldhahn, Sweden Like so many other travelers, we had high expectations that 2020 would be one of our very best years as Food Travel Bloggers. In September 2019, our daughter Ellinor was born and we started planning the summer of 2020 right away. Our plan was to be on parental leave (something that is very advantageous in Sweden) for 8 weeks together and introduce our daughter to one of our biggest interests; Food Travel. We even had our finger on the buy button. A round trip with shorter flights to get Ellinor used to the Food Travel Life we so dearly love; starting in Stockholm, with a first stop in Prague, then a flight to Barcelona and a last stop in Lisbon before we returned to Stockholm again. We all know what happened next. And luckily, my gut feeling saved us a ton of problems and about 10K of the swedish krona. The flight tickets was really cheap and hopefully they still will be when this virus is eradicated from the face of the earth, because that's a great itinerary. So early on we stayed a lot at home, just enjoying Food on our balcony and playing outside in the playground for instance but we really would love to take somekind of a trip with Ellinor. Where to Travel during Covid? Change of plans. Sweden has not had the same restrictions, quarantine or lockdowns as the rest of the world; which you may have heard or read about. We have not really seen if it was the right strategy to slow down the spread of the virus, but it at least gave us freedom in how we with common sense, social distance and respect for our fellow human beings could move within the Swedish borders. We traveled to Varberg which is located along the Swedish west coast, just about 100 km south of Gothenburg. Stick's parents and little sister live there and the idea was to spend a whole week on the beach. Short Cut: It rained the whole week in Varberg =) So we decided to do a lot of smaller Food Travel Road Trips to some great locations just within miles from Varberg. We visited Strömma Farmlodge, Holy Smoke BBQ, Johnssons Gård, Ästad Vineyard (yes, we can grow grapes even in Sweden!), Öströö Sheep Farm, the Farmer Market in Ugglarp, Wapnö Dairy Farm and many more and actually had a lot of luck with the weather and some great food on the way too! And that was just the second week of our parental leave! The rest is about to be published on our Food Travel Blog. Hope to see you there. What this Pandemic and summer really have taught us though is to appreciate all our little excursions, the small things in everyday life we can experience within just hours of reach and to see our hometown and what is nearby here all the time with new exploratory eyes. There is so much around us that we think is kind of boring or take for granted and sometimes we become home blind to things that are actually absolutely amazing. We hope you will open your eyes too. Author and Food Travel Writers Jane and Fredrik Goldhahn are blogging on Sticks & Spoons Food Travel; two devoted Foodies and a Travel Couple from Sweden, who travel for food. Recently joined by their daughter in their mission to Travel every new Destination to Explore Food. Visit Sticks & Spoons Food Travel and follow them on Instagram! #staycation on Lofoten, Norway Author: Nathalie Segelborg, Sweden Rollercoaster. The ride of your life, that is one way to describe the bumpy ride that has been 2020. I was in Hemsedal, working in a café at a skiing resort when the pandemic that came to shake the world surfaced. ALL my plans, my job, gone. In just a matter of days... For someone that does not technically have a place to call ''home'' in the old fashionably sense, I felt incredibly lost at the beginning of this year. Since I let go of my apartment 4 years ago I haven’t lived anywhere for more than 3-6 months at a time, pretty much living out of my suitcase. I have been using my mother's house as my base, as a place where I could store my things and return to and rest up between jobs or travel destinations and I feel incredibly lucky to have a place like that, to have a place I can always come back to! In the summer of 2020, I was supposed to be on one of the Channel Islands, it was yet another chance to explore a new area and work at the same time, my favorite kind of traveling. The slow kind, where you can mix with the locals and find all these spots you would never have found otherwise. Instead, I was stuck at my mother’s house, not knowing when I would be able to travel again. Then, like a bright light at the end of the tunnel, I was offered my old job back from the summer before. Norway started to open back up slightly and because international travel was impossible, many Norwegians ventured up to the only tropical location within their borders. Lofoten, the arctic paradise with turquoise water and sugar-white beaches, high snow-capped mountains, and views that make your jaw drop. That meant an increase larger than they had imagined at Klatrekafeen in Henningvaer and I was soon in the car with a friend of mine, coming to their rescue! If you want to know how I was able to cross the Swedish-Norwegian border during a global pandemic you can read about my journey through Sweden and into Norway on my blog, apieceofmypie.com It has been hard work this summer, with all the new regulations and corona restrictions it has been a lot of pressure on us staff but in my free time, it has been easy to avoid people up here. Thanks to the wide range of mountain tops to choose from, it is super easy to keep your distance while exploring another part of another island and I feel so blessed to have been able to ‘’travel’’ as much as I’ve been able to during this pandemic. I have taken every precaution possible when I am among other people, and I have only been on day-trips somewhat close to where my current base is in Lofoten. I am still very torn on this whole travel-during-a-pandemic subject and it doesn’t help that every fiber in my body is screaming for more adventurous travel abroad, but I am trying to tame this inner voice by doing what I love in a more responsible, safe, and respectful manner. But I am curious, what is your view on traveling during a pandemic? I have friends that have gone on holiday to Spain etc. now for vacation and others that have stopped traveling completely. I feel like I currently land somewhere in between that since I crossed an international border for work, but are currently only doing short trips in my surrounding area ‘’for fun’’. What kind of precautions? There is always anti-bac in the car so that we can clean our hands when we are out and about. In every store, you use anti-bac when you enter and when you leave and on the hike trails, it is easy to avoid people, even if it sometimes means that you have to stray from the path a little bit. But like I always say, if you never stray from the path you'll only see what other people have already seen. Dare to stray a little 😉 I feel like with good hygiene and some common sense you can go about your daily life fairly normal and it is actually easier to avoid people out in nature than in the pub for example, so If your government allows it I would recommend you spend as much time in nature as you possibly can! The sunshine and fresh air also help with your mental health, which is more important than ever! I wrote a piece on Mental health during Covid-19 which might provide you with a few tips if you are currently struggling yourself! And if you are, dare to admit it, there is nothing wrong with it! I personally think everyone is struggling more with mental health now because of everything going on, some more than others. The important thing is to talk about it so we realize that we are not alone. I think that was everything for me right now, If you liked my take on this staycation post, and are curious to what else I’ve been up to during this year, feel free to check out @apieceofmypie on Instagram under the highlight ‘’Lofoten 2.0’’! Author and Food Travel Writer Nathalie Segelborg from Sweden blog about Food and Travel on this site, but she also has her own blog where she not only talks about travel, but also combine the subject with another one dear to her heart, Mental health! Check out apieceofmypie.com and follow on Instagram. #staycation in Leuven, Belgium Author: Emma, Belgium The 6 months before corona hit the world, I was travelling a lot. I’ve spent 4 months in Canada, visited Strasbourg in France, a friend in the South of Sweden and went skiing in both Austria and France. You could say that I looked forward to staying home in Belgium for a bit but I never imagined that it would turn out to be so long! Like many of you, I had already made up my mind about my summer travel plans. I was going to Shanghai, China for some weeks and I also had my mind set on a train ride through Europe. Unfortunately, both were cancelled and I’ve spent my vacation at home, in Belgium. Although the internal EU borders all opened at the end of June, I didn’t feel comfortable with travelling abroad. The virus changes so quickly in different places that every 24 hours travel restrictions suddenly change in different countries. So that is why I decided to stay in Belgium and go on a few #staycations instead! I started by visiting my own city. I suddenly realized that I had been living in Leuven for 3 years but actually didn’t know a single thing about the city’s history or tourist attractions. So I knew I had to do something about that! Leuven, Belgium I’ve spent a weekend exploring every attraction you could find in Leuven and was surprised by the unforeseen beauty of this medieval city! How come that we always overlook our own hometown as a travel destination? From there, I decided to expand to the rest of Belgium. As you might know, Belgium consists of 2 main parts which both speak another language. Thus, I decided to visit the other side of the country hoping that when I would hear the other language it would feel like going abroad! This kind of worked and I’ve visited the Belgian Ardennes and its cute medieval cities such as Durbuy, with plans to return within 2 weeks to explore the region even more! To keep it all as safe as possible I stayed in a small Bed & Breakfast and explored everything by car. Durbuy, Belgium But I won’t lie. As much as I love exploring my home country, I miss travelling abroad incredibly. Because there is simply an element of cultural differences that you can’t find if you’re not travelling abroad. And as a person that’s very intrigued by other cultures and languages, I miss this terribly. However, I am happy that I had the opportunity to open my eyes to the beauty that is nearby instead of focusing on faraway adventures. Because only if we understand our own culture, we can see the difference with other cultures. Guest Blogger Emma is a Belgian business student bitten by the travel bug! On her Travel Blog she write about city trips and travel tips while focusing on saving you valuable time while you plan your next trip! Visit Emma's Roadmap and follow her on Instagram! #staycation in Vienna, Austria Author: Carmen Hackmann, Austria We moved to Vienna in mid-March of 2020, right before the lockdown started. I was due to start a new job on the 1st April and we had just found an apartment, so we moved. Our first impression of beautiful Vienna during a lock-down showed us a very quiet city of course. Since everything was closed and we did not know anybody we needed to find some things to do. Lock down in Austria meant that all shops except for the essential ones were closed, all museums and tourist attractions remained closed, but people were able to be outdoors. With little choices for activities in our new city, we discovered the outdoors around the city. And Vienna is perfect for that. It was recently again voted the most livable city in the world and the many outdoor activity possibilities are surely one of the reasons why. There are so many options and it therefore never really feels crowed anywhere which is great in times like these. Vienna is a great cycling city and we started discovering by bike. Through the city, along the Danube river, on the Danube island, up and down the hills surrounding the city with it´s wine growing areas. We discovered the historic sights from the outside in the beginning, the amazing river with so many options for swimming, picnicking, watersports, walking, hiking, running, cycling all in a safe social distance. We found places with amazing views of the city and were able to get to know our new town from a different perspective. If you are planning to travel to Vienna in the near or distant future, do plan a few more days to discover the surrounding areas as well as the inner city. Here are a few suggestions from our tours: Nussberg for hiking, the local wine and the view To the north of city lies the "Nussberg", a fantastic wine-growing area with great views of the city, a variety of wine taverns and numerous hiking trails. Here they produce a Viennese wine specialty, the “Gemischter Satz”, which means the planting of different grape varieties together in one vineyard - a unique style profile has been developed and requires that at least three white quality wine varieties must be planted together in one vineyard. This is the one to try! On our first visit, the little vineyard taverns were still closed as it was early in the season and the pandemic had just hit. They are not open all year around, so do check before you go. But we came back and tried a few different places and just loved it. I can´t really decide which one was the best because they all have their own charm and are lovely, tasty and unique. Go with the flow, bring cash as card payments are not always possible, bring your camera and enjoy. Neusiedlersee for swimming, watersports and relaxing On one of the first warm days of this summer, we decided to check out "Neusiedlersee". Located about 70 km to the south east of Vienna on the border to Hungary it is the largest endothermic lake in Central Europe with about 315 km² in size. The lake has a unique natural landscape with the wide plains, idyllic vineyards and a unique habitat has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. We chose to drive to the “Strandbad Breitenbrunn” where the Viennese restaurant "Hollerkoch" has a Pop-up location with delicious food. And it didn´t disappoint. It was a relaxed day by the water with great swimming and Stand-up paddling followed by fabulous Fish & Chips. There are more towns and restaurants around the lake, and we will be back to try more! Rax Alm for hiking and the view Friends recommended the Rax mountains, south of Vienna and of we went for some hiking. The drive from where we live in the city took us approximately one hour and there was parking directly at the cable car station. Ideally book your time with the cable car in advance and pick up your ticket from the machine directly at the cable car station which was very easy and straight forward. Once in the cable car, it is very steep, and it takes you up the mountain to over 1500 m. It is the starting point of various trails and you just pick the one that suits you best. Many different degrees of difficulties are available, and we chose blue (easy :) ....) It was foggy at the beginning of our hike, but the clouds lifted after a while and we got the view we came for. Stunning mountain scenery all around and we loved it! We walked for hours, took photos and videos and enjoyed the peace and quiet. Altogether we hiked approximately 15 km, reached two mountain peaks and had a little break at the "Seehütte" hut for food and drinks. A great day out and a perfect opportunity to be active, really switch off and enjoy nature at its best. Totally recommend it if you live in Vienna and haven´t been or if you are in town and have some time on your hands. Hohe Wand for hiking, animals and the view Our next hiking trip took us to the "Hohe Wand" nature park south of Vienna. The 1,135-meter-high and 8 km long "Hohe Wand" rises from the plain like an island and is a beautiful sight driving towards it. It took us less than an hour to travel there by car and you have to pay a little entrance fee upon approaching the park (2,50€ per adult, 1€ per child and dogs are allowed in on a leash), then you either walk up or drive up and park your car to start from there. There are numerous hiking and climbing options, a great number of huts for food and drinks, an animal park for young and old as well as an impressive sky-walk observation deck with amazing views over the area. We hiked one of the longer trails for over 10 km. Most of the way takes you through the woods which was great as it was very hot on the day. Great trail, fantastic views and an instant holiday feeling!! Vienna is a great city, no matter when you come and visit. We have rediscovered our outdoorsy side and we will continue to discover the city AND it´s surrounding area for sure. There is so much more we don´t know, so stay tuned! Guest Blogger Carmen Hackmann from Vienna in Austria run the Travel Blog Another Fine Story where she shares her stories and travel photos from her travels in Europe, USA and Asia. Visit Another Fine Story and follow Carmen on Instagram! #staycation in Mumbai, India Guest Blogger: Satarupa Datta, India Be a tourist in your city The Maximum city, financial hub, or a city of dreams, whatever you may call, there's a Mumbai, overshadowed by its highrises, that shine of legacies gifted. There are many like me, who came to Mumbai for good. But 2020 India lockdown sparked off a desire to be a tourist once again in this very city. That’s because, a massive change of scenery in Mumbai post lockdown opened a new window to all travelers - be an architecture lover, beach bump, or an adventure-hungry. Mumbai adopted NewYork state of mind and came to be known as a city that never sleeps, which looked so sleepy once falling under the clutches of the evil pandemic. As Mumbai starting unlocking, I decided to scout out. Here are 5 ways to be a tourist first-time in your city. 1. Take in the architecture A drive around Mumbai’s oldest business districts, Fort area throws light on the city’s connection with the British raj, filled with gothic styles and art deco line of buildings. Today Indian architects trying to find pieces of heritage in the city, added value to those heritage properties by restoring them. One such story is the five-storied flagship store of Zara, housed in the heritage-listed 110-year old Ismail Building in South Mumbai, spanning a total area of 51,300 sq ft. Coming from a newly emerging neighborhood of Mumbai, today exploring the old locales where the city sprawled along the northern reaches, was like walking into an architectural timeline. One side strewn in Victorian New-Gothic facades, from the late 19th century, on the other side, a stunning panorama of Art Deco buildings from the early 1900s. I finally came across Flora Fountain, a defining landmark of the city, something that reminds me of Rome’s sculpture-studded piazzas or squares. And I could take in these architectural marvels, without jostling for space and mostly at my own pace. 2. Hit the beach and soak up the sun The coastal metropolis has many beaches only if you make time to let your toes on the sand and sea breeze to frazzle your hair. But in times such, when travel is uncertain, there is nothing like being on a beach, soaking up the sun. I drove down two hours to the remote Utan beach, which almost feels like a beach to oneself. The clean air, no crowd, and the rocky outcrop fringes along the beach make for an ideal beach lounging minus the crowds. 3. Trekking up the mountains As the world is still under home confines, turning beds, balconies, and living areas as makeshift office spaces, the inch for outdoors is on an-all-time-high. Many trekking trails within the city have been closed, so I went ahead to the nearest destination, trekking the fortified hills of Maharashtra. Rising to an elevation of 1,033 m, Lohagad fort overlooks the beautiful Pavna reservoir and even connects with another fort, the neighbouring Visaur Fort. The hills opens to fortified settlements, heart stopping views and vestiges of ancient past. It was so silent up in the mountains, you could trek for hours without seeing anyone. At a time when we are all worried about getting close to strangers, we only came across two fellow hikers. Even though the trek is a beginner's level, the mountain air and the surrounding greens, can cure the COVID scare out of you. 4. The Queen’s necklace, prefect for a leisure stroll Many would agree, Marine Drive, or the Queen’s necklace is Mumbai’s best jogger’s spot and the most happening. And it is always a joy to be here with nothing to do but sit on the benches or jog, taking in an uninterrupted view of the Arabian Sea. While we couldn’t sit for a coffee date opposite at one of the city’s high-end hotels that dot the esplanade, we were rewarded with empty walking trails, hardly two to three of them brisk walking. 5. Find your own staycation In India, flights and trains are yet to bounce back to being operational, so we ended up bowling over to a less-frequented getaway. I found a farmstay last week, in the wine country of Nasik, three hours off Mumbai. The surrounding land to the farmstay leads nowhere, except to a lake. The terrace looks out over the vineyards. We had the farm to ourselves, mile after mile of grasslands marked only by occasional squirrels and birds, and peeking out at those dune-like hills by the light of the moon, made it all the more memorable. There were no human footprints except ours and the farmworkers. Food was simple, home-cooked, and prepared strictly under the COVID-19 hygiene guidelines. And the best bit was almost everything you eat here is grown in the compost-sprinkled biodynamic farm at the backyard. Early mornings and evenings are for scouting the surrounding wetlands, for birding. This farmland including many of its surroundings are under Nature Conservation Society of Nashik. Sighting some of the rare species makes you feel blissfully insignificant in the grand scheme of things, and carefree at once. Like a seagull divebombing a bucket of fries, the pandemic too has shattered our travel plans for this year. We can either choose to feel locked-away or can see this time to rediscover one's city, like never before. The choice is yours ! Guest Blogger Satarupa Datta is a world traveler who seeks unique cultures and traditions, that’s unheard and not much written about on her Travel Blog Travel Hand Made. She's a television writer with previous stints in reputed travel channels based out of Mumbai, India. She also have been developing scripts for Taiwan, Portugal, Mauritius, Uzbekistan, Cyprus and Egypt which aired in Travel XP 4k channel and love to do travel guides, features, roundup articles, food stories for publications and tourism boards. Visit Travel Hand Made and read her work on The Chubby Nomad. Do you want to be featured in this Collab Post? We will continue to encourage Top Food Bloggers and Top Travel Bloggers to participate so feel free to tell us your unique story about how your #staycation have been and we'll publish new entries as soon as we get them! Be sure to read our Staycation Collab Post first in the Food Travel Forum for Guidelines. We have also started a second Collab Guest Blog Post: Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Travel Guide and would love to get more Guest Bloggers joining. It will be amazing so get creative! #staycationcollabpost #responsibletravel #safetravels #toptravelbloggers #kimberlyfisher #southeuropeanwanderings #sticksandspoons #covid19 #corona #virus #pandemic #travelsduringapandemic #wheretotravelduringcovid #perfectdestinationsforyourstaycation Disclosure: Our site contains Affiliate Links. As an Amazon Associate we also earn from qualifying purchases. Clicking an Affiliate Link and purshasing something we recommend, won't cost you anything extra - it probably will save you some bucks. It will though give us a small comission which will help this site remaining a free resource for travellers to explore our world together.

After moving to Madrid two years ago I quickly discovered that there is more to see in the area than the city itself. Here there are some of the most popular day-trip options which can be easily taken by public transport. If you like history and good food you won´t be disappointed! Guest Blogger: Milena Marangon, South European Wanderings Disclosure: Our site contains Affiliate Links. Clicking an Affiliate Link and purchasing something we recommend, won't cost you anything extra. It will though give us a small commission which will help this site remain a free resource for travelers to explore our world together. Toledo For Centuries the city of Toledo was a greater cultural and political center than Madrid. Toledo was the capital of the Kingdom of Castilla and then of the unified Spanish Kingdom until the XVI Century. The city was also a place where the Christian, Jewish, and Arab religions co-existed pacifically during most of the Middle ages. Today, the influence of the three religions is found all over the city’s architecture. Nowadays Toledo is divided in a lower and upper part, with the older city located on top of a hill, surrounded by the river Tajo. There is a lot to see in Toledo, for example, the Mezquita Cristo de la Luz, one of the oldest Spanish mosques that was later converted in a church, the Plaza de Zocodover, the central square, and the Gothic Cathedral. One of my favourite areas of the city is the Jewish quarter which is made up of quiet small streets and where there are many craft shops devoted to the city’s medieval past. The old synagogue, although small, is well worth a visit. Toledo’s swords and medieval armours are still produced here and are internationally used in historic re-enactments. Many small shops also sell a different kind of pastries, the most typical are the marzipan or toledanas (cookies filled with sweet pumpkin filling), while in the restaurant you can have the Perdiz Estofada (roasted partridge) and the Arroz a la Toledana (paella-style rice with chicken, pork, mushrooms and squid). How to reach Toledo from Madrid: By high-speed train from Atocha Station. The journey lasts about half an hour. By bus ALSA from Intercambiador de Plaza Eliptica. The journey lasts about 50 minutes. Segovia Segovia is another of the most popular day-trips from Madrid. This city of Roman origin is located at the feet of the Sierra de Guadarrama, a mountain area in the North of Madrid. The landmark of Segovia is surely the spectacular 28m-high Roman aqueduct that dates back to the 1st Century A.C. You can easily spend some time wandering in the square surrounding it and admire how well-preserved the structure still is after more than 2000 years. Close to the aqueduct, there is a small hill that is possible to climb to get a view of the natural landscape of the Sierra of Guadarrama. The rest of the city has a medieval origin, Plaza Mayor is its most lively point, a place where it is nice to sit down for a coffee or a vermouth (the most popular aperitif in Spain) and admire the ancient buildings around, including the Cathedral, one of the most important Gothic pieces of architecture in Spain. Segovia´s paved streets offer interesting sights like the Casa de Los Picos, a building with a diamond-shaped pointed facade. It was built in the XV Century as the house of the local governor and nowadays it hosts an art school and it is possible to visit it for free. Another must-see in Segovia is the Alcazar, the city’s castle that has a special place in history: here Christopher Columbus met the Queen Isabel of Castilla and obtained financing for his mission that lead to the discovery of America. What to eat in Segovia? Like many places in Spain, the local gastronomy is pork-based, specifically, Segovia’s most famous dish is the cochinillo, roasted piglet which is prepared in many restaurants across the town. Another typical dish is the Judiones de la Granja, giant beans with chorizo and bacon. If you are vegetarian you can still enjoy the Ponche Segoviano, a dessert made with sponge cake, marzipan and custard cream. How to reach Segovia from Madrid: By high-speed train from Chamartín Station. The journey lasts about half an hour. By Bus from Intercambiador de la Moncloa run by the company Avanzabus. The journey lasts about 1h and 20 minutes. San Lorenzo del Escorial San Lorenzo del Escorial is a small village, located just about 40 km from Madrid in the mountains of the Sierra de Guadarrama. The reason for its fame is its beautiful monastery which dates back to the XVI Century. The building was originally built by King Felipe II as the location for his court and was erected in 20 years, which is a record for the times considering the imposing size of the place. The site was divided in a monastery, still inhabited by monks today, and a Royal Residence. I have visited the monastery recently and due to the COVID-19 situation, the guided tour that is usually offered to visitors was not available. It was possible however to follow a self-guided itinerary through the main areas of the monastery and the Royal apartments, including the basilica, the library, the Royal Pantheon and the peaceful cloister, usually closed to the public. While the interior is rich in details and decoration, the most striking part of the monastery is probably the exterior, in particular, the enormous cupola of the basilica is one of the most recognizable elements of the monastery from the distance. The village of San Lorenzo del Escorial is very quaint, with a calm atmosphere, although its tranquillity during my visit was probably due to the pandemic circumstances and the almost total absence of foreign tourists. The pretty historic centre is built on different levels and it is populated with bars and restaurants that offer tapas or typical dishes of the surrounding regions such as the Chuletón, a roasted beef steak typical of the nearby town of Avila, or the Cocido Madrileño, a stew made with different kinds of pork meat, chickpeas and vegetables. If you arrive by train, you should know that the train station is located about 2 km from the monastery, in the village of El Escorial. You can reach the monastery in San Lorenzo del Escorial (which is a different village) from the train station by bus, the journey is just about 5 minutes long or alternatively, you can walk. Since the monastery is uphill my suggestion is to take the bus on the way up and then to come back by foot by crossing the beautiful Parque Casita del Principe, a royal park created in the XVII century. This is a really nice downhill walk on a path surrounded by cypresses. How to reach San Lorenzo del Escorial from Madrid: By local train (Cercanias) from Atocha or Chamartín train stations. The journey lasts about 1 hour. By bus from the Intercambiador de la Moncloa. The bus is ran by the company Herranz. Ávila Ávila is a medieval town located in the region of Castilla y León, about 120 km from Madrid. Ávila is famous for its very well preserved city walls built using stones from pre-existing Roman buildings. These walls are so massive that it is possible to walk around them through most of their 2 km perimeter. It is a nice experience that also allows for admiring the countryside landscape around the town. The other reason for the town´s celebrity is for being the hometown of Santa Teresa, a popular catholic saint who was a noun and a monastic reformer. She is remembered in the convent that takes her name and also includes a religious hostel and a museum. The square surrounding the monastery is one of the most beautiful spots in Ávila and it is located near one of the city’s medieval entry doors. A constant in Ávila is the smell of grilled meat that accompanies visitors all over the town. In fact, the speciality of Avila is the chuletón, a huge beef steak, often accompanied by patatas revolconas (a potato puré with paprika and garlic). The typical dessert is instead the Yemas de Santa Teresa, which consist of cookies made of egg yolk. One thing to consider when visiting Ávila is its location at about 1200m on the sea level. While in summer this may only mean a slight relief from the heat of Madrid (there were 34 degrees when I visited it in August), in winter the temperature is significantly lower, so it is better to bring an extra layer with you. How to reach Avila from Madrid: By local train from Príncipe Pío or Chamartín station. The journey lasts from 1.30h to 2h. By bus with the company Jimenez Dorado from the Estación Sur de Autobuses Méndez Alvaro. The journey lasts 1 hour and 20 minute. Guest Blogger Milena Marangon is an Italian Food Travel Blogger based in Madrid. She have opened the blog South European Wanderings to inspire readers to visit less-known destinations in Southern Europe. Recently, she have been focusing on Spain, findings plenty to write about in her surroundings, from nature to cultural events to gastronomy. Visit South European Wanderings and follow Milena on her Instagram. Madrid Day Trip Guide In this Day-Trip Guide to Madrid in Spain, you'll find day trips to Toledo, Segovia, San Lorenzo del Escorial and Ávila. Read about destinations you can travel from Madrid in one day, what to do and what to see and eat. Take a break from Madrid for a day with this Trip Guide and discover the best sightseeing nearby the city of Madrid in Spain. #madrid #madriddaytrip #tripguide #guide #daytripguide #guidetomadrid #madridinspain #daytrips #toledo #segovia #sanlorenzodelescorial #avila #destinationsyoucantravel #destinationsyoucantravelfrommadrid #madridinoneday #whattodoandwhattoseeandeat #discoverthebestsightseeing #nearbythecityofmadrid